Collimating micro-lens fiber array for noncontact near-infrared diffuse correlation tomography

Near-infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy/tomography (DCS/DCT) has recently emerged as a noninvasive measurement/imaging technology for tissue blood flow. In DCT studies, the high-dense collection of light temporal autocorrelation curves (g₂(τ)) via fiber array are critical for image reconstruction of blood flow. Previously, the camera-based fiber array limits the field of view (FOV), precluding its applications on large-size human tissues. The line-shape fiber probe based on lens combination, which is predominantly used in current DCT studies, requires rotated-scanning over the surface of target tissue, substantially prolonging the measurement time and increasing the system instability. In this study, we design a noncontact optical probe for DCT based on collimating micro-lens fiber array, termed as FA-nc-DCT system. For each source/detector fiber, a single optical path was collimated by coupling with one micro-lens in the fiber array that is integrated in a square-shape base. Additionally, an 8×8 optical switch is used to share the hardware laser and detectors without spatial scanning. The FA-nc approach for the precise collection of g₂(τ) curves was validated through a speed-varied phantom experiment and the human experiments of cuff occlusion, from which the expected value of the blood flow index (BFI) was obtained. Furthermore, the flow anomaly in the phantom and the ischemic muscle in human were accurately reconstructed from the FA-nc-DCT system, which is combined with the imaging framework based on the Nth-order linear algorithm that we recently created. Those outcomes demonstrated the great potential of FA-nc-DCT technology for fast and robust imaging of various diseases such as human breast cancers.     

Confounded association between proton pump inhibitor use and risk of biliary tract cancer: Result from three cohorts

Recent epidemiological studies suggested that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was associated with an increased risk of biliary tract cancer (BTC), however, confounders were not adequately controlled. Our study aimed to evaluate PPI use and subsequent risk of BTC and its subtypes in three well-established cohorts. We conducted a pooled analysis of the subjects free of cancers in UK Biobank (n = 463 643), Nurses' Health Study (NHS, n = 80 235) and NHS II (n = 95 869). Propensity score weighted Cox models were used to estimate marginal HRs of PPIs use on BTC risk, accounting for potential confounders. We documented 284 BTC cases in UK Biobank (median follow-up: 7.6 years), and 91 cases in NHS and NHS II cohorts (median follow-up: 15.8 years). In UK biobank, PPI users had a 96% higher risk of BTC compared to nonusers in crude model (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.44-2.66), but the effect was attenuated to null after adjusting for potential confounders (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.60-1.49). PPI use was not associated with risk of BTC in the pooled analysis of three cohorts (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.60-1.43). We also observed no associations between PPI use with risk of intrahepatic (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.49-2.04), extrahepatic bile duct (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.52-2.27) and gallbladder cancers (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.26-1.66) in UK Biobank. In summary, regular use of PPIs was not associated with the risk of BTC and its subtypes.     

潜伏期脑胎盘率对预测新生儿不良结局的价值

目的 探讨低危单胎的足月妊娠自然临产后，潜伏期脑胎盘率(CPR)对预测新生儿不良结局的价值。方法 选取2018年1月至2021年3月我院住院临产分娩的673例孕妇为研究对象，测量胎儿大脑中动脉、脐动脉血流参数，获得分娩结局及新生儿结局。参考既往研究得出的不同孕周CPR正常参考值百分位作为分组指标(CPR≤10%参考值定为低CPR)。比较低CPR组(72例)与正常CPR组(601例)两组妊娠结局、新生儿不良结局。结果 低CPR组与正常CPR组在孕妇年龄、孕龄、产次、孕期体质量增长、总产程、新生儿体质量的构成上差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。低CPR组因胎儿窘迫行剖宫产或助产发生率、新生儿任一不良结局发生率、新生儿不良结局率均高于正常CPR组，差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。低CPR预测新生儿不良结局的准确率为89.5%(602/673),敏感度为51.7%(15/29),特异度为91.1%(587/644)。结论 本研究数据显示，对于无并发症及合并症、低风险的单胎足月妊娠，潜伏期低CPR与新生儿不良结局相关。     

The clinical dilemma of JAK inhibitor failure in myelofibrosis: Predictive characteristics and outcomes

Two Janus-associated kinase inhibitors (JAKi) (initially ruxolitinib and, more recently, fedratinib) have been approved as treatment options for patients who have intermediate-risk and high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), with pivotal trials demonstrating improvements in spleen volume, disease symptoms, and quality of life. At the same time, however, clinical trial experiences with JAKi agents in MF have demonstrated a high frequency of discontinuations because of adverse events or progressive disease. In addition, overall survival benefits and clinical and molecular predictors of response have not been established in this population, for which the disease burden is high and treatment options are limited. Consistently poor outcomes have been documented after JAKi discontinuation, with survival durations after ruxolitinib ranging from 11 to 16 months across several studies. To address such a high unmet therapeutic need, various non-JAKi agents are being actively explored (in combination with ruxolitinib in first-line or salvage settings and/or as monotherapy in JAKi-pretreated patients) in phase 3 clinical trials, including pelabresib (a bromodomain and extraterminal domain inhibitor), navitoclax (a B-cell lymphoma 2/B-cell lymphoma 2-xL inhibitor), parsaclisib (a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor), navtemadlin (formerly KRT-232; a murine double-minute chromosome 2 inhibitor), and imetelstat (a telomerase inhibitor). The breadth of data expected from these trials will provide insight into the ability of non-JAKi treatments to modify the natural history of MF.     

Hepatotoxicity of cantharidin is associated with the altered bile acid metabolism

Cantharidin (CTD) is an effective antitumor agent. However, it exhibits significant hepatotoxicity, the mechanism of which remains unclear. In this study, biochemical and histopathological analyses complemented with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)-based targeted metabolomic analysis of bile acids (BAs) were employed to investigate CTD-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Sixteen male and female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and CTD (1.0 mg/kg) groups. Serum and liver samples were collected after 28 days of intervention. Biochemical, histopathological, and BA metabolomic analyses were performed for all samples. Further, the key biomarkers of CTD-induced hepatotoxicity were identified via multivariate and metabolic pathway analyses. In addition, metabolite–gene–enzyme network and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were used to identify the signaling pathways related to CTD-induced hepatotoxicity. The results revealed significantly increased levels of biochemical indices (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bile acid). Histopathological analysis revealed that the hepatocytes were damaged. Further, 20 endogenous BAs were quantitated via UHPLC-MS/MS, and multivariate and metabolic pathway analyses of BAs revealed that hyocholic acid, cholic acid, and chenodeoxycholic acid were the key biomarkers of CTD-induced hepatotoxicity. Meanwhile, primary and secondary BA biosynthesis and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism were found to be associated with the mechanism by which CTD induced hepatotoxicity in rats. This study provides useful insights for research on the mechanism of CTD-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Experimental study on the biocompatibility and osteogenesis induction ability of PLLA/DDM scaffolds

Odontology - To investigate the characterization and function of a novel porous osteogenic material (PLLA / DDM) containing polylactic acid and demineralized dentin matrix. The surface morphology...