Chemical Shift MRI Monitoring of Chemoembolization Delivery for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Multicenter Feasibility of Initial Clinical Translation.

Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility of using chemical shift fat-water MRI methods to visualize and measure intrahepatic delivery of ethiodized oil to liver tumors following conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE). Materials and Methods Twenty-eight participants (mean age, 66 years ± 8 [SD]; 22 men) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with cTACE were evaluated with follow-up chemical shift MRI in this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant prospective, institutional review board-approved study. Uptake of ethiodized oil was evaluated at 1-month follow-up chemical shift MRI. Measurements of tumor size (MRI and CT), attenuation and enhancement (CT), fat content percentage, and tumor:normal ratio (MRI) were compared by lesion for responders versus nonresponders, as assessed with modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) criteria. Adverse events and overall survival by the Kaplan-Meier method were secondary end points. Results Focal tumor ethiodized oil retention was 46% (12 of 26 tumors) at 24 hours and 47% (18 of 38 tumors) at 1 month after cTACE. Tumor volume at CT did not differ between EASL-defined responders and nonresponders (P = .06). Tumor ethiodized oil volume measured with chemical shift MRI was statistically significantly higher for EASL-defined nonresponders (P = .02). Doxorubicin dosing (P = .53), presence of focal fat (P = .83), and a combined end point of focal fat and low doxorubicin dosing (P = .97) did not stratify overall survival after cTACE. Conclusion Chemical shift MRI allowed for assessment of tumor delivery of ethiodized oil out to 1 month after cTACE in participants with HCC and demonstrated tumor ethiodized oil volume as a potential tool for stratification of tumor response by EASL criteria. Keywords: MRI, Chemical Shift Imaging, CT, Hepatic Chemoembolization, Ethiodized Oil Clinicaltrials.gov registration no.: NCT02173119 Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2023.

A Tensor-Based Frequency Features Combination Method for Brain-Computer Interfaces.

With the development of the brain-computer interface (BCI) community, motor imagery-based BCI system using electroencephalogram (EEG) has attracted increasing attention because of its portability and low cost. Concerning the multi-channel EEG, the frequency component is one of the most critical features. However, insufficient extraction hinders the development and application of MI-BCIs. To deeply mine the frequency information, we proposed a method called tensor-based frequency feature combination (TFFC). It combined tensor-to-vector projection (TVP), fast fourier transform (FFT), common spatial pattern (CSP) and feature fusion to construct a new feature set. With two datasets, we used different classifiers to compare TFFC with the state-of-the-art feature extraction methods. The experimental results showed that our proposed TFFC could robustly improve the classification accuracy of about 5% ( ). Moreover, visualization analysis implied that the TFFC was a generalization of CSP and Filter Bank CSP (FBCSP). Also, a complementarity between weighted narrowband features (wNBFs) and broadband features (BBFs) was observed from the averaged fusion ratio. This article certificates the importance of frequency information in the MI-BCI system and provides a new direction for designing a feature set of MI-EEG.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of sesquiterpene biosynthesis and functional characterization of sesquiterpene synthases in Leonurus sibiricus L.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Two sesquiterpene synthases were identified through comparative transcriptome analysis of Leonurus sibiricus. LsSqTPS2 could produce high titer of δ-cadinene in vivo which suggests the terpene specificity of L. sibiricus. Leonurus sibiricus L., a medicinal herb, is widely used in China due to its pharmacological activities. Cadinene type sesquiterpenes, one of major bioactive components mainly present in aerial parts of L. sibiricus, showed antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiproliferative properties. However, there is no report about the sesquiterpene biosynthesis in L. sibiricus. This study identified L. sibiricus sesquiterpene synthases (LsSqTPSs) through comparative transcriptome analysis of L. sibiricus leaf and root samples using the BGISEQ-500 sequencing technique. A total of 83,244 unigenes were obtained with an average length of 1025 bp. Among them, 50,356 unigenes (60.49%) acquired annotations according to the BLAST searching results. A total of 68 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were potentially involved in the sesquiterpene biosynthesis. Furthermore, four candidate DEGs encoding LsSqTPSs were characterized. The enzymatic characterization in engineered yeast showed that LsSqTPS1 produced α-farnesene as the single product and LsSqTPS2 mainly produced 76.23 mg/L of δ-cadinene, which constituted the major component of L. sibiricus leaf essential oil. This work contributes to the investigation of sesquiterpene biosynthesis in L. sibiricus.

Revealing the toxicity of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) to the oxygen-carrying function of red blood cells (RBCs): The iron release mechanism.

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs), as typical hormone pollutants, do harms to human health after enrichment over a long term exposure, causing the loss of oxygen-carrying function of red blood cells (RBCs). This study has investigated the mechanism for the toxicity of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) on the oxygen-carrying function of RBCs by measuring the iron release content of hemoglobin (Hb) in vivo and in vitro. The hematologic examination showed that the high dose of DMP at 1000 mg/kg significantly reduced the Hb content and increased the granulocyte content, whereas such toxicity was not relatively observed at a low (50 mg/kg) or a medium (250 mg/kg) dose of DMP. The in vitro experiments showed that DMP, incubated with RBCs, increased the iron release content as a function of DMP concentration. Interestingly, such a phenomenon was not observed when DMP was incubated with Hb alone, indicating that the release of hemoglobin iron could not directly caused by the combination of DMP and hemoglobin. The in vivo experiments indicated that DMP induced iron release and oxidative stress for rat RBCs. Moreover, vitamin C and E was found to reduce the level of iron release by recovering erythrocytes from the oxidative stress induced by DMP. This work has revealed that the oxidative stress induced by DMP, causing the release of Hb iron from RBCs, is the reason for the toxicity of DMP to the oxygen-carrying function.

Iron-Oxide Nanocluster Labeling of Clostridium novyi-NT Spores for MR Imaging-Monitored Locoregional Delivery to Liver Tumors in Rat and Rabbit Models.

PURPOSE: To label Clostridium novyi-NT spores (C. novyi-NT) with iron oxide nanoclusters and track distribution of bacteria during magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-monitored locoregional delivery to liver tumors using intratumoral injection or intra-arterial transcatheter infusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vegetative state C. novyi-NT were labeled with iron oxide particles followed by induction of sporulation. Labeling was confirmed with fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). T2 and T2* relaxation times for magnetic clusters and magnetic microspheres were determined using 7T and 1.5T MR imaging scanners. In vitro assays compared labeled bacteria viability and oncolytic potential to unlabeled controls. Labeled spores were either directly injected into N1-S1 rodent liver tumors (n = 24) or selectively infused via the hepatic artery in rabbits with VX2 liver tumors (n = 3). Hematoxylin-eosin, Prussian blue, and gram staining were performed. Statistical comparison methods included paired t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: Both fluorescence microscopy and TEM studies confirmed presence of iron oxide labels within the bacterial spores. Phantom studies demonstrated that the synthesized nanoclusters produce R2 relaxivities comparable to clinical agents. Labeling had no significant impact on overall growth or oncolytic properties (P >.05). Tumor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) decreased significantly following intratumoral injection and intra-arterial infusion of labeled spores (P <.05). Prussian blue and gram staining confirmed spore delivery. CONCLUSIONS: C. novyi-NT spores can be internally labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles to visualize distribution with MR imaging during locoregional bacteriolytic therapy involving direct injection or intra-arterial transcatheter infusion.

Pickering-Emulsion for Liver Trans-Arterial Chemo-Embolization with Oxaliplatin.

PURPOSE: Biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles can adsorb at the water/oil interface to stabilize the emulsion (forming Pickering-emulsion). The purpose of this study was to compare the release profiles of oxaliplatin from Pickering-emulsion and Lipiodol-emulsion. MATERIALS/METHODS: Pickering-emulsions and Lipiodol-emulsions were both formulated with oxaliplatin (5 mg/mL) and Lipiodol (water/oil ratio: 1/3). For Pickering-emulsion only, PLGA nanoparticles (15 mg/mL) were dissolved into oxaliplatin before formulation. In vitro release of oxaliplatin from both emulsions was evaluated. Then, oxaliplatin was selectively injected into left hepatic arteries of 18 rabbits bearing VX2 liver tumors using either 0.5 mL Pickering-emulsion (n = 10) or 0.5 mL Lipiodol-emulsion (n = 8). In each group, half of the rabbits were killed at 1 h and half at 24 h. Mass spectrometry was used to quantify drug pharmacokinetics in blood and resulting tissue (tumors, right, and left livers) oxaliplatin concentrations. RESULTS: Pickering-emulsion demonstrated a slow oxaliplatin release compared to Lipiodol-emulsion (1.5 ± 0.2 vs. 12.0 ± 6% at 1 h and 15.8 ± 3.0 vs. 85.3 ± 3.3% at 24 h) during in vitro comparison studies. For animal model studies, the plasmatic peak (Cmax) and the area under the curve (AUC) were significantly lower with Pickering-emulsion compared to Lipiodol-emulsion (Cmax = 0.49 ± 0.14 vs. 1.08 ± 0.41 ng/mL, p = 0.01 and AUC = 19.8 ± 5.9 vs. 31.8 ± 14.9, p = 0.03). This resulted in significantly lower oxaliplatin concentrations in tissues at 1 h with Pickering-emulsion but higher ratio between tumor and left liver at 24 h (43.4 vs. 14.5, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Slow release of oxaliplatin from Pickering-emulsion results in a significant decrease in systemic drug exposure and higher ratio between tumor and left liver oxaliplatin concentration at 24 h.

Biofunctionalized Hybrid Magnetic Gold Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Photothermal Ablation of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Purpose To demonstrate that anti-MG1 conjugated hybrid magnetic gold nanoparticles (HNPs) act as a catalyst during photothermal ablation (PTA) of colorectal liver metastases, and thus increase ablation zones. Materials and Methods All experiments were performed with approval of the institutional animal care and use committee. Therapeutic and diagnostic multifunctional HNPs conjugated with anti-MG1 monoclonal antibodies were synthesized, and the coupling efficiency was determined. Livers of 19 Wistar rats were implanted with 5 × 106 rat colorectal liver metastasis cell line cells. The rats were divided into three groups according to injection: anti-MG1-coupled HNPs (n = 6), HNPs only (n = 6), and cells only (control group, n = 7). Voxel-wise R2 and R2* magnetic resonance (MR) imaging measurements were obtained before, immediately after, and 24 hours after injection. PTA was then performed with a fiber-coupled near-infrared (808 nm) diode laser with laser power of 0.56 W/cm2 for 3 minutes, while temperature changes were measured. Tumors were assessed for necrosis with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Organs were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to assess biodistribution. Therapeutic efficacy and tumor necrosis area were compared by using a one-way analysis of variance with post hoc analysis for statistically significant differences. Results The coupling efficiency was 22 µg/mg (55%). Significant differences were found between preinfusion and 24-hour postinfusion measurements of both T2 (repeated measures analysis of variance, P = .025) and T2* (P < .001). Significant differences also existed for T2* measurements between the anti-MG1 HNP and HNP-only groups (P = .034). Mean temperature ± standard deviation with PTA in the anti-MG1-coated HNP, HNP, and control groups was 50.2°C ± 7.8, 51°C ± 4.4, and 39.5°C ± 2.0, respectively. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed significant tumor targeting and splenic sequestration. Mean percentages of tumor necrosis in the anti-MG1-coated HNP, HNP, and control groups were 38% ± 29, 14% ± 17, and 7% ± 8, respectively (P = .043). Conclusion Targeted monoclonal antibody-conjugated HNPs can serve as a catalyst for photothermal ablation of colorectal liver metastases by increasing ablation zones. © RSNA, 2017.

Inhibitory effects of Silibinin combined with doxorubicin in hepatocellular carcinoma; an in vivo study.

PURPOSE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the one of the most common cancers and the third leading cause of cancer related mortality in the world. Unacceptable side effect and development of treatment resistance are the major concerns with the conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Combination therapy using phytotherapeutic agents is attracting the attention of investigators in view of the current needs. METHODS: In the present study we have evaluated the synergistic effect of silibinin, a nontoxic phytotherapeutic agent in combination with doxorubicin, in advanced HCC using HEPG2 cells and an orthotopic rat model of HCC. RESULTS: The results showed that silibinin strongly synergized with doxorubicin-induced growth inhibition, G2-M arrest, and apoptosis of HEPG2 cells. Silibinin-doxorubicin combination also inhibited cdc2/p34 kinase activity when histone H1 was used as substrate. The combination regimen also moderately increased the expression of cdc25C-cyclin B1-cdc2/p34 associated upstream kinases (Chk1). Simultaneous treatment with silibinin-doxorubicin combination showed a 41% increase in the apoptotic cell death (p=0.01), which was 3-fold higher than what was observed with silibinin or doxorubicin individually. In the orthotopic rat model treatment with silibinin-doxorubicin reduced tumor growth by close to 30% at nearly twice lower dose of individual drugs in the combination group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that combination therapy using silibinin-doxorubicin may show a better therapeutic efficacy in patients with HCC. These findings need to be further validated in human clinical trials.

The Effects of Disturbance on Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid (HPT) Axis in Zebrafish Larvae after Exposure to DEHP.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has the potential to disrupt the thyroid endocrine system, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to different concentrations of DEHP (0, 40, 100, 200, 400 µg/L) from 2 to 168 hours post fertilization (hpf). Thyroid hormones (THs) levels and transcriptional profiling of key genes related to hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis were examined. The result of whole-body thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) indicated that the thyroid hormone homeostasis was disrupted by DEHP in the zebrafish larvae. After exposure to DEHP, the mRNA expressions of thyroid stimulating hormone (tshß) and corticotrophin releasing hormone (crh) genes were increased in a concentration dependent manner, respectively. The expression level of genes involved in thyroid development (nkx2.1 and pax8) and thyroid synthesis (sodium/iodide symporter, nis, thyroglobulin, tg) were also measured. The transcripts of nkx2.1 and tg were significantly increased after DEHP exposure, while those of nis and pax8 had no significant change. Down-regulation of uridinediphosphate-glucuronosyl-transferase (ugt1ab) and up-regulation of thyronine deiodinase (dio2) might change the THs levels. In addition, the transcript of transthyretin (ttr) was up-regulated, while the mRNA levels of thyroid hormone receptors (trα and trß) remained unchanged. All the results demonstrated that exposure to DEHP altered the whole-body thyroid hormones in the zebrafish larvae and changed the expression profiling of key genes related to HPT axis, proving that DEHP induced the thyroid endocrine toxicity and potentially affected the synthesis, regulation and action of thyroid hormones.

ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF DIANTHUS SUPERBUSN L. AGAINST HEPATITIS B VIRUS IN VITRO AND IN VIVO.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis is a viral infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Limitations of drug used in the management of it opens the interest related to alternative medicine. The given study deals with the antiviral activity of Dianthus superbusn L. (DSL) against HBV in vitro & in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In vitro study liver cell line HepG2.2.15 was used by transinfected it with HBV. Cytotoxicity stduy was performed by using different concentrations of DSL such as 50, 100, 200, 500 & 1000 µg/ml. Anti HBV activity of DSL was estimated by assesing the concentration of HBsAg and HbeAg in cell culture medium by using ELISA. Whereas in vivo study was performed on ducklings and antiviral activity of DSL (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) was confirmed by estimating the serum concentration of HBV DNA and histopathology study of hepatocytes in HBV infected ducklings. RESULT: Result of the study suggested that >500 µg/ml concentration of hydroalcoholic extract of DSL was found tobe cytotoxic. It was also observed that DSL significantly (p<0.05) reduces the concentration of antigenes in cell culture media as per the concentration and days of treatment dependent. Moreover in vivo study confirms the anti viral activity of DSL (200 & 400 mg/kg) as it significantly (p<0.05) decreases the serum concenetration of HBV DNA in HBV infected dukling compared to control group. Histopathology study was also reveals the hepatprotective effect of DSL in HBV infected ducklings. CONCLUSION: The given study concludes the antiviral activity DSL against HBV by in vitro and in vivo models.

Decreased bilateral thalamic gray matter volume in first-episode schizophrenia with prominent hallucinatory symptoms: A volumetric MRI study.

Studies comparing gray matter (GM) volume of schizophrenic patients with or without auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) to that of normal controls remain controversial. This project aims to investigate changes of GM volumes of drug-naïve schizophrenic patients with and without AVHs. Eighteen first episode schizophrenic (FES) patients with AVHs, 18 FES patients without AVHs, and 18 healthy controls were scanned using structural MRI. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis was conducted to investigate changes of GM volume among the three groups. Patients with and without AVHs exhibited reduced GM volumes relative to normal controls in the left superior temporal gyrus, frontal regions, cerebellum and caudate. Further analysis of the GM of subcortical structures found that patients with AVHs had reduced thalamic volume than healthy controls. No significant difference was found between patients with and without AVHs. Significant correlation was found between the total scores of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and bilateral thalamic volume. ROC analysis of thalamic volumes of the patients with AVHs and normal controls showed that the area under the curve was 0.698 (P = 0.043). The decreased thalamic volumes might serve as a biomarker for discriminating FES AVHs patients from normals.

Cloning, molecular characterization and expression analysis of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) cDNA in goldfish, Carassius auratus.

In the present study, a full-length cDNA encoding the insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) was cloned from the liver of goldfish (Carassius auratus) by rapid amplification of cDNA ends technique. The goldfish IGFBP-2 cDNA sequence was 1,513 bp long and had an open reading frame of 825 bp encoding a predicted polypeptide of 274 amino acid residues. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR results revealed that goldfish IGFBP-2 mRNA was expressed in all detected tissues. In liver, central nervous system and pituitary gland, goldfish IGFBP-2 expressed at high levels, followed by anterior intestine, middle intestine and kidney. In posterior intestine, ovary, skin, fat, spleen, muscle and gill, the goldfish IGFBP-2 expression levels were very low. Fasting and refeeding experiment showed that the mRNA expression of goldfish IGFBP-2 was up-regulated significantly in liver compared to the fed group and restored rapidly to normal level after refed. However, the mRNA expressions of IGFBP-2 in hypothalamus and pituitary of goldfish were insensitive to fasting. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of IGFBP-2 in hypothalamus, pituitary and liver were varied in periprandial changes and significantly down-regulated at 2 and 4 h after meal. These results imply that the IGFBP-2 mRNA expression may be associated with anabolic and catabolic metabolism and regulated by metabolic factors in goldfish.

Photothermal ablation of pancreatic cancer cells with hybrid iron-oxide core gold-shell nanoparticles.

PURPOSE: Photothermal ablation is a minimally invasive approach, which typically involves delivery of photothermal sensitizers to targeted tissues. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate that gold nanoparticles are phagocytosed by pancreatic cancer cells, thus permitting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of sensitizer delivery and photothermal ablation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Iron-oxide core/gold-shell nanoparticles (GoldMag®, 30 nm diameter; Xi'an GoldMag Biotechnology Co, Xi'an, People's Republic of China) were used. In a 96-well plate, 3 × 104 PANC-1 (human pancreatic cancer cell line) cells were placed. GoldMag (0, 25, or 50 µg/mL) was added to each well and 24 hours allowed for cellular uptake. Samples were then divided into two groups: one treated with photothermal ablation (7.9 W/cm²) for 5 minutes, the other not treated. Photothermal ablation was performed using laser system (BWF5; B&W Tek, Inc, Newark, DE, USA). Intraprocedural temperature changes were measured using a fiber optic temperature probe (FTP-LN2; Photon Control Inc, Burnaby, BC, Canada). After 24 hours, the remaining number of viable cells was counted using trypan blue staining; cell proliferation percentage was calculated based on the total number of viable cells after treatment compared with control. MRI of GoldMag uptake was performed using a 7.0T ClinScan system (Bruker BioSpin, Ettlingen, Germany). RESULTS: Temperature curves demonstrated that with increased GoldMag uptake, laser irradiation produced higher temperature elevations in the corresponding samples; temperature elevations of 12.89°C, 35.16°C, and 79.51°C were achieved for 0, 25, and 50 µg/mL GoldMag. Without photothermal ablation, the cell proliferation percentage changed from 100% to 71.3% and 47.0% for cells treated with 25 and 50 µg/mL GoldMag. Photothermal ablation of PANC-1 cells demonstrated an effective treatment response, specifically a reduction to only 61%, 21.9%, and 2.3% cell proliferation for cells treated with 0, 25, and 50 µg/mL GoldMag. MRI was able to visualize GoldMag uptake within PANC-1 cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that photothermal ablation may be effective in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. GoldMag nanoparticles could serve as photothermal sensitizers, and MRI is feasible to quantify delivery.

Targets of vascular protection in acute ischemic stroke differ in type 2 diabetes.

Hemorrhagic transformation is an important complication of acute ischemic stroke, particularly in diabetic patients receiving thrombolytic treatment with tissue plasminogen activator, the only approved drug for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of acute manipulation of potential targets for vascular protection [i.e., NF-κB, peroxynitrite, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)] on vascular injury and functional outcome in a diabetic model of cerebral ischemia. Ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in control and type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. Treatment groups received a single dose of the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)prophyrinato iron (III), the nonspecific NF-κB inhibitor curcumin, or the broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor minocycline at reperfusion. Poststroke infarct volume, edema, hemorrhage, neurological deficits, and MMP-9 activity were evaluated. All acute treatments reduced MMP-9 and hemorrhagic transformation in diabetic groups. In addition, acute curcumin and minocycline therapy reduced edema in these animals. Improved neurological function was observed in varying degrees with treatment, as indicated by beam-walk performance, modified Bederson scores, and grip strength; however, infarct size was similar to untreated diabetic animals. In control animals, all treatments reduced MMP-9 activity, yet bleeding was not improved. Neuroprotection was only conferred by curcumin and minocycline. Uncovering the underlying mechanisms contributing to the success of acute therapy in diabetes will advance tailored stroke therapies.

Chemical shift MR imaging methods for the quantification of transcatheter lipiodol delivery to the liver: preclinical feasibility studies in a rodent model.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of using chemical shift magnetic resonance (MR) imaging fat-water separation methods for quantitative estimation of transcatheter lipiodol delivery to liver tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies were performed in accordance with institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines. Proton nuclear MR spectroscopy was first performed to identify lipiodol spectral peaks and relative amplitudes. Next, phantoms were constructed with increasing lipiodol-water volume fractions. A multiecho chemical shift-based fat-water separation method was used to quantify lipiodol concentration within each phantom. Six rats served as controls; 18 rats underwent catheterization with digital subtraction angiography guidance for intraportal infusion of a 15%, 30%, or 50% by volume lipiodol-saline mixture. MR imaging measurements were used to quantify lipiodol delivery to each rat liver. Lipiodol concentration maps were reconstructed by using both single-peak and multipeak chemical shift models. Intraclass and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for statistical comparison of MR imaging-based lipiodol concentration and volume measurements to reference standards (known lipiodol phantom compositions and the infused lipiodol dose during rat studies). RESULTS: Both single-peak and multipeak measurements were well correlated to phantom lipiodol concentrations (r(2) > 0.99). Lipiodol volume measurements were progressively and significantly higher when comparing between animals receiving different doses (P < .05 for each comparison). MR imaging-based lipiodol volume measurements strongly correlated with infused dose (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.93, P < .001) with both single- and multipeak approaches. CONCLUSION: Chemical shift MR imaging fat-water separation methods can be used for quantitative measurements of lipiodol delivery to liver tissues.

[Cloning, expression, purification of spinach carboxyl-terminal processing protease of D1 protein with hydrolysis activity and preparation of polyclonal antibody].

Carboxyl-terminal processing protease of D1 protein (CtpA) catalyzes carboxyl terminal processing of the D1 protein of photosystem II, which is essential for the assembly of a manganese cluster and consequent light-mediated water oxidation. It is a target for the discovery of wide-spectrum herbicide. We amplified the CtpA gene from spinach cDNA with standard PCR method and constructed it into pET-28a vector to generate a recombinant expression plasmid. Recombinant CtpA fusion protein with His-tag was expressed as soluble protein in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) after induction with 0.1 mmol/L IPTG at 8 degrees C for 72 h. We purified the CtpA protein with the Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and Superdex 75 gel filtration chromatography respectively, and verified the protein by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting with anti-his antibody. Hydrolysis activity of CtpA was assayed by HPLC method with a synthetic 24-mer oligopeptide corresponding to carboxyl terminal of precursor D1 protein, and gave a total activity of 1.10 nmol/(mg x min). We used the purified CtpA protein as antigen to immune rabbit for the production of polyclonal antibody, and prepared antibody with high specificity and sensitivity. The results obtained in this paper provided the feasibility of high-throughput screening of lead compounds for the protease as inhibitors and mechanism analysis of CtpA enzyme.

[Thulium laser resection of prostate-tangerine technique in treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of thulium laser resection of prostate-tangerine technique (TmLRP) in treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Thirty BPH patients, aged 74 (61-83), with a mean prostate volume of 58 ml, average international prostate symptom score (IPSS) of 19, and average maximum urinary flow (Q(max)) of 8.0 ml/s underwent TmLRP using 50 watt, 2.01 microm Tm laser. The values of hematocrit, serum sodium, potassium, and chlorine concentrations, hemoglobin, Q(max), and IPSS before and 1 and 3 months after TmLRP were compared. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 56 minutes. No significant bleeding was found during operation. Post-operative bladder irrigation was no necessary. The urethral catheter was indwelled for 1-3 days post-operatively. There were not significant differences in values of hematocrit, serum sodium, potassium, and chlorine concentrations, and hemoglobin before and 1-3 months after the operation. One month after the operation, the Q(max) was 23.1 ml/s and IPSS was 7.9, and 3 months after the operation the was 24.7 ml/s and the IPSS was 7.1. By the end of 3-month follow-up no new cases of impotence and retrograde ejaculation had been found. CONCLUSION: TmLRP is a safe and efficient procedure in treatment of BPH.

[Intercepting effects of seven Chinese herb drugs on experimental oral carcinogenesis].

PURPOSE: To screen effective chemopreventive Chinese herb drugs on experimental oral carcinogenesis. METHODS: 410 golden hamsters were randomly divided into positive control group,negative control group and 7 experimental groups(Radix et Rhizoma Thalictri, Radix Sophorae Tonkinesis, Pseudobulbus Cremastrae appendiculate, Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii, Radix Angelicae seu Heraclei, Rhizoma Curcumae, Fructus Trichosanthis). 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene(DMBA) was used to induce oral carcinogenesis in hamster cheek pouch, 7 liquid Chinese herb drugs were respectively injected into the stomach of the hamsters before and during oral carcinogenesis. Specimens were observed by histopathologic method, and the results were analysized statistically. RESULTS: Compared with positive control group, the prevalence of displasia was significantly reduced in group Radix Sophorae Tonkinesis and Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, but significant decrease could not be found in other experiment groups. CONCLUSION: Radix Sophorae Tonkinesis and Radix Angelicae Dahuricae could effectively intercept DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis in hamster.

[The treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia by means of transurethral holmium laser enucleation].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical effect of the holmium laser enucleation and morcellation of prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH). METHODS: In the treatment of 35 BPH patients, 100 watt high-powered holmium laser set was used transurethrally and a reciprocating blade tissue morcellator was introduced via a nephroscope to enucleate and morcellate the prostatic tissue. RESULTS: Operations in all 35 cases were successful. The average operation time was 60 +/- 23.2 (range 30-180) min. The removed prostatic tissue weighed 31 +/- 9 (range 10-56) g on average. The average catheter time was 1.5 d (from 20 h to 4 d). No blood transfusion was performed in all cases. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of BPH in all cases. In the 3-month follow up of 32 cases, IPSS dropped from 24 +/- 6.2 to 5.6 +/- 3.6; the peak urinary flow rate(Qmax) went up from 8.5 +/- 3.9 ml/s to 22.0 +/- 7.2 ml/s; the residual volume of urine dropped from 138 +/- 125 ml to 21 +/- 15 ml. No serious complications were found. CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP is effective in treating BPH. It can completely enucleate the hyperplastic tissue with little bleeding in operation. The treatment has the advantages of short catheter time and significant clinical improvements.