Anatomical observation and significance of the parietal foramen in Chinese adults

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the incidence, number, diameter, and relative location of the parietal foramen (PF) as well as communication of intracranial and extracranial orifices and their direction, and sagittal suture morphology and length.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 280 dry Chinese adult skull specimens from the Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, were observed and measured. The occurrence rate and quantity of the PF near the sagittal suture were recorded. The aperture of the PF, the vertical distance between PF and sagittal suture, and the linear distance between PF and lambda were measured using a Vernier calliper. The length of the sagittal suture was measured by a flexible ruler; the direction and communication of intracranial and extracranial orifices were detected using a probe.

RESULTS

The total incidence of the PF was 82.86%, slightly higher on the right side than on the left side. The single-foramen type was the most prevalent. The mean diameter of the PF on the left and right sides were 1.02 ± 0.72 mm and 1.07 ± 0.67 mm, respectively, and the diameter of the PF on the sagittal suture was 1.77 ± 0.44 mm. The mean vertical distance between the PF and the sagittal suture was 5.90 ± 2.78 mm and 5.85 ± 2.75 mm on the left and right sides, respectively. The shape of the sagittal suture in the PF area was primarily dentate shaped, with an average arc length of χ = 124.36 ± 7.76 mm, of which the majority were completely healed type. The intracranial and extracranial communication was 39.97%, and the majority of the PF were anteromedial direction.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study provided an anatomical basis for imaging diagnosis and neurosurgery by investigating the incidence, diameter, and relative location of the PF and intracranial and extracranial communication and direction.

[Multi-center real world study of the efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced breast cancer]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Multi-center data of patients who accepted single-drug albumin-bound paclitaxel or combination regimens from 2013 to 2019 were collected and the efficacy and safety were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, while Log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates. Results: A total of 203 advanced breast cancer cases were enrolled. The median progression-free survival time (PFS) lasted for 4 months, the median overall survival(OS)was 14 months, objective response rate (ORR) was 36.0% while the disease control rate (DCR) was 81.3%. The ORRs of Luminal, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression and triple-negative breast cancer patients underwent albumin-bound paclitaxel treatment were 37.3%, 45.5% and 31.0%, respectively, the DCRs were 85.5%, 68.2% and 78.9%, respectively. The OS of patients with relapse or metastasis who accepted less than two and more than two chemotherapy regimens were 22 months and 11 months (P<0.000 1), the ORRs were 44.9% vs 30.4%, DCRs were 87.2% vs 77.6% (P=0.018). The ORR and DCR of patients who accepted traditional paclitaxel treatment before the albumin-bound paclitaxel treatment were 35.8% and 82.1%, respectively. The common adverse reaction of these patients was numbness of limbs, which incidence rate was 64.5% (131/203), and 61.1% (124/203) were degree 1 to 2. Other adverse reactions including decreased white blood cells, which incidence rate was 56.1% (114/203); nausea and vomit, which incidence rate was 36.9% (75/203); anemia, which incidence rate was 21.2% (43/203); decreased platelet, which incidence rate was 18.7% (38/203); hepatic dysfunction, which incidence rate was 18.2% (37/203). Conclusions: Albumin-bound paclitaxel single or combination regimen is still significant efficient for various molecular subtypes of breast cancer patients or patients with traditional paclitaxel resistance or multi-line chemotherapy failure. Early usage has better prognosis, controllable adverse reaction and prominent clinical application value.

Association of exposure to deoxynivalenol with DNA methylation in white blood cells in children in China

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that commonly contaminates cereals worldwide. Dietary exposure to DON is a subject of great public health concern, but studies on the health effects of chronic exposure to DON are not available. In this study, we investigated the connection between DNA methylation levels and DON exposure in children. The DNA methylation status of white blood cells from 32 children aged 2~15 years old in Henan, China, was profiled. A total of 378 differentially methylated CpGs were identified between the high and low DON exposure groups, and 8 KEGG pathways were found to be significantly enriched among the differentially methylated genes. In addition, the quantitative methylation of EIF2AK4, EMID2 and GNASAS was analysed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. The results showed that the methylation level of EIF2AK4 was significantly different between the two groups, and the methylation levels were associated with exposure to DON. Conclusively, our study found that chronic exposure to DON during childhood could affect DNA methylation levels.

Dapagliflozin decreases atherosclerotic plaque instability via regulating macrophage pyroptosis

Background

Vulnerable plaques are characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells, playing a key role in the progression of acute coronary events. It's important to clarify the inflammatory mechanism of unstable plaque formation. Several clinical trials have demonstrated that dapagliflozin could reduce major adverse cardiac events in whether diabetic or non-diabetic patients. However, the underlying cardioprotective mechanism of dapagliflozin remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the role of dapagliflozin in regulating macrophage pyroptosis and vulnerable plaque formation.

Methods

20 ApoE−/− mice (control) were fed with high fat diet while another 20 ApoE−/− mice were challenged with high fat diet plus dapagliflozin for 12 weeks. The extent and instability of atherosclerotic plaque was determined by oil-red staining, HE staining, immunofluorescence staining and electron microscopy. Changes in subsets of immune cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. Plasma cytokines were assessed by ELISA. Microarray analysis was applied to detect gene expressions while Western blot and real-time PCR was used to assess gene expression levels.

Results

Morphology studies revealed that dapagliflozin could inhibit plaque formation and reduce instability in ApoE−/− mice. FACS data showed that dapagliflozin could decrease CD11b+Ly6Chigh M1 macrophages differentiation and inhibit foam cells formation in ApoE−/− mice. Microarray analysis and in vitro studies exhibited that dapagliflozin could induce the down regulation of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and MMP-7/10/12/14 to retard macrophage pyroptosis and foam cell formation.

Conclusions

We have characterized a novel role for dapagliflozin in modulating atherosclerotic lesion development and progression. We envision that this study may provide several potential therapeutic targets for treatment of acute coronary syndromes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Shanghai Sailing Program

Improved Constraints on Primordial Gravitational Waves using Planck, WMAP, and BICEP/Keck Observations through the 2018 Observing Season

We present results from an analysis of all data taken by the BICEP2, Keck Array, and BICEP3 CMB polarization experiments up to and including the 2018 observing season. We add additional Keck Array observations at 220 GHz and BICEP3 observations at 95 GHz to the previous 95/150/220  GHz dataset. The Q/U maps now reach depths of 2.8, 2.8, and 8.8  μK_{CMB} arcmin at 95, 150, and 220 GHz, respectively, over an effective area of ≈600 square degrees at 95 GHz and ≈400 square degrees at 150 and 220 GHz. The 220 GHz maps now achieve a signal-to-noise ratio on polarized dust emission exceeding that of Planck at 353 GHz. We take auto- and cross-spectra between these maps and publicly available WMAP and Planck maps at frequencies from 23 to 353 GHz and evaluate the joint likelihood of the spectra versus a multicomponent model of lensed ΛCDM+r+dust+synchrotron+noise. The foreground model has seven parameters, and no longer requires a prior on the frequency spectral index of the dust emission taken from measurements on other regions of the sky. This model is an adequate description of the data at the current noise levels. The likelihood analysis yields the constraint r_{0.05}<0.036 at 95% confidence. Running maximum likelihood search on simulations we obtain unbiased results and find that σ(r)=0.009. These are the strongest constraints to date on primordial gravitational waves.

Electro-optically Q-switched operation of a high-peak-power Tb:LiYF4 green laser

We report on an electro-optically Q-switched Tb:LiYF₄ green laser pumped by a frequency-doubled optically pumped semiconductor blue laser. The electro-optically Q-switched characteristics were studied under a wide range of repetition rates from 200 Hz to 50 kHz using a KD₂PO₄ Q-switch. Up to 198 µJ of pulse energy was obtained with a pulse width of 248 ns at a repetition rate of 200 Hz, corresponding to a peak power of 797 W at 544 nm.

Three Novel Structural Variations at MHC and IL12B Predisposing to Psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Structural variations (SVs, defined as DNA variants ≥50 bp) have been associated with various complex human diseases. However, research to screen the whole genome for SVs predisposing to psoriasis is still lacking.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the association of SVs and psoriasis.

METHODS

We performed a genome-wide screen on SVs using an imputation method on 5 independent cohorts with 45,386 subjects from the Chinese Han population. Fine mapping analysis, genetic interaction analysis and RNA expression analysis were conducted to explore the mechanism of SVs.

RESULTS

We obtained 4,535 SVs in total and identified 2 novel deletions (esv3608550, OR=2.73, P<2.00×10^-308 ; esv3608542, OR=0.47, P=7.40×10^-28 ) at 6q21.33 (MHC), 1 novel Alu element insertion (esv3607339, OR=1.22, P=1.18×10^-35 ) at 5q33.3 (IL12B), and confirmed 1 previously reported deletion (esv3587563, OR=1.30, P=9.52×10^-60 ) at 1q21.2 (LCE) for psoriasis. Fine mapping analysis including SNPs and small Insertions/Deletions (InDels) revealed that esv3608550 and esv3608542 were independently associated with psoriasis, and a novel independent SNP (rs9378188, OR=1.65, P=3.46×10^-38 ) was identified at 6q21.33. By genetic interaction analysis and RNA expression analysis, we speculate that the association of 2 deletions at 6q21.33 with psoriasis might relate to their influence on the expression of HLA-C.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study constructed the most comprehensive SV map for psoriasis thus far and enriched the genetic architecture and pathogenesis of psoriasis as well as highlighted the nonnegligible impact of SVs on complex diseases.

Mineral deposition intervention through reduction of phosphorus intake suppresses osteoarthritic lesions in temporomandibular joint

OBJECTIVE

To explore the suppressing impact of low phosphorus intake on osteoarthritic temporomandibular joint and the possible mechanisms of nuclear acid injury in the insulted chondrocytes.

DESIGN

Chondrocytes were loaded with fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) with or without low phosphorus medium. Seventy-two mice (sampled at 3-, 7- and 11-wk, n = 6) and forty-eight rats (sampled at 12-wks for different testing purpose, n = 6) were applied with unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) with or without low phosphorus diet. In the FFSS model, the Ca and P content, molecules related to nucleic acid degradation and the mineral-producing responses in chondrocytes were detected. The effect of culture dish stiffness on chondrocytes osteogenic differentiation was measured. In the UAC model, the content of Ca and P in serum were tested. The condylar cartilage ossification and stiffness were detected using micro-CT, scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope.

RESULTS

FFSS induced nucleic acid degradation, Pi accumulation and mineral-producing responses in the cultured chondrocytes, all were alleviated by low P medium. Stiffer dish bottoms promoted the osteogenic differentiation of the cultured chondrocytes. UAC stimulated cartilage degeneration and chondrocytes nucleic acid damage, increased PARP 1 and serum P content, and enhanced ossification and stiffening of the cartilage, all were suppressed by low phosphorus diet (all, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Nucleic acid damage takes a role in phosphorus production in osteoarthritic cartilage, contributing to the enhanced mineralization and stiffness of the cartilage that in turn promotes cartilage degradation, which can be alleviated by low phosphorus intake.

Potential biomarkers and lncRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in invasive growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas

PURPOSE

Growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas (GH-PAs) are common subtypes of functional PAs. Invasive GH-PAs play a key role in restricting poor outcomes. The transcriptional changes in GH-PAs were evaluated.

METHODS

In this study, the transcriptome analysis of six different GH-PA samples was performed. The functional roles, co-regulatory network, and chromosome location of differentially expressed (DE) genes in invasive GH-PAs were explored.

RESULTS

Bioinformatic analysis revealed 101 DE mRNAs and 70 DE long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) between invasive and non-invasive GH-PAs. Functional enrichment analysis showed that epithelial cell differentiation and development pathways were suppressed in invasive GH-PAs, whereas the pathways of olfactory transduction, retinol metabolism, drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, and metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 had an active trend. In the protein-protein interaction network, 11 main communities were characterized by cell- adhesion, -motility, and -cycle; transport process; phosphorus and hormone metabolic processes. The SGK1 gene was suggested to play a role in the invasiveness of GH-PAs. Furthermore, the up-regulated genes OR51B6, OR52E4, OR52E8, OR52E6, OR52N2, MAGEA6, MAGEC1, ST8SIA6-AS1, and the down-regulated genes GAD1-AS1 and SPINT1-AS1 were identified in the competing endogenous RNA network. The RT-qPCR results further supported the aberrant expression of those genes. Finally, the enrichment of DE genes in chromosome 11p15 and 12p13 regions were detected.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide a new perspective for studies evaluating the underlying mechanism of invasive GH-PAs.

Transcript profiles analysis of citrus aquaporins in response to fruit water loss during storage

Water loss is an essential factor that affects the maintenance of quality of citrus fruit during postharvest handling and storage. Aquaporins (AQPs) play an important role in the transport of water across membranes. However, the expression profiling of AQPs is incomplete for citrus fruits during storage. In this study, a post-harvest storage experiment was performed using sweet orange fruits to determine changes in water loss and fruit quality. Also, genome-wide expression analysis of CsAQP genes was carried out in fruit of different citrus varieties during storage. Low humidity storage conditions accelerated the postharvest water loss and texture decline and increased the TSS content in the fruit. A total of 39 non-redundant CsAQP genes were identified. A comprehensive analysis of these genes demonstrated that all AQPs had conserved filter motifs in the different citrus varieties examined. Moreover, multiple expression analysis revealed AQPs had complex expression profiles upon water loss in citrus fruit, being time-specific in tight-skin varieties (orange and pomelo varieties), tissue-specific between peel and pulp, and variety-specific between loose-skin (mandarin varieties) and tight-skin varieties (such as sweet orange and pummelo). These results indicated that the relative humidity in storage environment affected the postharvest water loss and quality of citrus fruit. Besides, the alternation in AQPs expression may partially account for the different water loss ratio in citrus varieties and the transfer of water between the peel and the pulp of citrus fruit during storage.

[Evaluation of the diagnosis and treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy induced in the second trimester: a national multicenter retrospective study]

Objective: To study the risk factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes for induced abortion of cesarean scar pregnancy in midtrimester. Methods: A national multicenter retrospective study was conducted. A total of 154 singletons pregnant women with cesarean scar pregnancy during the second trimester induced abortion by various reasons in 12 tertiary A hospitals were selected, their pregnant outcomes were observed and the risk factors of serious adverse outcomes were analyzed with univariate and multivariate logstic regression; the role of ultrasound and MRI in predicting placenta accreta and severe adverse outcomes was evaluated, the effectiveness of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in preventing hemorrhage in pregnant women with and without placenta accreta was compared. Results: Among 154 subjects, the rate of placenta accreta was 42.2% (65/154), the rate of postpartum hemorrhage≥1 000 ml was 39.0% (60/154), the rate of hysterectomy was 14.9% (23/154), the rate of uterine rupture was 0.6% (1/154). The risk factor of postpartum hemorrhage≥1 000 ml and hysterectomy was placenta accreta (P<0.01). For each increase in the number of parity, the risk of placenta accreta increased 2.385 times (95%CI: 1.046-5.439; P=0.039); and the risk of placenta accreta decreased with increasing ultrasound measurement of scar myometrium thickness (OR=0.033, 95%CI: 0.001-0.762; P=0.033). The amount of postpartum hemorrhage and hysterectomy rate in the group with placenta accreta diagnosed by ultrasound combined with MRI were not significantly different from those in the group with placenta accreta diagnosed by ultrasound only or MRI only (all P>0.05). For pregnant women with placenta accreta, there were no significant difference in the amount of bleeding and hysterectomy rate between the UAE group [median: 1 300 ml; 34% (16/47)] and the non-embolization group (all P>0.05); in pregnant women without placenta accreta, the amount of bleeding in the UAE group was lower than that in the non-embolization group (median: 100 vs 600 ml; P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in hysterectomy rate [2% (1/56) vs 9% (3/33); P>0.05]. Conclusions: (1) Placenta accreta is the only risk factor of postpartum hemorrhage≥1 000 ml with hysterectomy for induced abortion of cesarean scar pregnancy in midtrimester; multi-parity and ultrasound measurement of scar myometrium thickness are risk factors for placenta accreta. (2) The technique of using ultrasound and MRI in predicting placenta accreta of cesarean scar pregnancy needs to be improved. (3) It is necessary to discuss of UAE in preventing postpartum hemorrhage for induced abortion of cesarean scar pregnancy in midtrimester.

Morphine exposure alters Fos expression in a sex-, age-, and brain region-specific manner during adolescence

Data in both humans and preclinical animal models clearly indicate drug exposure during adolescence, when the "reward" circuitry of the brain develops, increases the risk of substance use and other mental health disorders later in life. Human data indicate that different neural and behavioral sequelae can be observed in early versus late adolescence. However, most studies with rodent models examine a single adolescent age compared to a mature adult age, and often only in males. Herein, we sought to determine whether the acute response to the opioid morphine would also differ across adolescence, and by sex. By quantifying Fos positive cells, a proxy for neural activity, at different stages during adolescence (pre-, early, mid-, and late adolescence) and in multiple reward regions (prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, caudate/putamen), we determined that the neural response to acute morphine is highly dependent on adolescent age, sex, and brain region. These data suggest that heterogeneity in the consequences of adolescent opioid exposure may be due to age- and sex-specific developmental profiles in individual reward processing regions. In future studies, it will be important to add age within adolescence as an independent variable for a holistic view of healthy or abnormal reward-related neural development.

[Modulatory effect of 2-arachidonoylglycerol on voltage-gated sodium currents in rat caudate nucleus neurons with kainic acid-induced injury]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the modulatory effect of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) on voltage-gated sodium currents(VGSCs) in rat caudate nucleus (CN) neurons with kainic acid (KA)-induced injury and explore the molecular mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of 2-AG.

METHODS

Primary cultures of CN neurons isolated from neonatal SD rats were treated with KA, 2-AG+KA, RIM (a CB1 receptor antagonist) +2-AG+KA, or vehicle only (as control).After 7 days in primary culture, the neurons were treated with corresponding agents for 12 h (RIM and 2-AG were added at the same time; KA was added 30 min later) before recording of current density changes, current-voltage characteristics, activation and inactivation kinetics of VGSCs (I_Na) using whole-cell patch clamp technique.

RESULTS

In cultured CN neurons, KA significantly increased current density of VGSCs (P=0.009) as compared with vehicle treatment.KA also produced a hyperpolarizing shift in the activation curve of I_Na and significantly increased the absolute value of V_1/2 for activation (P=0.008).Addition of 2-AG in the culture medium obviously prevented KA-induced increase of I_Na (P=0.009) and hyperpolarizing shift in the activation curve of I_Na, and significantly reduced the value of V_1/2 for activation(P=0.009)in a CB1 receptor-dependent manner.2-AG alone did not affect the density, activation or deactivation of VGSCs in rat CN neurons.

CONCLUSION

In excitotoxic events, endogenous 2-AG can offer neuroprotection by modulating VGSCs in the CN neurons through a CB1 receptor-dependent pathway.

The 2021 Magnonics Roadmap

Magnonics is a budding research field in nanomagnetism and nanoscience that addresses the use of spin waves (magnons) to transmit, store, and process information. The rapid advancements of this field during last one decade in terms of upsurge in research papers, review articles, citations, proposals of devices as well as introduction of new sub-topics prompted us to present the first roadmap on magnonics. This is a collection of 22 sections written by leading experts in this field who review and discuss the current status besides presenting their vision of future perspectives. Today, the principal challenges in applied magnonics are the excitation of sub-100 nm wavelength magnons, their manipulation on the nanoscale and the creation of sub-micrometre devices using low-Gilbert damping magnetic materials and its interconnections to standard electronics. To this end, magnonics offers lower energy consumption, easier integrability and compatibility with CMOS structure, reprogrammability, shorter wavelength, smaller device features, anisotropic properties, negative group velocity, non-reciprocity and efficient tunability by various external stimuli to name a few. Hence, despite being a young research field, magnonics has come a long way since its early inception. This roadmap asserts a milestone for future emerging research directions in magnonics, and hopefully, it will inspire a series of exciting new articles on the same topic in the coming years.

A case of atlanto-occipital fusion with other multiple anatomic variations

In the routine anatomic measurement study on Asian dry skulls, a skull of atlanto-occipital fusion with other multiple anatomic variations was observed. The entire right half of the atlas vertebra, including the anterior arch, anterior tubercle, posterior arch, and lateral masses, was fused entirely with the occipital bone, while the left fused partly. Besides the atlanto-occipital fusion, the target skull specimen also includes posterior arch defects of the atlas, metopic suture, wormian bones. So many anatomy variations rarely exist in one specimen. This paper aims to present detailed anatomic case reports and discuss related diseases in an anatomic and clinical study.

Tuberculosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-a 37-year longitudinal survey-based study

BACKGROUND

Infections are one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE patients have a higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection due to impaired immune defence.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the demographics, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with SLE and concomitant TB.

METHODS

Medical records of SLE patients with TB who were admitted to Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital in 1983-2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Age- and sex-matched SLE inpatients without TB were randomly selected as controls. Clinical and laboratory features and treatment were analysed and compared, and subjects were followed up to assess their outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 10 469 SLE inpatients, 249 (2.4%) were diagnosed with TB. Compared with controls, SLE/TB + patients exhibited higher frequency of prior haematologic, mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal system involvement, and prior treatment with potent glucocorticoid/immunosuppressive agents (GC/ISA). Arthritis and alopecia, positive T-SPOT.TB test and lymphocytopenia were more common in SLE/TB + patients. SLE/TB + patients with lupus before TB (SLE → TB) had higher risk of miliary TB (22.8%) and intracranial TB (16.5%) than SLE/TB + patients with lupus after TB (TB → SLE). SLE/TB + patients exhibited shorter long-term survival than SLE/TB- patients; those with poorer in-hospital outcomes had more severe lymphocytopenia and had received less treatment with ISAs.

CONCLUSION

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients treated vigorously with GC/ISA should be alerted of increased risk of TB infection, especially miliary and intracranial TB. Positive T-SPOT.TB and lymphocytopenia served as discriminatory variables between SLE/TB + and SLE/TB- patients. Lymphocytopenia was associated with poorer outcomes in SLE/TB + patients.

Standardization in Quantitative Imaging: A Multicenter Comparison of Radiomic Features from Different Software Packages on Digital Reference Objects and Patient Data Sets

Radiomic features are being increasingly studied for clinical applications. We aimed to assess the agreement among radiomic features when computed by several groups by using different software packages under very tightly controlled conditions, which included standardized feature definitions and common image data sets. Ten sites (9 from the NCI's Quantitative Imaging Network] positron emission tomography–computed tomography working group plus one site from outside that group) participated in this project. Nine common quantitative imaging features were selected for comparison including features that describe morphology, intensity, shape, and texture. The common image data sets were: three 3D digital reference objects (DROs) and 10 patient image scans from the Lung Image Database Consortium data set using a specific lesion in each scan. Each object (DRO or lesion) was accompanied by an already-defined volume of interest, from which the features were calculated. Feature values for each object (DRO or lesion) were reported. The coefficient of variation (CV), expressed as a percentage, was calculated across software packages for each feature on each object. Thirteen sets of results were obtained for the DROs and patient data sets. Five of the 9 features showed excellent agreement with CV < 1%; 1 feature had moderate agreement (CV < 10%), and 3 features had larger variations (CV ≥ 10%) even after attempts at harmonization of feature calculations. This work highlights the value of feature definition standardization as well as the need to further clarify definitions for some features.

[Establishment of a 3D ultrasound imaging system based on pulse-triggered image acquisition]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a 3D ultrasound imaging system based on pulse-triggered image acquisition using the linear probe on the Verasonics^TM vantage 128 platform and evaluate its performance in scanning standard phantom and human carotid artery.

OBJECTIVE

The 3D ultrasound imaging system included 3 modules for probe motion control, image acquisition and storage, and 3D image reconstruction and display. To improve the precision of image acquisition, we used fixed frequency pulses to control the external trigger function combined with mechanical scanning. Voxel-based 3D reconstruction was used for image reconstruction and display. The user interface was designed to allow direct operations of the platform. We carried out scanning tests of standard ultrasound phantom and human carotid artery to evaluate the performance of this imaging system.

OBJECTIVE

We successfully constructed a 3D ultrasound imaging system based on pulse-triggered image acquisition. The results of standard phantom and human carotid scanning tests showed that each module of the system was fully functional. The self-designed user interface of this ultrasound imaging system allowed full control of the system functions for original image acquisition, 3D image reconstruction, and display of cross-sections in 3 different views.

OBJECTIVE

This 3D ultrasound imaging system achieves high-quality 3D ultrasound imaging and provides the basis for further study and clinical application of 3D ultrasound imaging.

[Escherichia coli expressing gas vesicles is safe for enhancing the ablation effect of highintensity focused ultrasound in tumor-bearing mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect and safety of Escherichia coli (E.coli) expressing gas vesicle (GVs) for enhancing the efficacy of tumor ablation by high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in tumor-bearing mice.

OBJECTIVE

Thirty-two female BALB/c mice were used to establish mouse models bearing 4T1 tumor, which were randomized into GVs group [E.coli BL21 (AI)-PET28a-Arg1] and control group (PBS), and the efficacy of HIFU ablation was evaluated by examining coagulative necrotic volume and pathology of the tumors. Another 104 BALB/c mice were also randomly divided into GVs group and control group, and body weight changes of the mice were recorded on days 1, 4 and 15 after intravenous injection of E.coli containing GVs or PBS. White blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin and platelet counts and liver and renal function parameters of the mice were detected, and serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were examined using ELISA. The pathological changes in the liver and spleen were evaluated using HE staining to assess the safety of the treatments.

OBJECTIVE

HIFU ablation resulted in a significantly greater volume of coagulative necrosis and severer tissue damage in GVs group than in the control group (P < 0.001). In the 104 BALB/c mice without tumor cell inoculation, intravenous injection of E.coli expressing GVs, as compared with PBS, did not significantly affect body weight or cause changes in white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet counts or hemoglobin level (P1=0.59, P2=0.27, P3=0.76, P4=0.81). The liver and kidney function parameters (P1=0.12, P2=0.46, P3=0.62, P4=0.86) and serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (P1=0.48, P2=0.56) were all comparable between GVs group and control group. No obvious pathological changes were detected in the liver and spleen tissues in either GVs group or the control group.

OBJECTIVE

E.coli expressing GVs is safe for enhancing the ablation effect of HIFU in tumor-bearing mice.

[Reoperation rate and related factors in patients with Crohn's disease]

Objective: To analyze the cumulative reoperation rate of postoperative Crohn's disease (CD) patients and investigate the operation reasons and the effects of drugs on surgical recurrence. Method: Patients with Crohn's disease who had undergone intestinal resection from January 2000 to March 2020 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled. Patients were divided into reoperation and non-reoperation group according to whether they had a second operation. And the basic characteristics and the reasons for the primary and second operation were retrospectively analyzed. Meanwhile, patients were divided into low-risk reoperation group and high-risk group based on risk stratification. Kaplan-Meier methods were performed to analyze the cumulative surgical recurrence rate and to compare the recurrence rate in different risk stratification and chi-square tests was used to analyze the effects of different maintenance drugs on reoperation. Result: A total of 160 patients were enrolled in the study. There were 110 males and 50 females, and the age at first operation was (35.6±14.1) years old. There were 40 patients in the reoperation group and 120 patients in the non-reoperation group. According to univariate analysis, the proportion of male gender(P=0.030), penetrating phenotype(P<0.001), history of appendectomy before the primary surgery(P=0.035) and no postoperative maintenance therapy (P<0.001) were higher in surgical recurrence group. In terms of the operation reasons, intestinal obstruction accounted for the highest proportion in the primary operation (26.9%, 43/160), while the intestinal fistula was the most common reason for reoperation (42.5%, 17/40). After the primary surgery, the cumulative reoperation rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 5.9% (9 cases), 12.3% (17 cases), 21.8% (25 cases) and 37.6% (34 cases), respectively. The ten years cumulative reoperation rate of the high-risk group was 42.8% (31 cases), which was much higher than that of low-risk group (19.8%, 3 cases), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.006). There was no statistically significant difference in the surgical recurrence rate of low-risk group patients(P=0.076)whether maintenance therapies were added or not, while the recurrence rate of high-risk group patients who did not receive maintenance therapy was higher than those who received immunosuppressant with or without (±) 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA) (P=0.001) and biological agent±5-ASA (P=0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Patients with CD are still at risk of reoperation after surgery. Immunosuppressive agents and biologics can prevent patients from reoperation in high-risk groups.

Circ-PRMT5 stimulates migration in esophageal cancer by binding miR-203

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to uncover the role of circ-PRMT5 in triggering the migratory ability of esophageal cancer by regulating microRNA-203 (miR-203) level.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Circ-PRMT5 levels in 56 matched esophageal cancer tissues and paracancerous ones were detected. The relationship between circ-PRMT5 level and clinical data of esophageal cancer patients was analyzed. Migratory abilities in TE-1 and OE33 cells influenced by circ-PRMT5 were evaluated by transwell and wound healing assay. Regulatory effect of circ-PRMT5 on miR-203 level, and the involvement of miR-203 in the development of esophageal cancer were determined through Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments.

RESULTS

Circ-PRMT5 was upregulated in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines. The expression level of circ-PRMT5 was positively correlated to the rates of lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis of esophageal cancer. Knockdown of circ-PRMT5 attenuated migratory abilities in TE-1 and OE33 cells. MiR-203 was verified to be the target gene binding circ-PRMT5, with a negative correlation between each other. Notably, miR-203 was responsible for the regulatory effect of circ-PRMT5 on migratory ability in esophageal cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Circ-PRMT5 is positively correlated to the rates of lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis of esophageal cancer. It promotes migratory ability in esophageal cancer by targeting miR-203.

Analysis of recently duplicated TYRP1 genes and their effect on the formation of black patches in Oujiang-color common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. color)

Tyrp1 gene, as a member of the tyrosinase family, has undergone a recent duplication event during fourth-round whole genome duplication in common carp. In this research, three Tyrp1 genes were identified in Oujiang-color common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. color). The similar expression patterns and close phylogenetic relationship indicated that Tyrp1c is homologous to Tyrp1b and possibly originated from the ancient Tyrp1b. The rates of synonymous and non-synonymous substitution (K_a /K_s ) in Tyrp1 across teleost phylogeny indicated that Tyrp1a is more likely to be in the process of purifying selection. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to disrupt the Tyrp1 genes in zebrafish and the WB (black patches on white skin) strain of Oujiang-color common carp. The Tyrp1 loss of function variants in zebrafish and WB carp showed severe melanin deficiency in the skin. Meanwhile, inactivation of a single Tyrp1 gene did not obstruct melanin synthesis, which proved that the functional redundancy of Tyrp1 genes existed in both zebrafish and Oujiang-color common carp. Among the mosaic individuals with Tyrp1 genes in disrupted-color common carp, various mutations in Tyrp1b gene induced gray or brown phenotypes, suggesting that it may be bifunctional in Oujiang-color common carp. In addition, the phenotype of WB variants was different from that of WW (whole white skin), suggesting that Tyrp1 genes were not the key factor that caused the difference between WB and WW.

[Epstein-Barr virus infection-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders in transplanted lung: a clinicopathological analysis]

Objective: To investigate the clinicpathological characteristics of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) in transplanted lung, and to improve its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics of PTLD in three transplanted lungs were evaluated at Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from 2014 to 2019. HE, immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization were performed. The relevant literature of PTLD was reviewed. Results: All three patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before lung transplantation. After receiving both lung transplants, they were all treated with anti-rejection drugs tacrolimus or mycophenolate mofetil, and combined with antiviral and/or rituximab. The time from transplantation to diagnosis of PTLD was four years, seven months, and five months, respectively. Two patients died one month and five months after initial diagnosis, and one patient was alive with no disease after one year. Histologically, all cases were monomorphic B-cell PTLD (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, unspecified), and the tumor cells were positive for Epstein-Barr virus by in situ hybridization; one of the late-onset patients had herpes simplex virus infection. Conclusions: PTLD in the post-transplant lung tissue shows unique morphology and clinical characteristics, and is closely related to Epstein-Barr virus infection. Patients who receive lung transplantation due to COPD are more susceptible to develop PTLD, while late-onset ones occur more commonly in the hilum of lungs, and the prognosis is relatively poor.

Initiation and progression of dental-stimulated temporomandibular joints osteoarthritis

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a site that is often impacted by osteoarthritis (OA), is biomechanically linked with dental occlusion. Tissue responses in TMJ condyle to biomechanical stimulation could be investigated by intervention of the dental occlusion in animals. Unilateral anterior crossbite, an experimental malocclusion, has been demonstrated to induce TMJ-OA lesions, showing primarily as enhanced cartilage calcification and subchondral cortical bone formation at the osteochondral interface, causing the osteochondral interface thickening and stiffening. The changed interface would worsen the local biomechanical environment. At the cartilage side, the matrix degenerates. In the case of insufficient restoration of the matrix, the cells in the deep zone flow into the ones undergoing autophagy, apoptosis, and terminal differentiation while the cells in the superficial zone are promoted to differentiate to supply the loss of the deep zone cells. At the meantime, the bone marrow stromal cells are stimulated to bone formation in the subchondral cortical region which is uncoupled with the sites of the osteoclast-mediated resorption process that is predominantly observed at the subchondral trabecular bone region. Overall, the thickening and stiffening osteochondral interface, due greatly to the enhanced endochondral ossification in deep zone cartilage, should be a central pathological process that links with cartilage decay and subchondral bone remodelling in OA joints. The residual chondrocytes locating in the cartilage superficial zone have the progenitor-like qualities that can proliferate, and also differentiate into the deep zone chondrocytes, thus should be critical in progression and rehabilitation of TMJ-OA.

Pathophysiology and Imaging Findings of COVID-19 Infection: An Organ-system Based Review

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 commonly presents with upper respiratory symptoms; however, studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection affects multiple organ systems. Here, we review the pathophysiology and imaging characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in organ systems throughout the body and explore commonalities.

OBJECTIVE

Familiarity with the underlying pathophysiology and imaging characteristics is essential for the radiologist to recognize these findings in patients with COVID-19 infection. Though pulmonary findings are the most prevalent presentation, COVID-19 may have multiple manifestations and recognition of the extrapulmonary manifestations is especially important because of the potential serious and long-term effects of COVID-19 on multiple organ systems.

Autophagy assuages myocardial infarction through Nrf2 signaling activation-mediated reactive oxygen species clear

OBJECTIVE

The activation of autophagy was shown to shrink infarct size and mitigate cardiac dysfunction caused by myocardial infarction (MI). However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. As excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) deteriorates MI process and Nrf2 signaling exerts an antioxidant role, we explored whether autophagy assuaged MI through Nrf2 signaling activation-mediated ROS clear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MI models were induced by ligation of the left descending coronary artery (LAD) in C57BL/6J mice or Nrf2 knockout mice (Nrf2-KO). Rapamycin and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) were used to activate and repress autophagy in MI mice, respectively. Aspirin, a cardioprotective drug was given to MI mice to evaluate its effects on autophagy.

RESULTS

Compared with the MI group, rapamycin treatment remarkably decreased the infarct size, cell apoptosis and blood troponin I level, accompanied by reduced redox potential (Eh), ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA) and cytochrome C levels, and increased reduced glutathione (GSH) level. Also, rapamycin treatment increased the expressions of bcl-2, bcl-xL, HSP70, and HSP90. In addition, rapamycin treatment promoted the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 protein. However, Nrf2 downregulation significantly impaired the effects of rapamycin on the reductions of infarct size, cell apoptosis, troponin I and ROS levels. Similarly, to rapamycin roles, aspirin treatment also remarkably reduced infarct size, cell apoptosis and troponin I in mice with MI surgery, as well as increased the expression level of LC3II/LC3I.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that autophagy enhancement contributed to the improvement of MI through Nrf2 signaling activation-mediated ROS clear.

[Correlation of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules with age and body mass index]

Objective: To explore the correlation of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules(DAMPs) serum S100, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and uric acid (UA) with age and body mass index (BMI) to provide direction for further study of metabolic inflammation and inflammaging. Methods: The observational study method was used,and three hundred and sixty-six healthy people (131 males and 235 females) were selected from the physical examination center of the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province from May to October 2020. They were divided into three age groups according to the age interval of 20 years, including 156 (53 males and 103 females) aged 20-40 years, 110 (36 males and 74 females) aged 41-60 years, and 100 (42 males and 58 females) aged 61-80 years. Kruskal Wallis H test was used to compare the differences of serum S100, CRP, SAA and UA levels among different age groups. According to the Health Industry Standards of the People's Republic of China-Weight Determination for Adults, the boundary is BMI =24 kg/m². The healthy people were divided into non overweight (BMI<24 kg/m²) and overweight (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²) two groups. The 1∶1 propensity score was used to match the age and gender. There were 96 non overweight subjects [43 males, 53 females, age 52 (35, 66) years], 96 overweight subjects [44 males, 52 females, age 52 (36, 64) years]. The serum levels of S100, CRP, SAA and UA in different BMI groups were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The median serum UA concentrations in males and females were 356 and 277 μmol/L, and the levels of serum UA of male was significantly higher than that of female (Z=-10.428, P<0.001); the median serum SAA concentrations in males and females were 3.1 mg/L and 4.4 mg/L, while the serum SAA level of female was significantly higher than that of male (Z=3.652, P<0.001); for 20-40, 41-60, and 61-80 years old group, the median concentration of serum S100 was 0.058, 0.057, 0.070 μg/L, and the median concentration of serum CRP was 0.32, 0.58, 0.93 mg/L; the median serum SAA concentrations were 3.2, 4.0, 5.2 mg/L; serum uric acid concentrations were (301.8±61.5), (298.6±69.8), (329.0±77.8) μmol/L. The levels of serum S100, CRP, SAA, UA in 61-80 years group were significantly higher than those of 20-40 years group (H=-2.749, H=-6.731, H=-5.033, H=-2.521, P=0.018, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.035) and 41-60 years old group (H=-2.719, H=-2.539, H=-2.540, H=-2.486, P=0.020, P=0.033, P=0.033, P=0.039).The levels of serum CRP of 41-60 years group was significantly higher than that of 20-40 years group (H=-4.108,P<0.001). There was no significant difference in levels of serum S100, SAA and UA between 20-40 years group and 41-60 years group (H=0.189, H=-2.360, H=-0.165, P=1.000, P=0.055, P=1.000); the levels of serum CRP and SAA were positively correlated with age (r_s =0.342, r_s =0.301, P<0.001, P<0.001); for overweight, non-overweight group, the median concentrations of serum S100 were 0.065 μg/L, 0.059 μg/L, the median concentrations of serum CRP were 0.92 mg/L, 0.47 mg/L, the median concentrations of serum SAA were 5.0 mg/L, 4.1 mg/L, the median concentrations of serum UA were 339.5 μmol/L, 301.5 μmol/L, the levels of CRP, SAA and UA in the overweight group were higher than those in the non-overweight group (Z=4.278, Z=2.025, Z=3.787, P<0.001, P=0.043, P<0.001); the levels of S100 in the overweight group was higher than those in the non-overweight group, but there was no significant difference in S100 between the two groups (Z=0.862, P=0.388); the levels of Serum CRP and UA were positively correlated with BMI (r_s =0.348, r_s =0.264, P<0.001, P=0.009). Conclusions: With the increase of age, the serum S100, CRP, SAA and UA levels of healthy people may be on the rise, especially the serum CRP and SAA levels are positively correlated with age; the serum S100, CRP, SAA and UA levels of overweight people may be higher than those of non-overweight people, especially the serum CRP, UA levels are positively correlated with BMI.