Revisiting tuberculosis as a cause of gastric outlet obstruction: Insights from a case report.

Gastroduodenal tuberculosis (GD-TB) is exceptionally rare. The clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal TB are diverse and non-specific, which makes diagnosis difficult, leading to delayed diagnosis and high mortality. As a peer-reviewer of , I would like to share my opinion on the article published by this journal.

Silica nanoparticle design for colorectal cancer treatment: Recent progress and clinical potential.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer death. Nanotherapies are able to selectively target the delivery of cancer therapeutics, thus improving overall antitumor efficiency and reducing conventional chemotherapy side effects. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their remarkable advantages and biosafety.

[Construction of RNA interfering lentiviral vector of occludin and its role in tight junctions].

Objective: To investigate the role of occludin in tight junction (TJ) in vitro.

Methods: We constructed RNA interfering lentiviral vectors and transfected them into TM4 cells. Then we detected their inhibitory effect on occuldin by RT-PCR and Western blot and analyzed the role of occuldin in TJ using an in vitro TJ cell model.

[SP1 identified as a transcription factor of miR-122-5p].

Objective: To study the transcription factors of the spermatogenesis-related promoter mir-122-5p.

Methods: SP1 and GATA4 were predicted as the possible transcription factors of the mir-122-5p promoter by bioinformatics analysis, followed by construction of the double luciferase pGL3-mir-122-5p promoter vector, pcDNA3.1 (+) -SP1 expression vector and pcDNA3.

[Establishment of a mouse model of testicular Occludin gene knockout based on the CRE/LOXP system].

Objective: To establish a testicular Occludin gene knockout model in mice and observe the phenotypic changes.

Methods: Occludin-floxed (genotype Floxp/-) mice were constructed based on the Cre/loxp system, which were cross-bred with AQP2-cre (genotype Cre/-) mice to derive Occludin knockout mice (Genotype Floxp/Floxp Cre/-). The genotype of the F1 knockout mice was identified by PCR and Southern blot technology.

Therapeutic effects of the TST36 stapler on rectocele combined with internal rectal prolapse.

Background: The most common causes of outlet obstructive constipation (OOC) are rectocele and internal rectal prolapse. The surgical methods for OOC are diverse and difficult, and the postoperative complications and recurrence rate are high, which results in both physical and mental pain in patients. With the continuous deepening of the surgeon's concept of minimally invasive surgery and continuous in-depth research on the mechanism of OOC, the treatment concepts and surgical methods are continuously improved.

Identification of a subset of immunosuppressive P2RX1-negative neutrophils in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis.

The immunosuppressive microenvironment that is shaped by hepatic metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is essential for tumor cell evasion of immune destruction. Neutrophils are important components of the metastatic tumor microenvironment and exhibit heterogeneity. However, the specific phenotypes, functions and regulatory mechanisms of neutrophils in PDAC liver metastases remain unknown.

[Deletion of extracellular loops of occludin affects the tight junction of TM4 cells in mice].

Objective: To analyze the functions of the two extracellular loops of occludin in the tight junction of TM4 cells in mice.

Methods: Using genetic engineering, we separately or simultaneously deleted two extracellular loops of occludin, cloned the three occludin genes without extracellular loops into the pcDNA3.1 expression vector, and transfected them into TM4 cells.

Consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament from Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS) 2020.

Purpose: The study aimed to develop an evidence-based expert consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of cervical ossification posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Method: Delphi method was used to perform such survey, and the panel members from Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS) 2020 were invited to answer the open-ended questions in rounds 1 and 2. Then the results were summarized and developed into a Likert-style questionnaire for voting in round 3, and the level of agreement was defined as 80%.

Effects of Length and Loop Composition on Structural Diversity and Similarity of (GTGNGTG) G-Quadruplexes.

A G-rich sequence containing three loops to connect four G-tracts with each ≥2 guanines can possibly form G-quadruplex structures. Given that all G-quadruplex structures comprise the stacking of G-quartets, the loop sequence plays a major role on their folding topology and thermal stability. Here circular dichroism, NMR, and PAGE are used to study the effect of loop length and base composition in the middle loop, and a single base difference in loop 1 and 3 on G-quadruplex formation of (GHGNGHG) sequences with and without flanking nucleotides, where H is T, A, or C and N is T, A, C, or G.

Temporal and spatial surveys of polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) contamination of soil near a factory using PBDEs in northern Taiwan.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), previously commonly used as flame retardants, should be monitored in the environment since some are listed as persistent organic pollutants. A contaminated site near a northern Taiwan factory using decabrominated diphenyl ether (deca-BDE) was identified based on a vegetable PBDEs monitoring project in 2013. The subsequent spatial and temporal survey of that contaminated site shows the contamination ingredients in soils were close to ones used by the factory, indicating that contamination was from the factory, possibly through an exhaust vent.

16 Gb/s PAM4 UWOC system based on 488-nm LD with light injection and optoelectronic feedback techniques.

A 16 Gb/s four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) system based on 488-nm laser diode (LD) with light injection and optoelectronic feedback techniques is proposed and successfully demonstrated. Experimental results show that such a 1.8-GHz 488-nm blue light LD with light injection and optoelectronic feedback techniques is enough forceful for a 16 Gb/s PAM4 signal underwater link.

p53 suppresses 14-3-3γ by stimulating proteasome-mediated 14-3-3γ protein degradation.

14-3-3 proteins are a family of highly conserved polypeptides that interact with a large number of proteins and play a role in a wide variety of cellular processes. 14-3-3 proteins have been demonstrated overexpressed in several cancers and serving as potential oncogenes. In a previous study we showed one isoform of the 14-3-3 family, 14-3-3γ was negatively regulated by p53 through binding to its promoter and inhibiting its transcription.

Biotransformation of trinitrotoluene (TNT) by Pseudomonas spp. isolated from a TNT-contaminated environment.

The compound 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a secondary explosive widely used worldwide for both military and civil purposes. As a result, residual TNT has been detected as an environmental pollutant in both soil and groundwater. The authors have isolated several microbial strains from soil contaminated with TNT by enrichment culture techniques using TNT as a carbon, nitrogen, and energy source.

[Radiographic comparison of anterior cervical fusion after two-level discectomy or single-level corpectomy for two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy].

Objective: To compare the pre- and post-operative radiographic data of a single-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF)or a two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for patients with two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the lateral cervical radiographs of 110 patients undergoing a single-level ACCF or a two-level ACDF for the treatment of cervical myelopathy from March 2005 to May 2008. All of them underwent anterior cervical fusion using poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) cage or titanium meshes packed with autogenous bone and fixed-screw titanium plate fixation.

Correlation between circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells and Th17 cells in esophageal cancer.

Aim: To perform a comprehensive investigation into the potential correlation between circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and Th17 cells in esophageal cancer (ECA).

Methods: A total of 31 patients newly diagnosed with ECA and 26 healthy subjects were included in the current study. The frequencies of MDSCs and Th17 cells in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry.

[Surgical options and clinical outcomes of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament].

Objective: To discuss the options and clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Methods: From January 2006 to December 2010, 63 patients of cervical OPLL treated surgically by same team were retrospectively analyzed. There were 49 males, 14 females, with a mean age of 56.

The ATP2A2 gene in patients with Darier's disease: one novel splicing mutation.

Background: Darier's disease (DD) is a rare, inherited skin disorder characterized by warty papules and plaques over the seborrheic area, such as central trunk, flexures, scalp, and forehead. Mutations in ATP2A2 gene encoding the enzyme sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase type 2 are responsible for the disease. Here we report two Chinese families affected by DD with two ATP2A2 mutations.

Single-stage combined decompression for patients with tandem ossification in the cervical and thoracic spine.

Study Design: Retrospective study of clinical outcomes of single-staged combined cervical and thoracic decompression for patients with tandem ossification (TO).

Objective: To describe primary clinical outcomes of this procedure. TO is introduced to described a double ossification lesion of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) or the ligament flavum (OLF) at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.

[Morphologic and apoptotic changes of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament fibroblasts in response to in vitro mechanical stretch].

Objective: To investigate the effect of mechanical stretch force on the morphologic and apoptotic changes of fibroblasts derived from the OPLL (ossification of posterior longitudinal ligaments) patients.

Methods: The third passage cells were collected and subjected to 10% elongations cyclic mechanical stretching for 6 h and 24 h with Flexercell 4000(TM) strain unit. Their morphologic changes were observed and the post-stretching apoptotic rates quantified by flow cytometer.

Mechanical strain induces Cx43 expression in spinal ligament fibroblasts derived from patients presenting ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is characterized by ectopic bone formation in spinal ligaments. Some evidence indicates that mechanical strain can lead to the development of OPLL, although the signaling mechanism is not fully understood. Connexin43 (Cx43), a gap-junction protein, has been shown to be of particular importance in bone formation.

Upregulated expression of connexin43 in spinal ligament fibroblasts derived from patients presenting ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Study Design: A case-control study was conducted.

Objective: To investigate different expressions of connexin43 (Cx43) between spinal ligament fibroblasts from patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and non-OPLL patients and demonstrate knockdown of Cx43 protein expression by RNA interference inhibiting expression of osteoblast-specific genes in OPLL cells.

Summary Of Background Data: The OPLL is characterized by ectopic bone formation in spinal ligaments.

Paresis associated with aconuresis caused by intervertebral disc calcification at c7-t1: a case report and review of the literature.

Study Design: Case report.

Objective: To report a case of a 19-year-old boy with intervertebral disc calcification (IDC) at C7-T1, who presented with paresis and aconuresis. Surgical outcome was assessed.