No abstract

In this study, a high frequency cyclic secondary somatic embryogenesis system was established for Cyclamen persicum. Moreover, the influence of primary somatic embryos (PSEs) at different stages of development, number of passages, abscisic acid (ABA), and sucrose concentrations on secondary somatic embryogenesis were investigated. Primary somatic embryos, at different stages of development, were incubated on an induction medium consisting of halfstrength Murashige and Skoog (MS) (Physiol Plant 15:473-497, 1962), 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and 0.2 mg/l 6-benzyladenine (BA). These initial PSE cultures along with calli were transferred to a plant growth regulator (PGR)-free medium to promote secondary somatic embryo (SSE) development. Embryogenic calli were induced at a frequency [90% from all PSE cultures. Both morphology and size of PSEs influenced embryogenic competence. Large-sized globular embryos (GEs) yielded the highest number of SSEs followed by small-and large-sized torpedo-stage embryos (TEs). Passages of induced calli obtained from large-sized GEs had no effects on frequency of secondary embryogenesis; however, they significantly influenced SSE production. Calli from the first passage exhibited the highest competence for secondary embryogenesis, 100% frequency of SSEs, producing 3,306 and 1,296 SSEs per gram fresh weight callus and embryo, respectively.

BackgroundNoninvasive evaluation of the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and transketolase (TKT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is of great significance for the clinical development of individualized treatment plans. However, the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and the expression of Ang-2 and TKT has not been reported. We sought to investigate the correlations between IVIM-DWI parameters and Ang-2 and TKT expression levels in HCCs.MethodsConventional non-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and IVIM-DWI and dynamic contrast MRI were performed for 61 patients with HCC before surgical treatment. Various IVIM-DWI parameters, such as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), slow apparent diffusion coefficient (D), fast apparent diffusion coefficient (D*) and fraction of fast apparent diffusion coefficient (f), were calculated using Function-MADC software. Expression levels of Ang-2 and TKT in HCC were detected via immunohistochemical staining and classified into two grades. Independent sample t tests were used to compare differences in parameters between the two groups. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlations between IVIM-DWI parameters and Ang-2 and TKT expression levels in HCCs.ResultsThe D* and f values were significantly higher in the high Ang-2 group than in the low Ang-2 group; there were no obvious between-group differences in ADC and D. Ang-2 expression was positively correlated with D* and f but not with ADC and D. The ADC and D values were significantly lower in the high TKT group than in the low TKT group, whereas the between-group differences for D* and f were not significant. TKT expression was negatively correlated with ADC and D but not with D* and f.ConclusionsIVIM-DWI can be used to evaluate Ang-2 and TKT expression in HCC.

Transient neurologic syndrome (TNS) is a common self-limited complication of spinal anesthesia. Many local anesthetics can cause transient neurological syndrome, in which the incidence of lidocaine is relatively high. In addition, bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, articaine, and ropivacaine can also cause TNS. We conducted a consecutive retrospective cohort study to investigate the incidence of TNS and its associated factors in patients treated with bupivacaine and ropivacaine. We conducted a retrospective cohort study, reviewing the medical records of surgical patients who received bupivacaine and ropivacaine spinal anesthesia in Chengdu Shuangliu District First People's Hospital in the past year to determine the incidence of TNS. For the first time, we used the TNS score table to quantify the occurrence of TNS. There were 24 cases (41.38%) of TNS in the bupivacaine group and 45 cases (33.33%) of TNS in the ropivacaine group. There was no significant difference in VAS and TNS scores between the two groups. It was found that the occurrence of TNS with bupivacaine was correlated with VAS score (Pearson correlation = 0.1813), while the occurrence of TNS with ropivacaine was correlated with sensory blockade (Pearson correlation = − 0.0642). The TNS scale can be used to evaluate the postoperative TNS of patients, and ropivacaine is used for spinal anesthesia with appropriate high anesthesia, which is less likely to lead to postoperative TNS.

pQRSd is correlated with left cardiac structures and LV systolic function. pQRSd > or =180 ms indicates left atrial dilation. There is no correlation between pQRSd and ventricular dyssynchrony.

Resistance to endocrine therapy represents a major concern for patients with estrogen receptor α positive (ERα+) breast cancer. Endocrine therapy resistance is commonly mediated by activated E2F signaling. A better understanding of the mechanisms governing E2F1 activity in resistant cells could reveal strategies for overcoming resistance. Here, we identified the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) actin gamma 1 pseudogene 25 (AGPG) as a regulator of E2F1 activity in endocrine resistant breast cancer. Expression of EGPG was increased in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells, which was driven by epigenomic activation of an enhancer. AGPG was also abnormally upregulated in patient breast tumors, especially in the luminal B subtype, and high AGPG expression was associated with poor survival of ERα+ breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy. The upregulation of AGPG mediated resistance to endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibition in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, AGPG physically interacted with PURα, thus releasing E2F1 from PURα and leading to E2F1 signaling activation in ERα+ breast cancer cells. In breast cancer patients, E2F1 target genes were positively and negatively correlated with expression of AGPG and PURα, respectively. Co-administration of chemically modified AGPG siRNA and tamoxifen strongly suppressed tumor growth in endocrine resistant cell line-derived xenografts. Together, these results demonstrate that AGPG can drive endocrine therapy resistance and indicate that it is a promising biomarker and potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.

This study aimed to explore whether the combined application of desflurane and dexmedetomidine (Dex) reduces the occurrence of postoperative neurocognitive disturbance (PND) in patients. We selected patients in our hospital who underwent surgery under general anesthesia, and divided them into two groups: Dex and desflurane (Dex + Des) and desflurane (Des) groups. The data of patients were collected and the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was used to assess cognitive status. The blood cell counts were determined preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 6, and the percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes were also recorded. The statistical methods used were the independent‐samples t‐test and the χ2 test. Pearson's correlation was used to analyze the correlation between PND and inflammation. The incidence of PND in the Dex + Des group was lower than that in the Des group. The postoperative MMSE scores in the Dex + Des group were higher than those in the Des group (p = 0.032). The percentage of neutrophils in the Dex + Des group was significantly lower than that in the Des group on the first and third days after surgery (p = 0.007; p = 0.028). The MMSE scores on the first day after surgery were negatively correlated with the multiple changes in white blood counts and the percentage of neutrophils (r = −0.3038 and −0.3330). Dex combined with Des reduced the incidence of PND and reduced the postoperative inflammatory cell counts.