Ripple phenomenon and artifact elimination in millimeter-wave imaging of a hidden target.

In millimeter-wave imaging of a hidden target, the effect of the dielectric cover before the target is typically ignored. This results in ripple-corrupted images that pose challenges for target recognition. In this paper, we provide a perspective for understanding the image of the hidden target, which clearly reveals the origin of the ripples, and propose a separation method that not only gets rid of ripples, but also obtains the target's depth map. Reflections and transmissions during imaging are considered and decoupled to separately form images corresponding to each real or virtual object. An algorithm based on the range-direction spread function is developed to iteratively estimate the depth and reflectivity of the target. Imaging experiments with and without a cover are conducted to demonstrate the formation and influence of ripples and to verify the proposed algorithm. Our work deepens the comprehension of covered target imaging. Benefited fields might include non-destructive testing, through-wall imaging, subsurface imaging, and security screening.

Expression and prognostic significance of TAp73 and ΔNp73 in FIGO stage I-II cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression of TAp73 and ΔNp73 in cervical squamous cancer cells, and to evaluate the prognostic significance of TAp73 and ΔNp73 expression in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I-II cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The immunohistochemical expression of TAp73 and ΔNp73 was evaluated in 59 FIGO stage I-II cervical SCC tumor samples. Correlations with clinicopathological characteristics were determined by χ2 test. The prognostic impact of TAp73 and ΔNp73 expression with regard to overall survival (OS) was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. High TAp73 and ΔNp73 expression was detected in 79.7% (47/59) and 76.3% (45/59) of patients, respectively. The expression of TAp73 and ΔNp73 was not associated with age, FIGO stage, pathological differentiation or lymph node metastasis. The 3-year OS rates associated with low and high TAp73 expression were 75.0 and 83.0%, respectively (χ2=0.33; P=0.568), whereas those associated with low and high ΔNp73 expression were 100.0 and 75.6%, respectively (χ2=3.90; P=0.048). High expression levels of TAp73 and ΔNp73 were frequently observed in the cervical squamous cancer cells. Overall, high expression levels of ΔNp73 may indicate an unfavorable prognosis in patients with early-stage cervical SCC.

Surgical management of apical muscular ventricular septal defects using the sandwich technique.

OBJECTIVE: We performed closure of apical muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) using the sandwich technique and assessed its role in the treatment of the defects. METHODS: Twenty-one patients (nine males and 12 females) underwent VSD closure at a mean age of 15.4 months (range, 1 month to 6 years) and a mean weight of 8.3 kg (range, 4 to 20 kg). Associated cardiac malformations were present in all of the patients. VSDs were exposed through the tricuspid valve and also from the left ventricular (LV) side through a coexisting large perimembranous VSD or through the mitral valve through an interatrial septostomy. All the apical muscular VSDs were closed using the sandwich technique. RESULTS: There were no hospital deaths, and the postoperative course was uneventful in all patients. There was no residual shunt in 13 patients, and a minimal residual shunt (diameter ≤2 mm) was observed in four patients. Mild residual shunt (diameter ≤4 mm) was observed in two patients. At the latest follow-up, all the residual shunts had disappeared except in one patient. The wall motion of the interventricular septum and cardiac function were normal in all the patients one month after surgery. All patients were free of cardiac medications. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the sandwich technique is safe and reliable. Even in cases when a residual shunt is present, the shunt tends to decrease with time. Further experience and longer follow-up of these patients are necessary to conclude whether this technique is applicable to neonates and young infants.

Expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 in FIGO stage I-II cervical squamous cell carcinoma and relationship to survival.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin 1 and LC3 in cervical normal epithelial cells and squamous cancer cells, and to evaluate the prognostic significance of Beclin 1 and LC3 expression in FIGO stage I-II cervical squamous cell carcinoma. The immunohistochemical expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 were evaluated in 26 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cervical normal tissue samples and 50 tumor samples of FIGO stage I-II cervical squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. Correlations with clinicopathologic characteristics were determined by Chi-square test. The prognostic impact of Beclin 1 and LC3 expression in regard to overall survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier method. Cervical normal squamous epithelial cells and cancer cells expressed high Beclin 1 immunoreactivity in 96.2 % (25/26) and 28.0 % (14/50) of patients (p = 0.000), and expressed high LC3 immunoreactivity in 76.9 % (20/26) and 26.0 % (13/50) of patients, respectively (p = 0.000). The expression of both Beclin 1 and LC3 were not associated with age, FIGO stage, pathologic differentiation, and lymph node metastasis. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates with low and high expressions of Beclin 1 were 72.2 and 100.0 %, respectively (p = 0.034). The 3-year OS rates with low and high expressions of LC3 were 75.7 and 92.3 %, respectively (p = 0.224). These results show that expression level of both Beclin-1 and LC3 were significantly lower in cervical squamous cancer cells than normal squamous epithelial cells. The expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 may have prognostic significance in early stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Vesicular glutamate transporter-3 contributes to visceral hyperalgesia induced by Trichinella spiralis infection in rats.

BACKGROUND: According to a recent study, vesicular glutamate transporter-3 (VGLUT3) contributes to injury-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in mice. AIMS: The aims of the study were to investigate whether VGLUT3 is involved in visceral pain, and whether transient intestinal infection or acute cold restraint stress (ACRS) affects VGLUT3 expression levels in rats. METHODS: Changes in VGLUT3 and c-Fos proteins were evaluated in rats which received noxious colorectal distension (CRD) stimulation. Transient intestinal infection was effected by oral administration of Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) larvae in Brown Norway rats. On the 100th day post-infection (PI), half of the PI-rats and non infected controls were subjected to an ACRS procedure. The visceromotor response to CRD was measured using the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) score. Immunofluorescence and western blot analysis were used to estimate the expression of VGLUT3 in both peripheral and central neurons. RESULTS: Noxious stimulation induced a significant increase in the expression of VGLUT3 in the L6S1 spinal dorsal horn. Compared with the control group, the pain threshold was significantly decreased in the ACRS, PI, and PI + ACRS groups. VGLUT3 expression in the L6S1 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal neurons were significantly increased in PI and PI + ACRS groups as compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: VGLUT3 is involved in conduction of visceral pain sensation and in visceral hyperalgesia induced by Trichinella spiralis infection in rats.

Synthesis and evaluation of 4-quinazolinone compounds as potential antimalarial agents.

Febrifugine is an alkaloid isolated from Dichroa febrifuga as the active component against Plasmodium falciparum. Adverse side effects have precluded febrifugine as a potential clinical drug. As part of an ongoing malaria chemotherapy project, novel febrifugine analogues were designed and synthesized. Lower toxicity of these newly designed compounds was achieved by reducing or eliminating the tendency to form chemically reactive and toxic intermediates. New compounds possess excellent in vivo antimalarial activity and most of them become less toxic than the natural product febrifugine. Some of the compounds possess a therapeutic index over ten times superior to that of febrifugine and the commonly used antimalarial drug chloroquine. These compounds, as well as the underlying design rationale, may find usefulness in the discovery and development of new antimalarial drugs.