Establishment and Application of a Radiation Dose Rate Model for Nuclear Medicine Examinees.

Introduction: Traditional methods for determining radiation dose in nuclear medicine include the Monte Carlo method, the discrete ordinate method, and the point kernel integration method. This study presents a new mathematical model for predicting the radiation dose rate in the vicinity of nuclear medicine patients. Methods: A new algorithm was created by combining the physical model of "cylinder superposition" of the human body with integral analysis to assess the radiation dose rate in the vicinity of nuclear medicine patients. Results: The model accurately predicted radiation dose rates within distances of 0.1-3.0 m, with a deviation of less than 11% compared to observed rates. The model demonstrated greater accuracy at shorter distances from the radiation source, with a deviation of only 1.55% from observed values at 0.1 m. Discussion: The model proposed in this study effectively represents the spatial and temporal distribution of the radiation field around nuclear medicine patients and demonstrates good agreement with actual measurements. This model has the potential to serve as a radiation dose rate alert system in hospital environments.

Causal association between particulate matter 2.5 and Alzheimer's disease: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Although epidemiological evidence implies a link between exposure to particulate matter (PM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), establishing causality remains a complex endeavor. In the present study, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) as a robust analytical approach to explore the potential causal relationship between PM exposure and AD risk. We also explored the potential associations between PM exposure and other neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: Drawing on extensive genome-wide association studies related to PM exposure, we identified the instrumental variables linked to individual susceptibility to PM. Using summary statistics from five distinct neurodegenerative diseases, we conducted two-sample MR analyses to gauge the causal impact of PM on the risk of developing these diseases. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to evaluate the robustness of our findings. Additionally, we executed multivariable MR (MVMR) to validate the significant causal associations identified in the two-sample MR analyses, by adjusting for potential confounding risk factors. Results: Our MR analysis identified a notable association between genetically predicted PM2.5 (PM with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less) exposure and an elevated risk of AD (odds ratio, 2.160; 95% confidence interval, 1.481 to 3.149; p < 0.001). A sensitivity analysis supported the robustness of the observed association, thus alleviating concerns related to pleiotropy. No discernible causal relationship was identified between PM and any other neurodegenerative diseases. MVMR analyses-adjusting for smoking, alcohol use, education, stroke, hearing loss, depression, and hypertension-confirmed a persistent causal relationship between PM2.5 and AD. Sensitivity analyses, including MR-Egger and weighted median analyses, also supported this causal association. Conclusion: The present MR study provides evidence to support a plausible causal connection between PM2.5 exposure and AD. The results emphasize the importance of contemplating air quality interventions as a public health strategy for reducing AD risk.

Identification of significant m6A regulators and immune microenvironment characterization in ischemic stroke.

The role of m6A modification in the regulation of the immune microenvironment (IME) of ischemic stroke (IS) is barely known. Thus, we aim to investigate the impact of m6A modification on the IME of IS and its diagnostic value in IS. We comprehensively assessed the m6A modification patterns, the relationship between these modification patterns and the characteristics of the IME. The m6A modification patterns of individual IS sample were quantified by m6Ascore. The performance of m6A phenotype-related genes as potential biomarkers was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Experimental validation was also performed by qRT-PCR. Six dysregulated m6A regulators were identified and a classification model consisting of four key m6A regulators (METLL3, RBMX, RBM15B, YTDHF3) could distinguish IS and healthy control samples well. METTL3 and YTHDF3 are closely related to circulating neutrophil abundance. Two distinct m6A modification patterns were determined which differed in immunocyte abundance. We also identified six m6A phenotype-related genes (APOBEC3A, PTMA, FCGR3A, LOC440926, LOC649946, and FTH1L11), and further explored their biological function. Among them, APOBEC3A, FCGR3A, and FTH1L11 were positively associated with neutrophil abundance. APOBEC3A and FCGR3A were stable diagnostic m6A-associated genes in both the discovery and validation cohorts. This study reveals that m6A modification plays a non-negligible role in the formation of a diversified and complex IME in IS. The m6A phenotype-related genes could be diagnostic biomarkers of IS.

PS-MPs or their co-exposure with cadmium impair male reproductive function through the miR-199a-5p/HIF-1α-mediated ferroptosis pathway.

Microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) exist extensively in ambient environments and probably influence negatively on human health. However, the potential reproductive toxicity of MPs or MPs + Cd remains unknown. This study was aimed to observe the reproductive changes of male mice treated orally for 35 days with PS-MPs (100 mg/kg), CdCl2 (5 mg/kg) and PS-MPs plus CdCl2 mixture. We found that subchronic exposure to PS-MPs damaged mouse testicular tissue structure, reduced sperm quality and testosterone levels. Moreover, the reproductive toxicity in 0.1 µm group was stronger than 1 µm group, and mixture group was more severe than single particle size ones. Meanwhile, co-exposure of PS-MPs and Cd exacerbated reproductive injury in male mice, with an ascending toxicity of Cd, 1 µm + Cd, 0.1 µm + Cd, and 0.1+1 µm + Cd. In addition, we discovered that the testicular damage induced by PS-MPs or PS-MPs + Cd was associated with interfering the miR-199a-5p/HIF-1α/ferroptosis pathway. Promisingly, these findings will shed new light on how PS-MPs and PS-MPs + Cd damage male reproductive function.

Intracranial Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: A Literature Review and a Rare Case Misdiagnosed as Acoustic Neuroma.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) stands as a rare neoplasm, initially documented by Bahadori and Liebow in 1973; however, its biological behavior and underlying pathogenesis continue to elude comprehensive understanding. Throughout the years, this tumor has been designated by various alternative names, including pseudosarcomatoid myofibroblastoma, fibromyxoid transformation, and plasma cell granuloma among others. In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified it as a soft tissue tumor and designated it as IMT. While IMT primarily manifests in the lungs, the common clinical symptoms encompass anemia, low-grade fever, limb weakness, and chest pain. The mesentery, omentum, and retroperitoneum are subsequent sites of occurrence with intracranial involvement being exceedingly rare. Due to the absence of specific clinical symptoms and characteristic radiographic features, diagnosing intracranial inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IIMT) remains challenging. Successful instances of pharmacological treatment for IIMT indicate that surgery may not be the sole therapeutic recourse, thus underscoring the imperative of an accurate diagnosis and apt treatment selection to improve patient outcomes.

pH-Responsive doxorubicin-loaded magnetosomes for magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound real-time monitoring and ablation of breast cancer.

MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is driving a new direction in non-invasive thermal ablation therapy with spatial specificity and real-time temperature monitoring. Although widely used in clinical practice, it remains challenging to completely ablate the tumor margin due to fear of damaging the surrounding tissues, thus leading to low efficacy and a series of complications. Herein, we have developed novel pH-responsive drug-loading magnetosomes (STPSD nanoplatform) for increasing the T2-contrast and improved the ablation efficiency with a clinical MRgFUS system. Specifically, this STPSD nanoplatform is functionalized by pH-responsive peptides (STP-TPE), encapsulating superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and doxorubicin (DOX), which can cause drug release and SPIO deposition at the tumor site triggered by acidity and MRgFUS. Under MRgFUS treatment, the increased vascular permeability caused by hyperthermia can improve the uptake of SPIO and DOX by tumor cells, so as to enhance ultrasound energy absorption and further enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy to completely ablate tumor margins. Moreover, we demonstrated that a series of MR sequences including T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), contrast-enhanced T1WI imaging (T1WI C+), maximum intensity projection (MIP), volume rendering (VR) and ADC mapping can be further utilized to monitor the MRgFUS ablation effect in rat models. Overall, this smart nanoplatform has the capacity to be a powerful tool to promote the therapeutic MRgFUS effect and minimize the side effects to surrounding tissues.

Preoperative computed tomography-guided transscapular sens-cure needle localization for pulmonary nodule located behind the scapula.

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is an approach that is commonly used to resect pulmonary nodules (PNs). However, when these PNs are located behind the scapula, a transscapular access approach is generally required. In this study, the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of preoperative computed tomography (CT)-guided Sens-cure needle (SCN) localization was assessed for PNs located behind the scapula. METHODS: From January 2020 - June 2022, a total of 122 PN patients in our hospital underwent preoperative CT-guided SCN localization and subsequent VATS resection, of whom 12 (9.8%) exhibited PNs behind the scapula necessitating a transscapular approach for this localization procedure. RESULTS: This study included 12 patients, each of whom had one PN located behind the scapula. The CT-guided transscapular SCN localization approach was successful in all patients, and no complications near the operative site were observed. The median localization time was 12 min, and 2 (16.7%) and 1 (8.3%) patients respectively developed pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage after the localization procedure was complete. Wedge resection procedures for these PNs achieved technical success in all cases. Four patients were diagnosed with invasive adenocarcinomas and subsequently accepted lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection. The median VATS duration and the median blood loss was 80 min and 10 mL, respectively. In total, 3, 5, and 4 PNs were respectively diagnosed as benign, mini-invasive adenocarcinomas, and invasive adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSION: Preoperative CT-guided transscapular SCN localization represents a safe, straightforward, and effective means of localizing PNs present behind the scapula.

IR780-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles@poly(ethylene glycol) microgels as dual-enzyme immobilized micro-systems: Preparations, photothermal-responsive dual-enzyme release, and highly efficient recycling.

To solve the problems of separating dual enzymes from the carriers of dual-enzyme immobilized micro-systems and greatly increase the carriers' recycling times, photothermal-responsive micro-systems of IR780-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles@poly(ethylene glycol) microgels (CFNPs-IR780@MGs) are prepared. A novel two-step recycling strategy is proposed based on the CFNPs-IR780@MGs. First, the dual enzymes and the carriers are separated from the reaction system as a whole via magnetic separation. Second, the dual enzymes and the carriers are separated through photothermal-responsive dual-enzyme release so that the carriers can be reused. Results show that CFNPs-IR780@MGs is 281.4 ± 9.6 nm with a shell of 58.2 nm, and the low critical solution temperature is 42 °C, and the photothermal conversion efficiency increases from 14.04% to 58.41% by doping 1.6% of IR780 into the CFNPs-IR780 clusters. The dual-enzyme immobilized micro-systems and the carriers are recycled 12 and 72 times, respectively, and the enzyme activity remains above 70%. The micro-systems can realize whole recycling of the dual enzymes and carriers and further recycling of the carriers, thus providing a simple and convenient recycling method for dual-enzyme immobilized micro-systems. The findings reveal the micro-systems' important application potential in biological detection and industrial production.

Endovascular recanalization in patients with severely disabling non-acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether patients with severely disabling ischemic stroke (SDIS-that is, modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores of 3-5) benefit from non-acute endovascular recanalization (ER). OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of non-acute ER or medical treatment in severely disabled patients with non-acute ischemic stroke (mRS scores of 3-5). METHODS: Between January 2018 and August 2021, non-acute patients with SDIS and large vessel occlusion were collected from two regional stroke centers. Patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were assigned to two groups based on whether they underwent ER (ER group) or not (medical group). The primary functional outcome was the mRS score at 90 days. The primary safety outcomes were the recurrence of stroke and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 325 patients with hypoperfusion cerebral infarction caused by large vessel occlusion, 63 met the inclusion criteria (32 patients in the ER group, 31 patients in the medical group). A favorable outcome (mRS score ≤2) occurred more often in the ER group than in the medical group (59.4% vs 22.6%, respectively; OR=0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.58; P<0.01). There were no significant differences in new-onset ischemic stroke (6.3% vs 3.2%, respectively; P=1.000), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (12.5% vs 0%, respectively; P=0.113), or mortality within 90 days (6.3% vs 6.5%, respectively; P=1.000) between the two groups. Preoperative mRS scores (OR=7.34, 95% CI 1.56 to 34.5; P=0.02) and ER (OR=0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.58; P<0.01) were significantly associated with outcome. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that patients with SDIS (mRS score 3-5) with smaller infarct cores and better collateral circulation can benefit from non-acute ER, with no additional perioperative complications or mortality.

Molecularly imprinted polymers enhanced peroxidase-like activity of AuNPs for determination of glutathione.

An elaborate composite of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)@silica dioxide (SiO2) was designed and prepared for real-time colorimetric determination of glutathione (GSH) in serum. Firstly, the MIPs were synthesized on the surface of SiO2 utilizing GSH as template molecules. Then, AuNPs were synthesized on the surface of MIPs@SiO2 to produce a composite of MIPs modified by AuNPs@SiO2. Compared with plain AuNPs, the composite possessed better peroxidase catalysis activity due to stabilization and protection from hydrophilic SiO2, which can catalyze H2O2 to·OH oxidizing 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to the colored product. In addition, its selectivity was enhanced by MIP modification with special recognition cavities. With the composite as the sensor, GSH was precisely and sensitively detected in the range 5 ~ 40 µM with a limit of determination of 1.16 µM according to the principle of inhibitive peroxidase catalysis activity by GSH. The proposed colorimetric detection was successfully utilized for selective, convenient, and rapid determination of GSH in serum. It provided a new strategy for drug real-time monitoring and has high potential in clinical drug analysis.

Predictors of ischemic events in patients with unilateral extracranial vertebral artery dissection: A single-center exploratory study.

Objective: Extracranial vertebral artery dissection (EVAD) is one of the main causes of stroke in young and middle-aged patients. However, the diagnosis is challenging. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of EVAD on color duplex ultrasonography (CDU) and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (hrMRI), hoping to improve the accuracy and determine the relative contribution of vessel findings and clinical factors to acute ischemic events. Methods: Patients with unilateral EVAD were recruited and divided into ischemia and non-ischemia groups. Clinical features of patients and the lesion location; a variety of signs which indicate dissection, including the presence of an intimal flap, double lumen, intramural hematoma, dissecting aneurysm, intraluminal thrombus, and irregular lumen; and other quantitative parameters of each dissected segment on CDU and hrMRI were reviewed, respectively. Multiple logistic regression was performed to explore the association between clinical, imaging characteristics, and ischemic events in patients with unilateral EVAD. Results: Ninety-six patients with unilateral EVAD who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled during a six-year period. Overall, 41 cases (42.7%) were confirmed as ischemic stroke (n = 40) or transient ischemic attack (n = 1) during the 48 h after the onset of symptoms. Men, infections during the last week, and smoking were more common in the ischemia group. Intraluminal thrombus and occlusion on CDU were more prevalent in patients with cerebral ischemia than in those without (36.6 vs. 5.5%; p < 0.001, and 39.0 vs. 9.1%; p = 0.001, respectively). On hrMRI, intraluminal thrombus and occlusion were also more frequent in the ischemia group than in the non-ischemia group (34.1 vs. 5.5%; p < 0.001, and 34.1 vs. 9.1%; p = 0.003, respectively). In addition, lesion length on hrMRI was significantly longer for patients with ischemia (81.5 ± 41.7 vs. 64.7 ± 30.8 mm; p = 0.025). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, male gender, infections during the last week, and the presence of intraluminal thrombus on CDU and hrMRI were independently associated with acute ischemic events. Conclusion: Male sex, infections during the last week, and the presence of intraluminal thrombus due to dissection are associated with an increased risk of ischemic events in patients with unilateral EVAD.

Increased levels of ferritin on admission predicts intensive care unit mortality in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate hyperferritinemia could be a predicting factor of mortality in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: A total of 100 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled and classified into moderate (n = 17), severe (n = 40) and critical groups (n = 43). Clinical information and laboratory results were collected and the concentrations of ferritin were compared among different groups. The association between ferritin and mortality was evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Moreover, the efficiency of the predicting value was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The amount of ferritin was significantly higher in critical group compared with moderate and severe groups. The median of ferritin concentration was about three times higher in death group than survival group (1722.25 µg/L vs. 501.90 µg/L, p < 0.01). The concentration of ferritin was positively correlated with other inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that ferritin was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. Especially, high-ferritin group was associated with higher incidence of mortality, with adjusted odds ratio of 104.97 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.63-4185.89; p = 0.013]. Moreover, ferritin had an advantage of discriminative capacity with the area under ROC (AUC) of 0.822 (95% CI 0.737-0.907) higher than procalcitonin and CRP. CONCLUSION: The ferritin measured at admission may serve as an independent factor for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 in ICU.

ANTECEDENTES: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si la hiperferritinemia podría ser un factor predictivo de la mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados con enfermedad por coronavirus de 2019 (COVID-19). MÉTODOS: Se incluyó un total de 100 pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19 en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI), clasificándose como grupos moderado (n = 17), grave (n = 40) y crítico (n = 43). Se recopiló la información clínica y de laboratorio, comparándose los niveles de ferritina entre los diferentes grupos. Se evaluó la asociación entre ferritina y mortalidad mediante un análisis de regresión logística. Además, se evaluó la eficacia del valor predictivo utilizando la curva ROC (receiver operating characteristic). RESULTADOS: La cantidad de ferritina fue significativamente superior en el grupo de pacientes críticos en comparación con el grupo de pacientes graves. La media de concentración de ferritina fue cerca de 3 veces superior en el grupo de muerte que en el grupo de supervivientes (1.722,25 µg/L vs. 501,90 µg/L, p < 0,01). La concentración de ferritina guardó una correlación positiva con otras citoquinas inflamatorias tales como interleucina (IL)-8, IL-10, proteína C reactiva (PRC) y factor de necrosis tumoral (TNF)-α. El análisis de regresión logística demostró que la ferritina era un factor predictivo independiente de la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. En especial, el grupo de ferritina alta estuvo asociado a una mayor incidencia de la mortalidad, con un valor de odds ratio ajustado de 104,97 [intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95% 2,63-4.185,89; p = 0,013]. Además, el valor de ferritina tuvo una ventaja de capacidad discriminativa en el área bajo la curva ROC (AUC) de 0,822 (IC 95% 0,737-0,907] superior al de procalcitonina y PRC. CONCLUSIÓN: El valor de ferritina medido durante el ingreso puede servir de factor independiente para prevenir la mortalidad intrahospitalaria en los pacientes de COVID-19 en la UCI.

[Increased levels of ferritin on admission predicts intensive care unit mortality in patients with COVID-19]. / El incremento de ferritina sérica durante el ingreso predice la mortalidad de los pacientes de COVID-19 en Cuidados Intensivos.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate hyperferritinemia could be a predicting factor of mortality in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: A total of 100 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled and classified into moderate (n=17), severe (n=40) and critical groups (n=43). Clinical information and laboratory results were collected and the concentrations of ferritin were compared among different groups. The association between ferritin and mortality was evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Moreover, the efficiency of the predicting value was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The amount of ferritin was significantly higher in critical group compared with moderate and severe groups. The median of ferritin concentration was about three times higher in death group than survival group (1722.25µg/L vs. 501.90µg/L, p<0.01). The concentration of ferritin was positively correlated with other inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that ferritin was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. Especially, high-ferritin group was associated with higher incidence of mortality, with adjusted odds ratio of 104.97 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.63-4185.89; p=0.013]. Moreover, ferritin had an advantage of discriminative capacity with the area under ROC (AUC) of 0.822 (95% CI 0.737-0.907) higher than procalcitonin and CRP. CONCLUSION: The ferritin measured at admission may serve as an independent factor for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 in ICU.

Two-way magnetic resonance tuning and enhanced subtraction imaging for non-invasive and quantitative biological imaging.

Distance-dependent magnetic resonance tuning (MRET) technology enables the sensing and quantitative imaging of biological targets in vivo, with the advantage of deep tissue penetration and fewer interactions with the surroundings as compared with those of fluorescence-based Förster resonance energy transfer. However, applications of MRET technology in vivo are currently limited by the moderate contrast enhancement and stability of T1-based MRET probes. Here we report a new two-way magnetic resonance tuning (TMRET) nanoprobe with dually activatable T1 and T2 magnetic resonance signals that is coupled with dual-contrast enhanced subtraction imaging. This integrated platform achieves a substantially improved contrast enhancement with minimal background signal and can be used to quantitatively image molecular targets in tumours and to sensitively detect very small intracranial brain tumours in patient-derived xenograft models. The high tumour-to-normal tissue ratio offered by TMRET in combination with dual-contrast enhanced subtraction imaging provides new opportunities for molecular diagnostics and image-guided biomedical applications.

Apparent diffusion coefficient values in differential diagnosis and prognostic prediction of solitary of fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (WHOII) and atypical meningioma.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to distinguish solitary of fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC) from atypical meningioma (AM) by conventional imaging.As far as we know,diffusion weighting imaging may identify them effectively. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values to distinguish and predict prognosis of solitary of fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC) (WHOII) and atypical meningioma (AM). METHODS: Preoperative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of 30 cases with histopathologic and immunhistochemical testified SFT/HPC WHOII (n= 11) and AM (n= 19) were performed retrospectively. The ADC values of lesion, peritumoral edema, normal white matter and lesion NADC ratio (lesion ADC values/ADC values of normal white matter (NWN ADC)) were compared. The immunhistochemical markers (Ki-67, CD34, Vim, EMA, GFAP, S-100, PR, CD56) were compared. The correlation between the ADC values and Ki-67 index was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean lesion ADC values of SFT/HPC (1.15 ± 0.04 × 10-3 mm2/s) was significantly higher than that of AM (0.80 ± 0.04 × 10-3 mm2/s) (t= 23.824, p< 0.05). The mean NADC ratio was lower for AM (1.03 ± 0.06) compared with SFT/HPC (1.51 ± 0.05) (t= 23.105, p< 0.05). The mean edema ADC for SFT/HPC (1.47 ± 0.06 × 10-3 mm2/s) was lower compared with AM (1.68 ± 0.05 × 10-3 mm2/s) (t=-9.926, p< 0.05 ). There was no statistical difference between the two groups of NWM ADC (t=-1.475, p> 0.05) . The mean Ki-67 of SFT/HPC (7.18 ± 2.60%) was lower than the mean Ki-67 of AM (13.58 ± 4.50%) (t=-4.934, p< 0.05). The CD34 showed statistically differences between two groups (X2= 13.659, p< 0.05). The EMA also showed statistically differences between two groups (X2= 4.474, p< 0.05). Vim,GFAP, S-100, PR, CD56 showed no statistical difference in the two group (p> 0.05). The pearson analysis indicated that there was a negative correlation between lesion ADC and Ki-67 in SFT/HPC group (r=-0.770, p< 0.05) and AM group (r=-0.727, p< 0.05). There was also a negative correlation between lesion NADC ratio and Ki-67 in SFT/HPC group (r=-0.673, p< 0.05) and AM group (r=-0.707, p< 0.05). There was a positive correlation between edema ADC and Ki-67 in SFT/HPC group (r= 0.819, p< 0.05) and AM group (r= 0.942, p< 0.05). Furthermore,there was no correlation between NWM A DC and Ki-67 in SFT/HPC group (r=-0.403, p> 0.05) and AM group (r= 0.202, p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The lesion ADC, lesion NADC ratio and edema ADC can distinguish the SFT/HPC WHO II from AM and be helpful to predict prognosis of the two tumors before operation. Further more, histopathologic and immunhistochemical can make a definite diagnosis of the two tumors.

Novel redox-responsive polymeric magnetosomes with tunable magnetic resonance property for in vivo drug release visualization and dual-modal cancer therapy.

Monitoring of in vivo drug release from nan by non-invasive approaches Remains very challenging. Herein we report on novel redox-responsive polymeric magnetosomes (PolyMags) with tunable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) properties for in vivo drug release monitoring and effective dual-modal cancer therapy. The encapsulation of doxorubicin (DOX) significantly decreased PolyMags' T2 contrast enhancement and transverse relaxation rate R2, depending on the drug loading level. The T2 enhancement and R2 could be recovered once the drug was released upon PolyMags' disassembly. T2 & T2* MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were utilized to quantitatively study the correlation between MRI signal changes and drug release, and discover the MR tuning mechanisms. We visualized the in vivo drug release pattern based on such tunable MRI capability via monitoring the changes in T2-weighted images, T2 & T2* maps and R2 & R2* values. Interestingly, the PolyMags possessed excellent photothermal effect, which could be further enhanced upon DOX loading. The PolyMags were highly efficacious to treat breast tumors on xenograft model with tumor-targeted photothermal-and chemo-therapy, achieving a complete cure rate of 66.7%. The concept reported here is generally applicable to other micellar and liposomal systems for image-guided drug delivery & release applications toward precision cancer therapy.

5­aza­2'­deoxycytidine promotes migration of acute monocytic leukemia cells via activation of CCL2­CCR2­ERK signaling pathway.

5-aza­2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza) has been approved for clinical use in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell differentiation by demethylating various genes, including tumor suppressor genes, transcription factors, and genes encoding cell cycle inhibitors. Although it has demonstrated efficacy in the clinic, drug resistance following 5­Aza treatment occurs. Cell migration and invasion following 5­Aza treatment are considered to be the key factors underlying drug resistance; however, there is currently limited information regarding the detailed mechanisms involved. In the present study, the THP­1 monocytic leukemia cell line was employed. The anti­leukemic functions of 5­Aza in THP­1 cells were first investigated. The results demonstrated that 5­Aza induced differentiation and inhibited THP­1 cell growth. Notably, 5­Aza significantly promoted THP­1 cell migration. Using reverse transcription­polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and enzyme­linked immunosorbent assay analyses, 5­Aza treatment was observed to upregulate the expression of chemokine (C­C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and C­C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) in THP­1 cells. In addition, the results demonstrated that CCL2 induced extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation by CCR2 in 5­Aza­treated THP­1 cells. Treatment with a CCR2 or ERK inhibitor inhibited the 5­Aza­induced increase in THP­1 cell migration. In conclusion, the results of the present study provide an insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the 5­Aza­induced increase in THP­1 cell migration, as well as a potential strategy to overcome drug resistance in AML therapy.

Active targeting theranostic iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound ablation of lung cancer.

Despite its great promise in non-invasive treatment of cancers, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is currently limited by the insensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for visualization of small tumors, low efficiency of in vivo ultrasonic energy deposition, and damage to surrounding tissues. We hereby report the development of an active targeting nano-sized theranostic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) platform for significantly increasing the imaging sensitivity and energy deposition efficiency using a clinical MRgFUS system. The surfaces of these PEGylated SPIO nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated with anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for targeted delivery to lung cancer with EGFR overexpression. The potential of these targeted nano-theranostic agents for MRI and MRgFUS ablation was evaluated in vitro and in vivo in a rat xenograft model of human lung cancer (H460). Compared with nontargeting PEGylated SPIO NPs, the anti-EGFR mAb targeted PEGylated SPIO NPs demonstrated better targeting capability to H460 tumor cells and greatly improved the MRI contrast at the tumor site. Meanwhile, this study showed that the targeting NPs, as synergistic agents, could significantly enhance the efficiency for in vivo ultrasonic energy deposition in MRgFUS. Moreover, we demonstrated that a series of MR methods including T2-weighted image (T2WI), T1-weighted image (T1WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and contrast-enhanced T1WI imaging, could be utilized to noninvasively and conveniently monitor the therapeutic efficacy in rat models by MRgFUS.

Cultivar variation in morphological response of peanut roots to cadmium stress and its relation to cadmium accumulation.

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that root morphology may play a crucial role in the variation in Cd accumulation among peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars. The biomass, Cd accumulation and root morphology of five peanut cultivars were determined under 2 and 20µM CdCl2 in a hydroponic experiment. Excess Cd considerably decreased the root lengths (RL), surface area (SA), specific root length (SRL) and number of root tips, but increased the root diameters (RD). Cd-induced decreases in RL and SA were significant in the 0-0.2 and 0.2-0.4mm diameter classes. Peanut cultivars differ in Cd accumulation and root morphological parameters. A positive correlation was observed between RL and Cd amount in shoots. RD negatively correlated to Cd concentrations in roots and shoots. Positive correlations were also found between RL vs. shoot Cd concentration, SA vs. Cd amount in shoots, SRL vs. root Cd concentration, SRL vs. shoot Cd concentration, and SRL vs. Cd amount in shoots. The fine roots play a crucial role in determining Cd accumulation in peanut plants. Cultivars with more fine roots in their root system (i.e. Haihua 1 and Zhenghong 3) have high capability of Cd accumulation.