eLIMS: Ensemble Learning-Based Spatial Segmentation of Mass Spectrometry Imaging to Explore Metabolic Heterogeneity.

Spatial segmentation is an essential processing method for image analysis aiming to identify the characteristic suborgans or microregions from mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) data, which is critical for understanding the spatial heterogeneity of biological information and function and the underlying molecular signatures. Due to the intrinsic characteristics of MSI data including spectral nonlinearity, high-dimensionality, and large data size, the common segmentation methods lack the capability for capturing the accurate microregions associated with biological functions. Here we proposed an ensemble learning-based spatial segmentation strategy, named eLIMS, that combines a randomized unified manifold approximation and projection (r-UMAP) dimensionality reduction module for extracting significant features and an ensemble pixel clustering module for aggregating the clustering maps from r-UMAP.

Multicenter Randomized Double-Blind Phase III Trial of Donafenib in Progressive Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Purpose: The phase II/III study of donafenib was initiated when there was no available treatment indicated for Chinese patients with progressive radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC). Donafenib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), showed good efficacy and tolerability in the phase II study. We aimed to further evaluate the antitumor activity and safety of donafenib in Chinese patients with RAIR-DTC.

The Role of Decreased Levels of Neuronal Autophagy in Increased Susceptibility to Post-traumatic Epilepsy.

Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) caused by mild TBI (mild traumatic brain injury, mTBI) has a high incidence and poor prognosis, but its mechanisms are unclear. Herein, we investigated the role of reduced levels of neuronal autophagy during the latency period in the increased susceptibility to PTE. In the study, a gentle whole-body mechanical trauma rat model was prepared using Noble-Collip drums, and the extent of injury was observed by cranial CT and HE staining of hippocampal tissue.

Evaluation of N-(6-[F]Fluoropyridin-3-yl)glycine PET renography to detect renal function progression in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective: Given the limitation of biomarkers to predict the renal function progression in diabetic nephropathy, N-(6-[F]Fluoropyridin-3-yl)glycine (6-[F]FPyGly) was used to evaluate renal function progression in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy.

Methods: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, including the healthy control group (HC group), diabetic nephropathy group (DNM group), routine diet treated diabetic nephropathy group (RDNM group), and high fat/high sucrose -diet-fed diabetic nephropathy group (HDNM group). All renal function parameters were determined from animal PET renograms.

Absolute reduction in peripheral regulatory T cells in patients with Graves' disease and post-treatment recovery.

Objective: Graves' disease (GD) is one of the most common autoimmune conditions, but the mechanisms underlying the associated induction of autoimmunity are not known. We explored the role of peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations in disease pathogenesis.

Methods: In total, 32 patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study.

Radiosynthesis and evaluation of N-(2-F-fluoropropanyl) ornithine as a potential agent for tumor PET imaging.

Objective: Studies have confirmed that tumorigenesis is related to an imbalance of polyamine metabolism and over-expression of oncogenes resulting in the up-regulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, the first rate-limiting enzyme for regulating intracellular polyamines biosynthesis), which has become a target for anti-tumor therapy. In this study, an ornithine derivative, N-(2-[F]fluoropropionyl) ornithine (N-[F]FPO), has been prepared and its potential utility for tumor PET imaging evaluated.

Methods: N-[F]FPO was successfully prepared via a nucleophilic fluorination reaction and a subsequent efficient deprotection step.

Synthesis of N-(6-[F]Fluoropyridin-3-yl)glycine as a potential renal PET agent.

Objective: Given the requirements of high sensitivity and spatial resolution, the development of new positron emission tomography (PET) agents is required for PET renography. The objective of this study was to investigate a new fluorine-18 labeled hippurate analogue of picolinamide, N-(6-[F]Fluoropyridin-3-yl)glycine, as a new renal PET agent for evaluating renal function.

Methods: N-(6-[F]Fluoropyridin-3-yl)glycine was prepared via a two-step reaction, including the nucleophilic substitution reaction of Br with F using methyl 2-(6-bromonicotinamido)acetate as a precursor followed the hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide and purification by preparative-HPLC.

Decreased autophagy in rat heart induced by anti-β1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies contributes to the decline in mitochondrial membrane potential.

It has been recognized that changes in mitochondrial structure plays a key role in development of cardiac dysfunction, and autophagy has been shown to exert maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis effects. Our previous study found that anti-β1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies (β1-AABs) could lead to cardiac dysfunction along with abnormalities in mitochondrial structure. The present study tested the hypothesis that β1-AABs may induce the decline in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by suppression of cardiac autophagy, which contributed to cardiac dysfunction.

Decreased autophagy contributes to myocardial dysfunction in rats subjected to nonlethal mechanical trauma.

Autophagy is important in cells for removing damaged organelles, such as mitochondria. Insufficient autophagy plays a critical role in tissue injury and organ dysfunction under a variety of pathological conditions. However, the role of autophagy in nonlethal traumatic cardiac damage remains unclear.

[Radioiodine-131 therapy improves sex hormones and sexual function in male patients with Graves' disease].

Objective: To observe the changes of sex hormones and sexual function in male patients with Graves' disease (GD) after Radioiodine-131 (I-131) therapy.

Methods: Thirty-four male GD patients, aged 21 -40 (32.3 +/- 6.

[Clinical application of orbital scintigraphy with 99Tc(m)-octreotide in patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

Objective: To analyze the feasibility of estimation of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) activity with orbital scintigraphy using 99Tcm-octreotide.

Methods: There were 30 cases of TAO and 11 volunteers without eye disease or thyroid disease (control group, CG). Some examinations were performed before treatment.