The Metabolic and Non-Metabolic Roles of UCK2 in Tumor Progression.

Enhanced nucleoside metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Uridine-cytidine kinase 2 (UCK2) is a rate-limiting enzyme of the pyrimidine salvage synthesis pathway to phosphorylate uridine and cytidine to uridine monophosphate (UMP) and cytidine monophosphate (CMP), respectively. Recent studies have shown that UCK2 is overexpressed in many types of solid and hematopoietic cancers, closely associates with poor prognosis, and promotes cell proliferation and migration in lung cancer and HCCs. Although UCK2 is thought to catalyze sufficient nucleotide building blocks to support the rapid proliferation of tumor cells, we and other groups have recently demonstrated that UCK2 may play a tumor-promoting role in a catalytic independent manner by activating oncogenic signaling pathways, such as STAT3 and EGFR-AKT. By harnessing the catalytic activity of UCK2, several cytotoxic ribonucleoside analogs, such as TAS-106 and RX-3117, have been developed for UCK2-mediated cancer chemotherapy. Moreover, we have demonstrated that the concurrent targeting of the catalytic dependent and independent features of UCK2 could synergistically inhibit tumor growth. These findings suggest that UCK2 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In this mini-review, we introduced the genomic localization and protein structure of UCK2, described the role of UCK2 in tumor development, discussed the application of UCK2 in anti-tumor treatment, and proposed concurrent targeting of the catalytic and non-catalytic roles of UCK2 as a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

The Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture on Cancer-related Symptoms and Side-Effects.

In addition to cancer-related death, malignant progression also leads to a series of symptoms and side-effects, which would detrimentally affect cancer patients' the quality of life, adversely influence their adherence to treatments, and, therefore, negatively affect their long-term survival. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA), as two classic treatment methods in traditional Chinese medicine, have been widely employed to cure various diseases. Recently, the clinical application of acupuncture and EA in cancer patients has received great attention. In this review, we summarized the clinical application of acupuncture and EA in alleviating the cancer symptoms, reducing the cancer treatment-related side-effects, and relieving the cancer pain. The symptoms and side-effects discussed in this review include fatigue, insomnia, chemotherapy-associated dyspepsia syndrome (CADS), pain, xerostomia, and anxiety and depression. The underlying mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of acupuncture and EA might be related to the regulation of the mitochondrial function, coordination of the activity of the nervous system, adjustment of the production of neurotransmitters, and alleviation of the immune responses. In conclusion, acupuncture and EA have been proved to be beneficial for cancer patients. More research, however, is required to clarify the potential mechanisms behind acupuncture and EA for widespread adoption in clinical application.

Circular RNAs and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: New Epigenetic Players With Diagnostic and Prognostic Roles.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Due to the lack of potent diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers and effective therapeutic targets, the overall prognosis of survival is poor in HCC patients. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of novel endogenous non-coding RNAs with covalently closed loop structures and implicated in diverse physiological processes and pathological diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of circRNAs in HCC diagnosis, prognosis, development, and drug resistance, suggesting that circRNAs may be a class of novel targets for improving HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments. In fact, some artificial circRNAs have been engineered and showed their therapeutic potential in treating HCV infection and gastric cancer. In this review, we introduce the potential of circRNAs as biomarkers for HCC diagnosis and prognosis, as therapeutic targets for HCC treatments and discuss the challenges in circRNA research and chances of circRNA application.

Southerners Are Wiser Than Northerners Regarding Interpersonal Conflicts in China.

Initial evidence suggests that cultural differences have consequences for wise reasoning (perspective taking, consideration of change and alternatives, intellectual humility, search for compromise, and adopting an outsider's vantage point), with more reports of wise reasoning about interpersonal conflicts among Japanese (as compared to American) young and middle-aged adults. Similarly, we found that people from the rice-farming area of southern China also exhibited greater wise reasoning when they encountered conflicts with a friend or in the workplace than those from the wheat-farming area of northern China (N = 487, 25 provinces). The relationship between rice farming and wise reasoning was mediated by loyalty/nepotism. This research advances study of the relationship between wisdom and culture. It also provides evidence for the influence of social-ecological factors on wisdom and culture.

Clinical and radiological results of thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation treated with posterior transforaminal decompression and interbody fusion / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of patients with thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation treated by posterior transforaminal decompression and interbody fusion.@*METHODS@#From June 2010 to June 2017, posterior transforaminal decompression, interbody fusion combined with pedicle screw fixation were performed in 21 patients with thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation. Their clinical and radiological data were collected and retrospectively analyzed, including 15 males and 6 females, aged from 25 to 58 years with an average of 45 years old. According to the criterion of American Spinal Injury(ASIA), preoperative neurological function was graded A in 3 cases, B in 7 cases, C in 6 cases, D in 4 cases and E in 1 case. Operative time and intraoperative blood loss and correlative complications were recorded. And VAS score, ODI and Cobb angle were evaluated before and after surgery. The improvement of neurological function was also analyzed at the final follow-up. Intervertebral bony fusion was observed during the follow-up by CT three-dimensional reconstruction.@*RESULTS@#The operative time was 150 to 240 min with an average of (192±47) min. The intraoperative blood loss was 380 to 750 ml with an average of(603±120) ml. Dura sac tearing and cerebral fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases and were repaired during operation; superficial wound infection occurred in 1 case, and got healing after dressing change. The postoperative follow-up duration was 24 to 45 months with an average of(37.0±9.5) months. VAS score was improved from preoperative 8.9±0.4 to immediately postoperative 4.2±1.3(<0.05). At the final follow-up, VAS score decreased further to 3.6±0.8. ODI was decreased from preoperative (95.30±3.52)% to (32.51±6.30)% at the final follow-up (<0.05). Cobb angle was corrected from preoperative (21.2±8.8)° to immediately postoperative(2.3±3.1)° (<0.05). At the final follow-up, Cobb angle was (3.2±2.5)°, showing no significant difference with immediately postoperative value. The neurological function was grade A in 3 cases, B in 3 cases, C in 5 cases, D in 6 cases and E in 4 cases at the final follow-up. All the patients got solid intervertebral bone fusion in 8 to 13 months after operation, with an average fusion time of (10.3±2.5) months.@*CONCLUSIONS@#For the patients with thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation mainly involving intervertebral disc and endplate plane, posterior transforaminal decompression and interbody fusion not only is less invasive, but also can effectively reconstruct spinal three column and obtain good biomechanical stability. And, it is beneficial for the good recovery of neurological function.

[Water impounding characteristics of bamboo-shaped rainwater harvesting ditch in the hilly loess region].

Bamboo-shaped rainwater harvesting ditch (BRHD) is a new water harvesting and application technology being promoted in the hilly loess region of North Shannxi Province. This paper measured the soil moisture condition and water storage capacity of BRHDs filled with straw, branch or gravel through field and simulated rainfall experiments to evaluate the water holding and absorption capacity of different BRHD fillers. From May to October, the water storage of BRHDs showed a decrease trend at first and then increased in field experiment. The water storage depths within 30-200 cm profile of branch ditch (BD), gravel ditch (GD) and straw ditch (SD) were 186.76, 177.23 and 169.26 mm in May, respectively, and increased by 14.24, 20.28 and 21.23 mm in October, respectively. In contrast, the water storage depth of the level bench was reduced by 6.52 mm in October from 185.76 mm in May. The soil water restoration depth was different between BRHDs with different fillers and the level bench within 30-200 cm profile in October. The SD and BD had the deepest restoration depth (140 cm), followed by GD (110 cm), and the level bench was the minimum (80 cm). Through rainfall simulation experiment, the amount of water intercepted by BRHD was in the order of SD (99.5 L) > GD (91 L) > BD (71.5 L). The water-holding rate of straw and branch showed logarithmic function with soaking time, while the water-absorption rate followed a power function. Moreover, there was a negative logarithm correlation between water-holding rate and water-absorption rate. Straw showed a better water holding and absorption capacity than branch. Gravel had a weak water holding and absorption capacity which was almost not changed during soaking, while it displayed a negative liner correlation between water holding rate and absorption rate. The three kinds of BRHDs could be applied in the hilly loess region, and that filled with straw would exhibit the best capacity of water interception and holding.

Biomechanical study of the atlantoaxial joint after artificial atlanto-odontoid joint arthroplasty / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the stability and three-dimensional movements of the atlantoaxial joint after artificial atlanto-odontoid joint (AAOJ) arthroplasty by comparing with a conventional method.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After anterior decompression, 24 human cadaveric spinal specimens of C0-C3 were randomly divided into two groups: Group A receiving artificial AAOJ arthroplasty; Group B experiencing anterior transarticular screw (ATAS) fixation. Two groups underwent flexibility test in intact and instrumented states. Rotational angle of the C0-C3 segments was measured to study the immediate stability and function of anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty compared with the intact state and ATAS fixation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the intact state, anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty resulted in a significant decrease in the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) during flexion, extension and lateral bending (P less than 0.05); however, with regard to axial rotation, there was no significant difference in ROM and NZ (P larger than 0.05). Compared with anterior decompression with ATAS fixation, anterior decompression with AAOJ arthroplasty during flexion, extension and lateral bending, significant difference was found in ROM and NZ (P larger than 0.05); however, as for axial rotation, there was a significant increase in ROM and NZ (P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The self-designed AAOJ has an excellent biomechanical performance, which can restore excellent instant stability and preserve the movement of the atlantoaxial joint.</p>

[Methodological study on calibrating and validating model parameters of MUCT processes at low C/N ratio].

Basing on ASM2d, established a mathematical model to describe the transformation of COD, TN, NH4(+)-N and TP. In terms of comparison between simulation and observed values, the kinetics and stoichiometric parameters were established in MUCT process treating a wastewater with low C/N ratio. The results showed that, the q(PHA), K(A), K(pp), Y(PO4(3-), micro(AUT) and eta(NO3(-) were 2.90 g x (g x d)(-1), 3.85 g x m(-3), 1.35 g x (g x d)(-1), 0.35, 1.6 and 0.8, respectively. The typical parameters given by the ASM2d were used as others kinetic and stoichiometric parameters.