Objective:To analyze the Chinese thyroid imaging reporting and data system (C-TIRADS) classification combined with ultrasonic shear wave elastography (SWE) and super microvascular imaging technology (SMI) in the diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods:Clinical data of 125 patients undergoing thyroid nodule surgery in the Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Shantou Central Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 35 males and 90 females. The disease duration was (3.45±1.32) years, ranging from 3 months to 7 years; the age was (55.45±3.31) years old, ranging from 25 to 70 years old; the maximum diameter of the nodule is (12.13±5.76) mm, ranging from 5.0 to 42.9 mm. C-TIRADS classification, SWE, SMI and pathological diagnosis results of ultrasonic nodules in patients were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of C-TIRADS classification, SWE, SMI and combined diagnosis of malignant nodules were analyzed. SPSS 21.0 software was used to analyze the data, and the measurement data were consistent with the normal Statistical distribution, independent t test was performed for comparison between two groups; count data were expressed as rate (%), and χ2 test was used. Results:A total of 180 lesions were detected this time. According to pathological diagnosis, there were 114 benign nodules and 66 malignant nodules; the malignant percentage of C-TIRADS 4B nodules was the highest, reaching 72.00% (36/50) ; Emix of malignant nodules, Emax and Emean were (15.98±6.56) kPa, (84.22±24.23) kPa and (63.29±15.89) kPa respectively, which were significantly higher than those of benign nodules (13.56±4.68) kPa, (48.33±14.46) kPa and (37.32±12.63kPa) ( t=2.49, 8.76, 9.07, P<0.05) ; Type IV malignancy accounted for the highest proportion in SMI classification of thyroid nodules, which was 78.95%; the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the joint diagnosis were 94.64%, 92.85%, 94.64%, 42.85%, 90.16%, higher than the single C-TIRADS classification (89.65%, 75.00%, 89.65%, 37.50%, 80.55%), SMI (82.35%, 55.56%, 89.36%, 32.60%, 78.33%), and SWE diagnosis (81.08%, 56.00%, 90.22%, 28.57%, 77.22%). The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Compared with the diagnostic efficiency of SWE, SMI and C-TIRADS classification alone, the combined use of the three has higher diagnostic efficiency for benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The abuse of invasive procedures can be reduced or avoided.

Mechanical allodynia (MA), including punctate and dynamic forms, is a common and debilitating symptom suffered by millions of chronic pain patients. Some peripheral injuries result in the development of bilateral MA, while most injuries usually led to unilateral MA. To date, the control of such laterality remains poorly understood. Here, to study the role of microglia in the control of MA laterality, we used genetic strategies to deplete microglia and tested both dynamic and punctate forms of MA in mice. Surprisingly, the depletion of central microglia did not prevent the induction of bilateral dynamic and punctate MA. Moreover, in dorsal root ganglion-dorsal root-sagittal spinal cord slice preparations we recorded the low-threshold Aβ-fiber stimulation-evoked inputs and outputs of superficial dorsal horn neurons. Consistent with behavioral results, microglial depletion did not prevent the opening of bilateral gates for Aβ pathways in the superficial dorsal horn. This study challenges the role of microglia in the control of MA laterality in mice. Future studies are needed to further understand whether the role of microglia in the control of MA laterality is etiology-or species-specific.
Mice ; Animals ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Spinal Cord/metabolism* ; Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn/metabolism* ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism*

Abstract： Arsenic and arsenic compounds have been listed as one of the toxic and harmful environment pollutants, and drinking, seafood intake, use of skincare products and inhalation of tobacco smoke are main routes of exposure to human arsenic exposure. The adverse effects of arsenic on pregnant outcomes have been paid much attention. Prenatal exposure to high-level arsenic has been found to increase the risk of spontaneous abortion among pregnant women. Based on national and international epidemiological studies on the correlation between arsenic exposure and spontaneous abortion during the period between 1992 and 2020, we review the association between arsenic exposure and spontaneous abortion and describe the mechanisms underlying spontaneous abortion caused by arsenic exposure, so as to provide insights into early prevention of spontaneous abortion.

As a serine hydrolase, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is principally responsible for the metabolism of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the central nervous system (CNS), leading to the formation of arachidonic acid (AA). Dysfunction of MAGL has been associated with multiple CNS disorders and symptoms, including neuroinflammation, cognitive impairment, epileptogenesis, nociception and neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of MAGL provides a promising therapeutic direction for the treatment of these conditions, and a MAGL positron emission tomography (PET) probe would greatly facilitate preclinical and clinical development of MAGL inhibitors. Herein, we design and synthesize a small library of fluoropyridyl-containing MAGL inhibitor candidates. Pharmacological evaluation of these candidates by activity-based protein profiling identified

Objective:To explore the relationships between medical coping modes of patients with COVID-19 and general information and social supports.Methods:From January 28 to February 20, 2020, a total of 128 patients in a designated hospital in Wuhan with novel coronavirus pneumonia were investigated using the General Information Questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ) by convenient sampling. Pearson univariate analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between the basic situation of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia and coping modes.Results:The scores of the face dimension and avoidance dimension of patients with COVID-19 were lower than the norm model, while the yield dimension was higher than the norm model, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Support utilization and complexity were influencing factors of the face dimension ( P<0.05) . Support utilization and age were influencing factors of the yielding dimension ( P<0.01) . Subjective support, the complexity dimension of disease uncertainty and the number of confirmed patients in the family were influencing factors of the avoidance dimension ( P<0.01) . Conclusions:Patients with COVID-19 have poor medical coping modes, and they are prone to face the disease with a negative attitude. Patients are unwilling to face the disease and the tendency to yield to the disease is greater. And the older the patients, the less likely they are to succumb to the disease. The more patients diagnosed in the family, the less likely they are to avoid the disease. Patients with higher social supports and utilization have a more reasonable medical coping mode. This reminds medical staff to pay more attention to the psychological problems of patients in coping with COVID-19 and improve their coping modes and methods.

OBJECTIVETo explore the genetic etiology for 11 sporadic patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

METHODSChip targeting capture and high-throughput sequencing were employed to detect potential mutations of NF1 and NF2 genes among the 11 patients. The data was filtered through multiple mutational databases and in-house whole exome sequence database. Sanger sequencing was used for analysis of family members of the patients.

RESULTSEleven pathogenic variants were found among the 11 patients, which included two splicing mutations, one missense mutation, two nonsense mutations, and six frame-shifting mutations. None of the mutations was recorded by the public database or the in-house database generated from 1775 samples through whole exome sequencing. None of the unaffected parents carried the same mutation. Seven mutations were associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 previously, while the remaining four were discovered for the first time. Prenatal diagnosis of two high-risk pregnancies suggested that neither fetus has inherited the NF1 mutation from their affected parents.

CONCLUSIONIdentification of causative mutations in patients with sporadic-type neurofibromatosis type 1 has provided a basis for genetic counseling. The four novel mutations have enriched the spectrum of NF1 gene mutations.

BACKGROUND: Because of the non-homology of protein and gene between human and animals, to promote osteogenesis or spinal fusion of animals by construction of tissue-engineered bone with the human gene has influenced the experimental validation.OBJECTIVE: To construct the seed cell line for bone tissue engineering with stable expression of human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (hBMP2).METHODS: The full-length hBMP2 gene was cloned from human muscle tissues by nested RT-PCR and transfected to human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) with lipidosome. The transfected hBMSCs were cultured with G418 in vitro to screen and purify the cells. A series of analyses such as RT-PCR, dot-ELISA, immunohistochemstry and alkaline phosphatase activity analysis were performed to evaluate the situation of hBMP2 expression and secretion at 48 hours and 3 weeks after the transduction. hBMSCs transduced with empty plasmid and the normal hBMSCs served as positive control and blank control groups, respectively, which were used for observation of cell growth, proliferation and biological characteristics of transfected cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The transfected hBMSCs appeared in small groups or clusters, and had a good proliferation after subculture in vitro. Some G418-resistance cell clones and calcium nodules were found when cultured with G418 in vitro. No significant difference was noted in the cell proliferation between the hBMP2 transfection group and two control groups. The ALP activity in the hBMP2 transfection group remained significantly higher than that in the two control groups (P < 0.01). At 48 hours and 3 weeks after transduction, hBMSCs could express actively hBMP2 by RT-PCR monitoring, and had a positive reaction of dot-ELISA and immunohistochemical analysis. The expression of hBMP2 gene in the experiment group at 48 hours was significantly higher than that at 3 weeks after transduction while there was no expression of hBMP2 gene in the two control groups. The above results show that the hBMSCs transfected by hBMP2 gene not only have potentials of normal proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, but also can stably express hBMP2.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestation of metatarsal fatigue fractures and probe into the clinical values of ultrasonic diagnosis and follow-up to the disease.Methods The clinical data and sonographic features of 30 cases with metatarsal fatigue fracture confirmed by X-ray and CT were analyzed retrospectively.Results All the subjects in this study were metatarsals insufficiency fractures located in the second or third diaphysis.2D-ultrasound found microfracture in the cortex and the periosteal elevation by increased vascularity in the early stage.During the 3-month follow-up,thickened cortex and callus shown as the shape of mushroom or cauliflower and a great amount of neovascularisation were visualised with color Doppler flow imaging.Then,the cortex surface became gradually changing from rough to smooth and obvious posterior shadows were observed with the illness progression.Conclusions Ultrasonography could be used to detect the cortical continuity,callus characteristics and blood flow perfusion of fatigue fracture in the different damage stages.