Objective To identify the differentially expressed microRNAs in the early transformed cells,the late transformed cells and their parental BEP2D cells.Methods The differentially expressed microRNAs in the above cells were identified by microRNAs microarray assay.Results There were 38differentially expressed microRNAs in R15H20 cells versus BEP2D cells,with 18 upregulated and 20downregulated microRNAs.R15H20 and RHT35 cells shared 25 differentially expressed microRNAs compared with BEP2D cells,with 15 down-regulated and 10 up-regulated microRNAs.There were 87differentially expressed microRNAs in RHT35 cells versus BEP2D cells,with 47 upregulated and 40 downregulated microRNAs.There were 38 differentially expressed microRNAs in RHT35 cells versus R15H20 cells with 20 upregulated and 18 downregulated microRNAs.Conclusions microRNAs are differentially expressed in the different stages of carcinogenesis of BEP2D cells induced by α particles,which suggests that microRNAs may play an important role in α particle-induced malignant transformation of BEP2D cells.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features, genetic testing and treatment efficacy of 6 children with Dent disease.Methods:Six children diagnosed with Dent disease in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from January 2014 to March 2019 were enrolled.Their medical history, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, genetic test results, and proteinuria level, calciuria level and renal function after medication were measured.Results:All patients were male, with the onset age ranged from 1 to 9 years old.They were followed up for 6 months to 4 years.All the children had low molecular weight proteinuria.Urine protein electrophoresis showed that the ratio of low molecular weight proteinuria in only 2 cases was more than 50%.Renal biopsy suggested that all cases were combined with glomerular lesions.Five cases had hypercalciuria.Under the microscope, there were 5 cases of hematuria.Two case had rickets, and there was no renal calcium deposition and hypophosphatemia.Five cases were detected with CLCN5 mutations, of which p. C160Yfs*49 and p. G523D were first reported.One case had an OCRL1 mutation.Patients were treated with Hydrochlorothiazide and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). The 24 h urinary calcium level after treatment was lower than that before treatment [0.40 (0.24, 0.43) mmol/kg vs.0.12 (0.11, 0.14) mmol/kg, U=2.00, P<0.01]. However, there was no significant decrease in the 24 h-urinary protein level before and after treatment [77.09 (62.41, 88.01) mg/kg vs.80.33 (66.03, 92.52) mg/kg, U=12.00, P>0.05]. Conclusions:Dent disease is mainly characterized by low molecular weight proteinuria, and some patients may not be associated with hypercalciuria.Gene tests help to identify the disease type.ACEI and Hydrochlorothiazide can reduce the urinary calcium level, but cannot improve the level of urinary protein.

Objective To analyze the long-term prognosis and prognostic factors of idiopathic collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and not otherwise specified FSGS in children. Methods The clinical, pathology and follow-up data of patients with idiopathic collapsing FSGS and not otherwise specified FSGS were analyzed retrospectively by Kaplan-Meier method, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results A total of 64 patients (29 idiopathic collapsing FSGS and 35 not otherwise specified FSGS) were diagnosed by renal biopsy. The 4-year renal survival rate of idiopathic collapsing FSGS and not otherwise specified FSGS were 48.3%, 74.3% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that the renal survival time were 25.41±3.28 months in idiopathic collapsing patients, and 35.53±2.73 months in not otherwise specified patients. The different is significant (χ2=4.07,P=0.044). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that poor treatment response (HR=5.92, P<0.05) and renal insufficiency at early stage (HR=2.45, P<0.05) were independent risk factors of prognosis. Conclusions Compared with patients with not otherwise specified FSGS, the renal survival time is shorter in idiopathic collapsing FSGS patients. Patients with renal insufficiency and poor response to treatment have poorer prognosis.

Objective To compare the value of assessment with DWI and contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) in activity of sacroiliitis of patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods Ninety-six patients conforming to modified New York criteria were prospectively collectedas the AS group, and twenty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled into the control group. According to the Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reaction protein, AS patients were divided into the active AS group (n=60) and the chronic AS group (n=36) . All subjects were performed with conventional MRI, DWI and CE-MRI of bilateral sacroiliac joints. The MRI manifestations were reviewed and the ADC values and signal intensity enhancement rate (ΔSI) were measured.ANOVA was performed for the comparison ofΔSI and ADC values among active AS group, chronic AS group and control group with BASDAI and lab test results as the gold standards. ROC was analyzed with ΔSI and ADC values for activity of AS and paired
samples t test was obtained to comparethe areas under the ROC ofΔSI and ADC values.Results Among 96 cases of AS patients, MRI of sacroiliac jointsshowed that 62 cases had subchondral bone edema (57 cases of active group, 5 cases of chronic group), that 11 cases had bone surface erosion(4 cases of active group, 7 cases of chronic group), that 15 cases had bone sclerosis(6 cases of active group, 9 cases of chronic group) and that 58 cases had fat deposition on the sacroiliac joints (27 cases of active group, 31 cases of chronic group). The ΔSI values of the active group, the chronic group and control group were respectively (2.51 ± 1.69)%,(1.19 ± 0.67)%and(0.75 ± 0.21)%, and the ADCvalues were(1.33 ± 0.33)× 10-3,(1.00 ± 0.43)× 10-3 and(0.38±0.13)×10-3mm2/s. There were significant differences forΔSI and ADC values among three groups (F=18.375, 16.366. P<0.01), and statistical significance ofΔSI and ADC values were found between every two groups of three(P< 0.05).The area under the ROC between ΔSI and ADC to determine activity of AS patients were respectively 0.814 and 0.730, which had nostatistical significance(t=1.632, P=0.103). The sensitivity and specificity to determine activity of AS patients byΔSI=1.44%were 81.67%and 80.00%.The sensitivity and specificity to determine activity of AS patients by ADC=1.15 × 10-3/mm2 were 76.67% and 71.43%.Conclusion DWI and CE-MRI performed equally in detecting activity of AS patients.

The long-period CT perfusion imaging leads to an excess amount of radiation dose to the patient. However, the radiation dose could be significantly reduced if a previous normal-dose image is acquired before a set of low-dose scans of perfusion, and a filtering processing is performed on the differences between the current low-dose images and the previous normal-dose image, then the results are added to the previous image. But the selection of plenty of parameters makes the algorithm complicated. This paper proposes an innovative approach performed in sinogram domain instead of in image domain. First a normal-dose image and a set of low-dose projection data are acquired before the perfusion. Second the perfusion information is commendably reconstructed with sparsity constraints of the differences between current low-dose perfusion sinograms and previous low-dose sinogram. Finally, the reconstructed perfusion information is added to the previous normal-dose image. The proposed method was validated by simulated experiments with a set of brain CT perfusion images, which showed that the new method provided more accurate perfusion information; the time-attenuation curve was more close to that for normal-dose scan and the mean transit time more repeatable.
Algorithms ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Perfusion Imaging ; methods ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiation Injuries ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Subtraction Technique ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; adverse effects ; methods

Objective To explore the efficacy of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in the assessment of osteoporosis and the impact factors on the QSM values.Methods A total of 105 volunteers (35 males and 70 females) were recruited in this study.The height,weight,waistline and hipline were measured,and the body mass index was calculated.All the subjects underwent MRI-based QSM and quantitative computed tomography (QCT).The measurement of QSM and QCT values was performed on L3 vertebrae body.According to QCT value,the subjects were divided into three groups (normal,osteopenia and osteoporosis).According to age,the subjects were divided into group I (21-30 years old),group 2 (31-40 years old),group 3 (41-50 years old),group 4 (51-60 years old),and group 5 (＞60 years old).Differences among all groups were compared using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis.Results According to QCT value,54 subjects were normal,22 osteopenic and 29 osteoporotic.The QSM value for the subjects with osteoporosis [148.60(109.42,188.81)ppb] was significantly higher than that of normal (P＜0.001)and the osteopenia (P＜0.001).The QSM value for the subjects with osteopenia was significantly higher than the normal (P＜0.001).The coefficient of QSM and BMD was-0.749 (P＜0.001).Multiple linear regression showed age was the independent influence factor for QSM value (r=0.72,P＜0.001),whereas the gender,BMI,waistline and hipline showed no significant difference (P＞0.05).With the increasing of age,the QSM value showed a gradual increasing trend.And there were significant differences of QSM values among the different age groups (P＜0.001).The QSM value of 138.98 (100.37,183.84)ppb for group 5 (＞60 years old) was significantly higher than that of group 1,group 2,and group 3 (P＜0.001).There is no difference between group 5 and group 4 (P＞0.05).The QSM value of 96.62(28.62,143.99)ppb for group 4 (51-60 years old) was significantly higher than that of group 1 and group 2 (P＜0.001).And there was no difference between group 4 and group 3 (P＞0.05).The QSM value of group 1,group 2,and group 3 showed no significant difference (P＞0.05).Conclusions The QSM of bone is feasible in the assessment of osteoporosis and has the potential to be a biomarker providing new insights into osteoporosis.And age is the critical factor affecting QSM value.

Objective:To investigate the factors affecting the accuracy of electronic portal imaging device (EPID)-based in vivo dose verification in radiotherapy for patients with lung and esophageal cancers, and to recommend the workflow and specifications for the application of the in vivo dose verification. Methods:This study randomly selected 32 patients who received radiotherapy for esophageal and lung cancers at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital from May to August 2022, including 14 lung cancer cases and 18 esophageal cancer cases. Using a uRT-linac 506c linear accelerator, these patients were treated according to the dynamic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (dIMRT) and EPID-based In vivo dose verification ( In vivo EPID) plans developed with the uRT-TPOIS planning system. The In vivo dose verification performed during the treatment included 238 fractions of In vivo EPID and 80 fractions of image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) for the lung cancer cases, as well as 414 fractions of In vivo EPID and 105 fractions of IGRT for the esophageal cancer cases. The 2D γ passing rate for each irradiation field was obtained according to the set threshold value. Furthermore, fractioned irradiation fields with γ-passing rates below the threshold value were analyzed, and primary factors decreasing the γ-passing rate were further analyzed by combining the online CT images and 3D reconstruction-derived dose. Results:For lung and esophageal cancers, the mean γ-passing rates were 95.1% ± 5.7% and 96.5% ± 4.5%, respectively at 3 mm/5%; 91.5% ± 8.4% and 92.2% ± 4.9%, respectively at 3 mm/3%, and 79.1% ± 14.7% and 83.7% ± 8.2%, respectively at 2 mm/2%, indicating no statistically significant differences between two cancers ( P > 0.05). The average γ passing rate for beam orientations near 0°/180° (Group A) was higher than those near 90°/270° (Group B) 3 mm/5%: Z = -25.4, P < 0.05; 3 mm/3%: Z = -26.8, P < 0.05). The IGRT correction of setup errors significantly improved the γ passing rates (96.3% ± 5.1% and 96.4% ± 4.9%, respectively at 3 mm/5%, Z = -5.50, P < 0.05; 92.3% ± 8.0% and 91.3% ± 7.7%, respectively at 3 mm/3%, Z = -9.54, P < 0.05). The results of In vivo dose verification were affected by changes in the volumes and motion of tumors and normal tissues, radiotherapy positioning, and adequacy of pre-treatment preparation. Conclusions:EPID-based In vivo dose verification during radiotherapy can avoid incorrect irradiation. However, it is necessary to standardize the workflow of the EPID-based In vivo dose verification to avoid the decrease in the γ passing rate caused by artificial factors.

Objective:To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) on the cognitive function and alcohol craving in patients with alcohol dependence.Methods:From March 2019 to September 2021, a total of 150 patients with alcohol dependence were enrolled and randomly divided into rTMS treatment group (rTMS+ sham CBT, n=41), CBT treatment group (CBT+ sham rTMS, n=34), rTMS+ CBT treatment group( n=36) and control group (sham rTMS+ sham CBT, n=39). At baseline (before treatment), 2nd week, 8th week, 12th week and 24th week, alcohol dependence scale (ADS) was used to evaluate the degree of alcohol dependence, the obsessive compulsive drinking scale (OCDS) was used to assess patients' drinking craving, and Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) was used to assess the overall cognitive level of patients.SPSS 23.0 statistical software was used to compare the differences of ADS, OCDS and MoCA scale scores of the four groups by repeated measure ANOVA and simple effect analysis. Results:(1)The patients in the four groups were evaluated with ADS scale at baseline, 12th week and 24th week respectively.The interaction of group×time( F=1.279, P=0.279) and the main effect of group were not significant ( F=0.882, P=0.454), and the main effect of time was significant ( F=12.925, P<0.001) .Further simple effect analysis showed that the ADS score of rTMS+ CBT group was lower than that of baseline(14.48±5.70, 10.00±6.51) ( P=0.01) at 24th week.(2)Patients in the four groups were assessed with OCDs scale at baseline, 2nd week, 8th week, 12th week and 24th week, and the interaction of group×time was significant ( F=2.015, P=0.042). Further simple effect analysis showed that the OCDs scores of rTMS group and rTMS+ CBT group at each follow-up time node were lower than those at baseline period (all P<0.05). (3)Patients in the four groups were assessed with MoCA scale at baseline, 8th week, 12th week and 24th week, and the interaction of group×time was not significant ( F=1.660, P=0.106), and the main effect of group and the main effect of time were significant ( F=2.964, P=0.038; F=14.239, P<0.001). Further simple effect analysis showed that the score of MoCA scale in CBT group at the 24th week was higher than that at baseline (21.73±5.81, 24.60±3.98)( P=0.029), the score of MoCA scale in rTMS+ CBT group at the 24th week was higher than that at the 8th week (23.50±6.01, 25.95±2.87) ( P=0.006), and the score of MoCA scale in rTMS group at the 12th week was higher than that in control group (22.08±6.64, 26.64±2.46)( P=0.009). Conclusion:rTMS combined with CBT can be effective in improving alcohol craving and cognitive function in patients with alcohol dependence, and has a good long-term effect.

Objective: To investigate the clinical, imaging and molecular characteristics of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) in children and to sum up existing evidence for further understanding the phenotype-genotype correlation of infantile PH1. Methods: This retrospective analysis was based on the medical records of children with PH1 diagnosed by gene test in the Department of Nephrology, Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from June 2016 to May 2019. Targeted exome sequencing was performed on tubular disease-related genes of the probands and Sanger sequencing was conducted to validate suspected pathogenic variants of family members. Logistic regression analysis of NC and CCr was adopted to show the relation between NC and renal function. The literature review was conducted, and the clinical, imaging and molecular biogenetic characteristics of the disease were analyzed and summarized. Results: A total of 7 children from 6 families were enrolled. The median age of onset was 5 months. The median age of diagnosis was 8 months. Five cases had progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), one case had chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1, and the other one had CKD stage 2. Four cases died, one case maintained on hemodialysis, and the other two non-dialysis cases were followed up. Among the 7 cases, 4 patients had infantile PH1, 1 patient had child and adolescent type, 1 patient had family type and the other one had unknown classification. There were two siblings (the younger brother had uremia and the sister had normal renal function) who had the delayed diagnosis for 5 and 3 years respectively. All patients in this cohort had proteinuria and microscopic hematuria, but no patients had gross hematuria. Three cases had hypercalciuria. Comprehensive diagnostic imaging evaluation include CT scan, MR scan, radiography and ultrasound led to the diagnosis of nephrocalcinosis (NC) in 5 cases, including 4 cases of simple NL and 1 case of NC with nephrolithiasis (NL), 1 case of multiple NL and 1 case of microcrystal deposition in renal medulla. However, only one case of NC was identified by ultrasound, the other 4 cases of NC were identified by radiograph examination. In the logistic regression analysis involving NC and creatinine clearnce rate (CCr), the results showed that NC was an independent risk factor for renal dysfunction (OR 2.5, 95%CI 0.7-1.2, P<0.05). All the 7 cases had AGXT gene variant, including homozygous variant in 4 cases and compound heterozygous variant in 3 cases. A total of 9 variant genotypes were found, and exon 6 variants were found in 4 children. Among them, there were 3 cases with c.679_680delAA. To our knowledge, both c.679_680delAA and c.190A>T in the cohort have not been reported previously. Conclusions Infantile PH1 is the most common type of PH1 in children, which progresses rapidly or even begins with renal failure, with poor prognosis. It is also highly heterogeneous in phenotype and genotype. NC is an independent risk factor leading to renal failure. Radiograph examination showed high specificity for the diagnosis of NC. At present, the misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis of PH1 are still common in China. It is of great significance to carry out quantitative determination of uric oxalate in order to reduce the misdiagnosis rate and enhance follow-up technologies for evaluating the therapeutic effect.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in renal oxygenation in rats with acute aristolochic acid nephropathy using blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7.0T. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into AAN group (=18) and control group (=6) for intraperitoneal injections of AAI at 40 mg/kg and PEG400, respectively, on a daily basis for 6 consecutive days. All the control rats and 6 rats from AAN group underwent BOLD MRI scan before and at 2, 4, and 6 days after the initial injection for measuring renal cortical and medullary R2 values. At each of the 4 time points, 3 rats in AAN group were sacrificed for histological evaluation; the control rats were examined at 6 days after the initial injection. RESULTS: The cortical and medullary R2 values of the rats in AAN group on days 4 and 6 were significantly higher than those in the control group ( < 0.05). In AAN group, the cortical R2 values showed no obvious changes on day 2 as compared with the baseline values, but increased significantly on day 4 ( < 0.05) and day 6 ( < 0.01); the medullary R2 values increased progressively and were significantly higher than the baseline values on day 4 ( < 0.01) and day 6 ( < 0.01). In the control group, no significant changes were detected in either cortical or medullary R2 values throughout the experiment. CONCLUSIONS BOLD MRI allows non-invasive measurement of renal oxygenation levels in rats with AAN. The increase of renal cortical and medullary R2 values, and particularly the latter, indicates a lowered renal oxygenation level, which provides potentially useful information for clinical decisions.
Animals ; Aristolochic Acids ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Oxygen ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar