Quantitative evaluation of risk factors for low back pain in young patients using synthetic magnetic resonance imaging and proton density fat fraction analyses.

Background: Lumbar intervertebral disc and paravertebral muscle degeneration are common causes of chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, the exact etiology of CLBP in young patients remains unclear. Identifying the risk factors for CLBP in young patients could expedite the development of effective preventive recommendations.

The Src1-PGC1α-AP1 complex-dependent secretion of substance P induces inflammation and apoptosis in encephalomyocarditis virus-infected mice.

Substance P (SP), a neuropeptide consisting of 11 amino acid residues, is involved in the pathogenesis of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV)-induced myocarditis by stimulating the production of proinflammatory cytokines. However, the underlying mechanism that regulates SP production is still unknown. In this study, we report the transcriptional regulation of the Tachykinin Precursor 1 (TAC1) gene that encodes SP by a transcriptional complex composed of Steroid Receptor Coactivator 1 (Src1), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 (PGC1α), and Activator Protein 1 (AP1) transcription factor.

Quantification of lumbar vertebral fat deposition: Correlation with menopausal status, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Purpose: To assess abdominal fat deposition and lumbar vertebra with iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL-IQ) and investigate their correlation with menopausal status.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred forty women who underwent routine abdominal MRI and IDEAL-IQ between January 2016 and April 2021 were divided into two cohorts (first cohort: 120 pre- or postmenopausal women with severe fatty livers or without fatty livers; second cohort: 120 pre- or postmenopausal women who were obese or normal weight). The fat fraction (FF) values of the liver (FF) and lumbar vertebra (FF) in the first group and the FF values of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) (FF) and FF in the second group were measured and compared using IDEAL-IQ.

CAF-derived midkine promotes EMT and cisplatin resistance by upregulating lncRNA ST7-AS1 in gastric cancer.

This study aimed to investigate the role of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-derived midkine (MK) in cisplatin (DDP) resistance. The primary cultures of CAFs and non-cancer fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated and purified. The DDP-resistant gastric cancer (GC) cells were cultured with CAF-conditioned medium.

LncRNA HCG18 upregulates TRAF4/TRAF5 to facilitate proliferation, migration and EMT of epithelial ovarian cancer by targeting miR-29a/b.

Background: Although long noncoding RNA HLA complex group 18 (lncRNA HCG18) has been suggested to regulate cell growth in several tumours, the function of HCG18 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and its mechanism are still unclear.

Methods: shRNAs were applied to reduce HCG18 and related genes. For overexpression of miRNA, a miRNA mimic was transfected into cells.

Substance P prevents doxorubicin‑induced cardiomyocyte injury by regulating apoptosis and autophagy: and evidence.

The function of substance P (SP) in myocardial ischemia is well understood, but its effects on congestive heart failure are unclear. The present study aimed to use and approaches to investigate the effects of SP on doxorubicin‑induced cardiomyocyte injury. Pathological changes, apoptosis, cardiomyocyte ultrastructure and molecular mechanisms were evaluated and .

[Effect of moxibustion combined with benazepril on expression of IL-18 and phosphorylated protein kinase B in myocardial tissue of rats with chronic heart failure].

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion combined with benazepril on cardiac function and expression levels of myocardial interleukin-18(IL-18), phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in improvement of CHF.

Methods: Fifty male rats were randomly divided into normal, model, moxibustion, benazepril and moxibustion+benazepril groups (=10 rats per group). The CHF model was established by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin hydrochloride solution (DOX, 2.

A Novel Autophagy-Related Marker for Improved Differential Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two most common rheumatic diseases in the world. Although there are standard methods for the diagnosis of both RA and OA, the differentials in some cases are poor. With deepening research, the role of autophagy in maintaining cell homeostasis and thus enabling cells adapt to external environments has become increasingly prominent.

CDH11 Regulates Adhesion and Transcellular Migration of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: CDH11, as a member of cadherins, mediates homotypic cell adhesion. Some studies have shown that CDH11 plays an important role in the development of tumors, especially in the processes of tumor invasion and metastasis. While features of CDH11 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) are still indeterminate, the purpose of the present study is to explore the role of CDH11 in TSCC.

Quantification of penile fat infiltration using the mDIXON Quant sequence: a pilot study on the correlation with penis hardness and erectile dysfunction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine fat/water signal ratios using the mDIXON Quant sequence, quantitatively assess fat infiltration in the penis, and explore its possible relationship with penile hardness and erectile dysfunction.

Methods: Routine pelvic MRI with the mDIXON Quant sequence was performed in 62 subjects, including 22 people in the normal group, 20 people in the normal erectile hardness group, and 20 people in the erectile dysfunction (ED) group. The fat/water signal ratio in the penis was measured using the mDIXON Quant sequence.

The diagnostic value of serological tests and real-time polymerase chain reaction in children with acute infection.

Background: This study set out to evaluate the clinical significance and diagnostic effectiveness of serological tests and real-time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) in children of different age groups and disease durations infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP).

Methods: Pediatric patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were enrolled and subjected to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid PCR (BALF-PCR) for MP infection. The diagnostic values of the serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) test, paired sera immunoglobulin G (IgG) test, RT PCR applied to nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA-PCR), and combined IgM and NPA-PCR test were evaluated.

[Effect of moxibustion on cardiac function and expression of autophagy-related proteins of cardiomyocytes in chronic heart failure rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on cardiac function and expression of myocardial tumor suppressor protein p53, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated(p)-mTOR (excessive autophagy-associated proteins of cardiomyocytes) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CHF.

Methods: SD rats were divided into blank control (＝11), model(＝8), autophagy activator (＝8), autophagy inhibitor (＝9) and moxibustion(＝9) groups. The CHF model was established by i．p.

[Acupuncture combined with opioid drugs on moderate and severe cancer pain: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To explore the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with opioid drugs on moderate and severe cancer pain.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with cancer were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. Oxycodonehydrochloride prolonged-release tablet was taken orally in the control group.

Analysis of gene expression profiles at different stages during preadipocyte differentiation in rabbits.

Excessive accumulation of fat is harmful to human health. The preadipocyte differentiation is a critical process of fat development. Studying the expression profiles of genes related to preadipocyte differentiation contributes to understanding of the mechanism of fat accumulation.

Quantification of testicular fat deposition in the evaluation of middle-aged overweight male infertility.

Objectives: To measure the testicular volume and testicular fat deposition of middle-aged overweight men and to assess the utility of testicular fat deposition and testicular volume in determining and monitoring testicular infertility.

Materials And Methods: Pelvic MRI with thin slice T2WI, T1WI and mDIXON Quant was performed on 30 middle-aged overweight patients in the treatment group and 30 middle-aged overweight men in the control group. Testicular volume and testicular fat deposition were measured separately based on thin slice T2WI and the fat fraction (FF) map of mDIXON Quant, and the testicular fat deposition observed with T1WI was used as a reference for qualitative diagnosis.

The role of miR-29c/B7-H3/Th17 axis in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is one of the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia in children. Recent studies demonstrated that the incidence of severe or fatal M.

[Moxibustion improves cardiac function by up-regulating autophagy-related proteins of cardiomyocytes in rats with chronic heart failure].

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on cardiac function and the expression of autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and selective autophagy receptor signaling adaptor sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in preventing and treating CHF.

Methods: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, moxibustion, autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and autophagy agonist rapamycin (RAPA) groups (＝12 rats/group). The CHF model was established by intrape-ritoneal injection of adriamycin (ADR, 2 mg/kg, once every week for 12 weeks).

The Effect of ICOS Polymorphism Interactions with HBV Mutations on HBV Subtype Infection Outcomes.

Introduction And Aim: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a public health problem worldwide. In addition, HBV infection results are influenced by various virological, immunological, and genetic factors. Inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS) polymorphisms involving chronic HBV infection have been confirmed in previous studies.

Quantification of fat deposition in the testis and epididymis using mDIXON Quant sequence: correlation with age and ejaculation.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess fat deposition in the testis and epididymis by measuring the fat/water signal ratios with mDIXON Quant and to investigate its correlation with age and ejaculation.

Materials And Methods: Routine pelvic magnetic resonance imaging and mDIXON Quant were performed on 120 subjects. The fat/water signal ratios of the testis and epididymis were measured based on the fat/water signal intensity on mDIXON Quant.

Effects of haem oxygenase-1 expression on oxidative injury and biological behaviours of rat dermal fibroblasts.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of high haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression on oxidative injury and the biological behaviours of rat dermal fibroblasts, under high glucose conditions.

Method: Rat dermal fibroblasts were cultured in normal glucose (1.0g/l), high glucose (4.

[Effects of Moxibustion on Ventricular Mass Index and Expression of Apoptosis Related Proteins in Myocardium of Rats with Chronic Heart Failure].

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on cardiac function and the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), Fas, Fas ligand (FasL) in cardiomyocytes of chronic heart failure (CHF) rats, so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in preventing and treating CHF.

Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, moxibustion, Captopril and moxibustion ＋ Captopril (M＋C) groups (＝12 rats/group). The CHF model was established by intraperitoneal injection of Adriamycin (ADR, from 1 to 4 mg/kg, once every other day for 15 days).

Assessment of Neurodegeneration in Type C Niemann-Pick Disease by IDEAL-IQ.

Objective: To noninvasively assess the neurodegenerative changes in the brain of patients with Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease by measuring the lesion tissue with the iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least square estimation-iron quantification (IDEAL-IQ).

Materials And Methods: Routine brain MRI, IDEAL-IQ and H-proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS, served as control) were performed on 12 patients with type C Niemann-Pick disease (4 males and 8 females; age range, 15-61 years; mean age, 36 years) and 20 healthy subjects (10 males and 10 females; age range, 20-65 years; mean age, 38 years). The regions with lesion and the normal appearing regions (NARs) of patients were measured and analyzed based on the fat/water signal intensity on IDEAL-IQ and the lipid peak on H-MRS.

Brain MRI findings in acute hepatic encephalopathy in liver transplant recipients.

Acute hepatic encephalopathy has significant morbidity and mortality in liver transplant recipients unless it is promptly treated. We evaluated the brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings associated with acute hepatic encephalopathy in transplant recipients. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and imaging data and outcomes of twenty-five liver transplant patients (16 male; mean age, 49.

Retinoid X Receptor α-Dependent HBV Minichromosome Remodeling and Viral Replication.

Background And Aim: The HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is organized into a minichromosome in the nuclei of infected hepatocytes through interactions with histone and nonhistone proteins. Retinoid X receptor α (RXRα), a liver-enriched nuclear receptor, participates in regulation of HBV replication and transcription through modulation of HBV enhancer 1 and core promoter activity.

Material And Methods: This study investigated RXRα involvement in HBV cccDNA epigenetic modifications.

Association of HLA-DQ and IFNL4 polymorphisms with susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection and clearance.

Unlabelled:  Background and aim. Leukocyte antigen DQ (HLA-DQ) and interferon-λ4 (IFNL4) gene polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection. This study further confirmed that variants of these genes were associated with susceptibility and spontaneous clearance of HBV infection in a Chinese population.