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Background: The systematic expression characteristics and functions of collagen genes in gastric cancer (GC) have not been reported. Through public data integration, combined with bioinformatics analysis, we identified a panel of collagen genes overexpressed in GC. The functions of these genes were analyzed and validated in a GC-related cohort. microRNAs that may potentially target such genes were investigated in vitro. Methods: Four GC-related datasets retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were used to extract differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GC. Functional annotation was performed to identify the potential roles of the identified DEGs. The association of candidate genes involved in the prognosis of GC patients (n=876) was determined using data provided by the Kaplan–Meier-plotter database, The Cancer Genome Atlas Stomach Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-STAD) repository, and a GC-related dataset (GSE15459). The expression characteristics of candidate genes and their associations with clinical parameters were validated in our in-house cohort (n=58). MicroRNAs able to target the identified candidate genes were predicted and confirmed using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and dual-luciferase reporter assays in vitro. Results: After the integration of four GEO datasets, 76 DEGs were identified. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that these DEGs were significantly enriched in ECM-related functions and pathways. A group of collagen genes was significantly upregulated in the GC tissues and constituted a protein–protein interaction network as important nodes. Some of these collagen genes were closely associated with poor prognosis in GC patients. Overexpression of COL1A1 and COL4A1 was confirmed in our in-house cohort, and this was related to prognosis and certain clinicopathological parameters. We found that microRNA-29c-3p could directly target COL1A1 and COL4A1 in BGC-823 cells. Conclusions: Collagen genes identified in this study were associated with patient prognosis in GC and may represent diagnostic markers or potential therapeutic targets. Aberrant expression of such candidate genes may be induced by microRNA-29c-3p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light blue crest (LBC) signs could be seen in the innominate grooves and crypt openings. b The long, linear, LBCs could be seen in tangential view of colonic mucosa (arrowheads). c Dot- or rod-like LBCs could be seen in partial crypt openings. 1 Normal colonic mucosa by magnifying endoscopy and narrow-band imaging. a The colon was partially collapsed and innominate grooves reappeared. [Extracted from the article]

Microvesicles (MVs) derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC MVs) were demonstrated to ameliorate inflammation in lungs. We have found their content of mRNA for keratinocyte growth factor was partly involved in their therapeutic effects. As MSC MVs also contained a substantial quantity of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) mRNA, which plays an essential role in vascular stabilization and resolving inflammation, we hypothesized that Ang-1 mRNA might similarly account for a part of their therapeutic effects. We downregulated Ang-1 mRNA expression in MVs, using a lentivirus vector carrying Ang-1 short hairpin RNA to transfect MSCs. A mouse model of lipopolysaccharide induced acute lung injury (ALI) was used in vivo. We also studied in vitro interactions between Ang-1 mRNA deficient MVs on macrophages and human lung microvascular endothelial cells. Compared with negative control, Ang-1 mRNA deficient MVs increased the influx of neutrophils and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by 136% and 105%, respectively, suggesting a deteriorative lung inflammation and a failure to restore pulmonary capillary permeability assessed by Evan's blue dye and bronchoalveolar lavage albumin level. In vitro, the addition of Ang-1 mRNA deficient MVs failed to maintain the integrity of endotoxin-stimulated microvascular endothelial cells and abrogated the decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α level and the increase in interleukin-10 level mediated by negative control in RAW 264.7 cells. In summary, the therapeutic effects of MVs in ALI, and their immunomodulatory properties on macrophages were partly mediated through their content of Ang-1 mRNA. S tem C ells 2017;35:1849-1859 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug resistance is one of the most formidable obstacles for treatment of glioma. Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein ( 4E-BP1), a key component in the rate-limiting step of protein translation initiation, is closely associated with poor prognosis in multiple tumor types. However, it is unclear whether 4E-BP1 is involved in the drug resistance of human glioma. Herein we show that the expression of 4E-BP1 in human SWOZ2- BCNU drug-resistant glioma cells is significantly lower than that of the parent SWOZ2 cell line. Moreover, down-regulation of 4E-BP1 by short interfering RNA significantly impaired the sensitivity of SWOZ2 and U251 cells to carmustine ( BCNU). Furthermore, overexpression of 4E-BP1 with plasmid transfection regained this sensitivity. Clinical studies showed that the expression levels of 4E-BP1 in primary glioma tissues were markedly higher than those of recrudescent glioma tissues. Taken together, our results suggest that 4E-BP1 is a novel protein that contributes to acquired drug resistance and it may be a potential target for reversing drug resistance in human glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the first-principles calculations, structural and electronic properties of Au and Ti adsorbed WS2 monolayers are studied systematically. For Au-adsorbed WS2, metallic interface states are induced in the middle of the band gap across the Fermi level. These interface states origin mainly from the Au-6s states. As to the Ti adsorbed WS2, some delocalized interface states appear and follow the bottom of conduction band. The Fermi level arises into the conduction band and leads to the n-type conducting behavior. The n-type interface states are found mainly come from the Ti-3d and W-5d states due to the strong Ti–S hybridization. The related partial charge densities between Ti and S atoms are much higher and increased by an order of magnitude as compared with that of Au-adsorbed WS2. Therefore, the electron transport across the Ti-adsorbed WS2 system is mainly by the resonant transport, which would further enhances the electronic transparency when monolayer WS2 contacts with metal Ti. These investigations are of significant importance in understanding the electronic properties of metal atom adsorption on monolayer WS2 and offer valuable references for the design and fabrication of 2D nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation restoration is an important requirement for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. In-depth understanding the temporal and spatial differentiation of vegetation has important practical significance. With the four Landsat TM/OLI remote sensing images as the data source, the pixel binary model was used to estimate vegetation coverage. The transfer matrix, geological information map, and the center of gravity migration model were used to analyze the temporal and spatial variations of vegetation coverage in Yan'an City in the middle of the Yellow River Basin from 1988 to 2018. The spatial variation of vegetation cover to elevation and slope was explored using terrain distribution index combined with terrain data. The results showed that vegetation coverage in Yan'an was low in the north region and high in the south region. The vegetation coverage increased significantly due to policy changes. From 1988 to 2018, the vegetation change pattern in Yan'an was dominated by continuous improvement and stability. Vegetation coverage increased in about 50% of the area. 83% of the study area with high vegetation coverage remained stable. At each elevation and slope level, the advantage of high vegetation cove-rage increased with time. At each slope level, vegetation cover increased with slope. The transition direction of vegetation cover of different levels in Yan'an was basically consistent with the overall spatial change trend of vegetation cover, with the overall shift being from north to west. The vegetation construction in Yan'an has achieved remarkable results, though the vegetation coverage in the north still needs to be improved. Optimizing vegetation types and structures is an important direction for future vegetation construction.

Focal cerebral infarction causes β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and secondary neuronal degeneration in the ipsilateral thalamus. Thalamus is the subcortical center of sensory, the damage of thalamus could cause sensory deficits. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of liraglutide, a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP)-1 receptor agonist, on Aβ deposits and secondary damage in the ipsilateral thalamus after focal cerebral infarction. In addition, this study was conducted to investigate whether liraglutide could improve sensory function after focal cerebral infarction. Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and then randomly divided into liraglutide and vehicle groups, and 14 sham-operated rats as control. At 1 h after MCAO, rats in the liraglutide and vehicle groups were subcutaneously injected with liraglutide (100 μg/kg/d) and isopyknic vehicle, respectively, once a day for 7 days. Sensory function and secondary thalamic damage were assessed using adhesive-removal test and Nissl staining and immunostaining, respectively, at 7 days after MCAO. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nick end labeling and Western blot were used to detect neuronal apoptosis. The results showed that liraglutide improved sensory deficit compared to the controls. Liraglutide treatment significantly reduced Aβ deposition compared with the vehicle treatment. Liraglutide treatment decreased the neuronal loss, astroglial and microglial activation, and apoptosis compared with the vehicle treatment. Liraglutide significantly down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulated that of Bax in the ipsilateral thalamus compared with the vehicle group. These results suggest that liraglutide ameliorates the deposition of Aβ and secondary damage in the ipsilateral thalamus, potentially contributing to improve sensory deficit after focal cerebral infarction.

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) are ideal platforms to fabricate multifunctional contrast agents for multimodal imaging. Herein, second near-infrared window fluorescent (NIR-II) Ag2Se QDs were coupled with gadopentetate dimeglumine injection (Gd-DTPA) for dual-modality T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and fluorescence imaging. In vitro experiments suggested that the prepared Ag2Se-Gd QDs exhibit low cytotoxicity, remarkable T1-weighted MR imaging, and fluorescence imaging contrast properties. In vivo experiment results showed that Ag2Se-Gd QDs were the preferred contrast agents for dual-modality T1-weighted MR imaging and fluorescence imaging with high spatial resolution. Moreover, excellent temporal resolution and high tissue penetration depth were also achieved by fluorescence imaging. These results indicate the potential of Ag2Se-Gd QDs as multifunctional contrast agents for multimodal imaging in clinical diagnosis and research.

Objective: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes of multiparae in women with advanced age (≥35 yr.) after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake., Methods: Clinical data of 542 pregnant women with prenatal care in Wenchuan during 20082013 were reviewed,comparing preconception conditions,pregnant rates,pregnant complications,and perinatal outcomes between those younger ( n =176) and older ( n =366) than 35 years., Results: In the 542 women,622 conceptions were reported,with 517 deliveries and 522 live births. The women with advanced age had lower cumulative pregnancy rate (twoyear),higher incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,gestational diabetes,multiple pregnancy,fetal distress,low birth weight and birth defects than their younger counterparts. The younger women also had higher term live birth rate and lower miscarriage rate. But the differences showed no statistical significance., Conclusion: Prenatal care brings similar pregnant outcomes to multiparae in women with advance aged and younger aged.

Resveratrol, as a natural polyphenolic compound, has a wide range of beneficial effects, which includes anti-tumor, cardiovascular protection, anti-oxidant and estrogen-like effects, and so on. Its various physiological properties are closely related to the therapeutic principle for prevention and treatment of high altitude hypoxia injury. Resveratrol may play an important role in relieving or curing high altitude diseases, especially high altitude polycythemia(HAPC). However, the literature about study and application of resveratrol in plateau medicine field is rarely reported up to now. In this review, we summarized the physiological effects of resveratrol, discussed the possible main principle of resveratrol for HAPC therapy, and looked forward to resveratrol's perspective or potential application in high altitude medicine.

Objective: To investigate the effects of simple hypobaric hypoxia on parameters of hematology and blood rheology in order to establish a rat model of simulated high altitude polycythemia (HAPC) for the study of pathophysiologic mechanisms and medical prevention and treatment of HAPC., Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three normal control groups and three hypoxia model groups. Normal control group rats were bred in normoxia conditions, and hypoxia group rats were subjected to hypoxic exposure for 8 hours per day at simulated 5 500 m high altitude in a hypobaric chamber. After hypoxic exposure for 2, 4, 12 weeks, one group of normal control and hypoxia model rats were killed and blood was collected, respectively. Then parameters of erythrocyte and blood rheology were examined., Results: Mucous membrane of hypoxia model rats showed obviously cyanosis after 2 weeks hypoxic exposure. Hemoglobin concentration of hypoxia model rats were beyond 210 g/L after 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks hypoxia exposure and significantly increased than that of normal control rats respectively. Besides, RBC counts, hematocrit, whole blood viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation index of hypoxia model rats were all notably higher than those of normal control rats respectively., Conclusion: A rat model of high altitude polycythemia can be rapidly established by hypobaric hypoxia exposure at simulated 5 500 m high altitude for 8 hours daily.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the effects of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) on childhood chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)., Method: Of the 24 consecutive cases, 16 were boys and 8 were girls. The median age of patients was 12 (3 - 16) years old; 16 cases were in chronic phase (CP) of CML, 1 case in accelerated phase (AP) and 5 cases in blastic phase (BP). Allo-HSCT from HLA identical siblings were performed for 5 cases, HLA haplotype was performed for 14 cases and unrelated allo-HSCT for 5 cases. Twenty-four cases underwent allo-HSCT with conditioning regimen of BUCY. Prophylaxis of graft versus host disease (GVHD) included CsA + MTX plus MMF. The average follow-up was 36 months., Result: All of patients were successfully engrafted. The 5-year overall survival (OS) of the 24 cases was 81%. Four patients died after allo-HSCT including 3 cases in BP from haploidentical donors and 1 case in CP from HLA identical sibling. The 5 cases who received unrelated allo-HSCT have been alive. Among the 10 cases who survived over 5 years, 3 had chronic GVHD., Conclusion: Children with CML could be treated effectively with allo-HSCT. There were no significant differences among different donors. Transplantation to children with CML should be performed as early as possible. Preparative regimen adjustment before transplantation, the transplantation of associated comorbidities and effective prevention and treatment for CML patients after prolonged graft survival of high quality have important significance.

Objective: Studying the proven and probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) cases of some hospitals in Shanghai to provide evidence for the improvement of IPA clinical diagnosis and therapy., Methods: Forty-nine IPA cases were retrospectively analyzed for demography data, host factors, underlying conditions, chest CT, microorganism and histopathology examination, as well as therapy and clinical outcome., Results: Of 49 subjects including 19 (38.8%) proven and 30 (61.2%) probable IPA, 3 patients (6.1%) had no host factors, 25 patients (51.0%) had IPA associated host factors and underlying conditions, while 21 patients (42.9%) had uncertain fundamental diseases. Chest CT evaluation demonstrated that radiological lesions include nodules in 29 patients, patching in 15, mass in 12, consolidation in 10, cavitation in 34, Halo sign in 19, air bronchogram in 18, crescentic sign in 6, bilateral in 33 and multifocal lesions in 38. The yielding rate of fungus culture in sputum was 26.5% (13/49), and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was 66.7% (10/15). Eleven of thirty-six patients (30.6%) had positive results of serum galactomannan antigen tests. Nineteen of twenty-one patients (90.5%) were proven as IPA by lung histologic examinations. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common pathogen 81.0% (17/21). The responding rate to initial anti-fungus therapy was 50% (21/42)., Conclusion: Our study suggests that in IPA patients, bilateral, multifocal and nodular lesion could be the most common radiological characteristic, while Halo and crescentic sign occur occasionally. Invasive technologies are more valuable to IPA diagnosis.

Objective: To study the effect of rosiglitazone on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and insulin resistance in obese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes., Methods: This study involved 118 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and obesity, who were randomly assigned into two groups for a 12-week treatment with rosiglitazone (4 mg/day, group A) or sulfonylureas (group B). Serum hs-CRP, IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting insulin (FINS) were measured before and after the treatment. Insulin resistance index was calculated according to the HOMA Model., Results: In group A, rosiglitazone treatment resulted in significantly reduced serum hs-CRP, IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, FPG and insulin resistance index (P<0.01). No difference in FPG was found between the two groups after the treatment (P>0.05), but serum hs-CRP, IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and insulin resistance index were significantly lower in group A than in group B (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Rosiglitazone can decrease FPG, reduce the inflammation reaction and improve insulin resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To assess the value of comprehensive prevention measures to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) of patients more than 60 years old and to investigate the pathogenesis of VAP., Methods: With a prospective, randomized, case-control design, patients more than 60 year of age with expected mechanical ventilation > 48 h were randomly assigned to a control group receiving a standard endotracheal tube or a comprehensive intervention group including semi-recumbent, mosapride citrate, and endotracheal tube for continuous subglottic secretions drainage. The duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU/hospital stay, the incidence, mortality, contributable mortality, relative risk as well as the bacterial concordance in gastric juice or lower respiratory tract between two groups were compared. The rates of methylene blue found in lower respiratory tract were also observed., Results: Eighty-six cases were enrolled in this trial, including 41 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group. The duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU/hospital stay in the intervention group were all less than the control group. However, no significant difference existed in mortality and attributable mortality. Same types of bacterial pathogens were found between gastric juice and lower respiratory tract of the VAP patient. The RR of the incidence of VAP in two groups was 0.259 (95% CI 0.106 - 0.634). The rate of the same bacterial type or methylene blue detected in lower respiratory tract/oropharynx under microscope in the intervention group were lower than the control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The comprehensive prevention measures can reduce the incidences of VAP. The astro-pulmonary route is one of the pathogenesis of VAP.

Objective: To investigate the effects of short-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) on newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and to identify the influencing factors for the curative effects of CSII., Methods: 138 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients with fasting plasma glucose > 11.1 mmol/L were treated with CSII for 2 weeks. Intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed before and after CSII. The target of glycemic control were fasting blood glucose < 6.1 mmol/L and postprandial blood glucose (PBG) < 8.0 mmol/L. The age, body mass index (BMI), fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, hemoglobin A(1C) (GHbA(1C)), Homa beta, Homa IR, area under the curve of insulin (AUC) during IVGTT were compared between the good glycemic control group and the inadequate glycemic control group., Results: After 2 weeks' CSII treatment, good glycemic control was achieved in 126 patients (group A) but not in the remaining 12 patients (group B). There were no differences in age, BMI, postprandial plasma glucose, GHbA(1C), and Homa IR between the two groups before and after CSII treatment. But the fasting plasma glucose was higher and Homa B was lower in group B than in group A before CSII treatment. The DeltaAUC (AUC after CSII subtracted from that before CSII) representing the recovery of beta-cell function was much greater in group A than in group B. The insulin dose of group B was significantly higher than that of the good glycemic control group., Conclusion: More severe hyperglycemia and relative beta-cell function deficiency may be the main reasons responsible for not achieving good glycemic control in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients with short-term intensive CSII treatment.