[Preliminary study of whole-tumor volume analysis of mono-exponential and intravoxel incoherent motion models in the preoperative histologic grading of hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic performance of whole-tumor volume analysis of mono-exponential and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)parameters in the preoperative grading of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 106 patients who undewent parital hepatectomy were prospectively enrolled and underwent with routine MR and IVIM examination.112 HCCs were confirmed by the surgical pathology.The original images of IVIM were imported into the GE AW 4.6 workstation.Two independent radiologist who were blinded to the histopathological results analyzed the data.Freehand ROI was used to cover the whole tumor volume, ADC, ADC(slow), ADC(fast) and f was calculated.Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the inter-observer agreement, One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis sign rank test were used to evaluate the difference of these parameters in grading HCC, Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between these parameters and histologic grade, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: ICC value of ADC, ADC(slow), ADC(fast) and f were 0.948, 0.966, 0.901 and 0.940, respectively.Statistical significances were obtained from the ADC(slow)(R1: χ(2)=74.403, P<0.001; R2: F=44.973, P<0.001) and ADC (R1: χ(2)=52.987, P<0.001; R2: F=30.851, P<0.001) in grading HCC.Between the multiple-comparison in grading HCC, the ADC(slow) and ADC (except for E-S 3 and 4, R1: P=0.134; R2: P=0.069) also demonstrated a statistical significant difference (all P<0.05). Area under curve (AUC) value of two radiologists for ADC(slow) were 0.905 and 0.917, for ADC were 0.831 and 0.829, a negative correlation was obtained from the ADC and ADC(slow) (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Mono-exponential and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model can be used to evaluate the pathological differentiated grade of HCC, ADC and ADC(slow) value entailed the highest diagnostic performance.

Sculpting Extreme Electromagnetic Field Enhancement in Free Space for Molecule Sensing

A strongly confined and enhanced electromagnetic (EM) field due to gap-plasmon resonance offers a promising pathway for ultrasensitive molecular detections. However, the maximum enhanced portion of the EM field is commonly concentrated within the dielectric gap medium that is inaccessible to external substances, making it extremely challenging for achieving single-molecular level detection sensitivity. Here, a new family of plasmonic nanostructure created through a unique process using nanoimprint lithography is introduced, which enables the precise tailoring of the gap plasmons to realize the enhanced field spilling to free space. The nanostructure features arrays of physically contacted nanofinger-pairs with a 2 nm tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) film as an ultrasmall dielectric gap. The high tunneling barrier offered by ta-C film due to its low electron affinity makes an ultranarrow gap and high enhancement factor possible at the same time. Additionally, its high electric permittivity leads to field redistribution and an abrupt increase across the ta-C/air boundary and thus extensive spill-out of the coupled EM field from the gap region with field enhancement in free space of over 103 . The multitude of benefits deriving from the unique nanostructure hence allows extremely high detection sensitivity at the single-molecular level to be realized as demonstrated through bianalyte surface-enhanced Raman scattering measurement.

Home-centered Health-enabling Technologies and Regional Health Information Systems

Introduction: This article is part of the Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on “Using Data from Ambient Assisted Living and Smart Homes in Electronic Health Records”.

Objectives: In this paper, we present a prototype of a Home-Centered Health- Enabling Technology (HET-HC), which is able to capture, store, merge and process data from various sensor systems at people’s home. In addition, we present an architecture designed to integrate HET-HC into an exem -plary regional Health Information System (rHIS).

Methods: rHIS are traditionally document-based to fit to the needs in a clinical context. However, HET-HC are producing continuous data streams for which documents might be an inappropriate representation. Therefore, the HET-HC could register placeholder-documents at rHIS. These placeholder-documents are assembled upon user-authenticated request by the HET-HC and are always up-to-date. Moreover, it is not trivial to find a clinical coding system for continuous sensor data and to make the data machine-readable in order to enhance the interoperability of such systems. Therefore, we propose the use of SNOCAP-HET, which is a nomenclature to describe the context of sensor-based measurements in health-enabling technologies.

Results: We present an architectural approach to integrate HET-HC into rHIS. Our solution is the centralized registration of placeholder-documents with rHIS and the decentralized data storage at people’s home.

Conclusions: We concluded that the pre -sented architecture of integrating HET-HC into rHIS might fit well to the traditional approach of document-based data storage. Data security and privacy issues are also duly considered.

Solution and gas phase evidence of anion binding through the secondary bonding interactions of a bidentate bis-antimony(iii) anion receptor

Solution and gas phase evidence of halide binding to a bis-antimony(iii) anion receptor is demonstrated through NMR titrations and ESI-MS.

Arterial spin labelling MRI for detecting pseudocapsule defects and predicting renal capsule invasion in renal cell carcinoma

AIM

To evaluate prospectively the performance of combining morphological and arterial spin labelling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting pseudocapsule defects in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and to predict renal capsule invasion confirmed histopathologically.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty consecutive patients with suspicious renal tumours underwent MRI. Renal ASL imaging was performed and renal blood flow was measured quantitatively. The diagnostic performance of T2-weighted images alone, and a combination of T2-weighted and ASL images for predicting renal capsule invasion were assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty renal lesions were evaluated in 20 patients. All lesions were clear cell RCCs (ccRCCs) confirmed at post-surgical histopathology. Fifteen ccRCCs showed pseudocapsule defects on T2-weighted images, of which 12 cases showed existing blood flow in defect areas on perfusion images. To predict renal capsule invasion, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 100%, 71.4%, 86.7%, 100%, respectively, for T2-weighted images alone, and 92.3%, 100%, 100%, 87.5%, respectively, for the combination of T2-weighted and ASL images.

CONCLUSION

ASL images can reflect the perfusion of pseudocapsule defects and as such, the combination of T2-weighted and ASL images produces promising diagnostic accuracy for predicting renal capsule invasion.

T1 mapping combined with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in predicting the pathologic grading of hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI on hepatobiliary phase (HBP) imaging and T1 mapping sequence in the differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 45 patients with HCC who were to undergo a resection were enrolled in this study. Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance examination was performed prior to resection. T1 mapping was performed before and 20 min after injection of Gd-EOB-DTPA. T1 values of the lesions were measured on pre-contrast (T1p) and during HBP (T1-HBP) on T1 maps. The signal intensity, the diameter and the margin of HCC lesions on HBP images were analyzed. The reduction in T1 value (T1d) and the reduction rate (ΔT1%) of T1 mapping between pre-contrast and HBP were calculated. The Edmondson-Steiner classification of each lesion was made after surgery. The SPSS software package was used for statistical analysis and the analysis of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were carried out by using MedCalc software package. Mean values of T1p and T1-HBP were 1935.4±730.8 ms and 1257.1±529.1 ms, respectively. T1p accuracy (AUC = 0.685, p = 0.037) in predicting pathological grading was similar to that of T1-HBP (AUC = 0.751, p = 0.005). A T1p of 1648.2 ms or greater had a sensitivity and specificity of 85.19% and 61.11%, respectively. A T1-HBP of 1006 ms or greater had a sensitivity and specificity of 81.84% and 61.11%, respectively. The number of HCCs with a non-smooth tumor margin was 20 (44.4%), and a non-smooth tumor margin correlated moderately with the Edmondson-Steiner grade (Spearman r = 0.491, p = 0.041). There was no significant correlation between T1d, ΔT1%, HCC signal intensity on HBP image and lesion diameter with pathologic grading. T1 mapping in pre-contrast and HBP of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI, a non-smooth tumor margin in the HBP of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI, are useful in predicting the pathologic grading of HCC.

Inhibition of Nkcc1 promotes axonal growth and motor recovery in ischemic rats

Bumetanide is a selective inhibitor of the Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^--co-transporter 1(NKCC1). We studied whether bumetanide could affect axonal growth and behavioral outcome in stroke rats. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham-operated rats treated with vehicle or bumetanide, and ischemic rats treated with vehicle or bumetanide. Endothelin-1 was used to induce focal cerebral ischemia. Bumetanide administration (i.c.v.) started on postoperative day 7 and continued for 3 weeks. Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected into the right imotor cortex on postoperative day 14 to trace corticospinal tract (CST) fibers sprouting into the denervated cervical spinal cord. Nogo-A, NKCC1, KCC2 and BDNF in the perilesional cortex and BDA, PSD-95 and vGlut1 in the denervated spinal cord were measured by immunohistochemistry and/or Western blot. Behavioral outcome of rats was assessed by the beam walking and cylinder tests. The total length of CST fibers sprouting into the denervated cervical spinal cord significantly increased after stroke and bumetanide further increased this sprouting. Bumetanide treatment also decreased the expressions of NKCC1 and Nogo-A, increased the expressions of KCC2 and BDNF in the perilesional cortex and enhanced the synaptic plasticity in the denervated cervical spinal cord after cerebral ischemia. The behavioral performance of ischemic rats was significantly improved by bumetanide. In conclusion, bumetanide promoted post-stroke axonal sprouting together accompanied by an improved behavioral outcome possibly through restoring and maintaining neuronal chloride homeostasis and creating a recovery-promoting microenvironment by overcoming the axonal growth inhibition encountered after cerebral ischemia in rats.

Calcium-dependent Nedd4-2 upregulation mediates degradation of the cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5: implications for heart failure

AIM

Reductions in voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav1.5) function/expression provide a slowed-conduction substrate for cardiac arrhythmias. Nedd4-2, which is activated by calcium, post-translationally modulates Nav1.5. We aim to investigate whether elevated intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺ ]_i ) reduces Nav1.5 through Nedd4-2 and its role in heart failure (HF).

METHODS

Using a combination of biochemical, electrophysiological, cellular and in vivo methods, we tested the effect and mechanism of calcium on Nedd4-2 and in turn Nav1.5.

RESULTS

Increased [Ca²⁺ ]_i , following 24-h ionomycin treatment, decreased sodium current (I_Na ) density and Nav1.5 protein without altering its mRNA in both neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) and HEK 293 cells stably expressing Nav1.5. The calcium chelator BAPTA-AM restored the reduced Nav1.5 and I_Na in NRCMs pre-treated by ionomycin. Nav1.5 was decreased by Nedd4-2 transfection and further decreased by 6-h ionomycin treatment. These effects were not observed in cells transfected with the catalytically inactive mutant, Nedd4-2 C801S, or with Y1977A-Nav1.5 mutant containing the impaired Nedd4-2 binding motif. Furthermore, elevated [Ca²⁺ ]_i increased Nedd4-2, the interaction between Nedd4-2 and Nav1.5, and Nav1.5 ubiquitination. Nav1.5 protein is decreased, whereas Nedd4-2 is increased in volume-overload HF rat hearts, with increased co-localization of Nav1.5 with ubiquitin or Nedd4-2 as indicated by immunofluorescence staining. BAPTA-AM rescued the reduced Nav1.5 protein, I_Na and increased Nedd4-2 in hypertrophied NRCMs induced by isoproterenol or angiotensin II.

CONCLUSION

Calcium-mediated increases in Nedd4-2 downregulate Nav1.5 by ubiquitination. Nav1.5 is downregulated and co-localizes with Nedd4-2 and ubiquitin in failing rat heart. These data suggest a role of Nedd4-2 in Nav1.5 downregulation in HF.

Probing Gap Plasmons Down to Subnanometer Scales Using Collapsible Nanofingers

Gap plasmonic nanostructures are of great interest due to their ability to concentrate light into small volumes. Theoretical studies, considering quantum mechanical effects, have predicted the optimal spatial gap between adjacent nanoparticles to be in the subnanometer regime in order to achieve the strongest possible field enhancement. Here, we present a technology to fabricate gap plasmonic structures with subnanometer resolution, high reliability, and high throughput using collapsible nanofingers. This approach enables us to systematically investigate the effects of gap size and tunneling barrier height. The experimental results are consistent with previous findings as well as with a straightforward theoretical model that is presented here.

High-mobility group box 1 regulates cytoprotective autophagy in a mouse spermatocyte cell line (GC-2spd) exposed to cadmium

BACKGROUND

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental and industrial pollutant that induces a broad spectrum of toxicological effects, influences a variety of human organs, and is associated with poor semen quality and male infertility. Increasing evidence demonstrates that Cd induces testicular germ cell apoptosis in rodent animals. However, the specific effect of Cd exposure on autophagy in germ cells is poorly understood.

METHODS

We investigate the role of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), a ubiquitous nuclear protein, on Cd-evoked autophagy in a mouse spermatocyte cell line (GC-2spd).

RESULTS

Our data have shown that autophagy was significantly elevated in GC-2spd cells exposed to Cd. Furthermore, there was a reduction in rapamycin (RAP)-mediated apoptosis. In addition, Cd exposure reduced cell viability, which is an effect that could be significantly inhibited by RAP treatment. These results indicate that autophagy appears to serve a positive function in reducing Cd-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, HMGB1 increased coincident with the processing of LC3-I to LC3-II. Thus, the upregulation of HMGB1 increases LC3-II levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that HMGB1-induced autophagy appears to act as a defense/survival mechanism against Cd cytotoxicity in GC-2spd cells.

[Population-based study on infection and genotype distribution of high-risk human among women in rural areas of China, 2014]

Objective: To explore the epidemiologic characterization of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and genotype distribution of HR-HPV among women in rural areas of China. Methods: This study used multiple layers of stratified cluster random sampling method. During January to December in 2014, 117 counties of 27 provinces were selected as the HPV test screening pilot project counties. The women aged 35-64 years with rural areas Hukou in these project counties were selected as the study subjects. A total 457 799 women received HPV DNA test. Among them, 118 237 women from 32 counties in 11 provinces received qualified HPV DNA test by fluorescent PCR to detect HPV genotypes. Results: Among 118 237 rural women, the overall HR-HPV positive infection rate was 7.8% (9 249/118 237). The infection rate increased with age and reached an infection peak at the 60-64 age groups (9.9%, 831/8 394). The HR-HPV positive infection rate in western regions (6.9%, 2 144/31 130) was statistical significantly lower than in central regions (8.2%, 1 894/23 023) and eastern regions (8.1%, 5 211/64 084) (χ(2)=51.46, P<0.001). Among 9 249 women with specific genotypes of HR-HPV, 6 496 (97.6%) cases were infected with single HR-HPV type, and 163 cases (2.4% ) were infected with multiple types. HR-HPV type 52, 16 and 58 were the most common infection types in rural areas of China. The single infection rates were 20.9% (1 355/6 496), 18.7% (1 215/6 496), and 11.2% (725/6 496), respectively. The multiple infection rates were 47.2% (77/163), 17.8% (29/163), and 18.4% (30/163), respectively. Conclusion: The HR-HPV positive infection rate in rural areas of Chinese woman was 7.8%, western region has lower infection rate compared with central and eastern regions. HPV 52 was first of the most common genotypes in rural areas of China.

Expression of T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis factor on the occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma

In recent years, many studies have found that tumor metastasis-related gene T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis-inducing factor 1 (TIAM1) had abnormal high expression in a variety of tumor cells; however, there are few studies regarding its expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to observe the expression of TIAM1 in OSCC and investigated its clinical significance. The expression of TIAM1 in tissues from 120 cases of OSCC and oral mucosa from 40 normal cases was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship between the expression of TIAM1 and the clinicopathological parameters of OSCC was analyzed. The positive expression rate of TIAM1 in the OSCC tissues was significantly higher than that in the normal oral mucosa (92.5% vs 0%). With the decrease of histological differentiation of OSCC, the increase of tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage and the occurrence of lymph node metastasis, the TIAM1 staining positive rate was gradually increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). However, the expression of TIAM1 in the OSCC tissues was in no correlation with the gender and age of the patients. The expression of TIAM1 is closely related to the occurrence, development and metastasis of OSCC, and it can be used as a new marker for reflecting its biological behaviors.

Serum Cyr61 as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of serum Cyr61 as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to assess the association between serum Cyr61 level and CRC clinicopathological status.

METHODS

We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure serum Cyr61 in patients with CRC, patients with colorectal adenomas, and healthy controls. We also analyzed the relationship between serum Cyr61 and clinicopathological features of CRC patients. The levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) were quantified using the Roche Cobas 6000 Analyzer. The sensitivity and specificity of Cyr61, CEA, CA19-9 and CEA + CA19-9 were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

The serum level of Cyr61 was significantly increased in CRC patients compared with colorectal adenoma patients and healthy controls (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the area under the ROC curve for Cyr61 was 0.935 (95 % confidence interval 0.902-0.968), higher than that for CEA + CA19-9 (0.827, 95 % confidence interval: 0.783-0.871). Use of a Cyr61 cutoff value of 92.0 pg/mL allowed distinguishing CRC patients and healthy controls with a sensitivity of 83 % and a specificity of 97 %. Among CRC patients, an elevated level of serum Cyr61 was significantly associated with more advanced TNM stage (p < 0.0042), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.0088), and vascular invasion (p = 0.0027).

CONCLUSION

Cyr61 has potential as a serum biomarker for the diagnosis of CRC and for assessment of the clinicopathological status of CRC.

Programmed cell death in periodontitis: recent advances and future perspectives

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent infectious disease, characterized by destruction of the periodontium, and is the main cause of tooth loss. Periodontitis is initiated by periodontal pathogens, while other risk factors including smoking, stress, and systemic diseases aggravate its progression. Periodontitis affects many people worldwide, but the molecular mechanisms by which pathogens and risk factors destroy the periodontium are unclear. Programmed cell death (PCD), different from necrosis, is an active cell death mediated by a cascade of gene expression events and can be mainly classified into apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. Although PCD is involved in many inflammatory diseases, its correlation with periodontitis is unclear. After reviewing the relevant published articles, we found that apoptosis has indeed been reported to play a role in periodontitis. However, the role of autophagy in periodontitis needs further verification. Additionally, implication of necroptosis or pyroptosis in periodontitis remains unknown. Therefore, we recommend future studies, which will unravel the pivotal role of PCD in periodontitis, allowing us to prevent, diagnose, and treat the disease, as well as predict its outcomes.

Nanoimprint-defined, large-area meta-surfaces for unidirectional optical transmission with superior extinction in the visible-to-infrared range

Optical devices with asymmetric transmission have important applications in optical systems, but optical isolators with the modal asymmetry can only be built using magneto-optical or nonlinear materials, as dictated by the Lorentz reciprocity theorem. However, optical devices with the power asymmetry can be achieved by linear materials such as metals and dielectrics. In this paper, we report a large-area, nanoimprint-defined meta-surface (stacked subwavelength gratings) with high-contrast asymmetric transmittance in the visible-to-infrared wavelength range for TM-polarized light. The physical origin of asymmetric transmission through the meta-surface is studied by analyzing the scattering matrix.

The role of Toll-like receptors in periodontitis

Periodontitis is a common infectious disease. Recent studies have indicated that the progression of periodontitis may be regulated by interactions between host immunity and periodontopathic bacteria. Although periodontopathic bacteria can destroy periodontal tissue, a dysfunctional host immune response triggered by the bacteria can lead to more severe and persistent destruction. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a type of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that recognizes pathogens, have been implicated in host innate immune responses to periodontopathic bacteria and in the activation of adaptive immunity. TLR-targeted drugs may hold promise to treat periodontal disease. This review summarizes recent studies on the role of TLRs in periodontitis and discusses areas needing further research. We believe TLRs may be an effective biomarker for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontitis in the near future.