Neural stem cells in brains have capacities of proliferation and differentiation, which is very critical to rebuild the cerebral cortex functions. Therefore, it is of great importance to find key targets and network pathways that regulate the proliferation of neural stem cells, which is also a pressing problem in the medical circle. With the Notch pathway as the core of the network, this paper summarized the advance of the bimolecular network system composed of Wnt, Shh, EGFR, cytokines and Notch signal, and analyzed such key nodes as Notch receptor, CBF1, NICD, Hesl, which may become potential targets of new-type drugs in the future. With the multi-component, multi-target, multi-lever characteristics, traditional Chinese medicines have many common grounds with the network pharmacology. The active component groups or active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicines are one of the material bases for showing their network pharmacological effect, which is worth exploring. This paper aims to provide a new strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease and nerve injury with traditional Chinese medicines.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Systems Biology

JAK/STAT is a pleiotropic signal transduction pathway with functions of regulating proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in the cell. Recent research has shown that it plays an important role in embryonic development, brain tumors, cerebral ischemia and neural stem cell(NSC) proliferation process after brain injuries. Notch signaling pathway exists in all known animal cells, and it is a classic signaling pathway in the regulation of NSC proliferation and differentiation. Under the guidance of the network pharmacology, this article casts light on the crosstalk between JAK/STAT and Notch signal pathway in NSC proliferation, with the aim to provide basic theoretical supports in the research of drugs with the effectiveness of neuroprotection and NSC regulation after cerebral ischemia.

BACKGROUNDDiffusion weighted imaging with background suppression (DWIBS) is potentially useful in detecting metastatic lymph nodes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DWIBS at 3T magnetic resonance (MR) for diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes in cervical cancer.

METHODSThis retrospective study included 25 patients with cervical cancer who underwent MR examination and were treated by hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. The metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were histologically proven by operation. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, long-axis diameters, short-axis diameters, ratio of short- to long-axis diameters of all the identifiable lymph nodes were measured and compared.

RESULTSTwenty-five primary tumor lesions, 17 metastatic lymph nodes and 140 non-metastatic lymph nodes were pathologically confirmed in 25 cases with cervical cancer. The difference of ADC values between primary tumor lesions, metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were statistically significant (F = 7.93, P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between primary tumor lesions of cervical cancer and metastatic lymph nodes (t = -0.75, P = 0.456), and the difference between primary tumor lesions and non-metastatic lymph nodes was statistically significant (t = 4.68, P < 0.001). The ADC values, long-axis diameters, short-axis diameters, ratio of short- to long-axis diameters of metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were (0.86 ± 0.36) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s vs. (1.12 ± 0.34) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, (1.51 ± 0.41) cm vs. (1.19 ± 0.36) cm, (1.16 ± 0.35) cm vs. (0.77 ± 0.22) cm, 0.78 ± 0.17 vs. 0.68 ± 0.19 respectively, and statistically significant difference existed between two groups.

CONCLUSIONSDWIBS at 3T MR has the distinct advantages in detecting pelvic lymph nodes of cervical cancer. Quantitative measurement of ADC values could reflect the degree of restriction of diffusion of metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes. The combination of size and ADC value would be useful in the accurate diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Pilot Projects ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the methylation of CpG islands in promoter of eye absent gene 1 (EYA1) in microtia.

METHODSThe methylation of CpG islands in EYA1 gene in 64 microtias and 36 healthy controls were measured using the technique of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight.

RESULTSThe methylation of CpG_Unit3 and CpG_Unit5 of EYA1 gene in microtia were 0.09258 +/- 0.033846 and 0.0922 +/- 0.02379, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in control.

CONCLUSIONSHypomethylation in microtia may be related to the pathogenesis of the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Ear ; abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases ; genetics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the application of tissue expander in ear reconstruction and to deal with the complications.

METHODS50 ml kidney-shape tissue expanders were implanted subcutaneously in the mastoid area. The drainage tube was removed 3 days after operation. The suture was removed 10 days later. Since 7 days after operation, 5 ml NS was injected into the expander every time, three times a week. The total injection volume was about 60 ml. After that, the expander was maintained for one month.

RESULTSFrom January 1992 to December 2006, 5,248 patients of microtia were treated with 6,252 expander. After the maintaining period, the expanded skin was thin and well-vascularized. The complication rate was 7.79%, including hematoma, malunion and infection.

CONCLUSIONSThe quantitative tissue expansion is easily manipulated with few complications. It can provide hairless, thin skin with reliable blood supply for ear reconstruction.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ear, External ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; methods ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the fabrication and application of three-dimensional autogenous cartilage framework in auricular reconstruction.

METHODSThe process of fabrication of three-dimensional cartilage framework consisted of cartilage harvesting, carving and assembling the cartilage. The rib cartilage was harvested separately. The three-dimensional framework was composed of three main parts:the helix, the base and the pad, at different layer. The framework was fabricated according to the development of rib cartilage and contour and height of the reconstructed ear.

RESULTSFrom January 1992 to December 2006, 5,248 patients of microtia were treated with 6,252 autogenous cartilage frameworks.

CONCLUSIONSThe three-dimensional framework is easily manipulated. The reconstructed ears look natural and had an erect contour. This method can effectively use the cartilage.

Braces ; Cartilage ; transplantation ; Ear, External ; surgery ; Female ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Male ; Prosthesis Design ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Ribs ; transplantation ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Suture Techniques ; Transplantation, Autologous

Objective To explore the cell subsets and characteristics related to the prognosis of osteosarcoma by analyzing the cellular composition of tumor tissue samples from different osteosarcoma patients.Methods The single-cell sequencing data and bulk sequencing data of different osteosarcoma patients were downloaded.We extracted the information of cell samples for dimensionality reduction,annotation,and cell function analysis,so as to identify the cell subsets and clarify the cell characteristics related to the prognosis of osteosarcoma.The development trajectory of macrophages with prognostic significance was analyzed,and the prognostic model of osteosarcoma was established based on the differentially expressed genes of macrophage differentiation.Results The cellular composition presented heterogeneity in the patients with osteosarcoma.The infiltration of mononuclear phagocytes in osteosarcoma had prognostic significance(P=0.003).Four macrophage subsets were associated with prognosis,and their signature transcription factors included RUNX3(+),ETS1(+),HOXD11(+),ZNF281(+),and PRRX1(+).Prog_Macro2 and Prog_Macro4 were located at the end of the developmental trajectory,and the prognostic ability of macrophage subsets increased with the progression of osteosarcoma.The prognostic model established based on the differentially expressed genes involved in macrophage differentiation can distinguish the survival rate of osteosarcoma patients with different risks(P<0.001).Conclusion Macrophage subsets are closely related to the prognosis of osteosarcoma and can be used as the key target cells for the immunotherapy of osteosarcoma.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Osteosarcoma/genetics* ; Immunotherapy ; Macrophages ; Transcription Factors ; Bone Neoplasms/genetics* ; Homeodomain Proteins ; Repressor Proteins

The neural stem cells (NSCs), play a crucial role in stroke treatment, which can be regulated by a few of traditional Chinese medicines. In this study, the effect of the Mongolian medicine Baimai powder effective compounds group (BMECG) on the proliferation of NSCs has been investigated. The cultured NSCs which were isolated from newborn rat cerebral cortical in vitro were exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxgenation (OGD/R). The CFSE immunofluorescence staining was employed to identify the proliferation of NSCs by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) was established on Kunming mice, and all groups were ig for 7 d respectively. The neurobehavioral changes was studied with rota-rod treadmill test, after that, the brain of mice were detected by immunohistochemistry with labeling of Nestin and pathological observation at 7 days after BCAO. It was found that, proliferation of NSCs was increased by BMECG in in vitro and in vivo. And BMECG significantly improved the time of staying in the rota-rod, it can promote the foundction of in cerebral cortex. It is concluded that these results further support the hypothesis that neuroprotective effect of BMECG may relate to the ability of stimulating self-renew of NSCs, which can be provided a new insight and strategy of anti-neuropathy of stroke.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Neurogenesis ; drug effects ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the risk factors of fungal sepsis in 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) among preterm infants in China, and to provide a basis for preventive strategies of fungal sepsis. Methods: This was a second-analysis of the data from the "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality" study. The current status of fungal sepsis of the 24 731 preterm infants with the gestational age of <34⁺⁰ weeks, who were admitted to 25 participating NICU within 7 days of birth between May 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. These preterm infants were divided into the fungal sepsis group and the without fungal sepsis group according to whether they developed fungal sepsis to analyze the incidences and the microbiology of fungal sepsis. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidences of fungal sepsis in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights and in different NICU. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to study the outcomes of preterm infants with fungal sepsis, which were further compared with those of preterm infants without fungal sepsis. The 144 preterm infants in the fungal sepsis group were matched with 288 preterm infants in the non-fungal sepsis group by propensity score-matched method. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of fungal sepsis. Results: In all, 166 (0.7%) of the 24 731 preterm infants developed fungal sepsis, with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and the birth weight of (1 300±293) g. The incidence of fungal sepsis increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight (both P<0.001). The preterm infants with gestational age of <32 weeks accounted for 87.3% (145/166). The incidence of fungal sepsis was 1.0% (117/11 438) in very preterm infants and 2.0% (28/1 401) in extremely preterm infants, and was 1.3% (103/8 060) in very low birth weight infants and 1.7% (21/1 211) in extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. There was no fungal sepsis in 3 NICU, and the incidences in the other 22 NICU ranged from 0.7% (10/1 397) to 2.9% (21/724), with significant statistical difference (P<0.001). The pathogens were mainly Candida (150/166, 90.4%), including 59 cases of Candida albicans and 91 cases of non-Candida albicans, of which Candida parapsilosis was the most common (41 cases). Fungal sepsis was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.04-2.22, P=0.030) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (adjusted OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.12-5.80, P=0.025). Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR=2.50, 95%CI 1.50-4.17, P<0.001), prolonged use of central line (adjusted OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.08, P<0.001) and previous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) duration (adjusted OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.001) were all independently associated with increasing risk of fungal sepsis. Conclusions: Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are the main pathogens of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in Chinese NICU. Preterm infants with fungal sepsis are at increased risk of moderate to severe BPD and severe ROP. Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure, prolonged use of central line and prolonged duration of TPN will increase the risk of fungal sepsis. Ongoing initiatives are needed to reduce fungal sepsis based on these risk factors.
Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Birth Weight ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Sepsis/epidemiology* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology*

Objective: To investigate the incidence and trend of short-term outcomes among preterm infants born <34 weeks' gestation. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from the standardized database established by a multicenter cluster-randomized controlled study "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) using the evidence-based practice for improving quality (REIN-EPIQ) study". This study was conducted in 25 tertiary NICU. A total of 27 192 infants with gestational age <34 weeks at birth and admitted to NICU within the first 7 days of life from May 2015 to April 2018 were enrolled. Infants with severe congenital malformation were excluded. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the mortality and major morbidities of preterm infants by gestational age groups and different admission year groups. Cochran-Armitage test and Jonckheere-Terpstra test were used to analyze the trend of incidences of mortality and morbidities in 3 study-years. Multiple Logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the differences of outcomes in 3 study-years adjusting for confounders. Results: A total of 27 192 preterm infants were enrolled with gestational age of (31.3±2.0) weeks at birth and weight of (1 617±415) g at birth. Overall, 9.5% (2 594/27 192) of infants were discharged against medical advice, and the overall mortality rate was 10.7% (2 907/27 192). Mortality for infants who received complete care was 4.7% (1 147/24 598), and mortality or any major morbidity was 26.2% (6 452/24 598). The incidences of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, severe intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, proven necrotizing enterocolitis, and severe retinopathy of prematurity were 16.0% (4 342/27 192), 11.9% (3 225/27 192), 6.8% (1 641/24 206), 3.6% (939/25 762) and 1.5% (214/13 868), respectively. There was a decreasing of the overall mortality (P<0.001) during the 3 years. Also, the incidences for sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity both decreased (both P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the major morbidity in preterm infants who received complete care during the 3-year study period (P=0.230). After adjusting for confounders, infants admitted during the third study year showed significantly lower risk of overall mortality (adjust OR=0.62, 95%CI 0.55-0.69, P<0.001), mortality or major morbidity, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity, compared to those admitted in the first study year (all P<0.05). Conclusions: From 2015 to 2018, the mortality and major morbidities among preterm infants in Chinese NICU decreased, but there is still space for further efforts. Further targeted quality improvement is needed to improve the overall outcome of preterm infants.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality/trends* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases/epidemiology* ; Patient Discharge ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Sepsis/epidemiology*