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Myocardial T1 and extracellular volume (ECV) fraction values have important roles in the prognostication of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the traditional mean quantification of intensity levels is not sufficient.To evaluate a T1 map-based radiomic nomogram as a long-term prognosticator for HFpEF in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Prospective.A total of 115 SLE patients and 50 age- and gender-matched controls.A 3.0 T scanner; cine imaging, precontrast and post-contrast T1 mapping and T2 mapping sequences.A radiomic nomogram was developed based on precontrast T1 mapping. Three independent readers assessed and compared the ECV value and the value of the radiomic nomogram for predicting HFpEF in SLE patients.Cox proportional hazard models, Youden index for determining cut-off values for high HFpEF risk vs. low HFpEF risk classification, Kaplan-Meier analysis, intraclass correlation (ICC), and Uno C statistic test.During a median follow-up of 27 (interquartile range, 19-37) months, 31 SLE patients developed HFpEF. Patients with elevated ECV (≥31%) and a higher output (≥42.7) from the radiomic feature "S_33_sum average" of the precontrast T1 map had a significantly higher risk of developing HFpEF than those who had lower ECV (31%) and an output42.7. Patients with a higher "S_33_sum average" value on precontrast T1 map had a significantly increased risk for HFpEF (hazard ratio, 1.363, 95% CI, 1.130-1.645), after adjusting for covariates including ECV and LVEF. Finally, "S_33_sum average" from precontrast T1 mapping had modest but significantly incremental prognostic value over the mean ECV value (Uno C statistic comparing models, 0.860 vs. 0.835).The precontrast T1 map-based radiomic nomogram, as a measure of diffuse myocardial fibrosis was associated with HFpEF and provided modest prognostic value for predicting HFpEF in SLE patients.1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Lack of efficiency has been a major problem shared by all currently developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapies. Our previous study shows that SARS-CoV-2 structural envelope (2-E) protein forms a type of cation channel, and heterogeneously expression of 2-E channels causes host cell death. In this study we developed a cell-based high throughput screening (HTS) assay and used it to discover inhibitors against 2-E channels. Among 4376 compounds tested, 34 hits with cell protection activity were found. Followed by an anti-viral analysis, 15 compounds which could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication were identified. In electrophysiological experiments, three representatives showing inhibitory effect on 2-E channels were chosen for further characterization. Among them, proanthocyanidins directly bound to 2-E channel with binding affinity (KD) of 22.14 μM in surface plasmon resonance assay. Molecular modeling and docking analysis revealed that proanthocyanidins inserted into the pore of 2-E N-terminal vestibule acting as a channel blocker. Consistently, mutations of Glu 8 and Asn 15, two residues lining the proposed binding pocket, abolished the inhibitory effects of proanthocyanidins. The natural product proanthocyanidins are widely used as cosmetic, suggesting a potential of proanthocyanidins as disinfectant for external use. This study further demonstrates that 2-E channel is an effective antiviral drug target and provides a potential antiviral candidate against SARS-CoV-2.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between increased extracellular matrix estimated by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and left ventricular aneurysm after acute myocardial infarction.A total of 175 patients from 3 centers with an isolated left anterior descending culprit vessel underwent CMR examinations within 1 week and at a 6-month follow-up. Of these, 92 were identified to have left ventricular aneurysms (LVAs): 74 with functional aneurysm and 18 with anatomical aneurysm. The predictive significance of acute extracellular volume (ECV), left gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and other characteristics were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis.Patients with LVA were more likely to present with left ventricular adverse remodeling (LVAR) than those without (p = 0.009). With optimal cutoff values of 30.90% for LGE and 33% for ECV to discriminate LVA from non-LVA, the area under the curve (AUC) by receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87-0.96; p0.001) and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.88-0.96; p0.001), respectively. ECV was significantly better than LGE at discriminating between functional and anatomical LVA (p0.001). Both acute LGE and ECV were predictors of LVA, with an odds ratio of 1.35 (95% CI: 1.21-1.52, p0.001) and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.13-1.33, p0.001), respectively, by multivariable logistic regression analysis.Acute LGE and ECV of the myocardium provided predictive significance for LVA. The discriminative significance of ECV for functional versus anatomical LVA was better than the discriminative significance of LGE.• Patients with LVA were more likely to present with LVAR. • Acute LGE and ECV of the myocardium provided the strongest predictive significance for LVA. • The discriminative significance of ECV for functional versus anatomical LVA was better than that of LGE.

In the present work, a 3-D aerator device with backward lateral deflectors, called BLD-3-D aerator device, is developed, and the lateral cavity and fin performance of the BLD-3-D aerator device are experimentally investigated. The findings show that, the relative lateral cavity length with backward lateral deflectors is shorter than that with current lateral deflectors under the same approach flow conditions, and on the basis of the results of the relative cavity length ratio between the lateral and bottom aerators the BLD-3-D aerator device is of remarkable performance for the water fin control thanks to the decrease of the relative lateral cavity length.

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are generally associated with poorer outcomes for patients at long-term follow-up. We hypothesis that tissue characteristics and strain parameters by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging may indicate the interactions of LVT with ventricular myocardium remodeling at both acute stage and chronic stages in STEMI patients. This retrospective study included 111 consecutive STEMI patients (38 with LVT and 73 without LVT). All patients underwent CMR during acute stage (within 7 days) and chronic stage (after at least 2 months) periods after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Left ventricular native T1, extracellular volume (ECV), radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strain were analyzed in both phases. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including cardiovascular death, myocardial reinfarction, and hospitalization for heart failure), thromboembolic and bleeding events, were the clinical endpoints of the study. During the acute stage, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR 0.77, P value = 0.01) and longitudinal strain (OR 1.90, P value < 0.001) were correlated with LVT formation. Strain parameters were reduced, while the native T1 and ECV values of both the infarcted area and remote myocardium were elevated in LVT patients. During the chronic stage, LVT resolved in 29 of 38 patients (76%). LVT remaining patients had lower LVEF, a larger LV, and higher ECV in the acute stage than those of the LVT-resolved patients. In the long-term follow up of 678 days, LVT (HR 2.45, P value = 0.02), aneurysm (HR 1.81, P value = 0.04), and native T1 (HR 2.44, P value = 0.01) were identified as three independent predictors of MACE, the incidence of thromboembolic events and bleeding events by a multivariable stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression. STEMI patients developing LVT had worse LV function, myocardial infarction extent, strain, and higher T1 and ECV values than STEMI patients without LVT. The LVT-remaining patients in the chronic stage had poorer functional and mapping parameters beginning in the first week. During the acute stage, LVEF and global longitudinal strain were independent correlated with LVT formation. During the long-term follow up, LVT, aneurysm and elevated myocardial T1 were associated with adverse outcomes in acute STEMI patients.

The high-strain-rate mechanical response of Mg alloy/SiCp composite foams has received increased attention in recent years due to their light weight and potential to absorb large amounts of energy during deformation. Dynamic compressive properties of closed-cell Mg alloy/SiCp composite foams with different relative densities (0.162, 0.227 and 0.351) and different SiCp additions (0, 4 and 8 wt%) have been investigated using Split-Hopkinson pressure bar. It is shown that peak stress and energy absorption capacity significantly increase as the relative density increases at the range of testing strain rates. Peak stress and energy absorption display strain rate dependence. The peak stress of specimens with 0 wt% and 4 wt% SiC particles additions grows with increasing strain rate. Meanwhile, the increment in the peak stress of specimens with 8 wt% addition is not significant with strain rate increasing. The increase in strain rate increases the energy absorption capacity. The suitable amount of SiC particles addition has great advantages over increasing the peak stress and energy absorption capacity at the high strain rate. The strain-rate-sensitive matrix, cell morphology, morphological defects and gas pressure have an impact on the strain-rate sensitivity of Mg alloy/SiCp composite foams.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) occasionally have atypical and uncommon imaging presentations that can present a diagnostic dilemma and result in false interpretation. This article aimed to illustrate these CT and MR imaging findings, including isoattenuating PDAC, coexisting acute pancreatitis, PDAC with a cystic feature, groove PDAC, diffuse PDAC, hypointensity on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), multifocal PDAC, intratumoral calcification, and extrapancreatic invasion with a barely discernable mass. A subset of PDACs with atypical features are occasionally encountered during routine clinical practice. Knowledge of and attention to these atypical and uncommon variable imaging features may allow radiologists to avoid misinterpretation and a delayed diagnosis.

Background and Aim To develop and validate radiomic prediction models using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) to preoperatively predict Ki-67 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Method A total of 339 GIST patients from four centers were categorized into the training, internal validation, and external validation cohort. By filtering unstable features, minimum redundancy, maximum relevance, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithm, a radiomic signature was built to predict the malignant potential of GISTs. Individual nomograms of Ki-67 expression incorporating the radiomic signature or clinical factors were developed using the multivariate logistic model and evaluated regarding its calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness. Results The radiomic signature, consisting of 6 radiomic features had AUC of 0.787 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.632–0.801], 0.765 (95% CI 0.683–0.847), and 0.754 (95% CI 0.666–0.842) in the prediction of high Ki-67 expression in the training, internal validation and external validation cohort, respectively. The radiomic nomogram including the radiomic signature and tumor size demonstrated significant calibration, and discrimination with AUC of 0.801 (95% CI 0.726–0.876), 0.828 (95% CI 0.681–0.974), and 0.784 (95% CI 0.701–0.868) in the training, internal validation and external validation cohort respectively. Based on the Decision curve analysis, the radiomics nomogram was found to be clinically significant and useful. Conclusions The radiomic signature from CE-CT was significantly associated with Ki-67 expression in GISTs. A nomogram consisted of radiomic signature, and tumor size had maximum accuracy in the prediction of Ki-67 expression in GISTs. Results from our study provide vital insight to make important preoperative clinical decisions.

Lead-foam is a type material holding high porosity and specific surface area and can be used as grid material of storage battery and anode material in zinc electrolysis. Based on the infiltration casting system designed according to Pascal's and pressure infiltration principle, lead-foam with porosity 58-61%, cell diameter 1.18-3.35mm was successfully manufactured via infiltration casting method where industrial sodium chloride (NaCl) particles were used as porogens. As preparation of preform is a key step in infiltration casting process, orthogonal tests were performed to study the some process parameters’ effects on the porosity of the preform and the orthogonal test results revealed that the rank from high to low of the parameters’ effects on the porosity of preform was porogen size, cold-compacting pressure, sintering time and sintering temperature.

To determine reliable CT features to distinguish cancerous from inflammatory colorectal perforations. A total of 43 patients with surgically and pathologically confirmed colorectal perforation caused by either colorectal cancer (n =27) or an inflammatory conditions (n = 16) were identified. Two radiologists independently assessed the contrast-enhanced CT features for locations of perforation, mural configurations, soft-tissue alterations, lymphadenopathy, and metastases. Intergroup comparisons for univariate analysis were performed using Fisher’s exact test or chi-square test for categorical data and Mann–Whitney test for numeric data. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was conducted with features that were found significant under the univariate analysis. Interobserver agreement was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and kappa test. Maximal mural thickness >1.39 cm (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 68.75%), luminal mass or shoulder formation (sensitivity, 88.89%; specificity, 68.75%), absence of diverticula (sensitivity, 96.30%; specificity, 50.00%), irregular mural thickening (sensitivity, 92.59%; specificity, 81.25%), lymphadenopathy (sensitivity, 40.74%; specificity, 93.75%), and metastases (sensitivity, 25.93%; specificity, 100%) were significantly frequent in cancerous perforations. The maximal mural thickness (P = 0.0493, odds ratio = 439.83) and irregular mural thickening (P = 0.0343, odds ratio = 4.69) were identified as the highly distinguished identifiers. The CT manifestations of cancerous and inflammatory colorectal perforations overlap. Definitive diagnosis is not always possible with imaging alone. The maximal mural thickness >1.39 cm and irregular configuration of the thickened bowel wall were the two highly statistically significant CT features that may help order the difference between the two entities.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) comprise five distinct subtypes denoted M1 to M5. The antagonism of M2 subtype could increase the release of acetylcholine from vesicles into the synaptic cleft and improve postsynaptic functions in the hippocampus via M1 receptor activation, displaying therapeutic potentials for Alzheimer’s disease. However, drug development for M2 antagonists is still challenged among different receptor subtypes. In this study, by optimizing a scaffold from virtual screening, we synthesized two focused libraries and generated up to 50 derivatives. By measuring potency and binding selectivity, we discovered a novel M2 antagonist, ligand 47, featuring submicromolar IC50, high M2/M4 selectivity (~30-fold) and suitable lipophilicity (cLogP = 4.55). Further study with these compounds also illustrates the structure–activity relationship of this novel scaffold. Our study could not only provide novel lead structure, which was easy to synthesize, but also offer valuable information for further development of selective M2 ligands.

Background: Assessment of intestinal activity and severity of Crohn’s disease (CD) is crucial to guide treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the accuracy of spectral computed tomography (CT) in this assessment and make a comparison with conventional CT. Methods: A total of 50 patients with ileocolonic CD underwent spectral CT scanning. Conventional CT and spectral CT images were reconstructed. Endoscopic lesions were classified as absent, mild lesions and severe lesions. Qualitative and quantitative findings in CT images were compared in these segments. Logistic regressions were established, based on conventional and spectral CT parameters, to predict intestinal activity and severity. Comparisons were made by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The results showed that bowel wall hyperenhancement, ulcers on CT images, comb sign, bowel wall thickness, normalized iodine concentration (NIC) and slope of HU curve (λHU) increased significantly ( p < 0.01) with endoscopic severity. In predicting intestinal activity, spectral CT demonstrated higher accuracy (99.6% versus 94.7%), sensitivity (99.1% versus 93.4%) and specificity (99.9% versus 94.4%) than conventional CT. In predicting intestinal severity, spectral CT also had higher accuracy (96.5% versus 91.9%), sensitivity (96.5% versus 92.1%) and specificity (95.8% versus 89.8%) than conventional CT. Besides, both NIC and λHU correlated significantly with Simple Endoscopic Score for CD ( r = 0.833 and r = 0.771; both p < 0.001), but their correlations with C-reactive protein ( r = 0.578 and r = 0.513; both p < 0.01) and Harvey–Bradshaw Index ( r = 0.545 and r = 0.522; both p < 0.01) were moderate. Conclusions: Compared with conventional CT, spectral CT had higher accuracy in detecting intestinal activity and severity of CD, which could be an alternative choice in evaluation of CD.

Background T2* relaxation is a primary determinant of image contrast with Gradient echo (GRE) sequences, and it has been widely used across body regions. Purpose To compare the diagnostic performance of T2* mapping in combination with T2-weighted (T2W) imaging to T2W imaging alone for prostate cancer (PCa) detection. Material and Methods The study included 31 patients (mean age, 62 ± 3 years; age range, 45–78 years) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3.0T and histological examination. Three observers with varying experience levels reviewed T2W imaging alone, T2* mapping alone, and T2W imaging combined with T2* mapping. A five-point scale was used to assess the probability of PCa in each segment on MR images. Statistical analysis was performed using Z tests after adjusting for data clustering. Results The area under the curve (AUC) of T2W imaging and T2* mapping data (observer 1, 0.93; observer 2, 0.90; observer 3, 0.77) was higher than T2W imaging (observer 1, 0.84; observer 2, 0.79; observer 3, 0.69) for all observers ( P Conclusion The addition of T2* mapping to T2W imaging improved the diagnostic performance of MRI in PCa detection.

To identify myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) subjects using quantitative cardiac diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and to compare its performance with native T1 mapping and extracellular volume (ECV). Thirty-eight HCM subjects (mean age, 53 ± 9 years) and 14 normal controls (mean age, 51 ± 8 years) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) on a 3.0T magnetic resonance (MR) machine with DWI, T1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging as the reference standard. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), native T1 value and ECV were determined for each subject. Overall, the HCM subjects exhibited an increased native T1 value (1241.04 ± 78.50 ms), ECV (0.31 ± 0.03) and ADC (2.36 ± 0.34 s/mm(2)) compared with the normal controls (1114.60 ± 37.99 ms, 0.24 ± 0.04, and 1.62 ± 0.38 s/mm(2), respectively) (p 0.05). DWI differentiated healthy and fibrotic myocardia with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93, while the AUCs of the native T1 values (0.93), (p 0.05) and ECV (0.94), (p 0.05) exhibited an equal differentiation ability. Both HCM LGE+ and HCM LGE- subjects had an increased native T1 value, ECV and ADC compared to the normal controls (p 0.05). HCM LGE+ subjects exhibited an increased ECV (0.31 ± 0.04) and ADC (2.43 ± 0.36 s/mm(2)) compared to HCM LGE- subjects (p 0.05). HCM LGE+ and HCM LGE- subjects had similar native T1 values (1250 ± 76.36 ms vs. 1213.98 ± 92.30 ms, respectively) (p 0.05). ADC values were linearly associated with increased ECV (R(2) = 0.36) and native T1 values (R(2) = 0.40) among all subjects. DWI is a feasible alternative to native T1 mapping and ECV for the identification of myocardial fibrosis in patients with HCM. DWI and ECV can quantitatively characterize the extent of fibrosis in HCM LGE+ and HCM LGE- patients.

The heterogeneous fracture geometry induced by the presence of roughness and shearing complicates the fracture flow. This paper presents a numerical investigation of the non-Darcian flow characteristics of rough-walled fractures during shear processes. A series of fracture flow simulations were performed on four types of fractures with different joint roughness coefficients (JRCs), and the different shear displacements were imitated by degrees of mismatch on two fracture surfaces. The results show that the disorder of fracture geometries and the increase in flow rate are the main causes for the emergence of an eddy flow region, which can significantly reduce the fracture conductivity and change the fracture flow from linear to nonlinear. The Forchheimer equation provides a good model for the nonlinear relationship between the hydraulic gradient and the flow rate in the fracture flow. When the shear displacement or JRC increased, the linear permeability coefficient kv decreased, while the nonlinear coefficient &beta, increased. A three-parameter equation of &beta, was used to examine the inertial effect induced by the fracture roughness JRC and the variation coefficient of aperture distribution &sigma, s/em. The critical Reynolds number was a combined effect of aperture, viscous permeability, and inertial resistance, assuming the flow becomes non-Darcian when the inertial part is greater than 10%.

The use of native TTo investigate the relationship of segmental left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT), myocardial fibrosis, and strain parameters with segmental histogram parameters of native TRetrospective.Ninety-three HCM patients without previous cardiovascular diseases were included.3.0T cardiac MR. Steady-state free precession cine imaging, modified Look-Locker inversion recovery, phase-sensitive inversion recovery.Images were assessed by three experienced radiologists.Mann-Whitney U-tests, area under the curve (AUC), Spearman's rank correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman test were used for statistical analysis.A higher LVWT value correlated with higher means, minimums, 10Histogram parameters of native T2 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:668-677.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is present in up to 90% of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and may interact with classical neuropathology to exacerbate cognitive decline. Since growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) can activate vascular remodeling, we tested its effects on cognitive function and neuroinflammatory changes of AD model mice. We intravenously administered GDF11 or vehicle daily to 12-month-old transgenic mice overexpressing the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP)/PS1). Cognitive function was monitored using the Morris water maze, and after conclusion of the treatment, we assessed the morphology and presence of inflammatory markers in the cerebral vasculature. Subchronic treatment of adult AβPP/PS1 mice with GDF11 rescued cognitive function and ameliorated cerebrovascular function. In particular, the de novo genesis of small blood vessels and the expression of vascular-related proteins were significantly higher than in the vehicle-treated AβPP/PS1 mice, whereas the expressions of the inflammatory markers Iba-1 and GFAP significantly decreased in proportion to the lower ratio of two forms of amyloid-β (Aβ40/42). Daily intravenous treatment with GDF11-injection can rejuvenate respects of cognition and cerebrovascular changes in AD mice.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and places a significant financial burden on our society.To determine the feasibility of cardiac intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in the consecutive evaluation of myocardial perfusion in myocardial infarction patients postpercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to investigate the dynamic biological phenomena in myocardial perfusion after AMI.Prospective observational study.Twenty ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients after reperfusion therapy and 12 healthy volunteers served as controls.Cardiac MRI at 3T, including steady-state free precession (SSFP) cine imaging, TMyocardial TIndependent sample's t-test, Pearson's, and Spearman's correlation and interobserver variability were applied. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.The TThis preliminary study demonstrated that a dynamic process exists in the status of myocardial edema and myocardial perfusion in MI patients after PCI. The findings suggest myocardial perfusion would be best evaluated between day 3 and day 7.2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1602-1609.

Background An outbreak of measles occurred in early 2014 among individuals not targeted for vaccination—adults, and infants too young to vaccinate, in Xiangshan County, Zhejiang Province, in eastern China. Objective We conducted an investigation to identify risk factors responsible for this outbreak and to provide evidence-based recommendations for measles elimination strategies in China. Methods Measles was diagnosed using national standard case definitions. In a case-control study, 20 randomly selected measles patients were matched with controls selected from the same village or community as each case in a 1:2 case-to-control ratio. Controls were matched on age, within 5 years, and gender. We compared exposure histories during the 7–21 days before rash onset of the case and the same time period for the matched controls. We also conducted a measles antibody seroprevalence survey of a convenient sample of residual serum obtained from healthy patients during routine care in a hospital. Results The outbreak consisted of 45 measles cases, with an attack rate of 8.9/100,000 total population. Among cases, 91.1% (41/45) were adults (ranged 23–51 years) who had unknown vaccination histories; the other cases were infants younger than 8 months of age. The case-control study showed major risk factors to be a visit to Hospital X (ORMH = 7.3, 95% CI: 1.8–30.7) and treatment in an IV room in Hospital X (ORMH = 11.0, 95% CI: 1.3–96.1). The seroprevalence survey showed that 88.8% of adults had measles IgG antibodies, and that 100% of children 2–19 years of age were seropositive. Conclusions The outbreak was primarily among age groups not targeted for vaccination—primarily adults, but with some children too young to vaccinate. Visiting a hospital was the major risk factor for measles transmission. We conclude that in addition to maintaining high 2-dose coverage with measles vaccine, working with hospital infection control programs to implement evidence-based strategies to prevent or limit hospital transmission is an important action for eliminating measles in eastern China.

Previous studies have shown that diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is sensitive to myocardial fibrosis in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.To explore the prognostic value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for detecting myocardial fibrosis and its relationship to the contractile function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).Prospective.A total of 45 HCM patients and 20 controls.3.0T cardiac MRI. The cardiac MR sequences included cine, TAccording to the presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and the extracellular volume (ECV) values (+2 SD of control subjects), respectively, reader W and reader J assessed the value of ADC of each segment for detecting myocardial fibrosis and its relationship to impaired contractile function in HCM patients.Independent sample t-test, Pearson analysis, and intraclass correlation (ICC).The value of ECV was 23.6 ± 3.0% for control. ECV ≥ 29.6% and ECV 29.6% groups were classified. ADC values in the ECV ≥ 29.6% group were significantly increased compared to the ECV 29.6% group, (2.41 ± 0.23 μmContractile dysfunction in HCM is predominantly associated with ADC, which is a feasible alternative to ECV and LGE for detecting myocardial fibrosis.1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1139-1146.

Nine new sesquiterpene quinones/hydroquinones (1–7, 10, and 12), three solvent-generated artifacts (8, 9, and 11), and three known compounds, 5-epi-smenospongine (13), smenospongine (14), and smenospongiadine (15), were isolated from the marine sponge Spongia pertusa Esper. The planar structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Their absolute configurations were determined by comparison between the calculated and experimental ECD spectra. In the cytotoxicity bioassay, compounds 13–15 exhibited activities against the human cancer cell lines U937, HeLa, and HepG2, with most potent cytotoxicities to U937 cells with IC50 values of 2.8, 1.5, and 0.6 μM, respectively. In addition, compound 6 displayed CDK-2 affinity with a Kd value of 4.8 μM in a surface plasmon resonance assay.

According to much research, neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease (AD) are correlated with alternations of neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor. The experimental illumination of neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation to eliminate AD symptoms is being explored frequently, and we have acknowledged that neurotrophic factors may play a pivotal role in cognitive improvement. However, the relation between the reversal of cognitive deficits after NSC transplantation and directed alternations of neurotrophic factors is not clearly expounded. Meanwhile, reduced inflammatory response, promoted vessel density, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can be reflections of improvement in cerebrovascular function. Three weeks after NSC transplantation, spatial learning and memory function in NSC-injected (Tg-NSC) mice were significantly improved compared with vehicle-injected (Tg-Veh) mice. Meanwhile, results obtained by immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses demonstrated that the levels of neurotrophic factors, VEGF, and vessel density in the cortex of Tg-NSC mice were significantly enhanced compared with Tg-Veh mice, while the levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 were significantly decreased. Our results suggest that elevated concentrations of neurotrophic factors probably play a critical role in rescuing cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS1 transgenic mice after NSC transplantation, and neurotrophic factors may improve cerebrovascular function by means such as reducing inflammatory response and promoting angiogenesis.

Adult neurogenesis and synaptic remodeling persist as a unique form of structural and functional plasticity in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles due to the existence of neural stem cells (NSCs). Transplantation of NSCs may represent a promising approach for the recovery of neural circuits. Here, we aimed to examine effects of highly neuronal differentiation of NSCs transplantation on hippocampal neurogenesis, metabolic changes and synaptic formation in APP/PS1 mice. 12-month-old APP/PS1 mice were used for behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, western blot, transmission electron microscopy and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). The results showed that N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and Glutamate (Glu) levels were increased in the Tg-NSC mice compared with the Tg-PBS and Tg-AD mice 10 weeks after NSCs transplantation. NSC-induced an increase in expression of synaptophysin and postsynaptic protein-95, and the number of neurons with normal synapses was significantly increased in Tg-NSC mice. More doublecortin-, BrdU/NeuN- and Nestin-positive neurons were observed in the hippocampal DG and SVZ of the Tg-NSC mice. This is the first demonstration that engrafted NSCs with a high differentiation rate to neurons can enhance neurogenesis in a mouse model of AD and can be detected by 1H-MRS in vivo. It is suggested that engraft of NSCs can restore memory and promote endogenous neurogenesis and synaptic remodeling, moreover, 1H-MRS can detect metabolite changes in AD mice in vivo. The observed changes in NAA/creatine (Cr) and glutamate (Glu)/Cr may be correlated with newborn neurons and new synapse formation.