Association of Lipoprotein(a) Levels With Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Low-Attenuation Plaque.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). However, the mechanism underlying this association has yet to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES: This multicenter study aimed to investigate whether association between Lp(a) and MI risk is reinforced by the presence of low-attenuation plaque (LAP) identified by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS: In a derivation cohort, a total of 5,607 patients with stable chest pain suspected of coronary artery disease who underwent CCTA and Lp(a) measurement were prospectively enrolled. In validation cohort, 1,122 patients were retrospectively collected during the same period. High Lp(a) was defined as Lp(a) ≥50 mg/dL. The primary endpoint was a composite of time to fatal or nonfatal MI. Associations were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 8.2 years (Q1-Q3: 7.2-9.3 years), the elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with MI risk (adjusted HR [aHR]: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.46-2.49; P < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between Lp(a) and LAP (Pinteraction <0.001) in relation to MI risk. When stratified by the presence or absence of LAP, Lp(a) was associated with MI in patients with LAP (aHR: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.92-4.76; P < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that LAP mediated 73.3% (P < 0.001) for the relationship between Lp(a) and MI. The principal findings remained unchanged in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated Lp(a) augmented the risk of MI during 8 years of follow-up, especially in patients with LAP identified by CCTA. The presence of LAP could reinforce the relationship between Lp(a) and future MI occurrence.

Associations of MRI-Derived Glymphatic System Impairment With Global White Matter Damage and Cognitive Impairment in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A DTI-ALPS Study.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the glymphatic function using diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) may be helpful for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) management. PURPOSE: To assess glymphatic function using DTI-ALPS and its associations with global white matter damage and cognitive impairment in mTBI. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. POPULATION: Thirty-four controls (44.1% female, mean age 49.2 years) and 58 mTBI subjects (43.1% female, mean age 48.7 years), including uncomplicated mTBI (N = 32) and complicated mTBI (N = 26). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3-T, single-shot echo-planar imaging sequence. ASSESSMENT: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done within 1 month since injury. DTI-ALPS was performed to assess glymphatic function, and peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) was used to assess global white matter damage. Cognitive tests included Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Digit Span Test (forward and backward). STATISTICAL TESTS: Neuroimaging findings comparisons were done between mTBI and control groups. Partial correlation and multivariable linear regression assessed the associations between DTI-ALPS, PSMD, and cognitive impairment. Mediation effects of PSMD on the relationship between DTI-ALPS and cognitive impairment were explored. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant, except for cognitive correlational analyses with a Bonferroni-corrected P-value set at 0.05/3 ≈ 0.017. RESULTS: mTBI showed lower DTI-ALPS and higher PSMD, especially in complicated mTBI. DTI-ALPS was significantly correlated with verbal memory (r = 0.566), attention abilities (r = 0.792), executive function (r = 0.618), and PSMD (r = -0.533). DTI-ALPS was associated with verbal memory (ß = 8.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.00, 12.54), attention abilities (ß = 5.67, 95% CI 4.56, 6.97), executive function (ß = 2.34, 95% CI 1.49, 3.20), and PSMD (ß = -0.79, 95% CI -1.15, -0.43). PSMD mediated 46.29%, 20.46%, and 24.36% of the effects for the relationship between DTI-ALPS and verbal memory, attention abilities, and executive function. DATA CONCLUSION: Glymphatic function may be impaired in mTBI reflected by DTI-ALPS. Glymphatic dysfunction may cause cognitive impairment related to global white matter damage after mTBI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Tousled-like kinase 1 promotes gastric cancer progression by regulating the tumor growth factor-beta signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: The role of Tousled-like kinase 1 (TLK1) in in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. AIM: To investigate the expression, biological function, and underlying mechanisms of TLK1 in GC. METHODS: We measured TLK1 protein expression levels and localized TLK1 in GC cells and tissues by western blot and immunofluorescence, respectively. We transfected various GC cells with lentiviruses to create TLK1 overexpression and knockdown lines and established the functional roles of TLK1 through in vitro colony formation, 5-ethynyl-2`-deoxyuridine, and Transwell assays as well as flow cytometry. We applied bioinformatics to elucidate the signaling pathways associated with TLK1. We performed in vivo validation of TLK1 functions by inducing subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice. RESULTS: TLK1 was significantly upregulated in GC cells and tissues compared to their normal counterparts and was localized mainly to the nucleus. TLK1 knockdown significantly decreased colony formation, proliferation, invasion, and migration but increased apoptosis in GC cells. TLK1 overexpression had the opposite effects. Bioinformatics revealed, and subsequent experiments verified, that the tumor growth factor-beta signaling pathway was implicated in TLK1-mediated GC progression. The in vivo assays confirmed that TLK1 promotes tumorigenesis in GC. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study indicated that TLK1 plays a crucial role in GC progression and is, therefore, promising as a therapeutic target against this disease.

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen: multimodality imaging features and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT and MRI findings, clinicopathologic features, and differential diagnosis of Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Seven men and seven women with pathological diagnoses of SANT were included in this retrospect study. Patients underwent at least one radiological examination before surgery. The number, shape, margin, size, attenuation, signal intensity, homogeneity, and enhancing pattern of the lesion were evaluated by two abdominal radiologists independently. Immunohistochemistry reports were available for 11 patients. The immunoreactivity to the vascular markers CD8, CD31, and CD34 was assessed. RESULTS: The 14 SANT patients (7 men, 7 women; mean age, 43.5 years; age range, 24-56 years) presented with a single lesion and showed no specific clinical symptoms. Among 14 patients, 12 patients underwent MR scan, 5 patients underwent CT scan and 3 patients underwent PET-CT. On CT, all 5 lesions showed hypodensity on non-contrast images and spoke-wheel enhancing pattern after contrast administration, and calcification was observed. On T2WI, 10 cases(83.3%)showed hypointensity and 2 cases (16.7%) showed hyperintensity with central hypointensity. On T1WI, 10 cases (83.3%) were isointense and 2 cases (16.7%) were slightly hypointense. 10 cases (83.3%) showed hypointensity on DWI and 2 cases (16.7%) showed slightly hyperintensity on DWI. After contrast administration, all 12 lesions showed progressive enhancement. 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the tumor was seen in all three cases that underwent PET-CT. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was 4.5, 5.1, and 3.8 respectively. RESULTS: Apart from the progressive spoke-wheel enhancing pattern, DWI and ADC findings will add value to the diagnosis of SANT.

Distinct radiological features of lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: comparison with classical intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (LEICC) has been recently introduced as a genetically distinct of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). We aimed to investigate whether LEICC has distinct radiological characteristics in comparison with classical ICC, and to determine MRI features that can be used to differentiate LEICC from classical ICC. METHODS: Five hundred and sixty-seven consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection or liver transplantation for ICC between 2014 and 2021 were retrospectively identified. Among them, 30 patients with LEICC (LEICC-cohort) and 116 with stage-matched classical ICC (control-cohort) were finally included. Pre-operative MRI data were compared between the two cohorts. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine relevant imaging features suggesting the diagnosis of LEICC over classical ICC. RESULTS: LEICCs showed significantly higher frequencies of a non-rim arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE), washout on post-arterial images and a smooth margin, as well as less frequencies of perilesional enhancement and liver capsular retraction when compared with classical ICCs (P < 0.05 for all). The multivariate analysis revealed that non-rim APHE (odds ratio, 10.863; 95% CI [3.295-35.821]; P < 0.001) and the absence of perilesional enhancement (odds ratio, 3.350; 95% CI [1.167-9.619]; P = 0.025) are significant independent imaging features that suggest the diagnosis of LEICCs over classical ICCs. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with classical ICCs, LEICCs do have distinct radiological characteristics. A smooth margin, non-rim APHE, washout on post-arterial images, absent perilesional enhancement and absent liver capsular retraction are useful MRI features that could help to differentiate LEICCs from classical ICCs.

Identification and validation of DPY30 as a prognostic biomarker and tumor immune microenvironment infiltration characterization in esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is a lethal malignancy and is associated with the alterations of various genes and epigenetic modifications. The protein dpy-30 homolog (DPY30) is a core member of histone H3K4 methylation catalase and its dysfunction is associated with the occurrence and development of cancer. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of DPY30 in ESCA and evaluated the association between the expression of DPY30, the clinicopathological characteristics of ESCA and the tumor immune microenvironment. It conducted a comprehensive analysis of DPY30 in patients with ESCA using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and clinical tissue microarray specimens of ESCA. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression levels of DPY30 in tissues. Receiver operating curve analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were performed to identify the diagnostic and prognostic value of DPY30. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, protein-protein interaction network and Estimation of Stromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumor tissues using the Expression data were used to screen DPY30-associated genes and evaluate the immune score of the TCGA samples. The results demonstrated that the expression of mRNA and protein levels of DPY30 were significantly upregulated in tumor tissues compared with normal tissue samples. The expression of DPY30 was closely associated with the poor prognosis of patients with ESCA. The present study also found that DPY30 expression and the pathological characteristics of ESCA were significantly correlated. Additionally, the expression of DPY30 demonstrated a significant positive correlation with various immune cells infiltration. The results suggested that DPY30 might influence tumor immune infiltration. In conclusion, the findings suggested that DPY30 might be a potential prognostic biomarker and an immunotherapeutic target in ESCA.

Associations of MRI-visible perivascular spaces with longitudinal cognitive decline across the Alzheimer's disease spectrum.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics and associations of MRI-visible perivascular spaces (PVS) with clinical progression and longitudinal cognitive decline across the Alzheimer's disease spectrum. METHODS: We included 1429 participants (641 [44.86%] female) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. PVS number and grade in the centrum semiovale (CSO-PVS), basal ganglia (BG-PVS), and hippocampus (HP-PVS) were compared among the control (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) groups. PVS were tested as predictors of diagnostic progression (i.e., CN to MCI/AD or MCI to AD) and longitudinal changes in the 13-item Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog 13), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), memory (ADNI-MEM), and executive function (ADNI-EF) using multiple linear regression, linear mixed-effects, and Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS: Compared with CN subjects, MCI and AD subjects had more CSO-PVS, both in number (p < 0.001) and grade (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in BG-PVS and HP-PVS across the AD spectrum (p > 0.05). Individuals with moderate and frequent/severe CSO-PVS had a higher diagnostic conversion risk than individuals with no/mild CSO-PVS (log-rank p < 0.001 for all) in the combined CN and MCI group. Further Cox regression analyses revealed that moderate and frequent/severe CSO-PVS were associated with a higher risk of diagnostic conversion (HR = 2.007, 95% CI = 1.382-2.914, p < 0.001; HR = 2.676, 95% CI = 1.830-3.911, p < 0.001, respectively). A higher CSO-PVS number was associated with baseline cognitive performance and longitudinal cognitive decline in all cognitive tests (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: CSO-PVS were more common in MCI and AD and were associated with cognitive decline across the AD spectrum.

Enlarged perivascular spaces and white matter hyperintensities in patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration syndromes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution characteristics of enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and their associations with disease severity across the frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) syndromes spectrum. Methods: This study included 73 controls, 39 progressive supranuclear palsy Richardson's syndrome (PSP-RS), 31 corticobasal syndrome (CBS), 47 behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), 36 non-fluent variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA), and 50 semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA). All subjects had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological tests, including progressive supranuclear palsy rating scale (PSPRS) and FTLD modified clinical dementia rating sum of boxes (FTLD-CDR). EPVS number and grade were rated on MRI in the centrum semiovale (CSO-EPVS), basal ganglia (BG-EPVS), and brain stem (BS-EPVS). Periventricular (PWMH) and deep (DWMH) were also graded on MRI. The distribution characteristics of EPVS and WMH were compared between control and disease groups. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of EPVS and WMH with disease severity. Results: Compared with control subjects, PSP-RS and CBS had more BS-EPVS; CBS, bvFTD, and nfvPPA had less CSO-EPVS; all disease groups except CBS had higher PWMH (p < 0.05). BS-EPVS was associated with PSPRS in PSP-RS (ß = 2.395, 95% CI 0.888-3.901) and CBS (ß = 3.115, 95% CI 1.584-4.647). PWMH was associated with FTLD-CDR in bvFTD (ß = 1.823, 95% CI 0.752-2.895), nfvPPA (ß = 0.971, 95% CI 0.030-1.912), and svPPA (OR: 1.330, 95% CI 0.457-2.204). Conclusion: BS-EPVS could be a promising indicator of disease severity in PSP-RS and CBS, while PWMH could reflect the severity of bvFTD, nfvPPA, and svPPA.

Graphene-supported polyoxometalate entrapped in a MIL-88A network with highly efficient conversion of polysulfides in Li-S batteries.

It has been demonstrated that polyoxometalates (POMs) have strong anchoring abilities with efficient catalysis of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). However, the severe aggregation that buries the effective active sites of POMs along with poor electrical conductivity limits the practical application of POMs in lithium sulfur batteries (LSBs). In our strategy, we utilized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to support a POM catalyst entrapped in a MIL-88A(FeCo) network with a hollow shell skeleton as the sulfur host material. H4PW11VO40 (PW11V) with optimal vanadium atom implantation ensures the ruggedness and integrity of the hollow structure, which is conducive to achieving high sulfur loading as well as accommodating the volume change of the sulfur cathode during the charging and discharging process. Importantly, PW11V can capture polysulfides through firm chemical adsorption and accelerate redox reactions of LiPS conversion by effective electrochemical catalysis. Furthermore, the satisfactory electrical conductivity of rGO provides access for electrons to reach the interface of PW11V and polysulfides and trigger Li-S conversion reactions. Thus, the constructed PW11V-based sulfur cathode exhibited a superior specific capacity of 905 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles under 0.2 C and long cycling life with a capacity recession rate of 0.046% for each cycle upon 500 cycles under 3 C. This research reveals the effect of vanadium atom substitution of POMs on the cycling performance of a sulfur cathode and affords insight for developing high-performance LSBs.

Manipulation of the MoO2/MoSe2 Heterointerface Boosting High Rate and Durability for Sodium/Potassium Storage.

The main challenge for sodium/potassium ion storage is to find the suitable host materials to accommodate the larger-sized Na+/K+ and conquer the sluggish chemical kinetics. Herein, by selenation of polyoxometalate in electrospinning fiber, a novel MoO2/MoSe2 heterostructure embedded in one-dimensional (1D) N,P-doped carbon nanofiber (MoO2/MoSe2@NPC) is rationally constructed to show distinct enhancement of rate performance and cycle life for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium ion batteries (PIBs). The 1D skeleton of MoO2/MoSe2@NPC decreases the diffusion pathway of Na+/K+, and the doping of N/P heteroatoms in carbon fiber creates abundant active sites and provides good reachability for Na+/K+ transportation. MoSe2 nanosheets grow in the bulk phase of MoO2 via in situ local phase transformation to achieve effective and firm heterointerfaces. Especially, the exposure extent of heterointerfaces can be controlled by treatment temperature during the preparation process, and the optimized heterointerfaces result in an ideal synergic effect between MoO2 and MoSe2. DFT calculations confirm that the internal electric field in the heterogeneous interface guides the electron transfer from MoO2 to MoSe2, combined with strong adsorption capacity toward sodium/potassium, facilitating ion/electron transfer kinetics. It is confirmed that the MoO2/MoSe2@NPC anode for SIBs delivers 382 mA h g-1 under 0.1 A g-1 upon 200 cycles; meanwhile, a reversible capacity of 266 mA h g-1 is maintained even under 2 A g-1 after 2000 cycles. For PIBs, it can reach up to 216 mA h g-1 in the 200th cycle and still retain 125 mA h g-1 after 2000 cycles under 1 A g-1. This study opens up a new interface manipulation strategy for the design of anode materials to boost fast Na+/K+ storage kinetics.

MRI-Visible Perivascular Spaces Associated With Cognitive Impairment in Military Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury Mediated by CSF P-Tau.

Objective: To investigate the association of MRI-visible perivascular spaces (PVS) with cognitive impairment in military veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) p-tau and Aß mediate this effect. Materials and Methods: We included 55 Vietnam War veterans with a history of TBI and 52 non-TBI Vietnam War veterans from the Department of Defense Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. All the subjects had brain MRI, CSF p-tau, Aß, and neuropsychological examinations. MRI-visible PVS number and grade were rated on MRI in the centrum semiovale (CSO-PVS) and basal ganglia (BG-PVS). Multiple linear regression was performed to assess the association between MRI-visible PVS and cognitive impairment and the interaction effect of TBI. Additionally, mediation effect of CSF biomarkers on the relationship between MRI-visible PVS and cognitive impairment was explored in TBI group. Results: Compared with military control, TBI group had higher CSO-PVS number (p = 0.001), CSF p-tau (p = 0.022) and poorer performance in verbal memory (p = 0.022). High CSO-PVS number was associated with poor verbal memory in TBI group (ß = -0.039, 95% CI -0.062, -0.016), but not in military control group (ß = 0.019, 95% CI -0.004, 0.043) (p-interaction = 0.003). Further mediation analysis revealed that CSF p-tau had a significant indirect effect (ß = -0.009, 95% CI: -0.022 -0.001, p = 0.001) and mediated 18.75% effect for the relationship between CSO-PVS and verbal memory in TBI group. Conclusion: MRI-visible CSO-PVS was more common in Vietnam War veterans with a history of TBI and was associated with poor verbal memory, mediated partially by CSF p-tau.

Cognitive impairment in mild traumatic brain injury: a diffusion kurtosis imaging and volumetric study.

BACKGROUND: A significant number of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) would experience cognitive deficit. PURPOSE: To investigate the brain structural changes in sub-acute mTBI by diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and volumetric analysis, and to assess the relationship between brain structural changes and cognitive functions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 23 patients with sub-acute mTBI and 24 control participants were recruited. All the participants underwent examinations of neuropsychological tests, DKI, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based morphological scans. Images were investigated using whole brain-based analysis and further regions of interest-based analysis for subcortical nuclei. The neuropsychological tests were compared between the mTBI and the control group. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between gray matter (GM) volume, DKI parameters, and cognitive functions. RESULTS: Compared with control participants, mTBI patients performed worse in the domains of verbal memory, attention and executive function (P < 0.05). No regional GM volume differences were observed between the mTBI and control groups (P > 0.05). Using DKI, patients with mTBI showed lower mean kurtosis (MK) in widespread white matter (WM) regions and several subcortical nuclei (P < 0.05), and higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the right pallidum (P < 0.05). Lower MK value of multiple WM regions and several subcortical nuclei correlated with cognitive impairment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DKI was sensitive in detecting brain microstructural changes in patients with sub-acute mTBI showing lower MK value in widespread WM regions and several subcortical nuclei, which were statistically associated with cognitive deficits.

Polyoxometalate@MOF derived porous carbon-supported MoO2/MoS2 octahedra boosting high-rate lithium storage.

Structural stability and rapid charge-discharge capability of electrode materials are required for high performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The materials derived from polyoxometalates (POMs) show special advantages in inhibiting capacity attenuation, and good dispersion or combination of POMs with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is an important method to obtain high activity anode composites for LIBs. In this study, a uniform MoO2/MoS2 heterostructure with surface supported carbon (C-MoO2/MoS2) was successfully fabricated from a [Cu2(BTC)4/3(H2O)2]6[H3PMo12O40] precursor, which showed not only the designed octahedral morphology but also fast charge transfer, long working life, and high rate performance. Superior reversible lithium storage capacity of 1047 mA h g-1 after 300 cycles was obtained at 1 A g-1. Even after 700 cycles at 5 A g-1, the discharge specific capacity of 646 mA h g-1 was maintained, and rate capability of 610 mA h g-1 could be achieved at 10 A g-1. The high capacitive contribution could be explained by the relatively large specific surface area of porous C-MoO2/MoS2, which was mainly caused by the supported carbon network and MoS2 nanosheets, resulting in fast lithiation/delithiation processes.

A 20-core copper(I) nanocluster as electron-hole recombination inhibitor on TiO2 nanosheets for enhancing photocatalytic H2 evolution.

For the design of atom-precise copper nanoclusters, besides the exploration of their aesthetic cage-like architectures, their structural modulation and potential applications are being extensively explored. Herein, an atom-precise 20-core copper(I)-alkynyl nanocluster (UJN-Cu20) protected by ethinyloestradiol ligands issynthesized. By virtue of outer-shell hydroxyl groups, UJN-Cu20 could be uniformly modified on the surface of TiO2 nanosheets via hydrogen bonding interactions, thus forming an efficient nanocomposite photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. By constructing a Z-scheme heterojunction, the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of the nanocomposite (13 mmol g-1 h-1) significantly improved as compared to that of TiO2 nanosheets (0.4 mmol g-1 h-1). As a narrow bandgap cocatalyst, UJN-Cu20 is confirmed to effectively inhibit the electron-hole recombination on the surface of the TiO2 nanosheet, which provides a new concept for the design of copper cluster-assisted effective photocatalysts.

[Effect of C21 steroidal glycoside of Cynanchum auriculatum on liver and kidney fibrosis through TLR4 pathway].

The liver and kidney fibrosis model was established by thioacetamide(TAA) and unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) in SD rats. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: model group, low and high-dose groups of C21 steroidal glycosides of Cynanchum auriculatum. Another blank control group was set. Four weeks later, serum was taken to detect the biochemical indexes of liver and kidney function. Urine protein and urine creatinine were detected by kits. Liver and kidney tissue samples were stained with HE and Masson staining, and hydroxyproline content was detected. Western blot was used to detect expressions of fibrotic proteins, inflammatory factors and TLR4 signaling pathways, so as to observe the preventive and therapeutic effects of C21 steroidal glycosides from C. auriculatum on hepatic and renal fibrosis and explore its molecular mechanism. Four weeks later, serum biochemical results showed that liver and kidney functions were seriously damaged, and pathological sections showed that inflammatory cell infiltration, decrease of parenchymal cells, and increase of interstitial fibrosis in liver and kidney tissues. The results showed that low and high doses(150, 300 mg·kg~(-1)) of C21 steroidal glycosides could significantly reduce the collagen deposition and the pathological changes of liver and kidney fibrosis compared with the model group. At the same time, we found that the expression levels of TLR4 and MyD88 signaling pathway proteins were significantly increased in the liver and kidney tissues of the model group, and a large number of NF-κB signaling pathway proteins migrated into the nucleus. On the contrary, the expression levels of TLR4, MyD88 signaling pathway proteins and the nuclear migration of NF-κB were significantly inhibited in the low and high dose groups of C21 steroidal glycosides from C. auriculatum. Therefore, it was speculated that the mechanism of C21 steroidal glycoside for preventive and therapeutic effect on hepatic and renal fibrosis was related to inhibit TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB inflammatory pathway, thus preventing hepatic and renal fibrosis.

Self-Localization of Mobile Robots Using a Single Catadioptric Camera with Line Feature Extraction.

This paper presents a novel self-localization technique for mobile robots using a central catadioptric camera. A unified sphere model for the image projection is derived by the catadioptric camera calibration. The geometric property of the camera projection model is utilized to obtain the intersections of the vertical lines and ground plane in the scene. Different from the conventional stereo vision techniques, the feature points are projected onto a known planar surface, and the plane equation is used for depth computation. The 3D coordinates of the base points on the ground are calculated using the consecutive image frames. The derivation of motion trajectory is then carried out based on the computation of rotation and translation between the robot positions. We develop an algorithm for feature correspondence matching based on the invariability of the structure in the 3D space. The experimental results obtained using the real scene images have demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed method for mobile robot localization applications.

Longitudinal Association between White Matter Hyperintensities and White Matter Beta-Amyloid Deposition in Cognitively Unimpaired Elderly.

BACKGROUND: White matter (WM) beta-amyloid uptake has been used as a reference region to calculate the cortical standard uptake value ratio (SUVr). However, white matter hyperintensities (WMH) may have an influence on WM beta-amyloid uptake. Our study aimed to investigate the associations between WMH and WM beta-amyloid deposition in cognitively unimpaired elderly. METHODS: Data from 83 cognitively unimpaired individuals in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset were analyzed. All participants had complete baseline and four-year follow-up information about WMH volume, WM 18F-AV-45 SUVr, and cognitive function, including ADNI-Memory (ADNI-Mem) and ADNI-Executive function (ADNI-EF) scores. Cross-sectional and longitudinal linear regression analyses were used to determine the associations between WMH and WM SUVr and cognitive measures. RESULTS: Lower WM 18F-AV-45 SUVr at baseline was associated with younger age (ß=0.01, P=0.037) and larger WMH volume (ß=-0.049, P=0.048). The longitudinal analysis found an annual increase in WM 18F-AV-45 SUVr was associated with an annual decrease in WMH volume (ß=-0.016, P=0.041). An annual decrease in the ADNI-Mem score was associated with an annual increase in WMH volume (ß=-0.070, P=0.001), an annual decrease in WM 18F-AV-45 SUVr (ß=0.559, P=0.030), and fewer years of education (ß=0.011, P=0.044). There was no significant association between WM 18F-AV-45 SUVr and ADNI-EF (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Reduced beta-amyloid deposition in WM was associated with higher WMH load and memory decline in cognitively unimpaired elderly. WMH volume should be considered when WM 18F-AV-45 SUVr is used as a reference for evaluating cortical 18F-AV-45 SUVr.

Comparative study of oncologic efficacy of cephalomedial to lateral dissection versus medial to lateral dissection in laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: An RCT study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We compared the 3-year overall survival between cephalomedial-to-lateral approach proctectomy (CEMP) and medial-to-lateral approach proctectomy (MAP) in patients undergoing laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. The advantages of CEMP and the clinical value of No. 253 lymph nodes resection have not been objectively analyzed in literature. METHODS: This was a prospective, two-arm, multicenter, single-blinded, randomized trial. The primary endpoint was 3-year overall survival, and secondary endpoints included safety, feasibility, oncological radicality (including number of No. 253 lymph nodes harvested), short-term outcome, 3-year disease-free survival, rate of postoperative complications, mortality, and rate of recurrence. RESULTS: From May 2016 to July 2020, 506 patients were enrolled-256 in the CEMP group and 250 in the MAP group. Comparison of overall survival and disease-free survival showed that there was treatment benefit in the CEMP group (28.22 ± 12.12 vs. 27.44 ± 13.06, p = 0.485; 27.24 ± 12.01 vs. 26.42 ± 12.81; p = 0.457). More No. 253 lymph nodes were harvested in the CEMP group, and cases with positive No. 253 lymph nodes had worse prognosis in stage III. Surgical safety was equal for both approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Dissection of No. 253 lymph nodes may be important to improve clinical prognosis, but further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm this finding.

Long living excited state of protonated adenosine unveiled by ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy and density functional theoretical study.

Adenosine (Ado) possesses ultrafast nonradiative dynamics accounting for its remarkably high photostability. The deactivation dynamics of Ado after protonation in an aqueous solution remains an elusive issue. Herein we report an investigation of the excited state dynamics of protonated Ado (AdoH+) performed using ultrafast time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy combined with density functional theoretical calculation. The result obtained from comparison of conformers with protonation at different sites revealed that the syn-conformer with protonation occurring at the N3 position (syn-N3) is the predominant form of AdoH+ in the ground state, similar to that of Ado. In contrast, the fluorescence of AdoH+ with maximum intensity at 385 nm, significantly red-shifted from that of Ado, displaying decay dynamics composed of an ultrafast component with the lifetime of ∼0.5 ps and a slower one of ∼2.9 ns. The former is because of the decay of the syn-N3 conformer, similar to that reported for AdoH+ under the gas phase condition. The latter is due to the syn-N1 conformer formed via ultrafast proton transfer of the syn-N3. The excited state of syn-N1 has a peculiar nonplanar conformation over the purine molecule, which is responsible for the substantial Stokes shift showed in the fluorescence spectrum and correlates with a large energy barrier for nonradiative decay likely involving a reversed proton transfer. This study demonstrates the importance of protonation and solvent environment in altering dramatically the excited states of Ado, providing insight for better understanding nonradiative dynamics of both the monomeric bases and the oligomeric or polymeric DNAs.