Systematic Review on Acupuncture for Treatment of Dysphagia after Stroke

Objective. To assess the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture for dysphagia after stroke. Methods. Seven electronic databases were searched from their inception until 31 September 2016. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) incorporating acupuncture or acupuncture combined with other interventions for treatment of dysphagia after stroke were enrolled. Then they were extracted and assessed by two independent evaluators. Direct comparisons were conducted in RevMan 5.3.0 software. Results. 6010 patients of 71 papers were included. The pooled analysis of efficacy rate of 58 studies indicated that acupuncture group was superior to the control group with moderate heterogeneity (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.13 1.21, Z=9.08, and P<0.00001); meta-analysis of the studies using blind method showed that the efficacy rate of acupuncture group was 3.01 times that of control group with no heterogeneity (RR = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.95 4.65, Z=4.97, and P<0.00001). Only 13 studies mentioned the safety evaluation. Conclusion. The result showed that the acupuncture group was better than control group in terms of efficacy rate of dysphagia after stroke. And the combining result of those researches using blind method was more strong in proof. Strict evaluation standard and high-quality RCT design are necessary for further exploration

Immediate Antiretroviral Therapy Decreases Mortality Among Patients With High CD4 Counts in China: A Nationwide, Retrospective Cohort Study.

BackgroundClinical trials have demonstrated that immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces AIDS-related morbidity and mortality. We tested the hypothesis that initiating ART ≤30 days after human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis would be associated with reduced mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH) with CD4 counts &gt;500 cells/μL.MethodsPLWH enrolled in the Chinese National HIV Information System between January 2012 and June 2014 with CD4 counts &gt;500 cells/μL were followed for 12 months. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) for PLWH who initiated ART after HIV diagnosis. ART initiation was treated as a time-dependent variable.ResultsWe enrolled 34581 PLWH with CD4 &gt;500 cells/μL; 1838 (5.3%) initiated ART ≤30 days after diagnosis (immediate ART group), and 19 deaths were observed with a mortality rate of 1.04 per 100 person-years (PY). Fifty-eight deaths were documented among the 5640 PLWH in the delayed ART group with a mortality rate of 2.25 per 100 PY. There were 713 deaths among the 27103 PLWH in the no ART group with a mortality rate of 2.39 per 100 PY. After controlling for potential confounding factors, ART initiation at ≤30 days (adjusted HR, 0.37 [95% confidence interval, .23-.58]) was a statistically significant protective factor.ConclusionsWe found that immediate ART is associated with a 63% reduction in overall mortality among PLWH with CD4 counts &gt;500 cells/μL in China, supporting the recommendation to initiate ART immediately following HIV diagnosis

Synthesis of a novel monomer “DDTU-IDI” for the development of low-shrinkage dental resin composites

ObjectiveThe current dental resin composites often suffer from polymerization shrinkage, which can lead to microleakage and potentially result in recurring tooth decay. This study presents the synthesis of a novel monomer, (3,9-diethyl-1,5,7,11-tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane-3,9-diyl)bis(methylene) bis((2-(3-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)propan-2-yl)carbamate) (DDTU-IDI), and evaluates its effect in the formulation of low-shrinkage dental resin composites.MethodsDDTU-IDI was synthesized through a two-step reaction route, with the initial synthesis of the required raw material monomer 3,9-diethyl-3,9-dihydroxymethyl-1,5,7,11-tetraoxaspiro-[5,5] undecane (DDTU). The structures were confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) spectroscopy. Subsequently, DDTU-IDI was incorporated into Bis-GMA-based composites at varying weight percentages (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%). The polymerization reaction, degree of conversion, polymerization shrinkage, mechanical properties, physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the low-shrinkage composites were thoroughly evaluated. Furthermore, the mechanical properties were assessed after a thermal cycling test with 10,000 cycles to determine the stability.ResultsThe addition of DDTU-IDI at 10, 15, and 20 wt% significantly reduced the polymerization volumetric shrinkage of the experimental resin composites, without compromising the degree of conversion, mechanical and physicochemical properties. Remarkably, at a monomer content of 20 wt%, the polymerization shrinkage was reduced to 1.83 ± 0.53%. Composites containing 10, 15, and 20 wt% DDTU-IDI exhibited lower water sorption and higher contact angle. Following thermal cycling, the composites exhibited no significant decrease in mechanical properties, except for the flexural properties.Significance. DDTU-IDI has favorable potential as a component which could produce volume expansion and increase rigidity in the development of low-shrinkage dental resin composites. The development of low-shrinkage composites containing DDTU-IDI appears to be a promising strategy for reducing polymerization shrinkage, thereby potentially enhancing the longevity of dental restorations

Quinidine Therapy for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome With KCNT1 Mutation. A Case Report and Literature Review

Mutations in the Potassium channel subfamily T member 1 (KCNT1) gene have been reported in a range of epileptic encephalopathies. Here we report the case of a 12-year-old male suffering from multiple types of epileptic seizures and cognitive decline from the age of 10. The patient had four types of epileptic seizures, including tonic seizures, atypical absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The electroencephalogram showed generalized slow spike-and-slow-waves, mutiple-spike-and-slow-waves, as well as short-term fast rhythms bursts. Thus, he was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The patient had failed to control seizures after using five first-line antiepileptic drugs. Whole exome sequencing revealed a missense KCNT1 mutation (c.625 C&gt;T). Previous studies revealed that quinidine could block the KCNT1 channel. Therefore, we assumed that quinidine might be effective for him. Add-on treatment with quinidine was started when the patient was 12 years old. After an 8-month treatment, the frequency of seizures and epileptiform discharges were significantly reduced. In conclusion, quinidine therapy may offer a new choice for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome with KCNT1 mutations

Death associated protein‑3 (DAP3) and DAP3 binding cell death enhancer‑1 (DELE1) in human colorectal cancer, and their impacts on clinical outcome and chemoresistance

Death associated protein‑3 (DAP3) was identified as a responsive protein to interferon‑gamma‑induced cell death which possibly exerts this regulation by interacting with DAP3 binding cell Death enhancer‑1 (DELE1), a newly discovered mitochondrial stress protein in response to cell stress signals. Whilst DAP3 has been shown to be aberrantly expressed in several cancer types (i.e. breast cancer), little is known about the relationship between DAP3 and DELE1 in cancers. The present study examined the expression levels of both DAP3 and DELE1 in clinical colorectal cancers (CRCs), as well as their implication on chemoresistance and mechanism behind the action. Firstly, transcript levels of both DAP3 and DELE1 were quantitatively assessed in a clinical cohort of CRC (n=94). Tumour tissues had significantly higher levels of DAP3, but not DELE1 compared with normal tissues. Levels of DAP3 and DELE1 had a significant association with patient's clinical outcomes and local recurrence. DAP3 and DELE1 significantly correlated in normal colorectal tissues but not in tumour tissues. Secondly, the protein levels of DAP3 and DELE1 were evaluated in both normal and tumour colon tissues which showed that both proteins were highly aberrant in CRC tissues. In addition, both DAP3 and DELE1 at transcript and protein levels were identified as prognostic factors for patient's clinical outcomes. Furthermore, in in vitro assays, knocking down DAP3 or DELE1, and in particular both DAP3 and DELE1 together rendered the CRC cells more sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, consistent with clinical findings of the TCGA‑COAD datasets. The acquisition of drug sensitivity following the genetic knockdown was independent of the mitochondrial metabolism, as neither DAP3 knockdown nor DELE1 knockdown showed a significant change. In summary, DAP3 and DELE1 are highly aberrant in CRCs, and both molecules are prognostic factors for patient's clinical outcomes and local recurrence, and are indicators for chemoresistance

Expression of phospholipase C isozymes in human breast cancer and their clinical significance

Phospholipase C (PLC) regulates a number of cellular behaviours including cell motility, cell transformation, differentiation and cell growth. PLC plays a regulatory role in cancer cells partly by acting as signalling intermediates for cytokines such as EGF and interleukins. The current study examined the expression of the PLC isozymes in human breast cancer and corresponding clinical relevance. Transcript levels of human PLC-α, -β1, -δ, -ε, and -γ1 in human breast cancer tissues were quantitatively determined by real-time PCR. Immunochemical staining was performed for PLC-δ. The clinical relevance was analysed with clinic pathological information. Mammary tissues widely expressed PLC-α, -β1, -δ, -ε, and -γ1. Significantly high levels of PLC -β1 and -ε were seen in breast cancer tissues in comparison with normal mammary gland tissues. PLC-γ1 however, showed marginally low levels in tumour tissues. No significant difference was seen in the expression of the PLC isozymes in tumours with lymph node metastases. Moderately and poorly differentiated breast tumours (grade 2 and grade 3) had significantly higher levels of PLC-γ1, compared with well differentiated tumours. High levels of PLC-δ were significantly correlated with a shorter disease-free survival. The altered expression of other isozymes had no correlation with the survival. It is concluded that mammary tissues differentially expressed PLC isozymes. These isozymes have certain implications in the disease development and progression, with PLC-δ showing a significant correlation with shorter disease-free survival

Flying to Quality: Cultural Influences on Online Reviews

Customers increasingly consult opinions expressed online before making their final decisions. However, inherent factors such as culture may moderate the criteria and the weights individuals use to form their expectations and evaluations. Therefore, not all opinions expressed online match customers’ personal preferences, neither can firms use this information to deduce general conclusions. Our study explores this issue in the context of airline services using Hofstede’s framework as a theoretical anchor. We gauge the effect of each dimension as well as that of cultural distance between the passenger and the airline on the overall satisfaction with the flight as well as specific service factors. Using topic modeling, we also capture the effect of culture on review text and identify factors that are not captured by conventional rating scales. Our results provide significant insights for airline managers about service factors that affect more passengers from specific cultures leading to higher satisfaction/dissatisfaction

An Open Resource for Non-human Primate Imaging.

Non-human primate neuroimaging is a rapidly growing area of research that promises to transform and scale translational and cross-species comparative neuroscience. Unfortunately, the technological and methodological advances of the past two decades have outpaced the accrual of data, which is particularly challenging given the relatively few centers that have the necessary facilities and capabilities. The PRIMatE Data Exchange (PRIME-DE) addresses this challenge by aggregating independently acquired non-human primate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets and openly sharing them via the International Neuroimaging Data-sharing Initiative (INDI). Here, we present the rationale, design, and procedures for the PRIME-DE consortium, as well as the initial release, consisting of 25 independent data collections aggregated across 22 sites (total = 217 non-human primates). We also outline the unique pitfalls and challenges that should be considered in the analysis of non-human primate MRI datasets, including providing automated quality assessment of the contributed datasets

CdS-graphene and CdS-CNT nanocomposites as visible-light photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and organic dye degradation

National Basic Research Program of China [2010CB732303]; NSF of China [21173172, 21173174, 21161130522]; Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University [IRT1036]; Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education [20090121110007]CdS-graphene (GR) and CdS-carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites prepared by a hydrothermal method were studied as photocatalysts for the evolution of hydrogen and the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible-light irradiation. The incorporation of GR or CNT into CdS significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activities for both reactions. The photocatalytic activities depended on the mass ratio of CdS : GR or CdS : CNT in the nanocomposites. Under optimized mass ratios, the CdS-GR was more efficient than the CdS-CNT. Our characterizations suggested that CdS nanoparticles of similar to 35 nm in size were dispersed on the graphene sheets or CNT surfaces in the nanocomposites. Significant band-gap narrowing was observed due to the incorporation of GR or CNT into CdS, indicating the strong interactions between CdS and GR or CNT. The transient photocurrent response studies suggested a more efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. The stronger interaction or larger contact interface between CdS and GR was proposed to accelerate the transfer of photogenerated electrons from CdS to GR more efficiently, resulting in higher photocatalytic activities of the CdS-GR composite