Crosstalk between H2O2 and Ca2+ signaling is involved in root endophyte-enhanced tanshinone biosynthesis of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Tanshinones are bioactive ingredients derived from the herbal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza and are used for treating diseases of the heart and brain, thus ensuring quality of S. miltiorrhiza is paramount. Applying the endophytic fungus Trichoderma atroviride D16 can significantly increase the content of tanshinones in S. miltiorrhiza, but the potential mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, the colonization of D16 effectively enhanced the levels of Ca2+ and H2O2 in the roots of S. miltiorrhiza, which is positively correlated with increased tanshinones accumulation. Further experiments found that the treatment of plantlets with Ca2+ channel blocker (LaCl3) or H2O2 scavenger (DMTU) blocked D16-promoted tanshinones production. LaCl3 suppressed not only the D16-induced tanshinones accumulation but also the induced Ca2+ and H2O2 generation; nevertheless, DMTU did not significantly inhibit the induced Ca2+ biosynthesis, implying that Ca2+ acted upstream in H2O2 production. These results were confirmed by observations that S. miltiorrhiza treated with D16, CaCl2, and D16+LaCl3 exhibit H2O2 accumulation and influx in the roots. Moreover, H2O2 as a downstream signal of Ca2+ is involved in D16 enhanced tanshinones synthesis by inducing the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of tanshinones, such as DXR, HMGR, GGPPS, CPS, KSL and CYP76AH1 genes. Transcriptomic analysis further supported that D16 activated the transcriptional responses related to Ca2+ and H2O2 production and tanshinones synthesis in S. miltiorrhiza seedlings. This is the first report that Ca2+ and H2O2 play important roles in regulating fungal-plant interactions thus improving the quality in the D16-S. miltiorrhiza system.

[Remote Sensing Model for Estimating Atmospheric PM2.5 Concentration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area].

PM2.5 is extremely harmful to the atmospheric environment and human health, and a timely and accurate understanding of PM2.5 with high spatial and temporal resolution plays an important role in the prevention and control of air pollution. Based on multi-angle implementation of atmospheric correction algorithm (MAIAC), 1 km AOD products, ERA5 meteorological data, and pollutant concentrations (CO, O3, NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5) in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area during 2015-2020, a geographically and temporally weighted regression model (GTWR), BP neural network model (BPNN), support vector machine regression model (SVR), and random forest model (RF) were established, respectively, to estimate PM2.5 concentration. The results showed that the estimation ability of the RF model was better than that of the BPNN, SVR, and GTWR models. The correlation coefficients of the BPNN, SVR, GTWR, and RF models were 0.922, 0.920, 0.934, and 0.981, respectively. The RMSE values were 7.192, 7.101, 6.385, and 3.670 µg·m-3. The MAE values were 5.482, 5.450, 4.849, and 2.323 µg·m-3, respectively. The RF model had the best effect during winter, followed by that during summer, and again during spring and autumn, with correlation coefficients above 0.976 in the prediction of different seasons. The RF model could be used to predict the PM2.5 concentration in the Greater Bay Area. In terms of time, the daily ρ(PM2.5) of cities in the Greater Bay Area showed a trend of "decreasing first and then increasing" in 2021, with the highest values ranging from 65.550 µg·m-3 to 112.780 µg·m-3 and the lowest values ranging from 5.000 µg·m-3 to 7.899 µg·m-3. The monthly average concentration showed a U-shaped distribution, and the concentration began to decrease in January and gradually increased after reaching a trough in June. Seasonally, it was characterized by the highest concentration during winter, the lowest during summer, and the transition during spring and autumn. The annual average ρ(PM2.5) of the Greater Bay Area was 28.868 µg·m-3, which was lower than the secondary concentration limit. Spatially, there was a "northwest to southeast" decreasing distribution of PM2.5 in 2021, and the high-pollution areas clustered in the central part of the Greater Bay Area, represented by Foshan. Low concentration areas were mainly distributed in the eastern part of Huizhou, Hong Kong, Macao, Zhuhai, and other coastal areas. The spatial distribution of PM2.5 in different seasons also showed heterogeneity and regionality. The RF model estimated the PM2.5 concentration with high accuracy, which provides a scientific basis for the health risk assessment associated with PM2.5 pollution in the Greater Bay Area.

Linolenic acid-metronidazole inhibits the growth of Helicobacter pylori through oxidation.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to antibiotics is one the main factors constraining the treatment and control of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial agents to replace antibiotics. Our previous study found that linolenic acid-metronidazole (Lla-Met) has a good antibacterial effect against H. pylori, both antibiotic-resistant and sensitive H. pylori. Also, H. pylori does not develop resistance to Lla-Met. Therefore, it could be used for preparing broad-spectrum antibacterial agents. However, since the antibacterial mechanism of Lla-Met is not well understood, we explored this phenomenon in the present study. AIM: To understand the antimicrobial effect of Lla-Met and how this could be applied in treating corresponding infections. METHODS: H. pylori cells were treated with the Lla-Met compound, and the effect of the compound on the cell morphology, cell membrane permeability, and oxidation of the bacteria cell was assessed. Meanwhile, the differently expressed genes in H. pylori in response to Lla-Met treatment were identified. RESULTS: Lla-Met treatment induced several changes in H. pylori cells, including roughening and swelling. In vivo experiments revealed that Lla-Met induced oxidation, DNA fragmentation, and phosphatidylserine ectropionation in H. pylori cells. Inhibiting Lla-Met with L-cysteine abrogated the above phenomena. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Lla-Met treatment up-regulated the expression of superoxide dismutase SodB and MdaB genes, both anti-oxidation-related genes. CONCLUSION: Lla-Met kills H. pylori mainly by inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage, phosphatidylserine ectropionation, and changes on cell morphology.

Gut microbial evidence chain in high-salt diet exacerbates intestinal aging process.

Although excessive salt consumption appears to hasten intestinal aging and increases susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, the molecular mechanism is unknown. In this study, mutual validation of high salt (HS) and aging fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in C56BL/6 mice was used to clarify the molecular mechanism by which excessive salt consumption causes intestinal aging. Firstly, we observed HS causes vascular endothelial damage and can accelerate intestinal aging associated with decreased colon and serum expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and increased malondialdehyde (MDA); after transplantation with HS fecal microbiota in mice, vascular endothelial damage and intestinal aging can also occur. Secondly, we also found intestinal aging and vascular endothelial damage in older mice aged 14 months; and after transplantation of the older mice fecal microbiota, the same effect was observed in mice aged 6-8 weeks. Meanwhile, HS and aging significantly changed gut microbial diversity and composition, which was transferable by FMT. Eventually, based on the core genera both in HS and the aging gut microbiota network, a machine learning model was constructed which could predict HS susceptibility to intestinal aging. Further investigation revealed that the process of HS-related intestinal aging was highly linked to the signal transduction mediated by various bacteria. In conclusion, the present study provides an experimental basis of potential microbial evidence in the process of HS related intestinal aging. Even, avoiding excessive salt consumption and actively intervening in gut microbiota alteration may assist to delay the aging state that drives HS-related intestinal aging in clinical practice.

Preparation and hypoglycemic effects of chromium- and zinc-rich Acetobacter aceti.

BACKGROUND: At present, there is no ideal method to cure diabetes, and there are few reports on the treatment of diabetes with probiotics. AIM: To propose a method for preparing a new type of chromium- and zinc-rich Acetobacter aceti (A. aceti) and explore its ability to enhance the hypoglycemic effects of probiotics in the treatment of diabetes. METHODS: A. aceti was cultured in a liquid medium that contained chromium trichloride and zinc chloride, both at a concentration of 64 mg/mL, with the initial concentration of the bacterial solution 1 × 104 CFU/mL. After the bacterial solution had been inducted for 48 h, the culture media was changed and the induction was repeated once. The levels of chromium and zinc in the bacteria were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the contents of NADH and glucose dehydrogenase were determined using an NAD/NADH kit and glucose dehydrogenase kit, respectively. Streptozotocin was used to establish a mouse model to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of the proposed chromium- and zinc-rich A. aceti. Ten-times the therapeutic dose was administered to evaluate its biological safety. The effect on MIN6 islet cells was also assessed in vitro. RESULTS: The levels of chromium metal, metallic zinc, NADH coenzyme, and glucose dehydrogenase in A. aceti prepared by this method were 28.58-34.34 mg/kg, 5.35-7.52 mg/kg, 5.13-7.26 µM, and 446.812-567.138 U/g, respectively. The use of these bacteria resulted in a better hypoglycemic effect than metformin, promoting the repair of tissues and cells of pancreatic islets in vivo and facilitating the growth of MIN6 pancreatic islet cells and increasing insulin secretion in vitro. Ten-times the therapeutic dose of treatment was non-toxic to mice. CONCLUSION: Chromium trichloride and zinc chloride can be employed to induce the preparation of chromium- and zinc-rich A. aceti, which can then promote the hypoglycemic effect found in normal A. aceti. The bacteria biotransforms the chromium and zinc in a way that could increase their safety as a treatment for diabetes.

Linolenic Acid-Metronidazole: a Compound Relieving Drug Resistance and Inhibiting Helicobacter pylori.

Metronidazole (Met) is the first choice for treating Helicobacter pylori (Hp). However, Hp is easy to resistant, making Met unable to be widely used. How to overcome Hp's Met resistance is still an issue. In this study, Met was used as the primary raw material with linolenic acid to prepare a novel compound-linolenic acid-metronidazole (Lla-Met). The MIC, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), colonization amount of Hp in gastric mucosa, etc., were evaluated, respectively. Lla-Met was successfully prepared by the detection of nuclear magnetic resonance, etc., and its MIC and MBC to Hp were 2~4 µg/mL, 8~16 µg/mL. Moreover, in vivo experiments, Lla-Met significantly reduced the colonization of drug-resistant Hp in gastric mucosa. In the toxicity test, Lla-Met inhibited rate to GES-1 and BGC823 cells were 15% at 128 µg/mL; the mice were administered 10 times treatment Lla-Met treatment (240 mg/kg), have no difference significant injuries were found in their stomach, liver, spleen, kidney, and weight. In addition, Hp G27 continued for 18 days in vitro with sub-Lla-Met concentration, G27 did not show drug resistance to Lla-Met; Lla-Met did not exert an effect on non-Hp species with 128 µg/mL; Compared with a neutral environment, when the acid concentration is 3.0, Lla-Met is not decomposed and has better stability. Conclusion: Lla-Met, a newly prepared compound, has relatively well antibacterial of Met-resistant and sensitive Hp, with a capability of overcoming the metronidazole resistance of Hp.

Clinical Analysis of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With Epilepsy Seizures.

Objective: In order to analyze the clinical characteristics of epileptic seizures in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during treatment. Methods: The clinical and imaging data of children diagnosed as ALL with epilepsy seizures from January 2013 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 2217 children with ALL were admitted during the study, of whom 229 (10.33%) had epileptic seizures after ALL treatment. Among them, 45 (19.65%) were in the high-risk group and 184 (80.35%) were in the low-risk group. Epileptic seizures mainly occurred in the induction remission period (24.02%), maintenance treatment period (25.33%) and after bone marrow transplantation (21.40%). The common causes were MTX-related demyelinating encephalopathy (34.06%) and reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) (25.3%). The first symptom was mainly convulsion (34.50%). The first attack had a comprehensive attack and partial attack. Most patients stop themselves. 30 cases (13.10%) had acute recurrence of epilepsy (recurrence within 3 months after the first attack), and 49 cases (25.76%) had neurological dysfunction after follow-up. 36 cases developed symptomatic epilepsy. Among the 130 children who completed the follow-up, 78 (60.00%) had no obvious neurological sequelae, and 52 (40.0%) had neurological sequelae. Among the 52 cases, there were 34 cases of mild sequelae and 18 cases of severe sequelae, including 8 cases of epilepsy combined with cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Epileptic seizure is a common neurological complication during ALL treatment. The etiology and associated manifestations of the first epileptic seizure are diverse. Early neuroimaging and EEG examination are helpful for early diagnosis and treatment.

LukS-PV Induces Apoptosis via the SET8-H4K20me1-PIK3CB Axis in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells.

Evidence suggests that histone modification disorders are involved in leukemia pathogenesis. We previously reported that LukS-PV, a component of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), has antileukemia activities that can induce differentiation, increase apoptosis, and inhibit proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Furthermore, LukS-PV inhibited hepatoma progression by regulating histone deacetylation, speculating that LukS-PV may exert antileukemia activity by targeting histone modification regulators. In this study, the results showed that LukS-PV induced apoptosis by downregulating the methyltransferase SET8 and its target histone H4 monomethylated at Lys 20 (H4K20me1). Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and polymerase chain reaction identified the kinase PIK3CB as a downstream target gene for apoptosis mediated by SET8/H4K20me1. Finally, our results indicated that LukS-PV induced apoptosis via the PIK3CB-AKT-FOXO1 signaling pathway by targeting SET8. This study indicates that SET8 downregulation is one of the mechanisms by which LukS-PV induces apoptosis in AML cells, suggesting that SET8 may be a potential therapeutic target for AML. Furthermore, LukS-PV may be a drug candidate for the treatment of AML that targets epigenetic modifications.

Early genetic diagnosis of clarithromycin resistance in Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: The drug resistance rate of clinical Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) isolates has increased. However, the mechanism of drug resistance remains unclear. In this study, drug-resistant H. pylori strains were isolated from different areas and different populations of Chinese for genomic analysis. AIM: To investigate drug-resistant genes in H. pylori and find the genes for the early diagnosis of clarithromycin resistance. METHODS: Three drug-resistant H. pylori strains were isolated from patients with gastritis in Bama County, China. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were determined and complete genome sequencing was performed with annotation. Hp1181 and hp1184 genes were found in these strains and then detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The relationships between hp1181 or hp1184 and clarithromycin resistance were ascertained with gene mutant and drug-resistant strains. The homology of the strains with hp26695 was assessed through complete genome detection and identification. Differences in genome sequences, gene quantity, and gene characteristics were detected amongst the three strains. Prediction and analysis of the function of drug-resistant genes indicated that the RNA expression of hp1181 and hp1184 increased in the three strains, which was the same in the artificially induced clarithromycin-resistant bacteria. After gene knockout, the drug sensitivity of the strains was assessed. RESULTS: The strains showing a high degree of homology with hp26695, hp1181, and hp1184 genes were found in these strains; the expression of the genes hp1184 and hp1181 was associated with clarithromycin resistance. CONCLUSION: Hp1181 and hp1184 mutations may be the earliest and most persistent response to clarithromycin resistance, and they may be the potential target genes for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of clarithromycin resistance.

Application of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has a high rate of infection and antibiotic resistance and poses a serious threat to human life. One of the main strategies to overcome drug resistance is to develop new treatment plans. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is commonly used to treat many diseases in China can reduce drug resistance and increase the eradication rate of H. pylori. In this paper, we review the research progress on TCM in the treatment of H. pylori infection. The mechanism of action of TCM is reviewed and research and applications of TCM in the treatment of H. pylori are demonstrated. Finally, we discuss problems confronting the use of TCM for the treatment of H. pylori infection and propose possible solutions. In addition, the plans of TCM in H. pylori treatment were also screened: Dampness-heat syndrome in the spleen and stomach, deficiency of spleen and stomach, and cold-heat complicated syndrome, and the effective components therein are studied. The antibacterial effect of TCM is relatively slow; for rapid improvement of the treatment effect of refractory H. pylori gastritis, we provide an appropriate treatment regime combining TCM and Western medicine with immune-regulatory and synergistic antibacterial effects.

[A clinical analysis of electrical status epilepticus during sleep in children and a follow-up study of methylprednisolone pulse therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features of electrical status epilepticus during sleep (ESES) in children, as well as the clinical effect of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in children with ESES. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using the clinical data of 78 children with ESES. Among these children, 56 children who had had the failure of antiepileptic drugs were treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy at a dose of 15-20 mg/(kg·d) for three courses. Each course of treatment was 3 days, followed by oral prednisone [1-2 mg/(kg·d)] for 3 days. The role of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in eliminating ESES, controlling clinical seizures, and improving intelligence and behaviors was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of onset of epilepsy in 78 children was 6.8±2.4 years, and the mean age for the first occurrence of ESES was 7.6±2.5 years. Compared with normal children, children with ESES had delayed intelligence development and higher scores of some behavior problems. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy had an overall response rate of 73% (41/56) on clinical seizures, and the overall response rate on electroencephalography (EEG)/spike-wave index was 70% (39/56) after treatment. There were significant improvements in verbal intelligence quotient, performance intelligence quotient and full intelligence quotient, and significant reductions in the scores of learning problems, impulse-hyperactivity and hyperactivity index after treatment (P<0.05). The overall recurrence rate after 1-year follow-up was 29% (11/38). CONCLUSIONS: ESES often presents around school age and impairs children's intelligence and behaviors. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy has a marked efficiency in reducing clinical seizures and EEG discharges in children with ESES and can improve intelligence and behavior development, but the recurrence rate remains high.

Prunella vulgaris: A Comprehensive Review of Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological Effects and Clinical Applications.

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a perennial herb belonging to the Labiate family and is widely distributed in the northeastern Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and China. It is reported to display diverse biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammation as determined by in vitro or in vivo studies. So far, about 200 compounds have been isolated from PV plant and a majority of these have been characterized mainly as triterpenoids, sterols and flavonoids, followed by coumarins, phenylpropanoids, polysaccharides and volatile oils. This review summarizes and analyzes the current knowledge on the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action and clinical applications of the PV plant including its potential as a future medicinal plant. Although some of the chemical constituents of the PV plant and their mechanisms of action have been investigated, the biological activities of many of these remain unknown and further clinical trials are required to further enhance its reputation as a medicinal plant.

Glycine Protects against Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury by Regulating Mitochondria-Mediated Autophagy via the AMPK Pathway.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is detrimental to newborns and is associated with high mortality and poor prognosis. Thus, the primary aim of the present study was to determine whether glycine could (1) attenuate HIE injury in rats and hypoxic stress in PC12 cells and (2) downregulate mitochondria-mediated autophagy dependent on the adenosine monophosphate- (AMP-) activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. Experiments conducted using an in vivo HIE animal model and in vitro hypoxic stress to PC12 cells revealed that intense autophagy associated with mitochondrial function occurred during in vivo HIE injury and in vitro hypoxic stress. However, glycine treatment effectively attenuated mitochondria-mediated autophagy. Additionally, after identifying alterations in proteins within the AMPK pathway in rats and PC12 cells following glycine treatment, cyclosporin A (CsA) and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-b-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR) were administered in these models and indicated that glycine protected against HIE and CoCl2 injury by downregulating mitochondria-mediated autophagy that was dependent on the AMPK pathway. Overall, glycine attenuated hypoxic-ischemic injury in neurons via reductions in mitochondria-mediated autophagy through the AMPK pathway both in vitro and in vivo.

Diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumoniae by loop-mediated isothermal amplification: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A novel method, termed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), was developed by Notomi et al. (2000). Individually published results have been reported that this technology has been successfully applied to the detection of a variety of pathogens. However, the overall diagnostic accuracy of LAMP for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) remains unclear. A meta-analysis was therefore performed to review the accuracy of LAMP for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. METHODS: Cochrane Library and PubMed were systematically searched and checked for studies using LAMP for detecting mycoplasma pneumoniae. We used PCR as a reference standard to evaluate the quality of the studies eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Then, the data from the studies were extracted by two independent assessors. Meta-DiSc 1.4 software was utilized to test the heterogeneity of sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SP), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnosis odds ratio (DOR). The pooled analysis results were plotted, and the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was plotted by calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Generated pooled summary estimates (95% CIs) were calculated for the overall accuracy, and a bivariate meta-regression model was used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Seven studies with nine fourfold tables were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled SEN and SPE for diagnosing Mycoplasma pneumoniae were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87-0.93) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-0.99), respectively. The PLR was 31.25 (95% CI: 14.83-65.87), NLR 0.10 (95% CI: 0.05-0.22), DOR 399.32 (95% CI: 172.01-927.00), and AUC 0.9892. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, compared with PCR, LAMP is a valuable alternative method for Mycoplasma pneumoniae diagnosis in clinic with high sensitivity and specificity. However, more evidence is required to confirm that LAMP can fully replace other methods in the clinical diagnosis of MP.

NEDD9 expression is correlated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers in colorectal cancer.

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical step in tumor metastasis. NEDD9 has been shown to be an oncogene in colorectal cancer. However, little is known about the relationship between NEDD9 and EMT in colorectal cancer metastasis. A total of 63 pairs of freshly frozen colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues were evaluated for NEDD9 gene expression using quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of NEDD9 and three epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins (E-cadherin, ß-catenin and vimentin) was examined in 122 colorectal cancers by immunohistochemistry. The expression of NEDD9 was markedly increased in colorectal cancer tissues compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues. The expression level of NEDD9 was positively correlated and TNM stage but not with other clinicopathological features of colorectal tumors. Furthermore, the expression of NEDD9 was strongly associated with the loss of epithelial marker E-cadherin and acquired expression of the mesenchymal markers nuclear ß-catenin and vimentin. These findings suggested that NEDD9 might promote EMT and the progression of colorectal cancer, and thus may be a potential therapeutic target of colorectal cancers.

[Application of 3D digital orthopedic techniques in treatment of acetabular fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of three-dimensional digital orthopedic techniques in treatment of acetabular fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 50 cases of acetabular fracture treated between March, 2007 and December, 2013. The lamellar CT scanning data were imported into Mimics software, and 3D anatomical models of the pelvic and proximal femur were reconstructed. Computer-assisted analysis was carried out to understand the condition of fractures and simulate fracture reduction. The pelvic models were manufactured by rapid prototyping technique for definite diagnosis and typing of acetabular fractures and subsequent surgical treatment. RESULTS: Three-dimensional reconstruction images and rapid prototyping pelvic models faithfully represented the findings in operations. Preoperative simulation of the operation shortened the time of operation and reduced the volume of bleeding in the operation. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months. According to Matta imaging score, anatomical reduction was achieved in 41 cases and satisfactory reduction in 9 cases. According to the Harris functional criteria, 32 patients had excellent, 12 had good and 6 had acceptable outcomes with a rate of excellent and good outcomes of 88%. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional digital orthopedic techniques allow accurate display of the acetabulum and the spatial relation of the anatomic structures to assist in fracture diagnosis, typing and treatment.

Subcellular localization of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 during oocyte fertilization and early-embryo development in mice.

Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is a member of the focal adhesion kinase family and is highly expressed in oocytes. Using a combination of confocal microscopy and RNAi, we localized and studied the function of both Pyk2 and tyrosine-phosphorylated Pyk2 (p-Pyk2) during mouse oocyte fertilization and early embryo development. At the onset of fertilization, Pyk2 and p-Pyk2 were detected predominantly in sperm heads and the oocyte cytoplasm. Upon formation of male and female pronuclei, Pyk2 and its activated form leave the cytoplasm and accumulate in the two pronuclei. We detected Pyk2 in blastomere nuclei and found both Pyk2 and p-Pyk2 in the pre-blastula cytoplasm. Pyk2 and its activated form then disappeared from the blastula nuclei and localized to the perinuclear regions, where blastula cells come into contact with each other. Pyk2 knockdown via microinjection of siRNA into the zygote did not inhibit early embryo development. Our results suggest that Pyk2 plays multiple functional roles in mouse oocyte fertilization as well as throughout early embryo development.

Contrast-enhanced susceptibility weighted imaging with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide improves the detection of tumor vascularity in a hepatocellular carcinoma nude mouse model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced susceptibility-weighted imaging with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO-enhanced SWI) in the assessment of intratumoral vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Orthotopic xenograft HCC nude mouse models were established first and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed on a 1.5T MR scanner 28 days later. Three groups of mice, 10 in each, were imaged using unenhanced and USPIO-enhanced SWI at doses of 4, 8, and 12 mg Fe/kg. Intratumoral susceptibility signal intensity (ITSS) was scored. ITSS-to-tumor contrast-to-noise ratio (ITSST-CNR) was measured. These measurements were compared between unenhanced and USPIO-enhanced SWI at each dose and differences in the measurements between different dose groups were estimated. Correlation between ITSS and tumor microvessel density (MVD) was analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with unenhanced SWI, significantly higher ITSS was identified on USPIO-enhanced SWI at doses of 8 mg Fe/kg (Z = -2.000, P = 0.046) and 12 mg Fe/kg (Z = -2.333, P = 0.020). Significantly higher ITSST-CNR was found on USPIO-enhanced SWI than that on unenhanced SWI (P < 0.05). Significantly higher ITSST-CNR at a dose of 8 mg Fe/kg was observed than that at 4 mg Fe/kg (Z = -3.326, P = 0.001). Positive correlation between ITSS on USPIO-enhanced SWI at a dose of 8 mg Fe/kg and tumor MVD was demonstrated (r = 0.817, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: USPIO-enhanced SWI at a dose of 8 mg Fe/kg greatly improves the detection of intratumoral vascularity in a xenograft HCC model. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:288-295.

Glycemic Variation in Tumor Patients with Total Parenteral Nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is associated with poor clinical outcomes and mortality in several patients. However, studies evaluating hyperglycemia variation in tumor patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between glycemia and tumor kinds with TPN by monitoring glycemic variation in tumor patients. METHODS: This retrospective clinical trial selected 312 patients with various cancer types, whose unique nutrition treatment was TPN during the monitoring period. All patients had blood glucose (BG) values assessed at least six times daily during the TPN infusion. The glycemic variation before and after TPN was set as the indicator to evaluate the factors influencing BG. RESULTS: The clinical trial lasted 7.5 ± 3.0 days adjusted for age, gender, family cancer history and blood types. There were six cancer types: Hepatic carcinoma (HC, 21.8%), rectal carcinoma (17.3%), colon carcinoma (CC, 14.7%), gastric carcinoma (29.8%), pancreatic carcinoma (11.5%), and duodenal carcinoma (DC, 4.8%). The patients were divided into diabetes and nondiabetes groups. No statistical differences in TPN glucose content between diabetes and nondiabetes groups were found; however, the tumor types affected by BG values were obvious. With increasing BG values, DC, HC and CC were more represented than other tumor types in this sequence in diabetic individuals, as well as in the nondiabetic group. BG was inclined to be more easily influenced in the nondiabetes group. Other factors did not impact BG values, including gender, body mass index, and TPN infusion duration time. CONCLUSIONS: When tumor patients are treated with TPN, BG levels should be monitored according to different types of tumors, besides differentiating diabetes or nondiabetes patients. Special BG control is needed for DC, HC and CC in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. If BG overtly increases, positive measurements are needed to control BG values. The ClinicalTrials.gov ID is NCT02024321.

[Imaging diagnosis of masses in temporal bone associated with pulsatile tinnitus].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the imaging diagnosis accuracy on masses of temporal bone associated with pulsatile tinnitus. METHODS: The CT and MRI features of masses in temporal bone associated with pulsatile tinnitus in 32 cases, confirmed by pathology, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: They were grouped into two according to the jugular bulb involved or not. In the group involving the jugular bulb, there were 5 cases with glomus jugular, 2 cases of them presented the feature of "salt-pepper". There were 5 cases with middle ear carcinoma, which presented the masses in the tympanic cavity and antrum, extended to the external auditory canal and eroded the eustachian tube and jugular bulb. There were 3 cases with endolymphatic sac tumors, which presented multiple bony spicules on CT images and high signal on T1-weighted images. There was 1 case with metastatic tumor, which extensively eroded temporal and occipital bone, involved the jugular bulb, presented intermediate signal on T1-weighted images and intermediate or high signal on T2-weighted images, moderately enhanced following contrast administration. In the group not involving the jugular bulb, there were 15 cases with tympanic glomus, without ossicles and tympanic erosion, 7 cases of them limited to the promontory, 7 cases of them filled the tympanic cavity and antrum and 5 cases extended deep into the external auditory canals, 1 case extended to the mastoid, 12 cases intensely enhanced with gadolinium. There were 2 cases with cholesterol granulomas of the middle ear, which presented the masses in the tympanic cavity and antrum and high T1-weighted and T2-weighted signal. There was 1 case with facial nerve hemangioma, which presented the enlargement and mass of the geniculate fossa involving the tympanic segment of facial nerve with the erosion and displacement of ossicles. On MR images, the mass was intensely enhanced after contrast administration. CONCLUSION: Among the masses of temporal bone associated with pulsatile tinnitus, the paragangliomas are the most common and easy to be diagnosed by their imaging features. While the other masses of temporal bone are uncommon, they could also be diagnosed accurately by clinical and imaging characteristics.