Static and Dynamic Plantar Pressure Distribution in 94 Patients with Different Stages of Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis Using the Footscan® Platform System: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND Plantar pressure analysis is widely used in the study of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The present study aimed to investigate the static and dynamic plantar pressure distribution in patients with different stages of unilateral KOA using the Footscan® platform system. MATERIAL AND METHODS We recruited 94 patients aged 61.75±7.23 years old with different stages of unilateral KOA for static and dynamic analysis using the Footscan® platform system. The static pressure (%) of the left, right, anterior, posterior, and the pelvic rotation (°) was assessed. The peak pressure (PP, kPa) was investigated in 10 areas of the foot: medial heel (MH), lateral heel (LH), midfoot (MF), first to fifth metatarsals (M1-M5), hallux (T1), and toes 2-5 (T2-5). The correlation between KOA stages and plantar pressure distributions was investigated. RESULTS The results revealed that static pressure on the unaffected side and pelvic rotation were positively correlated with KOA stages. In addition, there was a positive correlation between KOA stages and PP of M5, MF, and LH zones on the affected side and PP of M2, M3, and M4 zones on the unaffected side, and a negative correlation between KOA stages and PP of T1 and T2-5 zones on the affected side. CONCLUSIONS With the progression of KOA, static plantar pressure tends to distributed on the unaffected side, and the dynamic plantar pressure tends to be distributed laterally on both feet. The plantar pressure distributions in unilateral KOA patients are abnormal and are closely related to the severity of KOA.

Real-world applications of PARPi maintenance therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer: A single-center study in China.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the actual clinical application of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) maintenance therapy in Chinese patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, and to explore prognostic factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS). METHODS: We retrospectively assessed real-world clinical data from our hospital using the inclusion and exclusion criteria of representative randomized controlled trials, analyzed the prognosis, and performed univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors. RESULTS: Between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of platinum-sensitive recurrence ovarian cancer patients who received PARPi maintenance therapy increased to 29.6%, 53.3%, 43.8% and 62.2%, respectively, each year. A total of 48 patients were included in the prognostic analysis, of which 32 and 16 received olaparib and niraparib, respectively. Using the criteria of the Study19 and SOLO2 studies, the olaparib group in our patients had coincidence rates of 56.3% and 18.8%, respectively. Using the criteria of the NOVA and NORA studies, the niraparib group had coincidence rates of 31.3% and 37.5%, respectively. Median PFS was 26.1 months (95% CI 20.2-32.1). Response to primary therapy was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (relative risk, 3.248; 95% CI 1.081-9.757, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: PARPi maintenance therapy was also effective in real world applications. Complete response (CR) to primary therapy was an independent factor favorably affecting PFS. Therefore, primary treatment choices aimed at optimal cytoreduction during primary surgery and improving the CR rate should still be considered, which positively affects the long-term prognosis of patients in the new treatment mode.

A Rare Case of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Concurrent with Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma: A Case Report.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women worldwide, and sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) is a rare benign sinus tumor with characteristics including a destructive growth pattern, high recurrence rate, and common malignant transformation. Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) combined with SIP has not been reported thus far. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old woman was diagnosed with cervical SCC in our center and treated with concurrent radiochemotherapy. During the follow-up period after the completion of cervical cancer treatment, the progression of cervical squamous cell carcinoma was first considered because the squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) levels remained high and slowly increased. However, SIP was found after a detailed investigation. The SCCA levels returned to normal after surgery. Two months after the surgery, because SCCA slowly increased again, it was found that the SIP recurred. After additional surgical treatment, the SCCA level returned to normal. Discussion and Conclusion: First, SCCA is an important indicator for monitoring changes in cervical SCC. When the changes in SCCA levels are inconsistent with the prognosis of cervical SCC, we should be vigilant about considering the possibility of other diseases existing at other sites in the body, which might lead to the earlier detection and treatment of SIP. Second, We recommended that SCCA be used as a routine monitoring index for SIP. If available, SCCA1 and SCCA2 should be evaluated to provide a more detailed assessment. Finally, for a high recurrence rate of SIP, anti-HPV treatment might be considered to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Significant loss of soil inorganic carbon at the continental scale.

Widespread soil acidification due to atmospheric acid deposition and agricultural fertilization may greatly accelerate soil carbonate dissolution and CO2 release. However, to date, few studies have addressed these processes. Here, we use meta-analysis and nationwide-survey datasets to investigate changes in soil inorganic carbon (SIC) stocks in China. We observe an overall decrease in SIC stocks in topsoil (0-30 cm) (11.33 g C m-2 yr-1) from the 1980s to the 2010s. Total SIC stocks have decreased by ∼8.99 ± 2.24% (1.37 ± 0.37 Pg C). The average SIC losses across China (0.046 Pg C yr-1) and in cropland (0.016 Pg C yr-1) account for ∼17.6%-24.0% of the terrestrial C sink and 57.1% of the soil organic carbon sink in cropland, respectively. Nitrogen deposition and climate change have profound influences on SIC cycling. We estimate that ∼19.12%-19.47% of SIC stocks will be further lost by 2100. The consumption of SIC may offset a large portion of global efforts aimed at ecosystem carbon sequestration, which emphasizes the importance of achieving a better understanding of the indirect coupling mechanisms of nitrogen and carbon cycling and of effective countermeasures to minimize SIC loss.

Seroprevalence of Five Zoonotic Pathogens in Wild Ruminants in Xinjiang, Northwest China.

Wild ruminants are at risk for zoonotic pathogen infection as a result of interactions with domestic animals and humans. One way to assess the level of a wild ruminant disease in a population is to determine the seroprevalence of the pathogen of interest. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of five zoonotic pathogens in wild ruminants in Xinjiang, Northwest China. In 2009 and 2011-2015, 258 wild ruminant sera samples were collected from various species. Samples were obtained from 30 Siberian ibexes, 94 goitered gazelles, 6 Tibetan antelopes, 32 argali sheep, 16 roe deer, 20 blue sheep, 56 red deer, and 4 wild yaks, in 10 regions of Xinjiang. Samples were tested using antibodies against Brucella spp., Chlamydophila abortus, Coxiella burnetii, Toxoplasma gondii, and West Nile virus. Seropositivity was detected for all five pathogens, with detection rates of Brucella spp., C. abortus, C. burnetii, T. gondii, and West Nile virus of 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-4.2%), 6.2% (95% CI, 3.3-9.1%), 7.8% (95% CI, 4.5-11.0%), 2.3% (95% CI, 0.5-4.2%), and 0.8% (95% CI, 0-1.8%), respectively. The level of pathogens differed for different species and different regions. The results indicate that seropositivity to zoonotic pathogens is common among wild ruminants in Xinjiang, Northwest China, with C. burnetii and C. abortus detected at the highest levels. This study provides a baseline for future assessment of spillover events.

Key Genes Associated with Prognosis and Tumor Infiltrating Immune Cells in Gastric Cancer Patients Identified by Cross-Database Analysis.

Background: The molecular mechanisms underlying gastric cancer (GC) progression are unclear. The authors examined key genes associated with the prognosis and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in patients with GC. Materials and Methods: Gene expression omnibus (GEO) was used to filter and obtain GC-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The molecular functions, biological processes, and cellular components of the DEGs were subjected to enrichment analysis. Protein-protein interaction networks of proteins encoded by the DEGs were analyzed using STRING. The authors also identified hub genes of GC, as well as their expression levels in GC and their relationship with patient prognosis. The relationship between hub genes and tumor-infiltrating immune cells was analyzed by Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource. Results: Six GEO datasets were included in this study, and 265 DEGs were identified. These DEGs were enriched in different signaling pathways and had different biological functions. Six hub genes were potentially significantly related to the molecular mechanisms of GC (TOP2A, FN1, SPARC, COL3A1, COL1A1, and TIMP1). These genes are potential markers of prognosis. Five hub genes were significantly positively correlated with the number of macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Conclusions: The authors provide a theoretical basis for exploring the molecular regulation mechanism underlying GC and identifying therapeutic targets.

A retrospective study of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for chronic pain following ankylosing spondylitis.

This study investigated the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the treatment of patients with chronic pain after ankylosing spondylitis (AS).A total of 72 eligible patients with chronic pain following AS were included. All included patients received exercise and were assigned to a treatment group and a control group equally. In addition, patients in the treatment group also underwent TENS therapy. All patients were treated for a total of 6 weeks. The primary outcome of pain intensity was measured by visual analog scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes included degree of functional limitation, as assessed by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI); and quality of life, as evaluated by Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire. All outcomes were assessed before and after 6 weeks treatment. Furthermore, adverse events were also recorded.After 6-week treatment, patients in the treatment group did not show more promising outcomes in pain reduction, as measured by VAS (P = .08); functional evaluation, as evaluated by BASFI (P = .19); as well as quality of life, as assessed by ASQoL (P = .18), compared with patients in the control group. No adverse events occurred in both groups.This study did not exert encouraging outcomes in patients with chronic pain following AS after 6-week treatment.

Sequencing of complete mitochondrial genomes confirms synonymization of Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum and kozlovi, and advances phylogenetic hypotheses for the Ixodidae.

Phylogeny of hard ticks (Ixodidae) remains unresolved. Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are increasingly used to resolve phylogenetic controversies, but remain unavailable for the entire large Hyalomma genus. Hyalomma asiaticum is a parasitic tick distributed throughout the Asia. As a result of great morphological variability, two subspecies have been recognised historically; until a morphological data-based synonymization was proposed. However, this hypothesis was never tested using molecular data. Therefore, objectives of this study were to: 1. sequence the first Hyalomma mitogenome; 2. scrutinise the proposed synonymization using molecular data, i.e. complete mitogenomes of both subspecies: H. a. asiaticum and kozlovi; 3. conduct phylogenomic and comparative analyses of all available Ixodidae mitogenomes. Results corroborate the proposed synonymization: the two mitogenomes are almost identical (99.6%). Genomic features of both mitogenomes are standard for Metastriata; which includes the presence of two control regions and all three "Tick-Box" motifs. Gene order and strand distribution are perfectly conserved for the entire Metastriata group. Suspecting compositional biases, we conducted phylogenetic analyses (29 almost complete mitogenomes) using homogeneous and heterogeneous (CAT) models of substitution. The results were congruent, apart from the deep-level topology of prostriate ticks (Ixodes): the homogeneous model produced a monophyletic Ixodes, but the CAT model produced a paraphyletic Ixodes (and thereby Prostriata), divided into Australasian and non-Australasian clades. This topology implies that all metastriate ticks have evolved from the ancestor of the non-Australian branch of prostriate ticks. Metastriata was divided into three clades: 1. Amblyomminae and Rhipicephalinae (Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, Dermacentor); 2. Haemaphysalinae and Bothriocrotoninae, plus Amblyomma sphenodonti; 3. Amblyomma elaphense, basal to all Metastriata. We conclude that mitogenomes have the potential to resolve the long-standing debate about the evolutionary history of ticks, but heterogeneous evolutionary models should be used to alleviate the effects of compositional heterogeneity on deep-level relationships.

Sonographic image of cervix epithelioid trophoblastic tumor coexisting with mucinous adenocarcinoma in a postmenopausal woman: A case report.

RATIONALE: Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is a distinctive but rare gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) composed of chorionic-type intermediate trophoblast cells. Approximately 50% ETT arose from the uterine cervix or lower uterine segment following a previous pregnancy with vaginal bleeding. With its unusual ability to simulate an invasive epithelioid neoplasm, ETT frequently poses a diagnostic challenge, especially involving the uterine cervix. PATIENT CONCERNS: We herein report the case of a 60-year-old female with persistent vaginal bleeding and middle-level elevation of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Ultrasound revealed a 3.0 × 2.7 cm well-circumscribed, strongly echogenic lesion in the cervix, with a peripheral pattern of Doppler signals. The enhanced pattern by contrast-enhanced ultrasound displayed strong peripheral enhancement accompanied with globular appearance, then centripetal filling completely, and fading away rapidly. DIAGNOSES: The final pathological diagnosis was ETT accompanying mucinous adenocarcinoma. INTERVENTIONS: Due to the pre-operative evaluation of a presumed IB2 cervix mucinous adenocarcinoma, the patient was treated with 2 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical hysterectomy. OUTCOMES: The patient is currently disease-free for the past 1 year. LESSONS: This case report demonstrates that sonographic image of tumor shapes and blood flow could be helpful in differentiating ETT from another GTN and enable more accurate diagnosis before treatment.

EGb 761 Protects Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury and Exerts Inhibitory Effect on the ATM Pathway.

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) has been widely used clinically to reduce myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI). Microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) may be a proper cellular model in vitro for the effect and mechanism study against MIRI. However, the protective effect of EGb 761 on MVECs resisting hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury is little reported. In this study, H/R-injured MVECs were treated with EGb 761, and then the cell viability, apoptosis, ROS production, SOD activity, caspase-3 activity, and protein level of ATM, γ-H2AX, p53, and Bax were measured. ATM siRNA was transfected to study the changes of protein in the ATM pathway. EGb 761 presented protective effect on H/R-injured MVECs, with decreasing cell death, apoptosis, and ROS, and elevated SOD activity. Next, EGb 761 could inhibit H/R-induced ATM, γ-H2AX, p53, and Bax in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, ATM siRNA also could inhibit H/R-induced ATM, γ-H2AX, p53, and Bax. Overall, these findings verify that EGb 761 protects cardiac MVECs from H/R injury, and for the first time, illustrate the influence on the ATM pathway and apoptosis by EGb 761 via dampening ROS.

Structure and magnetic properties of a copper(II) coordination polymer based on azide, pyridine and homophthalic acid.

The azide anion is a short bridging ligand that has been used extensively to construct magnetic coordination polymers, and fundamental magneto-structural correlations have been substantiated by theoretical calculations. The copper(II) coordination polymer poly[bis(µ-azido-κ(2)N(1):N(1))(µ4-homophthalato-κ(4)O:O':O'':O''')bis(pyridine-κN)dicopper(II)], [Cu2(C9H6O4)(N3)2(C5H5N)2]n, was synthesized from homophthalic acid (2-carboxyphenylacetic acid), pyridine and azide (N3(-)) by a hydrothermal reaction. Single-crystal structure analysis indicated that it features a one-dimensional chain structure which is comprised of (µ1,1-N3(-))(µ-syn-syn-COO(-))2- and (µ1,1-N3(-))2-bridged tetranuclear Cu(II) units. Magnetic measurements revealed that the compound exhibits dominant antiferromagnetic behaviour.

Long-term in vitro treatment of INS-1 rat pancreatic ß-cells by unsaturated free fatty acids protects cells against gluco- and lipotoxicities via activation of GPR40 receptors.

G-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) is a membrane-bound G-protein-coupled receptor with high binding affinity to medium- and long-chain free fatty acids (FFAs). Acute activation of GPR40 on pancreatic ß-cells causes insulin secretion, whereas prolonged activation may contribute to a deterioration of the effect of saturated FFAs on ß-cells. It has been documented that different types of FFAs produce various effects on insulin secretion; however, little information is available regarding the expression of GPR40 and its function after long-term exposure of ß-cells to unsaturated FFAs. In the present study, GPR40 expression and function were assessed in INS-1 ß-cells after 48 h exposure to different types of unsaturated FFAs. The mRNA and protein expression of GPR40 was increased significantly by long-term exposure of cells to polyunsaturated α-linolenic acid, but not to either oleic acid or linoleic acid. Immunocytochemistry revealed a reduction in the number of insulin-containing granules in cells treated with α-linolenic acid, which was correlated with an increase in cellular expression of GPR40. Basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were markedly suppressed by 48 h treatment of cells with saturated palmitic acid, but not unsaturated α-linolenic acid. By testing various FFAs, it was found that FFA-induced suppression of basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was attenuated by an increase in the degree of unsaturation of the FFAs and GPR40 expression in response to FFA treatment in INS-1 cells. The results of the present study indicate that long-term in vitro treatment of INS-1 rat pancreatic ß-cells by unsaturated FFAs protects the cells against from gluco- and lipotoxicities and that this coincides with an increase in GPR40 expression.

[Expression and action of keratinocyte growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor receptor on CaSki cell].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) in CaSki cell and action of keratinocyte growth factor on proliferation, migration of the CaSki cell. METHODS: ELISA and Western blot methods were used to determine the protein expressions of the KGF and KGFR in CaSki cell respectively: 3H-Thymidine incorporation method was used to determine the effect of recombinant human KGF and anti-KGF on CaSki cell proliferation; Millicell-PCF was used to determine the effect of recombinant human KGF, anti-KGF on CaSki cell migration. RESULTS: Both KGF and KGFR were expressing in the CaSki cell; Recombinant human KGF resulted in a increase in the proliferation and migration of CaSki cells; The proliferation and migration of CaSki cell became weak due to autocrine KGF neutralized by KGF antibodies (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Current results demonstrate that KGF and KGFR express in CaSki cell; Both autocrine and recombinant human KGF have the effect on CaSki cell proliferation and migration.

[Expression of keratinocyte growth factor and keratinocyte growth factor receptor and its impact on Hela cells].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the expression of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) in Hela cells and the impact of keratinocyte growth factor on Hela cells. METHODS: Reverse transcriptase polymerase chainreaction (RT-PCR) method was employed to determine the gene expression of KGF and KGFR in Hela cells. The ELISA and Western blot methods were employed to determine the protein expression of the KGF and KGFR. The 3H-Thymidine incorporation method was employed to determine the impact of the KGF on the proliferation of Hela cells. RESULTS: The KGF and KGFR genes were expressed in the Hela cells. The KGF and KGFR proteins were expressed in the Hela cells. The Hela cells were stimulated to proliferate by the recombinant human KGF. The proliferation of the autocrine KGF in the Hela cells was neutralized by the KGF antibodies significantly (Dunnett's test, P

[Distribution characteristics of copper in soil and rape around Tongling mining area].

Soil and rape samples around Tongling mining area were collected, and their copper (Cu) contents were investigated. The results showed that the upland soil developed on the slope deposit around the mining area as well as the paddy soil distributed in lower reaches was heavily polluted by Cu, while the fluvo-aquic soil further from the mining area was less contaminated. Though the Cu content in paddy soil and upland soil was nearly the same, its bioavailability was higher in paddy soil, due to the Cu pollution of irrigated water. There was a significant correlation between available and total Cu in these three types of soil. The activation rate of soil Cu (percentage of available Cu in total Cu) was 15.0% on average, which was positively correlated with soil total Cu and organic matter while negatively correlated with soil pH and Mn. The average Cu content in rape seed and stalk was 4.0 and 5.8 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The rape Cu content increased obviously with increasing soil available Cu content when the soil available Cu content was relatively low, but the Cu absorption and accumulation by rape decreased gradually when the soil available copper content was higher than 30 mg x kg(-1).

[Establishment of a 293-cell line containing luciferase reporter for EIAV receptor and LTR functions].

To accurately and conveniently detect neutralizing antibodies and receptor binding affinities of different equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) strains, the cDNA of EIAV receptor, ELR1, was cloned and inserted in an eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+). This recombinant plasmid was designated as pELR1. The 293 cell line was transiently transfected with pELR1 and the expression of ELR1 on transfected cells was verified by Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Furthermore, the transcription regulatory region, long terminal repeat (LTR), of an EIAV vaccine strain and a reporter of firefly luciferase gene were tandemly cloned into pELR1. The resultant expression vector, which was designated as pELR1-LTR-Luc, was used to transfect 293 cells. A transfected cell line, ELR1-LTR-Luc (293E) which consistently expressed ELR1 and produced luciferase under the regulation of LTR, was isolated and further characterized. The entrance and replication of EIAV in ELR1-LTR-Luc (293E) cells were verified by IFA. The luciferase activity in the cell line treated with 1000 TCID50 of an EIAV vaccine strain for 24h was increased by 2.15 folds when compared with the activity in untreated cells. Furthermore, the luciferase activities in the cell line were linearly correlated with the doses of inoculated EIAV virulent stain L21 diluted at 10(-2) to approximately 10(-7). The transfected genes in the ELR1-LTR-Luc (293E) cell line were consistently expressed during 35 passages of the host cells. This ELR1-LTR-Luc report system can be used for the study of interaction between EIAV strains and the receptor, as well as for the evaluation of neutralizing antibodies raised by EIAV.