Pristimerin Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Resorption in vitro and Prevents Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in vivo

Introduction

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone quantity and microstructure, typically owing to increased osteoclastogenesis and/or enhanced osteoclastic bone resorption, resulting in uncontrolled bone loss, which primarily affects postmenopausal women. In consideration of the severe side effects of current drugs for osteoporosis, new safe and effective medications are necessary. Pristimerin (Pri), a quinone methide triterpene extracted from Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae members, exhibits potent antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its effect on osteoclasts remains unknown.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated the anti-osteoclastogenic and anti-resorptive effect of Pri on bone marrow-derived osteoclasts and its underlying mechanism in vitro. In addition, the protective effect of Pri on ovariectomy model was also explored in vivo.

Results

In vitro, Pri inhibited osteoclast differentiation and mature osteoclastic bone resorption in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Further, Pri suppressed the expression of osteoclast-related genes and the activation of key proteins. Pri also inhibited the early activation of ERK, JNK MAPK, and AKT signaling pathways in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs), ultimately inhibiting the induction and activation of the crucial osteoclast transcriptional factor nuclear factor of activated T‐cell cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1). In vivo, consistent with our in vitro data, Pri clearly prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss.

Conclusion

Our data showed that Pri inhibits the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts in vitro and in vivo, and could be a promising candidate for treating osteoporosis.

Using 3D printed sinonasal models to visualize and optimize personalized sinonasal sinus irrigation strategies

BACKGROUND

Topical sinus irrigations (neti-pot, squeeze bottles) play a critical role in the management of sinonasal disease. However, due to intricate nasal anatomy, penetration of topical irrigations to targeted sinus regions may be highly variable, and difficult to objectively predict. Variables, including head positions, injection angles, flow rates, etc. may vary significantly depending on the individual's anatomy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to propose a novel idea: using a 3D printed model of sinonasal cavities to visualize and develop a patient-specific irrigation strategy.

METHODS

As a proof of concept, 3D replicas of one patient's sinonasal cavities pre- and post-surgery were printed with a Form2 SLA 3D printer based on their CT scans. The setup included rubber/silicon seals attached to the model's nostrils to create a watertight seal with the irrigation device and food color dye added for better visualization of irrigation results.

RESULTS

Irrigations were performed on the 3D models with various head positions, injection angles, and flow rates, and were successful to determine the optimal strategy to targeted sinuses. Significant differences were observed between different targeted sinuses and between pre and post-surgery models.

CONCLUSION

With more affordable 3D printing, this technology may potentially improve patient care and patient education, allowing clinicians and patients to develop a personalized irrigation strategy and have visual confirmation.

[Cost-effectiveness of primary prophylaxis with PEG-rhG-CSF in early-stage breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in China]

Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of primary prophylaxis (PP) with pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF), PP with recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and no prophylaxis in women with early-stage breast cancer in China. Methods: Two phase Markov models were constructed for a hypothetical cohort of patients aged 45 with stage Ⅱ breast cancer. The first phase modelled costs and outcomes of 4 cycles docetaxel combined with cyclophosphamide [TC×4, febrile neutropenia (FN) risk>20%] chemotherapy, which assumptions based on literature reviews, including FN rates [base-case (deterministic sensitivity analysis range), 0.29 (0.24-0.35)] and related events [FN case-fatality, 3.4 (2.7-4.1)]. Second phase modelled the long term survival which was link with the relative dose intensity (RDI) [mortality hazard ratio (HR) of RDI < 85% vs ≥85%, 1.45 (1.00-2.32)]. Clinical effectiveness, therapeutic costs, and economic utilities were estimated from peer-reviewed publications and expert opinions in case of unavailability of published evidences. Results: Compared to rhG-CSF PP and no prophylaxis, the cost of PEG-rhG-CSF PP increased to 5 208.19 RMB and 5 222.73 RMB, respectively. The quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) enhanced to 0.066 and 0.297, respectively. Accordingly, the incremental cost effectiveness ratios (ICERs) are 79 146.3 RMB and 17 558.77 RMB per QALY, which were both below the willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of three times GDP per capita (18, 000 RMB) recommended by the WHO. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the more clinically effective the primary prophylaxis with PEG-rhG-CSF is, the more cost-effective primary prophylaxis with PEG-rhG-CSF will be. And the lower the mortality HR of RDI<85% vs ≥85% is, the more cost-effective primary prophylaxis with PEG-rhG-CSF will be. Conclusion: Although the cost of PP PEG-rhG-CSF is higher, considering the additional benefits, the administrating of PP PEG-rhG-CSF is likely to be a cost-effective alternative to PP rhG-CSF and no prophylaxis in patients with early stage breast cancer whose FN risks are more than 20% in China.

Sarsasapogenin Suppresses RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis in vitro and Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Bone Loss in vivo

INTRODUCTION

Osteoclasts are giant polynuclear cells; their main function is bone resorption. An increased number of osteoclasts and enhanced bone resorption exert significant effects on osteoclast-related bone-lytic diseases, including osteoporosis. Given the limitations of current therapies for osteolytic diseases, it is urgently required to develop safer and more effective alternatives. Sarsasapogenin, a major sapogenin from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, possesses potent antitumor effects and inhibits NF-κB and MAPK signaling. However, the manner in which it affects osteoclasts is unclear.

METHODS

We investigated the effects of anti-osteoclastogenic and anti-resorptive of sarsasapogenin on bone marrow-derived osteoclasts.

RESULTS

Sarsasapogenin inhibited multiple RANKL-induced signaling cascades, thereby inhibiting the induction of key osteoclast transcription factor NFATc1. The in vivo and in vitro results were consistent: sarsasapogenin treatment protected against bone loss in a mouse osteolysis model induced by lipopolysaccharide.

CONCLUSION

Our research confirms that sarsasapogenin can be used as a new treatment for osteoclast-related osteolytic diseases.

CLIC1 knockout inhibits invasion and migration of gastric cancer by upregulating AMOT-p130 expression

PURPOSE

To explore the regulatory relationship between Chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) and Angiomotin (AMOT)-p130, and reveal the role of AMOT-p130 in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the expression of CLIC1 and AMOT-p130 in GC tissues and adjacent tissues. The expression of AMOT-p130 upon CLIC1 silencing was analyzed using RT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence in GC cells. Transwell and wound-healing assays were performed to detect migration and invasion in GC cells. The changes in EMT-related proteins were detected using western blot.

RESULTS

Our study found that high CLIC1 expression was significantly associated with low AMOT-p130 expression in GC tissues. Silencing CLIC1 expression in MGC-803 cells (MGC-803 CLIC1 KO) and AGS cells (AGS CLIC1 KO) decreased the invasive and migratory abilities of tumor cells, which were induced by the upregulation of AMOT-p130. Subsequently, we demonstrated that AMOT-p130 inhibits the invasive and migratory abilities of GC cells by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that AMOT-p130 could inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition in GC cells. CLIC1 may participate in the metastatic progression of GC by downregulating the expression of AMOT-p130.

The application value of PAX1 and ZNF582 gene methylation in high grade intraepithelial lesion and cervical cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the possibility of using the methylation level of PAX1/ZNF582 gene as molecular marker to differentiate the progression of cervical cancer.

METHODS

From January 2016 to March 2018, 150 patients, who were admitted to Cervical Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Xuzhu Maternity and Child Care Hospital, were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into chronic cervicitis (for 19 cases), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (18 cases), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (37 cases) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (31 cases). All patients underwent several tests including Thin-prep cytology test (TCT), HPV DNA detection and detection of methylation level of PAX1/ZNF582 genes.

RESULTS

For diagnosis of HSIL, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.878 (95% CI 0.806 ~ 0.950); the threshold for PAX1 was 12.285, the sensitivity and specificity were 91.9% and 72.8%, respectively. The AUC of ZNF582 gene detection was 0.900 (95% CI 0.842 ~ 0.959), the threshold was 11.56, while the sensitivity and specificity were 97.3% and 76.7%, respectively. Among various tests we conducted, PAX gene detection methods showed the highest specificity (97.30%). PAX1/ZNF582 gene detection method demonstrated the highest accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with high-grade cervical lesion and cervical cancer, the methylation level of PAX1/ZNF582 gene could be applied as a noteworthy biomarker for diagnosis and for cervical cancer classification.

[Clinical value of capsule endoscopy in small intestinal diseases]

Objective: To analyze the clinical value of capsule endoscopy (CE) in small intestinal diseases and to explore the correlation between the diagnosis and clinical characteristics. Methods: From June 2016 to April 2019, a total of 194 patients receiving CE were enrolled in the Department of Gastroenterology, Shanxi People's Hospital, including 68 patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, 104 with chronic abdominal pain and 22 with diarrhea. Results: The detection rate of small intestinal lesions by CE was 53.6%(104/194), of which gastrointestinal bleeding was 66.2% (45/68), chronic abdominal pain was 53.8%(56/104), and diarrhea was 13.6%(3/22). The first three positive diagnostic criteria of CE for gastrointestinal bleeding were non-specific inflammation, small intestinal ulcer and vascular malformation. CE findings in patients with abdominal pain were non-specific inflammation, small intestinal ulcer and Crohn's disease; while the major endoscopic presentations in patients with diarrhea were small intestinal ulcer and non-specific inflammation. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the clinical manifestations and gender were correlated with positive diagnosis by CE (P<0.05), and the positive diagnostic rate of CE in female patients was significantly lower than that in male patients [31.6%(25/79) vs. 51.3%(59/115), P<0.05]. The diagnostic rates of CE in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and chronic abdominal pain were similar [55.9%(38/68) vs. 41.4%(43/104)], which was significantly higher than those with diarrhea [9.1%(2/22), P<0.05]. Conclusions: Capsule endoscopy has a high detection rate for small intestinal diseases, which could be the first choice in patients with unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding. Male patients and gastrointestinal bleeding are predictors of positive findings by CE.

Three-field versus two-field lymphadenectomy in transthoracic oesophagectomy for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: short-term outcomes of a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The benefit and harm of three-field lymphadenectomy for oesophageal cancer are still unknown. The aim of this study was to compare overall survival and morbidity and mortality between three- and two-field lymphadenectomy in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Between March 2013 and November 2016, patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the middle or distal oesophagus were assigned randomly to open oesophagectomy with three-field (cervical-thoracic-abdominal) or two-field (thoracic-abdominal) lymphadenectomy. No chemo(radio) therapy was given before surgery. This paper reports on the secondary outcomes of the study: pathology and surgical complications.

RESULTS

Some 400 patients were randomized, 200 in each group. A median of 37 (i.q.r. 30-49) lymph nodes were dissected in the three-field group, compared with 24 (18-30) in the two-field group (P < 0·001). Some 43 of 200 patients (21·5 per cent) in the three-field group had cervical lymph node metastasis. More patients in the three-field group had pN3 disease: 21 of 200 (10·5 per cent) versus 10 of 200 (5·0 per cent) (P = 0·040). The rate and severity of postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups, except that six patients in the three-field arm needed reintubation compared with none in the two-field group (3·0 versus 0 per cent; P = 0·030). The 90-day mortality rate was 0 per cent in the three-field group and 0·5 per cent (1 patient) in the two-field group (P = 1·000).

CONCLUSION

Oesophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy increased the number of lymph nodes dissected and led to stage migration owing to a 21·5 per cent rate of cervical lymph node metastasis. Postoperative complications were largely comparable between two- and three-field lymphadenectomy. Registration number: NCT01807936 ( https://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Garcinol Suppresses IL-1β-Induced Chondrocyte Inflammation and Osteoarthritis via Inhibition of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Osteoarthritis (OA), which is characterized as a common degenerative joint disease, is presently the most prevalent chronic degenerative joint disease. Accumulating evidence has shown a biological function for Garcinol in a variety of diseases; however, whether it could be used to treat OA remains unclear. In this study, we explored the protective effects of garcinol on the progression of OA and explored the underlying mechanism. In vitro, garcinol reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). It also decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, garcinol inhibited the expression of thrombospondin motifs 5(ADAMTS5) and metalloproteinase (MMPs), both of which regulate extracellular matrix degradation. These changes could be attributed to garcinol-related suppression of the IL-1β-induced NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, we investigated the protective effects of garcinol on the surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) of the mouse, an in vivo model of OA. Taken together, our data suggest garcinol as a potential future agent for the treatment of OA.

DMF attenuates cisplatin-induced kidney injury via activating Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibiting NF-kB signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant capacities. We aim to explore whether DMF could regulate cisplatin-induced kidney injury in rats via NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into sham group, cisplatin treatment group (DDP group) and DMF + cisplatin treatment group (DMF group), with 10 rats in each group. After 10 days of treatment, we collected serum and kidney samples of rats. Serum levels of creatinine (Cr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were detected using relative commercial kits. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe pathological changes of kidneys. The relevant oxidative stress indicators in the kidney homogenates of each group were detected by commercial kits, including malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and monoamine oxidase (MAO). Protein expressions of Nrf2 and NF-κB in kidney tissues were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

Serum levels of Cr and BUN were lower in DMF group than those of DDP group. Higher activities of SOD, GSH, CAT and T-AOC were found in DMF group compared with those of DDP group. However, MAD and ROS contents were remarkably decreased in DMF group than those of DDP group. DMF pretreatment remarkably reduced renal pathological changes. Western blot analysis also indicated that DMF effectively upregulated expression levels of Nrf2, Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD (P) H, quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), while downregulated NF-κB.

CONCLUSIONS

DMF could inhibit oxidative stress by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway and reduce inflammatory response by attenuating NF-κB signaling pathway, thus protecting cisplatin-induced kidney injury.

Efficacy of a solar concentrator to Inactivate E. coli and C. perfringens spores in latrine waste in Kenya

Alternative sanitation options are needed for effective waste management in low-income countries where centralized, large-scale waste treatment is not easily achievable. A newly designed solar concentrator technology utilizes solar thermal energy to treat feces contained in drums. This pilot study assessed the efficacy of the new design to inactivate microbes in 13 treatment drums under field conditions in Kenya. Three-quarters of the drums contained <1000 E. coli/g of total solids following 6 h of solar thermal treatment and inactivation of thermotolerant C. perfringens spores ranged from <1.8 to >5.0 log₁₀. Nearly all (94%) samples collected from treatment drums achieved thermophilic temperatures (>50 °C) during the treatment period, however this alone did not ensure samples met the WHO E. coli guideline; higher, sustained thermophilic temperatures tended to be more effective in reaching this guideline. The newly designed solar concentrator was capable of inactivating thermotolerant, environmentally-stable microorganisms as, or possibly more, efficiently than a previous design. Additional data are needed to better characterize how temperature, time, and other parameters affect the ability of the solar concentrator to inactivate microbes in feces.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection of distal intestinal tumors using grasping forceps for traction

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of traction device-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of the rectum and the distal segment of sigmoid colon using grasping forceps.

METHODS

A total of 43 patients scheduled for colonic ESD at our institution were enrolled between January 2013 and June 2017. The patients were randomly allocated to receive conventional ESD (group A) or traction device-assisted ESD (group B). The procedure time, complication rate, and en-block resection rate in the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients completed the study. The procedure time, complication rate and en-block resection rate were, respectively, 104.1 ± 34.7 min, 15%, 90% in the routine group (group A) and 84.7 ± 23.5 min, 9.5%, 90.5% in traction device-assisted ESD (group B). The procedure time in group B was significantly less than that in group A (F = 4.442, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Traction device-assisted ESD using grasping forceps is safe and effective in distal colon ESD.

Disulfiram suppressed ethanol promoted RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and ethanol-induced osteoporosis in vivo via ALDH1A1-NFATc1 axis

Excessive alcohol consumption is positively related to osteoporosis, and its treatment strategies are poorly developed. Disulfiram inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis; however, whether it can be used for ethanol-induced osteoclastogenesis and its underlying mechanism are still unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that ethanol promoted RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption, whereas, disulfiram suppressed ethanol-induced osteoclastogenesis by abrogating the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cell c1 (NFATc1) in vitro. Further analysis revealed that aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) is important for the expression of NFATc1, the master regulator of osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, we showed that disulfiram protected ethanol-induced osteoporosis in vivo. Overall, our study provides promising evidence that disulfiram can be used as a treatment strategy for alcohol-related osteoporosis via the ALDH1A1T–NFATc1 axis.

[Risk factors of coloanal anastomotic stricture after laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer]

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors of coloanal anastomotic stricture after laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (Lap-ISR) for patients with low rectal cancer. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed to collect clinicopathological data from a prospective database (registration number: ChiCTR-ONC-15007506) at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Characteristic Medical center of PLA Rocket Force. From June 2011 to August 2018, a total of 144 consecutive patients with low rectal cancer who underwent Lap-ISR were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria: (1) reconstruction of digestive tract by end-to-end hand-made coloanal anastomosis (HCAA); (2) distance from lower tumor margin to anorected sphincter ring < 1 cm and distance from lower tumor margin to intersphincteric groove ≥ 1 cm; (3) T1-3 stage tumor with expected negative circumferential resection margin evaluated by preoperative MRI or 3D endoanal ultrasound; (4) rectal cancer confirmed as well- or moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma; (5) preoperative Wexner incontinence score >10 points. Exclusion criteria: (1) follow-up period less than 3 months; (2) multiple primary cancers; (3) undergoing colonic J-pouch, coloplasty or reconstruction of end-to-side coloanal anastomosis; (4) death within perioperative period (within 3 months after surgery). Coloanal anastomotic stricture was diagnosed if the index finger or 12 mm electronic colonoscope had obvious resistance through the anastomosis or new rectum, or could not pass, accompanied by clinical symptoms such as difficult defecation and anal incontinence. Degree of anastomotic stricture was divided into 3 grades: grade A required anal enlargement, laxative or enema to assist defecation without active surgical treatment; grade B required surgery or endoscopic intervention; grade C required definitive ostomy, including unreducible preventive ileostomy or permanent colostomy. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the effects of 28 variables, including baseline data (age, gender, body mass index, neoadjuvant therapy, etc.), tumor-related factors (distance between tumor low margin and anal edge, maximum diameter of tumor, TNM staging, etc.), surgery-related factors (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, ISR procedure, anastomotic height, etc.) and anastomotic leakage, on the postoperative coloanal anastomotic stricture. Univariate analysis used χ(2) test or Fisher's exact test, then factors with P<0.05 were further included in multivariate analysis using logistic regression. Results: A total of 144 patients were enrolled in the study, including 90 males and 54 females with a median age of 59 years and median BMI of 24.88 kg/m(2). R0 resection rate was 96.5% (139/144). Median tumor distal resection margin was 1.5 (0.5 to 3.0) cm. Median follow-up was 31.5 (4 to 86) months. Coloanal anastomotic stricture was observed in 19 patients (13.2%), including 3 cases (2.1%) of grade A, 9 cases (6.2%) of grade B, and 7 cases (4.9%) of grade C. The median interval from the initial surgery to diagnosis of anastomotic stricture was 7 (1 to 31) months. Univariate analysis showed that male (χ(2)=6.795, P=0.009), radiotherapy (χ(2)=13.330, P=0.001), operation type of ISR (χ(2)=7.996, P=0.013), and anastomotic leakage (χ(2)=10.198, P=0.004) were associated with the postoperative coloanal anastomotic stricture. Multivariate analysis further indicated that male (OR=5.975, 95% CI: 1.209-29.534, P=0.028), postoperative radiotherapy (OR=8.748, 95% CI: 2.397-31.929, P=0.001), and anastomotic leakage (OR=6.313, 95% CI: 1.834-21.734, P=0.003) were independent risk factor of postoperative coloanal anastomotic stricture. Conclusion: For male patients, or patients with postoperative radiotherapy or anastomotic leakage, close follow-up should be carried out to prevent postoperative coloanal anastomotic stricture following Lap-ISR.

Effects of rumen-protected methionine and other essential amino acid supplementation on milk and milk component yields in lactating Holstein cows

Objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of supplementing rumen-protected methionine (RP-Met), threonine (RP-Thr), isoleucine (RP-Ile), and leucine (RP-Leu) individually or jointly to a low-protein diet, on the performance of lactating dairy cows, as well as to determine the effects of these amino acids (AA) on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in vivo. Ten lactating Holstein cows were randomly allocated to a repeated 5 × 5 Latin square experiment with five 19-d periods. Treatments were high-protein diet (16% crude protein, positive control; HP), low-protein diet (12% crude protein, negative control; LP), LP plus RP-Met (LPM), LP plus RP-Met and RP-Thr (LPMT), and LP plus RP-Met, RP-Thr, RP-Ile, and RP-Leu (LPMTIL). The dry matter intakes (DMI) of the LP, LPM, and LPMT diets were lower than that of the HP diet, whereas the DMI of the LPMTIL diet was intermediate between the HP diet and the other LP diets. Supplementing RP-Met to the LP diet increased the yields of milk and milk protein, increased the content of milk urea N, and tended to increase milk N efficiency. Co-supplementation of RP-Thr with RP-Met resulted in no further milk production increase. Co-supplementation of all 4 rumen-protected amino acids (RP-AA) increased milk and lactose yields to the level of the HP diet and tended to increase milk protein yield compared with the LPMT diet. We found no significant differences in the contents and yields of milk components between the LPMTIL and HP diets except for a lower milk urea N content in the LPMTIL diet. Venous concentrations of the measured AA were similar across the LP and LP diets supplemented with RP-AA. Relative to levels of the HP diet, LP diets had higher venous concentrations of Met and Gly and tended to have higher Phe concentration and lower concentrations of Val and BCAA. The LPMTIL diet had higher venous concentrations of Arg, Lys, Met, Phe, and Glu, and a lower Val concentration. Phosphorylation status of the measured mTOR components in LPM and LPMT treatments were similar to those in the LP treatment but phosphorylation status of mTOR and eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4eBP1) in LPMTIL treatment were higher. The phosphorylation rates of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) in the 4 LP and LP plus RP-AA diets were higher than that of the HP diet. Overall, results of the present study supported the concept that under the relatively short time of this experiment, supplementing RP-AA, which are believed to stimulate the mTOR signal pathway, can lead to increased milk protein yield. This increase appears to be due to increased DMI, greater mTOR signaling, and greater eEF2 activity.

[Application of adrenalin saline local injection in endoscopic type Ⅰ tympanoplasty]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of adrenalin saline local injection on reducing bleeding in endoscopic typeⅠtympanoplasty. Method: A total of 50 patients underwent endoscopic type Ⅰtympanoplasty were prospectively enrolled and were randomly divided into 2 groups. Patients in research group were locally injected 5 ml adrenalin saline with a concentration of 1∶200 000, 15 minutes before operation. And the control group were not injected. Grafts acceptance rates, operation time, blood loss, pre- and pro- operative audiograms were compared between the two groups. Result: Compared with control group, the operative time and blood loss was less in research group. These differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in grafts acceptance rate between two groups (P>0.05). After surgery, mean air conduction threshold was increased and the air-bone gaps was decreased in both groups,and no statistical significant deference was found between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion: Before endoscopic type I tympanoplasty, adrenalin saline local injection can reduce blood loss significantly. This allows better operative view and experience for surgeons and less surgery damage to patients.

Anacardic acid inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of primary osteoporosis, and the incidence of the condition is rapidly increasing. In consideration of the limitations of current therapeutic options for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, there is an urgent need to develop safer alternatives. Anacardic acid, a natural phenolic acid compound extracted from cashew nut shell, possesses potent antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits NF-κB signaling. However, its effect on osteoclasts remains unknown. This study reports the first evidence for the antiosteoclastogenic and antiresorptive effects of anacardic acid on bone marrow-derived macrophage-derived osteoclasts. Mechanistically, anacardic acid disrupts the phosphorylation of TGF-β activated kinase 1 and subsequently suppresses multiple receptor activator of NF-κB ligand-induced signaling cascades, ultimately inhibiting the induction and activation of the crucial osteoclast transcriptional factor nuclear factor of activated T-cell cytoplasmic 1. Consistent with cellular results in vitro, anacardic acid treatment improves bone density in the murine model of ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Taken together, our study provides promising evidence for the therapeutic application of anacardic acid as a new potential pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis.-Zhao, K., Jia, Y., Peng, J., Pang, C., Zhang, T., Han, W., Jiang, J., Lu, X., Zhu, J., Qian, Y. Anacardic acid inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo.

Low-temperature microstructural studies on superconducting CaFe2As2

Undoped CaFe₂As₂ (Ca122) can be stabilized in two slightly different non-superconducting tetragonal phases, PI and PII, through thermal treatments. Upon proper annealing, superconductivity with a T_c up to 25 K emerges in the samples with an admixture of PI and PII phases. Systematic low-temperature X-ray diffraction studies were conducted on undoped Ca122 samples annealed at 350 °C over different time periods. In addition to the diffraction peaks associated with the single-phase aggregation of PI and PII, a broad intermediate peak that shifts with annealing time was observed in the superconducting samples only. Our simulation of phase distribution suggests that the extra peak is associated with the admixture of PI and PII on the nanometer scale. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms the existence of these nano-scale phase admixtures in the superconducting samples. These experimental results and simulation analyses lend further support for our conclusion that interfacial inducement is the most reasonable explanation for the emergence of superconductivity in undoped Ca122 single crystals.