[Retracted] Long non­coding RNA MALAT­1 contributes to maintenance of stem cell­like phenotypes in breast cancer cells.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7557.].

The Association between CYP2C19 Genetic Polymorphism and Prognosis in Patients Receiving Endovascular Therapy.

Background: Potentially substantial impacts on the prognosis have been observed in individuals undergoing endovascular treatment due to cytochrome P450 2c19 (CYP2C19) polymorphism. In an attempt to improve prognosis and lower the recurrence rate, this study investigated the CYP2C19 polymorphism in acute ischemic stroke patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 292 patients with cerebral infarction who had acute endovascular recanalization at the Department of Neurology of Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between May 2017 and 2019. The patients were categorized into rapid-, medium-, and slow-metabolism groups based on CYP2C19 gene polymorphism, and their prognosis was monitored. In addition, the prognosis of 188 patients selectively receiving carotid artery stenting at a selected time was also observed. Results: Among the 292 cerebral infarction cases receiving acute endovascular recanalization, the patients in the CYP2C19 rapid-metabolism group regularly took clopidogrel and aspirin combined with antiplatelet therapy and suffered from reoccurrence of apoplexy and cerebral hemorrhage; the 90-day good prognosis had a statistical difference (P < 0.05, prognostic assessment includes hospitalization and 6 months after discharge) and the other adverse events had no statistical difference (including mortality). The 188 patients selectively receiving carotid artery stenting had a recurrence of apoplexy, cerebral hemorrhage, and restenosis rate with a statistical difference (P < 0.05), and the other adverse events had no statistical difference. Conclusions: In conclusion, the findings of the current study indicate that irrespective of whether patients are undergoing selective carotid artery stenting or acute endovascular recanalization, those with rapid CYP2C19 metabolism have a significantly lower likelihood of experiencing adverse prognostic events compared to those with intermediate and slow metabolism. Furthermore, this group also has a more favorable prognosis than the other two groups.

Effects of electroacupuncture on functional indices and pS6 expression following acute sciatic nerve crush injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on recovery from acute sciatic nerve crush injury and the expression of pS6 in rats. METHODS: A total of 108 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model, EA and EA+rapamycin (EA+Rapa) groups. 28 rats were allocated to undergo measurement of sciatic functional index (SFI); one rat in the EA+Rapa group was unsuccessfully modelled and excluded because of an anaesthetic problem. The remaining 80 rats were allocated to undergo Western blot detection of S6 ribosomal protein (pS6, ser240/244). The model was created by mechanical clamping of the sciatic nerve stem. EA stimulation at GB30 and ST36 for 15 min separately was applied once daily for rats in the EA and EA+Rapa groups. For rats in the EA+Rapa group, rapamycin, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) pathway inhibitor, was injected intramuscularly (1 mg/kg/day) near the site of crush injury in the sciatic nerve and an equivalent amount of dimethyl sulfoxide was injected in the other three groups every other day. After treatment for 7, 14, 28 and 42 days post-operation, the SFI of 27 rats was obtained to evaluate recovery of motor function and five rats from each group per stage were used for Western blot detection of pS6. RESULTS: The SFI values showed that EA could significantly promote recovery of the injured sciatic nerve but rapamycin hindered the therapeutic effect of EA. Moreover, immunoblotting indicated that EA improved the expression of pS6 in the area of the sciatic nerve crush injury and local injection of rapamycin near the injured sciatic nerve decreased its expression. The pS6 level correlated with the extent of recovery of the injury. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that EA may activate the mTOR signalling pathway to enhance expression of pS6 and facilitate recovery following sciatic nerve crush injury.

Long non-coding RNA MALAT-1 contributes to maintenance of stem cell-like phenotypes in breast cancer cells.

Due to the accumulating evidence that has demonstrated the vital role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis, the mechanisms that maintain the stemness of CSCs have attracted increasing attention. Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript-1 (MALAT-1), a long non-coding RNA, which has been revealed to be associated with the malignant behavior of tumors, performs a critical role in maintaining the stemness in several CSCs. In the present study, it was hypothesized that MALAT-1 promotes stem cell-like phenotypes in breast cancer cells. The present data demonstrated that the expression of MALAT-1 was higher in the CSC subpopulation compared with that in the overall MCF7 cell group and that the knockdown of MALAT-1 decreased the proportion of CSCs. The self-renewal assay also demonstrated that knockdown of MALAT-1 decreased the sphere formation rate in vitro. In addition, MALAT-1 is also able to regulate the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of CSCs in vitro. The underlying mechanisms may involve the regulation of self-renewal-associated factors, including sex-determining region Y-box 2 (Sox-2). Taken together, the present study demonstrated that MALAT-1 affects the stem cell-like phenotypes in breast cancer cells through regulation of Sox-2.

Epicanthoplasty with Epicanthal Dermatic Tension-Releasing Incision Based on Skin Projection of Inner Canthal Ligament.

BACKGROUND: Epicanthoplasty is a reconstructive procedure that eliminates the deformity of the epicanthal fold and provides a more esthetic inner canthus. The epicanthal tension-releasing incision is a core technique of epicanthoplasty. However, which epicanthal dermatic tension-releasing incision most effectively provides epicanthal tension release remains unclear. We designed a novel dermatic tension-releasing incision based on the skin projection of the inner canthal ligament and compared it with the more conventional incision parallel to the lower inner canthal mucocutaneous junction (white line). METHODS: From December 2014 to March 2016, 30 patients were divided into two groups according to the type of dermatic tension-releasing incision. Each group comprised 15 patients and 30 eyes. In Group A, incision line a was performed (tension-releasing incision parallel to the lower inner canthal mucocutaneous junction, 4-5 mm away from the mucocutaneous junction). In Group B, incision line b was performed (tension-releasing incision pointed toward the lacrimal lake, along the skin projection of the inner canthal ligament). The defect angles of the two groups were photographed intraoperatively after tension release and analyzed postoperatively. RESULTS: The defect angles in Group B were significantly larger than group A (P < 0.0001). All patients obtained an esthetically pleasing inner canthus without hypertrophic scarring or injury to the lacrimal apparatus during the 3- to 24-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: An epicanthal dermatic tension-releasing incision based on the skin projection of the inner canthal ligament is more effective and safer than an incision parallel to the lower inner canthal mucocutaneous junction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

[COMBINED THREE OPERATIONS FOR ONE STAGE DEFECTS REPAIR AFTER RESECTION OF LARGE XANTHELASMA PALPEBRARUM WITH EPICANTHUS].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of combined three operations (rotated total upper eyelid skin flap, construction of double eyelid, and "Z" flap epicanthal plasty) for one stage defect repair after resection of xanthelasma palpebrarum with epicanthus. METHODS: Between December 2013 and December 2015, 12 female patients with large xanthelasma palpebrarum and epicanthus underwent rotated total upper eyelid skin flap, construction of double eyelid, and "Z" flap epicanthal plasty for one stage defect repair. The age ranged from 36 to 59 years (mean, 43 years). The course of disease was 3 to 16 years, with an average of 11 years. The initial resection was performed in 6 cases, second resection of residual xanthelasma palpebrarum in 4 cases, and 2 cases had recurrence after resection. The maximum diameter of xanthelasma palpebrarum was 0.5-1.3 cm (mean, 1.0 cm). According to CHE Junmin et al criterion, epicanthus was rated as mild in 7 cases, moderate in 3 cases, and severe in 2 cases. The blood lipid level was in normal range. RESULTS: Primary healing of incision was obtained, and the flaps survived in all patients; no complication occurred. Scar hyperplasia was found in 4 cases at 1 month after operation, and the comprehensive treatment of scar was performed. All patients were followed up for 3 months to 2 years, with an average of 1.5 years. Double eyelid effects were good, and no xanthelasma palpebrarum recurred. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of rotated total upper eyelid skin flap, construction of double eyelid, and "Z" flap epicanthal plasty is an effective operative procedure to repair defect after resection of xanthelasma palpebrarum with epicanthus; and better curve of double eyelid, better shape of endocanthion, and less tension of flap can be got.

[Intraoral curved osteotomy for malar reduction].

OBJECTIVE: To present a new method for reduction of the prominent malar complex by using the curved osteotomy through intraoral incision. METHODS: According to the anatomical characteristics of the malar complex, a new curved osteotomy was designed for reduction of the prominent malar complex. This method, that made malar arch move toward backside, inside and upside, lowered the whole malar complex and gain better contour of malar area. RESULTS: From 2001 to 2003, 41 patients were treated with the intraoral curved osteotomy [for reduction of the prominent malar complex. All patients obtained good results. CONCLUSIONS: Through the intraoral approach, the curved osteotomy method could lower the whole prominent malar complex and get better contour of malar area.Intraoral curved osteotomy for reduction of the prominent malar complex could be an ideal method with better face contour, simpler technique, and fewer complications.

[The swine surgical expermental study of laser-assisted liposuction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the advantage and disadvantage of laser-assisted liposuction compared with conventional liposuction. METHODS: Ten swines were devided into three groups, the laser liposuction group, conventional liposuction group and control group. We compared the two surgical groups with the following aspects: ecchymosi, edema, lipocrit study, hemoglobin studies and blood biochemical changes, etc. RESULTS: There is a benefit of laser-assisted liposuction in the following aspects such as ecchymosi, edema, lipocrit and postoperative complications. The two aspects, that is, ecchymosi and lipocrit study was statistically significant. Hemoglobin change was not statistically significant between the two groups. Laser-assisted liposuction did not lead to dysfunction of organs such as liver and kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Laser-assisted liposuction can significantly decrease the blood lose, ecchymosis and edema compared with conventional liposuction, and it did not give rise to dysfunction of organs.