Objective To verify the safety and effectiveness of a new percutaneous controllable curved plasma radiofrequency instrument for nucleus pulposus ablation. Methods A new percutaneous controllable curved plasma radiofrequency instrument were designed (controllable curved group), and its ablation effect was compared with the currently used straight head non-bendable plasma ablation instrument (non-bendable group) on gross specimens. The ablation instrument was placed through the right intervertebral foramen, and continuous ablation on the same intervertebral disc was conducted for three times. The ablation range and trajectory were recorded, and the temperature changes in the front, back, left, and right of the ablation center during and 15 seconds after ablation were monitored by the inserted temperature probe. Results There were no difference in temperature changes in the front, back, right regions of the ablation center during and 15 seconds after ablation between the two groups. The temperature changes in the left region of the ablation center both during and 15 seconds after 3rd ablation were larger than those in the non-bendable group (P＜0.01). Compared with the non-bendable group, the controllable curved group achieved angle control and larger single ablation area (2.282 5 mm² vs 1.135 8 mm², P＜0.000 1). Conclusions This new percutaneous controllable curved plasma ablation instrument can achieve angle control and ablation on the side opposite to the puncture site, increase ablation volume, and is safe.

Objective To investigate the association between healthy lifestyle factors and cardiovascular biological aging,as well as the relative contributions of different lifestyle factors.Methods Based on the clinical biochemical data and anthropometric data from the baseline survey of the UK Biobank(UKB),the Klemera-Doubal method(KDM)was used to establish cardiovascular biological age(CBA),and CBA acceleration was calculated accordingly.Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between healthy lifestyle factors and CBA acceleration.Then,the Quantile g-computation(QGC)was applied to evaluate the relative contributions of different lifestyle factors to CBA acceleration,with further analyses conducted separately for male and female populations.Additionally,stratified analyses were performed based on age,sex,body mass index(BMI),racial background,and family history of cardiovascular diseases to examine population heterogeneity.Results A total of 251 478 participants were included in the study.Both the overall healthy lifestyle score and each of the 7 lifestyle factors were negatively associated with CBA acceleration(overall lifestyle score:β=-0.75,95%CI:-0.77 to-0.73).Regarding the relative contributions of different lifestyle factors,alcohol consumption and diet accounted for the highest proportions(25.8%and 25.7%,respectively).However,there were differences by sex—alcohol consumption contributed the most in men(29.5%),followed by diet(23.0%),while in women,diet contributed the most(34.5%)and alcohol consumption accounted for a relatively low proportion(5.5%).Stratified analyses suggested that sex,BMI,and race might be potential effect modifiers.Conclusion Lifestyle factors,as modifiable behaviors,can slow the rate of cardiovascular biological aging.Among these factors,alcohol consumption and diet may represent effective targets for intervention.

Objective To understand the prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia in electronics factory workers in Wuhan, and to provide evidence for the health protection of electronics factory workers. Methods A total of 1 415 employees in an electronics factory in Wuhan were selected as the research subjects, and the physical examination and determination of various biochemical indicators, as well as questionnaire survey were carried out. Results The detection rate of hyperuricemia among workers in the electronics factory in Wuhan was 32.43%, with 36.33% for men and 14.11% for women, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ²＝46.077，P＜0.001). The detection rate of hyperuricemia was the highest (33.77%) among those with university or college education, followed by graduate students and above (31.50%). Compared with subjects with good lifestyle habits, people with drinking habits had higher hyperuricemia detection rate (49.38%), and the difference was statistically significant (P =0.001). The detection rates of hyperuricemia in those with central obesity and elevated alanine aminotransferase were 48.23% and 61.29%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the subjects without the above diseases (26.91% and 27.21%, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant (P <0.001). Obese people had the highest detection rate of hyperuricemia (66.95%), followed by overweight people (43.75%), and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that alcohol drinking (OR=1.836, 95% CI=1.139-2.961, P =0.013) and body mass index ≥ 24 kg/m² (OR=2.175, 95% CI=1.686 -2.806, P <0.001) were risk factors for hyperuricemia in electronic factory workers. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly correlated with hyperuricemia (OR=2.964, 95%CI=2.146-4.095 , P <0.001). Female gender was a protective factor for hyperuricemia in workers in the electronics factory (OR=0.441, 95%CI=0.297-0.653 , P <0.001). Conclusion The detection rate of hyperuricemia among workers in an electronics factory in Wuhan is high, and the detection rate of hyperuricemia in men is higher than that in women. Alcohol consumption, overweight and obesity will increase the risk of hyperuricemia. Elevated ALT is associated with hyperuricemia. Maintaining an ideal body mass index and establishing a good lifestyle play an important role in preventing hyperuricemia.

Objective To investigate the longitudinal association between alcohol abstinence and accelerated biological aging among middle-aged and older adults and to explore the potential effect modifiers influencing the association.Methods Utilizing the clinico-biochemical and anthropometric data from the baseline and first repeat survey of the UK Biobank(UKB),we employed the Klemera and Doubal method(KDM)to construct the biological age(BA)and calculate BA acceleration.Change analysis based on multivariate linear regression models was employed to explore the association between changes in alcohol abstinence and changes in BA acceleration.Age,sex,smoking status,tea and coffee consumption,and body mass index were considered as the stratification factors for conducting stratified analysis.Results A total of 5 412 participants were included.Short-term alcohol abstinence(β=1.00,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.15-1.86)was found to accelerate biological aging when compared to consistent never drinking,while long-term abstinence(β=-0.20,95%CI:-1.12-0.71)did not result in a significant acceleration of biological aging.Body mass index may be a potential effect modifier.Conclusion Short-term alcohol abstinence was associated with accelerated biological aging,but the effect gradually diminishes over extended periods of abstinence.

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the expression and intratumoral heterogeneity of LN?5γ2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( ESCC) . Methods The expression of LN?5γ2 protein was examined in 135 ESCC cases by immunohistochemistry, and to analyze its relationship with the clinical relevance of patients. The protein expressions in different regions in the same tumor as well as different nests in the same region were compared. Results Moderate and high expression of LN?5γ2 protein was detected in 40.0% (54/135) of tumor tissues. Positive immunohistochemical staining was observed in 31.1% (23/74) of early stage (stages Ⅰ/Ⅱ) cases and 50.8% (31/61) of late stage (stage Ⅲ) cases, with a significant difference between these two groups (P=0.023). There was no statistical association of LN?5γ2 expression with age, sex of patients, PT sage, lymph node metastasis and degree of tumor differentiation ( P>0.05) . However, differential expression of LN?5γ2 protein was found at different sampling sites in the same tumor and the same sampling site in different carcinomas. Conclusion High expression of LN?5γ2 is positively correlated with tumor clinical stages and there existed intratumoral heterogeneity of LN?5γ2 expression in ESCC tissues.

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the expression and intratumoral heterogeneity of LN?5γ2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( ESCC) . Methods The expression of LN?5γ2 protein was examined in 135 ESCC cases by immunohistochemistry, and to analyze its relationship with the clinical relevance of patients. The protein expressions in different regions in the same tumor as well as different nests in the same region were compared. Results Moderate and high expression of LN?5γ2 protein was detected in 40.0% (54/135) of tumor tissues. Positive immunohistochemical staining was observed in 31.1% (23/74) of early stage (stages Ⅰ/Ⅱ) cases and 50.8% (31/61) of late stage (stage Ⅲ) cases, with a significant difference between these two groups (P=0.023). There was no statistical association of LN?5γ2 expression with age, sex of patients, PT sage, lymph node metastasis and degree of tumor differentiation ( P>0.05) . However, differential expression of LN?5γ2 protein was found at different sampling sites in the same tumor and the same sampling site in different carcinomas. Conclusion High expression of LN?5γ2 is positively correlated with tumor clinical stages and there existed intratumoral heterogeneity of LN?5γ2 expression in ESCC tissues.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level on day 3 of embryo culture with embryo development.

METHODSSpent culture media were collected from individually cultured embryos on day 3 of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. HCG concentration in the culture media was measured using an ELISA kit and its association with embryo development was assessed.

RESULTSIn the 163 samples of embryo culture media from 60 patients, HCG was positive in 153 sample (93.8%) with a mean level of 0.85 ± 0.43 mIU/ml. The concentration of hCG in the culture media increased gradually as the number of blastomeres increased (F=2.273, P=0.03), and decreased as the morphological grade of the embryo was lowered (F=3.900, P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONELISA is capable of detecting HCG levels in spent culture media of embryos on day 3 of in vitro culture. The concentration of HCG in spent culture media is positively correlated with the status of early embryo development and implantation rate and thus serves as a useful marker for embryo selection in IVF-ET procedure.

Biomarkers ; chemistry ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; chemistry ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Development ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans

Objective To investigate the association of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level on day 3 of embryo culture with embryo development. Methods Spent culture media were collected from individually cultured embryos on day 3 of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. HCG concentration in the culture media was measured using an ELISA kit and its association with embryo development was assessed. Results In the 163 samples of embryo culture media from 60 patients, HCG was positive in 153 sample (93.8%) with a mean level of 0.85 ± 0.43 mIU/ml. The concentration of hCG in the culture media increased gradually as the number of blastomeres increased (F=2.273, P=0.03), and decreased as the morphological grade of the embryo was lowered (F=3.900, P=0.02). Conclusion ELISA is capable of detecting HCG levels in spent culture media of embryos on day 3 of in vitro culture. The concentration of HCG in spent culture media is positively correlated with the status of early embryo development and implantation rate and thus serves as a useful marker for embryo selection in IVF-ET procedure.

Objective To investigate the association of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level on day 3 of embryo culture with embryo development. Methods Spent culture media were collected from individually cultured embryos on day 3 of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. HCG concentration in the culture media was measured using an ELISA kit and its association with embryo development was assessed. Results In the 163 samples of embryo culture media from 60 patients, HCG was positive in 153 sample (93.8%) with a mean level of 0.85 ± 0.43 mIU/ml. The concentration of hCG in the culture media increased gradually as the number of blastomeres increased (F=2.273, P=0.03), and decreased as the morphological grade of the embryo was lowered (F=3.900, P=0.02). Conclusion ELISA is capable of detecting HCG levels in spent culture media of embryos on day 3 of in vitro culture. The concentration of HCG in spent culture media is positively correlated with the status of early embryo development and implantation rate and thus serves as a useful marker for embryo selection in IVF-ET procedure.

BACKGROUND: Classic isolation method of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is Percoll density gradient centrifugation. Blood cell component was removed. However, this method is complicated. Preparation density was needed when isolating dog bone marrow. Moreover, centrifugation was frequent, which had a great damage to cells. OBJECTIVE: To establish methods of the isolation, proliferation, culture and osteoinduction of canine BMSCs, and observe the in vitro proliferation and ability to osteoinduction differentiation. METHODS: 10 mL bone marrow was extracted from dog posterior superior iliac spine, heparin anticoagulation, diluted using Hanks juice, treated with 1.077 g/mL Ficoll solution 3 mL, and centrifuged at 2 000 r/min for 20 minutes. Karyocytes were absorbed to form white cloudlike layering interface, and then centrifuged twice using DMEM supplemented with fetal bovine serum, incubated at 12×10~4/cm~2 at 37 ℃ in a 5% CO_2 incubator. Following subculture, cells were incubated in DMEM containing dexamethasone, β-sodium phosphoglycerol and ascorbic acid 2-phosphate. Immunocytochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to detect osteocalcin, osteopontin and type Ⅰ collagen expression in osteoblasts. Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 1.077 g/mL Ficoll density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate karyocytes that were significant compared with Percoll solution. Obtained BMSCs had high purity, good growth and the mean doubling time was 24 hours. Following in vitro osteogenic incubation of dog BMSCs, osteocalcin, osteopontin and type Ⅰ collagen showed positive expression. Alkaline phosphatase staining demonstrated bluish-green cytoplasm. Alizarin red staining showed red nodes in extracellular matrix, and could differentiate into osteoblasts in vitro.