A novel role of AIM2 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction And Objectives: The absence of melanoma 2 (AIM2) protein triggers the activation of the inflammasome cascade. It is unclear whether AIM2 plays a role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which uses radiofrequency waves to treat tumors. In this study, we investigated if RFA could induce pyroptosis, also called cell inflammatory necrosis, in HCC through AIM2-inflammasome signaling in vivo and in vitro.

BSA modification of bacterial surface: a promising anti-cancer therapeutic strategy.

Background: Attenuated live bacterial therapy and medical BSA materials have their own advantages in anti-cancer research, and their combination is expected to overcome some of the disadvantages of conventional anti-cancer therapeutics.

Methods And Objective: Utilizing the high affinity between biotin and streptavidin, BSA modification on the surface of Escherichia coli (E. coli) was achieved.

Tannins amount determines whether tannase-containing bacteria are probiotic or pathogenic in IBD.

The role of dietary tannin in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still not clear. Therefore, we aim to study the effect of TA in the progression of IBD. Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced model was used to mimic IBD.

Construction of a machine learning-based artificial neural network for discriminating PANoptosis related subgroups to predict prognosis in low-grade gliomas.

The poor prognosis of gliomas necessitates the search for biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes. Recent studies have shown that PANoptosis play an important role in tumor progression. However, the role of PANoptosis in in gliomas has not been fully clarified.

Preoperative Nomogram Incorporating Clinical Factors, Serological Markers and LI-RADS MRI Features to Predict Early Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Transarterial Chemoembolization.

Purpose: To develop and validate a preoperative nomogram model that incorporates clinical factors, serological markers and liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS v2018) MRI features for predicting early recurrence (ER) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods: One hundred and fourteen patients with HCC who underwent MRI scanning before TACE were enrolled retrospectively and divided into a training cohort (n=80) and a test cohort (n=34). The clinical factors, serological markers and LI-RADS v2018 MRI features associated with ER were determined by univariable and multivariable analyses.

[Prokaryotic expression of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) nanoantibody gene and screening of natural phage nanoantibody library].

Objective To screen nanobodies against prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Methods Based on the naive phage display library, three rounds of screening were performed targeting the PSMA antigen, and positive clones were identified by ELISA and sequencing was performed. The positive cloned gene sequence was inserted into the pET28a prokaryotic expression vector and transformed into E.

Capsaicin regulates dyslipidemia by altering the composition of bile acids in germ-free mice.

The improvement of lipid metabolism by capsaicin (CAP) has been extensively studied, mostly with respect to the vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) ion channel and intestinal flora. In this study, a model was established in germ-free mice by using resiniferatoxin (RTX) to ablate TRPV1 ion channels. Bile acid composition, blood parameters, and colonic transcriptome analyses revealed that CAP could improve dyslipidemia caused by high-fat diet even in the absence of TRPV1 ion channels and intestinal flora.

Characterization of aging cancer-associated fibroblasts draws implications in prognosis and immunotherapy response in low-grade gliomas.

Due to the highly variable prognosis of low-grade gliomas (LGGs), it is important to find robust biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes. Aging cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the senescent stroma of a tumor microenvironment (TME) have been recently reported to play a key role in tumor development. However, there are few studies focusing on this topic in gliomas.

Dynamic response of pre-disintegrated carbonaceous mudstone embankment under multi-lane vehicle load.

The purpose of this study is to reveal the response of multi Lane pre disintegrated carbonaceous mudstone embankment under vehicle dynamic load. In this paper, the pre-disintegrated carbonaceous mudstone samples whose fractal dimension meets the requirements are obtained through the indoor disintegration test of carbonaceous mudstone. Geotechnical basic tests such as particle analysis experiments, compaction tests, and direct shear tests were carried out on the pre-disintegrated carbonaceous mudstone samples, and the physical and mechanical parameters of the pre-disintegrated carbonaceous mudstone were obtained.

Octreotide-induced acute life-threatening gallstones after vicarious contrast medium excretion: A case report.

Background: Octreotide is widely used for the treatment of acromegaly, neuroendocrine tumors, and secretory diarrhea. However, long-term octreotide treatment can increase the incidence of gallstones. Vicarious contrast medium excretion (VCME) through the hepatobiliary system is well known.

Gut microbiota modulates the inflammatory response and cognitive impairment induced by sleep deprivation.

Sleep deprivation (SD) is increasingly common in modern society, which can lead to the dysregulation of inflammatory responses and cognitive impairment, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and development of inflammatory and psychiatric diseases, possibly via gut microbiota-brain interactions and neuroinflammation. The present study investigated the impact of SD on gut microbiota composition and explored whether alterations of the gut microbiota play a causal role in chronic inflammatory states and cognitive impairment that are induced by SD.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Catalytic Performance of Carbon Nanotubes/Flower-Patterned Zinc Oxide Nanostructures.

It is essential for multifunctional asphalt to develop the new nanostructures with high photocatalytic activity in order to endow asphalt with the self-cleaning ability of contamination. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes/ZnO (MWNTs/ZnO) composites were synthesized based on microwave irradiation and their structure and photocatalytic properties were investigated. The experimental results showed that MWNTs/ZnO powder with different morphologies was attained such as cone-shaped, floral-patterned and fusiform structures.

The effect of apatinib in the treatment of sorafenib resistant metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report.

Rationale: Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have lost the chance of radical treatment at the time of their visit, and the prognosis of metastatic HCC is even worse. Sorafenib is currently regarded as a first-line systemic therapy in patients with advanced and metastatic HCC. Apatinib is a new inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 tyrosine kinase, which has been reported to be effective in some solid tumors.

Perfused hypertonic-saline-augmented needle enlarges ablation zones in porcine livers.

There is a great clinical requirement to improve radiofrequency ablation (RFA) efficacy and create larger coagulation necrotic areas. The aim of the present study was to assess the ability of a hypertonic-saline (HS)-enhanced multipolar RFA technique using a perfused electrode to increase RF-created coagulation necrosis, and to compare that technique with natural saline-augmented needle and conventional multipolar RFA. A total of 18 ablations were performed in explanted porcine livers.

Accuracy of 320-detector row nonsubtracted and subtracted volume CT angiography in evaluating small cerebral aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE The study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of 320-detector row nonsubtracted and subtracted volume CT angiography (VCTA) in detecting small cerebral aneurysms (< 3 mm) compared with 3D digital subtraction angiography (3D DSA). METHODS Six hundred sixty-two patients underwent 320-detector row VCTA and 3D DSA for suspected cerebral aneurysms. Five neuroradiologists independently reviewed VCTA and 3D DSA images.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms with 320-Detector Row Volumetric Computed Tomography Angiography.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the clinical utility of 320-detector row volume-computed tomographic angiography (VCTA) in the management of intracranial aneurysms.

Methods: Between February 2011 and May 2015, 550 patients successfully underwent 320-detector row VCTA for suspected intracranial aneurysms. Three-dimensional (3D) digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used as the ultimate reference standard, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of both nonsubtracted and subtracted VCTA in identifying aneurysms were analyzed.

DYNA CT arteriographic evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma for treatment by trans-catheter arterial chemoembolization.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to determine whether using C-arm CT (DYNA CT) during hepatic arteriography imaging assists in TACE treatment.

Materials And Methods: 138 patients with HCC, 69 patients (Group A) underwent DYNA CT and routine digital subtraction angiography (DSA), while another 69 patients (Group B) underwent only DSA, were prospectively studied at a single facility between May 2011 and September 2012. Liver vessels and tumors were displayed by DYNA CT.

[Catheter aspiration alone or combined with thrombolysis in the treatment of superior mesenteric artery embolism].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of catheter aspiration or combined with thrombolysis in the treatment of superior mesenteric artery embolism(SMAE).

Methods: Clinical and imaging data of 25 SMAE patients who underwent catheter aspiration or combined with urokinase thrombolysis in the First People's Hospital and the Second People's Hospital of Changzhou from January 2005 to July 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Twenty patients were confirmed as SMA trunk embolism and 5 as SMA branch artery embolism.

Cerebral aneurysms: accuracy of 320-detector row nonsubtracted and subtracted volumetric CT angiography for diagnosis.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of 320-detector row nonsubtracted and subtracted volumetric computed tomographic (CT) angiography for detection of cerebral aneurysms.

Materials And Methods: After institutional review board approval and informed written consent were obtained, 282 consecutive patients suspected of having cerebral aneurysms underwent CT angiography with a 320-detector row volumetric CT scanner and three-dimensional (3D) rotational digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of nonsubtracted and subtracted volumetric CT angiography for depiction of aneurysms were analyzed, with 3D DSA as the reference standard.

Applications of multislice CT angiography in the surgical clipping and endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysms.

Prompt diagnosis and therapy of aneurysms are critical for patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of our study was to assess the clinical usefulness of multislice computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the surgical and endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. A total of 195 cases with 206 intracranial aneurysms underwent CTA.

[Effect of acute hypoxia and hypercapnia on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the effect of acute hypoxia and/or hypercapnia on cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Method: CAVI and blood pressure were measured before and after isocapnic hypoxic, hyperoxia hypercapnic, and hypoxic and hypercapnic challenge in 28 non-hypertensive patients with OSAHS (AHI > 10/h) and 26 healthy controls (AHI < 5/h), respectively. They were matched for age and sex.

[Effects of short-term continuous positive airway pressure treatment on arterial stiffness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the effect of short-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on the arterial stiffness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods: Cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) and blood pressure (BP) were measured before and after sleep in 60 non-hypertensive patients with OSAHS and gender and 60 age-matched healthy controls. CPAP was administrated in 22 of the 60 OSAHS patients.

[Respiration control dysfunction and the relationship to sleep-disordered breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To analyze the polysomnographic (PSG) features of sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to define the association between SAHS and respiratory control disorder.

Methods: Three hundred patients with stable COPD were screened for SAHS using questionnaire, Epworth sleep scale (ESS) and home pulse oximeter testing. Those with ESS > or = 10 or oxygen desaturation over 3% more than 5 times per hour sleep were under further PSG testing.