Objective To investigate the relationship between edema and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) within traumatic penumbra (TP) of rats with brain trauma.Methods Eighty-eight healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n =11) and trauma group (n =77),according to the random number table.Trauma group were further subdivided into seven time points (1 h,6 h,12 h,24 h,48 h,72 h and 7 d) of 11 animals each.Brain tissue samples from the moderate brain models were collected to evaluate brain edema with histological observation,blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability with semiquantitative immunohistohemical staining of IgG,and AQP4 expression with immunofluorescence and Western blotting.Results In control group pathology and IgG staining revealed no abnormalities and expression of AQP4 was few.In trauma group light edema zone was visualized at 1 h,began widening,reached the peak at 12 h [(1.589 ±0.020)mm],and then began narrowing.There were significances in width of the edematous band at each time point except for the comparison at 24 h vs.48 h and 72 h vs.7 d (P ＜ 0.05).After trauma,vasogenic edema was found in edema zone at 1 h,intracellular edema was found at 6 h,both aggravated at 12 h and alleviated slightly at 24 h,and intracellular edema predominated at 48 h.IgG showed intensively positive staining at 1,12 and 48 h,and weak staining at 6 h,24 h,72 h and 7 d.After trauma,expression of AQP4 decreased at 1 h (0.659 ± 0.021),returned slightly at 6 h (1.257 ±0.058),peaked at 12 h (2.499 ±0.136),declined again at 24 h (2.267 ± 0.068),re-raised at 72 h (2.078 ± 0.065),and returned to the baseline at 7 d (1.280 ± 0.065).There were significant differences in level of AQP4 at each time point except for the comparison at6h vs.7 d,24 h vs.72 h and 24 h vs.72 h (P＜0.05).Conclusions In the early phase vasogenic edema characterized by BBB damage is significant within TP,which leads to decreased expression of AQP4.However,the subsequent up-regulation of AQP4 results in intracellular edema,which accelerate the spreading of TP.AQP4 may involve in body's defense reaction.

Aim To investigate the effect of acacetin on cell proliferation and the influence of acacetin on estrogen receptor expression in vitro.Methods The proliferation rates and the cell cycle changes of acace-tin-treated T47D cells were measured by sulforhodam-ine B(SRB)assay and flow cytometry,respectively. Moreover,the mRNA expressions of estrogen receptor-alpha(ERα),estrogen receptor-beta(ERβ)and pro-liferating antigen(Ki67)were determined by quantita-tive real time PCR (qPCR).Western blot was em-ployed to detect the ERαand ERβprotein expression. Results Acacetin significantly promoted the prolifera-tion and increased the amount of cells arrested in S and G2 /M phase under the concentration of 0.001 ~1 0μmol·L -1 .Ki67 mRNA level and the ERαprotein level in T47D cells were remarkably upregulated after acacetin treatment.To clarify which estrogen receptors played a role in acacetin induced the proliferation of T47D cells,the combination treatment of acacetin and ERαinhibitor (MPP)/ERβ inhibitor (PHTPP) was employed.We found that MPP could reverse the cell proliferation,the cell arrested in S and G2 /M phase and the increased Ki67 mRNA level induced by acace-tin.PHTPP also alleviated the T47D cell proliferation induced by acacetin,whereas no significant changes were found in cell cycle and Ki67 mRNA level.Con-clusion Acacetin stimulates the cell proliferation of T47D cells in the concentration from 0.001 μmol · L -1 to 1 0 μmol·L -1 ,which is mainly mediated by ERα.

Objective To observe the effects of different levels manganese (Mn) on spatial learning and memory in neonate rats.Methods Neonate rats were distributed to control (normal saline) and MnCl210,20,30mg/kg groups randomly.Each groups included 10 litters in a cage with a dam.Neonate rats were intraperitoneal injection exposed to MnCl2 over PND 1-21.All groups were evaluated behavioral performance using open field and Morris water maze.Blood and hippocampus Mn levels were determined using ICP-MS.Results 1) For each group,blood Mn were (35.58 ± 13.77) μg/L,(80.00 ± 12.98) μg/L,(238.51 ± 31.43) μg/L,(348.47 ±34.07) μg/L and hippocampus Mn were (576.82 ± 79.78) μg/g,(798.33 ± 40.60) μg/g,(1017.23 ± 117.23)μg/g,(1278.76 ± 281.48) μg/g respectively.Blood and hippocampus Mn concentrations in Mn-exposed groups were significant increased compared to control (P ＜ 0.01),and there was a positive correlation in blood Mn and hippocampus Mn(OR =0.91,95％ CI=0.81-0.96,P＜ 0.01).2) Therewere no significant differences on travelled distance in open field among all groups,which meant that Mn exposure had no effect on their locomotion.3) In the hidden platform trials of the Morris water maze test,only on 3rd day,Mn-expose groups spent more time to find the platform compared to the control(P ＜ 0.01).The average escape latency were(21.77 ± 7.10)s,(33.78 ± 9.95)s,(37.17 ± 13.68) s,(41.92 ± 16.74) s respectively.Though the latency were increased with the Mn exposure levels increasing among the Mn-expose groups,no statistically significant differences were observed.There were no statistically effects on latency to find the platform of all groups in other training days.The result in probe trails showed that there were no statistically effects on swimming velocity,the number of crossing over the former platform and the time spent in the targeted quadrant.Conclusion Mn exposure exerts effects on the learning,but no doseeffect relationship.There are no effects on memory of neonate rats of Mn exposure.

Objective The purpose of this study was to establish and evaluate a mouse model of sepsis for studying the mechanism of sepsis and development of anti-inflammatory drugs.Methods The sepsis in mice was induced by cecal ligation and puncture ( CLP) .The survival rates, microbial load, liver and kidney damages, cytokines and pathological changes were detected to evaluate the mouse models.Results The death of mice was closely related with the ligated sites. The mice with 50%cecal ligation displayed about 40% of 12-day survival rate, however, all the mice with 75% cecum ligation died within 4 days (P<0.01).Compared with the sham surgery group, the mice with 50% cecal ligation had a high microbial load in the blood and abdominal cavity.Leukopenia was also emerged (P<0.001).CLP mice demonstra-ted elevated levels of serum ALT, AST and BUN (P<0.01).The levels of IL1α, IL6, IL10, MIP1α, MIP1β, and TNFαwere increased a lot.The liver and lung showed obvious pathological injury at 48 h post CLP.Conclusions The established mouse model of CLP shows typical characteristics of sepsis and is an ideal tool for further study of anti-inflam-matory drugs.

Butanol production from acid hydrolysate of Jerusalem artichoke juice by Clostridium acetobutylicum L7 was investigated, and it was found that natural components of the hydrolysate were suitable for solvent production with the species. With batch fermentation using the medium containing 48.36 g/L total sugars, 8.67 g/L butanol was produced at 60 h, and the ratio of butanol to acetone to ethanol was 0.58:0.36:0.06, which were similar to the fermentation with fructose as carbon source, but both of these two fermentations were slower than that with glucose as carbon source, indicating the fructose transport of the species might not be effective as that for glucose. When the total sugars of the medium were increased to 62.87 g/L, the residual sugars increased slightly from 3.09 g/L to 3.26 g/L, but butanol production of the fermentation system was improved significantly, with 11.21 g/L butanol produced and the ratio of butanol to acetone to ethanol at 0.64:0.29:0.05, which illustrated that an excess in sugars enhanced the butanol biosynthesis of the species by compromising its acetone production. When the sugar concentration of the medium was further increased, much more sugars were remained unconsumed, making the process economically unfavourable.
Butanols ; metabolism ; Clostridium acetobutylicum ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Helianthus ; chemistry ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods

Objective To conduct a network meta-analysis on the effectiveness of first-line immunotherapy on patients with brain metastases from advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Two investigators conducted a computerized search of Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and other databases to screen the literature, extract the information, and assess the risk of bias of the included studies. The included clinical trials were statistically analyzed using R (4.1.3) software. For the study outcome indicators OS and PFS, the risk ratios (HRs), and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted from the included studies and logarithmically transformed into effect analysis statistics. Results Six randomized controlled trials were finally included, including 327 patients with non-excludable NSCLC brain metastases. Network meta-analysis suggested that PD-1 inhibitor + CTLA-4 was more advantageous than the conventional chemotherapy for enhancing patients’ OS (HR: 0.13, 95%CI: 0.03-0.71), followed by PD-L1 inhibitor (HR: 0.17, 95%CI: 0.04-0.74) and PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy (HR: 0.36, 95%CI: 0.2-0.63). PD-1 inhibitor + CTLA-4 was also more advantageous (HR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.15-0.93) than the conventional chemotherapy for boosting patients’ PFS, followed by PD-L1 inhibitor + chemotherapy (HR: 0.44, 95%CI: 0.29-0.66) and PD-1 inhibitor (HR: 0.48, 95%CI: 0.27-0.86). Conclusion Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy improves the survival of patients with brain metastases from advanced NSCLC. In particular, the combination of PD-1 inhibitor and CTLA-4 inhibitor show excellent survival benefit.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy between absolute fixation and bridging fixation in plate osteosynthesis for simple distal tibia fracture.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze 41 patients with simple distal tibia fracture admitted to the Chongqing People's Hospital from January 2013 to November 2016.There were 24 males and 17 females,aged 24-70 years [(46.3 ± 13.1)years].According to AO/OTA classification,fractures weres was AO/OTA type 42A1 in 29 cases,type 42A2 in nine cases,type 42A3 in two cases,and type 43A1 in one case.All patients were treated with plate and screw fixation.According to the method of plate fixation,the patients were divided into the locking compression plate (LCP) absolute fixation group (14 patients),the LCP bridge fixation group (12 patients) and the LCP + dynamic double thread locking screw (DDTL) bridge fixation group (15 patients).The patients were followed up by taking anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of tibia and fibula during outpatient visits 1,2,3,6 months and 1 year after operation.The operation time,time to radiological fracture union,time to full weight bearing,callus index and complications were analyzed.Results All the patients were followed up for 12-18 months [(14.5 ± 2.0)months].In the LCP absolute fixation,LCP and LCP + DDTL groups,the operation time was (74.3 ± 15.6) minutes,(78.6 ± 20.1) minutes and (82.5 ± 24.6) minutes,respectively;the time to radiological fracture union was (4.3 ± 1.5) months,(4.5 ± 1.3) months and (4.6 ± 1.4) months,respectively;the time to full weight bearing were (3.4 ± 0.7) months,(3.5 ± 0.6) months and (3.6 ±1.1) months,respectively (all P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in complication incidence among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05).However,the callus index in the LCP + DDTL group (1.19 ±0.13) was significantly higher than that of the LCP absolute fixation group (1.08 ±0.06) and that of the LCP group (1.09 ± 0.09) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion For simple distal tibia fracture,both absolute and bridging fixation can attain good fracture union,and LCP combined with DDTL can better promote the formation of callus and facilitate the union.

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of artificial dermis on partial nail bed defects. Methods: From May 2013 to September 2016, 16 cases of 21 fingers with partial nail bed defect and bone exposure received primary repair with artificial dermis after debridement. Then the outer dressing was changed 3 days after the operation, and the dressing was changed once every 3 to 5 days. The pink dermis like tissue was placed on the wound surface 2 to 3 weeks after the operation. The wound surface was naturally epithelialized. Results: All the fingers were survived after artificial dermis repair, and the fingertip surface of nail bed defect was epithelialized naturally and healed well. Postoperative follow-up was 5 to 16 months, with an average of 8.2 months. The growth of fingernails was smooth with symmetrical appearance, natural toughness, good adhesion between the nail body and the nail bed, and no pain or hyperesthesia at the tip. Results of curative effect evaluation showed excellent in 18 fingers, good in 3 fingers. Results of patient′s satisfaction with postoperative finger appearance showed very satisfactory in 13 cases and satisfactory in 3 cases. Conclusions The method of repairing partial defect of nail bed using artificial dermis is simple with minimal damage and a good clinical effect.

Objective:To introduce a modified stent technique of nasal septal extension graft (SEG) with auricle cartilage, and to explore its effect on rhinoplasty.Methods:For 116 patients that underwent rhinoplasty, the cartilage of bilateral auricula was sutured with shell alignment and the dovetail was modified to prepare SEG stent; PTFE or silicone prosthesis was used for nasal dorsal graft. The patients were follow up for 6-18 months after surgery. A number of indicators including length of nose, tip projection, nasal tip and nasolabial angle morphology were used to assess surgical outcomes.Results:The 116 patients obtained satisfactory appearance immediately after operation. Length of nasal extension was 3-6 mm, tip projection was extended by 2-5 mm. Following up for 6-18 months showed stable effect (0.5-1.5 mm retraction) and satisfactory nose tip and nasolabial angle. The skin color was normal. No deformity occured in the ear cartilage donor area existed with no obvious scar.Conclusions:The modified SEG stent of auricle cartilage has good support and stability. It has a good effect on the slight and moderate extension of the short nose. In addition, the elevation of the nasal tip and the severe short nose of the first rhinoplasty and secondary rhinoplasty with mild contracture are also improved.

Objective:To propose a deep learning network model 2D-PE-GAN to automatically delineate the target area of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and improve the efficiency of target area delineation.Methods:The model adopted the architecture of generative adversarial networks which used a UNet similar structure as the generator, and 2D-PE-block was added after each layer of convolution operation of the generator to improve the accuracy of delineation. The experimental data included CT images from 130 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The images were preprocessed before model training. In addition, three models of UNet, GAN, and GAN with an attention mechanism were compared, and Dice similarity coefficient, Hausdorff distance, accuracy, Matthews correlation coefficient, Jaccard distance were employed to evaluate network performance.Results:Compared with UNet, GAN and GAN with the attention mechanism, the average Dice similarity coefficient of 2D-PE-GAN network segmentation of CTV was increased by 26%, 4% and 2%. The average Dice similarity coefficient of GTV segmentation was increased by 21%, 4%, 2%, respectively. Compared with the GAN network with the attention mechanism, the parameters and time of 2D-PE-GAN were reduced by 0.16% and 18%, respectively.Conclusions:Compared with the above three networks, 2D-PE-GAN network can increase the segmentation accuracy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma target area delineation. At the same time, compared with the attention mechanism with similar reasons, 2D-PE-GAN network can reduce the occupation of computing resources when the segmentation accuracy is not much different.