Radiation-induced glymphatic dysfunction in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a study using diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space.

Radiation encephalopathy (RE) refers to radiation-induced brain necrosis and is a life-threatening complication in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy (RT), and radiation-induced pre-symptomatic glymphatic alterations have not yet been investigated. We used diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index to examine the pre-symptomatic glymphatic alterations in NPC patients following RT. A total of 109 patients with NPC consisted of Pre-RT ( = 35) and Post-RT ( = 74) cohorts were included.

Novel process for high value utilization of high-alumina fly ash: valuable metals recovery and mesoporous silica preparation.

Extraction of valuable metals besides silica from high-alumina fly ash is one of the most important high-value utilization pathways. However, it is difficult to realize high-efficiency extraction due to the stable structure of quartz and mullite. In this paper, mineral phase transformation for valuable metal recovery and mesoporous silica preparation from fly ash by a selective acid leaching method was proposed.

Interaction of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in altering the shape of subcortical structures in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Neuroimaging studies have found significant structural alterations of the cerebral cortex in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) following radiotherapy (RT) or concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), while their effects on the shape of subcortical structures remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the subcortical shape alterations between three groups: 56 untreated NPC patients (pre-RT group), 37 RT-treated NPC patients (post-RT group), and 108 CCRT-treated NPC patients (post-CCRT group). Using FSL-FIRST, we found that, compared with the pre-RT group, the post-CCRT group exhibited significant inward atrophy in the bilateral thalamus, bilateral putamen, left pallidum, and left caudate and outward inflation in the left caudate, while the post-RT group only exhibited inward atrophy in the bilateral thalamus.

Surface-Based Falff: A Potential Novel Biomarker for Prediction of Radiation Encephalopathy in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Radiation encephalopathy (RE) is an important potential complication in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who undergo radiotherapy (RT) that can affect the quality of life. However, a functional imaging biomarker of pre-symptomatic RE has not yet been established. This study aimed to assess radiation-induced gray matter functional alterations and explore fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) as an imaging biomarker for predicting or diagnosing RE in patients with NPC.

Functional Connectivity Density for Radiation Encephalopathy Prediction in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

The diagnostic efficiency of radiation encephalopathy (RE) remains heterogeneous, and prediction of RE is difficult at the pre-symptomatic stage. We aimed to analyze the whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity density (FCD) of individuals with pre-symptomatic RE using multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and explore its prediction efficiency. Resting data from NPC patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC; consisting of 20 pre-symptomatic RE subjects and 26 non-RE controls) were collected in this study.

Mechanisms of lipid metabolism promoted by berberine via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.

This study was conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms of berberine (Ber) via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) in promoting in vitro maturation (IVM) and lipid metabolism of porcine oocytes. Our results showed that expression changes in PPARG influenced IVM and the lipid droplet content of porcine oocytes. Moreover, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor modified the effect of PPARG agonist on IVM and lipid droplet content of porcine oocytes, and Ber significantly reduced lipid droplet content.

Berberine regulates lipid metabolism via miR-192 in porcine oocytes matured in vitro.

Background: The berberine (Ber) is an isoquinoline alkaloid compound extracted from Rhizoma coptidis and has the effect that reduces adipose. MicroRNA-192 (miR-192) is related to fat metabolism. However, the relevant mechanism of berberine on lipid metabolism during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes remains unclear.

Zinc-bearing dust derived non-toxic mixed iron oxides as magnetically recyclable photo-Fenton catalyst for degradation of dye.

In this paper, comprehensive utilization of hazardous zinc-bearing dust for preparation of non-toxic mixed iron oxides as a magnetically recyclable photo-Fenton catalyst for degradation of dye by a facile solid state reaction process was proposed. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) spectra and Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS), and the degradation performance of as-prepared catalysts was also tested and analyzed. The results show that spinel ferrite coexisting with or without FeO was the predominant phase in the as-prepared samples, which were confirmed by Raman analysis.

Conversion of extracted titanium tailing and waste glass to value-added porous glass ceramic with improved performances.

One of the major advances of this research is to produce porous glass ceramics (PGCs) via a feasible and cost-effective powder forming chemistry to convert solid wastes, extracted titanium tailing (ETT) and waste glass (WG) into the value-added PGCs. The maximum handling amount of ETT (30%) is determined from systematic experiments, based on the end use of these PGCs, which are manifested as controlled-crystalline porous structures of hybrid matrices. These multiscale porous networks are composed of a tunable pore size, high surface area and accessibility.

Reparative effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharide on mouse ovarian injuries induced by repeated superovulation.

To explore the repair effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on ovarian injuries induced by repeated superovulation in mice, a model of ovarian injury was established, and ovarian repair was assessed after intragastric administration of LBP. The oocyte quality and blastocyst rates of pronuclear embryos in vitro were observed. The levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and lipid peroxide (LPO) in ovarian tissue were measured, and ovarian damage was assessed in paraffin sections.

Pre-symptomatic local brain activity and functional connectivity alterations in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who developed radiation encephalopathy following radiotherapy.

Radiation encephalopathy (RE) is a common complication in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who have received radiotherapy (RT), and recent neuroimaging studies have shown brain alterations in Post-RT patients prior to RE. However, whether there are functional alterations between those Post-RT patients who are proved to have RE in follow-up and those who do not develop it remains largely unknown. Here, we used resting state functional MRI to explore regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional connectivity (FC) alterations in Post-RT patients with (Post-RT ; n = 18) or without (Post-RT ; n = 22) RE at follow-up, also making comparisons with a Pre-RT group (n = 23).

A Predictive Scoring Model for Short-Term Local Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objective: To predict the early identification of recurrence based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients.

Methods: The clinical and MRI data of 215 patients with local recurrent NPC were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to distinguish the independent risk factors for the short-term (less than 24 months) local recurrence of NPC.

Function of berberine on porcine in vitro fertilization embryo development and differential expression analysis of microRNAs.

The effect of berberine (Ber) on in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo development in pigs and the associated differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the embryo were investigated. NCSU-23 embryonic culture medium was used for a control group, while NCSU-23 embryonic culture medium added with Ber was used for a Ber group. The embryo development rates in these groups were determined, and the zygotes, 4- and 8-cell embryos, and blastocysts were collected for cDNA microarray analysis.

Effects of icariin on ovarian function in d-galactose-induced aging mice.

In this study, effects of icariin (Ica) on were examined in a mouse model of d-galactose (D-gal)-induced ovarian aging. Kunming white mice were divided into three groups: aging group induced with D-gal, experiment group treated with Ica at low (50 mg/kg), middle (100 mg/kg) and high (200 mg/kg) concentrations, and control group with no treatment. Ovarian histomorphology, serum FSH, LH and E levels, and reproductive function were compared among the groups.

Cortical Surface Area Rather Than Cortical Thickness Potentially Differentiates Radiation Encephalopathy at Early Stage in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Radiation encephalopathy (RE) is one of the most severe complications in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients after radiotherapy (RT). However, the morphological alteration of early RE is insufficiently investigated. We aimed to investigate the cortical thickness and surface area alterations in NPC patients with or without RE in the follow-up.

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of retropharyngeal lymph nodes after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a novel technique for accurate diagnosis.

Background: Enlarged retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RLNs) are very common in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing radiotherapy. The most suitable treatment option for enlarged RLNs depends on the pathological results. However, RLN sampling is difficult and imminent in the clinic setting.

[A qualitative research on impact factors for the effectiveness of pit and fissure sealing in Xi'an city].

Purpose: To explore the factors influencing the effectiveness of pit and fissures sealing in order to provide suggestions to policy makers for quality promotion of pit and fissure program.

Methods: After developing outline of the qualitative interview, the method of focus group discussion was applied in this study. A total of 32 persons including dental clinical experts, dentists who operated pit and fissure sealing and program managers were interviewed.

Mammalian target of rapamycin/eukaryotic initiation factor 4F pathway regulates follicle growth and development of theca cells in mice.

The aim of the present study was to clarify the roles of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway in follicular growth and development of thecal cells. Using in vivo-grown and in vitro-cultured ovaries, histological changes were evaluated using haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from 0 day post partum (d.

The Anti-Apoptotic Role of Berberine in Preimplantation Embryo In Vitro Development through Regulation of miRNA-21.

Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs containing berberine have been historically used to prevent miscarriage. Here, we investigated whether the anti-apoptotic effects of berberine on pre-implantation embryonic development are regulated by miRNA-21. Mouse pronuclear embryos were cultured in medium with or without berberine, and some were then microinjected with a miRNA-21 inhibitor.

The regulatory role of icariin on apoptosis in mouse preimplantation embryos with reduced microRNA-21.

We constructed a model of apoptosis in mouse preimplantation embryos and investigated the effect of the flavonol icariin on embryonic development in vitro in embryos with reduced microRNA-21 (miR-21). The model was generated by microinjecting an miR-21 inhibitor into the cytoplasm of mouse pronuclear embryos, which were cultured in vitro using modified CZB (mCZB) basal medium (model group), or using mCZB medium with 0.6 μg/mL icariin as an experimental group (model-Ica).

A retrospective evaluation of radiotherapy for the treatment of local esophageal squamous cell carcinoma recurrence after initial complete surgical resection.

Introduction: Our purpose was to assess the efficacy of radiation therapy in the treatment of locoregional recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma recurrence after curative resection.

Methods: Patients with local esophageal squamous cell carcinoma recurrence who were treated at the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1990 to December 2002 and whose initial treatment was complete surgical resection (N = 152) were included. Of the 152 patients, 60 patients received treatment with radiation therapy, and the others did not receive radiation.

Impact of esophageal cancer staging on overall survival and disease-free survival based on the 2010 AJCC classification by lymph nodes.

This retrospective study investigated the effect of modifications presented in the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Manual for staging esophageal cancer on the characterization of the effectiveness of post-operative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, as measured by overall and disease-free survival. The seventh edition of the AJCC Manual classifies the number of lymph nodes (N) positive for regional metastasis into three subclasses. We used the AJCC classification system to characterize the cancers of 413 Chinese patients with esophageal cancer who underwent radical resection plus regional lymph node dissection over a 10-year period.

[Salt-alkaline tolerance of sorghum germplasm at seedling stage].

A sand culture experiment with Hoagland solution plus NaCl and Na2CO3 was conducted to study the responses of sorghum seedlings to salt-alkaline stress. An assessment method for identifying the salt-alkaline tolerance of sorghum at seedling stage was established, and the salt-alkaline tolerance of 66 sorghum genotypes was evaluated. At the salt concentrations 8.