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OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study searched on PubMed, Embase, OVID, Cochrane, Scopus and CNKI, Chinese Bio-Medical Literature, VIP, Wanfang, Duxiu, databases for studies related to the diagnostic performance of DWI for PAS from inception to December 2022. The pooled sensitivity, the pooled specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-), and diagnosis odds ratios (DOR) were calculated by Meta-disc 1.4 and STATA 16.0. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The effect indexes of DWI in combined PAS were as follows. The pooled sensitivity was 0.670 (0.619-0.719). The pooled specificity was 0.720 (0.661-0.773). The pooled LR+ was 2.161 (1.454-3.211). The pooled LR-was 0.413 (0.280-0.609). The pooled AUC was 0.7841, and Q* was 0.7221. The pooled diagnostic ratio DOR was 6.713 (2.981- 15.118). Subgroup analysis showed that four studies used T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) + DWI to diagnose PAS, and the pooled AUC was 0.9822. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that DWI had high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of PAS. Furthermore, T2WI+DWI has higher diagnostic efficacy than DWI alone in the diagnosis of PAS. Therefore, it is necessary to set T2WI+DWI as a routine sequence for PAS, and T2WI+DWI should be a routine method for the daily diagnosis of PAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequent freezing injury greatly influences winter wheat production; thus, effective prevention and a command of agricultural production are vital. The freezing injury monitoring method integrated with '3S' (geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning system (GPS) and remote sensing (RS)) technology has an unparalleled advantage. Using HuanJing (HJ)-1A/1B satellite images of a winter wheat field in Shanxi Province, China plus a field survey, crop types and winter wheat planting area were identified through repeated visual interpretations of image information and spatial analyses conducted in GIS. Six vegetation indices were extracted from processed HJ-1A/1B satellite images to determine whether the winter wheat suffered from freezing injury and its degree of severity and recovery, using change vector analysis (CVA), the freeze injury representative vegetation index and the combination of the two methods, respectively. Accuracy of the freezing damage classification results was verified by determining the impact of freezing damage on yield and quantitative analysis. The CVA and the change of normalized difference vegetation index (ΔNDVI) monitoring results were different so a comprehensive analysis of the combination of CVA and ΔNDVI was performed. The area with serious freezing injury covered 0.9% of the total study area, followed by the area of no freezing injury (3.5%), moderate freezing injury (10.2%) and light freezing injury (85.4%). Of the moderate and serious freezing injury areas, 0.2% did not recover; 1.2% of the no freezing injury and light freezing injury areas showed optimal recovery, 15.6% of the light freezing injury and moderate freezing injury areas showed poor recovery, and the remaining areas exhibited general recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Growing evidence has revealed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in the development of cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we mainly focused on the expression of circ_0056618 and potential functions of circ_0056618 in CRC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: RT-PCR was performed to detect circ_0056618 and miR-206 expressions in CRC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between circ_0056618 and miR- 206. Kaplan-Meier method was conducted to analyze the overall survival (OS) for CRC patients. Moreover, CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell proliferation ability and transwell assay was performed to detect cell migration ability. Besides, tube formation assay was performed to measure cell angiogenesis capacity. Western blot (WB) was performed to measure protein levels of tissues samples and CRC cell lines. Notably, the Luciferase reporter assay was performed to prove the binding sites in circ_0056618 with miR-206, miR- 206 with CXCR4 and VEGF-A. RESULTS: We found that circ_0056618 was elevated in CRC tumor tissues and CRC cell lines, which was related to poor diagnosis for CRC patients. MiR-206 was reduced in CRC tissues, which was negatively related with circ_0056618. Protein levels of CXCR4 and VEGF-A were elevated in CRC tumor tissues, which were negatively related with miR-206. Circ_0056618 inhibition inhibited proliferation, angiogenesis and migration of HT29 cells, and repressed protein levels of Cyclin D1, VEGF-A and N-cadherin and increased E-cadherin. Notably, Luciferase reporter assay indicated that circ_0056618 could sponge with miR-206, which could directly target at CXCR4 and VEGF-A. Finally, we proved a pathway that circ_0056618 promoted cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis through sponging with miR-206 and removing the repressing effects of miR-206, thereby upregulating CXCR4 and VEGF-A in CRC. CONCLUSIONS: Above all, this study revealed that circ_0056618 was increased in CRC tissues, which was related with the poor OS of CRC patients. We found that circ_0056618 could promote cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis through sponging with miR-206 and upregulating CXCR4 and VEGF-A in CRC, which might provide a novel potential therapeutic target for treating CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new algorithm (FYVOLC) for the automated detection of volcanic hot spots using data obtained from China's new-generation satellite FY-4A is developed and tested. FYVOLC improves the detection ability of the Volcanic Anomaly SofTware (VAST) algorithm by incorporating a Normalized Brightness Temperature Difference Index (NBTDI) to reduce the influence of 'cold' cloud. In addition, FYVOLC introduces a mid-infrared brightness temperature criterion to identify volcanic hot spots by making calculations based on the image itself without artificially determining any parameters. To test the volcanic hot-spot detection performance of FYVOLC, FY-4A Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager data were used for eruptions from four volcanoes: Mayon Volcano in the Philippines (25–26 January 2018), and Bromo (1–2 September 2018), Lawu (3–4 September 2018), and Soputan volcanoes (3–4 October 2018) in Indonesia. A total of 147 images of the above four volcanoes were used, and the results obtained using the FYVOLC algorithm were compared with those from three existing volcanic hot-spot detection algorithms: the simplified contextual, VAST, and HOTSAT algorithms. It is shown that the simplified contextual and VAST algorithms are prone to generating false alerts (with a maximum false alert rate of up to 41% and 48%, respectively), whereas the simplified contextual and HOTSAT algorithms are prone to missing hot-spot pixels (with a maximum miss rate of up to 71% and 54%, respectively). The FYVOLC algorithm has the best detection accuracy owing to the adopted NBTDI and image-based mid-infrared brightness temperature criterion. The maximum false alert rate of FYVOLC is 12%, and the maximum miss rate is 11%. By analysing the thermal anomaly time-series of the 147 images, it was found that the detection results of FYVOLC are basically consistent with the actual hot spots, except for some images that were strongly affected by cloud cover. This study is the first to realize the automated detection of volcanic hot spots and monitor temporally dynamic thermal phenomena based on FY-4A satellite data. The results have significance for the continuing development of global volcanic early-warning systems and for the dynamic monitoring of volcanoes after eruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The laser spallation technique for measuring the interface strength between a coating and a substrate is similar to laser shock peening, in which the stress wave induced by laser shock cause debond on the interface between a hard coating with micron thickness and a metal substrate. According to the modified experiment setup of the laser spallation technique, finite element analysis simulated the process of the film spallation by taking the laser loading as a direct input. We presented a numerical model of finite element that the laser spallation process includes two related, but uncoupled procedures. One was transient heat transfer in a two-layer medium. The other was the related transient elastic wave propagation in the same two-layer media, which was the result of the thermal misfit by transient heating. Based on the threshold of film spallation, we analyzed the process of laser shocking to study the propagation of stress wave and evaluate the spall resistance of sputtered films. The analysis result showed the dynamic adhesive strength of the interface between the TiN coating and the 304 stainless steel substrate was 193.0 MPa. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The velocities of longitudinal and transverse waves for aluminum alloy 2024-T62 shocked by a high-power Nd: Glass laser are investigated by a laser ultrasonics method. The results show that the velocity of the longitudinal wave measured after the laser-shock processing increases at the center and decreases at the edge of the laser-shocked area (LSA). The maximum relative increase is 28% and the maximum decrease up to 10%, when compared with that measured before the alloy was shocked by laser processing. The velocity of the transverse wave decreases at any position within LSA, the maximum relative decrease being 13%. The decrease at the edge of LSA is larger than that at the center. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to determine the efficacy and specific mechanism of microRNA- 543-5p (miR-543-5p) on spinal cord injury (SCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model of spinal cord injury was established in 6-week-old rats. Firstly, quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the changes of miR-543-5p in the spinal cord of rats in each group after spinal cord injury. Next, we observed the alterations in nuclear factor- kappa B (NF-κB) RNA level after injection of miR-543-5p. In addition, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of the inflammatory cytokines, and we used Western blotting to detect the protein associated with nerve regeneration at the protein levels. Finally, the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale was utilized to measure the recovery of hindlimbs function in rats. RESULTS: After spinal cord injury, the RNA expression of miR-543-5p in the rat spinal cord was decreased, and the RNA level of NF-κB was found to be decreased after the artificial injection of miR-543-5p. In the inflammatory expression, we found that the expression of various inflammatory mediators was also downregulated. However, the expression of nerve regeneration related factors was significantly upregulated, and it was observed that the evaluated score of the miR-543-5p group was higher than that of the SCI group within 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-543-5p inhibited NF-κB pathway and reduced the inflammatory factors, and ameliorated nerve regeneration, which ultimately promoted hindlimbs locomotor function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estimation of unsaturated permeability coefficients (UPC) is of great importance on the properties of the matrix. Aim to study the relationship between the UPC and oxidation - reduction potential (ORP) in different matrix depths in the subsurface wastewater infiltration system (SWIS) and provide scientific basis for regulating SWIS and increasing pollutant removal, a test experiment of simulating the SWIS which included an inflow period (12 h) and a drying period (12 h) in one cycle was designed with a hydraulic load of 0.10 m3·(m2·d)-1. Results investigated that ORP could increase with UPC increasing in 70 and 115 cm and decrease with the UPC increasing in 100 and 130 cm matrix depths. Phenomena indicated that capillary action could affect UPC and ORP obviously. Moreover, the existence of oxygen and low volumetric water contents could impose UPC and ORP. UPC in the 100 cm matrix depth below proved that anaerobic area could be found in aerobic environment under alternation conditions. UPC in different matrix depths of a satisfactory SWIS could change from 2.49 × 10-7 to 1.16 × 10-3 cm·s-1. Treated water met reused requirements and no clogging was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of theacrine in the protection of ventricular remodeling and chronic heart failure after myocardial infarction in the estrogen-deficient mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice aged 8 weeks old were selected and then subjected to bilateral oophorectomy. At 7 days after surgery, the models of the myocardial infarction were established by ligating the anterior descending coronary artery. On the first day after myocardial infarction, Theacrine (20 mg/kg) was administered via gavage for continuous 28 days. Thereafter, the cardiac function in each group of mice was detected via cardiac ultrasonography for small animals at 7, 14, and 28 days after surgery. The mice were sacrificed after 28 days. The infarct size of mice was determined through 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and Evan blue double staining assay, while the myocardial fibrosis was assessed via Masson staining assay. The expression levels of collagen-related proteins Collagen I, Collagen III, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were measured by Western blotting (WB). The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining assay was applied to evaluate the myocardial apoptosis, and the WB was employed to detect apoptosis- associated proteins. The expression level of silent information regulator 2 homologue 3 (SIRT3) protein was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of SIRT3, β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) protein were measured via WB. RESULTS: Compared with those in the Sham group, the ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) in estrogen-deficient mice were significantly lowered, the myocardial fibrosis and myocardial apoptosis were clearly aggravated, and the SIRT3 expression was decreased at 28 days after myocardial infarction. The theacrine could improve the cardiac function after the myocardial infarction in estrogen-deficient mice and relieve both myocardial fibrosis and myocardial apoptosis during chronic remodeling after myocardial infarction in estrogen-deficient mice. After the intervention with theacrine, the estrogen-deficient mice with myocardial infarction had up-regulated SIRT3 and PPARγ levels and a reduced β-catenin level in the heart. CONCLUSIONS: Theacrine is able to activate SIRT3 and repress myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis after myocardial infarction in ovariectomized mice, thereby improving the cardiac function of ovariectomized mice with myocardial infarction through the possible downstream signal pathway β-catenin/PPARγ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) remains a challenge. This study was designed to investigate the effects of ambroxol on VILI and the underlying mechanisms in a rodent model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats weighing 310-380 g were divided into four groups (n=8 per group): 1) saline only, 2) ventilation plus saline, 3) ventilation plus ambroxol (2 mg/kg), and 4) ventilation plus ambroxol (50 mg/kg). Rats in groups 1 and 2 were treated (i.p.) with 2.5 ml of saline once a day for six days and last injected 1 h prior to tracheotomy. Rats in groups 3 and 4 received ambroxol on the same schedule. Rats were ventilated for 90 minutes at a tidal volume (VT) of 30 ml/kg. The expression levels of c-Jun, a component of activator protein-1 (AP-1), and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of glutathione (gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine, GSH), an endogenous antioxidant, were measured with immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization. Both AP-1 and GSH are involved in VILI. RESULTS: Ambroxol at 50 mg/kg inhibited ventilation-induced lung inflammation, significantly elevated the ventilation-induced down-regulation of γ-GCS mRNA and protein, and significantly decreased the ventilation-induced up-regulation of c-Jun mRNA and protein. It has been reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can activate AP-1, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lung inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Ambroxol increases γ-GCS to promote GSH production, which in turn, inhibits ROS-dependent AP-1 activation and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]