Short-term efficacy of microwave ablation in the treatment of liver cancer and its effect on immune function.

BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy is the first choice for treating liver cancer. However, inflammatory factors, released in response to pain stimulation, may suppress perioperative immune function and affect the prognosis of patients undergoing hepatectomies. AIM: To determine the short-term efficacy of microwave ablation in the treatment of liver cancer and its effect on immune function. METHODS: Clinical data from patients with liver cancer admitted to Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-five patients underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver cancer (liver cancer resection group) and 35 patients underwent medical image-guided microwave ablation (liver cancer ablation group). The short-term efficacy, complications, liver function, and immune function indices before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: One month after treatment, 19 patients experienced complete remission (CR), 8 patients experienced partial remission (PR), 6 patients experienced stable disease (SD), and 2 patients experienced disease progression (PD) in the liver cancer resection group. In the liver cancer ablation group, 21 patients experienced CR, 9 patients experienced PR, 3 patients experienced SD, and 2 patients experienced PD. No significant differences in efficacy and complications were detected between the liver cancer ablation and liver cancer resection groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, total bilirubin (41.24 ± 7.35 vs 49.18 ± 8.64 µmol/L, P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (30.85 ± 6.23 vs 42.32 ± 7.56 U/L, P < 0.001), CD4+ (43.95 ± 5.72 vs 35.27 ± 5.56, P < 0.001), CD8+ (20.38 ± 3.91 vs 22.75 ± 4.62, P < 0.001), and CD4+/CD8+ (2.16 ± 0.39 vs 1.55 ± 0.32, P < 0.001) were significantly different between the liver cancer ablation and liver cancer resection groups. CONCLUSION: The short-term efficacy and safety of microwave ablation and laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of liver cancer are similar, but liver function recovers quickly after microwave ablation, and microwave ablation may enhance immune function.

[Different concentrations of adapalene induce differentiation and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells]. / 不同浓度阿达帕林诱导SH-SY5Y细胞的分化及凋亡.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of different concentrations of adapalene on the morphology and functions of neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, as well as its role in inducing cell differentiation and apoptosis. METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were divided into control group, low concentration (0.1 µM and 1 µM) adapalene groups, and high concentration (10 µM) adapalene group. Time-lapse microscopy was used to observe the morphological changes of SH-SY5Y cells. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of neuronal specific marker ßIII-tubulin and mature neuronal marker neurofilament heavy polypeptide (NFH). Multi-electrode array was used to record the electrophysiological features of SH-SY5Y cells. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using a cell apoptosis detection kit. RESULTS: Low concentrations of adapalene promoted the formation of neurite outgrowth in SH-SY5Y cells, with the neurites interconnected to form a network. Spontaneous discharge activity was observed in SH-SY5Y cells treated with low concentrations of adapalene. Compared to the control group, the expression of ßIII-tubulin and NFH increased in the 1 µM adapalene group, while the level of cell apoptosis increased in the high concentration adapalene group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low concentrations of adapalene can induce differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells into mature functional neurons, while high concentrations of adapalene can induce apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells.

Radiomics using CT images for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: a multi-centric study.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a CT-based radiomics model for preoperative prediction of lymph node (LN) metastasis in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). METHODS: The study enrolled consecutive pCCA patients from three independent Chinese medical centers. The Boruta algorithm was applied to build the radiomics signature for the primary tumor and LN. The k-means algorithm was employed to cluster the selected LNs based on the radiomics signature LN. Support vector machines were used to construct the prediction models. The diagnostic efficiency was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The optimal model was evaluated in terms of calibration, clinical usefulness, and prognostic value. RESULTS: A total of 214 patients were included in the study (mean age: 61.6 years ± 9.4; 130 male). The selected LNs were classified into two clusters, which were significantly correlated with LN metastasis in all cohorts (p < 0.001). The model incorporated the clinical risk factors, radiomics signature primary tumor, and the LN cluster obtained the best discrimination, with AUC values of 0.981 (95% CI: 0.962-1), 0.896 (95% CI: 0.810-0.982), and 0.865 (95% CI: 0.768-0.961) in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively. High-risk patients predicted by the optimal model had shorter overall survival than low-risk patients (median, 13.7 vs. 27.3 months, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study proposed a radiomics model with good performance to predict LN metastasis in pCCA. As a noninvasive preoperative prediction tool, this model may help in patient risk stratification and personalized treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: A CT-based radiomics model accurately predicts lymph node metastasis in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma patients. This noninvasive preoperative tool can aid in patient risk stratification and personalized treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes. KEY POINTS: • The radiomics model based on contrast-enhanced CT is a useful tool for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. • Radiomics features extracted from lymph nodes show great potential for predicting lymph node metastasis. • The study is the first to identify a lymph node phenotype with a high probability of metastasis based on radiomics.

The roles of phospholipase C-ß related signals in the proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis of malignant tumors, and the corresponding protective measures.

PLC-ß is widely distributed in eukaryotic cells and is the key enzyme in phosphatidylinositol signal transduction pathway. The cellular functions regulated by its four subtypes (PLC-ß1, PLC-ß2, PLC-ß3, PLC-ß4) play an important role in maintaining homeostasis of organism. PLC-ß and its related signals can promote or inhibit the occurrence and development of cancer by affecting the growth, differentiation and metastasis of cells, while targeted intervention of PLC-ß1-PI3K-AKT, PLC-ß2/CD133, CXCR2-NHERF1-PLC-ß3, Gαq-PLC-ß4-PKC-MAPK and so on can provide new strategies for the precise prevention and treatment of malignant tumors. This paper reviews the mechanism of PLC-ß in various tumor cells from four aspects: proliferation and differentiation, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis and protective measures.

Prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Malnutrition is prevalent in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and is associated with a poor prognosis. Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition in patients with PTB. Methods: Studies related to the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition in patients with PTB were searched through PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from January 1990 to August 2022, and two researchers screened the literature, evaluated the quality, and extracted data independently. A random-effects model was used to pool the effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression analysis, and sensitivity analysis were further performed to identify sources of heterogeneity and evaluate the stability of the results. Publication bias was assessed by Doi plot, Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) asymmetry index, funnel plot, and Egger's tests. Results: A total of 53 studies involving 48, 598 participants were identified in this study. The prevalence of malnutrition was 48.0% (95% CI, 40.9-55.2%). Subgroup analysis revealed that malnutrition was more common among male gender (52.3%), bacterial positivity (55.9%), family size over 4 (54.5%), drug resistance (44.1%), residing in rural areas (51.2%), HIV infection (51.5%), Asian (51.5%), and African (54.5%) background. The prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe malnutrition was 21.4%, 14.0%, and 29.4%, respectively. Bacterial positivity (OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.26-3.41), low income (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.11-1.86), and residing in rural areas (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.20-1.89) were risk factors of malnutrition in patients with PTB. However, male (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.85-1.26) and drinking (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 0.81-1.69) were not risk factors for malnutrition in patients with PTB. Due to the instability of sensitivity analysis, HIV infection, age, family size, smoking, and pulmonary cavity need to be reevaluated. Meta-regression suggested that sample size was a source of heterogeneity of prevalence. The Doi plot and LFK asymmetry index (LFK = 3.87) indicated the presence of publication bias for prevalence, and the funnel plot and Egger's test showed no publication bias for risk factors. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicated that malnutrition was prevalent in patients with PTB, and bacterial positivity, low income, and those residing in rural areas were risk factors for malnutrition. Therefore, clinical workers should pay attention to screening the nutritional status of patients with PTB and identifying the risk factors to reduce the incidence of malnutrition and provide nutritional interventions early to improve the prognosis in patients with PTB.

Correlation between the Human Development Index and the Incidence and Mortality of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to examine the relationship between socioeconomic status and the incidence and mortality of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). METHODS: We compared the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and the ASMR to ASIR ratio (MIR) at national and regional levels and studied the correlation between the MIR and the human development index (HDI) in 2012 and 2018. RESULTS: The highest ASIR was in North America in 2012 and in Australia in 2018, and the lowest ASIR was in Central and South Asia in both 2012 and 2018. The highest ASMR was in North Africa in both 2012 and 2018, and the lowest ASMR was in Eastern Asia and South-Central Asia in 2012 and in South-Central Asia in 2018. The lowest MIR was in Australia in both 2012 and 2018, and the highest MIR was in Western Africa in both 2012 and 2018. HDI was strongly negatively correlated with MIR (r: -0.8810, P<0.0001, 2012; r: -0.8895, P<0.0001, 2018). Compared to the 2012 data, the MIR in the intermediate HDI countries significantly deceased and the HDI in low and high HDI countries significantly increased in 2018. CONCLUSION: The MIR is negatively correlated with HDI. Increasing the HDI in low and intermediate HDI countries may reduce the MIR and increase the survival of patients with NHL.

Spautin-1 Protects Against Mild TBI-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior in Mice via Immunologically Silent Apoptosis.

Anxiety is reportedly one of the most common mental changes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Perineuronal nets (PNNs) produced by astrocytes in the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) that surround gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) neurons have been associated with anxiety. The potent anti-tumor effects of Spautin-1, a novel autophagy inhibitor, have been documented in malignant melanoma; moreover, the inhibition of autophagy is reported to mitigate anxiety disorders. However, little is known about the ability of spautin-1 to alleviate anxiety. In this study, we sought to investigate whether spautin-1 could alleviate anxiety-like behaviors post-TBI by reducing the loss of PNNs in the LHA. A mild TBI was established in mice through Feeney's weight-drop model. Then, Spautin-1 (20 mmol/2 µl) was immediately administered into the left lateral ventricle. Behavioral and pathological changes were assessed at 24 h, 7 days, 30 days, 31 days and 32 days after TBI by the neurological severity scores (NSS), open field test (OFT), elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, western blot, immunofluorescence assays and electron microscopy. Spautin-1 significantly reversed TBI-induced decreased time in the central zone during OFT and in the open-arm during the EPM test. Spautin-1 also increased PNNs around GABAergic neurons indicated by WFA- plus GAD2- positive A2-type astrocytes and attenuated M1-type microglia in the LHA 32 days after TBI compared to TBI alone. Moreover, compared to mice that only underwent TBI, spautin-1 downregulated autophagic vacuoles, abnormal organelles, the expression of Beclin 1, USP13, phospho-TBK1, and phospho-IRF3 and upregulated the levels of cleaved caspase-3, -7 and -9, but failed to increase TUNEL-positive cells in the LHA at 24 h. Spautin-1 alleviated anxiety-like behavior in mice exposed to mild TBI; this protective mechanism may be associated with decreased PNNs loss around GABAergic neurons via immunologically silent apoptosis induced by the caspase cascade.

Application of symptom-based mind mapping combined with PBL teaching method in emergency trauma standardized resident training in MDT model.

Explore the feasibility and effectiveness of accepting mind mapping combined with problem-based learning (PBL) teaching method in the standardized training of emergency surgery residents in the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) model of emergency trauma. Eighty-nine doctors under training who rotated in the Department of Emergency Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2021 to January 2022 were selected as the study subjects, and randomly divided into a group receiving mind mapping combined with PBL teaching and a group receiving traditional lecture-based learning teaching. Mini-clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX), direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS), teaching adherence, and satisfaction assessments were completed at the time of discharge from the department. There were no significant differences between the observation and control group trainees in terms of gender, age, education, and entry grades. Both groups of doctors were better able to participate in their respective teaching modes and made significant progress. The participants in the observation group had significantly higher Mini-CEX, DOPS, and teaching satisfaction scores than the control group (P < .05). Under the MDT model of emergency trauma, the combination of mind mapping and PBL teaching can improve the comprehensive clinical ability of the trainees more than participating in the traditional lecture-based learning teaching, which is worth promoting and implementing in the clinical standardized training.

CT-Based Radiomics Analysis for Noninvasive Prediction of Perineural Invasion of Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose: The study aimed to construct and evaluate a CT-Based radiomics model for noninvasive detecting perineural invasion (PNI) of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) preoperatively. Materials and Methods: From February 2012 to October 2021, a total of 161 patients with pCCA who underwent resection were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were allocated into the training cohort and the validation cohort according to the diagnostic time. Venous phase images of contrast-enhanced CT were used for radiomics analysis. The intraclass correlation efficient (ICC), the correlation analysis, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were applied to select radiomics features and built radiomics signature. Logistic regression analyses were performed to establish a clinical model, a radiomics model, and a combined model. The performance of the predictive models was measured by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and pairwise ROC comparisons between models were tested using the Delong method. Finally, the model with the best performance was presented as a nomogram, and its calibration and clinical usefulness were assessed. Results: Finally, 15 radiomics features were selected to build a radiomics signature, and three models were developed through logistic regression. In the training cohort, the combined model showed a higher predictive capability (AUC = 0.950) than the radiomics model and the clinical model (AUC: radiomics = 0.914, clinical = 0.756). However, in the validation cohort, the AUC of the radiomics model (AUC = 0.885) was significantly higher than the other two models (AUC: combined = 0.791, clinical = 0.567). After comprehensive consideration, the radiomics model was chosen to develop the nomogram. The calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) suggested that the nomogram had a good consistency and clinical utility. Conclusion: We developed a CT-based radiomics model with good performance to noninvasively predict PNI of pCCA preoperatively.

Effect of PLC-ß1/CaM signaling pathway mediated by AT1R on the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To study the roles of AT1R, PLC-ß1, CaM and other related signal molecules in the formation and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their correlation. METHODS: ELISA and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expressions of target proteins in serum and liver tissue of HCC patients, and the correlation between AT1R, PLC-ß1 and CaM and postoperative survival status of patients was followed up and determined. CCK-8 method was used to screen the doses of Ang II and candesartan sensitive to HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells. Transwell experiment was used to observe the effects of different drugs on the migration and invasion activity of HCC cells. Meanwhile, flow cytometry and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of AT1R, PLC-ß1 and CaM in the cells. Then PLC-ß1 siRNA was selected to transfect HCC cells, so as to further clarify the mechanism of the above signal proteins. HepG2 cells were inoculated under the hepatic capsule of mice to induce the formation of HCC in situ. Ang II and candesartan were used to stimulate HCC mice to observe the difference in liver appearance and measure the liver index. Finally, ELISA and immunofluorescence experiments were selected to analyze the levels of target proteins in mouse serum and liver tissue. RESULTS: The expression levels of target proteins in serum and liver tissue of HCC patients were significantly increased, and the postoperative survival time of patients with high expression of AT1R, PLC-ß1 or CaM was obviously shortened. Ang II and candesartan could significantly promote and inhibit the motility of HCC cells, and had different effects on the levels of AT1R, PLC-ß1 and CaM in cells. However, in hepatocellular carcinoma cells transfected with PLC-ß1 siRNA, the intervention ability of drugs was obviously weakened. Ang II could significantly promote the formation and progression of mouse HCC, while candesartan had the opposite effect. Meanwhile, medications could affect the expressions of target proteins in mouse serum and liver tissue. CONCLUSION: AT1R, PLC-ß1 and CaM may be risk factors affecting the formation and prognosis of HCC, and the PLC-ß1/CaM signaling pathway mediated by AT1R is an important way to regulate the migration and invasion activity of HCC cells.

[Effects of Different Exogenous Selenium Species Application on Growth and Cadmium Uptake of Pak Choi in Cadmium Contaminated Soil].

This study explored the discrepancy in the detoxification effects of different exogenous selenium (Se) species in cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil to provide a scientific basis for the control of Cd pollution in the soil and the safe production of crops. A pot experiment was conducted to compare the effects of different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 mg·kg-1) of selenite and selenate on the growth (root length, shoot height, biomass, and photosynthetic parameters), uptake, and translocation of Cd on pak choi in Cd-contaminated soil. The results indicated that the detoxification effect of a low Se concentration (≤1.0 mg·kg-1) treatment on Cd was better than that with a high Se concentration (2.5 mg·kg-1) treatment, and the selenite treatment demonstrated a greater detoxification effect on Cd than the corresponding selenate treatment. Meanwhile, the application of low-concentration selenite and selenate both increased the SPAD value, Pn, Gs, Ci, biomass, and shoot length of the pak choi, and the 1.0 mg·kg-1 selenite treatment had the most significant (P<0.05) effect (except Ci). Nevertheless, the photosynthetic parameters of the pak choi under the high-concentration Se were significantly lower than those under the low Se concentration treatment (except Tr, P<0.05). Compared with the treatment without Se (control), the uptake of Cd in the pak choi was reduced under different Se treatments. Compared with the control, the Cd concentration in the shoots of the pak choi treated with 1.0 mg·kg-1 of selenite and selenate decreased by 40.0% and 20.5% (P<0.05), respectively. In addition, the translocation of Cd from the root to the shoot was significantly reduced under the 0.5 mg·kg-1 selenate treatment, while the high-concentration treatments of either exogenous Se promoted the translocation of Cd. Overall, applying the appropriate amount of exogenous Se could promote the photosynthesis and biomass of pak choi, and reduce the accumulation of Cd in pak choi. Therefore, the 1.0 mg·kg-1 selenite treatment is recommended for the control and safe utilization of Cd in Cd-contaminated soil.

[Killing Effect of A CD7 Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Modified NK-92MI Cell Line on CD7-Positive Hematological Malignant Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the killing effect of NK-92MI cells modified by chimeric antigen receptor (CD7-CAR) and specifically targeting CD7 to CD7+ hematological malignant cells. METHODS: Three types of hematological malignant tumor cells, including 5 cases of CD7+ acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), 10 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 6 cases of T-cell lymphoma were collected, centrifuged, cultured and used to detect the expression levels of tumor cell surface targets; 7-AAD, CD56-APC, CD3-FITC, IgG Fc-PE flow cytometry were used to detected the transfection efficiency of NK-92MI and CD7-CAR-NK-92MI cells, killing efficiencies of CD7-CAR-NK-92MI cells to CD7+ hematological tumor cells in vitro were determined by flow cytometry using PE Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit. Secretion differences of NK-92MI and CD7-CAR-NK-92MI cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, and granzyme B detection were estimated by using CBA kit. RESULTS: The killing efficiencies of CD7-CAR-modified NK-92MI cells to CD7+ T-ALL, AML, T-cell lymphoma tumor cells were significantly higher than those of NK-92MI cells without genetical modification. The difference showed statistically significant (P＜0.05). The level of IFN-γ and granzyme B were significantly increased among cytokines secreted by CD7-CAR-modified NK-92MI cells as compared with those of NK-92MI cells without genetical modification (P＜0.05) . CONCLUSION: CD7-CAR-modified NK-92MI cells have significantly improved killing efficiency against CD7+ T-ALL, AML and T lymphoma cells, and shows specific targeting effects, which provides a clinical basis for the treatment of CD7+ hematological malignancies.

Assessment of proliferation, migration and differentiation potentials of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells labeling with silica-coated and amine-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have been widely used for cell labeling in preclinical and clinical studies, to improve labeling efficiency, particle conjugation and surface modifications are developed, but some modified SPIONs exert side-effect on physiological activity of cells, which cannot be served as ideal cell tracker. In this study, amine-modified silica-coated SPIO (SPIO@SiO2-NH2, SPIO@S-N) nanoparticles were used to label bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), then the stem cell potentials were evaluated. It was found BM-MSCs could be efficiently labeled by SPIO@S-N nanoparticles. After labeling, the BM-MSCs viability kept well and the migration ability increased, but the osteogenesis and adipogenesis potentials were not impaired. In steroid associated osteonecrosis (SAON) bone defect model, stem cell implantation was performed by injection of SPIO@S-N labeled BM-MSCs into marrow cavity locally, it was found the SPIO positive cells homed to the periphery of defect region in control group, but were recruited to the defect region in poly lactic-coglycolic acid/tricalcium phosphate (PLGA/TCP) scaffold implantation group. In conclusion, SPIO@S-N nanoparticles promoted migration while retained proliferation and differentiation ability of BM-MSCs, implying this kind of nanoparticles could be served not only an ideal tracking marker but also an accelerator for stem cell homing during tissue repair.

Comparison of Vaginal Gel and Intramuscular Progesterone for In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer with Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Luteal support is a key to patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-antagonist protocol. This study aimed to compare the effect between vaginal progesterone (VP) and intramuscular progesterone (IMP) with GnRH-antagonist protocol after IVF-ET. METHODS: A total of 1760 patients (18 years ≤ age ≤35 years) undergoing IVF-ET with GnRH-antagonist protocol were studied retrospectively between September 2014 and August 2015 in Peking University Third Hospital. In the patients, 1341 patients received VP (VP group) and 419 patients received IMP (IMP group) as luteal support. We compared clinical outcomes between these two groups. The primary objective of the study was the live birth rate. Measurement data between the two groups were conducted using independent samples t-test. The variables in line with non-normal distribution were expressed as median (p25 and p75) and were compared using nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Live birth rate in VP group was 38.55%, significantly higher than that in the IMP group, which was 30.79% (χ2 = 8.287, P = 0.004). The clinical intrauterine pregnancy rate and implantation rate in VP group were also significantly higher than those in the IMP group (clinical intrauterine pregnancy rate 47.35% vs. 41.29%, χ2 = 4.727, P = 0.030; implantation rate 30.99% vs. 25.26%, χ2 = 14.546, P < 0.001). Any statistically significant differences in ectopic pregnancy and abortion rates between two groups were not observed. CONCLUSION: : Luteal support with VP had better clinical outcomes for young women undergoing IVF-ET with GnRH-antagonist protocol.

[Effects of Moxibustion on Ventricular Mass Index and Expression of Apoptosis Related Proteins in Myocardium of Rats with Chronic Heart Failure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on cardiac function and the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), Fas, Fas ligand (FasL) in cardiomyocytes of chronic heart failure (CHF) rats, so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in preventing and treating CHF. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, moxibustion, Captopril and moxibustion ＋ Captopril (M＋C) groups (n＝12 rats/group). The CHF model was established by intraperitoneal injection of Adriamycin (ADR, from 1 to 4 mg/kg, once every other day for 15 days). Mild moxibustion was applied to bilateral"Feishu"(BL 13) and "Xinshu"(BL 15). Rats of the Captopril group was treated by gavage of Captopril suspension (5 mg/mL, 25 mL/kg), and those of the M＋C group treated by the combined two methods. All the treatments were given once a day for 3 weeks. The general conditions and behaviors of rats were observed. The left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and right ventricular mass index (RVMI) were detected for assessing the cardiac performance. Morphological changes of myocardium were observed by HE staining. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and precursor N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) in the serum. The expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and FasL of the left ventricle of heart were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: After modeling, the pathological changes of myocardium (as myocardial cell swelling with vacuoles, myocardial fibre breakage, etc.) were obvious, the LVMI, RVMI, serum BNP and NT-pro BNP concentrations, and myocardial Bax, Fas and FasL protein expression levels were significantly increased in the model group compared with the normal group (P<0.01), while the expression level of Bcl-2 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Following the interventions, the myocardial injury was reduced, both LVMI and RVMI, serum BNP concentration and Bax, Fas and FasL expression levels in the three treatment groups, and serum NT-pro BNP concentration in the moxibustion and M＋C groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the myocardial Bcl-2 protein levels in the three treatment groups were significantly increased relevant to the model group (P<0.01). Comparison among the three treatment groups showed that the effects of moxibustion ＋ Captopril were significantly superior to those of simple moxibustion and simple Captopril in suppressing CHF-induced increased expression of myocardial Bax, Fas and FasL, and in lessening CHF-induced decrease of Bcl-2 level (P<0.05, P<0.01). No significant differences were found among the three treatment groups in down-regulating LVMI and RVMI, and serum BNP content (P>0.05)．. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion can reduce myocardial injury and improve cardiac function in CHF rats, which may be related to its effects in down-regulating the expression of myocardial Bax, Fas and FasL proteins, and up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein to inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

An aorto-oesophageal fistula caused by a fish bone resulting in an accidental discovery of an invasive adenocarcinoma in the lung.

An aorto-oesophageal fistula is a rare, life-threatening complication caused by sharp foreign bodies in the oesophagus. We report an aorto-oesophageal fistula in the inferior segment of thoracic oesophagus caused by a fish bone. Multiplanar reconstruction of computed tomography and computed tomography angiography demonstrated that a foreign body had pierced from the left posterior wall of the oesophagus into the descending aortic wall. These computed tomography images can help radiologists make the correct diagnosis and provide precise evidence for clinicians to perform a timely surgical intervention. In addition, a nodule in the upper lobe of the left lung was found by accident. The pathological finding after surgery revealed an invasive adenocarcinoma.

Metabolic heterogeneity of follicular amino acids in polycystic ovary syndrome is affected by obesity and related to pregnancy outcome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder frequently accompanied by obesity and by insulin resistance, and patients with this syndrome suffer from infertility and poor pregnancy outcome. Disturbances in plasma amino acid (AA) metabolism have been implicated in women with PCOS. However, direct evidence on follicular AA metabolic profiles in PCOS patients and their relationship with pregnancy outcome is sparse. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study in 63 PCOS patients and 48 controls in the Division of Reproductive Center, Peking University Third Hospital. Follicular AA levels were measured by the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method, and the results were analyzed based on different grouping criteria. RESULTS: The levels of aromatic amino acid (AAA) increased in PCOS patients independent of obesity (P < 0.05), whereas the levels of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), glutamic acid, phenylalanine, alanine, and arginine increased with body mass index irrespective of the PCOS status (all P < 0.05). In addition, compared with non insulin resistant-PCOS patients and controls, insulin resistant-PCOS group had higher levels of leucine, valine and glutamic acid (all P < 0.05). In PCOS group, aspartic acid and serine levels were elevated in pregnant patients compared with the non-pregnant subjects (both P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of BCAA and valine were higher in the non-pregnant group than in the pregnant group (both P < 0.05). The pregnancy rate (45.00%) of subjects with elevated BCAA level was significantly lower than that (66.67%) in control subjects (P = 0.036) at a BCAA cutoff value of 239.10 µM, while the abortion rate was much higher (33.33% versus 2.78%, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Both PCOS and obesity were accompanied by follicular AA metabolic disturbances, with obesity exerting a more pronounced effect on AA metabolic profiles. The disruptions in specific AAs in the follicular fluid might account for the inferior pregnancy outcome in obese patients and increased risk of abortion in PCOS patients.

[Dynamic changes of enzyme activities and active component contents in Lonicera japonica during different blossoming stages].

OBJECTIVE: This paper aimed to study the dynamic changes of enzyme activities and active component contents in Lonicera japonica during different blossoming stages. METHOD: The enzyme activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and the contents of total phenol, total flavonoids, chlorogenic acid, anthocyanins in L. japonica during different blossoming stages were determined. RESULT: The contents of total phenolics, total flavonoids, anthocyanins decreased from the Sanqing stage to Jinhua stage while the content of chlorogenic acid increased slightly in white period, and then decreased gradually. The activities of three enzymes decreased gradually from Sanqing stage, and got to a minimum value in Yinhua stage, then increased slightly until the Jinhua stage. CONCLUSION: The enzyme activities of PPO and POD correlated the content of phenolic substances positively before the Jinhua stage in L. japonica. In the period of maturity, the POD activity was strengthened due to the induction of respiration and became the key enzyme to control active component content during the mature stage.

Purification and partial characterization of polyphenol oxidase from the flower buds of Lonicera japonica Thunb.

The purification and partial enzymology characteristics of polyphenol oxidase from Lonicera japonica (LjPPO) were studied in this paper. The crude enzyme solution was purified in turn by ammonium sulfate, dialysis, and DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography after preliminary treatments. Purification resulted in 31-fold enrichment and its molecular weight was estimated to be ~49 kDa exhibited on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The pH for optimal conditions of LjPPO was 7.5, and the temperature was 25 °C, in addition, the inhibitive effects of inhibitors were enhanced positively with increasing of the concentration. Moreover, crude enzyme solution showed diphenolase activity toward catechol, l-dopa and chlorogenic acid rather than monophenolase and triphenolase activity, and the best substrate was catechol because of the highest V(max)/K(m) value. However, the oxidation of diphenol related to browning significantly, so the data obtained in this research provided theoretical basis for the prevention of enzymatic browning of L. japonica during processing.

Metabolic profiles characterizing different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome: plasma metabolomics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder accompanied with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease; despite being a common condition, the pathogenesis of PCOS remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the potential metabolic profiles for different phenotypes of PCOS, as well as for the early prognosis of complications. METHODS: A total of 217 women with PCOS and 48 healthy women as normal controls were studied. Plasma samples of subjects were tested using two different analytical platforms of metabolomics: 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS). RESULTS: Our results showed that carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolisms were influenced in PCOS. The levels of lactate, long-chain fatty acids, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein were elevated, while glucose, phosphatidylcholine and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were reduced in PCOS patients as compared with controls. Additionally, the levels of alanine, valine, serine, threonine, ornithine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan were generally increased, whereas the levels of glycine and proline were significantly reduced in PCOS samples compared to controls. Furthermore, the ratio of branched-chain amino acid to aromatic amino acid concentrations (BCAA/AAA) in PCOS plasma was significantly reduced in PCOS patients and was insusceptible to obesity and insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that the enhanced glycolysis and inhibited tricarboxylic acid cycle (TAC) in women with PCOS. Decrease of BCAA/AAA ratio was directly correlated with the development of PCOS. Ovulatory dysfunction of PCOS patients was associated with raised production of serine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and ornithine. Elevated levels of valine and leucine, and decreased concentrations of glycine in PCOS plasma could contribute to insulin sensitivity and could be considered as the potential biomarkers for long-term risk assessment of diabetes mellitus.