Effects of dietary hydrolyzed yeast (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) on growth performance, immune response, antioxidant capacity and histomorphology of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

An 8 weeks feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with hydrolyzed yeast (HY) (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) on growth performance, hematological parameters, immune response and antioxidant ability of juvenile Nile tilapia. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (32% protein and 4% lipid) with different levels (0%, 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%) of HY were formulated. Each diet was randomly assigned to quadruplicate groups of fish (initial body weight 19.1 ±â€¯0.01 g). Results indicated that significantly higher specific growth rate (SGR) and lower feed conversion rate (FCR) were obtained in fish fed 1% HY diet than that of fish fed 0% HY diet (P < 0.05). Fish fed 0.25% HY diet showed the lowest value of hepatopancreas somatic indices (HSI) and significantly lower than that of fish fed 0% HY diet (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, protein and ash in the whole-body content of fish fed 1% HY diet was significantly higher than that of fish fed 0%-0.5% HY diets. Serum immunological parameters showed that the lysozyme (LZM) activity and Complement C3 content were significantly increased by dietary supplementation of 0.5%-1% HY (P < 0.05). However, dietary supplementation with 0.125%-1% HY significantly decreased the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) (P < 0.05). Antioxidant status in serum and liver was significantly enhanced by dietary supplementation of 0.25%-1% HY through the remarkably improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity both in serum and liver, the raised total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) of serum as well as the notably reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver (P < 0.05). However, T-AOC in the liver was not significantly influenced among all diet treatments (P > 0.05). Villi height and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEFs) of mid-intestine were significantly higher in fish fed 0.5%-1% HY diets (P < 0.05). The challenge test demonstrated the enhanced protection against Streptococcus iniae strain by the obtained higher cumulative survival rate. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1% HY could maintain the better growth performance, nutrient composition as well as immune response and antioxidant capacity for juvenile Nile tilapia.

Whole-lesion histogram analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient: Evaluation of the correlation with subtypes of mucinous breast carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of the whole-lesion histogram apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for characterizing the heterogeneity of mucinous breast carcinoma (MBC) and to determine which ADC metrics may help to best differentiate subtypes of MBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved 52 MBC patients, including 37 pure MBC (PMBC) and 15 mixed MBC (MMBC). The PMBC patients were subtyped into PMBC-A (20 cases) and PMBC-B (17 cases) groups. All patients underwent preoperative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at 1.5T and the whole-lesion ADC assessments were generated. Histogram-derived ADC parameters were compared between PMBC vs. MMBC and PMBC-A vs. PMBC-B, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine optimal histogram parameters for differentiating these groups. RESULTS: The PMBC group exhibited significantly higher ADC values for the mean (P = 0.004), 25th (P = 0.004), 50th (P = 0.004), 75th (P = 0.006), and 90th percentiles (P = 0.013) and skewness (P = 0.021) than did the MMBC group. The 25th percentile of ADC values achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC) (0.792), with a cutoff value of 1.345 × 10-3 mm2 /s, in distinguishing PMBC and MMBC. The PMBC-A group showed significantly higher ADC values for the mean (P = 0.049), 25th (P = 0.015), and 50th (P = 0.026) percentiles and skewness (P = 0.004) than did the PMBC-B group. The 25th percentile of the ADC cutoff value (1.476 × 10-3 mm2 /s) demonstrated the best AUC (0.837) among the ADC values for distinguishing PMBC-A and PMBC-B. CONCLUSION: Whole-lesion ADC histogram analysis enables comprehensive evaluation of an MBC in its entirety and differentiating subtypes of MBC. Thus, it may be a helpful and supportive tool for conventional MRI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:391-400.

Inhibition of AURKA kinase activity suppresses collective invasion in a microfluidic cell culture platform.

Tumor local invasion is the first step of metastasis cascade which remains the key obstacle for cancer therapy. Collective cell migration plays a critical role in tumor invading into surrounding tissues. In vitro assays fail to assess collective invasion in a real time manner. Herein we aim to develop a three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic cell invasion model to determine the dynamic process. In this model, collective invasion of breast cancer cells is induced by the concentration gradient of fetal bovine serum. We find that breast cancer cells adopt a collective movement rather than a random manner when the cells invade into extracellular matrix. The leading cells in the collective movement exhibit an increased expression of an Aurora kinase family protein - AURKA compared with the follower cells. Inhibition of AURKA kinase activity by VX680 or AKI603 significantly reduces the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204) and collective cohort formation. Together, our study illustrates that AURKA acts as a potential therapeutic target for suppressing the process of tumor collective invasion. The 3D microfluidic cell invasion model is a reliable, measurable and dynamic platform for exploring potential drugs to inhibit tumor collective invasion.

Exposure rate of unwrapped hydroxyapatite orbital implants in enucleation surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To document the long-term exposure rate of unwrapped coralline hydroxyapatite (HA) orbital implants and explore possible risk factors. DESIGN: This retrospective case series (May 2008-April 2013) reviewed the 234 patients with anophthalmia who underwent insertion of an unwrapped HA orbital implant by one of two different surgical closing techniques. RESULTS: Of the 234 cases, 151 underwent a rectus end-to-end suturing closure technique and 83 underwent a rectus orthotopic suturing closure technique. The time of follow-up ranged from 25 months to 69 months (mean 41.9 months). Implant exposure developed in 11 cases. Three in the rectus end-to-end suturing closure group (2.0%) and eight in the rectus orthotopic suturing closure group (9.6%). In the rectus end-to-end suturing technique, a crosswise fixation of vascularised rectus muscle tissue is formed across the front of the implant; in this group the incidence of implant exposure was reduced (OR=8.11, p=0.013). Prior ocular surgery was found to be a factor increasing the incidence of HA exposure (OR=2.73, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: The placement of an unwrapped HA orbital implant with rectus end-to-end suturing in enucleation surgery was associated with a low rate of exposure in most cases. The end-to-end suturing creates a joint-like structure over the HA sphere, protecting the Tenon's capsule and conjunctiva from its rough surface and reducing the risk of implant exposure. Prior ocular surgery may be another risk factor for HA exposure.

Multidetector Computed Tomography Features in Differentiating Exophytic Renal Angiomyolipoma from Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: A Strobe-Compliant Observational Study.

This study aims to evaluate the multidetector computed tomography (CT) imaging features in differentiating exophytic renal angiomyolipoma (AML) from retroperitoneal liposarcoma. We retrospectively enrolled 42 patients with confirmed exophytic renal AML (31 patients) or retroperitoneal liposarcoma (11 patients) during 8 years period to assess: renal parenchymal defect at site of tumor contact, supply from branches of renal artery, tumoral vessel extending through the renal parenchyma, dilated intratumoral vessels, hemorrhage, non-fat-containing intratumoral nodules with postcontrast enhancement, calcification, renal sinus enlargement, anterior displacement of kidneys, and other associated AML. Renal parenchymal defect, renal arterial blood supply, tumoral vessel through the renal parenchyma, dilated intratumoral vessels, intratumoral/perirenal hemorrhage, renal sinus enlargement, and associated AML were seen only or mainly in exophytic renal AML (all P value < 0.05); however, non-fat-attenuating enhancing intratumoral nodules, intratumoral calcification, and anterior displacement of the kidney were more common in liposarcoma (all P value < 0.05). AMLs reveal renal parenchymal defect at the site of tumor contact, supply from renal artery, tumoral vessel extending through the renal parenchyma, dilated intratumoral vessels, intratumoral and/or perirenal hemorrhage, renal sinus enlargement, and associated AML. Non-fat-attenuating enhancing intratumoral nodules, intratumoral calcifications, and anterior displacement of kidney were more commonly seen in liposarcoma.

Clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors of malignant eyelid tumors.

AIM: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with malignant eyelid tumors. METHODS: This was a retrospective, non-randomized, clinical reviews. Between January, 2002 and December, 2011, 75 cases with histologically confirmed malignant eyelid tumors were evaluated. Patients' charts were reviewed for clinical information, treatment procedure, and disease course. Survival analysis in terms of recurrence-free survival was performed using age, sex, location of tumor and histopathological type. The follow-up ranged from 1 to 78 months (mean=21 months). RESULTS: The 75 eyelid tumors included 35 basal cell carcinoma (BCC, 46.7%), 22 sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC, 29.3%), 7 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, 9.3%), 10 malignant melanoma (MM, 13.3%), and 1 Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC, 1.3%). Recurrence developed in 17 cases (22.7%). The recurrence rate of BCC (4/35, 11.4%) was significant lower than MM (6/10, 60.0%, P<0.001). The mean interval of recurrence was 21 months (range 3-62) for all eyelid tumors. Tumor located at canthus had higher recurrence rate (50%) compared with those located at eyelid (19%, P<0.05). Histological type was independent variable for recurrence by Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSION: It is important to achieve a negative tumor margin in canthus located malignant eyelid tumor. Clinicians should have a high level of suspicion for recurrence according to histological type when treating patients with eyelid tumor.