Recognition of abnormal changes in echocardiographic videos by an artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis model based on 3D CNN / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic efficiency and clinical application value of an artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis model based on a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D CNN) on echocardiographic videos of patients with hypertensive heart disease, chronic renal failure (CRF) and hypothyroidism with cardiac involvement. Methods: This study is a retrospective study. The patients with hypertensive heart disease, CRF and hypothyroidism with cardiac involvement, who admitted in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from April 2019 to October 2021, were enrolled. Patients were divided into hypertension group, CRF group, and hypothyroidism group. Additionally, a simple random sampling method was used to select control healthy individuals, who underwent physical examination at the same period. The echocardiographic video data of enrolled participants were analyzed. The video data in each group was divided into a training set and an independent testing set in a ratio of 5 to 1. The temporal and spatial characteristics of videos were extracted using an inflated 3D convolutional network (I3D). The artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis model was trained and tested. There was no case overlapped between the training and validation sets. A model was established according to cases or videos based on video data from 3 different views (single apical four chamber (A4C) view, single parasternal left ventricular long-axis (PLAX) view and all views). The statistical analysis of diagnostic performance was completed to calculate sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve (AUC). The time required for the artificial intelligence and ultrasound physicians to process cases was compared. Results: A total of 730 subjects aged (41.9±12.7) years were enrolled, including 362 males (49.6%), and 17 703 videos were collected. There were 212 cases in the hypertensive group, 210 cases in the CRF group, 105 cases in the hypothyroidism group, and 203 cases in the normal control group. The diagnostic performance of the model predicted by cases based on single PLAX view and all views data was excellent: (1) in the hypertensive group, the sensitivity, specificity and AUC of models based on all views data were 97%, 89% and 0.93, respectively, while those of models based on a single PLAX view were 94%, 95%, and 0.94, respectively; (2) in the CRF group, the sensitivity, specificity and AUC of models based on all views data were 97%, 95% and 0.96, respectively, while those of models based on a single PLAX view were 97%, 89%, and 0.93, respectively; (3) in the hypothyroidism group, the sensitivity, specificity and AUC of models based on all views data were 64%, 100% and 0.82, respectively, while those of models based on a single PLAX view were 82%, 89%, and 0.86, respectively. The time required for the 3D CNN model to measure and analyze the echocardiographic videos of each subject was significantly shorter than that for the ultrasound physicians ((23.96±6.65)s vs. (958.25±266.17)s, P<0.001). Conclusions: The artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis model based on 3D CNN can extract the dynamic temporal and spatial characteristics of echocardiographic videos jointly, and quickly and efficiently identify hypertensive heart disease and cardiac changes caused by CRF and hypothyroidism.

Research progress on the mechanisms of the latency and recurrence of herpes simplex virus type Ⅰ in trigeminal ganglion / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Herpes simplex keratitis(HSK), caused by the infection of herpes simplex virus type Ⅰ(HSV-1)in cornea, is a global blinding corneal disease. After the primary infection in ocular surface, HSV-1 is transported into trigeminal ganglion and establishes the life-lasting latency, and it results in recurrent keratopathy. In the process of studying the latent mechanism of HSV, it has been gradually recognized that both the virus itself and the host response regulate the latent process of HSV. In recent years, a large number of research results have been obtained on the molecular mechanisms of invasion, immunity, latency and recurrence of neurotropic viruses, which provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of HSK. In the present review, the recent progress of HSV latency mechanism in trigeminal ganglion after the primary infection in corneal surface was introduced, and the unsolved basic and clinical problems in HSK were discussed.

Protective role of vasonatrin peptide in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the protective role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in the process that vasonatrin peptide (VNP) reduces hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods:Twenty SD rats, weighting 200-250 g, were randomly divided into four groups and each group has five rats. The four groups were sham operation group (S group), ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group), VNP group (V group) and PD98059+ VNP group (P+ V group). In the rat model of hepatic warm ischemia and reperfusion, the hepatic artery and portal vein of the left lobe and middle lobe of the liver were clamped with arterial clamp for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min. In the V group, VNP (50 μg/kg) was injected 10 minutes before ischemia. In the P+ V group, PD98059 (2 mg/kg) was injected 20 min before VNP injection followed by VNP administration and I/R treatment. The serum levels of alanine amino transaminase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue homogenate and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. The histopathology of liver tissue was observed. The contents of p-ERK1/2 were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with S group, in I/R group and P+ V group the serum levels of ALT [(489.65±11.22), (333.05±24.77) vs. (33.78±4.88) U/L], AST [(651.43±14.99), (503.18±21.48) vs. (154.84±12.32) U/L], TNF-α [(12.83±1.09), (9.64±0.57) vs. (2.11±0.11) ng/L], IL-1β [(7.19±0.62), (5.12±0.22) vs. (1.10±0.49) ng/L], MDA [(8.00±0.88), (5.60±1.01) vs. (2.76±1.29) μmol/mg] increased, while SOD [(54.89±10.60), (68.85±8.33) vs. (126.10±15.63) nmol/mg]decreased (all P<0.05). The histopathology of liver tissue revealed that liver structure damaged more seriously in I/R group and P+ V group. Western blot analysis showed that p-ERK1/2 decreased significantly in I/R group and P+ V group. Compared with I/R group, ALT, AST, MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β decreased significantly and SOD increased significantly in V group (all P<0.05). The histopathology of liver tissue revealed that liver structure was damaged slightly, and p-ERK1/2 increased significantly in V group compared with I/R group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:VNP can significantly reduce hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury through activation of p-ERK1/2 signaling pathway and inhibition of hepatocyte inflammatory response.

Circular RNA circ_100367 as a diagnostic marker for thyroid cancer and its relationship with immune-related factors / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of circular RNA circ_100367 in thyroid cancer (THCA) and its relationship with immune-related factors.Methods:According to the data chip provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website, the differentially expressed circRNAs in THCA were analyzed, then circ_100367 was included in this study. The serum of 175 THCA patients and healthy people were collected, and the expression levels of circ_100367 and its linear transcript DCAF8 mRNA in serum samples were detected by qRT-PCR, and the correlation between circ_100367 and DCAF8 was calculated. The correlation between the expression of circ_100367 and the clinicopathological characteristicsof the patients, immune infiltration level and immunosuppressive factor PD-1 was analyzed.Results:Compared with serum of healthy people (1.00±0.37) , expression level of circ_100367 in serum of THCA patients was significantly increased (1.37±0.41) ( t=8.80, P<0.001) , and there was no significant difference in DCAF8 mRNA expression ( t=1.67, P=0.095) , but circ_100367 was positively correlated with DCAF8 mRNA expression ( r=0.17, P=0.028) . Analysis of expression and clinicopathological characteristics of circ_100367 showed that compared with patients in M0 group (1.26±0.40) , circ_100367 was overexpressed in M1 and Mx patients (1.43±0.40) ( t=2.63, P=0.009) ; compared with N0 patients (1.24±0.36) , circ_100367 was overexpressed in serum of N1 and Nx patients (1.45±0.42) ( t=3.48, P=0.001) ; compared with serum of patients with negative lymph node detection (1.28±0.36) , circ_100367 was overexpressed in serum of positive patients (1.42±0.43) ( t=2.14, P=0.034) ; compared with T1+T2 stage patients (1.30±0.37) , circ_100367 expression was overexpressed in serum ofT3+T4 patients (1.40±0.43) ( t=2.22, P=0.028) . Analysis of the expression and immune infiltration levels of circ_100367 found that highly expressed circ_100367 was associated with CD8+ T cells ( r=0.25, P=0.024) , macrophages ( r=0.22, P=0.038) , CD4+ T cells ( r=0.25, P=0.020) and B cell ( r=0.23, P=0.033) levels. The expression of circ_100367 was also positively correlated with the immunosuppressive factor PD-1 ( r=0.19, P=0.011) . Conclusion:circ_100367 can be used as a marker for the diagnosis of THCA and its expression is strongly correlated with immune-related factors.

Predictors of efficacy of corticosteroid switching from abiraterone plus prednisone to dexamethasone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Corticosteroid switching can reverse abiraterone resistance in some patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Here, we investigated the potential biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of corticosteroid switching during treatment with abiraterone acetate (AA). We retrospectively analyzed 101 mCRPC patients receiving corticosteroid switching from West China Hospital and Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center between January 2016 and December 2018. All cases received AA plus prednisone as first-line therapy during mCRPC. Primary end points were biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) and overall survival (OS). The risk groups were defined based on multivariate analysis. A total of 42 (41.6%) and 25 (24.8%) patients achieved 30% and 50% decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), respectively, after corticosteroid switching. The median bPFS and median OS on AA plus dexamethasone were 4.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.7-6.0) months and 18.8 (95% CI: 16.2-30.2) months, respectively. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) expression (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.15, 95% Cl: 1.22-3.80, P = 0.008) and baseline serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP; HR: 4.95, 95% Cl: 2.40-10.19, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of efficacy before corticosteroid switching in the multivariate analysis of bPFS. Only baseline serum ALP >160 IU l-1 (HR: 3.41, 95% Cl: 1.57-7.38, P = 0.002) together with PSA level at switch ≥50 ng ml-1 (HR: 2.59, 95% Cl: 1.22-5.47, P = 0.013) independently predicted poorer OS. Based on the predictive factors in multivariate analysis, we developed two risk stratification tools to select candidates for corticosteroid switching. Detection of serum ALP level, PSA level, and tissue AKR1C3 expression in mCRPC patients could help make clinical decisions for corticosteroid switching.

Design and Feasibility Study of Tracheal Intubation Device Based on Magnetic Navigation Technology / 中国医疗器械杂志

OBJECTIVE@#In the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the subject was designed to develop a new tracheal intubation device based on magnetic navigation technology to improve the success rate of tracheal intubation and reduce the risk of occupational exposure of medical staff.@*METHODS@#The new tracheal intubation device was designed with the uniqueness of the magnetic field environment and magnetic steering of magnetic navigation technology. And preliminary magnetic navigation tracheal intubation experiments were performed on the tracheal intubation simulator.@*RESULTS@#Magnetic navigation tracheal intubation can successfully implement tracheal intubation, and the time required is lower than that of traditional laryngoscopy.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The tracheal intubation based on magnetic navigation technology is feasible, with high efficiency and easy operation. That is expected to be widely used for tracheal intubation during treatment of patients outside the hospital in the future. At the same time, magnetic navigation endotracheal intubation technology will be the key technology for the development of endotracheal intubation robots.

Inhibition effect of active fraction from clove on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to induce apoptosis of human colon cancer HCT116 cells / 中国中药杂志

To screen the sensitive cell lines of active fraction from clove(AFC) on human colon cancer cells, investigate the effects of AFC on the cells proliferation and apoptosis as well as PI3 K/Akt/mTOR(phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin) signaling pathways involved, and reveal the mechanism of AFC for inducing apoptosis of human colorectal carcinoma cells. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was used to detect the cytotoxic effect of different concentrations of AFC. AFC-induced apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. HCT116 cells were treated with AFC with or without pretreatment with insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ), and then the protein expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-9, poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP), PI3 K, p-PI3 K, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR and p-mTOR in PI3 K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. RESULTS:: showed that the most obvious inhibitory effect of AFC was on human colon cancer HCT116 cells, and the optimal AFC treatment time was 48 hours. After AFC treatment, typical apoptotic features such as nuclear chromatin concentration, nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic bodies appeared in a dose-dependent manner. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining showed that as compared with the control group, 50 and 100 μg·mL~(-1) AFC groups increased the apoptosis rate of HCT116 cells significantly(P<0.001); AFC activated caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP in a concentration-dependent manner. The protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3/procaspase-3, cleaved PARP/PARP and caspase-9/β-actin after treatment of AFC(100 μg·mL~(-1)) were significantly different from those in the control group(P<0.001). The relative protein expression of p-PI3 K, p-Akt and p-mTOR decreased in a concentration dependent manner, while Akt and mTOR showed no significant differences among groups. The ratios of p-PI3 K/PI3 K, p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR in the AFC groups(50 and 100 μg·mL~(-1)) were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.01). Its combination with IGF-Ⅰ weakened the effect of AFC in inhibiting PI3 K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR in the AFC+IGF-Ⅰ group were significantly enhanced as compared with the AFC group(P<0.05). Apoptosis-related protein expression levels(cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP) in HCT116 cells treated with AFC+IGF-Ⅰ were also down regulated. As compared with the AFC group, the ratios of cleaved caspase-3/procaspase-3 and cleaved PARP/PARP in the AFC+IGF-Ⅰ group were significantly decreased(P<0.01). In summary, AFC activated caspase-mediated cascades and induced HCT116 cells apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, which may be associated with the inhibition of the PI3 K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Research progress in cell transformation test and its application in cigarette smoke evaluation / 公共卫生与预防医学

In order to understand the current development of cell transformation assay (CTA) and its application in the evaluation of cigarette smoke carcinogenesis, the relevant literatures were analyzed and combed from these two aspects. CTA can evaluate the carcinogenicity of various genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogens in a short period of time, and has a strong consistency with the results of animal carcinogenic test. After malignant transformation, the cells show changes in cell morphology, immortalization of cells, disappearance of cell-cell contact inhibition, and the ability to form tumors when injected into animals. The identification methods of transformed cells include transformed cell focus count, agglutination test, soft agar culture and inoculation of nude mice, etc. At present, BALB/c 3T3 cells, Bhas 42 cells and SHE cells are the most widely used cells for CTA. Cigarette smoke is a complex aerosol containing a variety of non-genetic carcinogenic chemicals. Cell transformation tests are often used as an in vitro alternative method to evaluate the carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke, which is different from the short-term genetic toxicity test. It simulates the long-term state of human smoking induced malignant transformation of cells, through the long-term exposure of cells for several decades, which is closer to the occurrence of cancer caused by human smoking. Therefore, CTA can evaluate the carcinogenicity of cigarette smoke and other tobacco products.

MicroRNA model that can predict the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma based on bioinformatics analysis / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#The microRNA (miRNA) prognostic model can predict the prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) on the basis of bioinformatics. Moreover, it can accurately group OSCC patients to improve targeted treatment.@*METHODS@#We downloaded the miRNA and mRNA expression profile and clinical data of OSCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The risk score model of miRNA was screened and established by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. The performance of this prognostic model was tested by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). The target genes of six miRNAs were predicted and intersected with differential mRNA for enrichment analysis by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. A protein protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed to screen hub genes.@*RESULTS@#By using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, the prognostic risk model was obtained. The AUC of the ROC curve for predicting 5-year survival in the training group, test group, and whole cohort were 0.757, 0.673, and 0.724, respectively. Furthermore, univariate Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression considering other clinical factors showed that the six-miRNAs signature could serve as an independent prognostic factor (P<0.001). The top 10 hub genes in the PPI network screened by intersecting target genes include CCNB1, EGF, KIF23, MCM10, ITGAV, MELK, PLK4, ADCY2, CENPF, and TRIP13. EGF and ADCY2 were associated with survival prognosis (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The six-miRNAs signature could efficiently function as a novel and independent prognostic model for OSCC patients, which may be a new method to guide the accurate targeting treatment of OSCC.

Penicilazaphilone C, a new azaphilone, induces apoptosis by blocking the Notch signalling pathway in gastric cancer

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer activities of penicilazaphilone C against gastric cancer. Methods: In vitro effects of penicilazaphilone C on cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT, BrdU, MTS, colony formation assays, Hoechst 33258 staining, and flow cytometry. Related proteins were examined by Western blotting assays. The expression of Notch receptor was analyzed using real-time PCR. In vivo antitumor activities of penicilazaphilone C were observed in nude mice. Results: Compared to the controls, penicilazaphilone C suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in MGC-803 and SGC-7901 cells. The Notch/PTEN/AKT axis was involved in the activating penicilazaphilone C-induced apoptosis. Penicilazaphilone C decreased levels of Notch, NICD, phospho-PTEN and phospho- AKT compared to controls. The penicilazaphilone C-induced inhibition of Notch-related protein expression levels and the resulting apoptosis could be reversed by overexpression of Notch1 or/and Notch2. Moreover, penicilazaphilone C inhibited tumor growth in mice bearing tumours derived from MGC-803 and SGC-7901 cells, respectively. Conclusions: Penicilazaphilone C can induce the apoptosis by suppressing the activation of the proteolytic cleavage of the Notch receptor and subsequently blocking the PTEN/AKT signaling axis in gastric cancer cells. Thus, penicilazaphilone C is a potential alternative agent for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Prior switching to a second-line nonsteroidal antiandrogen does not impact the therapeutic efficacy of abiraterone acetate in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: A real-world retrospective study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Even in the era of novel targeted agents, switching to a second-line nonsteroidal antiandrogen (NSAA) is still widely used in treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), especially in undeveloped countries. However, whether prior treatment with a second-line NSAA would impact the efficacy of abiraterone acetate (Abi) remains uncertain. In the current study, 87 mCRPC patients treated with Abi were analyzed. Among them, 21 were treated with a second-line NSAA (from bicalutamide to flutamide) before receiving abiraterone, while the remaining 66 received Abi directly. Therapeutic efficacy of Abi was compared between those with and without prior second-line NSAA using Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, and Cox regression models. The therapeutic efficacy of Abi was similar between those with or without the prior switching treatment of flutamide, in terms of either prostate-specific antigen progression-free survival (PSA-PFS, 5.5 vs 5.6 months, P = 0.967), radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS, 12.8 vs 13.4 months, P = 0.508), overall survival (OS, not reached vs 30.6 months, P = 0.606), or PSA-response rate (71.4% [15/21] vs 60.6% [40/66], P = 0.370). This is the first time that the impact of prior switching of treatment to a second-line NSAA on the efficacy of Abi in mCRPC patients has been addressed. Our data support that, use of prior sequential bicalutamide and flutamide does not seem to preclude response to abiraterone, although larger cohort studies and, ideally, a randomized controlled trial are needed. These findings will facilitate doctors' decision-making in the treatment of mCRPC patients, especially for those with previous experience of switching NSAA second-line treatments in the clinic.

Effect of propofol pretreatment on NF-κB activity during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of propofol pretreatment on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)activity during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion(I∕R)injury in rats. Methods Twenty-four patho-gen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2 months, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 3 groups(n=8 each)using a random number table:sham operation group(group S),group I∕R and propofol pretreatment group(group P).Hepatic I∕R injury was induced by 45 min occlusion of the hepatic artery and portal vein entering the middle and left lobes of the liver followed by reperfusion. In group P, propofol 12 mg·kg-1·h-1was infused via the femoral vein until the end of ischemia starting from 30 min before ische-mia in group P. Blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava at 120 min of reperfusion for deter-mination of the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β). The rats were then sacrificed and livers were re-moved for determination of phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65)expression in liver tissues(by West-ern blot)and apoptosis in hepatocytes(by TUNEL).Apoptosis index(AI)was calculated. Results Com-pared with group S, the levels of ALT, AST, TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and AI were significantly in-creased,and the expression of p-NF-κB p65 in liver tissues was up-regulated in I∕R and P groups(P<005). Compared with group I∕R,the levels of ALT,AST,TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and AI were signifi-cantly decreased,and the expression of p-NF-κB p65 in liver tissues was down-regulated in group P(P<005). Conclusion The mechanism by which propofol pretreatment reduces hepatic I∕R injury is associat-ed with inhibiting NF-κB activity in rats.

Effect of propofol pretreatment against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury on mitochondrial permeability transition pore in rats / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of propotol against hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury in rats on mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and the mechanism of GSK-3β.Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n =6):sham operation group (S group),ischemia reperfusion group (I/R group),CsA pretreatment group (C group),propofol pretreatment group (P group),and propofol plus atractyloside pretreatment group (A + P group).Nauta liver ischemia-reperfusion rat model was used.Liver lobes were subjected to warm ischemia for 60min and then reperfusion for 120 min.In P group,propofol [12 mg/(kg · h)] was administered in the femoral vein for 30 min before ischemia until the end of reperfusion.In C group,CsA (2 mg/kg) was administered in the femoral vein for 20min before ischemia.In A + P group,20 μmol/kg of atractyloside was given through the femoral vein 10min before the injection of propofol.Rats were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion,and venous blood and hepatic tissue specimens from the same part of ischemia were obtained from different groups.Results Compared with S group,the AST and ALT levels were increased significantly,mitochondrial swelling were increased and mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased significantly in I/R group and A + P group.Casepase-3 were increased significantly and p-GSK3β Ser9 were decreased significantly in I/R group and A + P group.Compared with I/R group,the content of AST and ALT were decreased significantly,mitochondrial swelling were decreased and mitochondrial membrane potential were increased significantly,casepase-3 release were decreased significantly and p-GSK3β Ser9 were increased significantly in P group and C group.GSK-3β in each group displayed no significant difference.Conclusions Propofol can significantly reduce hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.The protective effect of propofol may be achieved via the inhibition of GSK-3β activation,increased p-GSK-3β Ser9 level,suppressing MPTP opening and decreasing hepatocytes apoptosis.

Establishment and application of multiplex direct PCR for rapid detection of common food borne pathogens in swine products / 中国人兽共患病学报

We established a multiplex direct PCR for rapid detection of E.coli,Salmonella,Staphylococcus aureus,Listeria and Yersinia enterocolitica bacteria.Multiplex direct PCR primers were designed according to gene sequences of phoA (E.coli),inv A (Salmonella),nuc (S.aureus),hl y (Listeria),and ail (Y.enterocolitica).After the multiplex direct PCR were established,the specificity and sensitivity of primers were detected.Then,multiplex direct PCR was applied to examine 60 swine product samples,the detection specificity,accuracy and positive predictive value were calculated compared with the gold standard culture method.Results showed that multiplex direct PCR primers could be used for specific detection of E.coli,Salmonella,S.aureus,Listeria and Y.enterocolitica,with the minimal detectable limit of 10,1,100,1 and 1 CFU,respectively.For the examination of 60 swine product samples using multiplex direct PCR,15 were positive for E.coli,6 positive for Salmonella,21 positive for S.aureus,20 positive for Listeria,and 35 positive for Y.enterocolitica,with all positive detection rates higher than that of culture.The total detection sensitivity was 100％,accuracy was 94％,and positive predictive value was 81.44％.Multiplex direct PCR could be used for specific and sensitive detection of common food-borne pathogens,and the testing time was shorten to be 3 hours because of saving time for template extraction.Multiplex direct PCR might serve the detection of food-borne pathogens in food safety risk monitoring much better.

Role of GSK-3β in the protective effect of propofol pretreatment against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and oxidative stress in rats / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of propofol pretreatment against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and oxidative stress in rats and the mechanism of the role of GSK-3 β.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation group (S group),ischemia-reperfusion group (I-R group),propofol pretreatment group (P group),TDZD-8 pretreatment group (T group).The hepatic ischemia-reperfusion rat models were established by the method of Nauta.Rats were subjected to 30-min,60-min and 90-min 70％ warm ischemia of liver followed by reperfusion for 120 min,respectively.Propofol (12 mg/kg · h) was injected via femoral vein 30 min before ischemia till the end of reperfusion in P group and TDZD-8 (1 mg/kg) were injected via femoral vein 20 min before ischemia in T group.The animals were killed at 120 min after reperfusion.Blood samples and the liver tissue were obtained.The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analyzed.Liver morphological changes were observed using optical microscopy.p-GSK-3β Ser9 and total GSK-3 β expression was determined by Western blot.Results Compared with S group,AST,ALT,LDH and MDA level was increased,SOD level was reduced,and p-GSK-3 β Ser9 expression was significantly reduced in I-R group.Compared with I-R group,the content of AST,ALT,LDH and MDA was reduced significantly,SOD increased significantly,and the content of p-GSK-3β Ser9 increased significantly in P group and T group.There were no significant differences between P group and T group.The hematoxylin-eosin staining of hepatic tissues revealed in I-R group had severe structural damage and periportal inflammatory cells infiltrated,hepatocyte necrosis and sinusoidal congestion.In P group and T group,liver tissues had normal structure,less cell death,edema and inflammatory cell infiltration.Conclusions Propofol can significantly reduce hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury by reducing oxidative stress and lipid hydroperoxides.This protective effect of Propofol may be associated with the inhibition of GSK-3 β by GSK-3 β Ser9 phosphorylation.

Sunitinib suppresses migration of ovarian cancer cells through negative modulation of TGF-β-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of sunitinib on the migration of ovarian cells and its mechanism of the negative regulation TGF-β mediated of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) by sunitinib to inhibit ovarian cancer metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The migration of human ovarian cancer cells SKOV3 was evaluated by wound-healing and transwell assays. The effects of sunitinib on TGF-β-induced E-cadherin expression was assessed by Western-blotting, real time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay. The protein levels of Snail and the transcriptional activity of Smad in sunitinib-treated cells were examined by Western-blotting and SBE-luciferase assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sunitinib suppressed the migration of SKOV3 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. TGF-β stimulation reduced E-cadherin protein level, which was attenuated by sunitinib. Sunitinib inhibited the up-regulation of Snail protein level induced by TGF-β treatment. The SBE reporter was constructed by linking the Smad-binding elements promoter upstream of luciferase reporter gene. A remarkable increment of transcriptional activity of Smads complexes was observed in SKOV3 cells exposed to TGF-β, which was significantly prohibited by sunitinib.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sunitinib can inhibit the migration of SKOV3 cells and attenuate the down-regulation of E-cadherin protein level induced by TGF-β. Sunitinib can abolish TGF-β-induced up-regulation of Snail protein and decrease the transcriptional activity of Smad complexes. The results indicate that sunitinib suppresses migration of ovarian cancer cells through negative modulation of TGF-β-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition.</p>

Survey of smoking behaviors among male smokers in two districts of Chengdu / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the smoking behaviors and its influencing factors among male smokers in two districts in Chengdu.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A face to face questionnaire survey was conducted among 320 male smokers in Chengdu. And the data were analyzed with descriptive epidemiological method, t test, χ2 test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wails H rank sum test and cumulative odds logistic regression model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>More cigarette smoking (t=2.327, P=0.021) and using cigarette with lower tar level (t=-11.251, P<0.001) after changing the brand of cigarette were found among the males surveyed. The cumulative odds logistic regression analysis showed that males with lower education level (OR=1.968, P=0.040), with higher income level (OR=2.053, P=0.043), leaving shorter butts (OR=2.366, P=0.010) and with high nicotine dependence (OR=7.143, P<0.001) had more cigarette smoking.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Smokers who changed the brand of cigarette were more likely to choose low tar cigarette. Smokers with low education level, high income level and high nicotine dependence are the target population for health education and behavior intervention in smoking control.</p>

Evaluation of Left Atrial Function Changes in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Using Two-dimensional Speckle Tracking Imaging / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To evaluate the changes of left atrial(LA)function in peripartum cardiomyopathy(PPCM)patients using two?dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(2DSTE). Methods Totally 35 PPCM patients and 35 healthy postpartum women(control group)were en?rolled in this study. Left ventricular end?diastolic diameter(LVEDd)and LA anteroposterior dimension(LAAD)were measured. The end?diastol?ic volume(EDV)and end?systolic volume(ESV)were obtained using biplane modified Simpson′s method. Cardiac output(CO)and left ventricu?lar ejection fraction(LVEF)were also calculated. E wave and A wave of mitral valve were measured,and correspondingly E/A ratio were obtained. LA longitudinal systolic strain(SS),systolic strain rate(s?SR),early diastolic strain rate(e?SR),and late diastolic strain rate(a?SR)were ob?tained by 2DSTE. Results There was no statistical difference of E wave between the two groups(P>0.05). Compared to the normal control group, LVEDd,EDV,ESV,LAAD,E/A were increased,while CO,LVEF,A,SS,s?SR,e?SR,a?SR were decreased in the PPCM group(P<0.05). a?SR was positively correlated with A wave in patients with PPCM(r=0.775,P=0.001). Conclusion LA reservoir,conduit and booster pump func?tion were decreased during PPCM. 2DSTE can easily and accurately assess these changes of LA function.

An expression analysis of miR-200a in serum and liver tissue during the process of liver cancer development in rats / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore whether microRNA-200a (miR-200a) could be used as a novel biomarker of liver cancer using a rat model system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diethylnitrosamine abdominal injection was applied to induce liver cancer in the F344 rat strain (n =40); ten unmodeled rats served as controls. In addition, human subjects with normal healthy liver (n =10), liver cirrhosis (n =10), and liver cancer (n =10) were enrolled in the study. Blood samples from both rats and patients and rats' livers were collected for analysis. Real-time quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used respectively to measure the expressions of serum miR-200a and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for all rat and human subjects. In situ hybridization was used to detect the miR-200a expression in the rats' livers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Comparison of normal rats and the liver cancer modeled rats showed that the latter had significantly lower expression of miR-200a (P less than 0.05), with decreasing expression following the progression of liver injury to cancer (liver cirrhosis rats less than early liver cancer rats less than advanced liver cancer rats); in contrast, the AFP levels were significantly higher in the liver cancer modeled rats only at the early and advanced stages of the liver cancer (P less than 0.05). These</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>suggested that miR-200a expression decreases during the developmental process of liver cancer, while AFP expression increases distinctly at the stage of tumor formation. Analysis of the human subjects' clinical samples showed that miR-200a expression was decreased in both liver cirrhosis patients and liver cancer patients (vs. normal liver subjects, P less than 0.05), while AFP showed abnormal expression only in the patients with liver cancer. Comparison of the normal rats and modeled rats using in situ hybridization showed the positive rates for miR-200a expression were 1.00% +/- 0.01% in rats with normal liver, 0.37% +/- 0.03% in rats with fibrotic liver, 0.14% +/- 0.01% in rats with cirrhotic liver, 0.05% +/- 0.00% in rats with early stage liver cancer, and 0.01% +/- 0.00% in rats with advanced stage liver cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MiR-200a may play an important role in liver cancer development and may have diagnostic value for indicating early liver cancer.</p>

Diagnosis value of direct PCR to acanthamoeba keratitis / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Acanthamoeba keratitis is a sort of serious infectious eye disease with high causing-blindness rate.Acanthamoeba keratitis often is misdiagnosed as fungal keratitis or viral keratitis in the early stage.Because conventional clinical diagnosis methods show a low specificity and take a long time,timely treatment often is delayed.Conventional PCR does not apply well because the lesion sample is not enough to extract DNA.However,direct PCR can amplify 18S rRNA conserved sequence of acanthamoeba keratitis without the extraction of DNA.Objective This study was to discuss the feasibility for rapid diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis using direct PCR to amplify the gene 18S rRNA fragment.Methods Ten acanthamoeba strains were isolated from 10 eyes with acanthamoeba keratitis in Qingdao Eye Hospital.The sensitivity of the direct PCR assay was tested using different numbers of amoebas.The specificity of the assay was tested using DNA extracted from acanthamoeba,candida albicans,pseudomonas aeruginosa,herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and normal human corneal epithelial cell.Acanthamoeba keratitis models were established using infected method in clean 6-week-old female BALB/c mice.Corneal lesion samples were obtained 1 day,3,5,7,10,15 days after modeled.The effectivity and feasibility of the direct PCR assay for rapid diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis were evaluated and compared with culture method,corneal smear examination and real-time PCR.Results Direct PCR primers could only amplify DNA of acanthamoeba rather than other pathogens,and 10 stains of acanthamoeba were detected at least in each sample.During the development of acanthamoeba keratitis in the mice,the diagnosis positive rate of direct PCR was 80.0％,90.0％,80.0％,70.0％,70.0％ and 50.0％ in 1 day,3,5,7,10,15 days after modeled with the total positive rate 73.3％,which was higher than 31.7％ of culture method,56.7％ of corneal smear examination and 61.7％ of realtime PCR,with a significant difference between the direct PCR and culture method (P =0.005),but no significant difference was seen in the total positive rate between the direct PCR and real-time PC R (P =0.172) or corneal smear examination (P =0.056).Conclusions The direct PCR assay is a simple,rapid,highly specific and sensitive method for the rapid diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis,especially for the limited lesion sample.