CRISPR/Cas-mediated mRNA knockdown in the embryos of Xenopus tropicalis.

The Xenopus tropicalis (Western clawed frog) is an important amphibian model for genetics, developmental and regenerative biology, due to its diploid genetic background and short generation time. CRISPR-Cas13 and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) systems have recently been employed to suppress mRNA expression in many organisms such as yeast, plants, and mammalian cells. However, no systematic study of these two systems has been carried out in Xenopus tropicalis.

FoxO3 controls cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration by regulating Sfrp2 expression in postnatal mice.

The Forkhead box O3 (FoxO3) transcription factor is crucial to controlling heart growth in adulthood, but its exact role in cardiac repair and regeneration in postnatal mice remains unclear. Here, we show that FoxO3 deficiency promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation in postnatal mice and improves cardiac function in homeostatic adult mice. Moreover, FoxO3 deficiency accelerates heart regeneration following injury in postnatal mice at the regenerative and non-regenerative stages.

Cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration in adult Xenopus tropicalis evidenced by a transgenic reporter line.

Cardiomyocyte proliferation in adult Xenopus tropicalis during heart regeneration has remained largely contentious due to the absence of genetic evidence. Here, we generated a transgenic reporter line Tg(mlc2:H2C) expressing mCherry specifically in cardiomyocyte nuclei driven by the promoter of myosin light chain 2 (mlc2). Using the reporter line, we found that traditional whole-cell staining is not a rigorous way to identify cardiomyocytes in adult Xenopus tropicalis when using a cryosection with common thickness (5 μm) which leading to a high error, but this deviation could be reduced by increasing section thickness.

Ultrasound findings and clinical characteristics in differentiating renal urothelial carcinoma from endophytic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and features of conventional ultrasound (CUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating between renal urothelial carcinomas (RUC) and endophytic clear cell renal cell carcinomas (EccRCC).

Methods: A total of 72 RUCs and 120 EccRCCs confirmed by pathology were assessed retrospectively. Both CUS and CEUS were performed within 4 weeks before the surgery.

Study on the Optic Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Changes in Blood Flow in Myopic Children.

Objective: The present study aims to observe the optic nerve fiber layer thickness and blood flow density in the papillary area and investigate the effects of axial length (AL) and the refractive state of the optic papilla blood flow density in children with different refractive conditions.

Methods: The present study was a clinical control study. The right eyes of 204 minors aged 6-17 years were studied.

A Comparative Study of Macular and Choroidal Thickness and Blood-Flow Parameters in Patients with Intermediate and Simple Juvenile Moderate Myopia.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the macular and choroidal thicknesses and blood-flow parameters of patients with intermediate and simple juvenile moderate myopia in order to provide a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of myopia and a basis for its prevention.

Methods: Participants were selected from patients under the age of 18 with moderate myopia who were treated in our ophthalmic clinic between June and December 2019. Seventy-five right eyes were selected from participants with a mean spherical equivalent ranging from -6.

Malignancy risk stratification and FNA recommendations for thyroid nodules: A comparison of ACR TI-RADS, AACE/ACE/AME and ATA guidelines.

Objective: To compare diagnostic performance and malignancy risk stratification among guidelines set forth by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in 2015, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) and the Association Medici Endocrinologi (AME) in 2016, and the American College of Radiology (ACR) in 2017.

Methods: The retrospective study was approved by the hospital ethics committee, and the informed consent requirement was waived. From October 2015 to March 2016, a total of 230 patients with 230 consecutive thyroid nodules were enrolled in this study.

Falcine Sinus: Incidence and Imaging Characteristics of Three-Dimensional Contrast-Enhanced Thin-Section Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and variations of the falcine sinus with contrast-enhanced three-dimentional (3D) thin-section magnetic resonance (MR) images.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review identified 1531 patients (745 males and 786 females, 2 months to 85 years) who underwent cranial MR imaging including T1-weighted imaging, T2-weighted imaging, T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, contrast-enhanced 3D thin-section sagittal scans, and MR venography, from June 2014 to January 2016. The incidence, characteristics of the falcine sinus, and coexisted intracranial lesions were confirmed by two neuroradiologists.

[Diagnostic value of high-field MRI for Peyronie's disease].

Objective: To analyze the MRI manifestations of Peyronie's disease and investigate the value of high-field MRI in the diagnosis of the disease.

Methods: Using a small surface coil, we performed 3.0 Tesla MRI for 14 patients with clinically diagnosed Peyronie's disease.