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BackgroundOxidized derivatives of polyunsaturated fatty acids, collectively known as oxylipins, are labile bioactive mediators with diverse roles in human physiology and pathology. Oxylipins are increasingly being measured in plasma collected in clinical studies to investigate biological mechanisms and as pharmacodynamic biomarkers for nutrient-based and drug-based interventions. Whole blood is generally stored either on ice or at room temperature prior to processing. However, the potential impacts of delays in processing, and of temperature prior to processing, on oxylipin concentrations are incompletely understood.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of delayed processing of blood samples in a timeframe that is typical of a clinical laboratory setting, using typical storage temperatures, on concentrations of representative unesterified oxylipins measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.DesignWhole blood (drawn on three separate occasions from a single person) was collected into 5 mL purple-top potassium-EDTA tubes and stored for 0, 10, 20, 30, 60 or 120 min at room temperature or on wet ice, followed by centrifugation at 4 °C for 10 min with plasma collection. Each sample was run in duplicate, therefore there were six tubes and up to six data points at each time point for each oxylipin at each condition (ice/room temperature). Representative oxylipins derived from arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and linoleic acid were quantified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Longitudinal models were used to estimate differences between temperature groups 2 h after blood draw.ResultsWe found that most oxylipins measured in human plasma in traditional potassium-EDTA tubes are reasonably stable when stored on ice for up to 2 h prior to processing, with little evidence of auto-oxidation in either condition. By contrast, in whole blood stored at room temperature, substantial time-dependent increases in the 12-lipoxygenase-derived (12-HETE, 14-HDHA) and platelet-derived (thromboxane B2) oxylipins were observed.ConclusionThese findings suggest that certain plasma oxylipins can be measured with reasonable accuracy despite delayed processing for up to 2 h when blood is stored on ice prior to centrifugation. 12-Lipoxygenase- and platelet-derived oxylipins may be particularly sensitive to post-collection artifact with delayed processing at room temperature. Future studies are needed to determine impacts of duration and temperature of centrifugation on oxylipin concentrations.

BackgroundChronic idiopathic pain syndromes are major causes of personal suffering, disability, and societal expense. Dietary n-6 linoleic acid has increased markedly in modern industrialized populations over the past century. These high amounts of linoleic acid could hypothetically predispose to physical pain by increasing the production of pro-nociceptive linoleic acid-derived lipid autacoids and by interfering with the production of anti-nociceptive lipid autacoids derived from n-3 fatty acids. Here, we used a rat model to determine the effect of increasing dietary linoleic acid as a controlled variable for 15 weeks on nociceptive lipid autacoids and their precursor n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in tissues associated with idiopathic pain syndromes.ResultsIncreasing dietary linoleic acid markedly increased the abundance of linoleic acid and its pro-nociceptive derivatives and reduced the abundance of n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and their anti-nociceptive monoepoxide derivatives. Diet-induced changes occurred in a tissue-specific manner, with marked alterations of nociceptive lipid autacoids in both peripheral and central tissues, and the most pronounced changes in their fatty acid precursors in peripheral tissues.ConclusionsThe present findings provide biochemical support for the hypothesis that the high linoleic acid content of modern industrialized diets may create a biochemical susceptibility to develop chronic pain. Dietary linoleic acid lowering should be further investigated as part of an integrative strategy for the prevention and management of idiopathic pain syndromes.

BackgroundChronic idiopathic pain syndromes are major causes of personal suffering, disability, and societal expense. Dietary n-6 linoleic acid has increased markedly in modern industrialized populations over the past century. These high amounts of linoleic acid could hypothetically predispose to physical pain by increasing the production of pro-nociceptive linoleic acid-derived lipid autacoids and by interfering with the production of anti-nociceptive lipid autacoids derived from n-3 fatty acids. Here, we used a rat model to determine the effect of increasing dietary linoleic acid as a controlled variable for 15 weeks on nociceptive lipid autacoids and their precursor n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in tissues associated with idiopathic pain syndromes.ResultsIncreasing dietary linoleic acid markedly increased the abundance of linoleic acid and its pro-nociceptive derivatives and reduced the abundance of n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and their anti-nociceptive monoepoxide derivatives. Diet-induced changes occurred in a tissue-specific manner, with marked alterations of nociceptive lipid autacoids in both peripheral and central tissues, and the most pronounced changes in their fatty acid precursors in peripheral tissues.ConclusionsThe present findings provide biochemical support for the hypothesis that the high linoleic acid content of modern industrialized diets may create a biochemical susceptibility to develop chronic pain. Dietary linoleic acid lowering should be further investigated as part of an integrative strategy for the prevention and management of idiopathic pain syndromes.

BackgroundDietary linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) lowering in rats reduces n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) plasma concentrations and increases n-3 PUFA (eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) concentrations.ObjectiveTo evaluate the extent to which 12 weeks of dietary n-6 PUFA lowering, with or without increased dietary n-3 PUFAs, alters unesterified and esterified plasma n-6 and n-3 PUFA concentrations in subjects with chronic headache.DesignSecondary analysis of a randomized trial. Subjects with chronic headache were randomized for 12 weeks to (1) average n-3, low n-6 (L6) diet; or (2) high n-3, low n-6 LA (H3-L6) diet. Esterified and unesterified plasma fatty acids were quantified at baseline (0 weeks) and after 12 weeks on a diet.ResultsCompared to baseline, the L6 diet reduced esterified plasma LA and increased esterified n-3 PUFA concentrations (nmol/ml), but did not significantly change plasma arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) concentration. In addition, unesterified EPA concentration was increased significantly among unesterified fatty acids. The H3-L6 diet decreased esterified LA and AA concentrations, and produced more marked increases in esterified and unesterified n-3 PUFA concentrations.ConclusionDietary n-6 PUFA lowering for 12 weeks significantly reduces LA and increases n-3 PUFA concentrations in plasma, without altering plasma AA concentration. A concurrent increase in dietary n-3 PUFAs for 12 weeks further increases n-3 PUFA plasma concentrations and reduces AA.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the measures of damage control theory (DCT) in the treatment of multiple trauma mainly represented by emergency abdominal trauma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 76 patients with severe multiple trauma in the Yiwu Central Hospital were selected. Among them, 37 patients with severe multiple trauma were treated with DCT (DCT group), and 39 patients were treated with traditional methods (control group). The prothrombin time (PT), the inflammation index, the duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the incidence of sepsis were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 60 cases (78.95%) were cured and discharged, and 4 cases (10.81%) died in the DCT group, while 12 cases (30.77%) died in the control group. There were 6 cases (16.22%) of sepsis in the DCT group and 15 cases (38.46%) of sepsis in the control group. This indicates that the mortality and the incidence of sepsis in the DCT group were lower than those in the control group (p<0.05 in all comparisons). The PT activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), the length of stay in the ICU, and mechanical ventilation in the DCT group were notably shorter than those in the control group. The levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin- 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and IL-10 went up remarkably in both groups (p<0.05), but the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP in the DCT group were lower than those in the control group, while the IL-10 level in the former was significantly higher than that in the latter (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to apply DCT to rescue patients with multiple trauma, which can effectively reduce the mortality and complications, and shorten the length of stay in the ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Concentrations of certain oxylipins measured in human plasma in potassium-EDTA tubes are reasonably stable when stored on wet ice for up to 2 h prior to processing. • Substantial time-dependent increases in the 12-lipoxygenase-derived and platelet-derived oxylipins were observed when whole blood stored at room temperature prior to processing. • Future studies are needed to determine the impacts of other pre-analytical variables on plasma oxylipin concentrations. Oxidized derivatives of polyunsaturated fatty acids, collectively known as oxylipins, are labile bioactive mediators with diverse roles in human physiology and pathology. Oxylipins are increasingly being measured in plasma collected in clinical studies to investigate biological mechanisms and as pharmacodynamic biomarkers for nutrient-based and drug-based interventions. Whole blood is generally stored either on ice or at room temperature prior to processing. However, the potential impacts of delays in processing, and of temperature prior to processing, on oxylipin concentrations are incompletely understood. To evaluate the effects of delayed processing of blood samples in a timeframe that is typical of a clinical laboratory setting, using typical storage temperatures, on concentrations of representative unesterified oxylipins measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Whole blood (drawn on three separate occasions from a single person) was collected into 5 mL purple-top potassium-EDTA tubes and stored for 0, 10, 20, 30, 60 or 120 min at room temperature or on wet ice, followed by centrifugation at 4°C for 10 min with plasma collection. Each sample was run in duplicate, therefore there were six tubes and up to six data points at each time point for each oxylipin at each condition (ice/room temperature). Representative oxylipins derived from arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and linoleic acid were quantified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Longitudinal models were used to estimate differences between temperature groups 2 h after blood draw. We found that most oxylipins measured in human plasma in traditional potassium-EDTA tubes are reasonably stable when stored on ice for up to 2 h prior to processing, with little evidence of auto-oxidation in either condition. By contrast, in whole blood stored at room temperature, substantial time-dependent increases in the 12-lipoxygenase-derived (12-HETE, 14-HDHA) and platelet-derived (thromboxane B2) oxylipins were observed. These findings suggest that certain plasma oxylipins can be measured with reasonable accuracy despite delayed processing for up to 2 h when blood is stored on ice prior to centrifugation. 12-Lipoxygenase- and platelet-derived oxylipins may be particularly sensitive to post-collection artifact with delayed processing at room temperature. Future studies are needed to determine impacts of duration and temperature of centrifugation on oxylipin concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Scapula fractures are rare injuries that are generally treated nonoperatively. When surgery is performed, it is commonly undertaken through the posterior approach, which can be invasive and unforgiving on the soft tissues. We describe an alternative safe approach between teres major and minor that remains deep to a fascial sling formed by the combined infraspinatus and teres minor fasciae and deep to the primary nerve to teres minor, which is a terminal branch of the axillary nerve. Methods Between January 2008 and June 2014, there were 22 patients who underwent scapula fixation with this approach who were retrospectively identified and prospectively invited for clinical review by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) evaluation form and Constant score. Postoperative external rotation (ER) power in both abduction and adduction was also assessed. Results Five patients were lost to follow-up. All of the remaining patients were male with a mean age of 44.5 years (28-66 years). Mean follow-up time was 34.7 months (3-72 months). The mean ASES score for the 17 patients was 86.6 (41.6-100); the mean Constant score was 89.3 (22-100). The only significant factor affecting the ASES score was an ipsilateral neurologic upper limb injury. ER power was improved or equivalent to the contralateral side in 8 of the 10 patients assessed for ER; it was weaker in 2 patients, both of whom had surgical fixation of the vertebral border of the scapula. Conclusion The inter-teres approach may be a safe alternative approach in glenoid fixation, although the loss of ER strength needs further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin is an important anti-cancer drug. However, the molecular mechanism of cisplatin on inhibition of the proliferation of liver cancer cells is unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the regulatory role of cisplatin on the growth and apoptosis of hepatoma LM3 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LM3 cells were treated with cisplatin (2 µmol/L) for 48 h. MTT assay, flow cytometry, and caspase-3 activity assay were used to detect the growth, proliferation and apoptosis of LM3 cells. Western blot was applied to detect the expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein, XIAP. siRNA was used to knockdown the level of XIAP followed by cisplatin (2 µmol/L) treatment, and then the apoptosis of LM3 cells was measured. RESULTS: The treatment of cisplatin significantly inhibited the growth but induced the apoptosis of LM3 cells. Cisplatin also downregulated the expression of XIAP. The downregulation of XIAP by using siRNA enhanced the apoptosis of LM3 cells induced by cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS: Downregulation of XIAP enhanced the proapoptotic effect of cisplatin on LM3 cells, suggesting that XIAP might be used as a potential target in the treatment of liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression levels of lncRNA HOXA11-AS in HCC tissues and cells, and to explore its biological role in the development and progression of HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We detected the relative expression level of HOXA11-AS in 72 HCC tissues and cells by the real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. After interference with HOXA11-AS expression in HCC cells, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), clone formation, flow cytometry and an established nude mice transplanted tumor model were used to detect the biological behavior of HCC cells. qRT-PCR and Western blotting assays were used to detect the expression level of large tumor suppressor kinases 1 (LATS1). The subcellular localization of HOXA11-AS in HCC was detected by separating nuclei from the cytoplasm. The molecular mechanism of HOXA11-AS was regulated by ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation-microarray (RIP-Chip) experiments. RESULTS: qRT-PCR assays showed that HOXA11-AS was relatively highly expressed in HCC tissues and cells. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that HOXA11-AS could inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells, promote their apoptosis and retard the cell cycle progression from G1 to G0 phase. qRT-PCR and Western blotting assays results showed that LATS1 genes were the downstream target genes of HOXA11-AS. RIP and CHIP experiments showed that HOXA11-AS inhibited the expression of LATS1 genes by binding enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) proteins. CONCLUSIONS: HOXA11-AS inhibited the malignant transcription of the LATS1 genes and promoted the malignant proliferation of HCC cells. Interactions among HOXA11-AS, PRC2, and LATS1 may provide a new target for the treatment of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are biosynthetic precursors of endocannabinoids with antinociceptive, anxiolytic, and neurogenic properties. We recently reported that targeted dietary manipulation—increasing omega-3 fatty acids while reducing omega-6 linoleic acid (the H3-L6 intervention)—reduced headache pain and psychological distress among chronic headache patients. It is not yet known whether these clinical improvements were due to changes in endocannabinoids and related mediators derived from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. We therefore used data from this trial (N = 55) to investigate 1) whether the H3-L6 intervention altered omega-3- and omega-6-derived endocannabinoids in plasma and 2) whether diet-induced changes in these bioactive lipids were associated with clinical improvements. The H3-L6 intervention significantly increased the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid derivatives 2-docosahexaenoylglycerol (+65%, P < .001) and docosahexaenoylethanolamine (+99%, P < .001) and reduced the omega-6 arachidonic acid derivative 2-arachidonoylglycerol (−25%, P = .001). Diet-induced changes in these endocannabinoid derivatives of omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid, but not omega-6 arachidonic acid, correlated with reductions in physical pain and psychological distress. These findings demonstrate that targeted dietary manipulation can alter endocannabinoids derived from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in humans and suggest that 2-docosahexaenoylglycerol and docosahexaenoylethanolamine could have physical and/or psychological pain modulating properties. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01157208 ) Perspective This article demonstrates that targeted dietary manipulation can alter endocannabinoids derived from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and that these changes are related to reductions in headache pain and psychological distress. These findings suggest that dietary interventions could provide an effective, complementary approach for managing chronic pain and related conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, hydroxyapatite or fluorapatite, was clad on the Ti-6Al-4V substrate by Nd-YAG laser technology, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction were utilised to compare the differences of microstructures, chemical compositions and the compounds in the coating layer and transition layer of samples. The results show that CaTiO3, TiO2, Al2O3 and Ca2P2O7 are compounds in the coating layer of hydroxyapatite cladding sample, and CaTiO3 is the main phase which appears a dendrite-like structure feature. Besides, the dendrite-like CaTiO3 phase, few compounds of TiO2, Al2O3 and the granular residual FA were found that dispersed between interdendritic areas in the coating layer of fluorapatite cladding sample. Compared with these hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite cladding samples, the distribution feature of elements Ca, P, Ti in the coating layer and transition layer is similar, but relatively higher amount of Ca, P and lower Ca/P ratio were found in the coating layer of fluorapatite cladding sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and efficiency of the autologous minced muscle-derived regenerate as a living patch graft for the urethral reconstruction with the assistance of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) in the rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hUC-MSCs and minced-muscle-derived regenerate tissue was prepared and used as potential autologous patch graft for the reconstruction of the defective rabbit urethra. Animal with autologous free skeletal muscle piece was observed as control. Histopathological and immunohistochemical staining methods were adopted to evaluate the regenerating effect; the reconstructive effects in New Zealand rabbit were observed in both groups by retrograde urethrography and urinary microscopy. RESULTS: The expression of desmin and anti-human specific nuclear antigen (ANA) were positive for co-culture microsomes in vivo and in vitro; after the reconstruct ive surgery, histopathological studies revealed fibrous connective tissues and abundant muscle fibers constituted the main body of the patch-grafted urethra. Urethrography and urethroscopy showed no urethral obstruction, stenosis, fistula or diverticula anomaly existed in experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: Our precl inical study showed that the hUC-MSCs and minced-muscle-derived regenerate could be used as an autologous pre-vascularized living patch graft for urethral reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-aligned inversion-channel In0.53Ga0.47As metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs) have been fabricated using the gate dielectrics of in-situ directly atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) HfO2 followed by ALD-Al2O3. There were no surface pretreatments and no interfacial passivation/barrier layers prior to the ALD. TiN/Al2O3 (4 nm)/HfO2 (1 nm)/In0.53Ga0.47As/InP MOS capacitors exhibited well-behaved capacitance-voltage characteristics with true inversion behavior, low leakage current densities of ∼10-8 A/cm2 at ±1 MV/cm, and thermodynamic stability at high temperatures. Al2O3 (3 nm)/HfO2 (1 nm)/In0.53Ga0.47As MOSFETs of 1 μm gate length, with 700 °C-800 °C rapid thermal annealing in source/drain activation, have exhibited high extrinsic drain current (ID) of 1.5 mA/μm, transconductance (Gm) of 0.84 mS/μm, ION/IOFF of ∼104, low sub-threshold swing of 103 mV/decade, and field-effect electron mobility of 1100 cm2/V · s. The devices have also achieved very high intrinsic ID and Gm of 2 mA/μm and 1.2 mS/μm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Linoleic acid (LA) is the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in human diets, a major component of human tissues, and the direct precursor to the bioactive oxidized LA metabolites (OXLAMs), 9- and 13 hydroxy-octadecadienoic acid (9- and 13-HODE) and 9- and 13-oxo-octadecadienoic acid (9- and 13-oxoODE). These four OXLAMs have been mechanistically linked to pathological conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to chronic pain. Plasma OXLAMs, which are elevated in Alzheimer''s dementia and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, have been proposed as biomarkers useful for indicating the presence and severity of both conditions. Because mammals lack the enzymatic machinery needed for de novo LA synthesis, the abundance of LA and OXLAMs in mammalian tissues may be modifiable via diet. To examine this issue in humans, we measured circulating LA and OXLAMs before and after a 12-week LA lowering dietary intervention in chronic headache patients. Lowering dietary LA significantly reduced the abundance of plasma OXLAMs, and reduced the LA content of multiple circulating lipid fractions that may serve as precursor pools for endogenous OXLAM synthesis. These results show that lowering dietary LA can reduce the synthesis and/or accumulation of oxidized LA derivatives that have been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions. Future studies evaluating the clinical implications of diet-induced OXLAM reductions are warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A simulated jar apparatus was developed to record hand kinetics and torque contribution of a digit during jar-opening activities. The design of the apparatus, namely a jar body and a lid, is similar to a commercial jam jar that is regularly seen in daily living. One six-axis force-torque transducer and a torque cell were mounted inside the jar lid to detect the external force exerted from the digit and fixed on to the jar body to record the overall torque generated by the hand and wrist respectively. The applications of the apparatus were used to test the twisting torque of the hand and to measure the applied forces of the digit, which are both important factors in opening a jar. The contribution of each digit relative to the total twisting torque of the hand could be obtained via the apparatus. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the repeated measurements of the obtained forces and moments for different counterweights was approximately 0.96-1.00, which indicates that the reliability of the measured components of the apparatus is high. The high coefficient of determination (r2 > 0.99) indicates high accuracy of prediction of the measured values with respect to the expected loads. The validation outcomes support the design rationale and actual body part of the simulated jar. In addition, understanding the contribution of a single digit in opening a jar was also achieved via the apparatus and model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]