[Arterial spin labeling in assessment of interstitial fibrosis in renal allografts].

Objective: To explore the feasibility and application value of arterial spin labeling (ASL) in evaluating the degree of renal fibrosis after kidney transplantation. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Renal transplant recipients who received treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from December 2021 to December 2022 were enrolled. All participants underwent ASL scan, and the values of renal cortical renal blood flow (RBF) were measured through post-processing software. The participants were divided into different groups according to the Banff interstitial fibrosis score (ci score) of the transplanted kidneys, and then relevant indicators were compared. One-way analysis of variance was conducted to compare the differences in renal cortical RBF among the groups. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to investigate the association between renal cortical RBF and ci score of the transplanted kidney. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic effectiveness of renal cortical RBF and laboratory indicators for distinguishing varying degrees of fibrosis in transplanted kidneys. The Delong test was utilized to compare the area under the curve (AUC). Results: A total of 60 patients (42 males and 18 females) were included in the study, with a mean age of (44.6±10.8) years. All patients were divided into 4 groups: ci0 group (ci score=0, 11 cases), ci1 group (ci score=1, 21 cases), ci2 group (ci score=2, 20 cases), and ci3 group (ci score=3, 8 cases). With an increase in the degree of fibrosis in the transplanted kidney, there was a corresponding decrease in the renal cortical RBF value. The differences in renal cortical RBF values among the 4 groups were statistically significant[ci0 group: (214.9±28.5) ml·(100 g)-1·min-1; ci1 group: (181.7±29.3) ml·(100 g)-1·min-1; ci2 group: (158.8±39.2) ml·(100 g)-1·min-1; ci3 group: (123.1±27.2) ml·(100 g)-1·min-1; F=14.02, P<0.001]. The renal cortical RBF was moderately negatively correlated with the ci score (r=-0.644, P<0.001). The AUC for discriminating between ci0 and ci1-3 of renal cortical RBF and 24-hour urine protein was 0.881 (95%CI: 0.772-0.950) and 0.680 (95%CI: 0.547-0.795), respectively. The AUC for renal cortical RBF was significantly higher than that for 24-hour urine protein (P=0.047). The renal cortical RBF can distinguish between ci0-1 and ci2-3, as well as ci0-2 and ci3, with the corresponding AUC value of 0.796 (95%CI: 0.673-0.889) and 0.900 (95%CI: 0.795-0.963), respectively. Conclusion: ASL can quantitatively assess renal blood perfusion in transplanted kidneys and demonstrates high operational efficacy in distinguishing varying degrees of fibrosis in the transplanted kidneys.

Safety and efficacy of the Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support stent in treating intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

PURPOSE: The performance of the Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stent deployed following balloon angioplasty is unknown in treating intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis, and this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the LVIS stent in treating intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in the middle cerebral artery M1 segment. METHODS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled with 35 atherosclerotic stenoses at the M1 segment. The stenosis was about 75% in 16 patients, 80% in 15, and 90% in the rest four. The LVIS stent was used to treat these patients. RESULTS: The success rate of stenting was 97.1%. The stenting procedure was failed in one patient because of intraprocedural dissection of the stenotic (75%) segment, resulting in a 30-day periprocedural complication rate of 2.9% (1/35). Before stenting, the stenosis rate ranged 75%-90% (mean 78.9%±4.7%), and after stenting, the diameter of the stented segment was significantly (P<0.0001) increased to 1.5-3.4mm (mean 2.1±0.32mm) ranging 68.2%-100% (mean 94.0%±5.8%) of the normal arterial diameter, with the residual stenosis ranging 0-31.8% (median 4.8%, IQR 2.4%-7.3%). Follow-up was performed at 6-20 months (mean 8.5) after stenting. One patient (2.9%) had occlusion of the stented M1 segment with no symptoms, and two patients (5.7%) had slight asymptomatic instent stenosis (40%) at the M1 segment, with the instent restenosis and occlusion rate of 8.6% (3/35). CONCLUSION: The braided LVIS stent can be safely applied for treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in the middle cerebral artery with good safety and efficacy immediately after stenting and at follow-up.

Safety and efficacy of the Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support stent in treating intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis / Seguridad y efectividad del stent LVIS™ en el tratamiento de estenosis intracraneales ateroscleróticas

Purpose: The performance of the Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stentdeployed following balloon angioplasty is unknown in treating intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis, and this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the LVIS stent in treatingintracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in the middle cerebral artery M1 segment.Methods: Thirty-five patients were enrolled with 35 atherosclerotic stenoses at the M1 segment. The stenosis was about 75% in 16 patients, 80% in 15, and 90% in the rest four. The LVISstent was used to treat these patients. Results: The success rate of stenting was 97.1%. The stenting procedure was failed in onepatient because of intraprocedural dissection of the stenotic (75%) segment, resulting in a 30-day periprocedural complication rate of 2.9% (1/35). Before stenting, the stenosis rate ranged75%—90% (mean 78.9% ± 4.7%), and after stenting, the diameter of the stented segment wassignificantly (P < 0.0001) increased to 1.5—3.4 mm (mean 2.1 ± 0.32 mm) ranging 68.2%—100%(mean 94.0% ± 5.8%) of the normal arterial diameter, with the residual stenosis ranging 0—31.8%(median 4.8%, IQR 2.4%—7.3%). Follow-up was performed at 6—20 months (mean 8.5) afterstenting. One patient (2.9%) had occlusion of the stented M1 segment with no symptoms, andtwo patients (5.7%) had slight asymptomatic instent stenosis (40%) at the M1 segment, with theinstent restenosis and occlusion rate of 8.6% (3/35). Conclusion: The braided LVIS stent can be safely applied for treatment of intracranialatherosclerotic stenosis in the middle cerebral artery with good safety and efficacy immediatelyafter stenting and at follow-up.(AU)

Objetivo: Nos propusimos analizar la seguridad y efectividad de la colocación de un stentlow-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS TM ) tras angioplastia con balón en pacientescon estenosis ateroscleróticas intracraneales en el segmento M1 de la arteria cerebral media(ACM). Métodos: Incluimos 35 pacientes con estenosis ateroscleróticas en el segmento M1 de la ACM;la estenosis era del 75% en 16 pacientes, del 80% en 15 y del 90% en los 4 restantes. En todoslos casos el tratamiento se basó en la colocación de un stent LVIS TM . Resultados: El stent se implantó con éxito en el 97,1% de los casos; en un paciente, el procedimiento no se pudo llevar a cabo a causa de una disección del segmento estenótico (estenosisdel 75%) durante la operación, lo que supone una tasa de complicaciones perioperatorias a los30 días del 2,9%. Antes de la colocación del stent, el grado de estenosis oscilaba entre el 75 yel 90% (media [DS]: 78,9% [4,7%]). Tras el procedimiento, el diámetro del segmento en el quese había colocado el stent aumentó de forma significativa (P < 0,0001) hasta los 1,5-3,4 mm(media: 2,1 mm [0,32]), logrando un 68,2-100% (media: 94,0% [5,8%]) del diámetro normal dela arteria, y una estenosis residual del 0 al 31,8% (mediana: 4,8%; p25-p75, 2,4-7,3%). Se realizóun seguimiento de entre 6 y 20 meses (media: 8,5) tras el procedimiento. Un paciente (2,9%)presentó una oclusión asintomática del segmento M1 intervenido, y 2 pacientes (5,7%) presentaron estenosis intrastent asintomáticas leves (40%) en M1, por lo que la tasa de reestenosisintrastent y oclusión fue del 8,6%. Conclusión: El stent LVIS TM es un tratamiento seguro y efectivo para las estenosis ateroscleróticas intracraneales en la ACM.(AU)

Safety and efficacy of the Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support stent in treating intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

PURPOSE: The performance of the Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stent deployed following balloon angioplasty is unknown in treating intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis, and this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the LVIS stent in treating intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in the middle cerebral artery M1 segment. METHODS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled with 35 atherosclerotic stenoses at the M1 segment. The stenosis was about 75% in 16 patients, 80% in 15, and 90% in the rest four. The LVIS stent was used to treat these patients. RESULTS: The success rate of stenting was 97.1%. The stenting procedure was failed in one patient because of intraprocedural dissection of the stenotic (75%) segment, resulting in a 30-day periprocedural complication rate of 2.9% (1/35). Before stenting, the stenosis rate ranged 75%-90% (mean 78.9%±4.7%), and after stenting, the diameter of the stented segment was significantly (P<0.0001) increased to 1.5-3.4mm (mean 2.1±0.32mm) ranging 68.2%-100% (mean 94.0%±5.8%) of the normal arterial diameter, with the residual stenosis ranging 0-31.8% (median 4.8%, IQR 2.4%-7.3%). Follow-up was performed at 6-20 months (mean 8.5) after stenting. One patient (2.9%) had occlusion of the stented M1 segment with no symptoms, and two patients (5.7%) had slight asymptomatic instent stenosis (40%) at the M1 segment, with the instent restenosis and occlusion rate of 8.6% (3/35). CONCLUSION: The braided LVIS stent can be safely applied for treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in the middle cerebral artery with good safety and efficacy immediately after stenting and at follow-up.

[Effect of long-term deep slow-wave sleep deprivation on the reproductive system in male rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of long-term deep slow-wave sleep deprivation on the gonad axis, sperm abnormality rate, and structure of the testis in male rats and possible mechanisms. Methods: A total of 30 specific pathogen-free male Wistar rats aged 5 weeks were randomly divided into slow-wave sleep deprivation group 1 (SD1 group) , slow-wave sleep and sleep time deprivation group 2 (SD2 group) , and control group, with 10 rats in each group. The flower pot method was used to establish a model of sleep deprivation. In addition to 12-hour sleep deprivation at night, the rats in the SD1 group were given interference once every 24 minutes, and those in the SD2 group were deprived of sleep for 8 minutes every 24 minutes; the rats in the control group were given 12-hour light illumination and then placed in dark environment for 12 hours. All rats were sacrificed by exsanguination from the femoral artery, and the testis, the epididymis, and blood were collected for analysis. Sperm abnormality rate and sperm motility rate were measured, and cauda epididymal sperm counting was performed. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of testosterone (T) , follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) , and luteinizing hormone (LH) . Results: Compared with the control group, the SD2 group had a significant increase in organ coefficient of the epididymis (P<0.05) and a significant reduction in sperm motility rate (P<0.05) . There were significant differences between the SD1 group and the SD2 group in the increase in sperm abnormality rate (P<0.05) and the reduction in cauda epididymal sperm count (P<0.05) . The levels of FSH and T tended to increase, and the level of LH tended to decrease. Pathological examination showed degeneration and vacuolization of a small amount of spermatogenic cells in the SD1 group; in the SD2 group, there were significant degeneration, edema, and vacuolization of most spermatogenic cells, some spermatogenic cells were observed in the lumen, and there were no sperms in the lumen. Conclusion: Long-term deep slow-wave sleep deprivation impairs the structure of the testis, affects sperm motility rate and sex hormones, and increases the risk of sperm abnormality.

Restoration of microRNA-373 suppresses growth of human T-cell lymphoma cells by repressing CCND1.

OBJECTIVE: Adult T cell lymphoma is a highly aggressive T-cell malignancy. This study was designed to explore the expression and functional significance of microRNA (miR)-373 in T cell lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the levels of CCND1 and miR-373 in T cell lymphoma tissue and the relationship of miR-373 levels with patients' prognosis. We then overexpressed miR-373 by miRNA mimics transfection and inhibited miR-373 by miRNA antisense transfection in T cell lymphoma cells. Cell survival and growth were analyzed by CCK-8 assay and MTT assay, respectively. Cell proliferation was analyzed by flow cytometry. Bioinformatics analyses were applied to predict miR-373 targets, which were then confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: We detected significantly higher levels of CCND1, and significantly lower levels of miR-373 in T cell lymphoma tissue, compared to the adjacent non-tumor tissue. Moreover, the low miR-373 levels were associated with poor survival of the patients. Overexpression of miR-373 significantly inhibited cell growth, while depletion of miR-373 increased cell growth in T cell lymphoma cells. Moreover, the effects of miR-373 on cell growth appeared to result from an alteration in cell proliferation. Finally, miR-373 was found to bind to the 3'-UTR of CCND1 mRNA to inhibit its translation in T cell lymphoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that reduced miR-373 levels in T cell lymphoma tissue may promote T cell lymphoma growth, possibly through CCND1-mediated cell proliferation.

Simple sequence repeat-based analysis of the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of populations of Siniperca chuatsi.

In order to provide genetic information for the selective breeding of Siniperca chuatsi, 14 microsatellite DNA loci were used to evaluate the genetic diversity and structure of four farmed populations and one wild population in China. The four cultivated populations were Foshan (FS), Jiangmen (JM), Nanjing (NJ), and Hongze Lake (HZL), and the wild population was collected from the Hubei HuangGang section of the Yangtze River (HG). All five populations exhibited high genetic diversity (HE values of between 0.608 and 0.633); the highest was found in the wild population (HE = 0.633). Genetic differentiation within the populations was relatively low (FST < 0.15); 5.44% of the genetic variation was between the populations and 94.56% was within the populations. The greatest genetic distance was between JM and HG (0.1894), which had the lowest genetic identity (0.8725). NJ and HG had the shortest genetic distance (0.0365) and the highest genetic identity (0.9641). A phylogenetic analysis revealed that FS, JM, and HZL were clustered into one group, while NJ and HG were in another group, suggesting that the wild and NJ populations were closely related. Our results demonstrate that although the farmed populations have maintained a relatively high genetic diversity, they exhibit lower genetic diversity and higher genetic differentiation than the wild population. These results provide evidence that wild resources should be used for breeding, in order to maintain genetic diversity and ensure sustainable S. chuatsi farming.

Rapid sedation induced by fentanyl combined with propofol via an intrathecal chemotherapy injection for leukemia in children.

This study explored the sedative and analgesic effects of fentanyl combined with propofol via an intrathecal chemotherapy injection for acute leukemia (acute lymphocytic leukemia or acute myelocytic leukemia) among children, to relieve pain and difficulty during intrathecal injection, improve treatment compliance, increase the success rate of single puncture, and reduce procedure failure, with the aim of developing a painless procedure for children with acute leukemia. Fifty person-times received fentanyl combined with propofol via an intrathecal chemotherapy injection among the hospitalized children with leukemia. The patients' cooperation with the procedure, response to the medication, dosages of fentanyl and propofol, reaction to the procedures, wake-up time, and changes in oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), respiration, and blood pressure (BP) before, during, and after the procedures were observed. The doctors who performed the procedures assessed the quality of sedation and analgesia. In the treatment group, the patients were quiet during the lumbar puncture and intrathecal injection, showing good sedation and analgesia. HR and respiration decreased slightly. There were no changes in SpO2 and BP. No obvious respiratory depression occurred with proper dosages. Only a few patients showed stertorous respiration, which stopped soon after the procedures. In the control group, the patients were agitated, crying, and not cooperative before and during the procedures, which made the procedures very difficult. During intrathecal injection, pain obviously reduced and the success rate of single lumbar puncture increased. It is safe and effective to apply fentanyl combined with propofol for sedation and analgesia.

Root and canal morphology of maxillary first premolars in a Chinese subpopulation evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography.

AIM: To evaluate the external and internal anatomy of maxillary first premolar teeth in a Chinese subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODOLOGY: A total of 300 CBCT images involving maxillary first premolar teeth were obtained from 241 patients who underwent CBCT scanning as part of an oral and dental examination for bone mass before placement of implants or to locate impacted teeth before orthodontic therapy. Tooth position, number of roots, canal configuration, number of canals and number of apical foramina per root were investigated. The Fisher's exact test was used to analyse the correlation between root number and tooth position. RESULTS: Overall, 66% (n = 198) of teeth had one root and 33% (n = 100) had two roots; the remaining 1% (n = 2) had three roots. This frequency distribution showed no statistical significance between left and right sides. The most frequent canal configuration of these maxillary first premolars was type IV (n = 153; 51%), followed by type II (n = 70; 23%), with only 1% (n = 2) of teeth having type VIII. One-rooted teeth with canal bifurcations and/or combinations (types II, III, V, VI and VII) accounted for nearly 50% (n = 98) of the sample. Eighty-five per cent (n = 255) of the teeth examined had two root canals (types II-VII), and 14% (n = 43) had one. Amongst the 59 patients with bilateral teeth, 38 had a symmetrical pattern of tooth anatomy, including the same number of roots and the same types of canal configurations. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high frequency of one-rooted teeth amongst maxillary first premolars, with most having one root with two canals (types II-VII). The morphology of the canal in one-rooted teeth was highly variable.

Use of cone-beam computed tomography to evaluate root and canal morphology of mandibular molars in Chinese individuals.

AIM: To evaluate the root canal configuration of permanent mandibular first and second molar teeth in a Chinese subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODOLOGY: Patients who required CBCT radiographic examinations as part of their routine examination, diagnosis and treatment planning, were enrolled. Cases where the anatomy was compromised by physiological or pathological processes and the original root canal morphology was not clear were excluded. A total of 389 healthy, untreated, fully developed mandibular molars in Chinese individuals were included. The following observations were recorded: (i) the number of roots and their morphology; (ii) the number of canals per root; (iii) the canal configuration; (iv) the frequency of distolingual roots in the mandibular first molars and (v) the frequency of C-shaped canals in the mandibular second molars. The root canal configurations were classified according to the method of Vertucci (Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology58, 1984, 589). RESULTS: The majority of mandibular molars (70% of first molars, 76% of second molars) had two separate roots; however, three roots were identified in 29% of first molars. C-shaped roots occurred in 29% of second molars. Three canals were found in 56% of mandibular first molars and 43% had four canals. In the mandibular second molars, 46% had three canals and 38% had two canals. Most distal roots had a simple type I configuration, whereas mesial roots had more complex canal systems, with more than one canal. There were seven variants of the root canal morphology amongst the mandibular first molars and eight variants amongst the mandibular second molars, without considering the various root types. CONCLUSIONS: Three-rooted mandibular first molars and C-shaped mandibular second molars occurred frequently in this Chinese population. CBCT is an effective tool for the detection of additional distolingual roots and C-shaped roots/canals, and it is a valuable aid for dentists providing root canal treatment.