Purpose
To investigate the correlation of standard diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) with distant metastases of rectal carcinoma.
Materials and Methods
Fifty‐eight ...patients with rectal carcinoma (27 with distant metastasis and 31 with no metastasis) were included in this study. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value from standard DWI (b values of 0 and 1000 sec/mm2), Dapp, and Kapp from DKI (b values of 0, 700, 1400, and 2000 sec/mm2) were acquired with a 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. These quantitative parameters were calculated from the entire tumors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted to assess the utility for discrimination of tumor with distant metastasis and those without metastasis. Parameters were compared using the independent‐samples t‐test.
Results
The histogram metrics 10th percentile of Dapp (Dapp‐10th) and ADC values (ADC10th) were significantly lower in the distant metastasis group than those without metastasis (972.5 ± 118.8 vs. 1121.3 ± 133.8 × 10−6 mm2/s, P = 0.03; 809.2 ± 67.1 vs. 856.2 ± 72.1 × 10−6 mm2/s, P = 0.03). Dapp‐10th showed relatively higher area under the curve (AUC) (0.856 vs. 0.669, P = 0.024), and higher specificity (100% vs. 68%) than ADC10th did for differentiation of lesions with distant metastasis from those without metastasis.
Conclusion
DKI was relatively better than standard DWI in discriminating rectal carcinoma with distant metastasis from those without metastasis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:221–229.
Pericytes have long been regarded merely to maintain structural and functional integrity of blood-brain barrier (BBB). Nevertheless, it has also been identified as a component of scar-forming stromal ...cells after spinal cord injury (SCI). In process of enlargement of spinal cavity after SCI, the number of pericytes increased and outnumbered astrocytes. However, the mechanism of proliferation of pericytes remains unclear. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been reported to play important roles in the formation of glia scar, but previous studies had paid more attention to the astrocytes. The present study aimed to observe the effects of S1P and S1P receptors (S1PRs) on proliferation of pericytes and investigate the underlying mechanism. By double immunostaining, we found that the number of PDGFRβ-positive pericytes was gradually increased and sealed the cavity, which surrounded by reactive astrocytes. Moreover, the subtype of S1PR3 was found to be induced by SCI and mainly expressed on pericytes. Further, by use of CAY10444, an inhibitor of S1PR3, we showed that S1P/S1PR3 mediated the proliferation of pericytes through Ras/pERK pathway. Moreover, CAY10444 was found to have the effects of enhancing neuronal survival, alleviating glial scar formation, and improving locomotion recovery after SCI. The results suggested that S1P/S1PR3 might be a promising target for clinical therapy for SCI.
•The number of pericytes increased during the enlargement of spinal cavity after SCI.•S1PR3 was mainly expressed on PDGFRβ-positive pericytes after SCI.•S1P/S1PR3 signaling mediated proliferation of pericytes via Ras/pERK pathway in vitro.•Inhibition of S1PR3 prevented the proliferation of pericytes after SCI.•Inhibition of S1PR3 enhanced neuronal survival, alleviated glial scar formation, and improved locomotion recovery.
Purpose
PI-RADS score 3 is recognized as equivocal likelihood of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) occurrence. We aimed to develop a Radiomics machine learning (RML)-based redefining ...score to screen out csPCa in equivocal PI-RADS score 3 category.
Methods
Total of 263 patients with the dominant index lesion scored PI-RADS 3 who underwent biopsy and/or follow-up formed the primary cohort. One-step RML (RML-i) model integrated radiomic features of T2WI, DWI, and ADC images all together, and two-step RML (RML-ii) model integrated the three independent radiomic signatures from T2WI (T2WI
RS
), DWI (DWI
RS
), and ADC (ADC
RS
) separately into a regression model. The two RML models, as well as T2WI
RS
, DWI
RS
, and ADC
RS
, were compared using the receiver operating characteristic-derived area under the curve (AUC), calibration plot, and decision-curve analysis (DCA). Two radiologists were asked to give a subjective binary assessment, and Cohen’s kappa statistics were calculated.
Results
A total of 59/263 (22.4%) csPCa were identified. Inter-reader agreement was moderate (Kappa = 0.435). The AUC of RML-i (0.89; 95% CI 0.88–0.90) is higher (
p
= 0.003) than that of RML-ii (0.87; 95% CI 0.86–0.88). The DCA demonstrated that the RML-i and RML-ii significantly improved risk prediction at threshold probabilities of csPCa at 20% to 80% compared with doing-none or doing-all by PI-RADS score 3 or stratifying by separated DWI
RS
, ADC
RS
, or T2WI
RS
.
Conclusion
Our RML models have the potential to predict csPCa in PI-RADS score 3 lesions, thus can inform the decision making process of biopsy.
...developmental stages of B cells, that is B220+CD43+IgM−IgD− (pro‐B), B220+CD43−IgM−IgD− (pre‐B), B220+CD43−IgM+IgD− (immature B) and B220+CD43−IgM+IgD+ (mature B), were detected in mouse BM, ...intestinal lamina propria (LPL) and Peyer's patches (PPs) by flow cytometry. ...the expression levels of CD40, CD80 and MHC‐Ⅱ on B cells were detected in mouse SPL, MLN and PPs. ...we examined the Secretory Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) level in intestinal lavage fluid and serum IgM, IgA and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) by ELISA. ...LGG intervention can promote the development and maturation of B lymphocytes, enhance the activation and antigen‐presentation ability of B lymphocytes, and regulate the secretion of immunoglobulin by B lymphocytes. ...LGG can regulate the mucosal immunity and humoural immunity of mice.
With the rapid development of micro/nanodevices, it is critical to investigate and disclose the nano-sized tribological properties and deformation mechanisms. This paper aimed to understand ...nano-tribological behaviours and deformation process of Cu-Ni alloy. The effects of the pressed depth, alloy composition, and sliding distance on friction state, dislocation density, and von-Mises strain stress (VMSS) are comprehensively investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. The results indicate that a larger pressed depth brings about more lattice defects in the pressed region and a higher transverse force, the stacking fault and dislocation density increased rapidly as the Cu content increases, and a longer sliding distance results in more plastic deformation and the number of wear atoms generated. As the pressed depth and sliding distance rise, the plastic deformation and sub-surface damage are aggravated, however, Cu atoms improve the Cu-Ni alloy resistance of deformation. This work can enrich the understanding on the nano-tribological behaviour and deformation mechanism of Cu-Ni alloy during the ultraprecision process.
Background
Previous studies indicated that dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) could serve as a useful biomarker for differentiating malignant from benign orbital ...lymphoproliferative disorders (OLPDs).
Purpose
To investigate the influence of different region of interest (ROI) selection methods on the measurements of DCE‐MRI parameters, and their diagnostic ability in discriminating malignant from benign OLPDs.
Study Type
Retrospective study.
Population
In all, 46 patients with OLPDs (22 benign and 24 malignant).
Field Strength/Sequence
3.T DCE‐MRI using a 2D turbo fast low angle shot sequence postcontrast.
Assessment
DCE‐MRI data were analyzed using three different ROI selection methods, including whole‐tumor ROI (ROIWT), single‐slice ROI (ROISS) and hot‐spot ROI (ROIHS). Quantitative parameters (Ktrans, Kep, Ve) were calculated based on a modified Tofts model.
Statistical Testing
Analysis of variance test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland–Altman plots, independent t‐test, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used for statistical analyses.
Results
The time required for outlining ROIWT was significantly longer than ROISS and ROIHS (P < 0.001). The measurements of DCE‐MRI‐derived parameters based on ROIHS demonstrated lowest ICC, followed by ROISS and ROIWT. Malignant OLPDs showed significantly higher Kep than benign mimics (P < 0.001), while no significant differences were found on Ktrans (ROIWT, P = 0.535; ROISS, P = 0.557; ROIHS, P = 0.400) and Ve (ROIWT, P = 0.071; ROISS, P = 0.079; ROIHS, P = 0.057). Kep‐ROIWT showed the highest area under curve for differentiating malignant from benign OLPDs, followed by Kep‐ROISS, and Kep‐ROIHS; however, the differences were not significant (ROIWT vs. ROISS, P = 0.407; ROIWT vs. ROIHS, P = 0.363; ROISS vs. ROIHS, P = 0.887).
Data Conclusion
ROI selection methods could have an influence on the measurements of DCE‐MRI parameters. Taking measurement time, reproducibility, and diagnostic ability into account, we suggest single‐slice ROI to be used for differentiating malignant from benign OLPDs in clinical practice.
Level of Evidence: 3
Technical Efficacy: Stage 2
J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1298–1305.
Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) is the most pathogenic genus in Eimeria and can lead to a huge number of deaths of chickens, causing significant economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. As a ...natural alkaloid, sanguinarine has many medicinal effects; to a certain extent, it can replace antibiotics and has good application prospects in veterinary medicine. To evaluate the effect of sanguinarine on sporozoites of E.tenella, we used flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), calcium ion (Ca2+), and caspase-3 activation in E.tenella sporozoites treated with different concentrations of sanguinarine. The results of flow cytometry showed that sanguinarine could inhibit the invasion of sporozoites of E.tenella in vitro (P < 0.05) and increase the reactive oxygen species and calcium ions in the sporozoites (P < 0.05). The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that sanguinarine could decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential of sporozoites. Our analysis suggests that sanguinarine can induce apoptosis of E. tenella sporozoites through reactive oxygen species-mediated reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in calcium ion concentration. It follows that sanguinarine is likely to be a novel type of anticoccidiosis drug with good research and clinical application prospects.
The pursuit of multifunctional electrocatalysts holds significant importance due to their comprehension of material chemistry. Amorphous materials are particularly appealing, yet they pose challenges ...in terms of rational design due to their structural disorder and thermal instability. Herein, we propose a strategy that entails the tandem (low-temperature/250-350 °C) pyrolysis of molecular clusters, enabling preservation of the local short-range structures of the precursor Schiff base nickel (Ni
3
2(C
21
H
24
N
3
Ni
1.5
O
6
)). The temperature-dependent residuals demonstrate exceptional activity and stability for at least three distinct electrocatalytic processes, including the oxygen evolution reaction (
η
10
= 197 mV), urea oxidation reaction (
η
10
= 1.339 V), and methanol oxidation reaction (1358 mA cm
−2
at 0.56 V). Three distinct nickel atom motifs are discovered for three efficient electrocatalytic reactions (Ni1 and Ni1′ are preferred for UOR/MOR, while Ni2 is preferred for OER). Our discoveries pave the way for the potential development of multifunctional electrocatalysts through disordered engineering in molecular clusters under tandem pyrolysis.
This work elucidates the structural transformation of trinuclear nickel molecular clusters from crystalline to amorphous phases during pyrolysis, Specifically, Ni2, Ni1, and Ni1′ sites demonstrate selectively enhanced electrocatalytic activity.
Quantum dots (QDs) show a great potential for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) packaging, which still face great challenges compared with the matured phosphor downconversion materials. These are probably ...caused by the unique scattering and absorption properties of QDs, which are extremely different to the traditional phosphor due to their several nanometers size, while their effect on QDs-converted LEDs (QCLEDs) is barely studied. In this paper, we have experimentally and theoretically investigated the effect of scattering and absorption of CdSe/ZnS QDs on the optical performance for QCLEDs by comparing with the traditional yttrium aluminum garnet phosphor. Results indicate that the strong absorption (reabsorption) of QDs causes low radiant efficacy and stability for QCLEDs; their weak scattering also leads to a low color uniformity. It demonstrates that their unique scattering and absorption properties are key factors leading to low optical performance of QCLEDs compared with the traditional phosphor-converted LEDs. For purpose of gaining the white LED with high efficiency and stability, it is highly suggested to use a low QD concentration to reduce the reabsorption loss and the total internal reflection loss. We believe that this paper can provide a better understanding of improving the optical performance for QCLEDs from the prospective of scattering and absorption. In the future, it is important to use low QD concentration to gain high-performance white LEDs with high downconversion efficiency by optimizing packaging structures.
Abstract
Background
Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) may result from posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysms. We aimed to evaluate the resolution of ONP after endovascular treatment with the ...intention of clarifying predictors of nerve recovery in a relatively large series.
Methods
A total of 211 patients with ONP caused by PcomA aneurysms underwent endovascular coiling between May 2010 and December 2020 in four tertiary hospitals. We evaluated the demographics, clinical characteristics, aneurysm morphology parameters and ONP resolution to analyze the predictors of ONP recovery using univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
At the last available clinical follow-up, ONP resolution was complete in 126 (59.7%) patients, partial in 73 (34.6%) patients, and no recovery in 12 (5.7%) patients. The median resolution time after endovascular treatment was 55 days (interquartile range: 40–90 days). In multivariate analysis, degree of ONP (incomplete palsy) on admission (OR 5.396; 95% CI 2.836–10.266;
P
< 0.001), duration of ONP (≤ 14 days) before treatment (OR 5.940; 95% CI 2.724–12.954;
P
< 0.001) were statistically significant predictors of complete recovery of ONP. In the subgroup analysis of patients with unruptured aneurysms, aspirin showed a higher complete recovery rate in univariate analysis (OR 2.652; 95% CI 1.057–6.656;
P
= 0.038).
Conclusion
Initial incomplete ONP and early management might predict better recovery of ONP after endovascular treatment.
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