Predicting the surgical reparability of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears by B-mode ultrasonography: a cross-sectional study

Po-Cheng Chen,Kuan-Ting Wu,Yi-Cun Chen,Yu-Chi Huang,Ching-Di Chang,Wei-Che Lin,Wen-Yi Chou 대한초음파의학회 2022 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.41 No.1

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the ability of B-mode ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict the repairability of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Methods: This cross-sectional study included participants with large-to-massive RCTs who underwent arthroscopic repair. B-mode ultrasonography and MRI were conducted prior to arthroscopic repair. B-mode ultrasonography was used to evaluate the echogenicity of the rotator cuff muscle using the Heckmatt scale. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities were examined for two independent physicians. MRI was used to evaluate the degrees of tendon retraction, fatty infiltration of rotator cuff muscles, and muscle atrophy. Finally, two experienced orthopedic surgeons performed surgery and decided whether the torn stump could be completely repaired intraoperatively. Results: Fifty participants were included, and 32 complete repairs and 18 partial repairs were performed. B-mode ultrasonography showed good intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability for assessment of the muscle echogenicity of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. The correlation coefficients between B-mode ultrasound findings and MRI findings showed medium to large effect sizes (r=0.4-0.8). The Goutallier classification of the infraspinatus muscles was the MRI predictor with the best discriminative power for surgical reparability (area under the curve [AUC], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 0.98), while the Heckmatt scale for infraspinatus muscles was the most accurate ultrasound predictor (AUC, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.96). No significant differences in AUCs among the MRI and ultrasound predictors were found. Conclusion: B-mode ultrasonography was a reliable examination tool and had a similar ability to predict surgical reparability to that of MRI among patients with large-to-massive RCTs. Purpose: This study aimed to compare the ability of B-mode ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict the repairability of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs).Methods: This cross-sectional study included participants with large-to-massive RCTs who underwent arthroscopic repair. B-mode ultrasonography and MRI were conducted prior to arthroscopic repair. B-mode ultrasonography was used to evaluate the echogenicity of the rotator cuff muscle using the Heckmatt scale. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities were examined for two independent physicians. MRI was used to evaluate the degrees of tendon retraction, fatty infiltration of rotator cuff muscles, and muscle atrophy. Finally, two experienced orthopedic surgeons performed surgery and decided whether the torn stump could be completely repaired intraoperatively.Results: Fifty participants were included, and 32 complete repairs and 18 partial repairs were performed. B-mode ultrasonography showed good intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability for assessment of the muscle echogenicity of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. The correlation coefficients between B-mode ultrasound findings and MRI findings showed medium to large effect sizes (r=0.4-0.8). The Goutallier classification of the infraspinatus muscles was the MRI predictor with the best discriminative power for surgical reparability (area under the curve [AUC], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 0.98), while the Heckmatt scale for infraspinatus muscles was the most accurate ultrasound predictor (AUC, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.96). No significant differences in AUCs among the MRI and ultrasound predictors were found.Conclusion: B-mode ultrasonography was a reliable examination tool and had a similar ability to predict surgical reparability to that of MRI among patients with large-to-massive RCTs.

Knowledge of Cervical Cancer Screening among Health Care Workers Providing Services Across Different Socio-economic Regions of China

Di, Jiang-Li,Rutherford, Shannon,Wu, Jiu-Ling,Song, Bo,Ma, Lan,Chen, Jing-Yi,Chu, Cordia Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.6

Background: China carries a heavy burden of cervical cancer (CC) and substantial disparities exist across regions within the country. In order to reduce regional disparities in CC, the government of China launched the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Rural Areas (NCCSPRA) in 2009. Critical to the success of the program are the health care workers who play a pivotal role in preventing and managing CC by encouraging and motivating women to use screening services and by providing identification and treatment services. This study aimed to assess cervical cancer knowledge among these health care workers at the county level in maternal and child health (MCH) hospitals across different socio-economic regions of China. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and self-administered questionnaires were sent to all health care workers (a total of 66) providing cervical cancer screening services in 6 county level MCH hospitals in Liaoning, Hubei and Shaanxi provinces, representing eastern, central and western regions of China; 64 (97.0%, 64/66) of the workers responded. ANOVA and Chi-square test were used to compare the knowledge rate and scores in subgroups. Results: The knowledge level of the respondents was generally low. The overall combined knowledge rate was 46.9%. The knowledge rates for risk factors, prevention, clinical symptoms, screening and diagnostic tests and understanding of positive results were 31.3%, 37.5%, 18.1%, 56.3% and 84.4%, respectively. Statistically significant differences in scores or rates of CC knowledge were seen across the different regions. The total and sectional scores in the less developed regions were statistically significantly lower than in the other regions. Conclusions: The majority of the health care workers who provide CC screening service in NCCSPRA at county level MCH hospitals do not have adequately equipped with knowledge about CC. Given the importance of knowledge to the program's success in reducing CC burden in rural women in China, efforts are needed to improve the knowledge of health care workers, especially in less developed regions.

The Beneficial Effects of Electroacupuncture at PC6 Acupoints (Neiguan) on Myocardial Ischemia in ASIC3 / mice

Ying-Wang,Yi-guo Chen,Wan-shuang Zhao,Di Li,Ya-han Xu,Meng-di Li,Jin Chen,Zhi-jun Kou,Qi-ge Wang,Nsoa dimitri Joseph 사단법인약침학회 2018 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.11 No.3

This study aims to investigate the possible mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) at PC6to improve myocardial ischemia (MI) by regulating the cardiac transient outward potassiumcurrent channel (Ito). According to the random number table, the mice were dividedinto six groups of six mice each: control group, MI group, PC6, LU7 (Lieque-point), ST36(Zusanli-point), and nonacupoint group. Mice in the control group were injected with saline(20 mg/kg, 24 hours interval), and the other ASIC3 / mice were injected subcutaneouslytwice with isoproterenol (ISO) (20 mg/kg, 24 hours interval). In thepreexperiment, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg of ISO were used, andthe results showed that 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of ISO both could induce acute MI, butshorter duration of sustained MI. On the other hand, an injection of 30 mg/kg can makethe mice experience arrhythmia or die immediately, and EA was operated at PC6, LU7,ST36 acupoints, and nonacupoint in the mice of PC6, LU7, ST36, and nonacupoint groups,respectively, after injecting twice. Then Western blotting techniques (Western Blot) wereused to analyze the protein expressions of Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, and KchIP2. The results ofthis experiment showed that the protein expressions of Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, and KChIP2 inMI group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.01). Comparedwith MI group, the results of PC6, LU7, and ST36 groups obviously increased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expressions of PC6 group were higher than LU7 group and ST36 group(p < 0.05). And electrocardiogram’s T-waves showed obvious pathological changes inthe MI group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). After EA, the abnormal T-waves voltage of ECG in PC6, LU7, and ST36 groups was improved (p < 0.05). In addition, therate change of PC6 group was larger than that of both LU7 and ST36 groups (p < 0.05). But the T-waves voltage of the nonacupoint group was not significantly different than thatof the MI group (p > 0.05).

The Antiproliferation Activity of Ganoderma formosanum Extracts on Prostate Cancer Cells

( Cheng-yen Chiang ),( Kai-di Hsu ),( Yen-yi Lin ),( Chang-wei Hsieh ),( Jui-ming Liu ),( Tze-ying Lu ),( Kuan-chen Cheng ) 한국균학회 2020 Mycobiology Vol.48 No.3

Androgen-independent prostate cancer accounts for mortality in the world. In this study, various extracts of a medical fungus dubbed Ganoderma formosanum were screened for inhibition of DU145 cells, an androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line. Results demonstrated that both hexane (GF-EH) and butanol (GF-EB) fraction of G. formosanum ethanol extract inhibited DU145 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. GF-EH induced cell-cycle arrest in G1 phase of DU145 cells via downregulation of cyclin E2 protein expression. In addition, GF-EB triggered extrinsic apoptosis of DU145 cells by activating caspase 3 gene expression resulting in programed cell death. Above all, both GF-EH and GF-EB show lower toxicity to normal human fibroblast cell line compared to DU145 cell, implying that they possess specific drug action on cancer cells. This study provides a molecular basis of G. formosanum extract as a potential ingredient for treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Anti-Tumor Effect of a Novel DOX/GA-CdTe QD was Mediated by Apoptotic and Autophagic Cell Death

Huaqin Zuo,Fan Wang,Di Zhou,Yi Zhou,Bing Chen,Jian Ouyang,Peipei Xu 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2017 NANO Vol.12 No.1

Burkitt's lymphoma is a highly proliferative B-cell malignancy characterized by MYC oncogene translocation. Intensive short-cycle chemotherapy could effectively improve the outcome of this disease. However, drug resistance limits the treatment of refractory/relapsed disease. Thus, we constructed and investigated a novel cadmium–tellurium quantum dot conjugated with doxorubicin and gambogic acid (DOX/GA-CdTe QDs) for cancer cell combined treatment in Raji, a Burkitt's lymphoma cell line. Results showed that DOX/GA-CdTe QDs could significantly improve anti-tumor effects compared with drugs alone in the Raji cell line. Flow cytometry, transmission electron micrographs and overexpression of Beclin1 and LC3 II/I showed that apoptosis and autophagy were involved in the process. However, DOX/GA-CdTe QDs did not cause cell cycle arrest, whereas DOX alone or combined with GA could cause apparent G2/M phase arrest. Hence, the novel DOX/GA-CdTe QDs offer a promising approach of drug delivery into cancer cells.

Fractional-order L_βC_α Low-Pass Filter Circuit

Zhou, Rui,Zhang, Run-Fan,Chen, Di-Yi The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2015 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.10 No.4

This paper introduces the fundamentals of the conventional LC low-pass filter circuit in the fractional domain. First, we study the new fundamentals of fractional-order LC low-pass filter circuit including the pure real angular frequency, the pure imaginary angular frequency and the short circuit angular frequency. Moreover, sensitivity analysis of the impedance characteristics and phase characteristics of the LC low-pass filter circuit with respect to the system variables is studied in detail, which shows the greater flexibility of the fractional-order filter circuit in designs. Furthermore, from the filtering property perspective, we systematically investigate the effects of the system variables (LC, frequency f and fractional orders) on the amplitude-frequency characteristics and phase-frequency characteristics. In addition, the detailed analyses of the cut-off frequency and filter factor are presented. Numerical experimental results are presented to verify the theoretical results introduced in this paper.

Prognostic Significance of Desmoglein 2 and Desmoglein 3 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Fang, Wang-Kai,Gu, Wei,Liao, Lian-Di,Chen, Bo,Wu, Zhi-Yong,Wu, Jian-Yi,Shen, Jian,Xu, Li-Yan,Li, En-Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Objective: Desmogleins (DSGs) are major members among the desmosomal cadherins critically involved in cell-cell adhesion and the maintenance of normal tissue architecture in epithelia. Reports exploring links of DSG family member expression with cancers are few and vary. The aim of this study was to investigate the ratio of DSG2 and DSG3 mRNA expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue to normal tissue (T/N ratio) and evaluate correlations with clinical parameters. Methods: The mRNA expression of DSGs, as well as ${\gamma}$-catenin and desmoplakin, was detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 85 cases of ESCC tissue specimens. Results: The expression level of DSG3 mRNA was significantly higher than that of DSG2 in ESCC specimens (p=0.000). DSG3 mRNA expression highly correlated with histological grade (p=0.009), whereas that of DSG2 did not significantly relate to any clinicopathologic parameter. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that only DSG3 expression had an impact on the survival curve, with negative DSG3 expression indicating worse survival (p=0.038). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated DSG3 to be an independent prognostic factor for survival. Furthermore, correlation analysis demonstrated the mRNA level of DSG3 to highly correlate with those of ${\gamma}$-catenin and desmoplakin in ESCC samples (p=0.000), implying that the expression of desmosomal components might be regulated by the same upstream regulatory molecules. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DSG3 may be involved in the progression of ESCC and serve as a prognostic marker, while expression of DSG2 cannot be used as a predictor of ESCC patient outcome.

Fractional-order L<SUB>β</SUB>C<SUB>α</SUB> Low-Pass Filter Circuit

Rui Zhou,Run-Fan Zhang,Di-Yi Chen 대한전기학회 2015 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.10 No.4

This paper introduces the fundamentals of the conventional LC low-pass filter circuit in the fractional domain. First, we study the new fundamentals of fractional-order LC low-pass filter circuit including the pure real angular frequency, the pure imaginary angular frequency and the short circuit angular frequency. Moreover, sensitivity analysis of the impedance characteristics and phase characteristics of the LC low-pass filter circuit with respect to the system variables is studied in detail, which shows the greater flexibility of the fractional-order filter circuit in designs. Furthermore, from the filtering property perspective, we systematically investigate the effects of the system variables (LC, frequency f and fractional orders) on the amplitude-frequency characteristics and phase-frequency characteristics. In addition, the detailed analyses of the cut-off frequency and filter factor are presented. Numerical experimental results are presented to verify the theoretical results introduced in this paper.

Clinical Study of Tumor Angiogenesis and Perfusion Imaging Using Multi-slice Spiral Computed Tomography for Breast Cancer

Xu, Na,Lei, Zhen,Li, Xiao-Long,Zhang, Jun,Li, Chen,Feng, Guo-Quan,Li, Di-Nuo,Liu, Jing-Yi,Wei, Qiang,Bian, Ting-Ting,Zou, Tian-Yu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.1

Objectives: To explore the correlation between multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) perfusion parameters and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in breast cancer. Methods: Forty five breast cancer patients and 16 patients with benign breast tumor, both confirmed by pathology examination, were enrolled. All underwent MSCT perfusion imaging to obtain perfusion maps and data for parameters including blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV) and permeability surface (PS). Cancer patients did not receive treatment prior to surgery. The expression of VEGF and MMP-2 were examined with both immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: The levels of VEGF and MMP-2 by immunohistochemistry were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01) than the benign tumor group. Relative OD values from Western blotting were also higher in cancer cases (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mean MSCT perfusion parameters (BF, BV, PS) were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01), BF and BV positively correlating with VEGF expression (r = 0.878 and 0.809 respectively, P < 0.01); PS and VEGF and MMP-2 expression were also positively correlated (r= 0.860, 0.786 respectively, P < 0.01). Conclusion: There is a correlation between breast cancer MSCT perfusion parameters and VEGF andMMP-2 expression, which might be useful for detection of breast lesions, qualitative diagnosis of breast cancer, and evaluation of breast cancer treatment.

Control Over the Branched Structures of Platinum Nanocrystals for Electrocatalytic Applications

Ma, Liang,Wang, Chengming,Gong, Ming,Liao, Lingwen,Long, Ran,Wang, Jinguo,Wu, Di,Zhong, Wei,Kim, Moon J.,Chen, Yanxia,Xie, Yi,Xiong, Yujie American Chemical Society 2012 ACS NANO Vol.6 No.11

<P>Structural control of branched nanocrystals allows tuning two parameters that are critical to their catalytic activitythe surface-to-volume ratio, and the number of atomic steps, ledges, and kinks on surface. In this work, we have developed a simple synthetic system that allows tailoring the numbers of branches in Pt nanocrystals by tuning the concentration of additional HCl. In the synthesis, HCl plays triple functions in tuning branched structures <I>via</I> oxidative etching: (i) the crystallinity of seeds and nanocrystals; (ii) the number of {111} or {100} faces provided for growth sites; (iii) the supply kinetics of freshly formed Pt atoms in solution. As a result, tunable Pt branched structurestripods, tetrapods, hexapods, and octopods with identical chemical environmentcan be rationally synthesized in a single system by simply altering the etching strength. The controllability in branched structures enables to reveal that their electrocatalytic performance can be optimized by constructing complex structures. Among various branched structures, Pt octopods exhibit particularly high activity in formic acid oxidation as compared with their counterparts and commercial Pt/C catalysts. It is anticipated that this work will open a door to design more complex nanostructures and to achieve specific functions for various applications.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/ancac3/2012/ancac3.2012.6.issue-11/nn304237u/production/images/medium/nn-2012-04237u_0010.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/nn304237u'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>