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ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of the TUIAS (SW_TH01/II) computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) software system for the ultrasound Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) features in thyroid nodules. Materials and methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with thyroid nodules in Shanghai East Hospital between January 2017 and October 2021. The novel CAD software (SW_TH01/II) and three sonographers performed a qualitative analysis of the ultrasound TI-RADS features in aspect ratio, margin irregularity, margin smoothness, calcification, and echogenicity of the thyroid nodules. Results: A total of 225 patients were enrolled. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the CAD software in "aspect ratio" were 95.6%, 96.2%, and 95.4%, in "margin irregularity" were 90.7%, 90.5%, and 90.9%, in "margin smoothness" were 85.8%, 88.5%, and 83.0%, in "calcification" were 83.6%, 81.7%, and 82.0%, in "homogeneity" were 88.9%, 90.6%, and 82.2%, in "major echo" were 85.3%, 88.0%, and 85.4%, and in "contains very hypoechoic echo" were 92.0%, 90.0%, and 92.4%. The analysis time of the CAD software was significantly shorter than for the sonographers (2.7 ± 1.6 vs. 29.7 ± 12.7 s, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The CAD system achieved high accuracy in describing thyroid nodule features. It might assist in clinical thyroid nodule analysis.
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OBJECTIVES: The chemokine ligand (CCL) 21 regulates the maturation, migration, and function of dendritic cells, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum CCL21 levels and asthma control. METHODS: The serum levels of CCL21 and other inflammatory cytokines were analyzed in patients with asthma (n=44) and healthy controls (n=35) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgE levels and eosinophil counts were determined by turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay and fully automatic blood analysis, respectively. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire was used, and spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements were performed. A multiple unpaired Student's t-test was performed to analyze the differences in CCL21 and interleukin levels between patients with asthma and healthy controls. The correlation of CCL21 levels with disease severity was evaluated using the Pearson's rank correlation test. RESULTS: Serum CCL21 levels were lower in patients with asthma (254.78±95.66 pg/mL) than in healthy controls (382.95±87.77 pg/mL) (p<0.001). Patients with asthma had significantly higher levels of IL-1β (19.74±16.77 vs. 2.63±5.22 pg/mL), IL-6 (7.55±8.65 vs. 2.37±2.47 pg/mL), and tumor necrosis factor-α (12.70±12.03 vs. 4.82±3.97 pg/mL) compared with the controls. CCL21 levels were positively correlated with the ACT score (rs=0.1653, p=0.0062), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (rs=0.3607, p<0.0001), and FEV1 (rs=0.2753, p=0.0003), and negatively correlated with FENO (rs=0.1060, p=0.0310). CCL21 levels were negatively correlated with serum IgE levels (rs=0.1114, p=0.0268) and eosinophil counts (rs=0.3476, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CCL21 levels may be a new biomarker for assessing asthma control.
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Humans , Adult , Asthma , Chemokine CCL21/blood , Forced Expiratory Volume , Chemokines , Exhalation , Ligands , Nitric OxideABSTRACT
Objective@# To evaluate the effect of 3D-printed oval root canal preparation by using small field-of-view cone beam CT (CBCT) combined with computer-aided technologies.@*Methods@#An extracted tooth with a suitable single oval canal was selected by small field-of-view CBCT scanning. Three-dimensional (3D)-printed resin teeth were obtained based on the CBCT data after data conversion and processing. 50 general dentists were selected to prepare the oval root canal of the resin teeth with X-Gold rotary Ni-Ti instruments. Small field-of-view CBCT was applied to scan the oval root canals before and after preparation. Then, computer-aided technologies were used to calculate and compare these CBCT data, analyzing the effects of oval root canal cleaning as well as the root canal deviation by 3D reconstruction and rendering of the images.@*Results @#Among the 50 cases, the mean unprepared area of the oval root canal wall was（56.20 ± 11.91）% and the mean maximum deviation distance of the root canal was（0.140 ± 0.041）mm. There was no correlation between root canal cleanliness and deviation (r=0.18, P=0.212).@*Conclusion @# Combined with small field-of-view CBCT and computer-aided technology, we can effectively quantitatively evaluate the root canal preparation effect.
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@#[Abstract] Objective: To study the effect and possible mechanism of TGF-β2 on the invasion of glioma stem cells (GSCs). Methods: Tumor tissues of 8 patients with glioblastoma multiforme, who underwent resection at Department of Neurosurgery of the FirstAffiliated Hospital of China Medical University duringApril 2016 toApril 2017, were collected. The primary culture of glioma cells were conducted with trypsin digestion. Partial primary glioma cells were seeded into serum-free DMEM/F12 culture medium containing EGF, bFGF and B27 to obtain suspension of tumor spheres. Immunoflurenscent staining and differentiation assay were used to detect whether the tumor spheres were GSCs. TGF-β2 secretion ability of GSCs was determined by ELISAassay.After transfection of TGF-β2 siRNA, the invasion ability of glioma stem cells was determined by Transwell assay. Western blotting was used to examine the effect of TGF-β2 on expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in glioma stem cells. Results: The suspended tumor spheres were proved to be GSCs by immunofluorescent staining and differentiation assay; the tumor spheres expressed the marker of GSCs（CD133）and had the ability to multi-differentiate (glia and neuronal cells). Compared with the primary glioma cells, Glioma stem cells exerted significantly improved TGF-β2 secretion ability ([74.13±3.63] vs [46.13±2.61] pg/ml, P<0.05); and TGF-β2 silencing significantly reduced the invasion ability of glioma stem cells ([105.71±8.69] vs [63.67±5.93], P<0.05) and inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions. Conclusion: TGF-β2 can promote the invasiveness of glioma stem cells through MMP-2 and MMP-9 pathway.