Staging liver fibrosis with various diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging models.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been developed to stage liver fibrosis. However, its diagnostic performance is inconsistent among studies. Therefore, it is worth studying the diagnostic value of various diffusion models for liver fibrosis in one cohort. AIM: To evaluate the clinical potential of six diffusion-weighted models in liver fibrosis staging and compare their diagnostic performances. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 59 patients suspected of liver disease and scheduled for liver biopsy and 17 healthy participants. All participants underwent multi-b value DWI. The main DWI-derived parameters included Mono-apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from mono-exponential DWI, intravoxel incoherent motion model-derived true diffusion coefficient (IVIM-D), diffusion kurtosis imaging-derived apparent diffusivity (DKI-MD), stretched exponential model-derived distributed diffusion coefficient (SEM-DDC), fractional order calculus (FROC) model-derived diffusion coefficient (FROC-D) and FROC model-derived microstructural quantity (FROC-µ), and continuous-time random-walk (CTRW) model-derived anomalous diffusion coefficient (CTRW-D) and CTRW model-derived temporal diffusion heterogeneity index (CTRW-α). The correlations between DWI-derived parameters and fibrosis stages and the parameters' diagnostic efficacy in detecting significant fibrosis (SF) were assessed and compared. RESULTS: CTRW-D (r = -0.356), CTRW-α (r = -0.297), DKI-MD (r = -0.297), FROC-D (r = -0.350), FROC-µ (r = -0.321), IVIM-D (r = -0.251), Mono-ADC (r = -0.362), and SEM-DDC (r = -0.263) were significantly correlated with fibrosis stages. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) of the combined index of the six models for distinguishing SF (0.697-0.747) were higher than each of the parameters alone (0.524-0.719). The DWI models' ability to detect SF was similar. The combined index of CTRW model parameters had the highest AUC (0.747). CONCLUSION: The DWI models were similarly valuable in distinguishing SF in patients with liver disease. The combined index of CTRW parameters had the highest AUC.

Homocysteine-potentiated Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 promotes senescence of neuroblastoma 2a cells via inhibiting ubiquitination of ß-catenin.

Elevated serum homocysteine (Hcy) level is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and accelerates cell aging. However, the mechanism by which Hcy induces neuronal senescence remains largely unknown. In this study, we observed that Hcy significantly promoted senescence in neuroblastoma 2a (N2a) cells with elevated ß-catenin and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) levels. Intriguingly, Hcy promoted the interaction between KEAP1 and the Wilms tumor gene on the X chromosome (WTX) while hampering the ß-catenin-WTX interaction. Mechanistically, Hcy attenuated the methylation level of the KEAP1 promoter CpG island and activated KEAP1 transcription. However, a slow degradation rate rather than transcriptional activation contributed to the high level of ß-catenin. Hcy-upregulated KEAP1 competed with ß-catenin to bind to WTX. Knockdown of both ß-catenin and KEAP1 attenuated Hcy-induced senescence in N2a cells. Our data highlight a crucial role of the KEAP1-ß-catenin pathway in Hcy-induced neuronal-like senescence and uncover a promising target for AD treatment.

miR-124 is upregulated in diabetic mice and inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of high-glucose-induced ß-cells by targeting EZH2.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease, and a variety of miRNA are involved in the occurrence and development of diabetes. In clinical studies, miR-124 is highly expressed in the serum of patients with diabetes and in pancreatic islet ß-cells. However, few reports exist concerning the role and mechanism of action of miR-124 in diabetes. AIM: To investigate the expression of miR-124 in diabetic mice and the potential mechanism of action in islet ß-cells. METHODS: The expression levels of miR-124 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in pancreatic tissues of diabetic mice were detected. The targeted relationship between miR-124 and EZH2 was predicted by Targetscan software and verified by a double luciferase reporter assay. Mouse islet ß-cells Min6 were grown in a high glucose (HG) medium to mimic a diabetes model. The insulin secretion, proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of HG-induced Min6 cells were detected after interference of miR-124a and/or EZH2. RESULTS: The expression of miR-124 was upregulated and EZH2 was downregulated in the pancreatic tissue of diabetic mice compared with control mice, and the expression of miR-124 was negatively correlated with that of EZH2. miR-124 was highly expressed in HG-induced Min6 cells. Inhibition of miR-124 promoted insulin secretion and cell proliferation, induced the transition from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase of the cell cycle, and inhibited cell apoptosis in HG-induced Min6 cells. EZH2 was one of the targets of miR-124. Co-transfection of miR-124 inhibitor and siRNA-EZH2 could reverse the effects of the miR-124 inhibitor in HG-induced Min6 cells. CONCLUSION: miR-124 is highly expressed in diabetic mice and HG-induced Min6 cells and regulates insulin secretion, proliferation and apoptosis of islet ß-cells by targeting EZH2.

[Anti-tumor effect of Plasmodium yoelii infection on melanoma in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the anti-tumor effect of 17XL strains of Plasmodium yoelii (P.y) infection on melanoma in mice. METHODS: B16F10 tumor cells were axillarilly injected into the right flank of 20 C57BL/6 mice to establish tumor-bearing mouse models. The next day, the mice were randomly divided into a P.y infection group and control group, 10 mice each group. Each mouse of the P.y infection group was intraperitoneally injected with 1×106 red blood cells including 20% P.y infection red blood cells, and each one of the control group were intraperitoneally injected with 1×106 normal red blood cells of C57BL/6 mice. The time of tumor formation of the mice in the two groups was observed and the tumor volumes were measured. RESULTS: The time of tumor formation in the P.y infection groupï¼» (11.30 ± 0.21) dï¼½was significantly later than that in the control group ï¼» (10.40 ± 0.22) dï¼½ (P < 0.05). From the tumors could be accurately measured to the study end point, both the tumors of mice in the two groups were growing, and the tumor volumes of mice in the P.y infection group were significantly less than those in the control group at each time point (all P < 0.05). The growth rate of tumors in the P.y infection group ï¼» (71.10 ± 6.29) mm3/dï¼½ was significantly slower than that in the control group ï¼» (302.80 ± 49.94) mm3/dï¼½ (P < 0.05), and the growth rates of tumors everyday in the P.y infection group were significantly slower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The P.y infection can delay the occurrence of tumor and inhibit the growth of melanoma.

[Experience and analysis of excellent works of human parasitology in national medical colleges and universities].

Teaching competition is an effective way for college and university teachers to improve their teaching skills. Based on the teaching practice and experience in medical parasitology, this paper discusses several key issues in teaching competition including topics, teaching designs and teaching methods. It provides references for the teachers in department of parasitology of universities and colleges to improve the quality of classroom teaching.

[Multiple insecticide resistances and kdr mutation of Culex pipiens pallens in north-central Anhui Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the status of resistance to multiple insecticides and the frequencies of kdr mutations in Culex pipiens pallens from north-central Anhui Province. METHODS: From July to September, 2014, the C. pipiens pallens mosquito larvae were collected in Huaibei, Bengbu and Chuzhou cities of the north-central Anhui Province and reared to adults. The female adult mosquitoes at 3-5 days post emergence were tested for susceptibility to the four insecticides, namely 0.05% deltamethrin, 5% malathion, 0.1% bendiocarb and 4% DDT, by using the standard WHO resistance tube bioassay. The detection of the point mutations of the kdr gene at codon 1014 was conducted by PCR and DNA sequencing in the deltamethrin-resistant and -susceptible mosquitoes. RESULTS: High levels of resistance to all the four insecticides were found in all the three tested populations, although mosquito mortality varied among populations and test insecticides. Among the test insecticides, DDT showed lowest mortality with no significant difference (F = 1.027, P > 0.05) in all test populations, whereas significantly different mortalities were observed among populations for the remained three insecticides tested (deltamethrin, malathion, and bendiocarb) (F = 23.823, 33.955, 128.841; all P < 0.01). Two types of non-synonymous kdr mutation at codon position 1014 (L1014F and L1014S) were observed. A positive correlation between L1014F mutation frequencies and deltamethrin resistance levels were detected in the three mosquito populations (r2 = 0.718, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The observed high levels of resistance to multiple-insecticides coupled with the occurrence of medium to high kdr frequencies in populations of C. pipiens pallens could profoundly affect the mosquito vector control programme in China. The local health departments need to strengthen vector dynamic monitoring and implement rational resistance management strategies.

Investigation of the effect of heparin gelatin sponge stickers for traumatic tympanic membrane perforation / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of heparin gelatin sponge stickers in the treatment of traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total of 79 cases (83 ears) of traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane were randomly divided into two groups: the test group had 54 patients (58 ears), and the control group had 25 cases (25 ears). The test group received the treatment of heparin gelatin sponge stickers, and the control group received conservative traditional drying method. All the subjects were followed up for 4 weeks, observed and recorded the rate and healing period of traumatic tympanic membrane.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 4-week's follow-up, 56 ears were cured in the test group, with a rate of 96.55%. Fourteen ears were cured in the control group with a rate of 56.00%. The healing rate of test group was significantly higher than that of the control group (χ(2) = 18.79, P < 0.01). The average of healing period was 17.6 days in the test group, and 32.0 days in the control group. There were significant differences in healing period between two groups (t = 6.37, P < 0.01). All the cured tympanic membrane in the test group was morphologically complete. In all followed up patients, there were no allergies and signs of infection, as well as other adverse reaction in the process of healing.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The heparin gelatin sponge can effectively enhance closure of the traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane and can shorten the healing period of traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane, and the smaller of the perforation, the shorter of healing period.</p>

Determination of hydroxyl radicals in TiO2/Ti photoelectrocatalytic oxidation system using Fe(phen)3(2+) spectrophotometry.

A new method of determining the cumulate concentration of hydroxyl radicals in the TiO2/Ti photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) oxidation system was established by o-phenanthroline-Fe(II)(Fe(phen)3(2+)) spectrophotometry and using anion exchange membrane. Fe (phen)3(2+) can be oxidized to o-phenanthroline-Fe(III)(Fe(phen)3(3+)) by strong oxidization of hydroxyl radicals(*OH). Then the cumulate concentration of hydroxyl radicals can be calculated through determining the change of the Fe(phen)3(3+) absorbency at 509 nm. In addition, the research results showed the production rate of hydroxyl radicals was affected obviously by pH of solution, the cumulate concentration of hydroxyl radicals was the largest at nearby the initial pH 6.3 (isoelectric point), and the change direction of pH after illumination tended to nearby isoelectric point.