Raman profiling of embryo culture medium to identify aneuploid and euploid embryos.

Objective: To develop and validate Raman metabolic footprint analysis to determine chromosome euploidy and aneuploidy in embryos fertilized in vitro.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Academic hospital.

Organizational issues for the lean success in China: exploring a change strategy for lean success.

Background: The purpose of this paper is to explore a change strategy for lean success in hospitals based on a comprehensive review of the Chinese literature.

Methods: The methodology is a systematic review of the Chinese literature which identified 212 case study papers about lean implementation. We did a thematic content analysis of the 212 papers.

G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor 1 Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy via the Regulation of PI3K-Akt-mTOR Signalling and Autophagy.

Estrogen has been demonstrated to protect the heart against cardiac remodelling and heart failure in women. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) is a recently discovered estrogen receptor (ER) that is expressed in various tissues. However, the mechanisms by which estrogen protects the heart, especially the roles played by ERs, are not clear.

Apatinib (YN968D1) and Temozolomide in Recurrent Invasive Pituitary Adenoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Invasive pituitary adenomas often recurred after postoperative radiotherapy and are difficult to treat. Temozolomide is an alkylating cytostaticum and has been reported to reduce pituitary tumor size and hormone hypersecretion. However, this is far from enough.

The protein S-nitrosylation of splicing and translational machinery in vascular endothelial cells is susceptible to oxidative stress induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) can impair endothelial function and lead to the atherosclerosis development. Protein S-nitrosylation is sensitive to cellular redox state and acts as a crucial regulator and executor of nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathways. Aberrant S-nitrosylation contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Label-free and stable serum analysis based on Ag-NPs/PSi surface-enhanced Raman scattering for noninvasive lung cancer detection.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has a broad application prospect in the field of tumor detection owing to its ultrahigh detective sensitivity. However, SERS analysis of serum remain a challenge in terms of repeatability and stability due to the maldistribution of the silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs)-serum. With the aim to make up for this shortcoming, we report a new method for obtaining stable serum Raman signals utilizing the ordered arrays of pyramidal silicon (PSi) and Ag-NPs.

Effects of VEGFR1 hematopoietic progenitor cells on pre-metastatic niche formation and in vivo metastasis of breast cancer cells.

The pre-metastatic niche has been shown to play a critical role in tumor metastasis, and its formation is closely related to the tumor microenvironment. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we successfully established a mouse model of lung metastasis using luciferase-expressing MDA-MB-435s cells.

Correlation between the use of antibiotics and development of a resistant bacterial infection in patients in the ICU.

The current study analyzed the correlation between the use of antibiotics and development of a resistant bacterial infection in 454 patients in intensive care units (ICUs), and this study also examined factors related to development of an infection in order to facilitate more rational use of antibiotics and to reduce the incidence of resistant bacterial infections. Potential subjects were patients who were admitted to the ICU in 2016, and 454 such patients were selected using cluster sampling. Patient information was documented using an original questionnaire, Patients in the ICU with a Resistant Bacterial Infection.

Prevalence of ROS1 fusion in Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The study was conducted to investigate the clinicopathological features and prevalence of ROS1 gene fusion in Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: The presence of ROS1 fusion was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Associations between ROS1 fusion and clinical characteristics were analyzed.

CLDN2 inhibits the metastasis of osteosarcoma cells via down-regulating the afadin/ERK signaling pathway.

Background: In an earlier study, we investigated the expression of tight junction protein claudins (CLDNs) in human osteosarcoma (OS) cells, and the CLDN2 was found to be down-regulated in primary tumor cells compared with normal osteoblast cells. Here, we sought to explore the effects of CLDN2 on the malignant phenotype of OS and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: The expression patterns of CLDN2 and afadin in OS tissues and histologically non-neoplastic bone tissues were explored via immunohistochemistry and western blotting.

Immunological features and functional analysis of anti-CFH autoantibodies in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Objective: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is associated with defective complement regulation. Anti-complement factor H (CFH) antibodies were thought to participate in the pathogenesis of aHUS. The aim of this study was to address the functions and properties of CFH autoantibodies in a Chinese Han cohort of aHUS patients.

Apoptotic cell death induced by Z-Ligustilidein human ovarian cancer cells and role of NRF2.

Z-Ligustilide is the most potent bioactive component of Angelica sinensis, which is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine. Z-Ligustilide selectively affected ovarian cancer cell survival in a dose dependent manner. Z-Ligustilide induced apoptotic cell death was determined by flow cytometry.

Atrial Fibrillation, Cognitive Decline, and Dementia: an Epidemiologic Review.

Purpose Of Review: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and dementia are both prevalent diseases in aging societies, which exert a great economic burden worldwide. Although a handful of epidemiologic studies have indicated that AF is independently associated with faster cognitive decline and a higher risk of dementia, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of the observed association. In this review, we summarize evidence from major epidemiologic studies concerning AF-related cognitive decline and dementia, the potential mechanisms underlying their association, and the cognitive benefits of treatment options.

Spectroscopic methodologies and molecular docking studies on the interaction of the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat with human serum albumin.

Interaction of riociguat with human serum albumin (HSA) is extremely important in understanding the drug's disposition and efficiency. In the current study, the binding of riociguat to HSA was explored using spectroscopic methods and molecular docking. The quenching constant, the binding constant, the number of binding sites, thermodynamic parameters, and the secondary structure of protein were determined.

Expression of microRNA-99a-3p in Prostate Cancer Based on Bioinformatics Data and Meta-Analysis of a Literature Review of 965 Cases.

BACKGROUND microRNAs (miRNAs) have a role as biomarkers in human cancer. The aim of this study was to use bioinformatics data, and review of cases identified from the literature, to investigate the role of microRNA-99a-3p (miR-99a-3p) in prostate cancer, including the identification of its target genes and signaling pathways. MATERIAL AND METHODS Meta-analysis from a literature review included 965 cases of prostate cancer.

Retraction Note to: Differences in the expression profiles of claudin proteins in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma compared with non-neoplastic mucosa.

The editor has retracted this article [1] because of flaws and inconsistencies in the methodology, reporting and interpretation of the data.

Higher Prevalence of Endometrial Polyps in Infertile Patients with Endometriosis.

Aim: To study whether infertile patients with endometriosis have a higher prevalence of endometrial polyps, and to clarify the characteristics of the pathology of combined polyps.

Methods: Infertile patients who had undergone both hysteroscopy and laparoscopy in Reproductive Hospital Affiliated with Shandong University from January 2014 to May 2017 were enrolled. Patients with and without endometriosis, diagnosed by laparoscopy, were staged and included in the study group and control group, respectively, and the prevalence of polyps was compared.

Stem Cells for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Comprehensive Review.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a very challenging condition to treat and can be resistant to medications, procedures, and even surgery. Surgery may not be an option for some patients due to obesity or comorbidities. Regenerative medicine utilizing stem cells, platelet rich plasma (PRP), amniotic fluid, and cytokine modulation is very promising in the treatment of KOA.

Cyanidin ameliorates endotoxin-induced myocardial toxicity by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress through mitochondria and other factors.

Cyanidin, an anthocyanin pigment, demonstrates anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we examined the mechanistic role of cyanidin in endotoxin induced myocardial injury in inflammation and oxidative stress. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced myocardial injury model, cyanidin ameliorated cardiac injury (Lactate dehydrogenase or LDH, Creatine Kinase or CK, cardiac troponin I or cTnI and cardiac myosin light chains 1 or cMLC1), cell death (caspase 3 activity and PARP activity), and improved cardiac function (ejection fraction or EF and end diastolic left ventricular inner dimension or LVID).

Effect of Human Wnt10b Transgene Overexpression on Peri-Implant Osteogenesis in Ovariectomized Rats.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of human Wnt10b (hWnt10b) transgene expression in ovariectomized (OVX) rats to accelerate osseointegration around titanium implants, and to provide a new strategy for treating osteoporosis with implants. An osteoporosis model was generated via bilateral ovariectomy in rats, and changes in expression of Wnt pathway-related genes were investigated. In OVX rats with a femur defect, hWnt10b expressed from an adenovirus vector was locally delivered to the defect site prior to implant placement.

Increased Expression of Holliday Junction-Recognizing Protein (HJURP) as an Independent Prognostic Biomarker in Advanced-Stage Serous Ovarian Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Advanced-stage serous ovarian carcinoma results in the majority of deaths from ovarian carcinoma. The histone chaperone, Holliday junction-recognizing protein (HJURP), binds with centromere protein-A (CENP-A) and its expression has been shown to be a prognostic biomarker in some cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of HJURP expression in advanced-stage serous ovarian carcinoma.

Stem Cell Therapy for Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: Current Trends and Comprehensive Review.

Purpose Of Review: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common and frequently occurring disease. It is caused by interruption of blood supply with different etiologies. ONFH leads to degeneration and necrosis of the subchondral bone of the femoral head and eventually collapse of the femoral head.

Postcontrast T1 Mapping for Differential Diagnosis of Recurrence and Radionecrosis after Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Brain Metastasis.

Background And Purpose: The differential diagnosis of radionecrosis and tumor recurrence in brain metastases is challenging. We investigated the diagnostic efficiency of postcontrast T1 mapping in solving this problem.

Materials And Methods: Between March 2016 and June 2017, fifty-six patients with brain metastases who underwent contrast-enhanced cerebral T1 mapping were recruited for this prospective study.