Dual elastography to discriminate adjacent stages of fibrosis and inflammation in chronic hepatitis B: A prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual elastography (dual-elasto) in continuous differentiation of liver fibrosis and inflammation in a large prospective cohort of patients with chronic HBV. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Adults with positive HBsAg for at least 6 months were recruited from 12 medical centers. Participants underwent dual-elasto evaluations. Biopsy was performed 3 days after dual-elasto examination. Four logistic regression models were trained and strung together into series models. Decision trees based on the series models were performed to achieve continuous differentiation of liver fibrosis and inflammation. The influence of inflammation on the fibrosis stage was also evaluated. A total of 560 patients were included in the training set and 240 in the validation set. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the series model were 0.82, 0.86, 0.93, and 0.96 to predict ≥F1, ≥F2, ≥F3, and F4 in the validation set, which were significantly higher than those of serum markers and shear wave elastography (all p < 0.05), except for the ≥ F1 levels ( p = 0.09). The AUCs of the series model were 0.93, 0.86, 0.95, and 0.84 to predict inflammation stages ≥G1, ≥G2, ≥G3, and G4, respectively. Decision trees realized 5 continuous classifications of fibrosis and inflammation. Inflammation could enhance the mild fibrosis stage classification while showing limited influences on severe fibrosis or cirrhosis diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Dual-elasto demonstrated high performance in the continuous discrimination of fibrosis and inflammation in patients with HBV and could be used to diagnose mild fibrosis without the influence of inflammation.

Rapid time-lapse 3D oxygen tension measurements within hydrogels using widefield frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FD-FLIM) and image segmentation.

Understanding the influence of oxygen tension on cellular functions and behaviors is crucial for investigating various physiological and pathological conditions. In vitro cell culture models, particularly those based on hydrogel extracellular matrices, have been developed to study cellular responses in specific oxygen microenvironments. However, accurately characterizing oxygen tension variations with great spatiotemporal resolutions, especially in three dimensions, remains challenging. This paper presents an approach for rapid time-lapse 3D oxygen tension measurements in hydrogels using a widely available inverted fluorescence microscope. Oxygen-sensitive fluorescent microbeads and widefield frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FD-FLIM) are utilized for oxygen tension estimation. To incorporate the third dimension, a motorized sample stage is implanted that enables automated image acquisition in the vertical direction. A machine learning algorithm based on K-means clustering is employed for microbead position identification. Using an upside-down microfluidic device, 3D oxygen gradients are generated within a hydrogel sample, and z-stack images are acquired using the FD-FLIM system. Analyses of the acquired images, involving microbead position identification, lifetime calculation, and oxygen tension conversion, are then performed offline. The results demonstrate the functionality of the developed approach for rapid time-lapse 3D oxygen tension measurements in hydrogels. Furthermore, the 3D oxygen tension adjacent to a tumor spheroid within a hydrogel during media exchange is characterized. The results further confirm that the 3D spatiotemporal oxygen tension profiles can be successfully measured quantitatively using the established setup and analysis process and that the approach may have great potential for investigating cellular activities within oxygen microenvironments.

Study 3D Endothelial Cell Network Formation under Various Oxygen Microenvironment and Hydrogel Composition Combinations Using Upside-Down Microfluidic Devices.

Formation of 3D networks is a crucial process for endothelial cells during development of primary blood vessels under both normal and pathological conditions. In order to investigate effects of oxygen microenvironment and matrix composition on the 3D network formation, an upside-down microfluidic cell culture device capable of generating oxygen gradients is developed in this paper. In cell experiments, network formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) within fibrinogen-based hydrogels with different concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) is systematically studied. In addition, five different oxygen microenvironments (uniform normoxia, 5%, and 1% O2 ; oxygen gradients under normoxia and 5% O2 ) are also applied for the cell culture. The generated oxygen gradients are characterized based on fluorescence lifetime measurements. The experimental results show increased 3D cell network length when the cells are cultured under the oxygen gradients within the hydrogels with the HA addition suggesting their roles in promoting network formation. Furthermore, the formed networks tend to align along the direction of the oxygen gradients indicating the presence of gradient-driven cellular response. The results demonstrate that the developed upside-down microfluidic device can provide an advanced platform to investigate 3D cell culture under the controlled oxygen microenvironments for various biomedical studies in vitro.

Effects of Temperature and Moisture on Conidia Germination, Infection, and Acervulus Formation of the Apple Marssonina Leaf Blotch Pathogen (Diplocarpon mali) in China.

Apple Marssonina leaf blotch (AMLB; Diplocarpon mali) is a severe disease of apple that mainly causes premature leaf defoliation in many apple growing areas worldwide. AMLB epidemic development is closely related to temperature and rainfall. In this study, the effects of temperature and moisture on conidium germination, infection on leaves, and acervulus production were investigated under controlled environments. The temperature required for conidium germination and infection ranged from 5 to 30°C, with the optimum at approximately 23°C. The temperature required for acervulus formation was slightly higher, with the optimum at 24.6°C. Wetness was needed in order for conidia to germinate and infect; only a few conidia germinated at 100% RH. However, lesions can produce acervuli in dry conditions. The minimum duration of leaf wetness required for conidia to complete the entire infection process was 14, 8, 4, and 6 h at 10, 15, 20, and 25°C, respectively. A model describing the effect of temperature and leaf wetness duration was built. The model estimated that the optimum temperature for conidial infection was 22.6°C and the minimum wetness duration required was 4.8 h. This model can be used to forecast D. mali conidial infection to assist in disease management in commercial apple production.

Widefield frequency domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FD-FLIM) for accurate measurement of oxygen gradients within microfluidic devices.

An oxygen gradient is a key variable influencing various biological activities in vivo, such as tissue repair and tumor growth. To study the phenomenon, in vitro cell studies using microfluidic devices capable of generating oxygen gradients have been developed recently. However, it is challenging to accurately measure the gradient profiles in devices. The traditional fluorescence intensity-based method suffers from the difficulty of accurate measurement due to background fluorescence artefacts. In addition, it is hard to obtain accurate calibration conditions because of the difficulties to achieve a fully depleted and saturated oxygen concentrations in the devices. To overcome these difficulties, a widefield frequency domain fluorescence imaging microscopy (FD-FLIM) system was constructed and utilized to accurately measure oxygen gradient profiles in a microfluidic device in this paper. Since lifetime-based measurements do not solely depend on intensity variations, oxygen calibration processes are amiable and the measured oxygen concentrations can be more accurate. The performance of the FD-FLIM system was validated by comparing the experimental and simulation results in microfluidic devices with different geometries. The experimental results show that the oxygen gradients generated from the chemical reaction method can provide more hypoxic oxygen conditions compared to the gradients created by the gas flowing method. Owing to the advantages provided by the widefield microscopy technique, the image acquisition time can be significantly reduced resulting in less photobleaching for time-lapsed imaging applications. Consequently, the measurement technique developed in this paper is an efficient tool, which can greatly help scientists to better study biological activities under various oxygen conditions.

Clinical characteristics of poly-drug abuse among heroin dependents and association with other psychopathology in compulsory isolation treatment settings in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical characteristics and associations of polydrug abuse among heroin-dependent patients in compulsory isolation settings in China. METHODS: Structured interviews were conducted in 882 heroin-dependent patients in two compulsory isolation settings in Changsha, China. Descriptive statistics were employed to report prevalence and general information of polydrug abuse among the participants. Bivariate associations were examined between polydrug abuse and variables regarding demographics, heroin use profile and psychopathology. Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to determine independent factors associated with polydrug abuse. RESULTS: Of all the participants, 40.6% reported abuse of/dependence on at least one other type of drug/alcohol than heroin/opioids during the month preceding admission, with benzodiazepines and alcohol being the most common type of drugs abused apart from heroin. Antisocial and depressive personality disorders, as well as more severe heroin use patterns, including younger age at initiate use and larger amount used per day, were found to be independently associated with polydrug abuse. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of polydrug abuse and its associated severe heroin use patterns and personality disorders suggests an urgent need of promoting treatment policies and strategies for heroin patients in China to address these issues.

Estimating HIV Incidence Rates among MSM in an Urban Area of Chongqing Using Three Approaches.

To evaluate the HIV pandemic in Chongqing, the pooled PCR, IgG-capture BED enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA), and cohort observations were used to estimate the HIV incidences among men who have sex with men (MSM). 617 MSM subjects completed the survey at a voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) site. The observed HIV incidence was 12.5 per 100 P-Ys (95% CI = 9.1-15.7). The annual acute HIV infection (AHI) incidence estimated by pooled PCR was 14.0% (95% CI = 10.9-17.1). The HIV-1 annual incidence estimated based on the BED-CEIA was 12.0% (95% CI = 7.5-16.5). The HIV incidences estimated by these three approaches were consistent and complementary. The HIV incidence rates were alarmingly high with an uptrend among the urban MSM of Chongqing.

[The Effect of Emulsified Sevofluran on Muscular Relaxation through Selective Blockage of Peripheral Nerves].

OBJECTIVES: To identify the site that emulsified sevoflurane influences in the nerve system. METHODS: Thirty-six healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly and equally divided into low concentration emulsified sevoflurane group [4 mL/(kg·h)], medium concentration [6 mL/(kg·h)]group, high concentration group[10 mL/(kg·h)]and intralipid control group. Emulsified sevoflurane was infused through arterial to selectively block peripheral nerves, neuro-muscular junctions and muscle fibers. The anterior tibial muscle resting tensions and muscle contraction forces were compared before and after the infusions. RESULTS: Significant differences of blood sevoflurane pressure between femoral veins and internal jugular veins appeared in rabbits in all the groups ( P<0.05). No significant changes in the resting tension of anterior tibia muscles were found in terms of single contractions and tetanic forces with the low and medium levels of infusion of sevoflurane compared to the base values. High level of infusion of sevoflurane resulted in decreased single contraction forces and tetanic forces of anterior tibia muscles ( P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A rabbit model with selective blockage of peripheral nerves was established. Peripheral nerves are not the primary site which low and medium levels of emulsified sevoflurane influence skeletal muscle relaxations.

[Emulsified Sevoflurane Selectively Blocking Spinal Cord and Brain in Rabbit Model].

OBJECTIVES: To establish the rabbits model of selectively anesthetized brain and spinal cord and to explore the skeletal muscle relaxation sites of sevoflurane. METHODS: Sixteen adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to the experiment. The upper torso systemic circulation and the lower torso bypass circulation were independently established by the ligation of thoracic aorta at T12-L1 level. Sevoflurane was administered to the upper or lower torso through lungs or oxygenator to selectively anesthetized brain or spinal cord (mainly lumbar and sacro-coccygeal region). Sevoflurane concentration from end-tidal (represented the brain) and oxygenator outlet (represented the spinal cord) was measured by an anesthetic gas analyzer. The concentration and partial pressure of sevoflurane in carotid artery (represented the brain) and abdominal aorta (represented the spinal cord) were determined using a gas chromatograph with the two-stage headspace equilibration method. RESULTS: When 1.5 mininum alveolar concentration (MAC) sevoflurane was administrated via lungs, the concentration and partial pressure of sevoflurane in the carotid artery were significantly higher than those in the abdominal aorta (P<0.05), with the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration higher than that of oxygenator outlet ( P<0.05), which indicated sevoflurane concentration and partial pressure in brain were higher than those in spinal cord. When 1.5 MAC sevoflurane was delivered via oxygenator,the indicators were conversed ( P<0.05), which indicated sevoflurane concentration and partial pressure in spinal cord were higher than those in brain. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the unique blood supply to the spinal cord of New Zealand white rabbits, we successfully established selectively anesthetized brain and spinal cord rabbit models.

Effective Management of Acute Oral Chemical Burns After NaOH Ingestion: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Chemical burns in the oral cavity, although rare, cause more severe tissue damage than thermal burns, continuing tissue destruction even after removing the causative substance. Prompt identification of the substance, exposure extent, time from injury to treatment, and the injured area are imperative for effective management. This report details severe oral burns in an elderly woman from accidental NaOH ingestion. CASE REPORT A 70-year-old female patient was presented to our hospital approximately 15 h after inadvertent consumption of approximately 20 ml of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) solution. This incident led to oral discomfort and restricted mouth opening. The ingested solution, erroneously assumed to be a beverage, was later identified as a potent alkaline substance typically employed in grease removal. Initial manifestations included intense burning sensation, oral edema, and heightened salivation, which exacerbated on the following day, adversely impacting her alimentation and verbal communication. Clinical examination disclosed extensive damage to the oral mucosa. The diagnosis encompassed a chemical burn in the oral cavity coupled with chronic gastritis. The treatment regimen comprised dietary limitations, administration of famotidine for gastric acid suppression, intravenous hydration, nutritional support, oral care with Kangfuxin liquid, and nebulization therapy. Six months after therapy, she exhibited complete recovery, with the absence of discomfort and restored normal oral functions. CONCLUSIONS Timely and targeted treatment strategies, particularly nebulization medication and Kangfuxin liquid, are effective in managing chemical burns in the oral cavity, promoting wound healing, and preventing complications.

Role of antibiotics in Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy for Grade III to IV Hemorrhoids: A randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This study was mainly to compare the safety and long-term clinical efficacy of using intravenous antibiotics in Milligan Morgan hemorrhoidectomy for Grade III to IV Prolapsing Hemorrhoids. METHODS: This was a parallel group, 3-arm, randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous prophylactic antibiotics. A total of 150 consecutive patients undergoing Milligan Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MMH) in a tertiary hospital for grade III/IV hemorrhoids from January 2020 to August 2022 were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups using a computer-generated table. Group A did not receive any prophylactic antibiotic, group B received 2 g I/V Cefoxitin Sodium before the induction of anesthesia, and group C received 2 g I/V Cefoxitin Sodium before the induction of anesthesia and 6 h after operation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in measured VAS values on the 1st day,3rd day and 7th day after surgery (p> 0.05). Compared with VAS values on the 1st day postoperatively, these values got decreased on the 3rd day and 7th day after surgery (p< 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference among the first defecation time, wound edema, bleeding, urinary retention after surgery (p> 0.05). There was no significant difference in the outcome comparison between all 3 groups' basal and the 3rd day postoperatively no matter in WBC, NUET% or CRP (p> 0.05). However, compared with basal, the WBC, NUET%,CRP(p< 0.05) of group A and group B on the 3rd day postoperatively got rised, the rate of recurrence of hemorrhoids follow-up for 1 year was 1.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is no efficacy on intravenous prophylactic antibiotics in Milligan Morgan hemorrhoidectomy.

Efficient single-cell oxygen consumption rate characterization based on frequency domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy measurement and microfluidic platform.

Cell metabolism is critical in regulating normal cell functions to maintain energy homeostasis. In order to monitor cell metabolism, the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of cells has been characterized as an important factor. In conventional cell analysis, the cells are characterized in bulk due to technical limitations. However, the heterogeneity between the cells cannot be identified. Therefore, single-cell analysis has been proposed to reveal cellular functions and their heterogeneity. In this research, an approach integrating a microfluidic device and widefield frequency domain fluorescence imaging lifetime microscopy (FD-FLIM) for single-cell OCR characterization in an efficient manner is developed. The microfluidic device provides an efficient platform to trap and isolate single cells in microwells with the buffer saline containing an oxygen-sensitive phosphorescent dye. The oxygen tension variation within the microwells can be efficiently estimated by measuring the fluorescence lifetime change using the FD-FLIM, and the OCR values of the single cells can then be calculated. In the experiments, breast cancer (MCF-7) cells are exploited for the OCR measurement. The results demonstrate the functionality of the developed approach and show the heterogeneity among the cells. The developed approach possesses great potential to advance cellular metabolism studies with single-cell resolution.

Studying sprouting angiogenesis under combination of oxygen gradients and co-culture of fibroblasts using microfluidic cell culture model.

Sprouting angiogenesis is an essential process for expanding vascular systems under various physiological and pathological conditions. In this paper, a microfluidic device capable of integrating a hydrogel matrix for cell culture and generating stable oxygen gradients is developed to study the sprouting angiogenesis of endothelial cells under combinations of oxygen gradients and co-culture of fibroblast cells. The endothelial cells can be cultured as a monolayer endothelium inside the device to mimic an existing blood vessel, and the hydrogel without or with fibroblast cells cultured in it provides a matrix next to the formed endothelium for three-dimensional sprouting of the endothelial cells. Oxygen gradients can be stably established inside the device for cell culture using the spatially-confined chemical reaction method. Using the device, the sprouting angiogenesis under combinations of oxygen gradients and co-culture of fibroblast cells is systematically studied. The results show that the oxygen gradient and the co-culture of fibroblast cells in the hydrogel can promote sprouting of the endothelial cells into the hydrogel matrix by altering cytokines in the culture medium and the physical properties of the hydrogel. The developed device provides a powerful in vitro model to investigate sprouting angiogenesis under various in vivo-like microenvironments.

Genes expression profiling of peripheral blood cells of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage with poor prognosis. Peripheral blood may be useful in cancer classification, and therefore we investigated the gene expression found by Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus2.0 microarray, with samples from nine HCC patients and five healthy NC (normal controls). A total of 726 probe sets showed significant differences based on the criteria of P<0.05 and absolute fold change >2. The genes were related to many biological functions, including immune response, transcription regulation and metabolism processes. Ten genes [IL-8 (interleukin 8), GOS2 (G0 /G1 switch gene 2), CXCR4 (CXC chemokine receptor 4), FOS, RPS24 (40S ribosomal protein S24), HAP90AA1, PFDN5, RPL27, GZMA and PFN1] showing significant differences were confirmed by real-time PCR in 54 HCC patients and 56 healthy NC. Seven genes [IL-8, GOS2, CXCR4, FOS, RPS24, HSP90AA1 (heat shock protein 90AA1) and PFN1] showed significant difference both in RT-PCR (reverse transcription-PCR) and microarray. Expression of IL-8 and FOS proteins was up-regulated in HCC compared with healthy controls. A gene signature in peripheral blood which can distinguish HCC patients and healthy controls may have been identified.

Rectal mature teratoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Rectal mature teratoma is rare and has been reported as a case report in this study. Herein, clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and immunohistochemistry showed a pelvic rectal mature teratoma. The case report and the surgical treatment procedure have been discussed below. CASE SUMMARY: A 29-year-old Chinese female showed up with over a 1-mo history of perianal mass that emerged after defecation. Physical examination indicated that the mass was 4 cm × 3 cm × 3 cm. The intraoperative procedure involved ligation of the sigmoid colon 10 cm above the upper edge of the tumor, followed by ligation of the rectum 3.5 cm above the upper edge of the tumor, and subsequent complete removal of the mass. The histopathology confirmed the mature teratoma. CONCLUSION: The tumor can be completely removed using surgery to prevent its recurrence.

Revealing anisotropic elasticity of endothelium under fluid shear stress.

Endothelium lining interior surface of blood vessels experiences various physical stimulations in vivo. Its physical properties, especially elasticity, play important roles in regulating the physiological functions of vascular systems. In this paper, an integrated approach is developed to characterize the anisotropic elasticity of the endothelium under physiological-level fluid shear stress. A pressure sensor-embedded microfluidic device is developed to provide fluid shear stress on the perfusion-cultured endothelium and to measure transverse in-plane elasticities in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the flow direction. Biological atomic force microscopy (Bio-AFM) is further exploited to measure the vertical elasticity of the endothelium in its out-of-plane direction. The results show that the transverse elasticity of the endothelium in the direction parallel to the perfusion culture flow direction is about 70% higher than that in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction. Moreover, the transverse elasticities of the endothelium are estimated to be approximately 120 times larger than the vertical one. The results indicate the effects of fluid shear stress on the transverse elasticity anisotropy of the endothelium, and the difference between the elasticities in transverse and vertical directions. The quantitative measurement of the endothelium anisotropic elasticity in different directions at the tissue level under the fluid shear stress provides biologists insightful information for the advanced vascular system studies from biophysical and biomaterial viewpoints. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this paper, we take advantage an integrated approach combining microfluidic devices and biological atomic force microscopy (Bio-AFM) to characterize anisotropic elasticities of endothelia with and without fluidic shear stress application. The microfluidic devices are exploited to conduct perfusion cell culture of the endothelial cells, and to estimate the in-plane elasticities of the endothelium in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the shear stress. In addition, the Bio-AFM is utilized for characterization of the endothelium morphology and vertical elasticity. The measurement results demonstrate the very first anisotropic elasticity quantification of the endothelia. Furthermore, the study provides insightful information bridging the microscopic sing cell and macroscopic organ level studies, which can greatly help to advance vascular system research from material perspective.

The value of ultrasound guided laser ablation in papillary thyroid recurrence carcinoma: A retrospective, single center study from China.

Objective: The efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) for treating recurrent papillary thyroid cancer nodules (RPTCNs). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 43 patients with single recurrent thyroid cancer which was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The extent of ablation was assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) 24h after PLA. At baseline (before ablation), 6, and 12 months, and every 6 months thereafter, the following were recorded: nodule maximum diameter, volume reduction rate (VRR), complications, and side effects. Result: All 43 patients were successfully treated with PLA without serious complications. All patients underwent CEUS 24 hours after PLA treatment, and all achieved complete ablation. The success rate of single ablation was 100%. The average follow-up time was 23.47 ± 6.50 months, 12 ~ 36 months. At the last follow-up, 32 (74.4%) ablation lesions disappeared completely and 11 (25.6%) ablation lesions showed scar-like changes. No lymph node metastasis was found during follow-up. The maximum diameter and volume of nodules decreased from 5.1 ± 1.4 mm, 86.22 ± 20.46 mm3 before operation to 0.73 ± 1.1 mm, 1.02 ± 1.92 mm3 at the end of observation (P < 0.01). The average volume reduction rates (VRR) at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months after ablation were 11.92%, 60.64%, 82.26%, 90.96%, 93.7% and 97.79% respectively. No regrowth of treated nodule and distant metastases were detected. One patient (2.3%) had local recurrence and was treated with PLA again. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided PLA appears to be effective and safe for treating unifocal RPTCNs in selected patients who are ineligible for surgery, which is suitable for clinical application and promotion.

Feasible temperature of percutaneous microwave ablation of dog liver abutting the bowel.

PURPOSE: This study used a dog model to determine the optimal temperature of percutaneous microwave ablation that causes complete necrosis of liver but not the adjacent bowel, supporting the use of this method to specifically and effectively treat liver tumour abutting the bowel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of liver abutting the bowel was performed on healthy adult dogs. Temperature of the ablation margin was monitored and controlled through inserted thermal monitoring needles. Dogs were divided into three groups and received microwave ablation at 75-95°C, 65-75°C, or 55-65°C. Imaging and histological examination were used to evaluate the damage of the bowel adjacent to the ablated liver. RESULTS: Within one hour of treatment, the bowel adjacent to the ablated liver was seriously burned in the group receiving 75-95°C microwave ablation. Inflammation and congestion were found in the submucosa of the bowel in the group receiving 65-75°C microwave ablation. Minor inflammation was found in the mucosa of the bowel in the group receiving 55-65°C microwave ablation. Moreover, in the group receiving 55-65°C microwave ablation, ablated liver areas were covered with omenta, and histological examination revealed inflammatory reaction of the omenta 28 days after ablation. CONCLUSIONS: Microwave ablation at 55-65°C for 6 min is preferred for ablation of liver tissue abutting the bowel in dogs. These findings may provide some valuable reference for percutaneous microwave ablation of human liver tumour adjacent to the bowel.

Transwell Insert-Embedded Microfluidic Devices for Time-Lapse Monitoring of Alveolar Epithelium Barrier Function under Various Stimulations.

This paper reports a transwell insert-embedded microfluidic device capable of culturing cells at an air-liquid interface (ALI), mimicking the in vivo alveolar epithelium microenvironment. Integration of a commercially available transwell insert makes the device fabrication straightforward and eliminates the tedious device assembly processes. The transwell insert can later be detached from the device for high-resolution imaging of the cells. In the experiments, the cells showing type-I pneumocyte markers are exploited to construct an in vitro alveolar epithelium model, and four culture conditions including conventional liquid/liquid culture (LLC) and air-liquid interface (ALI) cell culture in normal growth medium, and ALI cell culture with inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) stimulation and ethanol vapor exposure are applied to investigate their effects on the alveolar epithelium barrier function. The barrier permeability is time-lapse monitored using trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement and immunofluorescence staining of the tight junction protein (ZO-1). The results demonstrate the functionalities of the device, and further show the applications and advantages of the constructed in vitro cell models for the lung studies.

Risk factors for depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranges from 10% to 42%, but the diagnosis of depression in patients with COPD is often unrecognized and untreated. Unrecognized depression has major implications for compliance with medical treatment, prolonged lengths of stay, increased frequency of hospital admissions, and increased consultations with primary care physicians. Many studies have attempted to identify risk factors for progression, prognosis and response to therapy in patients with depression. However, few studies have examined the risk factors for depression in patients with COPD, and some results remain controversial. AIM: To identify the potential risk factors to define patients with COPD who are at "high risk" of depression. METHODS: The clinical data of 293 patients with COPD were reviewed from January 2017 to December 2018. The correlations between demographics, clinical characteristics and depression were analyzed. The risk factors for depression in patients with COPD were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The cutoff value, sensitivity and specificity of the independent correlation factors were calculated with a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Of the 293 patients included, 65 (22.18%) individuals were identified to have depression. Significant differences were detected between patients with and without depression in terms of body mass index (BMI), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and COPD assessment test (CAT) score (all P < 0.05). Low BMI, low FEV1, and high CAT were independent risk factors for depression in patients with COPD and the cutoff values of BMI, FEV1, and CAT scores were 21.373 kg/m2, 0.855 L and 12.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: Low BMI, low FEV1, and high CAT score were identified as independent risk factors for depression in patients with COPD.