Proteome profiling of spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia in rats with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis

AIM: To investigate proteomic changes in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of rats with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis.METHODS: The colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level were determined. A two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE)-based proteomic technique was used to profile the global protein expression changes in the DRG and spinal cord of the rats with acute colitis induced by intra-colonic injection of TNBS.RESULTS: TNBS group showed significantly elevated colonic MPO activity and increased TNF-α level. The proteins derived from lumbosacral enlargement of the spinal cord and DRG were resolved by 2-DE; and 26 and 19 proteins that displayed significantly different expression levels in the DRG and spinal cord were identified respectively. Altered proteins were found to be involved in a number of biological functions, such as inflammation/immunity, cell signaling, redox regulation, sulfate transport and cellular metabolism. The overexpression of the protein similar to potassium channel tetramerisation domain containing protein 12 (Kctd 12) and low expression of proteasome subunit α type-1 (psma) were validated by Western blotting analysis.CONCLUSION: TNBS-induced colitis has a profound impact on protein profiling in the nervous system. This result helps understand the neurological pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.     

Influence of liquid bridge formation process on its stability in nonparallel plates

The formation of a liquid bridge in non-parallel plates is very common and the stability (whether or not it can move spontaneously) of such liquid bridges has been studied a lot for industry, e.g. in printing applications. It is generally considered that the liquid bridge stability is determined by Contact Angle (CA), Contact Angle Hysteresis (CAH), the position of the liquid bridge (represented as P) and the dihedral angle (θ) between non-parallel plates. The stability equation is θ = f(CA, CAH, P). Since P is a process quantity, which is difficult to determine, so it is also difficult to obtain the critical equation for the stability of the liquid bridge. In the previous study (J. Colloid Interface Sci., 2017, 492, 207–217), based on the fitting simulation results, the critical equation about CA, CAH and θ is obtained, as θ = f(CA, CAH). However, in some special cases, the results are still biased (e.g. the weak hydrophilic situation). In this paper, unlike simulation, we get the critical equation θ = f(CA, CAH) from a theoretical point of view. For the first time, by in-depth analysis of the process of liquid bridge formation, the theoretical calculation equation of P is obtained as P = f(CA, CAH, θ). And then, combining the equations θ = f(CA, CAH, P) and P = f(CA, CAH, θ), the theoretical equation is obtained. A lot of simulations and experiments were performed to verify our theoretical equation. Furthermore, comparing our equation with the previous equation, it was found that our equation is more consistent with the experimental results (error less than 0.2°). Finally, the importance of considering the liquid bridging process (the function of P) for stability analysis is illustrated by comparing the results with those not considered (the difference is more than 20% in some cases). The outputs of this paper provide in-depth theoretical support for the analysis and application of liquid bridges.

The effect of liquid bridge formation process on its stability was discussed to obtain the theoretical equation for determining the stability of the liquid bridge.     

NaV6O15 microflowers as a stable cathode material for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Reversible aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have great potential for large-scale energy storage owing to their low cost and safety. However, the lack of long-lifetime positive materials severely restricts the development of ZIBs. Herein, we report NaV₆O₁₅ microflowers as a cathode material for ZIBs with excellent electrochemical performance, including a high specific capacity of ∼300 mA h g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ and 141 mA h g⁻¹ maintained after 2000 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹ with a capacity retention of ∼107%. The high diffusion coefficient and stable tunneled structure of NaV₆O₁₅ facilitate Zn²⁺ intercalation/extraction and long-term cycle stability.

NaV₆O₁₅ microflowers were synthesized as a stable cathode material for aqueous zinc ion batteries, which show a high specific capacity and excellent long-term cycling performance.     

The effectiveness of the TAX 327 nomogram in predicting overall survival in Chinese patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Based on the results of TAX 327, a nomogram was developed to predict the overall survival of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer （mCRPC） after first-line chemotherapy. The nomogram, however, has not been validated in an independent dataset, especially in a series out of clinical trials. Thus, the objective of the current study was to validate the TAX 327 nomogram in a community setting in China. A total of 146 patients with mCRPC who received first-line chemotherapy （docetaxel or mitoxantrone） were identified. Because clinical trials are limited in mainland China, those patients did not receive investigational treatment after the failure of first-line chemotherapy. The predicted overall survival rate was calculated from the TAX 327 nomogram. The validity of the model was assessed with discrimination, calibration and decision curve analysis. The median survival of the cohort was 21 months （docetaxel） and 19 months （mitoxantrone） at last follow-up. The predictive c-index of the TAX 327 nomogram was 0.66 （95% CI： 0.54-0.70）. The calibration plot demonstrated that the 2-year survival rate was underestimated by the nomogram. Decision curve analysis showed a net benefit of the nomogram at a threshold probability greater than 30%. In conclusion, the present validation study did not confirm the predictive value of the TAX 327 nomogram in a contemporary community series of men in China, and further studies with a large sample size to develop or validate nomograms for predicting survival and selecting therapies in advanced prostate cancer are necessary.     

Laparoscopic ampullectomy for an ampullarian adenoma

Lesions involving the ampulla of Vater are rare entities (0.1–0.2 %) with high malignant potential (90 %) [1]. As a treatment, the surgical procedure known as duodenopancreatectomy was the main option, whatever the tumor’s stage or nature. Yet with improvements of endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, management of these lesions has been modified, enabling endoscopic removal of adenoma and adenocarcinoma-in situ. Thus, when endoscopic treatment is not possible, surgical ampullectomy is still an alternative option to duodenopancreatectomy [1, 2]. The continuous improvements in surgical techniques and instruments now allow the safe realization of laparoscopic ampullectomy, despite the few cases described in the literature [3, 4]. Here we present a surgical technique in a 52-year-old patient with an ampulloma. The ampulloma was discovered during a gastroscopy for abdominal pain. The endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy revealed a 15-mm adenoma with moderate-grade dysplasia. The thoracoabdominal CT scan was normal. The procedure was performed as shown. The tumor histology showed a R0 resection (5-mm surgical margin) of an adenoma with focal high-grade dysplasia. At 3-year follow-up, outcomes were unremarkable, without any complications.     

Surgical treatment of brain tumor coexisted with intracranial aneurysm—case series and review of the literature

Coexistence of brain tumor and intracranial aneurysm was previously considered as an uncommon phenomenon. Actually it is not rare in neurosurgical procedures, and its incidence rate may be underestimated. Furthermore, there remains a lack of consensus regarding numerous aspects of its clinical management. We performed a retrospective study of 12 cases of coexistent brain tumor and intracranial aneurysm in our database. Then a systematic PubMed search of English-language literature published between 1970 and 2012 was carried out using the keywords: “brain tumor” and “intracranial aneurysm” in combination with “associate” or “coexist.” A consensus panel of neurosurgeons, anesthetists, interventional neurologists, and intensivests reviewed this information and proposed a treatment strategy. In the majority of patients, clinical symptoms were caused by tumor growth, whereas aneurysm rupture was seen only in a few cases. Meningioma was the commonest tumor associated with aneurysm. In most patients, both lesions occurred within the adjacent area. Treatment of both pathologies in one session was performed in most patients. All of our patients were alive within the period of follow-up. Coexistence of brain tumor and intracranial aneurysm may be a coincidence. The treatment strategy should be designed according to the conditions of tumor and aneurysm, locations of both lesions, and pathologic nature of tumor.     

Impact of Adjuvant Radiotherapy on Survival after Pancreatic Cancer Resection: An Appraisal of Data from the National Cancer Data Base

Purpose

The impact of adjuvant radiotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) remains controversial. We examined effects of adjuvant therapy on overall survival (OS) in PAC, using the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB).

Methods

Patients with resected PAC from 1998 to 2002 were queried from the NCDB. Factors associated with receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy (ChemoOnly) versus adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (ChemoRad) versus no adjuvant treatment (NoAdjuvant) were assessed. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to examine effect of adjuvant therapy type on OS. Propensity scores (PS) were developed for each treatment arm and used to produce matched samples for analysis to minimize selection bias.

Results

From 1998 to 2002, a total of 11,526 patients underwent resection of PAC. Of these, 1,029 (8.9 %) received ChemoOnly, 5,292 (45.9 %) received ChemoRad, and 5,205 (45.2 %) received NoAdjuvant. On univariate analysis, factors associated with improved OS included: younger age, higher income, higher facility volume, lower tumor stage and grade, negative margins and nodes, and absence of adjuvant therapy. On multivariate analysis with matched PS, factors independently associated with improved OS included: younger age, higher income, higher facility volume, later year of diagnosis, smaller tumor size, lower tumor stage, and negative tumor margins and nodes. ChemoRad had the best OS (hazard ratio 0.70, 95 % confidence interval 0.61–0.80) in a PS matched comparison with ChemoOnly (hazard ratio 1.04, 95 % confidence interval 0.93–1.18) and NoAdjuvant (index).

Conclusions

Adjuvant chemotherapy with radiotherapy is associated with improved OS after PAC resection in a large population from the NCDB. On the basis of these analyses, radiotherapy should be a part of adjuvant therapy for PAC.     

Indole/isatin-containing hybrids as potential antibacterial agents

The emergence and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacteria have already posed a serious threat to human life, creating the urgent need to develop potent and novel antibacterial drug candidates with high efficacy. Indole and isatin (indole-2,3-dione) present a wide structural and mechanistic diversity, so their derivatives possess various pharmacological properties and occupy a salient place in the development of new drugs. Indole/isatin-containing hybrids, which demonstrate a promising activity against a panel of clinically important Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, are privileged scaffolds for the discovery of novel antibacterial candidates. This review, covering articles published between January 2015 and May 2020, focuses on the development and structure–activity relationship (SAR) of indole/isatin-containing hybrids with potential application for fighting bacterial infections, to facilitate further rational design of novel drug candidates.     

两种钢板治疗Danis-Weber /AO B型外踝骨折的疗效比较

 目的 比较外侧中和钢板及后外侧抗滑钢板内固定治疗Danis-Weber/AO B型闭合性外踝骨折的疗效。方法 选择2012-03至2015-06医院收治的Danis-Weber/AO B型闭合性外踝骨折44例,根据患者意愿分为外侧中和钢板固定组(中和组,24例),后外侧抗滑钢板固定组(抗滑组,20例)。中和组骨折解剖复位,选取合适的拉力螺钉自前向后垂直于骨折线置入,腓骨外侧解剖钢板固定于腓骨外侧合适的位置;抗滑组骨折解剖复位,钢板放置于腓骨后外侧,使用合适的螺钉内固定,最少随访1年。术后1年根据美国足踝外科协会后足踝评分系统(AOFAS)进行功能评价,记录并发症。结果 术后1年中和组和抗滑组AOFAS评分分别为93.7±6.1和94.5±6.0,两组比较没有统计学差异(P=0.37)。中和组7例(29.3%)发生并发症,抗滑组3例(15.0%)发生并发症,其中1例腓骨肌腱病,两组并发症发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.31)。结论 对旋后外旋型损伤的Danis-Weber/AO B型外踝骨折进行手术治疗,与传统的外侧钢板固定技术比较,抗滑组手术效果与之相当,并发症发生率无差异,两种技术均安全有效,值得推广。