Search

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between asymptomatic unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs) and pituitary adenomas (PAs) in Chinese people. Methods In total, 434 patients with newly diagnosed PA and 252 control subjects from the general population who underwent brain computed tomography angiography examination were included. The incidence of IAs and the location of IAs in patients with PA were compared with those in control subjects. The patients with PA with IA were compared with the patients without IA to identify the risk factors for an increased incidence of IA. Results The coexistence of PA and IA was found in 36 patients (8.3%), whereas IAs were found in only 2.4% of the general control subjects, resulting in a significant difference. After stratifying by age, the prevalence of IAs among the patients with PA was still higher than that among the general control subjects in the 5th decade (P = 0.023) and 6th decade (P = 0.035). Most IAs (66.7%) were located in the internal carotid artery, and the location of the IAs did not differ between the patients with PA and the general population. The stepwise multivariate logistic regression indicated that age (P = 0.004) and cavernous sinus invasion (P = 0.022) were related to an increased prevalence of IAs in patients with PA. However, hormone type and sex were not significantly associated with IA prevalence. Conclusions The patients with PA have an increased incidence of IA compared with age-matched control subjects. Older age and cavernous sinus invasion might be correlated with the increased prevalence of IAs in Chinese patients with PA.

Pine-mushrooms is rich in bioactive compounds, possess a unique aroma profile for culinary art. In China, pine-mushroom has been produced in Southwest and Northeast area. However, the discrepancy of volatile profiles in pine-mushrooms from two regions was unclear due to different extraction and detection method applied in researches. This study attempted to compare the volatile profiles of four pine-mushrooms from Southwest (LS) and Northeast (HEB, SY, MDJ) using Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction coupled with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) and Electronic nose (E-nose). Results showed a significant difference in aroma profiles among samples. A total of 100 volatile compounds were identified, and separated into 11 classes. Benzaldehyde and hexanal were detected in all samples, which could be the pivotal aroma components in pine-mushrooms. Aromatic components, were present in LS pine-mushroom from Southwest China, including abundant of methyl (Z)-N-hydroxybenzenecarboximidate, benzaldehyde, and methyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate. Meanwhile, some alcohols (such as oct-1-en-3-ol, hexan-1-ol) were characteristic compounds present in HEB, SY and MDJ samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) of E-nose data showed a clear distinction among samples. In addition, this study also highlighted the correlation between key volatile compounds detected by GC-MS and E-nose sensors, which could be benefit for further explanation to the origin of differences in sensory quality of pine-mushrooms.

In the current work, Z-scheme TiO2/SnS2/MoS2 ternary heterojunction arrays were synthesised on a fluorine-doped tin oxide conductive glass by using a facile hydrothermal technique. The microstructures, energy band structures, and photocatalytic performances of TiO2, TiO2/SnS2, and TiO2/MoS2 were investigated. The results revealed that for methylene blue, ternary TiO2/SnS2/MoS2 exhibited considerably enhanced photocatalytic efficiency (∼79%) and the optimal transient current density (∼0.92 ​mA/cm2) under visible-light irradiation; these two values were four and eight times higher than those exhibited by TiO2, respectively. The highly improved photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance could be attributed to the unique microstructure and band alignment of TiO2/SnS2/MoS2. These attributes can be explained as follows: (i) the large specific surface area offers numerous active sites, (ii) the modulation of the narrow-band SnS2 and MoS2 broadens visible-light response, and (iii) the Z-scheme heterojunction effectively restricts the bulk recombination and spatially separates the photogenerated electron–hole (e−–h+) pairs.

The crustal structure in Myanmar can provide valuable information for the eastern margin of the ongoing Indo-Eurasian collision system. We successively performed H–k stacking of the receiver function and joint inversion of the receiver function and surface wave dispersion to invert the crustal thickness (H), shear wave velocity (Vs), and the Vp/Vs ratio (k) beneath nine permanent seismic stations in Myanmar. H was found to increase from 26 km in the south and east of the study area to 51 km in the north and west, and the Vp/Vs ratio was complex and high. Striking differences in the crust were observed for different tectonic areas. In the Indo-Burma Range, the thick crust (H ∼ 51 km) and lower velocities may be related to the accretionary wedge from the Indian Plate. In the Central Myanmar Basin, the thin crust (H = 26.9–35.5 km) and complex Vp/Vs ratio and Vs suggest extensional tectonics. In the Eastern Shan Plateau, the relatively thick crust and normal Vp/Vs ratio are consistent with its location along the western edge of the rigid Sunda Block.

Though pituitary adenomas (PA) are considered benign, some of them exhibit invasive behaviors such as recurrence and low rate of total surgical resection. Reliable prognostic biomarkers for invasive PA are highly desired; however they remain to be identified. In this review, we summarize the current controversial findings of biomarkers for invasive sporadic PA, and we discuss the possible reasons for the controversies.

Tumor-related viruses are known to be involved in initiation and progression of certain tumors. However, the relationship between virus and pituitary adenomas (PAs) remains unknown. Here, we investigated infection status of three types of viruses (HPV16, HHV6B and HSV1) and expression level of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in 60 human PA samples. We also determined the role of TLR3 signaling pathway on a PA cell line (GH3). We firstly found that positive rates of HPV16 and HHV6B infection were significantly higher in invasive PA samples than in noninvasive samples (P