Using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity to screen for metabolic syndrome in community populations

The aim of this study is to investigate the viability of using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as a primary tool to screen metabolic syndrome (MetS), and to explore the risk factors of MetS in community populations. A total of 1914 subjects completed medical examination in Shanghai. BaPWV was significantly associated with the components of MetS. The area under curve (AUC) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) in total group were 62.50% and 60.00%-65.30% with the appropriate cut-off point being 1435 cm/sec. The AUC (95%CI) of three subgroups (40-50 yrs, 50-60 yrs and over 60 yrs group) were 75.30% (67.48%-83.35%), 63.35% (58.96%-67.60%), 55.37% (51.19%-60.01%), respectively. A clear pattern surfaced in the process of investigation: the younger were the subjects group, the better receiver operating characteristic (ROC) efficacy would emerge; and the higher sensitivity was, the better negative predictive value (NPV) would be. Male gender, high baPWV values, elevated uric acid (UA) and excess hypersensitive C reaction protein (hs-CRP) levels were stayed in the two regression models as the independent risk factors for MetS. We conclude that baPWV may serve as a potential screening tool for MetS at the cut-off point of 1435 cm/sec.

Unique lead adsorption behavior of ions sieves in pellet-like reduced graphene oxide

A pellet-like reduced graphene oxide has been presented for lead ions removal like behavior of ions sieves in aqueous solution.

Phosphate promotes uranium (VI) adsorption in Staphylococcus aureus LZ-01

Staphylococcus aureus LZ-01 was isolated from the Yellow River upstream from Lanzhou which can resist and reduce chromium (VI) to chromium (III). In this study, strain LZ-01's uranium (VI) resistance and adsorption abilities were investigated. Our results showed that it can resist 2 mmol l(-1) U(VI) and adsorb 96% of 2 mmol l(-1) U(VI) after 6 h incubation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that precipitates were formed on the surface of the cells. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis indicated that the precipitates contained uranium and phosphorus. The U(VI) adsorption rate of strain LZ-01 was promoted by 20 mmol l(-1) phosphate. It adsorbed 45% of 2·5 mmol l(-1) U(VI) in 30 min compared to 36% without phosphate (P < 0·05). Strain LZ-01 can resist heavy metals and survive in nuclear waste-contaminated environments. Strain LZ-01 might be a potential candidate for nuclear waste remediation with phosphate added.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Staphylococcus aureus LZ-01 can resist 2 mmol l(-1) U(VI). It could adsorb more than 90% of the 2 mmol l(-1) U(VI) in 6 h. Uranium is precipitated with phosphorus on the surface of the cells. Phosphate promotes uranium adsorption in strain LZ-01, and its U(VI) adsorption capacity is related to its cell availability. These results indicate that the strain LZ-01 might be a potential candidate for remediation of nuclear waste when phosphate is added.

Efficient inhibition of intraperitoneal human ovarian cancer growth by short hairpin RNA targeting CD44

CD44 is one member of a big glycoprotein family involved in adhesion of cells or cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). The heavily glycosylated CD44 has been proved to be a major receptor of hyaluronan and a marker of stem cells in ovarian cancer. Here, using short hairpin (shRNA) against CD44, we demonstrate that knockdown CD44 could inhibit cancer growth efficiently compared with controls. Plasmid targeting CD44 gene (pshCD44) or non-relative control sequences (pshHK) was constructed and delivered to ovarian cancer by biodegradable poly D, L-Lactide-co-glycolide acid nanoparticles (PLGANPs). Nude mice were utilized in an intraperitoneal model of ovarian carcinomatosis to assess antitumor efficacy in vivo. Antitumor efficacy was estimated by changes in tumor weights, proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (TUNEL) and angiogenesis (CD31 staining and alginate-encapsulated tumor beads assay) in tumor cells. As results, pshCD44 or pshHK could be effectively transfected into SKOV-3 cells by PLGANPs. Tumor weight in pshCD44/PLGANPs group was suppressed by 45% and 50% compared with those in pshHK/PLGANPs and untreated group, respectively (Ps < 0.001). Inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis and reduction of angiogenesis in tumor cells of pshCD44/PLGANPs group also show significant difference compared with those in control groups (Ps < 0.05), respectively. These results indicate that pshCD44 delivered by PLGANPs might be a potential approach in ovarian cancer therapy, and point towards a mechanism involving the inhibition of angiogenesis, cellular proliferation and the induction of apoptosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine in professional wrestlers and untrained men

The aim of this study was to examine the relation between bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) and bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine in male professional wrestlers and healthy untrained men. A total of 14 wrestlers (22.9±3.4 years) and 11 controls (24.4±1.6 years) were studied cross-sectionally. Body composition and BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine was examined in a sagittal T1-weighted (T1-w) spin-echo (SE) sequence. The averaged bone marrow signal intensity (SI) of L2-L4 was related to the signal of an adjacent nondegenerative disk. Mean SI of T1-w SE in wrestlers was lower than controls (P=0.001), indicating L2-L4 BMAT in wrestlers was lower compared to controls. L2-L4 BMD in wrestlers was higher than controls (P<0.001). In the total subject population, L2-L4 BMD was inversely correlated with mean SI of T1-w SE (r=-0.62, P=0.001). This association remained strong after adjusting for body mass and whole lean mass, but became weaker after adjusting for whole body or trunk fat percentage. The inverse relationship between BMAT and BMD was confirmed in this relatively small subject sample with narrow age range, which implies that exercise training is an important determinant of this association.

Does drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization improve the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma? A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Drug eluting beads (DEB) are relatively new embolic agents that allow sustained release of chemotherapeutic agents in a localized fashion to the tumor. This technique is associated with reduced systemic side effects relative to systemic chemotherapy and an increase in the dose of antineoplastic agent delivered to the lesion. The meta-analysis was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of DEB-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the management of hepatocellular cancer.

METHODS

We searched the Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCO, EMBASE, the Wiley Library and Google Scholar for studies on DEB-TACE in the management of hepatocellular cancer from 1979 to April 2013. The risk of bias was assessed using RevMan 5 · 1. Random and fixed-effects meta-analytical models were used where indicated, and between-study heterogeneity was assessed. Disease control, complications and severe complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Five studies met the selection criteria, three RCTs and two case-control studies, published from 2010 to 2012, included 217 patients in the DEB-TACE group and 237 in the conventional-TACE group. There was no significance over disease control (OR 2.27, 95% CI 0.78-6.63) with moderate between-study heterogeneity (χ(2) = 6.83, degrees of freedom [df] = 3; p<0.08; I(2) = 56%). Complications in both groups were assessed and no significant difference was observed (χ(2) = 6.34, degrees of freedom [df]  = 4; p<0.18; I(2)= 37%). Severe complications were also assessed and no significant difference was observed (χ(2) = 6.47, degrees of freedom [df]  = 4; p<0.17; I(2)= 38%). No publication bias relating to the above outcomes was detected by funnel plot. DEB-TACE benefited disease control without an increase in complications and severe complications.

Edaravone inhibits hypoxia-induced trophoblast-soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 expression: a possible therapeutic approach to preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of edaravone, a potent free radical scavenger used clinically, on hypoxia-induced trophoblast-soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) expression.

METHODS

A trophoblast cell line (HRT-8/SVneo) impaired by cobalt chloride (CoCl2) was used as the cell model under hypoxic conditions. 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) was used to measure the viability of cells exposed to CoCl2 and edaravone. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by flow cytometry. mRNA expression of sFlt-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and placental growth factor (PlGF) in trophoblasts was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the secretion of sFlt-1, VEGF, and PlGF proteins was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). A human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube-formation assay was performed to identify the effects of CoCl2 and edaravone on vascular development.

RESULTS

CoCl2 treatment caused the loss of trophoblast viability, the formation of ROS, and sFlt-1 mRNA and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with edaravone significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced oxidative stress formation and sFlt-1 expression in trophoblasts. Neither PlGF nor VEGF mRNA or protein expression was increased by CoCl2. In the in vitro tube formation assay, edaravone showed a protective role in vascular development under hypoxic conditions.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that hypoxia leading to increased sFlt-1 release in trophoblasts may contribute to the placental vascular formation abnormalities observed in preeclampsia and suggested that the free radical scavenger edaravone could be a candidate for the effective treatment of preeclampsia.

Mitral annular tissue velocity in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

Non-invasive methods of coronary disease detection are immediately needed. Recent work suggested that mitral annular tissue velocity measurements could be helpful for assessing left ventricular function. We aim to determine the effect of coronary artery lesion on left ventricular function using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and to discuss the role of mitral annular tissue velocity in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Coronary angiographic examinations were conducted for 68 patients with suspected CHD. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), early diastolic mitral flow velocity E, late diastolic mitral flow velocity A, mean systolic (Sa) and mean early diastolic velocity (Ea) of the septal and lateral mitral annulus were measured before the angiographic examination. Patients were grouped according to the number of branches with ≥ 50% stenosis. The control group has 15 individuals. The remaining 53 patients with stenosis in 1, 2 and 3 branches were grouped into 1-Branch, 2-Branch, 3-Branch-Light-Condition and 3-Branch-Heavy-Condition groups, respectively. No significant differences in the other general health parameters of the patients were found.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in LVEF and E/A but in Sa, Ea and E/Ea values between CHD and non-CHD patients. The E/Ea value was significantly elevated in CHD patients, aggravated by this pathological condition. The area bounded by the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve of E/Ea is the largest. The sensitivity and specificity of using E/Ea > 8.34 as the diagnostic criterion to pinpoint CHD were 77.4% and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

E/Ea is a good indicator of diastolic function and can be useful to diagnose CHD.

Can we early diagnose metabolic syndrome using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in community population?

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) increased recently and there was still not a screening index to predict MetS. The aim of this study was to estimate whether brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a novel marker for systemic arterial stiffness, could predict MetS in Chinese community population.

METHODS

A total of 2 191 participants were recruited and underwent medical examination including 1 455 men and 756 women from June 2011 to January 2012. MetS was diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Multiple Logistic regressions were conducted to explore the risk factors of MetS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to estimate the ideal diagnostic cutoff point of baPWV to predict MetS.

RESULTS

The mean age was (45.35±8.27) years old. In multiple Logistic regression analysis, the gender, baPWV and smoking status were risk factors to MetS after adjusting age, gender, baPWV, walk time and sleeping time. The prevalence of MetS was 17.48% in 30-year age population in Shanghai. There were significant differences (χ(2) = 96.46, P < 0.05) between male and female participants on MetS prevalence. According to the ROC analyses, the ideal cutoff point of baPWV was 1 358.50 cm/s (AUC = 60.20%) to predict MetS among male group and 1 350.00 cm/s (AUC = 70.90%) among female group.

CONCLUSION

BaPWV may be considered as a screening marker to predict MetS in community Chinese population and the diagnostic value of 1 350.00 cm/s was more significant for the female group.

Quantitative assessment of brain microvascular and tissue oxygenation during cardiac arrest and resuscitation in pigs

Cardiac arrest is associated with a very high rate of mortality, in part due to inadequate tissue perfusion during attempts at resuscitation. Parameters such as mean arterial pressure and end-tidal carbon dioxide may not accurately reflect adequacy of tissue perfusion during cardiac resuscitation. We hypothesised that quantitative measurements of tissue oxygen tension would more accurately reflect adequacy of tissue perfusion during experimental cardiac arrest. Using oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence, we made measurements of oxygen in the microcirculation and in the interstitial space of the brain and muscle in a porcine model of ventricular fibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Measurements were performed at baseline, during untreated ventricular fibrillation, during resuscitation and after return of spontaneous circulation. After achieving stable baseline brain tissue oxygen tension, as measured using an Oxyphor G4-based phosphorescent microsensor, ventricular fibrillation resulted in an immediate reduction in all measured parameters. During cardiopulmonary resuscitation, brain oxygen tension remained unchanged. After the return of spontaneous circulation, all measured parameters including brain oxygen tension recovered to baseline levels. Muscle tissue oxygen tension followed a similar trend as the brain, but with slower response times. We conclude that measurements of brain tissue oxygen tension, which more accurately reflect adequacy of tissue perfusion during cardiac arrest and resuscitation, may contribute to the development of new strategies to optimise perfusion during cardiac resuscitation and improve patient outcomes after cardiac arrest.

Administration of PLGA nanoparticles carrying shRNA against focal adhesion kinase and CD44 results in enhanced antitumor effects against ovarian cancer

The two membrane-bound proteins, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and CD44, are involved in processes critical to cancer progression. FAK has an active role in angiogenesis, cell proliferation and cell apoptosis, whereas the heavily glycosylated CD44 has been implicated in cancer metastasis. Here, using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against FAK and CD44, we demonstrate that simultaneous knockdown of both these genes inhibits cancer growth more efficiently than knockdown of either gene individually. Plasmids targeting these genes or non-relative control sequences were constructed and delivered to ovarian cancer targets by biodegradable poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolide acid nanoparticles (PLGANPs). Nude mice were utilized in an intraperitoneal model of ovarian carcinomatosis to assess antitumor efficacy in vivo. Single gene knockdown resulted in significantly smaller tumors than those observed in the empty-vector control (P's<0.001). More importantly, knockdown of both genes resulted in tumors smaller than both the empty-vector group (P<0.0001) and the single gene knockdown groups (P's<0.001). Knockdown of both FAK and CD44 resulted in tumors with inhibited angiogenesis, reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis as compared with controls (P's<0.001) and single knockdown groups (P's<0.05). These results indicate that dual knockdown of FAK and CD44 in the tumors of patients with ovarian cancer may have an enhanced therapeutic effect, and point toward a mechanism involving the inhibition of angiogenesis, cellular proliferation and the induction of apoptosis.

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on overall quality parameters of watermelon juice

High hydrostatic pressure as a kind of non-thermal processing might maintain the quality of thermo-sensitive watermelon juice. So, the effect of high hydrostatic pressure treatment on enzymes and quality of watermelon juice was investigated. After high hydrostatic pressure treatment, the activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, and pectin methylesterase of juice decreased significantly with the pressure ( P < 0.05). Inactivation of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase could be fitted by two-fraction model and that of pectin methylesterase could be described by first-order reaction model. Titratable acidity, pH, and total soluble solid of juice did not change significantly ( P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in lycopene and total phenolics after high hydrostatic pressure treatment when compared to the control ( P > 0.05). Cloudiness and viscosity increased with pressure ( P < 0.05) but did not change significantly with treatment time ( P > 0.05). a*- and b*-value both unchanged after high hydrostatic pressure treatment ( P > 0.05) while L*-value increased but the values had no significant difference among treated juices. Browning degree after high hydrostatic pressure treatment decreased with increase in pressure and treatment time ( P < 0.05). Through the comparison of total color difference values, high hydrostatic pressure had little effect on color of juice. The results of this study demonstrated the efficacy of high hydrostatic pressure in inactivating enzymes and maintaining the quality of watermelon juice.

Facial biometrics of peri-oral changes in Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammatory condition which affects any part of the gastrointestinal tract. In the oro-facial region, patients can present peri-oral swellings which results in severe facial disfigurement. To date, assessing the degree of facial changes and evaluation of treatment outcomes relies on clinical observation and semi-quantitative methods. In this paper, we describe the development of a robust and reproducible measurement strategy using 3-D facial biometrics to objectively quantify the extent and progression of oro-facial Crohn's disease. Using facial laser scanning, 32 serial images from 13 Crohn's patients attending the Oral Medicine clinic were acquired during relapse, remission, and post-treatment phases. Utilising theories of coordinate metrology, the facial images were subjected to registration, regions of interest identification, and reproducible repositioning prior to obtaining volume measurements. To quantify the changes in tissue volume, scan images from consecutive appointments were compared to the baseline (first scan image). Reproducibility test was performed to ascertain the degree of uncertainty in volume measurements. 3-D facial biometric imaging is a reliable method to identify and quantify peri-oral swelling in Crohn's patients. Comparison of facial scan images at different phases of the disease revealed precisely profile and volume changes. The volume measurements were highly reproducible as adjudged from the 1% standard deviation. 3-D facial biometrics measurements in Crohn's patients with oro-facial involvement offers a quick, robust, economical and objective approach for guided therapeutic intervention and routine assessment of treatment efficacy on the clinic.