CERCAM is a prognostic biomarker associated with immune infiltration of macrophage M2 polarization in head and neck squamous carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relevance of cerebral endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CERCAM) expression to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) prognosis and immune infiltration by macrophage M2 polarization. METHODS: Timer, UALCAN and HPA databases was used to analyze the differences in mRNA and protein levels of CERCAM expression in HNSCC. The Timer database was also applied to analyze the correlation between CERCAM in HNSCC and immune infiltration. TCGA-HNSCC database was applied to analyze the correlation between CERCAM expression levels and clinicopathological features, and its diagnostic and prognostic value in HNSCC was also assessed. The cBioPortal and MethSurv databases were then applied to analyze the genetic variation and methylation status of CERCAM. In vitro cellular assays were performed to provide evidence that CERCAM promotes malignant biological behavior of tumors and promotes macrophage M2 polarization in tumors. Finally, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of CERCAM involvement in the development of HNSCC were predicted using a bioinformatics approach. RESULTS: CERCAM is significantly overexpressed in HNSCC and correlates with poor prognostic levels and has good performance in predicting survival status in HNSCC patients. Cox regression analysis indicates that CERCAM expression levels are independent risk factors for predicting OS, DSS, and PFI. CERCAM promotes tumor malignant biological behavior and promotes macrophage M2 polarization immune infiltration in HNSCC. In addition, CERCAM promotes tumor cell adhesion in head and neck squamous carcinoma and promotes tumor progression through several oncogenic signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: CERCAM may serve as a new diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HNSCC and is a promising therapeutic target for HNSCC.

Quantifying the spatial spillover effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on pandemic risk.

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented in one place can affect neighboring regions by influencing people's behavior. However, existing epidemic models for NPIs evaluation rarely consider such spatial spillover effects, which may lead to a biased assessment of policy effects. METHODS: Using the US state-level mobility and policy data from January 6 to August 2, 2020, we develop a quantitative framework that includes both a panel spatial econometric model and an S-SEIR (Spillover-Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered) model to quantify the spatial spillover effects of NPIs on human mobility and COVID-19 transmission. RESULTS: The spatial spillover effects of NPIs explain [Formula: see text] [[Formula: see text] credible interval: 52.8-[Formula: see text]] of national cumulative confirmed cases, suggesting that the presence of the spillover effect significantly enhances the NPI influence. Simulations based on the S-SEIR model further show that increasing interventions in only a few states with larger intrastate human mobility intensity significantly reduce the cases nationwide. These region-based interventions also can carry over to interstate lockdowns. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a framework for evaluating and comparing the effectiveness of different intervention strategies conditional on NPI spillovers, and calls for collaboration from different regions.

Human adipose tissue-derived MSCs improve psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice by negatively regulating ROS.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is chronic incurable skin inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been put forward to be involved in several inflammatory diseases. However, little was known about the role of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hAD-MSCs) in psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to explore the feasibility of using hAD-MSCs infusion as a therapeutic approach in psoriatic mice. METHODS: We constructed the psoriasis-like model by IMQ implication, treated with hAD-MSCs by subcutaneous injection. To evaluate the efficacy, we examined the histology, CD45 and ROS positive cells by HE and flow cytometry respectively. We also tested the key cytokines with PCR. Moreover, to achieve a better therapeutic effect, we treated the model by combing with vitamin E application. RESULTS: We found that the classic histological symptoms of psoriasis were relieved after treatment with hAD-MSCs, also, the splenic index, the infiltration of immune cells and several pro-inflammatory cytokines were decreased. Interestingly, we also found that hAD-MSCs could inhibit ROS generation. Moreover, the combination therapy of hAD-MSCs and vitamin E could promote the curative effect with greater ROS inhibition. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that hAD-MSCs could be useful for treating psoriasis by negatively regulating ROS.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on cognitive function in elderly patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have reported the effects of dexmedetomidine on cognitive function (CF) in elderly patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCT), to this date, its effects are still not well understood. The aim of this study is to produce a qualitative synthesis of assessing the effects of dexmedetomidine on CF in elderly patients after LCT. METHODS: We will conduct a comprehensive search in Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, VIP Database, WANGFANG Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from the commencement to March 31, 2020 without restrictions of language and publication status. In addition, we will also search grey literature, including conference abstracts, dissertations, reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews. All potential studies will be identified independently by 2 authors to determine their inclusion against previously defined eligibility criteria. The quality of selected papers will be assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool. All statistical analysis will be performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will provide a synthesis of the current available data on assessing the effects of dexmedetomidine on CF in elderly patients after LCT. CONCLUSIONS: Its findings will provide qualitative evidence to better understand the effects of dexmedetomidine on CF in elderly patients after LCT.INPLASY Registration Number: INPLASY202040030.

Predictive and prognostic values of preoperative platelet parameters in patients with gynecological tumors.

BACKGROUND: Platelets play a role in tumor cell growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis, and the present study aimed to evaluate diagnostic and prognostic values of platelet parameters in patients with gynecological tumors. METHODS: A total of 1062 women were included. Differences of platelet parameters (platelet count [PLT], plateletcrit [PCT], mean platelet volume [MPV], platelet-large cell rate [P-LCR], and platelet distribution width [PDW]) between different categories were analyzed by nonparametric test. The optimal cutoff value was calculated with receiver operating characteristic analysis. Overall survivals were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests for univariate analysis. RESULTS: Platelet count and PCT were significantly increased, and MPV and P-LCR were significantly reduced in malign and benign gynecological tumor groups compared with the controls (P < .001); PDW had no significant differences. There were no significant differences in PLT, PCT, MPV, P-LCR, and PDW between different tumor locations and pathologic types. The optimal cutoff values of PLT, PCT, MPV and P-LCR were 274, 0.26, 10.08, and 24.8 (AUC: 0.661, 0.643, 0.593, 0.562), and PCT had preferable sensibility and specificity (50.84% and 70.42%) in predicting the presence of gynecological tumors. According to survival analysis, increased PLT (≥274 × 109 /L) and PCT (≥0.26), and induced MPV (<10.08 fL) and P-LCR (<24.8%) were associated with shorter overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet count, PCT, MPV, and P-LCR can be used as preferable auxiliary parameters for predicting the presence of gynecological tumors. Increased PLT and PCT, or decreased MPV and P-LCR indicated a heavier tumor burden and shorter overall survival.

[Effects of body mass index and serum inflammatory cytokines on asthma control in children with asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of body mass index (BMI) and the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines on asthma control in children with asthma. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen children with asthma were divided into three groups: normal (n=59), thin (n=31), and obesity (n=26) based on their BMI. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined using ELISA, and the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured by immunoturbidimetric assays. Asthma control status in each group was evaluated by the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) after 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The serum levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, and TNF-α were highest in the obesity group, followed by the thin group and the normal group (P<0.05), while the C-ACT score was highest in the normal group, followed by the thin group and obesity group (P<0.05). The normal group had significantly higher complete controlled and partially controlled rates than the thin and obesity groups (P<0.05); however, there were no significant differences between the thin and obesity groups (P>0.05). The levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, and TNF-α were negatively correlated with the C-ACT score (P<0.05). There were no significant correlations of BMI with the C-ACT score and levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, and TNF-α (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When BMI is too high or too low, the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines are all increased, which is harmful to asthma control. Maintaining a healthy weight in children with asthma may reduce the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines and improve the asthma control rate.

[Treatment of calcaneal fractures by fixation of Kirschner needle and thread cancellous bone screw through sinus tarsi interstice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of fixation of Kirschner needle and thread cancellous bone screw through the sinus tarsi interstice for the treatment of calcaneal fractures. METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2012,20 patients with calcaneal fracture were treated by minimally invasive Kirschner wire and threaded cancellous bone screw fixation and bone graft,including 12 males and 8 females with an average age of 39 years old ranging from 21 to 65. Among them, 8 cases were left foot, 12 were right foot. According to Sanders's classification, 8 cases were type II, 10 cases were type III, 2 cases were type IV. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 6 to 16 months with an average of 12 months. The incision were healed. Böhler angle were increased from preoperative (17.75 +/- 4.22) degrees to postoperative (26.85 +/- 7.37) degrees (t = 4.308, P = 0.000). Gissane angle were reduced from preoperative (137.05 +/- 24.91) degrees to postoperative (113.75 +/- 13.17) degrees (t = 7.083, P = 0.000). At 3 months after operation, the scores of AOFAS were 85.50 +/- 7.99; the results were excellent in 5 feet and good in 11 feet, fair in 3 feet, and poor in 1 foot. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive fixation of Kirschner needle and thread cancellous bone screw fixation is a simple operation, it can get reliable fixation, easy to remove, low cost, less postoperative complications, and it is a good treatment of calcaneal fracture.

[Identification of a novel HLA allele HLA-B*55:35].

OBJECTIVE: To identify a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B allele and explore its family heritage. METHODS: A novel HLA allele was suspected upon routine HLA typing using a polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP) assay. The sequence was confirmed with DNA sequencing and compared with its closest matching allele, B*55:02. The family was also investigated. RESULTS: An unusual reaction pattern was detected during routine HLA typing. The sequence was confirmed to be a novel HLA-B allele, which differed from the closest matching allele, B*55:02 in 7 nt positions in exon 2. Among the 7 mutations from 6 codons, there were two amino acids changes including 69Glu→Met and 70Glu→Ala. CONCLUSION: A novel HLA-B allele has been identified and officially named as B*55:35 by the WHO Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System (GenBank accession number FJ898284).

[Effect of environmental change in marshland after implementation of Three Gorges Reservoir Project on schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of environmental change in marshland after the implementation of the Three Gorges Reservoir Project on schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province. METHODS: The hydrologic data of Nanjing City in Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River, and the data regarding the marshlands, the snail status and schistosomiasis morbidity in areas adjacent to the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province were collected, and field snail surveys were performed in typical marshlands. RESULTS: Following the implementation of the Three Gorges Reservoir Project, the water level in Nanjing section of the Yangtze River appeared a year-dependent gradual decline tendency. The mean peak water level on January to March, 2012 (spring) increased by 0.41 m as compared to that before the construction of the project in 2002, while the peak water level on April to December, 2012 decreased by 0.32 m as compared to that before the construction of the project in 2002. The endemic situation of schistosomiasis showed a decline tendency in areas adjacent to the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province. The area with infected snails along the Yangtze River was 0, the positive rates of serological tests and parasitological tests of the population were 0.73% and 0.004%, respectively in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: Both the schistosomiasis morbidity and snail status appear a decline tendency in areas adjacent to the Yangtze River along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Jiangsu Province after the implementation of the Three Gorges Reservoir Project.

The effect of desloratadine on patch test reactions in Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: Few data on the effect of antihistamines on patch test results in Chinese patients are currently available. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of desloratadine on patch test reactions. METHODS: Patients known to have at least one strongly positive (+ +) test with an allergen were re-patch tested after 14 to 70 days (average time interval 26.3 days) of administering oral desloratadine 5 mg twice a day for 5 days before and during the test. Patch testing was performed with the previously recognized allergen according to the guidelines of the ICDRG. The -to + + + system was converted into numeric values (0, 1, 2, 3, 4) for statistic evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 58 chambers (47 patients), which were all strongly positive (+ +) during the 1st patch test, the situation was unchanged in 51 chambers; 4 + reactions and 2 + + + reactions were observed; and 1 chamber was negative. There was no statistically significant difference when comparing the scores of the 1st assessment with those of the 2nd (p = 0.206). If the patch test reaction of the patient who dropped out of the trial had changed from strongly positive (+ +) to negative, there would still have been no statistically significant difference between the score of the 1st assessment with those of the 2nd ( p = 0.107). CONCLUSIONS: The reaction of a patch test is not hampered by doubling dose of desloratadine. The anti-inflammatory effects of desloratadine on patch test reaction may be limited.