Acoustic properties of biological tissues usually vary inhomogeneously in space. Tissues with different chemical composition often have different acoustic properties. The assumption of acoustic homogeneity may lead to blurred details, misalignment of targets and artifacts in the reconstructed photoacoustic tomography (PAT) images. This paper summarizes the main solutions to PAT imaging of acoustically heterogeneous tissues, including the variable sound speed and acoustic attenuation. The advantages and limits of the methods are discussed and the possible future development is prospected.
Some risks affecting the quality of published systematic reviews and in our teaching practice were listed and compared with the correct concept. The current problems include misunderstanding of the relationship of meta-analysis and systematic review, applying meta-analysis and assessing heterogeneity, randomization, allocate concealment, and how to make inclusion and exclusion criteria, etc. This paper aims to help Chinese reviewers improve the quality of their systematic reviews.
ObjectiveTo understand the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and its research progress in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of breast cancer, in order to provide new ideas and directions for the research and treatment of breast cancer. MethodThe development of scRNA-seq technology and its related research literature in breast cancer TME at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed. ResultsThe scRNA-seq was a quantum technology in high-throughput sequencing of mRNA at the cellular level, and had become a powerful tool for studying cellular heterogeneity when tissue samples were fewer. While capturing rare cell types, it was expected to accurately describe the complex structure of the TME of breast cancer. ConclusionsAfter decades of development, scRNA-seq has been widely used in tumor research. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor with high heterogeneity. The application of scRNA-seq in breast cancer research can better understand its tumor heterogeneity and TME, and then promote development of personalized diagnosis and treatment.
ObjectiveTo summarize the expression and role of CD146 in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).MethodsThe literature related to CD146 at home and abroad were extensively consulted, and the CD146 expression in MSCs and its function were summarized and analyzed.ResultsCD146 is a transmembrane protein that mediates the adhesion of cells to cells and extracellular matrix, and is expressed on the surface of various MSCs. More and more studies have shown that CD146+ MSCs have superior cell properties such as greater proliferation, differentiation, migration, and immune regulation abilities than CD146- or unsorted MSCs, and the application of CD146+ MSCs in the treatment of specific diseases has also achieved better results. CD146 is also involved in mediating a variety of cellular signaling pathways, but whether it plays the same role in MSCs remains to be demonstrated by further experiments.ConclusionThe utilization of CD146+ MSCs for tissue regeneration will be conducive to improving the therapeutic effect of MSCs.
ObjectiveTo review the role of chemokine networks in regulating synovial macrophage heterogeneity during osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. Methods A review of recent literature on the developmental origins of OA synovial macrophages, single-cell transcriptomic characteristics, and chemokine signaling pathways was conducted to systematically summarize the functional phenotypes, immunometabolic mechanisms, and regulatory roles of synovial macrophages in OA. Results OA has been established as a low-grade, chronic inflammatory disease affecting the entire joint. Single-cell and spatial transcriptomic studies have confirmed that synovial macrophages are not a single population but rather a dynamic continuum of different functional states, including steady-state barrier-like, inflammatory amplification, fibrosis-related, and lipid-enriched phenotypes. Chemokine networks play a dual crucial role in this process: on one hand, chemokine gradients guide the migration of peripheral monocytes to the synovium and influence their differentiation; on the other hand, synovial macrophages in different states secrete chemokines, mediating transcellular communication between the synovium, subchondral bone, and peripheral nerves. This process reshapes the microenvironment and amplifies local inflammation and pain signals. Current therapeutic strategies targeting macrophage metabolic reprogramming and chemokine axis blockade show potential clinical applications. Conclusion Re-examining the interaction between synovial macrophages and microenvironment and constructing an integrated perspective of “lineage-state-chemokine network” will help to understand the pathological progression mechanism of OA. In the future, it is expected to provide a theoretical framework and intervention targets for the precise immune regulation of OA and the development of new targeted drugs by accurately analyzing the spatiotemporal evolution of macrophage subsets and their interaction with chemokines.
Objective To analyze the current status and temporal trends of the disease burden of osteoarthritis (OA) in China from 1990 to 2023, stratified by anatomical sites (knee, hip, hand, and other), utilizing data from the 2023 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, and to explore the site-specific heterogeneity of disease burden attributed to high body mass index (BMI), providing a scientific basis for formulating precision prevention and control strategies.Methods Based on the GBD 2023 database, data on the incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs), as well as their corresponding age-standardized rates of OA in China from 1990 to 2023, were collected and stratified by gender, age, and anatomical site (knee, hip, hand, and other). A log-linear regression model was employed to calculate the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) to analyze temporal trends. Additionally, the population attributable fraction (PAF) was used to quantify the contribution of high BMI to OA across different sites and to analyze the heterogeneity of this attribution. Results In 2023, the disease burden of OA in China increased. In terms of anatomical distribution, knee OA constituted the heaviest burden, with 115.0032 million prevalent cases, accounting for approximately 65.78% of the total. Attribution analysis showed that knee OA was slightly more affected by high BMI than hip OA, and the PAF increased significantly over time. In 2023, the PAFs for knee and hip OA in females (29.49% and 28.57%, respectively) were substantially higher than those in 1990 (19.10% and 18.38%). A similar upward trend was observed in males (26.65% and 25.92% in 2023). Regarding attribution differences, female PAF levels were consistently higher than those of males across all years and sites. Hand OA exhibited the fastest growth rate, with the EAPC of its age-standardized YLDs rate reaching 1.64%, far exceeding that of knee OA (0.43%). Demographically, all burden indicators were higher in females than in males. Hand OA demonstrated an intergenerational cumulative effect. The difference in YLDs rates between 2023 and 1990 widened with age, reaching 123.29 per 100 000 in the >95 years old group, highlighting the severe challenges posed by population aging. Conclusion From 1990 to 2023, the disease burden of OA in China continued to rise. Knee OA remains the heaviest burden category and is significantly driven by high BMI, whereas hand OA shows the fastest growth trend. Prevention and control strategies should focus on weight management for knee and hip OA, while prioritizing the prevention and care of hand OA in the elderly population.
Objective To investigate the genotype and phenotype in patients with leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), and offer accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for those families. Methods Three LCA patients and their parents were recruited for this study and received detailed collection of medical history and family history from March to August 2016. The three patients received fundus fluorescein angiography examination and their parents received slit-lamp microscope and indirect ophthalmoscopy examinations. DNA was extracted from the patients and their family members. Whole-exome sequencing method was used for genetic diagnosis and typing of the three LCA patients and their parents. Results The three patients with different clinical features had a definite clinical diagnosis of LCA. Patient 1 showed pale disc, attenuated vessels aroud the optic disc and the salt-and-pepper appearance of the retina, had the homozygous c.744.745insT (p.249, L>Ffs4) mutation inSPATA7. Patient 2 showed optic disc pallor and attenuated retinal vessels, had the heterozygous c.535G>A, p.A179T mutation inWFS1. Patient 3 showed pale disc, atrophic macular and retinal and choroidal degeneration, had the heterozygous mutation in CRB1, RPGRIP1, SPATA7. Conclusion LCA has characteristics of genetic heterogeneity and clinical and phenotypic diversity.
ObjectiveTo systematically summarize the research progress of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in assessing tumor microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to discuss its future development directions, limitations, and challenges. MethodsA comprehensive review was conducted to review domestic and international research progress on the use of mpMRI techniques in evaluating TME heterogeneity in HCC. ResultsmpMRI techniques can reflect TME heterogeneity features associated with postoperative recurrence in HCC from multiple perspectives, including cellular structure, function, substance metabolism, and neovascularization. These features encompass structural heterogeneity, cellular composition heterogeneity, and metabolic heterogeneity within the TME. mpMRI emerges as a potential tool for TME heterogeneity assessment, offering advantages such as non-invasiveness, absence of radiation exposure, and excellent reproducibility. However, the application of mpMRI in evaluating TME heterogeneity in HCC is still in its preliminary stages. Most studies have not conducted in-depth and systematic explorations of the specific pathological and biological mechanisms closely related to TME heterogeneity when utilizing mpMRI. This limitation significantly restricts the further clinical translation of relevant findings and necessitates further research for confirmation. ConclusionsmpMRI hold immense potential and promising application prospects in assessing TME heterogeneity in HCC, offering greater benefits for prognosis evaluation and individualized management of HCC patients. However, further exploration of the related pathological and biological mechanisms is essential to facilitate its clinical translation.
Neutrophils are the most abundant myeloid-derived eukaryotic cells in human blood with increasingly recognized as important regulators of cancer progression. However, the functional importance of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) is often overlooked due to their short-lived, terminally differentiated, non-proliferative properties. In recent years, a wealth of evidences obtained from experimental tumor models and cancer patients had indicated that TANs had obvious heterogeneity in morphology and function, and TANs had dual functions of pro- and anti-tumor in cancer patients. This review provides an adequate overview of the heterogeneity and distinct roles of neutrophils.
Transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an important examination for rectal tumors. The inhomogeneity of the CEUS images has important clinical significance. However, there is no objective method to evaluate this index. In this study, a method based on gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) is proposed to extract texture features of images and grade these images according the inhomogeneity. Specific processes include compressing the gray level of the image, calculating the texture statistics of gray level co-occurrence matrix, combining feature selection and principal component analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction, and training and validating quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA). After ten cross-validation, the overall accuracy rate of machine classification was 87.01%, and the accuracy of each level was as follows: Grade Ⅰ 52.94%, Grade Ⅱ 96.48% and Grade Ⅲ 92.35% respectively. The proposed method has high accuracy in judging grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ images, which can help to identify the grade of inhomogeneity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound images of rectal tumors, and may be used to assist clinical doctors in judging the grade of inhomogeneity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound of rectal tumors.
