Objective To explore changes of functional connectivity of primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) using resting-state fMRI. Methods Resting-state fMRI was performed in 33 patients with CSM (CSM group) and 23 healthy volunteers (control group). Bilateral S1 were divided into 6 sensory sub-regions (finger, hand, leg, chest, back, face) as the ROI. ROI signals were extracted and analyzed based on the correlation of voxel levels with other brain regions, the functional connection coefficient was obtained, and the functional connection map was constructed. The brain functional connectivity between CSM group and control group were compared with two-sample t test. The correlation between the functional connectivity values of the differential brain regions and the clinical functional scale scores were analyzed. Results Compared with control group, the functional sub-region of the left hand of S1 in CSM group reduced with the left angular gyrus, the left inferior temporal gyrus and the right middle temporal gyrus in the resting state, while the function connection of S1 left leg sensory sub-region and left angular gyrus also reduced. S1 right chest sensory sub-region of CSM group showed significantly decreased functional connectivity with the bilateral angular gyrus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, left medial superior frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus/inferior temporal gyrus and right cerebellum posterior lobe. The functional connection between S1 right leg sensory sub-region and the left angular gyrus reduced (P<0.05, FDR correction). The functional connectivity between S1 left hand sensory sub-region and the left angular gyrus negatively correlated with neck disability index scores (NDI; r=-0.377, P=0.031), while the functional connectivity value of S1 left hand sensory sub-region and left inferior temporal gyrus positively correlated with the upper extremity sensation of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score (r=0.353, P=0.044).The functional connectivity value of S1 right leg sensory sub-region and the left angular gyrus also showed significantly positive correlation with the lower extremity sensation JOA scores (r=0.406, P=0.019). Conclusion The abnormalities in functional connectivity of sensorimotor exist in CSM patients, indicating cortical reorganization in CSM patients.

Nitrogen source is one of the important factors that affect the microalgae growth and lipid accumulation. We studied the effects of various nitrogen sources (i.e. NaNO3, CO(NH2)2, NH4Cl and CH3COONH4) and amount on the growth density, lipid yield, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content of Nannochloropsis oculata by single factor experimental method. The results show that N. oculata preferred NH4+ as nitrogen source rather than NO3- and CO(NH2)2. NH4+ could promote the growth and lipid accumulation of N. oculata. With the increase of nitrogen concentration, the biomass and the content of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) increased, but the content of lipid decreased. CH3COONH4 was the most suitable for growth, accumulation of lipid and EPA of N. oculata among the four investigated nitrogen sources. The optimal concentration was 5.29 mmol/L.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; metabolism ; Lipids ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; Microalgae ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Nitrogen ; analysis ; metabolism ; Stramenopiles ; growth & development ; metabolism

The shape characteristics of breast mass in digital mammograms are important clues in discriminating malignant and benign tumors. To provide more valuable information from the breast mass for radiologist, an enhanced mass segment method is presented. A new region growing with some parameters can be used to segment the mass region effectively. Moreover, the feature of the mass edge is well kept.
Algorithms ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Mammography ; methods ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; methods ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; methods

OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the role and mechanism of calcineurin (CaN)-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway in the myoblast apoptosis induced by cyclic tensile strain.

METHODSMyoblasts were cultured using an in vitro-mechanical stimulation model and imposed with tension for different hours with a multi-channel cell stress loading system. Cyclosporine (CsA) was used as CaN inhibitor to clarify the role of CaN in the apoptosis induced by cyclic stress. Hochest 33258 staining and flow cytometry detection were performed to detect the apoptotic cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect the mRNA expression of CaN and NFAT. Protein levels of NFAT3 were evaluated by Western blot.

RESULTSThe apoptosis rate increased with the extension of loading time. The mRNA expression of the CaN subunits, CnA and CnB, and the protein levels of NFAT3 also increased. When the myoblasts were incubated with CsA, the apoptosis rate decreased, the mRNA expression of CnA and NFAT3 significantly decreased, and the NFAT3 protein expression levels became significantly lower than those of the groups without CsA.

CONCLUSIONContinuous cyclic tensile stress can induce myoblast apoptosis. The CaN-NFAT signaling pathway may be involved in the cyclic stretch-induced apoptosis of myoblasts.

Apoptosis ; Calcineurin ; genetics ; Cyclosporine ; Flow Cytometry ; Myoblasts ; physiology ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND:Endoplasmic reticulum stress participates in the occurrence and development of many diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. GRP78 is a marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress. The expression of GRP78 reflects the degree of endoplasmic reticulum stress.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of cyclic stretch on GRP78 expression of L6 rat myoblasts, and to identify the relationship between cyclic stretch and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
METHODS:In vitro culture-tensile stimulation models of myoblasts of L6 rats were established successful y. The expression of GRP78 of myoblasts exposed to cyclic stretch was determined by reverse transcription-PCR and western blot assay. Stretch groups were subjected to 15%surface elongation at a frequency of 10 cycles per minute, over a period of 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours. cells were simultaneously seeded on a plate in the control and experimental groups with no stimulation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression of GRP78 mRNA was continuously elevated over time after stretched treatment, and significant differences were detected as compared with the control group (P<0.05). GRP78 protein expression began to increase at 1 hour after stretched treatment, was significantly increased at 6 hours, peaked at 24 hours, and significant differences were visible as compared with the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, cyclic stretch induced the occurrence of endoplasmic reticulum stress, which was enhanced with prolonged time. However, prolonged stretch caused severe endoplasmic reticulum stress and leaded to apoptosis of myoblasts.

BACKGROUND:The adaptive reconstruction of maxil ofacial muscles would happen when functional orthopedic treatment is done to cure micromaxil ary deformity. The myoblast is the main responder in the process of adaptive reconstruction, and cyclic stretch can induce apoptosis of myoblasts. Caspase-9 is an important factor in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of Caspase-9 in different cyclic stretch.
METHODS:Based on myoblasts cultured in vitro-mechanical stimulation model, the rat L6 myoblasts were loaded stretch for 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours through multi-channel cellstress loading system, while the control group received no stretch. The morphological change and growth of myoblasts were observed under inverted phase contrast microscope;the expression of the mRNA and protein of Caspase-9 were detected by RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under inverted phase contrast microscope, the rat L6 myoblasts at cyclic stretch maintained a good growth state and biological characteristics;there was no celldegeneration;and the loss rate was extremely low, which could demonstrate that myoblast in vitro-mechanical stimulation model was established successful y. The results of RT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that, the expression of Caspase-9 mRNA and Cleaved Caspase-9 protein was significantly increased as the loading time prolonged, and the expression of Procaspase-9 protein was significantly decreased as the time. We can conclude that Caspase-9 is involved in the mechanical signal transduction of cyclic stretch.

Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pleural Cavity ; pathology

Objective: To explore the correlation between menopausal hormone therapy（MHT）and breast lesions in perimenopausal women,and to provide evidence for safe use of MHT. Methods: The 40-60 year-old women who visited Hangzhou Women's Hospital and met the diagnostic criteria for perimenopausal syndrome were recruited. The intervention group received MHT and was divided into three subgroups according to the MHT regimen：estrogen-progesterone cycle therapy（A）,estrogen-progesterone continuous therapy（B）,estrogen therapy（C）. The control group did not receive MHT. All the patients received regular mammography to quantify and evaluate breast lesions. The generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the changes of breast lesions between different groups. Results: There were 80 cases in the intervention group,with 49 in group A,26 in group B,5 in group C,and 80 cases in the control group. After two years of follow-up,there was no statistically significant differences of time,group and interaction in breast density,volume of breast fibrous tissue and the volume of breast between three intervention groups and the control group（P>0.05）; there was no statistically significant differences of group and interaction in positive rate of calcification and breast mass between the intervention group and the control group（P>0.05）. Conclusion Receiving MHT intervention for two years did not increase the risk of breast lesions.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood, which seriously affects physical and mental health in children.Its etiology and pathogenesis are complex and have not been fully elucidated.Currently, the theory of Dopamine (DA) deficits has been widely recognized and studied in the international academic community.The DA system is considered as the key to the pathogenesis of ADHD.The causes of DA deficits are complex.In addition to the well-established reuptake disorder caused by abnormal DA transporter function, DA deficits are also associated with the activation of DA vesicle cycle enzymatic inactivation, vesicle transport dysfunction, and receptor dysfunction, which are of great significance in analyzing disease pathogenesis and drug development.This article reviews the research on the causes of DA deficits proposed in recent years based on the theory of DA deficits, aiming to provide ideas and references for the research on the pathogenesis of ADHD in China.

The concept of "virus sovereignty" proposed by Indonesia in 2007 challenges the international tradition of virus sharing. In the context of the global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, the issue of virus sharing has become an important topic in the reform of the global health governance mechanisms. Virus sharing is an important guarantee of dealing with major global infectious diseases. However, the emergence of the concept of "virus sovereignty" shows that there are defects in the operation of virus sharing mechanism in the international community. The "virus sovereignty" problem is an ethical issue essentially, involving asymmetric interests hindering unity and cooperation, intellectual property rights expansion challenging the principle of solidarity, and excessive self-defense amplifying utility risks. "Community of common health for mankind" provides a constructive and feasible option to solve the dilemma of "virus sovereignty".