Unraveling the potential of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides as an adjuvant of escitalopram in depression treatment and exploring the underlying mechanisms

ETHNOPHAMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides (MOs) is a mixture of oligosaccharides extracted from the roots of Morinda officinalis (MO). It is approved by Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for depression treatment. MOs could improve the antidepressant efficacy of escitalopram in clinic.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aim to explore the antidepressant activity and potential mechanism of the combination usage of MOs and escitalopram on animal model of depression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Depressive animal model was induced by chronic mild stress (CMS). Behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of MOs and escitalopram. Serum neurotransmitter levels were detected by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were applied to assay the hippocampus neurotrophic factors' mRNA and protein levels. Peripheral cytokines levels were measured through Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Micorglia polization phenotype was assayed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

MOs and escitalopram obviously attenuated depression-like behaviors of CMS mice. Importantly, MOs plus escitalopram exhibited better antidepressant activity on CMS mice than monotherapy. At the same time, MOs combined escitalopram treatment significantly increased hippocampus neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factor levels, stimulated hippocampus neurogenesis and relieved central nervous system (CNS) microglia over-activation of CMS mice. The combination therapy had greater effect on neuroprotection and inflammation attenuation of CMS mice than monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicates MOs combined escitalopram might produce antidepressant activity through protecting neuron activity, relieving inflammation and modulating microglia polarization process.

Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides mitigate chronic mild stress-induced inflammation and depression-like behaviour by deactivating the MyD88/PI3K pathway via E2F2

Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides (MOs) are natural herbal extracts that have been shown to exert antidepressant effects. However, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. Here, we explored the mechanism by which MOs improved experimental depression. Using a chronic mild stress (CMS) murine model, we examined whether MOs could protect against depressive-like behaviour. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and ATP-treated BV2 cells were used to examine the potential mechanism by which MOs mediate the inflammatory response. We found that MOs prevented the CMS-induced reduction in the sucrose preference ratio in the sucrose preference test (SPT) and shortened the immobility durations in both the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). We also noticed that MOs suppressed inflammatory effects by deactivating the MyD88/PI3K pathway via E2F2 in CMS mice or LPS- and ATP-stimulated BV2 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of E2F2 blunted the beneficial effects of MOs in vitro. Collectively, these data showed that MOs exerted antidepressant effects in CMS mice by targeting E2F2-mediated MyD88/PI3K signalling pathway.

Association between stereopsis deficits and attention decline in patients with major depressive disorder

Cognitive and sensory deficits were considered a core feature of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, few studies investigated stereopsis integrity in patients with MDD. Thus, the objectives of this study investigated stereopsis integrity and its correlations with cognitive function and depressive symptom in patients with MDD. 90 patients with MDD and 116 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. Their stereoacuity was evaluated using the Titmus Stereopsis Test as well as assessing their cognitive function and depressive symptom by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Log seconds of arc was significantly higher in patients than HCs (1.92 ± 0.41 versus 1.67 ± 0.16, t = 5.35, p < 0.0001). The percentage of patients with correct stereopsis detection was markedly declined in 400 (z = 3.06, p = 0.002), 200 (z = 3.84, p < 0.001), 140 (z = 4.73, p < 0.001), 100 (z = 4.58, p < 0.001), 80 (z = 5.06, p < 0.001), 60 (z = 4.72, p < 0.001), 50 (z = 4.24, p < 0.001), and 40 (z = 4.85, p < 0.001) seconds of arc compared with HCs. Log seconds of arc was significantly correlated with the RBANS total score (r = -0.38, p < 0.0001), subscores of attention (r = -0.49, p < 0.0001) and language (r = -0.33, p = 0.001) rather than HAMD score (r = 0.03, p = 0.78) in MDD patients. In addition, log seconds of arc was significantly related to the RBANS total score (r = -0.58, p < 0.0001) and language score (r = -0.45, p = 0.006) rather than attention score (r = -0.30, p = 0.07) in HCs. Further stepwise multivariate regression analyses showed the negative correlation of log seconds of arc with attention score (β = -0.80, t = -3.95, p < 0.0001) rather than HAMD score (β = -0.008, t = -0.09, p = 0.93) in MDD patients. However, there was no relationship between log seconds of arc and attention score in HCs (β = 1.52, t = 1.19, p = 0.24). Our results identified the marked deficits of stereopsis in MDD patients that were tightly correlated with their attention functioning rather than depressive symptom.

The role of lipoprotein profile in depression and cognitive performance: a network analysis

Lipid profile (total cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions) has been found to correlate with depression and cognitive impairment across the lifespan. However, the role of lipid levels in self-rated depressive state and cognitive impairment remains unclear. In this study, we examined the relationship between lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and cognition in adults with and without self-rated depression. Four hundred and thirty-eight healthy participants completed the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and a serum lipoprotein test. Using multivariate ANOVA, partial correlation and network analysis, a network linking lipoprotein profile, depressive state and cognition was constructed. A significant difference in serum lipid profile between the high and low depressive groups was detected. Depressive state had a strong negative correlation with cognitive performance. Of the lipid profile, only high-density lipoprotein was positively correlated with depressive symptom severity, whereas the other three indices showed negative correlation with both depressive state and cognitive performance. Our results suggest that serum lipid profile may be directly linked to self-rated depression and cognitive performance. Further studies recruiting larger clinical samples are needed to elucidate the specific effect of lipoprotein on cognitive impairment in mood disorder.

Few-Body Perspective of a Quantum Anomaly in Two-Dimensional Fermi Gases

A quantum anomaly manifests itself in the deviation of the breathing mode frequency from the scale invariant value of 2ω in two-dimensional harmonically trapped Fermi gases, where ω is the trapping frequency. Its recent experimental observation with cold atoms reveals an unexpected role played by the effective range of interactions, which requires a quantitative theoretical understanding. Here we provide accurate, benchmark results on a quantum anomaly from a few-body perspective. We consider the breathing mode of a few trapped interacting fermions in two dimensions up to six particles and present the mode frequency as a function of scattering length for a wide range of effective range. We show that the maximum quantum anomaly gradually reduces as the effective range increases while the maximum position shifts towards the weak-coupling limit. We extrapolate our few-body results to the many-body limit and find a good agreement with the experimental measurements. Our results may also be directly applicable to a few-fermion system prepared in microtraps and optical tweezers.

Cluster Formation in Two-Component Fermi Gases

Two-component fermions are known to behave like a gas of molecules in the limit of Bose-Einstein condensation of diatomic pairs tightly bound with zero-range interactions. We discover that the formation of cluster states occurs when the effective range of two-body interaction exceeds roughly 0.46 times the scattering length, regardless of the details of the short-range interaction. Using an explicitly correlated Gaussian basis set expansion approach, we calculate the binding energy of cluster states in trapped few-body systems and show the difference of structural properties between cluster states and gaslike states. We identify the condition for cluster formation and discuss the potential observation of cluster states in experiments.

[Aspirin inhibits cell stemness of esophageal cancer by downregulation of chemokine CCL2]

Objective: To investigate the effect of tumor-associated macrophages on the stemness of esophageal cancer cells and the potential mechanism of antiproliferative effects of aspirin (ASA). Methods: The effects of aspirin on the stemness characteristics of KYSE-450 cells and KYSE-450 cells co-cultured with M2 macrophages (KYSE-450+ M2) were performed using spheroid formation assay. After treatment with aspirin, the expression of different chemokines, the core pluripotency gene Nanog and the stem cell marker CD90 in different cell groups were determined by real-time quantitative PCR, flow cytometry and Western blot. Results: The number of spheres formed in the ASA and KYSE-450+ M2 cell groups were 7.00±1.23 and 34.33±2.33, respectively, showing statistically significant difference compared with that of control group (14.50±2.33, all P<0.05). The number of spheres in KYSE-450+ M2+ ASA cell group were 20.67±2.33, which was significantly lower than that of KYSE-450+ M2 group (P<0.05). The expression levels of Nanog gene in control and ASA groups were 1.00 and 0.50±0.10, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of Nanog gene in cells of KYSE-450+ M2 group and M2+ KYSE-450+ ASA group was 1.74±0.13 and 1.43±0.05, showing statistically significant difference (P<0.05). When chemokine CCL2 was knocked down, the levels of Nanog gene in M2+ shCCL2-KYSE450+ ASA group and M2+ shCCL2-KYSE450 group were decreased to 1.22±0.11 and 1.17±0.08, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between them (P=0.69). Flow cytometry analyses showed that the expression levels of CD90 in control and ASA cells were (2.93±0.52)% and (1.30±0.17)%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression levels of CD90 in M2+ shCCL2-KYSE450 cells and M2+ shCCL2-KYSE450+ ASA cells were (4.07±0.12)% and (4.73±0.38)%, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference (P=0.17). Conclusions: Tumor-associated macrophages enhances the stemness of esophageal cancer cells, whereas aspirin attenuates the stemness by suppressing the expression of CCL2. Aspirin plays an anti-tumor effect in esophageal cancer cells.

Laboratory studies of ultrasonic wave response of fractures with different lengths: Anisotropy characteristics and coda analysis

Ultrasonic wave propagation in a synthetic medium with different scale fractures is investigated through the physics modeling research. The experiment model consisting of two layers, the first layer is divided into four fractured blocks with a constant fracture density but different dimension and a block without fractures as the reference region. The velocity and reflected amplitude of wave derived from the wide azimuth data processing are anisotropic due to the fractured layer. Coda wave characteristics versus offset and azimuth are obviously different for varying fracture scales. The ratio of wavelength and fracture dimension is an important parameter in the wave-fracture interaction based on the multiple scattering theory. When the wavelength of the incident wave is close to the fracture length, the scattering is dominant in the shot records and the waves are slowed and attenuated largely for the reflections from the bottoms of fractured layer and base model. The physical modeling results demonstrate that it is possible to extract fracture dimension and orientation information by analyzing code and primary waves from the reflection data.

Multiple variants in 5q31.1 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility and subphenotypes in the Han Chinese population

BACKGROUND

A previous study provided evidence for a genetic association between PPP2CA on 5q31.1 and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) across multi-ancestral cohorts, but failed to find significant evidence for an association in the Han Chinese population.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the association between this locus and SLE using data from our previously published genome-wide association study (GWAS).

METHODS

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs7726414 and rs244689 (near TCF7 and PPP2CA in 5q31.1) were selected as candidate independent associations from a large-scale study in a Han Chinese population consisting of 1047 cases and 1205 controls. Subsequently, 3509 cases and 8246 controls were genotyped in two further replication studies. We then investigated the SNPs' associations with SLE subphenotypes and gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

RESULTS

Highly significant associations with SLE in the Han Chinese population were detected for SNPs rs7726414 and rs244689 by combining the genotype data from our previous GWAS and two independent replication cohorts. Further conditional analyses indicated that these two SNPs contribute to disease susceptibility independently. A significant association with SLE, age at diagnosis < 20 years, was found for rs7726414 (P = 0·001). The expression levels of TCF7 and PPP2CA messenger RNA in patients with SLE were significantly decreased compared with those in healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found evidence for multiple associations with SLE in 5q31.1 at genome-wide levels of significance for the first time in a Han Chinese population, in a combined genotype dataset. These findings suggest that variants in the 5q31.1 locus not only provide novel insights into the genetic architecture of SLE, but also contribute to the complex subphenotypes of SLE.

Single cell transcriptome profiling revealed differences in gene expression during oocyte maturation in Haimen white goats

Juvenile in vitro embryo transfer is an important animal reproductive technology that can shorten the generation interval of livestock, explore the reproductive potential of dams with excellent genetic traits, accelerate genetic progress and production efficiency of the herd, and provide a wealth of genetic resources for livestock breeding. However, oocytes from kids do not develop as well as those from female goats during in vitro maturation. To identify differences during different stages of oocyte maturation, we used single cell transcriptome sequencing to compare gene expression in mature oocytes from kids and female goats. We identified 1086 differentially expressed genes in mature oocytes from kids and female goats. Of these, we observed upregulated expression in 355 genes and downregulated expression in 435 genes. The differentially expressed genes were involved in a total of 245 different pathways; of which 30 were significant (P ≤ 0.05). We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to screen and verify the expression of five genes specifically involved in oocyte maturation (MOS, RPS6KA1, CPEB1, ANAPC13, and CDK1). Further study of these genes will be of great importance for improving the reproductive performance of Haimen white goats.

Genetic diversity and taxonomic status of Gymnocypris chilianensis based on the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene

In order to study the genetic diversity and taxonomic status of Gymnocypris chilianensis on a molecular level, the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene was sequenced for 74 individuals of G. chilianensis from two locations (Heihe River and Shule River) and 42 individuals of its affinis species Gymnocypris przewalskii. Analyses of genetic diversity and sequence differences were conducted for these samples, combined with the analysis of 30 homologous sequences of another affinis species Gymnocypris eckloni, which were downloaded from GenBank. The results showed that both the haplotype diversity (h = 0.9820) and nucleotide diversity (π= 0.0039) of the Shule River G. chilianensis were lower than the other populations, thus, the Shule River G. chilianensis should be prioritized for protection because of its lower genetic diversity level. The results of sequence analysis showed that the genetic distance between the Heihe River G. chilianensis population and the Shule River G. chilianensis population was 0.0064, and the genetic distance between these two populations and the G. przewalskii population was 0.0838 and 0.0810, respectively. The genetic distance between the two G. chilianensis populations and the G. eckloni population was 0.0805 and 0.0778, respectively. Analysis of sequence differences indicates that G. chilianensis is sufficiently diverged from G. przewalskii and G. eckloni to the extent that it has reached species level, thus, G. chilianensis can be considered an independent species of Gymnocypris.

Arsenic Trioxide Inhibits Cell Growth and Invasion via Down- Regulation of Skp2 in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been found to exert anti-cancer activity in various human malignancies. However, the molecular mechanisms by which ATO inhibits tumorigenesis are not fully elucidated. In the current study, we explored the molecular basis of ATO-mediated tumor growth inhibition in pancreatic cancer cells. We used multiple approaches such as MTT assay, wound healing assay, Transwell invasion assay, annexin V-FITC, cell cycle analysis, RT-PCR and Western blotting to achieve our goal. We found that ATO treatment effectively caused cell growth inhibition, suppressed clonogenic potential and induced G2-M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, we observed a significant down-regulation of Skp2 after treatment with ATO. Furthermore, we revealed that ATO regulated Skp2 downstream genes such as FOXO1 and p53. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of Skp2 could be a novel strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer by ATO.

Heritability of metabolic syndrome traits among healthy younger adults: a population based study in China

OBJECTIVE To estimate heritability of metabolic syndrome traits among healthy younger adults in a human population in China, and examine potential sex differences in heritability and parental effect on metabolic syndrome traits. METHODS Using offspring-parent regression, we estimated heritability (h(2)) of metabolic syndrome traits based on 452 child-parent triads identified from a population based random survey on metabolic syndrome among people over 15 years of age in Guangzhou, China. RESULTS Body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and waist circumference (waist-C) were more heritable (h(2), 0.42-0.545), whereas systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and triglycerides (TG) were less heritable (h(2), 0.14-0.28). Sons had pronounced increases in heritability for all traits over daughters, particularly for cholesterol (0.653 vs 0.356), FPG (0.602 vs 0.313), LDL-C (0.521 vs 0.329), and TG (0.395 vs 0.187). Offspring-mother seemed to have a higher heritability in every trait except FPG (0.67 vs 0.794) than offspring-father, most notably for DBP (0.308 vs 0.122), SBP (0.288 vs 0.146), TG (0.387 vs 0.239) and waist-C (0.581 vs 0.354). CONCLUSION We estimated the heritability of metabolic syndrome traits in a human population based on a unique population based offspring-parent sample from China, and found important evidence that the maternal and paternal effects on these traits are different and the sex difference in heritability is pronounced.

Spatiotemporal evolution of Poiseuille-Rayleigh-Bénard flows in binary fluids with Soret effect under initial pulselike disturbances

The spatiotemporal evolution of Poiseuille-Rayleigh-Bénard flows in binary fluids with Soret effect is investigated by carrying out fully nonlinear two-dimensional numerical simulations initiated by a pulselike disturbance. The traveling wave packets for positive as well as negative separation factors psi are obtained numerically for ethanol-water-like mixtures (Prandtl number Pr=10 , Lewis number Le=0.01) and selected combinations of Rayleigh and Reynolds numbers at psi=0.01, 0.1 and psi=-0.1. The characteristics of the wave fronts and the transitions observed between absolute and convective instabilities when changing the parameters are compared with the results previously obtained by linear spatiotemporal stability analysis. The simulations are in very good agreement with the stability results, which confirms the validity of both approaches. Finally, in order to characterize the possible interaction between the two wave packets of the so-called downstream and upstream modes for psi<0, the spatiotemporal stability analysis is used to detect a boundary curve in the (Re, Ra) parameter region beyond which the two wave packets will never completely separate. Numerical simulations illustrate the different evolutions of the wave packets on both sides of this boundary.

Linear temporal and spatiotemporal stability analysis of two-layer falling films with density stratification

A detailed temporal and spatiotemporal stability analysis of two-layer falling films with density and viscosity stratification is performed by using the Chebyshev collocation method to solve the full system of linear stability equations. From the neutral curves Re(k) for the surface mode and the interface mode of instability, obtained for different density ratios gamma of the upper layer to the lower layer, it is found that smaller density ratios make the surface mode and the short-wave interface mode much more stable, and can even make the short-wave interfacial instability disappear. Moreover, through the study of the local growth rates of the spatiotemporal instability as a function of the ray velocity V , it is found that for not too small incline angles like theta=0.2, the two-layer flow is always convectively unstable, and there is a transition between long- and short-wave instabilities which is determined by the Briggs-Bers collision criterion. Due to the existence of the absolute Rayleigh-Taylor instability for gamma>0 and theta=0, a transition from convective to absolute instability can be detected at small incline angles, and the corresponding boundary curves are plotted for different Reynolds numbers, viscosity ratios, and incline angles. It is found that there exists a limit Reynolds number above which the two-layer film flow can only be convectively unstable for a fixed small incline angle. The spatial amplification properties of the convective waves are finally presented for both surface and interface modes.

Significance of portal hemodynamic investigation in prediction of hepatic functional reserve in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing operative treatment

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To evaluate clinical significance of portal hemodynamic investigation in prediction of hepatic functional reserve in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing operative treatment.

METHODOLOGY

By using the color Doppler velocity profile technique, preoperative portal hemodynamic status was assessed in 29 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated surgically, including 15 segmentectomies, 6 hemihepatectomies and 8 transarterial chemoembolizations. Forty-six normal volunteers were taken as control. Comparison of preoperative portal hemodynamics between patients recovering from operation smoothly (tolerant subgroup) and those with major complications or death (intolerant subgroup) was done, and discriminant analysis was employed to identify the cut-off value for significant parameters that maximally separate the tolerant subgroup from the intolerant subgroup.

RESULTS

In the portal trunk, CSVmax (maximum cross-sectional mean velocity) was significantly lower in the hepatocellular carcinoma group compared with the normal group (P < 0.01); flow volume was not obviously different between the two groups; congestion index was markedly higher in the hepatocellular carcinoma group than that of the normal group (P < 0.05). In the splenic vein, CSVmax and congestion index was not obviously different between the hepatocellular carcinoma and the normal groups; flow volume was significantly higher in the hepatocellular carcinoma group than that of the normal group (P < 0.05). In the hepatocellular carcinomas, twenty-three patients recovered smoothly from the operation and the remaining 6 had severe complications or death. Tolerant subgroup had a significantly higher preoperative CSVmax and flow volume and lower congestion index of the portal trunk compared with the intolerant subgroup (all P < 0.01). Discriminant analysis revealed that portal trunk CSVmax > 13.50 cm/s and flow volume > 12.13 mL/min/kg could predict tolerance for surgery, with an accuracy of 82.7% and 89.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that preoperative portal hemodynamic status in hepatocellular carcinomas had a close correlation with hepatic functional reserve, and CSVmax and flow volume of portal trunk might become valuable predictive parameters.

Inverse regulation of cyclin B1 by c-Myc and p53 and induction of tetraploidy by cyclin B1 overexpression

We have shown previously that mitotic spindle inhibitors allow the c-Myconcoprotein to uncouple mitosis from DNA synthesis, resulting in the acquisition of tetraploidy. This can also occur in the absence of spindle inhibition if c-Myc deregulation is combined with inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor. Under these conditions, cyclin B1 protein is induced but retains its normal cell cycle regulation. We now show that the cyclin B1 promoter is directly but oppositely regulated by c-Myc and p53. Enforced expression of cyclin B1 also induces tetraploidy, either after mitotic spindle inhibition or in the absence of such inhibition if cyclin B1 is coexpressed with c-Myc. Cyclin B1 represents a new class of c-Myc target genes that is also regulated by p53. It is also the first identified downstream effector of c-Myc able to produce the chromosomal instability that characterizes virtually all tumor cells.

Mmip-2/Rnf-17 enhances c-Myc function and regulates some target genes in common with glucocorticoid hormones

Members of the Mad family of basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper proteins inhibit the transcriptional activity of the c-Myc oncoprotein. Mmip-2/Rnf-17 is a RING-finger protein that interacts with all four known Mad proteins, redistributes them to the cytoplasm, and thus enhances c-Myc function. We generated cell lines in which Mmip-2/Rnf-17 was rendered glucocorticoid (GC)-inducible. Stable expression of Mmip-/Rnf-17 resulted in the expected transport of the most abundant endogenous mad protein, Mxi1, to the cytoplasm. Compensatory increases in Mxi1 and Mad3 transcripts, similar to those previously described in Mad1 null hematopoietic cells, were also seen. Mmip-2/Rnf-17 also sensitized cells to several different pro-apoptotic stimuli and regulated a subset of c-Myc target genes. Unexpectedly, some of these genes were also found to be modulated solely by GCs. Thus, the inhibition of Mad proteins by Mmip-2/Rnf-17 modulates c-Myc function by enhancing its ability to regulate a subset of its potential target genes. Our results also identify a previously unrecognized overlap between genes regulated by c-Myc- and GCs and provide a potential molecular basis for their regulation of common cellular functions.

Intraoperative liver ultrasound: the Chinese experience

This article introduces the experience in intraoperative liver ultrasound in China. Intraoperative liver ultrasound was mainly used in patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatolithiasis, with purposes for further diagnosis and decision making and guidance of surgical procedures. With respect to detection of liver tumors, intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) was significantly more sensitive, especially in small foci, as compared with preoperative ultrasound and computed tomography scanning, as well as intraoperative inspection and palpation. It was also more precise in localizing lesions than preoperative imaging investigations. Intraoperative echoangiography via hepatic arterial injection of carbon dioxide was shown not only to help assess position of catheter and vascularity of tumors but also to improve sensitivity in detecting small tumor foci in patients undergoing hepatic arterial chemoembolization. Intraoperative ultrasound was also used to guide hepatectomies. It ensured to obtain curative resection of the tumors and maximum preservation of functioning hepatic parenchyma simultaneously. For hepatolithiasis, IOUS offered accurate localization of stones, lithotomy (with its guidance), reduction of the rate of residual stones, and follow-up of the outcome of lithotomy.

Color Doppler velocity profile assessment of portal hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension: correlation with esophageal variceal bleeding

PURPOSE

Using the color Doppler velocity profile (CDVP), we investigated portal hemodynamics and their relationship with esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

METHODS

The hemodynamics of the portal trunk, right anterior portal branch, and splenic vein were evaluated in 69 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension and 46 healthy volunteers. The CDVP, a recently developed Doppler software, was used to measure blood flow velocity and flow volume; evaluate the spatial distribution of flow velocities in the cross-section of a vessel (velocity profile), as reflected by the profile parameter (n); and assess changes in flow volume over time (flow profile). The congestion index was calculated by dividing the cross-sectional area by the maximum cross-sectional velocity (CSVmax). The hemodynamic features were compared between patients without a history of EVB [EVB(-)] and those with a history of EVB [EVB(+)], and a logistic regression model was employed to identify factors associated with EVB.

RESULTS

Compared with the healthy group, the cirrhotic group had a significantly lower mean CSVmax in the portal trunk and right anterior portal branch (both p < 0.01), a significantly elevated mean flow volume in the splenic vein and portal trunk (both p < 0.01), a significantly elevated mean ratio of splenic vein flow volume to portal trunk flow volume (SV/PT) (p < 0.001), and a significantly greater mean congestion index in the portal trunk, right anterior portal branch, and splenic vein (all p < 0.01). In the cirrhotic group, there was a significantly higher incidence of a flat flow pattern in the right anterior portal branch and a phasic flow pattern in the splenic vein than in the healthy group (both p < 0.01). Among cirrhotic patients, the EVB(+) group had a significantly greater mean flow volume in the splenic vein (p < 0.01), greater mean SV/PT (p < 0.01), greater mean spleen size (p < 0.05), and lower mean portal trunk n value (p < 0.05) compared with the EVB(-) group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the SV/PT and portal trunk n value were independent EVB-related factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that portal hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients are characterized by passive congestion and increased blood flow. However, these 2 features had different preponderances in different parts of the portal venous system. Increased flow in the splenic vein may be the primary source of increased portal flow and may play a role in the development of EVB. The SV/PT and portal trunk n value may be valuable factors for predicting EVB.

Effects of hepatic blood inflow occlusion on liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy in an experimental model of cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Hepatic blood inflow occlusion during hepatectomy may influence postoperative liver regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of hepatic blood inflow occlusion on liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy in thioacetamide-induced cirrhotic rats.

METHODS

Forty-three cirrhotic Wistar-Furth rats were randomly assigned to three groups. Rats in group 1 underwent 64 per cent hepatectomy alone, those in group 2 were subjected to 15 min hepatic blood inflow occlusion followed by 64 per cent hepatectomy, and animals in group 3 were subjected to 30 min inflow occlusion followed by 64 per cent hepatectomy. Liver function, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling index and percentage of initial liver weight on days 1, 2 and 7 posthepatectomy were assessed.

RESULTS

Rats in groups 1 and 2 had a significantly higher serum albumin level and a markedly lower alanine aminotransferase level than animals in group 3 on day 1 posthepatectomy (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum level of total bilirubin of the three groups on days 1, 2 and 7. The BrdU labelling index was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 animals on day 1 posthepatectomy (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively). Percentages of initial liver weight were similar in groups 1, 2 and 3 on days 1, 2 and 7 after hepatectomy.

CONCLUSION

Hepatic blood inflow occlusion for up to 30 min suppressed DNA synthesis and hepatocyte proliferation at an early posthepatectomy stage and consequently delayed recovery of liver function in cirrhotic rats. However, it did not affect restoration of liver mass or survival after 64 per cent hepatectomy.

Mmip-2, a novel RING finger protein that interacts with mad members of the Myc oncoprotein network

Mad proteins are basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-ZIP)-containing members of the myc oncoprotein network. They interact with the bHLH-ZIP protein max, compete for the same DNA binding sites as myc-max heterodimers and down-regulate myc-responsive genes. Using the bHLH-ZIP domain of mad1 as a yeast two-hybrid 'bait', we identified Mmip-2, a novel RING finger protein that interacts with all mad members, but weakly or not at all with c-myc, max or unrelated bHLH or bZIP proteins. The mad1-Mmip-2 interaction is mediated by the ZIP domain in the former protein and by at least two regions in the latter which do not include the RING finger. Mmip-2 can disrupt max-mad DNA binding and can reverse the suppressive effects of mad proteins on c-myc-responsive target genes and on c-myc + ras-mediated focus formation in fibroblasts. Tagging with spectral variants of green fluorescent protein showed that Mmip-2 and mad proteins reside in separate cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments, respectively. When co-expressed, however, the proteins interact and translocate to the cellular compartment occupied by the more abundant protein. These observations suggest a novel way by which Mmip-2 can modulate the transcriptional activity of myc oncoproteins.

Quantitative assessment of power Doppler mapping in the detection of renal allograft complications

PURPOSE

We evaluated the usefulness of power Doppler (PD) imaging with a quantitative parameter in the identification of renal transplant complications.

METHODS

One hundred eight transplanted kidneys were subjected to PD examinations. The blood flow area ratio (BFAR), defined as the percentage of the area of color pixels within a given cross-sectional area placed over a region of a transplanted kidney, was measured using built-in color histogram software and used as a quantitative parameter for evaluating the status of allograft blood perfusion. The mean BFARs in the normal, acute rejection (AR), acute tubular necrosis (ATN), chronic rejection (CR), and cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) groups were compared.

RESULTS

The BFAR in the normal group tended to decrease gradually with the time interval since transplantation, but the mean value, 0.68+/-0.08, was significantly higher than that in the complication groups: AR, 0.43+/-0.18; ATN, 0.43+/-0.14; CR, 0.15+/-0.14; and CMV, 0.36+/-0.10 (p < 0.01 for all). When a BFAR of 0.60 or greater was used as the diagnostic criterion for normal allografts, a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of more than 90% could be achieved in the diagnosis of complications. However, owing to overlapping BFARs among the complication groups, the BFAR alone had a limited ability to differentiate the types of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Although PD imaging has some limitations in identifying the nature of renal allograft complications, the use of the quantitative parameter BFAR in the PD assessment of renal allografts may be useful in detecting complications. Further studies are needed to explore the BFAR's clinical value.

C-myc overexpression and p53 loss cooperate to promote genomic instability

p53 monitors genomic integrity at the G1 and G2/M cell cycle checkpoints. Cells lacking p53 may show gene amplification as well as the polyploidy or aneuploidy typical of many tumors. The pathways through which this develops, however, are not well defined. We demonstrate here that the combination of p53 inactivation and c-myc overexpression in diploid cells markedly accelerates the spontaneous development of tetraploidy. This is not seen with either N-myc or L-myc. Tetraploidy is accompanied by significantly higher levels of cyclin B and its associated cdc2 kinase activity. Mitotic spindle poisons accelerate the appearance of tetraploidy in cells either lacking functional p53 or overexpressing c-myc whereas the combination is additive. Restoration of p53 function in cells overexpressing c-myc causing rapid apoptosis, indicating that cells yet to become tetraploid have nonetheless suffered irreversible genomic and/or mitotic spindle damage. In the face of normal p53 function, such damage would either be repaired or trigger apoptotis. We propose that loss of p53 and overexpression of c-myc permits the emergence and survival of cells with increasingly severe damage and the eventual development of tetraploidy.

Abnormalities in the p53 gene in tumors and cell lines of human squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and neck

Abnormalities in the p53 gene were studied in a series of cell lines of human squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and in tumor tissues. Restriction-fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP), quantitative hybridization and immunochemical analysis of mutant p53 proteins were combined to detect and characterize 3 different phases in the p53 gene alteration: mutation (in 9/9 cases), 17p13 deletion (9/10 cases) and amplification of the non-deleted allele (9/31 cases). In SCCHN, deletion of the p53 gene was nearly always accompanied by mutation, only one cell line studied having mutation without deletion. Alterations in the p53 gene are common in SCCHN, and involve a series of genetic events which occur in sequence during tumor progression.

Ontogenic Expression of Somatostatin-Messenger RNA in the Intestinal Tract of Neonatal Rats

Ontogenic expression of somatostatin (SRIF) -messenger RNA (mRNA) in the gastrointestinal tract was examined in neonatal rats aged from 1 day preterm to 60 days postpartum in comparison with that in the hypothalamus. SRIF-mRNA in the hypothalamus was already expressed in prenatal rats and its developmental change was relatively small. In contrast, a unique pattern of SRIF-mRNA expression was seen in the different intestinal regions, gastric antrum, duodenum, jejunum and colon. In the duodenum, SRIF-mRNA level was low at birth, markedly increased during the postnatal 3 days and declined to the previous level by day 21. Jejunal SRIF-mRNA was found in neonates but progressively decreased in a similar way to duodenum. On the contrary, gastric SRIF-mRNA level, which was low during early development, rose rapidly to a peak on day 21 and gradually declined to an adult level. In the colon age-related change was not conspicuous, remaining at a low level. These results indicate that (1) expression of SRIF gene in the intestinal tract is regulated by local factor(s) as well as developmental stage, and (2) shift of SRIF-mRNA pattern occurs during weaning from the duodenum-dominant infantile pattern to the gastric-dominant adult pattern.

Gene amplification and gene dosage in cell lines derived from squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Gene amplification and related alterations in gene dosage were analyzed in a series of 34 cell lines derived from different human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCCHN). INT2 gene amplification was observed in 62%, MYC gene amplification in 24%, and EGFR gene amplification in 21% of the cell lines. There was a strong correlation between EGFR gene amplification and increased copies of the ERBB2 gene on chromosome 17, suggesting a synergistic selection for these two genes either during cancer progression or in culture. Two abnormalities showed a significant correlation with clinical course: MYC gene amplification showed an inverse correlation with tumor recurrence (r = -0.44, p = 0.01), and a small increase in MYCL gene copies on chromosome I correlated with the presence of metastases (r = 0.61, p = 0.001). This altered MYCL gene dosage might represent a chromosome translocation rather than true gene amplification. In addition to gene amplification, 79% of the cell lines had increased copies of chromosome 8. Comparison of the cell lines with several of the corresponding primary tumors demonstrated that most gene amplifications were already present in the primary tumors, although some appeared de novo in cell culture. These studies indicate that gene amplification, especially of INT2, is a prominent abnormality in head and neck squamous cell cancer. Aneuploidy and chromosomal lesions other than gene amplification were also found to alter the dosage of several oncogenes specifically.