Utilization of diffusion-weighted derived mathematical models to predict prognostic factors of resectable rectal cancer.

Purpose: This study explored models of monoexponential diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), stretched exponential (SEM), fractional-order calculus (FROC), and continuous-time random-walk (CTRW) as diagnostic tools for assessing pathological prognostic factors in patients with resectable rectal cancer (RRC).

Methods: RRC patients who underwent radical surgery were included. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), the mean kurtosis (MK) and mean diffusion (MD) from the DKI model, the distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC) and α from the SEM model, D, β and u from the FROC model, and D, α and β from the CTRW model were assessed.

Relative comparison of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder rat models.

The aim of this study is to establish a suitable animal model of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) by comparing CKD-MBD rat models induced by 5/6 Nx, AN, and UUO, accompanied by a low-calcium and high-phosphorus diet. Sprague‒Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) group, Adriamycin nephropathy (AN) group, and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group. Serum biochemical indices were measured to evaluate renal function, mineral and bone metabolism, the severity of CKD-MBD, and the status of bone transformation.

Roflumilast restores cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling axis for FtMt-mediated tumor inhibition of ovarian cancer.

The abrogation of cAMP generation by overexpression of PDE isoforms promotes the inflammatory pathology, and the PDE inhibitors have showed the potential anti-inflammation effects in clinical. However, the function of PDE inhibitors in cancer treatment remains unclear. We here investigated the role of PDE4 inhibitor Roflumilast in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

TMED2 promotes epithelial ovarian cancer growth.

TMED2 is involved in morphogenesis of the mouse embryo and placenta. We found that expression of TMED2 was higher in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues than normal ovarian tissues. Silencing TMED2 decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

[Dynamic Changes of Ultrasonographic Images of Zusanli (ST 36) Region During of Acupuncture Needle Stimulation].

Objective: To observe the dynamic changes of ultrosonographic images of Zusanli (ST 36) area during after inserting acupuncture needles, so as to provide objective evidence for clinical .

Methods: Sixty healthy volunteers (30 men and 30 women) were recruited in the present study. The subjects were asked to take a supine position on a test-bed, sterilized disposable filiform needles were perpendicularly inserted into bilateral ST 36 till (without lifting, thrusting and twirling), when, high-resolution ultrasound scanning was conducted over the regional skeletal muscles by using a radio-frequency (5-12 MHz) coil probe (Philips IU Elite Ultrasound Diagnostic Instrument) after smearing a layer of gel at the skin of ST 36.

In vitro and in vivo drug release and antibacterial properties of the novel vancomycin-loaded bone-like hydroxyapatite/poly amino acid scaffold.

Antibiotic-loaded carriers were developed to fill cavities and locally deliver antibiotics following implantation. However, the most commonly used antibiotic carrier, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), has many disadvantages including that it does not promote bone regeneration or conduction. Vancomycin-loaded bone-like hydroxyapatite/poly amino acid (V-BHA/PAA) was successfully fabricated by a homogeneous method, certified as biosafe and known to promote osteogenesis.

The Efficacy and Tolerability of the Clonidine Transdermal Patch in the Treatment for Children with Tic Disorders: A Prospective, Open, Single-Group, Self-Controlled Study.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a clonidine transdermal patch in the treatment of children with tic disorders (TD) and to establish a predictive model for patients.

Methods: Forty-one patients who met the inclusion criteria entered into 12 weeks of prospective, open, single-group, self-controlled treatment with a clonidine transdermal patch. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) was employed before therapy (baseline) and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after therapy.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report.

Rationale: Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is an autoimmune syndrome associated with neoplasms. The treatment approach principally includes suppressing the immunity, but its therapeutic effect is not satisfying.

Patient Concerns: We report a case of paraneoplastic pemphigus linked to chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a 63-year-old man.

Ghrelin inhibits atherosclerotic plaque angiogenesis and promotes plaque stability in a rabbit atherosclerotic model.

Intraplaque angiogenesis associates with the instability of atherosclerotic plaques. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ghrelin on intraplaque angiogenesis and plaque instability in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis. The rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, namely, the control group, atherosclerotic model group, and ghrelin-treated group, with treatments lasting for 4 weeks.

Establishment of 3D culture and induction of osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts using wet-collected aligned scaffolds.

Aligned fibrous scaffolds have attracted much interest in bone tissue engineering, because they are supposed to induce osteogenic differentiation. For the first time, aligned silk fibroin nanofibres were loosely packed using a novel wet-collection electrospinning method. Moreover, three-dimensional (3D) culture of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts was established on these fibrous scaffolds.

Will Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir (Harvoni) Be Cost-Effective and Affordable for Chinese Patients Infected with Hepatitis C Virus? An Economic Analysis Using Real-World Data.

Background: Little is known on the cost-effectiveness of novel regimens for hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared with standard-of-care with pegylated interferon (pegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in developing countries. We evaluated cost-effectiveness of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir for 12 weeks compared with a 48-week pegIFN-RBV regimen in Chinese patients with genotype 1b HCV infection by economic regions.

Methods: A decision analytic Markov model was developed to estimate quality-adjusted-life-years, lifetime cost of HCV infection and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

Traditional Chinese medicine Qili qiangxin inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats following myocardial infarction.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine Qili qiangxin on cardiomyocyte apoptosis following myocardial infarction (MI) in a rat model. MI was induced in rats by ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery. Survivors were randomly divided into the sham operation, MI, and Qili qiangxin groups (4 g/kg per day).

Computer-assisted diagnosis for chronic heart failure by the analysis of their cardiac reserve and heart sound characteristics.

An innovative computer-assisted diagnosis system for chronic heart failure (CHF) was proposed in this study, based on cardiac reserve (CR) indexes extraction, heart sound hybrid characteristics extraction and intelligent diagnosis model definition. Firstly, the modified wavelet packet-based denoising method was applied to data pre-processing. Then, the CR indexes such as the ratio of diastolic to systolic duration (D/S) and the amplitude ratio of the first to second heart sound (S1/S2) were extracted.

Distribution and Drug Susceptibility of spp. Associated With Female Genital Tract Infection, Chongqing, China.

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is defined as vulvovaginitis associated with vaginal carriage of spp. and is a common problem with a high rate of morbidity.

Objectives: To investigate the distribution of spp.

Role for HIF-1α and Downstream Pathways in Regulating Neuronal Injury after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Diabetes.

Background/aims: HIF-1α is accumulated in the cellular nucleus and cytoplasm under conditions of oxygen deprivation and engaged in pathophysiologic changes of homeostasis by modulating the expression of several target genes. As an endogenous signaling protein, HIF-1α contributes to in neuroprotection, erythropoiesis, and apoptosis modulation. The purpose of this study was to examine the role played by HIF-1α in regulating neurological injury evoked by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) through its downstream product, namely vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Effects of CD25siRNA gene transfer on high-risk rat corneal graft rejection.

Background: Corneal graft rejection is the major cause of corneal failures. Previous studies have shown that the CD25 monoclonal antibody can inhibit corneal graft rejection during the acute phase of rejection in rat models. In the current study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of the topical Entranster™ vector in rat corneal applications and further investigated the effects of CD25siRNA gene transfer on high-risk rat corneal graft rejection.

Capillarisin Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Mediators in BV2 Microglial Cells by Suppressing TLR4-Mediated NF-κB and MAPKs Signaling Pathway.

Capillarisin, one of the major bioactive compounds derived from Artemisia capillaries Thunb, has been reported to have extensive pharmacological properties, such as ant-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of capillarisin have not been elucidated in microglia. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of capillarisin on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells.

Clinical Analysis of 134 Children with Nervous System Damage Caused by Enterovirus 71 Infection.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of nervous system damage caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection in pediatric patients.

Study Design: Clinical data and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed for 134 cases of laboratory confirmed pediatric EV71 infection admitted to the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January to December 2013.

Results: EV71 infection was significantly more common in patients 1-4 years of age, in males and during the months of April-July.

A multicenter, open-label, randomized phase II controlled study of rh-endostatin (Endostar) in combination with chemotherapy in previously untreated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.

Background: Based on promising efficacy in a single-arm study, a randomized phase II trial was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of adding rh-endostatin (Endostar) to first-line standard etoposide and carboplatin (EC) chemotherapy for treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.

Methods: One hundred forty Chinese patients with pathologically confirmed, extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer were randomly assigned to EC alone or rh-endostatin + EC for 4-6 cycles, followed by single-agent rh-endostatin until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).

Gene expression of the p16(INK4a)-Rb and p19(Arf)-p53-p21(Cip/Waf1) signaling pathways in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell aging by ginsenoside Rg1.

The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of traditional Chinese medicines in clinical practice is a key step toward their worldwide application, and this topic is currently a subject of intense research interest. Rg1, a component of ginsenoside, has recently been shown to perform several pharmacological functions; however, the underlying mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether Rg1 has an anti-senescence effect on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the possible molecular mechanisms driving any effects.

Factors that influence the turnover intention of Chinese village doctors based on the investigation results of Xiangyang City in Hubei Province.

Introduction: This study analyzes the factors that influence the turnover intention of village doctors by investigating village clinic workers in rural areas, particularly in Xiangyang City, Hubei Province.

Methods: A total of 1184 village clinics were sampled randomly in Xiangyang City. The research assistants distributed 1930 questionnaires to village doctors.

Association between polymorphisms in lysyl oxidase-like 1 and susceptibility to pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

The present knowledge on the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) is controversial and inconclusive. This meta-analysis sought to derive a more precise estimation of the effects of LOXL1 SNP loci (rs1048661, rs3825942, and rs2165241) on PEXS/PEXG. Literature searches were conducted on the PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases through October 2013.

Electrophysiological characteristics of the pediatric femoral nerve and their use in clinical diagnosis.

Objective: To explore the electrophysiological characteristics of the pediatric femoral nerve at different ages.

Methods: Surface electrodes were used to detect femoral nerve conduction in 163 healthy children aged 0-14 years recruited to this study and divided into six age groups. Based on the range of normal values obtained, the diagnosis of 22 patients with suspected femoral nerve injury was confirmed.

[Purification and biological osteoinductive activity analysis of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 9 by eukaryotic expression].

The present paper is aimed to explore the biological osteoinductive activity of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 9 (rhBMP-9) by various biological technologies. In this study, we firstly obtained hBMP-9 cDNA by PCR and inserted it into vector pcDNA4/His Max to reconstruct hBMP-9 eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA4/His Max-BMP-9. Recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell line expressing high-level rhBMP-9 was reconstructed by co-transfecting the expression vectors pcDNA4/His* Max-hBMP-9 and plasmid pSV2-dhfr into dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr)-deficient CHO cells and the subsequent gene amplification by the methotrexate.