Synthetic diffusion-weighted imaging in prostate cancer diagnosis: a comparison study with different B-value combinations

AIM

To evaluate the impact of different b-value combinations on synthetic diffusion-weighted imaging (sDWI) and determine the sDWI with an optimal b-value combination for prostatic cancer (PCa) diagnosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 68 patients with abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was conducted. The sDWI images with b value of 1500 s/mm2 were separately reconstructed by the following five b-value combinations: b=0, 200s/mm2 (sDWI0-200); b=600, 800s/mm2 (sDWI600-800); b=0, 600s/mm2 (sDWI0-600); b=200, 800s/mm2 sDWI200-800); b=0, 800s/mm2 (sDWI0-800). Quantitative analysis was performed on the acquired DWI (aDWI) images with b=1500s/mm2 (aDWI1500) and all sDWI images. These six image groups were scored in five aspects for image quality and further reviewed by two radiologists via six protocols: Protocol Ⅰ, T2WI+sDWI0-200; Protocol Ⅱ, T2WI+sDWI600-800; Protocol Ⅲ, T2WI+sDWI0-600; Protocol Ⅳ, T2WI+sDWI200-800; Protocol Ⅴ, T2WI+sDWI0-800; Protocol Ⅵ, T2WI+aDWI1500. The corresponding diagnostic efficacies for PCa were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

Contrast ratio values of all sDWI images were higher than those of aDWI1500 images. Contrast-to-noise ratio values of sDWI0-200 and sDWI600-800 images were lower than those of the rest sDWI images. All subjective quality scores of sDWI0-600, sDWI200-800, and sDWI0-800 were significantly higher than other groups except for background signal suppression. The area under the curve (AUC) of Protocol Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ, and Ⅵ was significantly larger than those of other protocols.

CONCLUSION

Different b-value combinations impact the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of sDWI for PCa detection. The combination of b≤200s/mm2 and b≥600s/mm2 revealed to be optimal.

[A study of computer aided simulation system for orthognathic surgery]

How easily to stimulate the orthognathic surgery with high accuracy and good reliability and visually explain the prediction of surgery to the patient with maxillomandibular deformities remains a key focus in oral and maxillofacial surgery. A Computer Aided Simulation System for Orthognathic Surgery (CASSOS) was developed by means of the technique of digital image processing, with which a detailed analysis could automatically be performed, including 71 measurements of distance, degree and ratio for frontal cephalograms and 68 measurements for lateral one with a computer aided diagnosis. A quantitatively surgical simulation for prediction of operation could satisfactorily be done for the clinical use. All data and images were printed by laserjet and color video printer. All procedures were finished in 20 minutes.

Structural characterization of an Ascaris myoglobin

Globin was purified from the body wall of adults of the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum. Internal peptide fragments were sequenced and cDNAs encoding a polypeptide of 154 amino acids isolated by polymerase chain reaction. The polypeptide lacks a signal sequence, identifying it as a cytosolic myoglobin-like species. The native protein is a dimer. The predicted amino acid sequence shares several unusual substitutions with other nematode globins. Like the abundant pseudocoelomic A. suum hemoglobin it has a Tyr at B10 and a Gln at E7, substitutions thought to be determinants of high affinity. However, the 10-fold lower oxygen affinity of body wall globin suggests that in this molecule Tyr(B10) does not form an additional hydrogen bond with the heme bound oxygen. Evolutionary analysis of the nematode globins suggests that the monodomain myoglobin-like molecules and the two-domain hemoglobin-like molecules diverged about 500 million years ago, well before the divergence of the ascarid genera Ascaris and Pseudoterranova. The absence of introns in the A. suum myoglobin, in contrast to other nematode globin genes, is consistent with the hypothesis that during evolution intron elimination was the predominant event.

[SCA1, SCA2, MJD/SCA3 (CAG)n mutation detection and analysis in patients with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia from Chinese families]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency of the SCA1, SCA2, MJD/SCA3 CAG trinucleotide repeat expansions ((CAG)n) among individuals diagnosed with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) from Chinese families.

METHOD

The SCA1, SCA2, MJD/SCA3 (CAG)n mutation were detected with the polymerose chain reaction (PCR), denaturing polyacrylamide gel and silver staining technique in 79 patients with autosomal dominant SCA from 50 Chinese families.

RESULTS

Among 50 kindreds, 2% (1/50) had the SCA1, (CAG)n, 6% (3/50) had the SCA2, (CAG)n, whereas 48% (24/50) were positive for the MJD/SCA3 (CAG)n. Thus, together SCA1, SCA2, and MJD/SCA3 represent 56% (28/50) of the autosomal dominant ataxias in our group. In two SCA1 patients the CAG repeat was expanded to 53-62 repeats, whereas in normal ivdividuals was 12-36 repeats. In seven SCA2 patients the CAG repeat was expanded to 43-47 repeats, whereas in normal ivdividuals was 22-30 repeats. In forty-two MJD/SCA3 patients the CAG repeat was expanded to 63-78 repeats, whereas in normal ivdividuals was 15-38 repeats. The SCA1, SCA2, MJD/SCA3 (CAG)n mutation were excluded in the other 28 SCA patients from 22 families.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of MJD/SCA3 is substantially higher than that of SCA1 and SCA2 in the autosomal dominant SCA from Chinese families. Chinese patients with MJD/SCA3 are non-Portuguese patients with MJD/SCA3. Clinical expressions of the various SCAs overlap one another, making a diagnostic classification based on phenotype inaccurate in many instances. It is important for SCA clinical study to make a SCA gene diagnosis and genomic classification.

Duplication of 7p21.2-->pter due to maternal 7p;21q translocation: implications for critical segment assignment in the 7p duplication syndrome

We describe a 1-year-old boy with mental and physical retardation, a large anterior fontanel, brachycephaly with flat occiput, short and stubby fingers, generalized hypotonia, ocular hypertelorism, low-nasal bridge, long philtrum, high-narrow palate, apparently low-set ears, and a small mandible. Cytogenetic analysis utilizing high resolution chromosome banding technique showed an unbalanced karyotype consisting of 46,XY,add(21)(q22.3) that originated from maternal balanced translocation between chromosomes 7 and 21. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using micro-dissected library probe pool from chromosome 7 confirmed the additional material on 21q was derived from chromosome 7. Our results indicated that the patient had an unbalanced translocation, 46,XY, der(21)t(7;21)(p21.2;q22.3)mat, which resulted in duplication for distal 7p. Our patient is similar to reported cases with a 7p15-->pter or larger duplication of 7p, suggesting that the critical segment causing the characteristic phenotype of 7p duplication syndrome, including large anterior fontanel, exists at 7p21.2 or 7p21.2-->pter.

Chronic ethanol and iron administration on iron content, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and superoxide dismutase in rat cerebellum

Excessive chronic ethanol administration to animals has been shown to cause oxidative insults to many body organs, including the liver and brain. In many instances, iron supplementation to the diet may further aggravate ethanol-induced liver damage. However, whether increased dietary iron can enhance the damage in the brain is unknown. In this study, four groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing 5% (w/v) ethanol or isocaloric amount of maltase and/or 0.25% (w/v) carbonyl iron for 2 months. At the end of the feeding regimen, iron contents were determined in the plasma, liver, cerebral cortex, and cerebellum. Cerebellar superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities were measured and mRNA levels of MnSOD, CuZnSOD, and nNOS in the cerebellar granule cell layer were quantitated by in situ hybridization. Ethanol treatment alone caused an increase in iron levels in plasma, no change in the liver and cerebral cortex, but a decrease in the cerebellum. Iron supplementation increased liver iron >4-fold but did not alter iron contents in the cerebellum and cortex. All of the mRNA species examined and SOD activity were not affected by either iron or ethanol administration. However, NOS activity in the cerebellum was significantly enhanced by ethanol, whereas iron supplementation had an opposite effect. Our results indicate that iron supplementation to animals consuming ethanol may have tissue-specific effects. Furthermore, ethanol-induced increase in NOS activity in the cerebellum may explain the sensitivity of cerebellar neurons to oxidative insult.

[Study on the retrofascial space of the dorsum nasi and its clinical significance]

Fifty-seven adult and two children cadavers were dissected to study the position, size and structure of the retrofascial space of the dorsum nasi. The space lay between the periosteum, perichondrium and the fascia dorsum nasi. The shape of the space is like a pyramid. The space averaged 3.09 +/- 0.66 cm in length. The anatomical characteristics, individual variation and clinical significance of this space were discussed.

[Anatomical basis of autonomic nerve-preserving radical resection for rectal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To clarify anatomical basis of autonomic nerve-preserving radical resection for rectal cancer.

METHOD

Of 10 cadavers, 4 were male and 2 female. Four had hemisected pelvis in the mid-sagittal plane without damaging the retrorectal anatomy. All stages of each dissection were recorded photographically.

RESULTS

Hypogastric nerves were identified. The superior hypogastric plexus is the direct extension of the aortic plexus below the aortic bifurcation. It lies immediately behind the peritoneum and descends over the anterior surface of the 5th lumbar vertebra in the retroperitoneal tissue. The superior hypogastric plexus ends by bifurcating into the right and left hypogastric nerves. The two hypogastric nerves diverge from each other at about the level of the sacral promontory and run down and forward along the walls of the pelvis in the lamina of the pelvic fascia closest to the peritoneum. Both of them are strong fibres with white-grey and reticular appearance and well located just below and close to the aortic bifurcation. And after bifurcation each of them also gives rise to several branches. But it is difficult to identify the pelvic splanchnic nerves in complete samples. In mid-sagitted samples they take origin from the second to fourth sacral ventral rami just after the sacral nerves have emerged from the pelvic sacral foramina. They always form plexus at the lateral ligament and are crossed by middle rectal artery.

CONCLUSIONS

It is not very difficult to preserve the hypogastric nerves to spare functions in resection for rectal cancer to the anatomical knowledge of the pelvic autonomic nerves. When the pelvic splanchnic nerves are to be preserved, dissection must be cautious at the level of the lateral ligment on the side of nerve-preservation. The operation should be performed near the rectum as close as possible to achieve functional preservation.

Molecular dynamics of interfacial crystallization of dodecane on hydroxylated silica surface impacted by H2O and CO2

The morphology of dodecane in a nanopore at temperatures typical in exploited or depleted oil reservoirs is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. The dodecane morphology is found to be determined by interactions between interfacial crystallization and surface wetting of the simplified oil, while "evaporation" only plays a minor role. The morphology changes from an isolated, solidified dodecane droplet to a film with orderly lamellae structures remaining within, and finally to a film containing randomly distributed dodecane molecules, as the system temperature increases. In a nanoslit under the impact of water, since water wins against oil in surface wetting on the silica surface due to electrostatic interaction induced hydrogen bonding between water and the silanol group of silica, the spreading of dodecane molecules over the silica surface is impeded by this water confinement mechanism. Meanwhile, interfacial crystallization is enhanced, leading to always an isolated dodecane "droplet," with crystallization weakening as the temperature increases. Since dodecane is immiscible to water, there is no mechanism for dodecane to escape the silica surface, and the competition of surface wetting between water and oil determines the morphology of the crystallized dodecane droplet. For the CO2-dodecane system in a nanoslit, CO2 is an efficient solvent for dodecane at all temperatures. Therefore, interfacial crystallization rapidly disappears. The competition of surface adsorption between CO2 and dodecane is secondary for all cases. The dissolution mechanism is a clear clue for the fact that CO2 is more effective than water flooding in oil recovery for a depleted oil reservoir.

[Molecular cloning and characterization of novel protein kinase gene DYRK3]

OBJECTIVE

To isolate full length cDNA of a novel protein kinase and to deduce the protein kinase's classification position and functions.

METHODS

cDNA libraries gDNA library was screened with a partial cDNA clone which is homologous to human protein kinase DYRK2 as probe. FISH mapping was performed.

RESULTS

Two full length cDNAs of a novel protein kinase from human muscle cDNA library and human testis cDNA library were isolated. The full length cDNA from muscle has an open reading frame which is predicted to encode a protein of 588 amino acid residues and the cDNA from testis to encode a protein of 568 amino acid residues.

CONCLUSION

Because the sequence from the 27th codon to the 3' end of the cDNA from muscle is identical to that from the 7th codon to the 3' end of the cDNA from testis, they should be different transcripts of the same gene. As the gene is highly homologous to human protein kinase DYRK2, the present authors termed the gene DYRK3. DYRK3 is homologous to many serine/threonine protein kinases such as yeast Yak1, human Clk1, human Mnb, drosophila melanogaster Mnb and Cdk2. DYRK3 should belong to the Clk family in CMGC group of serine/threonine protein kinase. DYRK3 has been mapped to chromosome 1q32 by FISH.

Disruption of sphingolipid metabolism and stimulation of DNA synthesis by fumonisin B1. A molecular mechanism for carcinogenesis associated with Fusarium moniliforme

Consumption of grains contaminated with Fusarium moniliforme (Sheldon) causes liver cancer in rats and has been correlated with esophageal cancer in humans. The causative agents are believed to be a family of compounds known as fumonisins, which bear remarkable structural resemblances to sphingosine and sphinganine, the long-chain (sphingoid) base backbones of sphingolipids. Recently, fumonisin B1 has been shown to block de novo synthesis of sphingolipids by inhibiting sphingosine (sphinganine) N-acyltransferase, which leads to accumulation of sphingoid bases. Because the exogenous addition of sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate to Swiss 3T3 cells has been shown to stimulate DNA synthesis (Zhang, H., Buckley, N.E., Gibson, K., and Spiegel, S. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 76-81; Zhang, H., Desai, N.N., Olivera, A., Seki, T., Brooker, G., and Spiegel, S. (1991) J. Cell Biol. 114, 155-167), we hypothesized that fumonisins might stimulate DNA synthesis by disrupting sphingolipid metabolism. Fumonisin B1 caused accumulation of sphinganine and sphingosine in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts and, as occurred when these sphingoid bases were added exogenously, stimulated thymidine incorporation into DNA and augmented the mitogenic effect of insulin in a concentration-dependent manner. The mechanism underlying the mitogenic effect of fumonisin B1 was further investigated by using beta-fluoroalanine to block the initial step of sphingolipid biosynthesis catalyzed by serine palmitoyltransferase. beta-Fluoroalanine reduced sphingoid base accumulation in fumonisin B1-treated fibroblasts and inhibited fumonisin B1-stimulated DNA synthesis, but had no effect on mitogenesis when added alone. Fumonisin B1 did not cause accumulation of sphinganine 1-phosphate; therefore, it appears that sphingoid bases per se can stimulate DNA synthesis. To prove that the 1-phosphate is not obligatory, a 1-deoxysphinganine was synthesized, and it was as potent as sphinganine in stimulating DNA synthesis. These results establish that fumonisin B1 is mitogenic via accumulation of sphingoid bases rather than inhibition of complex sphingolipid biosynthesis per se. Because mitogens can often affect cell transformation, this provides a plausible molecular mechanism to explain the carcinogenicity of fumonisins.

Computer-assisted three-dimensional surgical planing and simulation. 3D soft tissue planning and prediction

The purpose of this paper is to report a new technique for three-dimensional facial soft-tissue-change prediction after simulated orthognathic surgical planning. A scheme for soft tissue deformation, "Computer-assisted three-dimensional virtual reality soft tissue planning and prediction for orthognathic surgery (CASP)", is presented. The surgical planning was based on three-dimensional reconstructed CT visualization. Soft tissue changes were predicted by two newly devised algorithms: Surface Normal-based Model Deformation Algorithm and Ray Projection-based Model Deformation Algorithm. A three-dimensional color facial texture-mapping technique was also used for generating the color photo-realistic facial model. As a final result, a predicted and simulated patient's color facial model can be visualized from arbitrary viewing points.

Erratum: Search for Cosmic-Ray Boosted Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using Recoil Protons at Super-Kamiokande [Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 031802 (2023)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.031802.

[The relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism and risk factors for cerebral infarct]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and risk factors of cerebral infarct (CI) in Chinese Han nationality.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-five cases with cerebral infarct, 101 cases of essential hypertension patients with 106 normal persons in Chinese Han serving as controls were detected using polymorase chain reaction (PCR) and genetic methods. ACE contents in serum were measured by colorimetric method. Risk factors of cerebral infarct were assessed by standard questionnaire, physical examination and blood tests.

RESULTS

ACE DD genotype appeared more common in patients of cerebral infarct when comparing with essential hypertension groups (0.43 versus 0.31, chi 2 = 4.03, P < 0.05) and normal controls (0.43 versus 0.17, chi 2 = 19.86, P < 0.01). D:I allele frequency appeared to be 0.66:0.34 in cerebral infarct patients and 0.41:0.59 in controls (chi 2 = 32.85, P < 0.01). In basal ganglia infarct and thalamus infarct groups, ACE DD genotype and allele ratio distribution were remarkably different to that in normal subjects (chi 2 = 18.30, 12.41, P < 0.01). The mean levels of serum in cerebral and hypertension were higher than in normal controls (F = 2,240.06, P < 0.01), and serum ACE activity in ACE DD genotype was significantly higher than that in ACE DI and II genotype in cerebral group (F = 8.83, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The ACE gene deletion polymorphism might serve as an independent risk factor for cerebral infarct in Chinese Han nationality while circulation ACE activity might be related to gene deletion polymorphism.

[The influence of some factors on DNA cycle sequencing]

OBJECTIVE

To study the influence of some factors on DNA cycle sequencing.

METHODS

The effects of DNA templates, primers, cycle sequencing reaction conditions as well as purification methods were comparatively analyzed.

RESULTS

When the DNA concentration was low, the nucleotide curve showed low ratio of signal to noise, even there were no fluorescent signal. While DNA concentration was too high, the readable length of nucleotides was short. Ions in the DNA template could result in bad sequencing reaction. The Tm value, length and G+C content of primers had no obvious influences on sequencing reaction. The alteration of the denaturing, annealing and extension temperature, or the addition of dimethl sulfoxide or glycerin facilitated sequencing some DNA templates. The fluorescent residues in the purified products of the sequence reaction could interfere the automatic reading of the sequencer, but did not influence the manually proofreading of the sequence.

CONCLUSION

The purity and concentration of DNA templates are closely related to sequence data quality. The modification of reaction parameters and usage of additives can help to obtain good result of sequencing some DNA with certain structure. The use of 70% ethanol is recommended to precipitate the extension product.

[An experimental study of angiogenesis inhibitor TNP-470 on tumor growth and metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

The inhibition effect of angiogenesis inhibitor TNP-470 on tumor growth and metastasis was studied using Lewis lung carcinoma.

METHODS

Lewis lung carcinoma cells(2.4 x 10(6)/mouse) were inoculated subcutaneously to 20 mice, they were randomized into 2 groups. From the 2nd day, the treated group was given 40 mg/kg of TNP-470 s.c. q.o.d. (8 times) and the control group was given vehicle only (3% ethanol). On the 22nd day, the weight of the subcutanous tumors and the lung metastasis rates of the 2 groups were detected. The results were analysed by Student-t and chi 2 test.

RESULTS

The tumor weight of the control and treated group was 3.77 +/- 1.05 g and 1.98 +/- 0.96 g, respectively (P = 0.0009). The lung metastasis rate of the control and treated group was 80%(8/10) and 30%(3/10), respectively (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the angiogenesis inhibitor TNP-470 has a strong inhibitory effect both on growth of the primary tumor and metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma.

[One-stage surgical procedure of adult cleft palate with dentofacial deformity]

2 cases with primary adult cleft palate combining severe dentofacial deformities were undergone one-stage procedure of modified Le Fort I segmental osteotomy and Furlow's double reserving Z plasty,and with with satisfactory clinical effectiveness.Follow-up results show that the one-stage procedure is not only reducing treatment time and period,but also correcting velopharyngeal function.

Antitumor activity of patient-derived renal cell carcinoma cells fused with allogeneic dendritic cells: In vitro results and clinical responses

3056

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been shown to be highly susceptible to immune-based treatment strategies. Methods: In the present study, patient-derived tumor cells were fused with allogeneic dendritic cells (DC) to elicit antitumor activity against RCC. DC from HLA-A2+ healthy donors were fused with primary RCC cells from 10 patients. Phenotype of fusion cells was characterized by flow cytometer and confocal microscopy. In vitro, T-cell proliferation, IFN-γ secretion, and cytotocic T lymphocytes (CTL) activity elicited by allogeneic DC/RCC fusion cells were assessed. Clinically, 10 patients were vaccinated with allogeneic DC/RCC fusion vaccine. The adverse effects and toxicity were observed. The clinical response was evaluated by CT scans. Results: After fusion, the created hybrids expressed both tumor-associated antigen and DC-derived molecules and could stimulate the proliferation and IFN-γ secretion of T-cells as well as elicit strong CTL activity against RCC cells in vitro. In vivo, neither serious adverse effects nor signs of autoimmune disease were observed after vaccination therapy. Percentage of T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of patients was increased significantly. One of 10 patients exhibited a partial response with regression of lung metastases. Six patients showed stable disease with stabilization of previously progressive disease (follow-up 1.5 year). Conclusions: The data suggest that allogeneic DC/RCC fusion vaccine is safe and can elicit immunological responses in patients with RCC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.