Objective To analyze the correlation between the metal components and MRI signal intensities of gallstones, to investigate the causes of gallstone signal features on MRI. Methods The MRI data and the metal components of the gallstones in vivo and in vitro of 30 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The MR sequences, namely 3D fast spoiled gradient-echo with fat saturation T1-weighted imaging (3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI), fast spoiled gradient-echo with fat saturation T1-weighted imaging(FSPGR-FS T1WI), fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition(FIESTA)and fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging with fat saturation(FSE-FS T2WI), were performed on the gallstones in vivo and in vitro. According to the characteristics of the surface and cross section, gallstones were divided into pigment gallstones( n=16) and cholesterol gallstones(n=14). The MR signal characteristics of the gallstones were observed and the signal intensity rates of the gallstones were calculated. Preoperatively, the signal intensity rates of cholesterol and pigment stones of each MR sequence were compared by using t test and Mann-Whiteney U test. Postoperatively,the signal intensity rates of the fresh,dried and re-soaked gallstones were compared by using paired t test and Wilcoxon test. The correlation between the signal intensity rates of gallstones on the 3D-FSPGR-FS sequence and their metal components was analyzed by using Linear Regression analysis. Results The pigment gallstones showed high signal intensity on the 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI. The signal intensity rates of the pigment gallstones were higher than the rates of the cholesterol gallstones on the 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI, which were 2.02 ± 0.53 and 0.51 ± 0.24 (t=10.26,P< 0.01), respectively. On the 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI, the signal intensity rates of the drying pigment stones were significantly lower than the rates of the fresh ones, the rates of the two states of the pigment gallstones were 0.21±0.06 and 1.42±0.35(t=13.49,P<0.01),respectively. The signal intensity rates of pigment gallstones showed significant rebound after re-soaking, the rates of the two states of the pigment gallstones were 0.21±0.06 and 1.68±0.86(t=-6.63,P<0.01),respectively. The metal components of pigment gallstones were significantly higher than the cholesterol stones. In the pigment gallstones and cholesterol gallstones, the medians of the Calcium were 28.186 and 2.347 mg/g(Z =-4.66,P< 0.01),respectively.For pigment gallstones, there was a significant correlation between the calcium and the signal intensity rate on 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI. The regression equation of linear regression analysis was SI=65.40 logCa-166.67. Conclusions The pigment gallstones containing much more water and metal showed high signal intensity on 3D-FSPGR-FS T1WI. The Calcium in the pigment gallstones may be the main cause for this MR appearance.

Objective To investigate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting and monitoring the response of uterine cervix cancer to concurrent chemoradiation. Methods Seventeen patients with uterine cervix cancer underwent conventional MRI and DWI examinations before therapy and at one month and two months after the initiation of concurrent chemoradiation, and 8 of them underwent additional examinations at 15 d after therapy. The longest diameter of tumor before and after treatment was measured on axial T2WI. The mean ADC value among pre- and post-treatment of each group (CR, PR and SD) was compared. Results The mean ADC value before therapy of CR group was statistically lower than that of PR group (P＜0.05). There was negative correlation between mean pretreatment ADC value and percentage size reduction of tumor after concurrent chemoradiation at two months (r=-0.574, P＜0.05). The percentage ADC change of tumor at one month correlated positively with percentage size reduction of tumor at two months after concurrent chemoradiation (r=0.572, P＜0.05). Fifteen days after the initiation of concurrent chemoradiation, the mean ADC value of 8 patients increased significantly, however, the longest diameter of tumor showed no statistically significant changes compared with pre-treatment tumor diameter. Conclusion DWI has the ability to predict the response of uterine cervix cancer to concurrent chemoradiation, and it can monitor the treatment response as well.

Objective To explore the value of MRI dynamic contrast-enhanced in differentiating adrenal adenomas from nonadenomas with washout rate of enhancement and the increased SI ratio. Methods Thirty-six patients with 41 adrenal masses enrolled into this study. All these masses underwent conventional T 1WI and T 2WI sequence first, and then FMPSPGR sequence through the center of each mass. Precontrast and dynamic contrast-enhanced FMPSPGR scans were preformed after administration of contrast material of Gd-DTPA intravenously. The signal intensity(SI) of masses was measured on the screen by electronic cursor. The washout rate of enhancement and increased SI ratio were compared between adenomas and nonadenomas. The differentiating adrenal adenomas from nonadenomas were carried out based on combination of the washout rate and the increased SI ratio, meanwhile, the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of adenomas were evaluated well.Results The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of adenomas were 74% and 73%,and accuracy was 73% when the washout ratio was used as a indicator at 5 min. The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of adenomas would be improved markedly when the combination of the washout ratio and the increased SI ratio was used as a indicator.The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of adenomas were 95%, 91% respectively,and accuracy was 93%. Conclusion Using MRI dynamic contrast-enhanced based on combination of washout rate of enhancement and the increased SI ratio,the diagnosis and differentiating diagnosis of adrenal adenoma and nonadenoma can be improved.

OBJECTIVE: This experiment aims to determine the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the differentiation of axillary inflammatory lymph nodes from metastatic lymph nodes in rabbit models in comparison with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional MRI and DWI were performed at 4 weeks after successful inoculation into the forty female New Zealand white rabbits' mammary glands. The size-based and signal-intensity-based criteria and the relative apparent diffusion coefficient (rADC) value were compared between the axillary inflammatory lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes, with histopathological findings as the reference standard. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the aforementioned criteria and rADC value in differentiating the axillary inflammatory lymph nodes from metastatic lymph nodes. RESULTS: Thirty-two axillary inflammatory lymph nodes and 46 metastatic ones were successfully isolated and taken into pathological analysis. The differences of the aforementioned criteria between the two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, the rADC value of the inflammatory lymph nodes (0.9 +/- 0.14) was higher than that of metastatic ones (0.7 +/- 0.18), with significant difference (p = 0.016). When the rADC value was chosen as 0.80, the area under the ROC curve is greater than all other criteria, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for differentiating two groups were 86.2%, 79.3%, 81.2%, 84.2%, and 85.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted imaging is a promising new technique for differentiating axillary inflammatory lymph nodes from metastatic lymph nodes. Compared with routine magnetic resonance sequences, DWI could provide more useful physiological and functional information for diagnosis.
Animals ; Axilla ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Inflammation/pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis/*pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/*pathology ; ROC Curve ; Rabbits ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that IL-33, a novel member of the IL-1b family, is involved in organ fibrosis. However, the roles of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 in epidural fibrosis post spine operation remain elusive. METHODS: A mouse model of epidural fibrosis was established after laminectomy. IL-33 in the wound tissues post laminectomy was measured with Western blotting, ELISA and imaging. The fibroblast cell line NIH-3T3 and primary fibroblasts were treated with IL-33 and the mechanisms of maturation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts were analyzed. To explore roles of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 In vivo, IL-33 knockout (KO) and ST2 KO mice were employed to construct the model of laminectomy. The epidural fibrosis was evaluated using H&E and Masson staining, western-blotting, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: As demonstrated in western blotting and ELISA, IL-33 was increased in epidural wound tissues post laminectomy. The immunoflurosence imaging revealed that endothelial cells (CD31 + ) and fibroblasts (a-SAM +) were major producers of IL-33 in the epidural wound tissues. In vitro, IL-33 promoted fibroblast maturation, which was blocked by ST2 neutralization antibody, suggesting that IL-33-promoted-fibroblasts maturation was ST2 dependent. Further, IL-33/ ST2 activated MAPK p38 and TGF-β pathways. Either p38 inhibitor or TGF-β inhibitor decreased fibronectin and a-SAM production from IL-33-treated fibroblasts, suggesting that p38 and TGF-β were involved with IL-33/ST2 signal pathways in the fibroblasts maturation. In vivo, IL-33 KO or ST2 KO decreased fibronectin, a-SMA and collagen deposition in the wound tissues of mice that underwent spine surgery. In addition, TGF-β 1 was decreased in IL-33 KO or ST2 KO epidural wound tissues. CONCLUSION In summary, IL-33/ST2 promoted fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts via MAPK p38 and TGF-β in a mouse model of epidural fibrosis after laminectomy.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of epidural scar tissue hyperplasia induced by erythrocyte rupture and release of interleukin-33 (IL-33) after laminectomy in mice.Methods:In the zoological experiment, the operation group (Laminectomy) and the sham operation group were set, and HE staining and Masson staining were performed to test for blood accumulation in the operation area after laminectomy in mice. Then 12 wild-type mice with 6-8 week old were selected and divided into 4 groups: the sham operation group, the operation group (normal saline control), the pure red blood cell intervention operation group, the whole blood intervention operation group. The normal saline (100 mg/kg) was injected into the postoperative area. The red blood cells or whole blood with the same volume were injected into the postoperative area in the pure red blood cell intervention group and the whole blood intervention group. The postoperative recovery of mice in each group was observed. The levels of fibronectin in the postoperative scar tissues of mice in four groups were detected by western blot technology, and the degree of postoperative epidural scar hyperplasia was directly observed by immunohistochemistry. In the cytological experiment, the wild-type mouse erythrocyte normal saline group, the control group of IL-33 knockout mouse erythrocyte normal saline, the wild-type mouse erythrocyte lysis group, and the IL-33 knockout mouse erythrocyte lysis group were set. The levels of IL-33 in the red blood cells of four groups were detected by western blot. Then, a blank wild-type mouse erythrocyte control group, a wild-type mouse relative to the control group (only secondary antibody added to test for non-specific binding), a wild-type mouse erythrocyte group and an IL-33 knockout mouse erythrocyte group (to test for antigen specificity of the primary antibody) were set. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on the erythrocytes of four groups and the level of IL-33 was detected by flow cytometry.Results:HE staining and Masson staining after laminectomy showed that there was blood stasis in the local incision area of mice in the operation group. The epidural scar hyperplasia in the incision area of mice after whole blood or red blood cells intervention was higher, especially in the whole blood intervention group. IL-33 expression was almost undetectable in the wild-type erythrocyte normal saline control group, the IL-33-knockout erythrocyte normal saline control group, and the IL-33-knockout erythrocyte lysis group, while significant IL-33 expression was detectable in the wild-type erythrocyte lysis group. Immunofluorescence staining showed that IL-33 was expressed in and on the erythrocyte membrane of wild-type mice, while non-specific expression of IL-33 or a very small amount of IL-33 was almost undetectable in the other three groups. The immunofluorescence intensities of IL-33 in the four groups were 0.62±0.41, 60.17±4.39, 16.78±7.43 and 0.61±0.03, respectively ( F=281.90, P<0.001). The expression of IL-33 in the erythrocyte group of wild-type mice was the highest ( P<0.05). According to the results of flow cytometry, except for the trace amount of IL-33 detected in the wild-type mouse erythrocyte group, the expression of IL-33 in the other three groups was basically 0. The ratios of fibronectin to β-actin in the modeling area of the four groups gradually increased, and the ratios were 0.79±0.09, 1.26±0.23, 1.79±0.05 and 2.29±0.58, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=12.86, P=0.002). Fibronectin in the operation area of the three operation groups (normal saline control group, red blood cell intervention group and whole blood intervention group) was significantly higher than that of the sham operation group. The immunohistochemical staining results of fibronectin in the modeling area of the four groups were the same as those in western blot experiment. The average optical density values of fibronectin in each group were 0.09±0.01, 0.18±0.01, 0.22±0.01 and 0.24±0.01, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( F= 210.7, P<0.001). Conclusion:There is indeed blood accumulation in the surgical area after laminectomy in mice, and it can aggravate the hyperplasia of epidural scar tissue. Erythrocyte is the main component in blood, and there is a large amount of IL-33 expression in the inner and outer membrane of erythrocyte membrane. The mechanism of promoting the proliferation of epidural scar tissue may be related to the release of IL-33 by erythrocyte lysis.

Mitochondria are the main site of energy metabolism within cells,generating a substantial amount of ATP to supply energy to the human body.Research has shown that alterations in mitochondrial structure and function exist in individuals with schizophrenia,suggesting their potential impact on the onset of psychiatric disorders and clinical treatment efficacy.Therefore,understanding the research progress on the genetic mechanisms,pathological processes,image manifestations of schizophrenia and mitochondrial quality control,and summarizing the relevant evidence of mitochondrial-related targets as potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia,can provide references for further research.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an infectious disease with fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea as the main clinical manifestations. At present, CDI is mainly treated with antibiotics and faecal microbiota transplantation. As recurrent and refractory CDI continues to increase, it is important to seek a more effective alternative therapy. However, many of the studies on the prevention and control of CDI by probiotics are still in the early stage. This paper summarized the research on the types, mechanisms and technical means of probiotics in the treatment of CDI.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of preventative moxibustion on adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in myocardial tissue in rats with exhaustive exercise, and to explore the action mechanism of preventative moxibustion for myocardial injury by exhaustive exercise.

METHODSEighteen SD male rats were randomly divided into a blank group, an exhaustive exercise group and a moxibustion group, 6 rats in each one. Rats in the blank group were treated with immobilization for 5 min per day, without any intervention. Rats in the exhaustive exercise group were treated with no intervention in the first 10 days. Rats in the moxibustion group were treated with moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4), 5 cones for each acupoint, for 10 days.On 11th day, rats in the exhaustive exercise group and moxibustion group were sacrificed to collect sample after exhaustive swimming, and time of exhaustive exercise was recorded. HE staining was used to observe the inflammatory changes of myocardial tissue; colorimetric method was used to measure lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA); immune suppression method was used to measure the content of creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in serum; Elisa method was used to measure the content of troponinT (cTnT) in serum; western blot method was applied to measure the content of AMPKα2 and mTOR in myocardial tissue.

RESULTSThe time of exhaustive exercise was (4 831.17±689.88) s in the moxibustion group, which was longer than (3 509.50±1 232.49) s in the exhaustive exercise group (<0.05); HE staining indicated structure of the myocardium was clear and inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in the moxibustion group. Compared with the blank group, the contents of serum LDH, CK-MB, cTnT were increased in the exhaustive exercise group (all<0.05); MDA content was increased and SOD activity was decreased (both<0.05); the AMPK α2 content in myocardial tissue was increased and the mTOR content was decreased (both<0.05). Compared with the exhaustive exercise group, the contents of serum LDH, CK-MB, cTnT were reduced in the moxibustion group (all<0.05); MDA content was decreased and SOD activity was increased (both<0.05); the AMPKα2 content in myocardial tissue was increased, and the mTOR content was decreased (both<0.05); AMPKα2 and mTOR were negatively correlated (=-0.764,<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPreventative moxibustion is likely to regulate the expression of AMPK and mTOR to induce signaling pathway to recover myocardial injury by exhaustive exercise.

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of Babao Dan on primary liver cancer based on network pharmacology. Methods First, the diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma rat（HCC）model was used to observe the effects of Babao Dan. Then, the effective components in Babao Dan were detected by UPLC-MS, and the potential target sites of these effective components were predicted in the Swiss Target Prediction databases, etc. The corresponding target sites for HCC were screened using GeneCards, OMIM and Therapeutic Target Database, and the common target sites between Babao Dan and HCC were obtained after getting the intersection. The protein-protein interaction network was drawn by Cytoscape software and the STRING database, and the key molecules regulating HCC by Babao Dan were screened out. The effective target sites were subjected to GO analysis in the DAVID database and enrichment analysis in the Pathway’s KEGG. Finally, the clinical relevance of key molecules to liver cancer patients was verified by the TCGA database. Results Babao Dan could slow down the tumor development. 851 chemical components were detected in BaBao Dan by UPLC-MS , 9 major active components and 285 target sites were identified. 637 hepatocellular carcinoma-related targets were screened out, and 16 targets of Babao Dan regulating HCC were identified. GO enrichment analysis showed 802 biological processes, 11 cell compositions, and 43 molecular functions, while KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified a total of 90 pathways. Correlation analysis of TCGA identified three key molecules associated with the survival of liver cancer patients. Conclusion In the primary rat liver cancer model, Babao Dan was found to significantly prolong the survival of cancer-induced rats and reduce tumor burden. The initial prediction of the mechanism by which Babao Dan regulating liver cancer was made through UPLC-MS analysis and network pharmacology methods, indicating that Babao Dan has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-pathway, and multi-target regulation of primary liver cancer, which could provide a reference for further relevant experimental research.