Background and purpose: Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) can be used for magnetic resonance imaging systemic examination, especially in examing the metastatic lesions, lymph node and bone diseases, and the imaging result is similar with PET. This study aimed to evaluate the application value of magnetic resonance DWIBS and positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) on malignant metastatic diseases. Methods: Thirty-six patients confirmed with malignant tumors accompanying metastasis by the pathology of operation or biopsy underwent both DWIBS imaging and PET/CT, chi-square test and Kappa test were used for comparing the detection results of metastasis by these 2 imaging methods. Results:Among the 36 malignant tumor patients with 238 metastatic lesions, 218 (91.6%, 218/238) lesions in DWIBS and 209 (87.8%, 209/238) lesions in PET/CT were detected, with 200 lesions detected by the two methods simultaneously, and the concordance rate was 88.7%(211/238);but there was no statistical signiifcance between this two methods (χ2=1.843, P=0.157). Kappa test showed a fair concordance rate between DWIBS and PET/CT (P=0.000).There were different significance between DWIBS and PET/CT in detecting metastatic lesions of brain and bone (P=0.005 and 0.031);But there was no signiifcant differences (P=0.309 and 1.000) in detecting metastatic lesions of lymph nodes and liver. Conclusion:DWIBS could detect metastatic lesions effectively, and there is ifne consistency with PET/CT. DWIBS is more sensitive than PET/CT in detecting metastatic lesions of brain and bone, so DWIBS could be chosed for screening metastatic lesions according to the characteristics of different primary tumors.

Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a key role in the development and progression of tumors, such as pro?moting local drug resistance, immune escape, and distal metastasis. According to the TME of different individuals, accurate evaluation and selection of clinical medication can effectively control the malignant transformation of carcinoma in situ and metastatic cancer. At present, the main method to treat cancer is chemotherapy, TME can regulate the reaction of the tumor cells to the standard chemotherapy and target drug therapy, so the combination of the targeted TME therapy and chemothera?py will achieve better clinical efficacy. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms of TME in breast cancer, including ex?tracellular matrix, carcinoma-associated fibroblasts, carcinoma-associated macrophages, regulatory T cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, which providing a theoretical basis for the development of TME targeted therapy.

BACKGROUND:Human amniotic epithelial cells have some properties of stem cells, which can be induced to differentiate into corneal epithelial cells, but cannot be tracedin vitro. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the feasibility and infection efficiency of adenovirus vector carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) into the human amniotic epithelial cells. METHODS:The adenovirus vectors carrying EGFP was transferred into human amniotic epithelial cells culturedin vitro. After cultured and amplified, the morphology difference between transfected and non-transfected human amniotic epithelial cels was observed. The transfected human amniotic epithelial cells were observed under fluorescence microscope, and the cell cycle and the expression rate of EGFP in transfected human amniotic epithelial cells were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:No obvious difference in the cell morphology was found between transfected human amniotic epithelial cells and normal human amniotic epithelial cells cultured in vitro. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the EGFP positive rate was highest and reached up to 99.01% at 48 hours after transient transfection. The cell cycle of human amniotic epithelial cells transfected by the adenovirus vector was slowed a bit. To conclude, the adenovirus vector is a good medium of transfecting EGFP into human amniotic epithelial cells, and makes it more convenient to observe the further transformation of human amniotic epithelial celsin vitro.

BACKGROUND:There is a lack of study on material properties and parameters of foot finite element models in China. Vernier caliper is a common method for measuring the width and thickness of ligaments and tendons to calculate the cross-sectional area.
OBJECTIVE:To design a new ligament cross-sectional area measuring instrument to improve the measurement accuracy.
METHODS:The cross-sectional area of the five fresh cadaver ankle ligaments was respectively measured using the new instrument and vernier caliper, and then a comparative analysis of the two measurement methods was performend.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The cross-sectional area of anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, tibionavicular ligament and calcaneotibial ligament was (20.61±7.52), (22.38±11. 49), (33.09±9.91) and (28.20±10.88) mm2, respectively measured by the vernier caliper, and (17.59±4.03), (20.77±7.91), (28.08±8.14) and (30.39±7.98) mm2 by the new ligament cross-sectional area measuring instrument. These results suggest that this new measuring instrument is accurate, reliable and easy to operate, which can be used as a special instrument to measure ligament cross-sectional area, but further studies wil be necessary.

Background and purpose:Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) can be used for MR imaging systemic examination, especially the lymph node and bone diseases can be clear, and the imaging result is similar with PET. The aim of this study was to compare the value of clinical application in the diagnosis of malignant metastatic osteopathic between DWIBS and bone scintigraphy mapping. Methods:Thirty-six specimens conifrmed with malignant tumors by the pathology of operation or biopsy underwent both DWIBS imaging and bone scintigraphy mapping, chi-square test was used for comparing the detection results of bone metastasis by this two imaging methods. Results:Thirty (165 positions in all) of 36 malignant tumor patients were conifrmed as having bone metastasis, compared that 26 patients (143 positions) with DWIBS method and 23 patients (132 positions) with bone scintigraphy mapping were detected, but there was no statistical signiifcance between this two imaging methods (χ2=1.002, P=0.506). The sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV) and accuracy of the detection rate of bone metastasis were similar in DWIBS and bone scintigraphy, with 86.7%, 96.3%, 86.1%and 76.7%, 88.5%, 72.2%, respectively;but the speciifcity and negative predictive value (NPV) in DWIBS (83.3%and 55.6%) was higher than that of in bone scintigraphy (50.0%and 30.0%). The detection rates of different bone metastasis with DWIBS and bone scintigraphy were 86.7%(143/165) and 80.0%(132/165), and it was no signiifcant difference (χ2=2.640, P=0.104);DWIBS method was better than bone scintigraphy in the detection of osseous metastasis on pelvis and limbs long bone, and there was different signiifcant (χ2=6.783 and 7.636, P=0.023 and 0.016). Conclusion:DWIBS could detect bone metastatic lesions effectively, and there is ifne consistency with bone scintigraphy. Therefore, DWIBS is to hope to be extended and applicated clinically.

Objective To screen the sensing elements for TNT detection in Escherichia coli genome.Methods A genome promoter library with cutting E.coli K-12 MG1655 genome was constructed.Bacterial luciferase luxCDABE was used as a reporter gene during promoter screening.We discovered TNT sensing elements through several rounds of screen-ing.Through analysis of sensitivity, specificity and timeliness, the promoter activity of the elements was evaluated,and the functional sequence of the elements was further confirmed.Results and Conclusion We successfully constructed an E.co-li K-12 MG1655 genome library , from which a TNT sensing element was discovered,which had a good performance in the analysis of sensitivity, specificity and timeliness.In this study, we reported that the topAp4 is a TNT sensing element for the first time.We also verified its excellent promoter activity.

This paper is a follow-up study of 329 children in factory-run nurseries in urban Shanghai. The investigation lasted for a period of one year for each index-child, focusing on the conditions of nutrition, development and diseases of the children of various ages.Comparison between nutritionl findings and RDA of China disclosed that calorie intake of most of the index-child groups were 80-85% of RDA, the only exception being the 6-12 months group where the average calorie intake showed 90%. Protein intake of all groups was over 80% of RDA. Fe intake was lower than RDA, except for 18-month-old and over.Weight and height of the children were compared with the anthropo-metric data established in 1985 (1985 data) for Shanghai children under six years of age. It was found that the average weight and height appeared differently according to their age. Average weight of children under one year old was slightly higher than 1985 data, while average height was lower than 1985 data once the children reached 10 months old. Average weight, however, became lower than the 1985 data after the children were two years old. Over 60% of the index between 6-18 months old suffered from anemia (IDA).Accordingly, it is requested that calorie and iron intake should be supplemented.

Objective To investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SCGB3A2(secretoglobin family 3A member 2) gene promoter with susceptibility of Graves' disease.Methods One-hundred and seventy-nine SNPs within a 3.0 Mb region surrounding marker D5s2090 were scanned in a case-control study.The size of the region(s) associated with GD was then narrowed.Results Total 179 SNPs within a 3.0 Mb region surrounding marker D5s2090 were analyzed.The most significant association signal was found at SNP rs1368408 (P =3.69 × 10-5).Subsequent association analysis was then performed and the results suggested that the SNP76 (P =4.11 × 10-8) and SNP75 (P =1.37 × 10-8) in the promoter of SCGB3A2 gene may be the causal variants of GD.Logistic regression analysis suggested these 2 SNPs in this region may contribute to GD susceptibility.Conclusion A significant association seems to exist between GD with the SCGB3A2 gene.

Objective: To explore whether the pro-inflammatory effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress in placental tissues involves in the genesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: Forty gravidas who underwent regular prenatal examinations and delivered at Tongji Hospital were recruited from January to December, 2016. Among them, 20 were GDM women (GDM group), and the remaining twenty were served as the control, which were selected from those without GDM and matched for age and gestational weeks to the GDM group. Placental tissues were collected from the two groups. The ultrastructure of endoplasmic reticulum in trophoblast cells was observed under transmission electron microscope. The expression of glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP-78), a marker protein for endoplasmic reticulum stress, and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) were detected using Western blotting. Five placental tissue samples were collected from normal gravidas for explant culture. Three subgroups were set up according to different culturing methods including culturing with IL-1β (5 ng/ml) for 20 h (IL-1β model group), 30 μmol/L thapsigargin (TG, an endoplasmic reticulum stress agonist) for 2 h after treating with IL-1β (5 ng/ml) for 18 h (IL-1β+TG intervention group) or with no stimulation (blank control group). Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of GRP-78, CHOP and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in placenta explants. The mRNA expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance, LSD and t test. Results: (1) In the GDM group, increased number and size of endoplasmic reticulum cisternae were observed in trophoblast cells. Moreover, obviously dilated endoplasmic reticulum and different size of fragments and vesicles were also seen under electron microscope. While the endoplasmic reticulum in the placental tissues of the control group showed no obvious swelling. (2) The expression of GRP-78 and CHOP protein in the GDM group were higher than those in the control group (0.90±0.17 vs 0.48±0.08, t=2.24; 0.85±0.13 vs 0.46±0.12, t=2.10; both P<0.05). (3) Compared with the blank control group, the expression of GRP-78 and CHOP protein in the IL-1β model group increased significantly (0.87±0.18 vs 0.36±0.07, t=2.67; 1.14±0.09 vs 0.78±0.06, t=3.20; both P<0.05); but the expression of GLUT4 protein significantly decreased (1.00±0.14 vs 2.21±0.49, t=2.40, P<0.05); the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA significantly increased (0.89±0.23 vs 0.30±0.06, t=2.31; 0.62±0.16 vs 0.17±0.09, t=2.29; both P<0.05). Compared with the IL-1β model group, the expression of GRP-78 and CHOP protein significantly increased in IL-1β+TG group (2.02±0.32 vs 0.87±0.18, t=3.11; 2.18±0.31 vs 1.14±0.09, t=3.16; both P<0.05); the expression of GLUT4 protein significantly decreased (0.39±0.19 vs 1.00±0.14, t=2.66, P<0.05); the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA increased significantly (1.67±0.25 vs 0.89±0.23, t=2.26; 1.42±0.27 vs 0.62±0.16, t=2.51; both P<0.05). Conclusions Endoplasmic reticulum stress may be associated with increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in placental tissues of some GDM women and involved in the onset and development of GDM.

BACKGROUND:Intervertebral disc degeneration is an important cause of low back pain.At present,there are many modeling methods for disc degeneration in China and abroad,but there is not a model for low back pain due to disc degeneration. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect of mechanical puncture combined with tumor necrosis factor α and complete Freund's adjuvant with a conventional disc mechanical puncture alone. METHODS:A total of 18 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups,with 6 animals in each group.No treatment was given in the blank group.Animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration were made in the L4-5 segments of rats in the control using conventional mechanical puncture.In the experimental group,on the basis of mechanical puncture,tumor necrosis factor α+complete Freund's adjuvant was injected into the L4-5 intervertebral discs using a microinjector to establish a model of disc degeneration induced by mechanical puncture combined with inflammatory factors.Four weeks after surgery,the pain threshold of rats was measured by the hot plate method for assessing the perception of heat injury in rats with intervertebral disc degeneration.MRI examination was performed to observe the disc degeneration in each group.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,interleukin 6 and prostaglandin E2.Hematoxylin-eosin and Safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphological changes of the disc. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In terms of pain,the behavioral pain threshold of the experimental group was continuously decreased,and the levels of serum inflammatory factors were significantly higher compared with the control group.In terms of morphology,the MRI results showed that the L4-5 nucleus pulposus signal completely disappeared in the experimental group.Histopathological results showed that in the control group,the nucleus pulposus was intact,more notochord cells were visible,and some fiber rings were ruptured,while in the experimental group,there are fewer notochord cells and the structure of the nucleus pulposus and fibrous ring is disturbed,with the boundary disappearing.To conclude,mechanical puncture combined with tumor necrosis factor alpha and complete Freund's adjuvant can successfully establish a discogenic low back pain model in rats.This operation is simple and economical to achieve obvious disc degeneration and low back pain,with greatly shortened molding cycle.This model can be used as a reference for studying discogenic low back pain models.