CT Method Research Articles

Role of mir-33a, mir-203b, mir361-3p, and mir-424 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/aimHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive cancer types. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding regulatory RNAs that function posttranscriptionally. miRNA deregulation was observed in the development and progression of HCC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression levels of four miRNAs (mir-33a, mir-203b, mir361-3p, and mir-424) in HCC patients in comparison to healthy individuals.Materials and methodsVenous blood samples were collected from both HCC patients and healthy individuals. In order to determine the relative expression levels of mir-33a, mir-203b, mir361-3p, and hsa-mir-424 in HCC patients, probe-based quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed. The cycle threshold (Ct) results were analyzed according to the 2−∆∆Ct method and statistical analyses were performed by SPSS Statistics version 15 for Windows.ResultsqRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression levels of mir-33a (fold change: 7.3 and P < 0.001), mir-203b (fold change: 4.6 and P < 0.001), and mir361-3p (fold change: 5.1 and P < 0.001)were downregulated compared to healthy individuals and mir-424 did not show any significant change between HCC patients and controls.ConclusionOur results indicated that mir-33a, mir-203b, and mir-361-3p may significantly contribute to tumor pathogenesis in HCC and have potential to be used as a noninvasive biomarker for cancer therapy.

Computed tomographic age estimation from the pubic symphysis using the Suchey-Brooks method: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Forensic age estimation is routinely applied in investigations involving identification of individuals. Over the past century a myriad of methods have been devised for age estimation. One such method, proposed by Suchey and Brooks in 1990, groups the observed changes occurring in the pubic symphysis into six phases, each defined by a corresponding age range. The present study was piloted with the focussed question being to empirically determine the accuracy of the Suchey-Brooks method in computed tomographic age estimation by analysing morphological changes occurring in the pubic symphysis. Original articles pertaining to the use of the Suchey-Brooks method for CT based age estimation were extracted from four different databases- PubMed, CENTRAL, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect. Research papers which were answering the focussed question were selected for data analysis. After assessing the risk of bias of the selected articles, the data was subjected to Meta-analysis. Pooled analysis of correctly/accurately aged individuals/remains using the random and fixed effect models yielded a prediction percentage of 78% and 86%, respectively. Higher percentages were obtained for phase-wise and subgroup analysis, indicating that the Suchey-Brooks method is a reliable method for age estimation.

Optoacoustic imaging in endocrinology and metabolism.

Imaging is an essential tool in research, diagnostics and the management of endocrine disorders. Ultrasonography, nuclear medicine techniques, MRI, CT and optical methods are already used for applications in endocrinology. Optoacoustic imaging, also termed photoacoustic imaging, is emerging as a method for visualizing endocrine physiology and disease at different scales of detail: microscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic. Optoacoustic contrast arises from endogenous light absorbers, such as oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin, lipids and water, or exogenous contrast agents, and reveals tissue vasculature, perfusion, oxygenation, metabolic activity and inflammation. The development of high-performance optoacoustic scanners for use in humans has given rise to a variety of clinical investigations, which complement the use of the technology in preclinical research. Here, we review key progress with optoacoustic imaging technology as it relates to applications in endocrinology; for example, to visualize thyroid morphology and function, and the microvasculature in diabetes mellitus or adipose tissue metabolism, with particular focus on multispectral optoacoustic tomography and raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy. We explain the merits of optoacoustic microscopy and focus on mid-infrared optoacoustic microscopy, which enables label-free imaging of metabolites in cells and tissues. We showcase current optoacoustic applications within endocrinology and discuss the potential of these technologies to advance research and clinical practice.

Selection and Validation of Suitable Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Analysis in the Rare Aquatic Firefly Aquatica leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).

Simple SummaryThe purpose of this paper was to determine which genes in Aquatica leii, an endemic Chinese firefly, are suitable for use as reference genes in future RT-qPCR studies. This is the first example of an effective knockdown in fireflies and an important methodological advance for continuing research in A. leii. The results of this study will help improve accuracy and reliability to normalize RT-qPCR data in A. leii for further molecular analysis. Since luciferase is very abundant in the adult light organ of fireflies generally, this is an encouraging result and of interest not just for A. leii researchers but other researchers who plan to perform RNAi or RT-qPCR in fireflies, or other nonmodel insects, as well.Aquatica leii Fu and Ballantyne is a species of rare aquatic firefly and endemic in China. It is considered good material to study the molecular mechanism of sexual flash communication systems. To improve conservation and behavioral research strategies, large-scale genetic studies involving gene-expression analysis are required and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the most commonly used method. However, there have been very few reports on appropriate reference genes in any species of firefly. Here, we evaluated eight widely utilized reference genes including 18S, Actin, Reep5, Odc1, Tub, Gapdh, Ef1a and S27Ae for their expression stabilities in A. leii under three different conditions, i.e., life stage, tissue and dsRNA injection. Based on the gene stability ranking calculated by RefFinder, which integrates four algorithms (geNorm, delta Ct method, NormFinder, and BestKeeper), we recommend S27Ae and Reep5 as the most appropriate reference genes for molecular studies in different life stages; Ef1a and Odc1 for different tissues; Tub and Odc1 for RNAi studies. The most appropriate reference genes in all treatments are S27Ae and Tub. The results of this study will help improve accuracy and reliability to normalize RT-qPCR data in A. leii for further molecular analysis.

Investigating new CT contrast agents: a phantom study exploring quantification and differentiation methods for high-Z elements using dual-energy CT

To develop a dual-energy CT method for differentiating and quantifying high-Z contrast elements and to evaluate the limitations based on element concentration and atomic number by using an anthropomorphic phantom study. Mass spectrometry standards for iodine, barium, gadolinium, ytterbium, tantalum, gold, and bismuth were diluted from 10.0 to 0.3 mg/mL, placed inside 7-mL vials, and scanned with dual-energy CT using an abdominal phantom and cylindrical water-filled insert. This procedure was repeated with all seven high-Z elements at six isoattenuating values from 250 to 8 HU. Quantification accuracy was measured using a linear regression model and residual error analysis with 90% limits of agreement. The limit of detection for each element was evaluated using the limit of blank of water. Pairwise differentiation of isoattenuating vials was evaluated using AUC values and the difference in fit angles between the two elements. Each high-Z element had a unique concentration vector in a two-dimensional plot of Compton scattering versus photoelectric effect attenuations. Mean quantification values were within ± 0.1 mg/mL of the true values for each element with no proportional bias. Limits of detection ranged from 0.35 to 0.56 mg/mL. Pairwise differentiations were proportional to the isoattenuating HU and the angle between the linear fits with mean AUC values increasing from 0.61 to 0.98 at 8 to 250 HU, respectively. Dual-energy CT can differentiate and quantify isoattenuating high-Z elements. The high-attenuation characteristics and unique concentration vectors of ytterbium, tantalum, gold, and bismuth are well suited for new dual-energy CT contrast agents especially when simultaneously imaged with iodine, barium, or gadolinium. • Dual-energy CT can accurately quantify high-Z contrast elements and readily differentiate iodine, barium, and gadolinium from ytterbium, tantalum, gold, and bismuth. • The differentiation and quantification capabilities for high-Z contrast elements are largely unaffected by phantom size and transaxial location within the phantom. • Potential benefits of new CT contrast agents based on these high-Z elements include alternatives for patients with iodine sensitivity, high conspicuity at both 120 and 140 kVp, simultaneous imaging of two contrast agents, and reduced injection volume.

Accuracy of CT for measuring femoral neck anteversion in children with developmental dislocation of the hip verified using 3D printing technology

BackgroundAccurate femoral neck anteversion angle (FNA) measurement is of great significance in the diagnosis and treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children. The FNA measurement still remains a controversy. We aimed to verify the accuracy of our CT method by 3D printing technology and to evaluate its clinical value.MethodsSixty-eight children with unilateral DDH were enrolled, and their FNA was measured using 2D-CT and 3D-CT, respectively, by three observers. This procedure was repeated 3 months later. The above measurement outcomes were then compared with the results in the 3D-printed femur (3D-PF) model. The FNA in the 3D-PF model was measured by three observers (two radiologists and one orthopedist; all were professors) collectively through electronic angle instrument.ResultsThe primary measurement of FNA at the affected hips by 2D-CT was 44.0 ± 6.1, 49.5 ± 8.9, and 52.8 ± 7.9°, respectively. On the 3D-CT, it was 47.6 ± 5.4, 49.3 ± 6.8, and 48.6 ± 6.2°. Three months later, the FNA on 2D-CT was 49.3 ± 10.5, 42.8 ± 7.4, and 45.1 ± 9.3°, and it was 48.0 ± 6.5, 48.9 ± 7.2, and 49.0 ± 5.7° on 3D-CT, respectively. The FNA in the 3D-PF model at the affected and unaffected hips was 48.5 ± 6.6 and 36.9 ± 13.1°. There were significant differences between 2D-CT and 3D-PF measurements, but no significant difference was found between 3D-CT and 3D-PF measurements. The results by 2D-CT showed significant differences among groups and between the groups. However, the results by 3D-CT had no significant differences among groups or between the groups.ConclusionThe results of our study showed that 3D-CT is a more precise, and reproducible method for FNA measurement in DDH. The FNA at the affected hips is 11.6° larger than the unaffected in DDH children aged 3–8 years.

Analysis of Isotropy and Uniformity of the Distribution of Reinforcing Phase in Cu/SiC Composite Materials Using ?CT Methods

Tomography allows embedding of one space in another, especially ?2 ? ?3, and observation of the nature of the volumetric internal composite structure. Now, not only a simple interpretation is expected of geometry defined via single thresholds of structures. The binary segmentation used for numerical structure analysis requires more detailed presentation. This paper shows an example of image analysis techniques applied to study the homogeneity of two-phase material. Using tomography analysis, the results of the homogeneity of the SiC particles with 10vol.%, 20vol.%, 30vol.%, 40vol.% volumetric bulk density of Cu/SiC composites are presented. Finally, for two independent coordinate systems, the distribution of SiC particle masses and their total moments of inertia were determined. The results confirmed that for well-mixed composite powders the homogeneity of the reinforcing phase is expected in samples with a SiC volume near 30vol.%. In this case, segregation by translation and rotation of SiC particles in the matrix, during the sintering process is restricted.

Pulmonary Functional Imaging: Part 1-State-of-the-Art Technical and Physiologic Underpinnings.

Over the past few decades, pulmonary imaging technologies have advanced from chest radiography and nuclear medicine methods to high-spatial-resolution or low-dose chest CT and MRI. It is currently possible to identify and measure pulmonary pathologic changes before these are obvious even to patients or depicted on conventional morphologic images. Here, key technological advances are described, including multiparametric CT image processing methods, inhaled hyperpolarized and fluorinated gas MRI, and four-dimensional free-breathing CT and MRI methods to measure regional ventilation, perfusion, gas exchange, and biomechanics. The basic anatomic and physiologic underpinnings of these pulmonary functional imaging techniques are explained. In addition, advances in image analysis and computational and artificial intelligence (machine learning) methods pertinent to functional lung imaging are discussed. The clinical applications of pulmonary functional imaging, including both the opportunities and challenges for clinical translation and deployment, will be discussed in part 2 of this review. Given the technical advances in these sophisticated imaging methods and the wealth of information they can provide, it is anticipated that pulmonary functional imaging will be increasingly used in the care of patients with lung disease. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Clinical value of four-quadrant method use in CT and MRI to evaluation of the orbital tumor

Purpose: To evaluates the efficacy of four-quadrant method in CT and MRI for diagnosis and differential diagnoses of the orbital tumor. The location of the orbital tumor was assigned to: superolateral, superomedial, inferolateral, inferomedial, and optic never were considered as the center point. Methods: From Sep-2008 to April-2016 a total of 87 cases of orbital tumor were included in study. All included orbital tumors were verified radiologically and histopathologically. Forty nine patients underwent CT scanning and 38 patients underwent MR Imaging. We classified the orbital region according to four-quadrant location method and eight spaces. The frequency distribution of individual CT and MR imaging features in the benign tumor was compared with malignant tumor by using Chi-square tests. Results: Among the 87 cases of the orbital tumor, 70 cases (80.45%) were benign tumor and 17 cases (19.54%) were malignant tumor. Regarding the four-quadrant location of the orbit, 41 lesions (47.12 %) were in superolateral, 18 lesions (20.68%) in inferolateral, 16 lesions (18.39%) in inferomedial, 8 lesions (9.19%) in superomedial, 3 lesions (3.44%) in globe, 1 lesion (1.14%) was in optic nerve. There was significant difference in four quadrant location by comparing benign with malignant tumor (P=0.023). Hemangiomas were the predominant benign lesion and lymphoma was major type of malignancy. Conclusion: The four-quadrant and eight-space (FQES) division of the orbit may play an important role in determining the anatomical location, origin and nature of orbital tumor, and aid in diagnosis and treatment.

Association of interleukin-36α gene expression in Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with organ involvement and disease activity

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex systemic autoimmune disease characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations with varying severity. The dysregulation of cytokines contributes strongly to disease pathogenesis. Recently, it has been shown that the imbalanced antagonist/agonist profile of interleukin (IL)-36 cytokines, might play a role in autoimmune disorders. Our aim is to investigate mRNA expression of Interleukin-36α (IL-36α) in the peripheral blood of Egyptian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and its association with disease activity and organs involvement. We assessed the relative expression of IL-36α mRNA by real time polymerase chain reaction and the comparative CT method on the peripheral blood of 49 SLE patients, and 40 healthy controls. Patients were subjected to thorough history and clinical examination, in addition to routine hematological, biochemical, and serological studies. Disease activity was evaluated using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). The relative expression of IL-36α mRNA was significantly higher in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (4.3±2.9 vs 1, respectively, P<0.0001). Fold change of IL-36α expression was significantly increased in patients with moderate and high disease activity (SLEDAI>5) than patients with mild disease activity (SLEDAI≤5) (4.3±1.2 vs 2.7±2.0, respectively, P=0.006) and positively correlated with SLEDAI (r=0.505, P=0.001). Regarding major organ involvement, the mean±SD expression of IL-36α in patients with arthritis and mucocutaneous involvement was significantly higher compared to those without organ involvement (4.2±1.5 vs 2.8±1.8, P=0.039 and 4.1±1.4 vs 2.8±2.1, P=0.041, respectively). In conclusion, the IL-36α is significantly more expressed in SLE patients compared to healthy controls and correlated with SLE disease activity and arthritis. IL-36α expression could be a useful biomarker for SLE disease activity in Egyptian patients with SLE.

Decreased miRNA-320e correlates with allergy in children with otitis media with effusion

ObjectiveOtitis media with effusion (OME) is a common childhood disease and the main cause of conductive hearing loss in this age group. Many factors predispose to OME but allergy is still widely disputed. The answer may lay in the molecular mechanisms of ear exudate formation and the recent studies showed miRNAs might take part in it. MiRNAs are also potent regulators of allergic response. As miRNAs are present in the middle ear, we hypothesized their expression differs between allergic and non-allergic patients and reflects the difference in pathomechanism of effusion formation between these two groups. Materials and methodsThis study aimed to establish the expression of 5 different miRNAs (miR-223-3p, miR-451a, miR-16-5p, miR-320e, miR-25-3p) in ear exudates in children diagnosed with OME. The allergy group consisted of 18 patients whereas the non-allergic group had 36 patients. MicroRNA was isolated from the middle ear fluid collected during myringotomy and transcribed into cDNA. MiRNA expression was measured with TaqMan™ MicroRNA Assays and analyzed with DataAssist software. The comparative CT method was used for calculating the relative quantification of gene expression based on the endogenous control gene expression (U6 snRNA-001973). ResultsMiR-320e expression was significantly decreased in allergic children with OME. Other studied miRNAs also showed reduced expression in allergic children, but the decrease was not significant. ConclusionsMiRNA expression differs between children with and without allergy in the course of OME, but further studies are needed to explain the exact role of miR-320e and its target genes in OME pathology in allergic patients.

Hypoxia further exacerbates woody breast myopathy in broilers via alteration of satellite cell fate

Woody breast (WB) condition has created a variety of challenges for the global poultry industry. To date, there are no effective treatments or preventative measures due to its unknown (undefined) etiology. Several potential mechanisms including oxidative stress, fiber-type switching, cellular damage, and altered intracellular calcium levels have been proposed to play a key role in the progression of the WB myopathy. In a previous study, we have shown that WB is associated with hypoxia-like status and dysregulated oxygen homeostasis. As satellite cells (SC) play a pivotal role in muscle fiber repair and remodeling under stress conditions, we undertook the present study to determine satellite cell fate in WB-affected birds when reared in either normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Modern random bred broilers from 2015 (n = 200) were wing banded and reared under standard brooding practices for the first 2 wk post-hatch. At 15 d, chicks were divided in 2 body weight-matched groups and reared to 6 wk in either control local altitude or hypobaric chambers with simulated altitude of 6,000 ft. Birds were provided ad libitum access to water and feed, according to the Cobb recommendations. At 6 wk of age, birds were processed and scored for WB, and breast samples were collected from WB-affected and unaffected birds for molecular analyses (n = 10/group). SCs were isolated from normal breast muscle, cultured in vitro, and exposed to normoxia or hypoxia for 2 h. The expression of target genes was determined by qPCR using 2−∆∆Ct method. Protein distribution and expression were determined by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblot, respectively. Data were analyzed by the Student's t test with significance set at P < 0.05. Multiple satellite cell markers, myogenic factor (Myf)-5 and paired box (PAX)-7 were significantly decreased at the mRNA and protein levels in the breast muscle from WB-affected birds compared to their unaffected counterparts. Lipogenic-and adipogenic-associated factors (acetyl-CoA carboxylase, ACCα; fatty acid synthase, FASN, malic enzyme, ME; and ATP citrate lyase, ACLY) were activated in WB-affected birds. These data were supported by an in vitro study where hypoxia decreased the expression of Myf5 and Pax7, and increased that of ACCα, FASN, ME, and ACLY. Together, these data indicate that under hypoxic condition, SC change fate by switching from a myogenic to an adipogenic program, which explains at least partly, the etiology of the WB myopathy.

Retraction

Background Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) specifically target mRNAs and induce silencing of protein-coding genes. MicroRNAs are single-stranded RNA molecules that can target several genes. This study evaluated microRNA expression following the inhibition of γ to β-globin gene switching and examined the increased expression of γ genes through the effect of siRNAs on the B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A) gene. Methods Stem cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells using the Ficoll-Paque method. The cells were cultured in Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM) for differentiation into erythroid cells over 28 days and stored under optimal conditions. On the 21st day, siRNAs were inserted into BCL11A. The expression levels of miR-15a, miR-16, miR-23a, miR-27a, and miR-486 were evaluated before and after siRNA treatment. The comparative CT method (2-ΔΔCT) was used to compare miRNA expression. For data analysis, Student's t-tests were performed, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The five miRNAs in this study showed significant differences (P<0.01). The relative expression of BCL11A after siRNA transmission decreased, while the expression of γ gene showed an increasing trend (1.2, 2.1, and 2.3, respectively). Conclusions The expression levels of miR-15a, miR-16, miR-23a, miR-27a, and miR-486 changed before and after γ-to-β gene switching. Therefore, this may be an effective intervention for controlling the switching and synthesis of fetal hemoglobin.

Possibility for Replicating Mechanoscopic Surface Marks in the Hybrid Vacuum-Pressure Casting Process.

Vacuum-pressure casting technology allows small batches of components to be manufactured from polymer materials, mainly from thermosetting plastics such as polyurethane and epoxy resins. Apart from being very simple, the process is also advantageous in that it offers a very accurately reproduced geometrical structure of the surfaces of master patterns used in mold manufacturing. This article presents the results of analyses performed for the process of replicating mechanoscopic marks with the use of three vacuum casting variants, including a hybrid vacuum-pressure casting process developed in particular for the replication purposes. The main research objective was to analyze and evaluate the influence of the parameters of the individual process variants on the quality of the obtained cast parts and on the replication accuracy without introducing additional artifacts on their surfaces. The article discusses the individual stages of the process and provides an analysis of their parameters. The replicas were evaluated for their porosity and reproduction quality with the use of CT methods and comparative photographs obtained from a light microscope.

Induction of Adipogenic Genes by Novel Serum-Free Conditions From Pre-adipocyte 3T3-L1 and ST2 Cells.

IntroductionObesity, defined as a condition of excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, is a global epidemic implicated in a myriad of processes deleterious to human health. It has become one of the leading impediments to public health globally. The study of obesity necessitates adipocyte models, which commonly employ a medium enriched with adipogenic hormones and fetal bovine serum (FBS) to culture terminal adipocytes. In the current study, we developed a novel protocol for serum-free differentiation of 3T3-L1 and ST2 pre-adipocytes using media enriched with free fatty acids (FFA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Differentiation was characterized by measuring FFA uptake and changes in expression of adipogenic genes. The novel protocol was also compared against the existing serum-inclusive method.MethodsThe National Institutes of Health (NIH)-3T3-L1 and ST2 pre-adipocyte cells were maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) containing 10% calf serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin and Roswell Park Memorial Institute Medium (RPMI) with 10% FBS and 1% penicillin-streptomycin mixture, respectively, at 37℃, 5% CO2 in a humidified atmosphere. Differentiation was induced using a mixture of 0.25 µM dexamethasone, 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), 10 µg/mL insulin, or 1% insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS). Cells were cultured in serum-free media containing DMEM with BSA (2.5%) and lipid mixture 1 (LM1 1%) as well as serum-inclusive media enriched with 10% FBS. Total RNA was extracted, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using delta-delta Ct method, also known as the 2-∆∆Ct method. Ribosomal protein, large, P0 (RPLP0) was used as a house-keeping gene for quantitation of relative expressions.ResultsWe observed an increase in fatty acid accumulation relative to controls using Oil Red O neutral lipid staining and spectrophotometry. This result was consistent with the effects of the serum-inclusive method. Differentiation was further confirmed by increased gene expression of adipogenic transcription factors - peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα); adipogenic genes - fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4/aP2) and fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36); and the lipogenic gene - perilipin by using quantitative RT-PCR.ConclusionOur data suggest that serum-free differentiation can significantly enhance the free fatty acid accumulation as well as adipogenic gene expression in both NIH-3T3-L1 and ST2 pre-adipocyte cells. Given the shortcomings of FBS, this method may provide advantages to the serum-inclusive protocols described previously.

Measurement of Small Defect Testing Accuracy in Additive Manufacturing Alloy Using Industrial CT Method

This article is based on the application of industrial CT testing in additive manufacturing parts. Based on the existing industrial X-ray CT inspection equipment, it aims to solve the problem of identifying small defects under the uncertainty of test results. Under the premise of removing artifacts, this paper studies the measurement methods of small defects, and analyzes the uncertainty of the test results by designing a comparison test block. This paper combines theoretical analysis and experimental research, and compares the test results with the half-width method to study the accuracy of the test method. In order to improve the accuracy of industrial CT quantitative non-destructive detection of small defects, this paper closely studies the engineering application and combines the practical application of industrial CT to solve the basic problems of key research work.

Anastasis in Glioblastoma, Brain Cancer Stem, and Brain Stem Cells

Objective: Anastasis, a process that has been discovered recently, halts apoptosis, and thus, recovers the survival functions of cells. It may be suggested that anastasis is related to cancer progression, especially in cancer stem cells which are responsible for therapy resistance, metastasis, and recurrence. In this study, the investigation of the anastasis phenomena and its effect on stemness related gene expressions of brain cancer-related cells are aimed. Methods: In this study commercially obtained glioblastoma multiforme(GBM), brain cancer stem cells(BCSC), and brain stem cells(BSC) were used for in vitro models. To induction of apoptosis 4% ethanol-including medium was used. Annexin V assay was used for confirmation of apoptotic and anastatic status. Gene expression profile was determined real-time qRT-PCR method and fold changes were calculated by using 2-∆∆Ct method. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used for the functional pathway and upstream regulatory analysis. Results: A common decrease in the expression of stemness related genes in GBM cells was determined by real-time qRT-PCR performed on anastatic cells. Although BSCs showed a similar expression profile with GBM cells, all stemness genes were upregulated in BCSCs. Similar to expression profile, the canonical pathways were markedly down-regulated in BSC and GBM, while they were up-regulated in BCSC. Differently, it is determined that the activation of self-renewal in GBM and BCSC, unlike BSC. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that the inhibition of anastasis may be used to prevent the malignant transformation of healthy stem cells and the aggression of cancerous stem cells. Anastasis may be suggested as a critical mechanism that supports uncurable cancers.

Single-energy CT predicts uric acid stones with accuracy comparable to dual-energy CT\u2014prospective validation of a quantitative method

ObjectivesTo prospectively validate three quantitative single-energy CT (SE-CT) methods for classifying uric acid (UA) and non-uric acid (non-UA) stones.MethodsBetween September 2018 and September 2019, 116 study participants were prospectively included in the study if they had at least one 3–20-mm urinary stone on an initial urinary tract SE-CT scan. An additional dual-energy CT (DE-CT) scan was performed, limited to the stone of interest. Additionally, to include a sufficient number of UA stones, eight participants with confirmed UA stone on DE-CT were retrospectively included. The SE-CT stone features used in the prediction models were (1) maximum attenuation (maxHU) and (2) the peak point Laplacian (ppLapl) calculated at the position in the stone with maxHU. Two prediction models were previously published methods (ppLapl-maxHU and maxHU) and the third was derived from the previous results based on the k-nearest neighbors (kNN) algorithm (kNN-ppLapl-maxHU). The three methods were evaluated on this new independent stone dataset. The reference standard was the CT vendor’s DE-CT application for kidney stones.ResultsAltogether 124 participants (59 ± 14 years, 91 men) with 106 non-UA and 37 UA stones were evaluated. For classification of UA and non-UA stones, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100% (37/37), 97% (103/106), and 98% (140/143), respectively, for kNN-ppLapl-maxHU; 95% (35/37), 98% (104/106), and 97% (139/143) for ppLapl-maxHU; and 92% (34/37), 94% (100/106), and 94% (134/143) for maxHU.ConclusionA quantitative SE-CT method (kNN-ppLapl-maxHU) can classify UA stones with accuracy comparable to DE-CT.Key Points• Single-energy CT is the first-line diagnostic tool for suspected renal colic.• A single-energy CT method based on the internal urinary stone attenuation distribution can classify urinary stones into uric acid and non-uric acid stones with high accuracy.• This immensely increases the availability of in vivo stone analysis.

The Potential Role of miRNA-19b-3p and miRNA-320c in Patients with Moderate Bronchial Asthma.

Bronchial Asthma (BA) is a complex heterogeneous disease with a number of molecular immunopathological mechanisms underlying airway inflammation, hyperreactivity, and bronchial remodeling. MicroRNAs are important regulators in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic respiratory diseases, including BA. The aim of the study is to investigate the level of expression of cell-free circulating miR-19b-3p and miR-320c in the blood plasma by comparing their plasma levels with IL-4 in the moderate BA patients and control group. The level of expression miR-19b-3p and miR-320c were evaluated by qRT-PCR using the comparative threshold cycle (Ct) method. U6 small nuclear RNA was taken as an endogenous control. The content of IL - 4 in blood plasma was determined by using ELISA. miR-19b-3p and miR-320c were significantly dysregulated in moderate asthmatic patients in comparison with control group. The area under the ROC curve of miR-19b-3p and miR-320c showed 0.8088 (95% CI 0.6925 to 0.9251, P value =0.0001) and 0,9048 (95% CI 0,7792 to 1,000, P value <0,0001), respectively. BA patients showed a considerably positive correlation between the expression level of microRNA-320c and IL-4 levels. These cell-free circulating microRNAs are probably deregulated in other inflammatory/ pathological diseases, so they could be useful to understand the molecular pathogenesis of BA or to investigate the "inflammatory reaction" in this disease.

Neural MLAA for PET-enabled Dual-Energy CT Imaging.

The PET-enabled dual-energy CT method allows dual-energy CT imaging on PET/CT scanners without the need for a second x-ray CT scan. A 511 keV γ-ray attenuation image can be reconstructed from time-of-flight PET emission data using the maximum-likelihood attenuation and activity (MLAA) algorithm. However, the attenuation image reconstructed by standard MLAA is commonly noisy. To suppress noise, we propose a neural-network approach for MLAA reconstruction. The PET attenuation image is described as a function of kernelized neural networks with the flexibility of incorporating the available x-ray CT image as anatomical prior. By applying optimization transfer, the complex optimization problem of the proposed neural MLAA reconstruction is solved by a modularized iterative algorithm with each iteration decomposed into three steps: PET activity image update, attenuation image update, and neural-network learning using a weighed mean squared-error loss. The optimization algorithm is guaranteed to monotonically increase the data likelihood. The results from computer simulations demonstrated the neural MLAA algorithm can achieve a significant improvement on the γ-ray CT image quality as compared to other algorithms.