Objective To investigate the action mechanism of glutamate-mediated signaling pathway in malignant melanoma. Methods WM451LU melanoma cells in log phase were classified into 6 groups, negative control group treated with PBS (100 μl), MK801 group treated with the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 (100 μmol/L), CPCCOEt group treated with non-competitive metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) antagonist CPCCOEt, MAP2 group transfected with adenovirus vector containing microtubule associated protein 2a (Ad-MAP2a), MK801 + MAP2 group treated with MK801 of 100 μmol/L and transfected with Ad-MAP2a, CPCCOEt + MAP2 group treated with CPCCOEt of 10 μmol/L and transfected with Ad-MAP2a. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of an ionotropic glutamate receptor, i.e., N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor type 2A (NMDAR2A) in WM451LU cells transfected with Ad-MAP2a. Scratch motility assay and cell invasion assay were conducted in vitro to detect the changes in migration and invasion ability of WM451LU cells after treated with Ad-MAP2a, MK-801, CPCCOEt alone or in combination. In vivo study was carried out to compare the inhibitory effect of the above treatments on melanoma. Results Western blot revealed a decrease in the expression of NMDAR2A in WM451LU cells after transfected with Ad-MAP2a. The scratch motility assay showed that the number of migrating cells per high power field was 117.04 ± 2.76 in MAP2 group,107.64 ± 6.50 in MK801 group,97.36 ± 4.79 in CPCCOEt group, 43.28 ± 3.02 in MK801 + MAP2 group,30.76 ± 3.97 in CPCCOEt + MAP2 group,significantly different from that in the negative control group (152.3 ± 5.75,all P ＜ 0.01 ). Cell invasion assay demonstrated that the average number of invading cells per high power field in the negative control was significantly higher than that in MAP2 group, MK801 group, CPCCOEt group, MK801+MAP2 group and CPCCOEt + MAP2 group (170.43 ±8.72 vs. 98.26 ± 3.84, 97.22 ± 5.54, 112.23 ± 7.21, 42.89 ± 5.06, 58.25 ± 6.68, P ＜ 0.05, 0.05, 0.05, 0.01and 0.01, respectively).A significant decrease was observed in the average volume of experimental melanoma in mice of MAP2 group, MK801 group, MK801 + MAP2 group, CPCCOEt group and CPCCOEt + MAP2 group compared with the negative control group (224.02 ± 46.19 mm3, 160.33 ± 33.91 mm3, 91.49 ± 21.48 mm3,202.30 ± 52.37 mm3, 111.13 ± 69.81 mm3 vs. 342.70 ± 60.92 mm3, all P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions To block the glutamate signaling pathway in vitro can inhibit the invasion and migration of melanoma cells, and to block the pathway in vivo can inhibit the growth of malignant melanoma and alter the morphology of melanoma cells.

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) with macrohematuria (MH).Method 1512 consecutive patients with biopsyproven IgAN diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2011 were enrolled,and divided into MH group and control group respectively,according to whether there existed episodes of MH before renal biopsy.The clinical and pathological characteristics were compared between two groups.Patients in MH group were then divided into three groups according to the interval from the last episode of MH to renal biopsy to clarify the concomitant clinicopathological changes associated with occurrence of MH.Results The rate of MH in history was 22.1％.MH group patients had significantly lower serum creatinine,slighter proteinuria,lower prevalence of hypertension and heavier microhematuria than control group (all P ＜ 0.001).The prebiopsy durations were similar in two groups (P=0.627).In MH group,chronic pathological indicators,including global/segmental sclerosis,tubule atrophy/interstitial fibrosis were all slighter (all P＜ 0.001),whereas activity indicators,including necrosis lesions,crescents and mesangial proliferation were all more severe compared with control group (all P ＜ 0.05).Those who underwent renal biopsy within 30 days of the last episode of MH had more severe proteinuria and microhematuria,higher prevalence of necrosis lesions,more severe crescents formation,and endothelial proliferation (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions IgAN patients with MH in history have relatively milder clinical and chronic pathological manifestations,however more active pathological changes especially in those who suffer episode of MH recently.

Objective To understand the status of knowledge awareness rates and influencing factors of clonorchiasis among the residents in 4 counties(cities)of Hunan Province,so as to provide the references for formulating the prevention and control strategy of clonorchiasis in the province. Methods A total of 1224 subjects were selected by the multi-stage cluster sampling method and investigated with questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Results The clonorchiasis knowledge awareness rates of the residents were 15.67% in Yongzhou City,9.94% in Yueyang City,13.25% in Wangcheng County,and 21.96% in Tongd-ao County,respectively. In the whole province,the clonorchiasis knowledge awareness rates of the residents were 44.67%, 56.43%,60.95%,and 42.46% in the etiology,clinical manifestations,epidemiological characteristics and daily prevention,re-spectively. The logistic regression showed that the influencing factors of clonorchiasis knowledge awareness rates were the daily dining place,whether or not having the medical personnel in the family,the degree of attention to the relevant news reports, and the history of parasitic diseases. Conclusions The level of clonorchiasis than that in other areas,but the overall level of clonorchiasis knowledge awareness of the residents in Hunan Province is not high. Therefore,the relevant authority should strengthen the health education in clonorchiasis prevention knowledge including personal daily food hygienic knowledge. knowl-edge awareness rate of the residents in the west-southern areas of Hunan Province is higher

An algebraic image reconstruction from few views using bilateral-filtering iterative method was proposed due to the problem of computed tomography insufficient data in the present study. In each iteration reconstruction, we first used algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) algorithm to reconstruct an image, ensuring the non-negativity of the reconstructed image at the same time, and then performed bilateral-filtering to the above-mentioned image. In order to improve reconstructed image quality and accelerate the convergence speed, we developed a modified bilateral-filtering method. Shepp-Logan simulation experiments and real CT projection data reconstructions showed the feasibility of the algorithm. The results showed that, compared with the traditional methods of filtered back projection (FBP), ART and GF-ART,the proposed method has a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and maintains more effectively the image edge information.
Algorithms ; Artifacts ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVEWe propose a new iterative reconstruction method based on split-Bregman method with tight frame regularization for effective and accurate reconstruction of the sparse-view cone beam CT image.

METHODSA tight frame was chosen as the regularization term for the objective function, so that the image reconstruction involves only the minimization of an objective function according to the compressed sensing theory. We utilized the split-Bregman method to tackle the task of minimization in three steps: (1) a fast calculation of the forward projection matrix; (2) introducing an intermediate variable to transform the non-differentiated L1 regularization term into the differentiated L2 regularization problem, and solving the target function using conjugate-gradient method; (3) updating the intermediate variable using shrinkage formula from Bregman method.

RESULTSDigital and physical phantom experimental results suggested that our new approach had great advantages in terms of image quality, reconstruction time, and applicability.

CONCLUSIONThe proposed method can accurately reconstruct CBCT image with limited data to lower the X-ray dose and accelerate the calculation speed in comparison with the POCS method.

OBJECTIVETo propose a new method for effectively and rapidly removing the ring artifacts in CT images based on image post-processing.

METHODSThe CT image with ring artifacts in the Cartesian coordinate was first transformed into an image with line artifacts in the polar coordinate. The image in the polar coordinate was then filtered by designing a one-dimensional filter to calculate the mean and variance of each pixel after filtering, which were compared with the variance threshold value and the pixel threshold value to determine the position of the artifacts for corrections accordingly. Finally, the polar coordinate image was converted into Cartesian coordinate image.

RESULTSSimulated and actual CT data experimental results demonstrated the efficiency of this method for removing artifacts, retaining the image fidelity and reducing the processing time.

CONCLUSIONThe new method can accurately recognize the position of the artifacts and effectively remove them to facilitate the clinical diagnosis.

Because the brain and kidneys share a common basis for small vessel lesions, the related research on cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is gradually increasing. The development of neuroimaging technology has significantly increased the detection rate of CMBs, but there is still controversy over whether CKD will increase the incidence of CMBs. This article reviews the relationship between CKD and CMBs, pathogenesis, biomarkers, and treatment.

Objective:To determine the expression of glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and to evaluate its effect on the cSCC cell line A431.Methods:From June 2016 to December 2020, 22 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens were collected from patients with pathologically confirmed cSCC in the Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, and 20 discarded normal skin tissues after dermatological surgeries served as controls. Immunohistochemical assay was performed to determine the GLUT3 expression in cSCC tissues and normal skin tissues. Cultured A431 cells were divided into two groups: GLUT3 overexpression group transfected with a lentiviral vector carrying the SLC2A3 gene, and negative control group transfected with an empty lentiviral vector. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to determine the mRNA and protein expression of GLUT3 in A431 cells in different groups, the cell proliferation assay (MTS assay) was performed to estimate the cell proliferative activity, and the live-cell analysis system Incucyte S3 was used for real-time evaluation of the migratory and invasive abilities of A431 cells in different groups. The relative glucose consumption and lactic acid production in A431 cells at 48 hours were measured by using glucose and lactic acid assay kits, retrospectively. Two independent samples t-test was used for comparisons between two groups, and one-way analysis of variance was used for comparisons among multiple groups. Results:The GLUT3 expression was significantly higher in the cSCC tissues than in the normal skin tissues (immunohistochemical assay score: 9.39 ± 2.56 points vs. 2.30 ± 2.60 points; t = 8.91, P < 0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the mRNA and protein expression of GLUT3 markedly increased in the GLUT3 overexpression group. MTS assay showed significantly increased proliferative activity of A431 cells in the GLUT3 overexpression group compared with the negative control group after 24- and 96-hour treatment ( t = 2.49, 3.54, P = 0.048, 0.012, respectively); cell fusion rates in the scratched area were significantly higher in the GLUT3 overexpression group than in the negative control group in the cell migration assay at 6, 12 18, and 24 hours and cell invasion assay at 12, 18, and 24 hours (all P < 0.05). At 48 hours, the relative glucose consumption and lactic acid production in A431 cells were significantly higher in the GLUT3 overexpression group than in the negative control group ( t = 2.98, 2.20, P = 0.011, 0.038, respectively) . Conclusion:GLUT3 was highly expressed in the cSCC tissues, and may participate in the occurrence and development of cSCC by providing energy to cSCC cells via promoting glucose uptake in cells to enhance their proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities.

Objective:To investigate and compare the effects of water extracts of Whitmania pigra Whitman and Hirudinaria ma-nillensis Lesson on the angiogenesis of Tg (kdrl:mCherry) zebrafish. Methods:The zebrafish embryos 6-8 hours after fertilization (6-8hpf) were transferred to the culture medium containing Whitmania pigra Whitman or Hirudinaria manillensis Lesson extract at different concentrations, and the culture medium containing the drugs was replaced every 24 h. And then, at 72 hpf, the larvalmorphology and intersegmental vessels were observed under a microscope. The hatchability of 48-and 72-hpf embryos, and the number of intersegmen-tal vessels and the heart rate of 72-hpf juveniles were measured. Results:Compared with the control group, when the concentration of Whitmania pigra Whitmanis was higher than 30μg· ml-1 , and the concentration of Hirudinaria manillensis Lesson was higher than 20μg· ml-1, the number of intersegmental vessels was significantly reduced (P<0. 01). Compared with the control group, at 48 hpf, when the concentration of the drug groups was higher than 40 μg· ml-1 , the hatchability of the two groups significantly decreased ( P<0. 01);at 72 hpf, the hatchability of Whitmania pigra Whitman decreased significantly at the concentration of 100 μg·ml-1 (P<0.01), while the hatchability of Hirudinaria manillensis Lesson decreased significantly at the concentration of 80 μg· ml-1(P <0. 01). There was no obvious yolk sac edema, pericardial edema and spine curvature in the two groups. The heart rate decreased sig-nificantly (P<0. 01), while was still within the normal range. Conclusion:Both Whitmania pigra Whitman and Hirudinaria manillen-sis Lesson have notable anti-angiogenic activity, and the anti-angiogenesis activity of Hirudinaria manillensis Lesson is stronger. They both have effects on the development of zebrafish embryos, while the toxicity is not obvious.

Objective:To investigate clinical significance of the detection of bone mineral density(BMD)and serum levels of vitamin D in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods:Sixty elderly patients with PD(the PD group)admitted in our hospital from June 2016 to December 2018 were enrolled in this retrospective study.And 60 healthy persons confirmed by annual health check-up matched for age and sex during the same period were included as the control group.PD patients were divided into the osteoporosis group(n=23)and the non-osteoporosis group(n=37). The clinical data, bone mineral density and serum vitamin D level were compared between the two groups.Multivariate Logistic regression method was used to analyze related factors for osteoporosis in PD patients.Results:The incidences of osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency were higher in PD group than in control group[23 cases(38.3%) vs.13 cases(21.7%)、35 cases(58.3%) vs.21 cases(35.0%), all P<0.05]. Bone mineral density and serum 25-(OH)D level were lower in PD group than in control group[(0.77±0.08)g/m 2vs.(0.83±0.09)g/m 2, (25.65±8.65)nmol/L vs.(39.80±10.74)nmol/L, t=4.381 and 8.439, P<0.05]. The age, course of disease and H-Y grade were higher and serum level of 25-(OH)D was lower in the osteoporosis group than in the control group( P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that BMD and 25-(OH)D were negatively correlated with age, course of disease and H-Y stage, respectively, and BMD was positively correlated with 25-(OH)D( r=0.396, P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that vitamin D deficiency was an independent risk factor for osteoporosis in elderly PD patients( OR=2.332, 95% CI: 1.772-8.224, P<0.01). Conclusions:The incidence of osteoporosis is high in elderly PD patients, and vitamin D deficiency is often present.Vitamin D deficiency may be an independent risk factor for osteoporosis.