Altered dynamic functional connectivity of the thalamus subregions in patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Previous neuroimaging studies indicated that patients with schizophrenia showed impaired thalamus and thalamo-cortical circuits. However, the dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) patterns of the thalamus remain unclear. In this study, we explored the dFC of the thalamus in SZ patients and whether clinical features are correlated with altered dFC.

Abnormal dynamic functional network connectivity in first-episode, drug-naïve patients with major depressive disorder.

Dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) could capture temporal features of spontaneous brain activity during MRI scanning, and it might be a powerful tool to examine functional brain network alters in major depressive disorder (MDD). Therefore, this study investigated the changes in temporal properties of dFNC of first-episode, drug-naïve patients with MDD. A total of 48 first-episode, drug-naïve MDD patients and 46 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study.

Proposed protocol for the investigation of the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for patients with psychosis, with pilot safety findings from a Chinese psychiatrist's self-experiment.

We present a study protocol designed to test the safety and efficacy of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine in patients with major psychotic disease. A secondary objective is to investigate optional vaccination methods for these patients. In a self-experiment, a Chinese psychiatrist examined the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine under clinical use of typical antipsychotic agents and sedatives (olanzapine, duloxetine, and diazepam).

Alterations of dynamic functional connectivity between visual and executive-control networks in schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. While previous studies have detected functional network connectivity alterations in patients with schizophrenia, and most have focused on static functional connectivity. However, brain activity is believed to change dynamically over time.

Safety and Efficacy of High-Dose Vitamin B6 as an Adjunctive Treatment for Antipsychotic-Induced Hyperprolactinemia in Male Patients With Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia.

This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of high-dose vitamin B6 (vB6) as an adjunct treatment for antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia (AIHP) in male patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). In this randomized double-blinded controlled study, patients were randomized (1:1) into a control group given aripiprazole (ARI; 10 mg/day; = 100) or an intervention group given vB6 (300 mg/12 h for 16 weeks; = 100). Prolactin levels, psychotic symptoms [Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)], cognitive function [MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB)], liver function, kidney function, growth hormone level, micronutrient levels, blood lipids, and adverse secondary effects (ASEs)[Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) and Barnes-Akathisia scale] were monitored.

The Prevalence, Risk Factors and Clinical Correlates of QTc Prolongation in Chinese Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia.

The QTc interval may be significantly prolonged in schizophrenia patients taking antipsychotics. Few studies have addressed QTc prolongation (QTP) in Chinese patients. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of QTP and its clinical correlates in Chinese hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Clozapine induces metformin-resistant prediabetes/diabetes that is associated with poor clinical efficacy in patients with early treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Background: Two distinct subtypes of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) have been recently reported, including early-treatment resistance (E-TR) and late-treatment resistance (L-TR). This study was to assess clozapine-induced metformin-resistant prediabetes/diabetes and its correlation with clinical efficacy in schizophrenia E-TR subtype.

Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 230 patients with schizophrenia E-TR subtype and they were treated with adequate doses of clozapine for 16 weeks, during which patients with prediabetes/diabetes were assigned to receive add-on metformin.

Platelet-rich plasma attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration via delivering miR-141-3p-containing exosomes.

Oxidative stress mediated apoptotic and pyroptotic cell death contributes to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) exerts protective effects to attenuate IVD degeneration. Hence, the present study aimed to validate this issue and uncover the potential underlying mechanisms. The mice and cellular models for IVD degeneration were established by using puncture method and HO exposure, respectively, and we evidenced that NLRP3-mediated cell pyroptosis, apoptosis and inflammatory responses occurred during IVD degeneration progression and .

Integrating 3D-printed PHBV/Calcium sulfate hemihydrate scaffold and chitosan hydrogel for enhanced osteogenic property.

We developed the 3D-printed poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/calcium sulfate hemihydrate (PHBV/CaSH) scaffolds by using fused deposition modelling (FDM) technique and then coated the scaffolds with chitosan (CS) acetic acid solution. After drying and neutralization, CS hydrogel was formed on the surface of the scaffolds. The resultant PHBV/CaSH/CS scaffolds could promote the adhesion and proliferation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSCs) and enhance the osteogenesis of rBMSCs by up-regulating the expression level of osteogenic genes compared to the PHBV and PHBV/CaSH scaffolds.

MicroRNA-411 promoted the osteosarcoma progression by suppressing MTSS1 expression.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the progression of different tumors. In our study, we investigated the expression and roles of miR-411 in human osteosarcoma. In this study, we first confirmed that the miR-411 expression was higher in the serum of patients with osteosarcoma than in the serum of healthy volunteers.

MicroRNA-492 overexpression exerts suppressive effects on the progression of osteosarcoma by targeting PAK7.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), which are a class of non-coding RNAs, have emerged as effective modulators of various aspects of biological processes. Accumulating evidence has established significant associations between the dysregulation of miRs and tumorigenesis in various types of cancer. However, the role of miR‑492, particularly in osteosarcoma (OS) remains elusive.

Pim-2 Modulates Aerobic Glycolysis and Energy Production during the Development of Colorectal Tumors.

Tumor cells have higher rates of glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis to meet energy demands for proliferation and metastasis. The characteristics of increased glucose uptake, accompanied with aerobic glycolysis, has been exploited for the diagnosis of cancers. Although much progress has been made, the mechanisms regulating tumor aerobic glycolysis and energy production are still not fully understood.

Decreased functional expression of Grp78 and Grp94 inhibits proliferation and attenuates apoptosis in a human gastric cancer cell line .

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of downregulating the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78) and Grp94 upon the rate of proliferation and apoptosis in the human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell line. The SGC-7901 cells were divided into three groups as follows: i) An experimental group co-transfected with the small interfering RNA vectors, psiSTRIKE™/Grp78 and psiSTRIKE/Grp94; ii) a negative control group, in which only Lipofectamine 2000™ was used to transfect the cells; and iii) a blank control group, in which cells were left untouched and not transfected with any agent. The transcriptional expression of Grp78 and Grp94 was assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and the protein expression of Grp78 and Grp94 was determined using an immunofluorescence assay at 24, 48 and 72 h post-transfection.

MicroRNA-33b suppresses migration and invasion by targeting c-Myc in osteosarcoma cells.

MicroRNAs have emerged as fundamental regulators in gene expression through silencing gene expression at the post-transcriptional and translational levels. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary malignant bone tumor and is characterized by complex genetic changes and resistance to conventional treatments. In our study, the role of miR-33b in the progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma was investigated.

Construction of adipose scaffold for bone repair with gene engineering bone cells.

The bone defect repairing is still a challenge in orthopedics. As the gene engineering bones have been used in the bone repairing clinic, the scaffold construction is a critical fact to be considered. This study aims to construct optimal scaffolds using adipose tissue in the bone repair together with the gene engineering osteocytes.

Effects of zinc transporter on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts.

The differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts is a crucial step during bone formation. However, the exact mechanisms regulating the early stages of osteogenic differentiation remain unknown. In the present study, we found that ZnT7, a member of the zinc transporter family SLC30A(ZnTs), was downregulated during dexamethasone-induced differentiation of rat MSCs into osteoblasts.

Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and bone tumor risk in China.

Aim: We aimed to study the potential role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in the risk of osteosarcoma in Chinese population.

Methods: We collected 110 osteosarcomas by pathologic examination and 226 controls from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University during December 2008 to December 2010. Genotyping was based upon duplex polymerase-chain-reaction with the PCR-CTPP method.

[Surgical treatment and prognosis of cancer of hepatic flexure of colon invading the duodenum in 65 patients].

Objective: To discuss surgical treatment of right colon carcinoma of hepatic flexure invading the duodenum.

Methods: Sixty-five patients with right colon carcinoma of hepatic flexure invading the duodenum, treated in our department from 1987 to 2007, were included in this study. Their clinicopathological data were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

[Clinical analysis of primary small intestinal neoplasms in 305 cases].

Objective: To summarive the experience in diagnosis and treatment of primary small intestinal neoplasm.

Methods: The data of 305 patients with pathologically confirmed primary small intestinal tumor collected from 6 hospitals around the Songhua River during the past 33 years were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: There were 42 benign and 263 malignant tumors in this series with a ratio of 1: 6.

Assessment of duodenal circular drainage in treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

Aim: To assess the clinical value of duodenal circular drainage for superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS).

Methods: Forty-seven cases of SMAS were treated with duodenal circular drainage from 1959 to 2001. Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma can be diagnosed early with the progress in diagnostic imaging, and thus the rate of resection of the tumor has increased markedly. To assess the effectiveness of resection, we reviewed 185 cases of hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma diagnosed and treated at our hospital.

Methods: The clinical data of 185 patients with hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma who had been treated surgically from 1972 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.

Synthesis of cetuximab-immunoliposomes via a cholesterol-based membrane anchor for targeting of EGFR.

The objective of the present study was to construct epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting cetuximab-immunoliposomes (ILs) for targeted delivery of boron compounds to EGFR(+) glioma cells for neutron capture therapy. The ILs were synthesized by using a novel cholesterol-based membrane anchor, maleimido-PEG-cholesterol (Mal-PEG-Chol), to incorporate cetuximab into liposomes by either surface conjugation or a post-insertion method. For post-insertion, the transfer efficiency of MAb conjugates from micelles to liposome was examined at varying temperatures, mPEG2000-DSPE ratios, and micelle-to-liposome lipid ratios.

[Expressions and clinical implications of kruppel-like factor 6 and APC in human colorectal carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the expressions and clinical implications of kruppel-like factor 6(KLF-6) and APC in human colorectal carcinoma.

Methods: The expressions of KLF-6 and APC in tumor and normal tissues from 32 patients with colorectal carcinoma were investigated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical technique.

Results: The expression rates of KLF-6 and APC mRNA were 37.