PET/CT Examination of Teratomas after Stem Cell Transplantation for a Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, stem cell transplantation has become an effective method for treating spinal cord nerve injury. Up to now, there has been no report on teratoma caused by transplanted stem cell's abnormal differentiation in the clinic, especially in the analysis of imaging manifestations. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the PET/CT imaging manifestations of teratoma caused by stem cell transplantation to improve the imaging diagnosing capability. CASE PRESENTATION: A patient with a spinal cord injury who had received a stem cell transplant was examined by PET/CT on September 10th, 2020. The PET/CT images of the lesion showed irregular mixed low density on the right side of the erector spinae muscle area at the level of the cervical 3-5 vertebral body, with a maximum cross-section of 9.1×3.9 cm. The 18F-FDG metabolism of the lesion was increased, and the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) was 10.7. The boundary was unclear with the third cervical vertebra and cervical 3 and 4-level vertebral plates. Based on the patient's medical history, the lesion was diagnosed as an abnormal proliferative tumor, which was consistent with the pathological examination results. CONCLUSION: To date, there have been no clinical reports on teratomas caused by stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury at home or abroad. This case report enhances the knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment methods of this type of disease and confirms the diagnostic value of PET/CT examination.

Antigen exposure reshapes chromatin architecture in central memory CD8+ T cells and imprints enhanced recall capacity.

CD62L+ central memory CD8+ T (TCM) cells provide enhanced protection than naive cells; however, the underlying mechanism, especially the contribution of higher-order genomic organization, remains unclear. Systematic Hi-C analyses reveal that antigen-experienced CD8+ T cells undergo extensive rewiring of chromatin interactions (ChrInt), with TCM cells harboring specific interaction hubs compared with naive CD8+ T cells, as observed at cytotoxic effector genes such as Ifng and Tbx21. TCM cells also acquire de novo CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor) binding sites, which are not only strongly associated with TCM-specific hubs but also linked to increased activities of local gene promoters and enhancers. Specific ablation of CTCF in TCM cells impairs rapid induction of genes in cytotoxic program, energy supplies, transcription, and translation by recall stimulation. Therefore, acquisition of CTCF binding and ChrInt hubs by TCM cells serves as a chromatin architectural basis for their transcriptomic dynamics in primary response and for imprinting the code of "recall readiness" against secondary challenge.

Impact of Stone Powder Content on Corrosion Resistance in Reinforced Concrete under Stray Current and Chloride Interactions.

Manufactured sand, known for its artificial production, eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, serves as an excellent alternative to natural sand. Stone powder content plays a crucial role in determining the performance of manufactured sand, significantly enhancing concrete compaction and its ability to withstand environmental degradation. This study aims to explore the feasibility of using environmentally and economically advantageous manufactured sand in the construction of subway tunnel segments in coastal areas. It investigates the impact of stone powder content on the corrosion resistance of concrete made with manufactured sand under the combined influence of chloride salts and stray currents. The analysis covers corrosion tendencies, the post-rusting performance of reinforcement bars, the resistance of concrete to chloride transport, and microstructure properties, which are assessed through electron microscope scanning and mercury compression testing. The findings indicate that the corrosion resistance of manufactured sand concrete generally surpasses that of river sand concrete. Furthermore, stone powder content within the 3-8% range leads to a denser concrete microstructure, reduced porosity, lower free-chloride ion levels, increased polarization resistance of post-corrosion reinforcements, lower corrosion current density, and reduced mass loss of reinforcing bars. This research provides valuable theoretical support for promoting the use of environmentally friendly manufactured sand concrete in subway construction projects.

Dataset for tracing phosphorus sources by the oxygen isotopes of phosphate.

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for the growth of marine life. Especially in the East China Sea (ECS) where phosphorus is limited compared to the rest of China's sea, the external input of phosphorus can cause changes in primary productivity, and even induce in harmful algal blooms. In May 2020, the National Natural Science Foundation of China carried out a scientific investigation in the shared Spring Voyage in the ECS. We choose the area between 120.93 ˚ E-125.9 ˚ E and 26.08˚ N - 32.35 ˚ N as research sites for the analysis of the main sources of phosphate in the ECS during summer. The samples were all from the voyage of the research ship (Xiangyanghong 18). Dissolved inorganic phosphorus in seawater was enriched, and dissolved inorganic phosphorus was extracted. Then we measured the oxygen isotopes of phosphate in seawater and introduced the two-component mixing model for the analysis of potential sources of phosphate. In order to further quantitatively analyze the contribution rate of phosphate from different sources in the ECS, we choose a Bayesian isotope mixing model. These data can be used to analyze the contribution of phosphate from different sources in seawater and are helpful to explore the influencing factors of phosphate in the ECS.

Dataset for atmospheric transport of nutrients during a harmful algal bloom.

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "Atmospheric transport of nutrient matter during a harmful algal bloom"[1]. These data provide the concentration of nutrients (nitrate, ammonium and FeⅡ) in the atmosphere and their deposited flux in the East China Sea prior to the harmful algal bloom on May 3-8, 2006. They can be helpful for analyzing the source of nutrients causing the harmful algal blooms.

New normal values not related to age and sex, of glomerular filtration rate by (99m)Tc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging, for the evaluation of living kidney graft donors.

The aim of this study was to investigate the normal values of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by technetium-99m diaethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid ((99m)Tc-DTPA) renal dynamic imaging for living kidney graft donors. In a total of 212 candidate donors, GFR was examined using (99m)Tc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging. Donors with GFR≥80mL/(min×1.73m(2)) and as low as with GFR≥70mL/(min×1.73m(2)) but a normal endogenous creatinine clearance rate (CCr) were quantified for living kidney donation. Differences in GFR levels based on sex and age were analyzed using rank correlation coefficient. Out of the 212 candidates, 161 were finally selected as kidney graft donors. The double kidney total GFR between the male and female donor groups, the GFR levels among differently-aged donor groups, and the GFR levels between the elderly (>55 years) and young- and middle-aged (≤55 years) donor groups did not show any significant difference (P>0.05). After kidney donation, renal function measured by blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine of all donors returned to normal within one week, and no serious complications were noticed. In conclusion, renal dynamic imaging by (99m)Tc-DTPA had a good accuracy and repeatability in GFR evaluation for living kidney donors. Candidate donors with GFR between 70mL/(min×1.73m(2)) and 80mL/(min×1.73m(2)) can be selected as kidney donors after strict screening. In living kidney donors GFR is not significantly correlated with age or sex.

[Correlation between age and average apparent diffusion coefficient in normal-appearing cerebral white matter].

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively study the effect of ages on the average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCav) of normal-appearing white matter. METHODS: Fifty patients with normal-appearing white matter were divided into four age groups, namely 16-30 years, (n=13), 31-45 years (n=12), 46-60 years (n=14) and >60 years (n=11). All the subjects were examined with conventional and trace-weighted diffusion imaging in three orthogonal directions. The ADCav of the white matter was measured and compared between various age groups. RESULTS: In the white matter, the ADCav of all the patients was (0.71+/-0.08) x 10(-3) mm2/s; the ADCav of the white matter in the first to fourth age groups were (0.69+/-0.06) x 10(-3) mm2/s, (0.71+/-0.07) x 10(-3) mm2/s, (0.71+/-0.09) x 10(-3) mm2/s, and (0.73+/-0.10) x 10(-3) mm2/s respectively. ADCav of patients between 16-30 years was significantly different from that of patients over 60 years of age (P=0.014). Patients older than 60 years had an ADCav of the white matter significantly higher than the value of (0.70+/-0.07) x 10(-3) mm2)/s in the total patients younger than 60 years (P=0.026). CONCLUSION: Water diffusibility shows a slight increase in human white matter with aging, possibly due to mild ultrastructural changes associated with aging.

[Diagnosis of lesions in the major abdominal blood vessels by three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the working principles of three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography(3D DCE-MRA)and assess its value in the diagnosis of lesions in the major abdominal blood vessels. METHODS: The imaging data of 3D DCE-MRA and conventional MR examination in 32 cases of suspected major abdominal blood vessel diseases were obtained and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The peak flow of contrast agents through the abdominal aorta at the level of renal artery occurred 17 to 23 s after the injections. Normal presentation was found in 3 cases, with clear images of the abdominal aorta and its branches. Abdominal aortic aneurysm was identified in 7 cases, where the involved segment of the aorta was irregularly broadened and the actual lumen of the abdominal aorta was displayed. Aortic dissection was found in 18 cases, and the intima, the double-lumen, and the position where the abdominal aortic branches originated could be seen with 12 entry sites and 16 re-entry sites. Atherosclerosis was found in 3 cases, with tortuous abdominal aorta whose lumen was morphologically irregular. One case was found with thrombosis in the left iliac vein which was not visualized. CONCLUSIONS: 3D DCE-MRA is a non-invasive alternative for conventional angiography and has significant importance in the diagnosis of lesions in major abdominal blood vessels.