Genomic variants within chromosome 14q32.32 regulate bone mass through MARK3 signaling in osteoblasts

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a highly heritable predictor of osteoporotic fracture. GWAS have identified hundreds of loci influencing BMD, but few have been functionally analyzed. In this study, we show that SNPs within a BMD locus on chromosome 14q32.32 alter splicing and expression of PAR-1a/microtubule affinity regulating kinase 3 (MARK3), a conserved serine/threonine kinase known to regulate bioenergetics, cell division, and polarity. Mice lacking Mark3 either globally or selectively in osteoblasts have increased bone mass at maturity. RNA profiling from Mark3-deficient osteoblasts suggested changes in the expression of components of the Notch signaling pathway. Mark3-deficient osteoblasts exhibited greater matrix mineralization compared with controls that was accompanied by reduced Jag1/Hes1 expression and diminished downstream JNK signaling. Overexpression of Jag1 in Mark3-deficient osteoblasts both in vitro and in vivo normalized mineralization capacity and bone mass, respectively. Together, these findings reveal a mechanism whereby genetically regulated alterations in Mark3 expression perturb cell signaling in osteoblasts to influence bone mass.     

Radiomics model based on preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for predicting liver failure

BACKGROUND Postoperative liver failure is the most severe complication in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) after major hepatectomy. Current available clinical indexes predicting postoperative residual liver function are not sufficiently accurate.AIM To determine a radiomics model based on preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for predicting liver failure in cirrhotic patients with HCC after major hepatectomy.METHODS For this retrospective study, a radiomics-based model was developed based on preoperative hepatobiliary phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance images in 101 patients with HCC between June 2012 and June 2018. Sixty-one radiomic features were extracted from hepatobiliary phase images and selected by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method to construct a radiomics signature. A clinical prediction model, and radiomics-based model incorporating significant clinical indexes and radiomics signature were built using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The integrated radiomics-based model was presented as a radiomics nomogram. The performances of clinical prediction model, radiomics signature, and radiomics-based model for predicting post-operative liver failure were determined using receiver operating characteristics curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses.RESULTS Five radiomics features from hepatobiliary phase images were selected to construct the radiomics signature. The clinical prediction model, radiomics signature, and radiomics-based model incorporating indocyanine green clearance rate at 15 min and radiomics signature showed favorable performance for predicting postoperative liver failure(area under the curve: 0.809-0.894). The radiomics-based model achieved the highest performance for predicting liver failure(area under the curve: 0.894; 95%CI: 0.823-0.964). The integrated discrimination improvement analysis showed a significant improvement in the accuracy of liver failure prediction when radiomics signature was added to the clinical prediction model(integrated discrimination improvement = 0.117, P =0.002). The calibration curve and an insignificant Hosmer-Lemeshow test statistic(P = 0.841) demonstrated good calibration of the radiomics-based model. The decision curve analysis showed that patients would benefit more from a radiomics-based prediction model than from a clinical prediction model and radiomics signature alone.CONCLUSION A radiomics-based model of preoperative gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI can be used to predict liver failure in cirrhotic patients with HCC after major hepatectomy.     

基于雨课堂的临床流行病学教学改革与实践

目的探讨雨课堂在临床流行病学教学中的作用和效果。方法采用随机对照法在本科阶段无流行病学学习经历的临床专业硕士研究生中,使用雨课堂线上课前预习及课后随堂练习的功能,用于评价雨课堂线上功能的辅助教学效果。结果应用雨课堂线上功能干预组与对照组在基线、阶段小测和末考卷面成绩均无统计学差异;但对于主动学习,雨课堂参与度较高的学生成绩提高明显。结论雨课堂有利于理论性较强课程的学习,但是仍不能忽略课堂教学师生互动过程。     

舒芬太尼在肾母细胞瘤患儿术后镇痛中的应用效果及对患儿免疫功能的影响

目的探讨舒芬太尼在肾母细胞瘤患儿术后镇痛中的应用效果及对患儿免疫功能的影响。方法采用随机数字表法将42例肾母细胞瘤患儿分为低剂量、中剂量和高剂量组,每组14例,低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组患儿术后舒芬太尼镇痛剂量分别为1.0、2.5、4.0μg/kg。术后6、24、48 h,采用中文版儿童疼痛行为量表(FLACC)评估三组患儿的镇痛效果,以及不良反应发生情况;麻醉前和术后1、24、72 h,检测三组患儿免疫功能指标,包括免疫球蛋白(Ig)G、IgA、IgM。结果术后6、24、48 h,中剂量组、高剂量组患儿FLACC评分均低于低剂量组患儿,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.05)。术后1、24、72 h,低剂量组患儿IgG、IgA、IgM水平均低于本组麻醉前,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.05);术后1、24 h,中剂量组和高剂量组患儿IgG、IgA、IgM水平均低于本组麻醉前,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.05),但术后72 h,中剂量组和高剂量组患儿IgG、IgA、IgM水平与麻醉前比较,差异均无统计学意义(P﹥0.05)。低剂量组患儿未发生不良反应,中剂量组患儿发生恶心1例,高剂量组患儿发生恶心5例、呕吐3例。结论2.5μg/kg的舒芬太尼在肾母细胞瘤患儿术后镇痛中效果明显,且对患儿的免疫系统发挥一定的保护作用,可以减轻患儿术后免疫功能抑制。     

Investigation of Bimetallic Nickel Catalysts in Catalyst‐Transfer Polymerization of π‐Conjugated Polymers

A comparative study involving bimetallic nickel catalysts designed from disubstituted N,N,N′,N′‐tetra(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)benzene diamine bridging ligands is reported. Catalyst behavior is explored in the Kumada catalyst‐transfer polymerization (KCTP) using poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as the model system. The success of a controlled polymerization is monitored by analyzing monomer conversion, degree of polymerization, end‐group identity, and molecular weight distribution. The characterization of P3HT obtained from KCTP initiated with the bimetallic catalysts shows chain‐growth behavior; however, the presence of Br/Br end‐groups and broader molecular weight distribution reveals a reduced controlled polymerization compared to the commonly employed Ni(dppp)Cl₂. The observed increase in intermolecular chain transfer and termination processes in KCTP initiation with the bimetallic catalysts can be attributed to a weaker Ni(0)‐π‐aryl complex interaction, which is caused by increased steric crowding of the coordination sphere.