Microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: To investigate relationships between microsatellite instability (MSI) and the clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC) to facilitate the provision of targeted therapy and immunotherapy for CRC related to MSI, and provide a basis for better prognoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the information system of the Pathology Department of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China, from January 01, 2021 to September 30, 2022. Clinicopathological information, including sex, age, tumor size, and associated expression of MSI, was collected. RESULTS: CRC associated with MSI usually occurred in people aged over 50 years. It was related to tumor diameter, which was 5-10 cm at the most. Most tumors occurred in the right colon and were moderately to poorly differentiated. PCR detected 29 patients, including 24 cases of microsatellite stable (MSS), one case of MSI-low, and four cases of MSI-high. The expression of mismatch repair (MMR) protein in these 29 patients was also investigated via immunohistochemistry (IHC), which detected 25 cases of MSS and four cases of MSI-high. The consistency between IHC and PCR was 96.6%. CONCLUSION: The expression of MMR is related to age, tumor diameter, tumor location, and tumor differentiation. It was not related to gender, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, or P53 expression. The consistency between IHC and PCR was 96.6%.

The impact of probiotics on gut microbiota in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of probiotics supplementation on the gut microbiota in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy is controversial. Therefore, this review aimed to illustrate changes in the gut microbiota after standard eradication therapy with probiotics supplements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase database was performed up to February 1st, 2022, with English language restriction. The extracted outcomes were analyzed, including gut microbiota, adverse effects, and eradication rate. RESULTS: 13 studies reported data on 777 participants who were finally eligible for this systematic review. All of them are randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of H. pylori eradication with probiotics supplementation therapy on gut microbiota. Probiotics supplementation seems to play a positive role in restoring the gut microbiota during H. pylori eradication therapy. However, the changes in the gut microbiota are still controversial. The included studies had significant heterogeneity in the study population, diagnostic methods of H. pylori infection, and detection techniques of the gut microbiota and probiotics species. CONCLUSIONS: The results provided a basis for the rational selection of probiotics in the H. pylori eradication process. Probiotic supplementation might keep the balance of gut microbiota and reduce the gastrointestinal adverse effects of antibiotics, but whether it could improve the eradication rate or not is a debatable point. Therefore, more research is needed to provide evidence.

[Research progress on the relationship between liver cirrhosis and thyroid hormones].

There exists a complex relationship between liver and thyroid hormones. Liver plays an important role in the activation, inactivation, transportation, and metabolism of thyroid hormones. At the same time, thyroid hormones also affect hepatocytes activity and liver metabolism, such as lipid and bilirubin metabolism. Importantly, thyroid hormone levels often change abnormally in patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, studying the change of thyroid hormone levels in patients with liver cirrhosis has a certain clinical value for assessing the severity, prognosis, diagnosis and treatment. This paper reviews the research progress on the relationship between liver cirrhosis and thyroid hormone.

Prognostic value of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio in critically ill patients with cancer: a propensity score matching study

Background Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has shown a good prognostic value in many different type of malignancies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between NLR and the outcome of critically ill patients with cancer. Methods We performed a single-institution, retrospective study of 1317 adult critically ill patients with cancer and determined the optimal cut-off for NLR by X-tile software. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probabilities of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed to control confounders. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the relationship between NLR and 28-day, 6-month and 1-year all-cause mortality. Kaplan–Meier method, subgroup analysis, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis were applied to assess the prognostic value of NLR. Results The cut‐off value for NLR was 17.6. Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that high NLR (> 17.6) was independently associated with 28-day, 6-month and 1-year all-cause mortality with hazard ratio (HR) of 1.58 (1.29, 1.94), 1.51 (1.28, 1.77) and 1.45 (1.25, 1.69), respectively. The results were consistent with survival analyses (p < 0.001, log-rank test). The ROC analyses showed that the discrimination abilities of NLR were better than other blood-based biomarkers. Conclusion NLR is a promising prognostic indicator of survival in unselected critical ill patients with cancer (AU)

Prognostic value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in critically ill patients with cancer: a propensity score matching study.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has shown a good prognostic value in many different type of malignancies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between NLR and the outcome of critically ill patients with cancer. METHODS: We performed a single-institution, retrospective study of 1317 adult critically ill patients with cancer and determined the optimal cut-off for NLR by X-tile software. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probabilities of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed to control confounders. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the relationship between NLR and 28-day, 6-month and 1-year all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier method, subgroup analysis, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis were applied to assess the prognostic value of NLR. RESULTS: The cut-off value for NLR was 17.6. Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that high NLR (> 17.6) was independently associated with 28-day, 6-month and 1-year all-cause mortality with hazard ratio (HR) of 1.58 (1.29, 1.94), 1.51 (1.28, 1.77) and 1.45 (1.25, 1.69), respectively. The results were consistent with survival analyses (p < 0.001, log-rank test). The ROC analyses showed that the discrimination abilities of NLR were better than other blood-based biomarkers. CONCLUSION: NLR is a promising prognostic indicator of survival in unselected critical ill patients with cancer.

[Methods of repairing large soft tissue defect with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and management of secondary wound in donor site].

Objective: To explore the methods of repairing large soft tissue defect with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and the management of secondary wound in donor site. Methods: From June 2015 to June 2019, 30 patients with soft tissue defect caused by various reasons or hyperplastic scar were hospitalized in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, including 10 males and 20 females, aged 25-64 years, with 18 cases of head soft tissue defects caused by the growth and rupture of tumor, 7 cases of hypertrophic scar in trunk and limbs, and 5 cases of facial and neck soft tissue defects caused by trauma. The area of primary wound after debridement or enlarged lesion resection was 14 cm×10 cm-18 cm×16 cm. Preoperative evaluation of 20 patients showed that the wound was relatively large, and the donor site could not be directly closed by suturing after resection of conventional single-lobe latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, so the bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap with area of 14 cm×5 cm-18 cm×8 cm was cut to repair the wound, and the donor site was directly closed by suturing. Preoperative evaluation of 10 patients showed that the donor site could be directly closed by suturing after resection of conventional single-lobe latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, so that conventional single-lobe latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap with area of 11 cm×9 cm-13 cm×10 cm was resected to repair the primary wound, resulting in big tension in donor site and secondary wound with area of 6 cm×4 cm-8 cm×6 cm that couldn't be directly sutured, which was repaired with donor site local flap with area of 7 cm×4 cm-9 cm×6 cm, and the second donor site was directly closed by suturing. Intraoperative end-to-end anastomosis was performed between the thoracodorsal arteries and veins of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and the arteries and veins of the primary recipient wound. The survival of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps and local flaps were observed after surgery, and the appearance and function of the donor and recipient areas were observed during follow-up. Results: All the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps and local flaps survived in the patients after surgery. Follow-up of 6-12 months showed that the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was similar in color to the surrounding normal skin, with soft texture and good elasticity. The donor site of 20 patients repaired with bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps were only left with linear scars, among which 2 patients had hypertrophic scars and none had functional impairment. The donor site of 10 patients repaired with single-lobe latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps and donor site local flaps had good appearance, left with linear scar, irregular shape, but no local traction or dysfunction. Conclusions: When repairing a large soft tissue defect, the bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap or the single-lobe latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap combined with the local flap transfer in the donor site can be used after preoperative evaluation so that the donor site wound can be closed at one time while repairing the primary wound. The donor site has less scar, and both the recipient and donor sites have good appearance and function after surgery.

Functional characterization of the long noncoding RNA MIR22HG as a tumour suppressor in cervical cancer by targeting IGF2BP2.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumour in the female reproductive tract, ranking second in the global cause of female cancer and seriously endangering women's health. However, the underlying mechanisms leading to cervical cancer are unclear. Previous studies have reported the roles and general underlying mechanisms of the long noncoding RNA MIR22HG (MIR22HG) in multiple types of tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we describe the functional role of MIR22HG as a tumour suppressor lincRNA by regulating metastasis, growth and invasion by performing a series of in vivo and in vitro experiments. RESULTS: Our data suggested that MIR22HG dramatically promoted cervical cancer apoptosis and inhibited invasion by targeting IGF2BP2. CONCLUSIONS: The long noncoding RNA MIR22HG targets IGF2BP2 as a tumour suppressor in cervical cancer. Our findings will be helpful for developing potential therapeutics for cervical cancer.

[Effects of temperature and relative humidity on the number of outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their interaction effect in Lanzhou, China].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the relationships of daily average temperature and relative humidity with outpatient visit frequency of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and whether temperature and relative humidity have a lag effect. METHODS: The effects of daily average temperature, relative humidity, and their interaction in Lanzhou between January 2013 and December 2017 on the outpatient visit frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were analyzed using Poisson generalized linear regression model combined with distributed lag non-linear model. RESULTS: There was a non-linear relationship between the daily average temperature and the outpatient visit frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Between -12 °C and -8 °C, the outpatient visit frequency increased gradually with the decrease of the daily average temperature, and the outpatient visit frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients increased by 11.60% per 1 °C of temperature drop. The daily average relative humidity also presented a non-linear effect on the outpatient visit frequency chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. When the daily average relative humidity was in the range of 15%-28%, the outpatient visit frequency increased gradually with the decrease of relative humidity, and the outpatient visit frequency of COPD patients increased by 37.05% for every 1% decrease of relative humidity. A synergistic effect was found between air temperature and relative humidity on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, that is, under different relative humidity, the effect of air temperature was different. When the daily average relative humidity ≤ 50% and the daily average temperature≤11 °C, the effect of air temperature was the most obvious. For every 1 °C drop in temperature, the daily out-patient visit frequency of the whole population increased by 12.68% (5.62% in males and 7.56% in females; 5.24% in population < 65 years and 14.74% in population ≥ 65 years). When the daily average relative humidity > 50% and the daily average temperature ≤ 11 °C, the daily outpatient visit frequency of the whole population increased by 9.00% for every 1 °C drop in temperature (< 65 years, 7.11%; ≥65 years, 10.93%). When the daily average temperature > 11 °C, the temperature had no effect on the daily outpatient visit frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients under different relative humidity. CONCLUSION: The presence of a certain extent of interaction is observed between daily average temperature and relative humidity. Low-temperature and dry environment (relative humidity ≤50%, temperature ≤11 °C) as well as low-temperature and high-humidity environment (relative humidity > 50%, temperature ≤11 °C) can both increase the risk of outpatient visit in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

[Clinical application effects of portable visual retractor in superficial temporal fascia flap harvesting].

Objective: To explore the clinical application effects of portable visual retractor in superficial temporal fascia flap harvesting. Methods: From January 2010 to June 2019, 27 patients meeting the inclusion criteria and planning to perform operation of superficial temporal fascia flap harvesting were admitted to the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the First Clinical Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital. The patients were divided into traditional surgical method group [6 males and 3 females, aged (34±14) years], cold light source retractor group [6 males and 4 females, aged (35±16) years], and portable visual retractor group [7 males and 1 female, aged (30±14) years] according to way of superficial temporal fascia flap harvesting. The superficial temporal fascia flaps of patients in traditional surgical method group were resected by traditional way of resection, and the superficial temporal fascia flaps of patients in cold light source retractor group and portable visual retractor group were resected at assistance of cold light source retractor and portable visual retractor, respectively. Length of incision, operation time, intraoperative blood loss volume, postoperative drainage volume, and postoperative complication of patients in 3 groups were observed and recorded. Data were processed with Fisher's exact probability test, one-way analysis of variance, least significant difference test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: The length of incision of patients in visual retractor group was (3.6±0.8) cm, significantly shorter than (12.6±1.6) cm in traditional surgical method group and (5.8±0.9) cm in cold light source retractor group (P<0.05). The incision length of patients in traditional surgical method group was significantly longer than that in cold light source retractor group (P<0.05). The operation time of patients in visual retractor group was 24.0 (23.3, 25.8) min, significantly shorter than 35.0 (30.5, 36.5) min in traditional surgical method group and 28.5 (26.8, 30.5) min in cold light source retractor group (H=16.5, 9.8, P<0.05). The operation time of patients in traditional surgical method group was significantly longer than that in cold light source retractor group (H=6.6, P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss volume was (26±3) mL of patients in visual retractor group, significantly less than (34±4) mL in traditional surgical method group and (30±6) mL in cold light source retractor group (P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss volume of patients in traditional surgical method group was significantly more than that in cold light source retractor group (P<0.05). The postoperative drainage volumes of patients in visual retractor group, cold light source retractor group, and traditional surgical method group were (33±4), (34±6), and (31±7) mL, respectively, and there were no significantly statistical differences in postoperative drainage volumes among patients in the three groups (F=0.3, P>0.05). There were no severe complications such as ischemia and necrosis of superficial temporal fascia flaps in patients of the three groups. One patient in cold light source retractor group had subcutaneous hematoma after operation, which was improved by removing stitches and hematoma. Conclusions: Superficial temporal fascia flap harvesting at the assistance of portable visual retractor has the advantages of clear visual field, simple operation, short operation time, small incision, and less intraoperative blood loss.

Efficient electrochemical generation of ferrate(VI) by iron coil anode imposed with square alternating current and treatment of antibiotics.

Anode passivation is still a main challenge for the electrochemical generation of ferrate(VI, Fe(VI)), leading to the reduction of Fe(VI) production efficiency. In this study, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electronic microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to select better anode electrode configurations (iron wire, iron gauze, and iron coil). The results indicate that iron coil had the least degree of passivation. Different imposed current waveforms during the electrochemical generation of Fe(VI) were also investigated, and the iron coil imposed with square alternating current (AC) wave can mitigate the anode passivation, resulting in higher Fe(VI) production efficiency. The optimum conditions for the electrochemical generation of Fe(VI) were evaluated and the optimum temperature (40 ℃), current density (10 mA/cm2), AC cycle period (15 s) and electrolyte concentrations (14 M NaOH) were identified. As a result, 0.12 mol/L Fe(VI) concentration and over 50% of current efficiency can be achieved after 3 h electrolysis. The generated Fe(VI) solution was further applied to oxidize doxycycline(DOX) and sulfadiazine(SDZ) as typical antibiotics. Over 80% of DOX can be removed at a Fe(VI) to DOX molar ratio of 5:1 (pH = 4-9), whilst a higher Fe(VI) to SDZ molar ratio of 20:1 (pH = 7) was needed to obtain 75% SDZ removal.

Mucosal vaccines: Strategies and challenges.

Mucosal immunization has potential benefits over conventional parenteral immunization, eliciting immune defense in both mucosal and systemic tissue for protecting from pathogen invasion at mucosal surfaces. To provide a first line of protection at these entry ports, mucosal vaccines have been developed and hold a significant promise for reducing the burden of infectious diseases. However, until very recently, only limited mucosal vaccines are available. This review summarizes recent advances in selected aspects regarding mucosal vaccination, including appropriate administration routes, reasonable formulations, antigen-sampling and immune responses of mucosal immunity, and the strategies used to improve mucosal vaccine efficacy. Finally, the challenges of developing successful mucosal vaccines and the potential solutions are discussed.

[Dermatomyositis combined with IgA vasculitis: A case report].

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle involvement of the proximal extremities and specific skin involvement, like Gottron sign and heliotrope rash. HenochSchonlein purpura (IgA vasculitis) nephritis is characterized by hematuria and/or proteinuria clinically, with histologic evidence of IgA nephropathy, and also can be clinically characterized by non-thrombocytopenic purpura, presenting with petechiae and ecchymosis on the skin and mucous membranes, often involving multiple organs and systems, accompanied by abdominal pain, joint swelling and pain, and renal lesions. We reported here a patient with symmetric muscle weakness in her proximal limbs and typical Gottron sign, whose laboratory examination showed elevated creatine kinase (CK) level and myogenic damage electromyographically, which were concomitant with dermatomyositis. We applied prednisone combined with cyclophosphamide, and the patient's muscle strength, interstitial lung disease and all improved gradually. The patient gradually developed severe hepatic damage [significantly increased glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST) and bilirubin], high fever (body temperature fluctuated between 38.0-39.2 °C), thrombocytopenia (limb distal purplish rash, some slightly protruded from the skin surface, some fused into a piece, which did not fade with pressure) and intractable diarrhea (waterlike stool, antidiarrheal drug treatment was not good), with new onset of the skin lesions on multiple areas of her body, as well as abrupt occurrence of massive proteinuria, which resulted in huge challenges in the following diagnosis and treatment. After extensive differential diagnosis from various directions, including pathological biopsies, it finally came out to be dermatomyositis combined with IgA vasculitis, which had been rarely reported. Both cellmediated immunity to muscle antigens and immune-complex disease might participate in the pathogenesis. There was evidence that they were immune complex diseases. Several immune mechanisms played an important role in the pathogenesis of both DM and IgA vasculitis. We conducted a substantial literature review of the above diseases. The purpose of our study is to strengthen the clinical understanding of such complicated diseases, and to highlight the importance of pathological biopsy in the diagnosis (renal biopsy pathology gave us a definite diagnosis). And what is more important is that seizing the opportunity to initiate treatment can control the disease and improve the prognosis.

Transcriptional regulatory region and DNA methylation analysis of TNNI1 gene promoters in Gaoyou duck skeletal muscle (Anas platyrhynchos domestica).

1. The slow skeletal muscle troponin I (TNNI1) gene has been found to be specifically expressed in slow muscle fibres and plays an important role in muscle development. The aim of this study was to determine the active control area of duck TNNI1 and identify the potential cis-regulatory elements in the promoter. 2. In this study, the TNNI1 promoter was first cloned by genome walking and the sequences were analysed using bioinformatics software. Firefly luciferase reporter gene vectors, driven by a series of constructs with progressive deletions, were used to identify the core transcriptional regulatory region of the duck TNNI1 gene. The methylation status of the CpG island in the TNNI1 promoter was detected in skeletal muscle on embryonic days 21 and 27, by bisulphite sequencing PCR (BSP). 3. The results showed two CpG islands presented in the promoter region, with one of the CpG islands located in the core transcriptional regulatory region (-2078/-885 bp). The total methylation levels of the 14 CpG sites were not altered between breast and leg muscles on embryonic days 21 and 27. However, four CpG sites (loci of positions 4, 11, 13, and 14) showed dramatically different methylation levels between breast and leg muscles at embryonic days 21 and 27. Analysis showed that multiple CpG sites had a significant correlation between the methylation levels of the CpG sites and mRNA expressions in skeletal muscle. Multiple transcription factor binding sites including Sp1, c-Myc, Oct-1 and NF-kB motifs were identified and might be responsible for transcriptional regulation of the TNNI1 gene. 4. These findings contribute to further understanding of the fundamental mechanism for transcriptional regulation of the TNNI1 gene in ducks.

Identification of functional estrogen response elements in glycerol channel Aquaporin-7 gene.

Objective: We previously reported that tissue-specific effects of estrogen on Aquaporin-7 (AQP7) expression are associated with the development of menopausal obesity. The current study was designed to identify the estrogen response elements (EREs) in the promoter of Aqp7 and investigate the role of AQP7 in the regulation of estrogen-induced anti-adipogenesis. Methods: We measured AQP7 expression and intracellular fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes either silenced with shRNA or treated with estrogen receptor (ER)-specific antagonists or agonists before exposure to estrogen. EREs were predicted by Bioinformatics, assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation, and verified by luciferase reporter assay. Results: We found that regulation of AQP7 expression was mainly via ERα, as confirmed by the use of ER selective antagonists and agonists. In addition, the induction of AQP7 expression by estrogen was linked to ER binding with two EREs in the promoter region of Aqp7. Furthermore, we found that the regulation of adipogenesis by 17ß-estradiol was AQP7 dependent, as evidenced by the increase in fat accumulation after silencing AQP7. Conclusions: Estrogen induces AQP7 expression by binding EREs in the promoter of the Aqp7 gene, resulting in fat catabolism of adipocyte. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning the anti-adipogenic effect of estrogen.

Improving the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for gestational diabetes prevention: a meta-analysis and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: Diet and exercise during pregnancy have been used to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with some success. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention on GDM prevention and to identify key effectiveness moderators to improve the prevention strategy. SEARCH STRATEGY: Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane, and cross-references were searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating lifestyle interventions during pregnancy for GDM prevention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two independent reviewers extracted data. A random-effects model was used to analyse the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Meta-regressions and subgroup analyses were used to investigate important moderators of effectiveness. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-seven RCTs involving 15 745 participants showed that diet and exercise during pregnancy were preventive of GDM (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.87). Four key aspects were identified to improve the preventive effect: targeting the high-risk population; an early initiation of the intervention; the correct intensity and frequency of exercise; and gestational weight gain management. Although 24 RCTs targeted women who were overweight or obese, body mass index (BMI) failed to predict the effectiveness of an intervention. Instead, interventions are most effective in high-incidence populations rather than simply in women who are overweight or obese. Furthermore, exercise of moderate intensity for 50-60 minutes twice a week could lead to an approximately 24% reduction in GDM. CONCLUSION: The best strategy to prevent GDM is to target the high-risk population predicted by risk evaluation models and to control the gestational weight gain of women through intensified diet and exercise modifications early in their pregnancy. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Four key effectiveness moderators of lifestyle interventions for GDM prevention.

[Increased serum soluble-endoglin level and its clinical significance in antiphospholipid syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the serum levels of soluble endothelial glycoprotein endoglin (s-Eng) in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to evaluate the correlation between s-Eng levels and clinical features and laboratory parameters. METHODS: The levels of serum s-Eng were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 139 patients with APS, 44 patients with SLE but no APS, 37 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), 23 patients with Bechet's disease (BD), 22 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 22 persistent anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) positive individuals without SLE or APS (simply aCL positive group) and 87 health controls (HC) without any auto-immune diseases. These APS patients included 64 primary APS patients and 75 APS patients secondary to SLE.The correlation between the clinical data, laboratory parameters, and serum s-Eng levels were analyzed.Independent samples t test, paired t test, Chi-square Test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's χ2 test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: (1) The serum levels of s-Eng were significantly higher in the patients with APS whether primary or secondary to SLE than in the health controls and simply aCL positive group and the patients with other autoimmune diseases, including SLE, pSS, BD and SSc (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the serum s-Eng levels between simply aCL positive group and health controls [(5.17±2.00) mg/L vs. (5.04±1.11) mg/L, P>0.05]. (2) The best cut-off value for the diagnosis of APS was no less than 8.37 mg/L as mean ± 3SD value, with the sensitivity at 0.772 and the specificity at 0.928. The Youden index was 0.700. These results indicated good validity of s-Eng as a diagnostic marker for APS. (3) The proportions of artery thrombosis and pathological pregnancy were higher in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients than that in s-Eng-negative group (46/81 vs. 19/58, 29/65 vs. 10/44, respectively, all P<0.05). The levels of PLT were lower in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients (72.00×109/L vs. 119.00×109/L, P<0.001). (4) The proportions of the presence (93.83% vs. 37.93%, P<0.001) and titer (61.70 U/mL vs. 15.45 U/mL, P<0.001) of aCL were both higher in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients than in s-Eng-negative group. The proportions of the presence (61.73% vs. 43.10%, P<0.05) and titer (33.48 U/mL vs.17.40 U/mL, P<0.05) of anti-ß2-glycoprotein I antibody were both higher in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients than in s-Eng-negative group too. CONCLUSION: s-Eng serum levels were significantly increased in the patients with APS, and it may play a role as acomplementary serological marker for the diagnosis and risk prediction of APS.

Morphological study of the changes after sagittal split ramus osteotomy in patients with facial asymmetry: measurements of 3-dimensional modelling.

The effects of bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are still not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare the morphological differences among unaffected subjects on the one hand, and patients with facial asymmetry before and after BSSRO on the other. Ten Chinese patients (preoperative and postoperative groups, mean (SD) age 25 (5) years) diagnosed with facial asymmetry and 10 unaffected subjects (control group, mean (SD) age 27 (5) years) were recruited prospectively. The 3-dimensional morphological measurements made on 3-dimensional models in each group were assessed by analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) and Student's t test, and probabilities of <0.05 were accepted as significant. The horizontal condylar angle (HCA), coronal condylar angle (CCA), sagittal ramus angle (SRA), medial joint space (MJS), lateral joint space (LJS), and superior joint space (SJS) differed significantly between the preoperative and control groups (HCA: p=0.000, CCA: p=0.000, SRA(left/undeviated side): p=0.002, MJS(left/undeviated side): p=0.000, MJS(right/deviated side): p=0.007, LJS(right/deviated side): p=0.000, SJS(left/undeviated side): p=0.000, SJS(right/deviated side): p=0.000). The SRA, MJS, LJS, and SJS differed significantly between the preoperative and postoperative groups (SRA(left/undeviated side): p=0.012, MJS(left/undeviated side): p=0.002, LJS(right/deviated side): p=0.021, SJS(left/undeviated side): p=0.000, SJS(right/deviated side): p=0.001), And the SRA, MJS, and LJS in the preoperative group differed significantly between the deviated and undeviated side (SRA: p=0.006; MJS: p=0.003; LJS: p=0.011). However, there were no significant differences in the postoperative and control groups between the deviated and undeviated sides. BSSRO improved the asymmetrical morphology of the TMJ and alleviated the symptoms.

Long non-coding RNA EPB41L4A-AS2 inhibited non-small cell lung cancer proliferation, invasion and promoted cell apoptosis.

The aim of the research was to investigate the expression of lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluate its influence on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of NSCLC. A total of 56 NSCLC tissues and its corresponding adjacent tissues were collected. Quantitative Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to evaluate the lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS2 expression level in tissues and cell lines. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein level was determined by western blot assay. CCK8 assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry (FCM) and transwell assay were performed to access cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion. EPB41L4A-AS2 expression was significantly downregulated in cancer tissues and cells compared with the adjacent tissues and normal cells (P<0.05). After cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-EPB41L4A-AS2, cell viability and PCNA protein level was decreased, and cells were arrested in the G0/G1 phase with higher apoptosis rate. Transwell assay showed that over-expressed EPB41L4A-AS2 could reduce cells invasion ability. Expression of low levels of EPB41L4A-AS2 is associated with poor survival in NSCLC and the over-expression of lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS2 inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and promote cell apoptosis.