Effects of supplemental lysine and methionine with zilpaterol hydrochloride on feedlot performance, carcass merit, and skeletal muscle fiber characteristics in finishing feedlot cattle

Feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) with ruminally protected AA was evaluated in a small-pen feeding trial. Crossbred steers ( = 180; initial BW = 366 kg) were blocked by weight and then randomly assigned to treatments (45 pens; 9 pens/treatment). Treatment groups consisted of no ZH and no AA (Cont-), ZH and no AA (Cont+), ZH and a ruminally protected lysine supplement (Lys), ZH and a ruminally protected methionine supplement (Met), and ZH and ruminally protected lysine and methionine (Lys+Met). Zilpaterol hydrochloride (8.3 mg/kg DM) was fed for the last 20 d of the finishing period with a 3-d withdrawal period. Lysine and Met were top dressed daily for the 134-d feeding trial to provide 12 or 4 g·hd·d, respectively, to the small intestine. Carcass characteristics, striploins, and prerigor muscle samples were collected following harvest at a commercial facility. Steaks from each steer were aged for 7, 14, 21, and 28 d, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was determined as an indicator of tenderness. Prerigor muscle samples were used for immunohistological analysis. Cattle treated with Met and Lys+Met had increased final BW ( < 0.3) and ADG ( < 0.05) compared to Cont- and Cont+. Supplementation of Lys, Met, and Lys+Met improved G:F ( < 0.05) compared to Cont- during the ZH feeding period (d 111 to 134) as well as the entire feeding period ( < 0.05). Zilpaterol hydrochloride increased carcass ADG ( < 0.05) when compared to non-ZH-fed steers. Methionine and Lys+Met treatments had heavier HCW ( < 0.02) than that of Cont-. Yield grade was decreased ( < 0.04) for Cont+ steers compared to steers treated with Lys, Lys+Met, and Cont-. Tenderness was reduced ( < 0.05) with ZH regardless of AA supplementation. Lysine, Met, Lys+Met, and Cont+ had less tender steaks ( < 0.05) throughout all aging groups compared to Cont-. Steaks from Lys-treated steers were less tender ( < 0.05) than those of Cont+ during the 7- and 14-d aging periods. Nuclei density was the greatest with Cont- cattle compared to all other treatments suggesting a dilution effect of the nuclei in the larger muscle fibers with ZH feeding. Supplementation of Met in conjunction with ZH feeding increased ADG and HCW although this may lead to decreased tenderness even after aging for 28 d. These findings indicated that steers fed ZH may require additional AA absorbed from the small intestine to maximize performance.

The role of metaboreceptor on exercise in hyperthermic environment with college basketball players

The objective of this study is to review physiological differences of college basketball players cardiovascular responses and group IV metaboreceptor interactions appearing post muscular ischemia exercise (PEMI) caused by a static handgrip exercise (SHE). The subjects were placed in a temperature and moisture stabilized indoor environment for 2 h in order to measure blood pressure. For the SHE, maximal voluntary contraction of arms with a relative strength of 50 % of the maximum muscular strength was put into isometric training for 2 min. After completing the exercises, cuffs worn on the arms of the subjects were pressurized up to 200 mmHg by applying PEMI to block the artery and vein. In this way, the cardiovascular responses created by SHE and PEMI were measured. Blood samples of subjects were collected from the vein of each upper arm before SHE and after PEMI to measure the metabolite hormone and catecholamine in the blood. Results from the measurements showed a significant decrease of blood pressure under high temperature environments compared to normal temperature environments. With respect to PEMI, increases in blood pressure under the high temperature environment were significantly lower compared to the normal temperature environment. In conclusion, this study revealed that college basketball players with good physical strength had higher sensitivities of arterial baroreceptor. However, blood pressure was not increased accordingly because the increase of cutaneous vasoconstriction due to stimuli of the metaboreceptor under a high temperature environment could not be compensated by arterial baroreflex due to the increase of total vascular conductance.

Comparison of two preventive interventions on dental caries among children in Democratic People's Republic of Korea

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to compare the change in dental caries status in two different intervention groups of the Children's Oral Health Promotion Programme (COHPP).

METHODS

A longitudinal study among 500 children who had participated into the COHPP for 6 years was conducted in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Children in Group I received intensified school-based intervention and were clinically examined at the age of 7 years in 2007 (n = 250), 10 years in 2010 (n = 250) and 13 years in 2013 (n = 242). Children in Group II (n = 250) joined the programme at the age of 4 years in kindergarten in 2007, were provided with early preschool-based intervention and were clinically examined at the age of 7 years in 2010 and 10 years in 2013.

RESULTS

Both the prevalence and the mean number of dt + DT decreased significantly in both groups during the follow-up. This was due to decrease in the number of dt, whereas the number of DT remained relatively constant. Poisson regression showed that the association between the group status and the change in the number of dt + DT was statistically significant when adjusted for gender but disappeared when the school was included in the analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The decrease in dental caries may be partly due to the exfoliation of deciduous teeth and dental treatment received. However, the study gave some reference emphasizing the early starting of the prevention.

When is facial diplegia regarded as a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome?

A variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with predominant manifestation of facial diplegia (FD) has been described recently. This study aimed to characterize and determine the incidence of this FD-predominant GBS variant. The clinical and serological information of 900 consecutive patients were reviewed. In total, eight patients were identified between January 2007 and December 2010 as having FD accompanied by some features of GBS. These features were subjective sensory symptoms such as distal paresthesia (7/8, 88%), albumin-cytological (A/C) dissociation (7/8, 88%), antecedent infection (6/8, 75%), and minor nerve conduction study (NCS) abnormalities (5/7, 71%). One patient presented with the typical NCS feature of demyelinating neuropathy. Only two patients exhibited areflexia (2/8, 25%). None of the patients possessed any anti-ganglioside antibodies; however, the serum of two patients was positive for anti-mycoplasma antibody (2/6, 33%). FD variant of GBS occurred in less than 1% of our dataset. FD can be a regional variant of GBS when it is accompanied by supporting features, such as subjective tingling, A/C dissociation, and minor NCS abnormalities.

The cortical contrast accumulation from brain computed tomography after endovascular treatment predicts symptomatic hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The prognostic value of contrast accumulation from non-contrast brain computed tomography taken immediately after endovascular reperfusion treatment in acute ischaemic stroke patients to predict symptomatic hemorrhage was studied.

METHODS

Between July 2007 and August 2014, acute anterior circulation ischaemic stroke patients who were treated by intra-arterial thrombolysis or thrombectomy were included. Contrast accumulation was defined as a high attenuation area from non-contrast brain computed tomography immediately taken after endovascular reperfusion treatment, and patients were categorized into three groups according to the presence and location of contrast: (i) negative, (ii) cortical involvement and (iii) non-cortical involvement. The rates of symptomatic hemorrhage after 24 h and functional outcome at discharge were compared between patients with and without cortical involvement.

RESULTS

Of 64 patients who were treated by endovascular intervention, contrast accumulation was detected in 56, including 33 patients with cortical involvement and 23 patients without cortical involvement. The cortical involvement pattern was more frequently associated with symptomatic hemorrhage (13 vs. 1 patient, P = 0.003) and with grave outcome at discharge with modified Rankin Scale 5 or 6 (14 vs. 4, P = 0.048) than the non-cortical involvement group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis including initial collateral status and occlusion site disclosed that cortical involvement pattern independently predicted symptomatic hemorrhage after endovascular treatment (odds ratio 19.0, confidence interval 1.6-227.6, P = 0.020).

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence that the cortical involvement of contrast accumulation is associated with symptomatic hemorrhage after endovascular reperfusion treatment.

Effects of Palm Kernel Expellers on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Blood Profiles of Weaned Pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of palm kernel expellers on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles of weaned pigs. A total of 88 weaned pigs (6.94±0.76 kg body weight [BW]; 28 d old) were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (4 pigs/pen; 11 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (sex as a block). The dietary treatments were a typical nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON added with 20% of palm kernel expellers (PKE). Pigs were fed for 6 wk using a 3-phase feeding program with declining diet complexity and with phases of 1, 2, and 3 wk, respectively. Blood was collected from randomly selected 2 pigs in each pen before weaning and on d 7 after weaning. Pigs were fed respective dietary treatments containing 0.2% chromic oxide from d 29 to 35 after weaning. Fecal samples were collected from randomly selected 2 pigs in each pen daily for the last 3 days after the 4-d adjustment period. Measurements were growth performances, digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and energy, white and red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, and incidence of diarrhea. The PKE increased average daily gain (ADG) (246 vs 215 g/d; p = 0.06) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (470 vs 343 g/d; p<0.05) and decreased gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) (0.522 vs 0.628 g/g; p<0.05) during phase 2 compared with CON, but did not affect growth performance during phase 1 and 3. During overall experimental period, PKE increased ADG (383 vs 362 g/d; p = 0.05) and ADFI (549 vs 496 g/d; p<0.05) compared with CON, but did not affect G:F. However, no differences were found on digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy between CON and PKE. The PKE reduced frequency of diarrhea (15% vs 25%; p = 0.08) for the first 2 wk after weaning compared with CON. Similarly, PKE decreased white blood cells (8.19 vs 9.56×10(3)/μL; p = 0.07), red blood cells (2.92 vs 3.25×10(6)/μL; p = 0.09), and packed cell volume (11.1% vs 12.6%; p = 0.06) on d 7 after weaning compared with CON. In conclusion, addition of 20% palm kernel expellers to nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal had no negative effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles of weaned pigs.

Effects of chronic dietary nitrate supplementation on the hemodynamic response to dynamic exercise

While acute treatment with beetroot juice (BRJ) containing nitrate (NO3 (-)) can lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), afterload, and myocardial O2 demand during submaximal exercise, effects of chronic supplementation with BRJ (containing a relatively low dose of NO3 (-), 400 mg) on cardiac output (CO), SBP, total peripheral resistance (TPR), and the work of the heart in response to dynamic exercise are not known. Thus, in 14 healthy males (22 ± 1 yr), we compared effects of 15 days of both BRJ and nitrate-depleted beetroot juice (NDBRJ) supplementation on plasma concentrations of NOx (NO3 (-)/NO2 (-)), SBP, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), CO, TPR, and rate pressure product (RPP) at rest and during progressive cycling exercise. Endothelial function was also assessed via flow-mediated dilation (FMD). BRJ supplementation increased plasma NOx from 83.8 ± 13.8 to 167.6 ± 13.2 μM. Compared with NDBRJ, BRJ reduced SBP, DBP, MAP, and TPR at rest and during exercise (P < 0.05). In addition, RPP was decreased during exercise, while CO was increased, but only at rest and the 30% workload (P < 0.05). BRJ enhanced FMD-induced increases in brachial artery diameter (pre: 12.3 ± 1.6%; post: 17.8 ± 1.9%). We conclude that 1) chronic supplementation with BRJ lowers blood pressure and vascular resistance at rest and during exercise and attenuates RPP during exercise and 2) these effects may be due, in part, to enhanced endothelium-induced vasodilation in contracting skeletal muscle. Findings suggest that BRJ can act as a dietary nutraceutical capable of enhancing O2 delivery and reducing work of the heart, such that exercise can be performed at a given workload for a longer period of time before the onset of fatigue.

The Role of Core Needle Biopsy and Its Impact on Surgical Management in Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Clinical Experience at 3 Medical Institutions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Medullary thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy that is challenging to diagnose. Our aim was to present our experience using core needle biopsy for the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma compared with fine-needle aspiration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2000 and March 2012, 202 thyroid nodules in 191 patients were diagnosed as medullary thyroid cancer by using sonography-guided fine-needle aspiration, core needle biopsy, or surgery. One hundred eighty-three thyroid nodules in 172 patients were included on the basis of the final diagnosis. We evaluated the sensitivity and positive predictive value of fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy for the diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer. We compared the rate of a delayed diagnosis, a diagnostic surgery, and surgery with an incorrect diagnosis for fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy and investigated the factors related to the fine-needle aspiration misdiagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer.

RESULTS

Fine-needle aspiration showed 43.8% sensitivity and 85.1% positive predictive value for the diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer; 25.7% (44/171) of patients had a delayed diagnosis, while 18.7% (32/171) underwent an operation for accurate diagnosis, and 20.5% (35/171) underwent an operation with an incorrect diagnosis. Core needle biopsy achieved 100% sensitivity and positive predictive value without a delay in diagnosis (0/22), the need for a diagnostic operation (0/22), or an operation for an incorrect diagnosis (0/22). A calcitonin level of <100 pg/mL was the only significant factor for predicting the fine-needle aspiration misdiagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer (P = .034).

CONCLUSIONS

Core needle biopsy showed a superior sensitivity and positive predictive value to fine-needle aspiration and could optimize the surgical management in patients with medullary thyroid cancer. Because the ability of fine-needle aspiration to diagnose medullary thyroid cancer significantly decreases in patients with serum calcitonin levels of <100 pg/mL, core needle biopsy could be indicated for these patients to optimize their surgical management.

Robust MR assessment of cerebral blood volume and mean vessel size using SPION-enhanced ultrashort echo acquisition

Intravascular superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION)-enhanced MR transverse relaxation rates (∆R2(⁎) and ∆R2) are widely used to investigate in vivo vascular parameters, such as the cerebral blood volume (CBV), microvascular volume (MVV), and mean vessel size index (mVSI, ∆R2(⁎)/∆R2). Although highly efficient, regional comparison of vascular parameters acquired using gradient-echo based ∆R2(⁎) is hampered by its high sensitivity to magnetic field perturbations arising from air-tissue interfaces and large vessels. To minimize such demerits, we took advantage of the dual contrast property of SPION and both theoretically and experimentally verified the direct benefit of replacing gradient-echo based ∆R2(⁎) measurement with ultra-short echo time (UTE)-based ∆R1 contrast to generate the robust CBV and mVSI maps. The UTE acquisition minimized the local measurement errors from susceptibility perturbations and enabled dose-independent CBV measurement using the vessel/tissue ∆R1 ratio, while independent spin-echo acquisition enabled simultaneous ∆R2 measurement and mVSI calculation of the cortex, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb, which are animal brain regions typified by significant susceptibility-associated measurement errors.

The Korean version of the Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Cross cultural adaptation, reliability, validity and responsiveness

The purpose of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire to produce an equivalent Korean version. A total of 53 patients completed the Korean version of the Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire pre-operatively and 3 months after open carpal tunnel release. All 53 also completed the Korean version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire pre-operatively and 3 months post-operatively. Reliability was measured by determining the test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients and paired t-tests, and internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Pearson correlation analysis was carried out on the Korean version of the Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire scores and the Korean version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores to assess construct validity. Responsiveness was evaluated using effect sizes and standardized response means. The reliability of the Korean version of the Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire was good. The scores in the Korean version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand strongly correlated with the scores in the Korean version of the Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Standardized response mean and effect size were both large for the Korean version of the Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. The study shows that the Korean version of the Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire is a reliable, valid and responsive instrument for measuring outcomes in carpal tunnel syndrome.

The risk factors associated with subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joint in mallet fracture

Surgical fixation is recommended when a mallet fracture involves more than one-third of the articular surface of the distal phalanx. This recommendation originates from the idea that involvement of more than one-third of the base of the distal phalanx causes subluxation of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. Eighty-six fingers of 85 patients with a mallet fracture involving more than one-third of the articular surface of the distal phalanx were enrolled in this study. Patients were allocated on the basis of subluxation of the DIP joint into a group with no subluxation or a group with subluxation. These two groups were compared with respect to age, sex, fracture size, fracture displacement, time to finger immobilizer application, and initial extensor lag of the DIP joint. Backward stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors of DIP joint subluxation, and receiver operating curve analysis was used to calculate the optimal cut-off point for the risk factors. Half of our patients with a mallet fracture involving > one-third of the articular surface of the distal phalanx showed subluxation of the DIP joint. A significant intergroup difference was found for fracture size and time to application of a finger immobilizer, but no significant difference was observed for other parameters. The risk factors of DIP joint subluxation were fracture size and time to application of finger immobilizer. The optimal cut-off values for the development of DIP joint subluxation were 48% for the fracture size and 12.5 days for time to finger immobilizer application.

(32)P measurment of urine samples and internal dose assessment for radiation workers in life science laboratories

(32)P measurements of urine samples and internal dose assessments were conducted for workers in life science laboratories. A procedure for sample pre-treatment was established and validation was performed to exclude interference and to detect (32)P levels accurately. The detection conditions for Cherenkov radiation were evaluated and the accuracy of Cherenkov radiation measurements validated. The analytical and measurement procedures were applied to urine samples collected from 11 workers from life sciences laboratories. The results of the measurements generally indicated very low background radiation levels, but daily urine samples from two workers were above the minimum detectable activity. The (32)P concentrations for two of the workers were 29.3  ±  10.4 Bq•d(-1) and 24.1  ±  11.8 Bq•d(-1), respectively, at intake levels of 4.12 kBq and 2.61 kBq. The effective doses for these two workers were 4.6 μSv and 2.9 μSv. Overall, the results indicate very low levels of radioactivity, except for cases related to specific working conditions.

Development of inorganic and organic hybrid nanocoating based on carbon nanotubes for corrosion resistance

In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of novel hybrid nanocoating based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on anodized aluminum surfaces (AAO). The hybrid nanocoating was deposited by number of methods which include spray coating, spin coating and dip coating. The bonding of nanocoating with metal surface is an important parameter for successful modification of the metal surfaces. The improved adhesion of nanocoating on metal surfaces could be attributed to chemical bonding of sol-gel nanocoating with anodized surfaces. The nanocoated anodized aluminum surfaces showed superior adhesion and excellent anticorrosive properties. The nanocoated panels showed enhanced galvanic protection comparable to 80% of titanium metal as determined by galvanic corrosion measurements. It also showed higher thermal conductivities than stainless steel and bare anodized surfaces.

Korean Work Environment Scales for Clinical Nurses

AIM

The aim of this study was to develop an assessment tool for the hospital nursing work environment in Korea.

METHODS

The participants were 564 clinical nurses who worked in 13 hospitals in seven provinces in regions throughout South Korea; they worked in medical-surgical nursing, pediatric and maternal nursing, intensive care unit, and other areas. The data analysis relied on descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis, including varimax rotation, and reliability was determined using SPSS software.

RESULTS

The final assessment tool, the Korean Work Environment Scales for Clinical Nurses (KWES-CN) was composed of 39 items divided into nine factors: (i) manager leadership; (ii) supporting environment for nursing work; (iii) patient care environment and professional activities; (iv) violence within ward; (v) sufficient inventory and supply; (vi) hospital's support for working environment; (vii) recognition and respect; (viii) satisfaction with work schedule; and (ix) computer problems. The total variance for validity described by the nine factors was 58.7% and the reliability of the tool was a Cronbach's alpha of 0.87.

CONCLUSION

This final assessment tool will be used to improve nursing work. Further research must be conducted to verify the reliability and validity of this tool, and evaluations of nursing quality and patient results related to the nursing environment.

Effects of Defaunation on Fermentation Characteristics and Methane Production by Rumen Microbes In vitro When Incubated with Starchy Feed Sources

An in vitro experiment was conducted to examine the effects of defaunation (removal of protozoa) on ruminal fermentation characteristics, CH₄ production and degradation by rumen microbes when incubated with cereal grains (corn, wheat and rye). Sodium lauryl sulfate as a defaunation reagent was added into the culture solution at a concentration of 0.000375 g/ml, and incubated anaerobically for up to 12 h at 39°C. Following defaunation, live protozoa in the culture solution were rarely observed by microscopic examination. A difference in pH was found among grains regardless of defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.01 to 0.001). Defaunation significantly decreased pH at 12 h (p<0.05) when rumen fluid was incubated with grains. Ammonia-N concentration was increased by defaunation for all grains at 6 h (p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.05) incubation times. Total VFA concentration was increased by defaunation at 6 h (p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.01) for all grains. Meanwhile, defaunation decreased acetate and butyrate proportions at 6 h (p<0.05, p<0.01) and 12 h (p<0.01, p<0.001), but increased the propionate proportion at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h incubation (p<0.01 to 0.001) for all grains. Defaunation increased in vitro effective degradability of DM (p<0.05). Production of total gas and CO₂ was decreased by defaunation for all grains at 1 h (p<0.05, p<0.05) and then increased at 6 h (p<0.05, p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.05, p<0.05). CH₄ production was higher from faunation than from defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.05).

Ultrafast 3D spin-echo acquisition improves Gadolinium-enhanced MRI signal contrast enhancement

Long scan times of 3D volumetric MR acquisitions usually necessitate ultrafast in vivo gradient-echo acquisitions, which are intrinsically susceptible to magnetic field inhomogeneities. This is especially problematic for contrast-enhanced (CE)-MRI applications, where non-negligible T₂* effect of contrast agent deteriorates the positive signal contrast and limits the available range of MR acquisition parameters and injection doses. To overcome these shortcomings without degrading temporal resolution, ultrafast spin-echo acquisitions were implemented. Specifically, a multiplicative acceleration factor from multiple spin echoes (×32) and compressed sensing (CS) sampling (×8) allowed highly-accelerated 3D Multiple-Modulation-Multiple-Echo (MMME) acquisition. At the same time, the CE-MRI of kidney with Gd-DOTA showed significantly improved signal enhancement for CS-MMME acquisitions (×7) over that of corresponding FLASH acquisitions (×2). Increased positive contrast enhancement and highly accelerated acquisition of extended volume with reduced RF irradiations will be beneficial for oncological and nephrological applications, in which the accurate in vivo 3D quantification of contrast agent concentration is necessary with high temporal resolution.

Band offsets in YSZ/InGaZnO4 heterostructure system

The energy discontinuity in the valence band (deltaE(v)) of Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ)/InGaZnO4 (IGZO) heterostructures was obtained from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. The YSZ exhibited a bandgap of 4.4 eV from absorption measurements. A value of deltaE(v) = 0.57 +/- 0.12 eV was obtained by using Ga 2P3/2, Zn 2p3/2 and In 3d5/2 energy levels as references. This implies a conduction band offset (deltaE(c)) of 0.63 eV in YSZ/InGaZnO4 heterostructures and a nested interface band alignment.

Acute calcium deposits in the hand and wrist; comparison of acute calcium peritendinitis and acute calcium periarthritis

Acute calcium deposits are characterized by acute pain and a radiographic finding of amorphous calcification. A prospective, observational study was carried out on 30 consecutive patients undergoing conservative treatment for acute calcium deposits of the hand and wrist. Thirteen patients presented with acute calcific peritendinitis (Group A), and the other 17 with acute calcific periarthritis (Group B). All patients were followed for more than 12 months (mean 29 months). The average age at onset and recurrence rate of acute calcific peritendinitis were both significantly greater than for acute calcific periarthritis.

The novel miR-9500 regulates the proliferation and migration of human lung cancer cells by targeting Akt1

MicroRNAs have crucial roles in lung cancer cell development. They regulate cell growth, proliferation and migration by mediating the expression of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. We identified and characterized the novel miR-9500 in human lung cancer cells. The miR-9500 forms a stem-loop structure and is conserved in other mammals. The expression levels of miR-9500 were reduced in lung cancer cells and lung cancer tissues compared with normal tissues, as verified by TaqMan miRNA assays. It was confirmed that the putative target gene, Akt1, was directly suppressed by miR-9500, as demonstrated by a luciferase reporter assay. The miR-9500 significantly repressed the protein expression levels of Akt1, as demonstrated via western blot, but did not affect the corresponding mRNA levels. Akt1 has an important role in lung carcinogenesis, and depletion of Akt1 has been shown to have antiproliferative and anti-migratory effects in previous studies. In the current study, the overexpression of miR-9500 inhibited cell proliferation and the expression of cell cycle-related proteins. Likewise, the overexpression of miR-9500 impeded cell migration in human lung cancer cells. In an in vivo assay, miR-9500 significantly suppressed Fluc expression compared with NC and ASO-miR-9500, suggesting that cell proliferation was inhibited in nude mice. Likewise, miR-9500 repressed tumorigenesis and metastasis by targeting Akt1. These data indicate that miR-9500 might be applicable for lung cancer therapy.

Multidetector CT imaging features of solid pseudopapillary tumours of the pancreas in male patients: distinctive imaging features with female patients

OBJECTIVE

To describe multidetector CT imaging features of solid pseudopapillary tumours (SPTs) in male patients and to compare these imaging features with those found in female patients.

METHODS

The institutional review board approved this retrospective study. We included the CT images of 72 patients (M:F = 12:60; mean age, 35.0 years) diagnosed with SPT by histology. CT images were reviewed on the following: location of the tumour, maximal diameter, shape, margin and the fraction of the tumour composition. Statistical differences in CT imaging features were analysed.

RESULTS

Male patients with SPTs were significantly older than female patients (42.4 years vs 33.4 years, p = 0.0408) and the mean size of the SPTs in male patients was larger (6.3 cm vs 4.6 cm, p = 0.0413) than that of SPTs in female patients. Lobulated shape of the SPTs was most frequent in male patients, whereas oval shape was most frequent in female patients (p = 0.0133). SPTs in male patients tended to have a solid component (p = 0.0434). Progressive enhancement in the solid portion of the tumour was seen in 9 (81.8%) of 11 SPTs in male patients and in 30 (79.0%) of 38 SPTs in female patients on multiphasic CT.

CONCLUSION

The imaging features of SPTs in male patients usually appeared as a somewhat large-sized solid mass with a lobulated margin and progressive enhancement. These imaging features may help to differentiate SPTs from other pancreatic tumours for their proper management.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

SPTs in male patients appear as somewhat large-sized solid masses with lobulated margins, and this form occurs more frequently in older male patients than in female patients.