Evaluation of Field Map and Nonlinear Registration Methods for Correction of Susceptibility Artifacts in Diffusion MRI.

Correction of echo planar imaging (EPI)-induced distortions (called "unwarping") improves anatomical fidelity for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional imaging investigations. Commonly used unwarping methods require the acquisition of supplementary images during the scanning session. Alternatively, distortions can be corrected by nonlinear registration to a non-EPI acquired structural image.

Uric acid is associated with vascular dementia in Chinese population.

Objective: Mounting evidence suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia (VD). Uric acid (UA) has long been implicated as a critical cause of cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, UA was also expected to play an important role in antioxidant and neuroprotection recently.

Expression and Distribution of Mesencephalic Astrocyte-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Retina and Optic Nerve.

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), otherwise named Arginine-Rich, Mutated in Early-stage Tumors (ARMET), is a secretory endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) protein that is widely expressed in mammalian tissues. To date, little is known about the distribution and expression of MANF in the retina and optic nerve (ON). Therefore, we studied the expression and distribution of MANF in the ON and retina by real-time PCR, immunofluorescence staining and western blotting.

Polymerizing Pyrrole Coated Poly (l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) Conductive Nanofibrous Conduit Combined with Electric Stimulation for Long-Range Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Electrospinning and electric stimulation (ES) are both promising methods to support neuron adhesion and guide extension of neurons for nerve regeneration. Concurrently, all studies focus on either electrospinning for conduits material or ES study to accelerate nerve regeneration; few work on the combined use of these two strategies or ES study. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the abilities of direct current ES through electrospinning conductive polymer composites composed of polypyrrole and Poly (l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) (PPY/PLCL) in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Baclofen Protects Primary Rat Retinal Ganglion Cells from Chemical Hypoxia-Induced Apoptosis Through the Akt and PERK Pathways.

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) consume large quantities of energy to convert light information into a neuronal signal, which makes them highly susceptible to hypoxic injury. This study aimed to investigate the potential protection by baclofen, a GABA receptor agonist of RGCs against hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Cobalt chloride (CoCl) was applied to mimic hypoxia.

Chidamide, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, inhibits the viability of MDS and AML cells by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signaling.

Many studies have indicated that histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is always increased in a lot of human tumors, and inhibition of HDAC activity is a promising new strategy in the treatment of cancers. Chidamide, a novel HDAC inhibitor of the benzamide class, is currently under clinical trials. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antitumor activity of Chidamide on myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and explore the possible mechanism.

Follicular helper T cell exhaustion induced by PD-L1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma results in impaired cytokine expression and B cell help, and is associated with advanced tumor stages.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in HBV-endemic regions, with irreversible progression and poor prognosis. HBV-related HCC patients lack effective antiviral/antitumor B cell antibody responses. We hypothesize that dysregulation of PD-1-expressing follicular helper T (Tfh) cell, induced by intrahepatic/intratumoral PD-L1 expression in HCC, could contribute to the defects in B cell immunity.

Serum lipocalin-2 levels are positively associated with not only total body fat but also visceral fat area in Chinese men.

Serum lipocalin-2 (LCN2) plays an important role in the regulation of the obesity-associated dysmetabolic state and cardiovascular disease. However, relatively little is known about the relationship between serum LCN2 levels and body fat content and distribution. We examined the associations of total body fat content and abdominal fat distribution with serum LCN2 levels in Chinese men.

A pilot study of prognostic value of non-invasive cardiac parameters for major adverse cardiac events in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

The objective of this study was to determine the combination of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and individual electrocardiographic parameters related to abnormal depolarization/repolarization or baroreceptor sensitivity that had the best predictive value for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included in this prospective study. Ventricular late potential (VLP), heart rate turbulence (HRT), heart rate variability (HRV), and T wave alternans (TWA) parameters were measured using 24 h Holter monitoring 2-4 weeks after onset of ACS.

Better plans and more powerful evidence are needed in the research and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in China.

China has the first largest global pool of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. With the implementation of comprehensive intervention of neonatal vaccination based on national strategy, some achievements have been made in control of hepatitis B in China. However, some problems remain unresolved in the research field as well as management of CHB.

Role of autophagy in chronic kidney diseases.

Chronic kidney diseases (CKD), a common pathway of various glomerular diseases, which carries great morbidity and mortality to people. CKD is characterized by progressive kidney fibrosis and remodeling. CKD is also associated with the depletion of glomerular and tubular cells.

Association of transforming growth factor-β1 polymorphisms with the risk of diabetes mellitus.

The association between transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) polymorphisms with the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) remains elusive. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between TGF-β1 polymorphisms and DM risk. We searched the association studies according to a predefined criteria using electronic databases.

Serum osteocalcin levels are inversely associated with the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with coronary artery disease.

Osteocalcin plays roles in energy, glucose, and lipid metabolism. Consequently, the relationship between osteocalcin level and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is of interest. The present study explored the possible correlation between serum osteocalcin levels and NAFLD in patients with CAD.

Association between glycemic control and birthweight with glycated albumin in Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Aims/introduction: To assess glycated albumin (GA) as a potential glycemic index in managing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Materials And Methods: Eligible pregnant women were divided into the GDM group with abnormal result on a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the control (normal) group. GA measurements, Pearson's correlation analysis, multiple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were obtained at the follow-up examination of participants in the two groups.

Plasma microRNAs to predict the response of radiotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Although microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), their roles in radiotherapy response remain unexplored. Our study aims to investigate whether plasma miRNAs can be used as predictors of radiotherapy outcome in ESCC patients. We selected nine miRNAs, which were reported to be associated with carcinogenesis or radiobiology of ESCC, as the targets of our study.

Notch-Hes pathway mediates the impaired osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells from myelodysplastic syndromes patients through the down-regulation of Runx2.

Previous studies have demonstrated that bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMMSCs) from patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) display defective proliferative potential and impaired osteogenic differentiation ability. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In the present study, the impaired osteogenic differentiation potential of BMMSCs was found in cases with RARS (83.

Preventive effects of low-dose dexmedetomidine on postoperative cognitive function and recovery quality in elderly oral cancer patients.

This study analyzed the preventive effects of low-dose dexmedetomidine on postoperative cognitive function and recovery quality in elderly oral cancer patients by observing the perioperative kinetics of inflammatory cytokines, cortisol and melatonin.A total of 149 elderly oral cancer patients who had undergone tumor resection surgery were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups, Group D and Group S. After surgery, Group D was assigned to take intravenous dexmedetomidine at a dose of 0.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney: report of a rare case and review of literature.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney (MESTK) is a rare benign tumor composed of epithelial and stromal cells. We report a rare male case with detailed clinicopathological data and follow-up information. The patient presented with gross hematuria.

Elevated expression of RIT1 correlates with poor prognosis in endometrial cancer.

RIT1, (Ras-like without CAAX1), the founding member of a novel branch of the Ras subfamily, mediates a wide variety of cellular functions, including cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation, and it may play crucial oncogenic role in human cancer. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the expression pattern of RIT1 and assess the clinical significance of RIT1 expression in endometrial cancer patients. The mRNA and protein expression of RIT1 was significantly overexpressed in 7 endometrial cancer cell lines by qPCR and Western blot, respectively.

Severe pneumonia in the elderly: a multivariate analysis of risk factors.

Pneumonia is the second leading reason for hospitalization of medicare beneficiaries. The mortality rate is high, especially in the elderly. In this study, we aimed to determine the risk factors associated with severe pneumonia in the elderly.

Meta-analysis of Huangqi injection for the adjunctive therapy of aplastic anemia.

Aplastic anemia therapy remains difficult, due to lack of effective treatment regimens. In recent years, Huangqi injection for the adjunctive therapy of aplastic anemia has been reported in many clinical trials. Considering that Huangqi injection may be a novel approach to aplastic anemia treatment, we conducted a meta-analysis of clinical controlled trials to assess the clinical value of Huangqi injection in the treatment of aplastic anemia.

Expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 in rabbit radial defect site with different lengths.

Background: It has been studied that the distribution of bone morphogenetic protein 2 is regular under bone defect situation.

Objective: To observe the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 in rabbit radial defect site with different lengths.

Methods: Forty-eight New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups randomly.

Effect of laminin-binding BDNF on induction of recurrent laryngeal nerve regeneration by miR-222 activation of mTOR signal pathway.

Background And Aim: Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is a common severe complication in neck surgery, which can cause varying degrees of vocal fold paralysis and respiratory tract problems. In present study, the effects of laminin-binding brain derived neurotrophic factor (LBD-BDNF) on recurrent laryngeal nerve regeneration were explored and its possible mechanism was investigated.

Methods: LBD-BDNF or NAT-BDNF (BDNF without LBD binding) treatment was performed in laryngeal nerve injured rabbits for sixteen weeks.