Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has continued to have a poor prognosis for the last few decades in spite of recent advances in different imaging modalities mainly due to difficulty in early ...diagnosis and aggressive biological behavior. Early PDAC can be missed on CT due to similar attenuation relative to the normal pancreas, small size, or hidden location in the uncinate process. Tumor resectability and its contingency on the vascular invasion most commonly assessed with multi-phasic thin-slice CT is a continuously changing concept, particularly in the era of frequent neoadjuvant therapy. Coexistent celiac artery stenosis may affect the surgical plan in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. In this review, we discuss the challenges related to the imaging of PDAC. These include radiological and clinical subtleties of the tumor, evolving imaging criteria for tumor resectability, preoperative diagnosis of accompanying celiac artery stenosis, and post-neoadjuvant therapy imaging. For each category, the key imaging features and potential pitfalls on cross-sectional imaging will be discussed. Also, we will describe the imaging discriminators of potential mimickers of PDAC.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a specialized form of ultrasound (US) performed with an intravenous injection of microbubble contrast agents. It has been successfully used for a variety of ...applications including characterization of liver tumors. In April 2014, the American College of Radiology (ACR) convened a working group of international experts to develop ACR CEUS Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS). An initial version of CEUS LI-RADS was published in August 2016. Although the CEUS LI-RADS concept and principles for liver lesion characterization, using dynamic contrast enhancement features, are similar to those for CT or MRI, there are significant differences between CT/MRI and CEUS LI-RADS. Therefore, CEUS LI-RADS has different diagnostic features and a unique characterization algorithm. The size of a lesion, the type and degree of arterial phase enhancement, the presence of washout, and the timing and degree of washout are the major features used for categorization. This paper describes key differences between CT/MRI and CEUS, and provides a diagnostic algorithm of CEUS LI-RADS with detailed, step-by-step instructions and imaging examples of CEUS LI-RADS categories.
Orthopedic implants should have sufficient strength and promote bone tissue regeneration. However, most conventional implants are optimized for use either under high mechanical load or for active ...osseointegration. To achieve the dual target of mechanical durability and biocompatibility, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) filaments reinforced with internal titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles via dopamine‐induced polymerization are additively manufactured into an orthopedic implant through material extrusion (ME). The exterior of the PEEK/TiO2 composite is coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) using radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering to increase both the strength and biocompatibility provided by homogeneous ceramic–ceramic interactions and the protuberant nanoscale topography between the internal TiO2 nanoparticle reinforcement and external HA coating. The hardness, tensile, and compression, and scratch test results demonstrate a considerable enhancement in the mechanical strength of the hierarchical PEEK/TiO2/HA hybrid composite structure compared to that of the conventional 3D‐printed PEEK. Furthermore, PEEK with internal TiO2 reinforcement improves the proliferation and differentiation of bone cells in vitro, whereas the external HA coating leads to a more prevalent osteoblast absorption. Micro‐computed tomography and histological analyses confirm new bone formation and a high bone‐to‐implant contact ratio on the HA‐coated PEEK structure reinforced with TiO2 nanoparticles.
In order to enhance the mechanical durability and biocompatibility of orthopedic implants, additively manufactured polyetheretherketone is reinforced with internal titanium dioxide nanoparticles via dopamine‐induced polymerization and additionally coated with hydroxyapatite using radiofrequency magnetron sputtering. Excellent mechanical properties and great in vitro and in vivo performances of hybrid scaffolds indicate promising application prospects in orthopedic implant materials.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Since the ban of tributyltin in antifouling paints, many alternative biocides have been introduced to prevent settlement and growth of marine organisms on ship hulls. Zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) is one of ...the most frequently used alternative biocides in antifouling paints. This paper reviewed the overall chemical properties, toxicological characteristics, and environmental fates of ZnPT, as well as the analytical challenges of studying pertinent processes. ZnPT is generally toxic to a wide range of marine organisms, including algae, bivalves, sea urchins, polychaetes, crustaceans, and fish, typically at μg/L levels. ZnPT can be transchelated into other compounds in the presence of metal ions, and photodegrades when exposed to UV light. ZnPT is also reported to be biodegraded or hydrolyzed forming several metabolites of their own toxicity and stability. However, ZnPT accumulates in the water column or sediment, if it does not degrade at certain environmental conditions. To determine potential risks caused by ZnPT in the marine environment, studies have evaluated the environmental distribution of ZnPT with various chromatographic or voltammetry methods. Unfortunately, rapid transchelation and degradation of ZnPT in both the marine environment and laboratory interfered with most of the methods employed, making it difficult to evaluate its environmental distribution. More robust and sensitive analytical methods need to be developed to reliably describe the environmental release and distribution of ZnPT. To comprehensively understand the risk posed by the input of ZnPT into the marine environment, total degradation processes and its potential products also need to be adequately addressed.
Key message
A major QTL and candidate genes controlling capsaicinoid content in the pericarp were identified by QTL-seq and RNA-seq in
Capsicum chinense
.
Capsaicinoid biosynthesis was previously ...thought to be restricted to the placental tissue; however, the recent discovery of their biosynthesis in the pericarp provides new opportunities to increase the capsaicinoid content in pepper fruits. Currently, the genetic mechanisms regulating capsaicinoid biosynthesis in the pericarp remain unknown. Here, we performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to reveal the genes controlling capsaicinoid biosynthesis in the pericarp. A whole-genome sequencing-based QTL-seq strategy was employed, identifying a major QTL on chromosome 6. To validate the QTL on chromosome 6, we performed traditional QTL mapping using the same population in QTL-seq with an additional biparental population. A total of 15 QTLs for capsaicinoid content distributed on chromosomes 3, 6, and 11 were newly identified. Among these QTLs, the genetic loci on the lower arm of chromosome 6 were commonly detected in the two mapping populations, corresponding to the location of the major QTL detected using whole-genome sequencing-based QTL-seq. Our RNA-seq analysis identified candidate genes within the common QTL that were differentially expressed in the pungent and non-pungent pericarp tissues. Our results are expected to contribute to the elucidation of the regulation of capsaicinoid biosynthesis. We also demonstrated that a combination of QTL mapping and RNA-seq is helpful for refining the candidate genes of a complicated trait of interest.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
A critical limitation of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) as an anti-cancer agent is the loss of their invasive or replicative activities, which results in no or less delivery of anti-cancer ...agents inside cancer cells in cancer therapy. Here we developed an oxytolerant attenuated Salmonella strain (KST0650) from the parental KST0649 (ΔptsIΔcrr) strain using radiation mutation technology (RMT). The oxytolerant KST0650 strain possessed 20-times higher replication activity in CT26 cancer cells and was less virulent than KST0649. Furthermore, KST0650 migrated effectively into tumor tissues in mice. KST0650 was further equipped with a plasmid harboring a spliced form of the intracellular pro-apoptotic protein sATF6, and the expression of sATF6 was controlled by the radiation-inducible recN promoter. The new strain was named as KST0652, in which sATF6 protein expression was induced in response to radiation in a dose-dependent manner. This strain was effectively delivered inside cancer cells and tumor tissues via the Salmonella type III secretion system (T3SS). In addition, combination treatment with KST0652 and radiation showed a synergistic anti-tumor effect in murine tumor model with complete inhibition of tumor growth and protection against death. In conclusion, we showed that RMT can be used to effectively develop an anti-tumor Salmonella strain for delivering anti-cancer agents inside tumors.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
A 52-year-old man who was diagnosed with Eisenmenger syndrome due to a muscular-type ventricular septal defect 30 years previously, visited our emergency room after experiencing six hours of severe ...left flank pain and vomiting. On laboratory examination, azotemia and microscopic haematuria were identified. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography also revealed pulmonary embolism (PE) and bilateral acute renal infarction. The flank pain resolved after heparin was administered for anti-coagulation and aspiration thrombectomy was performed. The patient was discharged on warfarin as anticoagulant therapy. In this case, a paradoxical embolism was considered to have been the cause of PE and bilateral acute renal infarction in a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common condition in hospitalized patients. As ischemia/reperfusion-induced AKI (IR-AKI) is as a major contributor to end-stage disease, an effective therapeutic ...intervention for IR-AKI is imperative. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a potent stimulator of erythroid progenitor cells and is significantly upregulated during hypoxia. Here, we investigated the renoprotective effects of EPO in an IR-AKI mouse model. Mice were assigned to sham, EPO only, and IR only groups, and the IR group was treated with EPO prior to injury. EPO was administered twice at 30 min prior to bilateral renal artery occlusion, and 5 min before reperfusion, with all mice sacrificed 24 h after IR-AKI. The serum was harvested for renal functional measurements. The kidneys were subjected to histological evaluation, and the biochemical changes associated with renal injury were assessed. EPO significantly attenuated the renal dysfunction associated with IR-AKI, as well as tissue injury. Apoptotic cell death and oxidative stress were significantly reduced in EPO-treated mice. Macrophage infiltration and expression of ICAM-1 and MCP-1 were also significantly reduced in EPO-treated mice. Furthermore, the expression of inflammasome-related factors (NLRP1, NLRP3, and caspase-1 cleavage), via the activation of the COX-2 and NF-B signaling pathways were significantly reduced following EPO treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that inflammasome-mediated inflammation might be a potential target of EPO as a treatment for ischemic AKI.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The objective of the present study was to compare the breast meat quality and metabolomic characteristics from broilers that were raised in conventional (conventional farm reared-broilers; CB, ...n = 20) and legally approved animal welfare farms (welfare farm reared-broilers; WB, n = 20) in aerobic cold storage (1, 3, 5, and 7 d). Compared to CB chickens, the WB chickens had a larger floor size as well as lower stocking density, atmospheric ammonia, and nipple-shared chicken counts. The results demonstrated significantly higher pH, L⁎- and b⁎-value, and lower shear force in CB compared to WB during cold storage. Using 1H NMR analysis, 25 compounds were identified in the chicken breast meat. Partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed based on the identified metabolites. The content of 15 metabolites (1 di-peptide, 9 free amino acids, 2 glycolytic potential-related products, 2 nucleotide-related products, and 1 organic acid) was significantly different due to the rearing environment (CB vs. WB). Among them, all free amino acids were higher in CB than in WB. Six free amino acids (glycine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, valine, and β-alanine) had variable importance in projection (VIP) score >1, regardless of the number of cold storage days. Therefore, these compounds in the breast meat may be used as potential markers to determine the rearing environment of broilers. Also, this result might be an indication of stress-related meat quality changes in broilers.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) and progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, no effective therapeutic intervention has been established ...for ischemic AKI. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have major roles in the maintenance of vascular integrity and the repair of endothelial damage; they also serve as therapeutic agents in various kidney diseases. Thus, we examined whether EPCs have a renoprotective effect in an IRI mouse model. Mice were assigned to sham, EPC, IRI-only, and EPC-treated IRI groups. EPCs originating from human peripheral blood were cultured. The EPCs were administered 5 min before reperfusion, and all mice were killed 72 h after IRI. Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and tissue injury were significantly increased in IRI mice; EPCs significantly improved the manifestations of IRI. Apoptotic cell death and oxidative stress were significantly reduced in EPC-treated IRI mice. Administration of EPCs decreased the expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, p-NF-κB, and p-p38. Furthermore, the expression levels of F4/80, ICAM-1, RORγt, and IL-17RA were significantly reduced in EPC-treated IRI mice. Finally, the levels of EMT-associated factors (TGF-β, α-SMA, Snail, and Twist) were significantly reduced in EPC-treated IRI mice. This study shows that inflammasome-mediated inflammation accompanied by immune modulation and fibrosis is a potential target of EPCs as a treatment for IRI-induced AKI and the prevention of progression to CKD.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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