Qinqing Li

The aim was to study the inhibitory effect of berberine (BBR) on intestinal senescence induced by radiation and explore its mechanism. Male C57BL/6J mice a

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The clinical course of PCa is constantly improving, with a trend toward ever greater precision diagnostics and less invasive methods. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), a novel modality for quantifying tissue stiffness, significantly enhances detection as a complement to conventional multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). Providing information about the mechanical properties of prostate tissue, MRE enhances the detection, localization, and characterization of malignant tumors, particularly those that are not optimally visualized with conventional methods. This review covers the underlying principles of MRE, its technological developments, such as tomoelastography, and its application in differentiating PCa from benign prostatic hyperplasia and normal parenchyma. Clinical studies have indicated that increased stiffness of the prostate gland may be associated with cancer aggressiveness, and MRE can be used to improve diagnostic performance when it is combined with mpMRI. Emerging technologies, such as radiomics, artificial intelligence-driven segmentation, and high-frequency driver systems, have created new possibilities for applying MRE in the diagnosis and follow-up of PCa and treatment. In conclusion, MRE can be a great complement to mpMRI, and could potentially improve diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment monitoring of PCa in future clinical practice.

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that causes axonal damage. Here, manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) was used to dynamically monitor axonal transport at different stages of heroin addiction. Rat models of heroin addiction (HA) and prolonged heroin addiction (PHA) were established by injecting rats with heroin at different stages. Heroin-induced learning and memory deficits were evaluated in the Morris water maze (MWM), and MEMRI was used to dynamically evaluate axonal transport in the olfactory pathway. The expression of proteins related to axonal structure and function was also assessed by Western blotting. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe ultrastructural changes, and protein levels of neurofilament heavy chain (NF-H) were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. HA rats, especially PHA rats, exhibited worse spatial learning and memory than control rats. Compared with HA rats and control rats, PHA rats exhibited significantly longer escape latencies, significantly fewer platform-location crossings, and significantly more time in the target quadrant during the MWM test. Mn²⁺ transport was accelerated in HA rats. PHA rats exhibited severely reduced Mn²⁺ transport, and the axonal transport rate (ATR) was significantly lower in these rats than in control rats (P < 0.001). The levels of cytoplasmic dynein and kinesin-1 were significantly decreased in the PHA group than in the control group (P < 0.001); additionally, the levels of energy-related proteins, including cytochrome c oxidase (COX) IV and ATP synthase subunit beta (ATPB), were lower in the PHA group (P < 0.001). The brains of heroin-exposed rats displayed an abnormal ultrastructure, with neuronal apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Heroin exposure decreased the expression of NF-H, as indicated by significantly reduced staining intensities in tissues from HA and PHA rats (P < 0.05). MEMRI detected axonal transport dysfunction caused by long-term repeated exposure to heroin. The main causes of axonal transport impairment may be decreases in the levels of motor proteins and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study shows that MEMRI is a potential tool for visualizing axonal transport in individuals with drug addictions, providing a new way to evaluate addictive encephalopathy.

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic malignancy. As the primary imaging modality, computed tomography (CT) can provide staging information for preoperative planning and determination of surgical resectability. As a new three-dimensional postprocessing tool for CT images, cinematic rendering (CR) has the potential to depict anatomic details accurately. (Case 1) A 44-year-old married woman was diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer. CT images indicated the recurrent nodules and masses in the pelvic cavity and the upper middle abdominal peritoneum. The CR image showed that the multiple metastatic lesions and lymph nodes could not be completely removed by reoperation. The patient agreed to receive continued chemotherapy. (Case 2) A 51-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to abdominal distension and defecation that had increased for 6 months, with aggravation over the past 3 days. CT examination found cystic and solid masses in the bilateral ovarian area. The CR image demonstrated that the ovarian mass violated the posterior wall of the bladder and the anterior rectal wall. The preoperational imaging evaluation ensured the safety of the operation. CR could improve the visualization of ovarian cancer masses, metastatic lymph nodes, and peritoneal metastases. CR has a good clinical value and will be more helpful in the preoperational evaluation of ovarian cancer.