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Statins, the inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, are widely used cholesterol-lowering drugs. Convincing evidence indicates that statins stimulate apoptotic cell death in several types of proliferating tumor cells in a cholesterol-lowering-independent manner. The objective here was to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which statins induce lymphoma cells death. Statins (atorvastatin, fluvastatin and simvastatin) treatment enhanced the DNA fragmentation and the activation of proapoptotic members such as caspase-3, PARP and Bax, but suppressed the activation of anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 in lymphoma cells including A20 and EL4 cells, which was accompanied by inhibition of cell survival. Both increase in levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of p38 MAPK and decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of Akt and Erk pathways were observed in statin-treated lymphoma cells. Statin-induced cytotoxic effects, DNA fragmentation and changes of activation of caspase-3, Akt, Erk and p38 were blocked by antioxidant ( N -acetylcysteine) and metabolic products of the HMG-CoA reductase reaction, such as mevalonate, farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). These results suggests that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors induce lymphoma cells apoptosis by increasing intracellular ROS generation and p38 activation and suppressing activation of Akt and Erk pathways, through inhibition of metabolic products of the HMG-CoA reductase reaction including mevalonate, FPP and GGPP.

Computer-assisted textual enhancement (CATE) technology has been widely used to improve English as foreign language (EFL) learners’ syntactical and grammatical learning. Visual attention, repetition, and prior knowledge are known as the vital factors in CATE-assisted knowledge-acquisition; however, there still lacks a model which can describe those factors’ intrinsic cooperating-mechanism that works in the CATE-based knowledge-acquisition. Therefore, this paper built up a computational model (PESE) of using those factors as variables, by fitting and predicting the data collected from empirical experiments with an average accuracy of 78%, PESE testified and complemented the assumptions proposed by previous studies. PESE suggested that although the efficacy of CATE is majorly decided by learners’ prior-knowledge of the targets, the interactive effects of visual-attention, repetition, and inductive activity could partly compensate for the effect from prior-knowledge, and the efficacy ceiling of repetition also could be estimated according to the ‘easy-perceiving level’ coefficient. At the end of this paper, 3 pedagogical implications were proposed for English teachers who are willing to integrate CATE into their teaching activities.

For the damage mode recognition in the fatigue coupon test of T800 carbon fiber/bismaleimide, the acoustic emission is employed. However, the latter application is hindered by noises produced by various environmental factors, which may suppress damage-induced ones. In this study, external noises are effectively reduced by the absorbing adhesive. For damage mode recognition, an integrated strategy is proposed, which features a combination of a characteristic signal extraction and damage mechanism analysis via piezoelectric and fiber Bragg grating sensors. The final verification shows that the different damage modes of the composite specimen can be clearly distinguished based on this method.

Acoustic emission (AE) technique is an online and dynamic non-destructive testing technology by diagnosing sounds, applicable to damage identification of all sorts of materials and structures. In order to fulfill the requirement of on-line monitoring for butt joint structure on the composite fuselage frame in static loading, Acoustic Emission (AE) is employed in this article. The experiment research is focused on examining the damage evolution process of the specimen subjected to mechanical tests by constantly monitoring the AE and strain responses. Combined with strain results, the recorded acoustic signals are analyzed using AE characteristic parameters such as AE amplitude and AE accumulative energy to identity five different damage stages and conclude the corresponding damage style during the entire test. The outcomes of this article can be available for supplementation and improvement of the current on-line non-destructive testing research for composite structures.

Growth charts are used in pediatric medicine to plot anthropomorphic measurements over time, serving as a screen for diseases related to a patient's nutritional and general health status. Whereas reference data for term infants are available from the Center for Disease Control, reference data for premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit have not been established. Predictive curves for preterm patients, which are based on a patient's postmenstrual age and anthropomorphic measurements at birth, cannot be easily implemented with traditional paper-based methods. Preterm growth charts can be generated in an electronic health record system, but doing so requires mathematical equations or computer-readable tables. This report examines published perinatal growth curves and presents equations for predicted postnatal weight, head circumference and length in preterm infants.

Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has an important role in the promotion of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. However, very little is known about the role of TWEAK in modulating uterine natural killer (uNK) cells' comprehensive functions in ruminants. In the present study, the effects of TWEAK on goat uNK cells were investigated by measuring their cytotoxic function and phenotype as well as cytokine expression in vitro. The results showed that TWEAK protein could be detected in the goat endometrium during estrous cycle and pregnancy. However, a significant increase in ( < 0.05) TWEAK protein levels was observed during very early pregnancy when compared with that during mid pregnancy and later pregnancy as well as during different phases of estrous cycle. Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis did not affect proliferation but did decrease ( < 0.05) the cytotoxic activity of uNK cells in vitro. Furthermore, the percentage of CD56/NKp46 uNK cells incubated with TWEAK-containing medium was greater ( < 0.05) compared with those treated with control medium. In addition, uNK cells incubated with TWEAK medium were associated with lesser ( < 0.05) secretion levels and protein expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) compared to those incubated with control medium. However, no differences ( > 0.05) could be observed for the secretion levels and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the uNK cells incubated with TWEAK-containing medium compared with those incubated with control medium. The present preliminary observations indicate that TWEAK has a biological effect on phenotype of uNK cells as well as the secretion and expression of IFN-γ by uNK cells in goats. Moreover, TWEAK decreases the cytotoxicity of goat uNK cells in vitro.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of alteplase combined with butylphthalide in treating patients with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction. Methods: Retrospective study methods were used. Eighty patient cases with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction treated in Baoding First Central Hospital, China from January 2018 to December 2020 were randomly and averagely divided into two groups. Patients in the two groups were given symptomatic treatment. Patients in the experimental group were treated with alteplase combined with butylphthalide for thrombolytic therapy, whereas patients in the control group were treated with urokinase thrombolytic therapy. The NIHSS score, effective rates and neurological function recovery were analysed one day, seven days and 30 days after treatment were analyzed, respectively. So as the incidence of adverse reactions within seven days after drug adminutesistration. Results: The NIHSS scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment on one day, seven days and 30 days after treatment (experimental group, p=0.00; control group, p=0.02). The experimental group was more significantly lower than the control group (p=0.00). The effective rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p=0.03), and the recovery rate after treatment was significantly higher than that of the control group (p=0.04). Within one week after treatment, the complication rate was 15% in the experimental group and 20% in the control group but was not significantly different (p=0.56). Conclusion: Alteplase combined with butylphthalide is effective and safe in the treatment of acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction without obvious complications. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3986 How to cite this:Qi FX, Hu Y, Wang S. Clinical observation of thrombolytic effect of alteplase combined with butylphthalide in patients with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(4):1145-1150.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3986 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of etibatide combined with emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on blood perfusion and cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study. From November 2015 to June 2019, 196 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing emergency PCI admitted to Baoding First Central Hospital were enrolled. The 196 STEMI patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, STEMI patients were treated with emergency PCI + etibatide; while in the control group, only PCI was performed. Observation indexes included: general data, myocardial perfusion and cardiac function indexes and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Results: There was no significant difference in general data between the two groups (P > 0.05). The rate of ST-segment resolution (STR) in the experimental group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE), higher peak intensity (PI) and shorter time-to-peak (TP) were observed in the experimental group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The platelet aggregation rate was compared between the two group at the time points of before PCI, after PCI and two hour after drug withdrawal, and there was no significant change in the platelet aggregation rate of the control group between different time points (before PCI, after PCI and two hour after drug withdrawal); while the platelet aggregation rate of the experimental group was significantly lower after PCI and two hour after drug withdrawal than that before PCI (P < 0.05), and an obviously decreased platelet aggregation rate was found in the experimental group(P < 0.05). After three months of follow-up, there was one case of MACE in the experimental group and 1 case of MACE in the control group, without any difference in the incidence of MACE between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Etibatide combined with emergency PCI could improve myocardial reperfusion and cardiac function in patients with acute STEMI without increasing the incidence of MACE. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.1.2950 How to cite this:Hu Y, Qi F, Yu L, Geng W. Effects of etibatide combined with emergency percutaneous coronary intervention on blood perfusion and cardiac function in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(1):185-190.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.1.2950 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract Background Noradrenaline has an important role as a neuromodulator of the central nervous system. Noradrenergic enhancement was recently shown to enhance glutamate-dependent cortical facilitation and long term potentiation-like plasticity. As cortical excitability and plasticity are closely linked to various cognitive processes, here we aimed to explore whether these alterations are associated with respective cognitive performance changes. Specifically, we assessed the impact of noradrenergic enhancement on motor learning (serial reaction time task), attentional processes (Stroop interference task), and working memory performance (n-back letter task). Methods The study was conducted in a cross-over design. Twenty-five healthy humans performed the respective cognitive tasks after a single dose of the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor reboxetine or placebo administration. Results The results show that motor learning, attentional processes, and working memory performance in healthy participants were improved by reboxetine application compared with placebo. Conclusions The results of the present study thus suggest that noradrenergic enhancement can improve memory formation and executive functions in healthy humans. The respective changes are in line with related effects of noradrenaline on cortical excitability and plasticity.

Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has an important role in the promotion of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. However, very little is known about the role of TWEAK in modulating uterine natural killer (uNK) cells' comprehensive functions in ruminants. In the present study, the effects of TWEAK on goat uNK cells were investigated by measuring their cytotoxic function and phenotype as well as cytokine expression in vitro. The results showed that TWEAK protein could be detected in the goat endometrium during estrous cycle and pregnancy. However, a significant increase in (P < 0.05) TWEAK protein levels was observed during very early pregnancy when compared with that during mid pregnancy and later pregnancy as well as during different phases of estrous cycle. Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis did not affect proliferation but did decrease (P < 0.05) the cytotoxic activity of uNK cells in vitro. Furthermore, the percentage of CD56^sup +^/NKp46^sup +^ uNK cells incubated with TWEAK-containing medium was greater (P < 0.05) compared with those treated with control medium. In addition, uNK cells incubated with TWEAK medium were associated with lesser (P < 0.05) secretion levels and protein expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) compared to those incubated with control medium. However, no differences (P > 0.05) could be observed for the secretion levels and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the uNK cells incubated with TWEAK-containing medium compared with those incubated with control medium. The present preliminary observations indicate that TWEAK has a biological effect on phenotype of uNK cells as well as the secretion and expression of IFN-γ by uNK cells in goats. Moreover, TWEAK decreases the cytotoxicity of goat uNK cells in vitro.