The 13 nm gold nanoparticles ( AuNPs ) were synthesized through the reduction of HAuCl4 by sodium citrate and the glutathione was assembled on the AuNPs. Under the experiment conditions, glutathione-modified AuNPs ( GSH-AuNPs ) with negative charge presented a wine red color owing to the electrostatic repulsion between nanoparticals. Upon the addition of neurogenin 3 ( ngn3 ) peptide, the aggregation of GSH-AuNPs was induced by ngn3 peptide under a certain concentration of salt. The color of AuNPs solution changed from red to blue as a function of the ngn3 peptide concentration. Thus, a rapid detection method for ngn3 peptide using GSH-AuNPs as colorimetric probe was established. The optimal experiment conditions were equilibrium time=10 min, pH=6. 0, CNaCl=100 mmol/L. Under the optimum conditions, the assay showed a linear response range of 20-300 μg/L for the peptide with a detection limit being 8 μg/L and exhibited excellent selectivity for ngn3 peptide.

Objective To explore the value of spectral imaging technique in dual-energy CT in differential diagnosis of the metastatic lymph nodes in thyroid carcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma metastatic lymph nodes and lymphoma in the neck.Methods In 30 patients with pathologically confirmed with a total of 79 cervical lymph nodes enlargement which were using dual energy scan .Then observed the change trend of the spectrum curve and comparison the three kinds of lymph node energy spectrum curve’s slope.Results In the 79 lymph nodes,the metastatic lymph nodes in thyroid carcinoma were twenty-three,squamous cell carcinoma metastatic lymph nodes were twenty-four and lymphoma were thirty-two.From 60 to 180 keV,with the increase of keV values,the three kinds of malignant lymph nodes of the corresponding CT value decreasing and the higher the keV value,the CT value decrease magnitude was small,and the spectrum curve was〞drop type〞.The slope spectrum curve of the metastatic lymph nodes of thyroid carcinoma in arterial phase and parenchymal phase were maximum,which were 1.23±0.41 and 0.85±0.33,respectively.The slope spectrum curve of lymphoma in arterial phase and parenchymal phase were least,whcih were 0.40±0.16 and 0.47 ±0.09.The slope spectrum curve of the squamous cell carcinoma metastatic lymph nodes in arterial phase and parenchymal phase were 0.88±0.10 and 0.62±0.28.The energy spectrum curve slope of the three kinds of malignant lymph nodes have statistical significance.Conclusion The energy spectrum curve slope of arterial phase and parenchymal phase has some significance lymph node metastasis of in thyroid carcinoma,the metastatic lymph nodes and lymphoma in the neck.

Objective To study the value of whole tumors T2WI gray histogram analysis for differential diagnosis of three commonly presented pediatric posterior fossa tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted to compare brain MRI examination and pathology diagnosis of 133 cases of posterior fossa tumors in pediatric patients in our hospital.Among them, there were 49 cases of ependymoma(there were 25 males and 24 females), 36 cases of astrocytoma(WHO grade Ⅰ)(there were 19 males and 17 females), 48 cases of medulloblastoma(there were 36 males and 12 females),aged 1 to 14 years old, with an average (7±2) years old. Respectively draw the region of interest (ROI) in the T2 MR transaxial images of three groups on each layer of tumor level by using Mazda software and analyze the whole tumors gray histogram, including mean,variance, kurtosis,skewness, perc.01%,perc.10%,perc.50%,perc.90% and perc.99%.The histogram parameters of the three groups were not normally distributed. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the three groups. Bonferroni test was used to compare the two groups to find out statistical significance of each parameter. Results Through histogram analysis of 9 parameters, these 9 parameters were statistically significant (all P <0.05),including mean,variance,kurtosis,skewness, perc.01%,perc.10%,perc.50%,perc.90% and perc.99%. The sensitivity of skewness to differentiate ependymoma and the astrocytoma was 69.4％, the specificity was 77.8％, the area under the curve was 0.744, and the best cut-off value was-0.08. The sensitivity of kurtosis to differentiate astrocytoma and the medulloblastoma was 95.8％, the specificity was 97.2％ and the area under the curve was 0.972, the cut-off was 1.68. The sensitivity of kurtosis to differentiate ependymoma and the medulloblastoma was 91.7％, the specificity was 89.8％and the area under the curve was 0.932,the cut-off was 1.90.They had a high identification efficiency. Conclusions The T2WI gray histogram analysis based whole tumors is helpful for the dignosis of three types of pediatric posterior fossa tumors. Skewness has a high diagnostic efficiency to differentiate ependymoma and the astrocytoma. Kurtosis has a high diagnostic efficiency to differentiate ependymoma and the medulloblastoma. Kurtosis has a high diagnostic efficiency to differentiate ependymoma and medulloblastoma.

OBJECTIVETo assess the accuracy of copy number variations (CNVs) detection by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in addition to its routine targets and clinical significance of such CNVs for the reduction of fetuses born with chromosomal microdeletion/duplication syndromes.

METHODSFrom October 2014 to October 2015, 14 235 pregnant women volunteered to participate in the study. Fifteen cases detected with chromosomal CNVs by the NIPT decided to undergo prenatal diagnostic procedures including amniocentesis, G-banded karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). All such cases were routinely followed up after birth.

RESULTSAmong the 14 235 subjects underwent NIPT, 18 cases were detected with Down syndrome, 4 with trisomy 18, and 2 with trisomy 13, in addition with 24 cases of CNVs. For the latter, 15 (including 11 cases with microdeletions and 4 cases with microduplications) participated in further prenatal diagnosis. In 13 cases (86.7%), the results of CMA were consistent with those of NIPT. On the other hand, only 7 out of the 15 cases showed a positive result with karyotyping, suggesting a rather high rate of missed diagnosis (46.2%). Of note, karyotyping has identified partial inversion of chromosome 9 in one case.

CONCLUSIONAs a screening tool, NIPT has a high accuracy for the detection of CNVs. However, as this method is still under improvement, it is more of a reminder rather than a diagnostic tool with full capability.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosome Disorders ; diagnosis ; embryology ; genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Microarray Analysis ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of different bleaching methods on white-spot lesions of the enamel using optical coherence tomography and to evaluate its feasibility for monitoring the therapeutic effects on white-spot lesions. Methods: Forty-eight sound premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were selected and cut for 4 mm×4 mm×2 mm enamel blocks in buccal surfaces of the crowns. The samples were covered with acid-resistant varnish (except for the buccal surfaces) and immersed in demineralization solution for 18 days to establish the white-spot lesion models of the enamels. Samples were randomly divided into four groups (n=12). Group A was given demineralization only. Specimens in Group B, C and D were treated with 40% hydrogen peroxide, resin infiltration and 40% hydrogen peroxide combined with resin infiltration, respectively. Eight samples in each group were randomly selected. OCT was applied to observe the optical changes of the enamel surface and according to the OCT scanning results, the demineralization depth of enamel samples in each group was calculated. Then, the enamel blocks were embedded in epoxy resins, except the buccal surfaces, and measured for the microhardness values of the enamel surface by a microindentation hardness tester. Four samples in each group were cut longitudinally, and the ultrastructural changes of enamel samples in each group were observed by scanning electron microscope. Results: OCT showed that the light scattering characteristics of enamel surface changed in all groups, and the bright layer was formed, but the thickness of bright layer in Group C and D was significantly lower than that in Group A and B (P<0.05). The microhardness values (kg/mm2) of the samples in Group A-D were (214.99±31.70), (250.66±33.64), (312.42±18.01) and(286.53±26.65), respectively. The microhardness of enamel surfaces in Group C and D was significantly higher than that in Group A and B (P<0.05), and the ultrastructure of enamel surfaces in Group C and D were more flat and dense in SEM observation (P<0.05). Conclusion The methods of resin infiltration therapy or 40% hydrogen peroxide combined with resin infiltration could effectively improve white-spot lesions of the enamel and the non-invasive OCT can be used as a better evaluation method for the diagnosis and treatment of white-spot lesions of the enamel.

Objective To optimize the immune scheme of SARS-CoV-2 RBD recombinant protein vaccine based on P.pastoris,and investigate the effect of different adjuvants on neutralizating antibody(NAb)titer,in order to provide reference for the continuous optimization research of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.Methods The RBD protein was selected and the corresponding gene fragment was synthesized,which was constructed into the pPICZαA plasmid,and the plasmid was integrated into the genome of P.pastoris after linear transforma-tion for recombinant expression.The obtained recombinant protein vaccine was combined with different adju-vants to immunize mice to evaluate its immunogenicity.Results Both the target proteins wtRBD and Delta RBD were able to achieve satisfactory overexpression through the P.pastoris system.Compared with the 42 d interval,the IgG antibody titer at the 28 d interval increased by 1.8 times(44 923 vs.80 507).After 3 doses of immunization at an interval of 28 d,the geometric mean titer of NAb for Delta variant was 2.5 times higher than that at an interval of 42 days(2 191 vs.891).After immunization with Delta RBD recombinant protein vaccine combined with aluminum adjuvant,the NAb geometric mean titer for Delta variants reached 32 255(2 167-88 084).When using 5 μg or 30 μg Delta RBD immunization,the NAb titers of the aluminum adju-vant+CpG adjuvant group were about 10 times higher than those of the aluminum adjuvant group alone.Af-ter the third immunization,there was no significant difference in Delta RBD specific IgG titers between the 5 μg antigen group and the 30 μg antigen group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Both wtRBD and Delta RBD prepared based on P.pastoris could be used as effective antigens,with three doses of vaccine administered at a 28 day in-terval being the most effective.The combined immunization of Delta RBD recombinant protein with aluminum adjuvant+CpG adjuvant could obtain higher titers of NAb to exert immune effects on SARS-CoV-2 and its va-riants,providing some reference for the continuous optimization research of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether whole-tumor histogram-based analysis of readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging (RESOLVE-DWI) ADC map can help in the discrimination of parotid gland tumors(pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin tumor, malignant parotid gland tumor). Methods The MR images(pre / post-contrast enhanced MRI, RESOLVE-DWI, ADC map) of 47 patients with a biopsy-or surgery-proven pleomorphic adenomas, 25 patients with Warthin tumors and 36 patients with malignant parotid gland tumors were retrospectively analyzed. Histogram-based analysis was performed with the software MaZda. ROIs were drawn on every section of the ADC map containing the tumor, then 12 Parameters(Area, MinNorm, MaxNorm, Mean,Variance, Skewness, Kurtosis, Perc.1％, Perc.10％, Perc.50％, Perc.90％, Perc.99％) derived from histogram were calculated. Statistical analysis among the three groups (One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test) were performed to find out the statistical significance of each histogram parameter. Then LSD test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for pairwise comparison between groups. And the differential efficiency of each parameter was determined using ROC analysis. Results Overall, 9 parameters (MinNorm, MaxNorm, Mean, Variance, Skewness, Perc. 10％, Perc. 50％, Perc. 90％, Perc. 99％) among three groups were shown to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Between the pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin tumors, these 9 parameters were of statistical significance. Perc.50％revealed the highest diagnostic efficiency, followed by Mean and Perc.10％. Between the pleomorphic adenomas and malignant parotid gland tumors, also all these 9 parameters were of statistical significance. Mean was revealed to have the highest diagnostic efficiency, followed by Perc. 10％ and Perc. 90％. However, between the Warthin tumors and malignant parotid gland tumors, only 5 parameters (MinNorm, Mean, Skewness, Perc. 10％, Perc. 50％) were statistically significant. MinNorm was revealed to have the highest diagnostic efficiency, followed by Perc. 50％ and Perc. 10％. Generally, Mean, Perc. 10％ and Perc. 50％ were more effective in the differential diagnosis of these three types common parotid neoplasms. Conclusion Whole-tumor histogram analysis of ADC maps are effective in differentiating common parotid neoplasms.

Objective To study the value of whole tumors volume based apparent diffusion coefficient histogram analysis in grading diagnosis of ependymoma. Methods Seventy?one patients with ependymal tumors were retrospectively analyzed, including 13 cases of WHOⅠ, 28 cases of WHOⅡ, 30 cases of WHO Ⅲ. Regions of interest (ROI) in the apparent diffusion coefficient maps of three groups on each layer of tumor level were drawn by using MaZda software and were analyzed using the whole tumors gray histogram. The histogram parameters of the three groups all fitted the normal distribution and homogeneity test of variance. The ANOVA analysis was used to compare the three groups. LSD-t test was used to compare the two groups to find out statistical significance of each parameter. Results Through histogram analysis of 9 parameters, three parameters were statistically significant (P<0.05), including variance, perc. 01％ and perc. 10％. The remaining 6 parameters had no significant difference between the three groups (P>0.05). Between the WHOⅠand the WHOⅡ, the sensitivity of perc.10％was 85.7％, the specificity was 87.7％, the area under the curve was 0.835, and the best cut-off value was 131.33. Between the WHOⅠand the WHOⅢ, the sensitivity of perc.10％was 85.7％, the specificity was 100.0％, the area under the curve was 0.872, and the cut-off was 126.5.Between the WHOⅡand the WHOⅢ, the sensitivity of variance was 68.4％, the specificity was 79.6％, the area under the curve was 0.794, and the cut-off was 2645.7. They had a high identification efficiency. Conclusion Whole-tumor histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient maps could provide ancillary diagnostic value in grading diagnosis of ependymoma. Perc.10％and variance had a high diagnostic efficiency.

Objective:To investigate the value of 18F-FDG total-body PET/CT dynamic imaging in evaluating the efficacy of early radiotherapy for MDA-MB-231 breast cancer bearing nude mice. Methods:MDA-MB-231 breast cancer bearing nude mice were established and divided into control group and radiotherapy group based on the random number table method ( n=10 for each group). 18F-FDG total-body PET/CT dynamic imaging was performed before and after the radiotherapy. The SUV max and the maximum tracer uptake net influx constant ( Kimax) of tumors, and the target-to-background ratio (TBR) were calculated. The change of tumor volume was recorded. The value of 18F-FDG total-body PET/CT dynamic imaging in evaluating the efficacy of radiotherapy was accessed using pathological findings as the reference. Paired t test, independent-sample t test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Results:After radiotherapy, SUV max and Kimax(4.66±0.46 and 0.14±0.03) were reduced in the radiotherapy group compared with those before radiotherapy (5.30±0.52 and 0.19±0.03; t values: 4.61, 8.31, P values: 0.001, <0.001), while the SUV max (5.94±0.74 vs 5.24±0.50) and Kimax (0.23±0.03 vs 0.19±0.02) were increased compared with baseline in the control group ( t values: 4.77, 6.87, P values: 0.001, <0.001). TBR Ki was significantly higher than TBR suv based on all images of the 2 groups (14.11±5.58 vs 5.91±1.60; t=8.92, P<0.001). The tumor volume in the radiotherapy group decreased compared with that before radiotherapy, but the difference was not statistically significant ((0.74±0.12) vs (0.81±0.08) cm 3; t=2.24, P=0.052). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that glucose transport protein (Glut)1 was highly expressed in tumors, and the Glut1 positive cell percentage of the radiotherapy group was significantly lower than that of the control group ((38.30±6.18)% vs (69.78±5.37)%; t=12.17, P<0.001). The expression of Glut1 was significantly positively correlated with SUV max and Kimax(the control group: rsuv=0.75, P=0.012; rKi=0.77, P=0.010; the radiotherapy group: rsuv=0.67, P=0.035; rKi=0.77, P=0.010). The apoptosis index (AI) of tumor cells in the radiotherapy group was higher than that in the control group ((24.15±4.00)% vs (10.15±3.05)%; t=8.85, P<0.001). Conclusion:18F-FDG total-body PET/CT dynamic imaging can sensitively monitor the effect of early radiotherapy in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer bearing nude mice.

Objective: To evaluate the role of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in the radiotherapy for elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Clinical data of 108 elderly patients (aged>65 years) with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent radical radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The PNI value of each patient was calculated, and the optimal cutoff value of PNI before treatment was determined by establishing the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve). All patients were divided into the low and high PNI value groups. The overall survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test, univariate and Cox’s multivariate prognosis analyses were performed. Results: The ROC curve demonstrated that the optimal cutoff value of PNI was 50.1(n=52 in high PNI group and n=56 in low PNI group). Age, gender and treatment did not significantly differ between two groups, whereas the TNM staging significantly differed (P=0.022). The effective rate of radiotherapy in the high PNI group was 96%, significantly higher than 73% in the low PNI group (P=0.001). In the high PNI group, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 94%, 69%, and 62%, significantly higher compared with 70%, 32% and 27% in the low PNI group (all P<0.001). Univariate analysis showed that PNI, T staging, N staging and TNM staging were significantly correlated the overall survival of patients (all P<0.01). Cox’s multivariate analysis revealed that N staging (RR=1.94, 95%CI=1.29-2.94, P=0.002) and PNI (RR=0.83, 95%CI=0.77-0.90, P<0.001) were independent risk factors affecting overall survival. Conclusions PNI before treatment has a good correlation with the prognosis and radiotherapy efficacy of patients, which can be used as a pivotal index to predict the clinical benefit of radiotherapy for elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.