Diffusion-weighted MRI at the Late Stage after Radiotherapy for Evaluating Salivary Gland Injury.

OBJECTIVE: Salivary gland injury is the main complication of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) as a reliable tool to assess salivary gland function in NPC patients after radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analysed the MR images of 31 NPC patients at different time points within 2-3 years after radiotherapy. The changes in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and its relationship with radiation dose were analysed. RESULTS: Both the parotid and submandibular gland ADC values increased significantly 3-6 months after radiotherapy and then decreased gradually. The ADC value of the parotid gland was positively correlated with radiation dose at the late stage (P = 0.012, r = 0.359). The submandibular gland ADC change value (P = 0.035) and change ratio (P = 0.027) of the high radiation dose group were significantly lower than those of the low dose group at the late stage. CONCLUSION: The correlation between ADC values of parotid and submandibular glands and the radiation dose indicated that DW-MRI could be helpful in evaluating salivary gland injury after radiotherapy.

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) enhanced the clearance of Cryptococcus deneoformans during infection in vivo.

Cryptococcal species often cause lung infections and are the main cause of fungal meningitis. Claudin-4 appears to be a major structural component that maintains a tight alveolar barrier and prevents fluid and electrolyte leakage into the alveolar space. We aimed to determine whether S7-tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) could clearance of C. deneoformans and regulate claudin-4 expression during C. deneoformans infection. We investigated the effect of THC on C. deneoformans infection and its possible mechanism in vivo. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of the lung tissue and the invasion of Cryptococcus. To clarify the effect of THC, we examined claudin-4, c-Jun, and Smad2 expression. We also measured claudin-4 expression in pulmonary specimens from clinical patients. THC reduced cryptococcal cell invasion in the lungs, improved alveolar exudation, and reduced inflammation. Pretreatment with THC suppressed c-Jun and Smad2 expression, resulting in significantly increased claudin-4 levels. In contrast, the expression of claudin-4 in clinical specimens from patients with cryptococcal infection was higher than that in normal specimens. THC enhanced the clearance of C. deneoformans during infection in vivo. We investigated the expression of claudin-4 and the possible mechanism of THC against C. deneoformans infection.

Study on leakage and explosion law of buried gas pipeline based on scenario construction.

Based on the Jilin Songyuan gas pipeline accident, FLACS software was used to numerically simulate its leakage and explosion process in order to study the change law of the equivalent gas cloud volume of gas leakage diffusion under various influencing factors. The simulation results were compared and analyzed with the accident investigation report in order to ensure the accuracy of the simulation results. On this premise, the three primary influencing factors-the obstacle distribution technique, the ambient wind speed magnitude, and the ambient temperature-are varied in order to study the equivalent gas cloud volume variation features of the leaking gas cloud. The findings indicate a positive association between the maximum equivalent gas cloud volume of the leaking gas cloud and the density of the obstacle distribution. There is a positive correlation between ambient wind speed and the equivalent gas cloud volume when the ambient wind speed is less than 5.0 m/s, and a negative correlation between ambient wind speed and the equivalent gas cloud volume when the ambient wind speed is greater than or equal to 5.0 m/s. A drop in Q8 is proportionately increased by around 5% for every 10 °C increase in ambient temperature when the temperature is below room temperature. There is a positive association between ambient temperature and the equivalent gas cloud volume Q8. When the temperature is higher than room temperature, the drop in Q8 is correspondingly increased by about 3% for every 10 °C increase in ambient temperature.

Comparative analysis of the lung microbiota in patients with respiratory infections, tuberculosis, and lung cancer: A preliminary study.

Recent evidence suggests that lung microbiota can be recognized as one of the ecological determinants of various respiratory diseases. However, alterations in the lung microbiota and associated lung immunity in these respiratory diseases remain unclear. To compare the lung microbiota and lung immune profiles in common respiratory diseases, a total of 78 patients were enrolled in the present study, including 21 patients with primary pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), eight patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer (LC), and 49 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for microbiota and cytokine analyses. With MiSeq sequencing system, increased bacterial alpha-diversity and richness were observed in patients with LC than in those with PTB and CAP. Linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed that CAP-associated pulmonary microbiota were significantly different between the PTB and LC groups. More key functionally different genera were found in the PTB and LC groups than in the CAP group. The interaction network revealed stronger positive and negative correlations among these genera in the LC group than in the other two groups. However, increased BALF cytokine profiles were observed in the PTB group than in the other two groups, while BALF cytokines were correlated with key functional bacteria. This comparative study provides evidence for the associations among altered lung microbiota, BALF inflammation, and different respiratory disorders, which provides insight into the possible roles and mechanisms of pulmonary microbiota in the progression of respiratory disorders.

The role of neuroplastin65 in macrophage against E. coli infection in mice.

BACKGROUND: Innate immune response constitutes the first line of defense against pathogens. Inflammatory responses involve close contact between different populations of cells. These adhesive interactions mediate migration of cells to sites of infection leading the effective action of cells within the lesions. Cell adhesion molecules are critical to controlling immune response mediating cell adhesion or chemotaxis, as well as coordinating actin-based cell motility during phagocytosis and chemotaxis. Recently, a newly discovered neuroplastin (Np) adhesion molecule is found to play an important role in the nervous system. However, there is limited information on Np functions in immune response. To understand how Np is involved in innate immune response, a mouse model of intraperitoneal infection was established to investigate the effect of Np on macrophage-mediated clearance of E. coli infection and its possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Specific deficiency mice with Nptn gene controlling Np65 isoform were employed in this study. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins were detected by qPCR and western blot, or evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression level of NO and ROS were measured with their specific indicators. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by specific detection kits. Acid phosphatase activity was measured by flow cytometry after labelling with LysoRed fluorescent probe. Bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated from bone marrow of mice hind legs. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 assay. Cell migration was measured by wound healing assay or transwell assay. RESULTS: The lethal dose of E. coli infection in Np65-/- mice dropped to the half of lethal dose in WT mice. The bacterial load in the spleen, kidney and liver from Np65-/- mice were significantly higher than that from WT mice, which were due to the dramatic reduction of NO and ROS production in phagocytes from Np65-/- mice. Np65 gene deficiency remarkably impaired phagocytosis and function of lysosome in macrophage. Furthermore, Np65 molecule was involved in maturation and proliferation, even in migration and chemotaxis of BMDM in vitro. CONCLUSION: This study for the first time demonstrates that Np is involved in multi-function of phagocytes during bacterial infection, proposing that Np adhesion molecule plays a critical role in clearing pathogen infection in innate immunity.

Unusual clinical and histologic findings in a child with mixed dentition with hereditary gingival fibromatosis: a case report.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is characterized by an accumulation of extracellular matrix resulting in a fibrotic enlargement of keratinized gingiva. The goal of this article is to describe one kindred affected with HGF and discuss the diagnosis, treatment, recurrence risk and histopathology features of the proband with mixed dentition. An 8-year-old boy reported with a chief complaint of gingival enlargement. A series of examinations were performed to make a diagnosis and family histories of the patient were recorded. Surgical therapy included gingivectomy and gingivoplasty technique were performed for the proband to remove excess gingiva. Collagen bundles in the permanent incisors area were prevalently significantly bulkier than that of the deciduous teeth area and the arrangement was much more regular. Microscopic evaluation revealed that epithelial hyperplasia was severe in tissue with intense inflammation, whereas tissue with mild inflammation showed only long and deep epithelial papillae. The patient was placed on a 3-month recall schedule and didn't demonstrate any recurrence of gingival overgrowth over a 1-year follow-up period. The study revealed that the eruption of permanent teeth played an important role in accelerating gingival hyperplasia. For the first time, it was confirmed from histological perspective that inflammation in gingival tissue was crucial to the gingival overgrowth of HGF.

Role of probiotics in the treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with HBV-induced liver cirrhosis.

Objective This study was performed to investigate the role of probiotics ( Clostridium butyricum combined with Bifidobacterium infantis) in the treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver cirrhosis. Methods Sixty-seven consecutive patients with HBV-induced cirrhosis without overt hepatic encephalopathy were screened using the number connection test and digit symbol test. The patients were randomized to receive probiotics (n = 30) or no probiotics (n = 37) for 3 months. At the end of the trial, changes in cognition, intestinal microbiota, venous ammonia, and intestinal mucosal barriers were analyzed using recommended systems biology techniques. Results The patients' cognition was significantly improved after probiotic treatment. The predominant bacteria ( Clostridium cluster I and Bifidobacterium) were significantly enriched in the probiotics-treated group, while Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae were significantly decreased. Probiotic treatment was also associated with an obvious reduction in venous ammonia. Additionally, the parameters of the intestinal mucosal barrier were obviously improved after probiotic treatment, which might have contributed to the improved cognition and the decreased ammonia levels. Conclusion Treatment with probiotics containing C. butyricum and B. infantis represents a new adjuvant therapy for the management of MHE in patients with HBV-induced cirrhosis.