Objective To explore the value of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)as a quantitative analysis tool for chronic cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM)with 3.0T MRI.Methods Cervical routine MR T2-weighted imaging(T2 WI)and diffusion weighted imaging were performed in 38 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM group)and 20 healthy volunteers (control group),and sagittal image of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)was reconstructed.The number of high T2 signal of the spinal cord were calculated in both healthy volunteers and CSM patients.The ADC values of CSM groups were measured in C3,T1 -C2 level and the compression or abnormal signal parts of the spinal cord;the control group measured C3、C4-C6 and T1 -T2 level in the spinal cord.Results There were 3 cases,1 case,6 cases and 8 cases high T2 signals in CSM patients from Ⅰ to Ⅳ levels,while there were 2 cases show high T2 signals in control group,respectively.The mean ADC values of the compression part were gradual-ly increased in CSM group from Ⅰ to Ⅳ level.There were significant differences of the mean ADC values of compression part be-tween the control group,CSMⅠ-Ⅱ level and the CSM Ⅳ level.Conclusion From our study,the change of ADC value of spine cord occured earlier than the change of signal in CSM patients.Therefore,the ADC value of spine cord might reflect the degree of spinal cord compression from CSM patients.

A novel gene, which was a homologue of Arabidopsis COI1 was isolated from rice (Oryza sativa L.) by RT-PCR and designated as OsCOI1. It encoded a protein of 595 amino acids. The similar F-box motif and 16 leucine-rich repeats were found in the deduced protein OsCOI1. OsCOI1 and COI1 showed high homology (74%) at amino acid level. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the expression of OsCOI1 in rice varied obviously after treatment with MeJA and ABA but was not affected by SA and ET, suggesting that the specific function of OsCOI1 in JA signal pathway and related ABA pathway.

Objective This retrospective study is to analysis the special medical conditions that most Chinese secondary hospitals are facing with,and to review the safeguards and pitfalls for arterial switch operations,in order to probe intothe feasibility of this procedure for Chinese secondary hospitals and provide our experiences to help other surgeons to avoid pitfalls on complex procedures.Methods Between January 2006 and December 2011,totally 21 newborns and infants with TGA/VSD and TGA/IVS underwent arterial switch operation.There were 15 males and 6 females.In the TGA/VSD group,there were 16 cases,ranging from 30 days to 1 year at surgeries,and weight from 3.4-8.5 kg with average of (5.33 ± 1.42) kg.In the TGA/IVS group,there were 5 cases,ranging from 13 days to 1 month at surgeries,and weight from 3.1-5.5 kg with average of (3.75 ± 1.17)kg.All patients underwent one stage of arterial switch operation.Routine follow-up checking points are set at discharging,3 months,half year and every year after operation.Results The early death rate is 9.5％ (2/21),and the reexploration rate is 9.5％ (2/21).In the TGA/VSD group,average cardiopulmonary bypass time is (151 ± 33) minuntes with the aortic crossclamp time is (1 19 ± 26) minutes.Ventilator support time is 24-159 hours,and the length of ICU stay is 3-17 days.1 case has residual VSD with the diameter less than 2 mm.The pulmonary flow velocity in 2 cases increase mildly to 2.0 m/s and 2.2 m/s,and another 2 cases increase severely to 3.1 m/s and 3.7 m/s.The aortic flow velocity in 3 cases increase to 2.0m/s.ECG instructs no case has myoinfarction signs.In the TGA/IVS group,average cardiopulmonary bypass time is (170 ± 52) minuntes with the aortic crossclamp time is (137 ± 48) minutes.Ventilator support time is 51-144 hours,and the length of ICU stay is 4-14 days;The pulmonary flow velocity in 2 cases increase mildly to 2.0 m/s.The aortic flow velocity in 1 cases increase to 2.0 m/s.ECG instructs no case has myoinfarction signs.Conclusion Unbalanced medical resources distribution causes significant differences between heart centers and the secondary hospitals in China,especially on the complex congenital heart diseases procedures.However,with relatively solid background on correction of the simple congenital heart diseases,the Chinese secondary hospitals can still perform arterial switch operation with satisfactory mortality and morbidity,and provide more prompt medical services for more population.

Background and purpose:Adrenal schwannoma is extremely rare, mostly benign, lack of special characteristics in clinical and imaging presentation. The aim of this study was to analyze the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of adrenal schwannoma, in order to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. Methods:The CT and MRI features of 8 patients with pathology-proven adrenal schwannoma were reviewed. Among the 8 patients, 4 patients underwent CT scanning, 3 patients underwent MR scanning, 1 patient underwent both CT and MR scanning.Results:The tumors were located at the left adrenal in 5 cases and at the right in 3 cases. Tumors showed no signs of endocrine activity in all cases. All tumors were well-circumscribed, oval or lobulated masses, 2 cases with calcification, 5 cases with cystic change, 2 cases with intratumoral hemorrhage. CT or MR enhancement showed moderate, heterogeneously delayed enhancement in 7 cases with enhanced capsule. Four cases showed rabbit tail sign.Conclusion:The imaging and pathological features of adrenal schwannoma have certain characteristics. The CT and MRI features, such as intact capsule, cystic degeneration, rabbit tail sign, calcification and progressive enhancement, are helpful to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of adrenal schwannoma.

Objective To analyze proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) characteristics of kidney in vivo, and to investigate the changes and applications of metabolites of kidney on 3.0T MR. Methods Fifteen patients with renal cell carcinoma and 50 healthy volunteers underwent single-voxel PRESS sequence MR scan on 3.0T scanner. Results Satisfied spectra of 13 patients and 48 volunteers were obtained. There were four main groups resonance peak: cholesterol and the unsaturated parts of the olefinic region of fatty acids (Chol+Unsat), water, choline metabolites (Cho) and lipids (Lip). The ratio of the Chol+Unsat to Lip was 5-fold lower in renal cell carcinomas group than that in contrast group (F=4.764, P=0.04). Conclusion A number of chemical compounds pertaining to metabolism in kidney can be quantitative analyzed, which may offer assistance for diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and repeated outbreaks of coronavirus epidemics in the past two decades emphasize the need for next-generation pan-coronaviral therapeutics. Drugging the multi-functional papain-like protease (PLpro) domain of the viral nsp3 holds promise. However, none of the known coronavirus PLpro inhibitors has been shown to be in vivo active. Herein, we screened a structurally diverse library of 50,080 compounds for potential coronavirus PLpro inhibitors and identified a noncovalent lead inhibitor F0213 that has broad-spectrum anti-coronaviral activity, including against the Sarbecoviruses (SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2), Merbecovirus (MERS-CoV), as well as the Alphacoronavirus (hCoV-229E and hCoV-OC43). Importantly, F0213 confers protection in both SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters and MERS-CoV-infected human DPP4-knockin mice. F0213 possesses a dual therapeutic functionality that suppresses coronavirus replication via blocking viral polyprotein cleavage, as well as promoting antiviral immunity by antagonizing the PLpro deubiquitinase activity. Despite the significant difference of substrate recognition, mode of inhibition studies suggest that F0213 is a competitive inhibitor against SARS2-PLpro via binding with the 157K amino acid residue, whereas an allosteric inhibitor of MERS-PLpro interacting with its 271E position. Our proof-of-concept findings demonstrated that PLpro is a valid target for the development of broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus agents. The orally administered F0213 may serve as a promising lead compound for combating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and future coronavirus outbreaks.
Animals ; Coronavirus Papain-Like Proteases/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Cricetinae ; Humans ; Mice ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2/enzymology* ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment