ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of the TUIAS (SW_TH01/II) computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) software system for the ultrasound Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) features in thyroid nodules. Materials and methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with thyroid nodules in Shanghai East Hospital between January 2017 and October 2021. The novel CAD software (SW_TH01/II) and three sonographers performed a qualitative analysis of the ultrasound TI-RADS features in aspect ratio, margin irregularity, margin smoothness, calcification, and echogenicity of the thyroid nodules. Results: A total of 225 patients were enrolled. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the CAD software in “aspect ratio” were 95.6%, 96.2%, and 95.4%, in “margin irregularity” were 90.7%, 90.5%, and 90.9%, in “margin smoothness” were 85.8%, 88.5%, and 83.0%, in “calcification” were 83.6%, 81.7%, and 82.0%, in “homogeneity” were 88.9%, 90.6%, and 82.2%, in “major echo” were 85.3%, 88.0%, and 85.4%, and in “contains very hypoechoic echo” were 92.0%, 90.0%, and 92.4%. The analysis time of the CAD software was significantly shorter than for the sonographers (2.7 ± 1.6 vs. 29.7 ± 12.7 s, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The CAD system achieved high accuracy in describing thyroid nodule features. It might assist in clinical thyroid nodule analysis.

Abstract To investigate the regulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in SA- and JA-dependent systemic defense pathways in tomato seedlings damaged by cotton bollworm. The lower two leaves of four-leaf tomato plant seedlings were treated with cotton bollworms. The upper leaves were then removed at various time points and assessed for systemic changes in H2O2 levels, enzyme activity and defense-related genes expression. Wild-type seedlings, def-5 mutant seedlings (deficient in JA accumulation) and transgenic nahG seedlings(deficient in SA content) were constructed at four-leaf stage. Wild-type plants were further treated with dimethylthiourea (DMTU) and 2,5-dihydroxycinnamic acid methyl ester (DHC). Bollworm feeding in the lower leaves induced rapid systemic accumulation of H2O2 in the upper leaves. H2O2 accumulation further increased activities for SA- and JA-dependent enzymes including proteinase inhibitors (PIs), pathogenesis-related gene 1 (PR-1), cathepsin D inhibitor (CDI), β-1,3-glucanse (BGL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Furthermore, H2O2 accumulation enhanced mRNA expression of BGL-2, PR-1, PI, CDI and PPO genes. Suppression of H2O2 accumulation using H2O2 scavengers substantially diminished these effects. mRNA expression of PR-1 was not induced in transgenic nahG plants. SA- and JA-dependent signaling pathways are involved in the tomato systemic defense responses to herbivores, and that H2O2 generation is required for both systemic pathways.

Background: Betatrophin is a novel adipokine that provokes pancreatic β-cell proliferation and is involved in lipid metabolism. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the role of serum betatrophin in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: A hospital-based, age-/gender-matched case control study was conducted. The serum betatrophin level was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum concentrations of 12 adipokines were measured to assess their associations with serum betatrophin, using commercial Adipokine Magnetic Bead Panel kits. Statistical analyses included bivariate correlation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and multivariate stepwise linear regression. Results: Serum betatrophin showed a higher level in MetS patients (997.36 ± 475.92 pg/ml, p = 0.001) compared with controls (735.35 ± 526.51 pg/ml). Compared with the lowest tertile, the highest tertile of serum betatrophin level indicated an association with higher risk of MetS (adjusted odds ratio = 3.521, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.191-10.413], p = 0.023). ROC curve of betatrophin was developed to predict the presence of MetS (area under ROC = 0.682 [95% CI, 0.597-0.767], p < 0.001). Furthermore, betatrophin correlated with several parameters, e.g. age (r = 0.286, p < 0.001), body mass index (r = 0.160, p = 0.046), waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.241, p = 0.002), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.167, p = 0.037), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.195, p = 0.015), fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.266, p = 0.001), hemoglobin A1C (r = 0.314, p < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r = 0.272, p = 0.001), and various adipokines, e.g. resistin (r = 0. 571, p < 0.001), interleukin-8 (r = 0.435, p < 0.001), tumor necrosis factor-α (r = 0.295, p = 0.011) and lipocalin-2 (r = 0.346, p = 0.003). Conclusions: This study supports that serum betatrophin plays an important role in MetS, involving the regulations of glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Introducción: la betatrofina es una novedosa adipoquina que provoca la proliferación de células β pancreáticas e interviene en el metabolismo de los lípidos. Objetivos: el propósito de este estudio es evaluar el papel de la betatrofina en el síndrome metabólico. Método: se llevó a cabo un estudio hospitalario de casos y controles según sexo y edad. El nivel de betatrofina en suero fue evaluado mediante ensayo por inmunoabsorción ligado a enzimas. Se midieron las concentraciones en suero de 12 adipoquinas para evaluar las asociaciones con la betatrofina usando los kits comerciales Adipokine Magnetic Bead Panel. Los análisis estadísticos incluyeron correlación bivariada, análisis de curva ROC y análisis de regresión lineal multivariable. Resultados: el nivel de betatrofina en suero fue más elevado en pacientes con síndrome metabólico (997,36 ± 475,92 pg/ml, p = 0,001) que en los controles (735,35 ± 526,51 pg/ml). Frente al tercil más bajo, el tercil más alto del nivel de betatrofina mostró una asociación con mayor riesgo de síndrome metabólico (odds ratio ajustado = 3,521, intervalo de confianza [IC] 95% [1,191-10,413], p = 0,023). Se desarrolló la curva ROC de betatrofina para pronosticar la presencia de síndrome metabólico (área bajo la curva ROC = 0,682 [95% IC, 0,597-0,767], p < 0,001). Además, la betatrofina mostró correlación con distintos parámetros, como edad (r = 0,286, p < 0,001), índice de masa corporal (r = 0,160, p = 0,046), índice cintura-cadera (r = 0,241, p = 0,002), lipoproteína de alta densidad (r = -0,167, p = 0,037), lipoproteína de baja densidad (r = -0,195, p = 0,015), glucosa plasmática en ayunas (r = 0,266, p = 0,001), hemoglobina A1C (r = 0,314, p < 0,001), índice de resistencia a la insulina mediante HOMA (r = 0,272, p = 0,001) y diversas adipoquinas, entre ellas resistina (r = 0,571, p < 0,001), interleucina-8 (r = 0,435, p < 0,001), factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (r = 0,295, p = 0,011) y lipocalina-2 (r = 0,346, p = 0,003). Conclusiones: este estudio demuestra que la betatrofina en suero desempeña una importante labor en el síndrome metabólico, implicando la regulación del metabolismo de la glucosa y los lípidos y la inflamación.

The WUSCHEL (WUS)-related homeobox (WOX) gene family coordinates transcription during the early phases of embryogenesis. In this study, a putative WOX2 homolog was isolated and characterized from Aegilops tauschii, the donor of D genome of Triticum aestivum. The sequence consisted of 2045 bp, and contained an open reading frame (ORF), encoded 322 amino acids. The predicted protein sequence contained a highly conserved homeodomain and the WUS-box domain, which is present in some members of the WOX protein family. The full-length ORF was subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET-30a, and an approximately 34-kDa protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells with IPTG induction. The molecular mass of the expressed protein was identical to that predicted by the cDNA sequence. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that Ae. tauschii WOX2 is closely related to the rice and maize orthologs. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that WOX2 from Ae. tauschii was primarily expressed in the seeds; transcription increased during seed development and declined after the embryos matured, suggesting that WOX2 is associated with embryo development in Ae. tauschii.

Purpose: There is a paucity of data which reflected the relationship between morphology and incidence of shoulder disorders with respect to the ethnic Chinese population. We used anteroposterior radiographs to measure the Acromion Index (AI) and Acromioglenoid Angle (AA) of Chinese patients. The baseline was defined as the line that connected the superior and inferior osseous margins of the glenoid cavity. In order to calculate the AI, the distance from the baseline to the lateral margin of the acromion was measured and then divided by the distance from the baseline to the lateral aspect of the humeral head. The AA was defined as the angle formed by the intersecting line drawn tangent to the sclerotic line of the acromion undersurface and the baseline point. The AI and AA were determined in three groups: 165 patients (average age, 60.2 years) with chronic shoulder symptoms; in an age and gender-matched acute injury group of 61 patients (average age, 44.3 years); and in an age and gender-matched control group of 63 volunteers (average age, 37.3 years).The average AI and standard deviation was 0.72 ± 0.06 in shoulders with subacromial impingement syndrome, 0.59 ± 0.06 in those with acute injury, and 0.66 ± 0.06 in normal shoulders. The average AA and standard deviation was 76.8°±7.02 in shoulders with subacromial impingement syndrome, 84.2°±7.81 in those with acute injury, and 80.0°± 7.33 in normal shoulders. The AI and AA varied between patients with acute and chronic shoulder problems.

Hay escasez de datos que reflejen la relación entre la morfología y la incidencia de los trastornos de hombro con respecto a la población de origen chino. Se utilizó radiografías anteroposteriores para medir el índice acromial (IA) y ángulo acromioglenoido (AA) de los pacientes chinos. La línea de base se define como la que conecta los márgenes óseos superior e inferior de la cavidad glenoidea. Con el fin de calcular el IA, se midió la distancia desde la línea base hasta el margen lateral del acromion y luego se dividió por la distancia desde la línea base hasta la cara lateral de la cabeza humeral. El AA se define como el ángulo formado por la línea de intersección dibujada tangente a la línea esclerótica de la superficie inferior del acromion y el punto de línea base. El AI y AA se determinaron en tres grupos: 165 pacientes (edad media, 60,2 años) con síntomas crónicos en el hombro; en un grupo de 61 pacientes (edad media, 44,3 años) con herida aguda, y en un grupo control de 63 voluntarios (edad media, 37,3 años). La IA promedio fue de 0,72 ± 0,06 en los hombros con el síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial, 0,59 ± 0,06 en los pacientes con lesión aguda, y 0,66 ± 0,06 en los hombros normales. El AA promedio fue de 76,8 ° ± 7,02 en los hombros con el síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial, 84,2 ° ± 7,81 en los pacientes con lesión aguda, y 80,0 ° ± 7,33 en los hombros normales. La IA y AA variaron entre los pacientes con problemas en el hombro agudos y crónicos.

Self-healing of ECC (Engineered Cementitious Composites) subjected to cyclic wetting and drying regimes is investigated in this paper. ECC structures subjected to outdoor environmental conditions such as wind and rain runoff can be simulated by accelerated test method of wetting and drying cycles. Uniaxial tensile tests of ECC M45 and ECC 2.8FA specimen are conducted respectively. It is found that crack width of ECC 2.8FA is around 10 μm with increased amount of fly ash, while the crack width of ECC M45 is around 100 μm. New insights about the microstructure and chemical composition analysis of ECC specimens initially cracked to 2% strain and then self-healed under wet-dry cycles are presented.

The aim of this work was to study the genetic diversity among flue-cured tobacco cultivars. RAPD and AFLP analyses were used to assess the genetic similarity among selected accessions of flue-cured tobacco. Seventy eight RAPD and 154 AFLP polymorphic bands were obtained and used to assess the genetic diversity among 28 tobacco accessions. The cultivar relationships were estimated through the cluster analysis (UPGMA) based on RAPD data and AFLP data. The accessions were grouped into three major clusters and these shared common ancestry clustered together.

The genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the genus Secale L. (rye) was evaluated using 24 Secale cereale microsatellite (SCM) markers. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) value of each microsatellite locus in 30 Secale accessions evaluated was higher than that in 47 cultivated ryes (Secale cereale ssp. cereale). The mean genetic similarity (GS) index in Secale was lower than that in cultivated rye. The highest within-species GS index was observed for S. sylvestre and the lowest for S. strictum, whereas the highest between-species GS index was found between S. cereale and S. vavilovii and the lowest between S. sylvestre and S. cereale. There was no obvious difference in GS levels in the cultivated rye accessions from Asia, Europe, North America or South America. Cluster analysis indicated that all the Secale accessions could be distinguished by the 24 microsatellite loci. We also found that the S. sylvestre accessions were obviously divergent from the accessions of other species and that the S. vavilovii accessions were closely related to the S. cereale accessions. Our results also showed that S. strictum was heterogeneous and showed great within-species differences. The microsatellite-derived dendrogram faithfully reflected the phylogenetic relationships between Secale species but did not indicate a possible domestication process of the cultivated rye based on the geographical sources of the accessions.