[Diagnostic Value of Combining Permeability with T1 Perfusion Parameters in Quantitative Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Glioma Grading].

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE To investigate the diagnostic value of combining permeability with T1 perfusion parameters in quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in glioma grading. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 16 patients with high grade gliomas (HGG) and 12 patients with low grade gliomas(LGG) confirmed by pathology. The permeability was quantitatively analyzed and the T1 perfusion parameters of the tumor were calculated by the pharmacokinetic model,including volume transfer constant (K(trans)),volume fraction of extravascular extracellular space (ve),reflux constant (kep),fractional plasma volume (vp),cerebral blood flow (CBF),cerebral blood volume (CBV),and mean transit time (MTT). A t-test was used to calculate the statistical significance of quantitative analysis parameters between HGG and LGG. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was also performed for evaluating the sensitivity,specificity,and area under curve (AUC) of the permeability parameters and perfusion parameters and the combination of these parameters. RESULTS: The differences of the K(trans),ve,CBF,and CBV values [(0.276<0.164)/min vs. (0.084<0.044)/min;0.486<0.191 vs. 0.274<0.132;(1.755<1.164)ml/(g·min) vs. (0.761<0.625) ml/(g·min);(0.204<0.101) ml/g vs. (0.115<0.097)ml/g] were statistically significant (t=3.934,3.293,2.672,2.338,P<0.05) between HGG and LGG. The differences of the kep,vp, and MTT value [(1.632<1.204)/min vs. (1.537<1.194)/min;0.114<0.107 vs. 0.055<0.039;(0.128<0.070)min vs. (0.145<0.066)min] were not statistically significant (t=0.208,1.823,0.688,P>0.05). When the K(trans) value was 0.105/min,the AUC was the largest (0.919) by the single parameter in glioma grading,and meanwhile the sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 83.3%,respectively. When the ve-CBF value was 0.631,the AUC was the largest (0.974) by the multiple parameter,and meanwhile the sensitivity and specificity were 93.7% and 100.0%,respectively. CONCLUSION: Combining permeability with perfusion parameters in quantitative DCE-MRI can improve the accuracy of the glioma grading.

[Comparison of enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the value of liver acquisition with volume acceleration (LAVA) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in diagnosing benign and malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) of the pancreas. METHODS: The MR findings of 35 IPMN patients confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively, and the sequences included T1WI, T2WI, LAVA, and MRCP. All patients were divided into two groups: the group of MRI enhancement (including T1WI, T2WI, and MRI enhancement) and the group of MRCP (including T1WI, T2WI, and MRCP). Two groups were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Totally 23 cases of intraductal papillary mucinous tumors and 12 cases of intraductal papillary mucinous carcinomas were diagnosed. Finally, 29 cases (29/35) of IPMN were diagnosed correctly in the group of MR enhancement, and 25 cases (25/35) diagnosed correctly in the group of MRCP. The differential diagnostic accuracy of the group of MRI enhancement (82.9%) was higher than that of the group of MRCP (71.4%), although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.068). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the group of MRI enhancement were 83.3%, 82.6%, 71.4%, and 0.850, and those of the group of MRCP were 75.0%, 69.6%, 52.3%, and 0.723. The AUC of the group of MRI enhancement was significantly larger than that of the group of MRCP (P=0.0465). CONCLUSION: MRI enhancement is more valuable than MRCP in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant IPMN.

Identification and Comparative Expression Profiles of Candidate Olfactory Receptors in the Transcriptomes of the Important Egg Parasitoid Wasp Anastatus japonicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae).

Anastatus japonicus Ashmead is an egg parasitoid wasp important for the biological control of fruit crop pests. The olfaction of parasitoids is crucial to searching for host pests in fruit crops. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the antennal and abdominal transcriptomes of A. japonicus to better understand the olfactory mechanisms in this species. A total of 201 putative olfactory receptor genes were identified, including 184 odorant receptors (ORs) and 17 ionotropic receptors (IRs). Then, we assayed the tissue-specific and sex-biased expression profiles of those genes based on the transcriptional levels. In total, 165 ORs and 15 IRs had upregulated expression in the antennae. The expression levels of 133 ORs, including odorant receptor co-receptor (AjapORco), and 10 IRs, including AjapIR8a, were significantly different between the female and male antennae. Our results provide valuable information for further studies on the molecular mechanisms of the olfactory system in A. japonicus.

Identification and Expression Profiles of Candidate Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis Genes by the Transcriptome Analysis of Sex Pheromone Glands in Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera exigua.

Like many insects, females of the Noctuid moth Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera exigua release chemical signals to attract males from a long distance for successful mating. In this study, 98 and 86 genes related to the sex pheromone biosynthesis of S. litura and S. exigua were identified. The tissue expression profiles of highly expressed genes in sex pheromone glands (PGs) were further examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results displayed that only SlitDes5 and SexiDes5 gene were specifically and significantly overexpressed in the PGs of S. litura and S. exigua. The functional study of SlitDes5 gene showed that RNA interference reduced its expression level by 49.42%. In addition, the content of the sex pheromones of S. litura, Z9E11-14:OAc, Z9E12-14:OAc, E11-14:OAc, and Z9-14:OAc, decreased by 41.98% on average. Our findings provide a basis for better understanding the key genes that affect the biosynthesis of sex pheromones and for determining potential gene targets for pest control strategies.

[Comparison of enhanced magnetic resonance and diffusion-weighted imaging for detection of hepatic metastases].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the roles of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the liver acquisition with volume acceleration(LAVA) sequence and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) in the detection of hepatic metastases sized ≤3 cm. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the MRI data of 16 patients with hepatic metastases. All the sequences used included T1WI, T2WI,3D-LAVA, and DWI (b value=500 s/mm(2)). All patients were divided into two groups based on the sequences: group A (T1WI, T2WI, and 3D-LAVA enhanced MR) and group B(T1WI,T2WI and DWI). The hepatic metastases were evaluated by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: A total of 39 hepatic metastatic lesions were identified. The sensitivity, specificity, Youden index and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were 97.4%, 88.2%, 0.856, and 0.944 in group A and 82.1%, 91.2%, 0.733, and 0.834 in group B. The ROC curves (p=0.040) and Youden index(p=0.043) in group A were significantly larger than in group B. CONCLUSION: Gadolinium-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI has higher accuracy than DWI in the detection of small metastases.

Binding Affinity Characterization of Four Antennae-Enriched Odorant-Binding Proteins From Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

Harmonia axyridis is an important natural enemy that consumes many agricultural and forestry pests. It relies on a sensitive olfactory system to find prey and mates. Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) as the first-step of recognizing volatiles, transport odors through sensillum lymph to odorant receptors (ORs). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of H. axyridis olfaction. In this study, four H. axyridis antenna specific OBP genes, HaxyOBP3, 5, 12, and 15, were bacterially expressed and the binding features of the four recombinant proteins to 40 substances were investigated using fluorescence competitive binding assays. Three-dimensional structure modeling and molecular docking analysis predicted the binding sites between HaxyOBPs and candidate volatiles. Developmental expression analyses showed that the four HaxyOBP genes displayed a variety of expression patterns at different development stages. The expression levels of HaxyOBP3 and HaxyOBP15 were higher in the adult stage than in the other developmental stages, and HaxyOBP15 was significantly transcriptionally enriched in adult stage. Ligand-binding analysis demonstrated that HaxyOBP3 and HaxyOBP12 only combined with two compounds, ß-ionone and p-anisaldehyde. HaxyOBP5 protein displayed binding affinities with methyl salicylate, ß-ionone, and p-anisaldehyde (Ki = 18.15, 11.71, and 13.45 µM). HaxyOBP15 protein had a broad binding profile with (E)-ß-farnesene, ß-ionone, α-ionone, geranyl acetate, nonyl aldehyde, dihydro-ß-ionone, and linalyl acetate (Ki = 4.33-31.01 µM), and hydrophobic interactions played a key role in the binding of HaxyOBP15 to these substances according to molecular docking. Taken together, HaxyOBP15 exhibited a broader ligand-binding spectrum and a higher expression in adult stage than HaxyOBP3, 5, and 12, indicating HaxyOBP15 may play a greater role in binding volatiles than other three HaxyOBPs. The results will increase our understanding of the molecular mechanism of H. axyridis olfaction and may also result in new management strategies (attractants/repellents) that increase the biological control efficacy of H. axyridis.

A safe technique for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in adult patients.

A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) can be closed using various procedures, including transcatheter closure, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and conventional surgery with division and suture. These procedures are feasible for treatment of PDA in a child, but are believed to be challenging when employed in an adult. The main danger is intraoperative bleeding. With a hemorrhage, inadvertent ductus damage/perforation during the isolated ductus, the traditional surgical approach was accomplished with considerable difficulty. This study reports a new procedure for these adult patients using an intrapericardial approach to the ductus. The operation was done as an emergency salvage procedure. Based on the results from the 4 cases of PDA, such technique is found to be simple, safe, and effective.

Understanding the mechanisms of dormancy in an invasive alien Sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata through transcript and metabolite profiling.

The sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata, is a pest of sycamore trees. In China, it is found in the most northern border where it has been known to become dormant during harsh winters. But the molecular and metabolic basis for dormancy in this insect is still unknown. In this study, we analyzed the transcript and metabolite profiles of this bug to identify key genes and metabolites that are significantly regulated during dormancy in adult females and males. In total, 149 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly up-regulated and 337 DEGs were significantly down-regulated in dormant adults (both females and males). We found major differences in heat shock protein (HSPs), immunity-responsive genes, NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and genes involved in the spliceosome pathway that is known to regulate stress. Among the 62 metabolites identified by GC-MS, 12 metabolites including glycerol, trehalose, and alanine were significantly increased during C. ciliata dormancy. By integrating the transcriptome and metabolite datasets, we found that the metabolites in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and citrate cycle (TCA) were significantly reduced. This study is the first to report both transcript and metabolite profiles of the overwintering responses of C. ciliata to cold stress at the molecular level.

[Domoic acid and human health].

Domoic acid (DA), structurally related to glutamic and kainic acid, mainly generated by Pseudo nitzschia diatom. It often contaminates halobios such as fish and seashell and cause the Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning in human beings with the consumption of foods contaminated by DA. DA has been detected from seafoods worldwide. As the frequent occurrence of red tide and outbreak of human poisoning, more and more studies focus on DA, especially on its excitotoxicity. The producing alga, physico - chemical properties, natural contamination of seafoods, information on human poisoning, toxicity and analytical methods of DA are reviewed.

Effect of 131I 'clear residual thyroid tissue' after surgery on the function of parathyroid gland in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor of the endocrine glands. Although surgery is the optimal treatment utilized, the disease is characterized by recurrence and metastasis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of iodine-131 (131I) 'clear residual thyroid tissue' following surgery on the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and its effect on the function of the parathyroid gland. A total of 160 patients diagnosed with DTC, who were consecutively admitted to our Hospital between June 2012 and June 2014 and underwent total thyroidectomy or subtotal resection, were included in the present study. After three months, the patients were administered 131I 'clear residual thyroid tissue' treatment and underwent a whole body scan after 1 week to determine whether 'clear residual thyroid tissue' treatment was successful or not. The treatment was repeated within 3 months if not successful. Of the 160 patients, 24 patients had cancer metastasis (15.0%). The average dose of 131I used for the first time was 6.4+1.2 GBq and the treatment was successful in 66 cases (41.3%). The average treatment time was 2.8±0.6 therapy sessions. The results showed that, prior to and following the first treatment and at the end of the follow up, levels of the parathyroid hormone, serum calcium and phosphorus were compared, and no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) was observed. There were 5 patients with persistent hypothyroidism and 8 patients with transient hypothyroidism. The levels of thyroglobulin were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). A total of 48 patients (30%) with hypothyroidism were identified. In conclusion, the results have shown that DTC resection and 131I 'clear residual thyroid tissue' treatment did not significantly impair the parathyroid function, thereby improving the treatment effect.

Analysis of synonymous codon usage in enterovirus 71.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the major cause of hand-foot-and-mouth disease in children. In our study, using the complete genome sequences of 42 EV71 representing all three genotypes, we analyzed synonymous codon usage and the relative dinucleotide abundance in EV71 genome. The general correlation between base composition and codon usage bias suggests that mutational pressure rather than natural selection is the main factor that determines the codon usage bias in EV71 genome. Furthermore, we observed that the relative abundance of dinucleotides in EV71 is independent of the overall base composition but is still the result of differential mutational pressure, which also shapes codon usage. In addition, other factors, such as hydrophobicity and aromaticity, also influence the codon usage variation among the genomes of EV71. This study represents the most comprehensive analysis of EV71 codon usage patterns and provides a basic understanding of the mechanisms for codon usage bias.

Ascites metabolism measurement enhanced the diagnostic value and accuracy of prognostic evaluation in 18F-FDG PET/CT studies in malignant ascites patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the role of ascites metabolism measurement in (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) for auxiliary diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of malignant ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study on 55 patients, including 36 with malignant ascites and 19 with benign ascites of undetermined origin, before they underwent their first (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan. The χ(2) -test was used to compare the diagnostic efficiencies among (18)F-FDG PET/CT ascites metabolism measurement, tumor localization, and ascites cytology examination. The standard uptake values of ascites and of the normal liver were measured, respectively, and their ratio, denoted as T/NT, was calculated for each patient. The receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of the ascites T/NT, ascites carcinoembryonic antigen, ascites CA1(25), and ascites CA(199), and the linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between the ascites T/NT and the survival time of patients. RESULTS: The metabolic level of malignant ascites was high. The sensitivity and accuracy of ascites metabolism measurement were higher than those of ascites cytology examination (χ(2) =6.98, 4.58; all P's<0.05). The specificity of ascites metabolism measurement was higher than that of (18)F-FDG PET/CT tumor localization (χ(2) =5.70, P<0.05). The T/NT value of malignant ascites (0.68 ± 0.17) was higher than that of benign ascites (0.38 ± 0.10) (t=7.21, P<0.05). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of ascites T/NT was larger than those of ascites carcinoembryonic antigen, CA(125), and CA(199). There was a negative correlation between the ascites T/NT and the survival of patients with malignant ascites (r=-0.647, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Ascites metabolism measurement has an important auxiliary diagnostic value in (18)F-FDG PET/CT for ascites patients. The ascites T/NT may be a good index for prognostic evaluation of malignant ascites.