MRI图像融合技术在肛瘘评估中的初步应用

目的采用图像融合技术获得T2WI与T2WI-FS的融合图像，评估其在肛瘘及肛周结构显示中的优势。 方法2016年6月至2018年6月，前瞻性选择中山大学附属第一医院29例肛瘘患者进行肛管磁共振（MR）检查，采用图像融合技术获取T2WI与T2WI-FS的融合图像T2WI-Fusion，利用Fisher score算法计算瘘管及肛门括约肌的组织间分辨力Fisher值、脂肪与肛门括约肌间的Fisher值，评估融合图像中瘘管及肛周结构的显示情况。采用改进的双刺激连续质量量表（DSCQS）对T2WI-FS、T2WI、增强3D-VIBE和T2WI-Fusion序列图像进行主观图像质量评价。 结果29例患者均成功获得T2WI与T2WI-FS的融合图像T2WI-Fusion。T2WI-Fusion、T2WI瘘管与括约肌间Fisher均值分别为6.46、3.31，T2WI-Fusion图像对瘘管的显示优于T2WI序列图像（P<0.001）。T2WI-Fusion、T2WI-FS脂肪与括约肌间Fisher均值分别为10.61、2.45，T2WI-Fusion图像对括约肌的显示优于T2WI-FS序列图像（P<0.001）。T2WI-Fusion对瘘管与括约肌的图像质量评价总评分均高于T2WI-FS、T2WI、增强3D-VIBE序列（P<0.001）。 结论MRI图像融合技术同时具备T2WI及T2WI-FS的优势，无需增加扫描序列及扫描时间，且操作简单，花费时间短，显著提高病变及肛周解剖结构的对比度和图像质量。     

Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide protects against cadmium-induced neurotoxicity

Cadmium is a toxic metal that can damage the brain and other organs. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide (PAP) against CdCl₂-induced neurotoxicity in N2a and SH-SY5Y cells and in the cerebral cortex of BALB/c mice. In addition, we aimed to identify the potential mechanisms underlying these protective effects. Relative to CdCl₂ treatment alone, pretreatment with PAP prevented the reduction in cell viability evoked by CdCl₂, decreased rates of apoptosis, promoted calcium homeostasis, decreased ROS accumulation, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited cytochrome C and AIF release, and prevented the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. In addition, PAP significantly decreased the CdCl₂-induced phosphorylation of CaMKII, Akt, and mTOR. In conclusion, PAP represents a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of Cd-induced neurotoxicity, functioning in part via attenuating the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and the Ca²⁺-CaMKII-dependent Akt/mTOR pathway.     

Vaccines and autoimmunity during the COVID-19 pandemic

To control the pandemic, efficient vaccines must be applied to the population, including patients with autoimmune diseases. Therefore, one can expect that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines may influence the underlying autoimmune processes in these patients. Additionally, it is essential to understand whether COVID-19 vaccines would be effective, safe, and provide long-lasting immunological protection and memory. However, the currently available and approved COVID-19 vaccines turned out to be safe, effective, and reliable in patients with autoimmune inflammatory and rheumatic diseases. Furthermore, most patients said they felt safer after getting vaccinations for COVID-19 and reported enhanced overall quality of life and psychological wellbeing. In general, the COVID-19 vaccines have been highly tolerated by autoimmune patients. Such findings might comfort patients who are reluctant to use COVID-19 vaccines and assist doctors in guiding their patients into receiving vaccinations more easily and quickly.