This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor. After a thorough investigation the Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article as it showed evidence of substantial manipulation of the peer review.Objective To investigate the protective effect of microRNA 223 (miR-223) on cardiac fibrosis-related signaling pathway and its regulation on expression of Twist family basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (Twist1) and transforming growth factor-β1 receptor 2 (TGFBR2) in rat cardiomyocytes. Methods Rat cardiomyocytes (H9c2) were cultured in vitro and treated with TGF-β to induce myocardial fibrosis. The miR-223 group was transfected with miR-223 lentivirus and miR-223-NC group was transfected with miR-223-NC lentivirus. Model group and blank control group had no transfection. Immunocytochemistry staining of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was used to calculate myocardial fibrosis. The mRNA level of miR-223, collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ, Twist1 and TGFBR2 were detected by real-time PCR. The protein level of Twist1, TGFBR2, collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and α-SMA were detected by Western blot. Target regulation of miR-223 on Twist1 and TGFBR2 3'UTR was verified by double luciferase reporter gene system. Results The average optical density of α-SMA-positive cardiomyocytes in miR-223 group (0.089±0.013) was significantly lower than that in model group and miR-223-NC group (0.134±0.018, 0.132±0.016, respectively). The mRNA level of collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ, Twist1 and TGFBR2 in miR-223 group were significantly lower than that in model group and miR-223-NC group (all P less then 0.05). The protein level of Twist1, TGFBR2, collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and α-SMA in miR-223 group was significantly lower than model group and miR-223-NC group (all P less then 0.05). Twist1, TGFBR2 3'UTR wild-type double luciferase reporter plasmids and miR-223 mimics were co-transfected in 293T cells, and luciferase activity was significantly reduced (0.48±0.06 vs 0.92±0.17 and 0.51±0.07 vs 0.94±0.12). Conclusion MiR-223 may inhibit the activation of fibrosis-related signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes by down-regulating the expression of Twist1 andTGFBR2 genes.Objective To compare the efficacy between thymectomy plus prednisone and prednisone alone in patients with non-thymoma myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods Thirty generalized MG patients without thymoma who underwent thymectomy were collected as the operation group, and thirty-nine patients without thymectomy who were treated with prednisone alone were matched as the control group. The start point was the enrollment time and the endpoint event was the "clinical remission" (including complete stabilization remission, drug remission, and poor performance). The survival curve was used to analyze the difference of endpoint event time between the two groups. Besides, a 12-month follow-up study was conducted to compare relevant clinical indicators between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference in the occurrence time of endpoint events between the two groups (P=0.614). After 6-month follow-up, no significant differences were found in clinical remission rate, the dosage of pyridostigmine bromide and prednisone, the peak dosage of prednisone, the use of other immunosuppressive medications and the rate of hospitalization for exacerbation of disease between the two groups (all P>0.05). After 12-month follow-up, the dosage of prednisone and pyridostigmine in the operation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (5(0,10)mg/d vs 7.5(5,10)mg/d and 30(0,105)mg/d vs 90(15,180)mg/d; P=0.038, 0.032). Conclusion In patients with mild to moderate non-thymoma generalized MG, thymectomy does not achieve faster remission, but it does reduce the long-term dosage of prednisone and bromopyrazine.Objective To investigate the efficacy of percutaneous extensor tendon reconstruction in treating spastic hammery deformity. Methods From February 2009 to July 2018, the clinicaldata of 36 patients with fresh sputum hammer fingers treated in Jinan People's Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The tendon was percutaneously sutured with PDS Ⅱmonofilament suture and the distal end of the tendon was fixed to the base of the distal phalanx through the bone hole. Removal of the K-wire 6 weeks after the operation, the brace was used to fix the affected finger in the dorsal extension. For 8-10 weeks, only the brace was worn at night and the flexion and extension of the affected finger was gradually strengthened.The extension and flexion function of the interphalangeal joint of the finger was compared pre and post the operation with t test. Results A total of 36 patients were enrolled but only 33 patientswere followed up for 6 to 15 months. The hammer-shaped deformity was corrected and there was no pain when moving fingers after the operation.The straightening angle of the interphalangeal joint of the finger improved from 46.2°±6.3° before surgery to 7.5°±0.6° after (t=35.12, P less then 0.05). The passive straightening angle decreased from 3.2°±0.3° before surgery to 0.9°±0.2° after (t=37.11, P less then 0.05). https://www.selleckchem.com/products/choline-hydroxide.html According to the Crawford functional assessment excellent in 19 fingers, good in 10 fingers, can be in 4 fingers. The excellent rate was 87.9%. There was no knot exposure, skin necrosis and other complications. Conclusions Percutaneous resection of the extensor tendon is fixed in the basal phalanx. It is a simple and feasible minimally invasive surgery for hammer-shaped deformity. It can obviously correct the hammer-shaped deformity and has fewer complications.Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of emergency venous sinus stenting in the treatment of acute visual impairment caused by idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to retrospectively analyze 38 patients undergoing venous sinus stenting in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to October 2019. A total of 9 patients who had sudden short-term vision loss met the inclusion criteria. Routine visual field and fundus examination were performed. The venous sinus stenosis (CVSS) was confirmed by MR venography or DSA. The pressure gradient at both ends of CVSS was ≥10 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). All patients were treated with emergency venous sinus stenting. Six-month follow-up data were collected for comparison, evaluation of the therapeutic effect, and observation of adverse reactions. Results All 9 patients were successfully treated with venous sinus stent. The pressure gradient at the distal and proximal ends of the stenosis after stent implantation decreased to (2.