Comparison of chemical shift-encoded water-fat MRI and MR spectroscopy in quantification of marrow fat in postmenopausal females.

Purpose: To validate a chemical shift-encoded (CSE) water-fat imaging for quantifying marrow fat fraction (FF), using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) as reference.

Materials And Methods: Multiecho T -corrected MRS and CSE imaging with eight-echo gradient-echo acquisitions at 3T were performed to calculate marrow FF in 83 subjects, including 41 with normal bone mineral density (BMD), 26 with osteopenia, and 16 with osteoporosis (based on DXA). Eight participants were scanned three times with repositioning to assess the repeatability of CSE FF map measurements.

Light-responsive multillamellar vesicles in coumaric acid/alkyldimethylamine oxide binary systems: Effects of surfactant and hydrotrope structures.

Herein, we report a series of novel light-responsive multilamellar vesicles based on the surfactant/hydrotrope binary systems. The phase behaviors of alkyldimethylamine oxide (CmDMAO, m=10, 12, 14) and trans-coumaric acid (trans-CA) isomerides, including trans-ortho-coumaric acid (trans-OCA), trans-meta-coumaric acid (trans-MCA) and trans-para-coumaric acid (trans-PCA), show that the multilamellar vesicle (MLV) formation region is commonly presented in the trans-CA/CmDMAO systems except trans-PCA/C12DMAO. Moreover, the molecular structures of CmDMAO and trans-CA affect the multilamellar vesicle formation region significantly.

A Highly Sensitive Fiber-Optic Fabry-Perot Interferometer Based on Internal Reflection Mirrors for Refractive Index Measurement.

In this study, a new type of highly sensitive fiber-optic Fabry-Perot interferometer (FFPI) is proposed with a high sensitivity on a wide refractive index (RI) measurement range based on internal reflection mirrors of micro-cavity. The sensor head consists of a single-mode fiber (SMF) with an open micro-cavity. Since light reflections of gold thin films are not affected by the RI of different measuring mediums, the sensor is designed to improve the fringe visibility of optical interference through sputtering the gold films of various thicknesses on the inner surfaces of the micro-cavity, as a semi-transparent mirror (STM) and a total-reflection mirror (TRM).

Balloon kyphoplasty or percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Both kyphoplasty (KP) and vertebroplasty (VP) are effective for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), but which approach might be more effective remains unclear, so we decided to update earlier systematic reviews.

Objective: Review and analyze studies published as of August 2015 that compared clinical outcomes and complications of KP versus VP.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Coding/decoding two-dimensional images with orbital angular momentum of light.

We investigate encoding and decoding of two-dimensional information using the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light. Spiral phase plates and phase-only spatial light modulators are used in encoding and decoding of OAM states, respectively. We show that off-axis points and spatial variables encoded with a given OAM state can be recovered through decoding with the corresponding complimentary OAM state.

Facilely prepared Fe3O4/nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot hybrids as a robust nonenzymatic catalyst for visual discrimination of phenylenediamine isomers.

In this work, we report a reducing agent-free strategy for the synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticle/nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot (Fe3O4/N-GQD) hybrids, and constructed a sensing platform based on Fe3O4/N-GQDs for the visual discrimination of phenylenediamine isomers. Fe3O4/N-GQDs were facilely prepared by hydrothermal treatment of Fe(3+)/N-GQD solutions under alkaline conditions without other reagents. The prepared Fe3O4/N-GQDs exhibited outstanding peroxidase-like activity and were stable under a wide range of pH values and temperatures.

[Optimization for vacuum belt drying process of Qibai Pingfei granule through response surface methodology].

Based on single factor tests,the optimum vacuum belt drying conditions of Qibai Pingfei granule were obtained through Box-Benhnken central combination design and RSM. In this study, drying time, drying temperature and extract density were chosen as independent variables, while transferring rate ginsenoside Rg₁, Re, Rb₁and astragaloside IV were taken as dependent variables. The optimum parameters are as follows: drying time of 112 min, drying temperature of 87 °C and extract density of 1.

The role of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway in platelet-rich plasma in retarding intervertebral disc degeneration.

Recent studies have suggested that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are an effective way to retard intervertebral disc degeneration, but the mechanism of action is unclear. Activated platelets release some growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which positively modulate the extracellular matrix of nucleus pulposus cells. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism underlying the PRP-mediated inhibition of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Polyethylene glycol loxenatide injections added to metformin effectively improve glycemic control and exhibit favorable safety in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol loxenatide (PEX168) injections in Chinese type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients.

Methods: The present multicenter randomized double-blind parallel placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled patients who had been treated with a stable dose of metformin (≥1500 mg/day) for ≥12 weeks and had an HbA1c level between 7% and 11%. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups (1: 1: 1) and were treated with once weekly subcutaneous injections of either placebo or 100 or 200 μg PEX168 for 12 weeks.

[Optimization on alcohol precipitation techniques of Liuwei Dihuang decoction by response surface methodology].

The theoretical basis of the alcohol precipitation process control was provided, the alcohol precipitation was optimized and the relationship equation was got. The monod glycoside, loganin and paeoniflorin were used as the evaluation indexes to determine the impact factors of alcohol precipitation techniques of Liuwei Dihuang decoction by the Plackett-Burman experimental design and the levels of non-significant factors were identified. Then, Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to research and discuss the critical process parameters influence the effect of alcohol precipitation and draw interaction between key process parameters and the correlation equation with index components.

Comparison of a zero-profile anchored spacer (ROI-C) and the polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages with an anterior plate in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Purpose: We aimed to analyze the clinical and radiographic efficacy of a new zero-profile anchored spacer called the ROI-C in anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM).

Method: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiological outcomes and complications of multilevel ACDF with the ROI-C or with the polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages with an anterior plate. From April 2011 to April 2014, 60 patients with MCSM were operated on using ACDF, with the ROI-C in 28 patients and PEEK cages with an anterior plate in 32 patients.

Atg7 Knockdown Augments Concanavalin A-Induced Acute Hepatitis through an ROS-Mediated p38/MAPK Pathway.

Concanavalin A (ConA), a T-cell mitogen that induces acute autoimmune hepatitis, is widely used to model pathophysiological processes of human acute autoimmune liver disease. Although autophagy has been extensively studied in the past decade, little is known about its molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of ConA-induced acute hepatitis. In this study, we used a Cre-conditional atg7 KO mouse to investigate the effects of Atg7-associated autophagy on ConA-induced murine hepatitis.

PD-1hi Identifies a Novel Regulatory B-cell Population in Human Hepatoma That Promotes Disease Progression.

Unlabelled: B cells often constitute abundant cellular components in human tumors. Regulatory B cells that are functionally defined by their ability to produce IL10 downregulate inflammation and control T-cell immunity. Here, we identified a protumorigenic subset of B cells that constitutively expressed higher levels of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and constituted ∼10% of all B cells in advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Acute and short-term developmental toxicity of cyhalofop-butyl to zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Cyhalofop-butyl is an aryloxyphenoxypropionate post-emergence herbicide widely used around the world in agriculture. The acute toxicity of cyhalofop-butyl to embryos, larvae (12 and 72 h post-hatching), and adult zebrafish, as well as the short-term developmental toxicity of cyhalofop-butyl to embryo and sac-fry stages, was tested. The results showed that the 96-h LC50 values of cyhalofop-butyl to embryos, 12 h post-hatching larvae, 72 h post-hatching larvae, and adult fish were 2.

The developmental effect of difenoconazole on zebrafish embryos: A mechanism research.

Difenoconazole is a widely used triazole fungicide and has been reported to have negative impacts on zebrafish embryos. To investigate the mechanism of its developmental toxicity, zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0.5 and 2.

ABCB1 polymorphisms associated with osteonecrosis of the femeral head.

Aims: This case-control study was conducted to investigate the relation of ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) C1236T and C3435T polymorphisms and non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femeral head (ONFH).

Methods: We gathered 113 ONFH patients and 116 controls in the study. The polymorphisms of ABCB1 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology.

Favorable outcome of extended treatment with adding pegylated Interferonα-2a to entecavir for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: a case report.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) to anti-HBsAg (anti-HBs) seroconversion is the best and final objective of all available chronic hepatitis B (CHB) therapies. Unfortunately, this goal is not commonly obtained with current therapeutic approaches. Here, we reported a case that a Chinese CHB patient successfully achieved HBsAg seroconversion under extended individualized therapeutic schedule.

Transpedicular wedge osteotomy for treatment of kyphosis after L1 fracture using intraoperative, full rotation, three-dimensional image (O-arm)-based navigation: a case report.

There has been a large series in the literature reporting on results of osteotomy for the correction of kyphotic deformity secondary to post-traumatic thoracolumbar fracture. However, there are few reports on using intraoperative, full rotation, three dimensional image (O-arm)-based navigation, transpedicular wedge osteotomy for the correction of kyphotic deformity in old thoracolumbar fracture. A 45-year-old woman with L1 old fracture, presented to us with a Cobb angle of 45 degrees.

Association of interleukin-17 gene polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori infection with gastric cancer susceptibility: a cumulative and comprehensive meta-analysis.

Background: The association between Interleukin-17(IL-17) gene polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastric cancer susceptibility were inconsistent. We therefore performed a comprehensive meta-analysis about all three genetic polymorphisms of IL-17 to derive a more precise estimation.

[Efficacy and safety of alogliptin in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial in mainland China].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial. A total of 491 subjects with T2DM were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive alogliptin (25 mg once daily) or placebo for 16 weeks.

Lyn Delivers Bacteria to Lysosomes for Eradication through TLR2-Initiated Autophagy Related Phagocytosis.

Extracellular bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, have been reported to induce autophagy; however, the role and machinery of infection-induced autophagy remain elusive. We show that the pleiotropic Src kinase Lyn mediates phagocytosis and autophagosome maturation in alveolar macrophages (AM), which facilitates eventual bacterial eradication. We report that Lyn is required for bacterial infection-induced recruitment of autophagic components to pathogen-containing phagosomes.

[Optimization of dry granulating technique of Qibai Pingfei granule through response surface methodology].

To determine the optimum process conditions for dry granulating technique of Qibai Pingfei granule, granule excipient type, rolling wheel speed and pressure and feeding speed were studied. Taking shaping rate at a time, moisture absorption and dissolubility as index, the type and amount of granule excipient were determined. In addition, taking shaping rate at a time as index, parameters of rolling wheel speed and pressure and feeding speed were researched through single factor test and response surface methodology.

Light-Up Probes Based on Fluorogens with Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics for Monoamine Oxidase-A Activity Study in Solution and in Living Cells.

Fluorogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIEgens) have emerged as a powerful and versatile platform for the development of novel biosensors. In this study, a series of water-soluble fluorescent probes based on tetraphenylethylene (TPE) were designed and synthesized for the detection of monoamine oxidases (MAOs) based on specific interactions between the probes and the proteins. Among the six probes developed, t-TPEM displays a significant fluorescence increase upon introduction of MAOs.

Synthesis of Tridecaptin-Antibiotic Conjugates with in Vivo Activity against Gram-Negative Bacteria.

A series of tridecaptin-antibiotic conjugates were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Covalently linking unacylated tridecaptin A1 (H-TriA1) to rifampicin, vancomycin, and erythromycin enhanced their activity in vitro but not by the same magnitude as coadministration of the peptide and these antibiotics. The antimicrobial activities of the conjugates were retained in vivo, with the H-TriA1-erythromycin conjugate proving a more effective treatment of Klebseilla pneumoniae infections in mice than erythromycin alone or in combination with H-TriA1.

Alcohol drinking and HIV-related risk among men who have sex with men in Chongqing, China.

To estimate the prevalence of any alcohol use and heavy alcohol drinking using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and its correlates among men who have sex with men (MSM), a cross-sectional study was conducted among 391 MSM in Chongqing, China to collect data about sociodemographic characteristics, alcohol use, sexual behaviors, and other related factors through a computer-assisted self-administered questionnaire. Heavy alcohol drinking in the past 12 months was defined as an AUDIT-C score ≥ 4. Blood was collected from each potential participant to test for HIV and syphilis status.