Downregulation of miR-3934-5p enhances A549 cell sensitivity to cisplatin by targeting TP53INP1.

Tumor protein p53-inducible nuclear protein 1 (TP53INP1) is a tumor suppressor associated with malignant tumor metastasis. In addition, it has been reported that hsa-microRNA (miR)-3934 serves key roles in various types of lung cancer, including small-cell lung carcinomas (SCLC) and non-SCLC (NSCLC). Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of miR-3934-5p on cell proliferation and apoptosis, and on sensitivity to cisplatin (DDP). Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and western blotting were conducted for the analysis of mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Furthermore, the target of miR-3934-5p was investigated using a luciferase reporter assay and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The results demonstrated that miR-3934-5p was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and A549 cells. Increases in the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and the expression of miR-3934-5p were observed in the A549/DDP group. miR-3934-5p mimic promoted the expression of miR-3934-5p and the IC50 of the A549 cells. miR-3934-5p inhibitor downregulated miR-3934-5p and reduced the IC50 of A549/DDP cells. miR-3934-5p was revealed to target the 3'-untranslated region of TP53INP1. The downregulation of miR-3934-5p significantly suppressed the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of A549/DDP cells, which were reversed by transfection with TP53INP1 small interfering (si)RNA. The protein and mRNA expression levels of TP53INP1, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated-X and p21 were significantly increased, whereas those of Bcl-2 were significantly decreased in the miR-3934-5p inhibitor group, which was significantly reduced by TP53INP1 siRNA transfection. miR-3934-5p, as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC, may promote the sensitivity of cells to DDP by targeting TP53INP1, associated with the suppression of cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis.

Subclinical Lesions of the Primary Clinical Target Volume Margin in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Association With FDG PET/CT.

Background and Objectives: An accurate delineation of the primary clinical target volume (CTVp) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) significantly affects the outcomes of radiotherapy. However, when basing the CTVp on the primary gross tumor volume, there are no consistent guidelines for the size of the margin. We compared preoperative 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT images and large slices of resected pathological ESCC specimens for evidence and prediction of subclinical lesions. We also investigated associations between the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volumes (MTVs), and lesions to improve estimates of the CTVp. Methods:55 patients underwent FDG PET/CT before surgery, and the SUVmax and MTVs were determined. To ensure that the in situ distances between the primary and secondary tumors were preserved, the esophageal specimens collected during radical surgery were processed to minimize shrinkage, and subclinical lesions were characterized by pathological examination. A 2-dimensional logistic regression model was used to assess the associations between clinicopathological features and microscopic spread of the lesions. Results: Subclinical lesions in pathological specimens were characterized as direct invasion, multicentric occurrence lesions, intra-mural metastasis, vascular invasion, and perineural invasion in 56.4, 40.0, 30.9, 21.8, and 18.2% of patients, respectively. The mean distances of the subclinical lesions from the primary tumor were 0.79 ± 1.28 cm and 0.87 ± 1.00 cm in the cranial and caudal directions, respectively. Together the SUVmax and MTV values could predict the presence of subclinical lesions that were not detectable in PET/CT images. Conclusions: To cover 94.5% of ESCC subclinical lesions in the CTVp, a 3-cm margin along the cranial-caudal axis should be added to the primary gross tumor volume as defined by FDG-PET/CT, as well as a cutoff SUVmax value of 2.5. Although preoperative FDG PET/CT images may not reveal lesions directly, the SUVmax and MTV measurements together could predict their presence.

Radiology on Board the PLA(N) Peace Ark Hospital Ship During a Humanitarian Medical Relief Mission to the Philippines.

OBJECTIVE: From November 24 to December 10, 2013, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy [PLA(N)] hospital ship Peace Ark was deployed to the Leyte Gulf in the Philippines to provide humanitarian medical relief in Tacloban after Typhoon Haiyan. The purpose of this study was to assess the radiological services aboard the ship to provide guidance for future missions. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on a cohort of 109 patients who underwent digital radiography (DR) and 59 patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) scans during a 16-day period during a humanitarian medical relief mission to the Philippines. Patient demographics, DR findings, and CT findings were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the 109 DR patients was 39.7 years for the 64 males and 43.7 years for the 45 females. A total of 148 DR examinations were performed of the chest (n=109), extremities (n=35), and spine (n=4). The mean age of the 59 CT patients was 43.8 years for the 32 males and 49.1 years for the 27 females. A total of 72 CT scans were performed of the head and neck (n=36), thorax (n=24), abdomen (n=5), spine (n=4), and extremities (n=3). The imaging findings mainly included disaster-related and non-disaster-related fractures, pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary infection, acute brain infarction, intracranial hematoma, and occupying lesions. CONCLUSION: Analysis of radiological services during a humanitarian medical relief mission to the Philippines provided meaningful information for future humanitarian medical relief missions.

Serial Diffusion-Weighted and Conventional MR Imaging in Primary Cerebral Neuroblastoma Treated with Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy. A Case Report and Literature Review.

Primary cerebral neuroblastoma is a rare malignant tumor encountered most commonly in children. The radiological features of this entity are variable and rarely reported. The diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings have not previously reported. We describe serial DWI and conventional MRI in a case of primary cerebral neuroblastoma to assess the imaging features and the role of DWI for monitoring chemoradiotherapy response.

Quantitative T2 magnetic resonance imaging compared to morphological grading of the early cervical intervertebral disc degeneration: an evaluation approach in asymptomatic young adults.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of quantitative T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for quantifying early cervical intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration in asymptomatic young adults by correlating the T2 value with Pfirrmann grade, sex, and anatomic level. METHODS: Seventy asymptomatic young subjects (34 men and 36 women; mean age, 22.80±2.11 yr; range, 18-25 years) underwent 3.0-T MRI to obtain morphological data (one T1-fast spin echo (FSE) and three-plane T2-FSE, used to assign a Pfirrmann grade (I-V)) and for T2 mapping (multi-echo spin echo). T2 values in the nucleus pulposus (NP, n = 350) and anulus fibrosus (AF, n = 700) were obtained. Differences in T2 values between sexes and anatomic level were evaluated, and linear correlation analysis of T2 values versus degenerative grade was conducted. FINDINGS: Cervical IVDs of healthy young adults were commonly determined to be at Pfirrmann grades I and II. T2 values of NPs were significantly higher than those of AF at all anatomic levels (P<0.000). The NP, anterior AF and posterior AF values did not differ significantly between genders at the same anatomic level (P>0.05). T2 values decreased linearly with degenerative grade. Linear correlation analysis revealed a strong negative association between the Pfirrmann grade and the T2 values of the NP (P = 0.000) but not the T2 values of the AF (P = 0.854). However, non-degenerated discs (Pfirrmann grades I and II) showed a wide range of T2 relaxation time. T2 values according to disc degeneration level classification were as follows: grade I (>62.03 ms), grade II (54.60-62.03 ms), grade III (<54.60 ms). CONCLUSIONS: T2 quantitation provides a more sensitive and robust approach for detecting and characterizing the early stage of cervical IVD degeneration and to create a reliable quantitative in healthy young adults.

MR imaging of the spine at 3.0T with T2-weighted IDEAL fast recovery fast spin-echo technique.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and the least-squares estimation (IDEAL) method with a fat-saturated T2-weighted (T2W) fast recovery fast spin-echo (FRFSE) imaging of the spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Images acquired at 3.0 Tesla (T) in 35 patients with different spine lesions using fat-saturated T2W FRFSE imaging were compared with T2W IDEAL FRFSE images. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)-efficiencies measurements were made in the vertebral bodies and spinal cord in the mid-sagittal plane or nearest to the mid-sagittal plane. Images were scored with the consensus of two experienced radiologists on a four-point grading scale for fat suppression and overall image quality. Statistical analysis of SNR-efficiency, fat suppression and image quality scores was performed with a paired Student's t test and Wilcoxon's signed rank test. RESULTS: Signal-to-noise ratio-efficiency for both vertebral body and spinal cord was higher with T2W IDEAL FRFSE imaging (p < 0.05) than with T2W FRFSE imaging. T2W IDEAL FRFSE demonstrated superior fat suppression (p < 0.01) and image quality (p < 0.01) compared to fat-saturated T2W FRFSE. CONCLUSION: As compared with fat-saturated T2W FRFSE, IDEAL can provide a higher image quality, higher SNR-efficiency, and consistent, robust and uniform fat suppression. T2W IDEAL FRFSE is a promising technique for MR imaging of the spine at 3.0T.

Correlation of MR imaging and histopathology after partial resection of normal rabbit brain.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the findings of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histopathology in early postoperative normal brain, and to define the correlation between MR images and histopathology. METHODS: Thirty-six New Zealand rabbits weighing 2.0 to 3.0 kg were divided into 10 groups according to different postoperative days: 1 to 10 days. A partial resection of the parietooccipital region was performed under usual aseptic conditions after the animals were anesthetized intravenously with 3% pentobarbital (30 mg/kg). MR imaging procedures consisted of pre- and postcontrast scanning and were carried out on postoperative days 1 to 10. Brain tissue samples were prepared for examination immediately after MR scanning. Histopathological examination was done under light both and electron microscopes. The findings of MR imaging were compared with histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Surgical margin contrast enhancement on MR images could be seen 24 hours after surgery. The degree of contrast enhancement increased gradually up to 5 days postoperation, and no remarkable changes were present from days 5 to 10. Disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB) was the main cause of contrast enhancement during the first 3 postoperative days. After that period, the mechanism responsible for contrast enhancement was the formation of neovascularity and a broken BBB. An increase in the amount of neovascularity played a predominant role in contrast enhancement in normal postoperative brain tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The features of enhanced MR images present at the surgical margin followed a typical time course during the early postoperative period. The role of neovascularity and BBB disruption in the formation of contrast enhancement at the surgical margin varies with time. Knowledge of the features of contrast enhancement in postoperative MR images of normal brain can help in differentiating benign changes from residual malignant glioma.