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The purpose of this case report is to describe the multimodal cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging features of an invasive thymoma extending into the superior vena cava and right atrium. This unusual case indicates that multimodal CMR can not only reveal the morphological features of thymoma but also enable the identification of histological types, which provides a reasonable surgical plan in the perioperative management. < Learning objective: Invasive thymoma can invade the superior vena cava and extend into the right atrium. Multimodal cardiac magnetic resonance images have certain characteristics in the diagnosis of invasive thymoma.> [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and is responsible for ∼15% of pediatric cancer deaths. CtBP2 is a member of the CtBP family of proteins that functions as a transcription regulator and has been demonstrated to interact with the C-terminus of the adenoviral E1A oncoprotein. In this study, the expression of CtBP2 in the human neuroblastoma cell line SHSY5Y was down-regulated using lentiviral-mediated RNA interference. Down-regulation of CtBP2 inhibited the expression of c-myc, MMP2, and MMP9 proteins. Moreover, low expression of CtBP2 resulted in inhibited cell growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion, and the cell cycle was arrested at G2/M-phase. These results indicate that CtBP2 may be a potential target to suppress tumorigenesis in neuroblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To trace the source of human H7N9 cases in Huai'an and elucidate the genetic characterization of Huai'an strains associated with both humans and birds in live poultry market. Methods An enhanced surveillance was implemented when the first human H7N9 case was confirmed in Huai'an. Clinical specimens, cloacal swabs, and fecal samples were collected and screened by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for H7N9 virus. The positive samples were subjected to further RT-PCR and genome sequencing. The phylodynamic patterns of H7N9 virus within and separated from Huai'an and evolutionary dynamics of the virus were analyzed. Results Six patients with H7N9 infection were previously exposed to live poultry market and presented symptoms such as fever (>38.0 °C) and headaches. Results of this study support the hypothesis that live poultry markets were the source of human H7N9 exposure. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all novel H7N9 viruses, including Huai'an strains, could be classified into two distinct clades, A and B. Additionally, the diversified H7N9 virus circulated in live poultry markets in Huai'an. Interestingly, the common ancestors of the Huai'an H7N9 virus existed in January 2012. The mean nucleotide substitution rates for each gene segment of the H7N9 virus were (3.09–7.26)×10 −3 substitutions/site per year (95% HPD: 1.72×10 −3 to 1.16×10 −2 ). Conclusion Overall, the source of exposure of human H7N9 cases in Huai'an was live poultry market, and our study highlights the presence of divergent genetic lineage of H7N9 virus in both humans and poultry specimens in Huai'an. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objective: To compare intra-articular lidocaine (IAL) with intravenous analgesia and sedation (IVAS) for manual closed reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation. Design: Meta-analysis. Setting: Metropolitan medical university. Measurements: A literature search was conducted of PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane Library, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from January 1, 1990 to September 1, 2012, that compared IAL with IVAS for manual closed reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation. Effective data were pooled using fixed-effects or random-effects models with mean differences (MDs) and risk ratios (RRs) for continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively. Main Results: Nine RCTs comprising 438 patients were analyzed. Statistical analyses showed that IAL was superior to IVAS with respect to lower complication risk (P < 0.00001) and shorter mean hospital length of stay (P = 0.03). No significant differences were noted in success of joint reduction (P = 0.16), patient satisfaction (P = 0.12), or postreduction pain relief (P = 0.76). However, IAL required more time than IVAS from injection to reduction (P < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses showed that IVAS was associated with higher risks of respiratory depression (P < 0.0001), vomiting (P = 0.04), and thrombophlebitis (P = 0.008), but no statistical differences were identified in nausea (P = 0.06), hypotension (P = 0.10), drowsiness (P = 0.45), or headache (P = 0.29). Conclusions: Intra-articular lidocaine injection may be safer than IVAS because there are fewer risks of postoperative complications with IAL. Both techniques are similarly effective for manual closed reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The charpy impact experiments on the 3D MWK (Multi-axial warp knitted) composites with four different fiber architectures are performed at room (20°C) and liquid nitrogen temperatures (as low as -196°C). Macro-Fracture morphology and SEM micrographs are examined to understand the impact deformation and failure mechanism. The results show that the impact properties decrease significantly with the increase of the fiber ply angle at both room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. Meanwhile, the impact energy at liquid nitrogen temperature has been improved significantly than that at room temperature. Moreover, the fiber architecture has remarkable effect on the impact damage and failure patterns of composites at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. At liquid nitrogen temperature, the matrix solidification and the interfacial adhesion capacity increase greatly, which effectively hinders the stress wave propagation. However, more micro-cracks appear and the brittle failure feature becomes more obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Update reports are rarely available regarding the bone giant cell tumors (GCTs) in the extremity in Chinese people. The aim of this study was to review the epidemiological characteristics of bone GCT in the extremity based on the clinical data from four hospitals in South China. Methods: We searched medical electronic records from January 2001 to December 2011 in four hospitals in South China to identify patients with definite diagnosis of extremity GCT. Epidemiological data including gender, tumor site, age at the time of first diagnosis, local recurrence and pulmonary metastasis were collected and analyzed statistically. Differences between-genders were particularly analyzed regarding first diagnosis age, tumor site, local recurrence and pulmonary metastasis. T-test and Chi-square test were used for continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively. Results: A total of 140 GCT patients (87 males and 53 females) were identified. The gender ratio was 1.64 for a male predominance. GCTs were mostly located around the knee (67 cases ). 92 patients were in their 20s to 40s upon first diagnosis. The average age at the time of first diagnosis for all was 30.49 years, 30.76 years for males and 30.06 years for females (P = 0.757). GCT recurred locally in 50 patients (26 males and 24 females) with no gender difference (P = 0.065). The average interval from first surgery to local recurrence was 21.42 months. Pulmonary metastasis was found in 11 patients (8 males and 3 females) also with no gender difference (P = 0.667). The average interval from first diagnosis to metastasis was 36.45 months. Conclusions: Extremity GCT may have a male predominance in Chinese population and mostly occur at 20-40 years of age and around the knee. Follow-ups for GCT patients should be carried on for at least 3 years after primary surgery according to the average intervals for possible local recurrence and pulmonary metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Train compartment is very special confined spaces; fire smoke in compartment brings great hazards when fire broke out. It is the main reason which caused people to die or hurt. This paper uses CFD method based on the FDS. It analyzes the main features of fire smoke on the human body injury; simulate smoke flow caused by compartment fire; It computes and analyses the interior fire smoke''s diffusion process, the cabin space area of smoke concentration distribution and the temperature distribution and trends, and discusses and analyses the impact of smoke and temperature change in the train personnel in emergency evacuation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have reported that Escherichia coli K-12 colonizes hypoxic and necrotic tumor regions after intravenous injection into tumor-bearing mice. In this study, we established a novel strategy for cancer therapy using engineered bacteria to enhance the therapeutic effects of radiation. E. coli strain K-12 was engineered to produce cytolysin A (ClyA), and its effects on tumor growth in primary and metastatic tumor models were evaluated. A single treatment with E. coli–expressing ClyA significantly decreased tumor growth rates initially (9 days after treatment); however, the tumors tended to grow thereafter. With only radiotherapy (RT; 21 Gy), the tumor growth rates were retarded, but not the tumor sizes. A combination of therapy with E. coli–expressing ClyA and radiation [a total of 5 × 107 colony-forming units (CFU) and 21 Gy] resulted in significant tumor shrinkage and even complete disappearance of tumors in mice with tumors derived from murine CT26 colon cancer. Furthermore, treatment with E. coli–expressing ClyA markedly suppressed metastatic tumor growth and prolonged the survival time in mice. The results described here indicate that therapy with engineered E. coli could significantly improve the results of RT, and could exert a striking inhibitory effect on the development of lung metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shows that Foxk1 is essential for regulating cell cycle progression in the myogenic progenitor cell and that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21 [sup CIP], may be a downstream target of Foxk1. Mechanistic defect associated with the impaired skeletal muscle regeneration in Foxk1 mutant mice; Increase expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor.

Examines the exhibition of cross-language priming asymmetries in lexical decision and episodic recognition among Chinese-English bilinguals. Role of lexical links in bilingual language processing; Production of priming through episodic mediated associations; Factors determining the pattern of priming asymmetries.

Foot reflexology has been considered an important complementary therapy for many health-related symptoms, especially for some chronic conditions such as anxiety, stress, pain and fatigue. Some studies also showed that foot reflexology had a significant effect on functional constipation, whereas some studies did not. The effect of foot reflexology on functional constipation remains controversial. Therefore, an evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials were conducted to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on functional constipation. Randomised controlled trials were identified by searching five electronic databases and hand-searching eligible reference lists. Studies that reported the effect of foot reflexology on functional constipation were included. Two reviewers performed the study screening, quality assessment and data extraction. Any discrepancy was discussed with a third reviewer. Quantitative synthesis was conducted for the same outcome measurements by calculating weighted risk ratios. A total of 203 records were identified, of which seven were eligible. Overall, foot reflexology significantly increased the curative ratio, with a pooled risk ratio of 1.27 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.40, p < 0.00001). Three trials compared the improvement of constipation-related symptoms after intervention in both the experimental and control groups by evaluating the constipation-related symptom scores. The results all showed that foot reflexology can effectively improve constipation-related symptoms. However, one trial reported that foot reflexology had no significant effect on stool frequency and stool consistency. Two studies indicated that foot reflexology significantly reduced the recurrence rate of functional constipation. One study reported the effect of foot reflexology on compliance with the toilet training, diet and motivation. Nevertheless, no significant improvement was detected. Foot reflexology is an effective complementary therapy for treating functional constipation. However, because of the small number of included studies and their small sample sizes, the current evidence was insufficient to support the effectiveness of foot reflexology in reducing the recurrence rate, improving the constipation-related symptom, and compliance with toilet training, diet and motivation. Randomised controlled trials with long-term follow-up are needed for further investigation. • Foot reflexology could significantly increase the cure rate of FC with a pooled RR 1.27 (95% CI : 1.16, 1.40, p < 0.00001). • Based on this systematic review and meta-analysis, foot reflexology is considered as an effective complementary therapy for treating functional constipation. • Randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are needed for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the effects of Elemene, the essential oil of Curcuma wenyujin, on Bone morphogenetic protein/drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic proteins (BMP/SMADs) signal pathway in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) fibroblasts. Methods: Hip joint capsules were obtained from AS patients (n = 10) receiving total hip replacement. Healthy hip joint capsules from patients with hip fracture (n = 10) receiving surgery were included as a control. Primary fibroblast cell lines were established from these tissue samples. Fibroblasts were incubated with Elemene for 48 hours. The protein expression was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The results showed that the expression of proteins including SMAD1, pSMAD1, SMAD4 and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and mRNA of RUNX2, which were over-expressed in AS fibroblasts were decreased in the AS fibroblasts cultured in medium with Elemene. Conclusions: Ele could have a hand in anti-osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts by inhibiting the BMP/SMADs signal pathway and subsequently blocking expression of ossification marker genes RUNX2 that initiate the osteogenic differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolite profiling of phenolic acids, anthocyanidins and flavonols in Brassica oleracea var. capitata cultivated in the spring and fall seasons were evaluated. Phenolic acids (caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic and sinapic acid), anthocyanidins (cyanidin and peonidin), and flavonols (quercetin and kaempferol) were identified and quantified by LC-MS and HPLC analyses. The total phenolic acid contents (10,633 μg/g DW) were increased 6.3-fold in red cabbages; in contrast, phenolic acids were present in significantly higher levels in the outer parts of the green cabbages in the spring sowing than in those of the fall sowing. In the case of red cabbages, the phenolic acid levels in the outer parts were higher (3147.5 μg/g DW), but the seasonal factor was not significant. Statistical analysis exhibited a significantly negative correlation between anthocyanidins and quercetin but exhibited a positive correlation between flavonols and phenolic acids in both cultivars. The most dramatic differences in the effect of the tissue position were analyzed by two-way MANOVA. The levels of anthocyanidins were 25-28% higher in the spring than those in the fall cabbages, whereas the contents were similar in the various tissue positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background aims. Ischemic-type biliary lesions are severe, graft-threatening complications after orthotopic liver transplantation, and a novel and efficient therapeutic strategy is urgently needed. Due to the immunosuppressive and regenerative properties, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) could be an interesting candidate. Methods. We initiated safety and efficacy of human umbilical cord-derived MSC (UC-MSC) transfusions for patients with ischemic-type biliary lesions after liver transplantation. From January 2013 to June 2014, 12 ischemic-type biliary lesions patients were recruited as the MSCs group in this phase I, prospective, single-center clinical study. Patients in this group received six doses of UC-MSCs (about 1.0 × 106 MSCs per kilogram body weight through peripheral intravenous infusion). The traditional therapeutic protocol was applied during October 2003 to December 2012 in 70 ischemic-type biliary lesions patients who were treated as the control group. Liver function tests, the need for interventional therapies and graft survival rate were chosen to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of MSC treatment. Adverse events were closely monitored up to 2 years after MSC transfusions. Results. No significant MSC-related adverse events were observed during the trial. Compared with baseline, the levels of total bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase were decreased after UC-MSC treatment at week 20 and week 48. Interventional therapies were performed in 64.3% (45/70) of patients in the control group and 33.3% (4/12) of patients in the MSCs groups. MSC therapy significantly decreased the need for interventional therapies (P = 0.046). The 1- and 2-year graft survival rates were higher in the MSCs group (100% and 83.3%, respectively) than in the control group (72.9% and 68.6%, respectively). Conclusions. The UC-MSC transfusions are clinically safe and short-term favorable, which may become a novel treatment for patients with ischemic-type biliary lesions after liver transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hemorrhagic disease of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), caused by grass carp reovirus (GCRV), is the most severe disease of the fish that leads to huge economic losses. GCRV, belonging to the genus Aquareovirus of the family Reoviridae, has been classified into three genotypes based on their phylogenetic relationship. It is essential to develop an effective method to inhibit the replication of different genotypes of GCRV simultaneously. In this report, two multiple-shRNAs expression vectors, named pMultishVP2/2 and pMultishVP6/7, were generated and investigated. pMultishVP2/2 targeted the VP2 gene of GCRV-JX0901 (genotype I) and the VP2 gene of HGDRV (Hubei grass carp disease reovirus; genotype III). pMultishVP6/7 targeted the VP7 gene of GCRV-JX0901 and the VP6 gene of HGDRV. These two multiple-shRNAs expression vectors can simultaneously, significantly inhibit the replication of GCRV-JX0901 and HGDRV in vitro. Compared to the positive control, CPE induced by GCRV-JX0901 or HGDRV in cell transfected with shRNA transcribing vector was significantly delayed. The quantitative PCR analysis of the GCRV genomic RNA revealed that the pMultishVP2/2 could simultaneously inhibit the GCRV-JX0901 and HGDRV VP2 coding genes by 89.02% and 89.84%, respectively. The pMultishVP6/7 could simultaneously inhibit the GCRV-JX0901 VP7 coding gene and HGDRV VP6 coding gene by 80.63% and 86.78%, respectively. Furthermore, compared to the positive control, the indirect immunofluorescence assay and western blot demonstrated that the protein expression of the two genotypes of GCRV decreased significantly. The results in this study indicated that this multiple-shRNAs expression system could be used as a cross-reactive antiviral agent for treating the hemorrhagic disease of grass carp caused by multiple genotypes of GCRV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of small-molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interactions is rapidly advancing and the specific area of inhibitors of the p53/MDM2 interaction is a prime example. Several groups have published on this topic and multiple compounds are in various stages of clinical development. Building on the strength of the discovery of RG7112, a Nutlin imidazoline-based compound, and RG7388, a pyrrolidine-based compound, we have developed additional scaffolds that provide opportunities for future development. Here, we report the discovery and optimization of a highly potent and selective series of spiroindolinone small-molecule MDM2 inhibitors, culminating in RO8994. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • N and O doped carbon (QAC) catalyst was synthesized from qiunone-amine polymer. • The QAC shows excellent activity, selectivity and stability for oxidation of benzyl alcohol. • Water layer surrounded the catalyst to affect the adsorption of substrate. • Oxygenated groups and N species synergistically gave the superior catalytic performance. • The radical confined tightly on the surface of catalyst contributed to the high selectivity. Carbon-based materials are promising environmentally benign heterogeneous catalysts for metal-free catalysis. Aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohol to aldehydes over carbocatalyst under mild reaction condition is still a great challenge. In the present work, quinone-amine based carbon (QAC) was rationally prepared from the qiunone-amine polymer. The QAC catalyst showed excellent catalytic efficiency for oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde in water. The TOF can reach 29.7 × 10−4 mol∙g-1 h-1 at room temperature under 1 bar O 2. To our best knowledge, this is highest activity of metal-free carbocatalyst for the titled reaction. The doped O afforded active sites to enhance activity while doped N offered the radical confinement effect to guarantee the selectivity. The present results demonstrate the QAC catalyst is promising carbon materials for "green catalysis" of aerobic selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]