Role of Cisplatin in Inducing Acute Kidney Injury and Pyroptosis in Mice via the Exosome miR-122/ELAVL1 Regulatory Axis

Although cisplatin is an effective chemotherapy drug for the treatment of various cancers, its clinical use is limited due to its side effects, especially nephrotoxicity. Unfortunately, acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by cisplatin remains one of the main challenges in effective cancer treatment. Evidence increasingly suggests that renal inflammation and pyroptotic inflammatory cell death of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) mainly determine the progression and outcome of cisplatin-induced AKI. However, it is not clear how cisplatin regulates the pyroptosis of RTECs cells in AKI. The current study aimed to determine the regulation mechanism of AKI induced by cisplatin. We used cisplatin to induce AKI in vivo. We performed H&E staining of mouse kidney tissue sections and evaluated serological indicators of kidney injury (including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)). We used immunohistochemistry and western blot to detect the important substrate protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) and key target caspase-1 of pyroptosis, respectively. Cisplatin induced mouse AKI and RTECs pyroptosis. HK2 cell-derived exosomes treated with cisplatin influenced pyroptosis of the surrounding HK2 cells. Cisplatin-treated HK2 cells exosome-derived miR-122 regulated pyroptosis in the surrounding cells. Exosome-derived miR-122 affected cisplatin-induced AKI and HK2 cells pyroptosis by regulating the expression of embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAVL1). These results suggest that exosome miR-122 inhibited pyroptosis and AKI by targeting ELAVL1 under cisplatin treatment, and this offers a potential target for the treatment of AKI.

Development of cellulose/hydroxyapatite/TiO2 scaffolds for efficient removal of lead (II) ions pollution: Characterization, kinetic analysis, and artificial neural network modeling

The utilization of nano-biodegradable composites for removing pollutants and heavy metals in aquatic environments has been widespread. This study focuses on synthesizing cellulose/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites with titanium dioxide (TiO2) via the freeze-drying method for the adsorption of lead ions in aquatic environments. The physical and chemical properties of the nanocomposites, including structure, morphology, and mechanical properties, were analyzed through FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDS. In addition, parameters affecting the adsorption capacity, such as time, temperature, pH, and initial concentration, were determined. The nanocomposite exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 1012 mg⸱g-1, and the second-order kinetic model was found to govern the adsorption process. Additionally, an artificial neural network (ANN) was created using weight percentages (wt%) of nanoparticles included in the scaffold to predict the mechanical behavior, porosity, and desorption of the scaffolds at various weight percentages of hydroxyapatite (nHAP) and TiO2. The results of the ANN indicated that the incorporation of both single and hybrid nanoparticles into the scaffolds improved their mechanical behavior and desorption, as well as increased their porosity.

Clinical prospective study of Gallium 68 (68Ga)-labeled fibroblast-activation protein inhibitor PET/CT in the diagnosis of biliary tract carcinoma

PURPOSE

This study is to investigate the [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI PET/CT diagnosis performance in biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) and analyze the association between [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI PET/CT and clinical indexes.

METHODS

A prospective study (NCT05264688) was performed between January 2022 and July 2022. Fifty participants were scanned using [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI and [18F]FDG PET/CT and acquired pathological tissue. We employed the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the uptake of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI and [18F]FDG, and the McNemar test was used to compare the diagnostic efficacy between the two tracers. Spearman or Pearson correlation was used to assess the association between [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI PET/CT and clinical indexes.

RESULTS

In total, 47 participants (mean age 59.09 ± 10.98 [range 33-80 years]) were evaluated. The [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI detection rate was greater than [18F]FDG in primary tumors (97.62% vs. 85.71%), nodal metastases (90.05% vs. 87.06%), and distant metastases (100% vs. 83.67%). The uptake of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI was higher than [18F]FDG in primary lesions (intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 18.95 ± 7.47 vs. 11.86 ± 0.70, p = 0.001; extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 14.57 ± 6.16 vs. 8.80 ± 4.74, p = 0.004), abdomen and pelvic cavity nodal metastases (6.91 ± 6.56 vs. 3.94 ± 2.83, p < 0.001), and distant metastases (pleural, peritoneum, omentum, and mesentery, 6.37 ± 4.21 vs. 4.50 ± 1.96, p = 0.01; bone, 12.15 ± 6.43 vs. 7.51 ± 4.54, p = 0.008). There was a significant correlation between [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI uptake and fibroblast-activation protein (FAP) expression (Spearman r = 0.432, p = 0.009), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (Pearson r = 0.364, p = 0.012), and platelet (PLT) (Pearson r = 0.35, p = 0.016). Meanwhile, a significant relationship between [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI metabolic tumor volume and carbohydrate antigen199 (CA199) (Pearson r = 0.436, p = 0.002) was confirmed.

CONCLUSION

[68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI had a higher uptake and sensitivity than [18F]FDG in the diagnosis of BTC primary and metastatic lesions. The correlation between [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI PET/CT indexes and FAP expression, CEA, PLT, and CA199 were confirmed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov: NCT 05,264,688.

Research on detection of different metallographic structures of high speed wheel steel based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) experimental platform was applied to obtain LIBS spectral the data of 10 CL60 wheel steel samples. The principle component analysis (PCA) was used to preliminarily analyze the macroscopic characteristics of LIBS spectral data. With the spectral intensity and spectral intensity combined with spectral intensity ratio as variables, three spectral correction methods including median filtering, baseline correction and multiple scattering correction (MSC) were used for pretreatment. And the support vector machine (SVM) qualitative model was established to determine the metallographic structure. It was found that the SVM model established by using the pre-processed data of MSC as the input variable has the best effect. The accuracy rate of calibration set is 100%, and the accuracy rate of prediction set is 98.4%. The research has shown that LIBS combined with SVM model can be used for discriminant analysis of different metallographic structures of train wheel steel.

Quantitative MRI findings indicate diffuse white matter damage in Susac Syndrome

Background

Susac Syndrome (SuS) is an autoimmune endotheliopathy impacting the brain, retina and cochlea that can clinically mimic multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective

To evaluate non-lesional white matter demyelination changes in SuS compared to MS and healthy controls (HC) using quantitative MRI.

Methods

3T MRI including myelin water imaging and diffusion basis spectrum imaging were acquired for 7 SuS, 10 MS and 10 HC participants. Non-lesional white matter was analyzed in the corpus callosum (CC) and normal appearing white matter (NAWM). Groups were compared using ANCOVA with Tukey correction.

Results

SuS CC myelin water fraction (mean 0.092) was lower than MS(0.11, p = 0.01) and HC(0.11, p = 0.04). Another myelin marker, radial diffusivity, was increased in SuS CC(0.27μm2/ms) compared to HC(0.21μm2/ms, p = 0.008) and MS(0.23μm2/ms, p = 0.05). Fractional anisotropy was lower in SuS CC(0.82) than HC(0.86, p = 0.04). Fiber fraction (reflecting axons) did not differ from HC or MS. In NAWM, radial diffusivity and apparent diffusion coefficient were significantly increased in SuS compared to HC(p < 0.001 for both measures) and MS(p = 0.003, p < 0.001 respectively).

Conclusions

Our results provided evidence of myelin damage in SuS, particularly in the CC, and more extensive microstructural injury in NAWM, supporting the hypothesis that there are widespread microstructural changes in SuS syndrome including diffuse demyelination.

Incident Reporting in Anaesthesia: A Survey of Practice in New Zealand

A postal survey of anaesthetists practising in New Zealand assessed their practice and attitudes to anaesthetic incident reporting. 136 replies were received (57% response rate). Respondents indicated a high awareness of the Anaesthetic Incident Monitoring Study (AIMS) based incident monitoring yet individual utilization may be declining due to a perception that this system is ineffective. Seventy-five per cent of respondents used AIMS forms in their current institute, whilst 87% had at some time completed an AIMS form. Two-thirds of respondents used the forms for morbidity and mortality audit activities. Support for the continuing practice of incident reporting was high, yet opinion suggested that the present system was not being used productively. Almost half the anaesthetists felt that the AIMS reporting system had changed their practice. Common concerns with the system included a need to simplify the reporting process and to ensure that information is managed to provide a useful outcome. This study suggests that incident reporting in its present form needs to be re-evaluated in light of changing priorities in anaesthesia quality improvement activities.

[Curative observation on allergic rhinitis treated by intranasal corticosteroids combined with nasal irrigation]

Objective: To observe the effect of normal saline with intranasal corticosteroids in the treatment of allergic rhinitis(AR).Method:Two hundred and seventy-three outpatients with severe persistent allergic rhinitis were participated in this study.All patients were randomly divided into three groups, and were treated for 12 weeks using three different therapies, respectively. Symptom assessment of each patient were performed before treatment, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment, respectively. The content of symptom assessment includes visual analogue scale, rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, symptoms scores and endoscopy examination scores.Result:Efficacy of intranasal corticosteroids combined with normal saline nasal irrigation in the treatment of AR is better than that of intranasal corticosteroids only, and is almost equivalent to intranasal corticosteroids combined with antihistamines.Conclusion:Long-term application of intranasal corticosteroids in combination with normal saline irrigation can effectively control and mitigate symptoms of severe persistent AR patients, and improve the patient's quality of life. This combination therapy is a better choice for the patient who is not satisfied with the single use of intranasal corticosteroids.

[Morphological observation on hypopus of Lepidoglyphus destructor by optical microscope]

Objective To observe the external morphology of Lepidoglyphus destructor hypopus under an optical microscope. Methods The samples were collected in a store of Chinese medicinal herbs in Huainan City in September, 2016, the L. destructor and the hypopus were isolated, and then made of slide specimens. The slide samples were prepared and observed under an optical microscope. Results The L. destructor hypopus and protonymph were found. The inactive hypopus was oval in shape, the feet were not welldeveloped, there was a distinct transverse seam on its back, and there were 2 pairs of genital sensory organs. Conclusion The optical microscopy shows the morphological characteristics of L. destructor hypopus, which can provide the basis for the biological classification and the prevention.

High tumor-infiltrating FoxP3+ T cells predict poor survival in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: A meta-analysis

AIMS

Tumor-infiltrating FoxP3⁺ T cells and FoxP3⁺ tumor cells have been reported in breast cancer (BC), which impaired immunity and promoted tumors progression. However, their prognostic value for survival in patients with breast BC remains controversial.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed. Original data included the hazard ratios (HR) of overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival and odds ratio (OR) in BC patients. We pooled HR/OR with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to estimate the hazard.

RESULTS

The overall survival of high tumor-infiltrating FoxP3⁺ T cells patients was lower than low tumor-infiltrating FoxP3⁺ T cells patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77-0.96; P = 0.009) but not ER-negative (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.82-1.45; P = 0.569) BC. And FoxP3⁺ tumor cells were not associated with the overall survival and recurrences of BC patients (P > 0.05). In addition, a significant association was revealed between high tumor-infiltrating FoxP3⁺ T cells and grade (I + II/III: OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.56; P < 0.001), ER status (present: OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.51-3.76; P < 0.001), HER2 status (present: OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.78; P = 0.001), PR status (present: OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.31-2.71; P < 0.001). And a significant association was revealed between positive FoxP3⁺ tumor cells and Nodal status (present: OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23-0.97; P = 0.04), grade (I + II/III: OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22-0.85; P = 0.01), PR status (present: OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.54-3.36; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

High tumor-infiltrating FoxP3⁺ T cells were associated with a poorer prognosis for ER-positive BC, but not for ER-negative BC.

Time from symptom onset influences high-sensitivity troponin T diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The time required for patients with acute chest pain to reach a hospital emergency department varies, possibly lowering the diagnostic performance of a general cut-off value for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off values as calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of hs-cTnT at different times from onset of symptoms to admission, and to evaluate their diagnostic performance.

METHODS

Our study included 3096 patients with symptoms suggestive of AMI. These patients were classified according to time from onset of symptoms to admission. The diagnostic accuracy was quantified by the area under the ROC curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Of the patients, 1082 (49.3%) were diagnosed as having AMI (317 were non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]). The AUC for hs-cTnT to diagnose AMI was 0.881 at <3 h after symptom onset, 0.940 at 3-6 h after symptom onset, 0.966 at 6-12 h after symptom onset, and 0.974 at >12 h after symptom onset. The threshold as determined by ROC of hs-cTnT was 13.5 ng/L to diagnose AMI at ≤3 h after symptom onset with a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 80.1%, 17.8 ng/L at 3-6 h after symptom onset with a sensitivity of 94.6% and a specificity of 84.3%, 30.0 ng/L at 6-12 h after symptom onset with a sensitivity of 95.9% and a specificity of 85.5%, and 58.0 ng/L at >12 h after symptom onset with a sensitivity of 92.7% and a specificity of 93.3%. The same observations were performed for the diagnosis of NSTEMI.

CONCLUSIONS

The ROC-determined cut-off value of hs-cTnT for AMI or NSTEMI diagnosis gradually increased with time from onset of symptoms to presentation. Using a higher cut-off value by ROC for hs-cTnT will improve its accuracy in diagnosing AMI or NSTEMI patients in late presenters. The higher value will enable physicians to more quickly rule in patients compared to the 99th percentile cut-off, and can rule out patients safely.

[Management strategy and technology of medical assistance to advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province]

The medical assistance to advanced schistosomiasis patients established by the Chinese government is a major public facility for patients with advanced schistosomiasis. Since the medical assistance to advance schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province started ten years ago, a set of mature and operable programs with whole program management and related technologies has been developed. The author investigated the data on medical assistance to advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province during the last 10 years (from 2006 to 2015) retrospectively, and found that the program had high therapeutic effect and high satisfaction degree of both patients and the society. In order to improve the management of the medical assistance to advanced schistosomiasis patients and share our experiences of the whole program management and related technologies with the colleagues of other provinces, this paper mainly illustrates the experiences of the program, as well as the existing problems and related strategies.

[Diagnosis and treatment of imported African schistosomiasis]

This paper summarizes the clinical diagnosis and treatment of imported African schistosomiasis, in order to make the therapeutic standards. Imported African schistosomiasis includes mainly schistosomiasis haematobia and schistosomiasis mansoni in China. In order to set up the operational standards, enhance diagnostic and cure rates, and reduce the complications, we review the related literature combined with our experience over years, and summarize, in this paper, the pathogenic mechanism, and key points of clinical diagnosis and treatment of schistosomiasis haematobia and schistosomiasis mansoni, so as to provide the reference for clinical doctors.

[Analysis of endemic status of schistosomiasis in Gaoyou City from 1970 to 2009]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the changing rule of schistosomiasis endemic situation in Gaoyou City, so as to provide the evidences for schistosomiasis control in lake and marshland regions.

METHODS

The endemic data of schistosomiasis of Gaoyou City from 1970 to 2009 were collected to analyze the endemic patterns of schistosomiasis in different control stages comprehensively.

RESULTS

In the first years of infection control stage (1970-1975), transmission control stage (1976-1994) and transmission interruption stage (1995-2009), the prevalence rates of schistosomiasis were 4.20%, 0.80% and 0 in human and 3.00%, 0.51% and 0 in cattle respectively. In 1984, the positive rate of crowd stool tests fell to 0.04%, which was reduced by 99.05% compared with that in 1970. From 1970 to 1980, the positive rates of stool tests of people and livestock were positively correlated significantly (r = 0.67, P < 0.05). After 1985, no local infection patients or cattle were found. No schistosome infected Oncomelania hupensis snails were found from 1970 to 2009.

CONCLUSIONS

The comprehensive control measures have been insisted in Gaoyou City in different prevention and control stages. Although the snail situation is undulate, the prevalence of schistosomiasis steadily declines and the interruption of transmission has achieved.

Pedicle screw piercer with warning device - A technique to increase accuracy of pedicle screw placement: A cadaveric study

BACKGROUND

Pedicle screw fixation has achieved significant popularity amongst spinal surgeons for both single and multilevel spinal fusion. Suboptimal placements of pedicle screws may lead to neurological and vascular complications. There have been many advances in techniques available for navigating through the pedicle; however, these techniques are not without drawbacks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of the pedicle piercer with warning device.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight normal adult thoracolumbar specimens from cadavers consisting of 80 vertebras (T8-L5) were selected and randomly allocated into four groups. Each group contained 20 vertebra. Group 1 was tested for maximum pressure of the piercer within the vertebrae (F1). Group 2 was tested for maximum pressure of the warning piercer penetrating front cortex of the vertebral body (F2). Group 3 was tested for the maximum pressure of piercer penetrating vertebral body endplate (F3) and pedicle notch (F41, F42). Group 4 was tested for maximum pressure of the piercer penetrating the vertebral lateral cortex (F6), the medial and lateral cortex of pedicle (F51, F52). In the second experiment of this study, 4 normal adult specimens consisting of 40 vertebra and 80 pedicles were used for testing the alarm effects of pedicle piercer. The following indicators were adopted for the tests including true positive/negative, false positive/negative, sensitivity, specificity, availability, Youden index, and diagnostic efficiency. SPSS 16.0 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences between F1, and F2, F3, F41, F42, F51, F52 respectively (P < 0.05). F1 = 8.970 ± 0.2698, F3 = 13.055 ± 0.6718. We found that the threshold value of piercer warning was from 9.6 to 12.3 Kgf. Sensitivity was 92.31%, specificity was 95.12%, usability was 87.45%, Youden index was 87.43% and diagnostic efficiency was 92.5% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Warning piercer is a safe, simple, sensitive device for detecting pedicle breach during regular pedicle screw placement surgery.

160 SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY IN ESTRUS-SYNCHRONIZED HIMALAYAN TAHRS (HEMITRAGUS JEMLAHICUS) BY TRANSCERVICALLY INSEMINATING FRESH AND EXTENDED-CHILLED SEMEN COLLECTED BY ELECTROEJACULATION

In December 2009, 8 female Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) were synchronized by inserting CIDR devices for 13 or 15 days. One day before removal of the CIDRs, a combination of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) 400 IU and hCG 200 IU (PG600®, Intervet, Boxmeer, the Netherlands) was intramuscularly injected into each animal and PGF2α was injected at the time of CIDR withdrawal. Semen was collected by electrical stimulation, diluted, cooled to 5°C for 2 h, and maintained in a refrigerator before performing AI twice. Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted by Doppler ultrasonography on March 2, 2010. Four female Himalayan tahrs were impregnated, showing a fetus present in their uteri. In the first experiment in which CIDRs were inserted into the vagina of 4 Himalayan tahrs for 13 days, 3 of the tahrs were transcervically inseminated with fresh semen, whereas 1 was inseminated with frozen–thawed semen 33 h after CIDR removal. As a second insemination experiment, 46 h after CIDR removal, all 4 tahrs were inseminated with diluted (1:3) fresh semen. While the tahr that was later inseminated with frozen–thawed semen did not become pregnant, the other 3 Himalayan tahrs became pregnant. In the second experiment, CIDR devices were inserted into the vaginas of 4 Himalayan tahrs for 15 days. Extended (1:7)-chilled semen was used for transcervical insemination 42 and 49 h after CIDR withdrawal. When performing the second insemination, it was difficult or impossible to penetrate cervical canals. Thus, only 1 tahr became pregnant. These findings show 13 days of CIDR insertion, the dose of PMSG 400 IU and hCG 200 IU, and the use of PGF2α as beneficial for inducing oestrus synchronization, and prove that extended-chilled semen may also be used for artificial breeding of Himalayan tahrs. This is the first report of successful pregnancy induced by artificial insemination of fresh or extended-chilled semen in oestrus-synchronized Himalayan tahrs.

Intraoperative sentinel lymph node identification using novel receptor binding agent (technetium-99m neomannosyl human serum albumin, 99mTc-MSA) in stage I non-small cell lung cancer

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Background: In order to simplify synthesis and labelling procedures and to improve the biological properties, we developed a novel mannose receptor-binding agent, Technetium-99m neomannosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-MSA). This study was designed to test the reliability and feasibility of sentinel nodes identification using this new radioactive agent in stage I non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: A total dose of 1mCi of 99mTc- MSA in 0.2ml was administered in one shot at the peri-tumoral region under the chest CT or bronchoscope guidance 3 hours before surgery in the CT room. Dynamic whole-body SPECT lymphoscintigraphic image was obtained at 30 min after injection and static thoracic SPECT lymphoscintigraphy images were acquired at 1 and 2 hour after injection. During operation, the radioactivity of the lymph nodes was counted with a handheld gamma probe before (in vivo) and after (ex vivo) dissection. Lymph nodes with an ex vivo radioactive count more than 5 times the radioactivity count of the resected lung tissue were identified as sentinel nodes. The correlation between the in vivo and ex vivo results was examined. All harvested lymph nodes were examined histologically. Results: Thirty patients (20 men, 10 women; mean age, 62.6±9.40 years) who were candidates for lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection for stage I non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled consecutively. Sentinel nodes could be detected from 30 minutes to 5 hours after the injection of 99mTc-MSA on lymphoscintigraphy. The mean number of dissected lymph nodes per patients was 20.7±1.30 (8∼41). Among 30 patients, sentinel lymph nodes could be identified in all patients (100%). The mean number of sentinel lymph nodes identified was 2.4±1.04 stations (range, 1∼5) per patient. No false-negative sentinel lymph nodes were detected in any of the 8 patients with N1 or N2 disease (0%). The relationship between in vivo and ex vivo results for mediastinal sentinel lymph nodes showed concurrence in 25 of 30 patients (83.3%). Conclusions: The results of this clinical trial showed that 99mTc-MSA had promising properties for sentinel nodes identification in non-small cell lung cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Novel erythromycin derivatives with aryl groups tethered to the C-6 position are potent protein synthesis inhibitors and active against multidrug-resistant respiratory pathogens

A novel series of erythromycin derivatives has been discovered with potent activity against key respiratory pathogens, including those resistant to erythromycin. These compounds are characterized by having an aryl group tethered to the C-6 position of the erythronolide skeleton. Extensive structural modification of the C-6 moiety led to the discovery of several promising compounds with potent activity against both mef- and erm-mediated resistant Streptoccoccus pneumoniae. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that the new macrolides are potent protein synthesis inhibitors, which interact with methylated ribosomes isolated from resistant organisms. In experimental animal models, these compounds exhibited excellent in vivo efficacy and balanced pharmacokinetic profiles.

Fluconazole penetration into the pancreas

Because of antibiotic prophylaxis for necrotizing pancreatitis, the frequency of fungal superinfection in patients with pancreatic necrosis is increasing. In this study we analyzed the penetration of fluconazole into the human pancreas and in experimental acute pancreatitis. In human pancreatic tissues, the mean fluconazole concentration was 8.19 +/- 3.38 microg/g (96% of the corresponding concentration in serum). In experimental edematous and necrotizing pancreatitis, 88 and 91% of the serum fluconazole concentration was found in the pancreas. These data show that fluconazole penetration into the pancreas is sufficient to prevent and/or treat fungal contamination in patients with pancreatic necrosis.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel 6-O-substituted erythromycin A derivatives

A series of novel 6-O-substituted erythromycin A derivatives has been synthesized. Good in vitro antibacterial activity has been demonstrated for analogues incorporating a variety of structural features. The methodology disclosed is expected to find application in the design of future macrolide antibiotics that target the prevalent bacterial resistance problem.

[The impacts of sex hormones on histomorphometric and histological appearances of bone in ovariectomized rats]

OBJECTIVES

To demonstrate the histomorphometric and histological changes of bone 3 weeks after bilateral ovariectomy in rats and to investigate the impacts of 4 different hormone replacement therapies on the bone histomorphometric, histological appearances.

METHODS

Bilateral ovariectomies were done on 41 female rats and sham operations on other 9 (sham group) respectively. After 3 weeks, 4 different treatments: i.e. Livial, Gevrine, Premarin, Weinian were initiated separately on each 8 ovariectomized rats for another 3 weeks. The remaining 9 were served as controls (OVX group). All rats were sacrificed either 3 weeks after ovariectomy/sham operation or at the end of hormone therapies. Their femoral bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Specimens of proximal femur were embedded undecacifide for histomorphometric analysis and of distal femoral metaphysics were procured for scanning electron microscope (SEM) and pathologic examinations.

RESULTS

(1) Three weeks after OVX, the femoral BMD, mean cortical thickness decreased significantly while the number of osteoclast increased significantly as compared with sham group. The trabecular became thinner and irregular which changed the bone microstructure in three dimension. (2) After treatment of 4 different preparations, the above parameters restored to various extents to the sham operation levels. Among them, there was greater increase of femoral BMD on the Livial and Gevrine group as compared with Premarin and Weinian group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral ovariectomy induced increased osteoclast activity and bone turnover, therefore caused accelerated bone loss. Treatment with combined sex hormones preparation could inhibit bone absorption and stimulate bone formation, especially those containing androgenic activity could increase the BMD.

[Relation of HSP70 gene and spontaneously hypertension in rats]

The level of heat shock protein 70 messenger RNA was examined in aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) and hepatic tissue of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was also analysed in hepatic DNA. It was demonstrated that the basic level of heat shock protein 70 messenger RNA in ASMC and hepatic tissue of SHR were lower than that of the WKY rats. The extent of heat shock protein 70 messenger RNA accumulated in ASMC was higher in SHR than in WKY rats when the cells were heated by immersing the culture bottles in 42 degrees C water bath for 15 min and allowed to recover at 37 degrees C for 2 h. In contrast with WKY rats, the Bam HI restricted bepatic DNA showed that a fragment about 5.6 kb was lost in heat shock protein 70 gene from hepatic DNA of SHR. The results suggest that the ASMC of SHR is more sensitive to heat stress than that of WKY rats and the changes of heat shock protein gene sequence may be related to genetic hypertension.

Ascorbic acid radical, superoxide, and hydroxyl radical are detected in reperfusion injury of rat liver using electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, we examined whether reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) are produced after reperfusion of isolated, perfused rat livers subjected to global ischemia (10, 30, 60, and 90 min of ischemia). A few drops of effluent (200 microliters) flowed from reperfused liver was mixed immediately with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO, final concentration 1 M), and ESR measurements were then performed. Immediately after reperfusion, a small amount of ascorbic acid radical and DMPO-OOH, which was formed by the reaction of superoxide with DMPO, was detected. The amount of ascorbic acid radical peaked immediately after reperfusion, but became hardly detectable at 6 min after reperfusion, irrespective of the period of ischemia. Six minutes after reperfusion, not only DMPO-OOH but also DMPO-OH, which was formed by the reaction of hydroxyl radical with DMPO, was detected. Thereafter, DMPO-OOH and DMPO-OH gradually declined and became hardly detectable at 40 min after reperfusion. In accordance with the duration of ischemia, the concentrations of DMPO-OOH and DMPO-OH were highest after 60 min of ischemia, and then after 30, 90, and 10 min of ischemia in decreasing order. These results directly demonstrate that the production of ROIs occurs at an early stage of reperfusion in ischemic liver and that the amount of ROI production is closely related to the duration of ischemia.

Metabolite-modulated complex formation between alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase

A modified Hummel-Dreyer equilibrium chromatography technique was used to test the hypothesis that NADH induces the molecular association of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alpha-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GDH). In the presence of a very limited NADH concentration, a unique elution profile with a new peak running immediately ahead of a trough at the free alpha-GDH elution position is obtained. The appearance of this peak-trough profile is physical evidence that reversible association between LDH and alpha-GDH occurs over a very limited range of free NADH concentrations. The association constant for this complex formation between LDH and alpha-GDH is estimated to be 2.0 microM-1. With the NADH concentration increased to saturation level, no evidence of binding is observed. Such concentration-dependent behavior suggests that the strong competition between LDH and alpha-GDH for the limited amount of NADH tends to promote the enzyme-enzyme contact in order to make the most efficient use of the shared metabolite. The experimental results described in this article make a convincing argument for a metabolite-modulated enzyme-enzyme interaction along this metabolic pathway.

Superoxide is involved in the pathogenesis of paraquat-induced injury in cultured rat liver slices

We examined whether superoxide is a factor responsible for paraquat-induced liver injury in terms of superoxide dismutase using cultured rat liver slices exposed to various concentrations of paraquat. The degree of liver injury was assessed by measurement of percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage into the medium and lipid hydroperoxides in the liver slices and by direct histopathological observation. Paraquat produced concentration- and time-related liver injury in the cultured rat liver slices. Notably, after exposure to 5 mmol/L paraquat, a significant increase of the percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage occurred from 4 hr (p less than 0.05 vs. control group), and this gradually increased up to 8 hr (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001 vs. control group at 6 and 8 hr, respectively). Changes in lipid hydroperoxides in the liver slices were similar to those in percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01 vs. control group at 6 and 8 hr, respectively). Liver injury was located around the central vein at 6 hr and gradually spread at 8 hr. Paraquat-induced liver injury was aggravated both biochemically and histopathologically by pretreatment with 5 mmol/L diethyldithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase activity (percentage of lactate dehydrogenase leakage: p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001 vs. paraquat group at 6 and 8 hr, respectively; lipid hydroperoxides: p less than 0.01 vs. paraquat group at 8 hr). Incubation of liver slices with liposome-encapsulated superoxide dismutase increased the augmentation of superoxide dismutase in the liver slices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)