Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of dementia diseases mainly characterized by progressive mental-behavioral abnormalities, executive dysfunction, and language impairment. A small number of FTD patients also present with movement disorders at certain disease course. Here the clinical and multimodal positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging manifestations in a patient with frontotemporal lobe dementia and parkinsonian syndrome are reported. 18F-fluorodopa PET showed reduced uptake in the head of the caudate nucleus. 18F-AV-45 PET showed negative amyloid deposition. 18F-AV-1451 PET showed tau deposition in the neocortex. The clinical and neuroimaging features support the underlying frontotemporal lobar degeneration-tau pathology.

Objective To explore the application and early efficacy of modified Veil nerve-sparing technique during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(LRP).Methods Fifty-seven modified Veil nerve-sparing during LRP procedures were performed in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer between 2012 and 2016 by the same surgeon.Preoperative PSA level was 10.9 μg/ml,and Gleason score was 6.06(5-8).TNM clinical stage showed cT1 in 39 cases and cT2in 18 cases.All patients underwent transrectal ultrasonography before operation. Prostate volume was 40.2 (26- 99) ml. ECT bone scan excluded bone metastasis.MRI or CT examination showed no obvious prostate invasion and lymph node metastasis. The key technology was anatomical separation of detrusor apron, dorsal vascular complex (DVC) and the level between the prostate capsule, and a complete reservation was accomplished. Measurements: the rates and location of positive surgical margins (PSM) and tumor biochemical recurrence rate as well as functional outcomes were presented.Questionnaires were used to assess urine function and IIEF-5 score was used to estimate sexual function.Results Fifty-seven cases were followed up,and the average follow-up of 27.3(6-65)months.Five cases showed biochemical recurrence after 23 months.Five patients had a PSM(2 patients in apical margins,1 patient in left side,1 patient in right side and 1 patient in the bottom).At catheter removal,49 of 57 patients(86%)were dry(0 pads),and 8 of 57 patients(14%)needed one security pad.After 3 months and 6 months,42%(24 of 57 patients)and 60%(34 of 57 patients)presented an International Index of Erectile Function score>15(with or without phospho-diesterasetype-5inhibitors). Conclusions The modified Veil nerve-sparing technique during LRP can retain the fascia around the prostate more completely and restore postoperative urine and erectile function early.For selective cases, it will not increase the positive rate of surgical margins and biochemical recurrence rate.

Objective To investigate the relationship between nucleotide excision repair cross-complementing (ERCC) gene polymorphisms [single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites: rs11615, rs13181, rs238406, rs6498486, rs17655] and susceptibility to endemic arsenic poisoning. Methods The study recruited 848 subjects, including 348 cases and 500 controls, from populations exposed to high arsenic levels through drinking water in northwest China, and 3 - 5 ml venous blood was collected. The genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques(PCR-RFLP). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of genotypes with endemic arsenic poisoning. Results The polymorphisms of rs11615 (ERCC1), rs238406 (ERCC2), rs6498486 (ERCC4) and rs17655 (ERCC5) and endemic arsenic poisoning were not related(P > 0.05). Participants who carried the CC genotype or at least one C allele for the ERCC2 rs13181 had an increased risk of endemic arsenic poisoning[OR(95%CI)=1.63(1.13,2.34),1.64(1.14,2.34)]compared with wild type homozygous individuals. Conculsions There is no positive correlation between the polymorphisms of ERCC1 rs11615, ERCC2 rs238406, ERCC4 rs6498486, ERCC5 rs17655 and endemic arsenic poisoning. ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphism increases the risk of endemic arsenic poisoning.

Objective To explore the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus rs1058587,rs1059519 and rs1059369 polymorphisms of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15)gene and susceptibility to chronic Keshan disease in Gansu Province.Methods Using the case-control study method,56 individuals with chronic Keshan disease were taken as case group,and 53 individuals without chronic Keshan disease from the same villages were selected as control group in Gansu Keshan disease areas,venous blood samples were collected,and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA) was used for anticoagulation,and the samples were sent for gene sequencing.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the influence of genotypes of rs1058587,rs1059519 and rs1059369 on the prevalence of chronic Keshan disease,and the risk factors for disease were expressed as odds ratio (OR).Results The age of the 56 patients in the case group was (60.93 + 21.99) years old,15 males and 41 females;the age of the 53 residents in control group was (47.49-+ 33.61) years old,26 males and 27 females.There was no significant difference in age between the two groups (t =46.16,P ＞ 0.05);the difference in gender was statistically significant (x2=5.76,P ＜ 0.05).The differences of allele frequencies of case group and control group rs1058587 (C:36.6％,32.1％,G:63.4％,67.9％),rs1059369 (A:61.6％,72.6％,T:38.4％,27.4％) between the two groups were not significantly different (x2 =0.50,3.00,P ＞ 0.05);the differences of allele frequencies of GDF-15 rs1059319 (C:25.0％,40.6％,G:75.0％,59.4％) between the two groups were significantly different (x2 =6.01,P ＜ 0.05).The genotype frequency distribution of GDF-15 gene rs1058587,rs1059519 and rs1059369 in the case group and the control group was not significantly different between the groups (P ＞ 0.05).However,in the case group,the mutant GG frequency of rs1059519 locus was higher than wild type CC (x2 =5.33,P ＜ 0.05).In multivariate logistic regression analysis,women were 3.81 times more likely to suffer from chronic Keshan disease than men,and people aged 45 or older were 5.30 times more likely to suffer from chronic Keshan disease than those younger than 45.The heterozygous and mutant types of GDF-15 gene rs1058587 and rs1059369 were compared with wild type,and the difference was not statistically significant (ORrs1058587 =0.46,0.50,ORrs1059369 =1.30,2.59,P ＞ 0.05);there was no significant difference between the heterozygous type of GDF-15 gene rs1059519 and wild type (OR =3.34,P ＞ 0.05),and the difference between the mutant and wild type was statistically significant (OR =8.58,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions In this study,we find women of the study population are more likely to have chronic Keshan disease than men,and aged≥45 is a risk factor for chronic Keshan disease.Genetic polymorphisms of GDF-15 gene rs1058587,rs1059369 are not associated with susceptibility to chronic Keshan disease,and a certain correlation between genetic polymorphism of rs1059519 locus and susceptibility to chronic Keshan disease.

Objective To describe a novel pubovesical complex preserving technique for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and to evaluate its postoperative outcomes.Methods From January 2011 to May 2017,168 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively.Their mean age were 62.8 (46-74) years,preoperative PSA 11.3ng/ml,Gleason score 6.7,preoperative prostate volume 46.5 ml.They all got preoperative potency (IIEF-5 score ≥ 15 score).TNM clinical stage:cT1 123 cases,45 cases cT2.There were 59 patients with pubovesical complex preserving technique for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (group A):without pelvic fascia cut and deep vein complex suture.The preservation of the periprostatic anatomy was kept by preserving the pubovesical complex,including detrusor apron with pubovesical ligaments,DVC and NVB.There were 46 patients with conventional intrafascial laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (group B) and 63 patients with interfascial laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(group C).No differences were found between the three groups in terms of preoperative age,clinical staging,prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values,Gleason score at biopsy and preoperative good potency (IIEF-5 score)(P ＞0.05).Continence was defined as zero to one security pad per day.The three groups were compared for perioperative variables,PSM (positive surgical margin,PSM)rate,postoperative urinary continence functional and potency (IIEF-5 score).Biochemical recurrence-free survival was by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank.Results No differences were found in the three groups in terms of operative times,blood loss,catheterization time and postoperative stay and histologic status (PSM was similar to that of the groups (8.5％ in group A,13.0％ in group B vs.11.1％ in group C).Urinary incontinence:group A,the continence rate was 71％,82％,92％ and 100％ at 1,3 and 6 months after catheter removal,respectively;group B,the continence rate was 63％,80％,89％ and 96％ respectively;group C,it was 24％,54％,79％ and 86％ respectively.The group A showed a significantly earlier recovery from incontinence compared with that in the group C at immediately after catheter removal and 1 month after catheter remove (x2 =27.47,P ＜ 0.001;x2 =15.20,P ＜ 0.01).The group B showed a significantly earlier recovery from incontinence compared with that in the group C at immediately after catheter removal and 1 month,(x2 =17.00,P ＜ 0.01;x2 =8.20,P ＜ 0.05).No differences were found between the A and B groups at immediately after catheter removal and 1 month,(P ＞ 0.05).Regarding sexual function,at the postoperative 1,3,6 months,median IIEF-score was 10,11,16 in the group A,respectively,8,9,13 in the group B respectively,and 7,8,12 in the group C respectively.No differences were found in the three groups in potency (IIEF-5 score).Baseline IIEF-score was reached by 53％,35％ and 21％ at postoperative 6 months.There were significant differences between the A and the C groups.(x2 =13.45,P ＜0.01).There were no significant differences between the A and the B groups.(x2 =3.30,P ＞ 0.05).Follow-up was 31.6 (6-69) months.Biochemical recurrence-free survival at 3 years was 79.3％,76.3％ and 76.4％ by A,B and C group,respectively.Conclusions The pubovesical complex preserving technique for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy provides early recovery from incontinence,faster recovery of sexual function preoperative levels.

To investigate the effects of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus on airway remodeling and matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9), tissue inhibitor-1 of metalloproteinase(TIMP-1) of a murine asthma model, and explore its mechanism in treatment of asthma. BALB/C murines were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, high dose group, low dose group, and positive control group. Except for the normal group, all the other groups received ovalbumin(OVA) to establish murine asthma model. After successful modeling, the murines in high dose group and low dose group were orally administered with Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus powder at the dose of 18.0 mg•kg⁻¹ and 9.0 mg•kg⁻¹, respectively; the murines in positive control group were injected intraperitoneally with dexamethasone at the dose of 0.5 mg•kg⁻¹; while the murines in normal group and the model group were orally administered with the same volume of normal saline. All the drugs were given to murines per day for 28 d. The variations of airway responsiveness, variations of the total cell count and leukocyte differential count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), and the variations of thicknesses of bronchial wall and airway smooth muscle of each group were observed. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured by ELISA; and the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that as compared with the normal group, the airway responsiveness, the count of total cells, neutrophils, macrophage, lymphocytes, eosinophils in BALF, and the thicknesses of bronchial wall and airway smooth muscle were increased significantly in the model group(P<0.01); as compared with the model group, the above indicators were decreased significantly in the high dose group, low dose group and positive control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). As compared with the normal group, the levels and expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA were increased significantly in the model group(P<0.01); while as compared with the model group, these levels were decreased significantly in the high dose group, low dose group and positive control group(P<0.01). In conclusion, Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus can improve airway remodeling in a murine asthma model, and its mechanisms may be related to down-regulating MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels.