Multiparametric mri-based radiomics nomogram for predicting lymph-vascular space invasion in cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: To develop and validate a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-based radiomics model for predicting lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) of cervical cancer (CC). METHODS: The data of 177 CC patients were retrospectively collected and randomly divided into the training cohort (n=123) and testing cohort (n = 54). All patients received preoperative MRI. Feature selection and radiomics model construction were performed using max-relevance and min-redundancy (mRMR) and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) on the training cohort. The models were established based on the extracted features. The optimal model was selected and combined with clinical independent risk factors to establish the radiomics fusion model and the nomogram. The diagnostic performance of the model was assessed by the area under the curve. RESULTS: Feature selection extracted the thirteen most important features for model construction. These radiomics features and one clinical characteristic were selected showed favorable discrimination between LVSI and non-LVSI groups. The AUCs of the radiomics nomogram and the mpMRI radiomics model were 0.838 and 0.835 in the training cohort, and 0.837 and 0.817 in the testing cohort. CONCLUSION: The nomogram model based on mpMRI radiomics has high diagnostic performance for preoperative prediction of LVSI in patients with CC.

Evaluation of left ventricular blood flow kinetic energy in patients with acute myocardial infarction by 4D Flow MRI: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the intracavity left ventricular (LV) blood flow kinetic energy (KE) parameters using four-dimensional (4D) flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Thirty AMI patients and twenty controls were examined via CMR, which included cine imaging, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and global heart 4D flow imaging. The KE parameters were indexed to LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) to obtain average, systolic and diastolic KE as well as the proportion of LV in-plane KE (%). These parameters were compared between the AMI patients and controls and between the two subgroups. RESULTS: Analysis of the LV blood flow KE parameters at different levels of the LV cavity and in different segments of the same level showed that the basal level had the highest blood flow KE while the apical level had the lowest in the control group. There were no significant differences in diastolic KE, systolic in-plane KE and diastolic in-plane KE between the anterior wall and posterior wall (p > 0.05), only the systolic KE had a significant difference between them (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the control group, the average (10.7 ± 3.3 µJ/mL vs. 14.7 ± 3.6 µJ/mL, p < 0.001), systolic (14.6 ± 5.1 µJ/mL vs. 18.9 ± 3.9 µJ/mL, p = 0.003) and diastolic KE (7.9 ± 2.5 µJ/mL vs. 10.6 ± 3.8 µJ/mL, p = 0.018) were significantly lower in the AMI group. The average KE in the infarct segment was lower than that in the noninfarct segment in the AMI group (49.5 ± 18.7 µJ/mL vs. 126.3 ± 50.7 µJ/mL, p < 0.001), while the proportion of systolic in-plane KE increased significantly (61.8%±11.5 vs. 42.9%±14.4, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The 4D Flow MRI technique can be used to quantitatively evaluate LV regional hemodynamic parameters. There were differences in the KE parameters of LV blood flow at different levels and in different segments of the same level in healthy people. In AMI patients, the average KE of the infarct segment decreased, while the proportion of systolic in-plane KE significantly increased.

A Low-Noise Amplifier for Submarine Electric Field Signal Based on Chopping Amplification Technology.

In the exploration of ocean resources, the submarine electric field signal plays a crucial role through marine electromagnetic methods. However, due to the field signal's low-frequency and weak characteristics, it often encounters interference from the instrument's own 1/f noise during its acquisition. To address this issue, we developed a low-noise amplifier for the submarine electric field signal based on chopping amplification technology. This amplifier utilizes low-temperature electronic components to adapt to the cold submarine environment and enhances its independence by incorporating a square wave generator. Additionally, we conducted simulations and experimental tests on the designed chopper amplifier circuit, evaluating the equivalent input voltage noise spectrum (EIVNS) and the frequency response within 1 mHz~100 Hz. The experimental results indicate that the amplifier designed in this study achieves sufficiently low noise 2 nV/√Hz@1 mHz, effectively amplifying the submarine electric field signal measured with the electric field sensor.

Microwave ablation of multifocal primary liver cancer guided by real-time 3.0T MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of real-time 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of multifocal liver cancer. METHODS: A total of 76 lesions in 26 patients with multifocal liver cancer who underwent 3.0 T MRI-guided microwave ablation in our hospital from April 2020 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The technical success rate, average operation time, average ablation time, and complications were evaluated. The upper abdomen was reviewed by pre- and post-contrast enhanced MRI scan every 1 months after the operation. The short-term curative effect was evaluated according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria (2020 version), and the local control rate was calculated. RESULTS: All 76 lesions were successfully operated. The technical success rate was 100%, the average operation time was 103.58 ± 18.57 min, the average ablation time of a single lesion was 11.00 ± 4.05 min, and the average ablation power was 43.03 ± 4.45 W. There were no serious complications such as massive bleeding, liver failure, and infection after the operation, except in one case with a small amount of pleural effusion and one case with right upper abdominal pain. The average follow-up time was 13.88 ± 6.62 months. One patient died due to liver failure, and one lesion developed a local recurrence. The local control rate was 98.7%. CONCLUSIONS: MWA of multifocal liver cancer guided by real-time 3.0 T MRI is a safe and feasible technique and has excellent short-term efficacy.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Graph Naming Function and Brain Connectivity in Post-Infarction Aphasia Patients: An fMRI Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of impairment and recovery in graph naming functions among patients with aphasia due to cerebral infarction. Specifically, the study compared immediate effects of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) treatment in patients at different stages post-infarction: the acute phase and the recovery period. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were selected, consisting of 16 in the acute phase (AP) and 12 in the recovery period (RP), along with 18 healthy controls. Both patient groups underwent two weeks of tDCS treatment. Post-treatment changes in functional connectivity (FC) within language-related brain regions, as well as in graph naming abilities, were assessed in both patient groups. RESULTS: Both AP and RP groups exhibited significant improvements in graph naming ability following tDCS treatment. Compared to healthy controls, patients showed decreased functional connectivity in multiple brain regions of both hemispheres, particularly in the dominant hemisphere. Post-treatment assessments revealed significant increases in functional connectivity within the bilateral frontotemporal lobes for both AP and RP groups, and within the bilateral temporo-occipital regions for the AP group. Moreover, the RP group demonstrated decreased functional connectivity in the left temporal lobe post-treatment, which had shown increased functional connectivity pre-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that tDCS can effectively enhance graph naming functions in patients with post-infarction aphasia. The therapeutic effects appear to be mediated by enhancing functional connectivity within bilateral frontotemporal lobes.

Effect of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) Titration in Elderly Patients Undergoing Lobectomy.

BACKGROUND Currently, one-lung ventilation in thoracoscopic lobectomy adopts mostly a protective ventilation mode, which includes low tidal volume (a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg predicted body weight), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and intermittent lung inflation. However, there is no clear conclusion regarding the value of PEEP in elderly patients undergoing lobectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic unilateral lobectomy, aged 65 to 78 years, with a body mass index of 18 to 29 kg/m² and ASA grades I to III, were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=25 each): optimal oxygenation titration group (group O) and optimal compliance titration group (group C). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and central venous pressure (CVP) were recorded in both groups at different time points. The radial artery blood samples were collected at 3 time points for blood gas analysis, and the void volume/tidal volume ratio was calculated. The peak airway pressure and PEEP values were recorded at 4 min after the completion of one-lung ventilation titration (T2), and the driving pressure was calculated. RESULTS The best PEEP value of titration in the best compliance group was lower than that of the best oxygenation method, the peak was lower, and the dynamic lung compliance was higher; however, this had no effect on MAP and HR. The CVP was lower than optimal oxygenation at T2. CONCLUSIONS Dynamic lung compliance-guided PEEP titration improved lung function in elderly patients undergoing lobectomy.

LncRNA MALAT1 mediates doxorubicin resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating miR-3129-5p/Nova1 axis.

Drug resistance is one of the major challenges for cancer therapies. In recent years, research on disease-related molecular signaling pathways has become the key ways to understand and overcome obstacles. Dysregulation of MALAT1 could regulate doxorubicin resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but how MALAT1 involving in managing doxorubicin resistance remains unclear yet. We aimed to elucidate the specific molecular mechanism of MALAT1 with doxorubicin resistance in HCC cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was engaged to detect the expression levels of MALAT1, miR-3129-5p and Nova1 mRNA; MTT, western blot, flow cytometry and luciferase reporter assays were executed to identify the influence of MALAT1 on doxorubicin resistance of HCC cells. Xenograft tumor model was created to confirm the biological function of MALAT1 in doxorubicin resistance of HCC cells in vivo. MALAT1 and Nova1 were upregulated, while miR-3129-5p expression was decreased in doxorubicin-resistant HCC tissues and cells. Knockdown of MALAT1 regulated doxorubicin resistance of HCC cells through inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, invasion and promoting apoptosis, but antisense miR-3129-5p released the functional effect of MALAT1 knockdown. Nova1, as a target gene of miR-3129-5p, reversed the results of miR-3129-5p expression and enhanced doxorubicin resistance of HCC cells. Xenograft tumor model suggested that dysregulation of MALAT1 regulated tumor growth and Nova1 to mediate doxorubicin resistance of HCC cells by as a sponge for miR-3129-5p in vivo. Elevation of LncRNA MALAT1 mediated doxorubicin resistance and the progression of HCC via a MALAT1/miR-3129-5p/Nova1 axis. This study would be expected to enrich the understanding of doxorubicin resistance of HCC and provide new ideas for HCC treatment strategies.

Recovery of brain DHA-containing phosphatidylserine and ethanolamine plasmalogen after dietary DHA-enriched phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine in SAMP8 mice fed with high-fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Glycerophospholipids were the main components of cerebral cortex lipids, and there was a close association between lipid homeostasis and human health. It has been reported that dietary DHA-enriched phosphatidylcholine (DHA-PC) and phosphatidylserine (DHA-PS) could improve brain function. However, it was unclear that whether supplementation of DHA-PC and DHA-PS could change lipid profiles in the brain of dementia animals. METHODS: SAMP8 mice was fed with different diet patterns for 2 months, including high-fat diet and low-fat diet. After intervention with DHA-PC and DHA-PS for another 2 months, the lipid profile in cerebral cortex was determined by lipidomics in dementia mice. RESULTS: High-fat diet could significantly decrease the levels of DHA-containing PS/pPE, DPA-containing PS, and AA-containing PE, which might exhibit the potential of lipid biomarkers for the prevention and diagnosis of AD. Notably, DHA-PC and DHA-PS remarkably recovered the lipid homeostasis in dementia mice. These might provide a potential novel therapy strategy and direction of dietary intervention for patients with cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS: DHA-PC and DHA-PS could recover the content of brain DHA-containing PS and pPE in SAMP8 mice fed with high-fat diet.

Circular RNA circPVT1 Promotes Proliferation and Invasion Through Sponging miR-125b and Activating E2F2 Signaling in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators in the development and progression of human cancers, however its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis is not well understood. The aim of this study is to identify the expression level of circPVT1 in NSCLC and further investigated its functional relevance with NSCLC progression both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Quantative real-time PCR was used for the measurement of circPVT1 in NSCLC specimens and cell lines. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) assay was used for the identification of sublocation of circPVT1 in NSCLC cells. Bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were performed to verify the binding of c-Fos at circPVT1 promoter region, and the direct interaction between circPVT1 and miR-125b. Gain- or loss-function assays were performed to evaluate the effects of circPVT1 on cell proliferation and invasion. Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays were performed to detect the protein levels involved in E2F2 pathway. RESULTS: We found that circPVT1 was upregulated in NSCLC specimens and cells. The transcription factor c-Fos binded to the promoter region of circPVT1, resulting in the overexpression of circPVT1 in NSCLC. Knockdown of circPVT1 suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and increased apoptosis. In addition, circPVT1 mediated NSCLC progression via the regulation of E2F2 signaling pathway. More importantly, circPVT1 was predominantly abundant in the cytoplasm of NSCLC cells, and circPVT1 could serve as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate E2F2 expression and tumorigenesis in a miR-125b-dependent manner, which is further verified by using an in vivo xenograft model. CONCLUSION: circPVT1 promotes NSCLC cell growth and invasion, and may serve as a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC patients. Therefore, silence of circPVT1 could be a future direction to develop a novel treatment strategy.

Electrochemical Determination of Uric Acid at CdTe Quantum Dot Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes.

Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of uric acid (UA) at a CdTe quantum dot (QD) modified the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). CdTe QDs, as new semiconductor nanocrystals, can greatly improve the peak current of UA. The anodic peak current of UA was linear with its concentration between 1.0×10(-6) and 4.0×10(-4) M in 0.1 M pH 5.0 phosphate buffer solution. The LOD for UA at the CdTe electrode (1.0×10(-7) M) was superior to that of the GCE. In addition, we also determined the effects of scan rate, pH, and interferences of UA for the voltammetric behavior and detection. The results indicated that modified electrode possessed excellent reproducibility and stability. Finally, a new and efficient electrochemical sensor for detecting UA was developed.

The value of CMR Left ventricular strain analysis in evaluating ICM.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) derived left ventricular strain parameters in evaluation of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Thirty-one ICM patients and nineteen non-cardiomyopathy (non-CM) patients who performed CMR examinations during the same period were selected for this retrospective study. The basic clinical data, CMR left ventricular function parameters, left ventricular strain parameters were compared among the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) preserved ICM group, the LVEF impaired ICM group and the non-CM group. The differences of MyoGCS (-21.9 ± 1.9 vs. -18.9 ± 2.7 P<0.001), MyoGLS (-20.8 ± 2.3 vs. -17.0 ± 2.9 P<0.001) and EndoGLS (-22.2 ± 3.1 vs. -17.6 ± 3.7 P<0.001) between LVEF preserved ICM group and non-CM group were statistically significant, while the differences of left heart function parameters between the two groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The left ventricular strain analysis can be used to assess cardiac functional and morphological alterations in ICM patients prior to changes of left ventricular function parameters, which has high clinical significance.

Radiomics based on preoperative rectal cancer MRI to predict the metachronous liver metastasis.

PURPOSE: At present, there are few effective method to predict metachronous liver metastasis (MLM) from rectal cancer. We aim to investigate the efficacy of radiomics based on multiparametric MRI of first diagnosed rectal cancer in predicting MLM from rectal cancer. METHODS: From 301 consecutive histopathologically confirmed rectal cancer patients, 130 patients who have no distant metastasis detected at the time of diagnosis were enrolled and divided into MLM group (n = 49) and non-MLM group (n = 81) according to whether liver metastasis be detected later than 6 month after the first diagnosis of rectal cancer within 3 years' follow-up. The 130 patients were divided into a training set (n = 91) and a testing set (n = 39) at a ratio of 7:3 by stratified sampling using SPSS 24.0 software. The DWI model, HD T2WI model, and DWI + HD T2WI model were constructed respectively. The best performing model was selected and combined with the screened clinical features (including non-radiomics MRI features) to construct a fusion model. The testing set was used to evaluate the performance of the models, and the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) was calculated for both the training set and the testing set. RESULTS: The AUC of the DWI + HD T2WI model in the testing set was higher than that of the DWI or the HD T2 model alone with statistically significance (P < 0.05). The screened clinical features were extramural vascular invasion (EMVI), T and N stages in MRI (mrT, mrN), and the distance from the lower edge of the tumor to the anal verge. The AUC of the fusion model in the testing set was 0.911. Decision curves and nomogram also showed that the fusion model had excellent clinical performance. CONCLUSION: The fusion model of primary rectal cancer MRI based radiomics combing clinical features can effectively predict MLM from rectal cancer, which may assist clinicians in formulating individualized monitoring and treatment plans.

Advanced MRI to assess hippocampal injury after incomplete cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate advanced MRI findings in the bilateral hippocampus CA1 region of rats with hemorrhagic shock reperfusion (HSR) and their correlation with histopathological results. Additionally, this study aimed to identify effective MRI examination methods and detection indexes for assessing HSR. METHODS: Rats were randomized into the HSR and the Sham groups with 24 rats in each group. MRI examination included diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and 3-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL). Apoptosis and pyroptosis were evaluated directly from tissue. RESULTS: In the HSR group, cerebral blood flow (CBF) was significantly lower than that of the Sham group, while radial kurtosis (Kr), axial kurtosis (Ka), and mean kurtosis (MK) were all higher. In the HSR group, fractional anisotropy (FA) at 12 and 24 hours and radial diffusivity, axial diffusivity (Da), and mean diffusivity (MD) at 3 and 6 hours were lower than in the Sham group. MD and Da at 24 hours in the HSR group were significantly higher. The apoptosis rate and pyroptosis rate were also enhanced in the HSR group. CBF, FA, MK, Ka, and Kr values in the early stage were strongly correlated with apoptosis rate and pyroptosis rate. The metrics were obtained from DKI and 3D-ASL. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced MRI metrics from DKI and 3D-ASL, including CBF, FA, Ka, Kr, and MK values, are useful to evaluate abnormal blood perfusion and microstructural changes in the hippocampus CA1 area in the setting of incomplete cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats induced by HSR.

[Energy expenditure on different physical activities of rural adults in North China].

UNLABELLED: To test the energy metabolism of healthy adults in rural north China and to obtain the data of energy expenditure on different physical activities, in order to provide the basis for the Dietary Reference Intakes for Chinese people and the prevention and treatment of diseases related to energy and nutrition imbalance. METHOD: The energy expenditures on different physical activities of 30 healthy adult men and women were investigated under strictly controlled experimental conditions by using portable cardiopulmonary function determinator k4b2 to examine the oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) during basal metabolic conditions and seven kinds of physical activities (walking, brisk walking, jogging, cycling, stair climbing, and watching TV). The content of 24-hour urine nitrogen was measured by micro Kjeldahl method. Combining with the change of body weight, the energy expenditures on different physical activities of normal adult men and women in north China were obtained. RESULTS: The average energy expenditure on physical activities (kJ x h(-1) x kg(-1)) were: walking 12.60 +/- 5.54 (11.46 +/- 2.19 for male and 15.47 +/- 6.97 for female), brisk walking 20.79 +/- 10.46 (15.95 +/- 3.59 for male and 25.33 +/- 12.70 for female), jogging 34.78 +/- 16.00 (30.45 +/- 5.07 for male and 38.84 +/- 21.58 for female) cycling 16.47 +/- 3.95 (14.77 +/- 2.57 for male and 18.74 +/- 4.85 for female), going up stairs 23.55 +/- 5.05 (23.61 +/- 3.43 for male and 23.49 +/- 6.41 for female) going down stairs 12.46 +/- 6.30 (10.43 +/- 1.27 for male and 14.49 +/- 8.48 for female) and watching TV 3.85 +/- 1.97 (3.56 +/- 0.86 for male and 4.16 +/- 2.79 for female). CONCLUSION: The average energy expenditure on physical activities of males was lower than that of females (P < 0.05), except of going up stairs, which was roughly equal in males and females. The average energy expenditure on various physical activities was different. Walking, watching TV and going downstairs are low-intensity physical activities; brisk walking, cycling and climbing upstairs are medium-intensity physical activities; and jogging is a high-intensity physical activity.

Diagnostic Value of MRI Combined with CXCR4 Expression Level in Lymph Node Metastasis Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with CXCR4 expression levels in lymph node metastasis of the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: 289 patients with HNSCC were divided into lymph node metastasis group (LNM group, n = 171) and non-LNM group (n = 118) according to the pathological examination results. MRI was used to scan the patient's lesions and cervical lymph nodes, and ADC was measured by MRI diffusion weighting imaging. The expression of CXCR4 in tumor tissues was detected by qRT-PCR. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of HNSCC lymph node metastasis. ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic effects of MRI, CXCR4, and MRI combined with CXCR4 on HNSCC lymph node metastasis. Results: Compared with the non-LNM group, patients in the LNM group had a lower degree of pathological differentiation, and the positive rate of TNM staging and vascular invasion was higher. The signal intensity of T1WI and T2WI were low intensity and high intensity, respectively, and the ADC value was significantly reduced. At the same time, the expression level of CXCR4 in the tumor tissues of the LNM group was also significantly increased. In addition, compared with MRI and CXCR4 used alone, MRI combined with CXCR4 has a higher predictive value. Conclusion: MRI has a good effect in demonstrating lymph node metastasis. CXCR4 is significantly upregulated in lymph node metastasis tumor tissue. The combination of the two can be used for clinical diagnosis of HNSCC lymph node metastasis.

Study on the Value of DCE-MRI in Differentiating Glossitis and Tongue Cancer and the Intratumour Heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVE: DCE-MRI is an imaging technique that reflects the blood perfusion status of the tissue's microcirculation. The purpose of this article is to explore the clinical value of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI in distinguishing benign and malignant tongue lesions and the internal heterogeneity of a tumour. METHODS: The patients were divided into a tongue cancer group (22 patients) and a glossitis group (7 patients) based on the pathology results. All of the patients underwent DCE-MRI examination. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep), contrast enhancement ratio (CER) and initial area under the gadolinium contrast agent concentration time curve (IAUGG) values of the tongue cancer group were significantly higher than those of the glossitis group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, the extravascular extracellular volume fraction (Ve), fractional plasma volume (fPV), maximum slope (MaxSlope), and bolus arrival time (BAT) values measured by DCE-MRI in the tongue cancer group were not significantly different from those in the glossitis group (P > 0.05). The results of this study showed that the Ktrans, Kep, and IAUGG values measured by DCE-MRI had a good ability to distinguish tongue inflammation from tumours and Ktrans threshold of 0.484 has the best discriminative ability among them. The mean Ktrans values of stage I-II lesions were significantly higher than that of stage III-IV lesion (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: DCE-MRI is effective in distinguishing between benign and malignant tongue lesions and the internal heterogeneity of the tumour; it is worth following up in a larger study. CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Research registry 6393.

Anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome, anti-C1q, and anti-histone antibodies as markers of active lupus nephritis and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies of anti-dsDNA, nucleosome (Nucl), histone (His), and C1q antibodies have revealed their clinical value in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the correlation between four autoantibodies and SLE activity, lupus nephritis (LN) remains controversial, and data are insufficient on longitudinal monitoring. This study aimed at evaluating the value of these autoantibodies in active LN, and their performance on cross-sectional evaluating and longitudinal monitoring of SLE disease activity. METHODS: Serum levels of four autoantibodies in 114 SLE patients, 219 other autoimmune disease patients (OAD), and 59 healthy controls were assayed by a quantitative immunoassay. Sera of 38 inpatients were obtained again after treatment. RESULTS: We found that serum levels of four autoantibodies were significantly higher in SLE than OAD patients (p < 001), active LN than non-renal SLE patients (p < .05), and higher in SLE patients with moderate and severe disease activity than mild disease activity (p < .01). Horizontally, serum level of each autoantibody was correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) (p < .05), and correlation coefficient of anti-dsDNA was the highest (r = .585). For longitudinal monitoring, the decreased levels of four autoantibodies were found following treatment (p < .001). Serum level variations of these antibodies were positively correlated with variations of SLEDAI (p < .05). The correlation coefficient of anti-Nucl was the highest (r = .629). Although the levels of C3 and C4 increased after treatment, the change was not related to the change of SLEDAI (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-C1q, anti-dsDNA, anti-Nucl, and anti-His perform well in diagnosing active LN and monitoring SLE disease activity. They could be indicators of active LN and SLE disease activity.

Electric-Field-Induced Interface Behavior of Dodecyl Sulfate with Large Organic Counterions: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

Dodecyl sulfate with tetramethylammonium counterions has been employed to systematically investigate the influence of different static electric fields on molecular structural properties, surface tension, by adopting molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with IR and sum frequency generation (SFG) spectrum calculations. The results indicated that dodecyl sulfate (DS-) and large organic TMA+ counterions can form a mixed adsorption layer in which one head group of DS- is surrounded by two tetramethylammonium (TMA+) and one water molecule. Additionally, it was observed that the surface tension significantly decreases with the increasing static electric field strength since the surfactant stands straighter at the interface as the electric field increases. The result can be instructively adopted in the manufacturing field to control surface tension. Moreover, it was found that the SFG stretch intensities of methylene decrease and the stretch intensities of the methyl group increase with increasing static electric fields. The result indicated that the static electric fields can make DS- more orderly and upright at the interface.

miR-421 promotes the viability of A549 lung cancer cells by targeting forkhead box O1.

MicroRNA (miR)-421 has been reported to serve various important roles in numerous types of cancer, including neuroblastoma and gastric cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge, few reports have determined the role of miR-421 in lung cancer. The aim of the current study was to analyze the expression levels of miR-421 in A549 lung cancer cells, to determine the target gene of miR-421, and to investigate the function and mechanism of miR-421 in cellular cytotoxicity. miR-421 expression levels were analyzed in A549 lung cancer cells using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, a MTT assay was performed to determine the effect of miR-421 on A549 cell cytotoxicity and the protein expression levels of forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) were determined via western blotting. The target gene of miR-421 was predicted and verified using TargetScan and a dual-luciferase reporter assay, respectively. The results revealed that miR-421 expression levels were significantly upregulated in A549 lung cancer cell lines compared with the normal cells (P<0.01). Additionally, it was discovered that miR-421 promoted A549 cell viability (P<0.01) compared with A549 transfected with negative control. miR-421 was also identified to bind to the 3'-untranslated region of FOXO1. In A549 cells transfected with miR-421-mimics, the expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-AKT, p-glycogen synthase kinase-3ß, p-retinoblastoma and cyclin D1 were significantly upregulated (P<0.01), whereas the expression levels of FOXO1 and p21 were significantly downregulated (P<0.01) compared with the control group. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that miR-421 may promote the viability of A549 lung cancer cells by targeting FOXO1 and modulating cell cycle, indicating that targeting miR-421 and FOXO1 may represent future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with lung cancer.

Effects of resistance exercise on treatment outcome and laboratory parameters of Takayasu arteritis with magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis: A randomized parallel controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Elevated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is correlated with refractory Takayasu arteritis (TA), and resistance exercise have been shown to inhibit TNF-α. HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to explore the effect of resistance exercise in the clinical management of TA. METHODS: This clinical trial enrolled a total of 342 acute TA patients, who were subsequently randomized to undergo either resistance exercise or relaxation control twice per week for 12 weeks. The disease activity was defined using the primary outcome of Birmingham Vascular Activity Score (BVAS). Secondary outcomes included levels of plasma TNF-α and C-reactive protein (CRP), and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). RESULTS: BVAS scores along with other laboratory parameters obtained from the patients in the resistance exercise group showed a gradual decline throughout the course of the trial. By contrast, outcomes appeared largely unaltered in the relaxation control group patients. Analyses also revealed that plasma TNF-α displayed strong linear correlations with ESR, BVAS scores, and plasma CRP levels. CONCLUSION: Resistance exercise could substantially improve treatment outcomes as well as laboratory parameters in patients with acute TA, probably through decreasing TNF-α.