Efficacy and safety of azathioprine in patients with Cronkhite-Canada syndrome: a case series from Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Background: Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare non-hereditary chronic inflammatory disease characteristic of gastrointestinal polyps and ectodermal abnormalities. Corticosteroid therapy is the mainstay medication for CCS. Few studies indicated immunosuppressants might be the choices for patients with steroid refractory, steroid dependent or intolerant.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of endoscopy among gastroenterologists in diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease in China: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: The aim was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of endoscopy among gastroenterologists in the diagnosis and management of IBD in China.

Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional KAP study was performed. The questionnaire was developed and improved using feedback and opinions from a team of experienced IBD specialist professors and then distributed and collected online.

Mechanisms by Which SARS-CoV-2 Invades and Damages the Central Nervous System: Apart from the Immune Response and Inflammatory Storm, What Else Do We Know?

Initially reported as pneumonia of unknown origin, COVID-19 is increasingly being recognized for its impact on the nervous system, despite nervous system invasions being extremely rare. As a result, numerous studies have been conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of nervous system damage and propose appropriate coping strategies. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 invades and damages the central nervous system, with a specific focus on aspects apart from the immune response and inflammatory storm.

A Dual-Band, Dual-Polarized Filtering Antenna Based on Cross-Shaped Dielectric Strip Resonator.

A dual-band, dual-polarized filtering antenna with a cross-shaped dielectric strip resonator is proposed. The dual-band filtering radiation function is achieved by utilizing the odd and even modes of the stub loaded microstrip resonator to excite the TM and TM mode in each polarization direction of the cross-shaped dielectric strip resonator. The cross-shaped dielectric strip resonator is synthesized by the E-field distributions and the magnitude comparison along different polarization directions, which can ensure the isolation between two polarizations.

Dryland irrigation increases accumulation rates of pedogenic carbonate and releases soil abiotic CO.

Agricultural fields in drylands are challenged globally by limited freshwater resources for irrigation and also by elevated soil salinity and sodicity. It is well known that pedogenic carbonate is less soluble than evaporate salts and commonly forms in natural drylands. However, few studies have evaluated how irrigation loads dissolved calcium and bicarbonate to agricultural fields, accelerating formation rates of secondary calcite and simultaneously releasing abiotic CO to the atmosphere.

Metatranscriptomic Sequencing Suggests the Presence of Novel RNA Viruses in Rice Transmitted by Brown Planthopper.

Viral pathogens are a major threat to stable crop production. Using a backcross strategy, we find that integrating a dominant brown planthopper (BPH) resistance gene into a high-yield and BPH-susceptible rice variety significantly enhances BPH resistance. However, when -carrying backcross lines are infested with BPH, these BPH-resistant lines exhibit sterile characteristics, displaying panicle enclosure and failure of seed production at their mature stage.

Evaluation of geochemical processes and nitrate pollution sources at the Ljubljansko polje aquifer (Slovenia): A stable isotope perspective.

The Ljubljansko polje aquifer, which is the main supply of drinking water for the local population in Ljubljana, Slovenia is highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pollution. In this study, the geochemistry of major constituents including nitrate concentrations and the dual isotopes of nitrate were used to ascertain the spatial distribution of processes and nitrate sources in the groundwater from seven wells at three different water supplies: Kleče, Hrastje and Jarški prod. The groundwater is of the Ca-Mg-HCO type approaching equilibrium with respect to dolomite and are moderately supersaturated with calcite.

[Effect of collagen peptides from walleye pollock skin on bone microstructure of ovariectomized rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of collagen peptides from walleye pollock skin on the microstructure of osteoporosis model in ovariectomized rats, and to explore the feasibility of preventing and treating oste- oporosis.

Methods: Sixty adult Wistar female rats, weighing (250±10) g, were randomly divided into 5 groups (12 rats each group): normal group (group A), osteoporosis model group (group B), osteoporosis model+collagen peptides from walleye pollock skin prevention group (group C), osteoporosis model+low concentration of collagen peptides from walleye pollock skin treatment group (group D), and osteoporosis model+high concentration of collagen peptides from walleye pollock skin treatment group (group E). The rats in groups B, C, D, and E were removed bilateral ovarian to establish osteoporosis model.

Preparation, characterization and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide from Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) Harald.

This study aimed to investigate antioxidant activities of a polysaccharide from Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) Harald. F.

Manganese-enhanced MR imaging (MEMRI) combined with electrophysiology in the study of cross-modal plasticity in binocularly blind rats.

Our study aimed to determine and verify the establishment of visual to auditory cross-modal plasticity using manganese-enhanced MR imaging (MEMRI) combined with examinations of the visual evoked potential (VEP), auditory brainstem response (ABR) and bilateral visual cortex response to a bilateral auditory stimulus (AVR). Fourteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley newborn rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=7 per group). Optic nerve transection was performed in the 7 rats of Group A three weeks after birth to obtain binocularly blind models, and the 7 rats of Group B were maintained as the control group.

Noninvasive scoring system for significant inflammation related to chronic hepatitis B.

Although a liver stiffness measurement-based model can precisely predict significant intrahepatic inflammation, transient elastography is not commonly available in a primary care center. Additionally, high body mass index and bilirubinemia have notable effects on the accuracy of transient elastography. The present study aimed to create a noninvasive scoring system for the prediction of intrahepatic inflammatory activity related to chronic hepatitis B, without the aid of transient elastography.

Visual cortex and auditory cortex activation in early binocularly blind macaques: A BOLD-fMRI study using auditory stimuli.

Cross-modal plasticity within the visual and auditory cortices of early binocularly blind macaques is not well studied. In this study, four healthy neonatal macaques were assigned to group A (control group) or group B (binocularly blind group). Sixteen months later, blood oxygenation level-dependent functional imaging (BOLD-fMRI) was conducted to examine the activation in the visual and auditory cortices of each macaque while being tested using pure tones as auditory stimuli.

Evaluation of changes in magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging of the bilateral optic tract in monocular blind rats.

Some studies have used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate white matter development of the visual pathway in humans and animals after visual deprivation. However, the alterations in the bilateral optic tract after the transection of unilateral optic nerve have not been well explored. In this study, we attempted to investigate the structural integrity of and pathological changes to the bilateral optic tract after transection of the unilateral optic nerve in rats using DTI.

Manganese-enhanced MRI (ME MRI) in evaluation of the auditory pathway in an experimental rat model.

This study aimed to explore the optimal dose and manner of administration for visualization of the auditory pathway on manganese-enhanced MRI (ME MRI). Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 8 for Groups A, B and C). The rats in Groups A, B and C were subjected to MnCl injection through the tympanum, inner ear endolymph and perilymph, respectively (0.

Metabolic Changes in the Bilateral Visual Cortex of the Monocular Blind Macaque: A Multi-Voxel Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study.

The metabolic changes accompanied with adaptive plasticity in the visual cortex after early monocular visual loss were unclear. In this study, we detected the metabolic changes in bilateral visual cortex of normal (group A) and monocular blind macaque (group B) for studying the adaptive plasticity using multi-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) at 32 months after right optic nerve transection. Then, we compared the N-Acetyl aspartate (NAA)/Creatine (Cr), myoinositol (Ins)/Cr, choline (Cho)/Cr and Glx (Glutamate + glutamine)/Cr ratios in the visual cortex between two groups, as well as between the left and right visual cortex of group A and B.

Changes in DTI parameters in the optic tracts of macaque monkeys with monocular blindness.

For humans and non-human primates, the alteration of the visual pathway's white matter fibers after visual deprivation has been partially explored. However, the changes in the optic tracts after the transection of the optic nerve have not been well characterized. In the current study, we attempted to investigate the differences in optic tracts between normal and unilateral optic nerve transected macaque monkeys using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Evaluation of renal oxygenation change under the influence of carbogen breathing using a dynamic R , R ' and R * quantification approach.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of dynamic renal R /R '/R * measurements based on a method, denoted psMASE-ME, in which a periodic 180° pulse-shifting multi-echo asymmetric spin echo (psMASE) sequence, combined with a moving estimation (ME) strategy, is adopted. Following approval by the institutional animal care and use committee, a block design of respiratory challenge with interleaved air and carbogen (97% O , 3% CO ) breathing was employed in nine rabbits. Parametrical R /R '/R * maps were computed and average R /R '/R * values were measured in regions of interest in the renal medulla and cortex.

Simultaneous dynamic R R2', and R2* measurement using periodic π pulse shifting multiecho asymmetric spin echo sequence moving estimation strategy: A feasibility study for lower extremity muscle.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous dynamic R , R2', and R2* measurement of lower extremity muscle by means of a new method in which the periodic π pulse shifting multiecho asymmetric spin echo (psMASE) sequence is adopted together with a moving estimation (ME) strategy.

Theory And Methods: The psMASE sequence is a modification of the multiecho asymmetric spin echo sequence determined by shifting the 180 ° refocusing pulse periodically. ME strategy is introduced to improve the temporal resolution of the simultaneous dynamic measurement of R , R2', and R2*.

Noninvasive measurement of renal oxygen extraction fraction under the influence of respiratory challenge.

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of using a susceptibility-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for measuring renal oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) changes under the influence of carbogen (97% O2 , 3% CO2 ) breathing.

Materials And Methods: Eight New Zealand White rabbits were included in this study with local animal care committee approval. For OEF measurement, an asymmetric spin echo (ASE) sequence was used to acquire source images and a susceptibility model was utilized for OEF estimation at 3.

Noninvasive measurement of lower extremity muscle oxygen extraction fraction under cuff compression paradigm.

Background: To demonstrate the feasibility of using a susceptibility-based MRI technique with asymmetric spin-echo (ASE) sequence to assess the lower extremity muscle oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) alternations under cuff compression paradigm.

Methods: Approved by the local institutional human study committee, nine healthy young volunteers participated in this study. All the ASE scans were conducted using a 3 Tesla clinical MRI scanner during resting state (pre), 1-3 min (post1) and 3-5 min (post2) after a pressure of 50 mmHg above individual systolic blood pressure imposed on the thigh.

Preliminary study of diffusion-weighted imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging in Kimura disease.

In this study, we evaluated the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy imaging (MRSI) combined with computed tomography (CT) and conventional MR imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of Kimura disease (KD). The clinical data and CT and MRI findings of 5 patients with KD proven by histopathologic examination were retrospectively reviewed. Diffusion-weighted imaging and MRSI were performed at 1.

Metabolic changes in the visual cortex of binocular blindness macaque monkeys: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

Purpose: To evaluate proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) in a study of cross-modal plasticity in the visual cortex of binocular blindness macaque monkeys.

Materials And Methods: Four healthy neonatal macaque monkeys were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 2 in each group. Optic nerve transection was performed in both monkeys in the experimental group (group B) to obtain binocular blindness.