The Therapeutic Effects of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Combined with Cognitive Training in Elders with Alzheimer's Disease or Amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have indicated that noninvasive brain stimulation combined with cognitive interval (NIBS-CI) improved cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Amnesic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI). While previous interventions have demonstrated that a single targeted cognitive intervention can improve cognitive function, the outcomes of using both interventions simultaneously are less well-established. Therefore, this study aims to perform a meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of NIBS-CI in treating cognitive impairment associated with AD and a-MCI, with the goal of obtaining novel insights into this combined intervention.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest and Central Cochrane library databases were searched up to December 2022. The primary cognitive outcomes were extracted from the included article. A mean difference (MD) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval were calculated by using random-effect models.

RESULTS

Twelve studies with a total of 587 AD patients were included. The findings demonstrated that NIBS-CI significantly improved cognitive function of AD patients in cognitive outcomes (SMD = -0.52, 95%CI (-0. 93, -0.11)) and ADAS-COG (MD = -1.16, 95%CI (-1.69, -0.63)). The pooled results showed that NIBS-CI did not improve cognitive function of AD patients in short-time memory (SMD = 0.057, 95%CI (-0.13, 0.25), P = 0.56) and long-time memory (SMD = 0.001, 95%CI (-0.20, 0.20), P = 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence for a positive effect of NIBS-CI on overall cognitive function of AD and a-MCI. Considering the limited sample size, it is important to interpret the findings related to memory with caution. To obtain more robust results, future studies should be conducted with larger sample sizes and incorporate objective neurophysiological and neuroimaging tools. These methodological enhancements will allow for a better understanding of the therapeutic targets and provide a more comprehensive assessment of the effects of NIBS-CI treatment.

A flexible gradient lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative determination of serum amyloid A

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase protein produced in response to inflammatory proteins during infections, inflammation, trauma, surgery, cancer, and other conditions. Early and accurate detection of SAA is necessary for diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. To meet this need, we developed a gradient lateral flow immunoassay test strip using Au nanoparticles as signal reporters. The test strip has three test (T1, T2, and T3) lines with progressively decreasing concentrations of SAA antibody, enabling the determination of high, medium, and low concentrations of SAA in serum. The test strip results were analyzed using three distinct readout methods, each with different sensitivity, accuracy, and precision for SAA concentration measurements. Qualitative judgment is based on the color of the T1 line. Semi-quantitative assessment of SAA concentration is determined by the number of colored T-lines. Specifically, color development in T1 line alone indicates a concentration range of 10-50 μg/mL, while T1 and T2 lines together indicate a range of 50-100 μg/mL, and development in all three lines (T1, T2, and T3) indicates a concentration of >100 μg/mL. Quantitative analysis was performed using either smartphone imaging or image scanning with ImageJ software. By using a five-parameter logistic function, we found a strong correlation (R2 = 0.998) between the ratio of signal intensities of (T1 + T2 + T3) to the control (C) line and SAA concentrations ranging from 5 to 1000 μg/mL. At lower concentrations (0-100 μg/mL), we observed a proportional relationship between the value of (T1 + T2 + T3)/C and SAA concentration. The limit of detection for SAA was 9.33 ng/mL (or 6.53 μg/mL of SAA in undiluted serum samples) for the smartphone method and 3.06 ng/mL (or 2.14 μg/mL of SAA in undiluted serum samples) for the scanner method. The gradient test strip was highly consistent with a commercially available SAA immunochromatographic test strip when tested with real human serum samples. Passing-Bablok regression indicated that results obtained using the smartphone app and scanner methods of the gradient test strip were comparable to those obtained using the commercial test strip. The gradient test strip is flexible and adaptable, providing solutions for qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative SAA measurements.

Development of Levo-Lansoprazole Chiral Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensor Based on the Polylysine-Phenylalanine Complex Framework Conformational Separation

The efficacies and toxicities of chiral drug enantiomers are often dissimilar, necessitating chiral recognition methods. Herein, a polylysine-phenylalanine complex framework was used to prepare molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as sensors with enhanced specific recognition capabilities for levo-lansoprazole. The properties of the MIP sensor were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. The optimal sensor performance was achieved by applying self-assembly times of 30.0 and 25.0 min for the complex framework and levo-lansoprazole, respectively, eight electropolymerization cycles with o-phenylenediamine as the functional monomer, an elution time of 5.0 min using an ethanol/acetic acid/H₂O mixture (2/3/8, V/V/V) as the eluent, and a rebound time of 10.0 min. A linear relationship was observed between the sensor response intensity (ΔI) and logarithm of the levo-lansoprazole concentration (l-g C) in the range of 1.0 × 10^-13-3.0 × 10^-11 mol/L. Compared with a conventional MIP sensor, the proposed sensor showed more efficient enantiomeric recognition, with high selectivity and specificity for levo-lansoprazole. The sensor was successfully applied to levo-lansoprazole detection in enteric-coated lansoprazole tablets, thus demonstrating its suitability for practical applications.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals candidate genes for seasonal breeding in the male Lion-Head goose

1. Due to seasonal breeding, geese breeds from Southern China have low egg yield. The genetic makeup underlying performance of local breeds is largely unknown, and few studies have investigated this problem. This study integrated 21 newly generated and 50 publicly existing RNA-seq libraries, representing the hypothalamus, pituitary and testis, to identify candidate genes and importantly related pathways associated with seasonal breeding in male Lion-Head geese.2. In total, 19, 119 and 302 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the hypothalamus, pituitary and testis, respectively, of male Lion-Head geese between non-breeding and breeding periods. These genes were significantly involved in the neuropeptide signalling pathway, gland development, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, JAK-STAT signalling pathway, cAMP signalling pathway, PI3K-Akt signalling pathway and Foxo signalling pathway.3. By integrating another 50 RNA-seq samples 4, 18 and 40 promising DEGs were confirmed in hypothalamus, pituitary and testis, respectively.4. HOX genes were identified as having important roles in the development of testis between non-breeding and breeding periods of male Lion-Head geese.

[Clinical application of bipolar tweezers-clamp for hepatic parenchymal transection]

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of the bipolar tweezers-clamp for the hepatic parenchymal transection in the resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: From January 2020 to January 2021,63 patients with the hepatocellular carcinoma for hepatectomy at Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery,Yuebei People's Hospital Affiliated to Shantou University Medical College were analyzed retrospectively.According to the different instruments used in the hepatic parenchymal transection,the patients were divided into bipolar tweezers-clamp group and ultrasonic scalpel group.There were 32 patients in bipolar tweezers-clamp group,with age of (55.5±10.5)years(range:37 to 78 years),including 22 males and 10 females,tumor size was (6.0±3.4)cm(range:2.4 to 13.4 cm). There were 6 patients with portal vein tumor thrombus and 5 patients with portal hypertension. There were 31 patients in ultrasonic scalpel group,with aged(57.8±10.1)years(range:37 to 79 years),including 27males and 4 females,tumor size was(7.9±5.1)cm(range: 2.4 to 21.3 cm),3 patients with portal vein tumor thrombus and 2 patients with portal hypertension. The preoperative baseline data,operation time,blood loss,postoperative liver function and the complications were compared between two groups using t test,χ² test and Fisher exact probabilityrespectively. Results: The operation was successfully completed in both groups.Compared with the ultrasonic scalpel group,the operation time was significantly shorter((219.3±76.4)minutes vs.(294.0±100.8)minutes,t=-3.322,P=0.002),the blood loss was less((250(475)ml vs. 500(1 050)ml,t=-2.307,P=0.026),the concentrate red blood cells transfusion volume was less(0.92(0.88)U vs. 2.32(4.00)U,Z=-1.987,P=0.047) in the bipolar tweezers-clamp group.The postoperative serum ALB level was higher in the bipolar tweezers-clamp group than that in the ultrasonic scalpel group((33.5±6.1)g/L vs. (29.5±4.2)g/L,t=3.226,P=0.020) on postoperative day 1;((35.7±4.5)g/L vs.(30.1±3.2)g/L,t=5.575,P<0.01) on postoperative day 3;((33.2±3.7)g/L vs. (31.0±4.4)g/L,t=3.020,P=0.004) on postoperative day 7. There was no significant difference in serum ALT,TBIL and PT level between the two groups(all P>0.05).No postoperative bile leakage occurred in both groups.The postoperative complications occurred in 8 cases(25.0%)in the bipolar tweezers-clamp group,including liver failure in one,and in 11 cases(35.5%)in the ultrasonic scalpel group,including liver failure in two(P>0.05). Conclusion: The bipolar tweezers-clamp is a safe and reliable method for the hepatic parenchymal transaction,which is quick and less bleeding during the hepatic resection.

Aptamer-Adjusted Carbon Dot Catalysis-Silver Nanosol SERS Spectrometry for Bisphenol A Detection

Carbon dots (CDs) can be prepared from various organic (abundant) compounds that are rich in surfaces with –OH, –COOH, and –NH₂ groups. Therefore, CDs exhibit good biocompatibility and electron transfer ability, allowing flexible surface modification and accelerated electron transfer during catalysis. Herein, CDs were prepared using a hydrothermal method with fructose, saccharose, and citric acid as C sources and urea as an N dopant. The as-prepared CDs were used to catalyze AgNO₃–trisodium citrate (TSC) to produce Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) intensity increased with the increasing CDs concentration with Victoria blue B (VBB) as a signal molecule. The CDs exhibited a strong catalytic activity, with the highest activity shown by fructose-based CDs. After N doping, catalytic performance improved; with the passivation of a wrapped aptamer, the electron transfer was effectively disrupted (retarded). This resulted in the inhibition of the reaction and a decrease in the SERS intensity. When bisphenol A (BPA) was added, it specifically bound to the aptamer and CDs were released, recovering catalytical activity. The SERS intensity increased with BPA over the concentration range of 0.33–66.67 nmol/L. Thus, the aptamer-adjusted nanocatalytic SERS method can be applied for BPA detection.

Facile preparation of Cu-doped carbon dots for naked-eye discrimination of phenylenediamine isomers and highly sensitive ratiometric fluorescent detection of H2O2

Changing a detection analyte into a colored material is a key challenge for visual discrimination of isomers. In this work, a novel fluorescent probe incorporating Cu-doped carbon dots (Cu-CDs), for the first time, was developed for naked-eye discrimination of phenylenediamine isomers and highly sensitive ratiometric fluorescence detection of H₂O₂. In this strategy, Cu-CDs were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal approach using citric acid, formamide, and CuCl₂ as reactants. The prepared Cu-CDs exhibited outstanding peroxidase-like activity and stability. Consequently, a chemosensor platform based on Cu-CDs was constructed to enable naked-eye discrimination of phenylenediamine isomers through the H₂O₂-mediated oxidation reaction. Moreover, a Cu-CDs-based ratiometric fluorescence sensor was proposed as a means to sensitively detect H₂O₂ with a detection limit of 5.0 nM. The sensor was further employed for monitoring H₂O₂ in human serum, indicating its potential applications in other biologically related study.

Pediatric allergic rhinitis with functional gastrointestinal disease: Associations with the intestinal microbiota and gastrointestinal peptides and therapeutic effects of interventions

Children are susceptible to allergic rhinitis (caused by external allergens) accompanied by functional gastrointestinal disease, which seriously affects physical and mental health. Antihistamines and nasal spray hormones are commonly used in clinical treatment, but these drugs often have unsatisfactory efficacy and result in high recurrence rates. Therefore, understanding the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis with functional gastrointestinal disease and seeking safer treatment and prevention methods is essential. Herein, molecular ecology and immunoassays were used to analyze correlations between pediatric allergic rhinitis with functional gastrointestinal disease and both the intestinal microbiota and gastrointestinal peptide levels. Fifty healthy children (healthy group) and 80 children with allergic rhinitis with functional gastrointestinal disease (case group: evenly divided into a control group (conventional drug therapy) and an intervention group (conventional drug therapy + glutamine+probiotics)), were enrolled. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus counts and the gastrin and motilin levels were lower in the case group than in the healthy group, whereas Enterobacter, yeast, and Enterococcus counts and the somatostatin, serotonin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide levels were higher. Post treatment, intestinal microbiota indices, gastrointestinal peptide levels, and intestinal barrier function were better in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The intervention group had a significantly higher total therapeutic response rate (95.00%) than the control group (77.50%). The intestinal microbiota was closely associated with gastrointestinal peptide levels. Treatment with glutamine and probiotics regulated these levels, re-established balance in the intestinal microbiota, and restored intestinal barrier function.

[MRI associated biomarker analysis for diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in T1-2 stage rectal cancer]

Objective: To explore the diagnostic accuracy improved by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers for lymph node metastasis in T1-2 stage rectal cancer before treatment. Methods: Medical records of 327 patients with T1-2 rectal cancer who underwent pretreatment MRI and rectal tumor resection between January 2015 and November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-seven cases were divided into the lymph node metastasis group (N+ group) while other 270 cases in the non-lymph node metastasis group (N-group) according to the pathologic diagnosis. Two radiologist evaluated the tumor characteristics of MRI images. The relationship of the clinical and imaging characteristics of lymph node metastasis was assessed by using univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic abilities for the differentiation of N- from N+ tumors. Results: Among the 327 patients, MR-N evaluation was positive in 67 cases, which was statistically different from the pathological diagnosis (P<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI for lymph node metastasis were 45.6%, 84.8% and 78.0%, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis showed that tumor morphology (P=0.002), including mucus or not (P<0.001), and MR-N evaluation (P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for stage T1-2 rectal cancer with lymph node metastasis. The area under the ROC curve of rectal cancer with lymph node metastasis analyzed by the logistic regression model was 0.786 (95%CI: 0.720~0.852). Conclusions: Tumor morphology, including mucus or not, and MR-N evaluation can serve as independent biomarkers for differentiation of N- and N+ tumors. The model combined with these biomarkers facilitates to improve the diagnostic accuracy of lymph node metastasis in T1-2 rectal cancers by using MRI.

Fullerol Nanocatalysis and Trimodal Surface Plasmon Resonance for the Determination of Isocarbophos

Fullerol (C₆₀OH) has been shown to catalyze the trisodium citrate (TSC)-silver nitrate reaction to generate Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). These AgNPs exhibit significant nanoplasmic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), and absorption (Abs). When an aptamer (Apt) adsorbs on the C₆₀OH surface, catalysis is inhibited, and the intensities of SERS, RRS, and Abs decrease. In the presence of isocarbophos (IPS), Apt forms a stable complex (Apt-IPS) and releases C₆₀OH. As a result, SERS, RRS, and Abs intensities increase with increasing IPS concentration. Accordingly, a new SERS, RRS, and Abs trimodal method using Apt-labeled fullerol was established for the determination of IPS. Of the three spectral methods, SERS was the most sensitive, while the Abs method was the most cost-effective.

The impact of stroke on bone properties and muscle-bone relationship: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To systematically review available evidence related to the characteristics of bone changes post-stroke and the relationship between various aspects of muscle function (e.g., strength, spasticity) and bone properties after stroke onset. An extensive online database search was undertaken (last search in January 2019). Articles that examined the bone properties in stroke patients were included. The quality of the studies was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Quality Assessment Tools. Publication bias of meta-analyses was assessed using the Egger's regression asymmetry test. The selection and evaluation of the articles were conducted by two independent researchers. Fifty-nine studies were identified. In subacute and chronic stroke studies, the skeletal sites in the paretic limbs sustained a more pronounced decline in bone quality than did their counterparts in the non-paretic limbs. The rate of changes showed a decelerating trend as post-stroke duration increased, but the timing of achieving the steady rate differed across skeletal sites. The magnitude of bone changes in the paretic upper limb was more pronounced than the paretic lower limb. There was a strong relationship between muscle strength/mass and bone density/strength index. Muscle spasticity seemed to have a negative impact on bone integrity in the paretic upper limb, but its influence on bone properties in the paretic lower limb was uncertain. Substantial bone changes in the paretic limbs occurred particularly in the first few months after stroke onset. Early intervention, muscle strength training, and long-term management strategies may be important to enhance bone health post-stroke. This review has also revealed the knowledge gaps which should be addressed in future research.

Dual roles of misshapen/NIK-related kinase (MINK1) in osteoarthritis subtypes through the activation of TGFβ signaling

OBJECTIVE

To identify the role of misshapen/NIK-related kinase (MINK1) in age-related Osteoarthritis (OA) and injury-induced OA, and the effects of enhanced TGFβ signaling in these progresses.

DESIGN

The effect of MINK1 was analyzed with MINK1 knock out (Mink1-/-) mice and C57BL/6J mice. OA progress was studied in age-related OA and instability-associated OA (destabilization of the medial meniscus, DMM) models. The murine knee joint was evaluated through histological staining, Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores, immunohistochemistry, and μCT analysis. Primary chondrocytes were isolated from wild type and Mink1-/- mice and subjected to osteogenic induction and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

MINK1 is highly expressed during cartilage development and in normal cartilage. Mink1-/- mice displayed markedly lower OARSI scores, aggrecan degradation neoepitope positive cells and increased Safranin O and pSMAD2 staining in aging-related OA model. However, in injury-induced OA, loss of MINK1 accelerates extracellular matrix (ECM) destruction, osteophyte formation, and subchondral bone sclerosis. Accelerated subchondral bone remodeling in Mink1-/- mice was accompanied with increased numbers of nestin-positive mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osterix-positive osteoprogenitors. pSMAD2 staining was increased in the subchondral bone marrow of Mink1-/- mice and overexpression of MINK1 inhibited SMAD2 phosphorylation in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows for the first time that activation of TGFβ/SMAD2 by MINK1 deficiency plays opposite roles in aging-related and injury-induced OA. MINK1 deficiency protects cartilage from degeneration in aging joints through increased SMAD2 activation in chondrocytes, while accelerating OA progress in injury-induced model through enhanced osteogenesis of MSCs in the subchondral bone. These findings provide insights for developing precision OA therapeutics targeting TGFβ/SMAD2 signaling.

VEGFR2 and VEGF-C Suppresses the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Via YAP in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND

Whereas retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are known to secrete VEGF-A and VEGFR2, the functions of the autocrine VEGF signaling remain unclear. Meanwhile, anti-VEGF therapies have been applied routinely to treat ocular vascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the functions of the VEGF signaling in RPE cells and evaluate the consequences of its interruption.

METHODS

The genes involved in the VEGF and Hippo signal pathways were knocked down with siRNAs in both ARPE-19 cell line and human primary RPE cells via transient transfection whereas overexpression of VEGFR2 was mediated via adenovirus transduction. Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and the downstream genes of YAP were determined by real-time PCR and Western Blot analysis. Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to determine gene expression in tissue and mouse samples.

RESULTS

Knockdown of VEGFR2 results in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of VEGFR2 suppresses TGF β-mediated EMT in RPE cells. Loss of VEGF-C rather than VEGF-A induces EMT. Mechanistically, the VEGFR2 ablation-induced EMT in RPE cells is mediated by activation of YAP, an effector of the Hippo pathway. Finally, the immunohistochemical analysis of VEGFR2 and YAP in human proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) membranes indicates a tendency of an inverse correlation between VEGFR2-positive and YAP-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results disclose unexpected novel roles of VEGFR2 and VEGF-C in the process of EMT of RPE cells and in the Hippo pathway. The data shown here demonstrated that VEGFR2 and VEGF-C are important to maintain the normal physiological state of RPE cells.

[Comparison of Imaging and Pathologic Findings of Retroperitoneal Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma]

Objective: To investigate the imaging appearance of CT and MRI in retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL) based on pathological findings. Methods: Twelve patients with retroperitoneal DDL (13 lesions) who were surgically and pathologically confirmed were retrospectively collected in the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The correlation of CT and MRI features with histopathologic findings was analyzed. Results: The CT and MRI images of retroperitoneal DDLs were large, heterogeneous soft-tissue masses, mostly lobulated (30.8%, 4/13) or multinodular (46.2%, 6/13), invading adjacent anatomic structures (46.2%, 6/13). The lesions contained different proportions of fatty and non-fatty components, and usually with clear boundaries. The CT images of dedifferentiated components showed non-fatty masses of soft tissue density or mixed density, among which ground-glass nodules may be related to mucinous components. Occasionally calcification or ossification was seen (45.5%, 5/11). The contrast-enhanced CT and MRI images of non-fatty components commonly showed intense heterogeneous enhancement (84.6%, 11/13), central cystic changes and necrosis (61.5%, 8/13), pathologically corresponding to multiple types of soft tissue sarcomas without significant specificity. The well-differentiated components were fatty masses with irregular fibrous septa or soft tissue nodules, which is pathologically corresponding to well differentiated liposarcoma. Lymph node or distant metastasis was rare. Conclusions: The imaging manifestations of retroperitoneal DDLs are diverse and closely related to the proportion and distribution of different components. CT, MRI and contrast-enhanced imaging has a certain diagnostic value for retroperitoneal DDLs.

[Comparison of parameters for diffusion-weighted intravoxel incoherent motion imaging in lung cancer patients with different histopathological subtypes]

Objective: To explore the intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) model in lung cancer patients with different histopathological subtypes. Methods: A total of 105 patients were recruited, including 68 cases of adenocarcinoma, 22 cases of squamous carcinoma and 15 cases of small cell carcinoma. All patients underwent magnetic resonance examination consisting of axial IVIM-DWI sequence on a 3.0 T whole body scanner, then the standard ADC (sADC), diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient(D(*)), perfusion fraction (f), distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC) and water diffusion heterogeneity index (α) were calculated for each lesion within the IVIM-DWI model. Results: Mean sADC values were (1.45±0.26) ×10(-3)mm(2)/s, (1.36±0.48) ×10(-3)mm(2)/s and (1.35±0.40) ×10(-3)mm(2)/s for adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma and small cell carcinoma, respectively. Mean f values were (59.75±16.37) %, (47.41±18.69) % and (48.96±19.88) % for adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma and small cell carcinoma, respectively. Mean α values were 0.72±0.13 for adenocarcinoma, 0.62±0.12 for squamous carcinoma, and 0.63±0.11 for small cell carcinoma, respectively. Statistical analyses indicated that the sADC, f and α values among different histopathological subtypes were significantly different (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in D, D(*) and DDC values (P>0.05). Furthermore, the comparison showed that the sADC, f and α values of patients with adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than those with squamous carcinoma or small cell carcinoma (P<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between squamous carcinoma group and small cell carcinoma group (P>0.05). Conclusions: The sADC, f and α values derived from the IVIM-DWI model can be used for comprehensive non-invasive evaluation of diffusion, perfusion and heterogeneity of microenvironment in lung cancer patients. And the IVIM-DWI model may be a promising tool for predicting histopathological subtypes of lung cancer.

Analysis of angiogenesis biomarkers for ramucirumab efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer from RAISE, a global, randomized, double-blind, phase III study

Background

The phase III RAISE trial (NCT01183780) demonstrated that the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR)-2 binding monoclonal antibody ramucirumab plus 5-fluororuracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo + FOLFIRI as second-line metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment. To identify patients who benefit the most from VEGFR-2 blockade, the RAISE trial design included a prospective and comprehensive biomarker program that assessed the association of biomarkers with ramucirumab efficacy outcomes.

Patients and methods

Plasma and tumor tissue collection was mandatory. Overall, 1072 patients were randomized 1 : 1 to the addition of ramucirumab or placebo to FOLFIRI chemotherapy. Patients were then randomized 1 : 2, for the biomarker program, to marker exploratory (ME) and marker confirmatory (MC) groups. Analyses were carried out using exploratory assays to assess the correlations of baseline marker levels [VEGF-C, VEGF-D, sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2, sVEGFR-3 (plasma), and VEGFR-2 (tumor tissue)] with clinical outcomes. Cox regression analyses were carried out for each candidate biomarker with stratification factor adjustment.

Results

Biomarker results were available from >80% (n = 894) of patients. Analysis of the ME subset determined a VEGF-D level of 115 pg/ml was appropriate for high/low subgroup analyses. Evaluation of the combined ME + MC populations found that the median OS in the ramucirumab + FOLFIRI arm compared with placebo + FOLFIRI showed an improvement of 2.4 months in the high VEGF-D subgroup [13.9 months (95% CI 12.5-15.6) versus 11.5 months (95% CI 10.1-12.4), respectively], and a decrease of 0.5 month in the low VEGF-D subgroup [12.6 months (95% CI 10.7-14.0) versus 13.1 months (95% CI 11.8-17.0), respectively]. PFS results were consistent with OS. No trends were evident with the other antiangiogenic candidate biomarkers.

Conclusions

The RAISE biomarker program identified VEGF-D as a potential predictive biomarker for ramucirumab efficacy in second-line mCRC. Development of an assay appropriate for testing in clinical practice is currently ongoing.

Clinical trials registration

NCT01183780.

[Combined T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MR imaging for staging of rectal cancers]

Objective: To compare the diagnostic value of T2 weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and T2WI+ DWI magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for staging of rectal cancers for improving the accuracy of tumor staging. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2013, 120 cases of rectal cancers proved by colonoscopy without receiving any anti-tumor treatment were enrolled retrospectively. The MRI data for these patients were divided into three groups, ie., T2WI, DWI and T2WI+ DWI, for evaluating the tumor stages. The results were compared with histopathologic findings. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared with chi-square test. The nodal staging was predicted by using T2WI+ DWI. Results: The accuracy for prediction of tumor staging was 83.3%, 65.0% and 92.5% for T2WI, DWI, and T2WI+ DWI respectively. The specificity for evaluating T1 and T2 stage, and the sensitivity for evaluating T3 by DWI was significantly lower than those using T2WI and T2WI+ DWI in rectal cancers. The sensitivity for evaluation of T2 by DWI was lower than that using T2WI+ DWI (63.0% vs. 88.9%). The sensitivity for evaluation T2 and specificity for T3 by T2WI+ DWI was higher than thouse using T2WI only (88.9% vs. 51.9%, 94.0% vs. 72.0%). The accuracy for prediction of nodal staging by using T2WI+ DWI was 62.1% (72/116). Conclusions: T2WI is the key sequence for staging of rectal cancers. Although the diagnostic accuracy was not good by using DWI alone, the combination of T2WI and DWI can improve the accuracy significantly for tumor staging in rectal cancers, whereas the nodal staging was still a hard task for radiologists.

[Measurement reproducibility of parameters derived from introvoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted MRI imaging of rectal cancer]

Objective: To study the measurement reproducibility of parameters derived from introvoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-MRI of rectal cancer between- and within- radiologists. Methods: Clinical data of 34 patients with rectal cancer were prospective analyzed. Conventional MRI sequences, IVIM DWI-MRI with sixteen b values and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE)-MRI sequences of rectum were acquired by GE 3.0-T MRI imager. The IVIM sequence images with b value=1000 sec/mm(2) were selected to measure the maximum axial section of tumor by a radiologist with 15 year-experiences in gastrointestinal cancer imaging.Two radiologists (radiologist 1 and radiologist 2 with 2 and 10 years of experience in gastrointestinal cancer imaging, respectively) independently draw a freehand region of interest (ROI) that contained the largest available tumor area on the selected section. Monoexponential apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and biexponential IVIM metrics maps and IVIM parameters were generated automatically by the software. The repeated measurement was performed at an interval of one week. The average values of each measurement were used for statistical analysis. ADC values and IVIM parameters obtained between- and within- radiologists were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altaman plots were used to analyze the parameter reproducibility of two measurements between- and within- radiologists. Results: The first and second measured ADC (×10(-3)mm(2)/s), true diffusivity (D, ×10(-3)mm(2)/s), false diffusivity (D(*,) mm(2)/s) and perfusion fraction (f, %) by radiologist 1 were 0.997, 0.692, 0.043, 34.6 and 0.993, 0.691, 0.038, 32.8, respectively. The first and second measured ADC (×10(-3)mm(2)/s), D (×10(-3)mm(2)/s), D(*) (mm(2)/s), f (%) by radiologist 2 were 0.987, 0.651, 0.046, 32.8 and 0.996, 0.689、0.041, 32.7, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in ADC and IVIM parameters obtained between- and within- radiologists (P>0.05). The ADC values and the f values of two times were significantly correlated between- and within- radiologists. The D values were significantly correlated within a radiologist, and the correlation of D(*) values within a radiologist was significantly higher than that between radiologists. The 95% limits of agreement (LoA) of ADC values and f values were smaller than those of D values and D(*) values between- and within- radiologists. The 95% LoA of ADC values was the least, while that of D(*) values varied most.The 95% LoA of f values and D values kept steady within a radiologist, and 95% LoA of f values was slightly smaller than that of D values. The 95% LoA of IVIM parameters (ADC, D, f, D(*) values) within radiologists 2 were better than those within radiologist 1. Conclusions: The reproducibilities of ADC and f values are the best, while the reproducibility of D(*) values is relatively poorer in rectal cancer. Measurement reproducibility of parameters derived from IVIM may be improved by increasing radiologists' experiences in drawing ROI.

A simple and selective resonance Rayleigh scattering-energy transfer spectral method for determination of trace neomycin sulfate using Cu2O particle as probe

The stable Cu₂O nanocubic (Cu₂ONC) sol was prepared, based on graphene oxide (GO) catalysis of glucose-Fehling's reagent reaction, and its absorption and resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were examined. Using the as-prepared Cu₂ONC as RRS probe, and coupling with the neomycin sulfate (NEO) complex reaction, a new, simple, sensitive and selective RRS-energy transfer (RRS-ET) method was established for detection of neomycin sulfate, with a linear range of 1.4-112μM and a detection limit of 0.4μM. The method has been applied to the detection of neomycin sulfate in samples with satisfactory results.

microRNA-10b enhances pancreatic cancer cell invasion by suppressing TIP30 expression and promoting EGF and TGF-β actions

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.405.

[Texture analysis based on contrast-enhanced MRI can predict treatment response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer]

Objective: To investigate whether texture analysis based on contrast-enhanced MRI can predict pathological complete response of locally advanced breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC). Methods: Forty-seven patients with breast cancer undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy from January 2015 to February 2016 were divided into pathological complete response (pCR) group or non-pathological complete response (non-pCR) group based on surgical pathology. Their parameters of texture analysis based on MRI before neoadjuvant chemotherapy and after 2 cycles of treatment were analyzed. Parameters(Energy, Entropy, Inertia, Correlation, Inverse Difference Moment)before and after 2 cycles of NAC between pCR and non-pCR groups were compared using Student t or Wilcoxon rank sum test. The diagnostic performance of different parameters was judged by the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The post-NAC value was significantly different from that of pre-NAC (all P<0.05). Pre-treatment parameters (Energy, Entropy, Inertia, Correlation, Inverse Difference Moment) were 78.58×10(-5)(55.64×10(-5), 135.23×10(-5)), 10.06 ± 1.02, 7 993.91±2 428.10, (4.76±0.99) ×10(-5) and (18.10±4.13) ×10(-3) in pCR group, and 76.84×10(-5) (48.68×10(-5), 154.15×10(-5)), 10.28±1.26, 7 184.77 (4 938.03, 9 974.04), (5.21±2.01) ×10(-5) and (17.68±5.87) ×10(-3) in non-pCR group. No significant difference was found between both groups. (P>0.05 for all). At the end of the second cycle of NAC, parameters(Energy, Entropy, Inertia, Correlation, Inverse Difference Moment) were (542.11±361.04) ×10(-5,) 7.95±1.28, 16 765.08±97 06.56, (0.43±0.07) ×10(-5,) and (12.18±9.82) ×10(-3) in pCR group, and 133.00×10(-5) (79.80×10(-5,) 239.00×10(-5)), 9.29±1.46, 7 916.64(6 418.89, 10 934.40), (0.38±0.08) ×10(-5) and (14.80±5.06) ×10(-3) in non-pCR group. At the end of the second cycle of NAC, there was significant difference in the parameters (Energy, Entropy, Inertia, Correlation) and Δparameters (ΔEnergy, ΔEntropy, ΔInertia, ΔInverse Difference Moment) between both groups (P<0.05 for all). The area under curve (AUC) of post-treatment ΔEntropy was 0.81, which was the largest one among parameters. Sensitivity of ΔEntropy for predicting pCR was 75.0% and specificity was 85.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Texture analysis based on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI can predict early treatment response in primary breast cancer.

Resonance Rayleigh Scattering and SERS Spectral Detection of Trace Hg(II) Based on the Gold Nanocatalysis

Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal pollutant, there is an urgent need to develop simple and sensitive methods for Hg(II) in water. In this article, a simple and sensitive resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) method was developed for determination of 0.008-1.33 µmol/L Hg, with a detection limit of 0.003 μmol/L, based on the Hg(II) regulation of gold nanoenzyme catalysis on the HAuCl₄-H₂O₂ to form gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with an RRS peak at 370 nm. Upon addition of molecular probes of Victoria blue B (VBB), the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) peak linearly decreased at 1612 cm-1 with the Hg(II) concentration increasing in the range of 0.013-0.5 μmol/L. With its good selectivity and good accuracy, the RRS method is expected to be a promising candidate for determining mercury ions in water samples.

Rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the determination of auraptene in rat plasma and its application in a pharmacokinetic and bioavailability study in rats

A simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of auraptene, a constituent isolated from Fructus aurantii with potential to combat Alzheimer's disease, in rat plasma. Rat plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with methanol. The analytes were separated by a Waters Sun Fire C18 column (50 mm x 2 mm, 5 μm) and eluted with 1:1000 methanol and formic acid/water (v/v) mobile phase with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Multiple reaction monitoring was used to monitor the transition of the deprotonated auraptene molecule with an m/z of 299.3 [M+H](+), to the product ion with an m/z of 162.9 [M+H](+). Progesterone, with an m/z of 315.2→ 96.9 was used as an internal standard. The limits of detection and of quantification of auraptene in the rat plasma were 1 and 5 ng/mL, respectively. The method was linear in the concentration range of 20- 2000 ng/mL with coefficient correlation of 0.9956. After auraptene (100 mg/kg, p.o.) administration, the maximum plasma concentration and the time taken to reach maximum concentration were 1719.5 ± 384.3 g/mL and 108.0 ± 25.3 min, respectively. The elimination half-life was 108.0 ± 25.3 for auraptene (100 mg/kg, p.o.) and 3.0 ± 0 min for auraptene (2 mg/kg, i.v.). The oral bioavailability was about 8.5%.

Knockdown of linc-UFC1 suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer

Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have important roles in biological functions, molecular mechanisms and prognostic values in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this context, the roles of linc-UFC1 remain to be elucidated. In this study, linc-UFC1 was overexpressed in CRC patient tissues and positively correlated with tumor grade, N stage and M stage. Inhibition of linc-UFC1 resulted in cell proliferation inhibition and G1 cell cycle arrest, which was mediated by cyclin D1, CDK4, Rb and phosphorylated Rb. In addition, inhibition of linc-UFC1 induced cell apoptosis through the intrinsic apoptosis signaling pathway, as evidenced by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. An investigation of the signaling pathway revealed that the effects on proliferation and apoptosis following linc-UFC1 knockdown were mediated by suppression of β-catenin and activation of phosphorylated P38. Furthermore, the P38 inhibitor SB203580 could attenuate the apoptotic effect achieved by linc-UFC1 knockdown, confirming the involvement of P38 signaling in the induced apoptosis. Taken together, linc-UFC1 might have a critical role in pro-proliferation and anti-apoptosis in CRC by regulating the cell cycle, intrinsic apoptosis, and β-catenin and P38 signaling. Thus, linc-UFC1 could be a potential therapeutic target and novel molecular biomarker for CRC.

[The diagnosis and treatment of esophageal perforation and neck abscess induced by esophageal foreign body]

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment methods of esophageal perforation and neck abscess induced by esophageal foreign body. Method:Twenty-six cases with esophageal perforation and neck abscess caused by esophageal foreign body treated in our department were performed surgery under general anesthesia. Result:The foreign bodies were removed via esophagoscope in 24 cases, no foreign bodies were found in 2 cases. Twenty-five case cured and one case was sent to the department of thoracic surgery. Conclusion:For the patients with esophageal perforation and neck abscess, regular perfect preoperative CT scan, timely take out foreign body; meanwhile indwelling nasal-stomach tube, the vacancy of the esophagus, avoid food spillage through the perforation and aggravating infection; adequate antibiotics and nutritional support can improve the cure rate.

A novel and highly sensitive nanocatalytic surface plasmon resonance-scattering analytical platform for detection of trace Pb ions

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have catalysis on the reaction of HAuCl₄-H₂O₂. The produced AuNP have strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) effect and surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERS) effect when Victoria blue B (VBB) and rhodamine S (RhS) were used as probes. The increased RRS/SERS intensity respond linearly with the concentration of gold nanoparticles (AuNP_B) which synthesized by NaBH₄ over 0.038–76 ng/mL, 19–285 ng/mL, 3.8–456 ng/mL respectively. Four kinds of tested nanoparticles have catalysis on the HAuCl₄-H₂O₂ particles reaction. Thus, a novel nanocatalysis surface plasmon resonance-scattering (SPR-S) analytical platform was developed for AuNP. The DNAzyme strand hybridized with the substrate strand to form double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) which couldn’t protect AuNP_c to aggregate to AuNP_c aggregations, having strong RRS effect. Upon addition of Pb²⁺, dsDNA could be cracked by Pb²⁺ to produce single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that adsorbed on the AuNPc surface to form AuNPc-ssDNA conjugates. The conjugates have strong catalysis on HAuCl₄-H₂O₂ reaction. With increased Pb²⁺ concentration, the concentration of AuNPc-ssDNA increased and lead to the catalytic activity stronger. The increased RRS intensity responds linearly with Pb²⁺ concentration over 16.7–666.7 nmol/L. The SERS intensity responded linearly with the concentration of Pb²⁺ over 50–500 nmol/L.

EGFR-targeted mAb therapy modulates autophagy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through NLRX1-TUFM protein complex

EGFR-targeted therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients frequently results in tumor resistance to treatment. Autophagy is an emerging underlying resistance mechanism, however, the molecular autophagy machinery in HNSCC cells and potential biomarkers of patient response to EGFR-targeted therapy remain insufficiently characterized. Here we show that the EGFR blocking with cetuximab leads to varied autophagic responses, which modulate cancer cell susceptibility to EGFR inhibition. Inhibition of autophagy sensitizes HNSCC cells to EGFR blockade. Importantly, we identify a novel signaling hub centering on the NLRX1-TUFM protein complex, promoting autophagic flux. Defects in the expression of either NLRX1 or TUFM result in compromised autophagy when treated with EGFR inhibitors. As a previously undefined autophagy-promoting mechanism, we found that TUFM serves as a novel anchorage site, recruiting Beclin-1 to mitochondria, promoting its polyubiquitination, and interfering with its interaction with Rubicon. This protein complex is also essential for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling induction, possibly as an additional mechanism to promote autophagy. Utilizing tumor specimens from a novel neoadjuvant clinical trial, we show that increased expression of the autophagy adaptor protein, SQSTM1/p62, is associated with poor response to cetuximab therapy. These findings expand our understanding of the components involved in HNSCC autophagy machinery that responds to EGFR inhibitors, and suggest potential combinatorial approaches to enhance its therapeutic efficacy.

Using local multiplicity to improve effect estimation from a hypothesis-generating pharmacogenetics study

We propose a multiple estimation adjustment (MEA) method to correct effect overestimation due to selection bias from a hypothesis-generating study (HGS) in pharmacogenetics. MEA uses a hierarchical Bayesian approach to model individual effect estimates from maximal likelihood estimation (MLE) in a region jointly and shrinks them toward the regional effect. Unlike many methods that model a fixed selection scheme, MEA capitalizes on local multiplicity independent of selection. We compared mean square errors (MSEs) in simulated HGSs from naive MLE, MEA and a conditional likelihood adjustment (CLA) method that model threshold selection bias. We observed that MEA effectively reduced MSE from MLE on null effects with or without selection, and had a clear advantage over CLA on extreme MLE estimates from null effects under lenient threshold selection in small samples, which are common among 'top' associations from a pharmacogenetics HGS.

Toxicological effects of benzo[a]pyrene on DNA methylation of whole genome in ICR mice

It has been well known that alterations in DNA methylation - an important regulator of gene transcription - lead to cancer. Therefore a change in the level of DNA methylation of whole genome has been considered as a biomarker of carcinogenesis. Previously, a large number of experimental results in genetic toxicology have showed that benzo[a]pyrene could cause DNA mutation and fragmentation. However, there was little to no studies on alterations in DNA methylation of genome directly result from exposure to benzo[a]pyrene. In this paper, possible mechanisms of alterations in whole genomic DNA methylation by benzo[a]pyrene were investigated using ICR mice after benzo[a]pyrene exposure. The blood, liver, pancreas, skin, lung and bladder of ICR mice were removed and checked after a fixed time interval (6 hours) of benzo[a]pyrene exposure, and whole genomic DNA methylation level was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results exhibited tissue specificity, that is, the level of whole genomic DNA methylation decreases significantly in blood and liver, rather than pancreas, lung, skin and bladder of ICR mice. This study investigated the direct relationship between aberrant DNA methylation level and benzo[a]pyrene exposure, which might be helpful to clarify the toxicological mechanism of benzo[a]pyrene in epigenetic perspectives.

Distribution and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surface soil of Baise, China

To estimate the distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soils of Baise, in southwest China, soil sampling sites were selected from industry, traffic, rubbish, gas station, residential, and suburban areas for analysis of PAHs. The average concentrations of ∑16PAHs in the present study varied significantly, depending on the sampling location, and ranged from 16.8 to 6,437.0 μg/kg (dry weight basis), with a mean value of 565.8 μg/kg. PAH concentrations decreased significantly along the industry-traffic-rubbish-gas station-residential-suburban transect. The PAH profiles in the surface soil of the different areas imply that either source proximity to the sampling sites, or transport and deposition effects influenced PAH distributions. Two diagnostic ratios were selected and used to apportion PAH sources in the surface soil, and bivariate plots show general trends of covariation. Principal component analysis and multivariate linear regression were used to determine the primary sources and their contributions of PAHs to the soils. The model showed that factors 1 (coal and wood combustion) and 2 (petroleum combustion) contributed over 52.1 and 32.5% of the total source of soil PAHs, respectively. The remaining 15.4% came from evaporative and uncombusted petroleum.

PROX1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation and sorafenib resistance by enhancing β-catenin expression and nuclear translocation

Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is frequent in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and contributes to HCC initiation and progression. This abnormal activation may result from somatic mutations in the genes of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and/or dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The mechanism for the latter remains poorly understood. Prospero-related homeobox 1 (PROX1) is a downstream target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human colorectal cancer and elevated PROX1 expression promotes malignant progression. However, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway does not regulate PROX1 expression in the liver and HCC cells. Here we report that PROX1 promotes HCC cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in HCC xenograft mice. PROX1 and β-catenin levels are positively correlated in tumor tissues as well as in cultured HCC cells. PROX1 can upregulate β-catenin transcription by stimulating the β-catenin promoter and enhance the nuclear translocation of β-catenin in HCC cells, which leads to the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, we show that increase in PROX1 expression renders HCC cells more resistant to sorafenib treatment, which is the standard therapy for advanced HCC. Overall, we have pinpointed PROX1 as a critical factor activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC, which promotes HCC proliferation and sorafenib resistance.

Distribution and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils and leaves from high-altitude mountains in southwestern china

Several studies have investigated the distribution patterns and geographic sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mountainous areas. Little is known about how different sources contribute to PAH concentrations at different elevations along mountain slopes. To estimate the distribution and sources of PAHs at different altitudes in mountainous areas of southwestern China, samples of soils and leaves from trees were collected from 1000 to 1500 m asl in the Dawangling forest and analyzed for PAHs. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 93.9 to 802.3 ng g (average, 252.3 ng g) in soils and from 4.1 to 100.9 ng g (average, 23.1 ng g) in leaves. Our results suggest that soil PAH levels in the study area could be classified as "weakly contaminated." The PAH levels in leaves from the Dawangling forest were lower than those found in Himalayan spruce needles from the central Himalayas in China and from an agricultural station in southern England. Total PAHs in the Dawangling forest soils increased with elevation, primarily due to the low-molecular-weight PAHs, which accumulated in samples from higher altitudes. In contrast, high-molecular-weight PAHs were inversely related to or unrelated to elevation. The PAH profiles were similar in soils and leaves from all mountainous regions. Diagnostic ratios showed that the PAHs in soils at different altitudes were from different pollution emission sources; therefore, PAHs in the entire study area were probably derived from mixed sources. Cluster analyses confirmed that liquefied petroleum gas, coal/wood combustion, and petroleum combustion were likely the predominant PAH sources in this region.

Diffusion-weighted MRI in early assessment of tumour response to radiotherapy in high-risk prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) in monitoring response to radiotherapy in high-risk prostate cancer (PC).

METHODS

This retrospective study included 78 patients with high-risk PC undergoing 3.0-T MRI (supplemented by DWI) before and after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Based on follow-up clinical examinations, patients were divided into two groups: the recurrence group (patients who suffered biochemical/clinical recurrence within 3 years, n = 13) and the non-recurrence group (patients who were recurrence free for over 3 years, n = 65). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values before and after IMRT were compared between these two groups. The receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was carried out to investigate the discriminatory capability for pre- and post-IMRT ADC values.

RESULTS

The overall ADC values were 1.04 ± 0.18 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) for PCs before IMRT and 1.45 ± 0.15 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) after IMRT (p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference in post-IMRT ADC values was noted between patients with and without recurrence (1.27 ± 0.14 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) vs 1.49 ± 0.12 × 10(-3)mm(2) s(-1); p < 0.001), although there was no statistical difference between them in pre-IMRT ADC values (1.00 ± 0.17 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) vs 1.05 ± 0.18 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1); p = 0.31). The ROC curve analysis revealed that the post-IMRT ADC values could help identify patients suffering recurrences (area under the curve, 0.88; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Marked increase in ADC values was observed in PC after radiotherapy, especially in good responders. DWI is a valuable tool for monitoring the response to radiotherapy.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study examined the relationship between ADC changes and tumour response to treatment of PC.

Genetic deletion of platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha but not its extracellular domain protects from atherosclerosis

The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves the interplay of haematopoietic, stromal and endothelial cells. Platelet interactions with endothelium and leukocytes are pivotal for atherosclerosis promotion. Glycoprotein (GP) Ibα is the ligand-binding subunit of the platelet GPIb-IX-V receptor complex; its deficiency causes the Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS), characterised by absent platelet GPIb-IX-V, macrothrombocytopenia and bleeding. We designed this study to determine the role of platelet GPIbα in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis using two unique knockout models. Ldlr-/- mice were reconstituted with wild-type (wt), GPIbα-/- (lacks GPIbα) or chimeric IL-4R/GPIbα-Tg (lacks GPIbα extracellular domain) bone marrow and assayed for atherosclerosis development after feeding with pro-atherogenic "western diet". Here, we report that Ldlr-/-mice reconstituted with GPIbα-/- bone marrow developed less atherosclerosis compared to wt controls; accompanied by augmented accumulation of pro-inflammatory CD11b+ and CD11c+ myeloid cells, reduced oxLDL uptake and decreased TNF and IL 12p35 gene expression in the aortas. Flow cytometry and live cell imaging in whole blood-perfused microfluidic chambers revealed reduced platelet-monocyte aggregates in GPIbα-/- mice, which resulted in decreased monocyte activation. Interestingly, Ldlr-/-mice reconstituted with IL-4R/GPIbα-Tg bone marrow, producing less abnormal platelets, showed atherosclerotic lesions similar to wt mice. Platelet interaction with blood monocytes and accumulation of myeloid cells in the aortas were also essentially unaltered. Moreover, only complete GPIbα ablation altered platelet microparticles and CCL5 chemokine production. Thus, atherosclerosis reduction in mice lacking GPIbα may not result from the defective GPIbα-ligand binding, but more likely is a consequence of functional defects of GPIbα-/- platelets and reduced blood platelet counts.

Identification and characterization of pig embryo microRNAs by Solexa sequencing

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression by binding to the 3'-untranslated regions of target mRNAs. It is now clear that miRNAs are involved in many biological processes, including proliferation, differentiation and regulation of gene expression during early embryonic development. The miRBase 16.0 (2010) shows that there are 175, 673, 408 and 1048 annotated miRNAs for Caenorhabditis elegans, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus and Homo sapiens, respectively. However, there are only 211 miRNAs described for Sus scrofa. In particular, the full set of miRNAs and their expression patterns are still poorly understood in the embryo. Therefore, we combined Solexa sequencing with computational techniques to analyse the sequences and relative expression levels of S. scrofa miRNAs at embryonic day 33 (E33). Of the distinct miRNAs identified, 76 previously known miRNAs and 194 candidate miRNAs were identified in head, and 77 known miRNAs and 130 predicted candidate miRNAs were identified in organ region. Furthermore, we performed additional investigation for identifying the potential target mRNAs using PicTar and TargetScan. Concurrent function analysis suggested that highly expressed miRNAs are mostly involved in the development of nerves, cerebrum, muscle and organs. Our results provide useful information for the investigation into embryonic miRNAs of pig and provide a valuable resource for investigators interested in the regulation of embryonic development in pigs and other animals.