m6A-related lncRNAs predict prognosis and indicate cell cycle in gastric cancer

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a common epigenetic methylation modification of RNA, which plays an important role in gastric carcinogenesis and progression by regulating long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). This study is aimed to investigate the potential prognostic signatures of m6A -related lncRNAs in STAD.Methods: The m6A-related lncRNAs with the most significant impact on gastric cancer prognosis in the TCGA database were identified by bioinformatics and machine learning methods. The m6A-related lncRNA prognostic model (m6A-LPS) and nomogram was constructed by Cox regression analysis with the minimum absolute contraction and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. The functional enrichment analysis of m6A-related lncRNAs was also investigated. The miRTarBase, miRDB and TargetScan databases were utilized to establish a prognosis-related network of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by bioinformatics methods. The correlation of AL391152.1 expressions and cell cycle were experimentally testified by qRT-PCR and flow cytometry.Results: In total, 697 lncRNAs that were identified as m6A-related lncRNAs in GC samples. The survival analysis showed that 18 lncRNAs demonstrated prognostic values. A risk model with 11 lncRNAs was established by Lasso Cox regression, and can predict the prognosis of GC patients. Cox regression analysis and ROC curve indicated that this lncRNA prediction model was an independent risk factor for survival rates. Functional enrichment analysis and ceRNA network revealed that the nomogram was notably associated with cell cycle. qRT-PCR and flow cytometry revealed that downregulation of GC m6A-related lncRNA AL391152.1 could decrease cyclins expression in SGC7901 cells.Conclusion: A m6A-related lncRNAs prognostic model was established in this study, which can be applied to predict prognosis and cell cycle in gastric cancer

Postoperative ecchymoma of eyelid after botulinum toxin injection for hemifacial spasm: a case report

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a rare movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions on one side of the face. Compared to the high therapeutic effect, adverse effects of botulinum toxin treatment for HFS occurred rarely. However, managing HFS patients who are also taking antithrombotic drugs poses a challenge. Here, we present a case of postoperative ecchymoma of the eyelid following a botulinum toxin injection in a patient receiving daily vinpocetine and aspirin antiplatelet therapy. This case highlights the importance of considering the potential risks and formulating a treatment plan that maximizes benefit while minimizing complications in HFS patients undergoing botulinum toxin injections and taking antithrombotic medications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of postoperative ecchymoma of the eyelid following a botulinum toxin injection. Further research and additional case reports are needed to better understand the management strategies for this patient population

Midterm Outcomes Talocalcaneal Coalition Arthroscopic Resection in Adults

Category: Arthroscopy; Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Arthroscopic resection3-term outcomes. However, the midterm outcomes of this approach remain uncertain. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent arthroscopic resection for symptomatic TCC. The patients were divided into 2 groups (group P, patients with isolated posterior facet coalition; and group MP, patients with both middle and posterior facet coalition). The preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale scores were calculated. The postoperative AOFAS and VAS scores between the 2 groups were analyzed. Patient satisfaction was also assessed. Results: Thirty-two patients were included in this study. The mean age at the time of surgery was 26.0 8.5 years, and the mean follow-up period was 56.9 18.0 months. Postoperative VAS and AOFAS scores improved more significantly than preoperative scores. At the final follow-up, excellent and good subjective outcomes were attained in 26 patients (81%), fair and poor outcomes in 6 patients (19%). There were no statistical differences in the postoperative AOFAS (91.0 7.0 vs 85.8 10.8, P = .532) and VAS score (2.1 1.7 vs 4.0 2.6, P = .537) between patients with the ratio of coalition/posterior facet more than or less than 50%. Conclusion: We found that TCC arthroscopic resection was generally associated with reasonable outcomes at midterm follow-up

Karrikins, redox and plant abiotic stress tolerance: A focal review

Karrikins (KARs) are bioactive butenolide molecules that were initially discovered as germination stimulants in the smoke generated from burned plant materials. The past decades have witnessed the unraveling of KARs as a group of potential plant hormones that impact various aspects of plant physiology, from regulation of light responses and controlling root morphology, to modulation of secondary metabolism. KARs share a similar structure with strigolactones (SLs), and they activate similar signaling pathways where the interaction of α/β hydrolases with the F-box protein MORE AXILLARY GROWTH 2 (MAX2) is involved. Upon binding with KARs, the α/β hydrolase KAI2 (KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE 2) interacts with MAX2, which in turn activates the downstream signals by promoting the degradation of SMAX1/SMXL2 (SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2 1/SMX1-LIKE). Recent accumulating evidence has proved that KARs act as a protective agent regulating plant adaptation to abiotic stresses, particularly drought, salinity, and extreme temperature; however, these functions have not been widely perceived. This review revisits the knowledge of the characteristics and signals transduction of KARs in plants, with a focus on the interplay of KARs and redox signals in modulating plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. This collection of information is valuable for better understanding plant-environment interactions and will help create stress-tolerant crops and achieve the goal of agricultural and ecological sustainability

Obstacle-Avoidance Path-Planning Algorithm for Autonomous Vehicles Based on B-Spline Algorithm

To solve the problem of the real-time path-planning of autonomous vehicles for obstacle avoidance on structured roads, a path-planning approach based on the B-spline algorithm is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the mechanism of driver path planning is analyzed, and a dynamic risk-identification model based on the support vector machine is proposed. It combines the driver’s risk perception characteristics and a risk model. Then, the B-spline algorithm model is improved based on the risk-identification model. Furthermore, road features, road constraints and dynamic constraints are considered to further optimize the planning algorithm. To verify the path-planning approach proposed in this paper, a co-simulation experiment based on CarSim/Simulink is conducted. Results show that the improved algorithm is effective in static and dynamic obstacles avoidance. The algorithm can generate collision-free obstacle avoidance paths, and the paths meet the real-time requirements and dynamic constraints of obstacle avoidance scenarios. In addition, the proposed algorithm optimizes the path according to the driver’s operating characteristics, which can further improve the safety and comfort of autonomous vehicles

Synthesis and Properties of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots Using Lactic Acid as Carbon Source

Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were synthesized in a one-step hydrothermal technique utilizing L-lactic acid as that of the source of carbon and ethylenediamine as that of the source of nitrogen, and were characterized using dynamic light scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ultraviolet-visible spectrum, Fourier-transformed infrared spectrum, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence spectrum. The generated N-CQDs have a spherical structure and overall diameters ranging from 1–4 nm, and their surface comprises specific functional groups such as amino, carboxyl, and hydroxyl, resulting in greater water solubility and fluorescence. The quantum yield of N-CQDs (being 46%) is significantly higher than that of the CQDs synthesized from other biomass in literatures. Its fluorescence intensity is dependent on the excitation wavelength, and N-CQDs release blue light at 365 nm under ultraviolet light. The pH values may impact the protonation of N-CQDs surface functional groups and lead to significant fluorescence quenching of N-CQDs. Therefore, the fluorescence intensity of N-CQDs is the highest at pH 7.0, but it decreases with pH as pH values being either more than or less than pH 7.0. The N-CQDs exhibit high sensitivity to Fe3+ ions, for Fe3+ ions would decrease the fluorescence intensity of N-CQDs by 99.6%, and the influence of Fe3+ ions on N-CQDs fluorescence quenching is slightly affected by other metal ions. Moreover, the fluorescence quenching efficiency of Fe3+ ions displays an obvious linear relationship to Fe3+ concentrations in a wide range of concentrations (up to 200 µM) and with a detection limit of 1.89 µM. Therefore, the generated N-CQDs may be utilized as a robust fluorescence sensor for detecting pH and Fe3+ ions

Role of the Branched PEG‑<i>b</i>‑PLLA Block Chain in Stereocomplex Crystallization and Crystallization Kinetics for PDLA/MPEG‑<i>b</i>‑PLLA‑<i>g</i>‑glucose Blends with Different Architectures

The isothermal crystallization behavior and corresponding morphology evolution of poly(d-lactic acid) (PDLA) blends with PLLA6.7k or MPEG-b-PLLA6.7k-g-glucose with different architectures and different PLLA-grafted copolymer contents were investigated. The formation of stereocomplexes (SCs) in between the chain branched structure of MPEG-b-PLLA6.7k-g-glucose and PDLA chains acting as the physical crosslinking points slows down the motion of PDLA chains, but the SCs could act as a heterogeneous nucleating agent for the late formation of homocrystals (HCs) in the blend system, accelerating the crystallization kinetics of HCs through enhancing the nucleation density. For PDLA/MPEG-b-PLLA6.7k-g-glucose blends, the mobility of SCs in the blend system and the nucleation density of SCs in the blends exhibit oppositional behavior during the isothermal crystallization at a Tc of 130 °C. The evolution of the crystal growth and structure during the isothermal crystallization process by rheometry has revealed the interesting role of the branched chains of MPEG-b-PLLA6.7k-g-glucose in the mechanism of the crystallization in PDLA blends

Similarity of Center of Pressure Progression during Walking and Jogging of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficient Patients

<div><p>Objective</p><p>To evaluate the center of pressure (COP) progression similarity and its change during walking and jogging in Anterior Cruciate Ligament deficient (ACLD) patients.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A study was performed in 64 unilateral ACLD subjects and 32 healthy volunteers who walked and jogged on footscan® system at a self-selected speed. COP trajectory during walking and jogging was calculated. The robustness and similarity scores of COP (SSCOP, similarity scores with respect to corresponding COP trajectories) were computed, and then the Analysis of Variance test was employed to compare among different conditions (left or right side, within a subject or between subjects, walking or jogging).</p><p>Results</p><p>(1) During the same motion status (walking or jogging), SSCOP were higher than 0.885. However, SSCOP between walking and jogging were lower than 0.25 in both the healthy and ACLD group. SSCOP between the intrasubjects were statistically higher than those between the intersubjects (p<0.01). (2) SSCOP in the ACLD group were statistically significantly reduced to 0.885±0.074 compared to 0.912±0.057 in healthy volunteers during walking, and 0.903±0.066 in the ACLD group compared to 0.919±0.050 in the healthy group during jogging (p<0.01).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>SSCOP can distinguish walking from jogging, and SSCOP of ACLD patients would be different from that of healthy controls.</p><p>The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Research Board of Peking University Third Hospital (IRB00006761-2012010).</p></div