Which Indicator Among Lumbar Vertebral Hounsfield Unit, Vertebral Bone Quality, or Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry-Measured Bone Mineral Density Is More Efficacious in Predicting Thoracolumbar Fragility Fractures?

Bo Zhang,Lu-Ping Zhou,Xian-Liang Zhang,Dui Li,Jia-Qi Wang,Chong-Yu Jia,Hua-Qing Zhang,Liang Kang,Ren-Jie Zhang,Cai-Liang Shen 대한척추신경외과학회 2023 Neurospine Vol.20 No.4

Objective: Hounsfield units (HU), vertebral bone quality (VBQ), and bone mineral density (BMD) can all serve as predictive indicators for thoracolumbar fragility fractures. This study aims to explore which indicator provides better risk prediction for thoracolumbar fragility fractures. Methods: Patients who have received medical attention from The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University for thoracolumbar fragility fractures were selected. A total of 78 patients with thoracolumbar fragility fractures were included in the study. To establish a control group, 78 patients with degenerative spinal diseases were matched to the fracture group on the basis of gender, age, and body mass index. The lumbar vertebral HU, the VBQ, and the BMD were obtained for all the 156 patients through computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The correlations among these parameters were analyzed. The area under curve (AUC) analysis was employed to assess the predictive efficacy and thresholds of lumbar vertebral HU, VBQ, and BMD in relation to the risk of thoracolumbar fragility fractures. Results: Among the cohort of 156 patients, lumbar vertebral HU exhibited a positive correlation with BMD (p < 0.01). Conversely, VBQ showed a negative correlation with HU, BMD (p < 0.05). HU and BMD displayed a favorable predictive efficacy for thoracolumbar fragility fractures (p < 0.01), with HU (AUC = 0.863) showcasing the highest predictive efficacy, followed by the DEXA-measured BMD (AUC = 0.813). VBQ (AUC = 0.602) ranked lowest among the 3 indicators. The thresholds for predicting thoracolumbar fragility fractures were as follows: HU (88),VBQ (3.37), and BMD (0.81). Conclusion: All 3 of these indicators, HU, VBQ, and BMD, can predict thoracolumbar fragility fractures. Notably, lumbar vertebral HU exhibits the highest predictive efficacy, followed by the BMD obtained through DEXA scanning, with VBQ demonstrating the lowest predictive efficacy.

Studies of the microbial metabolism of flavonoids extracted from the leaves of Diospyros kaki by intestinal bacteria

Sheng-hai Zhang,Ying-zi Wang,Fan-yun Meng,You-lin Li,Cai-xia Li,Fei-peng Duan,Qing Wang,Xiu-ting Zhang,Chun-ni Zhang 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.5

Flavonoid glycosides are metabolized byintestinal bacteria, giving rise to a wide range of phenolicacids that may exert systemic effects in the body. Themicrobial metabolism of flavonoids extracted from theleaves of Diospyros kaki (FLDK) by intestinal bacteria wasinvestigated in vitro. High-performance liquid chromatography/linear trap quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometrywas performed to analyze the metabolites of flavonoidsin vivo using Xcalibur2.1 software. The results showed thatthe levels of flavonoid glycosides and flavonoid aglyconesdecreased rapidly in the process of microbial metabolismby intestinal bacteria in vitro, and the metabolic rate maybe related to the concentration of intestinal bacteria in theculture solution. In vivo metabolites of FLDK weredetected in rat plasma and urine after oral administration ofFLDK. Eight flavonoids were identified in the urine, andthree were identified in the plasma; however, flavonoidaglycones were not found in the plasma.

Risk assessment of water inrush in karst tunnels based on a modified grey evaluation model: Sample as Shangjiawan Tunnel

Yuan, Yong-cai,Li, Shu-cai,Zhang, Qian-qing,Li, Li-ping,Shi, Shao-shuai,Zhou, Zong-qing Techno-Press 2016 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.11 No.4

A modified grey clustering method is presented to systematically evaluate the risk of water inrush in karst tunnels. Based on the center triangle whitenization weight function and upper and lower limit measure whitenization weight function, the modified grey evaluation model doesn't have the crossing properties of grey cluster and meets the standard well. By adsorbing and integrating the previous research results, seven influence factors are selected as evaluation indexes. A couple of evaluation indexes are modified and quantitatively graded according to four risk grades through expert evaluation method. The weights of evaluation indexes are rationally distributed by the comprehensive assignment method. It is integrated by the subjective factors and the objective factors. Subjective weight is given based on analytical hierarchy process, and objective weight obtained from simple dependent function. The modified grey evaluation model is validated by Jigongling Tunnel. Finally, the water inrush risk of Shangjiawan Tunnel is evaluated by using the established model, and the evaluation result obtained from the proposed method is agrees well with practical situation. This risk assessment methodology provides a powerful tool with which planners and engineers can systematically assess the risk of water inrush in karst tunnels.

Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Interactions between the Cerebellar Fastigial Nucleus and Lateral Hypothalamic Area

Yu Qing,Wu Li-bin,Zhang Fan,Wei Xiao-tong,Chen Pian-pian,Wang Shuai-ya,Cai Mei-yi,Shu Qi,Li Liao-yuan,Wu Zi-jian,Cai Rong-lin,Hu Ling 사단법인약침학회 2021 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.14 No.6

Background: Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) is an important mechanism of post-myocardial infarction injury and a main cause of death in patients with ischemic heart disease. Electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment is effective for the prevention and treatment of MIRI, but mechanisms mediating the effects of cardiovascular disease EA treatments remain unclear. Objectives: To determine whether the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) and the cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) are involved in the protective effects of EA stimulation on MIRI. Methods: EA pretreatment was performed for 7 days before the establishment of the MIRI model. ST-segment changes on electrocardiograms were recorded and the Curtis–Walker arrhythmia score was used to evaluate changes in reperfusion injury. Hematoxylin–eosin staining was applied to evaluate the pathological and morphological changes in myocardial tissue. c-fos expression in the LHA and FN was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Glutamic (Glu) and γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical method. Results: EA pretreatment reduced ST-segment elevation, arrhythmia scores, and morphological changes in MIRI myocardial cells in rats, and decreased the c-fos protein expression in LHA/FN nuclei. MIRI was associated with an imbalance between GABA and Glu levels, whereas EA pretreatment increased GABA levels and decreased Glu levels in the LHA/FN. Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the EA-mediated attenuation of MIRI. Pretreatment with EA plays a protective role in the myocardium by regulating Glu and GABA release in the LHA and FN.

Pesticide-induced changes in fecundity and rice stripe virus transmission ability in Laodelphax striatellus (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

Guo-Qing Yang,Xin Gao,Nan-Nan Zhang,Dan-Yu Chen,Fang Liu,Jian-Xiang Xu,Jin-Cai Wu 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.3

The widespread use of pesticides in rice has caused the resurgence of the small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus. In addition to inciting damage by feeding on phloem cells, SBPH also functions as a vector for rice stripe virus (RSV), which can cause serious yield losses. In general, studies focused on pesticide-induced stimulation of SBPH populations have focused on the insects; little information is available on the impact of pesticides on RSV transmission by SBPH. The present study investigated the effects of two pesticides (validamycin and triazophos) on the fecundity and RSV transmission ability of SBPH. Our results demonstrated that the fecundity of non-viruliferous (naïve) or viruliferous SBPH was enhanced by exposure to triazophos at the LC20 and validamycin at 200 mg L−1. Meanwhile, the increased number of eggs produced by viruliferous females treated with pesticides was larger than those from naïve females. Exposure to validamycin caused an increase in horizontal transmission of RSV; furthermore, vertical viral transmission rates of SBPH were significantly increased by exposure to triazophos. The present study provides valuable information for understanding the mechanisms underlying the resurgence of SBPH and subsequent outbreaks of RSV.

One-pot synthesis of lactic acid from cellulose over a sulfonated Sn-KIT6 catalyst

Weijie Cai,Qing Chen,Hao Xuan,Congming Li,Hao Yu,Li Cui,Zhihui Yu,Shaoyin Zhang,Fengzuo Qu 한국화학공학회 2019 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.36 No.4

A sulfonated Sn-doped KIT-6 catalyst (Sn-KIT-6-Pr-SO3H) was successfully prepared via the hydrothermal self-assembly method, and its performance towards to value-added lactic acid production from one-pot conversion of renewable cellulose was investigated. Indeed, the physicochemical features of the as-prepared catalysts were deeply characterized by various techniques, including XRD, BET, SEM, FT-IR, XPS, UV-vis and TGA-DSC. The results confirmed its high BET surface area with an ultrahigh cross-linked framework and promising acid strength (co-existence of Brønsted and Lewis acidity). Additionally, the impact of different reaction factors, such as the type of catalysts, temperature, time, recyclability on cellulose conversion and the yield of targeted lactic acid, were determined. Meanwhile, the developed catalyst depicted the promising activity and stability under the optimal reaction conditions. It could be recycled at least four times without any obvious deactivation. This provides insight into developing efficient catalytic systems to convert renewable biomass into value-added chemicals.

Three-Dimensional Surface Rendering and Computer-aided Diagnosis based on CT Images

Hui Liu,Cai-ming Zhang,Cai-qing Zhang (사)한국CDE학회 2013 한국CAD/CAM학회 국제학술발표 논문집 Vol.2010 No.8

According to the actual application requirements of computer-aided diagnosis, it’s necessary to segment a group of continues two-dimensional tomographic images and construct the three-dimensional surface modeling of human organ, in this case doctors can fully understand the lesions situation of patient by 3D models. But it’s common that those surface patches are defined on different parameter spaces in the process of surface rendering, which causes smoothness problem of human organ surface. This paper presents a new method to define boundary conditions, which defined by the new method have the same parameter space if the three given surface patches can be converted into the same form through affine transformation. Experimental results show that the method of parametric triangular patch has the same interpolation accuracy and smoother surface with existing methods, especially all three-dimensional lung image reconstruction examples show that this method can provide effective quantitative and qualitative diagnosis in clinical practice.

Study on mechanism of macro failure and micro fracture of local nearly horizontal stratum in super-large section and deep buried tunnel

Li, Shu-cai,Wang, Jian-hua,Chen, Wei-zhong,Li, Li-ping,Zhang, Qian-qing,He, Peng Techno-Press 2016 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.11 No.2

The stability of surrounding rock will be poor when the tunnel is excavated through nearly horizontal stratum. In this paper, the instability mechanism of local nearly horizontal stratum in super-large section and deep buried tunnel is revealed by the analysis of the macro failure and micro fracture. A structural model is proposed to explain the mechanics of surrounding rock collapse under the action of stress redistribution and shed light on the macroscopic analytical approach of the stability of surrounding rock. Then, some highly effective formulas applied in the tunnel engineering are developed according to the theory of mixed-mode micro fracture. And well-documented field case is made to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed analytical methods of mixed-mode fracture. Meanwhile, in order to make the more accurate judgment about yield failure of rock mass, a series of comprehensive failure criteria are formed. In addition, the relationship between the nonlinear failure criterion and $K_I$ and $K_{II}$ of micro fracture is established to make the surrounding rock failure criterion more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the influence of the parameters related to the tension-shear mixed-mode fracture and compression-shear mixed-mode fracture on the propagation of rock crack is analyzed. Results show that ${\sigma}_3$ changes linearly with the change of ${\sigma}_1$. And the change rate is related to ${\beta}$, angle between the cracks and ${\sigma}_1$. The proposed simple analytical approach is economical and efficient, and suitable for the analysis of local nearly horizontal stratum in super-large section and deep buried tunnel.

A Single-Arm Phase II Study of Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer

Ting Liu,Qing Li,Zhen Lin,Chunhua Liu,Wei Pu,Shasha Zeng,Jun Lai,Xuebin Cai,Lisha Zhang,Shuyang Wang,Miao Chen,Wei Cao,Hongfeng Gou,Qing Zhu 대한암학회 2024 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.56 No.2

Purpose Patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) have a poor survival. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen in Chinese advanced BTC patients.Materials and Methods Eligible patients with locally advanced or metastatic BTC administrated intravenous 100 mg/m² nab-paclitaxel, 800 mg/m² gemcitabine, and 25 mg/m² cisplatin every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and adverse events, while exploratory endpoint was the association of biomarkers with efficacy.Results After the median follow-up of 25.0 months, the median PFS and OS of 34 enrolled patients were 7.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 to 13.7) and 16.4 months (95% CI, 10.9 to 23.6), respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events at ≥ 3 grade were neutropenia (26.5%) and leukopenia (26.5%). Survival analyses demonstrated that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels could monitor patients’ survival outcomes. A significant increase in the number of infiltrating CD4+ cells (p=0.008) and a decrease in programmed death-1–positive (PD-1+) cells (p=0.032) were observed in the response patients.Conclusion In advanced BTC patients, nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen showed therapeutic potential. Potential prognostic factors of CEA levels, number of CD4+ cells and PD-1+ cells may help us maximize the efficacy benefit.

Nonlinear Optical Properties of Silicon Nanocrystals Grown by Using a SiOx/SiO2 Superlattice Approach

Rong-Jun Zhang,Wei-Jie Lu,Qing-Yuan Cai,Wei-Xi Zhou,Yu-Xiang Zheng,Liang-Yao Chen,Hui Zhou,Shi-Xiong Qian,Se-Young Seo 한국물리학회 2010 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.56 No.4

The nonlinear optical properties have been studied using the Z-scan technique for silicon nanocrystals embedded in a SiO2 matrix formed by high-temperature annealing of SiOx/SiO2 superlattices grown by thermal evaporation. A mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser system producing 140-fs-long pulses at 800 nm was used as the optical source for the Z-scan measurements. The nonlinear refractive index and the nonlinear absorption coefficient of the silicon nanocrystals were found to be 1.2 × 10−13 cm2/W and 1.5 × 10−9 cm/W, respectively, and to be strongly enhanced compared to those of bulk silicon. Such enhancement of the nonlinear optical properties is considered to be due to the quantum confinement effect of silicon nanocrystals.