Three-dimensional reconstruction of medical images based on 3D slicer

The development of imaging has always been the top priority of modern medical advancement. There are also many methods for image processing in brain. 3D Slicer is an open source medical software that can reconstruct and visualize various medical image data in three dimensions. Three-dimensional reconstruction of blood vessels, hematomas, and nerve fiber tissue in brain can better assist doctors in planning operation and surgical implementation

A fast integer-based batch full-homomorphic encryption scheme over finite field

In view of the problems that the plaintext space is too small in the existing schemes. In this paper, a new improved scheme is presented by improving the DGHV scheme. The plaintext space of the improved scheme is extended from finite prime field $F_{2}$ in the original scheme to finite prime field $F_{p}$. Combine and apply the method of encryption in the batch encryption scheme was proposed in 2013, and the plaintext space is further extended to finite fields $F_{q}$. The new improved scheme encrypts the message by applying the modular mathematical operation and the Chinese remainder theorem, and the security of the scheme is based on the the difficulty of approximate greatest common divisor problem and the spare subset sum problem. The improved scheme we got has the advantages of encrypt fast, and the size of ciphertext is small. So compared with the original scheme, it is better for practical application

TubeSpin bioreactor 50 for the high-density cultivation of Sf-9 insect cells in suspension

Here we present the TubeSpin bioreactor 50 (TubeSpins) as a simple and disposable culture system for Sf-9 insect cells in suspension. Sf-9 cells had substantially better growth in TubeSpins than in spinner flasks. After inoculation with 106cells/ml, maximal cell densities of 16×106 and 6×106cells/ml were reached in TubeSpins and spinner flasks, respectively. In addition the cell viability in these batch cultures remained above 90% for 10days in TubeSpins but only for 4days in spinner flasks. Inoculation at even higher cell densities reduced the duration of the lag phase. After inoculation at 2.5×106cells/ml, the culture reached the maximum cell density within 3days instead of 7days as observed for inoculation with 106cells/ml. Infection of Sf-9 cells in TubeSpins or spinner flasks with a recombinant baculovirus coding for green fluorescent protein (GFP) resulted in similar GFP-specific fluorescence levels. TubeSpins are thus an attractive option for the small-scale cultivation of Sf-9 cells in suspension and for baculovirus-mediated recombinant protein productio

Identification of a nuclear localization motif in the serine/arginine protein kinase PSRPK of physarum polycephalum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Serine/arginine (SR) protein-specific kinases (SRPKs) are conserved in a wide range of organisms, from humans to yeast. Studies showed that SRPKs can regulate the nuclear import of SR proteins in cytoplasm, and regulate the sub-localization of SR proteins in the nucleus. But no nuclear localization signal (NLS) of SRPKs was found. We isolated an SRPK-like protein PSRPK (GenBank accession No. <ext-link ext-link-id="DQ140379" ext-link-type="gen">DQ140379</ext-link>) from <it>Physarum polycephalum </it>previously, and identified a NLS of PSRPK in this study.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We carried out a thorough molecular dissection of the different domains of the PSRPK protein involved in its nuclear localization. By truncation of PSRPK protein, deletion of and single amino acid substitution in a putative NLS and transfection of mammalian cells, we observed the distribution of PSRPK fluorescent fusion protein in mammalian cells using confocal microscopy and found that the protein was mainly accumulated in the nucleus; this indicated that the motif contained a nuclear localization signal (NLS). Further investigation with truncated PSPRK peptides showed that the NLS (³¹⁸PKKGDKYDKTD³²⁸) was localized in the alkaline Ω-loop of a helix-loop-helix motif (HLHM) of the C-terminal conserved domain. If the ³¹⁸PKKGDK³²²sequence was deleted from the loop or K³²⁰was mutated to T³²⁰, the PSRPK fluorescent fusion protein could not enter and accumulate in the nucleus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study demonstrated that the ³¹⁸PKKGDKYDKTD³²⁸peptides localized in the C-terminal conserved domain of PSRPK with the Ω-loop structure could play a crucial role in the NLS function of PSRPK.</p

The effectiveness of modified, group-based CBT for dementia worry among Chinese elders

Objectives Dementias are highly prevalent among Chinese elders. This study examined the effectiveness of a modified group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on dementia worry among Chinese older adults. Methods Eighty-two older adults recruited from four elder group homes were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group. The intervention group (n= 44) received eight weekly 60-minute face-to-face CBT, while the control group (n=38) received treatment-as-usual. Results Outcomes indicated that the modified group CBT has significantly reduced dementia worry and culturally biased beliefs about dementia (p<.001). Study findings supported both statistically and clinically significant effect of modified group CBT on dementia worry [g=-1.52, 95% CI (-2.01, -1.03)] and biased beliefs about dementia [g=-.95, 95% CI (-1.40, -.49)]. Discussion The culturally adapted CBT is promising in alleviating worries and anxiety over dementia among Chinese older adults. Future research needs to include larger samples and participants from different regions to replicate findings.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/167612/1/An et al., 2020.pdfSEL

Expression and significance of miR-142-3p in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome

Objective To explore the expression and significance of miR-142-3p in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome （PI-IBS）， and to further clarify the molecular mechanism of miR-142-3p in regulating the incidence and development of PI-IBS. Methods After stimulation using the lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， the effect of miR-142-3p on high mobility group box 1 （HMGB1）-toll-like receptor 4（TLR4）target genes was investigated in the rat intestinal epithelial cells. TargetScan prediction software analysis showed that HMGB1 was a target gene of miR-142-3p. Subsequently， the PI-IBS model was established using trichinella infection. Primary intestinal epithelial cells were subjected to the siRNA transfection assay. Total RNA was extracted from intestinal epithelial cells. The expression levels of miR-142-3p， HMGB1 and TLR4 mRNA in cells were quantitatively determined by real-time PCR. The effect of miR-142-3p on the HMGB1-TLR4 target genes was evaluated. The mediating role of HMGB1 in the anti-inflammation of miR-142-3p was further validated. Results Inflammatory genes NLRP3， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-18 and TNF-α were all the target genes of HMGB1-TLR4. After the LPS stimulation， administration of miR-142-3p significantly inhibited the expression levels pf HMGB1-TLR4 target genes （NLRP3， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-18 and TNF-α） （all P &lt; 0.01）. After the targeted knockdown of HMGB1 in intestinal epithelial cells using siRNA， the HMGB1 expression level in the cells was down-regulated by more than 80%， whereas no significant changes were observed in the expression levels of HMGB1-TLR4 target genes （NLRP3， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-18 and TNF-α） （all P &gt; 0.05）. Conclusion miR-142-3p plays an anti-inflammatory role in intestinal epithelial cells， which is dependent on HMGB1

Case report: Fulminant type 1 diabetes following paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during late pregnancy

BackgroundDysregulation of glucose metabolism has been linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, the occurrence of new onset diabetes mellitus, including fulminant type 1 diabetes, has been reported after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination.Methods and resultsA young Chinese woman in her last trimester of pregnancy presented with an abrupt progression of hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis, but with a near-normal glycohemoglobin level following paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. The low C peptide levels, both fasting and postprandial, reflected profound insulin deficiency in the setting of negative islet autoantibody testing, consistent with a diagnosis of fulminant type 1 diabetes. Ketoacidosis and hyperglycemia quickly improved following the introduction of insulin therapy, but not the β cell function. The patient received treatment with insulin pump therapy after being discharged, and the first follow-up revealed a well-controlled glucose profile.ConclusionsNew-onset FT1D can occur after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our report raises awareness of this rare but serious situation, promoting early recognition and management of FT1D during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gremlin1 Delivered by Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Promoted Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Backgroud/Aims: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Several studies focusing on tumor-derived MSCs have demonstrated that they exhibit a strong ability to promote the tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the factors mediating these effects are poorly understood. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry assays were used to detect the expression of Gremlin1 (GREM1) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues. ShRNA silencing, flow cytometry, cell counting kit (CCK8) assay, invasion assay, western blot were used to detect the effect of GREM1 in ECa109, TE-1 cell lines and xenograft tumor models. Results: In the current study, we found that the GREM1 was overexpressed in human ESCC tissues. The conditioned medium from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs-CM) enhanced the malignancy of xenograft esophageal tumors in vivo, as well as the cell proliferation, viability and invasion of the esophageal carcinoma cell lines ECa109 and TE-1 in vitro. Furthermore, the shRNA silencing of GREM1 in MSCs (shGREM1-MSCs) reversed the increased malignancy of the esophageal tumor in vivo, while the conditioned medium from shGREM1-MSCs (shGREM1-MSCs-CM) affected the cell cycle and cell invasion in vitro. These processes were accompanied by the EMT in the ECa109 and TE-1 cell lines with an alteration in the expression levels of mesenchymal and epithelial markers. Furthermore, the TGF-β/BMP (transforming growth factor-beta/bone morphogenetic protein) signaling pathway participated in the shGREM1-MSCs-CM-induced anti-tumor effect on enhanced esophageal malignancy induced by MSCs-CM treatment. Conclusions: Taken together, our study suggested that GREM1 delivered by MSCs promoted EMT in ESCC in vitro and in vivo, which is partly through TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway. The results provide experimental evidence to a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of esophageal cancer

TubeSpin bioreactor 50 for the high-density cultivation of Sf-9 insect cells in suspension

Here we present the TubeSpin bioreactor 50 (TubeSpins) as a simple and disposable culture system for Sf-9 insect cells in suspension. Sf-9 cells had substantially better growth in TubeSpins than in spinner flasks. After inoculation with 106 cells/ml, maximal cell densities of 16 × 106 and 6 × 106 cells/ml were reached in TubeSpins and spinner flasks, respectively. In addition the cell viability in these batch cultures remained above 90% for 10 days in TubeSpins but only for 4 days in spinner flasks. Inoculation at even higher cell densities reduced the duration of the lag phase. After inoculation at 2.5 × 106 cells/ml, the culture reached the maximum cell density within 3 days instead of 7 days as observed for inoculation with 106 cells/ml. Infection of Sf-9 cells in TubeSpins or spinner flasks with a recombinant baculovirus coding for green fluorescent protein (GFP) resulted in similar GFP-specific fluorescence levels. TubeSpins are thus an attractive option for the small-scale cultivation of Sf-9 cells in suspension and for baculovirus-mediated recombinant protein production