Objective To investigate the influence of miR-106b on Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC cells. Methods QGY-7703 and HepG2 cells were transfected with miRNA mimics or inhibitors. TOP/FOP luciferase ratio assay was used to test the Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity. The expression of downstream targeted genes of Wnt/β-catenin pathway were examined by Real-time PCR. The accumulation of β-catenin in nuclears were measured by Western blotting. Results Ectopic expression of miR-106b dramatically increased the average TOP/FOP ratio and the mRNA expression of downstream targeted genes in QGY-7703 and HepG2 cells. Compared with that in control cells , miR-106b over-expression promoted the nuclear β-catenin accumulation in QGY-7703 cells. Clonclusion MiR-106b activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC cells.

Objective:To assess the value of platelet-to-albumin ratio on overall survival(OS) and cancer specific survival(CSS) in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC).Methods:169 patients with UTUC in Qilu hospital of Shandong University from January 2006 to December 2013 were included in this study, retrospectively. 107(63.3%) were male and 62(36.7%) were female. Their age ranged from 36 to 87 years old, mean 65 years old. 73(43.2%)were less than 65 years old and 96(56.8%) were more than 65 years old. 38 patients had the history of smoking.15 patients had the history of bladder cancer. The single tumor was found in 159 cases (94.1%). 10 patients(5.9) owned more than one site of tumor. For the ECOG, 159 cases (94.1%) were 0 score and 10 cases(5.9%) were ≥1 score. The mean Platelet count was 217.0×10 9/L, ranging (68.0-772.0)×10 9/L. The average serum albumin was 42.0 g/L, ranging (27.3-52.7)g/L. The mean PAR was 5.40×10 9, ranging(0-17.31)×10 9. 147(87.0%) patients accepted radical nephroureterectomy and 22(13.0%) cases accepted segmental ureterectomy.155 cases(91.7%) used postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation. The patients were divided into two groups as low PAR or high according to the receiver operating curve (ROC)analysis of PAR. And the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess the OS and CSS and test the equivalences of the curves by log-rank tests. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were carried out using Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results:We set 6.67×10 9 was the optimal cutoff value of PAR. Therefore, the cohort was divided into 2 groups, 133(78.7%) patients had low PAR (<6.67×10 9) and 36 patients had high PAR (≥6.67×10 9). The 3-year OS and 5-year OS of high preoperative PAR group were 50.0% and 46.2%, respectively. And low preoperative PAR group were 77.6% and 66.7%, respectively. In univariate analysis, no difference was found in gender, age, tumor size, history of smoking and LVI. Meanwhile, tumor grade (G 1-2 or G 3), pathological T stage (pT a/T 1 or pT 2-4) and PAR (<6.67×10 9 or ≥6.67×10 9) were significantly associated with OS and CSS. Multivariate analysis with a Cox proportional hazards regression model were performed and showed that PAR was significantly associated with OS and CSS (OS: HR=1.850, 95% CI 1.095-3.127, P=0.022; CSS: HR=2.154, 95% CI 1. 242-3.736, P=0.006). Conclusions:Preoperative PAR is an independent prognostic factor in predicting patient with UTUC. And the platelet and serum albumin level are low cost and easy to obtain. PAR may be expected to become a biological factor to predict the prognostic factor in patients with UTUC.

Objective:To investigate the efficiency and safety of pneumatic retinopexy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).Methods:A prospective case series study. From January 2020 to December 2021, 27 eyes of 27 RRD patients in Joint Shantou International Eye Center were included. Among them, there were 10 males and 17 females; the mean age was 36.0±11.8 years old. There was recurrent retinal detachment in 4 eyes. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography were performed. According to whether the retina was successfully reattached after a single intravitreal injection, the patients were divided into a single operation group and a second operation group. All eyes underwent pneumatic retinopexy, the patients received intravitreal injection of 0.3-0.5 ml 100% C 3F 8. On the next day, laser photocoagulation was performed around the retinal breaks. The mean follow-up time was 15.0±6.0 months. Outcome measures included single operation success rate, the BCVA at the last follow up and complications. The age, gender, extent of retinal detachment, number of retinal breaks, and preoperative and postoperative BCVA of patients in the single operation group and the second operation group were compared using Mann-Whiteney test or Fisher's exact test. Results:Twenty of the 27 eyes (74.1%, 20/27) had retinal reattachment after single operation, 7 of the 27 eyes (25.9%, 7/27) had retinal reattachment after the second operation. Among the 7 eyes, retinal detachment recurrence after operation, retinal detachment recurrence after tear opening, and retinal detachment recurrence with new tears occurred in 1, 4, and 2 eyes, respectively; retinas were all reattached after scleral buckling or vitrectomy. The BCVA was stable and improved in 14 and 13 eyes, respectively. Compared with the single operation group, the retinal detachment in the second operation group was wider and the BCVA before operation was worse, the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.842,-2.233; P<0.05). Transient intraocular pressure elevation occurred in 5 eyes; no complications such as infectious endophthalmitis, intraocular hemorrhage and lens damage occurred. Conclusion:Pneumatic retinopexy is safe and effective in the treatment of RRD.

Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of microRNA-124(miR-124)and microRNA-1976(miR-1976)in the serum of patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods:A total of 58 patients with PD were selected from September 2020 to June 2022 and categorized as the PD group.The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS)score was used to divide the PD patients into two groups: those with a UPDRS score≤60(25 patients)and those with a UPDRS score >60(33 patients). The Hoehn-Yahr grading scale was used to grade the PD patients.Additionally, 30 healthy individuals who had undergone a physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.After collecting the subjects' serum, we performed real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)to detect the expressions of miR-124 and miR-1976 in the serum.Logistic regression analysis was employed to analyze the influencing factors, and the diagnostic significance of serum miR-124 and miR-1976 in PD patients was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.To predict the target genes of miR-1976, we utilized several software including TargetScan and Mirtarbase.Results:Compared to the control group, the PD group showed a significant down-regulation of serum miR-124 expression[(1.49±0.36) vs.(1.02±0.32)]( t=8.85, P<0.001), while miR-1976 expression was sharply up-regulated[(0.98±0.30) vs.(1.33±0.37)]( t=6.92, P<0.001). The low expression of serum miR-124 and the overexpression of miR-1976 were identified as independent risk factors for PD( OR>1, P<0.05). The Hoehn-Yahr rating of PD patients with a UPDRS score above 60 was higher than that of patients with a UPDRS score below 60[(3.42 ± 0.73) vs.(2.16 ± 0.42)]( t=3.05, P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum miR-124 and miR-1976 expression between groups with different UPDRS scores[miR-124: (1.09±0.26) vs.(0.98±0.38)( t=0.89, P>0.05); miR-1976: (1.42±0.43) vs.(1.23±0.68)( t=0.62, P>0.05)]. The ROC analysis results demonstrated that miR-124 and miR-1976 had area under the curve(AUC)values of 0.832 and 0.797, respectively, in diagnosing PD.The corresponding cutoff values were 1.205 and 1.196, respectively.The sensitivity for miR-124 was 74.1%, while for miR-1976 it was 51.8%.The specificity for miR-124 was 77.8%, and for miR-1976 it was 90.1%.When both miR-124 and miR-1976 were combined in the diagnosis of PD, the AUC was 0.912, with a sensitivity of 76.4% and a specificity of 93.2%.Furthermore, it was found that miR-1976 targeted the PINK1 gene, suggesting its potential as a target gene in PD. Conclusions:The expression of miR-124 was found to be decreased in PD patients, while the expression of miR-1976 was increased.Both miR-124 and miR-1976 showed some reference value in PD diagnosis, and their combined diagnostic value was higher.This suggests that further study on their significance is warranted.However, it should be noted that the expressions of miR-124 and miR-1976 were not found to be correlated with the UPDRS score of PD patients.

Objective To develop an innovative device for endothelial cell culture in vitro, namely, to develop a vascular endothelial cell culture device based on hemodynamic environment, so as to introduce the development and experimental study of endothelial cell culture device in vitro. Methods A device of dynamic culture system for endothelial cells in vitro on the basis of the existing research was designed with the theory and method of hemodynamics. The shear stress, positive stress and tensile stress existed at the same time in the flow environment. The development and experimental research of the device were described in detail from 5 aspects, such as the development background, structure and composition, design principle, theoretical basis and experimental research. Results The device could accurately simulate the hemodynamic environment of endothelial cells at normal level, with precise control of shear stress in 0-12 Pa range, positive stress in 0-15.96 kPa range, and tensile stress in 0-0.5 MPa range. Conclusions The device can provide a hemodynamic environment which is closer to the physiological conditions of human body, as well as a more ideal experimental environment and means for further exploring the mechanism of vascular intimal injury.

Objective To explore the effect of vascular stress changes on endothelial function recovery and vascular restenosis inhibition in dynamic degradation process of the degradable stent. Methods The material parameters of the hyper-elastic vascular constitutive relationship was fitted, and the stress distribution on the intima of the blood vessel before stent implantation and during dynamic degradation was calculated by numerical simulation. In vitro culture experiments were carried out, and the stretch ratios of the silicon chambers were 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively, to simulate the mechanical environment at different degradation stages, and to explore the effects of different stretch ratios on growth state of the endothelial cells （ECs）. Results After the stent was completely degraded, the circumferential intimal stress and strain of the vessel were restored to 0.137 MPa and 5.5%, which were close to the physiological parameters (0.122 MPa, 4.8%) before stent implantation. In vitro experiments showed that the survival rate of ECs was the highest under the condition of 0.1 MPa circumferential stress and 5% strain, and adhesion growth could be achieved. Conclusions With the occurrence of stent degradation process, the circumferential stress and strain of the intima were restored to a range close to physiological parameters, which promoted the growth of ECs. The recovery of intimal function could effectively inhibit the process of vascular restenosis. The results can provide the theoretical basis and experimental platform for studying coronary intervention for the treatment of vascular restenosis.

BACKGROUNDChinese dietary reference intakes for calcium are largely based on foreign studies. We undertook meta-regression to estimate calcium requirements for Chinese adults derived from calcium balance data in Chinese adults.

METHODSWe searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and SinoMed from inception to March 5, 2014, by using a structured search strategy. The bibliographies of any relevant papers and journals were also screened for potentially eligible studies. We extracted a standardized data set from studies in Chinese adults that reported calcium balance data. The relationship between calcium intake and output was examined by an individual participant data (IPD) and aggregate data (AD) meta-regression.

RESULTSWe identified 11 metabolic studies in Chinese adults within 18-60 years of age. One hundred and forty-one IPD (n = 35) expressed as mg/d, 127 IPD (n = 32) expressed as mg×kg body wt(-1)×d(-1), and 44 AD (n = 132) expressed as mg/d were collected. The models predicted a neutral calcium balance (defined as calcium output (Y) equal to calcium intake (C)) at intakes of 460 mg/d (Y = 0.60C+183.98) and 8.27 mg×kg body wt(-1)×d(-1) (Y = 0.60C+3.33) for IPD, or 409 mg/d (Y = 0.66C+139.00) for AD. Calcium requirements at upper intakes were higher than that at lower intakes in all these models.

CONCLUSIONCalcium requirement for Chinese adults 18-60 years of age approximately ranges between 400 mg/d and 500 mg/d when consuming traditional plant-based Chinese diets.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is the most common thyroid dysfunction, and its relationship with blood pressure (BP) has been controversial. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between SCH and newly-diagnosed hypertension. Methods: Based on data from the Thyroid disease, Iodine nutrition and Diabetes Epidemiology (TIDE) study, 49,433 euthyroid individuals and 7,719 SCH patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled. Patients with a history of hypertension or thyroid disease were excluded. SCH was determined by manufacturer reference range. Overall hypertension and stage 1 and 2 hypertension were diagnosed according to the guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2017. Results: The prevalence of overall hypertension (48.7%), including stage 1 (28.9%) and 2 (19.8%) hypertension, increased significantly in SCH patients compared with euthyroid subjects. With elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level, the hypertension prevalence also increased significantly from the euthyroid to different SCH subgroups, which was more profound in females or subjects aged <65 years. The age- and sex-specific regression analysis further demonstrated the same trends in the general population and in the 1:1 propensity matched population. Similarly, several BP components (i.e., systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP) were positively associated with TSH elevation, and regression analysis also confirmed that all BP components were closely related with SCH in female subjects aged <65 years. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension increases for patients with SCH. SCH tends to be associated with hypertension and BP components in females younger than 65 years.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is the most common thyroid dysfunction, and its relationship with blood pressure (BP) has been controversial. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between SCH and newly-diagnosed hypertension. Methods: Based on data from the Thyroid disease, Iodine nutrition and Diabetes Epidemiology (TIDE) study, 49,433 euthyroid individuals and 7,719 SCH patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled. Patients with a history of hypertension or thyroid disease were excluded. SCH was determined by manufacturer reference range. Overall hypertension and stage 1 and 2 hypertension were diagnosed according to the guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2017. Results: The prevalence of overall hypertension (48.7%), including stage 1 (28.9%) and 2 (19.8%) hypertension, increased significantly in SCH patients compared with euthyroid subjects. With elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level, the hypertension prevalence also increased significantly from the euthyroid to different SCH subgroups, which was more profound in females or subjects aged <65 years. The age- and sex-specific regression analysis further demonstrated the same trends in the general population and in the 1:1 propensity matched population. Similarly, several BP components (i.e., systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP) were positively associated with TSH elevation, and regression analysis also confirmed that all BP components were closely related with SCH in female subjects aged <65 years. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension increases for patients with SCH. SCH tends to be associated with hypertension and BP components in females younger than 65 years.

Both feature representation and classifier performance are important factors that determine the performance of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems. In order to improve the performance of ultrasound-based CAD for breast cancers, a novel multiple empirical kernel mapping (MEKM) exclusivity regularized machine (ERM) ensemble classifier algorithm based on self-paced learning (SPL) is proposed, which simultaneously promotes the performance of both feature representation and the classifier. The proposed algorithm first generates multiple groups of features by MEKM to enhance the ability of feature representation, which also work as the kernel transform in multiple support vector machines embedded in ERM. The SPL strategy is then adopted to adaptively select samples from easy to hard so as to gradually train the ERM classifier model with improved performance. This algorithm is verified on a B-mode ultrasound dataset and an elastography ultrasound dataset, respectively. The results show that the classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity on B-mode ultrasound are (86.36±6.45)%, (88.15±7.12)%, and (84.52±9.38)%, respectively, and the classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity on elastography ultrasound are (85.97±3.75)%, (85.93±6.09)%, and (86.03±5.88)%, respectively. It indicates that the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the performance of ultrasound-based CAD for breast cancers with the potential for application.
Algorithms ; Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Computers ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; Humans ; Support Vector Machine ; Ultrasonography