Search

Objectives Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has been proven to be another driver oncogene that accounts for 3%–7% of non-small-cell lung cancer, and it is more common in young patients and nonsmokers. ALK rearrangements have been previously identified in about 5.1% of lung adenocarcinoma, including EML4-ALK fusion variants, KIF5B-ALK and TFG-ALK. However, a TNIP2-ALK fusion has not been reported in lung adenocarcinoma. Herein, we described a rare case of ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma responding to crizotinib. Materials and methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay and comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS) were performed on the aspirated biopsied tumor tissue. Results The IHC analysis revealed an ALK-positive tumor, while NGS detected a TNIP2-ALK fusion. The patient achieved continuous remission after treatment with crizotinib (250 mg, twice a day). Conclusion This case provides valuable information on the response to crizotinib of patients with TNIP2-ALK fusion and better understanding of ALK-TKI applications in the future. NGS is a new method that can offer effective detection of gene fusion and gene mutations.

Purpose:To evaluate complications and anatomical retention when using autologous ear cartilage as a carrier in type 1 Boston keratoprosthesis (Kpro) surgery. Methods: In New Zealand White rabbits, the Kpro was surgically implanted using autologous cartilage (n = 5) or ipsilateral autologous cornea (n = 1, control) as carrier. Eyes were followed up using slit-lamp photography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and histological analysis for 19 days to 24 months. Results: Kpros were retained in all eyes. One eye in the cartilage group had an uncomplicated course; 3 developed granulation tissue over the Kpros optic, 1 developed a retroprosthetic membrane, and 3 developed glaucoma. Two eyes had lacunae. The gap between the Kpros flange and cartilage carrier filled with fibrovascular tissue over time. The control eye developed corneal tissue thinning and an enlarged gap. Conclusion: Auricular cartilage carriers may encourage Kpro-graft adhesion in a rabbit model and may be useful in Kpro recipients who cannot use bandage contact lenses.

Environmental issues pose huge threats to public health, particularly the damage caused by fine particulate matter (PM2.5). However, the mechanisms of injury require further investigation and medical materials that can protect the lungs from PM2.5 are needed. We have found that Colla corii asini, a traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used to treat various ailments, is a good candidate to serve this purpose. To understand the mechanisms of PM2.5-induced lung toxicity and the protective effects of Colla corii asini, we established a rat model of lung injury via intratracheal instillation of artificial PM2.5 (aPM2.5). Our results demonstrated that Colla corii asini significantly protected against lung function decline and pathologic changes. Inflammation was ameliorated by suppression of Arg-1 to adjust the disturbed metabolic pathways induced by aPM2.5, such as arginine and nitrogen metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, for 11 weeks. Our work found that metabolomics was a useful tool that contributed to further understanding of PM2.5-induced respiratory system damage and provided useful information for further pharmacological research on Colla corii asini, which may be valuable for therapeutic intervention.

Environmental issues pose huge threats to public health, particularly the damage caused by fine particulate matter (PM2.5). However, the mechanisms of injury require further investigation and medical materials that can protect the lungs from PM2.5 are needed. We have found that Colla corii asini, a traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used to treat various ailments, is a good candidate to serve this purpose. To understand the mechanisms of PM2.5-induced lung toxicity and the protective effects of Colla corii asini, we established a rat model of lung injury via intratracheal instillation of artificial PM2.5 (aPM2.5). Our results demonstrated that Colla corii asini significantly protected against lung function decline and pathologic changes. Inflammation was ameliorated by suppression of Arg-1 to adjust the disturbed metabolic pathways induced by aPM2.5, such as arginine and nitrogen metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, for 11 weeks. Our work found that metabolomics was a useful tool that contributed to further understanding of PM2.5-induced respiratory system damage and provided useful information for further pharmacological research on Colla corii asini, which may be valuable for therapeutic intervention.

Purpose: To describe the results of Boston keratoprosthesis implantation in a patient with Stevens–Johnson syndrome following autologous submandibular gland transplantation.Design: Observational case report.Methods: We report the case of a man diagnosed with Stevens–Johnson syndrome. Autologous submandibular gland transplantation was performed in the right eye in 2008 to ameliorate tear film deficiency. Due to the improvement in the microenvironment of the ocular surface, Boston keratoprosthesis implantation was performed in the right eye in 2011.Results: He maintained a VA of 20/100 for 12 months. At the last follow-up visit (54 months), his VA had declined to finger count level due to de novo glaucoma, which was treated with glaucoma drainage device implantation, cyclophotocoagulation and topical anti-glaucoma medications.Conclusions: The procedures described provide patients with end-stage ocular surface disease an option to lessen the severity of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and to regain their VA.

The objective of this study was to report clinical outcomes (functional and anatomic) of Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) after severe chemical burns in Southern China. Nineteen patients (19 eyes) that sustained severe chemical injuries in Southern China were enrolled in this retrospective study in our hospital between May 2009 and June 2015. KPro implantation in these patients was performed by a single experienced surgeon (Jiaqi Chen). The parameters evaluated in this study included diagnosis, comorbidity, preoperative and postoperative visual acuity (VA), complications, KPro retention, histological and immunohistochemical results of retroprosthetic membrane (RPM) and mucous membrane over the optic cylinder. The mean age of the patients was 42.7 ± 11.3 years (range 29–62 years). All patients were male. Of the 19 included eyes, nine had acid burns, and 10 had alkali burns. Ten patients had previously undergone failed penetrating keratoplasty. The mean follow-up time was 41.3 ± 5.5 months (range 36–56 months). Preoperatively, the VA of the patients ranged from hand movement to light perception. Postoperatively, 17 patients (89.4%) achieved at least 20/200 once, and 7 patients (36.8%) achieved at least 20/200 and maintained this acuity until the last follow-up. The initial KPro was retained in 14 (73.6%) eyes and successfully replaced in one eye. Postoperative complications included RPM in 10 eyes, glaucoma in 6 eyes, retinal detachment in 2 eyes, corneal melting in 5 eyes, ischemic optic neuropathy in 1 eye, and overgrowth of the mucous membrane over the optical cylinder in 2 eyes. The histological and immunohistochemical results of the RPM showed granulomatous disorders and mucous membrane over the optic cylinder of conjunctival origin. KPro surgery can restore useful vision in patients suffering from severe chemical burns. However, postoperative VA declined with the development of complications, and ocular surface disorders caused by the chemical burns were associated with a greater incidence of KPro retention failure. The retention rate was comparable in patients using ipsilateral autologous corneal tissue with allograft corneal tissue. Science and Technology Foundation of Guangdong Province of China, Grant Number 2014A020212714.

Colloidal clusters, or colloidal molecules, are more powerful model systems and building blocks than colloidal spheres; however, their synthesis still remains a huge challenge. In addition, only colloidal molecules composed of hard spheres were synthesized up to now. Here we report the synthesis of a colloidal cluster from soft poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgel spheres. The microgel spheres were first assembled into highly ordered colloidal crystals. Spheres with surface vinyl groups were then covalently bonded with the surrounding spheres with surface thiol groups via in situ thiol–ene reaction. The resulting clusters consist of 13 microgel spheres with 1 vinyl-modified sphere in the center and 12 thiol-modified ones coordinated around. Their size can be tuned by changing temperature. A preliminary test suggests that they can act as nuclei for microgel spheres to aggregate into dendritic structures.

Swivel bridge has the characteristics of complex construction environment, difficult construction, high requirement, tight construction period, many coordination relations and huge amount of information. Based on the BIM technology, the project information management platform carries out fine management of the project, focusing on the functional planning and overall framework of the platform. On this basis, the letter is elaborated in detail. Information management, progress management, construction simulation, progress difference analysis, task collaboration, quality improvement collaboration, safety issues collaboration and other important functional modules. Practice has proved that, compared with the traditional model, the project information management platform based on BIM technology has obvious advantages in saving costs, improving the degree of management refinement, and training BIM reserve personnel, and has a good prospect for promotion.

Background Endovascular treatment of transverse–sigmoid sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (TSDAVFs) remains challenging because of their complex anatomic factors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment of TSDAVFs. Methods From January 2008 to December 2014, 44 patients with TSDAVFs were treated endovascularly at our institution. The clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively collected, and the occlusion rate, complications, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results Overall, 44 patients (26 males and 18 females) were identified, with a mean age of 47 years (range, 13–68 years). Of the 44 patients, 5 presented with Cognard type I fistula, 12 with type IIa, 6 with type IIb, 13 with type IIa+IIb, 2 with type III, and 6 with type IV. Complete (n = 29) or near-complete (n = 7) occlusion of the fistula was achieved in 36 patients (82%). Two patients experienced a transient neurological deficit (cranial nerve VII). In 31 patients with angiographic follow-up (range, 2–40 months) data available, the occlusion remained in 25, 2 previously minimal residual fistulas were completely occluded, 3 residual fistulas were unchanged, and 1 fistula recurred. Two patients with cortical venous reflux who had received incomplete treatment died of intracranial hemorrhage during the follow-up period. Of the 37 patients with clinical follow-up (mean, 33.6 months) data available, clinical cure was achieved in 29, residual symptoms remained unchanged in 7, and symptoms had deteriorated in 1. Conclusions Favorable and durable outcomes were achieved with endovascular treatment of TSDAVFs. TSDAVFs with cortical venous reflux carry a high risk of hemorrhage and require curative treatment.

Background Cerebral venous infarction (CVI) is a rare vascular disease most commonly caused by cerebral venous thrombosis that leads to hemorrhage or infarct formation. A rabbit model of CVI was established by placing a recoverable epidural sacculus to research effects of increased pressure on CVI. Methods Rabbits were randomly divided into the following groups: A, CVI; B, 0.2-mL epidural sacculus placed on the basis of CVI; C, 0.4-mL epidural sacculus; D, 0.6-mL epidural sacculus; E, sham operation. Two sacculus-release groups were then added, 8 hours (group F) and 24 hours (group G), on the basis of group D. Brain water content, extent of cerebral infarction, hemorheology indexes, D dimer, and fibrinogen were observed at 8, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. Results Brain water content was higher in groups A–D compared with group E with the exception of the 24-hour A group. Brain water content was significantly lower in sacculus-release groups compared with the 48-hour D group. Extent of cerebral infarction in group D was significantly higher at 24 and 48 hours compared with groups A and E. Extent of cerebral infarction in sacculus-release groups was significantly lower compared with group D at 48 hours. Hemorheology indexes and fibrinogen were significantly higher in group D compared with groups A and E at corresponding time points and increased with increasing intracranial pressure. Conclusions In the rabbit model of CVI, degree of brain edema, extent of cerebral infarction, hemorheology indexes, and fibrinogen increased as intracranial pressure gradient increased, which may promote formation of a hypercoagulable state. Early removal of intracranial hypertension reduced degree of edema and extent of cerebral infarction in rabbits.

Background Glioma is one of the most common and aggressive malignant tumors of the central nervous system. Methods Here, we review and explore the use of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) as a therapeutic strategy for the targeting of gliomas. Results LncRNA is a functional RNA molecule with no protein coding function and is involved in the occurrence and progression of glioma. It is reported that the activation of several signaling pathways, including the MAPK, p53, Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) pathways, are involved in the regulation of gliomas. In addition, microRNAs in glioma may also interact with lncRNAs and affect tumor growth and progression. Conclusions Therefore, the exploration of lncRNA participation in signaling pathway regulatory mechanisms and the determination of the interaction between lncRNA and miRNA may help to develop new effective therapies for the treatment of glioma.

Chemical burns may produce severe and extensive damage to the ocular surface. The authors discuss the various keratoplasties used for ocular chemical burns and the development of KPro. Contraindications to KPro are described with the procedure, the postoperative management, the outcomes, and the complications. KPro I implantation is a promising surgical modality in eyes with severe chemical burns. Good patient selection and in-depth patient follow-up have a critical impact on patient outcomes.

Objective: To analyze the employee compensation status of secondary public hospitals of Pudong New Area in Shanghai in order to provide information for compensation reform of public hospitals in Shanghai and as well as in China. Methods: We surveyed all 15 secondary public hospitals of Pudong New Area in Shanghai to collect hospital annual compensation data for their employees and to investigate their suggestions for compensation reform in public hospitals in China. We also collected related annual compensation data of employees in Shanghai and of physicians in the USA from Shanghai statistical Yearbook 2013 and from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Results: The average annual compensation for the employees in secondary public hospitals of Pudong New Area in Shanghai in 2012 was 2.65 times of that for overall employees in Shanghai. The physician’s compensation in these public hospitals was relatively lower than that in the USA. Conclusion: The physicians’ compensation in the secondary public hospitals of Pudong New Area in Shanghai should be increased rationally and new compensation reform in public hospitals in Shanghai should be carefully designed.

Fully water-soluble hydroxypropyl chitin (HPCh) was synthesized by the modification of chitin with propylene oxide in aqueous NaOH solution, a green and good solvent to chitin. HPChs with different degrees of substitution (DS) were obtained by varying the feeding ratio of propylene oxide to chitin. The HPCh solutions undergo a sol-to-gel transition upon heating. The transition was reversible, although an apparent hysteresis occurs in the cooling process. The gelation temperature (Tgel) decreases with increasing DS and concentration of the polymer. The thermal gelation could occur even at a concentration as low as 0.25 wt%. By adjusting the DS of the polymer, Tgel could be tuned from ∼20 °C to ∼80 °C. Meanwhile NaCl concentration and pH only slightly influence the Tgel. Preliminary tests show that the polymer is non-toxic to cells and it degrades in the presence of lysozyme. The ability to gel at temperatures below the body temperature, at relatively low polymer concentration, and biocompatibility and biodegradability of HPCh make the new thermal gelling materials quite suitable for biomedical applications.

The design of electron transport layers (ETLs) is crucial to the performance of optoelectronic devices. A composite ETL was constructed to overcome the poor carrier extraction issue in perovskite solar cells, resulting in a maximum PCE of 19.14% with reduced hysteresis. A similar enhancement phenomenon was observed in both devices based on TiO2 and SnO2 ETLs.

Currently, China has been experiencing rapid growth of medical costs, serious waste of medical resources, increasing disease burden for residents, and a medical insurance fund deficit. Therefore, an urgent problem that needs to be solved is to choose a rational payment for the insurance system. To empirically evaluate the long-term effects of capitation reform in a New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme in Pudong New Area, we collected and analysed data regarding financing, fund operation, medical service cost, and medical care-seeking behaviour from 2011 to 2015, a duration that includes data before and after reform. The data for financing and behaviours were compared year by year, and the monthly data for inpatient and outpatient costs were evaluated in a retrospective time series study. The capitation reform in Pudong New Area showed strong evidence of the power of medical cost control in the long run, while it was weak in reversing the number of patients flowing into secondary and tertiary hospitals. To make the payment of capitation play a bigger role in cost control in China, a tighter alignment of capitation with the general practitioner system and achieving dual referral is critical for future studies.

Background Operation of cortical veins is the keystone of parasagittal meningioma (PSM) resection. Little is known about pathologic changes of the veins and proper treatment. We built 3-dimensional (3D) image fusion models by neuronavigation to analyze the features of peritumoral cortical veins for PSMs and explore intraoperative treatment options. Methods We performed a prospective study of 42 consecutive surgically treated PSM patients who underwent preoperative evaluation of peritumoral cortical veins using a 3D venous-tumor fusion model established by a neuronavigation system. We categorized cortical veins into 3 types: single-end anastomosis (type a), tumor-to-end anastomosis (type b), and end-to-end anastomosis (type c). We present surgical strategies to operate these veins. Results Preoperative evaluation demonstrated 39 patients with peritumoral cortical veins. The 3D models show 100% of the veins (95 in total), which were confirmed intraoperation. The postoperative complication rates after vein injury were 60% (type a), 16.7% (type c), and 0% (type b). Ten patients (23.8%) had residual tumor because of venous protection (equal to Simpson grade III). After correlation analysis, type b and c cortical veins were positively correlated with tumor volume. Conclusions The anastomoses of cortical veins may provide compensation for venous transaction. There may be a time-evolution relationship between different cortical veins (type a to c to b). Treatment of cortical veins should follow the following principles: single-end veins must be protected, tumor-to-end veins should be transacted directly, and end-to-end veins could be cut selectivity based on the degree of occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus. Detailed preoperative assessment of peritumoral cortical veins is critical for proper treatment.

Three-dimensional (3D) multicellular spheroids (MCSs) mimic the structure and function of real tissue much better than the conventional 2D cell monolayers, however, their application was severely hindered by difficulties in their generation. An ideal method for MCS fabrication should produce spheroids with narrow size distribution and allow for control over their size. The method should also be simple, cheap, and scalable. Here, we use patterned nonadhesive poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel films to guide the self-assembly of cells. The films were fabricated directly in the wells of cell culture plates. They were patterned spontaneously by swelling in water, without the use of any template or specialized facilities. When cell suspension is added, the cells settle down by gravity to the bottom. Because of the presence of the wrinkling pattern composed of uniformed microcaves, the cells accumulate to the center of the microcaves and gradually self-assemble into MCSs. Using this method, monodisperse MCSs were generated. The size of the spheroids can be facilely controlled by the number of cells seeded. The method is compatible with the conventional monolayer cell culture method. Thousands of spheroids can be generated in a single well. We expect this method will pave the way for the application of MCSs in various biomedical areas.

Background Previous studies have suggested that the cystic change of pituitary adenoma might be related to the blood supply and metabolism of the tumor; however, the exact pathologic mechanism underlying the cystic change remains unknown. Objectives We aimed to assess the features of regional blood supply of pituitary adenoma and examine its relationship with the cystic change of pituitary adenoma. Methods Patients (N = 79) with pituitary adenoma admitted to our hospital were divided into the parenchyma group (n = 40) or the cystic change group (n = 39). Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary adenoma was conducted for the parenchyma group and the steepest slopes (SSmax, reflecting regional blood supply) at different areas were calculated. The location of cystic change of the pituitary adenoma was recorded and analyzed for the cystic change group. Results The parenchyma group showed an upper SSmax of 2.52 ± 1.18, a lower SSmax of 2.89 ± 1.46, a left SSmax of 2.71 ± 1.31, and a right SSmax of 2.66 ± 1.29. The difference between the upper and lower SSmax was statistically significant (P Conclusions Regional blood supply is unevenly distributed in the parenchymal pituitary adenoma, with reduced blood supply in the upper than the lower region. Cystic change mainly occurs in the upper region of pituitary adenoma.

Cancer cells use autophagy to resist poor survival environmental conditions such as low PH, poor nutrients as well as chemical therapy. Nanogels have been used as efficient chemical drug carriers for cancer treatment. However, the effect of nanogels on autophagy is still unknown. Here, we used Rab proteins as the marker of multiple trafficking vesicles in endocytosis and LC3 as the marker of autophagy to investigate the intracellular trafficking network of Rhodamine B (Rho)-labeled nanogels. The nanogels were internalized by the cells through multiple protein dependent endocytosis and micropinocytosis. After inception by the cells, the nanogels were transported into multiple Rab positive vesicles including early endosomes (EEs), late endosomes (LEs), recycling endosomes (REs) and lipid droplets. Finally, these Rab positive vesicles were transported to lysosome. In addition, GLUT4 exocytosis vesicles could transport the nanogels out of the cells. Moreover, nanogels could induce autophagy and be sequestered in autophagosomes. The crosstalk between autophagosomes and Rab positive vesicles were investigated, we found that autophagosomes may receive nanogels through multiple Rab positive vesicles. Co-delivery of autophagy inhibitors such as chloroquine (CQ) and the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) by nanogels blocked the autophagy induced by DOX greatly decreasing both of the volume and weight of the tumors in mice tumor models. Investigation and intervention of the autophagy pathway could provide a new method to improve the therapeutic effect of anticancer nanogels.

Background: Asthenozoospermia is one kind cause of male infertility. Nevertheless, no specific etiology can be identified by routine tests in some cases. Recently, it has been shown that leptin plays a critical role in male fertility. However, the link between leptin and sperm motility is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to explore association between seminal and serum leptin levels and sperm motility in idiopathic asthenozoospermia. Methods: Our study included 79 asthenozoospermic men and 77 normozoospermic men. Semen was assessed by volume, sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Serum gonadotropic and sex hormones were determined by a chemiluminescent assay. The leptin levels in serum and seminal plasma were detected with ELISA. Results: The mean seminal leptin level in asthenozoospermic group was significantly higher than that in control group, but there was no significant difference in the serum leptin levels between these two groups. The serum leptin had no significant correlation with sperm motility. The seminal leptin had significantly negative correlation with sperm progressive motility and serum total testosterone. Conclusions: The findings indicate a pathophysiological relevance of seminal leptin in sperm motility.

Introduction To evaluate the complications, efficacy of medical and surgical treatment, and outcome in patients with necrotizing scleritis and peripheral ulcerative keratitis associated with Wegener’s granulomatosis. Methods The authors reviewed a series of seven patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis treated in the Corneal Department of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center and the Department of Ophthalmology of Kashgar First People’s Hospital. A detailed chart review was performed to determine demographic characteristics, ocular presentation, biopsy and laboratory testing results, treatment, and final outcome. Results Wegener’s granulomatosis was indicated by ocular and/or systemic findings; biopsy and immunohistochemistry results supported the diagnosis. Patients with necrotizing scleritis and/or peripheral ulcerative keratitis received cytotoxic immunosuppressive therapy; this, in conjunction with surgical treatment, halted the relentlessly progressive inflammation and preserved the integrity of the globe in 78% of eyes. Best-Corrected Visual Acuity remained stable in four of nine eyes, was improved in two of nine eyes, and decreased in three of nine eyes (secondary to cataract and/or stromal scarring). Although one patient died, treatment with corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents dramatically improved outcomes in these patients. Conclusion Necrotizing scleritis and peripheral ulcerative keratitis often have a poor visual outcome, and may herald an underlying systemic vasculitis. Wegener’s granulomatosis, with the associated necrotizing scleritis and peripheral ulcerative keratitis, should be managed with aggressive immunosuppression to avoid the associated morbidity and mortality. Thus, the ophthalmologist may play a significant role in its early diagnosis and treatment.

To explore the effects of microRNA-218 (miR-218) on glioma cell lines and the related mechanism. U251 and U87 cells were transfected with negative control, miR-218 mimic or miR-218 inhibitor using lipofectamine 2000. The expressions of mRNA and proteins were detected with qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were studied using MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell assay and scratch-wound assay, respectively. The targeting effect of HMGB1 by miR-218 was measured with luciferase reporter assay. The results showed that miR-218 was significantly downregulated while HMGB1 was upregulated in both glioma cell lines. Transfection of miR-218 significantly reduced the cell viability and colony formation, increased cell apoptosis and arrested cell in G0/G1 phase. Transfection of miR-218 also decreased the invasion and migration of glioma cells. The expressions of HMGB1, RAGE, cyclin D1 and MMP-9 were downregulated while the expression of caspase-9 was upregulated by miR-218. Silencing HMGB1 increased the expression of RAGE, cyclin D1, MMP-9 but decreased the expression of caspase-9 in U251 and U87 cells. Co-transfection with pcHMGB1 and miR-218 significantly decreased the growth inhibition and increased the apoptosis of glioma cells while these effects were abolished in glioma cells co-transfected with HMGB1 siRNA and miR-218 inhibitor. In addition, co-transfection with pcHMGB1 and miR-218 inhibitor increased the invasiveness of U251 and U87 cells. These findings suggested that miR-218 may negatively regulate HMGB-mediated suppression of RAGE to regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion, and that intervention of miR-218-HMGB1-RAGE may be useful for developing potential clinical strategies.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) in treatment for pain palliation of bone metastases.Eighty-one patients of painful bone metastases were volunteered to screen for this study in Shanghai General Hospital from June 2014 to February 2015. Twenty-three patients among them were treated by MRgFUS, who was more than 18-years old, having the ability to fully understand the informed consent of the research, suffering with pain of numeric rating scale (NRS) ≥ 4, non-received radiotherapy or chemotherapy for pain palliation of bone metastases in the past two weeks. The NRS, the standard question of Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-QoL), and the standard question of Europe Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire- Bone Metastases 22 (EORTC QLQ-BM22) were respectively recorded before and 1-week, 1-month, 3-month after the treatment. The related adverse events of MRgFUS were observed and recorded in 3 months after the treatment as well.(1)Twenty-three metastatic bone tumor lesions of 23 patients were treated by MRgFUS, the treatment data was as follows: the mean treatment time was (88 ± 33) minutes, the mean sonication number was 13 ± 8. (2) Adverse events included: pain in therapy area 3/23, which spontaneous relieving within one week; numbness in lower limb (1/23), which relieved after physiotherapy. (3) The NRS of before treatment and at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month after treatment respectively was 6.0 ± 1.5, 3.7 ± 1.7,3.1 ± 2.0, and 2.2 ± 1.0,which significantly decreased after the treatment (P0.01). (4) The BPI-QoL score of before treatment and at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month after treatment respectively was 39 ± 16, 27 ± 18, 26 ± 18, and 21 ± 18, which significantly decreased after the treatment (P0.01). (5) The EORTC QLQ-BM22 score of before treatment and at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month after treatment respectively was 52 ± 13, 44 ± 12, 42 ± 12, and 39 ± 12, which also significantly decreased after the treatment (P0.01).MRgFUS can be used as a non-invasive, safe, and effective method for treating painful bone metastases. Its clinical benefits of pain palliation and patient's quality of life improving are sustained after the treatment at least to 3 months.

Background Repair of the upper lid is more difficult because of the unique anatomic requirements of the upper eyelid. The eyelid must remain pliable, allow for retraction and protraction, and also have a mucous membrane on the posterior surface. A number of procedures are available to repair large to total upper eyelid defects. These surgical techniques include lower lid switch flaps and lower lid bridge flaps. However, these procedures have several disadvantages, such as the partial or total sacrifice of the lower lid and the need for secondary correction. The authors present a new surgical technique using composite graft of acellular dermis and split-thickness buccal mucosa in the reconstruction of traumatic full-thickness upper eyelid defects to achieve satisfactory functional and esthetic results. Method In this retrospective case series, eight patients requiring full-thickness upper eyelid reconstruction were evaluated. Defect size ranged from 20 mm to 28 mm horizontally and from 5 mm to 8 mm vertically. For eyelid reconstruction, the acellular dermis composite graft was sutured into the posterior lamella defect; the anterior lamella was repaired with a bipedicled orbicularis flap and a free skin graft. Results Acellular dermis composite grafts achieved complete resolution of lagophthalmos and follow-up of 6 months to 31 months revealed a good outcome in all eight cases. No adverse situation of the grafts viability was encountered. Postoperative complications occurred in two patients; one had eyelid margin notching and the other had a mild ptosis. Conclusions The acellular dermis composite graft is a good match for the posterior lamella of the eyelid in terms of texture and contour. The acellular dermis composite graft technique is useful for the reconstruction of large upper eyelid defects resulting from burns or trauma because this method results in complete repair of defects without causing notable deformity.

Drug carriers capable of releasing drugs at a constant rate, or following zero-order kinetics, can lead to the best control of plasma drug concentration. Here we demonstrated that zero-order release of polyphenolic drugs, including tannic acid, epigallocatechin gallate, proanthocyanidins, and theaflavin-3'-gallate, could be achieved using hydrogen-bonded layer-by-layer films as the drug carrier. The films were fabricated using the polyphenolic drugs as hydrogen donors and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the hydrogen acceptor. Because the drugs and PEG are bonded with reversible, dynamic hydrogen bonds, the films disintegrate gradually in aqueous solutions, and thus release the drugs into the media. Furthermore, because the PEG polymers have a narrow molecular weight distribution, the films disintegrate and release the polyphenolic drugs at a constant rate. Besides allowing for zero-order release, the drug carrier developed here also provides various ways to tune the drug release rate. The drug release rate increases with decreasing molecular weight of PEG. More importantly, the release rate could be tuned using external stimuli. Increasing the pH or temperature results in accelerated drug release, while the addition of salt retards the drug release.

Tacrolimus (FK506) has been used successfully as a systemic immunomodulator for more than 2 decades, and numerous studies have investigated its mechanisms of action. Systemic and topical tacrolimus have been investigated as treatments for ocular surface disorders that may have an immune-based inflammatory component. In these studies, tacrolimus has shown efficacy in corneal graft rejection, inflammatory conjunctival and corneal diseases, uveitis, and graft-versus-host disease. As these disorders are often refractory to other available treatments, ophthalmic or systemic tacrolimus is a welcome nontoxic adjunct or replacement to potentially toxic topical or systemic immunosuppressive therapies.

We investigate the optimal harvesting problems of an age-dependent n-dimensional food chain model with spartially structured, which is controlled by harvesting. The existence and uniqueness of solution for the system are proven using Banach fixed-point theorem. We establish existence result of optimal control and necessary optimality conditions.

The in situ-forming colloidal hydrogels from the thermal gelation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgel dispersions have been exploited for 3D cell culture. The properties of the hydrogel scaffold need to be tuned to further improve its performance. In addition, cellular uptake of the microgel particles need to be reduced to avoid their potential undesired influence. For these purposes we systematically examined the effect of microgel particle size on the hydrogel scaffold. It was found that gel properties could be tuned via changing particle size. Increasing particle size reduces the gel strength and its syneresis degree, both of which are favorable for cell growth. Meanwhile increasing particle size could also reduce significantly the cellular uptake of the microgel particles. Microgel with a size of ~162 nm shows the highest cellular uptake, beyond which cellular uptake decreases with increasing particle size. Hydrogel scaffold from 300 nm microgel, with suitable physical properties and reduced cellular uptake, were successfully used for multicellular spheroid generation.

MicroRNA-130b (miR-130b) is a novel tumor-related miRNA that has been found to be involved in several biological processes. However, there is limited evidence regarding the role of miR-130b in the tumorigenesis of human gliomas. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays were used to quantify miR-130b expression levels in human glioma tissues and glioma cell lines (U251, U87, SNB19 and LN229). The expression level of miR-130b was found to be markedly higher in human glioma tissues than in non-neoplastic brain specimens. Specifically, higher expression levels of miR-130b were observed in the glioma cell lines, compared with those in normal human astrocytes (NHA). We also confirmed that miR-130b interacted with the 3′-untranslated region of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), which negatively affected the protein levels of E-cadherin. Furthermore, its effects on cell proliferation and invasion were examined using CCK8, colony formation, cell cycle and Transwell assays. We found that the upregulation of miR-130b induced cell proliferation, decreased the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase and enhanced the invasiveness of U251 glioma cells whereas the downregulation of miR-130b exerted opposing effects. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the downregulation of miR-130b in U251 glioma cells restored the expression of PPAR-γ and E-cadherin, and inhibited the expression of β-catenin. Notably, PPAR-γ knockdown abolished the inhibitory effect of miR-130b inhibitor on the proliferation and invasivness of U251 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that miR-130b promotes the proliferation and invasion of U251 glioma cells by inhibiting PPAR-γ.

Background The performance of community health service centers (CHSCs) has not been well monitored and analysed since China’s latest community health reforms in 2009. The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate the performing trends of the CHSCs and to analyze the main factors that could affect the performance in Pudong new district of Shanghai, China. Methods A regional performance assessment indicator system was applied to the evaluation of Pudong CHSCs’ performance from 2011 to 2013. All of the data were sorted out by a panel, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a generalized estimating equation model. Results We found that the overall performance increased annually, with a growing number of CHSCs achieving high scores. Significant differences were observed in institutional management, public health services, basic medical services and comprehensive satisfaction during the period of three years. However, we found no differences in the service scores of Chinese traditional medicine (CTM). The investigation also demonstrated that the key factors affecting performance were the location, information system level, family GP program and medical association program rather than the size of the center. However, the medical association participation appeared to have a significant negative effect on performance. Conclusions It can be concluded from the three-year investigation that the overall performance was improved, but that it could have been further enhanced, especially in institutional management and basic medical service; therefore, it is imperative that CHSCs undertake approaches such as optimizing the resource allocation and utilization, reinforcing the establishment of the information system level, extending the family GP program to more local communities, and promoting the medical association initiative.