Potential Approach to Quantifying the Volume of the Ischemic Core in Truncated Computed Tomography Perfusion Scans: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide an alternative approach for quantifying the volume of the ischemic core (IC) if truncation of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) occurs in clinical practice. METHODS: Baseline CTP and follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data from 88 patients with stroke were retrospectively collected. CTP source images (CTPSI) from the unenhanced phase to the peak arterial phase (CTPSI-A) or the peak venous phase (CTPSI-V) were collected to simulate the truncation of CTP in the arterial or venous phases, respectively. The volume of IC on CTPSI-A (V CTPSI-A ) or CTPSI-V (V CTPSI-V ) was defined as the volume of the brain tissue with >65% reduction in attenuation compared with that of the normal tissue. The volume of IC on the baseline CTP (V CTP ) was defined as a relative cerebral blood flow of <30% of that in the normal tissue. The volume of the posttreatment infarct on the follow-up DWI (V DWI ) image was manually delineated and calculated. One-way analysis of variance, Bland-Altman plots, and Spearman correlation analyses were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: V CTPSI-A was significantly higher than V DWI ( P < 0.001); however, no significant difference was observed between V CTP and V DWI ( P = 0.073) or between V CTPSI-V and V DWI ( P > 0.999). The mean differences between V DWI and V CTPSI-V , V DWI and V CTP , and V DWI and V CTPSI-A were 1.70 mL (limits of agreement [LoA], -56.40 to 59.70), 8.30 mL (LoA, -40.70 to 57.30), and -68.10 mL (LoA, -180.90 to 44.70), respectively. Significant correlations were observed between V DWI and V CTP ( r = 0.68, P < 0.001) and between V DWI and V CTPSI-V ( r = 0.39, P < 0.001); however, no significant correlation was observed between V DWI and V CTPSI-A ( r = 0.20, P = 0.068). CONCLUSIONS: V CTPSI-V may be a promising method for quantifying the volume of the IC if truncation of CTP occurs.

Spatial accuracy of computed tomography perfusion to estimate the follow-up infarct on diffusion-weighted imaging after successful mechanical thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: Volumetric accuracy of using computed tomography perfusion (CTP) to estimate the post-treatment infarct in stroke patients with successful recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has been studied a lot, however the spatial accuracy and its influence factors has not been fully investigated. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the data from consecutive anterior large vessel occlusion (LVO) patients who had baseline CTP, successful recanalization after MT, and post-treatment diffusion-weighed imaging (DWI). Ischemic core on baseline CTP was estimated using relative cerebral blood flood (CBF) of < 30%. The infarct area was outlined manually on post-treatment DWI, and registered to CTP. Spatial agreement was assessed using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and average Hausdorff distance. According to the median DSC, the study population was dichotomized into high and low Dice groups. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were used to determine the factors independently associated with the spatial agreement. RESULTS: In 72 included patients, the median DSC was 0.26, and the median average Hausdorff distance was 1.77 mm. High Dice group showed significantly higher median ischemic core volume on baseline CTP (33.90 mL vs 3.40 mL, P < 0.001), lower proportion of moderate or severe leukoaraiosis [27.78% vs 52.78%, P = 0.031], and higher median infarct volume on follow-up DWI (51.17 mL vs 9.42 mL, P < 0.001) than low Dice group. Ischemic core volume on baseline CTP was found to be independently associated with the spatial agreement (OR, 1.092; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CTP could help to spatially locate the post-treatment infarct in anterior LVO patients who achieving successful recanalization after MT. Ischemic core volume on baseline CTP was independently associated with the spatial agreement.

CT perfusion with increased temporal sampling interval to predict target mismatch status in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of using CT perfusion (CTP) with increased temporal sampling interval to predict the target mismatch status in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with anterior circular large-vessel occlusion (LVO). METHODS: CTP with a sampling interval of 1.7 s (CTP1.7 s) was scanned in 77 AIS patients for pre-treatment evaluation. Simulated CTP data with sampling interval of 3.4 s (CTP3.4 s) or 5.1 s (CTP5.1 s) were reconstructed, respectively. Target mismatch was defined according to the EXTEND-IA (Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits-Intra-Arterial) and DEFUSE 3 (Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke) trial criteria, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, Bland-Altman analysis, and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis as appropriate. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found on the volume of ischemic core, hypo-perfused area, mismatch area, and ratio between CTP1.7 s and CTP3.4 s or CTP5.1 s (all p < 0.001). There was no significant difference on the volume of ischemic core, hypo-perfused area, mismatch area, and mismatch ratio between CTP1.7 s and CTP3.4 s or CTP5.1 s (all p > 0.05). Compared with CTP1.7 s, CTP3.4 s or CTP5.1 s showed comparable performance in predicting the target mismatch status in the AIS patients with LVO (both p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CTPs with increased temporal sampling intervals that lead to reduced radiation doses are feasible and may provide comparable performance in predicting target mismatch status in AIS patients with LVO.

A Noninvasive Multianalytical Approach for Lung Cancer Diagnosis of Patients with Pulmonary Nodules.

Addressing the high false-positive rate of conventional low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer diagnosis, the efficacy of incorporating blood-based noninvasive testing for assisting practicing clinician's decision making in diagnosis of pulmonary nodules (PNs) is investigated. In this prospective observative study, next generation sequencing- (NGS-) based cell-free DNA (cfDNA) mutation profiling, NGS-based cfDNA methylation profiling, and blood-based protein cancer biomarker testing are performed for patients with PNs, who are diagnosed as high-risk patients through LDCT and subsequently undergo surgical resections, with tissue sections pathologically examined and classified. Using pathological classification as the gold standard, statistical and machine learning methods are used to select molecular markers associated with tissue's malignant classification based on a 98-patient discovery cohort (28 benign and 70 malignant), and to construct an integrative multianalytical model for tissue malignancy prediction. Predictive models based on individual testing platforms have shown varying levels of performance, while their final integrative model produces an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.85. The model's performance is further confirmed on a 29-patient independent validation cohort (14 benign and 15 malignant, with power > 0.90), reproducing AUC of 0.86, which translates to an overall sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 85.7%.

Paraliobacillus salinarum sp. nov., isolated from saline soil in Yingkou, China.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, facultatively aerobic, slightly halophilic, endospore-forming bacterium, designated G6-18T, was isolated from saline soil collected in Yingkou, Liaoning, PR China. Cells of strain G6-18T grew at 10-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and in the presence of 2-15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 5 %). The strain could be clearly distinguished from the related species of the genus Paraliobacillus by its phylogenetic position and biochemical characteristics. It presented MK-7 as the major quinone and the dominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as the major components. The G+C content of strain G6-18T genome was 35.3 mol%. 16S rRNA analysis showed that strain G6-18T had the highest similarity to Paraliobacillus ryukyuensis DSM 15140T, reaching 97.0 %, followed by Paraliobacillus quinghaiensis CGMCC 1.6333T with a value of 96.3 %. The average nucleotide identity values between strain G6-18T and Paraliobacillus ryukyuensis DSM 15140T, Paraliobacillus sedimins KCTC 33762T, Paraliobacillus quinghaiensis CGMCC 1.6333T and Paraliobacillus zengyii DSM 107811T were 74.3, 72.0, 73.2 and 72.8 %, respectively, and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain G6-18T and the neighbouring strains were 15.6, 13.8, 14.2 and 14.2 %, respectively. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic inferences, strain G6-18T represents a novel species of the genus Paraliobacillus, for which the name Paraliobacillus salinarum sp. nov. (=CGMCC 1.12058T=DSM 25428T) is proposed.

Siccirubricoccus phaeus sp. nov., isolated from oil reservoir water and emended description of the genus Siccirubricoccus.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, aerobic bacterium, designated 1-3T, was isolated from oil reservoir water collected from Liaohe oilfield, north-east of China. Growth was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum 37 °C) and pH 6-10 (optimum 7). The strain can grow under nitrogen-limiting condition. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel isolate was most closely related to Siccirubricoccus deserti SYSU D8009T (96.7%), followed by Paracraurococcus ruber NS89T (95.7%) and Belnapia rosea CPCC 100156T (94.9%). Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 6.43 Mbp and a G+C content of 71.3 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values and digital DNA-DNA hybridization between 1-3T and the reference strains were all below the cut-off level (95-96% and 70%, respectively) for species delineation. The strain possessed the cytochrome P450 enzyme, which has the potential to degrade oil. The respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, 38.8%), C16:0 (25.6%) and C19:0 cyclo ω8c (22.5%). The polar lipids of strain 1-3T comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and three unidentified aminolipids. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, strain 1-3T represents a novel species of genus Siccirubricoccus, for which the name Siccirubricoccus phaeus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Siccirubricoccus phaeus is 1-3T (= CGMCC 1.16799T = LMG 31398T).

Frigidibacter oleivorans sp. nov., isolated from a deep well with oil reservoir water.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated XJ4T, was isolated from oil-contaminated water, collected from Xinjiang Province, north-west PR China (45° 1' 27″ N, 85° 6' 14″ E). Growth occurred at 20-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 6.0-7.0). Strain XJ4T could tolerate up to 7 % (w/v) NaCl and grow optimally in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain XJ4T belonged to the genus Frigidibacter, and that was closely related to Frigidibacter mobilis cai42T (97.2 %), Frigidibacter albus SP32T (97.0 %) and Rhodobacter aestuarii JA296T (97.0 %). The average nucleotide identity values between XJ4T and three type strains were 77.9, 77.6 and 71.9 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain XJ4T was 69.5 mol%. The sole respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major cellular fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c), C18 : 0 and 11-methyl C18 : 1 ω7c. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and unidentified lipids. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain XJ4T represents a novel species of the genus Frigidibacter, for which the name Frigidibacter oleivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XJ4T (=CGMCC 1.13778T=LMG 30952T).

Oleiliquidispirillum nitrogeniifigens gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Rhodospirillaceae isolated from oil reservoir water.

A novel Gram-staining-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium, designated strain 64-1T, was isolated from oil reservoir water collected from Liaohe oilfield, north-eastern China. Growth occurred at 15-55 °C and pH 6.0-10.0. The sole respiratory quinone was Q-10. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c /C18 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), an unidentified aminophospholipid (UAPL), an unidentified aminolipid (UAL) and two unidentified polar lipids (UPL). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 64-1T was 64.5 mol%. Strain 64-1T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Phaeospirillum chandramohanii JA145T (92.0 %) and Telmatospirillum siberiense 26-4b1T (91.8 %). In the phylogenetic trees, the strain constituted a sub-cluster within the family Rhodospirillaceae. Based on the results of morphological, physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic analysis, strain 64-1T represents a new species of a novel genus within the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Oleiliquidispirillum nitrogeniifigens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 64-1T (=CGMCC 1.16798T=LMG 31399T).

Paracoccus alkanivorans sp. nov., isolated from a deep well with oil reservoir water.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and ovoid bacterial strain, designated 4-2T, was isolated from oil-contaminated water which was collected from Xinjiang Province, north-west PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 4-2T belonged to the genus Paracoccus. The species with highest similarity to strain 4-2T was Paracoccus saliphilus YIM 90738T (97.83 %), followed by 'Paracoccus siganidrum' M26 (97.83 %) and Paracoccus endophyticus SYSUP0003T (97.25 %). The average nucleotide identity values between 4-2T and three type strains were 84.69, 77.88 and 74.07 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 4-2T was 61.4 mol%. Chemotaxonomical characteristic results showed that the respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10 and the major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c or C18 : 1 ω6c) and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified polar lipid. The predominant polyamines were putrescine, cadaverine and spermidine. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic inferences, strain 4-2T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus alkanivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 4-2T (=CGMCC 1.13669T=LMG 30882T).

[Influence of electroacupuncture with penetration needling method on comprehensive pain score in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy differences among electroacupuncture with penetration needling method, Jiaji electroacupuncture and Jing fukang granule for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) and to explore the best therapeutic method. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients with CSR were randomly divided into 3 groups. Sixty patients in electroacupuncture with penetration needling method group (group A) were treated by electroacupuncture with penetration needling method, and C4 Jiaji-to-C7 Jiaji, Jianwaishu (SI 14)-to-Quyuan (SI 13), Tianzong (SI 11)-to-Naoshu (SI 10), Shousanli (LI 10)-to-Xialian (LI 8) were selected, once a day. Sixty patients in Jiaji electroacupuncture group (group B) were treated by Jiaji electroacupuncture at C4 Jiaji-to-C7 Jiaji, once a day. Fourty patients in Jing fukang granule group (group C) were treated by oral administration of Jing fukang granule, 1 bag each time, twice each day. Six days as a course, the 3 groups were all treated for two courses. The simplified MPQ (SF-MPQ) scale which was internationally accepted was adopt to evaluate the improving situations in pain. RESULTS: After treatment, pain rating idex (PRI), visual analogue scale (VAS), present pain intensity (PPI) and the total pain score were significantly improved in the group A and B compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.01), which was also improved in the group C (all P < 0.05). Compared with the group C, all the scores were significantly improved in the group A (all P < 0.01), the improvement of PRI, VAS, PPI and total pain score in the group B was superior to those in the group C (all P < 0.05), and all the improvements in the group A were superior to those in the group B (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture with penetration needling method can relive pain rapaidly in patients with CSR, which is superior to Jiaji electroacupuncture and Jing fukang granule in improving the comprehensive pain scores.

[Molecular mechanism of hydroxyurea enhances K562 cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism via which the chemotherapeutic drug hydroxyurea (HU) enhances K562 cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). METHODS: Chronic myelogenous leukemia-derived K562 and SVT-35 cells were treated with recombinant soluble TRAIL (rsTRAIL) alone or combined with HU for a time course, and the cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-4-sulfophenyl-2H-tetrazolium-phenazine methosulphate assay. Western blot was performed to analyze the activation of apoptosis-related protein kinases and the expression of apoptosis inhibitor molecules. RESULTS: The survival rates of SVT-35 and K562 cells treated with 1 µg/ml rsTRAIL for 24 hours were 32% and 93%, respectively. HU significantly increased the sensitivity of K562 cells to rsTRAIL cytotoxicity. Combination of rsTRAIL and HU resulted in the phosphorylation of rat sarcoma (RAS), mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase and in the significant reduction of apoptosis-inhibited molecule Fas associated death domain protein-like interleukin-1 beta-convening enzyme inhibitory protein and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 in K562 cells. CONCLUSIONS: HU enhanced K562 cell sensitivity to rsTRAIL is mediated by Ras-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Expression of antiapoptotic proteins cellular Fas associated death domain protein-like interleukin-1 beta-convening enzyme inhibitory protein and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 is also down-regulated during this process. These results may through light on the therapeutic study of human chronic myelogenous leukemia.

[Effect of miR-146a on IL-18 expression in mouse macrophage].

AIM: To investigate the effect of miR-146a on the Th1/Th2 cytokine expression in mouse RAW264.7 cell line and primary peritoneal macrophage. METHODS: miR-146a mimics, mimics negative control (NC mimics), inhibitor miR-146a and inhibitor negative control (NC inhibitor) were transfected into RAW264.7 cells and freshly isolated peritoneal macrophage. IL-18, IL-5 and IL-10 expressions in the cells were measured by real time PCR. RESULTS: MiR-146a mimics suppressed IL-18 expression (P<0.05), and miR-146a specific inhibitor increased IL-18 expression significantly (P<0.05). However, IL-5 and IL-10 expressions were not affected by both miR-146a mimics and miR-146a inhibitor transfections. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate at first time that miR-146a can regulate Th1 cytokine IL-18 expression, but not affect Th2 cytokine IL-5 and IL-10 expressions.

[Construction and stable expression of anti-human tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 chimeric antibody in CHO cells].

AIM: To establish an human-mouse chimeric antibody against tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor 2 (death receptor 5, DR5) in an eukaryotic cell line and analyse its tumoricidal activity. METHODS: The cDNAs encoding for the variable regions of heavy chain (V(H);) and light chain (V(L);) of AD5-10 were amplified by PCR and inserted into the human IgG heavy and light chain containing expression vector RpCI-neo, respectively. The recombinant plasmids were co-transfected into HEK293 and/or CHO cells. The production of anti-DR5 human-mouse chimeric antibody (hmAD5-10) and the antibody affinity for DR5 were identified by ELISA and Western blot assay. The tumoricidal activity of hmAD5-10 was demonstrated by MTS assay. The stable expression cells were selected and cultured in serum-free medium. RESULTS: Two stable CHO cells CHO-A5 and CHO-B11 with the chimeric antibody hmAD5-10 expression were established, in which the production of hmAD5-10 were reached at (0.36±0.11) mg/L and (0.16±0.01) mg/L, respectively. The hmAD5-10 secreted from the cells can well bind with DR5 and kill the cultured leukemia SVT35 cells by apoptosis remarkably. CONCLUSION: The human-mouse chimeric antibody hmAD5-10 was successfully expressed in the eukaryotic cells and resulted tumor cell death by apoptosis. This study lays a fundamental basis for the potential application of the recombinant chimeric antibody in cancer therapy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy induces differential expression of hippocampal miRNAs including let-7e and miR-23a/b.

To understand the role of miRNAs in the molecular mechanisms of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), we investigated the changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of chronic TLE rat models. MiRNAs microarray analysis results showed that 125 miRNAs were detected in the hippocampus of lithium-pilocarpine-induced TLE rats and normal rats. Compared with normal rats (control group), 23 of the 125 miRNAs were expressed differentially in TLE rats including 5 down-regulated miRNAs (let-7 e included) and 18 up-regulated miRNAs (miR-23 a/b included). Furthermore, let-7 e and miR-23 a/b analysis in rat hippocampus were performed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction at 0 h, 1h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 2 days, 7 days,10 days, 30 days,50 days after induction of status epilepticus (SE). let-7 e was detected down-regulated expression at 0 h, 1h, 6h, 2 days, 7 days, 50 days after SE and up-regulated expression at 12h, 24h, 10 days, 30 days after SE, which was significantly up-regulated expression at 24h after SE (10.49 folds, P<0.01). miR-23 a/b was detected down-regulated at 0 h, 1h, 6h, 12h, 2 days, 7 days, 10 days, 30 days after SE and significantly up-regulated at 24h (4.49 folds P<0.01), 50 d (2.4 folds, P<0.01) after SE. TLE alters the expression levels of a subset of miRNAs in the hippocampus and these deregulated miRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy directly or indirectly. Also the temporal change of the let-7 e and miR-23 a/b expression in the epileptogenesis indicated their underlying functions on TLE.

[Killing effects of controllable expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand from mesenchymal stem cells on hepatocellular carcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the controllable expression of soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in mesenchymal stem cells and evaluate its potential tumoricidal effects in cancer therapy. METHODS: The controllable TRAIL expression vector of Ad-Tet-TRE-TRAIL was established in an adenovirus vector for transfection into murine mesenchymal stem cells. The controllable expression and secretion of TRAIL were detected by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The viability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells was determined by MTT assay. The tumoricidal activity of TRAIL was determined by Annexin-V/PI staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The murine expression model of TRAIL was successfully established in the presence of doxycycline. The secreted TRAIL in cell culture medium could efficaciously suppress the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7402 by induced apoptosis. The cell viability of SMMC-7402 was 66.5% ± 4.8% and 42.9% ± 6.5% at post-treatment versus 97.3% ± 2.2% and 99.4% ± 4.7% in the control group at 24 h and 48 h. CONCLUSION: The controllable TRAIL expression mediated by mesenchymal stem cells kills human hepatocellular carcinoma cells effectively. And it may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma.