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Objective:To evaluate the effect of cinacalcet on right ventricular function in rats with MCT-induced arterial pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography.Methods:Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, PAH group, and cinacalcet group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the cinacalcet group were given intraperitoneal injection of cinacalcet hydrochloride with 30 mg/kg, and the control group and the PAH group were given equal-volume of solvent. Echocardiographic parameters: right ventricular wall thickness (RVWT), right ventricular basal dimension (RVD), left ventricular eccentricity index (EI), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (s′), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RV4CSL), and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL), etc. Histopathological parameters: pulmonary arteriole wall thickness (WT), right ventricular cardiomyocyte mean diameter (RV cell-D), collagen volume fraction (CVF) and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVI). Echocardiographic and pathological parameters were compared among three groups, and the correlation between right ventricular pathological changes and strain parameters was analyzed.Results:①Compared with the control group, WT, RV cell-D, CVF and RVI in PAH group were increased (all P<0.01), the size of right ventricle and thickness of RV wall were increased (all P<0.05), and the right ventricular longitudinal strain was reduced ( P<0.01). ②Compared with the PAH group, rats in the cinacalcet group showed reduced WT, RV cell-D, CVF and RVI (all P<0.01), as well as improved structure and function of the right ventricle (all P<0.05). There was no statistical difference of the above parameters between cinacalcet and control group (all P>0.05). ③Correlation analysis: the right chamber remodeling parameters CVF and RV cell-D were positively correlated with WT ( rs=0.706 3, 0.629 4; both P<0.05); and RVFWSL correlated well with CVF, RV cell-D ( rs=-0.685 3, r=-0.767 2; both P<0.05). Conclusions:The right ventricular inverse remodeling of PAH rats with the intervention of cinacalcet was retained, suggesting that cinacalcet had a protective effect on the structure and function of the right ventricle in rats with PAH.
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Imaging histology plays a key role in the diagnosis of tumors, prognostic assessment, and evaluation of tumor response to therapy. Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging histology can link the imaging histological presentation of a tumor to its molecular phenotype, offering greater advantages in the grading of gliomas and in the prediction and prognosis of treatment response. It utilizes conventional and advanced techniques to differentiate brain tumors from non-neoplastic lesions and can be used for the diagnosis of gliomas and the differentiation of gliomas from brain metastases. Semi-automated and automated tumor segmentation techniques have also been developed for the assessment of the recurrence of gliomas. In this review paper, the research progress in multimodal MRI imaging histology was reviewed, including the prediction of important molecular biological markers of glioma, graded diagnosis of glioma, differential diagnosis with brain metastases, and assessment of postoperative recurrence.
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OBJECTIVE@#To propose a diffusion tensor field estimation network based on 3D U-Net and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) model constraint (3D DTI-Unet) to accurately estimate DTI quantification parameters from a small number of diffusion-weighted (DW) images with a low signal-to-noise ratio.@*METHODS@#The input of 3D DTI-Unet was noisy diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data containing one non-DW image and 6 DW images with different diffusion coding directions. The noise-reduced non-DW image and accurate diffusion tensor field were predicted through 3D U-Net. The dMRI data were reconstructed using the DTI model and compared with the true value of dMRI data to optimize the network and ensure the consistency of the dMRI data with the physical model of the diffusion tensor field. We compared 3D DTI-Unet with two DW image denoising algorithms (MP-PCA and GL-HOSVD) to verify the effect of the proposed method.@*RESULTS@#The proposed method was better than MP-PCA and GL-HOSVD in terms of quantitative results and visual evaluation of DW images, diffusion tensor field and DTI quantification parameters.@*CONCLUSION@#The proposed method can obtain accurate DTI quantification parameters from one non-DW image and 6 DW images to reduce image acquisition time and improve the reliability of quantitative diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Diffusion Tensor Imaging , Reproducibility of Results , Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Algorithms , Signal-To-Noise RatioABSTRACT
Objective:To characterize the distribution characteristics of choroidal thickness in healthy normal subjects and to define the diagnostic cut-off value for pachychoroid.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was carried out.Four hundred and forty-six eyes of 230 healthy subjects from the pachychoroid disease spectrum (PCD) cohort in Beijing Tongren Hospital from April 2018 to June 2021, were enrolled for the choroidal thickness distribution analysis.Three hundred and fourteen eyes of 274 patients with PCD including 149 eyes of 113 patients with central serous chorioretinopathy, 95 eyes of 81 patients with polypoid choroidal vasculopathy, 70 eyes of 60 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, along with 382 eyes of 199 normal subjects matched for refractive error, age and gender with PCD were selected for likelihood ratio analysis.Routine eye examinations including the best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp microscopy, dilated fundus examination and color fundus photography were performed in all subjects.Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) of 9 mm×9 mm scanning mode was used to measure the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) automatically in nine macular regions according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study classification system using TOPCON Advanced Boundary Segmentation (TABS) software.Pearson linear correlation analysis and Spearman rank correlation analysis were adopted to evaluate the correlations between SFCT and age, diopter.Multiple linear regression was employed to analyze the factors affecting SFCT.After age and refractive error adjustment, the likelihood ratio test was used to determine the diagnostic cut-off value for pachychoroid.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital (No.TRECKY2016-054). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to entering the cohort.Results:A negative correlation was found between SFCT and age in normal eyes ( r=-0.34, P<0.001), in both normal male and female subjects ( r=-0.43, P<0.001; r=-0.38; P<0.001). A weak positive correlation was found between SFCT and diopter ( rs=0.19, P<0.001). It was found that age and diopter were strongly correlated with SFCT (both at P<0.001). The cut-off values for pachychoroid in 20-39 years group, 40-59 years group, 60-79 years group and ≥80 years group were 320-330 μm, 330-340 μm, 250-275 μm and 200-225 μm, respectively.The percentages of eyes with pachychoroid in 20-39 years group, 40-59 years group and ≥60 years group were 14.71%(10/68), 24.48%(47/192) and 28.89%(55/184), respectively, showing statistically significant differences among them ( χ2=6.170, P=0.046; LR=6.579, P=0.037). The proportion of pachychoroid in ≥60 years group was significantly higher than that of 20-39 years group, showing a statistically significant difference ( χ2=5.982, P=0.014; LR=6.479, P=0.011). Conclusions:The distribution characteristics of pachychoroid vary in normal subjects over age.Age and diopter are the independent influencing factors of SFCT.
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Objective:Exploring effective methods of information management in the practice of constructing practical and beautiful websites.Methods:Building a website that fits the management concept through research needs, page planning and design, column layout and other links. Standardize the website management by improving the management system, improving the management mechanism, and building a solid foundation for information security protection.Results:The revised website becomes not only an important window and bridge for external publicity and communication of the scientific research institutes, but also a concentrated embodiment of the achievements of information construction and management quality.Conclusions:Unified construction and management of the website can integrate resources, realize the coordination and efficiency of scientific research management, significantly improve the timeliness of information dissemination, promote the diversification of publicity modes, and improve the quality of scientific research services.
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The family of voltage-gated potassium Kv2 channels consists of the Kv2.1 and Kv2.2 subtypes. Kv2.1 is constitutively highly phosphorylated in neurons and its function relies on its phosphorylation state. Whether the function of Kv2.2 is also dependent on its phosphorylation state remains unknown. Here, we investigated whether Kv2.2 channels can be phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) and examined the effects of PKC-induced phosphorylation on their activity and function. Activation of PKC inhibited Kv2.2 currents and altered their steady-state activation in HEK293 cells. Point mutations and specific antibodies against phosphorylated S481 or S488 demonstrated the importance of these residues for the PKC-dependent modulation of Kv2.2. In layer II pyramidal neurons in cortical slices, activation of PKC similarly regulated native Kv2.2 channels and simultaneously reduced the frequency of action potentials. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence to our knowledge that PKC-induced phosphorylation of the Kv2.2 channel controls the excitability of cortical pyramidal neurons.
Subject(s)
Humans , Action Potentials , HEK293 Cells , Protein Kinase C/metabolism , Pyramidal Cells/enzymology , Shab Potassium Channels/geneticsABSTRACT
Zinc is one of the essential trace elements for human. It is essential for human health. In recent decades, the distribution and transport of zinc in human body have gradually become more evident. The immunomodulatory effects of zinc on the immune system have also been elucidated. Zinc is involved in regulating the cellular signaling pathways of immune cells and affecting the development of immune organs, the physiological state and function of immune cells and the secretion of cytokines. It is an indispensable element in the immune system and plays an important role in maintaining the integrity and stability of the immune system. This article briefly introduced the distribution and transportation of zinc in the human body, with the emphasis on the relationship between zinc and the development and function of immune cells.
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OBJECTIVE@#The CYP4V2 gene of two pedigrees affected with Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy was analyzed to indentify the cause of the disease and provide a basis for clinical diagnosis.@*METHODS@#The probands were subjected to next generation sequencing (NGS). Suspected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity of the variants were searched through relevant databases and PubMed by following the ACMG guidelines.@*RESULTS@#A homozygous variant in the CYP4V2 gene c. (802-8) _810delTCATACAGGTCATCGCTinsGC was detected in proband from pedigree 1, parents did not detect; CYP4V2 genes c. (802-8)_810delTCATACAGGTCATCGCTinsGC and c. 958 C>T (p.Arg320X) compound heterozygous variants existed in the proband of pedigree 2,both parents were variant carriers. The results of Sanger sequencing showed that the variant of CYP4V2 gene in the two families was consistent with the NGS sequencing. The c. (802-8)_810delTCATACAGGTCATCGCTinsGC of CYP4V2 gene was splicing variant, and both splicing variant and nonsense variant could produce truncated nonfunctional protein products. Based on standards and guidelines by American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the CYP4V2 genes c. (802-8)_810del TCATACAGGTCATCGCTinsGC and c. 958 C>T (p.Arg320X) were predicted to be pathogenic variants (PVS1+PS1+PM2+PM3).@*CONCLUSION@#The homozygous variant c. (802-8) _810delTCATACAGGTCATCGCTinsGC and the complex heterozygous variants c. (802-8) _810delTCATACAGGTCATCGCTinsGC and c.958C>T (p.Arg320X) in CYP4V2 gene are the cause of the disease in the probands of two pedigrees , respectively.
Subject(s)
Humans , Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary/pathology , Cytochrome P450 Family 4/genetics , Genetic Variation , Mutation , Pedigree , Phenotype , Retinal Diseases/pathologyABSTRACT
Objective To explore the aberrance of brain activity in healthy young adults with apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε2, ε3 and ε4 allele by the method of functional connectivity density(FCD). Method Two hundred and thirteen young healthy adults underwent the 3 T resting-state functional MRI, the neuropsychological tests and genotype testing for ε2, ε3 and ε4 allele. Age-and gender-matched individuals,including 14 subjects with APOE ε2,31 subjects with APOE ε4 and 31 subjects with APOE ε3 were enrolled for final analysis.FCD mapping was used to compare the brain functional connective networks among the three groups.All results were corrected with a Gaussian random field(GRF)(voxel-level of P<0.01 and joint cluster-level of P<0.05). Correlation analysis was performed between abnormal short-and long-range FCD values and neuropsychological scores. Results Compared with APOE ε3 carriers, the short-and long-range FCD values of APOE ε2 carriers were increased in the frontal lobe,particularly in the medial prefrontal lobe(37 voxels,t=3.54),anterior cingulate cortex(36 voxels,t=3.19)and orbital frontal cortex(41 voxels, t=3.72), while APOE ε4 carriers showed decreased short-range FCD in the bilateral cuneus(38 voxels, t=-3.68). Moreover, the long-range FCD values of APOE ε4 group were decreased in right orbital frontal cortex(46 voxels,t=-4.56)and increased in the right inferior parietal lobe(31 voxels,t=3.49)compared with that of APOE ε2 group. No significant correlation was detected with Bonferroni correction. Conclusions The opposite FCD alteration in cuneus and inferior parietal lobe might be the early existence of inhibitory and compensatory mechanism modulated by the ε4 allele in the young age, while the increased FCD in frontal lobe might be the underlying protective mechanism of delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
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Event-related potentials (ERP) is some kind of brain potentials that recorded from cranial surface when human cognitive processing an object(pay attention, memorize, thinking, etc). ERP consists of a variety of cognitive function and related components. Including early composition, mismatch negativity (MMN), N2 family, P3 family, and other related components of language processing. These components are closely related to human cognitive function,the research of ERP can lead to a deeper understanding of cognitive function of human brains and has important application value of forensic medicine.
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Pachychoroid disease spectrum is a novel concept in ophthalmology upon the development of ocular diagnosis and treatment.Recent breakthroughs and advancements in OCT imaging technology such as enhanceddepth imaging spectral-domain OCT (EDI-OCT) and swept source OCT (SS-OCT) have led to improvements in scanning speed,depth,scanning mode and software.This allows better and more detailed visualization of more posterior and deeper structures such as choroid or sclera.The newly developed EDI-OCT and SS-OCT provide a new basis for the diagnosis and classification of the retinal choroidal diseases.Pachychoroid disease spectrum,a group of chronic persistent choroidal thickening associated with a similar clinical phenotype and pathogenesis of disease were named recently based on higher spatial resolution and more detailed choroidal imaging captured by EDI-OCT or SS-OCT.Ophthalmologists should pay more attentions to this new concept and its relative information.In this paper,the concept,pathogenesis,and phenotype of pachychoroid disease spectrum are emphasized.
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The event-related potential (ERP) is considered as one of the most effective methods to study and analyze objectively human mental activity based on nerve electrophysiology. At present, ERP is not only used in the study of lie detection, but also in the clinical medicine for the cognitive assess-ment on patients with cerebrovascular disease, dementia or traumatic brain injury and auxiliary diagnosis of mental illness. with the further development of ERP detection technology, it would have a wider ap-plication prospect in the field of forensic medicine.
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Objective To establish an optimum DNA extraction method for Chinese traditional medical herbs in order to meet necessary for DNA barcoding research.Methods Four Chinese traditional herbs, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, Phellodendron Chinensis Cortex, Cistanche tubulosa Wight and Cistanche deserticola Ma were chosen as the experimental materials, the DNA was extracted by 6 different kinds of DNA extraction method, including the improved method of high-salt combined low-pH,the improved method of SDS,CTAB method,PVP method,PlantZol Kit and Ezup Kit, the quality of DNA was investigated by ultraviolet spectrophotometry,agarose gel electrophoresis and PCR amplification by using specific primers of ITS2 and psbA-trnH. ResuIts The quality of the DNA was better than other four kinds of methods by the improved method of high-salt combined low-pH and Ezup Kit, the value of OD260/OD280 was between 1.7 ~1.9,the yield of DNA was the highest by the PlantZol kit , followed by the improved method of high-salt combined low-pH( P <0.05 ) , but the purity of DNA was poor by the PlantZol kit.The DNA electrophoresis tests showed that the DNA integrity of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and Cistanche tubulosa Wight were better with the improved method of high-salt combined low-pH, the improved SDS method, the CTAB method and the PlantZol kit.The DNA of Phellodendron Chinensis Cortex and Cistanche deserticola Ma were extracted by the six methods appeared diffuse status in the lanes.But only the improved method of high-salt combined low-pH could make the PCR amplification of the success rate 100% by using specific primers of ITS2 and trnH-psbA.ConcIusion The DNA extraction method of high-salt combined low-pH can be used to establish the Chinese DNA barcoding which has the advantages of lower cost, simpler procedure and less time.
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Objective To study the feasibility and clinical significance of internal tourniquet (temporary arterial lumen blood flow occlusion by balloon catheter) for controlling the hemorrhage from traumatic neck and adjacent trunk arteries by temporarily occluding the arterial lumen blood flow.Methods The study involved 35 patients with traumatic neck and near trunk arteries who were firstly managed by internal tourniquet during operation to temporarily occlude the proximal aorta blood flow from May 1987 to February 2009.Each blocking time ranged from 30 to 70 minutes and the blocking was performed at an interval of 15 to 20 minutes.Then,surgical therapy was taken.Results After temporary proximal aorta blood flow occlusion with internal tourniquet,the operation presented few bleeding,with a clean operating field and clear anatomic structures.The total intraoperative blood loss was 100-400 ml.All patients were healed without ischemia of brains and limbs or relapse during the 3-14 years of followup.Conclusion Internal tourniquet,which can effectively reduce intraoperative blood loss and improve operation safety by temporarily occluding the proximal aorta blood flow,is an auxiliary approach for treating hemorrhage from traumatic neck and adjacent trunk arteries.
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Objective To figure the clinical characteristics and genetic bases of Dentinogenesis imperfecta type Ⅱ in a large Mongolian family.Methods Systematic analysis for this family was carried out using clinical detection. Results Affected individuals of Dentinogenesis imperfecta type Ⅱ were consecutively found in a five-generation family. The morbidity of the offsprings is nearly 1/2 and no sexual difference is found. The analysis of clinical features as well as dental x-ray check showed specific finding that were not found in other families. Conclusion Dentinogenesis imperfecta type Ⅱ in this Mongolian family pertains to autosomal dominant disorder with high genetic heterogeneity in clinical phenotype. Further study is warranted to identify the association of this heterogeneity with lifestyle or genetic information.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the feasibility superselective embolization using microcatheters in treatment of intravertebral canal vascular malformation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In 128 patients with intravertebral canals vascular malformation, their AVMS or fistulae were treated with silk thread, Ivalon microspheres or tungsten microcoils.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 128 patients, 120 fistulae disappeared completely, but 8 were embolized 60% - 80%. Symptoms were improved in 113 patients. Improved muscular strength from grade I to IV was obtained in 8 patients, from grade II to III in 32, from grade III to IV in 32, and from grade IV to V in 41. The symptoms did not change in 15 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Superselective embolization through microcatheter is effective in the treatment of intraspinal canal vascular malformations.</p>
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Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Arteriovenous Malformations , Diagnosis , Therapeutics , Embolization, Therapeutic , Methods , Spinal CanalABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the diagnosis and treatment of venous hypertensive myelopathy (VHM) caused by narrowing of the ascending lumbar vein.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The data from 3 patients with VHM caused by narrowing of the ascending lumbar vein were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Once the narrowed site of the lumbar ascending vein was determined by myelographic or angiographic technique, an undetachable balloon was introduced and advanced to the proximal part of the narrowed segment. Satisfactory results were obtained in these patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Narrowing of the ascending lumbar vein is one of the causes for VHM, and endovascular balloon angioplasty is an optimal treatment.</p>
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Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Hypertension , Lumbar Vertebrae , Retrospective Studies , Spinal Cord Vascular Diseases , Venous PressureABSTRACT
Objective To test the hypothesis that the macular pigment may be a marker of foveal cone function and consequently the structural integrity of foveal cones. Methods Sixteen patients (32 eyes) diagnosed to have Stargardt dystrophy and three patients with full thickness macular holes by clinical criteria were studied with a scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) comparing argon laser blue and infra-red images for the presence or absence of macular pigment (MP) in the fovea. An C ++ computer based program was used to evaluate the density of MP. Eyes were graded into three categories: those without foveal macular pigment, those with partial pigment and those with normal amounts of macular pigment. These categories were compared with visual acuity determined by the Snellen chart. Results Thirteen eyes with a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse had no macular pigment in the fovea. Eleven eyes with visual acuity of 20/40 or better had a normal amount of macular pigment in the fovea and 1 eye had partial macular pigment. Eleven eyes with partial macular pigment had intermediary acuity value. Conclusions Foveal macular pigment is closely related to foveal cone acuity and therefore may be a marker for the presence of foveal cones. Infrared light is a sensitive indicator of early macular diseases