[The value of MR T2WI signal intensity related parameters for predicting pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the value of T2WI signal intensity related parameters that can be obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in patients with locally advanved rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: Signal Intensity of Tumor (SIT) and Signal Intensity of Tumor/Muscle (SIT/M) of MR T2WI before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of 101 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were evaluated by two experienced readers independently. Signal Intensity of Tumor Reduction Rate (SITRR) and Signal Intensity of Tumor/Muscle Reduction Rate (SIT/MRR) were calculated. The difference of related parameters of T2WI tumor signal intensity between the pCR and the non-pCR group were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance for predicting pCR. Results: Of the 101 patients, 18 were in pCR group and 83 were in non-pCR group. In all patients, the SITpre, SITpost, SITRR, SIT/Mpre, SIT/Mpost and SIT/MRR measured by reader 1 were 197.0 (133.0), 144.2 (69.7), 0.4% (0.5%), 2.6 (0.6), 3.0 (2.3) and 0.4 (0.2)% in pCR group, and 227.0 (99.0), 205 (95.4), 0.1% (0.6%), 2.6 (0.6), 2.6 (1) in non-pCR group, respectively. SITpre, SITpost, SITRR, SIT/Mpre, SIT/Mpost and SIT/MRR measured by reader 2 were 193.0 (135.0), 143.0 (69.8), 0.4% (0.2%), 2.6 (0.6), 1.5 (0.5) and 0.39% (0.2%) in pCR group, and 234.0(108.0), 203(96.5), 0.1% (0.3%), 2.6 (0.6%), 1.7 (0.7) and 0.25% (0.2%) in non-pCR group, respectively. Between the pCR and non-pCR group, there were significant differences in SITpost, SIT/Mpost and SIT/MRR measured by both readers (all P<0.01), but there was no significant differences in SITpre and SIT/Mpre (P>0.05). The difference of SITRR measured by reader 1 was not statistically significant (P=0.415), while the difference of SITRR measured by reader 2 was statistically significant (P=0.001). In patients with rectal non-mucinous adenocarcinoma, SITpost, SIT/Mpost, SITRR and SIT/MRR measured by two physicians were still statistically significant between the pCR and non-pCR group (all P<0.01), but SITpre and SIT/Mpre had no significant difference (P>0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that in all patients, the area under curve (AUC) of SITpost, SIT/Mpost and SIT/MRR for predicting pCR to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer was 0.694-0.762, the sensitivity was 68.2%-77.3%, and the specificity was 63.6%-77.3%. In rectal non-mucinous adenocarcinoma patients, the AUC, sensitivity and specificity was 0.704-0.764, 62.7%-78.9% and 66.2%-84.2%, respectively. Conclusions: T2WI signal intensity related parameters are potential predictors for pCR in locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiptherapy. The predictive value is higher in non-mucinous adenocarcinoma.

[Combined T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MR imaging for staging of rectal cancers].

Objective: To compare the diagnostic value of T2 weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and T2WI+ DWI magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for staging of rectal cancers for improving the accuracy of tumor staging. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2013, 120 cases of rectal cancers proved by colonoscopy without receiving any anti-tumor treatment were enrolled retrospectively. The MRI data for these patients were divided into three groups, ie., T2WI, DWI and T2WI+ DWI, for evaluating the tumor stages. The results were compared with histopathologic findings. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared with chi-square test. The nodal staging was predicted by using T2WI+ DWI. Results: The accuracy for prediction of tumor staging was 83.3%, 65.0% and 92.5% for T2WI, DWI, and T2WI+ DWI respectively. The specificity for evaluating T1 and T2 stage, and the sensitivity for evaluating T3 by DWI was significantly lower than those using T2WI and T2WI+ DWI in rectal cancers. The sensitivity for evaluation of T2 by DWI was lower than that using T2WI+ DWI (63.0% vs. 88.9%). The sensitivity for evaluation T2 and specificity for T3 by T2WI+ DWI was higher than thouse using T2WI only (88.9% vs. 51.9%, 94.0% vs. 72.0%). The accuracy for prediction of nodal staging by using T2WI+ DWI was 62.1% (72/116). Conclusions: T2WI is the key sequence for staging of rectal cancers. Although the diagnostic accuracy was not good by using DWI alone, the combination of T2WI and DWI can improve the accuracy significantly for tumor staging in rectal cancers, whereas the nodal staging was still a hard task for radiologists.

Application of oxaliplatin in combination with epirubicin in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of primary liver carcinoma.

Many cases of liver carcinoma miss the opportunity of surgical treatment because of hidden onset and delayed diagnosis. In recent years, interventional treatment has gradually become a non-surgical method for treating liver carcinoma. To discuss the effects of oxaliplatin in combination with epirubicin in the treatment and its influence on prognosis, this study randomly selected 218 advanced primary liver carcinoma patients from Binzhou People’s Hospital, Binzhou, China and divided them into a control group (n=109) and an observation group (n=109). Patients in both groups were given interventional treatment. Patients in the control group were perfused with oxaliplatin, while patients in the observation group were perfused with oxaliplatin and epirubicin. The effectsat 6-month and 12-month survival rates were compared between the two groups. The results demonstrated that the overall effective rate and clinical benefit rate of the observation group were much higher than those of the control group (30.3% vs 11.9%; 79.8%; vs 44.3%) (P less than 0.05). The serum Alpha Fetal Protein (AFP) and Carcino Embryonie Antigen (CEA) levels of the observation group were much lower than those of the control group; the Karnofsky performance score of the observation group was much lower than that of the control group; the two differences had statistical significance (P less than 0.05). The 6-month survival rate of the observation group was 91.67%, higher than that of the control group (86.11%) (P>0.05). The 12-month survival rate of the observation group was 83.33%, much higher than that of the control group (61.11%) (P less than 0.05). The difference of the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05). Thus, it can be concluded that oxaliplatin in combination with epirubicin can improve survival quality, extend survival time, and decrease the serum AFP and CEA levels in the treatment of primary liver carcinoma, with definite effects but without aggravating toxic and side effects. Therefore, the therapy has important clinical value.

[Measurement reproducibility of parameters derived from introvoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted MRI imaging of rectal cancer].

Objective: To study the measurement reproducibility of parameters derived from introvoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-MRI of rectal cancer between- and within- radiologists. Methods: Clinical data of 34 patients with rectal cancer were prospective analyzed. Conventional MRI sequences, IVIM DWI-MRI with sixteen b values and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE)-MRI sequences of rectum were acquired by GE 3.0-T MRI imager. The IVIM sequence images with b value=1000 sec/mm(2) were selected to measure the maximum axial section of tumor by a radiologist with 15 year-experiences in gastrointestinal cancer imaging.Two radiologists (radiologist 1 and radiologist 2 with 2 and 10 years of experience in gastrointestinal cancer imaging, respectively) independently draw a freehand region of interest (ROI) that contained the largest available tumor area on the selected section. Monoexponential apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and biexponential IVIM metrics maps and IVIM parameters were generated automatically by the software. The repeated measurement was performed at an interval of one week. The average values of each measurement were used for statistical analysis. ADC values and IVIM parameters obtained between- and within- radiologists were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altaman plots were used to analyze the parameter reproducibility of two measurements between- and within- radiologists. Results: The first and second measured ADC (×10(-3)mm(2)/s), true diffusivity (D, ×10(-3)mm(2)/s), false diffusivity (D(*,) mm(2)/s) and perfusion fraction (f, %) by radiologist 1 were 0.997, 0.692, 0.043, 34.6 and 0.993, 0.691, 0.038, 32.8, respectively. The first and second measured ADC (×10(-3)mm(2)/s), D (×10(-3)mm(2)/s), D(*) (mm(2)/s), f (%) by radiologist 2 were 0.987, 0.651, 0.046, 32.8 and 0.996, 0.689、0.041, 32.7, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in ADC and IVIM parameters obtained between- and within- radiologists (P>0.05). The ADC values and the f values of two times were significantly correlated between- and within- radiologists. The D values were significantly correlated within a radiologist, and the correlation of D(*) values within a radiologist was significantly higher than that between radiologists. The 95% limits of agreement (LoA) of ADC values and f values were smaller than those of D values and D(*) values between- and within- radiologists. The 95% LoA of ADC values was the least, while that of D(*) values varied most.The 95% LoA of f values and D values kept steady within a radiologist, and 95% LoA of f values was slightly smaller than that of D values. The 95% LoA of IVIM parameters (ADC, D, f, D(*) values) within radiologists 2 were better than those within radiologist 1. Conclusions: The reproducibilities of ADC and f values are the best, while the reproducibility of D(*) values is relatively poorer in rectal cancer. Measurement reproducibility of parameters derived from IVIM may be improved by increasing radiologists' experiences in drawing ROI.

The silkworm GSTe4 is sensitive to phoxim and protects HEK293 cells against UV-induced cell apoptosis.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs, EC 2.5.1.18) are a family of super enzymes with multiple functions that play a major role in the detoxification of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. In our previous study, we have predicted 23 putative cytosolic GSTs in the silkworm genome using bioinformatic methods. In this study, we cloned and studied the insect-specific epsilon-class GST gene GSTe4 from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The recombinant BmGSTe4 (Bac-BmGSTe4) was overexpressed in SF-9 cell lines, and it was found to have effective GST activity. We also found that the expression of BmGSTe4 was especially down-regulated after the silkworms were fumigated with or ingested phoxim. Moreover, BmGSTe4 protected HEK293 cells against UV-induced cell apoptosis. These results demonstrated that BmGSTe4 has GST activity, is sensitive to phoxim, and plays a role in inhibition of UV-induced cell apoptosis.

Composition and structure of microbial communities associated with different domestic sewage outfalls.

The diversity of microbiota in waste waters has not been thoroughly examined, despite the potential impact of microbes on effluent quality. Wastewater microbial communities harbor pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites. To study microbial communities in domestic sewage outfalls, 454 pyrosequencing technology was used to investigate the composition of microbial communities associated with municipal wastewater during different seasons sampled over the course of one year. A total of 195,103 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from 20 samples. The R software was used to calculate the number of indices describing the alpha diversity associated with each bacterial assemblage. In this study, the a-diversity index (H', D, J), in which higher numbers represent more diversity, was found to change with seasonal cycle. The diversity of bacterial assemblages was high in all samples, indicating that species diversity was also very high. The taxonomic composition of the assemblages varied considerably among samples, with some dominated by Proteobacteria, while others were dominated by Bacteroidetes or Firmicutes. In 2 samples, the relative prevalence of Proteobacteria exceeded 90%. α-Proteobacteria, b-proteobacteria, and g-proteobacteria represented 90% or more of all Proteobacteria. The present characterization of wastewater from five sewage outfalls indicated the presence of some pathogenic bacteria. The g-Proteobacteria in sewage wastefalls identified in this study included Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrionaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Salmonella, Yersinia, Vibrio, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

[Application of single anterior teeth defect with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing polymethyl methacrylate single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis in children].

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis (RBFDP) for single anterior teeth defect. Methods: A total of 14 children between 10-14 years old (male 8, female 6) who visited the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University from March to December 2022 with single anterior teeth loss were enrolled in this study. The intraoral scanner was used to obtain their digital impressions, and then the data were imported into CAD software. The single-retainer RBFDP was designed by the CAD software and was manufactured by milling equipment using CAD/CAM PMMA disk. The prosthesis was then tried-in and bonded to the abutment teeth with resin cement and evaluated in a 12 month follow-up observation. The marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, color match, secondary caries, the occurrence of fractures and loose of abutment tooth were examined on the basis of the modified United States Public Health Services evaluation system. The evaluation was divided into three scores, in which score A indicated ideal restoration effect, score B means that the restoration effect was acceptable (evaluation of restoration integrity, loose of abutment teeth and secondary caries excluded), and score C indicates that the restoration effect is not good. Results: All the 14 CAD/CAM PMMA single-retainer RBFDP had good marginal adaptation and color match with no marginal discoloration, no secondary caries, no fracture of restorations and no abnormal loose of the abutment teeth. All of the six criteria achieved score A evaluation after a three month follow-up observation. One restoration was classified as score B for fracture after a six month follow-up observation, while two restoration were classified as score B for marginal discoloration after 12 month follow-up observation. Conclusions: The CAD/CAM PMMA single-retainer RBFDP was clinically effective in restoration of single anterior teeth defect in children.

Identification and function of Abdominal-A in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Abdominal-A (adb-A) is a key gene in the development of insects. To understand its function in the silkworm, we cloned 1193 bp of the abd-A gene of Bombyx mori (Bmabd-A), including the complete coding sequence and part of the 3' untranslated region sequence. Bmabd-A has at least three mRNA splice variants with coding sequences of lengths 1032, 1044 and 1059 bp, encoding 343, 347 and 352 amino acids, respectively. Each splice variant of Bmabd-A has three exons and differs only in second exon size. Bmabd-A was expressed at low levels in unfertilized eggs, but increased gradually in fertilized eggs after laying 22 h. Bmabd-A expression decreased in ant silkworms (newly hatched silkworms). After RNA interference for Bmabd-A, the embryos had two mutant phenotypes, either completely or partially absent abdominal feet from the third to sixth abdominal segments, suggesting that Bmabd-A is responsible for normal development of the third to sixth abdominal segments during embryonic development.

A study of the stability of generalized wave gaits.

The wave gait has been observed in animal and insect walking and has been widely implemented in the control of walking machines. It has been proved that the wave gait possesses the optimum stability among all periodic gaits under the geometrical condition that R/P < or = 1, where R and P are respectively the stroke and pitch of a walking machine. Recently, based on numerical results, a generalized hexapodal wave gait was reported to be more stable than the wave gait for R/P > 1. In this paper, in order to understand more about the generalized wave gait, an analytical method is applied to study its stability in three categories of multilegged systems: quadrupeds, hexapods, and 2n-legged systems (n > or = 4). Two optimal generalized wave gaits are found for quadrupeds, and three optimal gaits are found for each of the other two categories. For all three categories, one of the optimal generalized wave gaits is the wave gait. The stability and geometrical conditions of these optimal gaits are derived and verified numerically. Furthermore, it is shown that the quadrupedal generalized wave gaits have the optimum stability among all periodic gaits with the stepping sequence 1-4-2-3.

Formononetin attenuates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis and NF-κB activation in RGC-5 cells.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetic eye disease caused by changes in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Several studies suggest that the oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy in adults. Formononetin is a flavone with powerful antioxidant properties that exists naturally in various plants and Chinese medicine. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the antioxidative effects of formononetin on H2O2-induced apoptosis of RGC-5 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Exposure of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to the indicated concentrations of formononetin and H2O2 for 24 h, analyzed by MTT assay. Cells were stained with Annexin V-FITC and PI, analyzed by flow cytometry. And the level of superoxide anions, malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, indicator of oxidative DNA damage) and MnSOD (manganese superoxide dismutase) activity were measured by kits. RESULTS: Formononetin reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis and improved the levels or activity of indicators of oxidative stress. Formononetin also inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), which is a significant transcription factor for RGC-5 apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Formononetin may be developed as a antioxidant drug to treat diabetic retinopathy.

Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of skeletal muscle crush injury in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnostic value of quantitative contrast-enhanced (CE) ultrasonography for crush injury in the hind limb muscles of rabbits. METHODS: A total of 120 New Zealand white rabbits were randomized to receive compression on the left hind limb for either 2 h (n = 56) or 4 h (n = 56) to induce muscle crush injury. Another eight animals were not injured and served as normal controls. CE ultrasonography parameters such as peak intensity (PI), ascending slop, descending slop and area under curve (AUC) were measured at 0.5, 2, 6 and 24 h and 3, 7 and 14 days after decompression. RESULTS: Compared with the uninjured muscles, reperfusion of the injured muscles showed early and high enhancement in CE ultrasonography images. The time-intensity curve showed a trend of rapid lift and gradual drop. The PI and AUC values differed significantly among the three groups and were positively correlated with serum and tissue biomarkers. Rabbits of the 4-h compression group showed significantly higher PI and AUC values, and serum and tissue parameters than the 2-h compression group at each time points. CONCLUSION: CE ultrasonography can effectively detect muscle crush injury and monitor dynamic changes of the injured muscles in rabbits. PI and AUC are promising diagnostic parameters for this disease. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: CE ultrasonography might play an important role in the pre-hospital and bedside settings for the diagnosis of muscle crush injury.

Dual wavelength spectrophotometry as a diagnostic test of the pulp chamber contents.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the feasibility of using dual wavelength spectrophotometry to identify teeth with pulp chambers that are either empty, filled with fixed pulp tissue, or filled with oxygenated blood. In phase I of the experiment, a human third molar was prepared so that its pulp space could be filled with oxygenated blood and later emptied. In phase II, the lower jaw of a beagle dog was removed and placed in formalin, thereby fixing the pulps of the teeth. The pulp of the right canine was removed via an apical approach, and attachments were placed in a similar position to those on the human tooth, to allow filling and emptying of the pulp space. Cavit was placed over the exposed fixed pulp in the left canine. Ten readings, which were separated by light source and detector removal and replacement, were taken of the right canine pulp space when it was empty or filled with oxygenated blood, or the left canine pulp space when it was filled with fixed tissue. Distinct and reproducible changes were measured for pulp spaces filled with air, tissue, or oxygenated blood. In phase III, simulated pulp testing on a dog tooth model was performed. Blood was introduced into the root canal space, the chamber was rinsed with water and replaced with air, according to a predetermined code. Spectrophotometer readings were recorded. The identification of pulpal contents was correctly determined in all 20 of the predetermined conditions. The findings indicate that continuous wave spectrophotometry may become a useful pulp testing method.