[Advances in the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the prevention of venous thromboembolism]

Pharmacologic prophylaxis is the most commonly used prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the pharmacologic prophylaxis is limited in patients at high risk of bleeding. Mechanical prophylaxis alone or in combination is an important method of VTE prophylaxis in patients at high risk of bleeding, but the current mainstream mechanical prophylaxis, which includes graded compression stockings, intermittent inflatable compression pumps and plantar venous compression pumps, has some limitations, leading to discomfort for patients wearing them due to the large contact area, and even affecting ability to perform daily activities. Many clinical studies have found that NMES combined with pharmacological prophylaxis has better efficacy and safety than pharmacological prophylaxis alone in preventing VTE in medical and surgical patients, and the preventive effect of NMES alone is not inferior to other mechanical prophylaxis. Besides, it also has the advantages of ease of wear and patient compliance. Currently, clinicians have limited experience and knowledge of NMES. We aimed to present the rationale, progress in clinical research and future perspective of NMES in VTE prophylaxis.

Electroacupuncture Stimulation Alleviates Inflammatory Pain in Male Rats by Suppressing Oxidative Stress

In the present study, we focused on whether the analgesic effect of Electroacupuncture (EA) is related to the regulation of oxidative stress. We established a chronic inflammatory pain model in male rats by a single injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and then treated the animals with daily EA stimulation at the site of "zusanli". The analgesic effect of EA was evaluated by measuring the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) when rats received mechanical and thermal pain stimulation. The levels of inflammation-related molecules and oxidative stress-related markers in the spinal cord were measured by western blotting or ELISA kits. EA stimulation and antioxidants effectively increased the PWT in CFA rats. Co-treatment of CFA rats with the ROS donor t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH) further decreased the PWT and weakened the analgesic effect of EA. EA treatment inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress, as shown by decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and MDA and increased activity of SOD and catalase. Moreover, EA reduced the expression of p-p38, p-ERK, and p-p65 and simultaneously downregulated the expression of TRPV1 and TRPV4 in CFA rats. In an in vitro study, direct stimulation with t-BOOH to the C6 cells increased the production of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, activated p38, ERK, and p65 and up-regulated the expression of TRPV1 and TRPV4, and these effects could be prevented by the ROS scavenger PBN. Taken together, our data indicate that the inhibition of oxidative stress and the generation of ROS contribute to the analgesic effect of EA in male CFA rats.

[Recognition of abnormal changes in echocardiographic videos by an artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis model based on 3D CNN]

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.

Regional location of lymph node metastases predicts survival in patients with de novo metastatic prostate cancer

To report the regional locations of metastases and to estimate the prognostic value of the pattern of regional metastases in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), we retrospectively analyzed 870 mHSPC patients between November 28, 2009, and February 4, 2021, from West China Hospital in Chengdu, China. The patients were initially classified into 5 subgroups according to metastatic patterns as follows: simple bone metastases (G1), concomitant bone and regional lymph node (LN) metastases (G2), concomitant bone and nonregional LN (NRLN) metastases (G3), lung metastases (G4), and liver metastases (G5). In addition, patients in the G3 group were subclassified as G3a and G3b based on the LN metastatic plane (below or above the diaphragm, respectively). The associations of different metastatic patterns with castration-resistant prostate cancer-free survival (CFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The results showed that patients in G1 and G2 had relatively favorable clinical outcomes, patients in G3a and G4 had intermediate prognoses, and patients in G3b and G5 had the worst survival outcomes. We observed that patients in G3b had outcomes comparable to those in G5 but had a significantly worse prognosis than patients in G3a (median CFS: 8.2 months vs 14.3 months, P = 0.015; median OS: 38.1 months vs 45.8 months, P = 0.038). In conclusion, metastatic site can predict the prognosis of patients with mHSPC, and the presence of concomitant bone and NRLN metastases is a valuable prognostic factor. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the farther the NRLNs are located, the more aggressive the disease is.

The safety of radium-223 combined with new-generation hormonal agents in bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Patients with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) might benefit from radium-223 (223Ra) combined with new-generation hormonal agents (NHAs) in terms of survival and quality of life (QoL). However, the safety of combination therapies remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to perform a network meta-analysis by reviewing the literature about the combination of 223Ra with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) or enzalutamide and to evaluate the safety of combination therapy in bone mCRPC patients. Ultimately, ten studies (2835 patients) were selected, including four randomized controlled trials (RCTs), five retrospective cohort studies, and one single-arm study. Overall, there was no difference in the incidence of fracture between the 223Ra+NHA combination group and the 223Ra monotherapy group (odds ratio [OR]: 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91-2.34, P = 0.66), but the incidences in both the 223Ra+NHA combination group (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 2.24-4.63, P < 0.01) and the 223Ra monotherapy group (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.23-4.08, P < 0.01) were higher than that in the NHA monotherapy group. However, in the meta-analysis involving only RCTs, there was no difference between the 223Ra monotherapy group and the NHA monotherapy group (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.22-5.95, P = 0.88), while the difference between the 223Ra+NHA combination group and the NHA monotherapy group remained significant (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 2.24-4.63, P < 0.01). Symptomatic skeletal events (SSEs), SSE-free survival (SSE-FS), all grades of common adverse events (AEs), and ≥grade 3 AEs among all groups did not show any significant difference. Our results indicate that the combination of 223Ra with NHAs was well tolerated in bone mCRPC patients compared to 223Ra monotherapy, even though the incidence of fracture was higher in patients who received 223Ra than that among those who received NHA monotherapy. More evidence is needed to explore the safety and efficiency of 223Ra combination therapies.

[Influencing factors of iron metabolism assessment in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: A retrospective study]

Objective: To analyze the influencing factors of iron metabolism assessment in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Methods: MRI and/or DECT were used to detect liver and cardiac iron content in 181 patients with MDS, among whom, 41 received regular iron chelation therapy during two examinations. The adjusted ferritin (ASF) , erythropoietin (EPO) , cardiac function, liver transaminase, hepatitis antibody, and peripheral blood T cell polarization were detected and the results of myelofibrosis, splenomegaly, and cyclosporine were collected and comparative analyzed in patients. Results: We observed a positive correlation between liver iron concentration and ASF both in the MRI group and DECT groups (r=0.512 and 0.606, respectively, P<0.001) , only a weak correlation between the heart iron concentration and ASF in the MRI group (r=0.303, P<0.001) , and no significant correlation between cardiac iron concentration and ASF in the DECT group (r=0.231, P=0.053) . Moreover, transfusion dependence in liver and cardiac [MRI group was significantly associated with the concentration of iron in: LIC: (28.370±10.706) mg/g vs (7.593±3.508) mg/g, t=24.30, P<0.001; MIC: 1.81 vs 0.95, z=2.625, P<0.05; DECT group: liver VIC: (4.269±1.258) g/L vs (1.078±0.383) g/L, t=23.14, P<0.001: cardiac VIC: 1.69 vs 0.68, z=3.142, P<0.05]. The concentration of EPO in the severe iron overload group was significantly higher than that in the mild to moderate iron overload group and normal group (P<0.001) . Compared to the low-risk MDS group, the liver iron concentration in patients with MDS with cyclic sideroblasts (MDS-RS) was significantly elevated [DECT group: 3.80 (1.97, 5.51) g/L vs 1.66 (0.67, 2.94) g/L, P=0.004; MRI group: 13.7 (8.1,29.1) mg/g vs 11.6 (7.1,21.1) mg/g, P=0.032]. Factors including age, bone marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly, T cell polarization, use of cyclosporine A, liver aminotransferase, and hepatitis antibody positive had no obvious effect on iron metabolism. Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between liver iron concentration and ASF in patients with MDS, whereas there was no significant correlation between cardiac iron concentration and ASF. Iron metabolism was affected by transfusion dependence, EPO concentration, and RS.

Predictors of efficacy of corticosteroid switching from abiraterone plus prednisone to dexamethasone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

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.

Intraductal carcinoma of the prostate in prostate biopsy samples: correlation with aggressive pathological features after radical prostatectomy and prognostic value in high-risk prostate cancer

Intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) is an aggressive pathological pattern of prostate cancer (PCa). We investigated the association of IDC-P in prostate biopsy (PBx) with several pathological features after radical prostatectomy (RP) and its prognostic value in high-risk PCa. A total of 418 patients with high-risk PCa after RP were included in this study. IDC-P and its architectural patterns were identified according to the 2016 World Health Organization Classification. Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used to investigate the correlation between IDC-P and post-RP pathological features. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression were applied to explore the prognostic value of IDC-P. IDC-P was identified in PBx in 36/418 (8.6%) patients. Logistic regression indicated that IDC-P in PBx was independently associated with several pathological features of RP, including Gleason score 8–10 (P < 0.001), seminal vesicular invasion (P < 0.001), and pathological T (pT) 3a (P = 0.043). Patients with IDC-P in PBx manifested poorer biochemical-free survival (BFS) than those without IDC-P (37.47 months vs not reached, P < 0.001). The addition of IDC-P in several prognostic nomograms could improve the predictive accuracy of these tools. We conclude that IDC-P in PBx is positively associated with several aggressive pathological features after RP in high-risk PCa. In addition, IDC-P in PBx could effectively predict the BFS of high-risk PCa patients after RP.

Clinical and oncologic findings of extraprostatic extension on needle biopsy in de novo metastatic prostate cancer

This study aimed to explore the clinical and oncologic findings in patients with de novo metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) and extraprostatic extension (EPE) on biopsy. We retrospectively evaluated data on 630 patients with de novo mPCa between January 2009 and December 2017 in the West China Hospital (Chengdu, China), including evaluating the relationships between EPE and other variables and the association of EPE with survival outcomes by the Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier curves, and the Cox proportional-hazards model. EPE was found in 70/630 patients, making a prevalence of 11.1%. The presence of EPE on biopsy was associated with higher Gleason scores and higher incidence of neuroendocrine differentiation (NED), intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P), and perineural invasion (PNI). Compared with those without EPE, patients with EPE had shorter castration-resistant prostate cancer-free survival (CFS; median: 14.1 vs 17.1 months, P = 0.015) and overall survival (OS; median: 43.7 vs 68.3 months, P = 0.032). According to multivariate analysis, EPE was not an independent predictor for survival. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that patients with favorable characteristics, including negative NED or IDC-P status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score <2, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <50 ng ml^-1, had worse prognoses if EPE was detected. In patients with PSA <50 ng ml^-1, EPE was a negative independent predictor for OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.239, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.218-14.756, P = 0.023). EPE was strongly associated with other aggressive clinicopathological features and poorer CFS and OS. These data suggest that EPE may be an indicator of poor prognosis, particularly in patients, otherwise considered likely to have favorable survival outcomes.

The flavonoid-rich ethanolic extract from the green cocoon shell of silkworm has excellent antioxidation, glucosidase inhibition, and cell protective effects in vitro

The green cocoon shell of a novel variety of silkworm, Bombyx mori, is rich in two types of quercetin and kaempferol flavonoids. The aim of this study was to identify these flavonoids in the ethanolic extract (EE) from green cocoons and develop EE applications in healthy foods. The experimental results indicated that the amount of total amino acids in EE was 27.06%. The flavonoids in EE are presented in quercetin and kaempferol glycosides. The total amount of the two aglycones was 33.42 ± 0.08 mg/g. The IC50 values of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 1,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonicacid) (ABTS), and hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities were 296.95 ± 13.24 μg/mL, 94.31 ± 9.13 μg/mL, and 9.21 ± 0.15 mg/mL, respectively. The IC50 values of the inhibitory activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were 37.57 ± 6.45 μg/mL and 212.69 ± 22.94 μg/mL, respectively. EE also reduced the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in L02 cells induced by high glucose levels. It also effectively decreased the content of 8-hydroxyl deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in cells with a good dose effect. These results clearly indicated that the flavonoid-rich EE with excellent antioxidant and glucosidase inhibition abilities significantly reduced the damage to cells caused by oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. It is suggested that EE might serve as useful functional foods for the treatment of related diseases induced by oxidative stress such as diabetes mellitus.

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

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.

[The subgroup analysis of the prognostic value of the intraductal carcinoma of the prostate in patients with metastatic prostate cancer]

Objective: To determine the prognostic value of the intraductal carcinoma of the prostate IDC-P in metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) patients of different subgroups. Methods: Data of 582 de novo mPCa patients between January 2011 and December 2017 diagnosed at Departments of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University were retrospectively analyzed. The age was (70±8) years (range: 45 to 89 years). IDC-P was identified from 12-core prostate biopsy. The prognostic role of IDC-P was assessed by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. Subgroup analysis was conducted by the forest plot. The endpoints were castration-resistant prostate cancer free survival (CFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: In total, 177/582 (30.4%) patients harbored IDC-P. Patients with IDC-P had poorer CFS and OS than those without IDC-P (mCFS: 12.1 months vs. 16.9 months, P=0.000; mOS: 39.7 months vs. not reached, P=0.000). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that, the existence of IDC-P was an independent prognosticator of both CFS (HR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.79, P=0.006) and OS (HR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.25, P=0.041). Subanalysis indicated that, in most subgroups, IDC-P was an adverse prognosticator of both CFS and OS. Even in subgroups with adverse clinicopathological features, e.g. Gleason score 9 to 10 (CFS: HR=1.467, P=0.007; OS: HR=1.807, P=0.013), baseline prostate specific antigen≥50 μg/L (CFS: HR=1.616, P=0.000; OS: HR=1.749, P=0.006), anemia (CFS: HR=1.653, P=0.036; OS: HR=2.100, P=0.038), alkaline phosphatase≥160 U/L (CFS: HR=1.326, P=0.038; OS: HR=1.725, P=0.010) or abnormal lactate dehydrogenase level (CFS: HR=1.614, P=0.001; OS: HR=1.900, P=0.003), IDC-P was still closely associated with shorter CFS and OS. Conclusions: The presence of IDC-P was closely related to poor survival outcomes for patients with mPCa. IDC-P was an adverse prognosticator in most subgroup patients. The description of IDC-P in the pathological report of prostate biopsy would help clinicians to evaluate the prognosis of mPCa patients more accurately and make better treatment choices.

Therapeutic effects of ethanolic extract from the green cocoon shell of silkworm Bombyx mori on type 2 diabetic mice and its hypoglycaemic mechanism

Diabetes mellitus is a clinically complex disease characterized by hyperglycaemia with disturbances in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of ethanolic extract (EE) from the green cocoon sericin layer of silkworm Bombyx mori on mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its hypoglycaemic mechanisms. The results showed that oral EE for 7 weeks had significant ameliorative effects on all the biochemical parameters studied in vivo. The levels of oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance were significantly improved. The hypoglycaemic rate in the 350 mg kg^-1 high dosage group was 39.38%. The levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the high dosage EE-treated group were significantly reduced, while activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were obviously increased. The islet area and the number of insulin-positive beta cells increased significantly in the high dose group. Furthermore, expression levels of insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate (IRS), phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), p-Akt and phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3β (p-GSK3β) involved in insulin signalling were increased. Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) also were activated to regulate glucose metabolism in EE-treated groups. The levels of glucose 6-phosphatase (G6pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) decreased, while the glucokinase (GK) level increased to promote glycolysis. The results clearly indicated that oral EE, especially at a high dose, could improve the glucose metabolism of T2DM by reducing inflammatory reactions, enhancing the antioxidant capacity and insulin sensitivity, and regulating the balance between glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, which means that EE has potential ameliorative effects on T2DM mice.

[Value of MRI in prenatal diagnosis of abnormal fetal kidneys]

Objective: To investigate the value of MRI in the prenatal diagnosis of abnormal fetal kidneys. Methods: From December 2014 to March 2016, 51 women underwent MRI and were confirmed as having fetuses with abnormal fetal kidneys when follow up. Their clinical and MRI profiles were analyzed retrospectively, including MRI manifestation, the fetal kidney signal intensity of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). The signal intensity of DWI and ADC of the abnormal kidney and the normal opposite kidney, and those of the normal and abnormal kidneys in different individuals were compared. The accuracies of MRI and ultrasound in evaluating abnormal fetal kidneys were also compared. Results: MRI could accurately demonstrate the morphological features of abnormal fetal kidneys. There was no statistically significant difference between DWI signal intensity and ADC value of the abnormal kidney[368 ± 125, (1.516 ± 0.420) × 10^-3 mm²/s] and the normal opposite one[410 ± 125, (1.362 ± 0.251) × 10^-3 mm²/s], P values were 0.165 and 0.184, respectively. The DWI signal intensity of normal kidneys (401 ± 124) was higher than that of renal cysts (182 ± 40, P <0.01), and the ADC value of normal kidneys[(1.306 ± 0.252) × 10^-3 mm²/s] was lower than that of renal cysts[(2.912 ± 0.235) × 10^-3 mm²/s] and multicystic dysplastic kidneys[(1.870±0.654) ×10^-3 mm²/s], P values were <0.01 and 0.045, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of MRI and prenatal ultrasound for abnormal fetal kidneys were 94% (63/67) and 85% (57/67), respectively. However, there was no statistical difference between the two methods (P=0.070). Conclusion: MRI have an important role in the prenatal diagnosis and evaluation of abnormal fetal kidneys.

A new estimation of the total flavonoids in silkworm cocoon sericin layer through aglycone determination by hydrolysis-assisted extraction and HPLC-DAD analysis

BACKGROUND

Silk sericin and a few non-protein components isolated from the cocoon layer including two silk proteins in silkworm Bombyx mori has many bioactivities. The dietary sericin possess antinatural oxidation, anticancer, antihyperlipidemic, and antidiabetic activities. The non-protein components surrounding the sericin layer involve in wax, pigments mainly meaning flavonoids, sugars, and other impurities. However, very few investigations have reported the estimation of the total flavonoids derived from the cocoon layer. The flavonoids are commonly present in their glycosylated forms and mostly exist as quercetin glycosides in the sericin layers of silkworm cocoons.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to find a more accurate method to estimate the level of the total flavonoids in silkworm cocoons.

DESIGN

An efficient procedure of hydrolysis-assisted extraction (HAE) was first established to estimate the level of the total flavonoids through the determination of their aglycones, quercetin, and kaempferol. Then, a comparison was made between traditional colorimetric method and our method. In addition, the antioxidant activities of hydrolysis-assisted extract sample were determined.

RESULTS

The average contents of quercetin and kaempferol were 1.98 and 0.42 mg/g in Daizo cocoon. Their recoveries were 99.56 and 99.17%. The total sum of quercetin and kaempferol was detected to be 2.40±0.07 mg/g by HAE-HPLC, while the total flavonoids (2.59±0.48 mg/g) estimated by the traditional colorimetric method were only equivalent to 1.28±0.04 mg/g of quercetin. The HAE sample also exhibits that IC50 values of scavenging ability of diphenyl picryl hydrazinyl (DPPH) radical and hydroxyl radical (HO·) are 243.63 µg/mL and 4.89 mg/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that the HAE-HPLC method is specificity of cocoon and far superior to the colorimetric method. Therefore, this study has profound significance for the comprehensive utilization of silkworm cocoon and also may be applied to the estimation of total flavonoids in other functional foods.

Inhibition of the flavonoid extract from silkworm cocoons on DMBA/UVB-induced skin damage and tumor promotion in BALB/c mice

Exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B radiation causes oxidative stress that results in sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer.

Isolation and identification of colourless caffeoyl compounds in purple sweet potato by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS and their antioxidant activities

More than 10 red anthocyanins and related glucosides have been isolated and identified from purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, Ayamurasaki) in the recent decades. This paper reports the isolation of colourless caffeoyl compounds from purple sweet potato using AB-8 macroresin absorption and semi-preparative HPLC-DAD. The structures of the five isolated monomers were identified as: 5-caffeoylquinic acid (1), 6-O-caffeoyl-β-d-fructofuranosyl-(2-1)-α-d-glucopyranoside (2) and trans-4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4), 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (5), and by ESI/MS and NMR. Compounds 1, 4 and 5 were reported previously in combination with anthocyanins in purple sweet potato, whereas 2 and 3 were found for the first time. In vitro antioxidant assay showed trans-4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid has significant antioxidant activities. These results should lay the groundwork for further work identifying purple sweet potato as a healthy food.

In vivo antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and anti-tumor activities of anthocyanin extracts from purple sweet potato

Anthocyanin from purple sweet potato (PSP) extracted by microwave baking (MB) and acidified electrolyzed water (AEW) exhibited antioxidant activity. After further purification by macroporous AB-8 resin, the color value of PSP anthocyanin (PSPA) reached 30.15 with a total flavonoid concentration of 932.5 mg/g. The purified extracts had more potent antioxidant activities than the crude extracts. After continuously administering the PSP extracts to 12-mo-old mice for 1 mo, the anti-aging index of the experimental group was not significantly different from that of 5-mo-old mice. To a certain degree, PSPA was also effective for controlling plasma glucose levels in male Streptozocin (STZ)-treated diabetic mice. In addition, the extracts inhibited Sarcoma S180 cell growth in ICR mice. Mice consuming the PSP extracts formed significantly fewer and smaller sarcomas than mice consuming the control diets. The highest inhibition rate was 69.03%. These results suggest that anthocyanin extracts from PSP not only exert strong antioxidant effects in vitro, but also had anti-aging, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-tumor activities.

Directed engineering of umbilical cord blood stem cells to produce C-peptide and insulin

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we investigated the potential of umbilical cord blood stem cell lineages to produce C-peptide and insulin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lineage negative, CD133+ and CD34+ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry to assess expression of cell division antigens. These lineages were expanded in culture and subjected to an established protocol to differentiate mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) toward the pancreatic phenotype. Phase contrast and fluorescence immunocytochemistry were used to characterize differentiation markers with particular emphasis on insulin and C-peptide.

RESULTS

All 3 lineages expressed SSEA-4, a marker previously reported to be restricted to the ESC compartment. Phase contrast microscopy showed all three lineages recapitulated the treatment-dependent morphological changes of ESCs as well as the temporally restricted expression of nestin and vimentin during differentiation. After engineering, each isolate contained both C-peptide and insulin, a result also obtained following a much shorter protocol for ESCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Since C-peptide can only be derived from de novo synthesis and processing of pre-proinsulin mRNA and protein, we conclude that these results are the first demonstration that human umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells can be engineered to engage in de novo synthesis of insulin.

Differential expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and gamma gene in various chicken tissues

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are the members of superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. A great number of studies in rodent and human have shown that PPARs were involved in the lipids metabolism. The goal of the current study was to investigate the expression pattern of PPAR genes in various tissues of chicken. The tissue samples (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, intestine, brain, breast muscle and adipose) were collected from six Arber Acres broilers (8 weeks old, male and female birds are half and half). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blot were used to characterize the expression of PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma genes in the above tissues. By semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the results showed the expression level of PPAR-alpha gene was higher in brain, lung, kidney, heart and intestine, medium in stomach, liver and adipose than in spleen, and it did not express in breast muscle. The expression level of PPAR-gamma gene was higher in adipose, medium in brain and kidney than in spleen, heart, lung, stomach and intestine, but it did not express in liver and breast muscle. Northern blot results showed that PPAR-alpha gene expressed in heart, liver, kidney and stomach, and the intensity of hybridization signal was the stronger in liver and kidney than in other tissues, however, PPAR-gamma gene only expressed in adipose and kidney tissues. The results of this study showed the profile of PPAR gene expression in the chicken was similar to that in rodent, human and pig. However the expression profile of chicken also have its own specific trait, i.e. compared with mammals, PPAR-alpha gene can not be detected in skeletal muscle and PPAR-gamma gene can be stronger expressed in kidney tissues. This work will provide some basic data for the PPAR genes expression and lipids metabolism of birds.

Time-resolved infrared spectroscopic study of the switching dynamics of a surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal

The orientation dynamics of a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring (FLC-3) during the electric-field-induced switching between two surface-stabilized states was investigated by means of time-resolved Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Time-resolved infrared spectra of the planar-aligned cell of FLC-3 were measured as a function of the polarization angle ranging from 0 degree to 180 degrees under a rectangular electric field +/-40 V with a 5-kHz repetition rate in the smectic-C* (Sm-C*) phase at 137 degrees C. From these spectra details about the mutual arrangement of different molecular segments at all the delay times in the Sm-C* phase were derived. It was found that the C=O group in the core moiety exhibits a dynamical behavior different from that in the chiral moiety during the electric-field-induced switching between the two surface-stabilized states. The most important finding in the present study is that during the electric-field-induced switching the FLC molecule not only rotates around the layer normal, but also revolves around its own long axis. Furthermore, time-resolved infrared spectroscopy revealed that each group in the core moiety passes almost simultaneously through the projection of the layer normal in the cell window during the dynamic switching.

[Effects of composition of mobile phases on retention behavior of solutes in hydrophobic interaction chromatography]

The retention behavior of aromatic alcohol homologues in hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) was investigated for the first time. The differences in retention behavior between proteins and small solutes, and the eluted range and ability of different salts to small solutes and biopolymers, are elucidated with the parameter Z of the stoichiometric displacement retention model. The retention of aromatic alcohols follows the homologue rule. By the comparison of the changes of Z in different salt solutions, it is found that for small molecules the salt type only changes the hydration degree; but for proteins, it not only changes the hydration of proteins and stationary phase, but also affects the conformation of protein molecules near the contact regions between the protein and the stationary phase surface.

Polarized infrared spectroscopic study on the orientation of the molecules in the smectic-C* phase of a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring: alternative theory for the analysis of polarization-angle-dependent intensity changes

A theory to explain the polarization-angle dependence of polarized infrared spectra of a ferroelectric liquid crystal in the surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal state is proposed. It describes the relationship between the intensity of the absorption bands and the polarization angle of the infrared radiation. Using this theory the polarization-angle dependence of the infrared band intensities was analyzed for a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring and two phenyl rings with a stacked layer structure in the smectic-C* phase. The polarization-angle-dependent spectra were measured at 137 degrees C under external dc electric fields of +40 and -40 V to investigate the orientation of the molecules. Plots of the infrared absorbance versus polarization angle for representative bands were subjected to a curve fitting procedure by a least squares method. From the curves obtained the orientation of the transition dipole moments with respect to the molecular long axis and the orientation of the molecular long axis with respect to the rubbing direction of the cell were estimated based upon the suggested theory. The polarization-angle-dependent infrared spectra obtained were also analyzed by two-dimensional (2D) correlation spectroscopy. The 2D correlation analysis clearly detects a slight phase difference in the polarization-angle dependence which is hardly recognized in ordinary plots of the intensity changes in the infrared bands. The 2D correlation analysis allows us to separate asymmetric and symmetric stretching bands due to the chiral methyl group from those arising from other methyl groups in the alkyl chains.

GTP hydrolysis by transitional endoplasmic reticulum from rat liver inhibited by all-trans-retinol

GTP hydrolysis by an endoplasmic reticulum fraction from rat liver enriched in part-rough, part-smooth transition elements was inhibited by all-trans-retinol half maximally at a concentration of about 10 micrograms/ml. Similar results were obtained with GTPase activity partially purified by ion-exchange (DE-52) chromatography. The inhibition was non-competitive and given by both retinol and retinaldehyde but not by retinoic acid or alpha-tocopheryl acetate. The hydrolysis of other nucleoside di- and triphosphates was much less affected by retinol. The activity was inhibited by detergents but at much higher concentrations than by retinol. The results suggest that enhancement of cell-free transfer from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus by retinol observed previously at low concentrations of cytosol may be mediated through an interaction with GTP.