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A novel photoacoustic (PA) tomographic method, which is based on a time-resolved technique and an acoustic lens imaging system, is presented in this paper. A YAG laser operating at 532 nm with a 7 ns pulse width and 10 mJ optical pulse is employed as the excitation source to irradiate the tissue. PA signals generated from the tissue are imaged onto a multi-element linear array transducer with an acoustic lens. A 64 electronic switch is efficiently used for changing the parallel PA signals into a series. The proposed method directly provides PA images without any complex reconstruction algorithms. With the time-resolved technique, tomographic imaging can be achieved successfully. The results show that the images agree well with the original samples.

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Background and Objective:The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) and stapled hemorrhoidectomy (SH) in the treatment of hemorrhoids by a meta-analysis.Methods:Randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing SH with THD were searched for in databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library database. Data were independently extracted from each study, and a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.2 software.Results:Eight RCTs, including 977 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. No statistically significant differences were noted between THD and SH in terms of total complications (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.69, 1.25), but a significant differences were noted in terms of bleeding (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.10, 3.10). The total recurrence rate was higher in THD than in SH on short-term follow-up; however, the recurrence rate was equal in both the THD and SH groups on long-term follow-up. The present study showed that no significant difference between SH and THD in terms of postoperative pain (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, −0.43, 1.29), operative time (OR, −3.12; 95% CI, −7.01, 0.77), hospital time (OR, −0.00; 95% CI, −0.21, 0.20), time before returning to work (OR,-0.50; 95%CI, −4.42,3.43), and reoperation rate (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 0.93, 3.54).Conclusion:Our meta-analysis indicated that THD and SH are equally effective techniques for the treatment of hemorrhoids. However, future studies addressing cost-effectiveness, satisfaction rate, and recurrence rate over a long follow-up period are needed to validate these results.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an aggressive malignancy with a high incidence and mortality rate. Although a targeting therapy has been developed, the 5‐year survival rate is still very low in CRC patients with distant metastasis. Thus, the identification of new targets is still significant for improving CRC treatment. Klotho is a tumor suppressor, and its expression is aberrant in CRC. In this study, the roles of the FLI‐1 gene in regulating Klotho gene expression and Klotho‐associated signaling, as well as the effects of FLI‐1 on colony formation, invasion, and apoptosis were investigated in CRC cell lines. The methylation of the FLI‐1 gene was analyzed using a commercial methylation kit. Results showed that FLI‐1 messenger RNA and protein expression were downregulated in six CRC cell lines when compared with the normal colon mucosal epithelial cell line, which negatively correlated with the level of DNA methylation. Silencing of FLI‐1 gene expression decreased Klotho protein expression and phosphorylation of β‐catenin protein at Thr41/Ser45, but increased Wnt3a and β‐catenin protein expression and IGF‐1R phosphorylation in HT29 cells. In contrast to silencing FLI‐1, overexpressing FLI‐1 significantly increased Klotho protein expression and phosphorylation of β‐catenin protein at Thr41/Ser45, but decreased Wnt3a and β‐catenin protein expression and IGF‐1R phosphorylation in Caco‐2 cells. Silencing of FLI‐1 gene expression significantly increased colony formation and invasion, but decreased apoptosis in HT29 cells. In contrast, overexpressing the FLI‐1 gene significantly decreased colony formation and invasion, but increased apoptosis in Caco‐2 cells. These findings suggest that FLI‐1 functions as a tumor suppressor in CRC cells and positively regulates Klotho signaling. Hypermethylation may be one of the causes of the loss of FLI‐1 gene expression in CRC cells.