不同时期COPD患者血清DcR3、Survivin表达水平及临床意义

目的 探讨不同时期慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者血清诱饵受体3(DcR3)、凋亡抑制蛋白(Survivin)表达水平及临床意义。方法 选取2018年9月—2019年12月本院收治的92名COPD患者为研究对象,其中稳定型COPD 50例,急性加重期COPD 42例;同期本院健康体检者88例为对照组。测定各组研究对象血清DcR3、Survivin水平及肺功能指标。 与对照组[DcR3(106.54±48.35)pg/mL,Survivin(98.85±26.59)pg/mL]比较,稳定期组和急性加重期组血清DcR3[(395.23±123.85)pg/mL,(1 248.81±213.59)pg/mL]、Survivin [(267.54±84.69)pg/mL,(1 233.95±307.26)pg/mL]水平升高;与稳定期组比较,急性加重期组血清DcR3、Survivin水平升高。与对照组比较,稳定期组和急性加重期组FEV1%、FEV1 /FVC、DLCO%水平降低(P<0.001);与稳定期组比较,急性加重期组FEV1%、FEV1 /FVC、DLCO%水平降低(P<0.001)。随着低氧血症严重程度的增加,COPD患者血清DcR3、Survivin水平逐渐增加(P<0.001)。多因素logistics回归分析显示,高水平DcR3、Survivin、IL-12、hs-CRP为COPD病情的危险因素(P<0.001)。DcR3、Survivin与FEV、FEV1 /FVC呈负相关,与IL-12、TNF-α、hs-CRP呈正相关(P<0.001)。 COPD稳定期、急性加重期患者血清DcR3、Survivin表达水平升高,且DcR3、Survivin与COPD病情严重程度呈正相关。     

Non-canonical role of Hippo tumor suppressor serine/threonine kinase 3 STK3 in prostate cancer

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Radiation-Free Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair with Fiberoptic and Electromagnetic Guidance: A Phantom Study

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a radiation-free implantation of a thoracic aortic stent graft employing fiberoptic and electromagnetic tracking in an anthropomorphic phantom.Materials and MethodsAn anthropomorphic phantom was manufactured based on computed tomography (CT) angiography data from a patient. An aortic stent graft application system was equipped with a fiber Bragg gratings and 3 electromagnetic sensors. The stent graft was navigated in the phantom by 3 interventionalists using the tracking data generated by both technologies. One implantation procedure was performed. The technical success of the procedure was evaluated using digital subtraction angiography and CT angiography (before and after the intervention). Tracking accuracy was determined at various anatomical landmarks based on separately acquired fluoroscopic images. The mean/maximum errors were measured for the stent graft application system and the tip/end of the stent graft.ResultsThe procedure resulted in technical success with a mean error below 3 mm for the entire application system and <2 mm for the position of the tip of the stent graft. Navigation/implantation and handling of the device were rated sufficiently accurate and on par with comparable, routinely used stent graft application systems.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates successful stent graft implantation during a thoracic endovascular aortic repair procedure employing advanced guidance techniques and avoiding fluoroscopic imaging. This is an essential step in facilitating the implantation of stent grafts and reducing the health risks associated with ionizing radiation during endovascular procedures.     

Assessing the Effects of Geniculate Artery Embolization in a Nonsurgical Animal Model of Osteoarthritis

PurposeTo create a nonsurgical animal model of osteoarthritis (OA) to evaluate the effects of embolotherapy during geniculate artery embolization (GAE).Materials and MethodsFluoroscopy-guided injections of 700 mg of sodium monoiodoacetate were performed into the left stifle in 6 rams. Kinematic data were collected before and after induction. At 10 weeks after induction, Subjects 1 and 4–6 underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) and Subjects 1, 3, and 4–6 underwent angiography with angiographic scoring to identify regions with greatest disease severity for superselective embolization (75–250-μm microspheres). Target vessel size was measured. At 24 weeks after angiography, DCE-MR imaging, angiography, and euthanasia were performed, and bilateral stifles were harvested. Medial/lateral tibial and femoral condylar, patellar, and synovial samples were cut, preserved, decalcified, and scored using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria. The stifle and synovium Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score and Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study score were determined. The volume transfer constant (K_trans) and extracellular volume fraction (v_e) were calculated from DCE-MR imaging along the lateral synovial regions of interest.ResultsThe mean gross and microscopic pathological scores were elevated at 38 and 61, respectively. Mean synovitis score was elevated at 9.2. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization angiographic scores were 5 and 3.8, respectively. Mean superior, transverse, and inferior geniculate artery diameters were 3.1 mm ± 1.21, 2.0 mm ± 0.50, and 1.6 mm ± 0.41 mm, respectively. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization cartilage and synovitis scores were elevated at 35.13 and 73.3 and 5.5 and 9.2, respectively. The K_trans/v_e values of Subjects 4, 5, and 6 were elevated at 0.049/0.38, 0.074/0.53, and 0.065/0.51, respectively. Altered gait of the hind limb was observed in all subjects after induction, with reduced joint mobility. No skin necrosis or osteonecrosis was observed.ConclusionsA nonsurgical ovine animal knee OA model was created, which allowed the collection of angiographic, histopathological, MR imaging, and kinematic data to study the effects of GAE.     

黄芩素调控 NLRP3 / Caspase-1 通路对牙周炎大鼠牙槽骨吸收的影响

目的 探索黄芩素调控核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体蛋白 3 ( nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3, NLRP3) / 半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶 1 ( cysteine aspartate protease 1, Caspase1) 通路对牙周炎大鼠牙槽骨吸收的影响。 方法 将 40 只牙周炎大鼠随机分为模型组、 黄芩素组、 激活剂 组、 黄芩素 + 激活剂组, 另取 10 只正常作为对照组。 检测大鼠釉牙骨质界到牙槽嵴顶 (CEJ-AC) 的距离、 血清中白细胞介素-6 (IL-6)、 转化生长因子-β (TGF-β) 含量以及牙周组织病理变化、 IL-6、 TGF-β 阳性 表达和 NLRP3、 Caspase-1 蛋白表达。 结果 模型组大鼠 CEJ-AC、 NLRP3、 Caspase-1、 IL-6、 TGF-β 水平及 阳性表达水平以及蛋白表达水平均升高 (P< 0. 05); 经黄芩素干预后, 各项指标均降低 (P< 0. 05); 引入 激活剂明显削弱了黄芩素对牙周炎大鼠的抗炎作用。 结论 黄芩素通过抑制 NLRP3 / Caspase-1 通路减轻炎性反应, 控制牙槽骨吸收。     

Diagnostic pitfalls in needle core biopsy of the breast

Breast core biopsies are a standard component of the triple approach that includes clinical examination, imaging and tissue sampling. Conventional cores, diagnostic vacuum assisted biopsy and vacuum assisted excisions are established methods for sampling and managing breast lesions. It is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls in the technical handling and interpretation of the limited core biopsy samples. Here, we present a clinically oriented, well illustrated overview of the common diagnostic pitfalls based on the author's diagnostic and second opinion practice, emphasize the value of clinicopathological correlation and provide histological tips and clues with useful immunohistochemistry to aid the reporting pathologists in their daily interpretation of breast core biopsies.     

Do social support and community engagement act as mechanisms in the association between neighbourhood income inequality and the mental health of mothers in Calgary,Canada? A mediation analysis

PurposeAccording to the social determinants of health framework, income inequality is a potential risk factor for adverse mental health. However, few studies have explored the mechanisms suspected to mediate this relationship. The current study addresses this gap through a mediation analysis to determine if social support and community engagement act as mediators linking neighbourhood income inequality to maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms within a cohort of new mothers living in the City of Calgary, Canada.MethodsData collected at three years postpartum from mothers belonging to the All Our Families (AOF) cohort were used in the current study. Maternal data were collected between 2012 and 2015 and linked to neighbourhood socioeconomic data from the 2006 Canadian Census. Income inequality was measured using Gini coefficients derived from 2006 after-tax census data. Generalized structural equation models were used to quantify the associations between income inequality and mental health symptoms, and to assess the potential direct and indirect mediating effects of maternal social support and community engagement.ResultsIncome inequality was not significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms (β = 0.32, 95%CI = −0.067, 0.70), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.11, 95%CI = −0.39, 0.60), or lower social support. Income inequality was not associated with community engagement. For the depression models, higher social support was significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms (β = −0.13, 95%CI = −0.15, −0.097), while community engagement was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.059, 95%CI = −0.15, 0.27). Similarly, for the anxiety models, lower anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with higher levels of social support (β = −0.17, 95%CI = −0.20, −0.13) but not with higher levels of community engagement (β = 0.14, 95%CI = −0.14, 0.41).ConclusionThe current study did not find clear evidence for social support or community engagement mediating the relationship between neighbourhood income inequality and maternal mental health. Future investigations should employ a broader longitudinal approach to capture changes in income inequality, potential mediators, and mental health symptomatology over time.     

Phase 0 Study of Vandetanib-Eluting Radiopaque Embolics as a Preoperative Embolization Treatment in Patients with Resectable Liver Malignancies

PurposeTo assess the safety and tolerability of a vandetanib-eluting radiopaque embolic (BTG-002814) for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with resectable liver malignancies.Materials and MethodsThe VEROnA clinical trial was a first-in-human, phase 0, single-arm, window-of-opportunity study. Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years and had resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Child-Pugh A) or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients received 1 mL of BTG-002814 transarterially (containing 100 mg of vandetanib) 7–21 days prior to surgery. The primary objectives were to establish the safety and tolerability of BTG-002814 and determine the concentrations of vandetanib and the N-desmethyl vandetanib metabolite in the plasma and resected liver after treatment. Biomarker studies included circulating proangiogenic factors, perfusion computed tomography, and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsEight patients were enrolled: 2 with HCC and 6 with mCRC. There was 1 grade 3 adverse event (AE) before surgery and 18 after surgery; 6 AEs were deemed to be related to BTG-002814. Surgical resection was not delayed. Vandetanib was present in the plasma of all patients 12 days after treatment, with a mean maximum concentration of 24.3 ng/mL (standard deviation ± 13.94 ng/mL), and in resected liver tissue up to 32 days after treatment (441–404,000 ng/g). The median percentage of tumor necrosis was 92.5% (range, 5%–100%). There were no significant changes in perfusion imaging parameters after TACE.ConclusionsBTG-002814 has an acceptable safety profile in patients before surgery. The presence of vandetanib in the tumor specimens up to 32 days after treatment suggests sustained anticancer activity, while the low vandetanib levels in the plasma suggest minimal release into the systemic circulation. Further evaluation of this TACE combination is warranted in dose-finding and efficacy studies.