In the past few decades, microbubbles were widely used as ultrasound contrast agents in the field of tumor imaging. With the development of research, ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction technology combined with drug-loaded microbubbles can achieve precise drug release and play a therapeutic role. As a micron-scale carrier, microbubbles are difficult to penetrate the endothelial cell space of tumors, and nano-scale drug delivery system—nanobubbles came into being. The structure of the two is similar, but the difference in size highlights the unique advantages of nanobubbles in drug delivery. Based on the classification principle of shell materials, this review summarized micro/nanobubbles used for ultrasound diagnosis or treatment and discussed the possible development directions, providing references for the subsequent development.

Objective: miR-663a has been reported to be downregulated by X-ray irradiation and participates in radiation-induced bystander effect via TGF-β1. The goal of this study was to explore the role of miR-663a during radiation-induced Epithelium-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods: TGF-β1 or IR was used to induce EMT. After miR-663a transfection, cell migration and cell morphological changes were detected and the expression levels of miR-663a, TGF-β1, and EMT-related factors were quantified. Results: Enhancement of cell migration and promotion of mesenchymal changes induced by either TGF-β1 or radiation were suppressed by miR-663a. Furthermore, both X-ray and carbon ion irradiation resulted in the upregulation of TGF-β1 and downregulation of miR-663a, while the silencing of TGF-β1 by miR-663a reversed the EMT process after radiation. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate an EMT-suppressing effect by miR-663a via TGF-β1 in radiation-induced EMT.
Down-Regulation ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Epithelium/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology*

Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; China/epidemiology* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To analyze the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of traumatic spinal cord injury in China in 2018.Methods:Multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was used to randomly select hospitals capable of treating patients with spinal cord injury from 3 regions，9 provinces and 27 cities in China to retrospectively investigate eligible patients with traumatic spinal cord injury admitted in 2018. National and regional incidence rates were calculated. The data of cause of injury，injury level，severity of injury，segment and type of fracture，complications，death and other data were collected by medical record questionnaire，and analyzed according to geographical region，age and gender.Results:Medical records of 4，134 patients were included in this study，with a male-to-female ratio of 2.99∶1. The incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury in China in 2018 was 50.484 / 1 million （95% CI 50.122-50.846）. The highest incidence in the Eastern region was 53.791 / 1 million （95% CI 53.217-54.365）. In the whole country，the main causes of injury were high falls （29.58%），as well as in the Western region （40.68%），while the main causes of injury in the Eastern and Central regions were traffic injuries （31.22%，30.10%）. The main injury level was cervical spinal cord in the whole country （64.49%），and the proportion of cervical spinal cord injury in the Central region was the highest （74.68%），and the proportion of lumbosacral spinal cord injury in the Western region was the highest （32.30%）. The highest proportion of degree of injury was incomplete quadriplegia （55.20%），and the distribution pattern was the same in each region. A total of 65.87% of the patients were complicated with fracture or dislocation，77.95% in the Western region and only 54.77% in the Central region. In the whole country，the head was the main combined injury （37.87%），as well as in the Eastern and Central regions，while the proportion of chest combined injury in the Western region was the highest （38.57%）. A total of 32.90% of the patients were complicated with respiratory complications. There were 23 patients （0.56%） died in hospital，of which 17（73.91%） died of respiratory dysfunction. Conclusions:The Eastern region of China has a high incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury. Other epidemiological features include high fall as the main cause of injury cervical spinal cord injury as the main injury level，incomplete quadriplegia as the main degree of injury，head as the main combined injury，and respiratory complications as the main complication.

Objective To investigate epidemic characteristics of a family aggregation COVID-19, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of family aggregation epidemic. Methods] Field epidemiological methods were used to investigate the cases and close contacts of a family aggregation COVID-19 in Y County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. Descriptive statistical analysis was used on epidemiological data . The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. Results It was found that Ms. Deng was infected with COVID-19 and became the infectious source of the family aggregation epidemic , who had lived in Wuhan Hubei Province. Her boyfriend Mr. Cao became a second-generation case of COVID-19..Another two asymptomatic but infected persons were family members living with Ms.Deng . Conclusion COVID-19 easily spreads within families. The awareness of family members' protection, the education of new coronavirus pneumonia prevention and control in key groups should be strengthened to avoid the occurrence and spread of family aggregation epidemic.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of controlling blood loss in the treatment of complex acetabular fracture between temporary occlusion of abdominal aorta by interventional balloon (TOAAIB),temporary occlusion of common iliac artery by interventional balloon (TOCAIIB) and internal iliac artery ligation (IIAL).Methods Included for this study were 113 complex acetabular fractures which had been treated at Department of Orthopaedic Trauma,Shaoguang Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University from January 2000 through January 2017.There were 68 males and 45 females,aged from 23 to 61 years (average,42.3 years).According to the Letournel classification,all of them belonged to complex fractures,including 10 T-type,24 double-column,16 posterior column & posterior wall,46 transverse & posterior wall and 15 anterior & posterior half-transverse ones.They were all treated by open reduction and internal fixation but differed in surgical hemostasis techniques:TOAAIB was used in 37cases,TOCAIIB in 31 and IIAL in 45.Fracture reduction was evaluated by Matta criteria.Intraoperative bleeding and postoperative wound drainage,fracture union and complications related to interventions were recorded.Hip function was evaluated by Modified d'Aubigne & Postal clinical grading system after fracture healing.Results The 3 groups (TOAAIB,TOCAIIB and IIAL) were comparable because there were no significant differences in gender,age,time from injury to surgery,Letournel classification or surgical approaches between the patients in the 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Anatomical reduction was achieved in 91.15％ of the patients (103/113) and satisfactory reduction in 8.85％ (10/113).Intraoperative hemorrhage was 1,631.5 ±675.5 mL in the HAL group,892.6 ±217.7 mL in the TOCAIIB group and 648.0 ± 170.2 mL in the TOAAIB group,showing significant differences between the 3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).One case of femoral artery thrombosis occurred in the TOAAIB group at the end of operation but was cured by symptomatic treatment of anticoagulation.There were no interventional complications in the other 2 groups.There were no significant differences between the 3 groups in postoperative wound drainage,fracture union time,hip function score or complications (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In controlling intraoperative bleeding in the surgery for complex acetabular fracture,TOAAIB may be the best,followed by TOCAIIB,and IIAL may be the worst.However,choice of a proper surgical hemostasis technique should also depend on the specific intraoperative condition of a specific patient.

Objective To detect the expression of substance P(SP)and NK1 receptor(NK1R)in eosinophils of patients with allergic rhinitis complicated with asthma(AR+ AS)and elucidate their roles in the pathogenesis. Methods Levels of SP and NK1R in eosinophils were detected by flow cytometry after stimulation with crude extracts of Artemisia pollen,dust mite and Platanus pollen,respectively.Results The proportion of SP+cells in patients with AR+AS was 1.5 folds higher than that of healthy controls(HCs)(Z= -2.041,P= 0.041).The ratio of NK1R+cells and the mean fluorescent intensity were increased by 26.4%(Z= -3.207,P=0.001)and 85.9%(Z= -4.774,P＜ 0.001),respectively.In addition,0.1 μg/mL of Artemisia pollen extract induced an increase of SP+eosinophils in AR+AS patients by approximately 68.1%(Z= -2.637,P=0.008).However,no significant difference was detected in the expressions of SP and NK 1R in blood eosinophils of HCs when stimulated with allergens.Conclusion Eosinophil-derived SP and NK1R may play an important role in the development of AR+AS.SP and NK1R may be the potential targets for AR+AS treatment.

Objective To investigate the expressions of substance P(SP)and neurokinin receptor(NK1R)in eosinophil-enriched cells from patients with atopic dermatitis(AD)so as to elucidate their possible roles in AD. Methods Blood samples were collected from healthy controls(HCs)and AD patients,and incubated with the extracts of Artemisia pollen,dust mite,and Platanus pollen for 1 h.The expressions of SP and NK1R in eosinophil-enriched cells were detected by flow cytometry.Results Level of NK1R in eosinophil-enriched cells from AD patients increased by 41% compared with that of HCs when cultured with the medium only(P= 0.001).In addition,the expression of SP in AD patients decreased by 1.17 folds(P＜0.001),and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)of SP+eosinophils decreased by 55%(P＜0.001).However,allergens had little effect on the expressions of SP and NK1R in eosinophil-enriched cells from AD patients and HCs.Conclusion Upregulated expression of NK1R in AD indicates that eosinophil-derived NK1R may play an important role in AD.Antagonists or blockers of NK1R might be effective preparations for AD treatment.

Objective To investigate expressions and correlations of TLR2,TLR4,TLR7 and TLR9 in eosinophil-enriched cell populations from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR),and elucidate their roles in AR. Methods Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from healthy controls (HCs)and AR patients,and then incubated with crude extracts of Artemisia pollen,dust mite,and Platanus pollen,respectively.Levels of TLR2 , TLR4,TLR7 and TLR9 in blood eosinophil-enriched cells were detected by flow cytometry.Correlations between TLR2+,TLR4+,TLR7+and TLR9+eosinophils were analyzed by SPSS.Results Levels of TLR2+eosinophils from patients with AR were reduced by 4%,mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)of TLR4+eosinophil was elevated by 20%,and TLR7+eosinophils increased up to 4.8 folds compared with HCs when cultured with medium only (P＜0.05).Artemisia pollen extracts induced approximately 7 .8 % of increase in TLR2+eosinophils from AR patients.In addition,correlations between TLR2+and TLR4+eosinophils,TLR2+and TLR7+eosinophils,and TLR7+and TLR9+eosinophils were -0.670 (P＜0.01),-0.430 (P＜0.05)and 0.446 (P＜0.05),respectively. However,allergens had few effects on TLR2,TLR4,TLR7 and TLR9 expressions in HCs.Conclusion Eosinophil-derived TLR2 ,TLR4 and TLR7 are likely to play a key role in AR.TLR2 ,TLR4 and TLR7 might become the potential targets for AR treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of LRG-1 in clinical specimens and Tca8113 cell line of tongue carcinoma and analyze the relationship between LRG-1 expression and the clinicopathological parameters.

METHODSLRG-1 expression was detected in 40 tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) tissues and paired normal adjacent tissues, 20 atypical hyperplasia tissues of the tongue, and 20 tissues of tongue cancer in situ using immunohistochemical method. The expression of LRG-1 in Tca8113 cell line was detected using flow cytometry. The expression of LRG-1 was also detected in human TSCC tissues and Tca8113 cells with Western blotting. The effect of LRG-1 on the proliferation of HUVECs was determined using MTT assay, and its effect on angiogenesis was evaluated with Matrigel tube formation assays.

RESULTSHuman TSCC tissues had a significantly higher rate of positive expression for LRG-1 (85%, 34/40) than the adjacent tissues (10%, 4/40), invasive tongue cancer (30%, 6/20), and tongue cancer in situ (50%, 10/20) (P<0.05). LRG-1 expression was correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of the tumor (P<0.05) but not with the patients' age or gender. In the in vitro experiment, LRG-1 promoted HUVEC proliferation and angiogenesis.

CONCLUSIONAbnormal LRG-1 expression is present in the human TSCC tissue and Tca8113 cells. LRG-1 can promote HUVEC proliferation and angiogenesis in vitro, suggesting its possible role in promoting tumor angiogenesis.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Tongue ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tongue Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism