Breast Arterial Calcification(BAC)is a mammographic decision dissimilar to cancer and commonly observed in elderly women.Thus identifying BAC could provide an expense,and be inaccurate.Recently Deep Learning(DL)method...Breast Arterial Calcification(BAC)is a mammographic decision dissimilar to cancer and commonly observed in elderly women.Thus identifying BAC could provide an expense,and be inaccurate.Recently Deep Learning(DL)methods have been introduced for automatic BAC detection and quantification with increased accuracy.Previously,classification with deep learning had reached higher efficiency,but designing the structure of DL proved to be an extremely challenging task due to overfitting models.It also is not able to capture the patterns and irregularities presented in the images.To solve the overfitting problem,an optimal feature set has been formed by Enhanced Wolf Pack Algorithm(EWPA),and their irregularities are identified by Dense-kUNet segmentation.In this paper,Dense-kUNet for segmentation and optimal feature has been introduced for classification(severe,mild,light)that integrates DenseUNet and kU-Net.Longer bound links exist among adjacent modules,allowing relatively rough data to be sent to the following component and assisting the system in finding higher qualities.The major contribution of the work is to design the best features selected by Enhanced Wolf Pack Algorithm(EWPA),and Modified Support Vector Machine(MSVM)based learning for classification.k-Dense-UNet is introduced which combines the procedure of Dense-UNet and kU-Net for image segmentation.Longer bound associations occur among nearby sections,allowing relatively granular data to be sent to the next subsystem and benefiting the system in recognizing smaller characteristics.The proposed techniques and the performance are tested using several types of analysis techniques 826 filled digitized mammography.The proposed method achieved the highest precision,recall,F-measure,and accuracy of 84.4333%,84.5333%,84.4833%,and 86.8667%when compared to other methods on the Digital Database for Screening Mammography(DDSM).展开更多
BACKGROUND Myosteatosis,rather than low muscle mass,is the primary etiologic factor of sarcopenia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Myosteatosis may lead to a series of metabolic dysfunctions,such as ins...BACKGROUND Myosteatosis,rather than low muscle mass,is the primary etiologic factor of sarcopenia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Myosteatosis may lead to a series of metabolic dysfunctions,such as insulin resistance,systematic inflammation,and oxidative stress,and all these dysfunctions are closely associated with the acceleration of T2DM and atherosclerosis.AIM To investigate the association between myosteatosis and coronary artery calcification(CAC)in patients with T2DM.METHODS Patients with T2DM,who had not experienced major cardiovascular events and had undergone both abdominal and thoracic computed tomography(CT)scans,were included.The mean skeletal muscle attenuation was assessed using abdominal CT images at the L3 level.The CAC score was determined from thoracic CT images using the Agatston scoring method.Myosteatosis was diagnosed according to Martin’s criteria.Severe CAC(SCAC)was defined when the CAC score exceeded 300.Logistic regression and decision tree analyses were performed.RESULTS A total of 652 patients with T2DM were enrolled.Among them,167(25.6%)patients had SCAC.Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that myosteatosis,age,duration of diabetes,cigarette smoking,and alcohol consumption were independent risk factors of SCAC.Myosteatosis was significantly associated with an increased risk of SCAC(OR=2.381,P=0.003).The association between myosteatosis and SCAC was significant in the younger patients(OR=2.672,95%CI:1.477-4.834,P=0.002),but not the older patients(OR=1.456,95%CI:0.863-2.455,P=0.188),and was more prominent in the population with lower risks of atherosclerosis.The decision tree analyses prioritized older age as the primary variable for SCAC.In older patients,cigarette smoking was the main contributing factor for SCAC,while in younger patients,it was myosteatosis.CONCLUSION Myosteatosis is a novel risk factor for atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM,especially in the population with younger ages and fewer traditional risk factors.展开更多
Aortic valve calcification disease (CAVD) is the most prevalent degenerative valve disease in humans, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its common occurrence, our understanding of the underlying ...Aortic valve calcification disease (CAVD) is the most prevalent degenerative valve disease in humans, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its common occurrence, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains incomplete, and available treatment options are limited and risky. A more comprehensive understanding of the biology of CAVD is essential to identify new therapeutic strategies. Animal models have played a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of CAVD and exploring potential treatments. However, these models have inherent limitations as they cannot fully replicate the complex physiological mechanisms of human CAVD. In this review, we examine various CAVD models ranging from pigs to mice, highlighting the unique characteristics of each model to enhance our understanding of CAVD. While these models offer valuable insights, they also have limitations and shortcomings. We propose that the guide wire model shows promise for future CAVD research, and streamlining the methodology could enhance our understanding and expand the research scope in this field.展开更多
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calcification is extremely rare in clinical practice,and its etiology,pathogenesis,treatment and prognosis are unclear.There are few studies and reports on Post-traumatic c...BACKGROUND Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calcification is extremely rare in clinical practice,and its etiology,pathogenesis,treatment and prognosis are unclear.There are few studies and reports on Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calci-fication,and this review reports a case of Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calcification for reference.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old patient presented to our hospital with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis and a lumbar vertebral fracture caused by trauma.The patient's right lower limb had weakness in hip flexion,knee extension and plantarflexion with muscle strength grade 3,right ankle dorsiflexion and thumb dorsiflexion with muscle strength grade 0.The patient's skin sensation below the right knee plane disappeared.The patient's Computed tomography(CT)data showed signs of cauda equina nerve calcification and the terminal filaments in the plane of the third to fifth lumbar vertebrae.After treatment the patient's symptoms were slightly relieved.CONCLUSION We provide an extremely rare case of Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calcification and offer a conservative treatment plan.However,the etiology,mechanism and treatment of Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calcification are still unclear.This requires scholars to conduct more research and exploration in this area.展开更多
Renal tubular acidosis(RTA)can lead to renal calcification in children,which can cause various complications and impair renal function.This review provides pediatricians with a comprehensive understanding of the relat...Renal tubular acidosis(RTA)can lead to renal calcification in children,which can cause various complications and impair renal function.This review provides pediatricians with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between RTA and renal calcification,highlighting essential aspects for clinical manage-ment.The article analyzed relevant studies to explore the prevalence,risk factors,underlying mechanisms,and clinical implications of renal calcification in children with RTA.Results show that distal RTA(type 1)is particularly associated with nephrocalcinosis,which presents a higher risk of renal calcification.However,there are limitations to the existing literature,including a small number of studies,heterogeneity in methodologies,and potential publication bias.Longitudinal data and control groups are also lacking,which limits our understanding of longterm outcomes and optimal management strategies for children with RTA and renal calcification.Pediatricians play a crucial role in the early diagnosis and management of RTA to mitigate the risk of renal calcification and associated complications.In addition,alkaline therapy remains a cornerstone in the treatment of RTA,aimed at correcting the acid-base imbalance and reducing the formation of kidney stones.Therefore,early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic interventions are paramount in preventing and managing renal calcification to preserve renal function and improve long-term outcomes for affected children.Further research with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodologies is needed to optimize the clinical approach to renal calcification in the context of RTA in the pediatric population.展开更多
Calcification roasting–acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag(HCVS)was conducted to elucidate the roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium.The effects of the purity of Ca O,molar ratio between C...Calcification roasting–acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag(HCVS)was conducted to elucidate the roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium.The effects of the purity of Ca O,molar ratio between Ca O and V_2O_5(n(Ca O)/n(V_2O_5)),roasting temperature,holding time,and the heating rate used in the oxidation–calcification processes were investigated.The roasting process and mechanism were analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry(TG–DSC).The results show that most of vanadium reacted with Ca O to generate calcium vanadates and transferred into the leaching liquid,whereas almost all of the chromium remained in the leaching residue in the form of(Fe_(0.6)Cr_(0.4))_2O_3.Variation trends of the vanadium and chromium leaching ratios were always opposite because of the competitive reactions of oxidation and calcification between vanadium and chromium with Ca O.Moreover,Ca O was more likely to combine with vanadium,as further confirmed by thermodynamic analysis.When the HCVS with Ca O added in an n(Ca O)/n(V_2O_5)ratio of 0.5 was roasted in an air atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C/min from room temperature to 950°C and maintained at this temperature for 60 min,the leaching ratios of vanadium and chromium reached91.14%and 0.49%,respectively;thus,efficient extraction of vanadium from HCVS was achieved and the leaching residue could be used as a new raw material for the extraction of chromium.Furthermore,the oxidation and calcification reactions of the spinel phases occurred at 592and 630°C for n(Ca O)/n(V_2O_5)ratios of 0.5 and 5,respectively.展开更多
Background Coronary artery calcification （CAC） is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin （IL）-37 is a newly discovered member of the I...Background Coronary artery calcification （CAC） is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin （IL）-37 is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 family and is considered an anti-inflammatorycytokine. Our recent study on mice indicated that IL-37 could attenuate atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, which suggests that IL-37could be associated with the development of atherosclerosis and related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if IL-37 plays arole in the progression of CAC in patients. Methods Two hundred participants with suspected cardiovascular disease were recruited. Thelevels of plasma IL-37, osteoprotegerin （OPG）, hypersensitive C-reactive protein （hsCRP） together with other biochemical parameters weremeasured, and a coronary calcium assessment was carried out by multi-detector row CT. A score of 〈 10 AU （Agatston units） denotes anabsence of CAC, a score of 11-100 AU denotes mild CAC, 101-400 denotes moderate CAC, and 〉 400 AU denotes severe CAC. ResultsOur initial data showed that there were no apparent differences in plasma IL-37 levels among patients with or without mild or moderate CAC.However, IL-37 levels were significantly increased in patients with severe CAC （P 〈 0.001）. Similar results were observed for plasma OPGand hsCRP levels. When IL-37 levels in patients with severe calcification were compared with that in all of the other non-severe CAC groups,it became apparent that there was a significant positive correlation between IL-37 level and severe CAC （r = 0.360, P 〈 0.001; OR = 1.033）using Spearrnan＇s correlation and binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the anti-inflammatory cy-tokine IL-37 is associated with high coronary calcium levels, suggesting that IL-37 expression may be caused by the activation ofinf/amma-tion and that IL-37 might become a predictor of severe CAC in the future, which requires further investigation.展开更多
AIM: To examine the correlation between the severity of venous calcifications and the clinical symptoms of phlebosclerotic colitis.METHODS: This was a retrospective study.The data,including the numbers of episodes of ...AIM: To examine the correlation between the severity of venous calcifications and the clinical symptoms of phlebosclerotic colitis.METHODS: This was a retrospective study.The data,including the numbers of episodes of active disease,were collected from the medical records at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Wei Gong Memorial Hospital in Taiwan between January 2005 and December 2014.All computed tomography images with or without contrast enhancement were obtained using a multiple detector computed tomography scanner.The scanning range reached from the dome of the diaphragm to the pelvis.The severity of calcification at the tributaries of the portal vein was measured using a four-grade scoring system of the calcification of phlebosclerotic colitis.The episodes of active disease were defined as symptoms of fever,abdominal pain,severe constipation,bowel obstruction,vomiting or diarrhea based on a review of the medical records.Spearman's correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between the numbers of episodes of active disease and the severity of the calcification of the mesenteric veins.RESULTS: More than 3000 cases were reviewed from 2005 to 2014,and a total of 12 patients from Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Wei Gong Memorial Hospital were enrolled according to our inclusion criteria.Among these 12 patients,the mean age of the six males and the six females was 61.8 ± 11.5 years.All patients exhibited typical imaging characteristics,consisting of threadlike calcifications and colonic wall thickening in the standard radiographs and calcifications along the colonic and mesenteric vessels or associated with colonic wall thickening and adjacent fat stranding in the computed tomography images.The median score of the severity of the venous calcifications was 18 ± 13,and the median number of active disease episodes was 1 ± 1.75.Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the number of episodes of active phlebosclerotic colitis disease significantly positively correlated with the severity of the calcification of the mesenteric veins(r = 0.619,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The extent of mesenteric venous calcification is strongly associated with the number of episodes of active disease among patients with phlebosclerotic colitis.展开更多
Arterial calcification is a well-recognized complication of advanced atherosclerosis.Chronic kidney disease(CKD) is characterized by significantly more pronounced,dis-seminated and fast-progressing calcification of th...Arterial calcification is a well-recognized complication of advanced atherosclerosis.Chronic kidney disease(CKD) is characterized by significantly more pronounced,dis-seminated and fast-progressing calcification of the vascular system,including the coronary arteries.New computed tomography-based imaging techniques al-low for the noninvasive assessment and monitoring of calcification in different vascular sites.Coronary artery calcification(CAC) develops early in the course of CKD and is tightly associated with mineral and bone disor-ders,which include but are not limited to secondary hyperparathyroidism.In this review,recent data on the pathogenesis of CAC development and progression are discussed,with a special emphasis on fibroblast growth factor 23 and its co-receptor,klotho.The prevalence,progression and prognostic significance of CAC are reviewed separately for patients with end-stage renal disease treated with dialysis,kidney transplant recipi-ents and patients with earlier stages of CKD.In the last section,therapeutic considerations are discussed,with special attention paid to the importance of treatment that addresses mineral and bone disorders of CKD.展开更多
Background:Cholesterol gallstones account for over 80%of gallstones,and the pathogenesis of gallstone formation involves genetic and environmental factors.However,data on the evolution of cholesterol gallstones with v...Background:Cholesterol gallstones account for over 80%of gallstones,and the pathogenesis of gallstone formation involves genetic and environmental factors.However,data on the evolution of cholesterol gallstones with various densities are limited.This study aimed to determine the roles of microbiota and mucins on the formation of calcified cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis.Methods:Paired gallbladder tissues and bile specimens were obtained from cholelithiasis patients who were categorized into the isodense group and calcified group according to the density of gallstones.The relative abundance of microbiota in gallbladder tissues was detected.Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to detect the expression levels of MUC1,MUC2,MUC3a,MUC3b,MUC4,MUC5ac and MUC5b in gallbladder tissues and bile.The correlation of microbiota abundance with MUC4 expression was evaluated by linear regression.Results:A total of 23 patients with gallbladder stones were included.The density of gallstones in the isodense group was significantly lower than that of the calcified group(34.20±1.50 vs.109.40±3.84 HU,P<0.0001).Compared to the isodense group,the calcified group showed a higher abundance of gram-positive bacteria at the fundus,in the body and neck of gallbladder tissues.The concentrations of MUC1,MUC2,MUC3a,MUC3b,MUC5ac and MUC5b in the epithelial cells of gallbladder tissues showed no difference between the two groups,while the concentrations of MUC4 were significantly higher in the calcified group than that in the isodense group at the fundus(15.49±0.69 vs.10.23±0.54 ng/mL,P<0.05),in the body(14.54±0.94 vs.11.87±0.85 ng/mL,P<0.05)as well as in the neck(14.77±1.04 vs.10.85±0.72 ng/mL,P<0.05)of gallbladder tissues.Moreover,the abundance of bacteria was positively correlated with the expression of MUC4(r=0.569,P<0.05)in the calcified group.Conclusions:This study showed the potential clinical relevance among biliary microbiota,mucins and calcified gallstones in patients with gallstones.Gram-positive microbiota and MUC4 may be positively associated with the calcification of cholesterol gallstones.展开更多
Background Coronary artery calcification(CAC)is common in end-stage renal disease(ESRD)patients,and the extent of CAC is closely related to cardiovascular outcomes in ESRD patients.Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(...Background Coronary artery calcification(CAC)is common in end-stage renal disease(ESRD)patients,and the extent of CAC is closely related to cardiovascular outcomes in ESRD patients.Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP),as a component of the vascular matrix,has been found to be an inhibitor of arterial calcification in basic studies.However,there is no clinical research on the correlation between COMP and CAC in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)patients.The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between serum COMP levels and CAC and cardiovascular events in MHD patients.Methods Serum COMP levels were compared between 54 MHD patients and 66 healthy people.MHD patients were then divided into three groups according to the tertiles of the concentration of COMP level and were followed up for major adverse cardiac events(MACEs),which were defined as a combined end point of new onset angina pectoris,nonfatal myocardial infarction,heart failure,coronary artery revascularization,hospitalization due to angina pectoris and all-cause deaths.The CAC score was calculated based on computed tomography scans.Results The serum COMP level in MHD patients was significantly higher than that in the general population[984.23(248.43-1902.61)ng/mL vs.219.01(97.26-821.92)ng/mL,P<0.01].Serum COMP levels were positively correlated with CAC(r=0.313,P=0.021)and serum parathyroid hormone in MHD patients(r=0.359,P<0.01).Linear regression suggested that after adjusting for age,fasting blood glucose(Glu)and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbAlc),CAC score was an independent predictor in the final model for COMP level(β=0.424,t=3.130,P<0.01).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve showed that COMP≥994 mg/mL had 68.0%sensitivity and 72.4%specificity for the prediction of severe CAC[area under the curve(AUC):0.674,P=0.030,95%CI:0.526-0.882].After a median follow-up of 16 months(8-24 months),there was no difference in the incidence rate of MACEs between the upper,middle and lower serum COMP groups.Conclusions Our study found that MHD patients have higher levels of circulating COMP than controls.The serum COMP level is positively correlated with CAC score and could be used as a biomarker of severe CAC in MHD patients.However,there is no obvious correlation between serum COMP levels and the incidence of cardiovascular events.展开更多
The risk of cardiovascular mortality among patientswith end-stage renal disease is several times higherthan general population. Arterial calcification, a markerof atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascularmorta...The risk of cardiovascular mortality among patientswith end-stage renal disease is several times higherthan general population. Arterial calcification, a markerof atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascularmortality, is common in chronic kidney disease(CKD).The presence of traditional cardiovascular risk factorssuch as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and ad-vanced age cannot fully explain the high prevalence ofatherosclerosis and arterial calcification. Other factorsspecific to CKD such as hyperphosphatemia, excess ofcalcium, high dose active vitamin D and prolonged di-alysis vintage play important roles in the developmentof arterial calcification. Due to the significant healthrisk, it is prudent to attempt to lower arterial calcifica-tion burden in CKD. Treatment of hyperlipidemia withstatin has failed to lower atherosclerotic and arteriacalcification burden. Data on diabetes and blood pres-sure controls as well as smoking cessation on cardio-vascular outcomes in CKD population are limited. Cur-rently available treatment options include non-calciumcontaining phosphate binders, low dose active vitamin D, calcimimetic agent and perhaps bisphosphonates, vitamin K and sodium thiosulfate. Preliminary data on bisphosphonates, vitamin K and sodium thiosulfate are encouraging but larger studies on efficacy and out-comes are needed.展开更多
The influence of different illumination intensities on cyanobacterial calcification induced removal of heavy metals from contaminated mine water was studied. Cyanobacterial calcification experiments were performed usi...The influence of different illumination intensities on cyanobacterial calcification induced removal of heavy metals from contaminated mine water was studied. Cyanobacterial calcification experiments were performed using a growth medium intended to simulate contaminated mine water. The results indicate that calcification can promote the removal of heavy metal ions. As the illumination intensity became stronger calcification rates increased and the removal of Zn2+ and Cd2+ became more obvious. When the illumination intensity was 10000 lux the removal of Pb2+ was the largest observed: stronger or weaker illumination reduced the amount of lead removed. The removal of three different heavy metals complies with an index function. For identical illumination intensities different ions were removed to different degrees.展开更多
In this study,the hypothesis that Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in the arterial calcification by regulating the osteoprotegerin(OPG)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand(RANKL)system was tested.Theβ-catenin expre...In this study,the hypothesis that Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in the arterial calcification by regulating the osteoprotegerin(OPG)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand(RANKL)system was tested.Theβ-catenin expression was measured in the warfarin-induced calcified arteries and the osteoblast-like cells differentiating from smooth muscle cells(SMCs)by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.The Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated or inhibited by lithium chloride(LiCl)or dickkopf 1(DKK1)in vitro and in vivo.Then the calcification level was determined by von Kossa staining,Ca^2+content assay,and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity assay.The expression levels of osteocalcin,OPG and RANKL were detected by Western blotting or real-time PCR.The results showed that in calcified arteries and OBL cells,the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway significantly enhanced the calcification as evidenced by increased von Kossa stains,Ca^2+contcnts,ALP activities,and osteocalcin expression levels(P<0.05),and it promoted the RANKL expression(P<0.05),but slightly affected the OPG expression.These results indicated that the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway worsens the arterial calcification,probably by promoting the RANKL expression.展开更多
Ring calcification in untreated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is extremely rare,with only 3 previously reported cases in the English-language literature.A case of HCC with ring calcification was reported in this paper...Ring calcification in untreated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is extremely rare,with only 3 previously reported cases in the English-language literature.A case of HCC with ring calcification was reported in this paper.Additionally,3 previously reported cases of HCC with ring calcification were reviewed.In 3 of these 4 cases(including our case),surgery was performed.Although the size of the ring-calcified lesion ranged from 3.0-3.7 cm in previously reported cases,the size was only 1 cm in ours.The differentiation of the tumor was moderate in the 2 previously reported cases in the histological findings and poor in ours.In spite of their poor differentiation for their sizes,these tumors showed no early enhancement in dynamic computed tomography.All calcified tumors showed a thick fibrous capsule and extensive necrosis histologically.Ring calcification was considered to result from a circulatory disturbance caused by the imbalance between the less abundant arterial blood flow and high inner pressure induced by either the thick fibrous capsule or vigorous proliferation due to the poor differentiation.Ring calcification in untreated HCC may suggest a lower differentiation of the tumor.Even if its size is small,hepatic resection should be performed for any tumor with ring calcification because poor differentiation is considered to be one of the risk factors for recurrence after local ablation therapy,including radio frequency ablation.展开更多
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis(DISH) is a prevalent noninflammatory spondyloarthropathy characterized by ectopic mineral formation along the anterolateral aspect of the vertebral column, yet little is known ...Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis(DISH) is a prevalent noninflammatory spondyloarthropathy characterized by ectopic mineral formation along the anterolateral aspect of the vertebral column, yet little is known about its underlying pathogenesis. Our objective was to evaluate the histopathological features and composition of ectopic mineral within spinal tissues affected by DISH in humans. Thoracic spine segments from six embalmed cadaveric donors(one female and five males;median age 82 years)meeting the radiographic diagnostic criteria for DISH were evaluated using radiological, histological, and physical analyses. Overall,the histological features of ectopic mineralization at individual motion segments were heterogeneous, including regions of heterotopic ossification and dystrophic calcification. Heterotopic ossifications were characterized by woven and lamellar bone,multifocal areas of metaplastic cartilage, and bony bridges along the anterior aspect of the intervertebral disc space. Dystrophic calcifications were characterized by an amorphous appearance, a high content of calcium and phosphorus, an X-ray diffraction pattern matching that of hydroxyapatite, and radiodensities exceeding that of cortical bone. Dystrophic calcifications were found within the anterior longitudinal ligament and annulus fibrosus in motion segments both meeting and not meeting the radiographic criteria for DISH. In summary, our findings indicate that in DISH, ectopic mineral forms along the anterior aspect of the spine by both heterotopic ossification and dystrophic calcification of fibrocartilaginous tissues. Although both types of ectopic mineralization are captured by current radiographic criteria for DISH, dystrophic calcification may reflect a distinct disease process or an early stage in the pathogenesis of DISH.展开更多
This report describes a rare case of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with intratumoral calcification that mimicked hepatolithiasis. A 73-year-old man presented to a local hospital with a calcified lesion in the hepatic hilum...This report describes a rare case of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with intratumoral calcification that mimicked hepatolithiasis. A 73-year-old man presented to a local hospital with a calcified lesion in the hepatic hilum. At first,hepatolithiasis was diagnosed,and he underwent endoscopic stone extraction via the transpapillary route. This treatment strategy failed due to biliary stricture. He was referred to our hospital,and further examination suggested the existence of cholangiocarcinoma. He underwent left hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy and extrahepatic bile duct resection. Pathological examination revealed hilar cholangiocarcinoma with intratumoral calcification,while no stones were found. To the best of our knowledge,only one case of calcified hilar cholangiocarcinoma has been previously reported in the literature. Here,we report a rare case of calcified hilar cholangiocarcinoma and reveal its clinicopathologic features.展开更多
A tissue engineering model of heart valve calcification induced in a bio-reactor was established to evaluate the calcification induced by abnormal mechanical stimulation and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms...A tissue engineering model of heart valve calcification induced in a bio-reactor was established to evaluate the calcification induced by abnormal mechanical stimulation and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified decellularized porcine aortic leaflets seeded with human valve interstitial cells (huVICs)were mounted on a Ti-Ni alloy frame to fabricate two-leaflet and three-leaflet tissue engineered valves.The two-leaflet model valves were exposed to abnormal pulsatile flow stimulation with null (group A),low (1000mL/min,group B),medium (2000mL/min,group C),and high velocity (3000mL/min,group D)for 14 days. Morphology and calcification were assessed by yon Kossa staining,alkaline phosphatase (ALP)content,and Runx2 immunostaining.Leaflet calcification and mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1,bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2),Smadl,and MSX2 were measured at different time points.ALP content was examined in two-leaflet valves seeded with BMP2 shRNA plasmid-infected huVICs and exposed to the same stimulation conditions.The results showed that during 14 days of flow stimulation,huVICs on the leaflet surface proliferated to generate normal monolayer coverage in groups A,B,and C.Under mechanical stimulation,huVICs showed a parallel growth pattern in the direction of the fluid flow,but huVICs exhibited disordered growth in the high-velocity flow environment,yon Kossa staining,ALP measurement,and immunohistochemical staining for Runx2 confirmed the lack of obvious calcification in group A and significant calcification in group D.Expression levels of TGF-β1,BMP2, and MSX2 mRNA and protein were increased under fluid stimulation.ALP production by BMP2 shRNA plasmid-infected huVICs on model leaflets was significantly reduced.In conclusion,abnormal mechanical stimulation in a bioreactor induced calcification in the tissue engineering valve model.The extent of calcification correlated positively with the flow velocity,as did the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1,BMP2,and MSX2.These findings indicate that TGF-β1/BMP2 signaling is involved in valve calcification induced bv abnormal mechanical stimulation.展开更多
OBJECTIVE To investigate the beneficial effect of berberine(BBR)on atherosclerosisin Apo^(-/-) E mice and explore the underlying mechanisms based on attenuating vascular inflammation and modulating calcification in hu...OBJECTIVE To investigate the beneficial effect of berberine(BBR)on atherosclerosisin Apo^(-/-) E mice and explore the underlying mechanisms based on attenuating vascular inflammation and modulating calcification in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) and smooth muscle cells(SMCs).METHODS 48 Apo-/-E mice,at 6-8 weeks old,were randomly allocated into 4 groups:normal,model,bbr and atorvastatin(positive control) groups with 12 mice in each group.They were fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks except those in Normal group and then treated with indicated drugs orsolvent for another 4 weeks.The morphology and inflammation infiltration of aortic were examined with HE staining.The expression of BMP-2 in aortic was examined by immumohistochemical staining.Blood lipid levels were examined by automatic biochemical analyzer.The expression of IL-6,TNF-α and BMP-2 in serum and tissues was detected by ELISA method.The expression of ALP and the content of calcium were detected by commercially-available kits.HUVEC cells were stimulated with TNF-α and incubated with various concentrations of BBR for 24 h.The contents of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM-1),matrix metalloprotein-9(MMP-9) in the culture supernatant were detected by ELISA method.Calcification was induced with β-glycerophosphatein SMC cells and the effect of BBR on the content of calcium was examined.RESULTS 4-week berberine treatment markedly lowered serum TC and LDL-c levels and improved the plaque stability in Apo-/-E mice fed with a high-fat diet(P<0.05 or P<0.01) which was comparable with the effect of atorvastatin.Berberineal so significantly decreased the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in mice serum and aortic tissues(P<0.05 or P<0.001).Berberine tended to decrease ALP,BMP-2 levels and the content of calcium in mice serum and aortic tissues(P<0.05,P<0.01 or P<0.001) which were not observed in atorvastatin group.Berberine significantly lowered the levels of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,and MMP-9 in TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs.It can also lowered the content of calcium in SMCs.CONCLUSION BBR can profitably regulate the levels of blood lipid in mice fed with a high-fat diet,decrease the injury caused by inflammation,and attenuate vascular calcification.It may improve atherosclerosis and play a role in cardiovascular protection.展开更多
The chemical composition of vanadium slag significantly affects its element distribution and phase composition,which affect the subsequent calcification roasting process and vanadium recovery.In this work,seven kinds ...The chemical composition of vanadium slag significantly affects its element distribution and phase composition,which affect the subsequent calcification roasting process and vanadium recovery.In this work,seven kinds of vanadium slags derived from different regions in China were used as the raw materials to study the effects of different components on the vanadium slag’s elements distribution,phase composition,calcification roasting,and leaching rate of major elements using scanning electron microscope,X-ray diffraction analysis,and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy.The results show that the spinel phase is wrapped with silicate phase in all vanadium slag samples.The main elements in the spinel phase are Cr,V,and Ti from the interior to the exterior.The size of spinel phase in low chromium vanadium slag is larger than the other vanadium slags with higher chromium contents.The spinel phase of high-calcium and high-phosphorus vanadium slag is more dispersed.The strongest diffraction peak of vanadium spinel phase in the vanadium slag migrates to a higher diffraction angle,and(Fe_(0.6)Cr_(0.4))_(2)O_(3)is formed after calcification roasting as the chromium content increased.A large amount of Ca_(2)SiO_(4)is produced because excess Ca reacts with Si in high-calcium and high-phosphorus vanadium slag.The vanadium leaching rate reaches 88%in some vanadium slags.The chromium leaching rate is less than 5%in all vanadium slags.The silicon leaching rate of high-calcium and high-phosphorus vanadium slag is much higher than that of the other slags.The leaching rate of manganese is higher than 10%,and the leaching rates of iron and titanium are negligible.展开更多
文摘Breast Arterial Calcification(BAC)is a mammographic decision dissimilar to cancer and commonly observed in elderly women.Thus identifying BAC could provide an expense,and be inaccurate.Recently Deep Learning(DL)methods have been introduced for automatic BAC detection and quantification with increased accuracy.Previously,classification with deep learning had reached higher efficiency,but designing the structure of DL proved to be an extremely challenging task due to overfitting models.It also is not able to capture the patterns and irregularities presented in the images.To solve the overfitting problem,an optimal feature set has been formed by Enhanced Wolf Pack Algorithm(EWPA),and their irregularities are identified by Dense-kUNet segmentation.In this paper,Dense-kUNet for segmentation and optimal feature has been introduced for classification(severe,mild,light)that integrates DenseUNet and kU-Net.Longer bound links exist among adjacent modules,allowing relatively rough data to be sent to the following component and assisting the system in finding higher qualities.The major contribution of the work is to design the best features selected by Enhanced Wolf Pack Algorithm(EWPA),and Modified Support Vector Machine(MSVM)based learning for classification.k-Dense-UNet is introduced which combines the procedure of Dense-UNet and kU-Net for image segmentation.Longer bound associations occur among nearby sections,allowing relatively granular data to be sent to the next subsystem and benefiting the system in recognizing smaller characteristics.The proposed techniques and the performance are tested using several types of analysis techniques 826 filled digitized mammography.The proposed method achieved the highest precision,recall,F-measure,and accuracy of 84.4333%,84.5333%,84.4833%,and 86.8667%when compared to other methods on the Digital Database for Screening Mammography(DDSM).
基金Supported by Research Fund for Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation in Jining Medical University,No.JYHL2021FMS11and Jining Key Research and Development Projects,No.2022YXNS009.
文摘BACKGROUND Myosteatosis,rather than low muscle mass,is the primary etiologic factor of sarcopenia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Myosteatosis may lead to a series of metabolic dysfunctions,such as insulin resistance,systematic inflammation,and oxidative stress,and all these dysfunctions are closely associated with the acceleration of T2DM and atherosclerosis.AIM To investigate the association between myosteatosis and coronary artery calcification(CAC)in patients with T2DM.METHODS Patients with T2DM,who had not experienced major cardiovascular events and had undergone both abdominal and thoracic computed tomography(CT)scans,were included.The mean skeletal muscle attenuation was assessed using abdominal CT images at the L3 level.The CAC score was determined from thoracic CT images using the Agatston scoring method.Myosteatosis was diagnosed according to Martin’s criteria.Severe CAC(SCAC)was defined when the CAC score exceeded 300.Logistic regression and decision tree analyses were performed.RESULTS A total of 652 patients with T2DM were enrolled.Among them,167(25.6%)patients had SCAC.Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that myosteatosis,age,duration of diabetes,cigarette smoking,and alcohol consumption were independent risk factors of SCAC.Myosteatosis was significantly associated with an increased risk of SCAC(OR=2.381,P=0.003).The association between myosteatosis and SCAC was significant in the younger patients(OR=2.672,95%CI:1.477-4.834,P=0.002),but not the older patients(OR=1.456,95%CI:0.863-2.455,P=0.188),and was more prominent in the population with lower risks of atherosclerosis.The decision tree analyses prioritized older age as the primary variable for SCAC.In older patients,cigarette smoking was the main contributing factor for SCAC,while in younger patients,it was myosteatosis.CONCLUSION Myosteatosis is a novel risk factor for atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM,especially in the population with younger ages and fewer traditional risk factors.
文摘Aortic valve calcification disease (CAVD) is the most prevalent degenerative valve disease in humans, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its common occurrence, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains incomplete, and available treatment options are limited and risky. A more comprehensive understanding of the biology of CAVD is essential to identify new therapeutic strategies. Animal models have played a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of CAVD and exploring potential treatments. However, these models have inherent limitations as they cannot fully replicate the complex physiological mechanisms of human CAVD. In this review, we examine various CAVD models ranging from pigs to mice, highlighting the unique characteristics of each model to enhance our understanding of CAVD. While these models offer valuable insights, they also have limitations and shortcomings. We propose that the guide wire model shows promise for future CAVD research, and streamlining the methodology could enhance our understanding and expand the research scope in this field.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82060879Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province,No.20JR10RA356 and No.2022-0405-JCC-1430+2 种基金Lanzhou Science and Technology Plan Project,No.2022-3-30Paikouen-Spine Pathological Fracture Vertebral Body Strengthening Treatment Special Fund Project,No.BKJP2018004Local Projects Transferred by the Central Government in 2021,No.20210200111.
文摘BACKGROUND Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calcification is extremely rare in clinical practice,and its etiology,pathogenesis,treatment and prognosis are unclear.There are few studies and reports on Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calci-fication,and this review reports a case of Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calcification for reference.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old patient presented to our hospital with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis and a lumbar vertebral fracture caused by trauma.The patient's right lower limb had weakness in hip flexion,knee extension and plantarflexion with muscle strength grade 3,right ankle dorsiflexion and thumb dorsiflexion with muscle strength grade 0.The patient's skin sensation below the right knee plane disappeared.The patient's Computed tomography(CT)data showed signs of cauda equina nerve calcification and the terminal filaments in the plane of the third to fifth lumbar vertebrae.After treatment the patient's symptoms were slightly relieved.CONCLUSION We provide an extremely rare case of Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calcification and offer a conservative treatment plan.However,the etiology,mechanism and treatment of Post-traumatic cauda equina nerve calcification are still unclear.This requires scholars to conduct more research and exploration in this area.
文摘Renal tubular acidosis(RTA)can lead to renal calcification in children,which can cause various complications and impair renal function.This review provides pediatricians with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between RTA and renal calcification,highlighting essential aspects for clinical manage-ment.The article analyzed relevant studies to explore the prevalence,risk factors,underlying mechanisms,and clinical implications of renal calcification in children with RTA.Results show that distal RTA(type 1)is particularly associated with nephrocalcinosis,which presents a higher risk of renal calcification.However,there are limitations to the existing literature,including a small number of studies,heterogeneity in methodologies,and potential publication bias.Longitudinal data and control groups are also lacking,which limits our understanding of longterm outcomes and optimal management strategies for children with RTA and renal calcification.Pediatricians play a crucial role in the early diagnosis and management of RTA to mitigate the risk of renal calcification and associated complications.In addition,alkaline therapy remains a cornerstone in the treatment of RTA,aimed at correcting the acid-base imbalance and reducing the formation of kidney stones.Therefore,early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic interventions are paramount in preventing and managing renal calcification to preserve renal function and improve long-term outcomes for affected children.Further research with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodologies is needed to optimize the clinical approach to renal calcification in the context of RTA in the pediatric population.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.51604065 and 51574082)the National Basic Research Program of China (No.2013CB632603)the Fundamental Funds for the Central Universities (Nos.150203003 and 150202001)
文摘Calcification roasting–acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag(HCVS)was conducted to elucidate the roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium.The effects of the purity of Ca O,molar ratio between Ca O and V_2O_5(n(Ca O)/n(V_2O_5)),roasting temperature,holding time,and the heating rate used in the oxidation–calcification processes were investigated.The roasting process and mechanism were analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry(TG–DSC).The results show that most of vanadium reacted with Ca O to generate calcium vanadates and transferred into the leaching liquid,whereas almost all of the chromium remained in the leaching residue in the form of(Fe_(0.6)Cr_(0.4))_2O_3.Variation trends of the vanadium and chromium leaching ratios were always opposite because of the competitive reactions of oxidation and calcification between vanadium and chromium with Ca O.Moreover,Ca O was more likely to combine with vanadium,as further confirmed by thermodynamic analysis.When the HCVS with Ca O added in an n(Ca O)/n(V_2O_5)ratio of 0.5 was roasted in an air atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C/min from room temperature to 950°C and maintained at this temperature for 60 min,the leaching ratios of vanadium and chromium reached91.14%and 0.49%,respectively;thus,efficient extraction of vanadium from HCVS was achieved and the leaching residue could be used as a new raw material for the extraction of chromium.Furthermore,the oxidation and calcification reactions of the spinel phases occurred at 592and 630°C for n(Ca O)/n(V_2O_5)ratios of 0.5 and 5,respectively.
文摘Background Coronary artery calcification （CAC） is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin （IL）-37 is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 family and is considered an anti-inflammatorycytokine. Our recent study on mice indicated that IL-37 could attenuate atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, which suggests that IL-37could be associated with the development of atherosclerosis and related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if IL-37 plays arole in the progression of CAC in patients. Methods Two hundred participants with suspected cardiovascular disease were recruited. Thelevels of plasma IL-37, osteoprotegerin （OPG）, hypersensitive C-reactive protein （hsCRP） together with other biochemical parameters weremeasured, and a coronary calcium assessment was carried out by multi-detector row CT. A score of 〈 10 AU （Agatston units） denotes anabsence of CAC, a score of 11-100 AU denotes mild CAC, 101-400 denotes moderate CAC, and 〉 400 AU denotes severe CAC. ResultsOur initial data showed that there were no apparent differences in plasma IL-37 levels among patients with or without mild or moderate CAC.However, IL-37 levels were significantly increased in patients with severe CAC （P 〈 0.001）. Similar results were observed for plasma OPGand hsCRP levels. When IL-37 levels in patients with severe calcification were compared with that in all of the other non-severe CAC groups,it became apparent that there was a significant positive correlation between IL-37 level and severe CAC （r = 0.360, P 〈 0.001; OR = 1.033）using Spearrnan＇s correlation and binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the anti-inflammatory cy-tokine IL-37 is associated with high coronary calcium levels, suggesting that IL-37 expression may be caused by the activation ofinf/amma-tion and that IL-37 might become a predictor of severe CAC in the future, which requires further investigation.
文摘AIM: To examine the correlation between the severity of venous calcifications and the clinical symptoms of phlebosclerotic colitis.METHODS: This was a retrospective study.The data,including the numbers of episodes of active disease,were collected from the medical records at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Wei Gong Memorial Hospital in Taiwan between January 2005 and December 2014.All computed tomography images with or without contrast enhancement were obtained using a multiple detector computed tomography scanner.The scanning range reached from the dome of the diaphragm to the pelvis.The severity of calcification at the tributaries of the portal vein was measured using a four-grade scoring system of the calcification of phlebosclerotic colitis.The episodes of active disease were defined as symptoms of fever,abdominal pain,severe constipation,bowel obstruction,vomiting or diarrhea based on a review of the medical records.Spearman's correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between the numbers of episodes of active disease and the severity of the calcification of the mesenteric veins.RESULTS: More than 3000 cases were reviewed from 2005 to 2014,and a total of 12 patients from Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Wei Gong Memorial Hospital were enrolled according to our inclusion criteria.Among these 12 patients,the mean age of the six males and the six females was 61.8 ± 11.5 years.All patients exhibited typical imaging characteristics,consisting of threadlike calcifications and colonic wall thickening in the standard radiographs and calcifications along the colonic and mesenteric vessels or associated with colonic wall thickening and adjacent fat stranding in the computed tomography images.The median score of the severity of the venous calcifications was 18 ± 13,and the median number of active disease episodes was 1 ± 1.75.Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the number of episodes of active phlebosclerotic colitis disease significantly positively correlated with the severity of the calcification of the mesenteric veins(r = 0.619,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The extent of mesenteric venous calcification is strongly associated with the number of episodes of active disease among patients with phlebosclerotic colitis.
文摘Arterial calcification is a well-recognized complication of advanced atherosclerosis.Chronic kidney disease(CKD) is characterized by significantly more pronounced,dis-seminated and fast-progressing calcification of the vascular system,including the coronary arteries.New computed tomography-based imaging techniques al-low for the noninvasive assessment and monitoring of calcification in different vascular sites.Coronary artery calcification(CAC) develops early in the course of CKD and is tightly associated with mineral and bone disor-ders,which include but are not limited to secondary hyperparathyroidism.In this review,recent data on the pathogenesis of CAC development and progression are discussed,with a special emphasis on fibroblast growth factor 23 and its co-receptor,klotho.The prevalence,progression and prognostic significance of CAC are reviewed separately for patients with end-stage renal disease treated with dialysis,kidney transplant recipi-ents and patients with earlier stages of CKD.In the last section,therapeutic considerations are discussed,with special attention paid to the importance of treatment that addresses mineral and bone disorders of CKD.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81870433)the International Cooperation Project of Zhejiang Province Public Technology Research Program(LGJ18H030001).
文摘Background:Cholesterol gallstones account for over 80%of gallstones,and the pathogenesis of gallstone formation involves genetic and environmental factors.However,data on the evolution of cholesterol gallstones with various densities are limited.This study aimed to determine the roles of microbiota and mucins on the formation of calcified cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis.Methods:Paired gallbladder tissues and bile specimens were obtained from cholelithiasis patients who were categorized into the isodense group and calcified group according to the density of gallstones.The relative abundance of microbiota in gallbladder tissues was detected.Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to detect the expression levels of MUC1,MUC2,MUC3a,MUC3b,MUC4,MUC5ac and MUC5b in gallbladder tissues and bile.The correlation of microbiota abundance with MUC4 expression was evaluated by linear regression.Results:A total of 23 patients with gallbladder stones were included.The density of gallstones in the isodense group was significantly lower than that of the calcified group(34.20±1.50 vs.109.40±3.84 HU,P<0.0001).Compared to the isodense group,the calcified group showed a higher abundance of gram-positive bacteria at the fundus,in the body and neck of gallbladder tissues.The concentrations of MUC1,MUC2,MUC3a,MUC3b,MUC5ac and MUC5b in the epithelial cells of gallbladder tissues showed no difference between the two groups,while the concentrations of MUC4 were significantly higher in the calcified group than that in the isodense group at the fundus(15.49±0.69 vs.10.23±0.54 ng/mL,P<0.05),in the body(14.54±0.94 vs.11.87±0.85 ng/mL,P<0.05)as well as in the neck(14.77±1.04 vs.10.85±0.72 ng/mL,P<0.05)of gallbladder tissues.Moreover,the abundance of bacteria was positively correlated with the expression of MUC4(r=0.569,P<0.05)in the calcified group.Conclusions:This study showed the potential clinical relevance among biliary microbiota,mucins and calcified gallstones in patients with gallstones.Gram-positive microbiota and MUC4 may be positively associated with the calcification of cholesterol gallstones.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81400262)the Backbone Fund of Peking University Third Hospital(Y72497-04)
文摘Background Coronary artery calcification(CAC)is common in end-stage renal disease(ESRD)patients,and the extent of CAC is closely related to cardiovascular outcomes in ESRD patients.Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP),as a component of the vascular matrix,has been found to be an inhibitor of arterial calcification in basic studies.However,there is no clinical research on the correlation between COMP and CAC in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)patients.The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between serum COMP levels and CAC and cardiovascular events in MHD patients.Methods Serum COMP levels were compared between 54 MHD patients and 66 healthy people.MHD patients were then divided into three groups according to the tertiles of the concentration of COMP level and were followed up for major adverse cardiac events(MACEs),which were defined as a combined end point of new onset angina pectoris,nonfatal myocardial infarction,heart failure,coronary artery revascularization,hospitalization due to angina pectoris and all-cause deaths.The CAC score was calculated based on computed tomography scans.Results The serum COMP level in MHD patients was significantly higher than that in the general population[984.23(248.43-1902.61)ng/mL vs.219.01(97.26-821.92)ng/mL,P<0.01].Serum COMP levels were positively correlated with CAC(r=0.313,P=0.021)and serum parathyroid hormone in MHD patients(r=0.359,P<0.01).Linear regression suggested that after adjusting for age,fasting blood glucose(Glu)and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbAlc),CAC score was an independent predictor in the final model for COMP level(β=0.424,t=3.130,P<0.01).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve showed that COMP≥994 mg/mL had 68.0%sensitivity and 72.4%specificity for the prediction of severe CAC[area under the curve(AUC):0.674,P=0.030,95%CI:0.526-0.882].After a median follow-up of 16 months(8-24 months),there was no difference in the incidence rate of MACEs between the upper,middle and lower serum COMP groups.Conclusions Our study found that MHD patients have higher levels of circulating COMP than controls.The serum COMP level is positively correlated with CAC score and could be used as a biomarker of severe CAC in MHD patients.However,there is no obvious correlation between serum COMP levels and the incidence of cardiovascular events.
文摘The risk of cardiovascular mortality among patientswith end-stage renal disease is several times higherthan general population. Arterial calcification, a markerof atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascularmortality, is common in chronic kidney disease(CKD).The presence of traditional cardiovascular risk factorssuch as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and ad-vanced age cannot fully explain the high prevalence ofatherosclerosis and arterial calcification. Other factorsspecific to CKD such as hyperphosphatemia, excess ofcalcium, high dose active vitamin D and prolonged di-alysis vintage play important roles in the developmentof arterial calcification. Due to the significant healthrisk, it is prudent to attempt to lower arterial calcifica-tion burden in CKD. Treatment of hyperlipidemia withstatin has failed to lower atherosclerotic and arteriacalcification burden. Data on diabetes and blood pres-sure controls as well as smoking cessation on cardio-vascular outcomes in CKD population are limited. Cur-rently available treatment options include non-calciumcontaining phosphate binders, low dose active vitamin D, calcimimetic agent and perhaps bisphosphonates, vitamin K and sodium thiosulfate. Preliminary data on bisphosphonates, vitamin K and sodium thiosulfate are encouraging but larger studies on efficacy and out-comes are needed.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (No.2007CB209401)Research on basic theory about the mechanism of water inrush and its prevention in coal mines and supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
文摘The influence of different illumination intensities on cyanobacterial calcification induced removal of heavy metals from contaminated mine water was studied. Cyanobacterial calcification experiments were performed using a growth medium intended to simulate contaminated mine water. The results indicate that calcification can promote the removal of heavy metal ions. As the illumination intensity became stronger calcification rates increased and the removal of Zn2+ and Cd2+ became more obvious. When the illumination intensity was 10000 lux the removal of Pb2+ was the largest observed: stronger or weaker illumination reduced the amount of lead removed. The removal of three different heavy metals complies with an index function. For identical illumination intensities different ions were removed to different degrees.
文摘In this study,the hypothesis that Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in the arterial calcification by regulating the osteoprotegerin(OPG)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand(RANKL)system was tested.Theβ-catenin expression was measured in the warfarin-induced calcified arteries and the osteoblast-like cells differentiating from smooth muscle cells(SMCs)by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.The Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated or inhibited by lithium chloride(LiCl)or dickkopf 1(DKK1)in vitro and in vivo.Then the calcification level was determined by von Kossa staining,Ca^2+content assay,and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity assay.The expression levels of osteocalcin,OPG and RANKL were detected by Western blotting or real-time PCR.The results showed that in calcified arteries and OBL cells,the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway significantly enhanced the calcification as evidenced by increased von Kossa stains,Ca^2+contcnts,ALP activities,and osteocalcin expression levels(P<0.05),and it promoted the RANKL expression(P<0.05),but slightly affected the OPG expression.These results indicated that the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway worsens the arterial calcification,probably by promoting the RANKL expression.
文摘Ring calcification in untreated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is extremely rare,with only 3 previously reported cases in the English-language literature.A case of HCC with ring calcification was reported in this paper.Additionally,3 previously reported cases of HCC with ring calcification were reviewed.In 3 of these 4 cases(including our case),surgery was performed.Although the size of the ring-calcified lesion ranged from 3.0-3.7 cm in previously reported cases,the size was only 1 cm in ours.The differentiation of the tumor was moderate in the 2 previously reported cases in the histological findings and poor in ours.In spite of their poor differentiation for their sizes,these tumors showed no early enhancement in dynamic computed tomography.All calcified tumors showed a thick fibrous capsule and extensive necrosis histologically.Ring calcification was considered to result from a circulatory disturbance caused by the imbalance between the less abundant arterial blood flow and high inner pressure induced by either the thick fibrous capsule or vigorous proliferation due to the poor differentiation.Ring calcification in untreated HCC may suggest a lower differentiation of the tumor.Even if its size is small,hepatic resection should be performed for any tumor with ring calcification because poor differentiation is considered to be one of the risk factors for recurrence after local ablation therapy,including radio frequency ablation.
基金supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (grant number 115068)。
文摘Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis(DISH) is a prevalent noninflammatory spondyloarthropathy characterized by ectopic mineral formation along the anterolateral aspect of the vertebral column, yet little is known about its underlying pathogenesis. Our objective was to evaluate the histopathological features and composition of ectopic mineral within spinal tissues affected by DISH in humans. Thoracic spine segments from six embalmed cadaveric donors(one female and five males;median age 82 years)meeting the radiographic diagnostic criteria for DISH were evaluated using radiological, histological, and physical analyses. Overall,the histological features of ectopic mineralization at individual motion segments were heterogeneous, including regions of heterotopic ossification and dystrophic calcification. Heterotopic ossifications were characterized by woven and lamellar bone,multifocal areas of metaplastic cartilage, and bony bridges along the anterior aspect of the intervertebral disc space. Dystrophic calcifications were characterized by an amorphous appearance, a high content of calcium and phosphorus, an X-ray diffraction pattern matching that of hydroxyapatite, and radiodensities exceeding that of cortical bone. Dystrophic calcifications were found within the anterior longitudinal ligament and annulus fibrosus in motion segments both meeting and not meeting the radiographic criteria for DISH. In summary, our findings indicate that in DISH, ectopic mineral forms along the anterior aspect of the spine by both heterotopic ossification and dystrophic calcification of fibrocartilaginous tissues. Although both types of ectopic mineralization are captured by current radiographic criteria for DISH, dystrophic calcification may reflect a distinct disease process or an early stage in the pathogenesis of DISH.
文摘This report describes a rare case of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with intratumoral calcification that mimicked hepatolithiasis. A 73-year-old man presented to a local hospital with a calcified lesion in the hepatic hilum. At first,hepatolithiasis was diagnosed,and he underwent endoscopic stone extraction via the transpapillary route. This treatment strategy failed due to biliary stricture. He was referred to our hospital,and further examination suggested the existence of cholangiocarcinoma. He underwent left hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy and extrahepatic bile duct resection. Pathological examination revealed hilar cholangiocarcinoma with intratumoral calcification,while no stones were found. To the best of our knowledge,only one case of calcified hilar cholangiocarcinoma has been previously reported in the literature. Here,we report a rare case of calcified hilar cholangiocarcinoma and reveal its clinicopathologic features.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81400290).
文摘A tissue engineering model of heart valve calcification induced in a bio-reactor was established to evaluate the calcification induced by abnormal mechanical stimulation and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified decellularized porcine aortic leaflets seeded with human valve interstitial cells (huVICs)were mounted on a Ti-Ni alloy frame to fabricate two-leaflet and three-leaflet tissue engineered valves.The two-leaflet model valves were exposed to abnormal pulsatile flow stimulation with null (group A),low (1000mL/min,group B),medium (2000mL/min,group C),and high velocity (3000mL/min,group D)for 14 days. Morphology and calcification were assessed by yon Kossa staining,alkaline phosphatase (ALP)content,and Runx2 immunostaining.Leaflet calcification and mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1,bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2),Smadl,and MSX2 were measured at different time points.ALP content was examined in two-leaflet valves seeded with BMP2 shRNA plasmid-infected huVICs and exposed to the same stimulation conditions.The results showed that during 14 days of flow stimulation,huVICs on the leaflet surface proliferated to generate normal monolayer coverage in groups A,B,and C.Under mechanical stimulation,huVICs showed a parallel growth pattern in the direction of the fluid flow,but huVICs exhibited disordered growth in the high-velocity flow environment,yon Kossa staining,ALP measurement,and immunohistochemical staining for Runx2 confirmed the lack of obvious calcification in group A and significant calcification in group D.Expression levels of TGF-β1,BMP2, and MSX2 mRNA and protein were increased under fluid stimulation.ALP production by BMP2 shRNA plasmid-infected huVICs on model leaflets was significantly reduced.In conclusion,abnormal mechanical stimulation in a bioreactor induced calcification in the tissue engineering valve model.The extent of calcification correlated positively with the flow velocity,as did the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1,BMP2,and MSX2.These findings indicate that TGF-β1/BMP2 signaling is involved in valve calcification induced bv abnormal mechanical stimulation.
基金supported by National Science Foundation of China(81402943)CAMS Major Collaborative Innovation Project(2016-I2M-1-011)PUMC Youth Fund(3332015168)
文摘OBJECTIVE To investigate the beneficial effect of berberine(BBR)on atherosclerosisin Apo^(-/-) E mice and explore the underlying mechanisms based on attenuating vascular inflammation and modulating calcification in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) and smooth muscle cells(SMCs).METHODS 48 Apo-/-E mice,at 6-8 weeks old,were randomly allocated into 4 groups:normal,model,bbr and atorvastatin(positive control) groups with 12 mice in each group.They were fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks except those in Normal group and then treated with indicated drugs orsolvent for another 4 weeks.The morphology and inflammation infiltration of aortic were examined with HE staining.The expression of BMP-2 in aortic was examined by immumohistochemical staining.Blood lipid levels were examined by automatic biochemical analyzer.The expression of IL-6,TNF-α and BMP-2 in serum and tissues was detected by ELISA method.The expression of ALP and the content of calcium were detected by commercially-available kits.HUVEC cells were stimulated with TNF-α and incubated with various concentrations of BBR for 24 h.The contents of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM-1),matrix metalloprotein-9(MMP-9) in the culture supernatant were detected by ELISA method.Calcification was induced with β-glycerophosphatein SMC cells and the effect of BBR on the content of calcium was examined.RESULTS 4-week berberine treatment markedly lowered serum TC and LDL-c levels and improved the plaque stability in Apo-/-E mice fed with a high-fat diet(P<0.05 or P<0.01) which was comparable with the effect of atorvastatin.Berberineal so significantly decreased the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in mice serum and aortic tissues(P<0.05 or P<0.001).Berberine tended to decrease ALP,BMP-2 levels and the content of calcium in mice serum and aortic tissues(P<0.05,P<0.01 or P<0.001) which were not observed in atorvastatin group.Berberine significantly lowered the levels of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,and MMP-9 in TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs.It can also lowered the content of calcium in SMCs.CONCLUSION BBR can profitably regulate the levels of blood lipid in mice fed with a high-fat diet,decrease the injury caused by inflammation,and attenuate vascular calcification.It may improve atherosclerosis and play a role in cardiovascular protection.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51874077)the Opening Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Vanadium and Titanium Resources Comprehensive Utilization, China (No. 2019P4FZG00A)
文摘The chemical composition of vanadium slag significantly affects its element distribution and phase composition,which affect the subsequent calcification roasting process and vanadium recovery.In this work,seven kinds of vanadium slags derived from different regions in China were used as the raw materials to study the effects of different components on the vanadium slag’s elements distribution,phase composition,calcification roasting,and leaching rate of major elements using scanning electron microscope,X-ray diffraction analysis,and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy.The results show that the spinel phase is wrapped with silicate phase in all vanadium slag samples.The main elements in the spinel phase are Cr,V,and Ti from the interior to the exterior.The size of spinel phase in low chromium vanadium slag is larger than the other vanadium slags with higher chromium contents.The spinel phase of high-calcium and high-phosphorus vanadium slag is more dispersed.The strongest diffraction peak of vanadium spinel phase in the vanadium slag migrates to a higher diffraction angle,and(Fe_(0.6)Cr_(0.4))_(2)O_(3)is formed after calcification roasting as the chromium content increased.A large amount of Ca_(2)SiO_(4)is produced because excess Ca reacts with Si in high-calcium and high-phosphorus vanadium slag.The vanadium leaching rate reaches 88%in some vanadium slags.The chromium leaching rate is less than 5%in all vanadium slags.The silicon leaching rate of high-calcium and high-phosphorus vanadium slag is much higher than that of the other slags.The leaching rate of manganese is higher than 10%,and the leaching rates of iron and titanium are negligible.
