Innovations in artificial intelligence for pet/mr imaging: Application and performance analysis.

BackgroundThe primary challenges in PET/MR imaging include prolonged scan durations for both PET and MR components and radiation exposure associated with the PET modality. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques offer a promising approach to overcome these limitations.ObjectiveThis study evaluates the AI-based image enhancement methods integrated into the United Imaging PET/MR system, focusing on improvements in image quality, reduced injection dose, and shortened acquisition duration.

Paclitaxel-based supramolecular hydrogel loaded with mifepristone for the inhibition of breast cancer metastasis.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women and almost all of the breast cancer-caused mortality is related to metastasis. It has been reported that glucocorticoid facilitates the metastasis of breast cancer in mice, and mifepristone can antagonize the effect of glucocorticoid. Paclitaxel is one of the important drugs in the treatment of breast cancer.

KIF4A Regulates the Progression of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma through Proliferation and Invasion.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive tract, which is difficult to diagnose and treat due to bad early diagnosis. We aimed to explore the role of kinesin superfamily 4A (KIF4A) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: We first used the bioinformatic website to screen the data of pancreatic cancer in TCGA, and KIF4A protein was detected among the 86 specimens of patients in our hospital combined with clinic-pathological characteristics and survival analysis.

KIF20B Promotes Cell Proliferation and May Be a Potential Therapeutic Target in Pancreatic Cancer.

KIFs have been reported to play a critical role in a variety of tumors, and KIF20B is a protein in KFIs. In this research, KIF20B was highly expressed in the GEO database and our hospital's data, and high expression of KIF20B suggested poor prognosis. We detect the expression of KIF20B in pancreatic cancer and adjacent normal tissues using immunohistochemistry.

Highly interconnected inverse opal extracellular matrix scaffolds enhance stem cell therapy in limb ischemia.

The therapeutic effectiveness of cell transplantation in treatment of diseases and injuries is often limited by low cell retention, survivability, and engraftment. Extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived scaffolds are capable of controlling cell responses, thereby offering potential solutions to current challenges associated with cell therapy. However, it remains a technical challenge to produce ECM scaffolds with highly interconnected porous structure specifically required for cell transplantation.

Multifunctional Natural Polymer Nanoparticles as Antifibrotic Gene Carriers for CKD Therapy.

Background: Progressive fibrosis is the underlying pathophysiological process of CKD, and targeted prevention or reversal of the profibrotic cell phenotype is an important goal in developing therapeutics for CKD. Nanoparticles offer new ways to deliver antifibrotic therapies to damaged tissues and resident cells to limit manifestation of the profibrotic phenotype.

Methods: We focused on delivering plasmid DNA expressing bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-NK1 (HGF/NK1) by encapsulation within chitosan nanoparticles coated with hyaluronan, to safely administer multifunctional nanoparticles containing the plasmid DNA to the kidneys for localized and sustained expression of antifibrotic factors.

A nitric oxide-releasing hydrogel for enhancing the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for hindlimb ischemia.

Therapeutic angiogenesis with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is promising for the clinical treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, the heterogeneous proangiogenic nature of MSCs is a key challenge in developing more effective treatments with MSCs for therapeutic angiogenesis purposes. Here, we propose to enhance the therapeutic function of human placenta-derived MSCs (hP-MSCs) in hindlimb ischemia therapy by using nitric oxide (NO)-releasing chitosan hydrogel (CS-NO).

Targeted Repair of Vascular Injury by Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Modified with P-Selectin Binding Peptide.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary artery disease treatment often results in pathological vascular injury, characterized by P-selectin overexpression. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) therapeutic efficacy remains elusive due to poor ADSCs targeting and retention in injured vessels. Here, conjugated P-selectin binding peptide (PBP) to polyethylene glycol-conjugated phospholipid derivative (DMPE-PEG) linkers (DMPE-PEG-PBP; DPP) are used to facilitate the modification of PBP onto ADSCs cell surfaces via hydrophobic interactions between DMPE-PEG and the phospholipid bilayer.

Supramolecular Nanofibers with Superior Bioactivity to Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I.

Bioactive peptides derived from proteins generally need to be folded into secondary structures to activate downstream signaling pathways. However, synthetic peptides typically form random-coils, thus losing their bioactivities. Here, we show that by introducing a self-assembling peptide motif and using different preparation pathways, a peptide from insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) can be folded into an α-helix and β-sheet.

Targeted delivery of nitric oxide via a 'bump-and-hole'-based enzyme-prodrug pair.

The spatiotemporal generation of nitric oxide (NO), a versatile endogenous messenger, is precisely controlled. Despite its therapeutic potential for a wide range of diseases, NO-based therapies are limited clinically due to a lack of effective strategies for precisely delivering NO to a specific site. In the present study, we developed a novel NO delivery system via modification of an enzyme-prodrug pair of galactosidase-galactosyl-NONOate using a 'bump-and-hole' strategy.

Bone Metastases Pattern in Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Bladder Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

Based on a large-population analysis, we aimed to estimate the incidence and survival of bone metastases (BM) in initial bladder cancer (BC) patients and to identify the risk and prognostic factors of BC patients with BM. Using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, bladder cancer patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2014 were retrieved. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses were employed to identify risk factors and prognostic factors for BM in BC patients.

Incidence of bone metastasis and factors contributing to its development and prognosis in newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma: a population-based study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of and the risk factors and prognostic factors for bone metastasis (BM) in initial metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) based on a large population analysis.

Patients And Methods: Data were obtained for a total of 45,824 RCC patients recorded in the database of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program of the National Cancer Institute between 2010 and 2014. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors and prognostic factors associated with BM in RCC patients.

Antimony enhances c-Myc stability in prostate cancer via activating CtBP2-ROCK1 signaling pathway.

Antimony, one of the heavier pnictogens, is widely used in industry, and its toxicity has become a major concern. Although previous studies suggested that antimony might be a tumorigenic risk factor in several cancers, the molecular basis underlying antimony-mediated transformation remains unclear. Our results showed that the serum concentration of antimony was higher in prostate cancer specimens relative to that of benign prostate tissues, and this high serum concentration of antimony was closely associated with poorer outcome in prostate cancer patients.

The homogeneous and heterogeneous risk factors for the morbidity and prognosis of bone metastasis in patients with prostate cancer.

Purpose: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (SEER) to assess the incidence and risk factors of morbidity and prognosis for bone metastases in initial metastatic prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: The records of 249,331 prostate cancer patients in the SEER database, diagnosed between 2010 and 2014, were obtained were obtained to investigate the risk factors for developing bone metastasis, and the records of 9925 of them who registered before 2013 were retrieved (with at least 1 year follow up) to explore the prognostic factors for bone metastasis. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression were used to identify risk factors and prognostic factors for bone metastases, respectively.

The promotion on cell growth of androgen-dependent prostate cancer by antimony via mimicking androgen activity.

Antimony is a widely used heavier pnictogens in industry, and its toxicity has been a matter of concern. Although previous studies have suggested that antimony may have the function as either a tumor suppressor or an oncogene in several cancers, the molecular basis underlying antimony-mediated transformation is still unclear. In the current study, we attempt to elucidate the potential role of antimony in the development of prostate cancer.

Composite Hydrogel Modified by IGF-1C Domain Improves Stem Cell Therapy for Limb Ischemia.

Stem cell treatment for critical limb ischemia yields a limited therapeutic effect due to cell loss and dysfunction caused by local ischemic environment. Biomimetic scaffolds emerge as ideal cell delivery vehicles for regulating cell fate via mimicking the components of stem cell niche. Herein, we prepared a bioactive hydrogel by mixing chitosan and hyaluronic acid that is immobilized with C domain peptide of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1C) and examined whether this hydrogel could augment stem cell survival and therapeutic potential.

High glucose downregulates myocardin expression in rat glomerular mesangial cells via the ERK signaling pathway.

Mesangial cells (MCs), which are vascular smooth muscle-derived cells, occupy the central position in the glomerulus. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common diabetes complications and is likely attributed to the loss of MC contractility. Myocardin stimulates downstream vascular smooth muscle genes and regulates the contractility of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Nitric Oxide-Releasing Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications.

Nitric oxide (NO), as an essential signaling molecule, participates in various physiological processes such as cardiovascular homeostasis, neuronal transmission, immunomodulation, and tumor growth. The multiple role of NO in physiology and pathophysiology has triggered a massive interest in the strategies of delivering exogenous NO for biomedical applications. Hence, different kinds of NO prodrugs have been developed up to date, including diazeniumdiolates, S-nitrosothiol, metal-nitrosyl, nitrobenzene, and so on.

Embryonic stem cell preconditioned microenvironment suppresses tumorigenic properties in breast cancer.

Background: Microenvironment is being increasingly recognized as a critical determinant in tumor progression and metastasis. However, the appropriate regulatory mechanism to maintain the normal balance between differentiation and self-renewal of the cancer cell in microenvironment is not well known.

Methods: 4T1 breast cancer cells were treated with embryonic stem (ES) cell conditioned medium which was collected from mouse ES cells.

Functional Modification of Fibrous PCL Scaffolds with Fusion Protein VEGF-HGFI Enhanced Cellularization and Vascularization.

The lack of efficient vascularization within frequently used poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds has hindered their application in tissue engineering. Hydrophobin HGFI, an amphiphilic protein, can form a self-assembly layer on the surface of PCL scaffolds and convert their wettability. In this study, a fusion protein consisting of HGFI and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is prepared by Pichia pastoris expression system.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells participate in prostate carcinogenesis and promote growth of prostate cancer by cell fusion in vivo.

The tumor microenvironment is comprised of diverse stromal cells that contribute towards tumor progression. As a result, there has been a growing interest in the role of bone marrow derived cells (BMDCs) in cancer progression. However, the role of BMDCs in prostate cancer (PCa) progression still remains unclear.

Activation of mesenchymal stem cells by macrophages promotes tumor progression through immune suppressive effects.

Cancer development and progression is linked to tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Distinct TAMs subsets perform either protective or pathogenic effects in cancer. A protective role in carcinogenesis has been described for M1 macrophages, which activate antitumor mechanisms.

IGF-1 C Domain-Modified Hydrogel Enhances Cell Therapy for AKI.

Low cell retention and engraftment after transplantation limit the successful application of stem cell therapy for AKI. Engineered microenvironments consisting of a hydrogel matrix and growth factors have been increasingly successful in controlling stem cell fate by mimicking native stem cell niche components. Here, we synthesized a bioactive hydrogel by immobilizing the C domain peptide of IGF-1 (IGF-1C) on chitosan, and we hypothesized that this hydrogel could provide a favorable niche for adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and thereby enhance cell survival in an AKI model.

[Cardiac Ultrastructure and Changes of HSP70 and HIF-1α Expression in Electric Shock Death Rats].

Objective: To observe cardiac ultrastructure and the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and hypoxia inducible factor-lα (HIF-lα) in electric shock death rats and to explore the application of these indexes as the basis of medical identification in electric shock death.

Methods: Seventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into electric shock death group, postmortem electric shock group and the control group. The changes of myocardial ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscope, and the expressions of myocardial HSP70 and HIF-1α were observed by immunohistochemical technology.