Search

Abstract: This work used in-situ scanning electron microscopy method to investigate the small fatigue crack behavior of the aluminum alloy 2024 laminated structure produced by ultrasonic consolidation process. The influence of local microstructure on the crack propagation of the laminates after different heat treatments (T4 and T62) has been compared and discussed. It was found that both the precipitations and the interfaces of the layers could retard crack growth and alter the growth direction, and the effect of interfaces was much stronger. Due to the higher ratio of the toughness to bond strength, the barrier effect of the interfaces on impeding the fatigue crack growth in specimens after the T4 heat treatment was more evident. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: To evaluate the effects of the multiple burr hole (MBH) revascularization on ischemic type adult Moyamoya disease (MMD) by computed tomography perfusion (CTP). Methods: Eighty-six ischemic MMD patients received CTP 1 week before and 3 weeks after MBH operation. Fifty-seven patients received it again at 6 month and underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and mRS follow-up. Cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT), time to peak (TTP), and relative values of ischemic symptomatic hemispheres were measured. Differences in pre- and post-surgery perfusion CT values were assessed. Results: There were significant differences of CBF, TTP, and relative time to peak (rTTP) in ischemic hemisphere between 1 week before and 3 weeks after surgery, and no significant difference in relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), CBV, relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), MTT, relative mean transit time (rMTT). According to whether there was symptom improvement or not on 3 weeks after MBH, the rTTP value was not statistically significant in the patients whose symptoms were not improved at all on 3 weeks after operation. Six-month follow-up showed that CBF, rCBF, and rCBV values were significantly higher than those before operation. Postoperative MTT, TTP, rMTT, and rTTP values were significantly lower than those before operation. Conclusion: CTP is a sensitive method to obtain functional imaging of cerebral microcirculation, which can be a noninvasive assessment of the abnormalities of intracranial arteries and cerebral perfusion changes in MMD before and after surgery. CBF and TTP map, especially the relative values of TTP, seems to have the capability of being quite sensitive to the presence of altered brain perfusion at early time after indirect revascularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CrMoV steel was exposed to 500, 550, and 600 °C for up to 120 h in 0.1 and 10 MPa CO 2. A significant change in carbon deposition content was not observed in the 0.1 MPa CO 2, in contrast to the high carbon content at 550 °C and 10 MPa CO 2. The formation of internal Fe-rich M 3 C carbides and super saturation of steel grains with dissolves carbon at 550 °C but not at 500 and 600 °C may be responsible for this difference. The effect of carbon deposition on the outward Fe diffusion via vacancy or interstitial sites was also discussed. • Effect of temperature (500–600 °C) on carbon depositions within the scale develop on CrMoV steel was investigated. • Carbon contents increased with temperature up to 550 °C and then decreased with temperature in supercritical CO 2. • Formation Fe-rich M 3 C carbides were favored at 550 °C while their formation was delayed at 500 and 600 °C. • It is suggested that the carbon depositions can affect the point defects' contribution to the outward Fe diffusion. • Carbon depositions within the scale consisted of amorphous carbon, graphite, or both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study is to investigate the value of double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCEU) in assessing microcirculation of colorectal adenocarcinomas and to describe the perfusion features of the tumours. Material and Methods: DCEUS was performed in 42 patients with adenocarcinoma. The time-intensity curve parameters (arrival time (AT), time-to-peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI) and area under the curve (AUC)) within the tumours were extracted. The parameters were compared among the tumours with different CEUS features and stages. Results: The mean values of AT, TTP, PI and AUC of the colorectal adenocarcinomas were 13.68±13.36s, 32.61±19.56s, 19.82±16.54dB and 271.10±159.19dBs, respectively. In the adenocarcinomas with necrosis, the mean values of AUC was significantly lower than that of the adenocarcinomas without (231.10±219.27dBs, 278.10±123.20dBs, p=0.004). In the adenocarcinomas with necrosis, the AUC and PI of the non-necrotic part were significantly higher than that of the necrotic part (p=0.007, 0.0025, respectively). AUC increased progressively in the subgroups of T2, T3 and T4 and the difference of AUC between T2 and T4 subgroup was significant (p=0.008). Conclusions: Double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is a valuable technique for quantifying tumour vascularity of colorectal adenocarcinomas. AUC was significantly different in the subgroups of different T stage. AUC and PI could reflect the different perfusion status of tumours with or without necrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the profile of pelvic crush fractures in earthquake victims on digital radiography (DR) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty-seven consecutive survivors of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake with pelvic crush fractures classified into types according to the Tile classification system, entered our study. One hundred and thirty-nine, and 28 patients underwent DR and MDCT scans, respectively. Data were reviewed retrospectively focusing on anatomical sites, numbers, and classification of pelvic ring fractures.Results: Pelvic fractures occurred in the pubis in 88 patients (52.7%), in other pelvic bones in 32 (19.16%), and in both the pubis and other pelvic bones in 47 (28.14%). Pubic fractures were more common than fractures of other pelvic bones, and involvement of bilateral pubis was more common than that of the left or right pubis (all p < 0.05). As for the numbers of pelvic bones involved, multiple fractures occurred in 48.52% patients (81 out of 167) composed predominantly of fractures of two bones in 58.02% (47 out of 81), and were seen more often in bilateral pubis than in any other pelvic bones (p < 0.05). Regarding classifications of pelvic ring fractures, they were Type A in 31 patients (18.56%); Type B in 72 (43.11%), predominantly Type B2 in 26 (15.58%) and Type B3 in 28 (16.77%); and Type C in 64 (38.32%), predominantly Type C3 in 40 (23.95%).Conclusion: Pelvic crush fractures particularly including multiple pelvic fractures, occurring predominantly in bilateral pubis, and composed of Type C3 followed by Type B3 and Type B2, could be considered to be the profile of pelvic crush fractures in an earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perfusion CT has been applied in many clinical areas, but few studies have addressed gastric cancer. This study is to investigate the feasibility of first-pass perfusion CT with volume-based technique to assess microcirculation of gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: Perfusion CT of gastric adenocarcinoma was performed with 64-section MDCT in 58 patients, which were subdivided into three subgroups according to the location of the tumor. Perfusion, peak enhancement, time to peak, and blood volume were computed in the tumor and in normal gastric wall. Mean values of perfusion parameters were compared between the tumor and normal stomach, between tumors with and without lymph node metastases, and between different stages. Results: Blood volume was significantly increased in gastric adenocarcinoma compared with normal stomach (19.75 +/- 14.74 vs. 13.59 +/- 11.46 mL/100 g, in total stomach, P = 0.004). A total of 10.55 mL/100 g of blood volume was employed as the cut-off value to discriminate the microcirculation of the tumor from that of the normal stomach. There were no significant differences of any perfusion parameters between the subgroups with and without lymph node metastases, or between early and advanced cancer. Conclusions: The first-pass perfusion CT with whole tumor acquisition technique is a feasible technique for quantifying tumor vascularity and angiogenesis in gastric adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Right ventricular (RV) function is very important for those patients with respiratory and cardiovascular disorders that can result in RV impairments. Because of complex geometry of the chamber, it is difficult to accurately measure the RV volumetric parameters with conventional imaging modalities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the 64-MDCT can assess RV function with high accuracy and reproducibility when compared to the results with those of MRI. Methods: Forty-seven consecutive subjects underwent retrospectively ECG-gated 64-MDCT and MRI for assessing the ventricular function. Right ventricular end diastolic and end-systolic volume, stroke volume, and ejection fraction were measured with dedicated cardiac analysis software on 64-MDCT and compared with values measured on MRI which served as the reference standard. Agreement between two modalities was assessed with Bland and Altman analysis and linear regression analysis. Repeated measurements were performed to determine intraobserver and interobserver variability. Results: No significant differences were revealed in calculated RV volumes and EF between the two modalities. Agreement and correlation were similar for RV–EDV (0.4±8.2 ml; r =0.95), RV–ESV (−0.6±4.8; r =0.95), RV–SV (1.1±6.7 ml; r =0.93), and RV–EF (0.9±4.4; r =0.88). The difference of SV of right and left ventricle with 64-MDCT was not statistically significant (p =0.40) and good correlation was obtained (r =0.96). The variability in 64-MDCT measurements was lower than those in MRI. Conclusions: ECG-gated 64-MDCT can assess the RV function with high accuracy and reproducibility without geometric assumptions about right ventricle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: There are no reports regarding entire gastric fundic and esophageal varices evaluated with 64-row multidetector CT (MDCT). We attempt to clarify the feasibility of portal venography with this scanner in evaluation of these varices. Methods: A total of 33 patients, with clinically confirmed gastric fundic and esophageal varices secondary to posthepatitic cirrhosis, underwent thoracicoabdominal triphasic enhancement scans using 64-row MDCT along with conventional angiographic portography. CT portography and conventional portography were compared by statistical agreement to determine whether CT maximum intensity projection (CT-MIP) portography is useful in evaluation of entire gastric fundic and esophageal varices. Results: CT-MIP portography demonstrated gastric fundic and esophageal varices, and the inflowing and outflowing vessels of the varices. Gastric fundic varices were shown in 32 cases (97.0%), and esophageal varices were in 27 (81.8%). The inflowing vessels including the left gastric vein and posterior gastric vein/short gastric vein were illustrated in 31 (94.0%) and 17 (51.5%) cases, respectively. The outflowing vessels including the azygos vein, hemiazygos vein, and gastro-renal shunts were seen in 30 (90.9%), 8 (24.2%), and 12 (36.4%) cases, respectively. Findings of CT-MIP portography and conventional angiographic portography were in close agreement (Kappa value ranged from 0.621 to 1.000). Conclusion: CT-MIP venography with 64-row MDCT could be considered as a method for detecting entire gastric fundic and esophageal varices developed from posthepatitic cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Follicular growth, development and ovulation are highly ordered processes that involve the expression of many genes under precise temporal and spatial regulation. However, information on stage-specific gene expression during the antral follicle phase in sheep is not well understood. In the present study, suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) was performed to screen genes that were differentially expressed in the granulosa cells between large follicles (LF, >5mm) and small follicles (SF, 3–5mm), and subtractive cDNA library was constructed. Furthermore, with dot-blot analysis, a total of 90 clones randomly selected from the library were proven to be differentially expressed in the granulosa cells. Among these, 38 exhibited high homology to known genes, 14 sequences were corresponding to novel expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Four ESTs, LAPTM4A, SERPINE2, GSTA1, and INHBA, were further examined the reproducibility of the SSH data by the real-time quantitative PCR. Results confirmed an increase expression of respective mRNA in granulosa cells of large follicles compared with that of small follicles. It is concluded that we have identified several genes (known or unknown) that may effect follicular growth, dominance or ovulation in ewes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Quantitative values of left ventricular (LV) function and muscle mass in patients with mitral regurgitation are independent predictors of cardiac morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate whether 64-MDCT can assess the LV function in patients with mitral regurgitation with high accuracy when compared with the MRI and echocardiography results. Fifty-one patients with mitral regurgitation underwent retrospectively ECG-gated 64-MDCT, echocardiography, and MRI for assessing the global ventricular function. End-diastolic and end-systolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and mass were measured on 64-MDCT and echocardiography, and compared with the results measured on MRI which served as the reference standard. Intertechnique agreement was tested by using Pearson's correlation and Bland-Altman analyses. No significant differences were revealed in calculated LV function and mass between the 64-MDCT and MRI (paired t test, p = 0.07-0.53). Pearson's correlation analysis showed the functional parameters and mass correlated closely between the 64-MDCT and MRI (r = 0.89-0.96, p < 0.001). When compared with MRI, echocardiography underestimated the volumetric parameters of LV (paired t test, p = 0.0003-0.004), but significantly overestimated the EF values (p = 0.003), and moderate correlations of functional parameters were obtained (r = 0.78, 0.60, 0.81, and 0.62, respectively). ECG-gated 64-MDCT allows for accurate and reliable assessment of LV function in patients with mitral regurgitation, whereas LV volumes measured by two-dimensional echocardiography were underestimated and the ejection fraction was overestimated when compared with those achieved by using MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated the mRNA expression patterns of receptor genes for bone morphogenetic proteins-15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) in granulosa cells of sheep treated with FSH. The effects of FSH and estradiol (E2) on the regulation of BMPRII, BMPRIB and ALK-5 in ovine granulosa cells were also examined. Ovaries were collected on day 16 of the estrous cycle and granulose cells were harvested from follicles of two sizes (3–5 and >5mm in diameter). For in vitro studies, granulosa cells were obtained from follicles of 3–5mm in diameter and cultured in serum-free McCoy''s 5A medium supplemented with different doses of FSH (0, 1, 5, 10ng/ml) or a combination of 5ng/ml FSH with 1ng/ml E2. Expression of BMPRII, BMPRIB and ALK-5 mRNA was estimated by quantitative real-time PCR. Our results demonstrated that BMPRII, BMPRIB and ALK-5 expression was significantly higher in the granulosa cells of large follicles than of small follicles. Treatment of granulose cells with FSH (1–10ng/ml) alone down-regulated the expression of BMPRIB (P <0.05). BMPRII and ALK-5 mRNA expression was not significantly different at an FSH concentration of 5ng/ml compared to control. A further increase in FSH (10ng/ml) down-regulated the expression of BMPRII and ALK-5 (P <0.05). The combination of FSH (5ng/ml) and E2 (1ng/ml) up-regulated the expression of BMPRII, BMPRIB and ALK-5 in granulose cells (P <0.05). Therefore, the present study establishes the expression levels of the receptor genes of BMP15 and GDF-9 and suggests that the expression of BMPRII, BMPRIB and ALK-5 may be regulated by FSH and E2 in ovine granulosa cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In our searching for novel antioxidants from natural sources, N-trans -Caffeoyldopamine which was from natural product was found to be a potential compound for its remarkable antioxidant activity. Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RFP) is widely used for the treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) as the first line drugs, have been known to be potentially hepatotoxic and may lead to drug-induced liver injury. Oxidative stress has been regarded as the major mechanism of the hepatotoxicity. Therefore, in this study, the possible protective effects of N-trans -Caffeoyldopamine was investigated in the hepatotoxicity caused by INH and RFP in rats. Results showed that serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content were reduced dramatically, and hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) content were restored remarkably by N-trans -Caffeoyldopamine co-administration, as compared to the INH–RFP treated rats ( p <0.01). Moreover, the histopathological damage of liver and the number of apoptotic hepatocytes were also significantly ameliorated by the treatment. It is therefore suggested that N - trans -Caffeoyldopamine can provide a definite protective effect against acute hepatic injury caused by INH and RFP in rats, which may mainly be associated with its antioxidative effect. Mechanisms studies indicated that it inhibited the lipid peroxidation through the cytochrome P450 2E1 ( CYP2E1 ) downregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To illustrate the MDCT features of hepatic paragonimiasis and correlate the results with clinicopathological findings. Materials and methods: Eighteen patients (8 male, 10 female; mean age 37years) with hepatic paragonimiasis were included in this study. MDCT features of their hepatic lesions were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with clinicopathological findings. Results: All patients were lifelong residents in endemic areas of paragonimiasis, especially Paragonimiasis skrjabini variety. Abdominal pain or discomfort, fever and high eosinophil percentage were the predominant clinical features. In total, 21 lesions were detected on MDCT images, 18 (85.7%) directly contacted the hepatic capsule and 3 (14.3%) were adjacent to the capsule. Segment V (26%), VIII (26%) and VI (18.5%) were the most commonly involved sites. Sixteen lesions (76%) were conglomerated cystic or multilocular and 5 (24%) were solid. On plain MDCT scan, the margin and internal detail of the lesions were not clear except for one cystic variety, while they were clearly demonstrated on enhanced images. Single or multiple cysts with different diameters were commonly detected in the non-solid lesions, and some of them were mutually connected with tortuous tract formation. Among the solid lesions, 2 and 3 showed tubular and homogeneous enhancement, respectively. Conclusion: Peripherally distributed lesions, mutually connected cysts with tortuous tract formation, and tubular enhancement, which may be closely associated with the infection route and migration of the worm, could be seen as the main MDCT features of hepatic paragonimiasis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A kinetic model was proposed to describe the liquid drainage profiles of colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs). The liquid drainage profiles themselves were determined by reading the volume of the liquid drained as a function of time in the presence of various concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HTAB), and Tween 80 under the conditions of different temperatures. Effect of the surfactant concentration and system temperature on the kinetic stability of CGAs was discussed. Drainage behavior was fitted by the empirical equation V t = V max t n /(K n + t n ), where V t refers to the volume of drained liquid at time t, V max refers to the maximum volume of drained liquid, n describes the sigmoidal character of the curve and K is equal to the half-life (t 1/2) of drainage. Rate constants (k d) and the half-life (t 1/2) of liquid drainage could be calculated from parameters V max, K, and n. This kinetic model was tested successfully with the use of the Arrhenius equation, which relates in its logarithmic form the logarithm of the kinetic constant (ln k d) linearly to the reciprocal of the absolute temperature (1/T). Two distinct stages of CGAs drainage determined by two independent mechanisms were identified from analysis of the rate of liquid drainage as a function of time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Acutely infarcted native T1 (native T1AI) and extracellular volume (ECVAI) could quantify myocardial injury after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Therefore, we sought to further explore their association with left ventricular (LV) remodeling during follow-up.Methods: 56 ST-segment-elevation MI patients were prospectively recruited and completed acute and 3-month cardiac magnetic resonance scans. T1 mapping, late gadolinium enhancement and cine imaging were performed to measure native T1AI, ECVAI, infarct size and LV global function, respectively. LV remodeling was evaluated as the change in LV end-diastolic volume index (△EDV) at follow-up scan compared with baseline.Results: In acute scan, 37 patients (66.07 %) had microvascular obstruction (MVO). The native T1AI did not significantly differ between patients with or without MVO (1482.0 ± 80.6 ms vs. 1469.0 ± 71.6 ms, P =  0.541). However, ECVAI in patients without MVO was lower than that in patients with MVO (49.60 ± 8.57 % vs. 58.53 ± 8.62 %, P = 0.001). The native T1AI only correlated with △EDV in patients without MVO (rmvo- = 0.495, P = 0.031); while ECVAI was associated with △EDV in all patients (rmvo- = 0.665, P =  0.002; rmvo+ = 0.506, P =  0.001; rall patients = 0.570, P <  0.001). Furthermore, ECVAI was independently associated with LV remodeling in multivariable linear regression analysis (β = 0.490, P =  0.002).Conclusion: As a promising parameter for early risk stratification after AMI, ECVAI is associated with LV remodeling during follow-up; while native T1AI may be feasible when MVO is absent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two series of novel diosgenyl quaternary ammonium derivatives were synthesized. • The structures of all novel derivatives were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HR-MS, and evaluated for their in vitro anti-proliferative activities using MTT assay. • The experimental results show that improving the water solubility of diosgenyl derivatives is beneficial to improve its antitumor activity. Giosgenin is a naturally steroidal saponin exhibiting a variety of biological activities including antitumor ones. A series of novel diosgenyl quaternary ammonium derivatives were designed and synthesized to develop potential anti-tumor agents in our research. All novel derivatives were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HR-MS, and evaluated for their in vitro anti-proliferative activities using MTT assay. The human cancer cell lines were A549 (Human lung cancer cell), H1975 (Human lung adenocarcinoma cell), A431 (Human skin squamous cell carcinoma), HCT-116 (Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell), Aspc-1 (Human metastatic pancreatic cancer cell), Ramos (Human B lymphoma cell), HBE (Human bronchial epithelioid cell) and LO2 (Human normal hepatocyte). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effect of CO 2 pressure on oxidation and carburization behavior of CrMoV steel at 550 °C was investigated • The weight gain decreased from 0.1–5 MPa CO 2 and then breakaway oxidation happened by increasing pressure to 10 MPa. • Amorphous carbon identified in both atmospheric and high pressure CO 2 • Carbon depositions within the scale can act as a barrier against outward Fe diffusion and inward oxidant gas • Fe- and (Fe, Ni)- rich M 3 C carbides found to be the possible catalysts for Boudouard reaction The oxidation behavior of CrMoV steel in 0.1, 5, and 10 MPa CO 2 was studied at 550 °C for 500 h. Reaction rates decreased from 0.1–5 MPa, and breakaway occurred sooner with increasing pressure. Amorphous carbon was identified within the inner layer in all CO 2 pressure values, while graphite was mainly detected under 5 and 10 MPa. Carbon deposition may link to the formation of Fe- and (Fe, Ni)-rich M 3 C carbides at the oxide/steel interface, which catalyzed the Boudouard reaction. A high external CO 2 pressure and the oxidation of Cr-rich carbides within the steel may favor carbon depositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is a rare type of head and neck cancer with poor prognosis. However, till now, there is still no model predicting the survival outcomes for HSCC patients. We aim to develop a novel nomogram predicting the long-term cancer-specific survival (CSS) for patients with HSCC and establish a prognostic classification system.Methods: Data of 2021 eligible HSCC patients were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database between 2010 and 2015. We randomly split the whole cases (ratio: 7:3) into the training and the validation cohort. Cox regression as well as the Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) COX were used to select significant predictors of CSS. Based on the beta-value of these predictors, a novel nomogram was built. The concordance index (C-index), the calibration curve and the decision curve analysis (DCA) were utilized for the model validation and evaluation using the validation cohort.Results: In total, cancer-specific death occurred in 974/2021 (48.2%) patients. LASSO COX indicated that age, race, T stage, N stage, M stage, surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are significant prognosticators of CSS. A prognostic model based on these factors was constructed and visually presented as nomogram. The C-index of the model was 0.764, indicating great predictive accuracy. Additionally, DCA and calibration curves also demonstrated that the nomogram had good clinical effect and satisfactory consistency between the predictive CSS and actual observation. Furthermore, we developed a prognostic classification system that divides HSCC patients into three groups with different prognosis. The median CSS for HSCC patients in the favorable, intermediate and poor prognosis group was not reached, 39.0-Mo and 10.0-Mo, respectively (p < 0.001).Conclusions: In this study, we constructed the first nomogram as well as a relevant prognostic classification system that predicts CSS for HSCC patients. We believe these tools would be helpful for clinical practice in patients' consultation and risk group stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arenobufagin (ArBu) is an important anti-tumor ingredient of Chan'su which has long been used as traditional Chinese medicine in clinic for tumor therapy in China. The purpose of our study is to investigate the lipid homeostasis regulation effects of ArBu on zebrafish model of liver cancer and hepatoma cells, and to provide a reference for further clarifying its active mechanisms. The zebrafish xenograft model was established by injecting HepG2 cells stained with CM-Dil red fluorescent dye. Both the xenograft model and HepG2 cells were used to evaluate the anti-hepatoma activity of ArBu. High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was the main method to study lipidomics, proteomics and the semiquantification of endogenous metabolites. Bioinformatics was used as an assistant tool to further explore the antitumor mechanism of ArBu. The lipidomics analysis revealed that ArBu caused differential lipids changes in a dose-dependent manner, including PCs, PEs, TGs, SMs, DGs, Cer and PA. PCs, PEs, SMs and TGs were markedly altered in both two models. The influence of glycerophospholipid metabolism was the major and commonly affected pathway. Notably, DGs and Cer were significantly changed only in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the proteomics research in HepG2 cells fished the target proteins related to lipid homeostasis abnormalities and tumor suppression. ArBu reduced the expression of 65 differential proteins associated with the lipid metabolism, apoptosis and autophagy, such as LCLAT1, STAT3, TSPO and RPS27. Meanwhile, 7 amino acids of 29 determined metabolites were significantly changed, including tyrosine, glutamate, glutamine, leucine, threonine, arginine and isoleucine. ArBu has a significant anti-hepatoma effect in vitro and a therapeutic effect on zebrafish xenograft model. It regulated the lipid homeostasis. Activated SM synthase and arginine deiminase, inhibited sphingomyelinase, amino acid supply and JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway, and the affected glycerophospholipid metabolism might explain these results. Image 1 • The integrated omics facilitated the clarification of antitumor mechanism of ArBu. • ArBu regulated the glycerophospholipid homeostasis significantly in HepG2 models. • ArBu affected the endogenous metabolites-JAK/STAT3 network comprehensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risks of heart failure and mortality in patients with hypertension, however the underlying mechanism is unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of coexisting T2DM on left ventricular (LV) deformation and myocardial perfusion in hypertensive individuals. Materials and methods: Seventy hypertensive patients without T2DM [HTN(T2DM−)], forty patients with T2DM [HTN(T2DM+)] and 37 age- and sex-matched controls underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. Left ventricular (LV) myocardial strains, including global radial (GRPS), circumferential (GCPS) and longitudinal peak strain (GLPS), and resting myocardial perfusion indices, including upslope, time to maximum signal intensity (TTM), and max signal intensity (MaxSI), were measured and compared among groups by analysis of covariance after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and heart rate followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test. Backwards stepwise multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to determine the effects of T2DM on LV strains and myocardial perfusion indices in patients with hypertension. Results: Both GRPS and GLPS deteriorated significantly from controls, through HTN(T2DM−), to HTN(T2DM+) group; GCPS in HTN(T2DM+) group was lower than those in both HTN(T2DM−) and control groups. Compared with controls, HTN(T2DM−) group showed higher myocardial perfusion, and HTN(T2DM+) group exhibited lower perfusion than HTN(T2DM−) group and controls. Multiple regression analyses considering covariates of systolic blood pressure, age, sex, BMI, heart rate, smoking, indexed LV mass and eGFR demonstrated that T2DM was independently associated with LV strains (GRPS: p = 0.002, model R2= 0.383; GCPS: p < 0.001, model R2= 0.472; and GLPS: p = 0.002, model R2= 0.424, respectively) and perfusion indices (upslope: p < 0.001, model R2= 0.293; TTM: p < 0.001, model R2= 0.299; and MaxSI: p < 0.001, model R2= 0.268, respectively) in hypertension. When both T2DM and perfusion indices were included in the regression analyses, both T2DM and TTM were independently associated with GRPS (p = 0.044 and 0.017, model R2= 0.390) and GCPS (p = 0.002 and 0.001, model R2= 0.424), and T2DM but not perfusion indices was independently associated with GLPS (p = 0.002, model R2= 0.424). Conclusion: In patients with hypertension, T2DM had an additive deleterious effect on subclinical LV systolic dysfunction and myocardial perfusion, and impaired myocardial perfusion by coexisting T2DM was associated with deteriorated LV systolic dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effect of CO 2 pressure on oxidation and carburization behaviour of F91 steel at 550 °C was investigated. • The weight gain decreased with increase in pressure from 0.1 to 5 MPa but it showed no presser effect from 5 to 10 MPa. • Carbon concentration at the oxide/alloy interface increased with time with the different rate in 0.1, 5 and 10 MPa CO 2. • Carbon with amorphous structure identified in the inner oxide scale of 5 MPa CO 2. • Comparison of results with previous studies suggest minimal pressure effect in the range of 5–25 MPa CO 2 for 9–12Cr alloys at 550–600 °C. The oxidation behaviour of F91 in 0.1, 5, and 10 MPa CO 2 was studied at 550 °C for 500 h. Previous results on the effect of CO 2 pressure were summarised and compared with the results in this study. The oxidation kinetics decreased from 0.1 to 5 MPa and thereafter showed a lower dependence on the pressure (5–10 MPa). The carbon concentration at the oxide–alloy interface increased with time, but with different rates depending on the CO 2 pressure. The amorphous carbon layers, and M 23 C 6 carbides were identified in the inner oxide layer in the case of 5 MPa CO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess left ventricular (LV) myocardial strain in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) and compare LV deformation between subgroups of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) and non-IIM. Ninety-eight patients with CTD, comprising 56 with IIM and 42 with non-IIM, and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled and underwent 3.0T cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. The LV function and strain parameters were measured and assessed. Our result revealed that CTD patients had preserved LV ejection fraction (60.85%) and had significantly decreased global and regional peak strain (PS) in radial, circumferential, and longitudinal directions (all p < 0.05). IIM patients showed significantly reduced global longitudinal PS (GLPS) and longitudinal PS at apical slice, whereas all strain parameters decreased in non-IIM patients. Except GLPS and longitudinal PS at apical slice, all strain parameters in non-IIM patients were lower than those in IIM patients. By Pearson's correlation analysis, the LV global radial and circumferential PS were correlated to N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level and LV ejection fraction in both IIM and non-IIM patients. This study indicated that CTD patients showed abnormal LV deformation despite with preserved LVEF. The impairment of LV deformation differed between IIM and non-IIM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on nipple adenoma or also known as florid papillomatosis and papillary adenoma. It is a tumor of the lactiferous ducts that develops in the superficial portion of the nipple. It presents two cases from a 47-year-old woman and 39-year-old woman that are related to the issue.