Objective To observe the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) of different intensities on the biomechanical properties of the femur in ovariectomized rats so as to determine the intensity for the best therapeutic efficacy. Methods Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into (1) a sham-operated control group (no PEMF treatment) , (2) ovariectomized control group (no PEMF treatment) (3) ovariectomized group Ⅰ (PEMF treatment at 8 Hz and 0.77 mT intensity, 40 min daily for 30 days) (4) ovariectomized group Ⅱ (PEMF treatment at 8 Hz and 3.82 mT intensity, 40 min daily for 30 days) and (5) ovariectomized group Ⅲ( PEMF treatment at 8 Hz and 9.87 mT intensity, 40 min daily for 30 days). Except for the 10 rats of the sham-operated control group, all the others received a standard ovariectomy. Serum estradiol (E2) and the biomechanical properties of one femur (peak load, maximum displacement, maximum energy absorption, maximum stress, maximum strain and modulus of elasticity) were assessed after 30 days of PEMF treatment. Results In group Ⅱ the biomechanical properties of the femur were significantly better than in group Ⅰ or the ovariectomized control group. In groups Ⅰ and Ⅲ the biomechanical properties of the femur were not significantly better than in the sham-operated group. In group Ⅱ the biomechanical properties of the femur were significantly better than in groups Ⅰ or Ⅲ. Conclusion PEMFs at 3.82 mT can improve the biomechanical properties of the femur significantly.

Objective:To explore the expression of C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP2) in human esophageal carcinoma and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters and survival. Methods:The expression levels of CtBP2 in eight cases of fresh frozen specimens of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the adjacent esophageal tissues were detected by Western blot. Immuno-histochemistry was used to detect CtBP2 expression in 90 samples of ESCC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Based on patient in-formation and follow-up data, the correlation of CtBP2 expression with patients' clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival was further evaluated using Fisher's exact test and Kaplan-Meier method, respectively. Results: Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that CtBP2 expression in tumor tissues was higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues. CtBP2 expression was significantly correlated with histologic grade (P=0.002) and depth (P=0.032). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that high CtBP2 ex-pression was correlated with a short survival time. Conclusion:CtBP2 expression was upregulated in ESCC tissues, indicating that it may play a role in the oncogenesis and development of ESCC.

Previous case-control studies have shown various degrees of inverse correlation between osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between osteophytes at the cervical , lumbar vertebrae and knee, and the bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine. We analyzed the data on 4091 female patients (aged 13 to 92 years). Osteophyte was defined by X ray examination. BMD of the lumbar spine (LS) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar DPX). The association of osteophytes with BMD and osteophytes at different sites and different degrees were assessed by covariance analysis. Adjustments were made for age and body mass index. The relationship between osteophytes and BMD was analyzed by Binary Logistic Regression. BMD at each site was greater in the female with osteophytes (L4 BMD: P < 0.01, Mean BMD: P < 0.05); the relationship between osteophytes and osteoporosis and that between duration of osteophytes and osteoporosis were inversely correlated (P < 0.01). It confirms the existence of an inverse relationship between osteophytes and OP while a positive relationship is between age, body mass index and osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Osteophyte ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective:To evaluate the correlation between endemic arsenic poisoning and abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG).Methods:PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data, VIP and other databases were used for literature retrieval, and epidemiological literatures related to abnormal ECG of endemic arsenic poisoning published in domestic and abroad were included in the study. The time limit was from the establishment of the database to December 1, 2020. RevMan 5.3 was used for Meta-analysis of binary variables. Random effect model was selected according to the results of heterogeneity, and odds ratio ( OR) was used as the effect index. Characteristic changes were found by subgroup analysis. Bias was published by funnel plot. Results:Nine articles were included in this Meta-analysis, with 6 articles in Chinese and 3 articles in English, respectively. The abnormal ECG changes included QTc prolongation, ST-T segment change, left axis deviation and arrhythmia. Finally, 1 975 cases were included in the exposure group, including 575 cases of abnormal ECG; 750 cases of control group, including 145 cases of abnormal ECG. Meta-analysis showed that the combined OR value [95% confidence interval ( CI)] of abnormal ECG changes was 4.41 (2.83 - 6.87), with statistical significance between the two groups ( Z = 6.56, P < 0.05); the results of subgroup analysis showed that the combined OR values (95% CI) of QTc prolongation, ST-T segment change, left axis deviation and arrhythmia were 12.30 (5.91 - 25.59), 2.74 (1.39 - 5.41), 2.93 (0.89 - 9.62) and 4.13 (2.38 - 7.17), respectively. Conclusions:Endemic arsenic poisoning may cause abnormal ECG. Prolongation of QTc caused by arsenic exposure may be the characteristic change of abnormal ECG.

Objective: The purpose of this review of COVID-19 related research is to deepen our understanding of SARS-CoV-2, which would be inspire new ideas for targeted drug development and vaccine design, and further empower the prevention and control COVID-19. Methods: Through literature research and data analysis, we explored the process and mechanism of epitranscriptomics modification to regulate the replication and infectivity of COVID-19. Results: Provide important ideas and technical support for the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 infections and emerging epidemic diseases. Conclusions Taking the new research direction of epitranscriptomics as the starting point, it is expected to open up new scientific research concepts and paradigms.

Over 17 and 160 types of chemical modifications have been identified in DNA and RNA, respectively. The interest in understanding the various biological functions of DNA and RNA modifications has lead to the cutting-edged fields of epigenomics and epitranscriptomics. Developing chemical and biological tools to detect specific modifications in the genome or transcriptome has greatly facilitated their study. Here, we review the recent technological advances in this rapidly evolving field. We focus on high-throughput detection methods and biological findings for these modifications, and discuss questions to be addressed as well. We also summarize third-generation sequencing methods, which enable long-read and single-molecule sequencing of DNA and RNA modification.
Animals ; DNA/metabolism* ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Epigenomics ; Humans ; RNA/metabolism* ; Transcriptome