Identification of U-shaped curve relation between proneurotensin and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with premature CAD.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neurotensin (NT) is a gut hormone with broad effects on the cardiovascular system. Recent data suggested that circulating proneurotensin (pro-NT)-the stable precursor fragment of NT-could independently predict cardiovascular artery disease (CAD) development. However, serum pro-NT levels in patients with premature cardiovascular artery disease (PCAD) are still unknown. This study aims to determine serum pro-NT levels in patients with PCAD and investigate its relationship with PCAD risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 490 subjects, including 364 with PCAD and 126 without PCAD (NPCAD), and 182 controls were enrolled in the study. Data of baseline clinical parameters and biochemical variables were collected. Serum pro-NT levels were measured by ELISA. Serum pro-NT levels were higher in patients with PCAD than in controls (59.42 ± 66.66 vs. 38.07 ± 48.48 pg/mL, P < 0.05), especially in patients with BMI<25 kg/m2. Serum pro-NT levels were independently related to PCAD (ß = 0.349, P < 0.001), and the association revealed a U-shaped curve characteristic between pro-NT tertiles and CAD risk in patients with premature CAD and controls. Subjects with low and high tertiles of pro-NT levels had 1.79-fold and 2.23-fold higher risks of PCAD, respectively, than subjects with median pro-NT levels (P < 0.05). After adjusting for age, gender, and BMI in Model 1 and other confounders in Model 2 and Model 3, the U-shaped relationship remained significant. CONCLUSION: Serum pro-NT levels were significantly increased in patients with PCAD. The association between pro-NT levels and PCAD risk presents a U-shaped curve characteristic, which demonstrated that subjects with lower and higher pro-NT levels both were more likely to have PCAD.

Application of transvaginal three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in benign and malignant endometrial diseases.

To investigate the value of transvaginal three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of benign and malignant endometrial diseases.A total of 144 patients with endometrial thickness ≥4 mm were enrolled. Endometrial thickness was measured by transvaginal 3D B-mode ultrasound, while blood signals were detected by 3D power Doppler ultrasound. Endometrial volume (EV), vascularization index (VI), blood flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated. All histopathological diagnoses of endometrium were obtained.There were 86 benign and 58 malignant cases. There were statistically significant differences between two groups in endometrial thickness [1.50 (1.30, 1.80) vs 2.30 (1.80, 3.20), P < .001], EV [10.62 (7.14, 17.36) vs 28.94 (9.59, 67.96), P < .001], VI [6.07 (3.61, 10.33) vs 12.01 (7.50, 19.87), P = .001], FI [27.42 (24.45, 31.33) vs 32.98 (30.22, 35.40), P < .001], and VFI [1.58 (0.92, 3.32) vs 4.28 (2.24, 6.41), P < 0.001]. Sensitivity and specificity of endometrial thickness were relatively high [endometrial thickness (86.2%, 76.1%), EV (48.3%, 97.7%), VI (72.4%, 69.8%), FI (72.4%, 74.4%), and VFI (72.4%, 74.4%)]. There was no significant difference in any parameters of the endometrium between different stages (Ia, Ib, II, and above) or phases (G1, G2, and G3) of Ia phase of endometrial cancer (all P > .05).Transvaginal 3D power Doppler ultrasound is valuable in the differentiating benign and malignant endometrial lesions.

Improvement of diagnostic efficiency in distinguishing the benign and malignant thyroid nodules via conventional ultrasound combined with ultrasound contrast and elastography.

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic values of conventional ultrasound (US), ultrasound contrast (UC) and ultrasound elastography (UE) in distinguishing the benign and malignant thyroid nodules. A total of 100 patients with thyroid nodules receiving operative treatment were selected; they underwent the conventional US, UE and UC examinations before operation, respectively. The nodules received pathological examination after operation to distinguish benign from malignant lesions. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accordance rate of each diagnostic method was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under the curve (AUC) of ROC was calculated. The manifestations of malignant thyroid nodules in conventional US examination were mostly the hypoecho, heterogeneous echo, irregular shape, unclear boundary, aspect ratio <1, microcalcification and irregular peripheral echo halo, and there were statistically significant differences compared with the benign nodules (P<0.05). UE showed that the differences between benign and malignant nodules in 2, 3 and 4 points were statistically significant (P<0.05). The manifestations of malignant nodules in UC were mostly the irregular shape, obscure boundary, no obvious enhancement, heterogeneous enhancement and visible perfusion defects, and there were statistically significant differences compared with the benign nodules (P<0.05). ROC curve showed that both sensitivity and specificity of UE and UC were superior to those of conventional US. AUC was the largest (AUC = 0.908) and the diagnostic value was the highest in the conventional US combined with UE and UC. Conventional US combined with elastography and UC can significantly improve the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Ultrasonographic characteristics of medullary thyroid carcinoma: a comparison with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

This study was designed to explore differences in the ultrasonographic characteristics of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This study included 35 cases of MTC and 96 cases of PTC that were surgically and pathologically confirmed. Preoperative ultrasound images were retrospectively reviewed by two physicians (with 5 years' experience in thyroid ultrasound) under the premise of unknown pathological results. Various ultrasonic features of nodules were assessed objectively. The clinical features of components were determined by other physicians. Age, sex, unilateral or bilateral involvement of thyroid gland, lesion size, margin, shape, echogenicity, calcification, intranodular blood flow, cervical lymph node, and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage were compared between MTC and PTC groups. Age, sex, involvement of the thyroid gland, margin, and calcification were similar for the MTC and PTC groups. Compared with the PTC group, the lesion size in the MTC group was significantly larger (P < 0.001). A taller-than-wide shape (aspect ratio > 1) was significantly less likely in the MTC group than the PTC group (P < 0.001). A mixed echogenicity was significantly more common in the MTC group than the PTC group (P = 0.003). The MTC group had significantly enhanced intranodular blood flow (P < 0.001). The TNM stage of the MTC group was significantly higher than that of PTC group (P = 0.001). Medullary thyroid carcinomas differ significantly from PTCs in lesion size, shape, echogenicity, and intranodular blood flow.

A lysosome-targeted fluorescent chemodosimeter for monitoring endogenous and exogenous hydrogen sulfide by in vivo imaging.

A lysosome-targeted fluorescent chemodosimeter, 1, was developed for monitoring endogenous and exogenous H2S by in vivo imaging of HeLa cells, D. melanogaster and C. elegans. In the tests of mutated C. elegans (SRP-6 nulls), chemodosimeter 1 could trace the accumulation of lysosome and lysosomal injury with a high resolution.

Effects of chronic exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus on epidermal growth factor receptor expression in the airway epithelial cells of asthmatic rats.

Epidemiologic studies suggest that increased concentrations of airborne spores of Aspergillus fumigatus closely relate to asthma aggravation. Chronic exposure to A. fumigatus aggravates airway inflammation, remodeling, and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic rats. The effects of chronic exposure to A. fumigatus on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in the airway epithelial cells of asthmatic rats remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to A. fumigatus on injury and shedding of airway epithelium, goblet cell metaplasia, and EGFR expression in the airway epithelial cells of asthmatic rats. A rat model of chronic asthma was established using ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge. Rats with chronic asthma were then exposed to long-term inhalation of spores of A. fumigatus, and the dynamic changes in injury and shedding of airway epithelium, goblet cell metaplasia, and EGFR expression were observed and analyzed. Chronic exposure to A. fumigatus could aggravate airway epithelial cell damage, upregulate the expression of EGFR and its ligands EGF and TGF-α, promote goblet cell metaplasia, and increase airway responsiveness in rats with asthma. Chronic exposure to A. fumigatus upregulates the expression of EGFR and its ligands in asthmatic rats. The EGFR pathway may play a role in asthma aggravation induced by exposure to A. fumigatus.

[Effects of chronic Aspergillus fumigatus exposure on the expression of mucin 5AC in the airways of asthmatic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of chronic Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) exposure on the expression of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in the airways of asthmatic rats. METHODS: Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: chronic asthma (group A), chronic asthma plus Af spores inhalation for 1 week (group B), 3 weeks (group C) and 5 weeks (group D), chronic asthma plus saline inhalation for 5 weeks (group E), OVA-sensitized and-saline-challenged group (group F) and OVA-sensitized and-saline-challenged plus Af spores inhalation for 5 weeks (group G) (each n = 8). The airway resistance (Raw) and the change rate of Raw after acetylcholine provocation were detected using a computerized system. The level of MUC5AC mRNA in the lung tissue was measured by RT-PCR, and the expression of MUC5AC in airway epithelial cells were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. The concentration of IL-13 in BALF was measured by ELISA. The extent of goblet cell hyperplasia was evaluated on periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS) lung sections. RESULTS: In group B, C, and D, the level of MUC5AC mRNA (MUC5AC mRNA/ß-actin mRNA) (1.9 ± 0.4, 2.3 ± 0.6, 2.9 ± 0.8, respectively), the integrated optical density (value A) of MUC5AC positive stain in airway epithelial cells (278 ± 58, 566 ± 64, 891 ± 80, respectively), the concentration of IL-13 in BALF (µg/L) (96 ± 16, 136 ± 22, 197 ± 34, respectively), and the ratio of goblet cell area to epithelial cell area(%) (16 ± 5, 23 ± 7, 36 ± 9, respectively), were higher than those in group A, E, F and G (all P < 0.05). The change rate of Raw(%) in group C and D (61.91 ± 5.26 and 84.69 ± 6.38) were higher than that in group A, E, F and G (all P < 0.05). The level of MUC5AC mRNA and the value A of MUC5AC were positively correlated with the ratio of goblet cell area to epithelial cell area (r = 0.578, P < 0.05;r = 0.614, P < 0.05, respectively) and the change rate of Raw (r = 0.638, P < 0.05;r = 0.564, P < 0.05, respectively) in group B, C and D. CONCLUSION: Chronic Aspergillus fumigatus exposure upregulated the expression of MUC5AC in the airway epithelial cells and induced goblet cell hyperplasia, resulting in increased airway hypersensitivity in rats with chronic asthma.

Chronic Aspergillus fumigatus exposure upregulates the expression of mucin 5AC in the airways of asthmatic rats.

BACKGROUND: Airway mucus hypersecretion is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with asthma. Chronic Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) exposure leads to aggravation of airway inflammation and remodeling, including goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) and mucus hypersecretion in a rat model of asthma. The effects of chronic A. fumigatus exposure on the expression of airway mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) are unknown. METHODS: The rat model of chronic asthma was set up by systemic sensitization and repeated challenge to ovalbumin (OVA). The asthmatic rats were exposed to chronic intranasal inhalation of A. fumigatus spores. The changes of MUC5AC expression, the extent of GCH, and airway hyperreactivity (AHR) were measured after exposure to the fungus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Chronic exposure to A. fumigatus upregulates the expression of MUC5AC, and induces GCH in the airways of asthma rats, and the remodeling changes of the airway epithelium was positively correlated with AHR. Upregulation of MUC5AC and induction of GCH may be mechanisms by which chronic A. fumigatus exposure promotes the progression of asthma.

Cobalt and manganese diphosphonates with one-, two-, and three-dimensional structures and field-induced magnetic transitions.

Reactions of 2-(1-Imidazole)-1-hydroxyl-1,1'-ethylidenediphosphonic acid (ImhedpH(4)) and cobalt or manganese salts under hydrothermal conditions result in three new metal diphosphonates: ß-Co(3)(ImhedpH)(2)(H(2)O)(4)·2H(2)O (1), Co(3)(ImhedpH)(2)(H(2)O)(4) (2), and Mn(ImhedpH(2))·H(2)O (3). In compound 1, the columns made up of {Co1(2)O(2)} dimers and {PO(3)C} tetrahedra through corner-sharing are cross-linked through {Co2O(6)} octahedra, forming an inorganic layer. Neighboring layers are pillared by coordinated imidazole groups of ImhedpH(-) ligands, leading to a three-dimensional open framework containing two kinds of channels with sizes of 8.256 × 9.851 Å and 8.030 × 4.745 Å (van der Waals radii not accounted for). Compound 2 shows a layer structure, in which Co(3)(ImhedpH)(2)(H(2)O)(4) trimer units are connected through the corner-sharing of {Co1O(5)} trigonal bipyramids and {PO(3)C} tetrahedra, forming an inorganic layer containing 20-member rings composed of six Co atoms, two µ(3)-O1 units, and four O-P-O units. The noncoordinated imidazole groups protrude from two sides of the layer. Compound 3 shows a ladder structure, where the Mn(II) ions are bridged by ImhedpH(2)(2-) ligands through double O-P-O units to form a single chain, and two such chains are further fused together by sharing edges of {MnO(5)} trigonal bipyramids. The magnetic properties of 1-3 have been studied. Ferrimagnetism and field-induced magnetic transition from ferrimagnetism to a fully polarized state are observed in 1. Compounds 2 and 3 reveal dominant antiferromagnetic interactions between metal centers, and two-step field-induced magnetic phase transitions are found in 2.

Bis(3-nitro-phen-yl) sulfone.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(12)H(8)N(2)O(6)S, an important diphenyl sulfone derivative, contains one half-mol-ecule; a mirror plane passes through the SO(2) group. The dihedral angle between the two symmetry-related benzene rings is 40.10 (13)°. An intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond results in the formation of a five-membered ring, which adopts an envelope conformation.

[Fast algorithm for feature extraction and identification of infrared spectra of polluted gases].

With the multi-resolution analysis, features of infrared spectra of polluted gases were extracted. Then the data were trained or identified by a neural network system. The experimental results show that the combination of the wavelet transform and the neural network has the great ability of feature extracting. And the system is quite efficient for identifying infrared spectra.