Manipulating the hydrophilic / hydrophobic balance in novel cationic surfactants by ethoxylation: The impact on adsorption and self-assembly.

HYPOTHESIS: Cationic surfactants have a wide range of applications, often associated with their affinity for a range of solid surfaces and their anti-microbial properties. Manipulating their adsorption and self-assembly properties is key to most applications, and this is commonly achieved through surfactant mixtures or manipulating their headgroup or alkyl chain structure. Achieving this through adjustments to their headgroup structure is less common in cationic surfactants than in anionic surfactants. Ethoxylation provides the ability to adjust the hydrophilic / hydrophobic balance, as extensively demonstrated in a range of anionic surfactants. EXPERIMENTS: This same approach has been applied here to a range of ethoxylated cationic surfactants in the form of the quaternary ammonium salts, and their tertiary nonionic equivalents before quaternisation. Their adsorption and self-assembly properties are investigated using predominantly the neutron scattering techniques of neutron reflectivity, NR, and small angle neutron scattering, SANS. FINDINGS: The trends in the adsorption at the air-water interface and the self-assembly in aqueous solution demonstrate how the hydrophilic / hydrophobic balance can be adjusted by varying the degree of ethoxylation and the alkyl chain length, and illustrate the degree of interdependence of the different structural changes. The variation in the adsorption and the micelle structure shows how the surfactant conformation / packing changes as the degree of ethoxylation and alkyl chain length increases and how the introduction of charge induces further changes.

Clinical study of antibacterial medical textiles containing polyhydroxyalkanoate oligomers for reduction of hospital-acquired infections.

INTRODUCTION: The prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections remain a significant challenge worldwide, as textiles used in hospital wards are highly involved in transmission processes. This paper reports a new antibacterial medical fabric used to prepare hospital pillowcases, bottom sheets and quilt covers for controlling and reducing hospital-acquired infections. METHOD: The medical fabric was composed of blended yarns of staple polyester (PET) and degradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/polylactic acid (PLA) fibres, which were coated with polylactide oligomers (PLAO), which are environmentally friendly and safe antimicrobial agents with excellent thermal stability in high-temperature laundry. A clinical trial was conducted, with emphasis on the bacterial species that were closely related to the infection cases in the study hospital. RESULT: After 7 days of use, 94% of PET/PHBV/PLA-PLAO fabric retained <20 colony-forming units/100 cm2 of the total bacterial amount, meeting hygiene and cleanliness standards. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the potential of fabrics containing polyhydroxyalkanoate oligomers as highly effective, safe and long-lasting antimicrobial medical textiles that can effectively reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.

Clinical value of deep learning image reconstruction on the diagnosis of pulmonary nodule for ultra-low-dose chest CT imaging.

PURPOSE: To compare the image quality and pulmonary nodule detectability between deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-Veo (ASIR-V) in ultra-low-dose CT (ULD-CT). METHODS: 142 participants required lung examination who underwent simultaneously ULD-CT (UL-A, 0.57 ± 0.04 mSv or UL-B, 0.33 ± 0.03 mSv), and standard CT (SDCT, 4.32 ± 0.33 mSv) plain scans were included in this prospective study. SDCT was the reference standard using ASIR-V at 50% strength (50%ASIR-V). ULD-CT was reconstructed with 50%ASIR-V, DLIR at medium and high strength (DLIR-M, DLIR-H). The noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and subjective scores were measured. The presence and accuracy of nodules were analyzed using a combination of a deep learning-based nodule evaluation system and a radiologist. RESULTS: A total of 710 nodules were detected by SDCT, including 358 nodules in UL-A and 352 nodules in UL-B. DLIR-H exhibited superior noise, SNR, and CNR performance, and achieved comparable or even higher subjective scores compared to 50%ASIR-V in ULD-CT. Nodules sensitivity detection of 50%ASIR-V, DLIR-M, and DLIR-H in ULD-CT were identical (96.90%). In multivariate analysis, body mass index (BMI), nodule diameter, and type were independent predictors for the sensitivity of nodule detection (p<.001). DLIR-H provided a lower absolute percent error (APE) in volume (3.10% ± 95.11% vs 8.29% ± 99.14%) compared to 50%ASIR-V of ULD-CT (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: ULD-CT scanning has a high sensitivity for detecting pulmonary nodules. Compared with ASIR-V, DLIR can significantly reduce image noise, and improve image quality, and accuracy of the nodule measurement in ULD-CT.

[Predict the effect of the number of positive preoperative serum tumor markers on the surgical method and prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients based on mediation analysis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of the number of positive preoperative serological tumor markers on the surgical approach and prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: This is a retrospective case-series study. Data from 548 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after radical resection from October 2010 to April 2019 were retrospectively collected in 10 hospitals of China. There were 277 males and 271 females with an age of (57.8±10.2)years(range:23 to 84 years). Four hundred and twenty-six patients(77.7%) had at least one positive preoperative serum tumor marker. The data collection included the results of 4 preoperative serological tumor markers,other preoperative indicators(5 prodromal symptoms, 6 medical history,8 preoperative serological indicators,5 preoperative imaging indicators,and 14 preoperative pathological examination indicators),baseline data (gender and age),surgical methods,and prognostic follow-up data. Four preoperative results of serologic tumor marker and surgical procedure were converted into categorical variables. The number of positive preoperative serum tumor markers was used as the treatment variable,the surgical method was used as the mediating variable,and the survival time was used as the outcome variable. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to screen for other preoperative indicators which were independent factors that influenced the surgical procedure and the prognosis of patients as covariates to analyze the mediating effect. Results: Of the 548 patients included in the study, 176 patients (32.1%) underwent partial hepatectomy,151 patients(27.5%) underwent hemihepatectomy, and 221 patients(40.3%) underwent partial hepatectomy or hemihepatectomy combined with other treatments. The results of the univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the number of positive serum tumor markers,intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,portal vein invasion,pathological differentiation,pathological type,vascular invasion,T stage,N stage and maximum tumor diameter were independent factors influencing the surgical procedure(all P<0.05). Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,pathological differentiation and T stage were independent prognostic factors for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(all P<0.05). Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation,differentiation and T stage were included as covariates in the mediation effect model. The results showed that the number of positive serum tumor markers before surgery had a negative predictive effect on the survival time of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ß=-0.092, P=0.039),and had a positive predictive effect on the surgical method (ß=0.244,P<0.01). The number of positive serum tumor markers had a negative predictive effect on the survival time of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ß=-0.151, P=0.002). Direct and indirect effects accounted for 71.3% and 28.7% of total effects,respectively. Conclusions: The higher the positive number of preoperative tumor markers,the worse the prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The number of positive cells not only directly affects the prognosis of patients,but also indirectly affects the prognosis of patients by affecting the surgical method.

[Mechanism of noise induced hidden hearing loss based on proteomics].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of noise-induced hidden hearing loss by proteomics. Methods: In October 2022, 64 SPF male C57BL/6J mice were divided into control group and noise exposure group with 32 mice in each group according to random sampling method. The noise exposure group was exposed to 100 dB sound pressure level, 2000-16000 Hz broadband noise for 2 h, and the mouse hidden hearing loss model was established. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to test the change of hearing threshold of mice on the 7th day after noise exposure, the damage of basal membrane hair cells was observed by immunofluorescence, and the differentially expressed proteins in the inner ear of mice in each group were identified and analyzed by 4D-Label-free quantitative proteomics, and verified by Western blotting. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and t test. Results: On the 7th day after noise exposure, there was no significant difference in hearing threshold between the control group and the noise exposure group at click and 8000 Hz acoustic stimulation (P>0.05) . The hearing threshold in the noise exposure group was significantly higher than that in the control group under 16000 Hz acoustic stimulation (P<0.05) . Confocal immunofluorescence showed that the basal membrane hair cells of cochlear tissue in noise exposure group were arranged neatly, but the relative expression of C-terminal binding protein 2 antibody of presynaptic membrane in middle gyrus and basal gyrus was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05) . GO enrichment analysis showed that the functions of differentially expressed proteins were mainly concentrated in membrane potential regulation, ligand-gated channel activity, and ligand-gated ion channel activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed proteins were significantly enriched in phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, etc. Western blotting showed that the expression of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor 3 (Itpr3) was increased and the expression of solute carrier family 38 member 2 (Slc38a2) was decreased in the noise exposure group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Through proteomic analysis, screening and verification of the differential expression proteins Itpr3 and Slc38a2 in the constructed mouse noise-induced hidden hearing loss model, the glutaminergic synaptic related pathways represented by Itpr3 and Slc38a2 may be involved in the occurrence of hidden hearing loss.

Improving image quality of triple-low-protocol renal artery CT angiography with deep-learning image reconstruction: a comparative study with standard-dose single-energy and dual-energy CT with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction.

AIM: To investigate the improvement in image quality of triple-low-protocol (low radiation, low contrast medium dose, low injection speed) renal artery computed tomography (CT) angiography (RACTA) using deep-learning image reconstruction (DLIR), in comparison with standard-dose single- and dual-energy CT (DECT) using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-Veo (ASIR-V) algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients for RACTA were divided into different groups: standard-dose single-energy CT (S group) using ASIR-V at 60% strength (60%ASIR-V), DECT (DE group) with 60%ASIR-V including virtual monochromatic images at 40 keV (DE40 group) and 70 keV (DE70 group), and the triple-low protocol single-energy CT (L group) with DLIR at high level (DLIR-H). The effective dose (ED), contrast medium dose, injection speed, standard deviation (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of abdominal aorta (AA), and left/right renal artery (LRA, RRA), and subjective scores were compared among the different groups. RESULTS: The L group significantly reduced ED by 37.6% and 31.2%, contrast medium dose by 33.9% and 30.5%, and injection speed by 30% and 30%, respectively, compared to the S and DE groups. The L group had the lowest SD values for all arteries compared to the other groups (p<0.001). The SNR of RRA and LRA in the L group, and the CNR of all arteries in the DE40 group had highest value compared to others (p<0.05). The L group had the best comprehensive score with good consistency (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The triple-low protocol RACTA with DLIR-H significantly reduces the ED, contrast medium doses, and injection speed, while providing good comprehensive image quality.

[The study on biological exposure index of occupational exposure to arsenic and its inorganic compounds].

Objective: To establish biological exposure index (BEI) of occupational exposure to arsenic and its inorganic compounds through occupational epidemiology and the regression analysis of internal and external exposure of workers. Methods: In November 2021, 125 workers with occupational exposure to arsenic and its inorganic compounds and 49 office administrators in a non-ferrous metal smelter in Yunnan Province were selected as the exposure group and control group, respectively. Air samples from the workplace of the study subjects on weekdays were collected and arsenic concentrations were determined. Urine samples were collected in end-of-work weekend and high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) was used to detect the levels of trivalent inorganic arsenic (iAs(3+)) , pentavalent inorganic arsenic (iAs(5+)) , monomethyl arsenic (MMA) and dimethyl arsenic (DMA) in urine. The correlations between arsenic concentration in the workplace air and arsenic species in urine of workers were analyzed. Arsenic exposure concentration and the level of urinary arsenic (ΣiAs+MMA+DMA) of workers was analyzed by linear regression and the BEI of arsenic and its inorganic compounds in the workplace was proposed based on the results of micronucleus test. Results: The median of time-weighted average concentration (C(TWA)) of arsenic in the workplace air of the exposure group was 0.0116 mg/m(3), and the over-standard rate was 71.2% (89/125) . The concentrations of iAs(3+), iAs(5+), inorganic arsenic (iAs=ΣiAs(3+)+iAs(5+)) 、MMA、DMA and urinary arsenic in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group at the end of shift, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . The concentration of arsenic in the workplace air had the strongest correlation with the concentration of urinary arsenic at the end of the shift (r(s)=0.909, P<0.001) . The regression equation was lg (y) =7.662+2.968lg (x) (r=0.821, P<0.05) . According to the occupational exposure limit (OEL) of arsenic in China, the concentration of urinary arsenic in the end-of-work weekend was calculated to be 53.2 µg/L. Combined with the results of micronucleus test, the BEI of occupational exposure to arsenic and its inorganic compounds in the workplace was proposed to be 50 µg/L. Conclusion: The urinary arsenic in the end-of-work weekend can be used as a biomarker of occupational exposure to arsenic, and its BEI is recommended to be 50 µg/L.

[Correlation analysis of urinary arsenic species and health effect indicators of occupational arsenic exposure workers].

Objective: To explore the correlation between urinary arsenic and health effects through the determination and analysis of urinary arsenic levels in occupational arsenic exposed workers. Methods: In November 2021, 95 workers exposed to arsenic and its inorganic compounds and 31 administrative personnel from a non-ferrous metal smelter in Yunnan Province were selected as the contact group and control group, respectively. Urine forms of arsenic, blood tumor markers, liver function were detected, and micronucleus test was used to analyze the chromosome damage. The correlation between urine forms of arsenic and health effects were analyzed. Results: Compared with the control group, the concentrations of urinary trivalent inorganic arsenic (iAs(3+)) , pentavalent inorganic arsenic (iAs(5+)) , inorganic arsenic (iAs=ΣiAs(3+)+iAs(5+)) , monomethyl arsenic (MMA) , dimethyl arsenic (DMA) and urinary arsenic (ΣiAs+MMA+DMA) at the end of class in contact group were higher (P<0.05) . There was no statistically significant difference in blood tumor markers and liver function indicators between the two groups (P>0.05) . Compared with the control group, the peripheral blood micronucleus rate and cell micronucleus rate in the contact group were significantly increased (P<0.05) . The urinary arsenic, iAs(5+), inorganic arsenic and DMA were positively correlated with peripheral blood micronucleus rate in contact group (r(s)=0.48, 0.34, 0.37, 0.23, P<0.05) , and the urinary arsenic, iAs(5+), DMA were positively correlated with peripheral blood micronucleus rate (r(s)=0.48, 0.34, 0.26, P<0.05) . Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between different valence states of arsenic in the urine and abnormal health effects of occupational arsenic exposed workers. It is necessary to strengthen the detection of arsenic species in the urine of occupational arsenic exposed workers to better protect their health.

COVID-19 vaccination and transmission patterns among pregnant and postnatal women during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination is a key strategy to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Safety concerns strongly influence vaccine hesitancy. Disease transmission during pregnancy could exacerbate risks of preterm birth and perinatal mortality. This study examined patterns of vaccination and transmission among pregnant and postnatal women during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. METHODS: The Antenatal Record System and Clinical Management System of the Hospital Authority was used to retrieve information concerning the demographic characteristics, vaccination history, COVID-19 status, and obstetric outcomes of women who were booked for delivery at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong and had attended the booking antenatal visit from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. RESULTS: Among 2396 women in the cohort, 2006 (83.7%), 1843 (76.9%), and 831 (34.7%) had received the first, second, and third doses of COVID-19 vaccine, respectively. Among 1012 women who had received the second dose, 684 (67.6%) women were overdue for their third dose. There were 265 (11.1%) reported COVID-19 cases. Women aged 20 to 29 years had a low vaccination rate but the highest disease rate (19.1%). The disease rate was more than tenfold higher in women who had no (20.3%) or incomplete (18.8%) vaccination, compared with women who had complete vaccination (2.1%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination was low in pregnant women. Urgent measures are needed to promote vaccination among pregnant women before the next wave of COVID-19.

Evaluation of Genetic or Cellular Impairments in Type I IFN Immunity in a Cohort of Young Adults with Critical COVID-19.

Several genetic and immunological risk factors for severe COVID-19 have been identified, with monogenic conditions relating to 13 genes of type I interferon (IFN) immunity proposed to explain 4.8% of critical cases. However, previous cohorts have been clinically heterogeneous and were not subjected to thorough genetic and immunological analyses. We therefore aimed to systematically investigate the prevalence of rare genetic variants causing inborn errors of immunity (IEI) and functionally interrogate the type I IFN pathway in young adults that suffered from critical COVID-19 yet lacked comorbidities. We selected and clinically characterized a cohort of 38 previously healthy individuals under 50 years of age who were treated in intensive care units due to critical COVID-19. Blood samples were collected after convalescence. Two patients had IFN-α autoantibodies. Genome sequencing revealed very rare variants in the type I IFN pathway in 31.6% of the patients, which was similar to controls. Analyses of cryopreserved leukocytes did not indicate any defect in plasmacytoid dendritic cell sensing of TLR7 and TLR9 agonists in patients carrying variants in these pathways. However, lymphocyte STAT phosphorylation and protein upregulation upon IFN-α stimulation revealed three possible cases of impaired type I IFN signaling in carriers of rare variants. Together, our results suggest a strategy of functional screening followed by genome analyses and biochemical validation to uncover undiagnosed causes of critical COVID-19.

The effects of microplastics on crop variation depend on polymer types and their interactions with soil nutrient availability and weed competition.

Microplastics pollution of agricultural soil is a global environmental concern because of its potential risk to food security and human health. Although many studies have tested the direct effects of microplastics on growth of Eruca sativa Mill., little is known about whether these effects are regulated by fertilization and weed competition in field management practices. Here, we performed a greenhouse experiment growing E. sativa as target species in a three-factorial design with two levels of fertilization (low versus. high), two levels of weed competition treatments (weed competition versus no weed competition) and five levels of microplastic treatments (no microplastics, Polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate [PBAT], Polybutylene succinate [PBS], Polycaprolactone [PCL] or Polypropylene [PP]). Compared to the soil without microplastics, PBS and PCL reduced aboveground biomass and leaf number of the E. sativa. PBS also resulted in increased root allocation and thicker roots in E. sativa. In addition, fertilization significantly mitigated the negative effects of PBS and PCL on aboveground biomass of E. sativa, but weed competition significantly promoted these effects. Although fertilization alleviated the negative effect of PBS on aboveground biomass, such alleviation became weaker under weed competition than when E. sativa grew alone. The results indicate that the effects of specific polymer types on E. sativa growth could be regulated by fertilization, weed management, and even their interactions. Therefore, reasonable on-farm management practices may help in mitigating the negative effects of microplastics pollution on E. sativa growth in agricultural fields.

[The occurrence, precaution and treatment strategies of postoperative fecal incontinence in rectal and anal diseases].

In the surgical treatment of hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, rectal cancer, anal fissures, or anal fistulas, inadvertent damage to the nerves or muscles responsible for bowel control may potentially lead to varying degrees of fecal incontinence (FI). Surgeons need to conduct preoperative assessments based on the patient's individual condition to select an appropriate surgical plan, aiming to minimize the incidence of postoperative FI and improve the patient's postoperative quality of life as much as possible while effectively treating the disease. Additionally, the proficiency of the surgeon's skills, appropriate preoperative dietary adjustments for the patient, regular bowel habits, and exercises targeting the pelvic floor muscles all contribute to reducing the incidence of postoperative FI in patients. For patients who have already developed FI after surgery, on the basis of suitable diet, regular bowel habits, and medication, clinical practitioners can adopt such methods as biofeedback, pelvic floor muscle exercise, sacral nerve stimulation, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, acupuncture, injectable bulking agents, anal or vaginal inserts, transanal irrigation, surgical interventions, psychological support, etc., to individualized treatment for patients' conditions. This article, combining the literature, summarizes the current status of common diseases that may lead to postoperative FI. It elaborates on strategies for the prevention and treatment of postoperative FI, aiming to serve as a reference for peers in the field.

[Changes of uterine morphology and endometrial T2 signal intensity in the fibrotic repair secondary to endometrial injury].

Objective: To investigate the value of uterine morphological parameters and endometrial T2 signal intensity (T2-SI) in evaluating the degree of the fibrotic repair secondary to endometrial injury. Methods: From Sep. 2018 to Feb. 2023, this study prospectively enrolled 29 patients with fibrotic repair secondary to severe endometrial injury (severe group), 17 patients with fibrotic repair secondary to mild to moderate endometrial injury (mild to moderate group), and 40 healthy women of reproductive age (control group) in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. The length of uterine cavity (LUC), length of cervix and isthmus (LCI), width of upper uterine cavity (WUUC) and width of lower uterine cavity (WLUC) were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. T2-SI of endometrium and subcutaneous fat of buttocks were measured, and endometrial normalized T2-SI (nT2-SI; T2-SI of endometrium/T2-SI of subcutaneous fat of buttocks) was calculated. Statistical analyses of data were performed using one-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test, intraclass correlation coefficient, Spearman rho test, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: LUC, WUUC, WLUC and endometrial nT2-SI of severe group [(19.7±3.5) mm, (26.9±6.4) mm, (7.9±1.4) mm, 0.73±0.11, respectively] were significantly lower than those of the control group (all P<0.01), while LCI and WUUC/LUC [(51.3±7.3) mm and 1.38±0.34] were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P<0.001). LUC and WLUC of severe group were significantly lower than those of mild to moderate group [(32.4±5.1) mm and (8.8±1.2) mm; all P<0.05], while LCI and WUUC/LUC were significantly higher than those of mild to moderate group [(41.8±8.6) mm and 0.94±0.16; all P<0.001]. LUC and endometrial nT2-SI of mild to moderate group were significantly lower than those of the control group [ (32.4±5.1) vs (35.3±3.5) mm, 0.68±0.13 vs 0.80±0.12; all P<0.01]. LUC, WUUC, WLUC and endometrial nT2-SI were significantly negatively correlated to the degree of the fibrotic repair secondary to endometrial injury (Spearman rho:-0.794, -0.441, -0.471 and -0.316, respectively; all P<0.05), while LCI and WUUC/LUC were significantly positively correlated to the degree of the fibrotic repair secondary to endometrial injury (Spearman rho: 0.481 and 0.674, respectively; all P<0.05). LUC and WUUC/LUC showed high value in distinguishing severe group from the control group or mild to moderate group (all AUC>0.9, all P<0.001). Conclusion: As noninvasive and quantitative biomarkers, uterine morphological parameters and endometrial nT2-SI could evaluate the degree of the fibrotic repair secondary to endometrial injury.

[Discussion on the composition and implementation of diagnosis and treatment strategies for whole field pain management strategy].

Pain is the fifth major vital sign, and chronic pain is a large category of diseases that affects health seriously. At present, the incidence of chronic pain is high, but the overall treatment satisfaction is low. It is necessary to continuously optimize pain diagnosis and treatment strategies and improve the connotation of pain management. Based on the clinical practice of our pain center, combined with relevant literature, the article proposes a diagnosis and treatment strategy of "whole field pain management" should be carried out from the four dimensions of feeling, emotion, cognition, and behavior. Innovative digital pain diagnosis and treatment technologies such as VR/MR and brain-computer interface are used to regulate emotional, cognitive, and behavioral regulation, and combined with lifestyle changes, rehabilitation physiotherapy, drugs, and minimally invasive interventional therapy to constitute a " whole field pain management strategy" to explore the new development direction of further improving the management of chronic pain.

[Tanshinone â ¡A activates PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit the apoptosis of mice cochlear pericytes induced by high glucose].

Objective: To investigate whether tanshinone ⅡA can protect the apoptosis of mice cochlear pericytes induced by high glucose and its specific protective mechanism, so as to provide experimental evidence for the prevention and treatment of diabetic hearing loss. Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were used to prepare type 2 diabetes model, which were divided into normal (NG) group, diabetic (DM) group, diabetic+tanshinone ⅡA (HG+tanshinone ⅡA) group and tanshinone ⅡA group. Each group had 10 animals. Primary cochlear pericytes were divided into NG group, HG group (high glucose 35 mmol/L), HG+tanshinone ⅡA (1, 3, 5 µmol/L) group, HG+Tanshinone ⅡA+LY294002 (PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor) group, LY294002 group, tanshinone ⅡA group and DMSO group. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to measure hearing threshold. Evans blue was used to detect the permeability of blood labyrinth barrier in each group. TBA methods were used to detect oxidative stress levels in various organs of mice. Morphological changes of stria vascularis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE). Evans blue was used to detect the vascular labyrinth barrier permeability in cochlea. The expression of apoptosis protein in stria vascularis pericytes was observed by immunofluorescence. Pericytes apoptosis rate was observed by flow cytometry. DCFH-DA was combined with flow cytometry to detect intracellular ROS content, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptotic proteins (Cleaved-caspase3, Bax), anti-apoptotic proteins (BCL-2) and pathway proteins (PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, p-AKT). SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Independent sample t test was performed, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Animal experiments: Tanshinone ⅡA decreased the hearing threshold of DM group [(35.0±3.5) dB SPL vs. (55.3±8.1) dB SPL] (t=4.899, P<0.01), decreased the oxidative stress level in cochlea (t=4.384, P<0.05), improved the structure disorder, atrophy of cochlea vascular lines, vacuole increased phenomenon. Tanshinone ⅡA alleviated the increased permeability of the blood labyrinth barrier [Evans blue leakage (6.84±0.27) AU vs. (8.59±0.85) AU] in the cochlea of DM mice (t=2.770, P<0.05), reversed the apoptotic protein: Caspase3 (t=4.956, P<0.01) and Bax (t=4.388, P<0.05) in cochlear vascularis. Cell experiments: Tanshinone ⅡA decreased intracellular ROS content in a concentration-dependent way (t=3.569, P<0.05; t=4.772, P<0.01; t=7.494, P<0.01); Tanshinone ⅡA decreased apoptosis rate and apoptotic protein, and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein, p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT in concentration-dependent manner (all P values<0.05); LY294002 reversed the protective effect of tanshinone ⅡA on pericytes apoptosis (all P values<0.05). Conclusion: Tanshinone ⅡA can inhibit the apoptosis of cochlear pericytes induced by high glucose by reducing oxidative stress level and activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway under high glucose environment, thus playing a protective role in diabetic hearing loss.

Gadoxetic acid in hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases: pearls and pitfalls.

Gadoxetic disodium (Primovist) is a hepatocyte-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent with increasing popularity with its unique dual dynamic and excretory properties in focal liver lesion detection and characterisation. In-depth knowledge of its diagnostic utility and pitfalls in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases is crucial in facilitating clinical management. The current article reviews the pearls and pitfalls in these aspects with highlights from the latest research evidence. Pearls for common usage of Primovist in HCC includes detection of precursor cancer lesions in cirrhotic patients. Hepatobiliary phase hypointensity precedes arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) in hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatobiliary phase hypointense nodules without APHE can represent early or progressed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and high-grade dysplastic nodules. In addition, Primovist is useful to differentiate HCC from pseudolesions. Pitfalls in diagnosing HCC include transient tachypnoea in the arterial phase, rare hepatobiliary phase hyperintense HCC, and decompensated liver cirrhosis compromising image quality. Primovist is currently the most sensitive technique in diagnosing liver metastases before curative hepatic resection. Other patterns of enhancement of liver metastases, "disappearing" liver metastases are important pitfalls. Radiologists should be aware of the diagnostic utility, limitations, and potential pitfalls for the common usage of hepatobiliary specific contrast agent in liver MRI.

Long-term outcomes to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab based on pathological response for patients with resectable stage III/IV cutaneous melanoma.

BACKGROUND: While neoadjuvant immunotherapy for melanoma has shown promising results, the data have been limited by a relatively short follow-up time, with most studies reporting 2-year outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine long-term outcomes for stage III/IV melanoma patients treated with neoadjuvant and adjuvant programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) inhibition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a follow-up study of a previously published phase Ib clinical trial of 30 patients with resectable stage III/IV cutaneous melanoma who received one dose of 200 mg IV neoadjuvant pembrolizumab 3 weeks before surgical resection, followed by 1 year of adjuvant pembrolizumab. The primary outcomes were 5-year overall survival (OS), 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), and recurrence patterns. RESULTS: We report updated results at 5 years of follow-up with a median follow-up of 61.9 months. No deaths occurred in patients with a major pathological response (MPR, <10% viable tumor) or complete pathological response (pCR, no viable tumor) (n = 8), compared to a 5-year OS of 72.8% for the remainder of the cohort (P = 0.12). Two of eight patients with a pCR or MPR had a recurrence. Of the patients with >10% viable tumor remaining, 8 of 22 patients (36%) had a recurrence. Additionally, the median time to recurrence was 3.9 years for patients with ≤10% viable tumor and 0.6 years for patients with >10% viable tumor (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year results from this trial represent the longest follow-up of a single-agent neoadjuvant PD-1 trial to date. Response to neoadjuvant therapy continues to be an important prognosticator with regard to OS and RFS. Additionally, recurrences in patients with pCR occur later and are salvageable, with a 5-year OS of 100%. These results demonstrate the long-term efficacy of single-agent neoadjuvant/adjuvant PD-1 blockade in patients with a pCR and the importance of long-term follow-up for these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02434354.

[Analysis of brain volume asymmetry and clinical application in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis based on automatic brain segmentation].

Objective: To analyze whole brain structural volume asymmetry in temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) using automated brain segmentation technology, and to investigate the application value of this technology in the diagnosis of TLE-HS and the performance in determining the location the lateralization of epileptogenic focus. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with TLE-HS were enrolled in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2019 to October 2020, including 13 females and 15 males, aged ranged from 18 to 63 (30±12) years, and these patients were divided two group according to the epilepsy lateralization, left TLE-HS(LTLE-HS) group (n=11), right TLE-HS(RTLE-HS) group (n=17) and 28 normal controls [aged ranged from 18 to 49 (29±10) years]. All of these subjects underwent three-dimensional T1 weighted image (3D T1WI). The differences of brain structure and volumes in LTLE-HS, RTLE-HS and normal controls group were retrospectively analyzed, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the left and right volume correlations, and effect size was used for evaluating the differences in left and right volume averages. The asymmetry index (AI) of the left and right lateral volumes in each group was also calculated and compared among the three groups. Results: Standard volumes of all structures within the brain were asymmetric in the normal controls, LTLE-HS, and RTLE-HS groups, with smaller volumes of ipsilateral hippocampus than contralateral hippocampus in both the LTLE-HS and RTLE-HS groups(0.20%±0.03% vs 0.24%±0.02%,0.21%±0.03% vs 0.25%±0.02% respectively;both P<0.001), and smaller volumes of gray and white matter of the ipsilateral temporal lobe than contralateral in the LTLE-HS group(4.41%±0.38% vs 5.01%±0.43%,1.83%±0.22 % vs 2.22%±0.14%;both P<0.001). There was a moderate to strong linear correlation (0.553