This is a prospective study using first-pass perfusion CT with volume-based technique to investigate perfusion features of gastric cancer. Perfusion CT was performed with 64-section MDCT on 35 patients with gastric cancer; these patients were subdivided into three subgroups according to the location of the tumor; besides, 24 patients with normal stomach served as controls. Four perfusion parameters, including perfusion (PF), peak enhancement (PE), time to peak (TTP), and blood volume (BV), were obtained and compared between the test and control groups, and between the groups with and without lymph-node metastases. ROC analysis was performed to determine the cutoff value for discriminating the microcirculation of gastric cancer from that of the normal stomach. The results showed that blood volume was significantly increased in the test group, compared with the control group. The threshold of 8.6 ml x 100 g(-1) of blood volume was noted to be corresponding to a sensitivity of 88.6% and a specificity of 62.9%. In conclusion, the first-pass perfusion CT with whole tumor acquisition technique could assess tumor vascularity and be useful for the diagnosis of gastric cancer.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Regional Blood Flow ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Background: /Aim: It is known that an imbalance in the intestinal f lora plays a crucial role in colorectal cancer (CRC), but the effect of food consumption patterns on the types of intestinal flora remains to be clarified. We aimed to analyze the associations between food intake and intestinal flora in healthy and CRC individuals. Methods: Food intake data were recorded using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The composition and diversity of the intestinal flora detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the data were analyzed by R version 3.1.1 software. Results: Higher intake of red meat or pickled foods, and lower intake of white meat, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts were found in the CRC group compared with the healthy group. Higher levels of Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria, and lower levels of Firmicutes were observed in the CRC group. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the intake of fruits, beans, and nuts was negatively correlated with Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria, but pickled food was positively correlated with Fusobacteria (p < 0.05). Fish, beans, and nuts intake was negatively correlated with Escherichia (p = 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that vegetable oil (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 0.82), vegetables (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.64), eggs (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.69), pickled foods (OR, 21.02; 95% CI, 6.02 to 73.45), and red meat (OR, 4.23; 95% CI, 1.68 to 10.60) had an impact on CRC risk. Conclusions The species and abundance of intestinal flora varies between CRC and healthy individuals and may be affected by their food preference.

Background: /Aim: It is known that an imbalance in the intestinal f lora plays a crucial role in colorectal cancer (CRC), but the effect of food consumption patterns on the types of intestinal flora remains to be clarified. We aimed to analyze the associations between food intake and intestinal flora in healthy and CRC individuals. Methods: Food intake data were recorded using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The composition and diversity of the intestinal flora detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the data were analyzed by R version 3.1.1 software. Results: Higher intake of red meat or pickled foods, and lower intake of white meat, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts were found in the CRC group compared with the healthy group. Higher levels of Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria, and lower levels of Firmicutes were observed in the CRC group. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the intake of fruits, beans, and nuts was negatively correlated with Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria, but pickled food was positively correlated with Fusobacteria (p < 0.05). Fish, beans, and nuts intake was negatively correlated with Escherichia (p = 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that vegetable oil (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 0.82), vegetables (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.64), eggs (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.69), pickled foods (OR, 21.02; 95% CI, 6.02 to 73.45), and red meat (OR, 4.23; 95% CI, 1.68 to 10.60) had an impact on CRC risk. Conclusions The species and abundance of intestinal flora varies between CRC and healthy individuals and may be affected by their food preference.

Objective:Molecular biology experimental technology has become an important basic tool for exploring biology and medicine and other related disciplines. We aim to explore an effective molecular biology experimental teaching model which will definitely improve students' molecular biology experimental skills and autonomous learning ability.Methods:Guided by the theory of constructivism, with the molecular biology experimental course as the carrier, and with the basic requirements of constructing the basic molecular biology experimental technology of the system, a teaching platform was established to guide students to preview the experiment independently; the physical experimental projects were integrated and optimized and the virtual simulation experimental projects were increased, with virtuality and reality, to improve students' molecular biology experimental skills and autonomous learning ability.Results:An online teaching platform has been established, which effectively guides and improves the effect of students' preview experiments, and cultivates the ability of autonomous learning. Besides, the experimental teaching mode combining optimization of physical experimental projects and virtual simulation experimental projects significantly improved students' molecular biology experimental operation skills and problem-solving ability.Conclusion:A constructivism-based teaching mode of combining virtual and real molecular biology has been established, which is an effective way to improve students' molecular biology experimental skills and autonomous learning ability.

Migraine is a common disease that can cause disability, whose pathogeneses included traditional theory of vascular origin, cortical diffusion inhibition and trigeminal neurovascular reflex. Recent studies have found that there is a close relationship between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and migraine. With the development of cardiac catheterization technology, PFO closure has been used in treatment of migraine. A number of clinical studies have shown that PFO closure improves the symptoms of patients with migraine, especially the onset of migraine with aura. This article will review the research progress of PFO closure in the treatment of migraine.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is characterized by a high suicide rate and a high recurrence rate. The effect of the medicine on TRD is not ideal with obvious side effects. Psychotherapy is an important method recommended in many guidelines for the treatment of depression. However, previous studies and clinical applications have paid little attention to the application of psychotherapy in TRD. Therefore, based on recent studies, this paper reviews the effects of psychotherapy on the depressive symptoms, suicide risk, and recurrence risk in TRD. Further, the possible therapeutic mechanisms are discussed, including the improvement of interpersonal function by dealing with early trauma in TRD, therefore alleviating symptoms; intervening in the dysfunctional cognitive pattern of TRD to help them cope with negative life events, therefore reducing stress and depression. Combined with the limitations of existing studies, the following directions can be considered in the future: improving the research quality, measuring behavioral and physiological indicators to further clarify the therapeutic mechanism, identifying ways in which psychotherapy can be combined with other treatments, exploring the group and online therapy to increase accessibility of psychotherapy for TRD.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of driving pressure-guided individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration on atelectasis in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.Methods:Fifty elderly patients, aged 65-80 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with body mass index of 19-28 kg/m 2, undergoing elective robot-assisted radical prostatectomy under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=25 each) according to the random number table method: traditional lung-protective ventilation group (group C) and driving pressure-guided individualized PEEP group (group D). The method for setting PEEP was as follows: PEEP 5 cmH 2O was used throughout operation in group C. In group D, the optimal PEEP was titrated after intubation and mechanical ventilation and Trendelenburg position-pneumoperitoneum construction, the initial value was the lowest PEEP allowed by the anesthesia machine, the PEEP was increased by 1 cmH 2O (PEEP≤12 cmH 2O) every 4 min, the plateau pressure and PEEP were simultaneously recorded to calculate the driving pressure, and the corresponding PEEP was considered as the optimal PEEP for the individual when the driving pressure reached the minimum.Ultrasound examination was performed after catheterization of radial artery (T 0), after anesthesia induction (T 1), 4 min after developing optimal PEEP ventilation (T 2, 4 min after developing ventilation in group C), after restoration of body position (T 3), before extubation (T 4), and at 2 h after admission to postanesthesia care unit (T 5). Atelectatic aeration loss scores were recorded at T 0, T 1, T 4 and T 5.Bilateral optic nerve sheath diameter was measured at T 0-4.Arterial blood gas analysis was performed at T 0, T 2, T 3 and T 5, PaO 2 and PaCO 2 were recorded, and oxygenation index was calculated.The postoperative pulmonary complications within 3 days after operation were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, atelectasis aeration loss scores at T 4, 5 and PaCO 2 at T 2, 3 were significantly decreased, and PaO 2 and oxygenation index were increased at T 2, 3, 5 in group D ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the bilateral optic nerve sheath diameter and incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Driving pressure-guided individualized PEEP can increase intraoperative oxygenation and decrease the development of atelectasis in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of driving pressure (ΔP)-guided PEEP titration on lung injury in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).Methods:Forty-six American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients, aged 65-80 yr, with body mass index of 19-28 kg/m 2, with Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score assessed as medium to high risk, scheduled for elective RARP, were divided into control group (group C, n=23) and ΔP titration group (group D, n=23) using a random number table method.Volume-controlled mechanical ventilation was used after anesthesia induction and tracheal intubation.In group C, 5 cmH 2O was used to fix PEEP.In group D, the optimal PEEP was titrated after computer-controlled breathing and after establishing Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum, the first titration started from 4 cmH 2O and increased by 1 cmH 2O every 4 min until ΔP reached the minimum value or PEEP increased to 12 cmH 2O, and the second titration was increased in increments as the method described above based on the optimal PEEP of the first titration.At 4 min after completion of the first PEEP titration (T 1, 4 min after mechanical ventilation with fixed PEEP in group C), 2 h after establishment of Trendelenburg position (T 2), 1 min after extubation (T 3) and 2 h after operation (T 4), serum concentrations of Clara cell protein (CC16), surfactant protein D (SP-D), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). Pulmonary complications were assessed within 7 days after operation. Results:The serum concentrations of CC16, SP-D, sRAGE and sICAM-1 were significantly higher at T 2-4 than at T 1 in two groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group C, the serum concentrations of CC16, SP-D, sRAGE and sICAM-1 were significantly decreased at T 2-4 ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the incidence of pulmonary complications within 7 days after operation in group D ( P>0.05). Conclusions:ΔP-guided PEEP titration can reduce lung injury in elderly patients undergoing RARP.

Objective:To explore the features the gait of elderly persons with type 2 diabetes and peri-pheral neuropathy.Methods:Twenty patients no less than 60 years old with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (DPN) formed a DPN group, while 20 counterparts with type 2 diabetes but without peripheral neuropathy composed the DM group, and another 20 healthy counterparts served as a control group. The three groups were tested using the Swedish Qualisys motion capture system and their walking speed, step length, step width, stride frequency and stride length, bipedal foot support phase time, single foot support phase time, peak plantar pressure, and regional-holding time were collected and compared.Results:The average walking speed, stride length and stepping frequency of the DPN group were all significantly lower than the other 2 groups′ averages. Their bipedal support phase was significantly longer, but their single foot support phase time was significantly shorter. And in the DPN group the average first and second peak plantar pressures and the second peak pressure time were significantly greater than the other groups′ averages.Conclusions:Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy have significant gait abnormalities, decreased walking stability, as well as increased plantar pressure and plantar compression time.

Objective:To automatically synthesize Al 18F-1, 4, 7-triazacyclononane-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid (NOTA)-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-04, perform PET/CT imaging in vivo, and evaluate its diagnostic efficacy on tumors. Methods:Al 18F-NOTA-FAPI-04 was produced in All-in-one automatic synthesis module and its quality control was conducted by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a radioactive detector. Al 18F-NOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT imaging was performed in normal BALB/c mice ( n=3) and 4T1 breast cancer models ( n=3) to determine its biodistribution. Then Al 18F-NOTA-FAPI-04 and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging were performed in a hepatocellular carcinoma patient (male, 51 years old). Results:The synthesis time of Al 18F-NOTA-FAPI-04 was about 35 min, and the radiochemical yield was (25.2±1.9)% (attenuation correction, n=3). The product was colorless transparent solution with pH value of 7.0-7.5, and the specific activity was (46.11±3.07) GBq/μmol (attenuation correction, n=3). The radiochemical purity was above 99.0% and was still above 98.0% at room temperature after 6 h. PET/CT imaging in mice showed that physiological uptake of Al 18F-NOTA-FAPI-04 was mainly in biliary system and bladder, and Al 18F-NOTA-FAPI-04 highly concentrated in tumor xenografts. PET/CT imaging in the patient showed that Al 18F-NOTA-FAPI-04 obtained high tumor background ratio (TBR) values of 4.1, 8.9, 5.4, 4.8, 2.2 in parasternal lymph nodes, anterior diaphragmatic lymph nodes, hilar lymph nodes, pancreaticoduodenal ligament lymph nodes, abdominal aortic lymph nodes, respectively, while TBR values were 1.0, 2.8, 5.0, 2.1, 1.1 by 18F-FDG. Conclusions:Al 18F-NOTA-FAPI-04 can be synthesized with short time, high radiochemical yield and good stability using All-in-one module. Al 18F-NOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT imaging has high contrast and excellent diagnostic efficacy on tumors.