Scutellarein Ameliorated Chondrocyte Inflammation and Osteoarthritis in Rats

Objective:Osteoarthritis(OA)is a degenerative joint disorder characterized by the gradual degradation of joint cartilage and local inflammation.This study aimed to investigate the anti-OA effect of scutellarein(SCU),a single-unit flavonoid compound obtained from Scutellaria barbata D.Don,in rats.Methods:The extracted rat chondrocytes were treated with SCU and IL-1β.The chondrocytes were divided into control group,IL-1βgroup,IL-1β+SCU 50µmol/L group,and IL-1β+SCU 100µmol/L group.Morphology of rat chondrocytes was observed by toluidine blue and safranin O staining.CCK-8 method was used to detect the cytotoxicity of SCU.ELISA,qRT-PCR,Western blotting,immunofluorescence,SAβ-gal staining,flow cytometry,and bioinformatics analysis were applied to evaluate the effect of SCU on rat chondrocytes under IL-1βintervention.Additionally,anterior cruciate ligament transection(ACL-T)was used to establish a rat OA model.Histological changes were detected by safranin O/fast green,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,and immunohistochemistry.Results:SCU protected cartilage and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects via multiple mechanisms.Specifically,it could enhance the synthesis of extracellular matrix in cartilage cells and inhibit its degradation.In addition,SCU partially inhibited the nuclear factor kappa-B/mitogen-activated protein kinase(NF-κB/MAPK)pathway,thereby reducing inflammatory cytokine production in the joint cartilage.Furthermore,SCU significantly reduced IL-1β-induced apoptosis and senescence in rat chondrocytes,further highlighting its potential role in OA treatment.In vivo experiments revealed that SCU(at a dose of 50 mg/kg)administered for 2 months could significantly delay the progression of cartilage damage,which was reflected in a lower Osteoarthritis Research Society International(OARSI)score,and reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13(MMP13)in cartilage.Conclusion:SCU is effective in the therapeutic management of OA and could serve as a potential candidate for future clinical drug therapy for OA.

Orbital-Ordering Driven Simultaneous Tunability of Magnetism and Electric Polarization in Strained Monolayer VCl_(3)

Two-dimensional(2D)van der Waals magnetic materials have promising and versatile electronic and magnetic properties in the 2D limit,indicating a considerable potential to advance spintronic applications.Theoretical predictions thus far have not ascertained whether monolayer VCl_(3) is a ferromagnetic(FM)or anti-FM monolayer;this also remains to be experimentally verified.We theoretically investigate the influence of potential factors,including C_(3) symmetry breaking,orbital ordering,epitaxial strain,and charge doping,on the magnetic ground state.Utilizing first-principles calculations,we predict a collinear type-Ⅲ FM ground state in monolayer VCl_(3) with a broken C_(3) symmetry,wherein only the former two of three t_(2g)orbitals(a_(1g),e_(g2)^(π)and e_(g1)^(π))are occupied.The atomic layer thickness and bond angles of monolayer VCl_(3) undergo abrupt changes driven by an orbital ordering switch,resulting in concomitant structural and magnetic phase transitions.Introducing doping to the underlying Cl atoms of monolayer VCl_(3) without C_(3) symmetry simultaneously induces in-and out-of-plane polarizations.This can achieve a multiferroic phase transition if combined with the discovered adjustments of magnetic ground state and polarization magnitude under strain.The establishment of an orbital-ordering driven regulatory mechanism can facilitate deeper exploration and comprehension of magnetic properties of strongly correlated systems in monolayer VCl_(3).

Wumei pills attenuates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis through Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor-κB pathway and microbiota regulation

BACKGROUND Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can kill tumor cells and improve the survival rate of cancer patients.However,they can also damage normal cells and cause serious intestinal toxicity,leading to gastrointestinal mucositis[1].Traditional Chinese medicine is effective in improving the side effects of chemotherapy.Wumei pills(WMP)was originally documented in the Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Diseases.It has a significant effect on chronic diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases,but it is not clear whether it affects chemotherapy induced intestinal mucositis(CIM).AIM To explore the potential mechanism of WMP in the treatment of CIM through experimental research.METHODS We used an intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil(5-Fu)to establish a CIM mouse model and an oral gavage of WMP decoction(11325 and 22650 mg/kg)to evaluate the efficacy of WMP in CIM.We evaluated the effect of WMP on CIM by observing the general conditions of the mice(body weight,food intake,spleen weight,diarrhea score,and hematoxylin and eosin stained tissues).The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-1β,and myeloperoxidase(MPO),as well as the Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor-κB(TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB)signaling pathway proteins and tight junction proteins(zonula occludens-1,claudin-1,E-cadherin,and mucin-2)was determined.Furthermore,intestinal permeability,intestinal flora,and the levels of short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)were also assessed.RESULTS WMP effectively improved the body weight,spleen weight,food intake,diarrhea score,and inflammatory status of the mice with intestinal mucositis,which preliminarily confirmed the efficacy of WMP in CIM.Further experiments showed that in addition to reducing the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,and MPO and inhibiting the expression of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway proteins,WMP also repaired the integrity of the mucosal barrier of mice,regulated the intestinal flora,and increased the levels of SCFA(such as butyric acid).CONCLUSION WMP can play a therapeutic role in CIM by alleviating inflammation,restoring the mucosal barrier,and regulating gut microbiota.

预训练语言模型及其应用

预训练语言模型(pre-trained languages model,PTLM)在自然语言处理(natural language processing,NLP)领域取得了令人瞩目的成功,并由此引发了下游任务从监督学习到预训练-微调范式的转变。在此之后,一系列预训练模型的创新研究涌现出来。本文系统性、全面的回顾了自然语言处理的代表性工作和最新进展,并按照类别系统性的介绍了自然语言处理领域的预训练模型。首先我们简要介绍了预训练模型,以及不同的模型特点和框架。之后,我们介绍并分析了预训练模型的影响和挑战以及下游任务中的应用。最后,我们简要总结并阐述了预训练模型未来的研究方向。

A novel electron-phonon coupling thermoelasticity with Burgers electronic heat transfer

The electron-phonon interaction can reveal the microscopic mechanism of heat transfer in metals.The two-step heat conduction considering electron-phonon interaction has become an effective theoretical model for extreme environments,such as micro-scale and ultrafast processes.In this work,the two-step heat transfer model is further extended by considering the Burgers heat conduction model with the secondorder heat flux rate for electrons.Then,a novel generalized electron-phonon coupling thermoelasticity is proposed with the Burgers electronic heat transfer.Then,the problem of one-dimensional semi-infinite copper strip subject to a thermal shock at one side is studied by the Burgers two-step(BTS)model.The thermoelastic analytical solutions are systematically derived in the Laplace domain,and the numerical Laplace inversion method is adopted to obtain the transient responses.The new model is compared with the parabolic two-step(PTS)model and the hyperbolic two-step(HTS)model.The results show that in ultrafast heating,the BTS model has the same wave front jump as the HTS model.The present model has the faster wave speed,and predicts the bigger disturbed regions than the HTS model.More deeply,all two-step models also have the faster wave speeds than one-step models.This work may benefit the theoretical modeling of ultrafast heating of metals.

化妆品植物原料(Ⅵ)——在抗衰老化妆品中的研究与开发

随着年龄的增长,皮肤会发生一些变化,衰老是最明显的迹象之一。在皮肤衰老过程中,皮肤表皮慢慢变薄,固有修复能力逐渐减弱,胶原蛋白和弹性蛋白逐渐减少,皮肤慢慢失去弹性。皮肤衰老是不可避免的,但可以采用多种方法延缓皮肤衰老。本文介绍影响皮肤衰老的内外因素,以及皮肤衰老的机制和抗衰老方法。植物提取物可以通过多种途径对皮肤产生抗衰老作用:可以通过防晒作用防止皮肤光老化,可以作为各种活性物延缓和抑制皮肤衰老,也可以通过剥脱作用促进角质细胞的更新和新陈代谢而减少皮肤的皱纹和黑斑等。本文主要介绍有助于胶原蛋白、弹性蛋白和透明质酸合成与抑制降解的抗皮肤衰老的植物活性成分;多酚、黄酮、维生素和类胡萝卜素等,以及作为剥脱剂的植物羟基酸类成分。通过对植物提取物的皮肤抗衰老成分的详细阐述,以期为植物原料更好地应用到抗衰老化妆品中提供借鉴。

化妆品植物原料(V)——抗氧化活性的植物原料的研究与开发

生物氧化是机体在新陈代谢过程中物质氧化产生能量的一系列氧化还原反应。皮肤细胞通过代谢或在外界侵袭下不断产生高活性的自由基和ROS。过度产生的这些高活性分子可影响细胞结构发生改变,导致细胞过早死亡,引发皮肤问题。而抗氧化剂有助于提高机体的抗氧化能力,消除自由基和ROS的有害影响。本文综述了自由基和ROS、氧化应激、氧化损伤及其引起的皮肤病和抗氧化的机理。主要介绍具有抗氧化活性的植物提取物,包括酚类、酚酸类、黄酮类、二苯乙烯类、原花青素、类胡萝卜素和维生素等。其中,酚类化合物占主导地位;大多数多酚以共轭结构形式存在,具有很好的抗氧化活性。这些天然抗氧化剂的结构特点是存在酚羟基或不饱和共轭双键。抗氧化剂的抗氧化活性越好,则越容易被还原,其结构也越不稳定。同时兼具水溶性和脂溶性特性的羟基酪醇拥有很强的抗氧化能力,而脂溶性成分虾青素和水溶性成分维生素C等也具有很好的抗氧化活性。同时对一些植物成分的抗氧化机制进行了阐述,希望为植物提取物更好地应用到相关化妆品提供借鉴。

化妆品植物原料(Ⅳ)——抑制黑色素合成信号通路的植物美白原料的研究与开发

人类的皮肤和头发的颜色取决于黑色素的数量、质量和分布。黑色素在保护皮肤免受各种环境的有害影响方面发挥巨大的作用。而黑色素过量合成会导致严重的皮肤问题。因此,研究黑色素生物合成的信号通路调控以及探究相关的经信号通路抑制黑色素合成的植物提取物具有非常重要的意义。本文综述了调控黑色素生物合成的信号通路和调控因子,包括α-MSH诱导的信号通路、PI3K/Akt信号通路、SCF/c-kit介导的MAPK信号通路、Wnt/β-catenin信号通路、NO/cGMP信号通路、以及细胞因子、转录因子PAX3和肝X受体。重点介绍通过调控各种信号通路抑制黑色素合成的植物提取物。这些植物提取物虽然通过不同的信号通路进行调控,但大多下调一种整合上游信号通路和调控下游基因的转录因子MITF的表达,进而降低酪氨酸酶(TYR)的表达,抑制细胞内黑色素的生物合成。

Epidermal growth factor receptor antibody plus recombinant human endostatin in treatment of hepatic metastases after remnant gastric cancer resection

We report a 55-year-old male who developed advanced hepatic metastasis and peritoneal carcinomatosis after resection of remnant gastric cancer resection 3 mo ago. The patient only received epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor antibody (Cetuximab) plus recombinant human endostatin (Endostar). Anti-tumor activity was assessed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT) at baseline and then every 4 wk. The case illustrates that 18FDG-PET/CT could make an early prediction of the response to Cetuximab plus Endostar in such clinical situations. 18FDG-PET/CT is a useful molecular imaging modality to evaluate the biological response advanced hepatic metastasis and peritoneal carcinomatosis to Cetuximab plus Endostar in patients after remnant gastric cancer resection.

Colonography by CT,MRI and PET/CT combined with conventional colonoscopy in colorectal cancer screening and staging

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cancer killer worldwide. But the disease is both curable and preventable at an early stage. Regular CRC cancer screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from CRC. However, the importance of large-scale screening is only now starting to be appreciated. This article reviews a variety of imaging procedures available for detecting ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), polyps and CRC in their early stage and also presents details on various screening options. Detecting, staging and re-staging of patients with CRC also require multimodality, multistep imaging approaches. Staging and re-staging with conventional colonoscopy (CC), computer tomography colonography (CTC), magnetic resonance colonography (MRC) and positron emission tomography/computer tomography colonography (PET/CTC) are of paramount importance in determining the most appropriate therapeutic method and in predicting the risk of tumor recurrence and overall prognosis. The advantages and limitations of these modalities are also discussed.

Clinical role of (18)~F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in post-operative follow up of gastric cancer: Initial results

AIM: To evaluate the clinical role of 18F-fluorodeo-xyglucose positron emission and computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in detection of gastric cancer recurrence after initial surgical resection. METHODS: In the period from January 2007 to May 2008, 23 patients who had previous surgical resection of histopathologically diagnosed gastric cancer underwent a total of 25 18F-FDG PET/CT scans as follow-up visits in our center. The standard of reference for tumor recurrence consisted of histopathologic confirmation or clinical follow-up information for at least 5 mo after PET/CT examinations. RESULTS: PET/CT was positive in 14 patients (61%) and negative in 9 (39%). When correlated with final diagnosis, which was confirmed by histopathologic evidence of tumor recurrence in 8 of the 23 patients (35%) and by clinical follow-up in 15 (65%), PET/CT was true positive in 12 patients, false positive in 2, true negative in 8 and false negative in 2. Overall, the accuracy of PET/CT was 82.6%, the negative predictive value (NPV) was 77.7%, and the positive predictive value (PPV) was 85.7%. The 2 false positive PET/CT findings were actually chronic inflammatory tissue lesions. For the two patients with false negativePET/CT, the f inal diagnosis was recurrence of mucinous adenocarcinoma in the anastomosis in one patient and abdominal wall metastasis in the other. Importantly, PET/CT revealed true-positive findings in 11 (47.8%) patients who had negative or no definite findings by CT. PET/CT revealed extra-abdominal metastases in 7 patients and additional esophageal carcinoma in one patient. Clinical treatment decisions were changed in 7 (30.4%) patients after introducing PET/CT into their conventional post-operative follow-up program. CONCLUSION: Whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT was highly effective in discriminating true recurrence in post-operative patients with gastric cancer and had important impacts on clinical decisions in a considerable portion of patients.

Positron emission tomography/computer tomography:Challenge to conventional imaging modalities in evaluating primary and metastatic liver malignancies

Computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),as conventional imaging modalities,are the preferred methodology for tumor,nodal and systemic metastasis (TNM) staging. However,all the noninvasive techniques in current use are not sufficiently able to identify primary tumors and even unable to define the extent of metastatic spread. In addition,relying exclusively on macromorphological characteristics to make a conclusion runs the risk of misdiagnosis due mainly to the intrinsic limitations of the imaging modalities themselves. Solely based on the macromorphological characteristics of cancer,one cannot give an appropriate assessment of the biological characteristics of tumors. Currently,positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT) are more and more widely available and their application with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in oncology has become one of the standard imaging modalities in diagnosing and staging of tumors,and monitoring the therapeutic efficacy in hepatic malignancies. Recently,investigators have measured glucose utilization in liver tumors using 18F-FDG,PET and PET/CT in order to establish diagnosis of tumors,assess their biologic characteristics and predict therapeutic effects on hepatic malignancies. PET/ CT with 18F-FDG as a radiotracer may further enhance the hepatic malignancy diagnostic algorithm by accurate diagnosis,staging,restaging and evaluating its biological characteristics,which can benefit the patients suffering from hepatic metastases,hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.

Positron emission tomography/computer tomography in guidance of extrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis management

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is one of the most common primary cancers in the world. Surgery is the gold standard for treatment of patients with HCC. Recurrence and metastasis are the major obstacles to further improve the prognosis of HCC. Most recurrences are intrahepatic. However, 30% of the recurrences are extrahepatic. The role of resection in intrahepatic recurrences is widely accepted. The role of resection in extrahepatic HCC recurrence and metastasis is not well established. 18F fluorodeoxyglucose （18F-FDG） positron emission tomography/computer tomography （PET/CT） is useful in detecting distant metastasis from a variety of malignancies and shows superior accuracy to conventional imaging modalities in identification of intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. We present one patient with one new isolated omental lymph node metastasis, who had a history of huge HCC resected six years ago. The metastatic focus was identified with 18 F-FDG PET/CT and resected. The follow-up revealed good prognosis with a long-term survival potential after resection of the omental lymphatic metastasis.

Clinical usefulness of ^(18) F-FDG PET/CT in the restaging of esophageal cancer after surgical resection and radiotherapy

AIM： To evaluate the clinical usefulness of lSF-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission and computed tomography QSF-FDG PET/CT） in restaging of esophageal cancer after surgical resection and radiotherapy. METHODS： Between January 2007 and Aug 2008, twenty histopathologically diagnosed esophageal cancer patients underwent 25 PET/CT scans （three patients had two scans and one patient had three scans） for restaging after surgical resection and radiotherapy. The standard reference for tumor recurrence was histopathologic confirmation or clinical follow-up for at least ten months after ^18F-FDG PET/CT examinations. RESULTS： Tumor recurrence was confirmed histopathologically in seven of the 20 patients （35%） and by clinical and radiological follow-up in 13 （65%）. ^18F-FDG PET/CT was positive in 14 patients （68.4%） and negative in six （31.6%）. ^18F-FDG PET/CT was true positive in 11 patients, false positive in three and true negative in six. Overall, the accuracy of ^18F-FDG PET/CT was 85%, negative predictive value （NPV） was 100%, and positive predictive value （PPV） was 78.6%.The three false positive PET/CT findings comprised chronic inflammation of mediastinal lymph nodes （n = 2） and anastomosis inflammation （n = 1）. PET/ CT demonstrated distant metastasis in 10 patients. ^18F-FDG PET/CT imaging-guided salvage treatment in nine patients was performed. Treatment regimens were changed in 12 （60%） patients after introducing ^18F-FDG PET/CT into their conventional post-treatment follow-up program. CONCLUSION： Whole body ^18F-FDG PET/CT is effective in detecting relapse of esophageal cancer after surgical resection and radiotherapy. It could also have important clinical impact on the management of esophageal cancer, influencing both clinical restaging and salvage treatment of patients.

A cooperative interference resource allocation method based on improved firefly algorithm

To deal with the radio frequency threat posed by modern complex radar networks to aircraft,we researched the unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)formations radar countermeasures,aiming at the solution of radar jamming resource allocation under system countermeasures.A jamming resource allocation method based on an improved firefly algorithm(FA)is proposed.Firstly,the comprehensive factors affecting the level of threat and interference efficiency of radiation source are quantified by a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation.Besides,the interference efficiency matrix and the objective function of the allocation model are determined to establish the interference resource allocation model.Finally,A mutation operator and an adaptive heuristic are integtated into the FA algorithm,which searches an interference resource allocation scheme.The simulation results show that the improved FA algorithm can compensate for the deficiencies of the FA algorithm.The improved FA algorithm provides a more scientific and reasonable decision-making plan for aircraft mission allocation and can effectively deal with the battlefield threats of the enemy radar network.Moreover,in terms of convergence accuracy and speed as well as algorithm stability,the improved FA algorithm is superior to the simulated annealing algorithm(SA),the niche genetic algorithm(NGA),the improved discrete cuckoo algorithm(IDCS),the mutant firefly algorithm(MFA),the cuckoo search and fireflies algorithm(CSFA),and the best neighbor firefly algorithm(BNFA).

Highly metabolic thrombus of the portal vein:^(18)F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computer tomography demonstration and clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM： To assess the ability of ^18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computer tomography （^18F-FDG PET/CT） to differentiate between benign and malignant portal vein thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） patients.METHODS： Five consecutive patients who had HBV cirrhosis, biopsy-proven HCC, and thrombosis of the main portal vein and/or left/right portal vein on ultrasound （US）, computer tomography （CT） or magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） were studied with ^18F-FDG PET/CT. The presence or absence of a highly metabolic thrombus on ^18F-FDG PET/CT was considered diagnostic for malignant or benign portal vein thrombosis, respectively. All patients were followed-up monthly with US, CT or MRI. Shrinkage of the thrombus or recanalization of the vessels on US, CT or MRI during follow-up was considered to be definitive evidence of the benign nature of the thrombosis, whereas enlargement of the thrombus, disruption of the vessel wall, and parenchymal infiltration over follow-up were considered to be consistent with malignancy. ^18SF-FDG PET/CT, and US, CT or MRI results were compared.RESULTS： Follow-up （1 to 10 mo） showed signs of malignant thrombosis in 4 of the 5 patients. US, CT or MRI produced a true-positive result for malignancy in 4 of the patients, and a false-positive result in 1. ^18F-FDG PET/CT showed a highly metabolic thrombus in 4 of the 5 patients. ^18F-FDG PET/CT achieved a true-positive result in all 4 of these patients, and a true-negative result in the other patient. No false-positive result was observed using ^18F-FDG PET/CT.CONCLUSION： ^18F-FDG PET/CT may be helpful in discriminating between benign and malignant portal vein thrombi. Patients may benefit from ^18F-FDG PET/CT when portal vein thrombi can not be diagnosed exactly by US, CT or MRI.

非营利性民办学校市场竞争力的约束条件研究

非营利性民办学校并非必然优于营利性民办学校。要引导举办者选择非营利性民办学校,需要从制度上保障非营利性民办学校可以比营利性民办学校获得更多的公共经费收入或者更高的社会声誉,并且在学校内部的资源配置中确立教师薪酬优先的管理理念和相关制度,用有竞争力的薪酬水平吸引优秀教师和保持教师队伍的稳定性,在薪酬、教师、质量和学校竞争力之间形成良性和稳定的正向联系。

Study on Water Conservation Capacity of Litter from Different Types of Forest in Caohai Basin

[Objective]The research aimed to understand water conservation capacity of litter from different forest types in Caohai basin. [Method] Current storage amount,water holding capacity and precipitation interception ability of litter from 4 types of forest were investigated and studied. [Result]The order of exist litter amount was grass slope ＆gt;shrub forest ＆gt;mixed broad leaf-conifer forest ＆gt;coniferous forest. The order of natural water holding capacity was mixed broad leafconifer forest ＆gt; coniferous forest ＆gt; grass slope ＆gt; shrub forest. The relevance between water holding capacity of litter and soaking time was in line with this formula： y = kln（ x） ＋ b. During 0-120 min of litter soaking,water holding capacity increased rapidly. After 120 min,the increasing trend remained flat until closing to the maximum water holding capacity. The relevance between water absorption rate of litter and soaking time was in line with this formula： y = a ＋ bx-1. In the beginning of soaking,water absorption rates of litter from different woodlands showed great difference. As soaking time went by,water absorption rates of litter from different woodlands all declined sharply. During 0-120 min,declining velocity of water absorption rate was quicker. After 120 min,the declining trend tended to be slow. The maximum water holding capacity of litter presented the order of shrub forest ＆gt; mixed broad leafconifer forest ＆gt; grass slope ＆gt; coniferous forest. The maximum precipitation interception amount of litter presented the order of shrub forest ＆gt; grass slope ＆gt; mixed broad leafconifer forest ＆gt; coniferous forest. Effective impounding capacity of litter presented the order of shrub forest ＆gt; mixed broad leafconifer forest ＆gt; grass slope ＆gt; coniferous forest. [Conclusion]The research could provide support for the construction of water conservation forest in Caohai basin.

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography with ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose identifies tumor growth or thrombosis in the portal vein with hepatocellular carcinoma

Patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus in the portal vein generally have a poor prognosis. Portal vein tumor thrombus must be distinguished from portal vein blood thrombus, and this identification plays a very important role in management of HCC. Conventional imaging modalities have limitations in discrimination of portal vein tumor thrombus. The application of positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) for discrimination between tumor extension and blood thrombus has been reported in few cases of HCC, while portal tumor thrombosis and portal vein clot identified by 18F-FDG PET/CT in HCC patients has not been reported so far. We present two HCC cases, one with portal vein tumor thrombus and one thrombosis who were identified with 18F-FDG PET/CT. This report illustrates the complimentary value of combining the morphological and functional imaging in achieving a correct diagnosis in such clinical situations.

Biomineralization Precursor Carrier System Based on Carboxyl- Functionalized Large Pore Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Bone and teeth are derived from intrafibrillarly mineralized collagen fibrils as the second level of hierarchy.According to polymer-induced liquid-precursor process,using amorphous calcium phosphate precursor(ACP)is able to achieve intrafibrillar mineralization in the case of bone biomineral in vitro.Therefore,ACP precursors might be blended with any osteoconductive scaffold as a promising bone formation supplement for in-situ remineralization of collagens in bone.In this study,mesoporous silica nanoparticles with carboxyl-functionalized groups and ultra large-pores have been synthesized and used for the delivery of liquid like biomimetic precursors(ACP).The precursor delivery capacity of the nanoparticles was verified by the precursor release profile and successful mineralization of 2D and 3D collagen models.The nanoparticles could be completely degraded in 60 days and exhibited good biocompatibility as well.The successful translational strategy for biomineralization precursors showed that biomineralization precursor laden ultra large pore mesoporous silica possessed the potential as a versatile supplement in demineralized bone formation through the induction of intrafibrillar collagen mineralization.