Use of transrectal high-frequency ultrasound in assessment of middle compartment prolapse.

Objective: To investigate the superiority of transrectal high-frequency ultrasound (TRUS) in precise assessment of middle compartment prolapse in comparison with routine transperineal ultrasound (TPUS).

Methods: Prospectively analyzed and compared detection rates of entire cervical length and uterine descent on TPUS and TRUS in 101 patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Results: Detection rates of entire cervix on TRUS were significantly higher than those on TPUS both at rest and during Valsalva maneuver (90.

Comparison of chronic gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities between brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy for patients with prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: 125I BT is an effective radiotherapy for prostate cancer. However, comparison data of GI and GU toxicities between BT, BT + EBRT, and EBRT-alone patient groups is limited.

Objective: To define the GI and GU toxicities in prostate cancer to prevent adverse events after treatment.

Role of IL-17 family cytokines in the progression of IPF from inflammation to fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal chronic interstitial lung disease with no established treatment and is characterized by progressive scarring of the lung tissue and an irreversible decline in lung function. Chronic inflammation has been demonstrated to be the pathological basis of fibrosis. Emerging studies have revealed that most interleukin-17 (IL-17) isoforms are essential for the mediation of acute and chronic inflammation via innate and adaptive immunity.

Combined Application of Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging Techniques to Investigate the Effect of Iron Deposition on Microstructural Changes in the Brain in Parkinson's Disease.

Objectives: Brain iron deposition and microstructural changes in brain tissue are associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the correlation between these factors in Parkinson's disease has been little studied. This study aimed to use quantitative susceptibility mapping combined with diffusion kurtosis imaging to investigate the effects of iron deposition on microstructural tissue alterations in the brain.

A case report of serpentine-like syndrome and review of literature.

Background: Serpentine-like syndrome (SLS) is a rare foetal abnormality, characterized by brachioesophagus, secondary intrathoracic stomach and vertebral deformity. Herein, we report a case of SLS diagnosed based on imaging, genetic examination and autopsy findings.

Case Presentation: From the 19th to 23rd weeks of gestation, the foetus presented with brachioesophagus, secondary intrathoracic stomach, intrathoracic spleen with poly-spleen malformation, spinal deformity and diaphragm dysplasia, and some abdominal organs were partly located in the thoracic cavity.

Clinical value and application of preoperative CT-guided hookwire localization of solitary pulmonary nodules for video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Background: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive technique for the diagnosis and management of small pulmonary nodular lesions However, the identification of some lung nodules remains difficult.

Objective: This research aimed to investigate the clinical value of preoperative computed tomography (CT)-guided hookwire localization of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) for thoracoscopic resection.

Methods: Seventy-one patients with 74 SPNs underwent VATS wedge resection after CT-guided hookwire localization.

Crown-Rump Length Discordance, Increased Nuchal Translucency, and Detection of Fetal Structural Anomalies in Twin Pregnancies in the First Trimester: 5 Years of Experience in a Tertiary Hospital in China.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the first-trimester ultrasound scan in the detection of fetal structural anomalies in twin pregnancies. To examine the association between increased nuchal translucency (NT) thickness, crown-rump length (CRL) or NT discordance, and detection of structural anomalies in a large twin series in China.

Methods: We performed retrospective analysis of twin pregnancies who underwent 11-13 -week and second-trimester anomaly scan and booked at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital between January 2012 and December 2016.

Quantitative metabolic characteristics in the peritumoral region of gliomas at 7T.

Background: The determination of tumor peripheral is of great significance in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: In this study, we aim to obtain the metabolic condition in tumor peripheral of gliomas in vivo at 7T.

Methods: C6 glioma cells were implanted into the right basal ganglia of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats under stereotactic guided to create the glioma models.

Immunogenicity analysis of conserved fragments in Plasmodium ovale species merozoite surface protein 4.

Background: There is an urgent need for an effective vaccine to control and eradicate malaria, one of the most serious global infectious diseases. Plasmodium merozoite surface protein 4 (MSP4) has been listed as a blood-stage subunit vaccine candidate for malaria. Infection with Plasmodium ovale species including P.

Study on the Effects of Potential Affecting Factors on the Midurethral Volume by High-Frequency 3-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound.

Objectives: The anatomic integrity of the female mid urethra is an important factor for urinary continence. However, the associations between the urethral volume and potential affecting factors still remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of potential factors, including age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), parity number, delivery mode, and menopause, on the midurethral volume to assist in more-accurate evaluations of urethral anatomy and urinary continence mechanisms in clinical practice.

Assessment of fetal modified myocardial performance index in early-onset and late-onset fetal growth restriction.

Aim: To investigate the changes of modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) in early-onset and late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) cases, and its association with adverse perinatal outcome.

Methods: This was a prospective study on 77 early-onset and 100 late-onset FGR cases. Hundred normal fetuses were matched as control groups for early-onset and late-onset FGR groups, respectively.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of fibromas and giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath: differential diagnosis.

Purpose: The clinical and imaging characteristics of fibromas of the tendon sheath (FTS) closely resemble those of giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath (GCTTS). We aimed to study MRI features of FTS and GCTTS to distinguish the two entities and improve their differential diagnosis.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 18 patients (9 men, 9 women; age, 17-62 years) and 24 patients (13 men, 11 women; age, 15-67 years) treated between May 2011 and May 2016, with histologically confirmed FTS and GCTTS, respectively.

Immunogenicity analysis of genetically conserved segments in Plasmodium ovale merozoite surface protein-8.

Background: Plasmodium ovale is widely distributed across tropical regions and has two closely related but distinct species, namely P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri.

Identification and Genotypic Characterization of Potentially Pathogenic Acanthamoeba Isolated from Tap Water in Wuxi, China.

Members of genus Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in the environment. Some are pathogenic and cause keratitis and fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. In this study, we isolated an Acanthamoeba CJW/W1 strain from tap water in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.

Limited genetic diversity of N-terminal of merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) in Plasmodium ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri imported from Africa to China.

Background: Plasmodium merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) is released into the bloodstream during merozoite invasion, and thus represents a crucial malarial vaccine target. Although substantial research effort has been devoted to uncovering the genetic diversity of MSP-1 for P. falciparum and P.

Comparison of relative and absolute values of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of spinal epidural lipomatosis.

Objective: To describe spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) of the lumbar region and evaluate the relative versus absolute values of epidural fat (EF) to determine which is more appropriate when using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Design: Comparative study.

Setting: Hospital.

[MRI findings of cerebral schistosomiasis in acute stage：establishment of experimental model of acute cerebral schistosomiasis with rabbits].

Objective: To establish an experimental model of acute cerebral schistosomiasis japonica and explore the MRI manifestations of acute cerebral schistosomiasis.

Methods: Rabbits were divided into 3 groups with 10 rabbits in each group. The rabbits in the experimental group were directly injected with suspension fluid of eggs (0.

Repeatability of Female Midurethral Measurement Using High-Frequency 3-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasonography.

Objectives: Imaging assessment of the female urethra is critical for diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence. High-frequency 3-dimensional (3D) transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) is a novel technique for evaluating the female urethra. The aim of this study was to test the repeatability of 3D TVUS between examiners without prior experience with TVUS.

Isolation and identification of Acanthamoeba strains from soil and tap water in Yanji, China.

Background: Members of the genus Acanthamoeba are widely distributed throughout the world, and some of them are considered pathogenic, as they are capable of causing corneal and central nervous system diseases. In this study, we isolated Acanthamoeba strains from soil and tap water in Yanji, China.

Methods: We identified four strains of Acanthamoeba (CJY/S1, CJY/S2, CJY/S3, and CJY/W1) using mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (mtDNA RFLP) analysis.

An application study of low-dose computed tomography perfusion imaging for evaluation of the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma.

Background: This study used low-dose computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging technology to evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma and to determine whether any of the perfusion parameters could predict tumor response to chemotherapy.

Methods: Forty patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (T3-4NxM0) received three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and low-dose spiral CT perfusion imaging prior to and after the first and third series of chemotherapy. We calculated tissue blood flow (BF) and blood volume (BV) using commercial software.

Role of CT perfusion imaging in patients with variously differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: To explore the characteristics of variously differentiated gastric cancers on computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging, including specific perfusion parameter values, and potential clinical applications in the prognosis assessment of gastric cancer.

Materials And Methods: Fifty patients with gastric cancer confirmed by gastroscope pathology were studied prospectively using CT perfusion imaging examinations on a 64-slice spiral CT scanner. The acquired volume data were used for calculations, mapping, and analysis by using an abdominal tumor perfusion protocol (deconvolution method) in the CT perfusion software package to measure 4 parameters: blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and the permeability surface (PS) area product.

Evolution of blood-brain barrier damage associated with changes in brain metabolites following acute ischemia.

Stroke is a serious medical condition that requires emergency care. In the case of ischemic stroke, ischemia may lead to damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB); the damage in turn may exacerbate the condition. Therefore, noninvasive detection of BBB damage represents a challenge for experimental and clinical researchers.

The cuprizone-induced changes in (1)H-MRS metabolites and oxidative parameters in C57BL/6 mouse brain: Effects of quetiapine.

Cuprizone is a copper-chelating agent and able to induce oligodendrocyte loss and demyelination in C57BL/6 mouse brain. Recent studies have used the cuprizone-fed mouse as an animal model of schizophrenia to examine putative roles of altered oligodendrocytes in this mental disorder. The present study reported the effects of cuprizone on the brain metabolites and oxidative parameters with the aim of providing neurochemical evidence for the application of the cuprizone mouse as an animal model of schizophrenia.

Early metabolic changes following ischemia onset in rats: an in vivo diffusion-weighted imaging and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 7.0 T.

Despite improvements in imaging techniques, it remains challenging to quantitatively assess the time of ischemic onset of an acute ischemic stroke. It is crucial to evaluate the early signs of infarction, which are predictive of responses to recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within a treatment window of 4.5 h after stroke induction.

Chronic social isolation decreases glutamate and glutamine levels and induces oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus.

Social isolation (SI) rearing of rodents is a developmental manipulation, which is commonly compared with the psychological stressors in humans as it produces several behavioral outcomes similar to those observed in humans with early life stress. To explain the SI-induced behavioral outcomes, animal studies have been performed to examine the dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems in the brain. In this study, we measured possible changes in levels of glutamate and glutamine of SI-rats using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.