CT Method Research Articles

Determination for KIR genotype and allele copy number via real-time quantitative PCR method.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) play crucial roles in regulating NK cell activity. Here, we report a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to genotype all KIR genes and their copy numbers simultaneously. With 18 pairs of locus-specific primers, we identified KIR genes by Ct values and determined KIR copy number using the 2-∆Ct method. Haplotypes were assigned based on KIR gene copy numbers. The real-time qPCR results were consistent with the NGS method, except for one sample with KIR2DL5 discrepancy. qPCR is a multiplex method that can identify KIR copy number, which helps obtain a relatively accurate haplotype structure, facilitating increased KIR research in laboratories where NGS or other high-resolution methods are not available.

INVESTIGATION OF GENE EXPRESSION LEVELS OF SOME PROTEINS RELATED TO THE PATHOGENESIS OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE IN RATS EXPOSED TO PRENATAL STRESS

INVESTIGATION OF GENE EXPRESSION LEVELS OF SOME PROTEINS RELATED TO THE PATHOGENESIS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE IN RATS EXPOSED TO PRENATAL STRESS Ilayda VAROL1*, Sinem Ezgi TURUNC OZOGLU2 1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, Türkiye 2 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, Türkiye ORCID Numbers: İlayda Varol: 0009-0000-4037-8612 Sinem Ezgi Turunc Ozoglu: 0000-0002-7587-7443 *Corresponding author: Ilayda VAROL Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, Türkiye E-mail: varolilayda@gmail.com Tel: +90 507 333 18 35 Ethical Committee Approval: The Ege University Ethics Committee on Animal Experiments approved this study (05/24/2017; Reference No. 2017-023). INVESTIGATION OF GENE EXPRESSION LEVELS OF SOME PROTEINS RELATED TO THE PATHOGENESIS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE IN RATS EXPOSED TO PRENATAL STRESS Abstract This study was carried out in order to better understand how prenatal stress (PS) may affect the future onset of Parkinson's disease (PD). A dexamethasone-induced PS model was established in rats for the study. Changes in the expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), α-synuclein (SNCA), dopamine transporter (SLC6A3), and parkin (PRKN) proteins, which play role in PD pathogenesis, were demonstrated by real-time PCR in the cerebral cortex of male rats exposed to PS. From GD 14 to 21, pregnant rats were injected daily with Dex or saline (100 μg/kg and 1 ml/kg). 3 months after birth, male rats underwent decapitation (n=5), cerebral cortex dissection was performed. Total RNA was isolated from cortexes and used for cDNA synthesis. Gene expression analyzes were performed according to the ∆∆CT method. The statistical differences between groups were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test. Statistics were deemed significant at a level of 0.05. Dex exposure throughout pregnancy significantly increased mRNA levels of TH and SLC6A3. No significant differences were found in the mRNA levels of PRKN and SNCA between experimental groups. In conclusion, offspring exposed to PS may be more susceptible to PD in adulthood through changes in the cortical mRNA levels of TH and SLC6A3. Keywords: Prenatal stress, Parkinson’s Disease, Tyrosine hydroxylase, Dopamine transporter

Non-coplanar lung SABR treatments delivered with a gantry-mounted x-ray tube

Objective. To create two non-coplanar, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) lung patient treatment plans compliant with the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) 0813 dosimetric criteria using a simple, isocentric, therapy with kilovoltage arcs (SITKA) system designed to provide low cost external radiotherapy treatments for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Approach. A treatment machine design has been proposed featuring a 320 kVp x-ray tube mounted on a gantry. A deep learning cone-beam CT (CBCT) to synthetic CT (sCT) method was employed to remove the additional cost of planning CTs. A novel inverse treatment planning approach using GPU backprojection was used to create a highly non-coplanar treatment plan with circular beam shapes generated by an iris collimator. Treatments were planned and simulated using the TOPAS Monte Carlo (MC) code for two lung patients. Dose distributions were compared to 6 MV volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planned in Eclipse on the same cases for a Truebeam linac as well as obeying the RTOG 0813 protocols for lung SABR treatments with a prescribed dose of 50 Gy. Main results. The low-cost SITKA treatments were compliant with all RTOG 0813 dosimetric criteria. SITKA treatments showed, on average, a 6.7 and 4.9 Gy reduction of the maximum dose in soft tissue organs at risk (OARs) as compared to VMAT, for the two patients respectively. This was accompanied by a small increase in the mean dose of 0.17 and 0.30 Gy in soft tissue OARs. Significance. The proposed SITKA system offers a maximally low-cost, effective alternative to conventional radiotherapy systems for lung cancer patients, particularly in low-income countries. The system’s non-coplanar, isocentric approach, coupled with the deep learning CBCT to sCT and GPU backprojection-based inverse treatment planning, offers lower maximum doses in OARs and comparable conformity to VMAT plans at a fraction of the cost of conventional radiotherapy.

How subjective CT image quality assessment becomes surprisingly reliable: pairwise comparisons instead of Likert scale

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to improve the reliability of subjective IQ assessment using a pairwise comparison (PC) method instead of a Likert scale method in abdominal CT scans.MethodsAbdominal CT scans (single-center) were retrospectively selected between September 2019 and February 2020 in a prior study. Sample variance in IQ was obtained by adding artificial noise using dedicated reconstruction software, including reconstructions with filtered backprojection and varying iterative reconstruction strengths. Two datasets (each n = 50) were composed with either higher or lower IQ variation with the 25 original scans being part of both datasets. Using in-house developed software, six observers (five radiologists, one resident) rated both datasets via both the PC method (forcing observers to choose preferred scans out of pairs of scans resulting in a ranking) and a 5-point Likert scale. The PC method was optimized using a sorting algorithm to minimize necessary comparisons. The inter- and intraobserver agreements were assessed for both methods with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsTwenty-five patients (mean age 61 years ± 15.5; 56% men) were evaluated. The ICC for interobserver agreement for the high-variation dataset increased from 0.665 (95%CI 0.396–0.814) to 0.785 (95%CI 0.676–0.867) when the PC method was used instead of a Likert scale. For the low-variation dataset, the ICC increased from 0.276 (95%CI 0.034–0.500) to 0.562 (95%CI 0.337–0.729). Intraobserver agreement increased for four out of six observers.ConclusionThe PC method is more reliable for subjective IQ assessment indicated by improved inter- and intraobserver agreement.Clinical relevance statementThis study shows that the pairwise comparison method is a more reliable method for subjective image quality assessment. Improved reliability is of key importance for optimization studies, validation of automatic image quality assessment algorithms, and training of AI algorithms.Key Points• Subjective assessment of diagnostic image quality via Likert scale has limited reliability.• A pairwise comparison method improves the inter- and intraobserver agreement.• The pairwise comparison method is more reliable for CT optimization studies.Graphical

The Study for Standardization of Dose Evaluation Method in Cone-beam CT

This study aimed to compare the dose evaluation methods by constructing simulation models using the Monte Carlo calculation code and propose an evaluation method for cone beam CT (CBCT) that ensures accuracy and practicality. The Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) ver. 3.26 was used as the Monte Carlo calculation code. CBCT doses were measured by CB dose index (CBDI) and American Association of Physicists in Medicine task group 111 (TG111) methods. The CBDI was compared with the equilibrium doses obtained by the TG111 method. Although CBDI was lower than equilibrium doses obtained by the TG111 method, its practicality was ensured because it can be measured using the dosimeter and phantom that are commonly used. In contrast, the TG111 method guarantees accuracy, but it is difficult to prepare a long phantom to obtain the equilibrium dose. The TG111 method with a phantom length of 15 cm underestimated the equilibrium dose by 20% compared to that with a phantom length of 45 cm that satisfies the dose equilibrium. Therefore, the equilibrium dose obtained by the TG111 method with a phantom length of 15 cm is multiplied by 1.20 to obtain the equilibrium dose equivalent to that with a phantom length of 45 cm. This study has proposed the dose evaluation method that combines guarantees accuracy and practicality in CBCT.

Bull’s age effect on the ratio of x and y chromosome-bearing spermatozoa

The reproductive efficiency improvements that can be achieved in bovine herds highly depend on the male, as the bulls account for approximately 80% of the gene pool. Likewise, age can impact the sires’ reproductive efficiency through its seminal quality, which is strongly influenced by the bull’s sexual maturity. The study aimed to assess the bull’s age effect on the X and Y chromosomes-bearing spermatozoa ratio in semen. Sixteen Brahman bulls (Bos indicus) were grouped into two age range and their reproductive capacity was assessed. Genomic DNA was extracted from a single collection of semen to quantify by qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) the PLP and SRY genes, used as sexual chromosome markers, and autosomal GAPDH as the reference gene. The values obtained were compared using the delta Ct (2-∆Ct) method and validated with the use of a commercial sample of semen sexed for the X chromosome. The SRY gene had a proportion of 43% in bulls of 4-5 years of age and 32% in the group of 9-10 years, while the proportions of the PLP gene were 57% in bulls of 4-5 years and 68% in the 9-10 years group. This deviation from the expected ratio (1:1) in bulls of nine and ten years old with a preponderance of the X chromosome content might suggest a possible influence of age in the sex chromosome proportions in the spermatozoa; however, these results were not statistically significant.

Identification of stable reference genes for relative quantification of long RNA expression in urinary extracellular vesicles

AbstractUrinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) are rich in valuable biomolecule information which are increasingly recognized as potential biomarkers for various diseases. uEV long RNAs are among the critical cargos capable of providing unique transcriptome information of the source cells. However, consensus regarding ideal reference genes for relative long RNAs quantification in uEVs is not available as of date. Here we explored stable reference genes through profiling the long RNA expression by RNA‐seq following unsupervised analysis and validation studies. Candidate reference genes were identified using four algorithms: NormFinder, GeNorm, BestKeeper and the Delta Ct method, followed by validation. RNA profile showed uEVs contained abundant long RNAs information and the core transcriptome was related to cellular structures, especially ribosome which functions mainly as translation, protein and RNA binding molecules. Analysis of RNA‐seq data identified RPL18A, RPL11, RPL27, RACK1, RPSA, RPL41, H1‐2, RPL4, GAPDH, RPS27A as candidate reference genes. RT‐qPCR validation revealed that RPL41, RPSA and RPL18A were reliable reference genes for long RNA quantification in uEVs from patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic nephropathy (DN), IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and prostate cancer (PCA). Interestingly, RPL41 also outperformed traditional reference genes in renal tissues of DN and IgAN, as well as in plasma EVs of several types of cancers. The stable reference genes identified in this study may facilitate development of uEVs as novel biomarkers and increase the accuracy and comparability of biomarker studies.

Endurance Training and MitoQ Supplementation Increase PERM1 and SMYD1 Gene Expression and Improve Hemodynamic Function in the Cardiac Muscle of Male Wistar Rats

Background: Histone methyltransferase (SMYD1) and the muscle-specific protein PERM1 play an important role in maintaining cardiac energetics and function. The present study aimed to examine the effect of two types of endurance training (running and swimming) plus MitoQ supplementation on PERM1 and SMYD1 gene expression and the hemodynamic function of the cardiac muscle of male Wistar rats. Methods: The animals underwent MitoQ supplementation alone, endurance training alone, or endurance training+MitoQ supplementation for eight weeks. The gene expression of PERM1 and SMYD1, which was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantified by 2-∆∆CT method, and hemodynamic function were compared between groups using two-way multivariate analysis of variance. Results: Cardiac gene expression of PERM1 and SMYD1 increased significantly through running (PERM1, P<0.05; SMYD1, P<0.01), swimming (PERM1, P<0.05; SMYD1, P<0.05) and MitoQ supplementation (PERM1, P<0.001). The effects of MitoQ supplementation on the cardiac gene expression of PERM1 were additive to the effects of both running and swimming (PERM1, P<0.001; SMYD1, P<0.05). Swimming-induced enhancement in cardiac expression of PERM1 and SMYD1 was associated with a significant increase in±dP/dt max (P<0.05). Conclusion: The expression of genes involved in cardiac metabolism can be affected by endurance training and this effect could be improved through MitoQ supplementation.

Noninvasive estimation of heart organ mass by postmortem magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography compared to conventional autopsy in fetuses: a pilot study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the accuracy of mass estimation of the heart using postmortem MRI and CT in this population. MethodsThe mass of the heart was estimated using three different methods: sequential segmentation of the right and left ventricles by MRI in 30 patients; sequential segmentation of the left ventricle chamber using CT and an ellipsoid method of the left ventricle (LV) using CT in 6 patients. The estimated mass by each method was compared to conventional autopsy mass using linear regression. ResultsThe correlation between estimated and measured cardiac mass using postmortem MRI measurements of the right and left ventricles, CT derived volumes of the left ventricle, or by the LV ellipsoid CT method are as follows: y = 0.87744x - 0.74813 (R2 = 0.958); y = 0.6004x - 2.16 (R2 = 0.8681); y = 0.6019 - 2.1615 (R2 = 0.8599), respectively. When separating the fetuses evaluated by pmMRI into a ≤20 weeks subset or >20 weeks subset, the correlation are as follows: y = 0.5176x + 0.2428 (R2 = 0.645) and y = 0.91237x - 1.53647 (R2 = 0.9475), respectively. ConclusionMass of the heart at autopsy modestly correlates with MRI derived volumes measuring the right and left ventricles. The small sample in the CT derived volume of the left ventricle alone or by the simplified estimated method using the ellipsoid measurements of the left ventricle by CT compared to autopsy weights make it difficult to conclude CT's utility using these methods.

Are owls technically capable of making a full head turn?

The three-dimensional configuration of the neck that produces extreme head turn in owls was studied using the Joint Coordinate System. The limits of planar axial rotation (AR), lateral, and sagittal bending in each vertebral joint were measured. They are not extraordinary among birds, except probably for the extended ability for AR. The vertebral joint angles involved in the 360° head turn do not generally exceed the limits of planar mobility. Rotation in one plane does not expand the range of motion in the other, with one probable exception being extended dorsal bending in the middle of the neck. Therefore, the extreme 360° head turn can be presented as a simple combination of the three planar motions in the neck joints. Surprisingly, certain joints are always laterally bent or axially rotated to the opposite side than the head was turned. This allows keeping the anterior part of the neck parallel to the thoracic spine, which probably helps preserve the ability for peering head motions throughout the full head turn. The potential ability of one-joint muscles of the owl neck, the mm. intertransversarii, to ensure the 360° head turn was addressed. It was shown that the 360° head turn does not require these muscles to shorten beyond the known contraction limit of striated vertebrate muscles. Shortening by 50% or less is enough for the mm. intertransversarii in the middle neck region for the 360° head turn. This study has broad implications for further research on vertebral mobility and function in a variety of tetrapods, providing a new method for CT scan-based measurement of intervertebral angles.

Transcriptome-Based Identification of the Optimal Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Analyses of Lingonberry Fruits throughout the Growth Cycle.

(1) Background: Vaccinium vitis-idaea is a nutritionally and economically valuable natural wild plant species that produces berries useful for treating various diseases. There is growing interest in lingonberry, but there is limited information regarding lingonberry reference genes suitable for gene expression analyses of different tissues under various abiotic stress conditions. The objective of this study was to identify stable reference genes suitable for different lingonberry tissues in response to abiotic stress. (2) Methods: The delta Ct method and the GeNorm v3.5 and NormFinder v20 programs were used to comprehensively analyze gene expression stability. (3) Results: Actin Unigene23839 was the best reference gene for analyzing different cultivars, whereas Actin CL5740.Contig2 was the most suitable reference gene for analyzing different tissues and alkali stress. In contrast, 18S rRNA CL5051.Contig1 was the most stable reference gene under drought conditions. (4) Conclusions: These suitable reference genes may be used in future qRT-PCR analyses of different lingonberry tissues and the effects of abiotic stresses. Furthermore, the study data may be useful for functional genomics studies and the molecular breeding of lingonberry. In summary, internal reference genes or internal reference gene combinations should be carefully selected according to the experimental conditions to ensure that the generated gene expression data are accurate.

Effects of Vitamin D3 level on the gene expression of Immune checkpoint Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes antigen-4 in Iraqi patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects synovium, rheumatoid arthritis. Antigen presentation cells (APCs) link B7-1 and B7-2 with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte related protein-4 (CTLA-4), the member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, that causes T-regulatory cells to cause APCs to produce an inhibitory signal to autoreactive T cells (Treg). This study looked at the effects of vitamin D3(Vit-D3) on the expression of the CTLA-4 gene in whole blood taken from RA patients.Methods: The case control study was conducted on 100RA patients acute and remission stages of the disease depending on DAS-28 and CDAI with respect to the level of vitamin D3. The cases and samples were obtained from Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq from Jun 2022 to January 2023. In addition,45 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Standardized gene expression at a level of a reference gene (GAPDH) and enumerated by the ∆Ct-value and fold change (2-∆∆Ct) method using qPCR. The ESR was measured in all subjects and serum CTLA-4, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP), RF was measured using ELISA techniques. The D3 level was assessed using immunofluorescent technique.Results: Significantly increased ESR and serum CTLA-4 levels, ACCP, CRP, RF in RA patients compared to controls (p≤0.05), respectively. The vitamin D3 was significantly reduced in acute cases and substantial raised in remission case compared to the controls (p≤0.05) fold change of gene expression was dramatically elevated in patients excepts in acute male cases compared to 1. There was a significant positive correlation between vitamin D3 and CTLA-4 expression.Conclusion: The current study showed that Vit-D3 up-regulates CTLA-4 gene expression as the defensive mechanism in contradiction of a severity of a disease and possible therapeutic targets through the action of Treg population and immunotolerance.

Differences in Levels of Mitochondrial DNA Content at Various Stages of Canine Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease.

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in small-breed dogs, often leading to heart failure. Oxidative stress in MMVD can harm mitochondria, decreasing their DNA content. This study assesses dogs' oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA at different MMVD stages. Fifty-five small-breed dogs were categorized into four groups, including: A-healthy (n = 15); B-subclinical (n = 15); C-heart failure (n = 15); and D-end-stage MMVD (n = 10). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and mitochondrial DNA in peripheral blood were analyzed. Quantitative real-time PCR measured mitochondrial DNA, and PCR data were analyzed via the fold-change Ct method. Serum MDA levels were assessed using competitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mitochondrial DNA was significantly lower in group B (-0.89 ± 2.82) than in group A (1.50 ± 2.01), but significantly higher in groups C (2.02 ± 1.44) and D (2.77 ± 1.76) than B. MDA levels were notably elevated in groups B (19.07 ± 11.87 µg/mL), C (23.41 ± 12.87 μg/mL), and D (19.72 ± 16.81 μg/mL) in comparison to group A (9.37 ± 4.67 μg/mL). Nevertheless, this observed difference did not reach statistical significance. It is noteworthy that mitochondrial DNA content experiences a decline during the subclinical stage but undergoes an increase in cases of heart failure. Concurrently, oxidative stress exhibits an upward trend in dogs with MMVD. These findings collectively suggest a potential association between mitochondrial DNA, oxidative stress, and the progression of MMVD in small-breed dogs.

A fast regularized CT reconstruction method based on a preconditioning matrix for limited-angle fan-beam CT

This paper proposes a fast regularized method for limited angle CT, the preconditioning matrix, which includes a weighting matrix and a filtering matrix, is utilized to improve the convergence speed. The projection and back-projection in the iteration process are replaced by the analytic operators to accelerate the computation speed. In addition, a Hamming window function is added to further suppress the noise and artifacts. Real data experiments show that the proposed method outperforms the other three methods in preserving the edge, convergence speed and computing speed.

Identification of a dominant housekeeping genes to normalize mRNA level in dioecious Palmyra palm

A stable housekeeping gene is required for precise and consistent qPCR data analysis. Palmyra palm is an important tropical dioecious tree crop with diverse uses. However, no reliable gene expression studies or housekeeping gene standardization have been documented, which limit crop improvement and utilization. In this work, four frequently used statistical tools such as RefFinder, NormFinder, Delta CT method and BestKeeper were applied to evaluate the constancy and fluctuation in expression of a chosen 10 internal control genes such as NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5-like (NAD5), β-actin, ACTIN CRD, alpha-tubulin, UBCE, EIF, EF2, AP1, GAPDH and UBQ2 in both vegetative and reproductive tissues of dioecious Palmyra palm. Six flower tissues and two leaf tissues from male and female palms were used in this study. The findings indicated that NAD5-2 is the most reliable and constant housekeeping gene expressed during Palmyra palm flower development. The AGAMOUS and SEEDSTICK genes expression pattern in the flower development were used to validate the normalized expression of the four housekeeping genes that were chosen in order to further support the stability of those genes. Our results will be useful for further research on gene transcription level in Palmyra palms and also the above mentioned tool is very useful for the normalization of housekeeping genes of biological samples with different experimental conditions.

Oxidative Stress in Beta-thalassemia Patients: Role of Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic Modulators.

Oxidative stress is a pathophysiological state that arises due to an imbalance created between ROS generation and the antioxidant potential of the host cell. Transfusion- dependent beta-thalassemia major patients are at high risk of cellular and molecular damages induced by ROS mainly due to iron overload caused by repetitive blood transfusion. To analyze oxidative stress status levels in β-thalassemia patients. To analyze the expression profile of enzymatic (NOS2, OGG1, HuR, SOD2) and non-enzymatic (VDR) redox regulators in β-thalassemia patients. To assess polymorphism in VDR (rs2228570) and NOS2 (rs944725) in β-thalassemia patients. To analyze serum vitamin D levels of β-TM patients compared to healthy individuals. The present case-control study aimed to identify Vitamin D levels in the serum of β-thalassemia patients and compared it with healthy subjects. The study further analyzed VDR FOKI (rs2228570) polymorphism through ARMS-PCR. Expression profiling of VDR, anti-oxidant enzyme (SOD2 and GPx), and their respective regulator (HuR and NrF2) transcripts was done by the 2-ΔΔCt method. The study reports that there is no a significant difference between the Vitamin D levels among healthy and patients. VDR polymorphism analysis (rs2228570) demonstrates that although the C allele is prevalent in the study cohort, the frequency of the T allele is comparatively higher in β-thalassemia patients as compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, patients express lower levels of anti-oxidant enzymes despite having increased oxidative stress. The study reports that β-thalassemia patients are at higher risk of cellular and molecular damages induced by oxidative stress and their associated pathologies inefficient enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidant defense systems.

MicroRNA expression based on toxic Oligomeric Amyloid Beta and Burden of Cerebrovascular Disease

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNAs(miRNAs) form the most intensively characterised branch of non‐coding RNAs, with universal expression in a repertoire of biofluids and active regulatory roles in multiple biological pathways(Blount, Coursey, and Kocerha 2022). Therefore, any perturbance in miRNA expression produces pronounced biological effects, due to its pleiotropic nature(Blount, Coursey, and Kocerha 2022). A variety of miRNAs have been investigated in multiple dementia syndromes (Blount, Coursey, and Kocerha 2022). However, what remains to be evaluated is differential miRNA expression in dementia classified using the more toxic oligomeric amyloid beta(OAβ) as well as based on burden of cerebrovascular disease(CVD).MethodA cross‐sectional pilot study was conducted in a cohort of 24 research participants(Table 1), stratified on the basis of their plasma OAβ levels [Multimer Detection System based plasma OAβ analysis(PeopleBio Inc, South Korea)](Dominguez et al. 2022). T3 ‐ based MRI data was evaluated for CVD status ‐ White Matter Hyperintensity load, was scored using the Fazekas scale(Table 1). Blood plasma‐based expression profiling of 376 miRNAs was conducted using the ID3EAL™ PanoramiR miRNA Knowledge Panel(MiRXES Pte Ltd, Singapore) and normalised miRNA expression was defined via the delta‐delta(d) Ct method. MiRNA target interaction analyses was conducted using miRTarBase 9.0, revealing potential reactome pathways of interest(Huang et al. 2022).ResultMean age and MoCA scores are 60.05 and 25.42 respectively (Table 1). 10 miRNAs(upregulated : hsa‐miR‐42, hsa‐miR‐378c, hsa‐miR‐938; downregulated: hsa‐miR‐545‐3p, hsa‐miR‐449c‐5p, hsa‐miR‐657, hsa‐miR‐23c, hsa‐miR‐888‐5p, hsa‐miR‐599, hsa‐let‐7d‐5p) were significantly differentially expressed in OAβ positivity(Table 2). 6 miRNAs(upregulated: hsa‐miR‐513c‐5p, hsa‐miR‐592; downregulated: hsa‐miR‐98‐5p, hsa‐miR‐744‐5p, hsa‐let‐7d‐5p, hsa‐miR‐517‐5p were significantly differentially expressed in CVD(Table 2). Reactome pathways demonstrating putative biological relevance are the FOXO/p53 mediated transcriptional regulation (metabolism/senescence/neuronal genes),Caspase mediated inflammatory activation, Insulin/IGF‐1/PI3K/Akt/GSK3β mediated metabolic signalling, IL‐4/IL‐13 mediated immune(inflammatory) signalling, Nervous System/Axonal Development and WNT Signalling(Table 2).ConclusionFindings from this cross‐sectional pilot study, have revealed 16 miRNAs to be promising biomarker candidates within the OAβ positivity and CVD burden setting. Longitudinal study with larger sample size is on‐going to confirm and validate these findings.The authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to MiRXES Pte Ltd for their technical expertise and efforts towards the miRNA expression profiling and associated analyses.

Application of Electromagnetic Wave Computerized Tomography in Metro Tunnel Detection in Karst Area

When tunnelling in karst areas, a series of geological hazards caused by karst are often encountered, resulting in huge economic losses as well as human casualties. In order to ensure the safety of tunnel construction, risk assessment and early warning of karst-related geological hazards, it is necessary to use geophysical methods to find out the location, size, shape and filling of karst, and to provide necessary reference information for traffic route planning and tunnel construction planning. Based on theoretical model research, the construction plan of electromagnetic wave CT method was designed for data acquisition in an underground tunnel detection project in a city of Jiangsu province based on existing geological data, and the inverse interpretation of the measured data was carried out in combination with borehole core data to study the feasibility, effectiveness and accuracy of the electromagnetic wave CT method for karst detection in urban underground space.

Application of Elastic Wave CT in Geotechnical Investigation of Suning Square

Elastic wave CT technology, also known as elastic wave tomography technology. It is on the premise of not destroying the internal structure of the rock and soil medium in the test area, according to the basic principle that elastic waves propagate at different speeds in different rock and soil media, the travel time and wave velocity of the elastic wave in the rock and soil between two points are obtained through the experiment, and through a special inversion method, a large amount of elastic wave velocity information is used to obtain the distribution law and the elastic wave velocity chromatogram of the medium in the test area, in this way, the lithology, structural development and velocity parameters of the rock-soil medium in the test area can be inferred. This article briefly introduces the basic theory of elastic wave CT, including Radon transform and inverse transform, forward ray tracing method and inversion iterative image reconstruction technology. Then combined with the engineering survey example of the Suning Plaza project, it briefly introduced the field work method, data parameter collection, geological interpretation and result analysis. The analysis shows that the results of the three-dimensional velocity map obtained by the elastic wave CT method are intuitive, the test accuracy is high, and the development state, size and location of the karst in the survey area can be clearly seen. It can describe the spatial distribution characteristics of karst in detail, has outstanding advantages in karst exploration, and has good application prospects.

Diagnostic value of radiological examination methods in the detection of odontogenic sinusitis

It is emphasized that odontogenic sinusitis frequency for at least 9–11% of the total number of inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial area, and the frequency of their complications ranges from 30% to 50%. Emphasis is placed on the fact that a frequent cause of the development of odontogenic sinusitis is errors in the endodontic treatment of teeth and errors in dental implantation, which is accompanied by the use of tools for processing root canals (root needles, drills, canal fillers, pulp extractors), as well as filling material and an implant behind the apex tooth root into the sinus cavity.
 Radiological research methods play a leading role in the diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis. Traditionally, for the evaluation of paranasal sinuses, radiography in the nasolabial projection, inspection radiographs of the skull in direct and lateral projections are used. The advantages and disadvantages of multispiral computed tomography (MCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) are given separately. For a group of 130 patients, the results of the diagnostic informativeness of radiological examination methods in the detection of odontogenic sinusitis are given.
 The obtained results allow to conclude that in all cases computer tomography (MCT or CBCT) made it possible to accurately diagnose the form of the disease, determine the extent of sinus damage, assess the condition of the lower bone wall of the sinus (reveal a violation of its integrity and report a tooth socket with a sinus), to determine the center of inflammation in the periodontium, as well as to detect the presence of foreign bodies in the maxillary sinus. At the same time, MCT and CBCT data were fully compared with each other, surpassed traditional radiological methods in terms of diagnostic informativeness and had such advantages as the absence of superposition, high contrast resolution, and the possibility of obtaining higher-quality image reconstructions in different planes.
 The aim of study. To analyze the diagnostic value of radiological examination methods in the detection of odontogenic sinusitis.Material and methods: We examined 130 patients in the period from 2022 to 2023. X-ray examinations were performed on a Planmeca ProMax 3D cone beam computed tomography scanner and MCT.Results: Regarding the data of СBCT, it is possible to specify the localization of the foreign body and its connection with the odontogenic factor with high probability. It is worth noting that these sinusitis belong to the iatrogenic group of diseases.Conclusions: CT methods (MCT or CBCT) are a necessary component of the complex diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis.