[Application of synthetic MRI in predicting isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 genotypes in gliomas].

This study analyzed the clinical and imaging data of 81 glioma patients who underwent brain synthetic MRI and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) examination in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from August 2020 to September 2021 to explore the value of synthetic MRI relaxation quantitative value in predicting the genotype of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in gliomas. There were 44 males and 37 females, those patients with an aged 50.0 (36.5, 59.0) years. The tumor pre-T1, pre-T2, pre-PD, post-T1 and ADC values were obtained by outlining the region of interest (ROI). Univariate analysis was used to compare the differences of parameter values between groups, and the receiver operating characteristic was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of each parameter value in predicting glioma IDH1 genotype. The results showed that the pre-T1 and pre-PD values [M (Q1, Q3)] of IDH1m glioma were lower than those of IDH1w glioma [1 462.75 (1 306.41, 1 567.75) ms vs 1 532.83 (1 434.67, 1 617.67) ms, 84.18 (82.28, 86.41) pu vs 85.85 (84.65, 86.90) pu] (all P<0.05). The post-T1 and ADC values of IDH1m glioma were higher than those of IDH1w glioma [1 054.50 (631.92, 1 262.63) ms vs 669.67 (535.17, 823.33) ms, 1.20 (0.86, 1.35) ×10-3 mm2/s vs 0.80 (0.76, 0.93) ×10-3 mm2/s] (all P<0.05). The AUC of the combined model (pre-T1+pre-PD+post-T1+ADC+Age) is 0.828 (95%CI:0.729-0.903). Synthetic MRI relaxation quantitative values are helpful to distinguish IDH1 genotypes in glioma. The diagnostic efficacy of the multi-parameter combined model based on pre-T1, pre-PD, post-T1, ADC, and age is better than that of the single parameter, and it can be used as an effective strategy to improve the differential diagnosis ability of gliomas molecular markers.

[Clinical features and prognosis of patients with leptomeningeal metastases].

Objective: To describe the clinical manifestations, neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) cytology and prognosis of Leptomeningeal metastases(LM). Methods: The clinical manifestations, imaging features and CSF cytology of LM patients admitted to Henan Provincial People's Hospital from May 1, 2015 to May 31, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The overall survival (OS) was evaluated by the time from the diagnosis of LM to death. Results: A total of 88 patients with LM were enrolled in the study, and the median age was 59 years (range:28-78 years). There were 42 males (47.7%) and 46 females (52.3%). According to the pathological classification, it was lung cancer in 58 cases (65.9%), gastric cancer in 13 cases (14.8%), breast cancer in 7 cases (8.0%), melanoma in 1 case, esophageal cancer in 1 case, gallbladder cancer in 1 case, renal cell carcinoma in 1 case, double source cancer in 2 cases, and unknown source in 4 cases. The median Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score was 50. LM was the initial manifestation of cancer in 34 patients. All patients had LM-related clinical symptoms, including headache in 73 cases (83.0%), nausea and vomiting in 63 cases (71.6%), abnormal physical and mental behaviors in 37 cases (42.0%), seizure in 41 cases (46.6%). Cranial nerve involvement was observed in 23 patients (39.0%) and spinal nerve involvement in 20(33.9%). There were 61 patients (83.6%) who showed neuroimaging features of LM. Tumor cells or atypical cells were found in 90.8% of patients for the first time, and activated monocytes in 47 cases (54.7%). The median OS was 13.0 weeks (95%CI:2.9-23.1) with the 1-year survival rate of 19.1%. Univariate analysis of survival indicated that lung cancer, lower KPS score, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and whole brain radiotherapy were favorable predictors of survival (P<0.05). Conclusions: The overall prognosis of LM is poor. Good physical condition, TKIs treatment and whole brain radiotherapy might improve clinical outcomes of LM patients.

Estimation of the standardized ileal digestible valine to lysine ratio required for 25- to 120-kilogram pigs fed low crude protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids.

Four 28-d experiments were conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) valine (Val) to lysine (Lys) ratio required for 26- to 46- (Exp. 1), 49- to 70- (Exp. 2), 71- to 92- (Exp. 3), and 94- to 119-kg (Exp. 4) pigs fed low CP diets supplemented with crystalline AA. The first 3 experiments utilized 150 pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Large White), while Exp. 4 utilized 90 finishing pigs. Pigs in all 4 experiments were randomly allocated to 1 of 5 diets with 6 pens per treatment (3 pens of barrows and 3 pens of gilts) and 5 pigs per pen for the first 3 experiments and 3 pigs per pen for Exp. 4. Diets for all experiments were formulated to contain SID Val to Lys ratios of 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, or 0.75. In Exp. 1 (26 to 46 kg), ADG increased (linear, = 0.039; quadratic, = 0.042) with an increasing dietary Val:Lys ratio. The SID Val:Lys ratio to maximize ADG was 0.62 using a linear broken-line model and 0.71 using a quadratic model. In Exp. 2 (49 to 70 kg), ADG increased (linear, = 0.021; quadratic, = 0.042) as the SID Val:Lys ratio increased. G:F improved (linear, = 0.039) and serum urea nitrogen (SUN) decreased (linear, = 0.021; quadratic, = 0.024) with an increased SID Val:Lys ratio. The SID Val:Lys ratios to maximize ADG as well as to minimize SUN levels were 0.67 and 0.65, respectively, using a linear broken-line model and 0.72 and 0.71, respectively, using a quadratic model. In Exp. 3 (71 to 92 kg), ADG increased (linear, = 0.007; quadratic, = 0.022) and SUN decreased (linear, = 0.011; quadratic, = 0.034) as the dietary SID Val:Lys ratio increased. The SID Val:Lys ratios to maximize ADG as well as to minimize SUN levels were 0.67 and 0.67, respectively, using a linear broken-line model and 0.72 and 0.74, respectively, using a quadratic model. In Exp. 4 (94 to 119 kg), ADG increased (linear, = 0.041) and G:F was improved (linear, = 0.004; quadratic, = 0.005) as the dietary SID Val:Lys ratio increased. The SID Val:Lys ratio to maximize G:F was 0.68 using a linear broken-line model and 0.72 using a quadratic model. Carcass traits and muscle quality were not influenced by SID Val:Lys ratio. In conclusion, the dietary SID Val:Lys ratios required for 26- to 46-, 49- to 70-, 71- to 92-, and 94- to 119-kg pigs were estimated to be 0.62, 0.66, 0.67, and 0.68, respectively, using a linear broken-line model and 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, and 0.72, respectively, using a quadratic model.

The appropriate standardized ileal digestible tryptophan to lysine ratio improves pig performance and regulates hormones and muscular amino acid transporters in late finishing gilts fed low-protein diets.

This study investigated the effects of various standardized ileal digestible (SID) Trp to Lys ratios on the performance and carcass characteristics of late finishing gilts receiving low-CP (9.6%) diets supplemented with crystalline AA. Ninety gilts (89.1 ± 5.1 kg) were used in a dose-response study conducted for 35 d. Crystalline Trp (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 g/kg) was added to a corn-wheat bran basal diet providing SID Trp to Lys ratios of 0.12, 0.15, 0.18, 0.21, or 0.24. Each diet was fed to 6 pens of pigs with 3 gilts per pen. At the end of the experiment, 30 gilts (1 pig per pen) were slaughtered to evaluate carcass traits and meat quality (BW = 121 kg). Increasing the SID Trp to Lys ratio increased ADG (linear and quadratic effect, < 0.05) and also improved G:F (linear and quadratic effect, < 0.05). Serum urea nitrogen (SUN) decreased as the SID Trp to Lys ratio increased (linear and quadratic effects, < 0.05). A quadratic effect of L* light and marbling in the longissimus dorsi was observed as the dietary SID Trp to Lys ratio increased ( < 0.05). Increasing the SID Trp to Lys ratio increased the level of serum GH (quadratic effect, < 0.05) and also increased the level of serum IGF-1 (linear and quadratic effect, < 0.05). Increasing the SID Trp to Lys ratio increased the protein abundance of the muscular AA transporter of sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) in the longissimus dorsi muscle (linear and quadratic effect, < 0.05). The optimum SID Trp to Lys ratios to maximize ADG and G:F as well as to minimize SUN levels were 0.16, 0.17, and 0.16 using a linear-breakpoint model and 0.20, 0.20, and 0.20 using a quadratic model. Tryptophan could influence serum GH and IGF-1 secretion and protein abundance of the muscular AA transporter of SNAT2 in the longissimus dorsi muscle in late finishing gilts fed low-protein diets.

Evaluation of psychometric properties of the Chinese Mandarin version State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y form in Taiwanese outpatients with anxiety disorders.

This study was conducted to develop the Chinese Mandarin State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y form and to evaluate its psychometric properties among Taiwanese outpatients with anxiety disorders. A three-phase survey questionnaire was used to gather cross-sectional data. Non-hospitalized adults (n= 306) with anxiety disorders were recruited from mental health clinics in central Taiwan. Cronbach's alpha reliabilities for the state and trait anxiety subscales were 0.91 and 0.92, respectively. The 2-week test-retest reliabilities for the state and trait anxiety subscales were 0.76 and 0.91, respectively. Criterion validity of the scale was supported by its high correlations with the interview version of the Chinese Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (r= 0.69 for state and 0.74 for trait anxiety). Construct validity of the scale was confirmed by a four-factor structure, showing slightly adequate representation of the data. The scale was shown to be reliable and may be valid for measuring anxiety in Taiwanese adults with anxiety disorders.

[The impact of caring experiences of the patients with borderline personality disorder on psychiatric nurses].

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the subjective perceptions of the impact of caring with the hospitalized patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) on psychiatric nurses. A purposive sample of psychiatric nurses with experiences of caring with at least one hospitalized BPD patient was obtained at one leading psychiatric hospital in northern Taiwan. A semi-structured interview guide and audio-taped recording skill was employed, and data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Thirteen female nurses participated in this project. Eighty percent of them were aged between 26-35 (mean +/- SD = 31.77 +/- 4.92). Thirty-eight percent of nurses were registered professional nurses; 54% worked as psychiatric nurses for 5-7 years; and 69% ever took care of 3-4 subjects with BPD. Several impacts of the caring experiences on nurses were identified. They are as follows: (1) becoming more knowledgeable about the BPD patients' characteristics and the related nursing care; (2) having positive or negative motivation of nursing profession; (3) changing nurses' attitudes of interpersonal relationship; (4) valuing nurses' personal belongings; and (5) enhancing nurses' understanding and facilitating their personal growth. The result of this study may empower psychiatric nurses to better understand the BPD patients, and to increase nurses' motivation of caring them. It may also enhance the quality care for these patients and the nurses' sense of satisfaction.

[Clinical and experimental study on rapid bladder ultrasound developer of Chinese medicinal herbs].

OBJECTIVE: To seek for a rapid type B ultrasound developer of Chinese medicinal herbs, so that the bladder and pelvic cavity developed clearly and pelvic cavity diseases could be diagnosed rapidly. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-two patients were observed clinically and animal experiments were performed. The rapid bladder ultrasonography developer (RBUD-1, a preparation of Chinese herbal medicine) alone was used in Group 1, composite prescription of Western and Chinese medicine was used in group 2. The control groups were using lasix or mineral water. RESULTS: Rapid diuresis and the decrease of the bladder capacity needed for development could be realized by Chinese medical herbs preparation, the difference between Group 1 and control group in developing time and bladder capacity were very significant. Results of animal experiments, which were referred to clinical grouping, showed the diuretic intensity of RBUD-1 within one hour was significantly higher than that in the other groups. Toxicological study showed the RBUD-1 was a non-toxic preparation. CONCLUSION: RBUD-1 could effectively develop bladder and pelvic cavity, it would help to diagnose in time, on the other hand, it would also contribute for the combination imaging of Chinese and Western medicine.

Direct genotyping and prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia in Chinese by polymerase chain reaction mediated restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

The molecular basis of beta-thalassemia is predominantly point mutations in the beta-globin gene. Frameshift 41-42 (-CTTT), IVS-2 position 654 (C-->T) mutation, nonsense codon 17 (A-->T), TATA box position -28 (A-->G) mutation and frameshift 71-72 (+A) account for more than 95% of beta-thalassemia alleles in the population of South China. We have developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-mediated restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method for the identification of these alleles. In this method, artificial mispairing bases in PCR-amplified products were created to distinguish normal from mutant alleles on the basis of RFLPs. The size of the five PCR-amplified DNA fragments that may potentially contain the above five types of mutations is 93 or 89 bp (codons 41-42), 221 bp (IVS-2 nt 654), 110 bp (codon 17), 123 bp (TATA box nt -28), and 97 or 98 bp (codons 71-72). After these fragments were digested with Hinc II, Mae III, Nhe I, EcoR I, and Dde I, respectively, the allele-specific RFLPs produced were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. DNA samples of 24 patients with the above five types of beta-thalassemia were investigated with the present method and allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probing simultaneously. We used this method in the prenatal diagnosis of 14 Chinese families for beta-thalassemia. The results obtained by the present method correspond well with those by the ASO probe test.