[Lycopene for the treatment of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Effect and mechanism based on network pharmacology and molecular docking].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the action mechanisms of lycopene in the treatment of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. METHODS: We obtained the drug targets of lycopene from the databases TCMSP and PharmMapper, the therapeutic targets of CP/CPPS from OMIM, Disgenet and Genecards, and the common targets of lycopene and CP/CPPS with the Venny software. We constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of lycopene acting on CP/CPPS using the STRING database, screened the core targets with the Cytoscape software, followed by GO functional analysis and KEGG pathway analysis with the R software and molecular docking of lycopene and the core targets using AutoDock Tools, Vina and Pymol. RESULTS: A total of 187 drug targets, 1 557 disease targets and 46 common targets were screened out. PPI network analysis showed that ALB, IGF1, EGFR, SRC, CASP3 and ESR1 were the core targets of lycopene in the treatment of CP/CPPS. GO functional analysis showed the common targets to be involved in the reproductive structure development, extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway, and response to reactive oxygen species. KEGG pathway analysis indicated the association of Ras, PI3K-Akt, Rap1, FoxO and MAPK signaling pathways with the mechanism of lycopene acting on CP/CPPS. Molecular docking exhibited a great affinity of lycopene to all the core targets. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the potential targets and signaling pathways of lycopene in the treatment of CP/CPPS and its action mechanisms from the perspective of network pharmacology and molecular docking, which has provided some reference for future studies.

[Correlation of seminal plasma elastase with sperm reactive oxygen species and semen parameters in infertile men].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of seminal plasma elastase (SPE) with sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS) and semen parameters in infertile men. METHODS: Between July 2021 and December 2021, a total of 145 subjects aged 20-51 years with male infertility were enrolled. SPE, seminal leukocytes, sperm ROS, DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and other semen parameters were detected. We divided patients into an inflammation group (SPE ≥ 290 ng/ml, n = 48) and a non-inflammation group (SPE < 290 ng/ml, n = 97), analyzed the relationship of SPE with seminal leukocytes, sperm ROS, semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm motility, the percentages of progressively motile sperm (PMS) , morphologically normal sperm (MNS), and DFI. RESULTS: The concentration of seminal leukocytes, sperm ROS level and DFI were significantly higher in inflammation group than in non-inflammation group (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm motility, PMS, MNS or sperm deformity index (SDI) between two groups of patients (P > 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the SPE level was correlated positively with the concentration of seminal leukocytes (r = 0.658, P < 0.01), sperm ROS level (r = 0.229, P = 0.006) and DFI (r = 0.192, P = 0.021), but not correlated with semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm motility, PMS, MNS or SDI (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The level of seminal plasma elastase is related with the concentration of seminal leukocytes, sperm ROS level and DFI, and has some reference value in the diagnosis of male infertility.

The energy based characteristics of sperm whale clicks using the Hilbert Huang transform analysis method.

In this paper, a unique analysis method for sperm whale clicks based on Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) is proposed. Four sperm whale click samples with durations of 10 ms (defined as click I), and four sperm whale click samples with durations of 5 ms (defined as click II) were illustrated. These click samples were recorded in the Mediterranean Sea by Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacusticae Ricerche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Pavia. The empirical mode decomposition method was used to decompose click I samples into seven intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and one residue function (RF), and click II samples were decomposed into six IMFs and one RF. The average energy distributions of multiple IMFs and the single RF domain for click I and click II samples were explored using the HHT analysis method. The average energy-frequency representations were also investigated for the same click I and click II samples. The analysis results show that the energy-frequency characteristics of sperm whale clicks can be extracted and understood by applying several IMFs and one RF signal with a high-resolution analysis.

Analysis of spike waves in epilepsy using Hilbert-Huang transform.

In this paper, we used the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) analysis method to examine the time-frequency characteristics of spike waves for detecting epilepsy symptoms. We obtained a sample of spike waves and nonspike waves for HHT decomposition by using numerous intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) of the Hilbert transform (HT) to determine the instantaneous, marginal, and Hilbert energy spectra. The Pearson correlation coefficients of the IMFs, and energy-IMF distributions for the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal without spike waves, Spike I, Spike II and Spike III sample waves were determined. The analysis results showed that the ratios of the referred wave and Spike III wave to the referred total energy for IMF1, IMF2, and the residual function exceeded 10%. Furthermore, the energy ratios for IMF1, IMF2, IMF3 and the residual function of Spike I, Spike II to their total energy exceeded 10%. The Pearson correlation coefficients of the IMF3 of the EEG signal without spike waves and Spike I wave, EEG signal without spike waves and Spike II wave, EEG signal without spike waves and Spike III wave, Spike I and II waves, Spike I and III waves, and Spike II and III waves were 0.002, 0.06, 0.01, 0.17, 0.03, and 0.3, respectively. The energy ratios of IMF3 in the δ band to its referred total energy for the EEG signal without spike waves, and of the Spike I, II, and III waves were 4.72, 6.75, 5.41, and 5.55%, respectively. The weighted average frequency of the IMF1, IMF2, and IMF3 of the EEG signal without spike waves was lower than that of the IMF1, IMF2, and IMF3 of the spike waves, respectively. The weighted average magnitude of the IMF3, IMF4, and IMF5 of the EEG signal without spike waves was lower than that of the IMF1, IMF2, and IMF3 of spike waves, respectively.

Chaos based encryption system for encrypting electroencephalogram signals.

In the paper, we use the Microsoft Visual Studio Development Kit and C# programming language to implement a chaos-based electroencephalogram (EEG) encryption system involving three encryption levels. A chaos logic map, initial value, and bifurcation parameter for the map were used to generate Level I chaos-based EEG encryption bit streams. Two encryption-level parameters were added to these elements to generate Level II chaos-based EEG encryption bit streams. An additional chaotic map and chaotic address index assignment process was used to implement the Level III chaos-based EEG encryption system. Eight 16-channel EEG Vue signals were tested using the encryption system. The encryption was the most rapid and robust in the Level III system. The test yielded superior encryption results, and when the correct deciphering parameter was applied, the EEG signals were completely recovered. However, an input parameter error (e.g., a 0.00001 % initial point error) causes chaotic encryption bit streams, preventing the recovery of 16-channel EEG Vue signals.

Malignant myopericytoma originating from the colon: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Myopericytoma is a benign tumor that typically occurs within subcutaneous tissue and most often involves the distal extremities, followed by the proximal extremities, neck, thoracic vertebrae and oral cavity. Complete resection is often curative. Malignant myopericytoma is extremely rare and has a poor prognosis. Here, we report for the first time a case of malignant myopericytoma originating from the colon. CASE SUMMARY: A 69-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with right upper quadrant pain for five days. Imaging suggested a liver mass with hemorrhage. A malignant hepatic tumor was the initial diagnosis. Surgical resection was performed after a complete preoperative work up. Initial postoperative pathology suggested that the mass was a malignant myoblastoma unrelated to the liver. Four months after the first surgery, an enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a recurrence of the tumor. The diagnosis of malignant myopericytoma derived from the colon was confirmed on histopathological examination of the specimen from the second surgery. The patient did not return to the hospital regularly for surveillance. The first postoperative abdominal CT examination six months after the second surgery demonstrated multiple liver metastases. Survival time between the diagnosis of the tumor to death was approximately one year. CONCLUSION: Malignant myopericytoma is a rare cancer. Preoperative diagnosis may be difficult. Due to a lack of treatment options, prognosis is poor.

Hilbert-Huang transformation-based time-frequency analysis methods in biomedical signal applications.

Hilbert-Huang transformation, wavelet transformation, and Fourier transformation are the principal time-frequency analysis methods. These transformations can be used to discuss the frequency characteristics of linear and stationary signals, the time-frequency features of linear and non-stationary signals, the time-frequency features of non-linear and non-stationary signals, respectively. The Hilbert-Huang transformation is a combination of empirical mode decomposition and Hilbert spectral analysis. The empirical mode decomposition uses the characteristics of signals to adaptively decompose them to several intrinsic mode functions. Hilbert transforms are then used to transform the intrinsic mode functions into instantaneous frequencies, to obtain the signal's time-frequency-energy distributions and features. Hilbert-Huang transformation-based time-frequency analysis can be applied to natural physical signals such as earthquake waves, winds, ocean acoustic signals, mechanical diagnosis signals, and biomedical signals. In previous studies, we examined Hilbert-Huang transformation-based time-frequency analysis of the electroencephalogram FPI signals of clinical alcoholics, and 'sharp I' wave-based Hilbert-Huang transformation time-frequency features. In this paper, we discuss the application of Hilbert-Huang transformation-based time-frequency analysis to biomedical signals, such as electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram signals, electrogastrogram recordings, and speech signals.

Exosomes function as nanoparticles to transfer miR-199a-3p to reverse chemoresistance to cisplatin in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequently seen malignant tumor globally. The occurrence of cisplatin (DDP) resistance is one of the main reasons for the high mortality of HCC patients. Therefore, it is of great theoretical significance and application value to explore the mechanism of chemotherapy resistance. Drug resistance can be modulated by exosomes containing mRNAs, micro RNAs (miRNAs) and other non-coding RNA (ncRNAs). Exosomal miR-199a-3p (Exo-miR-199a-3p) was subjected to extraction and verification. Whether exo-miR-199a-3p could make HCC cells sensitive to DDP in vitro was verified via flow cytometry, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, immunofluorescence assay and Transwell assay. Intravenous injection of exo-miR-199a-3p and intraperitoneal injection of DDP were carried out in vivo. Moreover, the possible targets of miR-199a-3p were screened through bioinformatics analysis, which were ascertained by Western blotting (WB). Then, miR-199a-3p levels in human normal liver epithelial cell line HL-7702 and HCC cell lines HuH7 and HuH7/DDP were elevated in a concentration-dependent manner. Exo-miR-199a-3p has abilities to adjust underlying targets and conjugate cells, to repress cells to invade, stimulate their apoptosis and abate their ability. Additionally, the caudal injection of exo-miR-199a-3p reversed the chemoresistance of tumors and slowed down their growth in the body owing to the up-regulation of miR-199a-3p and down-regulation of underlying target proteins in tumors. Finally, exo-miR-199a-3p was found to overturn the HCC's resistance to DDP, and it may function in DDP-refractory HCC therapy as an underlying option in the future.

Enhanced efficiency and specificity of ovarian cancer gene therapy in rats with a novel nonviral gene delivery system (GE7) via intraovarian artery perfusion approach.

Transfer of the herpes simplex virus type I-thymidine kinase gene, followed by the administration of ganciclovir (HSV1-tk/GCV) into ovarian cancer-derived cell line either in vitro or transplanted into nude mice has been shown to provide a potential strategy for the gene therapy of ovarian cancer. We investigated the antitumor effects of HSV1-tk/GCV strategy with a chemically induced rat ovarian cancer model and a tumor-selective gene delivery by a novel nonviral gene delivery system (GE7) through the ovarian artery and tail vein. We demonstrated the expression of a reporter gene, beta-gal gene, as well as HSV1-tk gene in tumors and other organs, evaluated the overall antitumor effects after the GCV treatment and analyzed the tumor cell cycle phase distribution. Via the ovarian artery route, the expressions of beta-gal and HSV1-tk in tumors were significantly stronger than those expressed in such organs as the hearts, livers, spleens, lungs and kidneys. However, no beta-gal and HSV1-tk were detected in the tumor tissues when administrated via the tail vein, and little was found in other organs. The cell cycle analysis showed that the total S-phase of tumor cells in the test intra-arterial treatment group was considerably higher than that of the controls. The weight of the tumor tissues in the group treated by the intra-arterial route (4.06+/-2.12 g) was much less than the group treated intravenously (18.25+/-8.34 g) (P<.01). These findings indicated that the administration of GE7/HSV1-tk complex via the ovarian artery route could be a promising avenue of future human ovarian cancer treatment.