Double Balloon Combined with Oxytocin in Labor Induction: Analysis of Multivariate Factors Affecting the Efficacy of Cervical Ripening.

Objective: Labor induction during the late trimester of pregnancy is a common option of terminating pregnancy by inducing uterine contractions through medication or cervical mechanical dilation. However, there are few researches on the factors influencing the effectiveness of cervical ripening balloon combined with oxytocin in inducing labor. To explore factors affecting the efficacy of cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin in labor induction. Methods: Using a convenient sampling method, this study retrospectively collected the clinical data of 230 pregnant women who underwent cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction in our hospital from September 2021 to August 2022. The included subjects were divided into a vaginal delivery group (n = 180) and a cesarean section group (n = 50) based on the delivery mode for comparing relevant indicators between the two groups. Results: The presence of acute chorioamnionitis (OR = 1.456, 95% CI: 1.257-2.112), fetal distress (OR = 1.371, 95% CI: 1.331-2.633), and the placement of cervical ripening balloon catheter for >12h (OR = 1.563, 95% CI: 1.231-3.263) were risk factors for successful application of cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction in pregnant women; while multi-gravidity (OR = 0.736, 95% CI: 0.455-0.875) was a protective factor. In addition, evaluation of the predictive value revealed that acute chorioamnionitis, fetal distress, the placement of cervical ripening balloon catheter for >12h, and gravidity all had certain predictive value for the failure of cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction, with the highest predictive value found through joint predictive (AUC: 0.931, 95% CI: 0.714-0.811). Conclusion: Cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction may have a high success rate in multigravida. Acute chorioamnionitis, fetal distress, and prolonged placement of the balloon may have a negative impact on the success rate of cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction.

Targeting RBM39 through indisulam induced mis-splicing of mRNA to exert anti-cancer effects in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Despite the use of targeted therapeutic approaches, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is still associated with a high incidence of complications and a poor prognosis. Indisulam (also known as E7070), a newly identified molecular glue compound, has demonstrated increased therapeutic efficacy in several types of cancer through the rapid degradation of RBM39. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of indisulam in T-ALL, elucidate its underlying mechanisms and explore the role of the RBM39 gene. METHODS: We verified the anticancer effects of indisulam in both in vivo and in vitro models. Additionally, the construction of RBM39-knockdown cell lines using shRNA confirmed that the malignant phenotype of T-ALL cells was dependent on RBM39. Through RNA sequencing, we identified indisulam-induced splicing anomalies, and proteomic analysis helped pinpoint protein changes caused by the drug. Comprehensive cross-analysis of these findings facilitated the identification of downstream effectors and subsequent validation of their functional roles. RESULTS: Indisulam has significant antineoplastic effects on T-ALL. It attenuates cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis and interferes with cell cycle progression in vitro while facilitating tumor remission in T-ALL in vivo models. This investigation provides evidence that the downregulation of RBM39 results in the restricted proliferation of T-ALL cells both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that RBM39 is a potential target for T-ALL treatment. Indisulam's efficacy is attributed to its ability to induce RBM39 degradation, causing widespread aberrant splicing and abnormal translation of the critical downstream effector protein, THOC1, ultimately leading to protein depletion. Moreover, the presence of DCAF15 is regarded as critical for the effectiveness of indisulam, and its absence negates the ability of indisulam to induce the desired functional alterations. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that indisulam, which targets RBM39 to induce tumor cell apoptosis, is an effective drug for treating T-ALL. Targeting RBM39 through indisulam leads to mis-splicing of pre-mRNAs, resulting in the loss of key effectors such as THOC1.

Structure and Formation Mechanisms in Tantalum and Niobium Oxides in Superconducting Quantum Circuits.

Improving the qubit's lifetime (T1) is crucial for fault-tolerant quantum computing. Recent advancements have shown that replacing niobium (Nb) with tantalum (Ta) as the base metal significantly increases T1, likely due to a less lossy native surface oxide. However, understanding the formation mechanism and nature of both surface oxides is still limited. Using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy, we found that Ta surface oxide has fewer suboxides than Nb oxide. We observed an abrupt oxidation state transition from Ta2O5 to Ta, as opposed to the gradual shift from Nb2O5, NbO2, and NbO to Nb, consistent with thermodynamic modeling. Additionally, amorphous Ta2O5 exhibits a closer-to-crystalline bonding nature than Nb2O5, potentially hindering H atomic diffusion toward the oxide/metal interface. Finally, we propose a loss mechanism arising from the transition between two states within the distorted octahedron in an amorphous structure, potentially causing two-level system loss. Our findings offer a deeper understanding of the differences between native amorphous Ta and Nb oxides, providing valuable insights for advancing superconducting qubits through surface oxide engineering.

Abnormal function of EPHA2/p.R957P mutant in congenital cataract.

AIM: To identify genetic defects in a Chinese family with congenital posterior polar cataracts and assess the pathogenicity. METHODS: A four-generation Chinese family affected with autosomal dominant congenital cataract was recruited. Nineteen individuals took part in this study including 5 affected and 14 unaffected individuals. Sanger sequencing targeted hot-spot regions of 27 congenital cataract-causing genes for variant discovery. The pathogenicity of the variant was evaluated by the guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and InterVar software. Confocal microscopy was applied to detect the subcellular localization of fluorescence-labeled ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2). Co-immunoprecipitation assay was implemented to estimate the interaction between EphA2 and other lens membrane proteins. The mRNA and protein expression were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting assay, respectively. The cell migration was analyzed by wound healing assay. Zebrafish model was generated by ectopic expression of human EPHA2/p.R957P mutant to demonstrate whether the mutant could cause lens opacity in vivo. RESULTS: A novel missense and pathogenic variant c.2870G>C was identified in the sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain of EPHA2. Functional studies demonstrated the variant's impact: reduced EPHA2 protein expression, altered subcellular localization, and disrupted interactions with other lens membrane proteins. This mutant notably enhanced human lens epithelial cell migration, and induced a central cloudy region and roughness in zebrafish lenses with ectopic expression of human EPHA2/p.R957P mutant under differential interference contrast (DIC) optics. CONCLUSION: Novel pathogenic c.2870G>C variant of EPHA2 in a Chinese congenital cataract family contributes to disease pathogenesis.

Dexmedetomidine attenuates ferroptosis by Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-induced acute kidney injury.

Previous research has demonstrated that Dexmedetomidine (DEX), an α2 adrenergic agonist commonly used for its sedative and analgesic properties, can attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). This study explores the possibility that DEX's protective effects in LPS-induced AKI are mediated through the inhibition of ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, and the activation of the antioxidant response through the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. We induced AKI in 42 mice using LPS and divided them into six groups: saline control, LPS, LPS + DEX, LPS + Ferrostatin-1 (LPS + Fer-1; a ferroptosis inhibitor), LPS + DEX with α2-receptor antagonist Altipamizole (LPS + DEX + ATI), and LPS + DEX with Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 (LPS + DEX + ML385). After 24 h, we analyzed blood and kidney tissues. LPS exposure resulted in AKI, with increased serum creatinine, BUN, and cystatin C, and tubular damage, which DEX and Fer-1 ameliorated. However, Altipamizole and ML385 negated these improvements. The LPS group exhibited elevated oxidative stress markers and mitochondrial damage, reduced by DEX and Fer-1, but not when α2-adrenergic or Nrf2 pathways were blocked. Nrf2 and HO-1 expression declined in the LPS group, rebounded with LPS + DEX and LPS + Fer-1, and fell again with inhibitors; inversely, Keap1 expression varied. Our results demonstrate that DEX may protect against LPS-induced AKI, at least partially by regulating ferroptosis and the α2-adrenergic receptor/Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for DEX in AKI management by modulating cell death and antioxidant defenses.

Prognostic factors of alveolar soft part sarcoma in children and adolescents: A population-based study.

PURPOSE: Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS) is an exceedingly rare and aggressive cancer in children. Our objective was to conduct a population-based cohort study to forecast overall survival (OS) in pediatric ASPS patients. METHODS: We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify all pediatric ASPS patients diagnosed between 1975 and 2019. Kaplan-Meier estimations were employed to construct survival curves based on various criteria. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional-hazards regression was utilized to determine variables associated with OS. Additionally, we constructed a nomogram to predict overall survival in pediatric ASPS patients. RESULTS: A total of 103 pediatric ASPS patients were identified. Predominantly, the tumors affected females (62.2 %), and most of them located in the extremities (53.4 %). The majority of patients underwent surgery (83.5 %). Survival rates declined with increasing tumor size, and patients with localized tumors exhibited significantly better prognoses than those with distant tumors. Surgery conferred superior survival outcomes compared to no surgery. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified SEER stage and surgery as important independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights SEER stage and surgery as key predictors of OS in pediatric ASPS, offering crucial epidemiological insights for clinical management.

Prognostic factors of adrenocortical carcinoma in children and adolescents: a population-based study.

PURPOSE: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon adrenal gland endocrine tumor that has a poor prognosis in children. We aimed to conduct a population-based cohort study to predict overall survival (OS) in pediatric patients with ACC. METHODS: We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to conduct a retrospective cohort research on pediatric patients diagnosed with ACC between 1975 and 2018. We examined demographic characteristics, tumor stage and size, treatment options, and survival results. Kaplane-Meier estimations were used to generate survival curves based on several parameters. To compare survival curves, the log-rank test was applied.Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to determine the variables related with OS. In addition, we created a nomogram to predict overall survival in pediatric ACC patients. RESULTS: A total of 143 pediatric ACC patients were identified. Females were the most impacted (60.8%). Overall 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year survival rates were 75.0%, 57.6%, and 53.7% for all patients, respectively. In comparison to older patients (5-19 years), younger patients (≤ 4 years) were shown to have more positive characteristics, including a higher likelihood of local disease (29.4% vs. 14%, P < 0.001), tumors less than 10 cm (23.1% vs. 14.7%, P < 0.001), and improved overall survival (5 year OS 89.6% vs. 27.7%, P < 0.001). Age at diagnosis, SEER stage, and surgery were significant independent predictors of OS in this model, according to the results of Cox proportional hazard regression. After that, we developed a nomogram for predicting OS in children with ACC. Patients older than 4 years old had a higher chance of dying. Furthermore, the higher the SEER stage, the higher the risk of death. Patients who do not have surgery have a worse survival rate than those who do. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that age at diagnosis, SEER stage, and surgery were found to be the most important predictors of the overall survival of pediatric ACC. These findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge and emphasize the importance of continued research to advance our understanding of pediatric ACC and improve patient care.

Overview of the recent advances in porcine epidemic diarrhea vaccines.

Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing and controlling porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). Conventional vaccines developed from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) GI-a subtypes (CV777 and SM98) have played a vital role in preventing classical PED. However, with the emergence of PEDV mutants in 2010, conventional PEDV GI-a subtype-targeting vaccines no longer provide adequate protection against PEDV GII mutants, thereby making novel-type PED vaccine development an urgent concern to be addressed. Novel vaccines, including nucleic acid vaccines, genetically engineered subunit vaccines, and live vector vaccines, are associated with several advantages, such as high safety and stability, clear targeting, high yield, low cost, and convenient usage. These vaccines can be combined with corresponding ELISA kits to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals, which is beneficial for disease confirmation. This review provides a detailed overview of the recent advancements in PED vaccines, emphasizing on the research and application evaluation of novel PED vaccines. It also considers the future directions and challenges in advancing these vaccines to widespread use in clinics.

Prognostic factors of pancreatic tumors in children and adolescents: a population study based on the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic tumors in children are uncommon, and data is scarce. The purpose of this study is to examine the prognostic factors of pediatric pancreatic tumors in a population-based cohort. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify all pediatric patients with pancreatic tumors diagnosed between 1975 and 2018. The overall survival (OS) rates were determined using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. The log-rank test was used for univariate survival analysis. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to determine the variables related to OS. RESULTS: We identified 195 children with pancreatic tumors, with a median age at diagnosis of 16 years. Tumors were classified as neuroendocrine tumors (33.8%), solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPTs) (32.3%), pancreatoblastoma (11.3%), and others (22.6%). Of the patients, 30.3% had distant metastases, and 69.7% had surgery. Pancreatoblastomas were more common in younger children, whereas solid pseudopapillary tumors were more common in female patients. Overall 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates for all patients were 90.3%, 79.2%, and 77.7%, respectively. The Cox proportional hazard regression revealed that SEER stage and surgery were significant independent predictors of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic tumors are rare in children, and overall survival is grim except for SPTs. SEER stage and surgery were determined to be the most relevant determinants of OS in our study.

Super enhancer related gene ANP32B promotes the proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia by enhancing MYC through histone acetylation.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignancy of the hematopoietic system, and childhood AML accounts for about 20% of pediatric leukemia. ANP32B, an important nuclear protein associated with proliferation, has been found to regulate hematopoiesis and CML leukemogenesis by inhibiting p53 activity. However, recent study suggests that ANP32B exerts a suppressive effect on B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in mice by activating PU.1. Nevertheless, the precise underlying mechanism of ANP32B in AML remains elusive. RESULTS: Super enhancer related gene ANP32B was significantly upregulated in AML patients. The expression of ANP32B exhibited a negative correlation with overall survival. Knocking down ANP32B suppressed the proliferation of AML cell lines MV4-11 and Kasumi-1, along with downregulation of C-MYC expression. Additionally, it led to a significant decrease in H3K27ac levels in AML cell lines. In vivo experiments further demonstrated that ANP32B knockdown effectively inhibited tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: ANP32B plays a significant role in promoting tumor proliferation in AML. The downregulation of ANP32B induces cell cycle arrest and promotes apoptosis in AML cell lines. Mechanistic analysis suggests that ANP32B may epigenetically regulate the expression of MYC through histone H3K27 acetylation. ANP32B could serve as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for AML patients.

Meckel's diverticulum mimicking acute appendicitis in children: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to summarize the clinical presentation and histological results of 20 cases of complicated Meckel diverticulum (MD) who were presumed to have acute appendicitis before surgery, as well as to improve the diagnosis and treatment of complicated MD in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 20 complicated MD admitted to our institution who were preoperatively diagnosed with acute appendicitis from January 2012 to January 2019. Patients were divided into the perforated MD group and the Meckel's diverticulitis group. Patient demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory data, auxiliary examinations, surgical methods, and the result of heterotopic tissue were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 20 cases of complicated MD (perforated or diverticulitis) were identified. Children were aged from 3 to 13 years, with a mean age of 7.75 years (median 7.75; range, 1-13 years). Perforated Meckel's diverticulum occurred in 5 of 20 (25%) cases. For perforated MD versus diverticulitis, no significant differences were found between age, time to intervention, length of hospital stay, and distance from the ileo-cecal valve. Heterotopic tissue was confirmed on histopathology in 75% of all patients, including 10 cases of gastric mucosa, 3 cases of coexistent gastric mucosa and pancreatic tissue, and 2 cases of pancreatic tissue. All patients underwent diverticulectomy or partial ileal resection under laparoscopy or laparotomy; two cases combined with appendectomy owing to slight inflammation of the appendix. CONCLUSIONS: The most common presentation of symptomatic MD is painless rectal bleeding; however, it can present symptoms of acute abdomen mimicking acute appendicitis. The key point of diverticulectomy is to remove the ectopic mucosa completely.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals multiple chemoresistant properties in leukemic stem and progenitor cells in pediatric AML.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients can achieve dramatic responses to chemotherapy yet retain resistant tumor cells, which ultimately results in relapse. Although xenograft model studies have identified several cellular and molecular features that are associated with chemoresistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), to what extent AML patients exhibit these properties remains largely unknown. RESULTS: We apply single-cell RNA sequencing to paired pre- and post-chemotherapy whole bone marrow samples obtained from 13 pediatric AML patients who had achieved disease remission, and distinguish AML clusters from normal cells based on their unique transcriptomic profiles. Approximately 50% of leukemic stem and progenitor populations actively express leukemia stem cell (LSC) and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) signatures, respectively. These clusters have a higher chance of tolerating therapy and exhibit an enhanced metabolic program in response to treatment. Interestingly, the transmembrane receptor CD69 is highly expressed in chemoresistant hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-like populations (named the CD69+ HSC-like subpopulation). Furthermore, overexpression of CD69 results in suppression of the mTOR signaling pathway and promotion of cell quiescence and adhesion in vitro. Finally, the presence of CD69+ HSC-like cells is associated with unfavorable genetic mutations, the persistence of residual tumor cells in chemotherapy, and poor outcomes in independent pediatric and adult public AML cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis reveals leukemia stem cell and OXPHOS as two major chemoresistant features in human AML patients. CD69 may serve as a potential biomarker in defining a subpopulation of chemoresistant leukemia stem cells. These findings have important implications for targeting residual chemo-surviving AML cells.

Determination of key events in mouse hepatocyte maturation at the single-cell level.

Hepatocytes, the liver's predominant cells, perform numerous essential biological functions. However, crucial events and regulators during hepatocyte maturation require in-depth investigation. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to explore the precise hepatocyte development process in mice. We defined three maturation stages of postnatal hepatocytes, each of which establishes specific metabolic functions and exhibits distinct proliferation rates. Hepatic zonation is gradually formed during hepatocyte maturation. Hepatocytes or their nuclei with distinct ploidies exhibit zonation preferences in distribution and asynchrony in maturation. Moreover, by combining gene regulatory network analysis with in vivo genetic manipulation, we identified critical maturation- and zonation-related transcription factors. This study not only delineates the comprehensive transcriptomic profiles of hepatocyte maturation but also presents a paradigm to identify genes that function in the development of hepatocyte maturation and zonation by combining genetic manipulation and measurement of coordinates in a single-cell developmental trajectory.

Prebiotics for depression: how does the gut microbiota play a role?

Depression, a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and aversion to activity that can interfere with daily life, is a condition of great concern. Prebiotics, which are non-digestible substances selectively utilized by host microorganisms for health benefits, have gained attention for their potential to improve overall wellness and alleviate various disorders including depression. This study aims to review clinical trials utilizing carbohydrate-type prebiotics such as inulin-type fructans, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), human milk oligosaccharides, resistant starch, prebiotic phytochemicals including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), chlorogenic acids, resveratrol, and prebiotic lipids (n-3 polysaturated fatty acids) to determine their effects on depression. Our findings suggest that GOS at a daily dosage of 5 g and eicosapentaenoic acid at or less than 1 g can effectively mitigate depressive symptoms. While EGCG exhibits potential antidepressant properties, a higher dosage of 3 g/d may be necessary to elicit significant effects. The plausible mechanisms underlying the impact of prebiotics on depression include the synthesis of neurotransmitters, production of short-chain fatty acids, and regulation of inflammation.

The default and directed pathways of hepatoblast differentiation involve distinct epigenomic mechanisms.

The effectiveness of multiomics analyses in defining cell differentiation pathways during development is ambiguous. During liver development, hepatoblasts follow a default or directed pathway to differentiate into hepatocytes or cholangiocytes, respectively, and this provides a practical model to address this issue. Our study discovered that promoter-associated histone modifications and chromatin accessibility dynamics, rather than enhancer-associated histone modifications, effectively delineated the "default vs. directed" process of hepatoblast differentiation. Histone H3K27me3 on bivalent promoters is associated with this asymmetric differentiation strategy in mice and humans. We demonstrated that Ezh2 and Jmjd3 exert opposing regulatory roles in hepatoblast-cholangiocyte differentiation. Additionally, active enhancers, regulated by P300, correlate with the development of both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. This research proposes a model highlighting the division of labor between promoters and enhancers, with promoter-associated chromatin modifications governing the "default vs. directed" differentiation mode of hepatoblasts, whereas enhancer-associated modifications primarily dictate the progressive development processes of hepatobiliary lineages.

Evaluation of career planning group counseling and its effectiveness for intern male nursing students.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of group counselling on the career planning and career maturity of male nursing students. METHOD: Sixty male nursing students were randomly selected from a specific-level first-class hospital in Hunan Province from July to August 2020 by using the convenience sampling method and were subsequently divided into the control group and the experimental group using the random number table method. The control group received routine pre-job training, including aspects concerning the hospital profile, nurse etiquette, nursing core systems, professional ethics, nursing emergency treatment and career prospects and planning. In the experimental group, career planning group counselling was added after the regular pre-service training (once a week) with each session lasting 2 h for a total of six training sessions. At six weeks and three months after the intervention, the career status evaluation scale and the college students' career maturity scale were used to compare the career planning and career maturity status of the two groups of male nursing students. RESULTS: After six weeks and three months of intervention, all the dimensions and total scores of both the career status evaluation scale and the career maturity scale in the experimental group were superior to those in the control group with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). The repeated measures of variance analysis indicated that the differences in the total score for career planning and the four dimensions in terms of intergroup effect, time effect and interaction effect between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The intergroup effect, time effect and interaction effect of the total score for vocational maturity, career goal, career confidence, career value, career freedom and career reference of the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05), while the time effect of the relative dependency dimension was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Group counselling can significantly improve the career planning and career maturity status of male nursing students and has a certain long-term effect.

Lactoferrin modification of berberine nanoliposomes enhances the neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Previous studies have shown that berberine has neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer's disease, including antagonizing tau phosphorylation, and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity and neural cell apoptosis. However, its low bioavailability and adverse reactions with conventional administration limit its clinical application. In this study, we prepared berberine nanoliposomes using liposomes characterized by low toxicity, high entrapment efficiency, and biodegradability, and modified them with lactoferrin. Lactoferrin-modified berberine nanoliposomes had uniform particle size and high entrapment efficiency. We used the lactoferrin-modified berberine nanoliposomes to treat a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease established by injection of amyloid-beta 1-42 into the lateral ventricle. Lactoferrin-modified berberine nanoliposomes inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity and apoptosis in the hippocampus, reduced tau over-phosphorylation in the cerebral cortex, and improved mouse behavior. These findings suggest that modification with lactoferrin can enhance the neuroprotective effects of berberine nanoliposomes in Alzheimer's disease.

The application of 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with pterygopalatine fossa invasion.

OBJECT: The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is a covert neurovascular pathway in the skull base and connects with numerous intracranial and extracranial spaces. The aim of this study was to explore the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of PPF invasion in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 88 patients with stage T3 or T4 NPC were retrospectively analyzed. The 3-Dimensional (3D) volumetric images of MRI were reconstructed for the tiny connecting conduits of the invaded PPFs in the NPC patients. The infiltration incidence of conduits and connected further structures were calculated. RESULTS: Forty-six PPFs from 37 patients were invaded by NPC. The proportions of stage T4 NPC and intracranial extension were higher in patients with PPF invasion than that without PPF invasion (P < 0.05). Each connecting conduit of the PPF had corresponding optimal reconstructed orientation based on 3D volumetric MRI images. The first three most common infiltrated conduits were palatovaginal canal, vidian canal and sphenopalatine foramen, which were adjacent to the nasopharynx. Among the conduits connecting with further structures, the most common infiltrated conduit was pterygomaxillary fissure, followed by foramen rotundum and inferior orbital fissure. Furthermore, The NPC lesions involved stage T4 structures via the conduits from 19.6% of the invaded PPFs. CONCLUSIONS: The application of high-quality reconstruction images based on 3D sequence of MRI in NPC patients proved to be feasible and beneficial for the manifestation of the invaded PPFs and connecting conduits.

Subtraction coronary CT angiography in patients with high heart rate.

All the previous subtraction coronary CT angiography (CCTA) had strict heart rate (HR) inclusion criteria. In this study, a new subtraction method was applied to patients with various HR. The post-contrast scan time was respectively 3.5 s after ascending aorta peak enhancement while HR >80 bpm, 4 s while 65≤ HR ≤80 bpm and 4.5 s while HR <65 bpm. Forty-six patients who underwent the new subtraction protocol were enrolled and patients were stratified into the high HR group (≥70 bpm) and low HR group (<70 bpm). Eighteen patients with 15 severe calcification segments and 25 stent segments further received invasive coronary angiography (ICA). In all included patients, the coronary artery enhancement was compared between the high and low HR groups. In patients with ICA performed, the image quality improvement and diagnostic effectiveness for detection of significant coronary segments stenosis (>50%) were compared between the conventional CCTA and subtraction CCTA and between the high HR group and low HR group, respectively. All enrolled patients got sufficient coronary artery enhancement. In patients with ICA performed, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for the diagnosis of significant stenosis was 0.93 in subtraction CCTA and 0.73 in conventional CCTA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in image quality improvement, specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy between the high HR group and low HR group. The new subtraction CCTA method broadened the clinical availability for patients with high HR.