Abstract. Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) of the oral cavity is a rare and distinctive tumor with aggressive clinical behavior. Thus far, only a small number of cases have been reported and no definitive standard treatment strategy has been determined. The current study reports a case of oral SNEC arising in the lower gingiva in a 73-year-old male. Computed tomography displayed a relatively well-defined mass measuring 2.8x2x1.4 cm in size. The mass was located in the buccal side of the right mandibular posterior gingiva and exhibited no bony involvement. Histopathological examination revealed a proliferation of small cells with ovoid-to spindle-shaped nuclei, fine granular chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, scant cytoplasm and high mitotic activity. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3, chromogranin A, synaptophysin and neuron-specific enolase. Surgical resection and radical neck dissection were performed prior to the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of cisplatin and etoposide. No evidence of local recurrence or metastasis was observed at 14 months post-surgery.

Two multifunctional lanthanide complexes, namely [Dy(HL)]·CH3OH (1) and [Er(HL)]·CH3OH (2), [H4L = N,N′,N′′,N′′′‐tetra(3,5‐dimethyl‐2‐Hydroxybenzyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane] were synthesized and structurally characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphic and crystallize in the non‐centrosymmetric orthorhombic space group Pca21. Their structure consists of one seven‐coordinated LnIII ion with the coordination geometry of trigonal prism, one HL3– ligand and one lattice methanol molecule. They exhibit second‐harmonic generation (SHG) effect. Complex 1 displays strong fluorescent emissions, which are typical narrow emission bands of lanthanide ions. In addition, complex 1 features field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior. Therefore, complex 1 may be a potential multifunctional molecular material.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) has been recognized as an inflammatory condition. CD4+ T cells serve a key role in the interaction between bone metabolism and the immune system. Bu-Shen-Ning-Xin decoction (BSNXD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been ultilized as a remedy for PMO. In the present study, the aim was to investigate the immune modulatory effects of BSNXD on CD4+ T cells, receptor activation of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) imbalance, skeletal parameters and osteoclastogenesis. Ovariectomized (OVX) mice were treated with a series of concentrations of BSNXD and then autopsied. The bone phenotype was analyzed by micro computed tomography. CD4+ T cells were isolated and their percentage was measured using flow cytometry (FCM). RANKL and OPG expression by the CD4+ T cells at the transcriptional and translational levels were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, ELISA and FCM. CD4+ T cells were cultured with blood serum derived from BSNXD-treated OVX mice (BSNXD-derived serum) and the apoptosis rate was quantified by FCM. CD4+ T cells were co-cultured with bone marrow-derived macrophages and exposed to BSNXD-derived serum to whether CD4+ T cells are involved in BSNXD-modulated osteoclastogenesis and the results were quantified via tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. The results revealed that BSNXD ameliorated OVX-induced bone loss, prevented the expansion of CD4+ T cells and restored the RANKL/OPG imbalance in the CD4+ T cells of OVX mice. In vitro, BSNXD-derived serum promoted the apoptosis of CD4+ T cells. The co-culture system demonstrated that CD4+ T cells from OVX mice increase osteoclastogenesis, while this effect was suppressed by BSNXD administration. The findings of the study collectively suggest that BSNXD exerts an immunoprotective effect on the bone phenotype of OVX mice by ameliorating RANKL/OPG imbalance in CD4+ T cells and attenuating osteoclastogenesis.

Background and objectives We studied the effects of different cultivars of non‐degermed millet flour fraction and the particle size on Chinese steamed bread to promote the industrial development of the whole‐grain food industry. Findings We used a texture analyzer to analyze the changes introduced by different cultivars of non‐degermed millet flour fraction, and the effect of its particle size on the hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness parameters, based on the analysis of height‐to‐diameter ratio and specific volume. We obtained samples of different particle size fractions by using 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 mesh sieves and determined that the particle substitution of non‐degermed millet flour fraction was at a level of 30%. We conducted partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) screening to identify the signature differences of quality components. Conclusions According to Hunter Laboratory values (whiteness/darkness, L*; redness/greenness, a*; and yellowness/blueness, b*), the results indicated that as the particle size decreased, the L* and whiteness index (W) values decreased but the a* and b* values increased, and the hardness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness parameters of Chinese steamed bread with different particle sizes were significantly different (p < .05). Significance and novelty Partial least squares discriminant analysis could distinguish japonica cultivar samples and glutinous cultivar samples. According to the variable influence on projection (VIP) values, we screened chewiness, gumminess, and hardness as the signature differences of the quality components.

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.