Efficacy of three-dimensional arterial spin labeling and how it compares against that of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in preoperative grading of brain gliomas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) imaging in preoperative grading of brain gliomas, and compare the discrepancy between images obtained from 3D-ASL and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) in grading of gliomas. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with brain gliomas received plain MRI, CE-MRI and 3D-ASL scanning before surgery. In 3D-ASL images, the maximum tumor blood flow (TBF) of tumor parenchyma was measured, relative TBF-M and rTBF-WM were calculated. The cases were categorized into "ASL dominant" and "CE dominant" to compare the discrepancy between 3D-ASL and CE-MRI results. Independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney and U test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to test the differences of TBF, rTBF-M and rTBF-WM values among brain gliomas with different grades. Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between TBF, rTBF-M, rTBF-WM and glioma grades respectively. To compare the discrepancy between 3D-ASL and CE-MRI results. RESULTS: In high-grade gliomas (HGG) group, TBF, rTBF-M and rTBF-WM values were higher than those in low-grade gliomas (LGG) group (p < .05). Multiple comparison showed TBF and rTBF-WM values were different between grade I and IV gliomas, grade II and IV gliomas (both p < .05), the rTBF-M value was different between grade I and IV gliomas (p < .05). The values of all 3D-ASL derived parameters were positively correlated with gliomas grading (all p < .001). TBF showed highest specificity (89.3%) and rTBF-WM showed highest sensitivity (96.4%) when discriminating LGG and HGG using ROC curve. There were 29 CE dominant cases (23 cases were HGG), 9 ASL dominant cases (4 cases were HGG). CONCLUSION: 3D-ASL is of significance to preoperative grading of brain gliomas and might be more sensitive than CE-MRI in detection of tumor perfusion.

MiR-148a-3p attenuates apoptosis and inflammation by targeting CNTN4 in atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) seriously affects human health. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis and progression of AS has become a focus of research. Our goal was to identify the biological effect of differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) in AS. Methods: To analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) and DE-miRNAs, in AS by using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and limma package. DEGs protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and functional enrichment analysis were constructed by using the search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) database, Cytoscape software and Cytoscape plugin "ClueGO2.5.6". We established a coexpression network of dysregulated miRNAs and mRNAs to predict the function of miRNAs by using miRWalk database and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) analysis. Cellular experiments were used to validate the results of bioinformatics. Results: First, 69 common DEGs were obtained from datasets GSE43292 and GSE97210 using the limma package in R. Next, a DEG PPI network was constructed. Functional enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that 11 functional pathways were significantly enriched, such as positive regulation of monocyte chemotaxis. Seven common DE-miRNAs were obtained from the GSE99685 dataset and DE-mRNAs predicted miRNAs through the miRWalk database. The miRNA-mRNA network constructed using Cytoscape software suggested that miR-148a-3p targeted contactin 4 (CNTN4). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay results indicated that miR-148a-3p was downregulated and CNTN4 was upregulated in the THP-1 + phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) + oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) group compared with the THP-1 + PMA group. qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) found that upregulated miR-148a-3p significantly inhibited the expression of CNTN4, cell apoptosis, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations in oxLDL-induced THP-1 macrophages. In addition, a dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that CNTN4 was a target gene of miR-148a-3p. Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggested that miR-148a-3p inhibited oxLDL-induced cell apoptosis and inflammation via targeting CNTN4 in THP-1 macrophages.

CircRNA_0050486 promotes cell apoptosis and inflammation by targeting miR-1270 in atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that plays a major role in cardiovascular disease. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are related to the pathogenesis of AS, including the inflammatory response. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of circRNAs and how they regulate the inflammatory response in AS. Methods: Analyzed the expression profile of circRNAs in three oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) treated macrophage samples and three macrophage control samples using bioinformatics methods. Expression and biological function of circRNA were verified in oxLDL-induced THP-1 macrophages. MiRNAs and target genes of circRNA were predicted by functional enrichment analysis. Expression and function of circRNA target miRNAs were explored in oxLDL-induced THP-1 macrophages. Finally, we predicted and analyzed the function of circRNAs-miRNAs target genes in AS. Results: We identified nine upregulated circRNAs and found that circ_0050486 was significantly upregulated in a THP-1 + PMA + oxLDL group compared with a THP-1 + PMA group. Additionally, circ_0050486 knockdown markedly inhibited IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations and the cell death rates in oxLDL-induced THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, circ_0050486 targeted and inhibited miR-145 and miR-1270. Upregulated miR-1270 markedly inhibited IL-6 and TNF-α levels and the cell death rates in oxLDL-induced THP-1 macrophages. Finally, the target genes of miR-1270 and miR-145 were predicted by the miRDB, miRWalk, and Targetscan databases, and a functional analysis network of the target genes was constructed by Cytoscape GlueGO, including the regulation of the immune response and monocyte chemotaxis. The common target genes of miR-145 and miR-1270 were established by Cytoscape and included NF1A, among others. Conclusions: Our study suggested that circ_0050486 knockdown inhibited inflammation and apoptosis by targeting miR-1270 in oxLDL-induced THP-1 macrophages. This finding may provide a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

MicroRNA-150 promote apoptosis of ovine ovarian granulosa cells by targeting STAR gene.

To better understand the function of oar-miR-150 in the ovine granulosa cells (GCs) during the estrus cycle, the five turpan sheep were selected for detection of the expression of oar-miR-150 in follicular and luteal ovaries, respectively. Then the granulosa cells treated with oar-miR-150 mimics or negative control (NC) were analyzed by qPCR to assess the expression of genes involved in steroidogenic and apoptosis. Expression of oar-miR-150 was increased in follicular phase compared with that in luteal ovaries. STAR was a target gene of miR-150 with oar-miR-150 mimic or inhibitor and luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of oar-miR-150 promoted expression of bax, bcl2 and Casp3 expression and declined the expression of STAR, Cyp11a1 and HSD3B1 in vitro. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the oar-miR-150 promote GCs apoptosis through modifying the expression of genes involved in progesterone synthesis.

Effects of Intrauterine Air Bubbles on Embryonic Development in Mice.

During murine embryo transfer, air bubbles frequently are loaded with embryos into the transfer catheter, but the role of air bubbles on embryonic development is unclear. This study shows that intrauterine air disrupted embryo spacing, induced deciduoma, and impaired postimplantation development. RNA sequencing showed that the gene expression profile of air-induced deciduoma differed significantly from that of embryo-induced decidua but is similar to tetraploid-induced deciduoma. A subset of 33 common genes was upregulated in the embryo-induced decidua compared with air- or tetraploid-induced deciduoma. These data suggest that the inner cell mass (ICM) plays a key role in regulating decidualization and that the trophectoderm is an intermediate that relays ICM-derived signals to other target cells. Our results may provide an innovative approach for detecting the developmental status of embryos in human reproductive medicine.

Decoration of α-Fe2O3 on Graphene for Photocatalytic and Supercapacitive Properties.

The α-Fe2O3/graphene composites were obtained by solvothermal method, graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were served as supporting materials for anchoring the α-Fe2O3, GO was reduced during this process. The morphology and structure of composites were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Scanning electron microscope and Transmission electron microscopy. Compared with the bare α-Fe2O3 nanoplates, the morphology of α-Fe2O3 decorated in graphene partly changed from nanoplates to truncate octahedral. Because of the synergistic effect of graphene and α-Fe2O3, the α-Fe2O3/graphene composites exhibited improved photocatalytic performance, significantly better than that of the bare α-Fe2O3 nanoplates. The specific capacitance of α-Fe2O3/graphene was about 2.9 times as high as that of the α-Fe2O3 nanoplates at a current density of 0.5 A/g. The α-Fe2O3/graphene composites also showed magnetic properties, which indicated the composites can be used in various fields.

Intrauterine air impairs embryonic postimplantation development in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Although most embryologists load air bubbles into the catheter along with embryos during embryo transfer, the effects of these air bubbles on embryo transfer success rate are not clear. STUDY DESIGN: Air bubbles were nonsurgically injected into unilateral uterine horns of mice to demonstrate the negative effects of intrauterine air bubbles on embryonic development. RESULTS: Our data showed that when air bubbles are nonsurgically injected into unilateral uterine horns of pregnant 4days mice the litter size is significantly decreased. Four days after the introduction of air, abnormal decidua and dead conceptuses were detected in the uterine horns receiving the air bubbles. In addition, intrauterine air also significantly impaired murine embryo transfer success rates, and induced an increase in endometrial capillary permeability and decidualization in mice on day 4 of pseudopregnancy. These results strongly indicated that the air bubbles loaded into embryo transfer catheters to bracket the embryo-containing medium may have negative effect on embryonic implantation and development. CONCLUSIONS: Intrauterine air impaired murine embryonic postimplantation development, and this provided some clues for improving embryo transfer techniques in human.

Efficacy and toxicities of adding molecular targeted agents to first-line chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and toxicities of adding molecular targeted agents (MTAs) to first-line chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). METHODS: An extensive search for relevant clinical trials was conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane) and abstracts presented at meetings. Prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapies with or without MTAs in advanced BTC were selected. The endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and grade 3 or 4 toxicities. The results were expressed as hazard ratio or relative risk (RR), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The final analysis included a total of 855 advanced BTC patients from six RCTs. Compared with chemotherapy alone, the combination of MTAs with chemotherapy significantly improved overall response rate (ORR) (RR 1.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.28-2.19, P<0.001). And there was also a tendency to improve PFS in the combination regimens (hazard ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval: 0.78-1.02, P=0.097) but not for OS (hazard ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 0.90-1.13, P=0.93). Subgroup analysis according to targeted agents indicated that the addition of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agents to chemotherapy significantly improved ORR and PFS, but it did not translate into OS benefits. Additionally, equivalent frequencies of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and vomiting were found between the two groups excepting for diarrhea. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the addition of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agents to first-line chemotherapy in advanced BTC offers an improved ORR and PFS, but not for OS. Further RCTs with larger samples are warranted to confirm our findings.

Nanostructured TiO2 Films Attached CdSe QDs Toward Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance.

TiO2 films consisted of small nanoparticles were fabricated via a spinning coating method on fluorine doped in tin oxide (FTO) slide glass. After calcination, the films were subsequently sensitized by CdSe quantum dots (QDs) using mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as a bifunctional surface modifier. Upon UV light irradiation, CdSe QDs inject electrons into TiO2 nanoparticles, thus resulting in the generation of photocurrent in QD-sensitized solar cell. The results indicate that TiO2 films sensitized by CdSe QDs have achieved 1.5-fold enhancement in photocurrent compared with pure TiO2 films, indicating that CdSe QDs can improve the photocurrent by promoting the separation of photoinduced charge carriers. In addition, the photocurrent enhances as the thickness of TiO2 films increased. Such improved photoelectrochemical performance is ascribed to the basis of improved interfacial charge transport of the TiO2-CdSe composite films. Combining QDs on TiO2 thin films is a promising and effective way to enhance the photoelectrochemical performance, which is important in QD-sensitized solar cell application.

CdS Nanowires with Large Aspect Ratio and Their Composite with CuS and Au Nanoparticles.

We prepared CdS nanowires with small diameter (2.9 nm) and a large aspect ratio (more than 60) via a seed growth method. Wurtzite CdS seeds were firstly obtained via an organic synthesis at 310 degrees C. CdS nanowires with a single-crystal wurtzite structure and grown along the [0001] (c-axis) were further created through controlling the growth process. The injection of precursors plays an important role for getting a large respect ratio. The average size of the seeds is 2.9 nm. The growth along c-axis occurred during the preparation of the nanowires. The diameter of 2.9 nm remained unchanged within short reaction time. The heterostructures of the nanowires were fabricated by depositing CuS and Au nanoparticles (NPs). CuS monomers firstly deposited on the top of the nanowire and then to form a CuS shell on the top. In contrast, Au NPs deposited firstly on the top part of the nanowire. With increasing time or the amount of precursors, small Au NPs on side part of the nanowire was observed. The possible deposition kinetics was discussed. Because of homogeneous and uniform morphology, the heterostructures may be utilizable for applications.

Curcumin pretreatment attenuates inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in experimental stroke: The possible role of Sirt1 signaling.

The effects of curcumin (CCM) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether CCM attenuates inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and whether Sirt1 is involved in these potential protective effects. Sirtinol, a Sirt1 inhibitor, was used to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Rats were subjected to 2h of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), followed by reperfusion for 24h. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to detect infarct volumes. Neurological scores and brain water content were also assessed. Levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the brain were detected using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Expression of SIRT1, acetylated p53 (Ac-p53), Bcl-2, and Bax was measured by western blotting. Our results suggested that CCM exerted a neuroprotective effect, as shown by reduced infarct volumes and brain edema and improved neurological scores. CCM also exerted anti-inflammatory effects, as indicated by decreased TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the brain. CCM elevated mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial complex I activity, and mitochondrial cytochrome c levels, but reduced cytosolic cytochrome c levels. Moreover, CCM upregulated SIRT1 and Bcl-2 expression and downregulated Ac-p53 and Bax expression. These effects of CCM were abolished by sirtinol. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that CCM treatment attenuates ischemic stroke-induced brain injury via activation of SIRT1.

Photoluminescence Quenching of CdTe Quantum Dots Generated via Glutathione-Capped Au Nanocrystals.

The photoluminescence (PL) quenching of thioglycolic acid (TGA)-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) by glutathione (GSH)-capped Au nanocrystals (NCs) were investigated via PL degradated measurement. It was found that the PL of the QDs with several sizes can be effectively quenched by GSH-Au NCs. The size and PL peak wavelengths of QDs have no significant impact on the quenching processing. Through the characterizations of UV-visble absorption spectrum, Zeta potential and steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, it was proved that the PL quenching of the QDs by GSH-Au NCs was attributed to static quenching caused by the formation of a QDs-Au complex. The binding parameters calculated from modified Stern-Volmer equation showed that the binding affinities between the GSH-Au NCs and CdTe QDs was in the order of 10(5) L x mol(-1), which indicated that the binding force was larger and the effective quenching occurred. The thermodynamic parameters studies revealed that the binding was characterized by positive enthalpy and positive entropy changes and hydrophobic force played a major role for QDs-Au association. In addition, all the quenching experiments were conducted in the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) buffer solution at pH 7.4 and the investigation is expected to be applied in the biology.

Photodegradation of Mercaptopropionic Acid- and Thioglycollic Acid-Capped CdTe Quantum Dots in Buffer Solutions.

CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and thioglycollic acid (TGA) as capping agents. It is confirmed that TGA and MPA molecules were attached on the surface of the QDs using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The movement of the QDs in agarose gel electrophoresis indicated that MPA-capped CdTe QDs had small hydrodynamic diameter. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of TGA-capped QDs is higher than that of MPA-capped QDs at same QD concentration because of the surface passivation of TGA. To systemically investigate the photodegradation, CdTe QDs with various PL peak wavelengths were dispersed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and Tris-borate-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (TBE) buffer solutions. It was found that the PL intensity of the QDs in PBS decreased with time. The PL peak wavelengths of the QDs in PBS solutions remained unchanged. As for TGA-capped CdTe QDs, the results of PL peak wavelengths in TBE buffer solutions indicated that S(2-) released by TGA attached to Cd(2+) and formed CdS-like clusters layer on the surface of aqueous CdTe QDs. In addition, the number of TGA on the CdTe QDs surface was more than that of MPA. When the QDs were added to buffer solutions, agents were removed from the surface of CdTe QDs, which decreased the passivation of agents thus resulted in photodegradation of CdTe QDs in buffer solutions.

[Pharmacokinetics study of compound xueshuantong soft capsules].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a RP-HPLC method for determination of the content of ginsenoside Rg1 in the rabbits aqueous humor, blood and ocular tissues, which were given intragastric administration with the co-xueshuantong soft capsules. The drug concentration in rabbits at different times after oral administration has been determined and the pharmacokinetics characteristics has been researched. METHOD: The compound xueshuantong soft capsules were administrated to the healthy New Zealand rabbits by gavage (10 mg x kg(-1) per rabbit). The concentration of Ginseng Rg1 in aqueous humor, blood and ocular tissues at different time was determined by RP-HPLC. RESULT: RP-HPLC can be established for the determination of ginsenoside Rg1 in the rabbits aqueous humor, blood, ocular tissue. The calibration of curves was linear within the range of 7.60-152.0 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 6) for ginsenoside Rg1 in aqueous humor and the calibration of curves were linear within the range of 10.35-103, 50 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8) for ginsenoside Rg1 in blood. Determination of the recovery rate to meet the requirements. CONCLUSION: The ginsenosides Rg1 could transmit the blood-ocular barrier into the eyes and reach a certain concentration. The research provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the systemic administration of compound Xueshuantong to treat eye diseases.

[The study of removing salt in salt Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the method and technique to remove the salt of salt Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. METHODS: Took the Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata alkaloids, polysaccharides and the content of removing salt as the indexes, and then compared with the original process. RESULTS: There was no obvious difference between these two way on the content of the Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata alkaloids and polysaccharides,and the time of removing salt has reduced from 7 days (168 h) to 1.5 h. CONCLUSION: The new way reduces the time to remove salt obviously, and saves water; The research fills in the gaps of removing the salt of salt Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and provides thought and method for processing technology of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata