A complex metabolic network and its biomarkers regulate laccase production in white-rot fungus Cerrena unicolor 87613.

BACKGROUND: White-rot fungi are known to naturally produce high quantities of laccase, which exhibit commendable stability and catalytic efficiency. However, their laccase production does not meet the demands for industrial-scale applications. To address this limitation, it is crucial to optimize the conditions for laccase production. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying different conditions remain unclear. This knowledge gap hinders the cost-effective application of laccases. RESULTS: In this study, we utilized transcriptomic and metabolomic data to investigate a promising laccase producer, Cerrena unicolor 87613, cultivated with fructose as the carbon source. Our comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) aimed to identify changes in cellular processes that could affect laccase production. As a result, we discovered a complex metabolic network primarily involving carbon metabolism and amino acid metabolism, which exhibited contrasting changes between transcription and metabolic patterns. Within this network, we identified five biomarkers, including succinate, serine, methionine, glutamate and reduced glutathione, that played crucial roles in co-determining laccase production levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study proposed a complex metabolic network and identified key biomarkers that determine the production level of laccase in the commercially promising Cerrena unicolor 87613. These findings not only shed light on the regulatory mechanisms of carbon sources in laccase production, but also provide a theoretical foundation for enhancing laccase production through strategic reprogramming of metabolic pathways, especially related to the citrate cycle and specific amino acid metabolism.

A systematic review on the appropriate discounting rates for the economic evaluation of gene therapies: whether a specific approach is justified to tackle the challenges?

OBJECTIVES: Discounting the cost and effect for health intervention is a controversial topic over the last two decades. In particular, the cost-effectiveness of gene therapies is especially sensitive to the discount rate because of the substantial delay between the upfront cost incurred and long-lasing clinical benefits received. This study aims to investigate the influence of employing alternative discount rates on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of gene therapies. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to include health economic evaluations of gene therapies that were published until April 2023. RESULTS: Sensitivity or scenario analysis indicated that discount rate represented one of the most influential factors for the ICERs of gene therapies. Discount rate for cost and benefit was positively correlated with the cost-effectiveness of gene therapies, that is, a lower discount rate significantly improves the ICERs. The alternative discount rate employed in some cases could be powerful to alter the conclusion on whether gene therapies are cost-effective and acceptable for reimbursement. CONCLUSIONS: Although discount rate will have substantial influence on the ICERs of gene therapies, there lacks solid evidence to justify a different discounting rule for gene therapies. However, it is proposed that the discount rate in the reference case should be updated to reflect the real-time preference, which in turn will affect the ICERs and reimbursement of gene therapies more profoundly than conventional therapies.

Genome-wide study of Cerrena unicolor 87613 laccase gene family and their mode prediction in association with substrate oxidation.

BACKGROUND: Laccases are green biocatalysts with wide industrial applications. The study of efficient and specific laccase producers remains a priority. Cerrena species have been shown to be promising basidiomycete candidates for laccase production. Although two sets of Cerrena genome data have been publicly published, no comprehensive bioinformatics study of laccase gene family in C. unicolor has been reported, particularly concerning the analysis of their three-dimensional (3D) structures and molecular docking to substrates, like ABTS and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). RESULTS: In this study, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of laccase gene family in C. unicolor 87613. We identified eighteen laccase genes (CuLacs) and classified them into three clades using phylogenetic analysis. We characterized these laccases, including their location in contig 5,6,9,12,15,19,26,27, gene structures of different exon-intron arrangements, molecular weight ranging from 47.89 to 141.41 kDa, acidic pI value, 5-15 conserved protein motifs, signaling peptide of extracellular secretion (harbored by 13 CuLacs) and others. In addition, the analysis of cis-acting element in laccase promoters indicated that the transcription response of CuLac gene family was regulatable and complex under different environmental cues. Furthermore, analysis of transcription pattern revealed that CuLac8, 12 and CuLac2, 13 were the predominant laccases in response to copper ions or oxidative stress, respectively. Finally, we focused on the 3D structure analysis of CuLac proteins. Seven laccases with extra transmembrane domains or special sequences were particularly interesting. Predicted structures of each CuLac protein with or without these extra sequences showed altered interacting amino acid residues and binding sites, leading to varied affinities to both ABTS and AFB1. As far as we know, it is the first time to discuss the influence of the extra sequence on laccase's affinity to substrates. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide robust genetic data for a better understanding of the laccase gene family in C. unicolor 87613, and create a foundation for the molecular redesign of CuLac proteins to enhance their industrial applications.

MR-Corr2: a two-sample Mendelian randomization method that accounts for correlated horizontal pleiotropy using correlated instrumental variants.

MOTIVATION: Mendelian randomization (MR) is a valuable tool to examine the causal relationships between health risk factors and outcomes from observational studies. Along with the proliferation of genome-wide association studies, a variety of two-sample MR methods for summary data have been developed to account for horizontal pleiotropy (HP), primarily based on the assumption that the effects of variants on exposure (γ) and HP (α) are independent. In practice, this assumption is too strict and can be easily violated because of the correlated HP. RESULTS: To account for this correlated HP, we propose a Bayesian approach, MR-Corr2, that uses the orthogonal projection to reparameterize the bivariate normal distribution for γ and α, and a spike-slab prior to mitigate the impact of correlated HP. We have also developed an efficient algorithm with paralleled Gibbs sampling. To demonstrate the advantages of MR-Corr2 over existing methods, we conducted comprehensive simulation studies to compare for both type-I error control and point estimates in various scenarios. By applying MR-Corr2 to study the relationships between exposure-outcome pairs in complex traits, we did not identify the contradictory causal relationship between HDL-c and CAD. Moreover, the results provide a new perspective of the causal network among complex traits. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The developed R package and code to reproduce all the results are available at https://github.com/QingCheng0218/MR.Corr2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Paediatric rheumatologists do not score the physician's global assessment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis disease activity in the same way.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the heterogeneity in factors affecting physician's global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) and in PhGA scoring of multiple JIA patient's case scenarios. METHODS: An electronic web-based questionnaire of factors potentially considered in PhGA was sent worldwide to members of PRINTO and the Pediatric Rheumatology Care and Outcomes Improvement Network (PR-COIN). The respondents were asked to rate from 0 to 100 the relevance of 17 factors possibly affecting PhGA scoring and to derive a PhGA score of 17 detailed JIA patient cases. The median and interquartile range was used to measure the heterogeneity in the scoring. To demonstrate the consistency among the PhGA scores of the patient cases provided by multiple physicians, we assessed the inter-rater reliability using intra-class correlation. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 491 respondents. A large individual variation was observed in the impact of different factors on PhGA when assessing JIA. For non-systemic JIA the presence of fever had the largest variation and swollen joint count had the smallest. For sJIA, the largest variation was seen in the presence of erosions and the smallest in the presence of fever. The intra-class correlation of the group for PhGA scoring of patient cases was 0.53 (95% CI 0.38, 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of worldwide respondents, the scoring of the PhGA is divergent. Consensus on PhGA scoring guidelines is required to obtain a consistent assessment of patients.

Urine biomarker score captures response to induction therapy with lupus nephritis.

BACKGROUND: The Renal Activity Index for Lupus (RAIL) consists of urine protein assessment of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, kidney injury molecule-1, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, adiponectin, hemopexin, and ceruloplasmin, which non-invasively identifies lupus nephritis (LN). We aimed to delineate RAIL scores with inactive versus active LN and changes over time with response to LN induction therapy. METHODS: There were 128 pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and age-matched healthy controls recruited in a prospective case control study, with kidney biopsy confirmation of LN. Laboratory and clinical information was recorded and urine collected at diagnosis and end of induction and during maintenance therapy. Response to therapy was assessed by repeat kidney biopsy or laboratory parameters. Urine was assayed for RAIL biomarkers and the RAIL score calculated. RESULTS: Pediatric RAIL (pRAIL) scores from 128 children and young adults with SLE (with/without LN: 70/38) including 25 during LN induction therapy, differentiated clinically active LN from inactive LN or without LN, and controls (all p < 0.0017). pRAIL scores significantly decreased with complete LN remission by 1.07 ± 1.7 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The RAIL biomarkers differentiate LN patients based on activity of kidney disease, with decreases of ≥ 1 in pRAIL scores indicating complete response to induction therapy. Significantly lower RAIL scores in healthy controls and in SLE patients without known LN raise the possibility of subclinical kidney disease. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Bioinformatic Analysis Reveals the Distinct Role of 5'UTR-Specific m6A RNA Modification in Mice Developing Cerebral Cortices.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) abundantly exists in the cerebral cortex and is emerging as an essential factor in cortical development and function. As the m6A-binding site appears to be dynamically methylated in different RNA regions at the temporal-specific developing stage, it is of value to distinguish the unique character of region- and temporal-specific m6A. Herein, we analyzed the status of temporal-specific m6A within RNA 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) using m6A-methylated sequencing data and transcriptomic sequencing data from 12.5- to 13-day embryonic cerebral cortices and 14-day postnatal ones. We identified sorts of RNAs that are uniquely m6A-methylated in the 5'UTR and sorted them into specific neurological processes. Compared with 3'UTR-m6A-methylated RNAs, 5'UTR-m6A-methylated RNAs showed unique functions and mechanisms in regulating cortical development, especially through the pathway of mRNA transport and surveillance. Moreover, the 5'UTR-specific m6A was associated with neurological disorders as well. The FoxO signaling pathway was then focused by these pathogenic 5'UTR-m6A-methylated RNAs and explored to be involved in the determination of neurological disorders. Additionally, the 5'UTR-m6A modification patterns and transcriptional patterns play independent but cohesive roles in the developing cortices. Our study emphasizes the importance of 5'UTR-specific m6A in the developing cortex and provides an informative reference for future studies of 5'UTR-specific m6A in normal cortical development and neurological disorders.

External validation and comparison of risk score models in pediatric heart transplants.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric heart transplant (PHT) patients have the highest waitlist mortality of solid organ transplants, yet more than 40% of viable hearts are unutilized. A tool for risk prediction could impact these outcomes. This study aimed to compare and validate the PHT risk score models (RSMs) in the literature. METHODS: The literature was reviewed to identify RSMs published. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry was used to validate the published models identified in a pediatric cohort (<18 years) transplanted between 2017 and 2019 and compared against the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) 2021 model. Primary outcome was post-transplant 1-year mortality. Odds ratios were obtained to evaluate the association between risk score groups and 1-year mortality. Area under the curve (AUC) was used to compare the RSM scores on their goodness-of-fit, using Delong's test. RESULTS: Six recipient and one donor RSMs published between 2008 and 2021 were included in the analysis. The validation cohort included 1,003 PHT. Low-risk groups had a significantly better survival than high-risk groups as predicted by Choudhry (OR = 4.59, 95% CI [2.36-8.93]) and Fraser III (3.17 [1.43-7.05]) models. Choudhry's and SRTR models achieved the best overall performance (AUC = 0.69 and 0.68, respectively). When adjusted for CHD and ventricular assist device support, all models reported better predictability [AUC > 0.6]. Choudhry (AUC = 0.69) and SRTR (AUC = 0.71) remained the best predicting RSMs even after adjustment. CONCLUSION: Although the RSMs by SRTR and Choudhry provided the best prediction for 1-year mortality, none demonstrated a strong (AUC ≥ 0.8) concordance statistic. All published studies lacked advanced analytical approaches and were derived from an inherently limited dataset.

A systematic literature review of revealed preferences of decision-makers for recommendations of cancer drugs in health technology assessment.

OBJECTIVES: This review intends to provide an overview of revealed preferences of decision-makers for recommendations of cancer drugs in health technology assessment (HTA) among the different agencies. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to July 2020. The studies were eligible for inclusion if they conducted a quantitative analysis of HTA's previous decisions for cancer drugs. The factors with p-values below the significance level of .05 were considered as the statistically significant factors for HTA decisions. RESULTS: A total of nine studies for six agencies in Australia, Belgium, France, South Korea, the UK, and Canada were eligible to be included. From the univariable analysis, improvements in clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness were found as significant factors for the agencies in Belgium, South Korea, and Canada. From the multivariable analysis, cost-effectiveness was found as a positive factor for the agencies in the UK, South Korea, and Canada. Few factors related to characteristics of disease and technology were found to be significant among the included agencies. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the different drug reimbursement systems and the socioeconomic situations, cost-effectiveness and/or improvement on clinical outcomes seemed to be the most important factors for recommendations of cancer drugs among the agencies.

Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Phorbazole C Derivatives as MNK Inhibitors through Virtual High-Throughput Screening.

MNKs (mitogen-activated protein kinase-interacting protein kinases) phosphorylate eIF4E at Ser209 to control the translation of certain mRNAs and regulate the process of cell proliferation, cell migration and invasion, etc. Development of MNK inhibitors would be an effective treatment for related diseases. We used the MarineChem3D database to identify hit compounds targeting the protein MNK1 and MNK2 through high-throughput screening. Compounds from the phorbazole family showed good interactions with MNK1, and phorbazole C was selected as our hit compound. By analyzing the binding mode, we designed and synthesized 29 derivatives and evaluated their activity against MNKs, of which, six compounds showed good inhibition to MNKs. We also confirmed three interactions between this kind of compound and MNK1, which are vital for the activity. In conclusion, we report series of novel MNK inhibitors inspired from marine natural products and their relative structure-activity relationship. This will provide important information for further developing MNK inhibitors based on this kind of structure.

Comparative effectiveness and persistence of TNFi and non-TNFi in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a large paediatric rheumatology centre in the USA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the persistence and effectiveness of TNF inhibitors (TNFi) vs non-TNFi among newly diagnosed JIA patients after initiation of biologic DMARD (bDMARD). METHODS: Using longitudinal patient-level data extracted from electronic medical records in a large Midwestern paediatric hospital from 2009 to 2018, we identified JIA patients initiating TNFi and non-TNFi treatment. Treatment effectiveness was assessed based on disease activity. Inverse probability of treatment weighting of propensity score was used to estimate the treatment effectiveness and Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted to assess persistence. RESULTS: Of 667 JIA patients, most (92.0%) were prescribed one of the class of TNFi as their initial biologic treatment. Etanercept was the most frequently prescribed (67.1%) treatment, followed by adalimumab (27.5%). Only around 5% of patients were prescribed off-label bDMARDs as their first-course treatment; however, >20% were prescribed off-label biologics as their second-course therapy. Some 7.2% of patients received four or more bDMARDs. The median persistence of the first-course bDMARD is 320 days, with TNFi being significantly longer than the non-TNFi (395 vs 320 days, P = 0.010). The clinical Juvenile Disease Activity Score (cJADAS) reduction of TNFi users (6.6, 95% CI 5.7, 7.5) was significant greater compared with non-TNFi users (3.0, 95% CI 1.5, 4.6, P < 0.0001) at 6-month follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: Persistence was significantly longer among patients initiating TNFi as their first biologic therapy than those receiving non-TNFi. Patients receiving TNF therapy had significant greater reduction of cJADAS at the 6-month follow-up visit compared with patients in the non-TNF cohort.

Comparison of preoperative two-dimensional shear wave elastography, indocyanine green clearance test and biomarkers for post hepatectomy liver failure prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The preoperative prediction of post hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is essential, but there is no gold standard for the prediction at present, and the efficacy of different methods for the prediction has not been compared systematically. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of preoperative two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test and biomarkers for PHLF prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We retrospectively studied 215 patients with HCC, who had undergone major liver resection in our hospital. Preoperative data of each patient, including liver stiffness value (LSV) of underlying hepatic parenchyma measured by 2D-SWE, ICG retention rate at 15 min (ICG-R15) measured by ICG clearance test, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) scores, aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index (APRI), and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) were collected for analysis. Post hepatectomy outcomes of study patients were also recorded for assessment of PHLF. The study patients were divided into development cohort (133 patients without PHLF, and 17 patients with PHLF) and validation cohort (59 patients without PHLF, and 6 patients with PHLF) randomly. RESULTS: In the development cohort, LSV, ICG-R15 and ALBI scores were significantly different between patients with and without PHLF, while no significant difference of APRI and FIB-4 scores was found. LSV had higher AUC (the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) (AUC = 0.795) for PHLF prediction than ICG-R15 (AUC = 0.619) and ALBI scores (AUC = 0.686) (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). In the validation cohort, the cutoff value of LSV obtained from the development cohort, 10.35 kPa,  revealed higher specificity (76.3%) for PHLF prediction than ICG-R15 (specificity: 66.1%) and ALBI scores (specificity: 69.5%) (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ICG-R15, ALBI scores, APRI and FIB-4, LSV measured by 2D-SWE may demonstrate better efficacy for preoperative PHLF prediction in patients with HCC.

Analyses of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal pathway of vacuolar Sur7 contributed to biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana.

Beauveria bassiana is a critical entomopathogenic fungus for pest biocontrol, whose efficiency depends on fungal development and stress resistance. Unlike its revealed location in plasma membrane patches in other organisms, B. bassiana Sur7 specifically localized in vacuoles. This vacuolar Sur7 was previously demonstrated to affect stress tolerance, hyphal development and virulence. There, however, remain more mechanistic details to be explored. In this study, transcriptomics and metabolomics were applied to investigate the mechanism of vacuolar Sur7. Analyses of transcriptomics and metabolomics displayed many differentially expressed genes and abundant metabolites in response to Sur7 loss, respectively. Together with genes associated with vacuolar biofunction (including transportation and hydrolysis), the altered metabolites contributed to cell wall construction and stress resistance. Particularly, an N-acetylglucosamine-associated Brg1/Nrg1 pathway was enriched and partially affected by Sur7. Absence of Sur7 changed the expression level of Brg1/Nrg1 pathway-related transcript factors, which interfered with downstream phenotype of sporulation. In addition, Sur7 was involved in the accumulation of sphingoid bases, which may affect sphingolipid-related signaling pathway. Although experimental evidence is further required, our studies provide a preliminary framework for future exploring the regulatory mechanism of Sur7, and give a new version of metabolic agency connecting Sur7 and downstream signaling pathway.

Thalidomide as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease in children and adolescents: A systematic review.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Thalidomide is used off-label for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and not as a first-line treatment option. The instructions clearly state that thalidomide is contraindicated in children because its safety and effectiveness in children are unknown. In this article, we review the efficacy and safety of thalidomide as a treatment for IBD in children and adolescents. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data, CBM database [from the date of database establishment to June 2019] and clinical trials [systematic review and meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case-control studies and case series studies] for studies concerning the use of thalidomide as a treatment for IBD in children and adolescents. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Seven studies (two RCTs and five case series), which included 134 children and adolescents (32 with ulcerative colitis, 102 with Crohn's disease), met the inclusion criteria. The included studies showed that the clinical remission rate of thalidomide was 44%-100% and the steroid tapering rate was 50%-100% in children and adolescents with refractory IBD. Peripheral neuropathy was the most common major adverse reaction, and it appeared to be cumulative dose-dependent. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Thalidomide as a treatment for refractory IBD in children and adolescents can improve clinical remission and achieve longer-term maintenance of remission. Peripheral neuropathy is the main adverse drug reaction, and it can be monitored and prevented. It is necessary to fully communicate with parents and obtain informed consent before using this drug.

Cross 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of C,N-cyclic azomethine imines with an N-benzyl azomethine ylide: facile access to fused tricyclic 1,2,4-hexahydrotriazines.

A cross 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of two different ylides between C,N-cyclic azomethine imines with an in situ-generated nonstabilized azomethine ylide from an N-benzyl precursor was realized. The reactions afforded a clean and facile access to diverse fused tricyclic 1,2,4-hexahydrotriazines in high yields (up to 96%). The chemical structures of the typical compounds were confirmed by X-ray single-crystal structure analysis.

Acid-suppressive drugs and risk of kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: More concerns had been raised about the risk of kidney disease (KD) associated with acid-suppressive drugs. But whether they could directly increase such risk remained unclear. Meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively investigate this relationship. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and three Chinese databases were searched until April 2017 for observational studies investigating the associations between acid-suppressive drugs and KD. Pooled log (odds ratios [ORs]) or log (hazard ratios [HRs]) with standard errors for KD risk were calculated using the generic inverse variance method and random-effect model. RESULTS: Ten studies involving 128 020 KD patients were included. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy was associated with higher risks of acute interstitial nephritis (OR, 2.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-6.17), acute kidney injury (AKI) (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.33-2.59), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.03-2.09), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.26-2.04) than non-PPI therapy. Additionally, PPI significantly increased the risks of AKI (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.16-1.51), CKD (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.24-1.33), and ESRD (HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.21-3.17) compared with histamine 2 receptor antagonist (H2 RA). Relationship between H2 RA therapy and AKI (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.90-1.07) or CKD (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.89-1.11) was not found. CONCLUSIONS: Proton pump inhibitor therapy significantly increased the risks of acute interstitial nephritis, AKI, CKD, and ESRD. Similar risks were not identified for H2 RA therapy. More clinical trials are needed to confirm our findings.

[Clinical and Ultrasonographic Features of Hepatic Infantile Hemangioendothelioma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical manifestations and ultrasound features of hepatic infantile hemangioendothelioma (IHE). METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical features and ultrasound characteristics of 8 patients of IHE,whose diagnosis was confirmed by surgery or liver biopsy from January 2010 to October 2016. RESULTS: Among the eight IHE patients,the male-to-female ratio was 1:1,with the mean age ranged from 15 d to 3 yr.,of which six individuals were younger than 3 months old. Seven patients had single lesion and one case was multiple. The average size of the lesions was (8.2±1.0) cm diameter. Hypoechoic (4 cases) and echogenic lesions (3 cases) were shown by echography,the lesions border and morphology were clearly defined in 7 cases.Furthermore,internal echoes were mostly inhomogeneous (4 cases),and calcification or peripheral halo were even visible. Color Dopplar flow imaging (CDFI) showed internal visible line or more abundant blood flow signal in 6 cases,mainly to venous blood flow. CONCLUSION: The age of onset for hepatic IHE seems less than three months. The echography with single lesion with clear border,regular solid mass or calcification in the tumor,should come to the possibility of IHE.

Antiallodynic Effects of Endomorphin-1 and Endomorphin-2 in the Spared Nerve Injury Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice.

BACKGROUND: The spared nerve injury (SNI) model is a new animal model that can mimic several characteristics of clinical neuropathic pain. Opioids are recommended as treatment of neuropathic pain. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the antinociceptive effects of endomorphin-1 (EM-1) and endomorphin-2 (EM-2) given centrally and peripherally in the SNI model of neuropathic pain in mice. METHODS: The SNI model was made in mice by sparing the sural nerve intact, when the other 2 of 3 terminal branches of the sciatic nerve (common peroneal and tibial nerves) were tightly ligated and cut. Von Frey monofilaments were used to measure the SNI-induced mechanical allodynia-like behavior. The antiallodynic effects of EM-1 and EM-2 were determined after central and peripheral administration in the SNI model of neuropathic pain. Also, the specific opioid receptor antagonists were used to determine the opioid mechanisms of EMs involved in neuropathic pain. Values were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: Our results showed that the SNI mice developed prolonged mechanical allodynia-like behavior in ipsilateral paw after surgery, with the withdrawal threshold value being 0.061 ± 0.02 g after 14 days. EM-1 and EM-2 produced significant antiallodynic effects in ipsilateral paw after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration, more effective than that of morphine. The peak withdrawal thresholds of 10 nmol EM-1 and EM-2 determined at 5 minutes after injection were 0.92 ± 0.36 and 0.87 ± 0.33 g, respectively, higher than that of morphine (0.46 ± 0.20 g). Moreover, both EMs (10 nmol, i.c.v.) exerted significant antiallodynic effects in the contralateral paw, whereas no significant antinociceptive activity was seen after i.c.v. administration of morphine with equimolar dose. It was noteworthy that EM-1 and EM-2 produced antinociception through distinct µ1- and µ2-opioid receptor subtypes, and the EM-2-induced antiallodynia contained an additional component that was mediated by the release of endogenous dynorphin A, acting on κ-opioid receptor. In addition, the antiallodynic activities of peripheral administration of EM-1, EM-2, and morphine were also investigated. Intraplantar, but not subcutaneous administration of EM-1 and EM-2 also exhibited potent antinociception, establishing the peripheral and local effects. Both µ1- and µ2-opioid receptor subtypes, but not the δ- or κ-opioid receptors were involved in the peripheral antiallodynia of EMs. CONCLUSIONS: The present investigation demonstrated that both EM-1 and EM-2 given centrally and peripherally produced potent antiallodynic activities in SNI mice, and differential opioid mechanisms were involved.

[Ultrasonographic Features of Hepatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma on B-mode and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ultrasonographic features of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) on B-mode and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). METHODS: From January 2012 to September 2016, 17 patients with surgery or biopsy confirmed HEHE were retrospectively analyzed for their clinical history, ultrasonographic data of B-mode ultrasound and CEUS characteristics. RESULTS: The mean age of the 17 patients was (42.88±13.95) yr. (range 23-69 yr.). On B-mode ultrasound, 6 case (6/17, 35.3%) were single lesion, while 11 case (11/17, 64.7%) had multiple lesions, of which 10 cases involved the global liver. There were 88.2% of lesions (15/17) located underneath the liver capsule, and 94.1% of lesions (16/17) with regular shape. The mean diameter of the lesions was (3.93±2.23) cm. The lesions appeared as hypoechoic (13/17, 76.5%), hyperechoic (1/17, 5.9%) and mixed-echoic (3/17, 17.6%). 7 patients underwent CEUS, 5 of them (5/7, 71.4%) showed a rim-like hyperenhancement in arterial phase while the other 2 presented overall hyperenhancement of the lesions with uneven perfusion inside. All cases demonstrated hypoenhancement in portal and delay phases. CONCLUSION: Multiple subcapsular hypoechoic focal liver lesions with regular shape remind of the possibility of HEHE. CEUS could provide considerable value in its diagnosis.