Indazole-Cl inhibits hypoxia-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

Atherosclerosis is the most common root cause of arterial disease, such as coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease. Hypoxia is associated with the formation of macrophages and increased inflammation and is known to be present in lesions of atherosclerotic. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are one of the major components of blood vessels, and hypoxic conditions affect VSMC inflammation, proliferation and migration, which contribute to vascular stenosis and play a major role in the atherosclerotic process. Estrogen receptor (ER)-β is thought to play an important role in preventing the inflammatory response in VSMCs. In this report, we studied the anti-inflammatory effect of indazole (In)-Cl, an ERβ-specific agonist, under conditions of hypoxia. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 reduced by hypoxia was inhibited by In-Cl treatment in VSMCs, and this effect was antagonized by an anti-estrogen compound. Additionally, the production of reactive oxygen species induced under conditions of hypoxia was reduced by treatment with In-Cl. Increased cell migration and invasion by hypoxia were also dramatically decreased following treatment with In-Cl. The increase in cell proliferation following treatment with platelet-derived growth factor was attenuated by In-Cl in VSMCs. RNA sequencing analysis was performed to identify changes in inflammation-related genes following In-Cl treatment in the hypoxic state. Our results suggest that ERβ is a potential therapeutic target for the suppression of hypoxia-induced inflammation in VSMCs.

The effects of bisphenol A, benzyl butyl phthalate, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on estrogen receptor alpha in estrogen receptor-positive cells under hypoxia

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widely used in various consumer goods. Consequently, humans are constantly exposed to EDCs, which is associated with a variety of endocrine-related diseases. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of bisphenol A (BPA), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression under normoxia and hypoxia. First, we confirmed the effects of EDCs on ER activity using OECD Test Guideline 455. Compared to the 100% activity induced by 1 nM 17-β-estradiol (positive control), BPA and BBP exhibited 50% ERα activation at concentrations of 1.31 μM and 4.8 μM, respectively. In contrast, and consistent with previous reports, DEHP did not activate ERα. ERα is activated and degraded by hypoxia in breast cancer cells. BPA, BBP, and DEHP enhanced ERα-mediated transcriptional activity under hypoxia. All three EDCs decreased ERα protein levels under hypoxia in MCF-7 cells. The transcriptional activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 was decreased and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was increased by BPA and BBP under hypoxia in MCF-7 cells, but not by DEHP. All three EDCs decreased the ERα protein expression level in Ishikawa human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells, and DEHP caused a weak decrease in VEGF secretion under hypoxia. These results demonstrate down-regulation of ERα by EDCs may influence the pathological state associated with hypoxia.

Assessment of endocrine-disrupting activities of alternative chemicals for bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

Plastic products are closely intertwined with modern life. Some plasticizers used in making plastics, such as phthalates, are reported to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Plasticizers can be released into the environment, and health risks related to plasticizer exposure have been reported. In addition, due to plastic waste that flows into the ocean, microplastics have been found in marine products, including non-biological seawater products such as sea salt. Plastics can affect the body via a variety of pathways, and therefore safer alternative chemicals are needed. Three chemicals were evaluated: acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), triethyl 2-acetylcitrate (ATEC), and trihexyl O-acetylacitrate (ATHC), replacing bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a typical plasticizer. The endocrine-disrupting activities of each chemical, including estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity (test guideline (TG) No. 455), androgenic or anti-androgenic activity (TG No. 458), steroidogenesis (TG No. 456), and estrogenic properties via a short-term screening test using the uterotrophic assay (TG No. 440), were assessed in accordance with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines for chemical testing. Our results showed that DEHP, ATBC, ATEC, ATHC possess no estrogenic activity, whereas DEHP, ATBC and ATHC demonstrate anti-estrogenic activity and ATBC anti-androgenic activity. DEHP and ATHC exhibited a disruption in steroidogenesis activities. Additional tests are necessary, but our results suggest that ATEC is a good candidate plasticizer providing a suitable alternative to DEHP.

A new software scheme for scatter correction based on a simple radiographic scattering model

In common radiography, image contrast is often limited due mainly to scattered x-rays and noise, decreasing the quantitative usefulness of x-ray images. Several scatter reduction methods based on software correction schemes have been extensively investigated in an attempt to overcome these difficulties, most of which are based on measurement, mathematical-physical modeling, or a combination of both. However, those methods require special equipment, system geometry, and extra manual work to measure scatter characteristics. In this study, we investigated a new software scheme for scatter correction based on a simple radiographic scattering model where the intensity of the scattered x-rays was directly estimated from a single x-ray image using a weighted l¹-norm contextual regularization framework. We implemented the proposed algorithm and performed a systematic simulation and experiment to demonstrate its viability. We also conducted some clinical image studies using patient's image data of breast and L-spine to verify the clinical effectiveness of the proposed scheme. Our results indicate that the degradation of image characteristics by scattered x-rays and noise was effectively recovered by using the proposed software scheme, thus improving radiographic visibility considerably. Graphical abstract The schematic illustrations of scatter suppression methods by using a an antiscatter grid and b a scatter estimation algorithm.

Correction to: Acceptability of HIV self-sampling kits (TINY vial) among people of black African ethnicity in the UK: a qualitative study

It has been highlighted that in the original article [1] there is a typesetting mistake in the name of I. Fakoya. This was incorrectly captured as F. Fakoya. This correction article clarifies the correct name of the author.

The Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Tendon and Ligament Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis With Bias Assessment

BACKGROUND

There has been a surge in high-level studies investigating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for tendon and ligament injuries. A number of meta-analyses have been published, but few studies have focused exclusively on tendon and ligament injuries.

PURPOSE

To perform a meta-analysis assessing the ability of PRP to reduce pain in patients with tendon and ligament injuries.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

This study followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out in April 2017 using electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library. Only level 1 studies were included. Platelet and leukocyte count, injection volume, kit used, participant age/sex, comparator, and activating agent used were recorded. The short-term and long-term efficacy of PRP was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) to measure pain intensity. Injury subgroups (rotator cuff, tendinopathy, anterior cruciate ligament, and lateral epicondylitis) were evaluated. Funnel plots and the Egger test were used to screen for publication bias, and sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of potential outliers by removing studies one at a time.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven articles were included in this review, 21 (1031 participants) of which could be included in the quantitative analysis. The majority of studies published investigated rotator cuff injuries (38.1%) or lateral epicondylitis (38.1%). Seventeen studies (844 participants) reported short-term VAS data, and 14 studies (771 participants) reported long-term VAS data. Overall, long-term follow-up results showed significantly less pain in the PRP group compared with the control group (weighted mean difference [WMD], -0.84; 95% CI, -1.23 to -0.44; P < .01). Patients treated with PRP for rotator cuff injuries (WMD, -0.53; 95% CI, -0.98 to -0.09; P = .02) and lateral epicondylitis (WMD, -1.39; 95% CI, -2.49 to -0.29; P = .01) reported significantly less pain in the long term. Substantial heterogeneity was reported at baseline ( I² = 72.0%; P < .01), short-term follow-up ( I² = 72.5%; P < .01), long-term follow-up ( I² = 76.1%; P < .01), and overall ( I² = 75.8%; P < .01). The funnel plot appeared to be asymmetric, with some missingness at the lower right portion of the plot suggesting possible publication bias.

CONCLUSION

This review shows that PRP may reduce pain associated with lateral epicondylitis and rotator cuff injuries.

MRI analysis of extra-capsular ganglia at the gastrocnemius origin and their association with osteoarthritis

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence, clinical relevance, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of extra-capsular ganglia at the gastrocnemius origin and to assess their association with internal derangement and osteoarthritis of the knee.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred consecutive knee MRI examinations, obtained within a 6-month period from patients with no history of recent knee trauma, recent injections, inflammatory arthritis, infection, or tumours, were evaluated retrospectively for the presence of ganglia at the gastrocnemius origin. The lesions were divided into two groups: an intra-capsular and an extra-capsular group. Cyst morphology (size, shape, and internal septa), internal derangement of the knee (cartilage lesion, cruciate ligament injury, meniscal tear, and corner injury on MRI, and osteoarthritis of the knee on radiographs) were evaluated. The chi-square, Fisher's exact, and t-tests were used to compare the two groups, in addition to multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine ganglia with an extra-capsular location were identified on 100 knee MRI (39 %). Rounded shape and internal septa were more common in the extra-capsular than in the intra-capsular group (p<0.001). Frequencies of high-grade cartilage, meniscal tear, and high-grade osteoarthritis significantly differed between the groups (p≤0.038). In multivariate analysis, the only significant association was between high-grade osteoarthritis and the extra-capsular group.

CONCLUSION

Extra-capsular ganglia at the gastrocnemius origin were not uncommon on knee MRI and had features typical of ganglia found at other sites. High-grade osteoarthritis was significantly associated with extra-capsular ganglia.

Development of a new analgesic index using nasal photoplethysmography

Although surrogate measures to quantify pain intensity have been commercialised, there is a need to develop a new index with improved accuracy. The aim of this study was to develop a new analgesic index using nasal photoplethysmography data. The specially designed sensor was placed between the columella and the nasal septum to acquire nasal photoplethysmography in surgical patients. Nasal photoplethysmography and Surgical Pleth Index^® (GE Healthcare) data were obtained for 14 min both in the absence (pre-operatively) or presence (postoperatively) of pain in a group of surgical patients, each patient acting as their own control. Various dynamic photoplethysmography variables were extracted to quantify pain intensity; the most accurate index was selected using logistic regression as a classifier. The area under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristic curve was measured to evaluate the accuracy of final model predictions. In total, 12,012 heart beats from 89 patients were used to develop a new Nasal Photoplethysmography Index for analgesic depth quantification. The two-variable model (a combination of diastolic peak point variation and heart beat interval variation) was most accurate in discriminating between the presence and absence of pain (numerical rating scale (NRS) ≥ 3). The accuracy and area under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristic curve for the Nasal Photoplethysmography Index were 75.3% and 0.8018, respectively, and 64.8% and 0.7034, respectively, for the Surgical Pleth Index. The Nasal Photoplethysmography Index clearly distinguished pain (NRS ≥ 3) in awake surgical patients with postoperative pain. The Nasal Photoplethysmography Index performed better than the Surgical Pleth Index. Further validation studies are needed to evaluate its feasibility to quantify pain intensity during general anaesthesia.