Artificial Intelligence Algorithm-Based MRI in Evaluating the Treatment Effect of Acute Cerebral Infarction.

The study is aimed at exploring the application of artificial intelligence algorithm-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of acute cerebral infarction, expected to provide a reference for diagnosis and effect evaluation of acute cerebral infarction. In this study, 80 patients diagnosed with suspected acute cerebral infarction per Diagnostic Criteria for Cerebral Infarction were selected as the research subjects. MRI images were reconstructed by deep dictionary learning to improve their recognition ability. At the same time, the same diagnostic operation was performed by Computed Tomography (CT) images to compare with MRI. The results of the interalgorithm comparison showed the image reconstruction effect of the deep dictionary learning model is significantly better than SAE reconstruction, single-layer dictionary reconstruction model, and KAVD reconstruction. After comparison, the results of MRI based on artificial intelligence algorithm and CT evaluation were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the lesion image, the diameter of MRI lesions (3.81 ± 0.77 cm) based on artificial intelligence algorithm and the diameter of lesions in CT (3.66 ± 1.65 cm) also had significant statistical significance (P < 0.05). The results showed that MRI based on deep learning was more sensitive than CT imaging for diagnosis and evaluation of patients with acute cerebral infarction, with only 1 case misdiagnosed. The rate of disease detection and lesion image quality had a higher improvement. The results can provide effective support for the clinical application of MRI based on artificial intelligence algorithm in the diagnosis of acute cerebral infarction.

Experimental Study on a Diesel Particulate Filter with Reciprocating Flow.

In this article, a new diesel particulate filter (DPF) system with reciprocating flow is proposed, and an experimental study on the characteristics of the active-passive component regeneration of the DPF system is carried out. Several control parameters such as temperature distribution, pressure difference, and pollution emissions of the DPF system are measured for different reciprocating cycles. The mechanism of reciprocating flow regeneration of the DPF system and the effects of the reciprocating flow cycle on the performance of the DPF system are analyzed. Results show that (1) the DPF system can use a tiny amount of extra fuel to maintain the chemical reaction, which in turn realizes the regeneration of the catalyzed DPF because of its properties of heat recovery and reverse blowing of ash; (2) with the increase in the reciprocating flow cycle, the temperature profile moves toward the downstream side of the DPF system and the fluctuation amplitudes of the components of CO, NO, and NO2 increase; (3) if reasonable temperature distribution is formed in the DPF system for a certain reciprocating cycle, the regeneration efficiency can be obviously improved and the average content of particulate matter emission can be kept at quite a low level.

Kaempferol attenuates liver fibrosis by inhibiting activin receptor-like kinase 5.

Liver fibrosis is a common public health problem. Patients with liver fibrosis are more likely to develop cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a more serious consequence. Numerous therapeutic approaches have emerged, but the final clinical outcome remains unsatisfactory. Here, we discovered a flavonoid natural product kaempferol that could dramatically ameliorate liver fibrosis formation. Our data showed that intraperitoneal injection of kaempferol could significantly decrease the necroinflammatory scores and collagen deposition in the liver tissue. In addition, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), laminin (LN) and hyaluronic acid (HA) levels were significantly down-regulated in kaempferol treatment group compared with those in the control group. Our study also demonstrated that kaempferol markedly inhibited the synthesis of collagen and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the results of Western blotting revealed that kaempferol could down-regulate Smad2/3 phosphorylation dose-dependently. These bioactivities of kaempferol may result from its targeted binding to the ATP-binding pocket of activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5), as suggested by the molecular docking study and LanthaScreen Eu kinase binding assay. Above all, our data indicate that kaempferol may prove to be a novel agent for the treatment of liver fibrosis or other fibroproliferative diseases.

Long noncoding RNA AFAP1­AS1 enhances cell proliferation and invasion in osteosarcoma through regulating miR­4695­5p/TCF4­ß­catenin signaling.

Long noncoding RNA AFAP1­AS1 has been shown to promote tumor progression in several human cancer types, such as thyroid cancer, tongue squamous cell carcinoma and lung cancer. However, the role of AFAP1­AS1 in osteosarcoma (OS) has not been investigated. In the present study, the expression of AFAP1­AS1 was significantly upregulated in OS tissues and cell lines. Moreover, AFAP1­AS1 expression was negatively correlated with OS patient prognosis. Besides, AFAP1­AS1 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of OS cells in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo xenograft experiments indicated that AFAP1­AS1 depletion delayed tumor growth. Regarding the underlying mechanism, AFAP1­AS1 served as a sponge to repress the level of microRNA (miR)­4695­5p, which targeted transcription factor (TCF)4, a pivot effector of Wnt/ß­catenin signaling pathway. It was demonstrated that overexpression of AFAP1­AS1 inhibited the expression of miR­4695­5p, while miR­4695­5p overexpression decreased TCF4 expression and reduced activation of Wnt/ß­catenin pathway. Through rescue assays, it was demonstrated that restoration of TCF4 expression reversed the effects of AFAP1­AS1 knockdown or miR­4695­5p overexpression on OS cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that the AFAP1­AS1/miR­4695­5p/TCF4­ß­catenin axis played an important role in OS progression.

Multidrug-resistant Shigella sonnei carrying the plasmid-mediated mcr-1 gene in China.

Since the plasmid-mediated polymyxin resistance gene mcr-1 was first reported in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in China, only one mcr-1-positive isolate of Shigella sonnei, containing inactivated mcr-1, has been reported worldwide. In this study, 1650 historical S. sonnei strains isolated from 2003-2015 in China were screened for the mcr-1 gene. Antimicrobial susceptibilities and resistance genes of mcr-1-positive isolates were determined, and the transferability of polymyxin resistance by plasmid conjugation was investigated. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), plasmid profiles and Southern blotting were used to analyse genetic relationships and plasmid characteristics, and mcr-1-positive plasmids were sequenced. Six mcr-1-positive S. sonnei isolates from Shanghai (2010-2012) with polymyxin B resistance (MICs 4-8 µg/mL) were identified. Four of these exhibited multidrug resistance, including resistance to azithromycin and third-generation cephalosporins, and co-harboured blaCTX-M-14, mph(A) and blaTEM on different plasmids. mcr-1-positive plasmids shared highly similar IncI2 backbones that resembled reference plasmids, although some differences were observed, including various and abundant insertion sequences/patterns (IS1294, IS1 and ISApl1) and a diverse recombination shufflon region. mcr-1 in S. sonnei may date back to mid-2006. Here we report for the first time the presence of active mcr-1 in multidrug-resistant S. sonnei in China, which has existed since at least 2010. This study highlights the diverse mobile genetic elements on mcr-1-harboring plasmids, potentially resulting in high rates of mcr-1 horizontal transfer among Enterobacteriaceae. These findings emphasise the importance of continuous national and international surveillance of mcr-1-positive Shigella and changes in antibiotic resistance patterns.

[Meta-analysis of risk factors of recurrence in patients with giant cell tumor on extremities].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of giant cell tumor on extremities for patients with postoperative recurrence. METHODS: The literature reports published before June 2014 were searched in the electronic databases of CBM, CNKI, PUBNED, MEDLINE and EMBASE. Meta-analysis was performed by software Review Manager (Version 5.3). The odds ratios (OR) of gender, age, tumor site, Campanacci Classification, pathological fracture, selection of treatment and soft tissue invasion were analyzed with heterogeneity test. Publication bias were tested by funnel plot and fail-safe number.Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the stability. RESULTS: A total of 15 case-control studies were identified. Age, location and type of surgery were associated with tumor recurrence. The combined OR (95%CI) was 1.83 (1.04-3.24) P = 0.04 for aged <20 years, 0.52(0.31-0.86) P = 0.01 for aged >40 years, 1.60 (1.06-2.42) P = 0.02 for distal radius, 0.35 (0.14-0.90) P = 0.03 for proximal humerus, 3.64 (1.88-7.04) P = 0.0001 for curettage,0.56 (0.35-0.91) P = 0.02 for curettage with PMMA, 1.79 (1.11-2.88) P = 0.02 for curettage with bone graft and adjuvant and 0.29 (0.12-0.66) P = 0.003 for resection respectively. There were not significant relationship between tumor recurrence and gender, tumor location (distal femur, proximal femur, distal tibia, proximal tibia), Jaffe staging, Campanacci classification,Enneking classification, pathological fracture, soft tissue invasion, extensive curettage, curettage with bone graft, curettage with polymethylmethacrylate and adjuvant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Youth (aged <20 years), distal radius, curettage and curettage with bone graft and adjuvant are the risk factors for recurrence of giant cell tumor.However, advanced age (aged >40 years), proximal tibia, curettage with PMMA and resection appear to have lower risks for tumor recurrence.

Targeted inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells in vitro.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Laryngeal carcinoma is one of the most aggressive cancers of the head and neck region. The survival rate of patients with laryngeal carcinoma is low due to its late metastases and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was reported that mTOR was involved in the growth and apoptosis of various cancer cells. The aim of this study was to detect the effects of mTOR inhibition by mTOR shRNA on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasive ability of Hep-2 human laryngeal carcinoma cells in vitro. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: mTOR shRNA was designed and transfected into Hep-2 human laryngeal carcinoma cells. Untreated cells and cells treated with control vector (non-targeted shRNA) were used as control. The proliferation and apoptosis of Hep-2 cells were detected by MTT and flow cytometry. A transwell assay was used to measure the invasive ability of Hep-2. The inhibition effects on the mTOR signaling pathway by mTOR shRNA were studied using RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Our results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of mTOR and Akt were high in laryngeal carcinoma cells and could be inhibited by mTOR shRNA. At the same time, low expression of PTEN mRNA and protein was observed in Hep-2 cells. The expression increased when the cells were transfected with mTOR shRNA. This showed that mTOR shRNA could inhibit the proliferation and invasive ability of Hep-2 cells. It also could induce the apoptosis of Hep-2 cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: The mTOR signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of laryngeal carcinoma. The mTOR shRNA we designed in this experiment effectively inhibited the mTOR signaling pathway. It inhibited the proliferation and invasive ability of the studied laryngeal carcinoma cells and induced their apoptosis in vitro. mTOR might therefore be a useful target in the therapy of laryngeal carcinoma.