Contrast-enhanced Imaging in Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions: The Role in US-guided Biopsies

Purpose To compare the tissue adequacy and diagnostic accuracy of US-guided biopsies of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) with and without contrast agents. Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted at four medical centers in patients with PPLs who underwent US-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) between January 2017 and October 2022. The patients were divided into contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) and US groups based on whether prebiopsy CEUS evaluation was performed. Tissue adequacy and the diagnostic accuracy of PTNB, stratified by lesion size, were analyzed and compared between groups. A propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted using the nearest-neighbor matching method. Results A total of 1027 lesions were analyzed, with 634 patients (mean age, 59.4 years ± 13.0 [SD]; 413 male) in the US group and 393 patients (mean age, 61.2 years ± 12.5; 270 male) in the CEUS group. The CEUS group produced more acceptable samples than the US group (98.2% vs 95.7%; P = .03) and achieved higher diagnostic accuracy (96.9% vs 94.2%; P = .04), with no evidence of a difference in sensitivity (96.7% vs 94.0%; P = .06). PSM and stratified analyses (n = 358 per group) indicated higher tissue adequacy (99.0% vs 95.7%; P = .04) and diagnostic accuracy (98.5% vs 92.9%; P = .006) in the CEUS group compared with the US group for 2-7-cm PPLs but not for lesions larger than 7 cm. Conclusion PTNB with prebiopsy CEUS evaluation demonstrated significantly better tissue adequacy and diagnostic accuracy compared with US guidance alone for PPLs ranging from 2 to 7 cm, with similar biopsy performance achieved between groups for lesions larger than 7 cm. Keywords: Contrast Material, Thoracic Diseases, Ultrasonography, Image-Guided Biopsy © RSNA, 2024.

Diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced gastric ultrasonography in staging gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

As comprehensive surgical management for gastric cancer becomes increasingly specialized and standardized, the precise differentiation between ≤T1 and ≥T2 gastric cancer before endoscopic intervention holds paramount clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced gastric ultrasonography in differentiating ≤T1 and ≥T2 gastric cancer.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, and Medline were searched to collect studies published from January 1, 2000 to March 16, 2023 on the efficacy of either double contrast-enhanced gastric ultrasonography (D-CEGUS) or oral contrast-enhanced gastric ultrasonography (O-CEGUS) in determining T-stage in gastric cancer. The articles were selected according to specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the quality of the included literature was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 scale. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 12 software with data from the 2 × 2 crosslinked tables in the included literature.

RESULTS

In total, 11 papers with 1124 patients were included in the O-CEGUS analysis, which revealed a combined sensitivity of 0.822 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.753-0.875), combined specificity of 0.964 (95% CI = 0.925-0.983), and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve (AUC) of 0.92 (95% CI = 0.89-0.94). In addition, five studies involving 536 patients were included in the D-CEGUS analysis, which gave a combined sensitivity of 0.733 (95% CI = 0.550-0.860), combined specificity of 0.982 (95% CI = 0.936-0.995), and AUC of 0.93 (95% CI = 0.91-0.95). According to the I2 and P values ​​of the forest plot, there was obvious heterogeneity in the combined specificities of the included papers. Therefore, the two studies with the lowest specificities were excluded from the O-CEGUS and D-CEGUS analyses, which eliminated the heterogeneity among the remaining literature. Consequently, the combined sensitivity and specificity of the remaining studies were 0.794 (95% CI = 0.710-0.859) and 0.976 (95% CI = 0.962-0.985), respectively, for the O-CEDUS studies and 0.765 (95% CI = 0.543-0.899) and 0.986 (95% CI = 0.967-0.994), respectively, for the D-CEGUS studies. The AUCs were 0.98 and 0.99 for O-CEGUS and D-CEGUS studies, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Both O-CEGUS and D-CEGUS can differentiate ≤T1 gastric cancer from ≥T2 gastric cancer, thus assisting the formulation of clinical treatment strategies for patients with very early gastric cancer. Given its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, O-CEGUS is often favored as a staging method for gastric cancer prior to endoscopic intervention.

Measurements of All-Particle Energy Spectrum and Mean Logarithmic Mass of Cosmic Rays from 0.3 to 30 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

We present the measurements of all-particle energy spectrum and mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays in the energy range of 0.3-30 PeV using data collected from LHAASO-KM2A between September 2021 and December 2022, which is based on a nearly composition-independent energy reconstruction method, achieving unprecedented accuracy. Our analysis reveals the position of the knee at 3.67±0.05±0.15  PeV. Below the knee, the spectral index is found to be -2.7413±0.0004±0.0050, while above the knee, it is -3.128±0.005±0.027, with the sharpness of the transition measured with a statistical error of 2%. The mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays is almost heavier than helium in the whole measured energy range. It decreases from 1.7 at 0.3 PeV to 1.3 at 3 PeV, representing a 24% decline following a power law with an index of -0.1200±0.0003±0.0341. This is equivalent to an increase in abundance of light components. Above the knee, the mean logarithmic mass exhibits a power law trend towards heavier components, which is reversal to the behavior observed in the all-particle energy spectrum. Additionally, the knee position and the change in power-law index are approximately the same. These findings suggest that the knee observed in the all-particle spectrum corresponds to the knee of the light component, rather than the medium-heavy components.

[Animal study on left bundle branch current of injury and anatomic location of leads in His-purkinje conduction system pacing]

Objective: Explore the relationship between tip of the left bundle branch pacing lead and anatomic location of left bundle branch as well as the mechanism of left bundle branch current of injury. To clarify the clinical value of left bundle branch current of injury during operation. Methods: The pacing leads were implanted in the hearts of two living swines. Intraoperative electrophysiological study confirmed that the left bundle branch or only the deep left ventricular septum was captured at low output. Immediately after operation, the gross specimen of swine hearts was stained with iodine to observe the gross distribution of His-purkinje conduction system on the left ventricular endocardium and its relationship with the leads. Subsequently, the swine hearts were fixed with formalin solution, and the pacing leads were removed after the positions were marked. The swine hearts were then sectioned and stained with Masson and Goldner trichrome, and the relationship between the anatomic location of the conduction system and the tip of the lead was observed under a light microscope. Results: After iodine staining of the specimen, the His-purkinje conduction system was observed with the naked eye in a net-like distribution, and the lead tip was screwed deeply and fixed in the left bundle branch area of the left ventricular subendocardium in the ventricular septum. Masson and Goldner trichrome staining showed that left bundle branch pacing lead directly passed through the left bundle branch when there was left bundle branch potential with left bundle branch current of injury, while it was not directly contact the left bundle branch when there was left bundle branch potential without left bundle branch current of injury. Conclusion: The left bundle branch current of injury observed on intracardiac electrocardiogram during His-purkinje conduction system pacing suggests that the pacing lead directly contacted the conduction bundle or its branches, therefore, the captured threshold was relatively low. Left bundle branch current of injury can be used as an important anatomic and electrophysiological evidence of left bundle branch capture.

Measurement of Ultra-High-Energy Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission of the Galactic Plane from 10 TeV to 1 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

The diffuse Galactic γ-ray emission, mainly produced via interactions between cosmic rays and the interstellar medium and/or radiation field, is a very important probe of the distribution, propagation, and interaction of cosmic rays in the Milky Way. In this Letter, we report the measurements of diffuse γ rays from the Galactic plane between 10 TeV and 1 PeV energies, with the square kilometer array of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Diffuse emissions from the inner (15°10  TeV). The energy spectrum in the inner Galaxy regions can be described by a power-law function with an index of -2.99±0.04, which is different from the curved spectrum as expected from hadronic interactions between locally measured cosmic rays and the line-of-sight integrated gas content. Furthermore, the measured flux is higher by a factor of ∼3 than the prediction. A similar spectrum with an index of -2.99±0.07 is found in the outer Galaxy region, and the absolute flux for 10≲E≲60  TeV is again higher than the prediction for hadronic cosmic ray interactions. The latitude distributions of the diffuse emission are consistent with the gas distribution, while the longitude distributions show clear deviation from the gas distribution. The LHAASO measurements imply that either additional emission sources exist or cosmic ray intensities have spatial variations.

[A randomized controlled study on the long-term efficacy of intra-cervical lymphatic immunotherapy for adult allergic rhinitis]

Objective: To determine the long-term efficacy and safety of intra-cervical lymphatic immunotherapy (ICLIT) for adult allergic rhinitis (AR) by comparing it with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Methods: A total of 100 adult AR patients with dust mite allergy in Department of Otorhinolaryngology, First People's Hospital of Foshan from Feb 2018 to Dec 2019 were randomly divided into two groups, 50 in SCIT group [including 42 males and 8 females, aging (32.55±9.72) years] and 50 in ICLIT group [including 45 males and 5 females, aging (31.33±9.84) years]. The changes in total symptom score (total system score, TSS), nasal symptom score (total nasal symptom score, TNSS), eye symptom score (total ocular scoring system, TOSS), drug score (total medication score, TMS), and quality of life score of the two groups of patients were evaluated before and after treatment, and the adverse reactions of all patients during the treatment period were recorded. The changes in the level of dust mite specific IgE (sIgE) in the serum were evaluated. GraphPad Prism 9.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: In the SCIT group, 38 patients completed treatment and follow-up, with a dropout rate of 24%. In the ICLIT group, 48 patients completed treatment and follow-up, with a dropout rate of only 4%. The scores of TSS, TNSS, TOSS, TMS, and quality of life in the ICLIT group before treatment were 32.1±3.0, 27.3±3.1, 4.8±2.8, 2.3±0.9, and 68.1±28.7, respectively; After 36 months of treatment, the scores were 21.8±11.4, 18.1±9.4, 3.7±2.9, 1.3±1.1, and 36.0±26.7, respectively, which were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.001). After 36 months of treatment, the TSS of the ICLIT group improved by 10.3±11.2 compared to before, while the TSS of the SCIT group improved significantly by 21.9±11.0 compared to before, with statistically significant differences between the groups (P<0.001). No serious systemic adverse reactions occurred in both groups of patients. Conclusions: ICLIT treatment for adult AR has long-term efficacy, high safety, and high compliance, but its long-term efficacy is not as good as SCIT. ICLIT can be considered as a new complementary option for AR immunotherapy.

Abdominal Ultrasonography After Transrectal Filling With Contrast Agents in Colorectal Cancer With Severely Stenotic Lesions

OBJECTIVE

Abdominal ultrasonography after transrectal filling with contrast agent (AU-TFCA) was retrospectively evaluated with respect to determination of T stage and lesion length in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) who had previously failed colonoscopy because of severe intestinal stenosis.

METHODS

The population comprised 83 patients with CRC with intestinal stenosis and previously failed colonoscopy who underwent AU-TFCA, and in addition contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 2 wk before surgery. The diagnostic performance of AU-TFCA and CECT/MRI was evaluated relative to the post-operative pathological results (PPRs) by paired sample t-test, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, Pearson's χ²-test and κ and intraclass correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

The T staging identified via AU-TFCA, but not CECT/MRI, was relatively consistent with that of the PPRs (linearly weighted κ coefficient: 0.558, p < 0.001, and linearly weighted κ coefficient: 0.237, p < 0.001, respectively). The overall diagnostic accuracy of T staging based on AU-TFCA (83.1%) was significantly higher than that based on CECT/MRI (50.6%). Regarding lesion length, the results of AU-TFCA and PPRs were comparable (t = 1.852, p = 0.068), but those of CECT/MRI and PPRs were significantly different (t = 8.450, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

AU-TFCA is effective in evaluation of lesion length and T stage in patients with severely stenotic CRC lesions who previously failed colonoscopy. The diagnostic accuracy of AU-TFCA is significantly better compared with that of CECT/MRI.

A tera-electron volt afterglow from a narrow jet in an extremely bright gamma-ray burst

Some gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have a tera-electron volt (TeV) afterglow, but the early onset of this has not been observed. We report observations with the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory of the bright GRB 221009A, which serendipitously occurred within the instrument field of view. More than 64,000 photons >0.2 TeV were detected within the first 3000 seconds. The TeV flux began several minutes after the GRB trigger, then rose to a peak about 10 seconds later. This was followed by a decay phase, which became more rapid ~650 seconds after the peak. We interpret the emission using a model of a relativistic jet with half-opening angle ~0.8°. This is consistent with the core of a structured jet and could explain the high isotropic energy of this GRB.

Mass Measurement of Upper fp-Shell N=Z-2 and N=Z-1 Nuclei and the Importance of Three-Nucleon Force along the N=Z Line

Using a novel method of isochronous mass spectrometry, the masses of ^{62}Ge, ^{64}As, ^{66}Se, and ^{70}Kr are measured for the first time, and the masses of ^{58}Zn, ^{61}Ga, ^{63}Ge, ^{65}As, ^{67}Se, ^{71}Kr, and ^{75}Sr are redetermined with improved accuracy. The new masses allow us to derive residual proton-neutron interactions (δV_{pn}) in the N=Z nuclei, which are found to decrease (increase) with increasing mass A for even-even (odd-odd) nuclei beyond Z=28. This bifurcation of δV_{pn} cannot be reproduced by the available mass models, nor is it consistent with expectations of a pseudo-SU(4) symmetry restoration in the fp shell. We performed ab initio calculations with a chiral three-nucleon force (3NF) included, which indicate the enhancement of the T=1 pn pairing over the T=0 pn pairing in this mass region, leading to the opposite evolving trends of δV_{pn} in even-even and odd-odd nuclei.

[Immunogenicity and safety of a booster vaccination with an inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine in adults aged 18 to 59 years]

Objective: To assess the immunogenicity and safety of a booster vaccination with an inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine. Methods: The phase Ⅱ trial of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was conducted by Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since October 2020. The subjects were healthy adults aged 18-59 years, excluding pregnant, and not breastfeeding women. The primary vaccination schedule groups were 0-14 d 5 μg, 0-14 d 10 μg, 0-28 d 5 μg and 0-28 d 10 μg, respectively. And 50 participants in each group, a total of 200, who have received 2-doses primary vaccination were selected in ascending order of the study number and vaccinated with a booster dose (same dosage as primary vaccination) at the 6th months after post the primary vaccination (30-day window period). Blood samples were collected before and after boosting and tested for the geometric mean titers (GMT) and seroconversion of live virus neutralizing antibody, pseudovirus neutralizing antibody and receptor-binding-domain (RBD) IgG antibody. Adverse events (AE) were collected and assessed within 28 days after boosting. Results: The ages of subjects in group 0-14 d 5 μg, 0-14 d 10 μg, 0-28 d 5 μg and 0-28 d 10 μg were (43.98±9.58), (43.46±9.34), (42.56±9.08) and (43.94±11.05) years old, respectively (P=0.877). Sex ratios were balanced among the 4 groups (P=0.331). The live virus neutralizing antibody GMT (95%CI) in group 0-14 d 5 μg, 0-14 d 10 μg, 0-28 d 5 μg and 0-28 d 10 μg increased from 4.07 (3.30-5.04), 3.75 (3.08-4.55), 8.33 (7.01-11.11) and 7.69 (6.19-9.57) before the booster vaccination to 284.84 (215.28-376.86), 233.05 (178.61-304.08), 274.81 (223.64-337.68) and 280.77 (234.59-336.04) in 28 days after the booster vaccination, respectively. The rates of live virus neutralizing antibody seroconversion were all 100% in the 4 groups. The AE incidences following booster vaccination were 18.0% (9 cases), 4.0% (2 cases), 12% (6 cases), and 12% (6 cases) in the 4 groups(P=0.182). No AE was graded as level 3 or worse. No serious AE was reported. Conclusion: One booster vaccination of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administered 6 months after primary vaccination showed good immunogenicity and safety.

The Predictive Value of ACR TI-RADS Classification for Central Lymph Node Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the risk factors for central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), according to the guidelines of the 2017 Thyroid Imaging Report and Data System (TI-RADS) published by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

METHODS

This study included a retrospective analysis of 844 patients with PTC who were pathologically diagnosed, treated with central lymph node dissection, and divided into CLNM and nonmetastatic groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the relationship between the TI-RADS score and CLNM.

RESULTS

Among 844 patients, 439 developed CLNM, with a metastasis rate of 52% and a TI-RADS score of 9.42 ± 2.262, which were higher than those of the non-CLNM group (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the sex, location, maximum diameter of the nodule, multifocality, margin, shape, calcification, and TI-RADS score were related to CLNM (P < 0.05 for all). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that female, maximum diameter of the nodule, multifocality, a taller-than-wide shape, and high TI-RADS score were the independent risk factors for CLNM (P < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION

The TI-RADS score combined with sex, nodule size, shape, and multifocality has a certain predictive effect on CLNM, which can provide a reference to the clinicians for further treatment strategies.

Direct Q-Value Determination of the β^{-} Decay of ^{187}Re

The cyclotron frequency ratio of ^{187}Os^{29+} to ^{187}Re^{29+} ions was measured with the Penning-trap mass spectrometer PENTATRAP. The achieved result of R=1.000 000 013 882(5) is to date the most precise such measurement performed on ions. Furthermore, the total binding-energy difference of the 29 missing electrons in Re and Os was calculated by relativistic multiconfiguration methods, yielding the value of ΔE=53.5(10)  eV. Finally, using the achieved results, the mass difference between neutral ^{187}Re and ^{187}Os, i.e., the Q value of the β^{-} decay of ^{187}Re, is determined to be 2470.9(13) eV.

[Survey of Oncomelania hupensis in national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2015 to 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, so as to provide insights into the assessment of the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and the scientific formulation of the schistosomiasis surveillance strategy.

METHODS

From 2015 to 2019, a total of 19 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including 4 fixed sites and 15 mobile sites. Snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling in combination with environmental sampling, and the infection of Schistosoma japonicum was detected by the crushing method combined with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay.

RESULTS

From 2015 to 2019, snail habitats were detected at areas of 17 040 to 39 527 m², including 6 214 m² emerging snail habitats and 16 563 m² re-emerging snail habitats. The overall mean density of living snails was 0.019 2 snails/0.1 m² and the occurrence of frames with snails was 1.11% in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites; however, no S. japonicum infection was identified in snails. The area of snail habitats increased by 121.46% in the national surveillance sites in 2019 as compared to that in 2015; however, 50.34% (Z = -0.422, P > 0.05) and 42.85% (χ² = 130.41, P < 0.01) reductions were seen in the overall means density of living snails and the occurrence of frames with snails. All snail habitats were distributed in the 4 fixed surveillance sites, and were mainly found in ditches, paddy fields and dry lands, with weeds as the primary vegetation type.

CONCLUSIONS

There are still risk factors leading to re-emergent transmission of schistosomiasis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, such as local snail spread, and the monitoring of schistosomiasis remains to be reinforced to further consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination in the region.

Si-Miao-Yong-An (SMYA) Decoction May Protect the Renal Function Through Regulating the Autophagy-Mediated Degradation of Ubiquitinated Protein in an Atherosclerosis Model

Hyperlipidemia is common, and its renal toxicity has attracted a great deal of attention. Si-miao-yong-an (SMYA) is a famous ancient decoction of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is still widely used in clinical treatment. In this study, we observed and explored its efficacy and mechanism in protecting renal function in an atherosclerosis model. The results showed that the serum, Cr urinal KIM-1, and NGAL were significantly decreased in SMYA group. Although SMYA failed to alleviate the lipid accumulation, decrease p-NFκB, or increase SOD in kidney tissue, the levels of ubiquitinated protein and P62 were decreased in SMYA group. What is more, a higher LC3 II level was observed in the SMYA group. In conclusion, these data indicated that SMYA decoction may protect renal function in hyperlipidemia via regulating the autophagy-mediated degradation of ubiquitinated protein.

[Evaluation and embolization strategy by ASITN/SIR grade for injured internal carotid artery of nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To study the strategy of endovascular treatment for patients with the risks of internal carotid artery (ICA) rupture and bleeding during the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) based on American Society of Intervention and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN/SIR) grade of collateral circulation. Methods: A total of 56 patients (45 males and 11 females, aged from 28 to 76 years old) diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University from July 2018 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 4, 24 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 3, 5 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 2, 5 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 1, and 7 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 0. The events of stroke and death were analyzed statistically. Results: ALL patients with ASITN/SIR grade 4 or 3 and some of patients with ASITN/SIR grades 2-0 passed balloon occlusion test and electrophysiological monitoring. ICA pseudoaneurysm was found in 35 patients, and one-stage ICA embolization was performed in 29 patients after evaluation. Among them, 8 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 4 and 10 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 3 with obvious posterior circulation compensation obtained successful one-stage ICA embolization without cerebral ischemia; cerebral ischemic events occurred in 5 (55.6%) of 9 patients with ASITN/SIR grade 3 and in 1(50.0%) of 2 patients with ASITN/SIR grade 2. The total incidence of ischemic events was 20.7% (6/29) and 1 case was disabled (1/29, 3.4%). Among patients with ASITN/SIR 3, there were statistically significant differences in stroke event rate between patients with obvious posterior circulation compensation and patients with slight or without posterior circulation compensation (0/10 vs. 5/9, χ(2)=4.95, P=0.026). Follow-up time was 10.1±7.8 months, and 46 patients were survival (46/56, 82.1%) and 10 patients died (10/56, 17.9%) with a mean survival time of 2.6±1.4 months. Conclusions: For NPC patients with ICA invasion, ASITN/SIR based on DSA can simplify the assessment process of cerebral blood flow compensation. ICA can be embolized directly in patients with ASITN/SIR 4 or 3 with obvious posterior communicating compensation.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for the improvement of metabolic profiles in patients with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to quantify the effects of probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as lipid profiles among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Electronic databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Database, and the Web of Science were searched from January 1, 2000, to May 15, 2019. All RCTs that investigated the effect of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on a circulating (serum and plasma) inflammatory marker (C-reactive protein [CRP]), oxidative stress indicators (malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH], and total anti-oxidant capacity [TAC]); and lipid profiles (total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-c], and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c]) among patients with CKD were included. Data were pooled and expressed as a standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO; No. CRD42019139090. Thirteen trials that included 671 patients were identified for analysis. The methodological quality varied across studies. Meta-analysis indicated that microbial therapies significantly reduced CRP (SMD, -0.75; 95% CI, -1.03 to -0.47; p = 0.000), MDA (SMD, -1.06; 95% CI, -1.59 to -0.52; p = 0.000), TC (SMD, -0.33; 95% CI, -0.52 to -0.13; p = 0.000), and LDL-c (SMD, -0.44; 95% CI, -0.86 to -0.02; p = 0.000) levels; they also increased the GSH (SMD, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.65; p = 0.000), TAC (SMD, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.07 to 1.15; p = 0.000), and HDL-c (SMD, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.87; p = 0.000) levels in CKD patients, as compared to the placebo groups; however, there was no statistically significant TG concentration among patients with CKD. Subgroup analyses showed that other key factors, such as the duration of intervention, participants' baseline body mass index (BMI), type of intervention, and age, had an effect of microbial therapies on outcomes. This meta-analysis supports the potential use of probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic supplements in the improvement of established biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as lipid profiles among patients with CKD, which are well-known cardiovascular risk factors. Further research into these interventions should consider the limitations of our study to explore the effect of long-term administration of these supplements in the CKD population.

Mass-Difference Measurements on Heavy Nuclides with an eV/c^{2} Accuracy in the PENTATRAP Spectrometer

First ever measurements of the ratios of free cyclotron frequencies of heavy, highly charged ions with Z>50 with relative uncertainties close to 10^{-11} are presented. Such accurate measurements have become realistic due to the construction of the novel cryogenic multi-Penning-trap mass spectrometer PENTATRAP. Based on the measured frequency ratios, the mass differences of five pairs of stable xenon isotopes, ranging from ^{126}Xe to ^{134}Xe, have been determined. Moreover, the first direct measurement of an electron binding energy in a heavy highly charged ion, namely of the 37th atomic electron in xenon, with an uncertainty of a few eV is demonstrated. The obtained value agrees with the calculated one using two independent, different implementations of the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock method. PENTATRAP opens the door to future measurements of electron binding energies in highly charged heavy ions for more stringent tests of bound-state quantum electrodynamics in strong electromagnetic fields and for an investigation of the manifestation of light dark matter in isotopic chains of certain chemical elements.

First Glimpse of the N=82 Shell Closure below Z=50 from Masses of Neutron-Rich Cadmium Isotopes and Isomers

We probe the N=82 nuclear shell closure by mass measurements of neutron-rich cadmium isotopes with the ISOLTRAP spectrometer at ISOLDE-CERN. The new mass of ^{132}Cd offers the first value of the N=82, two-neutron shell gap below Z=50 and confirms the phenomenon of mutually enhanced magicity at ^{132}Sn. Using the recently implemented phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance method, the ordering of the low-lying isomers in ^{129}Cd and their energies are determined. The new experimental findings are used to test large-scale shell-model, mean-field, and beyond-mean-field calculations, as well as the ab initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group.

[Clinical characteristics of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated myelitis]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-IgG) associated myelitis in a cohort of Chinese Han adults. Methods: From January 2016 to December 2017, 70 patients with MOG-IgG associated disorders (MOGAD) and 120 patients with aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) visited the NMO/MS clinic or the neurology ward of Huashan Hospital, and the neurophthalmology clinic of Eye and ENT hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University were enrolled. The clinical and paraclinical data of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. The characteristics of MOG-IgG associated myelitis were further clarified. Results: Sixteen of the 70 patients with MOGAD had ever experienced myelitis. The frequency of myelitis was 18.6% at the first attack and 22.9% throughout the disease duration. The onset age of MOG-IgG associated myelitis was 9-57(30±11) years, and the female to male ratio was 0.6∶1. Compared with AQP4-IgG positive myelitis attacks, MOG-IgG associated myelitis attacks were more common to be accompanied by feverish prodromal symptom (30.8%) while less common to exhibit painful tonic (12.5%). Longitudinally extensive myelitis (>3 vertebral segments) was less frequent (56.3%), and short-segment myelitis and multiple short-segment myelitis could also be seen. MRI showed that MOGAD patients had more lower spinal cord lesions (20%), fewer cervical cord lesions (40%) and less transverse lesions (52%). Axial H sign was a distinct feature (36%). MOG-IgG associated myelitis attack also demonstrated a lower EDSS score after treatment. Conclusion: MOG-IgG associated myelitis should be recognized as an important clinical component of MOGAD.

[Evaluation of medium to long term efficacy of balloon dilation in the treatment of aural fullness as chief complaint]

Objective: To discuss the characteristics of symptoms improvement based on the follow-up evaluation of Eustachian tube balloon dilation medium to long-term efficacy in patients with symptomatic Eustachian tube dysfunction (SETD). Methods: Patients from 2015 to 2017 were followed up after Eustachian tube balloon dilation (with the sense of aural fullness, or tinnitus and hearing ambiguity). All participants had been done ETDQ-7 before surgery and were re-evaluated with ETDQ-7 in follow-up. The improvement of overall and individual symptoms scores in ETDQ-7, the effects of gender and the difference of scores at different stages (12-18 months, 18-24 months and 24-30 months) after the operation were analyzed. Results: There were 29 patients, including 16 males and 13 females, whose age ranged from 20 to 62 years old. The medium to long-term score of ETDQ-7 significantly declined after surgery (27.0±7.9 vs. 14.1±7.5, P<0.05). Among all symptoms, symptoms like "blockage feeling in ear or being like under the water, constriction feeling" , "sound of blisters or explosions in the ear" decreased obviously (P<0.05). Comparing different stages after surgery, the scores of ETDQ-7 existed no difference (P>0.05). And the difference of gender showed no significant influence on surgery effects. Conclusion: The subjective symptoms of patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction diagnosed with SETD can be significantly improved in the medium to long-term follow-up after Eustachian tube balloon dilation, and the degree of improvement is not linearly related to the postoperative time.

P4528Feasibility and safety of left bundle branch area pacing by transvenous approach through the interventricular septum in patients with left bundle branch block

Background

His bundle pacing (HBP) has been shown to correct left bundle branch block (LBBB), however it often requires high pacing output and the success rate is variable.

Objective

To assess the feasibility and safety of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in patients with LBBB.

Methods

From Apr 2014 to Aug 2018, patients with LBBB from multicenters indicated for CRT or pacing therapy were included. LBBAP was performed by advancing the MDT 3830 lead deep into the septum about 1 cm distal to the His bundle region (Figure 1F). Pacing characteristics, success rate, threshold and R-wave amplitude were assessed.

Results

A total of 94 patients aged 68.3±10.7 y with the native QRS duration of 167.2±17.2 ms were included. In 92 patients, LBBAP was successfully achieved and demonstrated RBBB pattern during unipolar tip pacing (UTP), with the paced QRS duration of 116.4±12.6ms (Figure 1C). Fusion of LBBAP and native conduction via the RBB eliminated RBBB and resulted in an average QRS duration of 103.2±10.1 ms (Figure 1D). LBB potential could be recorded from the LBB lead during correction of LBBB by HBP in 21 patients who used two leads method (His lead and LBB lead, Figure 1B). Output dependent selective and non-selective LBBAP were demonstrated in 48 patients (Figure 1C, D). The LBB capture threshold by UTP was 0.53±0.18V/0.5ms at acute and 0.62±0.17V/0.5ms at 6 months and 0.65±0.2V/0.5ms at 1 year. The R-wave amplitude were 11.4±5.2mV, 12.4±5.8mV and 12.0±5.8mV at acute, 6 month and 1 year. During follow-up, only one patient had an increase in LBB capture threshold to 2.5V/0.5ms at 3 months and there were no other complications such as dislodgment, infections, embolism or stroke associated with the implantation.

Conclusion

Permanent LBBAP is feasible and safe in patients with LBBB.

P6548Left bundle branch area pacing in patients with atrioventricular block

Background

The application of His bundle pacing (HBP) on patients with distal AV block should be of concern.Left bundle branch Aera pacing (LBBA pacing), pacing immediately beyond the site of block will be considered.

Purpose

To access the clinical benefits and safety of LBBA pacing in patients with atrioventricular (AV) block.

Methods

One hundred and thiry nine patients diagnosed with AVB were included. The Select Secure lead (model 3830; Medtronic) was used. Characteristics of LBB capture are summarized as following: 1) The paced QRS morphology of RBBB pattern during unipolar tip pacing; 2) Usually, LBB potential could be recorded; 3) If higher output pacing shortened the times abruptly and the times remain constant. Pacing parameters (threshold, R-wave amplitude and impedance) and Echocardiographic measurements were assessed during follow-up.

Results

All patients were success achieved LBBA pacing. The detailed baseline characteristic and follow-up were shown in the Table. Threshold, R-wave amplitude and impedance remained stable during follow -up. Echocardiographic measurements showed that LBB pacing did not affect the cardiac function. There was no LV septum penetration and dislodgment.

Conclusion

LBBA pacing had ideal pacing parameters and preserve cardiac function and may be an excellent alternative to HBP or RVP.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Key R&D Program of Zhejiang (2019C03012), Major Project of the Science and Technology of Wenzhou (ZS2017010)

[Advances in the application of cloud platform in diagnosis and treatment of OSA]

Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) has been a major public health problem due to a surge in the number of patients with OSA, which can create a heavy socio-economic burden. How to effectively carry out mass screening and prevention is an important link in China's health management and chronic disease prevention.The development of cloud computing and Internet of things technology has brought new directions and new solutions.For the sake of diagnosis and treatment of disease involving multiple disciplines, cross cooperation problems, we can use the Internet of things, a cloud platform and the database as the core architecture to establish the network which contains family-primary hospitals-tertiary hospitals-specialized subject and sleep medicine laboratory.With the help of handsets, we are able to realize the effectiveness and convenience of remote cooperation and eventually form the cloud platform diagnosis and treatment system of sleep-related breathing disease based on the large sample data.

[A customized method for information extraction from unstructured text data in the electronic medical records]

OBJECTIVE

There is a huge amount of diagnostic or treatment information in electronic medical record (EMR), which is a concrete manifestation of clinicians actual diagnosis and treatment details. Plenty of episodes in EMRs, such as complaints, present illness, past history, differential diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, surgical records, reflecting details of diagnosis and treatment in clinical process, adopt Chinese description of natural language. How to extract effective information from these Chinese narrative text data, and organize it into a form of tabular for analysis of medical research, for the practical utilization of clinical data in the real world, is a difficult problem in Chinese medical data processing.

METHODS

Based on the EMRs narrative text data in a tertiary hospital in China, a customized information extracting rules learning, and rule based information extraction methods is proposed. The overall method consists of three steps, which includes: (1) Step 1, a random sample of 600 copies (including the history of present illness, past history, personal history, family history, etc.) of the electronic medical record data, was extracted as raw corpora. With our developed Chinese clinical narrative text annotation platform, the trained clinician and nurses marked the tokens and phrases in the corpora which would be extracted (with a history of diabetes as an example). (2) Step 2, based on the annotated corpora clinical text data, some extraction templates were summarized and induced firstly. Then these templates were rewritten using regular expressions of Perl programming language, as extraction rules. Using these extraction rules as basic knowledge base, we developed extraction packages in Perl, for extracting data from the EMRs text data. In the end, the extracted data items were organized in tabular data format, for later usage in clinical research or hospital surveillance purposes. (3) As the final step of the method, the evaluation and validation of the proposed methods were implemented in the National Clinical Service Data Integration Platform, and we checked the extraction results using artificial verification and automated verification combined, proved the effectiveness of the method.

RESULTS

For all the patients with diabetes as diagnosed disease in the Department of Endocrine in the hospital, the medical history episode of these patients showed that, altogether 1 436 patients were dismissed in 2015, and a history of diabetes medical records extraction results showed that the recall rate was 87.6%, the accuracy rate was 99.5%, and F-Score was 0.93. For all the 10% patients (totally 1 223 patients) with diabetes by the dismissed dates of August 2017 in the same department, the extracted diabetes history extraction results showed that the recall rate was 89.2%, the accuracy rate was 99.2%, F-Score was 0.94.

CONCLUSION

This study mainly adopts the combination of natural language processing and rule-based information extraction, and designs and implements an algorithm for extracting customized information from unstructured Chinese electronic medical record text data. It has better results than existing work.

Interleukin-6 -572G/C polymorphism and prostate cancer susceptibility

Strong evidence suggests that cancer-associated inflammation promotes tumor growth and progression, and interleukin-6 (IL6) is an important modulator of inflammation. However, the roles of IL6 and mutations of its corresponding gene in prostate cancer have not been clearly documented. We retrieved data from the Oncomine database concerning IL6 expression in prostate cancer and its role in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence. We also performed a case-control study of the IL6 -572G/C polymorphism (rs1800796) in 236 sporadic prostate cancer patients and 256 healthy controls from a southern Han Chinese population. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess the association between rs1800796 and prostate cancer susceptibility. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to test the transcriptional activity of the IL6 promoter G and C alleles. IL6 was overexpressed in prostate cancer tissues compared to normal tissues, especially in those with higher Gleason scores. Moreover, elevated IL6 expression was associated with high PSA recurrence rate in Oncomine data. Our case-control study demonstrated that compared with the -572C allele, the -572G allele conferred a borderline increased risk of prostate cancer (OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 0.99-1.74, P = 0.061). This was more pronounced in the subgroup of individuals having never smoked (OR = 1.85, 95%CI = 1.07-3.22). Moreover, the G allele showed increased activity relative to the C allele in the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Our results suggest that the -572G/C polymorphism may be associated with IL6 expression, which in turn plays a role in prostate cancer development.

Therapeutic effect of Pleurotus eryngii cellulose on experimental fatty liver in rats

The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect of Pleurotus eryngii cellulose on experimental fatty liver in rats. Rats were fed high-fat fodder to establish a rat fatty liver model, and were then fed different concentrations of Pleurotus eryngii cellulose for six weeks. Lipitor was used as a positive control. Measured levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), and total triglyceride (TG); the activity of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), hepatic lipase (HL), and lipoprotein lipase; and liver histopathological changes. Successfully established rat fatty liver model after feeding high-fat fodder for one week. A diet of P. eryngii cellulose for six weeks significantly reduced ALT, AST, TC, and TG levels in rat serum (P < 0.01); TC and AST levels in P. eryngii cellulose high-dose group and Lipitor group were not significantly different from those of the control (P > 0.05). SOD activity increased significantly, while MDA and HL activity decreased (P < 0.05); fatty degeneration and fat accumulation both decreased in hepatic tissue. Hepatic protection of P. eryngii cellulose showed dose-related effect. P. eryngii cellulose can affect lipid metabolism, having therapeutic effects on fatty liver in rats.

Efficacy of the low-dose Saccharum iron treatment of idiopathic restless legs syndrome

AIM

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of low-dose and high-dose Saccharum iron injected intravenously in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) by detecting levels of serum ferritin (SF) and international RLS Severity Scale.

METHODS

For this purpose, 38 patients with idiopathic RLS were randomly divided into the following two groups: low-dose group (18 cases) and high-dose group (20 cases). Low-dose group received Saccharum iron intravenously (200 mg/dose); once a week for 5 weeks with a total dose of 1000 mg. High-dose group received Saccharum iron intravenously (500 mg/dose); once every two weeks for 4 weeks with a total dose of 1000 mg. The pre- and post-treatment (at 2, 4, and 6 weeks) level of SF and RLS scores were determined and the differences were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

Post-therapeutic SF levels increased significantly in both groups as compared with before treatment (P<0.05). At 6-week post-therapy, SF levels in low-dose group were significantly higher than those in high-dose group (P<0.05). The clinical symptoms were improved and RLS scores were lower than pretreatment ratings in both groups (P<0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, RLS scores of low-dose group were lower than those of high-dose group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both the low-dose and high-dose Saccharum iron treatments increased the SF levels and improved clinical symptoms in patients with idiopathic RLS; however, the low-dose iron treatment was found to be more effective and had fewer side effects.

Relaxin inhibits cardiac fibrosis and endothelial-mesenchymal transition via the Notch pathway

BACKGROUND

Relaxin (RLX) can prevent cardiac fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the possible mechanism and signal transduction pathway of RLX inhibiting cardiac fibrosis.

METHODS

Isoproterenol (5 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) was used to establish the cardiac fibrosis model in rats, which were administered RLX. The cardiac function, related targets of cardiac fibrosis, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) were measured. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) was used to induce EndMT in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which were pretreated with RLX, 200 ng·mL(-1), then with the inhibitor of Notch. Transwell cell migration was used to evaluate cell migration. CD31 and vimentin content was determined by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis. Notch protein level was examined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

RLX improved cardiac function in rats with cardiac fibrosis; it reduced the content of collagen I and III, increased the microvascular density of the myocardium, and suppressed the EndMT in heart tissue. In vitro, RLX decreased the mobility of human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by TGF-β, increased the expression of endothelial CD31, and decreased vimentin content. Compared to TGF-β and RLX co-culture alone, TGF-β + RLX + Notch inhibitor increased cell mobility and the EndMT, but decreased the levels of Notch-1, HES-1, and Jagged-1 proteins.

CONCLUSION

RLX may inhibit the cardiac fibrosis via EndMT by Notch-mediated signaling.

Gaucher disease: a lysosomal neurodegenerative disorder

Gaucher disease is a multisystemic disorder that affects men and woman in equal numbers and occurs in all ethnic groups at any age with racial variations and an estimated worldwide incidence of 1/75,000. It is caused by a genetic deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase due to mutations in the β-glucocerebrosidase gene, and resulting in lack of glucocerebroside degradation. The subsequent accumulation of glucocerebroside in lysosomes of tissue macrophages primarily in the liver, bone marrow and spleen, causes damage in haematological, skeletal and nervous systems. The clinical manifestations show a high degree of variability with symptoms that varies according to organs involved. In many cases, these disorders do not correlate with mutations in the β-glucocerebrosidase gene. Although several mutations have been identified as responsible for the deficient activity of glucocerebrosidase, mechanisms by which this enzymatic defect leads to Gaucher disease remain poorly understood. Recent reports indicate the implication of complex mechanisms, including enzyme deficiency, substrate accumulation, unfolded protein response, and macrophage activation. Further elucidating these mechanisms will advance understanding of Gaucher disease and related disorders.

Photodegradation of sulfonamide antimicrobial compounds (sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethoxazole and sulfathiazole) in various UV/oxidant systems

This study used Na₂S₂O₈, NaBrO8 and H₂O₂to degrade sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfamethizole (SFZ), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and sulfathiazole (STZ) under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The initial concentration of sulfonamide and oxidant in all experiments was 20 mg/L and 5 mM, respectively. The degradation rate for sulfonamides satisfies pseudo-first-order kinetics in all UV/oxidant systems. The highest degradation rate for SDZ, SFZ, SMX and STZ was in the UV/Na₂S₂O₈, UV/NaBrO₃, UV/Na₂S₂O₈ and UV/H₂O₂ system, respectively. In the UV/Na₂S₂O₈ system, the photodegradation rate of SDZ, SFZ, SMX and STZ was 0.0245 min⁻¹, 0.0096 min⁻¹, 0.0283 min⁻¹ and 0.0141 min⁻¹, respectively; moreover, for the total organic carbon removal rate for SDZ, SFZ, SMX and STZ it was 0.0057 min⁻¹, 0.0081 min⁻¹, 0.0130 min⁻¹ and 0.0106 min⁻¹, respectively. Experimental results indicate that the ability of oxidants to degrade sulfonamide varied with pollutant type. Moreover, UV/Na₂S₂O₈ had the highest mineralization rate for all tested sulfonamides.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with concurrent gastric adenocarcinoma: case report and literature review

The simultaneous occurrence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and gastric carcinoma is rare. The present case report describes a 61-year-old man with DLBCL at the ileocaecal junction with several metastatic lymph nodes and concurrent gastric intramucosal adenocarcinoma. Both tumours, together with the enlarged lymph nodes, were successfully removed by surgery. At 1 month postoperatively, the patient received chemotherapy consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, epirubicin hydrochloride and dexamethasone; he responded well to treatment. Reports published in the literature between January 2006 and March 2011 of other cases of DLBCL combined with concurrent non-haematological malignancies in immunocompetent patients were reviewed. The identification of common factors is important for clarification of the mechanisms of lymphomagenesis and carcinogenesis, as well as the creation of preventive and therapeutic strategies. Such cases highlight the need routinely to perform preoperative imaging studies to exclude other synchronous tumours and, if possible, to biopsy any such masses in order to offer timely and appropriate therapy.

Role of serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 in regulating torsion-induced apoptosis in rats

Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 (SGK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that responds to various stimuli and mediates cell survival. Although it is known that testicular torsion leads to testicular damage and male infertility, the role of SGK1 in torsion remains unclear. This study investigated whether torsion-induced apoptosis is associated with changes in phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), SGK1 and forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a expression and/or phosphorylation in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham (control), 1, 2 and 4 h of unilateral torsion. Bilateral testes, testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) and blood samples were collected immediately after torsion. Our results revealed that SGK1 protein and mRNA were abundantly present in testes and were induced by 2 h of torsion, but that phosphorylation of SGK1, PDK1 and FOXO3a decreased simultaneously. After 2 h of torsion, the testosterone secretion capacity of the primary Leydig cells and testicular interstitial cells (TICs) was impaired and apoptotic spermatogonia and TICs were observed; in addition, the mean seminiferous tubular diameter was decreased. Torsion increased plasma corticosterone levels, but decreased plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels. However, the testosterone levels of the TIF in the ipsilateral testes were significantly enhanced after 2 h of torsion, but suppressed in the contralateral testes. This animal study suggests that PDK1, SGK1 and FOXO3a are involved in torsion-induced apoptosis and that medical therapy should be performed as early as 2 h after the occurrence of torsion to prevent further damage.

1-(3,4-Dihy-droxy-phen-yl)hexan-1-one

In the title compound, C₁₂H₁₆O₃, a fully extened hexyl carbon chain is attached to a benzene ring; the mean planes formed by the atoms in the benzene ring and the hexa­none are inclined at an angle 8.5 (2)° with respect to each other. In the crystal, inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds join the mol­ecules into an infinite sheet.

Coordination-dependent surface atomic contraction in nanocrystals revealed by coherent diffraction

Surface atoms have fewer interatomic bonds than those in the bulk that they often relax and reconstruct on extended two-dimensional surfaces. Far less is known about the surface structures of nanocrystals. Here, we show that coherent diffraction patterns recorded from individual nanocrystals are very sensitive to the atomic structure of nanocrystal surfaces. Nanocrystals of Au of 3-5 nm in diameter were studied by examining diffraction intensity oscillations around the Bragg peaks. Both results obtained from modelling the experimental data and molecular dynamics simulations strongly suggest inhomogeneous relaxations, involving large out-of-plane bond length contractions for the edge atoms (approximately 0.2 A); a significant contraction (approximately 0.13 A) for {100} surface atoms; and a much smaller contraction (approximately 0.05 A) for atoms in the middle of the {111} facets. These results denote a coordination/facet dependence that markedly differentiates the structural dynamics of nanocrystals from bulk crystalline surfaces.

Towards sub-Å atomic resolution electron diffraction imaging of metallic nanoclusters: A simulation study of experimental parameters and reconstruction algorithms

A simulation study is carried out to elucidate the effects of dynamical scattering, electron beam convergence angle and detection noise on atomic resolution diffraction imaging of small particles and to develop effective reconstruction procedures. Au nanoclusters are used as model because of their strong scattering. The results show that the dynamical effects of electron diffraction place a limit on the size of Au nanoclusters that can be reconstructed from the diffraction intensities with sufficient accuracy. For smaller Au nanoclusters, the simulations show that diffraction patterns recorded under the experimental conditions can be reconstructed using a combination of phase retrieval algorithms. The use of a low-resolution image is shown to be effective for reconstructing diffraction patterns without the central beam. A new algorithm for estimating the object support is proposed.

Metalloform-selective inhibitors of escherichia coli methionine aminopeptidase and X-ray structure of a Mn(II)-form enzyme complexed with an inhibitor

Methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP) enzymes require a divalent metal ion such as Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), or Zn(II) for its removal of the N-terminal methionine from newly synthesized proteins, but it is not certain which of these ions is most important in vivo. Metalloform-selective MetAP inhibitors could be valuable for defining which metals are physiologically relevant for MetAP activation and could serve as leads for development of new therapeutic agents. We have screened a library of 43 736 small drug-like molecules against Escherichia coli MetAP and identified two groups of potent and highly metalloform-selective inhibitors of the Co(II)-form, and of the Mn(II)-form, of this enzyme. Compound 1 is 790-fold more selective for the Co(II)-form, while compound 4 is over 640-fold more potent toward the Mn(II)-form. The X-ray structure of a di-Mn(II) form of E. coli MetAP complexed with the Mn(II)-form-selective compound 4 was obtained, and it shows that the inhibitor interacts with both Mn(II) ions through the two oxygen atoms of its free carboxylate group. The preferential coordination of the hard (oxygen) donors to Mn(II) may contribute to its superb selectivity toward the Mn(II)-form.

Assessing the effectiveness of ozonation followed by GAC filtration in removing bromate and assimilable organic carbon

Bromate (BrO3-) and assimilable organic carbon (AOC) removal by activated carbon after ozonation is a subject of concern, since BrO3- and AOC are commonly found in the ozonation of bromide-containing and organic-rich waters. In batch ozonation experiment of this study, the major ozonation by-products were bromate, bromform, aldehydes, and AOC, and the levels of these by-products is affected by operational parameters of ozonation. Results from rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCT) indicated that the granular activated carbon (GAC) capacity for BrO3- removal was dependent on the GAC type and empty bed contact time (EBCT). The GAC with a high number of basic groups and higher pH(pzc) values showed an increased BrO3- removal capacity. On the other hand, BrO3- removal was improved by increasing EBCT. In the GAC pilot plant, a GAC column (operating with 15 min EBCT) preloads for 12 months achieved a BrO3-, and AOC removal range from 7-96% and 41-85%, respectively. And the BrO3- amount removed was found to be proportional to the influent BrO3- concentration. However, the capacity of GAC for bromate adsorption apparently decreased with prolonged operational time (after 3 months). This may be a result of the bacterial biomass adsorbed on the GAC surface hindering BrO3- reduction by GAC either by blocking pores or adsorbing at the activated sites for BrO3- reduction.

Removal of bromate and assimilable organic carbon from drinking water using granular activated carbon

This study investigated the feasibility of using granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove bromate ion (BrO3-) and assimilable organic carbon (AOC) from drinking water through a rapid small-scale column test (RSSCT) method and a pilot-scale study. Results from RSSCT indicated that the GAC capacity for BrO3- removal was dependent on the GAC type, empty bed contact time (EBCT), and source water quality. The GAC with a high number of basic groups and higher pHpzc values showed an increased BrO3- removal capacity. BrO3- removal was improved by increasing EBCT. The high EBCT provides a greater opportunity for BrO3- to be adsorbed and reduced to Br- on the GAC surface. On the other hand, the presence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and anions, such as chloride, bromide, and sulfate, resulted in poor BrO3- reduction. In the GAC pilot plant, a GAC column preloaded for 12 months achieved a BrO3- and AOC removal range from 79-96% and 41-75%, respectively. The BrO3- amount removed was found to be proportional to the influent BrO3- concentration. However, the BrO3- removal rate apparently decreased with increasing operation time. In contrast, the AOC apparently increased during the long-term operation period. This may be a result of the contribution due to new GAC being gradually transformed into biological activated carbon (BAC), and the bacterial biomass adsorbed on GAC surface hindering BrO3- reduction by GAC either by blocking pores or adsorbing at the activated sites for BrO3- reduction.

Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 is predominantly enhanced in the microglia of the rat spinal cord following dorsal root transection

The present study was initiated to investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 signaling pathway in the early response of spinal cord and associated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) to rhizotomy by using Western blotting and immunohistochemical techniques in a rat model of L3 and L4 dorsal root transection. The results showed that there were a considerable amount of total and phosphorylated ERK 1/2 protein in both spinal cord and DRG in normal animals killed under pentobarbital anesthesia. The total ERK 1/2 distributed in both glia and neurons, while phosphorylated ERK 1/2 dominantly existed in the latter in the gray matter of spinal cord, as demonstrated with double immunofluorescent staining. Twenty-four and forty-eight hours after axotomy, the phosphorylation level of ERK 1/2 in the operation side of dorsal spinal cord was much higher than that in the contralateral side, while the total ERK 1/2 level seemed unchanged. The increased expression of Fos protein was also seen in the dorsal spinal cord at lesion side twelve and twenty-four hours after axotomy. Double fluorescent staining proved that the phosphorylated ERK 1/2 positive cells in the ipsilateral dorsal spinal cord after axotomy predominantly were microglia and small portion was oligodendrocytes, whereas the Fos expression was mainly in neurons. In normal DRG, most neurons, especially the medium and small-sized ones, and the satellite cells contained total ERK 1/2-like immunoreactivity, whereas only a small portion of neurons and satellite cells contained phosphorylated ERK 1/2. After unilateral dorsal rhizotomy, there were no detectable changes for the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in either neurons or satellite cells in DRG.Collectively, the present results suggest that both ERK and Fos signal pathways involve the cellular activation in the spinal cord following dorsal rhizotomy, with ERK mainly in microglia and Fos in neurons. The increase of phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in microglia of spinal cord after rhizotomy implicates that ERK signaling pathway involves intracellular activity of microglia responding to the experimental injury.

Inhibitory effects of digitalis on the proliferation of androgen dependent and independent prostate cancer cells

PURPOSE

Digitalis or cardiac glycosides have been noted to induce tumor static or oncolytic effects in various types of cancer. We evaluated the effects and underlying mechanisms of cardiac glycosides, including digoxin, digitoxin and ouabain, on the proliferation of hormone dependent and independent prostate cancer cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell proliferation of the 3 human prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yle)2,5-diphenyltetralozium bromide (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Missouri) colorimetric assay. The cytotoxic effects of digitalis on prostate cancer cells were determined by lactate dehydrogenase measurements of the culture medium. Intracellular Ca2+ was measured by a dual wavelength spectrometer system. The percent of apoptotic cells after digitalis treatment was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Digoxin, digitoxin and ouabain significantly inhibited the proliferation of LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 cells at a dose of 1 or 10 microM. after 1 to 4 days of culture. Cytotoxicity of digitalis on the DU145 and LNCaP cells was dose dependent but cytotoxicity was not obvious in PC3. Digitalis (1 microM.) significantly increased intracellular Ca2+ in LNCaP and DU145 after 12 hours of culture but PC3 cells needed a 24-hour treatment to show any effect. In the apoptosis measurement digitalis at a dose of 1 and 10 microM. also significantly increased the percent of apoptotic cells in the LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 cell lines. Normal control human glomerular epithelial cells showed no response to digitalis treatment at all tested doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Digitalis may inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer cell lines, although the 3 cell lines showed varied sensitivity to digitalis. These effects are possibly the result of a mechanism involving sustained elevation of the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ and of apoptosis.