Rim 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake of hepatic cavernous hemangioma on positron emission tomography/computed tomography: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral FDG accumulation in a hepatic hemangioma presenting in a patient with prolonged fever is rare. Therefore, clinicians should pay close attention to patients with hepatic mass. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old woman with a 4-wk history of daily fevers was admitted to our hospital. A whole body 18F-Fluordesoxyglucose (PET-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed to elucidate the source of the fever. However, whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT raised the suspicion of a malignant lesion because of peripheral FDG accumulation (SUVmax 3.5 g/mL) higher than that of the normal liver parenchyma (SUVmax 1.6 g/mL) surrounding a hypoactive area, and no other abnormalities were showed. Subsequently, the patient underwent liver mass resection. Histopathology showed a hepatic cavernous hemangioma with fatty infiltration around the lesion. The fever disappeared four days after surgery and the patient did not present any complications during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Fatty infiltration in the peripheral parts of hepatic cavernous hemangioma may lead to subacute inflammation which further activate the Kupffer cells. This may cause prolonged fever and peripheral rim FDG accumulation on PET/CT.

A Voltage-Assist 16-Channel Electrochemical Biosensor with Linearity Compensation.

Large capacitive loading of electrodes induces massive error current and imperfect settling in the electrochemical signal acquisition process, leading to inaccurate acquisition results. To efficiently mitigate this inaccuracy, this paper presents a current-and-voltage dual-mode acquisition technique in which a voltage front-end (VFE) is employed to acquire the electrode voltage error and compensate the nonlinearity induced by the electrode capacitive loading. Therefore, the gain and bandwidth requirements of the current front end (CFE) can be relaxed to reduce the complexity and power consumption. With a relieved gain requirement, an inverter-based capacitive trans-impedance amplifier (IB-CTIA) is adopted to boost the input transconductance for low-noise design. By reusing the supply current, the IB-CTIA effectively achieves a low input-referred current noise of 3.9 pArms and a dynamic range (DR) of 126 dB with only 18-µW static power. The prototype chip is fabricated in a 180-nm CMOS process. Interleukin-6 immunoassays (IL-6) are implemented to verify the chip's performance. With the proposed nonlinear error compensation, the correlation coefficient of the detection result is improved from 0.951 to 0.980 and the limit of detection (LoD) is reduced from 8.31 pg/mL to 6.90 pg/mL.

Diagnosis and treatment of isolated rib Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult: A case report.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) was first proposed in 1987 to define the disorder characterized by the proliferation of abnormal Langerhans cells. It is more likely to occur in children younger than 15 years of age. Single-site and single-system LCH of rib is rare in adults. We present a rare case of isolated rib LCH in a 61-year-old male patient and expound the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. A 61-year-old male patient who presented with a 15-day history of dull pain in the left chest was admitted to our hospital. PET/CT image showed obvious osteolytic bone destruction and abnormal fluorodeoxy-glucose (FDG) uptake (maximum standardized uptake value: 14.5) in the right fifth rib with local soft tissue mass formation. The patient was eventually confirmed the diagnosis of LCH by immunohistochemistry stain and treated with rib surgery. A thorough review of the literature regarding diagnosis and treatment of LCH is presented in this study.

Gastric protective effect of Alpinia officinarum flavonoids: mediating TLR4/NF-κB and TRPV1 signalling pathways and gastric mucosal healing.

CONTEXT: Our previous studies have found that total flavonoid of Alpinia officinarum Hance (Zingiberaceae) (F.AOH) had protective effects on gastric ulcer (GU). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective mechanism of F.AOH on acetic acid-induced chronic GUs in rats and ethanol-induced GES-1 cells damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo: Gastric damage was induced in SD rats by administering acetic acid after oral treatment with F-AOH at 54, 27 and 13.5 mg/kg (2 weeks of continuous gavage). After a comprehensive evaluation of rats' serum and gastric tissue-related indicators, gene transcriptome sequencing, qPCR and Western blotting were used to investigate the mechanism further. In vivo: GES-1 cells were incubated with F-AOH (8, 4 and 2 µg/mL) for 16 h and treated with 7% ethanol for 4 h. Transwell and flow cytometry were employed to detect migration and apoptosis of cells. RESULTS: F.AOH effectively reduced the area of GUs in rats (from 11.2 ± 1.89 to 2.19 ± 0.95), reversing ethanol-induced cells apoptosis (from 23 ± 1.3 to 8.11 ± 0.93%). It also inhibited the expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and iNOS proteins, decreasing the levels of TNF-α IL-6 in serum, improving oxidative stress levels and increasing the expression of Bcl-2/Bax dimer genes. In addition, 4005 differentially expressed genes between the acetic acid model and the drug groups. Through experimental verification, F.AOH can inhibit the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway and TRPV1 receptor. CONCLUSIONS: F.AOH, as an effective gastric protective plant component, had potential therapeutic value in anti-inflammatory pain and antioxidative stress gastrointestinal diseases.

Transcriptome reveals BCAAs biosynthesis pathway is influenced by lovastatin and can act as a potential control target in Phytophthora sojae.

AIMS: Lovastatin has been indicated to impair growth and development of Phytophthora sojae. Therefore, this study was performed to understand the inhibitory mechanism of lovastatin and investigate the metabolic pathway potentially served as a new control target for this plant pathogen. METHODS AND RESULTS: Whole transcriptome analysis of lovastatin-treated P. sojae was performed by RNA-sequencing. The results revealed that 84 genes were upregulated and 58 were downregulated with more than fourfold changes under treatment. Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes analysis indicated that the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) biosynthesis pathway was abundantly enriched. All enzymes in the BCAAs biosynthesis pathway were identified in the P. sojae genome. Moreover, the study found that the herbicide flumetsulam targeting acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) of the BCAAs biosynthesis pathway could effectively inhibit mycelial growth of P. sojae. CONCLUSIONS: Lovastatin treatment significantly influences the BCAAs biosynthesis pathway in P. sojae. Moreover, the herbicide flumetsulam targets AHAS and inhibits growth of P. sojae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present study revealed that BCAAs biosynthesis pathway was influenced by lovastatin treatment and its key enzyme AHAS was identified as a potential new control target, which provides clues for exploring more oomycetes to control plant diseases caused by P. sojae.

Midkine-Notch2 Pathway Mediates Excessive Proliferation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells in Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.

Inflammation-induced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) and subsequent airway remodeling is a hallmark of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). The role of midkine (MK) in COPD is unclear. In this work, we explored the role of MK-Notch2 signaling in COPD by inhibiting the expression of MK using lentivirus shRNA in ASMCs in vitro and instillation of AAV9-MK in the airway of a COPD rat model in vivo. The results demonstrated that LPS decreased ASMC migration and proliferation, increased apoptosis and induced the expression of MK and Notch2 signaling molecules. Inhibition of MK exacerbated the changes in migration and proliferation but decreased the expression of MK and Notch2 signaling molecules. Rats treated with smoke fumigation and LPS showed features of COPD. The small airways of COPD rats were remodeled and lung function was significantly reduced. The expressions of TGF-ß, ICAM-1, HA, MMP-9, PC-III, and LN in BALF and the expression of MK and Notch2 signaling molecules were significantly increased in the COPD rats compared with controls. Inhibition of MK reversed these changes. In conclusion, the MK-Notch2 pathway plays a key role in airway remodeling induced by ASMC proliferation. Targeting the MK-Notch2 pathway may be a new strategy for improving airway remodeling and preventing progressive decline of pulmonary function in COPD.

Double Trap Escape: Omental Nodular Hyperplasia Misdiagnosed as Metastasis by 18F-FDG PET/CT and 68Ga-FAPI PET/MRI in a Patient With Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT: A 55-year-old man was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma. 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed, which detected an enlarged nodule with increased uptake located in the omentum between the transverse colon and liver, thus lymph node metastasis was under suspicion. The patient subsequently underwent 68Ga-FAPI PET/MRI clinical trial after signing the informed consent, which also revealed the abnormal focus with intense uptake. However, the histopathology of the nodule was unexpectedly diagnosed as fibrous hyperplasia after lymphadenectomy.

Anthrahydroquinone-2-6-disulfonate is a novel, powerful antidote for paraquat poisoning.

Paraquat (PQ) is a widely used fast-acting pyridine herbicide. Accidental ingestion or self-administration via various routes can cause severe organ damage. Currently, no effective antidote is available commercially, and the mortality rate of poisoned patients is exceptionally high. Here, the efficacy of anthrahydroquinone-2-6-disulfonate (AH2QDS) was observed in treating PQ poisoning by constructing in vivo and ex vivo models. We then explored the detoxification mechanism of AH2QDS. We demonstrated that, in a rat model, the PQ concentration in the PQ + AH2QDS group significantly decreased compared to the PQ only group. Additionally, AH2QDS protected the mitochondria of rats and A549 cells and decreased oxidative stress damage, thus improving animal survival and cell viability. Finally, the differentially expressed genes were analysed in the PQ + AH2QDS group and the PQ group by NextGen sequencing, and we verified that Nrf2's expression in the PQ + AH2QDS group was significantly higher than that in the PQ group. Our work identified that AH2QDS can detoxify PQ by reducing PQ uptake and protecting mitochondria while enhancing the body's antioxidant activity.

Coagulation factor IX gene transfer to non-human primates using engineered AAV3 capsid and hepatic optimized expression cassette.

Hepatic gene transfer with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors shows much promise for the treatment of the X-linked bleeding disorder hemophilia B in multiple clinical trials. In an effort to further innovate this approach and to introduce alternative vector designs with potentially superior features into clinical development, we recently built a vector platform based on AAV serotype 3 because of its superior tropism for human hepatocytes. A vector genome with serotype-matched inverted terminal repeats expressing hyperactive human coagulation factor IX (FIX)-Padua was designed for clinical use that is optimized for translation using hepatocyte-specific codon-usage bias and is depleted of immune stimulatory CpG motifs. Here, this vector genome was packaged into AAV3 (T492V + S663V) capsid for hepatic gene transfer in non-human primates. FIX activity within or near the normal range was obtained at a low vector dose of 5 × 1011 vector genomes/kg. Pre-existing neutralizing antibodies, however, completely or partially blocked hepatic gene transfer at that dose. No CD8+ T cell response against capsid was observed. Antibodies against the human FIX transgene product formed at a 10-fold higher vector dose, albeit hepatic gene transfer was remarkably consistent, and sustained FIX activity in the normal range was nonetheless achieved in two of three animals for the 3-month duration of the study. These results support the use of this vector at low vector doses for gene therapy of hemophilia B in humans.

Cloning and characterization of rec8 gene in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) and Dmrt1 regulation of rec8 promoter activity.

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division critical for gamete production during sexual reproduction in eukaryotes. The meiotic recombination protein Rec8 has been identified as an important factor in germ cell meiotic initiation in vertebrates; however, its equivalent role in teleosts is poorly characterized. In this study, we cloned and sequenced the rec8 gene from orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). The cDNA sequence consisted of 2244 base pairs (bp), including a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 198 bp and a 3'UTR of 284 bp. The open reading frame of grouper rec8 was 1752 bp, encoding 584 amino acids. Expression levels of rec8 were higher in the ovary, intersex gonad, and testis. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree based on the deduced amino acid sequence indicated a common origin for grouper and other teleost rec8 molecules. Immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal anti-Rec8 antibody localized the protein in the oogonia and primary oocytes in the ovary and in spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the intersex gonad and testis, suggesting that Rec8 may play an important role in the meiotic division and the development of grouper germ cells. In addition, we found that the transcription factor Dmrt1 increased rec8 promoter activity through the second binding site, based on dual-luciferase assays. Together, these results suggest that Rec8 plays a crucial role in meiosis and may be regulated by Dmrt1 to affect meiosis in groupers.

The Mevalonate Pathway Is Important for Growth, Spore Production, and the Virulence of Phytophthora sojae.

The mevalonate (MVA) pathway in eukaryotic organisms produces isoprenoids, sterols, ubiquinone, and dolichols. These molecules are vital for diverse cellular functions, ranging from signaling to membrane integrity, and from post-translational modification to energy homeostasis. However, information on the MVA pathway in Phytophthora species is limited. In this study, we identified the MVA pathway genes and reconstructed the complete pathway in Phytophthora sojae in silico. We characterized the function of the MVA pathway of P. sojae by treatment with enzyme inhibitor lovastatin, deletion of the geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase gene (PsBTS1), and transcriptome profiling analysis. The MVA pathway is ubiquitously conserved in Phytophthora species. Under lovastatin treatment, mycelial growth, spore production, and virulence of P. sojae were inhibited but the zoospore encystment rate increased. Heterozygous mutants of PsBTS1 showed slow growth, abnormal colony characteristics, and mycelial morphology. Mutants showed decreased numbers of sporangia and oospores as well as reduced virulence. RNA sequencing analysis identified the essential genes in sporangia formation were influenced by the enzyme inhibitor lovastatin. Our findings elucidate the role of the MVA pathway in P. sojae and provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the development, reproduction, and virulence of P. sojae and possibly other oomycetes. Our results also provide potential chemical targets for management of plant Phytophthora diseases.

A network pharmacology study on the Tripteryguim wilfordii Hook for treatment of Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: To explore the mechanism of action of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook (TWH) in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) by network pharmacology. METHODS: Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) was used to obtain the active constituents and targets of TWH. "Crohn's disease" was used as a search term to search for related targets of CD from GeneCards database and OMIM database, thereby obtaining the targets of TWH against CD. The Cytoscape 3.7.1 software was used to construct a Chinese medicine compound-target network and STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction network (PPI). The DAVID 6.8 online tool was used to perform gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of overlapping targets. RESULTS: The database results showed that there were 30 active ingredients (14 key active ingredients) in TWH and 36 targets were screened out for CD treatment. Network analysis indicated that main targets of main active components of TWH were target genes such as VEGFA, MAPK8 and CASP3, which are involved in the regulation of cancer pathway, TNF signal pathway, hepatitis B pathway, apoptosis pathway, NF-kappa B signal pathway and so forth. CONCLUSIONS: TWH can play a multi-target and multi-channel synergistic treatment of CD by anti-angiogenesis, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation and immune regulation.

Fluid dynamics aspects of miniaturized axial-flow blood pump.

Rotary blood pump (RBP) is a kind of crucial ventricular assist device (VAD) and its advantages have been evidenced and acknowledged in recent years. Among the factors that influence the operation performance and the durability of various rotary blood pumps, medium property and the flow features in pump's flow passages are conceivably significant. The major concern in this paper is the fluid dynamics aspects of such a kind of miniaturized pump. More specifically, the structural features of axial-flow blood pump and corresponding flow features are analyzed in detail. The narrow flow passage between blade tips and pump casing and the rotor-stator interaction (RSI) zone may exert a negative effect on the shear stress distribution in the blood flow. Numerical techniques are briefly introduced in view of their contribution to facilitating the optimal design of blood pump and the visualization of shear stress distribution and multiphase flow analysis. Additionally, with the development of flow measurement techniques, the high-resolution, effective and non-intrusive flow measurement techniques catering to the measurement of the flows inside rotary blood pumps are highly anticipated.

[Detection of carrageenan in the orange juice using fluorescence spectra methods].

Using the FLS920P spectrometer of Edinburgh Instruments the three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of the fresh orange juice and the three samples of 100% orange juice bought in the supermarket were studied and their characteristic parameters were obtained. The comparison of the spectra and the characteristic parameters shows that they are apparently different, especially at the emission wavelength of 683 nm. This might be caused by the food additives added into the orange juice bought. The three-dimensional spectrum of the fresh orange juice with carrageenan was obtained. The comparison of the samples bought and the one with carrageenan shows that they are with little difference. The characteristic parameters of them are almost of no difference. Thus the conclusion can be drawn that the samples bought all have carrageenan. The results of the paper can somewhat help quantitatively study carrageenan in the orange juice.

[Study on high accuracy detection of multi-component gas in oil-immerse power transformer].

In order to solve the problem of low accuracy and mutual interference in multi-component gas detection, a kind of multi-component gas detection network with high accuracy was designed. A semiconductor laser with narrow bandwidth was utilized as light source and a novel long-path gas cell was also used in this system. By taking the single sine signal to modulate the spectrum of laser and using space division multiplexing (SDM) and time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, the detection of multi-component gas was achieved. The experiments indicate that the linearity relevance coefficient is 0. 99 and the measurement relative error is less than 4%. The system dynamic response time is less than 15 s, by filling a volume of multi-component gas into the gas cell gradually. The system has advantages of high accuracy and quick response, which can be used in the fault gas on-line monitoring for power transformers in real time.

[The study of spectral characteristics of several organophosphate pesticides].

Using Edinburgh FLS920P spectrometer, the authors obtained the UV-visible spectrum and fluorescence spectrum of parathion, metaphos and isocarbophos in their solution of methanol and ethanol respectively, and discussed their spectral characteristics and their mechanisms. Results show that they all have obvious absorption and fluorescence under the excitation of ultraviolet. The absorption peaks of parathion, metaphos and isocarbophos in their methanol and ethanol solution respectively are at 304 nm/298 nm, 304 nm/304 nm and 286 nm/286 nm. The peak wavelengths of fluorescence are at 404 nm/403 nm, 407 nm/ 402 nm and 423 nm/415 nm, fitting fluorescence characteristics of conjugated aromatic compounds that the peak will have red shift with the increasing solvent polarity. The results may contribute to the application of spectral technique in the distinction of pesticides and detection of residues of pesticides in the area of food security supervision.