TNF compromises intestinal bile-acid tolerance dictating colitis progression and limited infliximab response.

The intestine constantly encounters and adapts to the external environment shaped by diverse dietary nutrients. However, whether and how gut adaptability to dietary challenges is compromised in ulcerative colitis is incompletely understood. Here, we show that a transient high-fat diet exacerbates colitis owing to inflammation-compromised bile acid tolerance. Mechanistically, excessive tumor necrosis factor (TNF) produced at the onset of colitis interferes with bile-acid detoxification through the receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway in intestinal epithelial cells, leading to bile acid overload in the endoplasmic reticulum and consequent apoptosis. In line with the synergy of bile acids and TNF in promoting gut epithelial damage, high intestinal bile acids correlate with poor infliximab response, and bile acid clearance improves infliximab efficacy in experimental colitis. This study identifies bile acids as an "opportunistic pathogenic factor" in the gut that would represent a promising target and stratification criterion for ulcerative colitis prevention/therapy.

A theory based study on diabetes self-management in older Chinese adults.

Approximately 1 in 3 (or 80 million) Chinese age 60 years or older are living with type 2 diabetes in China. New perspectives are needed to understand the intricate phenomenon of diabetes self-management (DSM) in older Chinese adults. Guided by the expanded Tripartite Model of Self-Management, this study aimed to identify the inter-relationships between the tripartite components simultaneously and their influencing factors. This cross-sectional study included a stratified random sample of 98 community-dwelling adults age 60 or older with type 2 diabetes. Findings revealed distinct predictors for knowledge about DSM, DSM behaviors and coping. There were significant inter-relationships among the tripartite components. The theoretical model was a good fit for the data. This study provides valuable insights into the complex relationships between knowledge about DSM, DSM behaviors, and coping strategies, offering direct implications for improving the health outcomes of older adults with diabetes.

Study of 2,881 Nasal Bone Fractures using Multivariate Analysis.

Objective: This retrospective cohort study is aimed to provide a certain reference for the clinical prevention and treatment of nasal bone fracture, and further formulated a more perfect diagnosis and treatment plan. Methods: In detailed cases, 2881 patients with nasal bone fracture were recorded. Its general clinical data, cause of injury, fracture site, and fracture typing were collected through the database. All hospitalized patients admitted to the Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to the School of Medicine of Shanghai Jiao Tong University with integrated medical records could be retrospectively included from June 2013 to July 2018 and comprehensively analyzed for their gender, age, fracture type and cause of injury. Results: The sex ratio of nasal bone fracture was 2.44:1. The most patients with nasal bone fracture were 19-29 years old (35.6%). The injury rate of traffic accidents was the highest, 33.8%, followed by violent strikes, 24.1%. Statistical analysis showed that the number of patients with nasal bone combined with maxillary frontal bone fracture and type II nasal bone fracture was significantly higher than other fracture types. Logistic multiple regression analysis showed that the relative risk of nasal bone fracture in men was lower (odds ratio, OR = 0.807, P < .05), and the risk of nasal bone fracture decreased with age (OR = 0.978, P < .001). Compared with car accident injury, the relative risk of simple nasal bone fracture comes from violence, exercise or collision [OR = 1.244, P < .05; OR = 1.410, P < .05; OR = 1.453, P < .05]). Conclusion: Given these findings, it's evident that nasal bone fractures exhibit distinct patterns based on individual characteristics, causes of trauma, and injury site, and relevant strategy research should be conducted.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing the Effectiveness of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block and Caudal Block for Relief of Postoperative Pain in Children Who Underwent Lower Abdominal Surgeries.

Background and Objectives: Postoperative pain after lower abdominal surgery is typically severe. Traditionally, in pediatric anesthesia, a caudal block (CB) has been used for pain management in these cases. Nowadays, a transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) seems to be an effective alternative. However, which technique for perioperative analgesia is better and more effective remains unclear in children who undergo abdominal surgeries. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a TAPB and CB for pain management in children after abdominal surgery by conducting a meta-analysis of published papers in this area. Methods: We conducted a thorough search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared a TAPB and CB for pain management in children who had abdominal surgery. Two researchers screened and assessed all the information with RevMan5.3 used for this meta-analysis. Pain scores, the total dose of rescue analgesic given, the mean duration of analgesia, the intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic conditions 24 h after surgery, and adverse events were compared. Results: 15 RCTs that involved a total of 970 pediatric patients were included in this study. The results of this meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of postoperative pain scores at 1 h (SMD = 0.35; 95% CI = -0.54 to 1.24; p = 0.44, I2 = 94%), 6 h (SMD = -0.10; 95% CI = -0.44 to -0.23; p = 0.55, I2 = 69%), 12 h (SMD = -0.02; 95% CI = -0.45 to -0.40; p = 0.93, I2 = 80%), and 24 h (SMD = -0.66; 95% CI = -1.57 to -0.25; p = 0.15, I2 = 94%); additional analgesic requirement (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.63; p = 0.004, I2 = 72%); total dose of rescue analgesic given in 24 h (SMD = -0.37; 95% CI = -1.33 to -0.58; p = 0.44; I2 = 97%); mean duration of analgesia (SMD = 1.29; 95% CI = 0.01 to 2.57; p = 0.05, I2 = 98%); parents' satisfaction (SMD = 0.44; 95% CI = -0.12 to 1.0; p = 0.12; I2 = 80%); and intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic conditions 24 h after the surgery and adverse events (SMD = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.22 to 2.82; p = 0.70; I2 = 62%). Compared to a CB, a TAPB resulted in a small but significant reduction in additional analgesic requirement after surgery (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.63; p = 0.004). Conclusions: TAPBs and CBs result in similar efficient early analgesia and safety profiles in children undergoing abdominal surgeries. Moreover, no disparities were observed for adverse effects between TAPBs and CBs.

[Effectiveness of preemptive analgesia with imrecoxib on analgesia after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized controlled study].

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of preemptive analgesia with imrecoxib on analgesia after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: A total of 160 patients with ACL injuries who met the selection criteria and were admitted between November 2020 and August 2021 were selected and divided into 4 groups according to the random number table method (n=40). Group A began to take imrecoxib 3 days before operation (100 mg/time, 2 times/day); group B began to take imrecoxib 1 day before operation (100 mg/time, 2 times/day); group C took 200 mg of imrecoxib 2 hours before operation (5 mL of water); and group D did not take any analgesic drugs before operation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, constituent ratio of meniscal injuries with preoperative MRI grade 3, constituent ratio of cartilage injury Outerbridge grade 3, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score at the time of injury and at rest among 4 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, hospitalization stay, constituent ratio of perioperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade 1, postoperative opioid dosage, and complications were recorded. The VAS scores were used to evaluate the degree of knee joint pain, including resting VAS scores before operation and at 6, 24, 48 hours, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, and walking, knee flexion, and night VAS scores at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. The knee injury and osteoarthritis score (KOOS) was used to evaluate postoperative quality of life and knee-related symptoms of patients, mainly including pain, symptoms, daily activities, sports and entertainment functions, knee-related quality of life (QOL); and the Lysholm score was used to evaluate knee joint function. Results: All patients were followed up 1 year. There was no significant difference in operation time, hospitalization time, or constituent ratio of perioperative ASA grade 1 among 4 groups (P>0.05); the dosage of opioids in groups A-C was significantly less than that in group D (P<0.05). Except for 1 case of postoperative fever in group B, no complications such as joint infection, deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, or knee joint instability occurred in each group. The resting VAS scores of groups A-C at 6 and 24 hours after operation were lower than those of group D, and the score of group A at 6 hours after operation was lower than those of group C, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). At 1 month after operation, the knee flexion VAS scores of groups A-C were lower than those of group D, the walking VAS scores of groups A and B were lower than those of groups C and D, the differences were significant (P<0.05). At 1 month after operation, the KOOS pain scores in groups A-C were higher than those in group D, there was significant difference between groups A, B and group D (P<0.05); the KOOS QOL scores in groups A-C were higher than that in group D, all showing significant differences (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups A-C (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores and KOOS scores between the groups at other time points (P>0.05). And there was no significant difference in Lysholm scores between the groups at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the traditional analgesic scheme, applying the concept of preemptive analgesia with imrecoxib to manage the perioperative pain of ACL reconstruction can effectively reduce the early postoperative pain, reduce the dosage of opioids, and promote the early recovery of limb function.

How Can Framed Mammography Screening Messages Be Optimally Persuasive for Foreign-Born Chinese American Women?

BACKGROUND: Foreign-born Chinese American women (FBCAW) have the lowest mammography rates compared with other racial groups despite the overwhelming evidence of the benefits of screening. Message framing based on the prospect theory has shown significant but inconsistent effects on mammogram screening among ethnic minority groups. OBJECTIVE: Using data from a randomized controlled trial, this secondary analysis aims to identify factors that interact with message framing to improve mammography screening in FBCAW. METHODS: In the parent study, participants were randomized to receive either a gain- or loss-framed brochure that encouraged mammography screening. Data were collected at baseline and 2 months using validated questionnaires. For this secondary analysis, ordinal logistic regression was performed to identify moderation effects using both per-protocol and intention-to-treat principles. RESULTS: Participants predominantly had low income, a low level of English proficiency, and no insurance. Lack of access to mammography services, knowledge of making a mammogram appointment, knowledge of insurance coverage for breast cancer treatment, education levels, and mammogram history were significant moderators of the framing effects. Overall, the moderation effects were larger when using per-protocol analysis. Some moderation results under intention-to-treat analysis were different from those using per-protocol analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The persuasive effects of the loss- or gain-framed messages depend on the characteristics of FBCAW. Future studies can identify algorithms to select tailored messages that match individual FBCAW's characteristics to optimize the effects of framed messages. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings of this study can guide healthcare providers, especially nurses, to choose different wording when communicating with their clients.

Good outcomes of elbow arthroscopy-assisted absorbable screw fixation for capitellum fracture of the humerus in children: a case series.

Background: Capitellum fractures are rare coronal fractures of the distal humerus which accounts for 6% of all distal humeral fractures and only 1% of all elbow fractures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and complications of arthroscopically assisted reduction and fixation with absorbable screws for capitellar fracture of the humerus in children. Methods: This was a retrospective case series study, which considered four patients (4 elbows), ranging from 10 to 15 years old, who were treated by arthroscopic-assisted percutaneous absorbable screw between 2018 and 2020. The elbow flexion-extension and forearm supination-pronation ranges of motion (ROM) were measured at the preoperative examination and last follow-up examination. Finally, the clinical and radiological results were assessed. Results: The result of operations is satisfactory. The mean follow-up was 3.0 years (range 2-3.8 years). Average range of motion significantly improved from pre- to postoperation, with forearm supination from 60°(50°-60°) to 90°(90°) and pronation improved from 75°(70°-80°) to 90°(90°). The postoperative elbow flexion-extension range of motion was significantly higher compared with range of motion before surgery (P < 0.001; r = 0.949). At the final follow-up examination, the Mayo Elbow Performance Score was excellent. Satisfactory clinical results were achieved in all patients, and no postoperative complications were observed. Conclusions: It is an effective and safe surgical option to use arthroscopic-assisted percutaneous absorbable screw fixation for treating capitellum fracture of the humerus without any complications in children. Level of evidence: Level IV; case series.

Reconfigurable, Solvent-Processable, NIR-Triggerable Shape Memory Cyanate Esters for Smart Molds.

Shape memory polymer (SMP)-based smart molds, which could provide high-resolution mold shape and morph in response to external stimuli for readily demolding the complex structure, attract extensive attention. However, the suitable SMP for smart molds is usually confined with low stretchability that likely causes damage during demolding. Herein, we present a cyanate ester smart composite (CESC) with a reconfigurable, solvent-processable, and near-infrared (NIR)-triggerable shape memory effect (SME), which enables the 2D sheet with a variety of morphed complex shapes through deformation in a mild situation. Notably, the reconfigurable SME and the recyclability of the shape memory cyanate ester (SMCE) were addressed for the first time, attributed to the dynamic covalent bonds of transesterification and the novel cyanurate exchange. In addition, we found that the mechanism of solvent-processable SME is attributed to the varied cross-linking density and the mobility of the polymer chain. Integrating the multiple responsive SME and reconfigurable SME, the CESC demonstrated versatile applications as a smart mold. The results demonstrate a wide scope of application of the integrated SME and provide a new design strategy for thermoset cyanate materials.

Establishment of a Finite Element Model of Normal Nasal Bone and Analysis of Its Biomechanical Characteristics.

Nasal bone is a long, paired series of small bones, which is narrow at the top and broad at the bottom, that forms the base of the nasal dorsum. Together with the nasal part of the frontal bone, the frontal process of the maxilla and the middle plate of the ethmoid bone constitute the bone scaffold of the external nose. In this paper, the DICOM image data file was imported into the Mimics software for 3D reconstruction. At the same time, the Geomagic software was used for relevant image processing, and the finite element software ANSYS was used to establish a finite element model to analyze the stress characteristics of the nasomaxillary complex. Results. The maximum principal stress and maximum strain force at the lower segment of nasal bone and the junction of nasal bone and maxilla were relatively large. When the same external force acts on the lower segment of the nasal bone and the angle is 0° (sagittal force), the maximum principal stress and maximum strain force are the smallest. When the angle continues to increase, the maximum principal stress and maximum strain force continue to increase.

Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Visual clarity during shoulder arthroscopy can ensure an efficient and effective performance of the procedure, and it is highly related to bleeding without a tourniquet. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used in adult reconstruction procedures; however, its use in shoulder arthroscopic operations is a relatively novel topic. PURPOSE: To analyze the available literature on visual clarity, blood loss, pain control, functional outcomes, and complications after the administration of tranexamic acid in shoulder arthroscopic surgery. METHODS: A literature search was performed to retrieve randomized controlled trials examining the use of tranexamic acid at the time of shoulder arthroscopic surgery. The literature search included the MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. The primary outcomes included visual clarity, blood loss, and visual analog scale scores for pain. Secondary outcomes were operative time, irrigation amount used, postoperative shoulder swelling, the need for pressure increase, mean arterial pressure (MAP), functional outcomes, postoperative adverse effects such as deep venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. The outcomes were pooled to perform a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Seven prospective randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria for analysis. All of the included studies performed arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. No significant difference in visual clarity was observed (SMD (standardized mean difference), 0.45 [95% CI(confidence interval), -0.68, 1.59]; p = 0.44) nor in pain score (MD (mean difference), -0.46 [95% CI, -0.97, 0.05]; p = 0.08) between the TXA group and the control group. Two studies found no significant difference in blood loss between the TXA group and the control group. The meta-analysis from five studies demonstrated no significant difference between the TXA and control groups in operative time (MD, -3.51 [95% CI, -15.82, 8.80]; p = 0.58) or irrigation amount used (MD, -2.53 [95% CI, -5.93, 0.87]; p = 0.14). Two trials reported different statistical results in postoperative shoulder swelling. No significant differences regarding the need for pressure increase and MAP were reported between groups. No wound complications or infections or cardiac, thrombotic, or thromboembolic complications were recorded in either group. CONCLUSION: The use of intravenous or local TXA in shoulder arthroscopic surgery did not increase complications or thromboembolic events, but TXA had no obviously effect of reducing bleeding to obtain a clear visual field or pain release in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery.

Efficacy of the Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine in Coronary Heart Disease Comorbid with Anxiety and Depression: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of the integration of Western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) which is comorbid with anxiety and depression. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in databases such as VIP, WanFang, CNKI, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library from the inception of databases to November 2021. RCTs on treating CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression with the integration of TCM and Western medicine were retrieved, and publications were screened according to the screening criteria. Software RevMan 5.4 was utilized to analyze related indicators. Results: Thirteen eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. They involved a total of 1460 cases, including 747 cases in the TCM and Western medicine group, and 713 cases in the control group. Meta-analysis results illustrated that the difference in the relief of angina pectoris in treating CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression with the integration of TCM and Western medicine was statistically significant (OR = 3.97, 95% CI [2.47, 6.39], P < 0.05), and HAMD score, HAMA score, and clinical effective rate were statistically significant (MD = -4.11, 95% CI [-5.10, 3.12]), (SMD = 1.88, 95% CI [2.53, 1.24]), (OR = 9.71, 95% CI [4.65, 20.28]). Conclusion: By combining TCM and Western medicine, the treatment of angina pectoris and CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression can alleviate anxiety and depression and can enhance patients' quality of life.

Factors influencing and long-term effects of manual myotomy phenomenon during physiotherapy for congenital muscular torticollis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the factors influencing and long-term effects of manual myotomy (MM) occurring during physiotherapy for congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of children with CMT receiving physiotherapy between 2008 and 2018. The children were divided into manual myotomy (MM) and non-manual myotomy (NMM) groups according to whether MM occurred during treatment. We assessed physiotherapy outcomes in children with CMT using craniofacial asymmetry parameters and the Cheng-Tang rating score. By measuring the ear-eye distance, ear-nose distance, eye-mouth distance, ear-mouth distance, half-head circumference, and half-head top at two sides to evaluate craniofacial asymmetry. Based on the Cheng-Tang assessment criteria, we recorded the range of rotation, range of lateral flexion, the status of the contracted muscle, the hardness of the mass, the extent of head tilting during activities and sleeping, the status of daily activities, face size, type of head shape, cranial changes, and subjective head tilting to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Clinical data and outcome indicators (craniofacial asymmetry parameters and Cheng-Tang rating score) were compared. RESULTS: The MM group had a significantly higher total Cheng-Tang rating score than the NMM group (P < 0.05). Age at initial physiotherapy session was the risk factor for MM during physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Children with CMT developing MM during physiotherapy generally have a good outcome, although we do not recommend MM as a goal of treatment. Physiotherapists should understand this phenomenon, assess relevant factors to predict risk, and carefully observe treatment to prevent possible complications.

Upper limb pediatric fractures in 22 tertiary children's hospitals, China: a multicenter epidemiological investigation and economic factor analysis of 32,832 hospitalized children.

BACKGROUND: Fractures are the most common type of unintentional injury in children, with traumatic upper limb fractures accounting for approximately 80% of all childhood fractures. Many epidemiological investigations of upper limb fractures in children have been conducted, but with the development of society, the patterns of childhood fractures may have changed. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiology and economic cost factors of upper limb fractures in Chinese children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed children with upper limb fractures or old upper limb fractures hospitalized between December 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, in 22 tertiary children's hospitals, under China's Futang Research Center of Pediatric Development. We used the ICD10 codes on the front sheet of their medical records to identify cases and extracted data on age, sex, injury cause, fracture site, treatment, the year of admission and discharge, visiting time, and various costs during hospitalization from the medical record. RESULTS: A total of 32,439 children (21,478 boys and 10,961 girls) were identified, of whom 32,080 had fresh fractures and 359 had old fractures. The peak age was 3-6 years in both sexes. A total of 4788 were infants, 14,320 were preschoolers, 10,499 were in of primary school age, and 2832 were adolescent. Fractures were most frequent in autumn (August to October). Admissions peaked at 0 o'clock. Among the 32,080 children with fresh upper limb fractures, the most common fracture site was the distal humerus, with a total of 20,090 fracture events including 13,134 humeral supracondylar fractures and 4914 lateral humeral condyle fractures. The most common cause of injuries was falling over. The most common joint dislocation accompanying upper limb fractures occurred in the elbow, involving 254 cases. Surgery was performed in 31,274 children, and 806 did not receive surgery. Among those with clear operative records, 10,962 children were treated with open reduction and 18,066 with closed reduction. The number of cases was largest in the East China region (Anhui Province, Shandong Province, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, and Fujian Province), with 12,065 cases overall. Among the 359 children with old fractures, 118 were admitted with a diagnosis of "old humerus fracture," accounting for the highest proportion; 244 underwent surgical open reduction, 16.16% of whom had osteotomy. For the children with fresh fractures, the average total hospital cost was 10,994 yuan, and the highest average total hospital cost was 14,053 yuan, for humeral shaft fractures. For the children with old fractures, the average total hospital cost was 15,151 yuan, and the highest average total hospital cost was 20,698 yuan, for old ulna fractures. Cost of materials was the principle factor affecting total hospital cost, followed by surgery and anesthesia costs, both in children with fresh fractures and those with old fractures. Significant differences were observed in all hospital costs (P < 0.001) except treatment costs (P = 0.702), between children with fresh fractures and those with old fractures. Among the 32,439 children, full self-payment accounted for the highest proportion of all payment methods, involving 17,088 cases, with an average cost of 11,111 yuan. CONCLUSION: Information on the epidemiological characteristics of childhood fractures suggests that health and safety education and protective measures should be strengthened to prevent upper limb fractures in children. For both fresh and old fractures, the cost of materials was the principal factor affecting total hospital cost, followed by surgery and anesthesia costs. The overall average total hospital cost is higher in children with old fractures than in children with fresh fractures. Among all children, full self-payment, at 53% of children, accounted for the highest proportion of all payment methods. Hospital costs are a headache for those families who will pay on their own. It can lead to a delayed treatment and unhealed fractures or malunion in some children. Therefore, the child trauma care system and training on fractures need to be improved, to reduce the late presentation of fractures. These combined measures will improve children's quality of life, reduce the expenditure of families, and decrease the public health burden. To provide better medical services for children, authorities must improve the allocation of health resources, establish a comprehensive medical security system for children, and set up more child trauma centers.

[Research on classification and treatment of talocalcaneal bridge].

Talocalcaneal bridge mostly occurs on the inner side of heel-talar joint, and accounts for the highest proportion of foot tarsal deformities. Most of patients have no obvious symptoms, and manifested as pain and subtalar joint dysfunction at the onset. There are many types of calcaneal talus bridge, and different types have different clinical guiding significance. At present, Rozansky classification is the most widely used clinically, which has certain guiding significance for clinical treatment;Lim classification is simpler and more comprehensive, and Blitz classification is recommended for combined foot deformities or osteoarthritis. In terms of treatment, conservative treatment is recommended for patients with mild symptoms;patients who fail conservative treatment could choose arthroscopic surgery to remove bone bridge, while patients with larger areas(>50% subtalar articular surface), multi-articular bone bridges, and severe deformities incision surgery could be selected, the first or second stage treatment combined with flat foot deformity;for patients with multiple arthroscopic or incision surgery failures, severe osteoarthritis, or complex talocalcaneal bridge, subtalar joint or tri-articular fusion could be selected, and correct deformity.

Morphometric analysis of the nasal septum in normal Chinese individuals using a three-dimensional model of the nasal septum with facial CT scanning.

OBJECTIVES: Three-dimensional (3D) models were reconstructed based on computed tomography (CT) scan data and to analyze the morphometric characteristics of the nasal septum in Chinese individuals. METHODS: Ninety-six healthy adults aged 20-83 years old without confirmed nasal disorders were enrolled in this study from 2014 to 2015. 3D models of the nasal septum were reconstructed based on their CT scan data, and 7 indices were used for the evaluation of the spacial structure of the nasal septum. RESULTS: Data of the nasal septum revealed larger nasal septum volumes in males than those in females (P<0.01). The ratio of the cartilage volume to the total septal volume significantly decreased with age (P=0.010), whereas the ratio of the vomer volume to the total volume significantly increased with age (P=0.018). There were no significant correlations of the nasal septum with age (P=0.666) and gender (P=0.55). CONCLUSIONS: The reconstructed 3D model of the nasal septum demonstrates that the septal volume was larger in males than in females, and the ratio of vomer volume and cartilage volume to total septal volume changed with age, which may provide a reference for clinical treatment.

Dendritic Cell Vaccine Loaded with MG-7 Antigen Induces Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses against Gastric Cancer.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that can activate T cells and initiate a primary immune response. Personalized DC vaccines have demonstrated a modest antitumor potential in some clinical pilot studies. However, those vaccines are difficult to manufacture and have a limited antitumor response. In this study, a lentiviral vector-programmed DC vaccine with high antitumor responses is developed. By transfecting with a lentiviral vector, the DC vaccine is loaded with MG-7 antigen (MG-7Ag). Three representative gastric cancer cell lines, such as KATO-3, MKN45, and SNU16, are used to estimate the in vitro cytotoxic effect of the MG-7Ag DC vaccine. Furthermore, we examine the in vivo antitumor efficacy of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) induced by the MG-7Ag DC vaccine in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mice models. The current data demonstrate that the MG-7Ag DC vaccine induced a potent CTL activity. Those CTLs have a significant cytotoxic effect on both KATO-3 and MKN45 with high level of MG-7 expression. In addition, MG-7Ag DC vaccine-mediated CTLs significantly inhibit the growth of tumor xenografts in nude mice. The MG-7Ag DC vaccine activate the cytotoxic effect of lymphocytes and can be employed as a vaccine in gastric cancer immunotherapy.

Long noncoding RNA lnc-LEMGC combines with DNA-PKcs to suppress gastric cancer metastasis.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in cancer development and progression; however, their contributions to gastric cancer metastasis remain largely unknown. By lncRNA microarray screening, our study showed that 453 lncRNAs are dysregulated in gastric cancer tissues with or without lymph node metastasis, of which lnc-LEMGC ranks as one of the most significantly downregulated lncRNAs. Lnc-LEMGC inhibited cell migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo, by combining with protein DNA-PKcs. Importantly, nucleotides 1300-1800 of lnc-LEMGC prevented DNA-PKcs phosphorylation of serine 2056 and partially abrogated the effects of downstream effectors, ErbB1, SRC and protein tyrosine kinase 2 (FAK), in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway. The results of this study extend our knowledge of lncRNA's molecular mechanisms, in which lnc-LEMGC functions by directly suppressing the phosphorylation of its combined protein DNA-PKcs and inactivating the DNA-PKcs downstream EGFR signaling.

Long Noncoding RNA CRNDE Functions as an Oncogene to Facilitate Aggressive Behaviors of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by Modulating miR-3163/TWIST1 Axis.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) CRNDE has been broadly implicated in many malignancies. The aim of this study was to explore the function and potential mechanisms of CRNDE in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we discovered that CRNDE level was increased in NPC tissues and cell lines. Additionally, elevated CRNDE positively correlated with large tumor size, advanced TNM stage, distant metastasis, EBV infection and worse prognosis. Furthermore, depletion of CRNDE significantly impaired the capacity of proliferation, migration and invasion in NPC cells. Mechanically, CRNDE could serve as a molecular sponge of miR-3163 to regulate the expression of TWIST1. Importantly, the inhibitory effects of CRNDE knockdown on cell proliferation and metastasis were blocked by silence of miR-3163 or restoration of TWIST1 expression. Overall, our data highlighted that CRNDE could promote NPC progression via altering miR-3163/TWIST1 axis, suggesting CRNDE as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NPC treatment.

Trajectory Simulation and Prediction of COVID-19 via Compound Natural Factor (CNF) Model in EDBF Algorithm.

Natural and non-natural factors have combined effects on the trajectory of COVID-19 pandemic, but it is difficult to make them separate. To address this problem, a two-stepped methodology is proposed. First, a compound natural factor (CNF) model is developed via assigning weight to each of seven investigated natural factors, that is temperature, humidity, visibility, wind speed, barometric pressure, aerosol, and vegetation in order to show their coupling relationship with the COVID-19 trajectory. Onward, the empirical distribution based framework (EDBF) is employed to iteratively optimize the coupling relationship between trajectory and CNF to express the real interaction. In addition, the collected data is considered from the backdate, that is about 23 days-which contains 14-days incubation period and 9-days invalid human response time-due to the nonavailability of prior information about the natural spreading of virus without any human intervention(s), and also lag effects of the weather change and social interventions on the observed trajectory due to the COVID-19 incubation period; Second, the optimized CNF-plus-polynomial model is used to predict the future trajectory of COVID-19. Results revealed that aerosol and visibility show the higher contribution to transmission, wind speed to death, and humidity followed by barometric pressure dominate the recovery rates, respectively. Consequently, the average effect of environmental change to COVID-19 trajectory in China is minor in all variables, that is about -0.3%, +0.3%, and +0.1%, respectively. In this research, the response analysis of COVID-19 trajectory to the compound natural interactions presents a new prospect on the part of global pandemic trajectory to environmental changes.

A new type of electron microscope rapid collection device for atmospheric particles and its application cases.

A device for collecting atmospheric particulates matter for on-line electron microscopy was designed and manufactured by using 3D modeling and printing technology. The device was used to collect atmospheric particulates matter in Xining city of Qinghai province for seven consecutive days and used to collect atmospheric particulates matter in Jinan city of Shandong province for 30 consecutive days. And the samples were analyzed by electron microscopy. Through it can obtain ultra structure and size distribution information of atmospheric particulates matter. The experimental results reflected the distribution of atmospheric particulate matter in real time. The on-line acquisition device for electron microscopy is practical, fast, and convenient, which greatly shortens the sampling period and can be carried to any place outdoors for real-time sampling. The morphological structure and particle size distribution of atmospheric particles in sampling area was observed by electron microscope. The device has reference value to the study of PM2.5 and PM10 in atmosphere and air pollution. This acquisition device is convenient for the detection of sample by electron microscopy. It can further expand and simplify the sampling technology of large-scale instruments and equipment. This new method of real-time monitoring of air pollution is worth popularizing and applying.