Feasibility and clinical usefulness of deep learning-accelerated MRI for acute painful fracture patients wearing a splint: A prospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical usefulness of deep learning (DL)-accelerated turbo spin echo (TSEDL) sequences relative to standard TSE sequences (TSES) for acute radius fracture patients wearing a splint. METHODS: This prospective consecutive study investigated 50 patients' preoperative wrist MRI scans acquired between July 2021 and January 2022. Examinations were performed at 3 Tesla MRI with body array coils due to the wrist splint. Besides TSES obtained according to the routine protocol, TSEDL sequences for axial T2-, coronal T1-, and coronal PD-weighted TSE sequences were scanned for comparison. For quantitative assessment, the relative signal-to-noise ratio (rSNR), the relative contrast-to-noise ratio (rCNR), and the relative contrast ratio (rCR) were measured. For qualitative assessment, all images were assessed by two independent musculoskeletal radiologists in terms of perceived SNR, image contrast, image sharpness, artifacts disturbing evaluation, overall image quality and diagnostic confidence for injuries using a four- or five-point Likert scale. RESULTS: The scan time was shortened approximately by a factor of two for TSEDL compared to TSES. TSEDL images showed significantly better rSNR, rCNR, and rCR values for all sequences, and scored significantly better in terms of both image quality and diagnostic confidence for both readers than TSES images (all p < .05). Interrater reliabilities were in almost perfect agreement. CONCLUSION: The DL-accelerated technique proved to be very helpful not only to reduce scan time but also to improve image quality for acute painful fracture patients wearing a splint despite using body array coils instead of a wrist-specific coil. Based on our study, the DL-accelerated technique can be very useful for MRI of any part of the extremities in trauma settings just with body array coils.

Prevalence of radiologic acetabular dysplasia in asymptomatic Asian volunteers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of acetabular dysplasia in an asymptomatic Asian population as one of the most important risk factors of hip osteoarthritis. From December 2014 to March 2015, we investigated the data of 200 asymptomatic volunteers (400 hips) aged 18-50 years recruited from our institution. Pelvic radiographs were taken and reviewed by two experienced orthopaedic surgeons. Lateral centre-edge (LCE) angle, Sharp angle, Tonnis angle and acetabular depth-to-width ratio (AD/WR) were measured. We investigated the mean values and identified the statistical differences between the sexes and evaluated the prevalence and bilaterality of acetabular dysplasia defined by each parameter. Mean LCE angle, Sharp angle, Tonnis angle and AD/WR were 26.2°, 41.3°, 8.5° and 0.28, respectively. All parameters showed more dysplastic results in females than in males and were statistically significantly different, except for AD/WR. When defined acetabular dysplasia as LCE angle <20°, Sharp angle >45°, Tonnis angle >14° or AD/WR <0.25, the prevalence of acetabular dysplasia by each parameter was 15.0%, 12.8%, 13.3% and 12.8%, respectively. There was a higher prevalence in females than in males; however, only Sharp and Tonnis angles showed significant differences. The bilaterality of acetabular dysplasia was 18.6-39.5% for all subjects. There is high prevalence of asymptomatic dysplastic hips in the Asian population.

Wogonin suppresses the LPS­enhanced invasiveness of MDA­MB­231 breast cancer cells by inhibiting the 5­LO/BLT2 cascade.

Wogonin, a naturally occurring bioactive monoflavonoid isolated from Scutellariae radix (roots of Scutellariae baicalensis Georgi), has known anticancer effects. However, the molecular signaling mechanism by which wogonin inhibits invasiveness in breast cancer cells remains unclear. In the present study, it was observed that wogonin exerted an inhibitory effect on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­enhanced invasiveness of MDA­MB­231 cells. In addition, wogonin inhibited the synthesis of interleukin­8 (IL­8) and matrix metallopeptidase­9 (MMP­9), which are critical for promoting invasiveness in MDA­MB­231 cells. Wogonin also suppressed the expression of leukotriene B4 receptor 2 (BLT2) and the synthesis of its ligand, by inhibiting 5­lipoxygenase (5­LO) in LPS­stimulated MDA­MB­231 cells. Notably, wogonin attenuated the production of IL­8 and MMP­9 by inhibiting the BLT2/extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK)­linked cascade. Finally, in vivo, LPS­driven MDA­MB­231 cell metastasis was markedly suppressed by wogonin administration. Overall, the present results suggested that wogonin inhibited the 5­LO/BLT2/ERK/IL­8/MMP­9 signaling cascade and demonstrated that this cascade may be an important target through which wogonin exerts its anticancer effects in breast cancer.

Superficial Fibromatosis Mimicking Glomus Tumor of the Second Toe.

Various types of tumor can occur in the subungual space, including glomus tumors, subungual exostosis, hemangioma, epidermal cysts, and malignant tumors. While fibromatosis can occur at various sites throughout the body, it is very rarely seen in the toe. Here, we are the first to report a case of superficial fibromatosis mimicking a glomus tumor in the subungual space of the second toe. The presentation of this condition shows the possibility of encountering uncommon superficial fibromatosis in the distal phalanx of the toe, and suggests that superficial fibromatosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of a glomus tumor in the toe.

BLT2 is a pro-tumorigenic mediator during cancer progression and a therapeutic target for anti-cancer drug development.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and has been linked to inflammation. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is synthesized from arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway and is a potent chemoattractant for inflammatory cells. LTB4 was recently shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including cancer. Of the two known LTB4 receptors, BLT1 and BLT2, the biological roles of the low-affinity LTB4 receptor 2, BLT2, have only recently been elucidated. This review focuses on recent discoveries regarding BLT2 and its roles in cancer progression and the downstream signaling mechanisms of the BLT2-linked signaling cascade in cancer cells. We believe that these findings will facilitate the development of new cancer treatments.

Novel iridoids from the flowers of Campsis grandiflora.

A non-glycosidic iridoid, campsinol (1), and two iridoid glucosides, 7-O-(Z)-p-coumaroylcachineside V (2) and 7-O-(E)-p-coumaroylcachineside I (3), were isolated from the fresh flowers of Campsis grandiflora along with five known iridoid glycosides, ixoroside (4), campsiside (5), cachineside I (6), 5-hydroxycampenoside (7), and 5-hydroxycampsiside (8), and two known phenylpropanoid glycosides, acteoside (9) and leucosceptoside A (10). The structures of these compounds were determined based on the NMR and Mass spectroscopic data and other chemical evidences.

Catalponol enhances dopamine biosynthesis and protects against L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.

The effects of catalponol (1) on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. Catalponol at concentration ranges of 1-5 microM increased the intracellular levels of dopamine at 12-48 h. Catalponol at concentrations of up to 10 microM did not alter cell viability. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity was enhanced by 1 at 3 microM in a time-dependent manner, but aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity was not. Catalponol also increased the intracellular levels of cyclic AMP and TH phosphorylation. In addition, catalponol at 3 microM associated with L-DOPA (20-50 microM) further enhanced the increases in dopamine levels induced by L-DOPA (50-100 microM) at 24 h. Catalponol at 2-5 microM inhibited L-DOPA (100-200 microM)-induced cytotoxicity at 48 h. These results suggest that 1 enhanced dopamine biosynthesis by inducing TH activity and protected against L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells, which was mediated by the increased levels of cyclic AMP.

Regulation Fe65 localization to the nucleus by SGK1 phosphorylation of its Ser566 residue.

Fe65 is characterized as an adaptor precursor (APP) through its PID2 element, as well as with the other members of the APP protein family. With the serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1) substrate specificity information, we found that the putative site of phosphorylation in Fe65 by SGK1 is present on its Ser(566) residue in (560)CRVRFLSFLA(569)(X60469). Thus, we demonstrated that Fe65 and the fluorescein-labeled Fe65 peptide FITC-(560)CRVRFLSFLA(569) are phosphorylated in vitro by SGK1. Phosphorylation of the Ser(566) residue was also demonstrated using a Ser566 phospho-specific antibody. The phospho Fe65 was found mainly in the nucleus, while Fe65 S556A mutant was localized primarily to the cytoplasm. Therefore, these data suggest that SGK1 phosphorylates the Ser(566) residue of Fe65 and that this phosphorylation promotes the migration of Fe65 to the nucleus of the cell.

Effects of catalpalactone on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.

The effects of catalpalactone on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. Catalpalactone at 5-30µM decreased intracellular dopamine content with the IC(50) value of 22.1µM. Catalpalactone at 5-20µM, but not 30µM, did not alter cell viability. Catalpalactone at 20µM inhibited tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic-l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activities. Catalpalactone also decreased cyclic AMP levels and inhibited TH phosphorylation. In addition, catalpalactone at 20µM reduced the increases in dopamine levels induced by L-DOPA (20-50µM). Catalpalactone (5-30µM) associated with L-DOPA (50-100µM) enhanced L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity at 48h, which was prevented by N-acetyl-l-cysteine. These results suggest that catalpalactone inhibited dopamine biosynthesis by reducing TH and AADC activities and enhanced L-DOPA-induced cytotoxiciy in PC12 cells.

Effects of (+)-eudesmin from the stem bark of magnolia kobus DC. var. borealis Sarg. on neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.

(+)-Eudesmin [4,8-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane] was isolated from the stem bark of Magnolia kobus DC. var. borealis Sarg. and found to have neuritogenic activity. 50 microM (+)-eudesmin induced neurite outgrowth and enhanced nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells. At this concentration, (+)-eudesmin also enhanced NGF-induced neurite-bearing activity and this activity was partially blocked by various protein kinase inhibitors. These included PD98059, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase inhibitor. GF109203X, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor and H89, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. These results suggest that (+)-eudesmin can induce neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells by stimulating up-stream MAPK, PKC and PKA pathways.