The Preliminary Application of Simultaneous Display of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Micro-Flow Imaging Technology in the Diagnosis of Hepatic Tumors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the value of simultaneous display of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and micro-flow imaging technology (CEUS-MFI) in intra-tumoral vessel detection and hepatic tumor diagnosis. METHODS: A total of 82 patients with 82 focal liver lesions were enrolled in this study. Each patient received ultrasound exams including color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), micro-flow imaging (MFI), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and CEUS-MFI with a Philips EPIQ7 ultrasound imaging system. The intra-tumoral vessels detected by CDFI, MFI, and CEUS-MFI were compared, respectively. The accuracy and confidence of using CEUS and CEUS-MFI in diagnosing hepatic tumors were also compared. RESULTS: CEUS-MFI was capable of detecting more hepatic intra-tumoral vessels than MFI (P = .000) and CDFI (P = .000). Compared with CEUS, CEUS-MFI improved the diagnostic accuracy of hepatic lesions (P = .009). Particularly, among the correctly diagnosed hepatic lesions, the number of cases where radiologists diagnosed with great confidence was increased from 88.4% (61/69) with CEUS only to 92.4% (73/79) with CEUS-MFI (P = .041). CONCLUSIONS: CEUS-MFI is sensitive in detecting hepatic intra-tumoral vessels and can improve the accuracy and confidence of radiologists in diagnosing hepatic lesions.

Heat stress affects potato's volatile emissions that mediate agronomically important trophic interactions.

Potato, a cool-weather crop, emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which attract the specialist herbivore, Phthorimaea operculella, but also this herbivore's parasitic wasp, Trichogramma chilonis, an important biocontrol agent. What happens to this trophic system when heat stress challenges this agro-ecosystem? We studied how high temperature (HT) pre-treatments influence potato's VOC emissions and their subsequent effects on the preferences of insects, as evaluated in oviposition assays and Y-tube olfactometers. HT pre-stressed plants were less attractive to P. operculella adult moths, which were repelled by HT VOCs, but increased the recruitment of the parasitoid, T. chilonis, which were attracted. VOC emissions, including the most abundant constituent, ß-caryophyllene, were enhanced by HT treatments; some constituents elicited stronger behavioural responses than others. Transcripts of many genes in the biosynthetic pathways of these VOCs were significantly enhanced by HT treatment, suggesting increases in de novo biosynthesis. HT increased the plant's stomatal apertures, and exogenous applications of the hormone, ABA, known to suppress stomatal apertures, reduced leaf volatile emissions and affected the HT-altered plant attractions to both insects. From these results, we infer that HT stress affects this plant-insect interaction through its influence on VOC emissions, potentially decreasing herbivore ovipositions while increasing ovipositions of the parasitoid.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for exploration and removal of a gastric buried foreign body.

Foreign body (FB) fully embedded in the gastrointestinal tissue forming a buried FB is rare, characterized by deceiving endoscopic appearances, e.g., erosion, ulceration, or subepithelial lesion. Conventional endoscopic removal is challenging in this circumstance under which surgery is usually indicated. We reported a gastric buried FB that treated via endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Internal and external load during 8 v 8, 5 v 5 and 3 v 3 in Chinese elite youth male football players.

Aim to investigate internal and external load in three different game formats (8 v 8, 5 v 5, 3 v 3 with 80 m2 per player) of small-sided games (SSG) in Chinese elite youth football players. Twenty-nine elite male football players (age: 18.3 ± 0.5 years (mean ± SD), height: 175 ± 6 cm, weight: 65.5 ± 6.3 kg) participated in randomized order in the three formats. Each session consisted of 20 min: 3 v 3 on a 24 × 20-m pitch, 5 v 5 on a 32 × 25-m pitch, or 8 v 8 on a 40 × 32-m pitch all equalling 80 m2 per player. Each player was recorded once in each format. Using GPS-units and heart rate belts and blood lactate measured the two kinds of load. 8-10% higher total distance (P < 0.01) was observed in 8 v 8 and 5 v 5 compared with 3 v 3 (1627 ± 240 and 1595 ± 243 m vs. 1477 ± 179 m, ES = 0.55-0.71). Higher distance (P < 0.001) was covered with high speed running (HSR: > 14 km/h) in 8 v 8 and 5 v 5 than 3 v 3 (154 ± 94 m and 133 ± 59 m vs. 77 ± 35, ES = 1.09-1.15), whereas very high speed running distance (> 21 km/h) was higher (P < 0.01) in 8 v 8 than 5 v 5 and 3 v 3 (15.2 ± 19.5 vs. 5.3 ± 6.7 and 1.0 ± 0.4 m, ES = 0.69-1.03) and in 5 v 5 than 3 v 3. No difference was found between game formats in the number of intense accelerations nor intense decelerations. Blood lactate (3.5 ± 2.3 vs. 2.8 ± 1.9 vs. 2.4 ± 1.5 mmol · L-1, P = 0.201) and mean heart rate (155 ± 21 vs. 160 ± 11 vs. 157 ± 17 bpm, P = 0.254) was not different between 8v8, 5v5 and 3v3 game formats. Distance covered in total and in highest speed zones was higher in SSG formats with more players, which, however, did not lead to differences in internal load measured by heart rate and blood lactate.

A child with household transmitted COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Although people of all ages are susceptible to the novel coronavirus infection, which is presently named "Coronavirus Disease 2019" (COVID-19), there has been relatively few cases reported among children. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in children and the differences from adults. CASE PRESENTATION: We report one pediatric case of COVID-19. A 14-month-old boy was admitted to the hospital with a symptom of fever, and was diagnosed with a mild form of COVID-19. The child's mother and grandmother also tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. However, the lymphocyte counts were normal. The chest computed tomography (CT) revealed scattered ground glass opacities in the right lower lobe close to the pleura and resorption after the treatment. The patient continued to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the nasopharyngeal swabs and stool at 17 days after the disappearance of symptoms. CONCLUSION: The present pediatric case of COVID-19 was acquired through household transmission, and the symptoms were mild. Lymphocyte counts did not significantly decrease. The RNA of SARS-CoV-2 in stool and nasopharyngeal swabs remained positive for an extended period of time after the disappearance of symptoms. This suggests that attention should be given to the potential contagiousness of pediatric COVID-19 cases after clinical recovery.

Characteristics of vascular anastomoses in monochorionic twin 587 placentas with selective intrauterine growth restriction via 89 three-dimensional computed tomography angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of the choriovascular anatomy, especially the potential role of arteriovenous perfusion imbalance in the pathogenesis of selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) using three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA). METHOD: Computed tomography angiography of the placental choriovascular tree from 15 twins with sIUGR and 15 twins without sIUGR were analyzed, and inter-twin vascular anastomoses were compared between the placentas from these two groups. The parameters evaluated were the presence and measures of artery-to-artery anastomoses (AAA), vein-to-vein anastomoses (VVA) or artery-to-vein anastomoses (AVA). RESULTS: The frequency of AAA, VVA, and AVA did not differ significantly between sIUGR and without sIUGR-pairs. The area of the vein draining to the AVA in the larger twin's placenta was significantly greater in sIUGR compared to when no sIUGR was present. Based on the net cross-sectional area difference we speculate that in sIUGR there is net flow from the smaller to the larger twin. CONCLUSION: We used 3D-CTA to display the vascular anastomoses in sIUGR twin pairs, demonstrating a difference in cross-sectional diameter of the vein draining to the AVA.

Physical activity and health in Chinese children and adolescents: expert consensus statement (2020).

China is experiencing significant public health challenges related to social and demographic transitions and lifestyle transformations following unprecedented economic reforms four decades ago. Of particular public health concern is the fourfold increase in overweight and obesity rates in the nation's youth population, coupled with the low prevalence of adolescents meeting recommended levels of physical activity. Improving the overall health of China's more than 170 million children and adolescents has become a national priority. However, advancing nationwide health initiatives and physical activity promotion in this population has been hampered by the lack of a population-specific and culturally relevant consensus on recommendations for achieving these ends. To address this deficiency and inform policies to achieve Healthy China 2030 goals, a panel of Chinese experts, complemented by international professionals, developed this consensus statement. The consensus was achieved through an iterative process that began with a literature search from electronic databases; in-depth reviews, conducted by a steering committee, of the resulting articles; and panel group evaluations and discussions in the form of email correspondence, conference calls and written communications. Ultimately, the panel agreed on 10 major themes with strong scientific evidence that, in children and adolescents aged 6-17, participating in moderate to vigorous physical activities led to multiple positive health outcomes. Our consensus statement also (1) highlights major challenges in promoting physical activity, (2) identifies future research that addresses current knowledge gaps, and (3) provides recommendations for teachers, education experts, parents and policymakers for promoting physical activity among Chinese school-aged children and adolescents. This consensus statement aligns with international efforts to develop global physical activity guidelines to promote physical activity and health and prevent lifestyle-related diseases in children and adolescents. More importantly, it provides a foundation for developing culturally appropriate and effective physical activity interventions, health promotion strategies and policy initiatives to improve the health of Chinese children and adolescents.

Recent Progress in Polymeric Carbonyl-Based Electrode Materials for Lithium and Sodium Ion Batteries.

Advancement in mobile electronics is driving progress in lithium ion batteries. Recently, organic electrode materials have emerged as promising candidates for lithium ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity, ease of synthesis, versatility of structure, and abundance. Polymerization is a strategy used to overcome the issues associated with small organic molecules for charge storage application. The focus of this review is on the most recent progress in the field of polymeric carbonyl materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Advantages of organic electrode materials, device architecture, and charge storage mechanism are discussed. Challenges associated with carbonyl-based electrodes and some recent solutions are outlined. Later, a comparison of theoretical capacity, practical capacity, and cyclic life are presented for different carbonyl systems. Capacity-fading phenomena and structural degradation during charging are discussed where necessary. Some key parameters for the design of flexible batteries are highlighted and an overview of some recent contributions of our group in this field are reported. Finally, some future prospects for researchers in this field are outlined.

Morphologic changes of cerebral veins in hypertensive rats: venous collagenosis is associated with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine whether arterial hypertension could affect the venous system of brain and to find out the consequent pathologic changes of cerebral veins. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: a sham-clipped group and a stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rat group. A 2-kidney 2-clip rat model was used to induce renovascular hypertension in the hypertensive group. Systolic blood pressure was measured by tail cuff once each week. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) was performed at 12, 16, and 20 weeks after surgery. All the rats were sacrificed after the SWI examination at 20 weeks after surgery. The brains were extracted and embedded in paraffin for histologic examination. Masson trichrome staining was performed to identify venous collagenosis. RESULTS: The sham group demonstrated less prominence of cerebral veins compared with hypertensive groups (P < .01); the hypertensive group showed significant venous collagenosis in cerebral venous walls compared with the sham group (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The increased visibility of cerebral veins on SWI as a sign of venous hypertension and the thickened cerebral venous walls (venous collagenosis), which may play a role in cerebral ischemia and/or infarction, are both consequences of long-term hypertension in hypertensive rats.

Endophytic Diaporthe from Southeast China are genetically diverse based on multi-locus phylogeny analyses.

Species of Diaporthe (anamorph Phomopsis) comprise a diverse and widely distributed group of phytopathogens, saprophytes and endophytes. However, the degree of genetic diversity of endophytic Diaporthe has not yet been fully investigated. In this paper, a survey of endophytes from 28 plants in southeast China yielded 116 Diaporthe isolates, out of which 64 haplotypes were determined using DnaSP ver. 5.1 based on alignment result of internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal nucleotide sequences (ITS rDNA). Many haplotypes turned out to be quite different from known species and displayed high diversity. Among them, 14 strains from 5 discriminating terminal clades were selected to go through further analysis according to partial sequence of translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α) and again they got separated from others. The following multi-gene phylogenetic analysis based on ITS rDNA, tef1-α, ß tubulin and calmodulin grouped eight most discrepant strains into three distinctive clusters, cluster 1 (Rc001, Eu004 and Eu009), cluster 2 (ZJWCF252, Sjm001 and Ac001) and cluster 3 (Pcs013 and Sfp005) respectively with high support values. These clusters above represent three potentially novel species. This research provides strong evidence of high biodiversity and novelty of Diaporthe endophytes from southeast China, which is thus important not only for better resolving the taxonomy in this genus, but also for further utilization due to their multiple application.

Correlation between CEUS LI-RADS categorization of HCC < 20 mm and clinic-pathological features.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS in liver nodules < 20 mm at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their correlation with clinic-pathological features. METHODS: A total of 432 pathologically proved liver nodules < 20 mm were included from January 2019 to June 2022. Each nodule was categorized as LI-RADS grade (LR)-1 to LR-5 through LR-M according to CEUS LI-RADS. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the curve (AUC) of CEUS LI-RADS were evaluated using pathological reference standard. Correlations between clinic-pathological features and CEUS LI-RADS categorization, together with major CEUS features, were further explored. RESULTS: With LR-5 to diagnose HCC, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and AUC were 50.3%, 70.0%, 91.2%, 18.5%, and 0.601, respectively. The proportion of LR-5 in primary HCCs was significantly higher than that in recurrent ones (p = 0.014). HCC 10-19 mm showed significantly more frequent arterial phase hyper-enhancement (APHE) and late washout (p < 0.05) and less no-washout (p = 0.003) compared with those in HCC < 10 mm. Well-differentiated HCCs showed more frequent non-APHE and no-washout than moderate- and poor-differentiated HCCs (p < 0.05). Upgrading "APHE without washout" LR-4 nodules 10-19 mm with HCC history and "APHE with late mild washout" LR-4 nodules < 10 mm to LR-5 could improve the diagnostic performance of LR-5. The corresponding sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and AUC are 60.2%, 70.0%, 92.6%, 22.1%, and 0.651, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS LI-RADS is valuable in the diagnosis of HCC < 20 mm and performance can be improved with the combination of clinic-pathological features. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: CEUS LI-RADS was valuable in the diagnosis of HCC < 20 mm and its diagnostic performance can be improved by combining clinic-pathological features. Further research is needed to define its value in this set of lesions. KEY POINTS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can detect small liver lesions where LI-RADS accuracy is uncertain. Many LI-RADS Grade-4 nodules were upgraded to Grade-5 by combining imaging with clinic-pathological factors. The reclassification of LI-RADS Grade-5 can improve sensitivity without decreasing positive predictive value.

Treatment response assessment to chemotherapy with bevacizumab for colorectal liver metastasis by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Background: Though contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) perfusion parameters have been approved to be potential indicators for response to chemotherapy in solid tumors, their ability in assessment of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) to chemotherapy with bevacizumab (Bev) has rarely been investigated. Methods: From March 2021 to May 2022, 115 consecutive CRLM patients with CEUS pre- and post-2 months' chemotherapy with Bev were prospectively enrolled. One target lesion per patient underwent CEUS quantitative analysis with SonoLiver software. Rise time, time-to-peak, mean transit time, maximal intensity (IMAX), and area under the time-intensity curve (AUC) were assessed with region of interest (ROI) selected on whole lesion, lesion periphery, and internal lesion, respectively. The reduction and ratio of post- to pre-treatment in parameters were investigated in development cohort (n=89) and validated in internal validation cohort (n=26) according to the chronological order. Results: With modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor as reference, 48, 14 responders and 41, 12 non-responders were included in development and validation cohort, respectively. Significantly smaller values of IMAX and AUC on ROIwhole, ROIperipheral, and ROIinternal, were observed post-treatment in development cohort (all P<0.05). In predicting treatment response, the influence of ROI selection was observed when using ∆IMAX and ∆AUC, while no influence was observed using ratios. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs) for ∆IMAX and ∆AUC on ROIperipheral were 0.939 (0.867-0.979), 0.951 (0.883-0.985), and 0.917 (0.740-0.988), 0.923 (0.748-0.990) in development and validation cohort, respectively. For ratios of IMAX and AUC, AUROCs were 0.976 (0.919-0.997), 0.938 (0.865-0.978), and 0.899 (0.717-0.982), 0.982 (0.836-1.000) in development and validation cohort, respectively. Conclusions: IMAX and AUC showed significant reductions in responders, and different analyses ROIs influence the performance of ∆IMAX and ∆AUC in response assessment. Parameters derived from ROI peripheral exhibited the most promising results in predicting treatment response.

Ginsenoside compound K plays an anti-inflammatory effect without inducing glucose metabolism disorder in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats.

Ginsenoside compound K (GCK) possesses a glucocorticoid (GC)-like structure and functions as an agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects through GR activation. However, it remains unclear whether GCK leads to hyperglycemia, which is a known adverse reaction associated with classical GCs. In this study, we have successfully demonstrated that GCK exerts its anti-inflammatory effects in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis without impacting gluconeogenesis and pentose phosphate pathways, thus avoiding any glucose metabolism disorders. By employing the GR mutant plasmid, we have identified the binding site between GCK and GR as GRM560T, which differs from the binding site shared by dexamethasone (DEX) and GR. Notably, compared to DEX, GCK induces distinct levels of phosphorylation at S211 on GR upon binding to activate steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC1)-a co-factor responsible for mediating anti-inflammatory effects-while not engaging peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)-an associated coactivator involved in gluconeogenesis.

Responses of the Serum Lipid Profile to Exercise and Diet Interventions in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the response patterns of circulating lipids to exercise and diet interventions in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: The 8.6-month four-arm randomized controlled study comprised 115 NAFLD patients with prediabetes who were assigned to aerobic exercise (AEx; n = 29), low-carbohydrate diet (Diet; n = 28), AEx plus low-carbohydrate diet (AED; n = 29), and nonintervention (NI, n = 29) groups. Hepatic fat content (HFC) was quantified by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Serum lipidomic analytes were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: After intervention, the total level of phosphatidylcholine (PC) increased significantly in the AEx group ( P = 0.043), whereas phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and triacylglycerol decreased significantly in the AED group ( P = 0.046 and P = 0.036, respectively), and phosphatidylserine decreased in the NI group ( P = 0.002). Changes of 21 lipid metabolites were significantly associated with changes of HFC, among which half belonged to PC. Most of the molecules related to insulin sensitivity belonged to sphingomyelin (40 of 79). Controlling for the change of visceral fat, the significant associations between lipid metabolites and HFC remained. In addition, baseline serum lipids could predict the response of HFC to exercise and/or diet interventions (PE15:0/18:0 for AED, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.97; PE22:6(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)/0:0 for AEx, AUC = 0.90; and PC14:1(9Z)/19:1(9Z) for Diet, AUC = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Changes of lipidome after exercise and/or diet interventions were associated with HFC reductions, which are independent of visceral fat reduction, particularly in metabolites belonging to PC. Importantly, baseline PE could predict the HFC response to exercise, and PC predicted the response to diet. These results indicate that a circulating metabolomics panel can be used to facilitate clinical implementation of lifestyle interventions for NAFLD management.

Relationship between physical activity and specific working memory indicators of depressive symptoms in university students.

BACKGROUND: The detection rate of depression among university students has been increasing in recent years, becoming one of the main psychological diseases that endangers their physical and mental health. According to statistics, self-harm and suicide, for which there is no effective intervention, are the second leading causes of death. AIM: To explore the relationship between different elements and levels of physical activity and college students' depression-symptom-specific working memory indicators. METHODS: Of 143 college students were analyzed using the Beck Depression Self-Rating Scale, the Physical Activity Rating Scale, and the Working Memory Task. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between college students with depressive symptoms and healthy college students in completing verbal and spatial working memory (SWM) tasks correctly (all P < 0.01). Physical Activity Scale-3 scores were significantly and positively correlated with the correct rate of the verbal working memory task (r = 0.166) and the correct rate of the SWM task (r = 0.210) (all P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the correct rates of verbal and SWM tasks according to different exercise intensities (all P < 0.05) and different exercise durations (all P < 0.05), and no significant differences in the correct rates of verbal and SWM tasks by exercise frequency (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: An increase in physical exercise among college students, particularly medium- and high-intensity exercise and exercise of 30 min or more, can improve the correct rate of completing working memory tasks.

Dissolution improvement of poorly water-soluble drug by cogrinding method using jar mill.

As a representative proton pump inhibitor, Lansoprazole was poorly soluble in water which caused the low oral bioavailability. The present study was carried out to enhance the dissolution of lansoprazole by cogrinding with some commonly used hydrophilic polymers (ß-CD, PVP, HPMC, L-HPC, CS, PEG and PVPP) in the weight ratio of 1:1 for 2 h in the jar mill. Samples of coground mixture, micronised drug, and physical mixture were characterized by XRPD, and DSC, the results showed that the drug crystallinity reduced in the coground process. The amount of drug released from the coground mixtures in PBS (pH 6.8, 37°C) in 30 min was 100% approximately (except the coground mixtures prepared with VPP or PEG) while released from the micronised drug was just about 20%. Increasing the hydrophilicity and diminishing the size of drug particles by cogrinding were the main causes for enhancing the dissolution of the drug. The results of the stability study of lansoprazole in coground mixture showed that there were no significant changes in the drug content and dissolution characteristics 6 months later. It is clear that the cogrinding method described in the article is very effective for enhancing the dissolution of the poorly soluble drugs, and it is easy for industrialization, showing a strong potential for future applications.