Objective To study the genetic variation among Schistosoma japonicum from the mainland of China through the microsatellite investigation. Methods S.japonicum isolates were obtained from seven endemic provinces across the mainland of the People's Republic of China: Zhejiang (Jiashan), Anhui (Guichi), Jiangxi (Yongxiu), Hubei (Wuhan), Hunan (Yueyang), Sichuan (Maoshan,Tianquan), Yunnan (Dali), and also Sorsogon Province, the Philippines. DNAs from 20 individuals from each origin were screened against six recently isolated and characterized S.japonicum microsatellites, M5A, J5N, MF1, RRPS, 2AAA and MPA, which were selected based on their polymorphic information content. Results High levels of polymorphism were found between and within population samples, with Chinese and Philippine strains appearing to follow different lineages, and with distinct branching between the provinces. Moreover, across the mainland of China, genotype clustering appeared to be related to the habitat type and/or intermediate host morphology. Conclusion These results demonstrate the suitability of microsatellites for population genetic studies of S. japonicum and suggest that there may be different strains of S. japonicum in the mainland of China.

Objective To assess early clinical safety and efficacy of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) for pure aortic regurgitation (PAR). Methods The clinical data of PAR patients who underwent TAVR in Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital and Wuhan Asia General Hospital from January 2018 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a TF-TAVR group and a transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TA-TAVR) group. The clinical data of the patients were analyzed. Results A total of 54 patients were enrolled, including 34 males and 20 females with an average age of 74.43±6.87 years. The preoperative N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level was lower [808.50 (143.50, 2 937.00) pg/mL vs. 2 245.00 (486.30, 7 177.50) pg/mL, P=0.015], and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (56.00±6.92 mm vs. 63.07±10.23 mm, P=0.005) and sinus junction diameter (32.47±4.41 mm vs. 37.65±8.08 mm, P=0.007) were smaller in the TF-TAVR group. There was no death in the two groups during the hospitalization. Only 1 new death within postoperative 1 month in the TF-TAVR group (cerebral hemorrhage). A total of 2 new deaths in the TF-TAVR group (1 patient of sudden cardiac death and 1 of multiple organ failure), and there was no death in the TA-TAVR group within postoperative 3 months. There was 1 new death in the TA-TAVR group (details unknown), and there was no death in the TF-TAVR group within postoperative 6 months. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the all-cause mortality and the cumulative survival rate during the follow-up period (P>0.05). The incidence of high atrioventricular block was 36.0% in the TF-TAVR group and 10.3% in the TA-TAVR group (P=0.024). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the perivalvular leakage (≥moderate), valve in valve, a second valve implantation, valve migration, cerebrovascular events, major vascular complications, complete left bundle branch block, new permanent pacemaker implantation or transferring to surgery (P>0.05). However, the incidence rates of complete left bundle branch block and new permanent pacemaker implantation were higher in the TF-TAVR group, accounting for 56.0% and 40.0%, respectively. Conclusion TF-TAVR is a safe and feasible treatment for PAR patients, which is comparable to TA-TAVR in the early postoperative safety and efficacy.

The portable light-weight magnetic resonance imaging system can be deployed in special occasions such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and ambulances, making it possible to implement bedside monitoring imaging systems, mobile stroke units and magnetic resonance platforms in remote areas. Compared with medium and high field imaging systems, ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging equipment utilizes light-weight permanent magnets, which are compact and easy to move. However, the image quality is highly susceptible to external electromagnetic interference without a shielded room and there are still many key technical problems in hardware design to be solved. In this paper, the system hardware design and environmental electromagnetic interference elimination algorithm were studied. Consequently, some research results were obtained and a prototype of portable shielding-free 50 mT magnetic resonance imaging system was built. The light-weight magnet and its uniformity, coil system and noise elimination algorithm and human brain imaging were verified. Finally, high-quality images of the healthy human brain were obtained. The results of this study would provide reference for the development and application of ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging technology.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods* ; Head ; Equipment Design ; Magnets

Recently, a large number of tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs) have been developed as anticancer agents. These TKIs can specifically and selectively inhibit tumor cell growth and metastasis by targeting various tyrosine kinases and thereby interfering with cellular signaling pathways. The therapeutic potential of TKIs has been hindered by multidrug resistance(MDR), which is commonly caused by overexpression of ATP-binding cassette(ABC) membrane transporters. Interestingly, some TKIs have also been found to reverse MDR by directly inhibiting the function of ABC transporters and enhancing the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we discuss ABC transporter-mediated MDR to TKIs and MDR reversal by TKIs.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors

<p>OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of tenascin-C (Tn-C) in keloid and hyperplastic scar (HS).p><p>METHODSTissue samples were harvested from 10 patients with keloid and 10 with HS (6 - 10 months) and from the skin of 5 adult healthy volunteers. The expression of Tn-C in these samples was determined with immunohistochemistry method.p><p>RESULTSThere was scarce expression of Tn-C in the skin tissue in adult healthy volunteers, and it was only present in the dermal papillae at the dermis epidermis conjunctions and partly in the blood vessels and skin appendages adjacent to the basement membrane. There was enhanced expression of Tn-C in the dermal scar tissue and skin appendages in both keloid and HS, especially in keloid, which exhibited a diffused pattern in the tissue. When compared with that in normal skin, the Tn-C expression in the normal skin adjacent to the keloid was enhanced markedly, but not in the normal skin near HS tissue.p><p>CONCLUSIONThere was increased Tn-C expression in keloid and HS (6 - 10 months).p>
Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keloid ; metabolism ; Male ; Skin ; chemistry ; Tenascin ; analysis

<p>OBJECTIVETo detect potential mutations of EDA gene for a Chinese family affected with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED).p><p>METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of the proband, his relatives and 50 non-related healthy controls. Exonic sequences of the EDA gene were subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing.p><p>RESULTSA c.467G> A mutation (R156H) was detected in exon 3 of the EDA gene in the proband, his mother, 2 uncles, and 1 aunt. The same mutation was not detected in the 50 non-related healthy controls.p><p>CONCLUSIONA c.467G>A mutation of the EDA gene probably underlies the disease in the family.p>
Base Sequence ; Child ; Ectodermal Dysplasia 1, Anhidrotic ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Ectodysplasins ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree

Objective     To explore the independent risk factors for tumor invasiveness of ground-glass nodules and establish a tumor invasiveness prediction model. Methods     A retrospective analysis was performed in 389 patients with ground-glass nodules admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from June 2018 to May 2021 with definite pathological findings, including clinical data, imaging features and tumor markers. A total of 242 patients were included in the study according to inclusion criteria, including 107 males and 135 females, with an average age of 57.98±9.57 years. CT data of included patients were imported into the artificial intelligence system in DICOM format. The artificial intelligence system recognized, automatically calculated and output the characteristics of pulmonary nodules, such as standard diameter, solid component size, volume, average CT value, maximum CT value, minimum CT value, central CT value, and whether there were lobulation, burr sign, pleural depression and blood vessel passing. The patients were divided into two groups: a preinvasive lesions group (atypical adenomatoid hyperplasia/adenocarcinoma in situ) and an invasive lesions group (minimally invasive adenocarcinoma/  invasive adenocarcinoma). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to screen the independent risk factors for tumor invasiveness of ground-glass nodules and then a prediction model was established. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn, and the critical value was calculated. The sensitivity and specificity were obtained according to the Yorden index. Results     Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that central CT value, Cyfra21-1, solid component size, nodular nature and burr of the nodules were independent risk factors for the diagnosis of tumor invasiveness of ground-glass nodules. The optimum critical value of the above indicators between preinvasive lesions and invasive lesions were –309.00 Hu, 3.23 ng/mL, 8.65 mm, respectively. The prediction model formula for tumor invasiveness probability was logit (P)=0.982–(3.369×nodular nature)+(0.921×solid component size)+(0.002×central CT value)+(0.526×Cyfra21-1)–(0.095 3×burr). The areas under the curve obtained by plotting the ROC curve using the regression probabilities of regression model was 0.908. The accuracy rate was 91.3%. Conclusion     The logistic regression model established in this study can well predict the tumor invasiveness of ground-glass nodules by CT and tumor markers with high predictive value.

In recent years, due to the emergence of ultrafast ultrasound imaging technology, the sensitivity of detecting slow and micro blood flow with ultrasound has been dramatically improved, and functional ultrasound imaging (fUSI) has been developed. fUSI is a novel technology for neurological imaging that utilizes neurovascular coupling to detect the functional activity of the central nervous system (CNS) with high spatiotemporal resolution and high sensitivity, which is dynamic, non-invasive or minimally invasive. fUSI fills the gap between functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and optical imaging with its high accessibility and portability. Moreover, it is compatible with electrophysiological recording and optogenetics. In this paper, we review the developments of fUSI and its applications in neuroimaging. To date, fUSI has been used in various animals ranging from mice to non-human primates, as well as in clinical surgeries and bedside functional brain imaging of neonates. In conclusion, fUSI has great potential in neuroscience research and is expected to become an important tool for neuroscientists, pathologists and pharmacologists.
Animals ; Mice ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Brain/physiology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Optogenetics ; Hemodynamics

OBJECTIVE: To establish finite element models of different preserved angles of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) for the biomechanical analysis, and to provide mechanical evidence for predicting the risk of ONFH collapse with anterior preserved angle (APA) and lateral preserved angle (LPA). METHODS: A healthy adult was selected as the study object, and the CT data of the left femoral head was acquired and imported into Mimics 21.0 software to reconstruct a complete proximal femur model and construct 3 models of necrotic area with equal volume and different morphology, all models were imported into Solidworks 2022 software to construct 21 finite element models of ONFH with LPA of 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, and 75° when APA was 45°, respectively, and 21 finite element models of ONFH with APA of 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75° when LPA was 45°, respectively. According to the physiological load condition of the femoral head, the distal femur was completely fixed, and a force with an angle of 25°, downward direction, and a magnitude of 3.5 times the subject's body mass was applied to the weight-bearing area of the femoral head surface. The maximum Von Mises stress of the surface of the femoral head and the necrotic area and the maximum displacement of the weight-bearing area of the femoral head were calculated and observed by Abaqus 2021 software. RESULTS: The finite element models of ONFH were basically consistent with biomechanics of ONFH. Under the same loading condition, there was stress concentration around the necrotic area in the 42 ONFH models with different preserved angles composed of 3 necrotic areas with equal volume and different morphology. When APA was 60°, the maximum Von Mises stress of the surface of the femoral head and the necrotic area and the maximum displacement of the weight-bearing area of the femoral head of the ONFH models with LPA<60° were significantly higher than those of the models with LPA≥60° ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in each index among the ONFH models with LPA≥60° ( P>0.05). When LPA was 60°, each index of the ONFH models with APA<60° were significantly higher than those of the models with APA≥60° ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in each index among the ONFH models with APA≥60° ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION From the perspective of biomechanics, when a preserved angle of ONFH is less than its critical value, the stress concentration phenomenon in the femoral head is more pronounced, suggesting that the necrotic femoral head may have a higher risk of collapse in this state.
Adult ; Humans ; Femur Head/surgery* ; Finite Element Analysis ; Stress, Mechanical ; Femur/diagnostic imaging* ; Femur Head Necrosis/surgery*

Objective     To recognize the different phases of Korotkoff sounds through deep learning technology, so as to improve the accuracy of blood pressure measurement in different populations. Methods     A classification model of the Korotkoff sounds phases was designed, which fused attention mechanism (Attention), residual network (ResNet) and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM). First, a single Korotkoff sound signal was extracted from the whole Korotkoff sounds signals beat by beat, and each Korotkoff sound signal was converted into a Mel spectrogram. Then, the local feature extraction of Mel spectrogram was processed by using the Attention mechanism and ResNet network, and BiLSTM network was used to deal with the temporal relations between features, and full-connection layer network was applied in reducing the dimension of features. Finally, the classification was completed by SoftMax function. The dataset used in this study was collected from 44 volunteers (24 females, 20 males with an average age of 36 years), and the model performance was verified using 10-fold cross-validation. Results     The classification accuracy of the established model for the 5 types of Korotkoff sounds phases was 93.4%, which was higher than that of other models. Conclusion     This study proves that the deep learning method can accurately classify Korotkoff sounds phases, which lays a strong technical foundation for the subsequent design of automatic blood pressure measurement methods based on the classification of the Korotkoff sounds phases.