Chrysin inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell by regulating NF-κB/Twist 1 signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to assess whether chrysin(ChR) can inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell and produce anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect by regulating the NF-κB/Twist 1 signaling pathway. Sixty rats were randomly divided into the control group, the bleomycin(BLC) group, BLC+ChR(50 mg·kg~(-1)) group and BLC+ChR(100 mg·kg~(-1)) group, with 15 rats in each group. The pulmonary fibrosis model was induced by intratracheal injection of BLC(7 500 U·kg~(-1)). Rats were orally administered with different doses of ChR after BLC injection for 28 days. The cells were divided into control group, TGF-β1 group(5 ng·mL~(-1)), and TGF-β1+ChR(1, 10, 100 μmol·L~(-1)) groups. The type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells were treated with TGF-β1 for 24 h, and then treated with TGF-β1 for 48 h in the presence or absence of different doses of ChR(1, 10 and 100 μmol·L~(-1)). The morphological changes and collagen deposition in lung tissues were analyzed by HE staining, Masson staining and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ, E-cadherin, zonula occludens-1(ZO-1), vimentin, alpha smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha(IκBα), nuclear factor-kappa B p65(NF-κB p65), phospho-NF-κB p65(p-p65) and Twist 1 in lung tissues and cells were detected by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The animal experiment results showed that as compared with the BLC group, after administration of ChR for 28 days, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats was significantly relieved, collagen Ⅰ expression in lung tissues was significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and EMT of alveolar epithelial cells was obviously inhibited [the expression levels of E-cadherin and ZO-1 were increased and the expression levels of vimentin and α-SMA were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01)], concomitantly with significantly reduced IκBα and p65 phosphorylation level in cytoplasm and decreased NF-κB p65 and Twist 1 expression in nucleus(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The cell experiment results showed that different doses of ChR(1, 10 and 100 μmol·L~(-1)) significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced collagen Ⅰ expression(P<0.05 or P<0.01), significantly inhibited EMT of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells[the expression levels of E-cadherin and ZO-1 were increased and the expression levels of vimentin and α-SMA were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01)], and inhibited IκBα and p65 phosphorylation in cytoplasm and down-regulated NF-κB p65 and Twist 1 expression in nucleus induced by TGF-β1(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The results suggest that ChR can reverse EMT of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell and alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in rats, and its mechanism may be associated with reducing IκBα phosphorylation and inhibiting NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and nuclear transfer, thus down-regulating Twist 1 expression.

Value of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Parameters in Evaluating K-W Nodule Formation in Diabetic Nephropathy / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To discuss the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)parameters in evaluating the formation of Kimmelstiel-Wilson(K-W)nodules in diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods Sixty-two patients pathologically diagnosed with DN and undergoing CEUS in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from March 2017 to January 2020 were assigned into two groups according to whether K-W nodules were formed.The cortical CEUS parameters and the ratios of cortical to medullary CEUS parameters were compared between the two groups.Results The 62 patients included 19 patients without K-W nodules(group A)and 43 patients with K-W nodules(group B).The median rise time(

Performance of Ultrasonic Shear Wave Elastography in Assessing Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the best shear wave elastography (SWE) quantitative parameters including the maximum elasticity (Emax), mean elasticity(Emean), minimum elasticity, standard deviation and ratio of Emean (Eratio) in assessing benign and malignant breast lesions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 302 breast lesions underwent conventional ultrasound and SWE. Each lesion was classified according to ultrasound Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were used to determine the cut-off values of SWE quantitative parameters and to suggest breast lesions as benign or malignant. The sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index (sum of sensitivity and specificity minus 1) of SWE quantitative parameters were compared,and then the sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index of the combinations of each SWE parameters in assessing breast lesions were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index of the Emax were 0.87,0.97 and 0.84,which were higher than other SWE parameters (all P<0.01). The sensitivity, specificity and the Youden index of Emax combined with ultrasound BI-RADS were 0.86,0.97 and 0.83, which were higher than other combinations (all P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with other parameters, Emax has the best performance in assessing breast lesions. It can be used as an important quantitative indicator for the evaluation of benign and malignant breast lesions.</p>

Diagnosis of prostate cancer with PSA < or =4.0 microg/L / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate digital rectal examination (DRE) , transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) , free/total (f-PSA/ t-PSA) prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and PSA density (PSAD) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with PSA < or = 4.0 microg/L.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between April 1996 and December 2012, a total of 343 subjects, aged 30 -91 years, with PSA < or =4.0 microg/L and abnormal findings on DRE or TRUS underwent prostatic biopsy. Based on the levels of PSA, the subjects were divided into four groups: 0 -1.0, 1.1 -2. 0, 2.1 -3. 0, and 3.1 -4.0 microg/L. The diagnostic values of DRE, TRUS, f-PSA/t-PSA, and PSAD were assessed in those with different PSA levels. According to the age, the subjects were again divided into five groups: C49 yr, 50 -59 yr, 60 -69 yr, 70 -79 yr, and > 80 yr. The rates of PCa detection in relation to PSA levels were estimated in different age groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 343 subjects, 65 (19.0% ) were diagnosed with PCa, with detection rates of 16.28% (21/129) , 17. 17% (17/99), 21.82% (12/55), and 25.00% (15/60) in those with the PSA levels of 0 -1.0, 1.1 -2.0, 2.1 -3.0, and 3.1 -4.0 microg/L, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in f-PSA/t-PSA between the PCa patients and non-PCa subjects with the PSA level > 2.0 microg/L (P <0.05) , but not with the PSA level < or =2.0 microg/L (P > 0.05) , nor did PSAD show any significant difference between the PCa and non-PCa groups ([0.09+/-0. 16] versus [0. 06 +/- 0. 07] micro/L/ml, P > 0. 05). The rate of cancer detection rose -with the elevation of the PSA level, but had no statistically significant difference among different age groups (P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PSA 2.1 -4.0 microg/L with abnormal DRE and TRUS findings should be considered as a warning signal, which requires regular follow-up and PSA detection. With f-PSA/t-PSA <0. 15 with or without abnormal DRE and TRUS findings, routine prostate biopsy should be performed. PCa diagnosis cannot be effectively established by DRE, TRUS, f-PSA/t-PSA, and PSAD in those with PSA < or = 2.0 microg/L.</p>

Establishment of a nomogram for predicting positive repeat prostate biopsy in Chinese men / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a nomogram for predicting the probability of prostate cancer at transrectal ultrasound-guided repeat prostate biopsy in Chinese men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed repeat biopsy for 170 patients with benign prostate diseases diagnosed on the first biopsy, and analyzed the correlation of positive repeat biopsy with age, prostate volume, PSA, free-to-total PSA (f-PSA/t-PSA), PSA velocity, PSA density, results of digital rectal examination (DRE) and previous histology. We entered the variables stepwise into logistic regression models, and established a nomogram for the risk score on the probability of positive repeat biopsy, whose predictive value was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Prostate cancer was detected in 31.8% of the repeat biopsies (54/170). The most accurate predictive nomogram comprised age, PSA, f-PSA/t-PSA, PSA velocity, prostate volume, DRE and previous prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) findings. The nomogram exhibited a high predictive value, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 82.4%, significantly greater than that of the prediction based on PSA density (AUC: 66.9%), prostate volume (AUC: 72.6%), PSA velocity (AUC: 69.6%), f-PSA/t-PSA (AUC: 69.3%), or DRE (AUC: 58.5% ) alone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The nomogram is an accurate multi-variable predicting tool to determine the probability of positive repeat prostate biopsy.</p>

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the differentiation of high- and low-grade urothelial carcinoma / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of high- and low-grade urothelial carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The radiological data of 96 patients with urothelial carcinomas who had undergone gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound from August 2010 to April 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. Pathological examination demonstrated that the tumors were high-grade in 55 cases (high-grade group) and low-grade in 41 cases (low-grade group). The dynamic images were analyzed by time-intensity curve, and the arrival time (AT), peak intensity (PI), time to peak (TTP), and washout time (WT) were measured. The enhancement patterns of different urothelial carcinomas were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both PI (P=0.005) and WT (P=0.002) were significantly higher in high-grade group than in low-grade group, whereas AT (P=0.374) and TTP (P=0.386) showed no significant difference between these two groups. In the high-grade group, 47 cases (85.5%) were identified as fast wash-in and slow wash-out; in the low-grade group, 35 (85.4%) were identified as fast wash-in and fast wash-out. When the enhancement pattern was used as a diagnostic indicator for differentiating urothelial carcinomas, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 85.5%, 90.2%, 87.5%, 92.2%, and 82.2% for high-grade tumor and 85.4%, 90.9%, 88.5%, 87.5%, and 89.3% for low-grade tumor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Different grade urothelial carcinomas show different enhancement finding on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The enhancement pattern can serve as an important diagnostic indicator.</p>

Development of a nomogram for predicting positive initial prostate biopsy among Chinese patients / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a predictive nomogram for predicting the prostate carcinoma among Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 556 Chinese male patients who had undergone an initial prostate biopsy in our hospital from July 2004 to February 2009 were enrolled in this study. Variables including age, volume, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, and free PSA (f-PSA)/total PSA (t-PSA) were collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the relative risk. Regression equation was established for variables via stepwise regression, via which a nomogram for assessing the positive biopsy results was established, and then the predictive value of this nomogram was evaluated using receiver area under curve (ROC) analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of these 556 patients, cancer was detected in 205 patients (36.87%) via biopsies. Univariate analysis showed that age, prostate volume, PSA levels, and f-PSA/t-PSA were the influencing factors of the nomogram. The risk model performed well in an independent sample, with an AUC(ROC) of 0.8767, which was significantly larger than that of the prediction based on age (AUC(ROC) : 0.6397), prostate volume (AUC(ROC) : 0.7255), PSA (AUC(ROC) : 0.7111), or f-PSA/t-PSA (AUC(ROC) : 0.6973) alone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A preliminary nomogram with high predictive value for Chinese population was successfully established.</p>

Transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic 12-core biopsy of the prostate improves prostate cancer detection / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic 12-core biopsy of the prostate for the detection and characterization of prostate cancer in different age and prostate specific antigen (PSA) groups.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 210 patients were divided into four age groups (< or = 59 yr, 60-69 yr, 70-79 yr, and > or = 80 yr) and five PSA groups (0-4 microg/L, 4.1-10 microg/L, 10.1 -20 microg/L, 20.1-50 microg/L, and > 50 microg/L), and underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic 12-core biopsy of the prostate at various sites for detecting prostate cancer. Clinical data and the results of various biopsy schemes were analyzed and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ninety-one cases of prostate cancer were detected among the 210 patients, with a total detection rate of 43.3%, and the percentage was higher with the increase of age and PSA level. Larger and higher-grade tumors were associated with older age and higher PSA level, and higher detection rates were related to laterally directed and apical biopsies. The 12-core biopsy outperformed other biopsy schemes in detecting prostate cancer in patients under 60 years of age and with PSA < 20 microg/L.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 12-core biopsy scheme can make up for the inadequacy of sextant biopsy in detecting prostate cancer, and less influenced by the age and PSA level of the patients. Generally larger and higher-grade tumors are associated with older age and higher PSA level.</p>

Observation and analysis on mutation of routine STR locus / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe and analyze the characteristic of mutation at STR locus.@*METHODS@#27 mutant genes observed in 1211 paternity testing cases were checked by PAGE-silver stained and PowerPlex 16 System Kit and validated by sequencing.@*RESULTS@#Mutant genes locate on 15 loci. The pattern of mutation was accord with stepwise mutation model. The mutation ratio of male-to-female was 8:1 and correlated to the age of father.@*CONCLUSION@#Mutation rate is correlated to the geometric mean of the number of homogeneous repeats of locus. The higher the mean, the higher the mutation rate. These loci are not so appropriate for use in paternity testing.