Development of a multi-scene universal multiple wavelet-FFT algorithm (MW-FFTA) for denoising motion artifacts in OCT-angiography in vivo imaging.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images suffer from inevitable micromotion (breathing, heartbeat, and blinking) noise. These image artifacts can severely disturb the visibility of results and reduce accuracy of vessel morphological and functional metrics quantization. Herein, we propose a multiple wavelet-FFT algorithm (MW-FFTA) comprising multiple integrated processes combined with wavelet-FFT and minimum reconstruction that can be used to effectively attenuate motion artifacts and significantly improve the precision of quantitative information. We verified the fidelity of image information and reliability of MW-FFTA by the image quality evaluation. The efficiency and robustness of MW-FFTA was validated by the vessel parameters on multi-scene in vivo OCTA imaging. Compared with previous algorithms, our method provides better visual and quantitative results. Therefore, the MW-FFTA possesses the potential capacity to improve the diagnosis of clinical diseases with OCTA.

Clinical Study on the Application of Preserved Urethral Mucosa at the Prostatic Apex in Transurethral Plasmakinetic Resection of the Prostate.

Objective: To explore the differences in the clinical efficacy, complications, and safety of transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate (PKRP) by the conventional approach versus the approach preserving the urethral mucosa at the prostatic apex in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: A total of 90 patients with PKRP admitted to the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from December 2018 to March 2021 were selected and divided into a control group (conventional PKRP, n = 45) and an observation group (PKRP with preserved urethral mucosa at the prostatic apex, n = 45). The clinical efficacy, safety, and sexual function of the groups were evaluated using the patients' International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), prostate volume, maximum flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual (PVR), blood loss, surgical resection efficiency, and surgical complication data. Results: The differences in the preoperative indicators, glandectomy quality, and glandectomy rate between the groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, in the observation group, the surgery time and blood loss were significantly lower compared with the control group, and the resection efficiency was significantly higher, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). In the follow-up, one month after surgery, the IPSS and QoL were lower in the observation group than in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05); three months after surgery, the PVR, IPSS, QoL, and Qmax scores were similar between the groups, with no statistical significance (P > 0.05). In terms of surgical complications, the incidences of urinary incontinence and other complications after catheter extraction were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with conventional PKRP, PKRP with preserved urethral mucosa at the prostatic apex can lead to immediate urinary continence after catheter extraction, reduce intraoperative blood loss, and shorten the surgery time, thus improving the surgical efficiency.

Aptamer-conjugated mesoporous polydopamine for docetaxel targeted delivery and synergistic photothermal therapy of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: It is imperative to develop efficient strategies on the treatment of prostate cancer. Here, we constructed multifunctional nanoparticles, namely AS1411@MPDA-DTX (AMD) for targeted and synergistic chemotherapy/photothermal therapy of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA) nanoparticles were prepared by a one-pot synthesis method, DTX was loaded through incubation, and AS1411 aptamer was modified onto MPDA by the covalent reaction. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by ultra-micro spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectra, transmission electron microscope, and so on. The targeting ability was detected by selective uptake and cell killing. The mechanism of AMD-mediated synergistic therapy was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: The prepared nanoparticles can be easily synthesized and possessed excellent water solubility, stability, and controlled drug release ability, preferentially in acidic context. Based on in vitro and in vivo results, the nanoparticles can efficiently target prostate cancer cells, promote DTX internalization, and enhance the antitumor effects of chemo-photothermal therapy strategies under the NIR laser irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: As a multifunctional nanoplatform, AS1411@MPDA-DTX could efficiently target prostate cancer cells, promote DTX internalization, and synergistically enhance the antiprostate cancer efficiency by combining with NIR irradiation.

CDC20 and PTTG1 are Important Biomarkers and Potential Therapeutic Targets for Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) is responsible for most prostate cancer (PCa) deaths worldwide. The present study aims to explore the molecular differences between mPCa and PCa. METHODS: The authors downloaded GSE6752, GSE6919, and GSE32269 from the Gene Expression Omnibus and employed integrated analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between mPCa and PCa. Functional and pathway-enrichment analyses were performed, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and modules were constructed. Clinical mPCa specimens were collected to verify the results by performing RT-qPCR. The Cancer Genome Atlas database was used to conduct a survival analysis, and an immunohistochemical assay was performed. The invasion ability of PCa cells was verified by Transwell assay. RESULTS: One-hundred six consistently DEGs were found in mPCa compared with PCa. DEGs significantly enriched the positive regulation of cell proliferation, cell division, and cell adhesion in small cell lung cancer and PCa. Cell division, nucleoplasm, and cell cycle were selected from the PPI network, and the top 10 hub genes were selected. CDC20 and PTTG1 with genetic alterations were significantly associated with poorer disease-free survival. Immunohistochemical assay results showed that the expression levels of CDC20 and PTTG1 in mPCa were higher than those in PCa. The results of the migration assay indicated that CDC20 and PTTG1 could enhance the migration ability of PCa cells. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that CDC20 and PTTG1 contribute more to migration, progression, and poorer prognoses in mPCa compared with PCa. CDC20 and PTTG1 could represent therapeutic targets in mPCa medical research and clinical studies.

Role of the mevalonate pathway in specific CpG site demethylation on AGEs-induced MMP9 expression and activation in keratinocytes.

BACKGROUND: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) played an important role for the development of diabetic foot. In the present study we tried to show the mevalonate pathway and the key demethylation site(s) in the MMP-9 cis-promoter to the component of MMP-9 by AGEs in keratinocyte. METHOD: Human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) cells were exposed to AGE-BSA. The plasmid construction and site-directed mutagenesis, dual-luciferase reporter assays, immunoblot, zymography, pull down, bisulfite sequencing PCR analysis and Western blotting were applied. RESULTS: The AGE-BSA could increase and more activate the MMP9 in keratinocyte. The RhoA and ROCK1 also could be activated. These affects were blocked by the simvastatin. Meanwhile, the CpG site at -562 site was largely demethylated with AGE-BSA treatment. The cis-promoter sequences with -562 bp site methylated had a lower activity change, which had a highest expression activity and was decreased by simvastatin. Moreover, site-directed mutagenesis of CpG site (-562 bp) in the recombinant plasmid pCpGL-571 brought more reduction in activity, and the activity of methylated mutation pCpGL-571 remains decreased. CONCLUSION: The cis-promoter regions of MMP9 would be methylated by AGE-BSA in keratinocyte through the mevalonate pathway, especially the -562 bp site.