Objective To explore the magnetic resonance(MR)imaging characteristics of joint damage caused by Chikungunya virus(CHIKV)and its correlation with pain severity,and analyze the value of T2-Mapping in asse-ssing the severity and prognosis of such damage.Methods A multicenter retrospective study design was adopted,and patients with CHIKV infection accompanied by joint pain were included in analysis.Multi-joint MR scans were performed to assess joint effusion,synovial thickening,bone marrow edema,and cartilage damage.T2-Mapping values were measured.Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS),and imaging findings were independently assessed by two radiologists.Results A total of 131 patients were included in the study.The inci-dence of joint cavity and/or synovial sac effusion was the highest(77.1％,n=101),with knee and ankle joint effu-sion accounting for 81.2％(severe,mild-moderate were 17 and 65 cases,respectively),other joint effusion were mild.78 cases had synovial thickening(14 and 64 were severe and mild-moderate cases,respectively),27 cases had tenosynovitis,21 cases had bone marrow edema(primarily in the knee and ankle joints).19 cases had cartilage damage,114 cases presented muscle soft tissue edema(17 and 97 were severe and mild-moderate cases,respective-ly),28 cases had Kager's fat pad edema.Patients with elevated T2-Mapping values exhibited more pronounced chronic joint pain,with T2-Mapping values in the cartilage damage site increasing by 40％-60％compared with normal cartilage site(19 cases in total).The T2-Mapping value for severely damaged soft tissue was(52.3+6.7)ms,while for mildly to moderately damaged soft tissue was(42.3±5.2)ms,both significantly higher than normal refe-rence values(＜35 ms,both P＜0.05).Among 17 patients with severe soft tissue damage,12 experienced persistent pain for over one month,with statistically significant differences in T2 values compared with those with mild-mode-rate damage(P＜0.05).This further suggested that the degree of elevation in T2-Mapping values was closely related to the duration of pain and the severity of damage.After one-month follow-up,103 patients had pain relief.Among the 28 patients with ongoing pain,17 developed into subacute bone joint pain.Bone marrow edema(81.0％),ele-vation of T2-Mapping value of cartilage(89.5％),and severe synovial thickening(71.4％)were high-risk MR manifestations of subacute bone joint pain.The incidences of subacute joint cavity/sac effusion and subacute tenosy-novitis were 3.0％and 7.4％,respectively.Conclusion MR can clearly display the inflammatory and structural changes in CHIKV joint damage,and T2-Mapping values may serve as a potential imaging measurement parameter for assessing severity and prognosis of damage.

Objective To explore the magnetic resonance(MR)imaging characteristics of joint damage caused by Chikungunya virus(CHIKV)and its correlation with pain severity,and analyze the value of T2-Mapping in asse-ssing the severity and prognosis of such damage.Methods A multicenter retrospective study design was adopted,and patients with CHIKV infection accompanied by joint pain were included in analysis.Multi-joint MR scans were performed to assess joint effusion,synovial thickening,bone marrow edema,and cartilage damage.T2-Mapping values were measured.Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS),and imaging findings were independently assessed by two radiologists.Results A total of 131 patients were included in the study.The inci-dence of joint cavity and/or synovial sac effusion was the highest(77.1％,n=101),with knee and ankle joint effu-sion accounting for 81.2％(severe,mild-moderate were 17 and 65 cases,respectively),other joint effusion were mild.78 cases had synovial thickening(14 and 64 were severe and mild-moderate cases,respectively),27 cases had tenosynovitis,21 cases had bone marrow edema(primarily in the knee and ankle joints).19 cases had cartilage damage,114 cases presented muscle soft tissue edema(17 and 97 were severe and mild-moderate cases,respective-ly),28 cases had Kager's fat pad edema.Patients with elevated T2-Mapping values exhibited more pronounced chronic joint pain,with T2-Mapping values in the cartilage damage site increasing by 40％-60％compared with normal cartilage site(19 cases in total).The T2-Mapping value for severely damaged soft tissue was(52.3+6.7)ms,while for mildly to moderately damaged soft tissue was(42.3±5.2)ms,both significantly higher than normal refe-rence values(＜35 ms,both P＜0.05).Among 17 patients with severe soft tissue damage,12 experienced persistent pain for over one month,with statistically significant differences in T2 values compared with those with mild-mode-rate damage(P＜0.05).This further suggested that the degree of elevation in T2-Mapping values was closely related to the duration of pain and the severity of damage.After one-month follow-up,103 patients had pain relief.Among the 28 patients with ongoing pain,17 developed into subacute bone joint pain.Bone marrow edema(81.0％),ele-vation of T2-Mapping value of cartilage(89.5％),and severe synovial thickening(71.4％)were high-risk MR manifestations of subacute bone joint pain.The incidences of subacute joint cavity/sac effusion and subacute tenosy-novitis were 3.0％and 7.4％,respectively.Conclusion MR can clearly display the inflammatory and structural changes in CHIKV joint damage,and T2-Mapping values may serve as a potential imaging measurement parameter for assessing severity and prognosis of damage.

Objective: Analysis of the effect of triggering receptor-1 expressed on myeloid cells (TREM-1) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the mechanism. Methods: The oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells were divided into model group, overexpression group, interference group A, interference group B and negative control group. The mouse model of NAFLD was generated and randomly divided into (nuclear factor-κB) NF-κB inhibition group, protein kinase B (AKT) inhibition group, knockout group A, knockout group B and control group. The expression of inflammatory factors and TREM-1 in liver tissue was detected by PCR, and fat accumulation was detected by oil red O staining. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of TREM-1 and signaling pathway proteins, and HE staining was used to detect liver tissue changes. Results: TREM-1 was up-regulated in liver tissue of NAFLD mice [(0.936±0.127) vs. (0.432±0.105)] and in oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells. In oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells, overexpression of TREM-1 increased inflammatory factor expression and increased lipid droplets; inhibition of TREM-1 expression decreased inflammatory factor expression, and lipid droplets decreased. Knockout of TREM-1 and inhibition of NF-κB in NAFLD mice reduced hepatocyte inflammatory factor expression and reduced liver damage; knockout of TREM-1 and inhibition of AKT reduced liver tissue lipids and drops accumulate. Conclusions The overexpression of TREM-1 in NAFLD mice liver tissue can regulate inflammatory factor expression and lipid droplets through NF-κB and AKT signal pathway. TREM-1 might be a potential therapeutic target of NAFLD.

Objective: To study the effect of WT1 expression on the prognosis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in acute leukemia (AL) and its significance as molecular marker to dynamically monitor minimal residual disease (MRD) . Methods: Retrospectively analyzed those AL patients who underwent allo-HSCT in the First Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine during Jan 2016 to Dec 2017, a total number of 314 cases, 163 males and 151 females, median age was 30 (9-64) years old. Comparing the difference of WT1 expression at diagnosed, pre-HSCT and after HSCT. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to determine the WT1 threshold at different time so as to predict relapse. The threshold of WT1 expression before transplantation was 1.010%, within 3 months after HSCT was 0.079% and 6 months after HSCT was 0.375%. According to these thresholds, WT1 positive patients were divided into low expression groups and high expression groups. Analyzed the relationship between overall survival (OS) , disease-free survival (DFS) , cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and WT1 expression. Results: The OS and DFS of high expression group pre-HSCT were lower than low expression group [69.2% (9/13) vs 89.1% (57/64) , χ²=4.086, P=0.043; 53.8% (7/13) vs 87.5% (56/64) , χ²=9.766, P=0.002], CIR was higher than low expression group [30.8% (4/13) vs 7.8% (5/64) , P=0.017]. There was no significant difference of OS and DFS between high expression and low expression group of 3 months after HSCT (P=0.558, P=0.269) . The OS and DFS of high expression group of 6 months after transplantation were both lower than low expression group (P=0.049, P=0.035) . Multivariate analysis showed that WT1>0.375% when 6 months after transplantation was the only independent prognostic factor for shorter DFS (P=0.022) . There was no statistically significant difference in CIR between the high-expression group and the low-expression group 3 months after transplantation and 6 months after transplantation (P=0.114, P=0.306) . Conclusion High expression of WT1 before and after HSCT was an adverse prognosis factor. It is of clinical practical value to use WT1 as a transplant recommendation index for patients with acute leukemia and as a marker to monitor MRD dynamically.

Purpose The mean pulmonary artery (MPAP) has been widely used as an important parameter to diagnose and evaluate pulmonary hypertension (PH).The purpose of this paper is to compare the efficacy of two methods in evaluating PH,including estimating pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) using Doppler ultrasonography to measure tricuspid regurgitation (TR) velocity,and directly using the peak velocity of TR.Materiasl and Methods From January 2012 to June 2013,eighty patients with left-to-right shunt congenital heart diseases (CHD) planned for closure procedure in Tangdu Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University and the General Hospital of Shenyang Military region were included in this prospective study,who underwent right heart catheterization to measure pulmonary artery pressure,and underwent Doppler ultrasonography to measure the peak velocity ofTR.Results Using catheter-measured MPAP of≥ 25 mmHg as diagnostic reference,the false positive rate was 62.96％,and the false negative rate 0％ when the estimated PASP of ＞30 mmHg determined by TR method was used to diagnose PH.There was high diagnostic agreement when peak velocity of TR was used to diagnose PH.When 320 cm/s and 340 crn/s were used as diagnostic cutoff values,false positive rates were 14.81％ and 7.41％,and false negative rates were 15.91％ and 20.45％,respectively.Conclusion In patients with left-to-right shunt CHD,peak velocity of TR measured on echocardiography can be used to diagnose PH which overcomes the high false positive rate in estimation method.It is more suitable to diagnose PH when the MPAP is used as the diagnostic criterion.

Objective To evaluate the application value of F wave by comparison with quantitative sensory testing(QST)and nerve conduction studies(NCS)in diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods Three hundred and fourteen diabetic patients with symptom of DPN were retrospectively analyzed, who were recruited and divided into four groups according the course of diabetes mellitus: ≤ 3 years group, 4-6 years group, 7-9 years group and >9 years group. The abnormal rates of QST, NCS and F wave were analyzed and compared. Results At earlier course of disease (≤ 3 years group, 4- 6 years group), the abnormal rate of QST [76.54%(62/81), 91.67% (88/96)]>F wave[(48.15%(39/81),64.58%(62/96)]>NCS[(32.10%(26/81),47.92%(46/96)], and there were significant differences(P<0.01).The abnormal rate of QST, F wave and NCS at 7-9 years group and>9 years group had no significant differences(P>0.05).The abnormal rate of QST in 4-6 years group[(91.67%(88/96)]was higher than that in≤3 years group[(76.54%(62/81)],and decreased in 7-9 years group and >9 years group. The abnormal rate of NCS was increased with course of disease, and the range was obviously between close together group. The abnormal rate of F wave was increased with course of disease,but in 4-6 years group the range was obvious and the range was slow down.At earlier course of disease (≤3 years group, 4-6 years group), the abnormal rate of only F wave significantly increased the abnormal rate of NCS + F wave from 30.86%(25/81), 44.79% (43/96)to 46.91%(38/81), 61.46%(59/96)respectively, but in 7-9 years group and>9 years group, the abnormal rate of only F wave increased the abnormal rate of NCS + F wave from 69.44%(50/72), 84.61%(55/65)to 72.22% (52/72),86.15%(56/65).Conclusions Although the abnormal rate of F wave is not as high as QST, it is still remarkable. Detection of F wave shows positive correlations with the course of disease, which can reflect the course of disease objectively and reliably.The added F wave detection can distinctly raise the abnormal rates on the base of NCS.

Objective To analyze the changes of superior vena cava SVC spectra in patients with pulmonary hypertension PH and screen the proper parameters of SVC to predict PH Methods Eighty patients with congenital heart disease who underwent right heart catheterization for the measurement of pulmonary artery pressure were included SVC Doppler ultrasound was performed before the catheterization The cut-off point of SVC parameters in the prediction of PH was analyzed using receiver operator characteristic curve ROC curve Results Eighty subjects were included and there were 61 patients in PH group and 10 patients in the control group whose spectra pattern had four waves The data of the 9 subjects whose SVC spectrum were not four waves were excluded from the analysis Diagnostic criteria for PH was pulmonary artery systolic pressure PASP more than 30 mmHg measured by right heart catheterization The analysis of the peak velocity of SVC waves showed that ventricular systolic wave S reduced ventricular reversal wave VR reduced and the ratio of atrial reversal wave and ventricular systolic wave AR S increased in the PH group Compared with the control group their differences were statistically significant t =2 244 2 063 -2 896 P =0 028 0 043 0 005 The ROC curve showed that the ratio of AR S had better diagnostic effect than other parameters On the ROC curve of AR S when the ratio of AR S was 0 45 the sensitivity was 73 77% and specificity was 80 00% respectively for predicting PH When AR S was used to distinguish the control group from patients with moderate and severe PH group the sensitivity was 82 86% and specificity was 80 00% respectively Conclusions Using the ratio of AR S 0 45 as a cut-off for prediction of PH shows a good sensitivity and specificity which might be an alternative method for assessing PH
alternative method for assessing PH.

Objective To determine the prevalence of microembolic signals (MES) by using transcranial Doppler (TCD) and to assess their association with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) and clinical presentations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods Forty-four patients with SLE underwent TCD for 30 min were included for MES detection and their clinical information were recorded.In addition to the frequency of patients with MES,patients with MES were followed-up for sixmonth.Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test were applied to investigate the clinical characteristics.Results There were 4 patients with history of NPSLE and the occurrence times were from 8 to 120 month before our study.There were 4 patients had the abnormal neuropsychiatric symptom during our study period.MES were detected in 5/44 patients (11％) with mean 17.6 per 30 min.MES were more prone to be detected in patients with higher systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score [16(12.5,19) vs 8(5,10),U=14.5,P=0.001],shorter course of disease [1(0.1,48.5) vs 26(13,55),U=38,P=0.028] and neuropsychiatric symptoms [3 vs 1,P=0.003].Conclusion MES may be detected in SLE patients.MES is associated with higher disease activity,shorter course of disease and NPSLE.TCD microemboli detection may be a noninvasive method to evaluate NPSLE patients.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of minimally invasive retractor reduction and fixation through sinus tarsi approach together with external application of Chinese medicine for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Methods From October of 2009 to June of 2013, 52 patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (Sanders type Ⅱ, Ⅲ) were enrolled into the study. The patients received minimally invasive retractor reduction through sinus tarsi approach and fixation with small plate and cannulated screws, and after the operation were given external washing with Chinese herbal formula Shenxing Fang ( mainly composed of Herba Lycopodii, Herba Speranskiae Tuberculatae, Rhizoma Sparganii, Rhizoma Curcumae, Herba Asari, Radix Aconiti Preparata, Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii Preparat). Follow-up was carried out for the evaluation of the therapeutic effect of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures ( Sanders type Ⅱ, Ⅲ). Results Forty cases (involving 44 feet) received the postoperative follow-up for 12-18 months (average being 14.2 months). The Maryland foot scores were 95 points for type Ⅱ displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures, and 86 points for type Ⅲ fractures. Satisfactory results were achieved in the height, width and length of the calcaneus as well as the B?hler's and Gissane angle ( P<0.01). Conclusion Minimally invasive retracter reduction and fixation through sinus tarsi approach together with external application of Chinese medicine exert satisfying effect for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

PURPOSE: Synuclein-gamma (SNCG), which was initially identified as breast cancer specific gene 1, is highly expressed in advanced breast cancers, but not in normal or benign breast tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SNCG siRNA-treatment on breast cancer cells and elucidate the associated mechanisms. METHODS: Vectors containing SNCG and negative control (NC) siRNAs were transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells; mRNA levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay, cell migration was assessed by the Transwell assay, apoptosis and cell cycle analyses were conducted with the flow cytometer, and Western blot analysis was performed to determine the relative levels of AKT, ERK, p-AKT, and p-ERK expression. RESULTS: SNCG mRNA levels were significantly reduced in MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with SNCG siRNA. Our results indicate that in SNCG siRNA-treated cells, cell migration and proliferation decreased significantly, apoptosis was induced, and the cell cycle was arrested. Western blot analysis indicated that the protein levels of p-AKT and p-ERK were much lower in the SNCG siRNA-treated groups, than in the control and NC groups. CONCLUSION: SNCG siRNA could decrease the migration and proliferation of breast cancer cells by downregulating the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Migration Assays ; Cell Movement* ; Cell Proliferation ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; Phosphorylation* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Synucleins*