Recombinant human IL-37 attenuates acute cardiac allograft rejection in mice.

BACKGROUND: Allograft rejection remains a major obstacle to long-term graft survival. Although previous studies have demonstrated that IL-37 exhibited significant immunomodulatory effects in various diseases, research on its role in solid organ transplantation has not been fully elucidated. In this study, the therapeutic effect of recombinant human IL-37 (rhIL-37) was evaluated in a mouse cardiac allotransplantation model. METHODS: The C57BL/6 recipients mouse receiving BALB/c donor hearts were treated with rhIL-37. Graft pathological and immunohistology changes, immune cell populations, and cytokine profiles were analyzed on postoperative day (POD) 7. The proliferative capacities of Th1, Th17, and Treg subpopulations were assessed in vitro. Furthermore, the role of the p-mTOR pathway in rhIL-37-induced CD4+ cell inhibition was also elucidated. RESULTS: Compared to untreated groups, treatment of rhIL-37 achieved long-term cardiac allograft survival and effectively alleviated allograft rejection indicated by markedly reduced infiltration of CD4+ and CD11c+ cells and ameliorated graft pathological changes. rhIL-37 displayed significantly less splenic populations of Th1 and Th17 cells, as well as matured dendritic cells. The percentages of Tregs in splenocytes were significantly increased in the therapy group. Furthermore, rhIL-37 markedly decreased the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ, but increased the level of IL-10 in the recipients. In addition, rhIL-37 inhibited the expression of p-mTOR in CD4+ cells of splenocytes. In vitro, similar to the in vivo experiments, rhIL-37 caused a decrease in the proportion of Th1 and Th17, as well as an increase in the proportion of Treg and a reduction in p-mTOR expression in CD4+ cells. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that rhIL-37 effectively suppress acute rejection and induce long-term allograft acceptance. The results highlight that IL-37 could be novel and promising candidate for prevention of allograft rejection.

Suppression of frequency-mixing effect for pm-level heterodyne interferometers based on "zero coupling" optical path length control.

Optical path length (OPL) noise resulting from stray light significantly constrains interferometry displacement measurements in the low-frequency band. This paper presents an analytical model considering the presence of stray light in heterodyne laser interferometers. Due to the cyclic nonlinear coupling effect, there will be some special OPLs of stray light, minimizing the frequency-mixing impact to zero. Consequently, we propose a noise suppression scheme that locks the OPL of stray light at the zero coupling point. Therefore, we significantly enhanced the interference displacement measurement noise within the low-frequency band. Experimental results show that the interferometer achieves a displacement noise level lower than 6 pm/Hz1/2 covering 1 mHz.

Cloning, heterologous expression, and molecular characterization of a highly active and stable non-specific endonuclease from Pseudomonas fluorescens.

Non-specific endonucleases can be used for the digestion of nucleic acids because they hydrolyze DNA/RNA into 3-5 base pairs (bp) length oligonucleotide fragments without strict selectivity. In this work, a novel non-specific endonuclease from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PfNuc) with high activities for both DNA and RNA was successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The production of PfNuc in flask scale could be achieved to 1.73 × 106 U/L and 4.82 × 106 U/L for DNA and RNA by investigation of the culture and induction conditions. The characterization of PfNuc indicated that it was Mg2+-dependent and the catalytic activity was enhanced by 3.74 folds for DNA and 1.06 folds for RNA in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+. The specific activity of PfNuc for DNA was 1.44 × 105 U/mg at pH 8.0 and 40 °C, and 3.93 × 105 U/mg for RNA at pH 8.5 and 45 °C. The Km of the enzyme for both DNA and RNA was close to 43 µM. The Vmax was 6.40 × 105 U/mg and 1.11 × 106 U/mg for DNA and RNA, respectively. There was no observed activity loss when PfNuc was stored at 4 °C and - 20 °C after 28 days or 10 repeated freeze-thaw cycles at - 80 °C. Molecular docking revealed that PfNuc formed 17 and 19 hydrogen bonds with single-stranded RNA and double-stranded DNA, respectively. These results could explain the high activity and stability of PfNuc, suggesting its great potential applications in the industry and clinic.

Synthesis and application of clinically approved small-molecule drugs targeting androgen receptor.

Androgen receptor (AR) plays a crucial role in various physiological processes. Dysregulation of AR signaling has been implicated in several diseases, such as prostate cancer and androgenetic alopecia. Therefore, the development of drugs that specifically target AR has gained significant attention in the field of drug discovery. This review provides an overview of the synthetic routes of clinically approved small molecule drugs targeting AR and discusses the clinical applications of these drugs in the treatment of AR-related diseases. The review also highlights the challenges and future perspectives in this field, including the need for improved drug design and the exploration of novel therapeutic targets. Through an integrated analysis of the therapeutic applications, synthetic methodologies, and mechanisms of action associated with these approved drugs, this review facilitates a holistic understanding of the versatile roles and therapeutic potential of AR-targeted interventions. Overall, this comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for medicinal chemists interested in the development of small-molecule drugs targeting AR.

Synthetic Routes and Clinical Application of Representative Small-Molecule EGFR Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a pivotal role in cancer therapeutics, with small-molecule EGFR inhibitors emerging as significant agents in combating this disease. This review explores the synthesis and clinical utilization of EGFR inhibitors, starting with the indispensable role of EGFR in oncogenesis and emphasizing the intricate molecular aspects of the EGFR-signaling pathway. It subsequently provides information on the structural characteristics of representative small-molecule EGFR inhibitors in the clinic. The synthetic methods and associated challenges pertaining to these compounds are thoroughly examined, along with innovative strategies to overcome these obstacles. Furthermore, the review discusses the clinical applications of FDA-approved EGFR inhibitors such as erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and osimertinib across various cancer types and their corresponding clinical outcomes. Additionally, it addresses the emergence of resistance mechanisms and potential counterstrategies. Taken together, this review aims to provide valuable insights for researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical scientists interested in comprehending the current landscape of small-molecule EGFR inhibitors.

Synthesis and clinical application of small-molecule inhibitors and PROTACs of anaplastic lymphoma kinase.

Pharmacological interventions that specifically target protein products of oncogenes in tumors have surfaced as a propitious therapeutic approach. Among infrequent genetic alterations, rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene, typically involving a chromosome 2 inversion that culminates in a fusion with the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein like 4 (EML4), lead to anomalous expression and activation of ALK. The inhibition of autophosphorylation and subsequent blockade of signal transduction by ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has been observed to elicit anti-tumor effects. Currently, four generations of ALK-positive targeted drugs have been investigated, providing a promising outlook for patients. The aim of this review is to furnish a comprehensive survey of the synthesis and clinical application of prototypical small-molecule ALK inhibitors in both preclinical and clinical phases, offering guidance for further development of ALK inhibitors for cancer therapy.

Calculation of high-order harmonic generation of atoms and molecules by combining time series prediction and neural networks.

High-order harmonic generation (HHG) from the interaction of ultra-intense laser pulses with atoms is an important tabletop short-wave coherent light source. Accurate quantum simulations of it present large computational difficulties due to multi-electron multidimensional effects. In this paper, the time-dependent response of hydrogen atoms is calculated using a time-series prediction scheme, the HHG spectrum is reconstructed very accurately. The accuracy of the forecasting is further improved by using a neural network scheme. This scheme is also applied to the simulation of the harmonic emission on multi-electron systems, and the applicability of the scheme is confirmed by the harmonic calculation of complex systems. This method is expected to simulate the nonlinear dynamic process of multi-electron atoms and molecules irradiated by intense laser pulses quickly and accurately.

Arenibaculum pallidiluteum gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium in the family Azospirillaceae, isolated from desert soil, and reclassification of Skermanella xinjiangensis to a new genus Deserticella as Deserticella xinjiangensis comb. nov., and transfer of the genera Indioceanicola and Oleisolibacter from the family Rhodospirillaceae to the family Azospirillaceae.

A novel pale orange-coloured bacterium, designated strain SYSU D00532T, was isolated from sandy soil collected from the Gurbantunggut desert in Xinjiang, PR China. Cells of strain SYSU D00532T were found to be aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, motile and rod-shaped with a single polar or subpolar flagellum. Growth occurred at 15-45 °C (optimum, 28-37 °C, pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.0-7.0) and with 0-1.5% NaCl (w/v; optimum, 0.5 %). The major polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. Unidentified aminolipids, unidentified polar lipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified phospholipid were also detected. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 and the major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c), C16:0 and C19:0 cyclo ω8c. The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.8 mol%. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU D00532T belonged to the family Azospirillaceae and showed 93.4% (Desertibacter roseus 2622T), 93.2% (Skermanella xinjiangensis 10-1-101T), 93.2% ('Skermanella rubra' YIM 93097T) and 92.4% (Desertibacter xinjiangensis M71T) similarities. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain SYSU D00532T is proposed to represent a new species of a new genus, named Arenibaculum pallidiluteum gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Azospirillaceae. The type strain is SYSU D00532T (=KCTC 82269T=CGMCC 1.18631T=MCCC 1K04984T). We also propose the reclassification of Skermanella xinjiangensis to a new genus Deserticella as Deserticella xinjiangensis comb. nov., and the transfer of the genera Indioceanicola and Oleisolibacter from the family Rhodospirillaceae to the family Azospirillaceaewe based on the phylogenetic results.

Effects of microplastics (MPs) and tributyltin (TBT) alone and in combination on bile acids and gut microbiota crosstalk in mice.

Microplastics (MPs) and tributyltin (TBT) are both potential environmental pollutants that enter organisms through the food chain and affect bodily functions. However, the effects and mechanisms of MPs and TBT exposure (especially the co-exposure of both pollutants) on mammals remain unclear. In this study, Ф5µm MPs (5MP) was administered alone or in combination with TBT to investigate the health risk of oral exposure in mice. All three treatments induced inflammation in the liver, altered gut microbiota composition and disturbed fecal bile acids profiles. In addition to decreasing triglyceride (TG) and increasing aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and macrophage-expressed gene 1 (Mpeg1), 5MP induced hepatic cholestasis by stimulating the expression of the cholesterol hydroxylase enzymes CYP8B1 and CYP27A1, and inhibiting multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 and 3 (MRP2, MRP3), and bile-salt export pump (BSEP) to prevent bile acids for entering the blood and bile. Correspondingly, 5MP treatment decreased 7-ketolithocholic acid (7-ketoLCA) and taurocholic acid (TCA), which were positively correlated with decreased Bacteroides and Marvinbryantia and negatively correlated with increased Bifidobacterium. In addition, TBT increased interferon γ (IFNγ) and Mpeg1 levels to induce inflammation, accompanied by decreased 7-ketoLCA, tauro-alpha-muricholic acid (T-alpha-MCA) and alpha-muricholic acid (alpha-MCA) levels, which were negatively related to Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002 and Bifidobacterium. Co-exposure to 5MP and TBT also decreased TG and induced bile acids accumulation in the liver due to inhibited BSEP, which might be attributed to the co-regulation of decreased T-alpha-MCA and Harryflintia. In conclusion, the administration of 5MP and TBT alone and in combination could cause gut microbiome dysbiosis and subsequently alter bile acids profiles, while the combined exposure of 5MP and TBT weakened the toxic effects of 5MP and TBT alone.

Cellulomonas endophytica sp. nov., isolated from Gastrodia elata Blume.

A Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic and non-motile strain, designated SYSUP0004T, was isolated from the tubers of Gastrodia elata Blume collected from Yunnan Province, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence result showed that the strain SYSUP0004T shared low similarity (97.7 %) with the type strain of Cellulomonas marina. SYSUP0004T grew at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0), temperature 4-30 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and could tolerate NaCl up to 4 % w/v (optimum in the absence of NaCl). The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4ß with an interpeptide bridge l-ornithine-d-glutamic acid. Cell-wall sugars were mannose, ribose, glucose, galactose and fucose. The menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C15 : 1 A, C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The polar lipids of SYSUP0004T were diphosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phosphoglycolipid, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and unidentified glycolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 76.5 %. The average nucleotide identity values between SYSUP0004T and members of the genus Cellulomonas were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) recommended as the ANI criterion for interspecies identity. Thus, based on the above results strain SYSUP0004T represents a novel species of the genus Cellulomonas, for which the name Cellulomonas endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain, SYSUP0004T (=KCTC 49025T=CGMCC 1.16405T).

Blue-light-dependent interaction of cryptochrome 1 with SPA1 defines a dynamic signaling mechanism.

Cryptochromes (CRYs) are blue-light photoreceptors that mediate various light responses in plants and animals. The signaling mechanism by which CRYs regulate light responses involves their physical interactions with COP1. Here, we report that CRY1 interacts physically with SPA1 in a blue-light-dependent manner. SPA acts genetically downstream from CRYs to regulate light-controlled development. Blue-light activation of CRY1 attenuates the association of COP1 with SPA1 in both yeast and plant cells. These results indicate that the blue-light-triggered CRY1-SPA1 interaction may negatively regulate COP1, at least in part, by promoting the dissociation of COP1 from SPA1. This interaction and consequent dissociation define a dynamic photosensory signaling mechanism.

Protective effects of Araloside C against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury: potential involvement of heat shock protein 90.

The present study was designed to investigate whether Araloside C, one of the major triterpenoid compounds isolated from Aralia elata known to be cardioprotective, can improve heart function following ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. We observed that Araloside C concentration-dependently improved cardiac function and depressed oxidative stress induced by I/R. Similar protection was confirmed in isolated cardiomyocytes characterized by maintaining Ca2+ transients and cell shortening against I/R. Moreover, the potential targets of Araloside C were predicted using the DDI-CPI server and Discovery Studio software. Molecular docking analysis revealed that Araloside C could be stably docked into the ATP/ADP-binding domain of the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) protein via the formation of hydrogen bonds. The binding affinity of Hsp90 to Araloside C was detected using nanopore optical interferometry and yielded KD values of 29 µM. Araloside C also up-regulated the expression levels of Hsp90 and improved cell viability in hypoxia/reoxygenation-treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes, whereas the addition of 17-AAG, a pharmacologic inhibitor of Hsp90, attenuated Araloside C-induced cardioprotective effect. These findings reveal that Araloside C can efficiently attenuate myocardial I/R injury by reducing I/R-induced oxidative stress and [Ca2+ ]i overload, which was possibly related to its binding to the Hsp90 protein.

Salvianolic Acid A Protects H9c2 Cells from Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Injury via Inhibition of the MAPK Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to investigate whether Salvianolic acid A (Sal A) conferred cardiac protection against Arsenic trioxide (ATO)-induced cardiotoxicity in H9c2 cells by inhibiting MAPK pathways activation. METHODS: H9c2 cardiac cells were exposed to 10 µM ATO for 24 h to induce cytotoxicity. The cells were pretreated with Sal A for 4 h before exposure to ATO. Cell viability was determined utilizing the MTT assay. The percentage of apoptosis was measured by a FITC-Annexin V/PI apoptosis kit for flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) was detected by JC-1. The intracellular ROS levels were measured using an Image-iTTM LIVE Green Reactive Oxygen Species Detection Kit. The apoptosis-related proteins and the MAPK signaling pathways proteins expression were quantified by Western blotting. RESULTS: Sal A pretreatment increased cell viability, suppressed ATO-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and significantly altered the apoptotic rate by enhancing endogenous antioxidative enzyme activity and ROS generation. Signal transduction studies indicated that Sal A suppressed the ATO-induced activation of the MAPK pathway. More importantly, JNK, ERK, and p38 inhibitors mimicked the cytoprotective activity of Sal A against ATO-induced injury in H9c2 cells by increasing cell viability, up-regulating Bcl-2 protein expression, and down-regulating both Bax and caspase-3 protein expression. CONCLUSION: Sal A decreases the ATO-induced apoptosis and necrosis of H9c2 cells, and the underlying mechanisms of this protective effect of Sal A may be connected with the MAPK pathways.

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based profiling of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in the plasma and liver of acetaminophen-induced liver injured mice.

BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is one of the most common causes of acute liver failure in many countries. The aim of the study was to describe the profiling of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the plasma and liver of Acetaminophen -induced liver injured mice. METHODS: A time course study was carried out using C57BL/6 mice after intraperitoneal administration of 300 mg/kg Acetaminophen 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. A high-throughput liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) lipidomic method was utilized to detect phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine species in the plasma and liver. The expressions of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine metabolism related genes in liver were detected by quantitative Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western-blot. RESULTS: Following Acetaminophen treatment, the content of many PC and PE species in plasma increased from 1 h time point, peaked at 3 h or 6 h, and tended to return to baseline at 24 h time point. The relative contents of almost all PC species in liver decreased from 1 h, appeared to be lowest at 6 h, and then return to normality at 24 h, which might be partly explained by the suppression of phospholipases mRNA expressions and the induction of choline kinase (Chka) expression. Inconsistent with PC profile, the relative contents of many PE species in liver increased upon Acetaminophen treatment, which might be caused by the down-regulation of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (Pemt). CONCLUSIONS: Acetaminophen overdose induced dramatic change of many PC and PE species in plasma and liver, which might be caused by damaging hepatocytes and interfering the phospholipid metabolism in Acetaminophen -injured liver.

Auxin inhibits stomatal development through MONOPTEROS repression of a mobile peptide gene STOMAGEN in mesophyll.

Plants, as sessile organisms, must coordinate various physiological processes to adapt to ever-changing surrounding environments. Stomata, the epidermal pores facilitating gas and water exchange, play important roles in optimizing photosynthetic efficiency and adaptability. Stomatal development is under the control of an intrinsic program mediated by a secretory peptide gene family--namely, EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR, including positively acting STOMAGEN/EPFL9. The phytohormone brassinosteroids and environment factor light also control stomatal production. However, whether auxin regulates stomatal development and whether peptide signaling is coordinated with auxin signaling in the regulation of stomatal development remain largely unknown. Here we show that auxin negatively regulates stomatal development through MONOPTEROS (also known as ARF5) repression of the mobile peptide gene STOMAGEN in mesophyll. Through physiological, genetic, transgenic, biochemical, and molecular analyses, we demonstrate that auxin inhibits stomatal development through the nuclear receptor TIR1/AFB-mediated signaling, and that MONOPTEROS directly binds to the STOMAGEN promoter to suppress its expression in mesophyll and inhibit stomatal development. Our results provide a paradigm of cross-talk between phytohormone auxin and peptide signaling in the regulation of stomatal production.

SIRT3 Acts as a Neuroprotective Agent in Rotenone-Induced Parkinson Cell Model.

SIRT3 is a member of Sirtuins family, which belongs to NAD(+) dependent class III histone deacetylases. Emerging evidence suggests that SIRT3 plays a pivotal role in regulating mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a main pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we have investigated the protective effect of SIRT3 for PD cell model. The rotenone-induced human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells damage was used as PD cell model. The lentiviral vectors were used to over-expression or knockdown SIRT3 expression. The cell viability was analyzed using MTT method. The apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured by flow cytometer. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were detected by using automated microplate reader. The accumulation of α-synuclein was determined by immunofluorescence staining. SIRT3 knockdown significantly worsen rotenone-induced decline of cell viability (p < 0.01) and enhanced cell apoptosis (p < 0.01), exacerbated the decrease of SOD (p < 0.05) and GSH (p < 0.05), and augmented the accumulation of α-synuclein (p < 0.05). While SIRT3 overexpression dramatically increased cell viability (p < 0.01), and decreased cell apoptosis (p < 0.01), prevented the accumulation of α-synuclein (p < 0.05), suppressed the reducing of SOD (p < 0.05) and GSH (p < 0.01), decreased ROS generation (p < 0.05), and alleviated MMP collapse (p < 0.01) induced by rotenone. SIRT3 has neuroprotective effect in PD cell model and could be developed into a therapeutic agent for PD patients.

Hepatic Arterial Buffer Response Maintains the Homeostasis of Graft Hemodynamics in Patient Receiving Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), the hepatic hemodynamics plays important roles in graft regeneration, and the hepatic blood inflows are associated with graft size. However, the data of interplay between the hepatic arterial buffer response (HABR) and graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) in clinical LDLT are lacking. AIMS: To identify the effect of the HABR on the hepatic hemodynamics and recovery of graft function and to evaluate the safe lower limit of the GRWR in carefully selected recipients. METHODS: Portal venous and hepatic arterial blood flow was measured in recipients with ultrasonography, and the graft functional recovery, various complications, and survive states after LDLT were compared. RESULTS: In total, 246 consecutive patients underwent LDLT with right lobe grafts. In total, 26 had a GRWR < 0.7 % (A), 29 had a GRWR between 0.7 and 0.8 % (B), and 181 had a GRWR > 0.8 % (C). For small-for-size syndrome, there was no significant difference (P = 0.176). Graft survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 year were not different (P = 0.710). The portal vein flow and portal vein flow per 100 g graft weight peaks were significantly higher in the A. Hepatic arterial velocity and hepatic arterial flow decreased in all the three groups on postoperative day 1; however, the hepatic arterial flow per 100 g graft weight was close to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: HABR played important roles not only in the homeostasis of hepatic afferent blood supply but also in maintaining enough hepatic perfusion to the graft.

[Exploration of Renal Microcirculation Perfusion During Cardiopulmonary Bypass with Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the alteration of renal microcirculation perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in adult patients with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU). METHODS: Six patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB and twelve patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery were enrolled and classified into CPB group and control group. CEU images of kidney were collected at the point of 30 min after CPB or 5 min after anesthesia induction respectively. Time intensity curve (TIC) was derived from three regions of interest (ROD. superficial cortex, deep cortex and medulla. Parameters including wash in slope (a), area under curve (AUC), peak intensity (PI) and time to peak (TTP) were calculated based on gamma-variant function. RESULTS: CEU showed a significant reduction of AUC in all three regions (superficial cortex, deep cortex and medulla) during CPB, compared with anesthetic condition. Ultrasound contrast agent-related adverse reactions were not occurred in all enrolled patients. CONCLUSION: Renal microcirculation perfusion was dramatically reduced during CPB, especially in the medulla. CEU could be detected the renal microcirculation perfusion in the perioperative period of cardiac surgery.

[Contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters for early chronic kidney diseases and their associations with laboratory results].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for assessing renal blood perfusion changes and severity of early chronic kidney diseases (CKD). METHODS: The study included 20 patients with clinical diagnosed CKD (grade 1-3) (case group) and fifteen normal adults (control group). They were given real time CEUS, assessing left renal cortex blood perfusion. We identified the time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters that could differentiate participants between the two groups, and tested their correlations with glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), quantity of urinary protein and cystatin C. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in rise time (RT), area under the curve (AUC), time from peak to one half, and time to peak (TTP) between the two groups (P< 0.05). eGFR was negatively correlated with all of the four TIC parameters (P<0. 05). The quantity of urinary protein was positively correlated with three of the four TIC parameters (except RT). Cystatin C was positively correlated with all of the four TIC parameters (P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: CEUS can detect changes of blood flow perfusion in patients with early chronic kidney disease. The perfusion parameters are associated with laboratory results reflecting renal damages.