Multi-scale and multi-parametric radiomics of gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI predicts microvascular invasion and outcome in patients with solitary hepatocellular carcinoma ≤ 5 cm.

OBJECTIVES: To develop radiomics-based nomograms for preoperative microvascular invasion (MVI) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) prediction in patients with solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤ 5 cm. METHODS: Between March 2012 and September 2019, 356 patients with pathologically confirmed solitary HCC ≤ 5 cm who underwent preoperative gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI were retrospectively enrolled. MVI was graded as M0, M1, or M2 according to the number and distribution of invaded vessels. Radiomics features were extracted from DWI, arterial, portal venous, and hepatobiliary phase images in regions of the entire tumor, peritumoral area ≤ 10 mm, and randomly selected liver tissue. Multivariate analysis identified the independent predictors for MVI and RFS, with nomogram visualized the ultimately predictive models. RESULTS: Elevated alpha-fetoprotein, total bilirubin and radiomics values, peritumoral enhancement, and incomplete or absent capsule enhancement were independent risk factors for MVI. The AUCs of MVI nomogram reached 0.920 (95% CI: 0.861-0.979) using random forest and 0.879 (95% CI: 0.820-0.938) using logistic regression analysis in validation cohort (n = 106). With the 5-year RFS rate of 68.4%, the median RFS of MVI-positive (M2 and M1) and MVI-negative (M0) patients were 30.5 (11.9 and 40.9) and > 96.9 months (p < 0.001), respectively. Age, histologic MVI, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase independently predicted recurrence, yielding AUC of 0.654 (95% CI: 0.538-0.769, n = 99) in RFS validation cohort. Instead of histologic MVI, the preoperatively predicted MVI by MVI nomogram using random forest achieved comparable accuracy in MVI stratification and RFS prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative radiomics-based nomogram using random forest is a potential biomarker of MVI and RFS prediction for solitary HCC ≤ 5 cm. KEY POINTS: • The radiomics score was the predominant independent predictor of MVI which was the primary independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence. • The radiomics-based nomogram using either random forest or logistic regression analysis has obtained the best preoperative prediction of MVI in HCC patients so far. • As an excellent substitute for the invasive histologic MVI, the preoperatively predicted MVI by MVI nomogram using random forest (MVI-RF) achieved comparable accuracy in MVI stratification and outcome, reinforcing the radiologic understanding of HCC angioinvasion and progression.

Research progress on molecular mechanism of Dendrobium officinale and its active components to metabolic syndrome / 中国中药杂志

Metabolic syndrome,a kind of clinical syndrome marked by the presence of symptoms such as hyperglycemia,dyslipidemia and hypertension,has an increasing incidence and comes to be present in younger people. More importantly,prolonged maintenance of this condition can significantly increase the incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes,cardiovascular disease and cancer.However,the formation mechanism of metabolic syndrome is very complex and has not been fully studied and revealed. Dendrobium officinale is a traditional medicine and food substance with multiple physiological functions. In recent years,D. officinale has attracted much attention from the scholars both at home and abroad due to its functions such as improving blood lipid,lowering blood pressure and regulating blood sugar. However,there is no systematic review on the current studies about D. officinale in intervening metabolic syndrome and its underlying molecular mechanism. In this paper,the biological activity of the main active components,and the research or application status of D. officinale extract in the recent years were reviewed. Then,we analyzed the digestion,absorption and the safety and toxicity of D. officinale and its active components in the body. Finally,we summarized the effects of D. officinale and its active components on metabolic syndrome in animals and human bodies,and discussed its possible molecular mechanisms at the cellular level. This paper provides solid theoretical guidance and reliable molecular basis for further research and advanced development of D. officinale and its active components,especially for its oncoming clinical application.

Effect of pharmacological intervention on MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 expression in patients with psoriasis vulgaris

OBJECTIVE@#To detect the expression level of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1)α, MIP-1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in with psoriasis vulgaris and explore the role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.@*METHODS@#The level of MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 in peripheral blood from 50 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 50 normal controls were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was analyzed. The level of MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 was compared between psoriasis vulgaris patients at active stage and resting stage. And the change in MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 before and after therapy was also observed.@*RESULTS@#The content of MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris was (1342.78 ± 210.30), (175.28 ± 28.18) and (266.86 ± 32.75) ng/L, respectively, significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The expression level of MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis vulgaris was positively correlated with PASI (P<0.01). After acitretin therapy, expression level of MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis vulgaris was significantly decreased.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Chemokine factor MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.

Effect of Yinxieling decoction on PASI, TNF-α and IL-8 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect of Yinxieling decoction on PASI, TNF-α and IL-8 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 cases of psoriasis vulgaris were divided into 4 groups according to syndrome differentiation of TCM and randomized controlled method: wind heat syndrome group (group A), blood stasis syndrome group (group B), blood dryness syndrome group (group C) and control group (group D) (n=30 per group). Patients in observation groups were treated with Yinxieling decoction, while patients in control group were treated by placebo for 8 weeks. Levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were determined before treatment, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. psoriasis area and severity index score was also performed before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#psoriasis area and severity index score and serum level of TNF-α, IL-8 were significantly decreased in all groups. The decrease in three observation groups was more significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the decrease in wind heat syndrome group was the most significant (P<0.01). psoriasis area and severity index was positively correlated with TNF-α and IL-8, respectively (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Yinxieling decoction has therapeutical effect on psoriasis vulgaris via regulating TNF-α and IL-8.

Expression of Oct-4 transcription factor in squamous cell skin carcinoma and seborrheic keratosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression of stem cell transcription factor Oct-4 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and seborrheic keratosis (SK) and its association with cancer stem cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Oct-4 expression in 35 SCC cases, 21 SK cases and 15 normal control skin tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Oct-4 expression was negative in normal skin and showed a significant difference between SCC and SK tissues (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Oct-4-positive cells in SCC and SK are probably tumor stem cells. Oct-4 expression may provide an important evidence for isolation and identification of human SCC and SK stem cells.</p>

Research Progress on Biodiesel Production by Lipase Catalysis / 中国生物工程杂志

As a renewable clean energy,biodiesel has been the subject of much research in recent years owing to its excellent environmental performance.The bio-enzymatic method possesses unparalleled advantages over conventional chemical catalysis,and it would be the direction in biodiesel industrialization process.The progress and application of three biocatalytic approaches for biodiesel production including immobilized lipase,free lipase and whole-cell catalysis were summerized.Finally,the challenges of biodiesel industrialization in China are analyzed,and some effective measures are put forward.

The renaturation and purification of RGD-staphylokinase by gel filtration / 生物工程学报

A recombinant RGD-Staphylokinase(RGD-Sak) with thrombolytic and anti-thrombolytic bifunction was expressed in E. coli. The expression product accumulates as inclusion bodies. In order to obtain active molecule, the RGD-Sak in the inclusion body should be denatured and then renatured. The renaturation of RGD-Sak was performed by gel filtration. Comparing with the traditional way of dilution renaturation, gel filtration way is better than the traditional one, since there are some advantages, such as simple processing, high recovery, low cost and higher purity after renaturation, After renaturation, RGD-Sak was purified by Q-Sepharose FF, and the purity was more than 95%. Analysis of CD spectra showed that the final product from the two renaturation ways have similar CD spectra. It was demonstrated that RGD-Sak molecules proceeded correct refolding through gel filtration or dilution renaturation process.