Coronary artery calcifications (CAC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It has been revealed that this condition can be automatically quantified through computerize tomographic (CT) scan contained in radiotherapy plan for patients with breast cancer, with which, physicians can identify the patients with increased risk of CVD after radiotherapy prematurely and take intervention measures in advance. In this article, the current literature and research progress on the correlation between CAC and cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer after radiotherapy were reviewed, expecting to provide a strategy to reduce the CVD risk in patients with breast cancer after radiotherapy.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang （GSZMD） on cartilage destruction in mice with collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） and its mechanism. MethodThirty-six DBA/1 mice in SPF grades were randomly divided into 6 groups， namely， the normal group， the model group， the methotrexate （MTX） group， the low-dose GSZMD group， the medium-dose GSZMD group， and the high-dose GSZMD group. Except the normal group， mice in the other 5 groups were used to establish the model of CIA by secondary immunization. The mice were given normal saline， MTX （1.5 mg·kg^-1， 2 times a week）， and low， medium， and high-doses GSZMD （6.3， 12.6， 25.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1） by intragastric administration on the day of the onset of hind limb swelling for 4 weeks. The changes in the degree of foot swelling of mice in each group were observed and recorded. The content of matrix metalloproteinase （MMP）-1， MMP-3， MMP-9， and MMP-13 in serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The pathological changes in the ankle joint were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the cartilage destruction was observed by red fast green staining. The protein expression of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （JAK2/STAT3） signaling pathway in ankle joints were detected by Western blot. ResultAs compared with the normal group， the degree of foot swelling， the content of MMP-1， MMP-3， MMP-9， and MMP-13 in serum and the expression levels of phosphorylation （p）-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in ankle joints of the model group were increased （P<0.01）， and the joint damage was aggravated. As compared with the model group， the degrees of foot swelling of the mice in the MTX group and the low， medium， and high-dose GSZMD group were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the content of MMP-1， MMP-3， MMP-9， and MMP-13 in serum was decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The pathological joint damage was alleviated， and the expression levels of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in ankle joints were decreased in the MTX group and GSZMD groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGSZMD can reduce the degree of joint swelling in mice with CIA， inhibit the expressions of MMP-1， MMP-3， MMP-9， and MMP-13， and alleviate the destruction of articular cartilage. Its mechanism is related to the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

NDFIP1 has been previously reported as a tumor suppressor in multiple solid tumors, but the function of NDFIP1 in NSCLC and the underlying mechanism are still unknown. Besides, the WW domain containing proteins can be recognized by NDFIP1, resulted in the loading of the target proteins into exosomes. However, whether WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (WWTR1, also known as TAZ) can be packaged into exosomes by NDFIP1 and if so, whether the release of this oncogenic protein via exosomes has an effect on tumor development has not been investigated to any extent. Here, we first found that NDFIP1 was low expressed in NSCLC samples and cell lines, which is associated with shorter OS. Then, we confirmed the interaction between TAZ and NDFIP1, and the existence of TAZ in exosomes, which requires NDFIP1. Critically, knockout of NDFIP1 led to TAZ accumulation with no change in its mRNA level and degradation rate. And the cellular TAZ level could be altered by exosome secretion. Furthermore, NDFIP1 inhibited proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and silencing TAZ eliminated the increase of proliferation caused by NDFIP1 knockout. Moreover, TAZ was negatively correlated with NDFIP1 in subcutaneous xenograft model and clinical samples, and the serum exosomal TAZ level was lower in NSCLC patients. In summary, our data uncover a new tumor suppressor, NDFIP1 in NSCLC, and a new exosome-related regulatory mechanism of TAZ.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism* ; Carrier Proteins/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the value of three-dimensional (3D) CT in diagnosing cricoarytenoid dislocation.Methods:From January 2021 to December 2021, 31 patients with unilateral cricoarytenoid dislocation who had been treated by reduction forceps at the Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were collected retrospectively, and their voice recovered or improved significantly after therapy. The preoperative CT images were reconstructed by volume rendering (VR). The dislocated side (left and right), type of dislocation (total dislocation and subluxation), and dislocation direction (anterior, posterior, internal and external dislocation) of cricoarytenoid dislocation were observed. According to arytenoid articular surface of cricoid cartilage exposed completely or not (caused by arytenoid displacement), they were divided into complete dislocation and subluxation. According to the direction of arytenoid displacement and the part of arytenoid articular surface of cricoid cartilage exposed, they were divided into anterior, posterior, internal and external dislocation. According to the shape of the vocal cords on laryngoscope, anterior and posterior dislocation of each case was judged, and then compared with that of CT.Results:On VR images, there were 28 cases of cricoarytenoid subluxation (90.3%, 28/31) and 3 cases of complete dislocation (9.7%, 3/31). Left cricoarytenoid dislocation was 26 cases (83.9%, 26/31) and right cricoarytenoid dislocation was 5 cases (16.1%, 5/31). Posterior dislocation was 28 cases (90.3%, 28/31) and anterior dislocation was 3 cases (9.7%, 3/31). There were 23 cases of internal dislocation (74.2%, 23/31), 2 cases of external dislocation (6.4%, 2/31), and 6 cases without obvious internal and external dislocation (19.4%, 6/31). Three cases of complete dislocation were left posterior internal dislocation.There were 24 cases of left posterior dislocation (77.4%, 24/31), 4 cases of right posterior dislocation (12.9%, 4/31), 2 cases of left anterior dislocation (6.4%, 2/31) and 1 case of right anterior dislocation (3.2%, 1/31). On laryngoscope, there were 19 cases of posterior dislocation (61.3%, 19/31), 9 cases of anterior dislocation (29.0%, 9/31), 3 cases were difficult to assess (9.7%, 3/31) because of aryepiglottic fold covering. Sixteen cases (55.2%, 16/28) were consistent with 3D CT, and 12 cases (42.8%, 12/28) were inconsistent.Conclusion:The 3D CT is a reliable method to evaluate cricoarytenoid dislocation, which can show dislocated side, type and direction of cricoarytenoid dislocation clearly.

Objective : To investigate the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the biophysical properties and cytoskeleton structure of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs) . Methods: HepG2 cells were respectively treated with 0 , 0. 01 , 0. 1 , 1 , 5 , 10 μmol/L AFB1 for 24 h and 48 h , and the cell viability was measured by CCK⁃8 kit.Based on this result , the influences of 10 μmol/L AFB1 on the osmotic fragility , membrane fluidity , electrophoretic mobility (EPM) and F ⁃actin structure of cells were analyzed. Subsequently , total RNAs were extracted and the PCR. Results: The increased viability of HepG2 cells was induced by AFB1 in a dose⁃dependent manner after 48h treatment. After treated with 10 μmol/L AFB1 , the anti⁃hypotonic ability and EPM of HepG2 cells were en⁃hanced. The content of F ⁃actin in HepG2 cells increased obviously , while the mRNA expression levels of the main cytoskeleton binding proteins were altered. Conclusion AFB1 can affect the biophysical properties , cytoskeleton structure and its binding proteins of HepG2 cells , which may be directly related to its toxic action.

Purpose To evaluate the function of swallowing by examining the relative motion of the hyoid bone and larynx(HL)via ultrasonography,and to explore the value of HL motion ratio in the evaluation of stroke with pharyngeal dysphagia.Materials and Methods A total of 43 stroke patients with dysphagia(dysphagia group)and 43 healthy adults(healthy control group)from June 2021 to April 2022 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled.The displacement and motion time of HL were measured by ultrasonography when the participants swallowed 5 ml water.The median flow tracking algorithm was implemented in Python language to measure the displacement of the hyoid bone,the movement time of the hyoid bone,the displacement of the larynx and the movement time of larynx,and then HL movement ratio was calculated,respectively.The differences in ultrasonography measurements between the two groups were compared,and the influencing factors of stroke with dysphagia were screened out via Logistic regression analysis.Then the receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,the area under curve and the cut-off value,sensitivity and specificity were calculated subsequently.Results The larynx motion time(static phase),the larynx displacement(elevation phase)and the HL motion ratio were significantly related to swallowing in healthy participants,with significant differences between the two groups(t=4.97,6.38,6.17,P<0.05).The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the HL motion ratio was the influencing factor of stroke with dysphagia(OR>1,P<0.05).The optimal cut-off value of the HL motion ratio for the diagnosis of dysphagia was 0.58,leading to a sensitivity of 86.0%,a specificity of 93.0%and the area under curve of 0.967,respectively.Conclusion Ultrasonography can quantitatively evaluate the motion of the HL during swallowing,and the HL motion ratio can be considered as a parameter for the evaluation of stroke with dysphagia,providing new insights for clinical diagnosis of dysphagia.

Objective To assess the value of preoperative MRI in predicting the incidence of cement leakage into adjacent discs during percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods Clinical and radiological characteristics of 127 patients who were treated with PVA for OVCF were analyzed retrospec tively.The following clinical data of these patients were analyzed,including gender,age,location of treated vertebral body and surgical approach.The image features of endplate injury,fracture line extended to the endplate,adjacent intervertebral dick injury and intravertebral cleft were evaluated on the preoperative MRI.The incidence of cement leakage into the adjacent disc were compared for the above factors with statistical methods.Results Totally 127 patients were enrolled in our study,including 179 treated vertebral bodies,358 endplates and 341 adjacent intervertebral discs.The incidence of intradiscal cement leakage was 57.73％ (56/97) in endplate injury sign,60.98％ (25/41) in fracture line extended to endplate sign,35.91％(51/142) in adjacent discs injury sign and 55.56％(20/36) inintravertebral cleft sign.The differences were statistically significant on preoperative MRI in patients with the above signs compared to those who had not (P＜0.05).The incidence of intradiscal cement leakage in percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) were 26.67％(16/60) and 42.86％(51/119),respectively,which was significant different (P=0.035).For bone cement volume ≤ 5 ml vertebral bodies,the incidence of intradiscal cement leakage was 31.19 ％ (34/109),lower than bone cement volume ＞ 5 ml vertebral bodies (47.14％ [33/70],P=0.031).There was no statistically significant association between intradiscal cement leakage and age,gender and location of treated vertebral body (P＞0.05).Conclusion Preoperative MRI can predict the leakage of bone cement into adjacent discs effectively during PVA.The PKP and the lower volume of bone cement injection can reduce the risk of intradiscal cement leakage.

Objective To explore the effect of TGF-β microbubble targeting on the treatment of skeletal muscle injury in rats.MethodsEighty SD rats of 2 months old were randomly divided into experimental group(including TGF-β microbubble),pure drug group,microbubble group(exclusive drug) and control group,20 SD rats in each group.Four groups accepted ultrasonic transmission with consistent time and frequency.The contraction stress and stress relaxation of injured gastrocnemius muscle were measured,the changes of injured gastrocnemius muscle were observed by light microscope and electron microscope.Results There was no statistically significant difference in contraction stress of gastrocnemius muscle among all groups at 1,5,9 days after injury(P>0.05).And at 14 days,the contraction stress of gastrocnemius muscle of the experimental group and the pure drug group were obviously higher than those of the rest two groups,the differences were significant(P<0.05).The difference of gastrocnemius muscle contraction stress was statistically significant between the experimental group and the pure drug group(P<0.05).For the stress relaxation of gastrocnemius muscle,the experimental group was lower than the other three groups at 1 day after injury,the differences were significant(P<0.05).Light microscopy showed the number of muscle fiber in the experimental group increased obviously at 9 days after injury.There was no scarring at 14 days after injury.Electron microscope showed mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum increased in the experimental group,and the new muscle cells and satellite cells were significantly more than those of the rest three groups.Conclusion TGF-β cell targeted therapy can obviously improve the shrinkage stress of skeletal muscle in rats after injury and recover the stress decay,which can obviously promote the injury repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle,and reduce scar formation at the same time.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between the pathological features and 64-multislice spiral computed tomography (64-MSCT) findings of pulmonary nodules in autopsies from patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), to investigate the optimal imaging method for the distribution of pulmonary nodules, and to provide data for the establishment of CT diagnostic criteria for CWP.

METHODSCadaveric lung specimens were collected from 7 CWP patients. All of them were men, aged 42∼77 years (mean, 60.00±13.00 years), and their dust exposure time was 5∼30 years (mean, 15.4±8.01 years). The cadaveric lung specimens were treated by aeration, sectioning, and immobilization and were then examined by coronary 64-MSCT. The primitive images were reconstructed into the maximumintensity projection (MIP) images (slice thickness: 3 mm, 5 mm, and 8 mm). The sensitivities of imaging methods with different slice thickness were evaluated based on the pathology and anatomy of local pulmonary nodules, and the correlation between pathological results and radiological findings was analyzed.

RESULTSThere were significant differences between the stages determined by pathological examination and high-kV chest radiography (before death) (χ(2) = 4.667, P < 0.05; kappa value = 0.167, P < 0.05). A total of 271 nodules were found in all pathological sections, including peribronchovascular nodules (27, 9.9%), centrilobular nodules (67, 24.6%), interlobular nodules (65, 24.3%), nodules within 5 mm from the pleura (45, 16.5%), pleural plaque-like nodules on the lateral chest wall (45, 16.5%), and nodules on the interlobar pleura (22, 8.1%). The likelihood ratio was the highest (0.981) between 5-mm MIP images and pathological results according to the chi-square test.

CONCLUSIONThe stage of pulmonary nodules determined by pathological examination is significantly different from that determined by high-kV chest radiography. The 5-mm MIP images of 64-MSCT provide a good reflection of the local pathology and anatomy of pulmonary nodules in CWP patients.

Aged ; Anthracosis ; pathology ; Coal ; Coal Mining ; Dust ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Diseases ; pathology ; Tomography, Spiral Computed