ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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Joint analysis of three genome-wide association studies of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Chinese populations

We conducted a joint (pooled) analysis of three genome-wide association studies (GWAS) 1-3 of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in ethnic Chinese (5,337 ESCC cases and 5,787 controls) with 9,654 ESCC cases and 10,058 controls for follow-up. In a logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, study, and two eigenvectors, two new loci achieved genome-wide significance, marked by rs7447927 at 5q31.2 (per-allele odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, 95% CI 0.82-0.88; P=7.72x10−20) and rs1642764 at 17p13.1 (per-allele OR= 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.91; P=3.10x10−13). rs7447927 is a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TMEM173 and rs1642764 is an intronic SNP in ATP1B2, near TP53. Furthermore, a locus in the HLA class II region at 6p21.32 (rs35597309) achieved genome-wide significance in the two populations at highest risk for ESSC (OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.22-1.46; P=1.99x10−10). Our joint analysis identified new ESCC susceptibility loci overall as well as a new locus unique to the ESCC high risk Taihang Mountain region

Bayesian Analysis for Dynamic Generalized Linear Latent Model with Application to Tree Survival Rate

Logistic regression model is the most popular regression technique, available for modeling categorical data especially for dichotomous variables. Classic logistic regression model is typically used to interpret relationship between response variables and explanatory variables. However, in real applications, most data sets are collected in follow-up, which leads to the temporal correlation among the data. In order to characterize the different variables correlations, a new method about the latent variables is introduced in this study. At the same time, the latent variables about AR (1) model are used to depict time dependence. In the framework of Bayesian analysis, parameters estimates and statistical inferences are carried out via Gibbs sampler with Metropolis-Hastings (MH) algorithm. Model comparison, based on the Bayes factor, and forecasting/smoothing of the survival rate of the tree are established. A simulation study is conducted to assess the performance of the proposed method and a pika data set is analyzed to illustrate the real application. Since Bayes factor approaches vary significantly, efficiency tests have been performed in order to decide which solution provides a better tool for the analysis of real relational data sets

Exact polynomial solutions of Schrodinger equation with various hyperbolic potentials

The Schrodinger equation with hyperbolic potential V(x) = -V(0)sinh(2q)(x/d)/cosh(6)(x/d) (q = 0, 1, 2, 3) is studied by transforming it into the confluent Heun equation. We obtain general symmetric and antisymmetric polynomial solutions of the Schrodinger equation in a unified form via the Functional Bethe ansatz method. Furthermore, we discuss the characteristic of wavefunction of bound state with varying potential strengths. Particularly, the number of wavefunction's nodes decreases with the increase of potential strengths, and the particle tends to the bottom of the potential well correspondingly

Tetrabromobisphenol Exposure Impairs Bovine Oocyte Maturation by Inducing Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Tetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA) is the most widely used brominated flame retardant in the world and displays toxicity to humans and animals. However, few studies have focused on its impact on oocyte maturation. Here, TBBPA was added to the culture medium of bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) to examine its effect on oocytes. We found that TBBPA exposure displayed an adverse influence on oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development. The results of this study showed that TBBPA exposure induced oocyte meiotic failure by disturbing the polar-body extrusion of oocytes and the expansion of cumulus cells. We further found that TBBPA exposure led to defective spindle assembly and chromosome alignment. Meanwhile, TBBPA induced oxidative stress and early apoptosis by mediating the expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). TBBPA exposure also caused mitochondrial dysfunction, displaying a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial content, mtDNA copy number, and ATP levels, which are regulated by the expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 3 (PDK3). In addition, the developmental competence of oocytes and the quality of blastocysts were also reduced after TBBPA treatment. These results demonstrated that TBBPA exposure impaired oocyte maturation and developmental competence by disrupting both nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of the oocyte, which might have been caused by oxidative stress induced by mitochondrial dysfunction

The PD-1/B7-H1 pathway modulates the natural killer cells versus mouse glioma stem cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant primary type of brain tumor in adults. There has been increased focus on the immunotherapies to treat GBM patients, the therapeutic value of natural killer (NK) cells is still unknown. Programmed death-1 (PD-1) is a major immunological checkpoint that can negatively regulate the T-cell-mediated immune response. We tested the combination of the inhibiting the PD-1/B7H1 pathway with a NK-cell mediated immune response in an orthotopic mouse model of GBM.Mouse glioma stem cells (GL261GSCs) and mouse NK cells were isolated and identified. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was perfomed to detect the cytotoxicity of NK cells against GL261GSCs. GL261GSCs were intracranially implanted into mice, and the mice were stratified into 3 treatment groups: 1) control, 2) NK cells treatment, and 3) PD-1 inhibited NK cells treatment group. Overall survival was quantified, and animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to determine tumor growth. The brains were harvested after the mice were euthanized, and immunohistochemistry against CD45 and PCNA was performed.The mouse NK cells were identified as 90% CD3- NK1.1+CD335+ by flow cytometric analysis. In the LDH assay, the ratios of the damaged GL261GSCs, with the E:T ratios of 2.5:1, 5:1, and 10:1, were as follows: 1) non-inhibited group: 7.42%, 11.31%, and 15.1%, 2) B7H1 inhibited group: 14.75%, 18.25% and 29.1%, 3) PD-1 inhibited group: 15.53%, 19.21% and 29.93%, 4) double inhibited group: 33.24%, 42.86% and 54.91%. In the in vivo experiments, the mice in the PD-1 inhibited NK cells treatment group and IL-2-stimulated-NK cells treatment group displayed a slowest tumor growth (F = 308.5, P<0.01) and a slower tumor growth compared with control group (F = 118.9, P<0.01), respectively. The median survival of the mice in the three groups were as follows: 1) conrol group: 29 days, 2) NK cells treatment group: 35 days (P = 0.0012), 3) PD-1 inhibited NK cells treatment group: 44 days (P = 0.0024). Immunologic data of PCNA-positive cell ratios and CD45-positive cell ratios of the tumor specimens in the three groups were as follows: 1) control group: 65.72% (PCNA) and 0.92% (CD45), 2) NK treatment group: 27.66% (PCNA) and 13.46% (CD45), and 3) PD-1 inhibited NK cells treatment group: 13.66% (PCNA) and 23.66% (CD45) (P<0.001).The results demonstrated that blockade of PD-1/B7H1 pathway could promote mouse NK cells to kill the GL261GSCs, and the PD-1-inhibited NK cells could be a feasible immune therapeutic approach against GBM

Novel Ir(III) Complexes with NHC-Based Ancillary Ligands for Efficient Nondoped OLEDs

Nondoped organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are of paramount importance for display and lighting applications owing to their advantages of facile fabrication and outstanding stability. However, nondoped OLEDs achieving extraordinary electroluminescence (EL) performance and low turn-on voltage (Von) remain sparse. Here, three Ir(III) complexes featuring N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) auxiliary ligands functionalized with electron-deficient aromatic sulfonyl or phosphine oxide groups are reported as promising emitters for nondoped OLEDs. All Ir(III) complexes exhibit green emission with relatively high neat film efficiency. Although the photoluminescence spectra of three complexes reveal similarities, there are distinct differences in the nondoped EL performance. The nondoped device N3 based on tBu-Ir-ISO displays the most eminent EL performances and presents a low Von of 2.1 V, a power efficiency of 30.7 lm W–1, and a maximum current efficiency of 27.0 cd A–1, which can be attributed to steric hindrance and balanced carrier-transporting ability induced by electron-deficient substituents. Moreover, doped devices D1–D3 also realize excellent EL performance. It is believed that the strategy reported herein is a simple and efficient way of constructing excellent Ir(III) complexes for nondoped phosphorescent OLEDs

Clinical study on hematoma puncture and catheter drainage in treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage under CT real-time guide

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of hematoma puncture catheter drainage under CT real-time guide for treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods A total of 80 ICH patients with hematoma volume 15-30 ml were given conservative treatment (control group, 40 cases including 6 cases with hematoma volume 15-20 ml and 34 cases with hematoma volume > 20-30 ml) and hematoma puncture and catheter drainage under CT real-time guide (operation group, 40 cases with hematoma volume > 20-30 ml). Conscious states were evaluated by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission and 3 d after onset. Neurological deficits of patients were evaluated by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission and discharge. Hospitalization days and complications (including rebleeding, epilepsy, intracranial infection, severe pulmonary infection and bleeding caused by digestive tract stress ulcer) were recorded. Results The GCS scores 3 d after onset (P = 0.000) and NIHSS scores on discharge (P = 0.000) of 2 groups were significantly lower than those on admission. The GCS score of operation group was significantly higher (P = 0.003) and NIHSS score was significantly lower (P = 0.000) than that of control group. The hospitalization time of operation group was significantly lower than those of control group [(10.53 ± 2.64) d vs. (17.30 ± 4.92) d; t = 7.673, P = 0.000]. Complications including rebleeding, intracranial infection, severe pulmonary infection and bleeding caused by digestive tract stress ulcer did not occur in patients of 2 groups. Conclusions For supratentorial hemorrhage patients withhematoma volume 15-30 ml, in comparison with conservative treatment, operation with hematoma puncture and catheter drainage under CT real-time guide can save hospitalization days, relieve edema peak response and improve the prognosis. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2018.11.00