Correlation of diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsules in conjunction with function training and VAS score after ankle fracture surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsules combined with function training on functional recovery and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score after surgery for ankle fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 88 patients with ankle fractures who were surgically treated at our institution between October 2019 and October 2021. The individuals were randomized into experimental and control groups, with 44 patients in each group. Following their hospitalization, all patients had surgical therapy. After surgery, patients in the control group received conventional analgesics together with function training, whereas those in the experimental group received Diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsules along with function training. The efficacy of the post-surgical treatment in the two groups was then evaluated using functional recovery and VAS scores. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the VAS score between the two groups before intervention (p>0.05). After treatment, both groups experienced pain relief, with the VAS score of the experimental group being significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). The number of patients in the experimental group who fully and partially complied with the study was 19 and 24, respectively, significantly higher than that of 15 and 20 in the control group. Only 1 patient in the experimental group was non-compliant, compared to 9 in the control group. The total compliance rate in the experimental group was 97.73%, much higher than that of 79.55% in the control group (p<0.05). Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the range of active ankle motion between the two groups (p>0.05). After treatment, there was an improvement in the range of active motion of the ankle in patients from both groups. CONCLUSIONS: After ankle fracture surgery, using Diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsules in conjunction with function training successfully lowers postoperative pain. It also maintains emotional stability and ensures sleep, factors which are helpful in improving patient compliance to treatment and promoting functional recovery of the ankle. The clinical value of this treatment regimen is certain, and it deserves more widespread application.

Expression of lncRNA-ANRIL in patients with coronary heart disease before and after treatment and its short-term prognosis predictive value.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to explore the expression of LncRNA-ANRIL in patients with coronary heart disease before and after treatment and its short-term survival prediction value. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-three patients with coronary heart disease who came to our hospital undergoing interventional therapy were selected as a research group, 81 healthy volunteers who came to our hospital for normal physical examination during the same period were selected as a control group, and LncRNA-ANRIL of subjects in the two groups before and after treatment were detected by RT-PCR. Levels of Gensini score, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), creatine kinase (CK), and BNP of patients in research group before treatment were evaluated and detected, and the correlation between those and LncRNA-ANRIL was analyzed. Then, the effective treatment of LncRNA-ANRIL for patients with coronary heart disease and the predictive value of poor prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of LncRNA-ANRIL in patients with coronary heart disease was lower than that of normal subjects (p<0.05), and the expression levels of Gensini score, LDH, CK-MB, CK, and BNP gradually increased with the increased number of their diseased vessels (p<0.05). The expression of LncRNA-ANRIL was negatively correlated with expressions of Gensini score, LDH, CK-MB, CK, and BNP (p<0.05); ROC of LncRNA-ANRIL in predicting effective treatment, and poor prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease was over 0.9, as well as smoking; LncRNA-ANRIL, Gensini score, LDH, CK-MB, CK, and BNP were independent risk factors for the occurrence of MACE. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA-ANRIL expresses low in the serum of patients with coronary heart disease, and it has high predictive value both for effective treatment and poor prognosis of them. Also, lncRNA-ANRIL is also an independent risk factor for their poor prognosis.

MicroRNA-486 inhibits cell proliferation, invasion and migration via down-regulating the TENM1 expressions and affecting ERK and Akt signaling pathways and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the general thyroid malignancies. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have identified as pivotal gene regulators in PTC tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-486 in PTC and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six pairs of PTC tissue and matched normal tissue samples were collected from PTC patients who underwent surgery at our hospital from March 2015 to September 2017. Human thyroid epithelial cell line Nthy-ori3-1and PTC cell lines (BCPAP, K1, HTH83, and TPC-1) were cultured. The mRNA and protein expression level were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Additionally, the proliferation and migration abilities were checked by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) method and transwell assay, respectively. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the combination of miR-486 and TENM1. Xenograft Model experiments were performed to assess the effects of miR-486 on tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS: MiR-486 expression was significantly reduced in PTC, which was associated with the poorer clinicopathologic characteristics and overall survival (OS) of PTC patients. Moreover, miR-486 restoration in PTC cells was confirmed to markedly inhibit proliferation, invasion, and migration via the regulation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In the meantime, teneurin transmembrane protein 1 (TENM1) was identified as a direct functional target for miR-486 in PTC cells on the basis of bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assays. Additionally, we also verified that miR-486 restoration could prominently repress the PTC growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-486 exerted anti-tumor functions in PTC progression and served as promising biomarkers for the PTC treatment.

MicroRNA-199a-5p regulates glioma progression via targeting MARCH8.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNA-199a-5p (miR-199a-5p) was reported to play crucial roles in cancer progression. However, its role in glioma remains largely unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RT-qPCR was employed to analyze miR-199a-5p expression level in glioma cell lines. The effects of miR-199a-5p on cell proliferation and invasion were investigated in vitro. RESULTS: We showed that miR-199a-5p expression level was significantly downregulated in glioma cell lines compared with a normal cell. In addition, miR-199a-5p overexpression suppresses glioma cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Bioinformatic analysis and Luciferase assay suggested that the membrane-associated ring-CH-type finger 8 (MARCH8) was a target of miR-199a-5p. Furthermore, MARCH8 overexpression could partially reverse the effects of miR-199a-5p on glioma cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that miR-199a-5p may function as a tumor suppressor in glioma by targeting MARCH8.

Correlations of serum homocysteine, VEGF and gastrin 17 with gastric cancer and precancerous lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlations of Homocysteine (Hcy), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and serum gastrin 17 (G17) with gastric cancer and precancerous lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 56 patients with gastric cancer (gastric cancer group) and 53 patients with precancerous lesions (precancerous lesion group) admitted to Heze Municipal Hospital from January 2017 to October 2018 were selected, and 50 healthy subjects undergoing the physical examination in the same period were selected as control group. The levels of serum Hcy, VEGF, and G17 in the three groups were compared, and the relations of each index with clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer were analyzed. RESULTS: The levels of serum Hcy, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and G17 in gastric cancer group and precancerous lesion group were higher than in control group, and those in gastric cancer group were higher than in precancerous lesion group (p<0.05). Besides, the high expression levels of serum Hcy, VEGF, and G17 had evident correlations with the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, Lauren type, infiltration depth, and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hcy, VEGF, and G17 can exhibit different levels of expressions in precancerous lesions. They are also highly expressed in gastric cancer. Besides, they are involved in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer and can be regarded as crucial indexes with clinical significance for the differential diagnosis of gastric cancer and precancerous lesions in the early stage.

Effects of polymorphisms of serotonin transporter promoter (5-HTTLPR) and brain derived neurotrophic factor gene (G196A rs6265) on the risk of major depressive disorder in the Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: The etiology of Major depressive disorder (MDD) is multifactorial but the genetic risk is an important factor. Previous studies have shown a significant interaction between serotonin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain function. The serotonin transporter protein promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and BDNF (rs6265) are two of the most studied candidate gene polymorphisms in relation to MDD. However, the effect of 5-HTTLPR-BDNF (rs6265) interaction on MDD-risk is not consistent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study recruited 459 patients with MDD and 412 healthy volunteers in a Chinese Han population. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based genotyping was used to detect polymorphisms. Logistic regression was applied to estimate the effect of polymorphisms of 5-HTTLPR, BDNF (rs6265), and their interaction. RESULTS: We observed a significant correlation between the heterozygous genotype of 5-HTTLPR and MDD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.05~1.91; p = 0.02]. The BDNF (rs6265) polymorphism showed that there is no correlation with MDD. When interaction with BDNF was modeled, for individuals with BDNF (rs6265), genotype GG, cases in the heterozygous group had even higher odds of MDD than those in the combined homozygous group of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.43-5.95; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that 5-HTTLPR, may be associated with the susceptibility of MDD in an overdominant mode, and there may be a significant interaction between 5-HTTLPR and BDNF (rs6265) polymorphisms in relation to MDD.

MiR-335 functions as a tumor suppressor and regulates survivin expression in osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that miR-335 plays an anti-tumor role in several types of cancer. However, whether it is able to regulate the tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma (OS) has not been fully investigated. The present study was designed to study its potential role in regulating apoptosis of OS cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of miR-335 in a total of 18 paired OS tumor tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues was measured by Real-time PCR, and its different expression in OS cell lines was also measured. The effect of miR-335 on apoptosis was measured by MTT assay, caspase-3 activity assay and TUNEL assay. The effect of survivin inhibition on apoptosis of OS cells was determined by MTT assay and western blot. Luciferase reporter assay and western blot were conducted to confirm the relationship between miR-335 and the 3'UTR of survivin mRNA. RESULTS: MiR-335 expression was found to be significantly downregulated in OS tumor tissues and OS cell lines. Overexpression of miR-335 led to decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis. MiR-335 directly targeted the 3'UTR of survivin mRNA and suppressed survivin gene expression, and inhibition of survivin exhibited similar effects to miR-335 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-335 might function as a tumor suppressor in OS, and downregulation of miR-335 in OS cells contributes to the decreased apoptotic potential of OS cells through derepression of survivin.

Seasonal migration of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) over the Bohai Sea in northern China.

The rice leaf roller, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée), is a serious insect pest of rice with a strong migratory ability. Previous studies on the migration of C. medinalis were mostly carried out in tropical or subtropical regions, however, and what the pattern of seasonal movements this species exhibits in temperate regions (i.e. Northern China, where they cannot overwinter) remains unknown. Here we present data from an 11-year study of this species made by searchlight trapping on Beihuang Island (BH, 38°24'N; 120°55'E) in the centre of the Bohai Strait, which provides direct evidence that C. medinalis regularly migrates across this sea into northeastern agricultural region of China, and to take advantage of the abundant food resources there during the summer season. There was considerable seasonal variation in number of C. medinalis trapped on BH, and the migration period during 2003-2013 ranged from 72 to 122 days. Some females trapped in June and July showed a relatively higher proportion of mated and a degree of ovarian development suggesting that the migration of this species is not completely bound by the 'oogenesis-flight syndrome'. These findings revealed a new route for C. medinalis movements to and from Northeastern China, which will help us develop more effective management strategies against this pest.

Elevated serum levels of interleukin 21 are associated with disease severity in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is an immune disorder involving numerous cytokines. Recent studies have shown that interleukin (IL)-21 plays an important role in a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. It is highly expressed in psoriatic plaques and promotes the proliferation of epidermis in mice. It seems that IL-21 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. However, whether or not it is elevated in the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis and is associated with disease severity is unclear. Therefore, our study focuses on serum IL-21 levels and their correlation with disease severity. OBJECTIVES: To detect serum IL-21 levels in patients with psoriasis and investigate the correlation between these and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from patients with plaque psoriasis and from healthy control subjects. Serum IL-21 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 37 patients with psoriasis and 37 healthy controls. The PASI scores of patients with psoriasis and their correlation with serum IL-21 levels were evaluated. RESULTS: Serum IL-21 levels were higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy controls (P < 0·01). Serum IL-21 levels were positively correlated with PASI scores in the patients with psoriasis (r = 0·471, P < 0·01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum IL-21 levels in patients with psoriasis are elevated and positively correlate with PASI scores. These results indicate that IL-21 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Perforated appendicitis: urgency or interval surgery?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to report how conservative treatment with interval appendectomy (IA) of ruptured appendicitis with localized abscess or phlegmon affects the outcome of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2005, 121 patients with ruptured appendicitis with localized abscess or phlegmon were treated in our hospital. 104 patients underwent appendectomy (Group A); 17 patients underwent antibiotic treatment with interval appendectomy (Group B). The clinical characteristics (age and sex), laboratory data, mean time to surgery, operative time, complications, hospital days and cost of hospitalization were recorded. RESULTS: The sex, age, white blood cell count (WBC), body temperature, operation time, length of stay after surgery, first flatus, oral feeding, passage of stools, cost and overall complications (including wound infection, wound disruption, intra-abdominal abscess and enterocutaneous fistula) were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the length of stay after diagnosis established of group B was significantly longer in group B than in group A. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment with IA is a safe and effective method to treat perforated appendicitis with localized abscess and phlegmon, but the recovery time may be longer and also the hospital stay (since diagnosis established). Thus this method is not cost-saving.

The 6-(10-Mercaptodecoxyl)quinoline Self-Assembled Monolayer on Gold: Spectroscopy and Wettability Investigation.

A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with an exposed basic group has been generated by the adsorption of a novel quinoline derivative 6-(10-mercaptodecoxyl)quinoline (MDQ) on a gold surface. The structure and surface properties of the SAMs of MDQ were characterized by ellipsometry, reflection absorption FTIR (RA-IR), and contact angle titration. It was found that the quinoline moiety of MDQ forms an ordered layer on the top of the film and the alkyl chain exhibits a packing density similar to that of a monolayer of decanethiol. The molecular orientation of MDQ in SAMs was evaluated by RA-IR spectroscopy which indicates that the alkyl chain exhibits a tilting angle of 24 +/- 4 degrees with respect to the surface normal and a twisting angle of 50 +/- 5 degrees around its axis. Contact angle titration in the pH range between 2 and 12 illustrates that the surface of SAM of MDQ is less hydrophilic for acidic solution than for basic solution, which is in contrast with the previous reports on SAMs that basic groups are located at the ends of the molecules. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.