Comparative Study between ZOOMit and Conventional Intravoxel Incoherent Motion MRI for Assessing Parotid Gland Abnormalities in Patients with Early- or Mid-Stage Sjögren’s Syndrome

Zhou Qing-Qing,Zhang Wei,Yu Yu-Sheng,Li Hong-Yan,Wei Liang,Li Xue-Song,He Zhen-Zhen,Zhang Hong 대한영상의학회 2022 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.23 No.4

Objective: To compare the reproducibility and performance of quantitative metrics between ZOOMit and conventional intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of early- and mid-stage Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 52.0 ± 10.8 years; male:female, 2:20) with early- or mid-stage SS and 20 healthy controls (46.9 ± 14.6 years; male:female, 7:13) were prospectively enrolled in our study. ZOOMit IVIM and conventional IVIM MRI were performed simultaneously in all individuals using a 3T scanner. Quantitative IVIM parameters - including tissue diffusivity (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) - inter- and intra-observer reproducibility in measuring these parameters, and their ability to distinguish patients with SS from healthy individuals were assessed and compared between ZOOMit IVIM and conventional IVIM methods, appropriately. MR gland nodular grade (MRG) was also examined. Results: Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was better with ZOOMit imaging than with conventional IVIM imaging (ZOOMit vs. conventional, intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.897–0.941 vs. 0.667–0.782 for inter-observer reproducibility and 0.891–0.968 vs. 0.814–0.853 for intra-observer reproducibility). Significant differences in ZOOMit f, ZOOMit D*, conventional D*, and MRG between patients with SS and healthy individuals (all p < 0.05) were observed. ZOOMit D* outperformed conventional D* in diagnosing early- and mid-stage SS (area under receiver operating curve, 0.867 and 0.658, respectively; p = 0.002). The combination of ZOOMit D*, MRG, and ZOOMit f as a new diagnostic index for SS, increased diagnostic area under the curve to 0.961, which was higher than that of any single parameter (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Considering its better reproducibility and performance, ZOOMit IVIM may be preferred over conventional IVIM MRI, and may subsequently improve the ability to diagnose early- and mid-stage SS.

Ginsenoside Ro, an oleanolic saponin of Panax ginseng, exerts antiinflammatory effect by direct inhibiting toll like receptor 4 signaling pathway

Hong-Lin Xu,Guang-Hong Chen,Yu-Ting Wu,Ling-Peng Xie,Zhang-Bin Tan,Bin Liu,Hui-Jie Fan,Hong-Mei Chen,Gui-Qiong Huang,Min Liu,Ying-Chun Zhou 고려인삼학회 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.1

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng), a herb distributed in Korea, China and Japan, exerts benefits on diverse inflammatory conditions. However, the underlying mechanism and active ingredients remains largely unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the active ingredients of P. ginseng against inflammation and elucidate underlying mechanisms. Methods: Inflammation model was constructed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C57BL/6 mice and RAW264.7 macrophages. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) and immunofluorescence were utilized to predict active component. Results: P. ginseng significantly inhibited LPS-induced lung injury and the expression of proinflammatory factors, including TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-1b. Additionally, P. ginseng blocked fluorescence-labeled LPS (LPS488) binding to the membranes of RAW264.7 macrophages, the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Furthermore, molecular docking demonstrated that ginsenoside Ro (GRo) docked into the LPS binding site of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) complex. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the MD2-GRo binding conformation was stable. SPRi demonstrated an excellent interaction between TLR4/MD2 complex and GRo (KD value of 1.16 × 10<SUP>-9</SUP> M). GRo significantly inhibited LPS488 binding to cell membranes. Further studies showed that GRo markedly suppressed LPS-triggered lung injury, the transcription and secretion levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Moreover, the phosphorylation of NF-kB and MAPKs as well as the p65 subunit nuclear translocation were inhibited by GRo dose-dependently. Conclusion: Our results suggest that GRo exerts anti-inflammation actions by direct inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway.

Metastasis associated genomic aberrations in stage II rectal cancer

Hong Zhao,Zhi-Zhou Shi,Rui Jiang,Dong-Bing Zhao,Hai-Tao Zhou,Jian-Wei Liang,Xin-Yu Bi,Jian-Jun Zhao,Zhi-Yu Li,Jian-Guo Zhou,Zhen Huang,Ye-Fan Zhang,Jian Wang,Xin Xu,Yan Cai,Ming-Rong Wang,Yu Zhang 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.11

Genomic aberrations of rectal carcinoma, especially DNA copy number changes associated with metastasis were largely unclear. We aim to identify the metastasis associated biomarkers in stage II rectal cancer. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissues of stage II rectal carcinoma were analyzed by array-based comparative genomic hybridization, and genomic aberrations were identified by Genomic Workbench and SAM software. Copy number changes and mRNA expressions were validated by Real-time PCR in an independent rectal cancer samples. The results showed that the most frequent gains in stage II rectal cancer were at 1q21.2-q23.1, 3p21.31, 11q12.2-q23.3, 12q24.11-q24.31, 12q13.11-q14.1 and losses in 18q11.2-q23, 17q21.33-q22, 13q31.1-q31.3, 21q21.1-q21.3, 8p23.3-p23.1 and 4q22.1-q23. Twenty-two amplifications and five homozygous deletions were also identified. We further found that S100A1 (1q21.3-q23.1), MCM7 (7q22.1) and JUND (19p13.11) were amplified and overexpressed in stage II rectal cancer. Interestingly, the genomic aberrations affected 14 signaling pathways including VEGF signaling pathway and fatty acid metabolism. Most importantly, loss of 13q31.1-q34 and gain of 1q44 were associated with distant metastasis. Our results indicated that these metastasis associated genomic changes may be useful to reveal the pathogenesis of rectal cancer metastasis and identify candidate biomarkers.

Automatic Detection and Classification of Rib Fractures on Thoracic CT Using Convolutional Neural Network: Accuracy and Feasibility

Zhou Qing-Qing,Wang Jiashuo,Tang Wen,Hu Zhang-Chun,Xia Zi-Yi,Xue-Song Li,Zhang Rongguo,Yin Xindao,Zhang Bing,Zhang Hong 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.7

Objective: To evaluate the performance of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model that can automatically detect and classify rib fractures, and output structured reports from computed tomography (CT) images. Materials and Methods: This study included 1079 patients (median age, 55 years; men, 718) from three hospitals, between January 2011 and January 2019, who were divided into a monocentric training set (n = 876; median age, 55 years; men, 582), five multicenter/multiparameter validation sets (n = 173; median age, 59 years; men, 118) with different slice thicknesses and image pixels, and a normal control set (n = 30; median age, 53 years; men, 18). Three classifications (fresh, healing, and old fracture) combined with fracture location (corresponding CT layers) were detected automatically and delivered in a structured report. Precision, recall, and F1-score were selected as metrics to measure the optimum CNN model. Detection/diagnosis time, precision, and sensitivity were employed to compare the diagnostic efficiency of the structured report and that of experienced radiologists. Results: A total of 25054 annotations (fresh fracture, 10089; healing fracture, 10922; old fracture, 4043) were labelled for training (18584) and validation (6470). The detection efficiency was higher for fresh fractures and healing fractures than for old fractures (F1-scores, 0.849, 0.856, 0.770, respectively, p = 0.023 for each), and the robustness of the model was good in the five multicenter/multiparameter validation sets (all mean F1-scores > 0.8 except validation set 5 [512 x 512 pixels; F1-score = 0.757]). The precision of the five radiologists improved from 80.3% to 91.1%, and the sensitivity increased from 62.4% to 86.3% with artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis. On average, the diagnosis time of the radiologists was reduced by 73.9 seconds. Conclusion: Our CNN model for automatic rib fracture detection could assist radiologists in improving diagnostic efficiency, reducing diagnosis time and radiologists’ workload.

Imaging Anatomy of Waldeyer's Ring and PET/CT and MRI Findings of Oropharyngeal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Zhang, Chun-Xing,Liang, Long,Zhang, Bin,Chen, Wen-Bo,Liu, Hong-Jun,Liu, Chun-Ling,Zhou, Zheng-Gen,Liang, Chang-Hong,Zhang, Shui-Xing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Background: This study was conducted to analyze positron emission tomography (PET) / computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performance with oropharyngeal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (ONHL).Materials and Methods: The complete image data of 30 ONHL cases were analyzed, all patients were performed PET / CT and MRI examination before the treatment, with the time interval of these two inspections not exceeding 14 days. The distribution, morphology, MRI signal characteristics, enhancement feature, standardized uptake value (SUV) max value and lymph node metastasis way of the lesions were analyzed. Results: Among the 30 cases, 23 cases were derived from the B-cell (76.7%), 5 cases were derived from the peripheral T cells (16.7%) and 2 cases were derived from the NK/T cells (6.7%). 19 cases exhibited the palatine tonsil involvement (63.3%). As for the lesion appearance, 10 cases appeared as mass, 8 cases were the diffused type and 12 cases were the mixed type. 25 cases exhibited the SUVmax value of PET / CT primary lesions as 11 or more (83.3%). MRI showed that all patients exhibited various degrees of parapharyngeal side-compressed narrowing, but MRI still exhibited the high-signal fat, and the oropharyngeal mucosa was intact. 25 cases were associated with the neck lymph node metastasis, among who 22 cases had no necrosis in the metastatic lymph nodes, while the rest 3 cases exhibited the central necrosis in the metastatic lymph nodes. Conclusions: PET / CT and MRI have important value in diagnosing and determining the lesion extent of ONHL.

Corrigendum to "Ginsenoside Ro, an oleanolic saponin of Panax ginseng, exerts anti-inflammatory effect by direct inhibiting toll like receptor 4 signaling pathway" [J Ginseng Res 46 (2022) 156-166]

Xu, Hong-Lin,Chen, Guang-Hong,Wu, Yu-Ting,Xie, Ling-Peng,Tan, Zhang-Bin,Liu, Bin,Fan, Hui-Jie,Chen, Hong-Mei,Huang, Gui-Qiong,Liu, Min,Zhou, Ying-Chun The Korean Society of Ginseng 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.2

Theoretical Investigation on the Structure, Detonation Performance and Pyrolysis Mechanism of 4,6,8-Trinitro-4,5,7,8-tetrahydro -6H-furazano[3,4-f]-1,3,5-triazepine

Li, Xiao-Hong,Zhang, Rui-Zhou,Zhang, Xian-Zhou Korean Chemical Society 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.5

Based on the full optimized molecular geometric structures at B3LYP/cc-pvtz method, a new designed compound, 4,6,8-trinitro-4,5,7,8-tetrahydro-6H-furazano[3,4-f ]-1,3,5-triazepine was investigated in order to look for high energy density compounds (HEDCs). The analysis of the molecular structure indicates that the seven-membered ring adopts chair conformation and there exist intramolecular hydrogen bond interactions. IR spectrum and heat of formation (HOF) were predicted. The detonation velocity and pressure were evaluated by using Kamlet-Jacobs equations based on the theoretical density and condensed HOF. The bond dissociation energies and bond orders for the weakest bonds were analyzed to investigate the thermal stability of the title compound. The results show that $N_1-N_6$ bond is the trigger bond. The crystal structure obtained by molecular mechanics belongs to $Pna2_1$ space group, with lattice parameters Z = 4, a = 15.3023 ${\AA}$, b = 5.7882 ${\AA}$, c = 11.0471 ${\AA}$, ${\rho}=2.06gcm^{-3}$. In addition, the analysis of frontier molecular orbital shows the title compound has good stability and high chemical hardness.

Genetic Diversity and Structure of Cordyceps sinensis Populations from Extensive Geographical Regions in China as Revealed by Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

Hong-Hui Liang,Zhou Cheng,Xiao-Ling Yang,Shan Li,Zu-Quan Ding,Tong-Shui Zhou,Wen-Ju Zhang,Jia-Kuan Chen 한국미생물학회 2008 The journal of microbiology Vol.46 No.5

Cordyceps sinensis is one of the most valuable medicinal caterpillar fungi native to China. However, its productivity is extremely limited and the species is becoming endangered. The genetic diversity of eighteen C. sinensis populations across its major distributing regions in China was evaluated by inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 141 markers were produced in 180 individuals from the 18 populations, of which 99.3% were polymorphic. The low average of Shannon (0.104) and Nei index (0.07) of the 18 populations indicates that there are little genetic variations within populations. For all 18 populations, estimates of total gene diversity (HT), gene diversity within populations (HS), coefficient of genetic differentiation (GST), and gene flow (Nm) were 0.170, 0.071, 0.583, and 0.357, respectively. This pattern suggests that the genetic diversity of C. sinensis is low and most of the ISSR variations are found among populations with little gene exchange. The 18 populations are divided into five groups based on the genetic distance and the grouping pattern matches with the geographic distribution along the latitudinal gradient. The five groups show obvious difference in the GST and Nm values. Therefore, the genetic diversification of C. sinensis populations may be determined by geographic isolation and the combined effects of life history characters and the interaction with host insect species. The information illustrated by this study is useful for selecting in situ conservation sites of C. sinensis.

Investigation of Microstructural Evolution and Electrical Properties for Ni-Sn Transient Liquid-Phase Sintering Bonding

Hong-Liang Feng,Ji-Hua Huang,Jian Yang,Shao-Kun Zhou,Rong Zhang,Yue Wang,Shu-Hai Chen 대한금속·재료학회 2017 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.13 No.6

Ni/Ni-Sn/Ni sandwiched simulated package structures weresuccessfully bonded under low temperature and low pressure byNi-Sn transient liquid-phase sintering bonding. The results showthat, after isothermally holding for 240 min at 300 °C and 180 minat 340 °C, Sn was completely transformed into Ni3Sn4 intermetalliccompounds. When the Ni3Sn4 phases around Ni particles werepressed together, the porosity of the bonding layer increased, whichobviously differed from the normal sintering densification process. With further analysis of this phenomenon, it was found that largevolume shrinkage (14.94% at 340 °C) occurred when Ni reactedwith Sn to form Ni3Sn4, which caused void formation. Amechanistic model of the microstructural evolution in the bondinglayer was proposed. Meanwhile, the resistivity of the bonding layerwas measured and analyzed by using the four-probe method; themicrostructural evolution was well reflected by the resistivity ofthe bonding layer. The relationship between the resistivity andmicrostructure was also discussed in detail.

Expression analysis of HSP70 gene in response to environmental stress in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Zhou Lv,Meng Jian-Yu,Ruan Hong-Yun,Zhang Chang-Yu 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.3

This study aimed to investigate the role of heat shock proteins in the response of Spodoptera frugiperda to environmental stress. Four Hsp70 genes of S. frugiperda were cloned using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and their sequence characteristics were characterized using bioinformatics analysis. RTqPCR was used to detect Hsp70 at different developmental stages, in different tissues, and under varying environmental stresses (45 ◦ C, 36 ◦ C, 4 ◦ C, ultraviolet-A, and emamectin benzoate) to quantify the relative expression of this gene. Four Hsp70 genes were obtained by cloning, namely SfHsp70-1, SfHsp70-2, SfHsp70-3, and SfHsp70-like, which encode 653, 686, 638, and 627 amino acids, respectively, and all contain the three Hsp70 family signature sequences. Neighbor-joining (NJ) method was used to construct phylogenetic tree, and four Hsp70 of the S. frugiperda species were clustered with Lepidoptera. The results of real-time PCR showed that the SfHsp70s gene was specifically expressed in different tissues at different developmental stages and its expression increased considerably under nearly all environmental stresses in adults. This study shows that the SfHsp70 gene contributes to a large extent to the resistance of S. frugiperda to environmental stress.