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In the central canal, F-actin is predominantly localized in the apical region, forming a ring-like structure around the circumference of the lumen. However, an exception is found in the medulla oblongata, where the apical F-actin becomes interrupted in the ventral aspect of the canal. To clarify the precise localization of F-actin, the fluorescence signals for F-actin were converted to the peroxidase/DAB reaction products in this study by a phalloidin-based ultrastructural technique, which demonstrated that F-actin is located mainly in the microvilli and terminal webs in the ependymocytes. It is because the ventrally oriented ependymocytes do not possess well-developed microvilli or terminal web that led to a discontinuous labeling of F-actin in the medullary canal. Since spinal motions can change the shape and size of the central canal, we next examined the cytoskeletons in the medullary canal in both rats and monkeys, because these two kinds of animals show different kinematics at the atlanto-occipital articulation. Our results first demonstrated that the apical F-actin in the medullary canal is differently organized in the animals with different head-neck kinemics, which suggests that the mechanic stretching of spinal motions is capable of inducing F-actin reorganization and the subsequent cell-shape changes in the central canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: The aim of the study was to detect the echocardiographic sensitive indexes for prediction of the subclinical cardiac dysfunction and to evaluate the relation between Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and myocardial acoustic densitometry as well as cardiac function. Methods: Fifty DM2 patients (48.5±8.6 years) without evident heart disease and 50 age- and sex-matched normal controls (47.6±8.8 years) were enrolled. Conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging and acoustic densitometry of both groups were measured. HbA1c of DM2 patients were determined. Results: There were no significant differences in systolic indexes between the two groups. Mean LV myocardial early diastolic velocity Em and Em/Am were lower in DM group than control group. Mean LV myocardial late diastolic velocity Am and E/Em were higher in DM group than control group. IVS-IBS% and LVPW-IBS% were higher in DM group than control group. IVS-CVIB and LVPW-CVIB were lower in DM group than control group. HbA1c was negatively correlated with E/A (γ =−0.310, P <0.05), Em (γ =−0.409, P <0.01), Em/Am (γ =−0.380, P <0.01) and positively correlated with E/Em (γ =0.488, P <0.01). Significant positive correlation was present between HbA1c and IVS-IBS% (γ =0.679, P <0.01), LVPW-IBS% (γ =0.666, P <0.01). Conclusions: The diastolic dysfunction and abnormal myocardial acoustic densitometry exist before the systolic function damage in DM2 patients. Tissue Doppler imaging and ultrasonic integrated backscatter can be used as sensitive means for early assessing myocardial histological changes in DM2 patients. HbA1c is related with both diastolic dysfunction and acoustic densitometry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new ligand, pyridine-3,5-bis(benzimidazole-2-yl) (pbb), and four complexes containing pbb, namely [pbb(Hpbb)2]SO4 ·7H2O (1), [Zn(pbb)2(H2O)4](NO3)2 ·2C2H5OH·4H2O (2), [Cd(pbb)2(H2O)4](NO3)2 ·2C2H5OH·4H2O (3) and [Zn2(pbb)2(μ-OH)(μ-OAc)](OAc)2 ·7H2O (4) (HOAc=acetic acid), have been designed, synthesized and characterized. Complexes 1–4 show 3D supramolecular architectures that are connected through hydrogen bonds and aromatic π–π interactions. A self-assembled (H2O)12 cluster with a chair conformation (H2O)6 ring core is observed in 1, which exhibits an unusual association mode of water molecules. Compounds 2 and 3 present 3D supramolecular structures involving 1D open channels encapsulating ions, and crown-like rings are found in 4. In addition, the preliminary antibacterial activity of pbb and its complexes were investigated by two methods, which indicate a selective inhibition property for the tested strains. Strong emissions from the complexes were also changed by the coordination modes in the sold state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Liver metastasis, ALB, LDH, MLR, and pre-treatment plasma EBV-DNA were independent prognostic indicators for ICI outcomes. • A nomogram using these 5 factors can estimate anti-PD-1-response in RM-NPC patients. • The nomogram performed well in a training and in a validation cohort. • The nomogram could provide new insights into anti-PD-1 monotherapy in RM-NPC. About 17.7–34.0 % of patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (RM-NPC) responded well to anti–PD-1 monotherapy. We sought to establish a nomogram to estimate the progression-free survival (PFS) of RM-NPC patients receiving subsequent-line anti-PD-1 monotherapy. This cohort study investigated consecutive RM-NPC patients undergoing anti-PD-1 monotherapy. A nomogram was developed in the training cohort (n = 161), using a Cox multivariate model with backward stepwise inclusion, and was validated in the validation cohort (n = 69). Its predictive accuracy was assessed using a concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve. The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints included the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and overall survival (OS). Liver metastasis, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, and plasma Epstein–Barr virus DNA were used to develop a nomogram that could separate patients into favourable- and unfavourable-prognosis groups. The C-index in the training and validation cohort were 0.70 and 0.68, respectively, which was confirmed by calibration curves. Median PFS (mPFS) was lower for the unfavourable-prognosis than for the favourable-prognosis group (1.80 vs 4.93; hazard ratio 2.49 [95 % confidence interval: 1.78–3.49]; p < 0.001), across all subgroups. OS exhibited the same pattern. The ORR and DCR were markedly lower in the unfavourable-prognosis than in the favourable-prognosis group. All results were confirmed in the validation cohort. Our model is a reliable prognostic indicator of PFS in RM-NPC patients undergoing anti-PD-1 monotherapy, allowing robust estimation of the immunotherapy benefit an individual might derive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Via hydrothermal synthesis, the self-assembly of d10 metal, 2,4′-dipyridylamine (L) and 1,3-adamantanediacetic acid (H2ADA) generated two unprecedented coordination polymers [Zn(ADA)(L)] n (1) and [Cd(ADA)(L)2] n (2). Complex 1 possesses a novel 1D looped-chain topology structure decorated with arms. Complex 2 shows an extended threaded framework involving 2D coordination layers of square (44) topology with dangling ligands, which gives the novel (2D→3D) polythreaded array. To the best of our knowledge, complex 2 is the first example with four dangling arms coordinated in the axial sites of dinuclear nodes. In addition, both of the complexes show strong photoluminescence at room temperature, and may be good candidates for potential luminescence materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]