OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Genistein on TGF-beta1 expression and the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts, and to discuss the mechanism of the anti-fibrosis effect.

METHODSFibroblasts were derived from human hypertrophic scar tissue and cultured in vitro. Genistein in different concentrations (25, 50, 100 micromol/L) was administrated to the fibroblasts, respectively. After 48 hours of co-culture, the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA and protein were examined by RT-PCR and Western-Blot assay respectively. The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts pretreated by Genistein was determined by laser confocal scanning microscopy with or without the stimulation of bFGF.

RESULTSGenistein inhibited the expression of TGF-beta1 in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts on a concentration-dependent manner. bFGF significantly elevated the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, however its stimulating effect was remarkably alleviated when the fibroblasts were pre-treated by Genistein.

CONCLUSIONSGenistein can reduce the expression of TGF-beta1 and block the accumulation of intracellular free calcium induced by growth factors. It maybe one of the possible mechanisms of Genistein's antifibrosis effect.

Calcium ; analysis ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of 3-Dimensional (3-D) model reconstruction of penis and surrounding structures based on magnetic resonance images, which may provide the model building method for modeling surgery of individual penoplasty.

METHODSMagnetic resonance (MR) images of penis with different imaging parameters were evaluated. With the surface rendering construction, the 3D virtual model was established by Amira software.

RESULTSThe anatomical details imaging is better in T2-weighted fast spin-echo images with 3.0 mm slice thickness. The established model based on the MR images can show the soft-tissue, suspensory ligament of the penis. The suspensory ligament stretches between the pubic symphysis and the corpora cavernosa. The penile roots attach to inferior ramus of pubis.

CONCLUSIONSMR imaging provides enough anatomical information for modeling. It can be used for the development of model surgery system of individual penoplasty.

Adult ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Models, Anatomic ; Penis ; anatomy & histology

The NS1 gene of the H5N1 subtype avian influenza virus was amplified by RT-PCR, and the am-plified product was cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pCMV-Myc, then it was transfected into A549 cells. After 48 h, the expression of NS1 was detected by Western blot. Fluorescence and electron microscopy and flow cytometry showed that the NS1 gene of H5N1 avian influenza virus could induce apop-tosis in human pulmonary carcinoma cell line A549.
Annexin A5 ; analysis ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cloning, Molecular ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with residual tumor.

METHODSThe patients were classified into intervention group (with adjuvant TACE) and control group (without adjuvant TACE) who were further stratified to those with high risk (patients with single tumor > 5 cm in diameter, or with multiple tumors, invasion to blood vessels), and low risk factors. Univariate analysis and Cox model were used to analyse prognostic factors.

RESULTSIn low risk patients with residual tumor, the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-year survival rate was 97.2%, 78.0%, 66.5% and 66.5% in the intervention group, and 91.2%, 81.4%, 70.3% and 54.4% in the control group, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in survival (log-rank P = 0.7667). Comparing with the control group, the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-year survival rate was 89.5%, 73.4%, 59.2% and 53.8% in the intervention group, and 70.5%, 61.9%, 46.8% and 46.8% in the control group, respectively. Postoperative adjuvant TACE significantly prolonged the survival in high risk patients with residual tumor (P = 0.0029). Cox model revealed that the benefit of adjuvant TACE was significantly increased by the high risk factors in HCC patients with residual tumor.

CONCLUSIONThe beneficial effect of postoperative TACE was only observed in high risk patients with residual tumor but not in the low risk patients with residual tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; mortality ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Survival Rate

Objective: To introduce the construction idea and function for establishing China Cardiovascular Surgery Registry (CCSR)database and to provide a reference for domestic congener databases. Methods: Using peer database as reference, taking current status of cardiovascular surgery registry and hardware in our country with the necessity of international communication, we worked on a variables selection, metadata instruction, logic rules, case report form develpment and finally established a web-based, multi-functional database that enabled cross-database and international merging of data, forming a national intelligent data-exchanging platform for cardiovascular surgery. Results:CCSR database has over 300 variables of multiple topics including basic information, risk factors, medical procedures and endpoint events. Taking clinical and association data exchange standards as reference, it may conduct cross-discipline data connection, record important peri-operative information in relevant patients and meanwhile, it has the functions of automatic logic check, data report, statistical study, data export and importing the electronic medical records. Conclusion:CCSR database is a national platform accord with current status of Chinese cardiovascular surgery and characteristics, meanwhile it gives consideration to international communication and data exchange; which may play a important role in improving medical care and clinical investigation.

Angiopoietin-like 4 Protein ; Angiopoietins ; analysis ; blood ; urine ; Antibodies ; analysis ; blood ; urine ; Disease Progression ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Receptors, Phospholipase A2 ; immunology

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute fear stress on the spatial memory and neuronal plasticity of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons in mice, and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying mPFC plasticity and post-stress memory regulation. Male C57BL/6 mice (6 weeks old) were randomly divided into control group and stress group. Foot shock stress was applied to establish an acute fear stress model. Changes in spatial memory were examined by the Morris water maze test, and the dynamic changes in the spike encoding of pyramidal neurons and GABAergic neurons in the prelimbic cortex (PrL) and infralimbic cortex (IL) of mPFC were detected by whole-cell recording. The results showed that acute fear stress significantly enhanced the percentage of freezing and the number of freezing, reduced the average speed, decreased the escape latency during acquisition phase, extended the probing time in the first quadrant and shortened the probing time in the third quadrant during probe trial, increased inter-spike interval, energy barrier and absolute refractory period of GABAergic neurons in the PrL and pyramidal neurons in the IL, while decreased inter-spike interval, energy barrier and absolute refractory period of pyramidal neurons in the PrL and GABAergic neurons in the IL. These results suggest that acute fear stress can enhance the spatial memory of mice, elevate the excitability and function of the PrL, while deteriorate the excitability and function of the IL, and the underlying mechanism may involve the role of mPFC microcircuitry plasticity in spatial memory after stress.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Fear ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Spatial Memory

Objective: To assess the association of the FSHR Thr307Ala-Asn680Ser gene polymorphism with male infertility. METHODS: We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, and WANFANG databases for literature on the correlation of the FSHR Thr307Ala-Asn680Ser gene polymorphism with male infertility published from 2005 to the present time. According to the inclusion criteria, we included 12 epidemiological case-control studies and subjected them to a comprehensive analysis with the Stata11.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 2 893 male infertility patients and 3 312 controls were involved in the 12 studies. The Thr307Ala (rs6165) gene polymorphism was shown to be a risk factor for male infertility among the three comparison models (homozygous comparison model, hybrid comparison model and dominant comparison model), with the pooled odds ratios (OR) of 1.26 (95% CI: 1.03－1.54, P = 0.023), 1.18 (95% CI: 1.03－1.36, P = 0.018), and 1.20 (95% CI: 1.05－1.37, P = 0.006), respectively. And the Asn680Ser(rs6166) polymorphism was a risk factor for male infertility in the homozygous comparison and recessive comparison models, with the pooled ORs of 1.24, (95% CI: 1.05－1.45, P = 0.009) and 1.20 (95% CI: 1.04－1.39, P = 0.013), respectively. Layered meta-analysis showed that in the homozygous comparison model, the Thr307Ala-Asn680Ser polymorphism is a risk factor for male infertility in the white population, with the OR of 1.37 (95% CI: 1.03－1.82, P = 0.003) and 1.21 (95% CI: 1.00－1.47, P = 0.048), respectively. CONCLUSIONS In the homozygous model (GG vs AA), the FSHRThr307Ala-Asn680Ser gene polymorphism might be a protective factor against male infertility.
Case-Control Studies ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human ; genetics ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical treatment outcomes and the changes of the outcomes over time in extremely preterm twins in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 269 pairs of extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks who were admitted to the department of neonatology in 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 2008 to December 2017. According to the admission time, they were divided into two groups: 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. Besides, each pair of twins was divided into the heavier infant and the lighter infant subgroups according to birth weight. The perinatal data of mothers and hospitalization data of neonates were collected. The survival rate of twins and the incidence rate of complications were compared between the 2008-2012 and 2013-2017 groups. RESULTS: Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of severe asphyxia and smaller head circumference at birth (P<0.05). The mortality rates of both of the twins, the heavier infant of the twins, and the lighter infant of the twins were lower in the 2013-2017 group compared with the 2008-2012 group (P<0.05). Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (P-IVH), and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and a higher incidence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a significant increase in the survival rate over time in extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks in the 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province. The incidences of severe asphyxia, pulmonary hemorrhage, PDA, P-IVH, and NRDS decrease in both the heavier and lighter infants of the twins, but the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia increases. With the improvement of diagnosis and treatment, the multidisciplinary collaboration between different fields of fetal medicine including prenatal diagnosis, obstetrics, and neonatology is needed in the future to jointly develop management strategies for twin pregnancy.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

The ChatGPT, a lite and conversational variant of Generative Pretrained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) developed by OpenAI, is one of the milestone Large Language Models (LLMs) with billions of parameters. LLMs have stirred up much interest among researchers and practitioners in their impressive skills in natural language processing tasks, which profoundly impact various fields. This paper mainly discusses the future applications of LLMs in dentistry. We introduce two primary LLM deployment methods in dentistry, including automated dental diagnosis and cross-modal dental diagnosis, and examine their potential applications. Especially, equipped with a cross-modal encoder, a single LLM can manage multi-source data and conduct advanced natural language reasoning to perform complex clinical operations. We also present cases to demonstrate the potential of a fully automatic Multi-Modal LLM AI system for dentistry clinical application. While LLMs offer significant potential benefits, the challenges, such as data privacy, data quality, and model bias, need further study. Overall, LLMs have the potential to revolutionize dental diagnosis and treatment, which indicates a promising avenue for clinical application and research in dentistry.
Dentistry ; Artificial Intelligence