[Treatment of postprandial discomfort syndrome in the elderly: a multi-centered prospective randomized controlled clinical study].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Oryz-Aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets (Combizym(®)) in the treatment of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) in the elderly, compared with gastrointestinal motility drugs. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was designed and registered in the China Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR-IPR-16008185). The elderly patients with PDS were randomly divided into three groups, including Mosapride group with Mosapride citrate tablets 5 mg 3 times per day for 2 weeks; Combizym(®) group with Combizym tablets 244 mg 3 times per day for 2 weeks; combined treatment group with both drugs and same doses for 2 weeks. The modified Nepean dyspepsia index (NDSI) score, discomfort intensity score and PDS score were calculated on patients before treatment, at the end of first and second week of treatment, as well as 4 weeks after treatment finished, respectively. Adverse effects were evaluated. Results: A total of 323 patients from 16 tertiary hospitals in China were enrolled in this study. Among them, 105 patients were in Mosapride group, 109 in Combizym(®) group and 109 in combined treatment group. There were 148 males (45.8%) and 175 females (54.2%) with median age 71.4±9.0 years (60-100 years). Baseline characteristics of three groups were comparable. After treatment, the NDSI scores in three groups all decreased significantly (P<0.001), while they were similar between groups (P>0.05). The discomfort intensity score and PDS score in three groups showed a significant reduction after treatment (P<0.001), especially in the combined treatment group. Compared with Mosapride group, the scores in Combizym(®) group decreased significantly after one or two weeks [discomfort intensity score: after one week, 4.0(2.5, 8.0) vs. 6.0(3.0, 10.0); after two weeks, 3.0(0.0, 5.0) vs. 4.0(2.0, 6.0); all P<0.05. PDS score: after one week, 6.0(3.0, 9.0) vs. 7.0(3.5, 10.5); after two weeks, 3.0(0.0, 5.0) vs. 4.0(2.0, 7.0); all P<0.05]. The efficacy rate in all patients after first week of treatment was over 15.0%. The efficacy rates after two weeks were 55.2%, 68.8% and 73.4% in Mosapride group, Combizym(®) group and combined treatment group, respectively. After two week treatment, the efficacy rates in Combizym(®) group (P=0.041) and combined group (P=0.006) were higher than that of Mosapride group. The recurrence rate of Mosapride group was 9.5%, which was significantly higher than that of Combizym(®) group (1.8%, P<0.05) and combined treatment group (1.8%, P<0.05). There were no serious adverse effects in the three groups. Conclusions: The efficacy of Oryz-Aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets is comparable with that of Mosapride in elderly PDS patients, with fewer adverse effects and low recurrence rate. Combination regimen indicates better efficacy than that of Oryz-Aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets or Mosapride alone.

[Diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for non-obese type of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases].

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity have interconnected genes, but it can also occur in non-obese population with body mass index < 25 kg/m(2). Non-obese type of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease mostly occurs in Asia. There is no significant difference between obese and non-obese type of non-alcoholic fatty liver in histological examination of liver biopsies. Visceral obesity, high fructose and cholesterol intake, and genetic factors such as APOC3 gene mutation are closely related to non-obese type of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Generally speaking, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis has an increased mortality rate, mainly due to cardiovascular causes, and has no link with other metabolic factors. Although data on the impact of mortality from non-obese type of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are incomplete and limited, however diagnosis, management, and treatment may be important. Lifestyle changes to reduce visceral obesity, including dietary changes and physical activity, remain the main treatment options for patients with non-obese type of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

[Analysis of labor progression characteristics of 1 089 nulliparas managed by the new partogram].

Objective: To analyze labor progression characteristics among nulliparas and provide reference to labor progress management. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 1 089 women who went for vaginal delivery at the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yet-San University from January 1st, 2015 to May 31th, 2016. The duration of cervical dilation from 1.0 cm to the next and the process of initial cervical dilation (2.0 cm or 3.0 cm) to full cervical dilation of nulliparas were analyzed. Results: The cervical dilation speed was accelerating with the progress of labor. The rate of cervical dilation changed fastest between 5.0-6.0 cm dilation, which was more than 3.0 cm/hour. With regard to labor curves, at admission of 2.0 cm cervical dilation, it rose dramatically from 5.0 cm dilation. At admission of 3.0 cm dilation, it presented approximately linear rising before 5.5 cm dilation, then became steeper. Conclusions: The cervical dilation speed is fast. Both labor curves of initial cervical dilation (2.0 cm or 3.0 cm) to full cervical dilation show obvious acceleration stage with steep slope.

Systematic review of uterine artery embolisation practice guidelines: are all the guidelines on the same page?

AIM: To evaluate the degree of concordance amongst the currently available guidelines informing the use of uterine artery embolisation (UAE), and identify any inconsistencies present. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standards of practice and quality improvement guidelines were retrieved through a search of PubMed and EMBASE. Additional sets of guidelines were retrieved directly from the websites of known obstetrics and gynaecology and radiological associations. RESULTS: Eleven guidelines were retrieved from organisations located in Europe, North America, and Australia. Two main points of divergence were identified in the presented guidance: firstly, on whether submucosal, subserosal, and/or pedunculate fibroids should be considered a relative contraindication to UAE; secondly, on whether UAE should be recommended as an option in patients desiring future fertility. CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines reviewed generally suggest UAE to be a safe and effective option for fibroid treatment that can be offered as an alternative to surgical management; however, the number of differing interpretations arising from an apparently similar pool of evidence raises questions about the objectivity of practice guidelines. Although practice guidelines are understood to be a synthesis of clinical evidence and expert opinion, a systematic approach to presenting evidence is necessary to clearly distinguish empirically versus experientially informed guidance.

[Investigation of pregestational diabetes mellitus in 15 hospitals in Guangdong province].

Objective: To investigate the morbidity, diagnostic profile and perinatal outcome of pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) in 15 hospitals in Guangdong province. Methods: A total of 41 338 women delivered in the 15 hospitals during the 6 months, 195 women with PGDM (PGDM group) and 195 women with normal glucose test result (control group) were recruited from these tertiary hospitals in Guangdong province from January 2016 to June 2016. The morbidity and diagnostic profile of PGDM were analyzed. The complications during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. In the PGDM group, pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in women who used insulin treatment (n=91) and women who did not (n=104). Results: (1) The incidence of PGDM was 0.472%(195/41 338). Diabetes mellitus were diagnosed in 59 women (30.3%, 59/195) before pregnancy, and 136 women (69.7%,136/195) were diagnosed as PGDM after conceptions. Forty-six women (33.8%) were diagnosed by fasting glucose and glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) screening. (2) The maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) , prenatal BMI, percentage of family history of diabetes, incidence of macrosomia, concentration of low density lipoprotein were significantly higher in PGDM group than those in control group (all P<0.05). Women in PGDM group had significantly higher HbA1c concentration ((6.3±1.3)% vs (5.2±0.4)%) , fasting glucose [(6.3±2.3) vs (4.8±1.1) mmol/L], oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) -1 h glucose ((12.6±2.9) vs (7.1±1.3) mmol/L) and OGTT-2 h glucose [(12.0±3.0) vs (6.4±1.0) mmol/L] than those in control group (P<0.01). (3) The morbidity of preterm births was significantly higher (11.3% vs 1.0%, P<0.01), and the gestational age at delivery in PGDM group was significantly smaller [(37.6±2.3) vs (39.2±1.2) weeks, P<0.01]. Cesarean delivery rate in the PGDM group (70.8% vs 29.7%) was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). There was significantly difference between PGDM group and control in the neonatal male/female ratio (98/97 vs 111/84, P=0.033). The neonatal birth weight in PGDM group was significantly higher ((3 159±700) vs (3 451±423) g, P<0.01) . And the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia in the PGDM group was higher than the control group (7.7% vs 2.6%, P=0.036). (4) In the PGDM group, women who were treated with insulin had a smaller gestational age at delivery [(36.9±2.9) vs (37.9±2.5) weeks, P<0.01], and the neonates had a higher neonatal ICU (NICU) admission rate (24.2% vs 9.6%, P<0.01). Conclusions: The morbidity of PGDM in the 15 hospitals in Guangdong province is 0.472%. The majority of PGDM was diagnosed during pregnancy; HbA1c and fasting glucose are reliable parameters for PGDM screening. Women with PGDM have obvious family history of diabetes and repeated pregnancy may accelerate the process of diabetes mellitus. Women with PGDM have higher risk for preterm delivery and neonatal hypoglycemia. Unsatisfied glucose control followed by insulin treatment may increase the need for NICU admission.

[Adiponectin exerts antiproliferative effect on high glucose-induced BeWo cell proliferation in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of adiponectin on high glucose induced BeWo cell proliferation in vitro. METHODS: BeWo cells were seeded in 96-well plates at the appropriate density. After treatments with high glucose (25 mmol/L), western blot analysis of cyclin D1 and a colorimetric assay (cell counting kit-8, CCK-8) were used to analyse BeWo cells' proliferation, and western blot was used to detect the expression of adiponectin. Moreover, we added adiponectin (20 µg/ml) in the culture medium and three methods were utilized for cell proliferation analysis: CCK-8, cell cycle analysis (by flow cytometry) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunocytochemical staining. RESULTS: Compared to BeWo cells cultured by normal glucose and high mannitol, the proliferation of BeWo cells treated by high glucose increased (P<0.05). Compared with BeWo cells cultured by high mannitol, the expression of adiponectin in BeWo cells treated by high glucose decreased. After added adiponectin in the culture medium, the proliferation of BeWo cells treated by adiponectin+high glucose decreased than that of cells treated by high glucose (0.770±0.050 versus 0.990±0.070, P<0.05); the proportion of G2+S phases of BeWo cells treated by adiponectin+high glucose decreased than that of cells treated by high glucose [(40.7±2.1)% versus (44.9± 3.9)%, P<0.05]; the rate of PCNA positive cell in BeWo cells treated by adiponectin+high glucose decreased than that of cells treated by high glucose [(28±5)% versus (44±5)%, P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin could inhibit proliferation of high glucose induced BeWo cells in vitro.

InGaN light-emitting diode stripes with reduced luminous exitance.

InGaN light-emitting diodes of stripe geometries have been demonstrated. The elongated geometry facilitates light spreading in the longitudinal direction. The chips are further shaped by laser-micromachining to have partially-inclined sidewalls. The light extraction efficiencies of such 3D chip geometries are enhanced by ~12% (~8% according to ray-trace simulations), leading to a reduction of junction temperatures. The effective emission area is also increased four times compared to a cubic chip. The stripe LEDs are thus more efficient emitters with reduced luminous exitance, making them more suitable for a wide range of lighting applications.

High sensitivity 10Gb/s Si photonic receiver based on a low-voltage waveguide-coupled Ge avalanche photodetector.

We demonstrate low-voltage germanium waveguide avalanche photodetectors (APDs) with a gain × bandwidth product above 100GHz. A photonic receiver based on such a Ge APD, including a 0.13µm SiGe BiCMOS low-noise trans-impedance amplifier and a limiting amplifier, is realized. A 5.8dB sensitivity improvement is demonstrated at -5.9V bias at an avalanche gain of 6 through bit error ratio measurements. The absolute sensitivity in avalanche mode is -23.4dBm and -24.4dBm at a bit error ratio of 1 × 10(-12) and 1 × 10(-9) respectively.

Relationships among acylation-stimulating protein, insulin resistance, lipometabolism, and fetal growth in gestational diabetes mellitus women.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between acylation-stimulating protein (ASP), insulin resistance, lipometabolism, the intrauterine metabolic environment and fetal growth in well-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) women. A total of 55 well-controlled GDM women, 66 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and their newborns, were included in this study. Fasting maternal and cord blood ASP, serum lipid profiles, glucose level, insulin level, HOMA-IR, in addition to neonatal anthropometry data, were measured. Maternal blood ASP in GDM is higher than that in NGT. In the GDM group, maternal blood ASP has a positive correlation with TG, FFA and HOMA-IR. Maternal and cord blood ASP levels of LGA fetuses correlate with elevated birth weight and SF4. Similarly, cord blood ASP levels of LGA fetuses also correlate with birth weight and SF4 in the NGT group. The maternal blood ASP level of GDM mothers is associated with lipometabolism, insulin resistance and LGA fetal growth. Nevertheless, the cord blood ASP level correlates with FFA of GDM mothers, LGA fetal growth of GDM and NGT mothers. ASP may be a biomarker for evaluating insulin resistance of GDM and LGA fetal growth.

[Clinical analysis for systemic complications of patients in the dental emergency room].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features of oral emergency patients in general health, and to guide the oral emergency patients in the treatment, and prevention of accidents. METHODS: The retrospective study was performed on the day visits to the emergency department in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from February to November 2013.The basic information of the newly diagnosed adult, their overall health status, American society of anesthesiologists(ASA) classification and oral diagnosis information were analyzed and summarized. RESULTS: The cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases(6.4%), hypertension(13.4%), endocrine system diseases(4.2%)were most common in the patients. With the increase of age, the associated systemic diseases had increased in number and in ASA classification. Periapical disease(24.6%), dental pulp disease(24.4%), and periodontal disease(18.0%) accounted for about 2/3. CONCLUSION: The general health status of patients with oral emergency worsened with the increase of age. Oral surgeons should make risk assessment before treatment. ASA classification system can help doctors predict the patient risk, take corresponding measures in advance, and help to reduce the occurrence of accidents.

Simultaneous rupture of bilateral quadriceps tendon and rotator cuff tear: a case report.

This is a case report of a patient who sustained both a bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture and a complete rotator cuff tear. Overuse is a known risk factor for rotator cuff tears, but this case suggests that it can also be a risk factor for quadriceps tendon rupture.

Oxygen vacancy density-dependent transformation from infrared to Raman active vibration mode in SnO2 nanostructures.

Raman spectra acquired from spherical, cubic, and cuboid SnO2 nanocrystals (NCs) reveal a morphologically independent Raman mode at ∼302 cm(-1). The frequency of this mode is slightly affected by the NC size, but the intensity increases obviously with decreasing NC size. By considering the dipole changes induced by oxygen vacancies and derivation based on the density functional theory and phonon confinement model, an oxygen vacancy density larger than 6% is shown to be responsible for the transformation of the IR to Raman active vibration mode, and the intensity enhancement is due to strong phonon confinement.

Characterization of yeasts colonizing in healthy individuals.

Opportunistic yeast pathogens may switch from harmless commensal to pathogenic relationships with the host under different conditions. They usually cause superficial infections, but may be the agents of more significant infections in immunocompromised patients. To investigate yeast colonization in the oral cavities of clinically healthy individuals, we collected oral swabs from 323 students and staff at the National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan. A total of 49 (15.2%) volunteers were colonized by low levels of yeasts and of these, only 3 (6.1%) were co-colonized by more than one species. Among the 52 isolates, comprising seven fungal genera and 13 species, Candida albicans (57.7%) was the dominant species, followed by Candida parapsilosis (15.4%). There was only one isolate of C. parapsilosis that showed, in vitro, a high (2 µg/ml) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to amphotericin B. There were six (11.5%) isolates with fluconazole MICs ≥ 64 µg/ml and all of them were non-Candida species. With the exception of Cryptococcus albidus, the remaining five isolates had voriconazole MICs ≥ 4 µg/ml. In addition, there was one C. albicans isolate with relatively high fluconazole (32 µg/ml) and voriconazole (4 µg/ml) MICs.

Reduced miR-363-3p expression in non-small cell lung cancer is associated with gemcitabine resistance via targeting of CUL4A.

The article "Reduced miR-363-3p expression in non-small cell lung cancer is associated with gemcitabine resistance via targeting of CUL4A", W.-G. Bian, X.-N. Zhou, S. Song, H.-T. Chen, Y. Shen, P. Chen, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (2): 649-659-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201901_16879-PMID: 30720173, has been retracted by the authors due to several inaccuracies in the research design. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/16879.

XPG gene polymorphisms and glioma susceptibility: a two-centre case-control study.

Background: Glioma, the most common tumour in children next to leukaemia, is difficult to treat, with a poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. Xeroderma pigmentosum group G (XPG) plays a key role in the nucleotide excision repair pathway, which may modulate individual susceptibility to developing cancer. We hypothesized links between XPG variants and glioma in children.Methods: We tested our hypothesis in a study comparing 171 glioma cases with 228 age and sex matched controls, determining XPG polymorphisms rs2094258 C > T, rs751402 C > T, rs2296147 T > C, rs1047768 T > C, rs873601 G > A by standard molecular genetic methods.Results: rs2094258 C > T was associated with a decreased glioma risk, but carrying the rs1047768 C or rs873601 A allele brought an increased risk. Subjects carrying 5 risk genotypes had a significantly increased glioma risk at an adjusted odds ratio of 1.97 (95% confidence Interval 1.26-3.08)(p = 0.003) when compared with those carrying 0-4 risk genotypes. Furthermore, children with 5 risk genotypes had a higher glioma risk when aged >60 months, were more likely to be male, and with subtypes of astrocytic tumours, and low-grade clinical stage, when compared to those with 0-4 risk genotypes. Preliminary functional exploration suggested that rs2094258 is linked with the expression of its surrounding genes in the expression quantitative trait locus analysis.Conclusion: Certain variants of XPG are risk factors for paediatric glioma, and so may be useful in early diagnosis.

The role of recombination activating gene (RAG) reinduction in thymocyte development in vivo.

Assembly of T cell receptor (TCR)alpha/beta genes by variable/diversity/joining (V[D]J) rearrangement is an ordered process beginning with recombination activating gene (RAG) expression and TCRbeta recombination in CD4(-)CD8(-)CD25(+) thymocytes. In these cells, TCRbeta expression leads to clonal expansion, RAG downregulation, and TCRbeta allelic exclusion. At the subsequent CD4(+)CD8(+) stage, RAG expression is reinduced and V(D)J recombination is initiated at the TCRalpha locus. This second wave of RAG expression is terminated upon expression of a positively selected alpha/beta TCR. To examine the physiologic role of the second wave of RAG expression, we analyzed mice that cannot reinduce RAG expression in CD4(+)CD8(+) T cells because the transgenic locus that directs RAG1 and RAG2 expression in these mice is missing a distal regulatory element essential for reinduction. In the absence of RAG reinduction we find normal numbers of CD4(+)CD8(+) cells but a 50-70% reduction in the number of mature CD4(+)CD8(-) and CD4(-)CD8(+) thymocytes. TCRalpha rearrangement is restricted to the 5' end of the Jalpha cluster and there is little apparent secondary TCRalpha recombination. Comparison of the TCRalpha genes expressed in wild-type or mutant mice shows that 65% of all alpha/beta T cells carry receptors that are normally assembled by secondary TCRalpha rearrangement. We conclude that RAG reinduction in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes is not required for initial TCRalpha recombination but is essential for secondary TCRalpha recombination and that the majority of TCRalpha chains expressed in mature T cells are products of secondary recombination.

Tin oxide nanoribbons with vacancy structures in luminescence-sensitive oxygen sensing.

Vacancy structures in tin oxide nanoribbons fabricated via thermal evaporation and post-processing are probed by luminescence spectroscopy, and interesting properties that bode well for oxygen sensing are observed. Besides a broad 620-nm band, the fabricated tin oxide nanoribbons show a photoluminescence band at 480 nm when the measurement temperature is <100 K. The blue band appears from nanoribbons synthesized under high oxygen pressure or annealed under oxygen. The dependence suggests that the oxygen interstitial and vacancy densities determine the electronic states that produce the blue band. Calculation of the electron structures based on the density functional theory shows that decreased oxygen vacancies or increased oxygen interstitials enhance the 480-nm band but suppress the 620-nm band. The results reported here indicate that the tin oxide nanoribbons with vacancy structures have potential applications in luminescence-sensitive oxygen sensing.

Long non-coding RNA PVT1 regulates glioma proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis via miR-140-5p.

The article "Long non-coding RNA PVT1 regulates glioma proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis via miR-140-5p, by Y. Shao, H.-T. Chen, Q.-R. Ma, Y.-W. Zhang, Y.-Q. He, J. Liu published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24(1): 274-283-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202001_19922-PMID: 31957841" has been withdrawn from the authors. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/19922.

Long non-coding RNA PVT1 regulates glioma proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis via miR-140-5p.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulation of long non-coding RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (LncRNA PVT1) on proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis in glioma cells via miR-140-5p. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with glioma treated in our hospital were recruited. The expression of PVT1 in tissues and cells was determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), and the effects on the prognosis were observed. Glioma cell lines U87 and T98MG were either stably or transiently transfected with over-expression or inhibition vectors. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell, glucose, and lactate detection were employed to measure cell proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis after transfection. The correlation between PVT1 and miR-140-5p was determined by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) test were adopted to indicate the correlation between PVT1 and miR-140-5p. RESULTS: PVT1 was highly expressed and had superior diagnostic value in gliomas, and the high expression of PVT1 resulted in poor prognosis of patients. Over-expressing PVT1 increased cell proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis, while inhibiting PVT1 yielded opposite outcome. Dual-Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that PVT1 could target miR-140-5p. Functional analysis showed that over-expression of miR-140-5p inhibited proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis in glioma cells. Rescue experiment found that the inhibitory effect of miR-140-5p could be eliminated by up-regulating PVT1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: PVT1 promotes proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis in glioma cells by regulating miR-140-5p.

Design, evaluation and initial imaging results of a PET insert based on strip-line readout for simultaneous PET/MRI.

We present the development of a PET insert system for potential simultaneous PET/MR imaging using a 9.4 T small animal MRI scanner to test our system. The detectors of the system adopt a strip-line based multiplexing readout method for SiPM signals. In this readout, multiple SiPM outputs in a row share a common strip-line. The position information about a hit SiPM is encoded in the propagation time difference of the signals arriving at the two ends of the strip-line. The use of strip-lines allows us to place the data acquisition electronics remotely from the detector module to greatly simplify the design of the detector module and minimize the mutual electromagnetic interference. The prototype is comprised of 14 detector modules, each of which consists of an 8x4 LYSO scintillator array (each LYSO crystal is 3x3x10 mm3) coupled to two units of Hamamatsu MPPC arrays (4x4, 3.2 mm pitch) that are mounted on a strip-line board. On the strip-line board, outputs of the 32 SiPMs are routed to 2 strip-lines so that 16 SiPM signals share a strip-line. The detector modules are installed inside a plastic cylindrical supporting structure with an inner and outer diameter of 60 mm and 115 mm, respectively, to fit inside a Bruker BioSpec 9.4 Tesla MR scanner. The axial field of view of the prototype is 25.4 mm. The strip-lines were extended by using 5-meter cables to a sampling data acquisition (DAQ) board placed outside the magnet. The detectors were not shielded in the interest of investigating how they may affect and be affected by the MRI. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate detection performance, and phantom and animal imaging were carried out to assess the spatial resolution and the MR compatibility of the PET insert. Initial results are encouraging and demonstrate that the prototype insert PET can potentially be used for PET/MR imaging if appropriate shielding will be implemented for minimizing the mutual interference between the PET and MRI systems.