[A case of crizotinib-associated renal cysts]

Crizotinib-associated renal cysts (CARC) are the development of new renal cysts or pre-existing renal cysts after the treatment with crizotinib. Most CARC disappear after crizotinib is stopped. A few CARC showed aggressive behavior that could go beyond the invasion of the renal cortex into nearby structures, including perirenal space, psoas major muscle, intestine, and abdominal wall. A case of EML4-ALK fusion mutation in invasive lung adenocarcinoma has been reported. Multiple cystic changes occurred repeatedly in both kidneys, right rectus muscle, and psoas major muscle after treatment with crizotinib, and spontaneous absorption and resolution after discontinuation of the drug.

Enhanced Phosphorescence of Carbon Nanodots via Double Confinement for 3D Artworks with Long Emission Lifetimes

Phosphorescent materials as block elements to build artwork incorporating the time and emission, enable them with spectacular lighting effects. In this work, enhanced phosphorescence of carbon nanodots (CNDs) is demonstrated via double confinement strategy, which silica and epoxy resin are used as the first and the second order confinement layer. The multi-confined CNDs show an enhanced phosphorescence quantum yield up to 16.4%, with enduring emission lifetime up to 1.44 s. Delicately, the plasticity of the epoxy resin enables them easily to be designed for 3D artworks with long emission lifetimes in different shapes. The efficient and eco-friendly phosphorescent CNDs may arouse intense interest both in the academic community and markets.

Paper-Fiber-Activated Triplet Excitons of Carbon Nanodots for Time-Resolved Anti-counterfeiting Signature with Artificial Intelligence Authentication

The easy-to-imitate character of a personal signature may cause significant economy loss due to the lack of speed and strength information. In this work, we report a time-resolved anti-counterfeiting signature strategy with artificial intelligence (AI) authentication based on the designed luminescent carbon nanodot (CND) ink, whose triplet excitons can be activated by the bonding between the paper fibers and the CNDs. Paper fibers can bond with the CNDs through multiple hydrogen bonds, and the activated triplet excitons release photons for about 13 s; thus, the speed and strength of the signature are recorded through recording the changes in luminescence intensity over time. The background noise from commercial paper fluorescence is completely suppressed, benefiting from the long phosphorescence lifetime of the CNDs. In addition, a reliable AI authentication method with quick response based on a convolutional neural network is developed, and 100% identification accuracy of the signature based on the CND ink is achieved, which is higher than that of the signature with commercial ink (78%). This strategy can also be expanded for painting, calligraphy identification.

[Comparison of maternal-fetal outcomes between laparoscopic cervicoisthmic cerclage and McDonald cerclage in women with cervical insufficiency]

Objective: To compare the maternal and fetal outcomes of women with cervical insufficiency (CI) undergoing McDonald cerclage (MC) and laparoscopic cervicoisthmic cerclage (LCC), so as to provide evidence for the selection of cerclage methods. Methods: A retrospective trial was carried out in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2010 to December 2020. A total of 221 women who underwent the prophylactic cerclage were divided into MC group (n=54), LCC with MC history group (n=28) and LCC without MC history group (n=129) by the mode of operation and whether the pregnant women who underwent LCC had MC history. General clinical data, pregnancy complications and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the three groups. Results: (1) General clinical data: the proportion of women accepted cervical cerclage during pregnancy in MC group, LCC with MC history group and LCC without MC history group were 100.0% (54/54), 7.1% (2/28) and 27.1% (35/129), respectively (P<0.001). The indications of the three groups showed statistical significance (P=0.003), and the main indication was the history of abortion in the second and third trimester [75.9% (41/54) vs 89.3% (25/28) vs 84.5% (109/129)]. (2) Pregnancy complications: the incidence of abnormal fetal position [7.8% (4/51) vs 17.4% (4/23) vs 19.8% (24/121)], placenta accrete [5.9% (3/51) vs 13.0% (3/23) vs 11.6% (14/121)], uterine rupture [0 vs 4.3% (1/23) vs 5.8% (7/121)] in the MC group were all lower than those in LCC with MC history and LCC without MC history groups. However, there were no statistical significances (all P>0.05). Intrauterine inflammation or chorioamnionitis [15.7% (8/51) vs 0 vs 0.8% (1/121)] and premature rupture of membrane [23.5% (12/51) vs 4.3% (1/23) vs 0] were both significantly higher in MC group than those in LCC with MC history and LCC without MC history groups (all P<0.001). (3) Pregnancy outcomes: the cesarean section rate was significantly lower in MC group (41.2%, 21/51) than that in LCC with MC history group (100.0%, 23/23) and LCC without MC history group (100.0%, 121/121; P<0.001). MC group was associated with lower expenditure than LCC with MC history and LCC without MC history groups (12 169 vs 26 438 vs 27 783 yuan, P<0.001). The success rates of live birth cerclage did not differ significantly in MC (94.4%, 51/54), LCC with MC history (82.1%, 23/28) and LCC without MC history (93.8%, 121/129) groups (χ²=5.649, P=0.059). There was no significant difference in neonatal intensive care unit occupancy, neonatal birth weight and neonatal asphyxia between the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Both LCC and MC are the treatment choice for women with CI, which may get similar liver birth. However, MC has the advantages of low cesarean section rate, economical and easy operation. Therefore, MC is recommended as the first choice for CI patients, and LCC is for women with failed MC.

[The success rate of His-Purkinje system pacing in patients with various sites of atrioventricular block]

Objective: To evaluate the success rate of His-Purkinje system pacing (HPSP) in patients with various sites of atrioventricular block (AVB) and provide clinical evidence for the selection of HPSP in patients with AVB. Methods: This is a retrospective case analysis. 637 patients with AVB who underwent permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation and requiring high proportion of ventricular pacing from March 2016 to September 2021 in the Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were enrolled. The site of AVB was determined by electrophysiological examination. His bundle pacing (HBP) was performed in the first 130 patients (20.4%) who were classified as the HBP group and HPSP included HBP and/or left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) was performed in later 507 patients (79.6%) and these patients were classified as the HPSP group. The basic clinical information such as age and sex of the two groups was compared, and the success rates of HBP or HPSP in patients with different sites of AVB and QRS intervals were analyzed. Results: The age of HBP group was (66.4±15.9) years with 75 males (57.7%). The age of HPSP group was (66.8±13.6) years with 288 (56.8%) males. Among 637 patients, 63.0% (401/637) had atrioventricular node block; 22.9% (146/637) had intra-His block; 14.1% (90/637) had distal or inferior His bundle block. Totally, the success rate of HPSP was higher than that of HBP [93.9% (476/507) vs. 86.9% (113/130), P<0.05]. In each group of patients with various AVB sites, the success rate of HPSP was higher than that of HBP respectively and both success rates of HBP and HPSP showed a declining trend with the distant AVB site. The success rate of HBP in patients with atrioventricular node block and intra-His block was higher than that in patients with distal or inferior His bundle block [95.2% (79/83) vs. 47.1% (8/17), P<0.001; 86.7% (26/30) vs. 47.1% (8/17), P=0.010]. The success rate of HPSP was higher than that of HBP in patients with distal or inferior His bundle block [87.7% (64/73) vs 47.1% (8/17), P=0.001]. In patients with QRS<120 ms, 94.9% (520/548) of AVB sites were in atrioventricular node or intra-His, and HBP had a similar high success rate with HPSP [95.6% (109/114) vs. 96.3% (418/434), P=0.943] in these patients. In patients with QRS ≥ 120 ms, 69.7% (62/89) of AVB sites were at distal or inferior His bundle, and the success rate of HBP was only 25.0% (4/16), while the success rate of HPSP was as high as 79.5% (58/73), P<0.001. Conclusions: In patients with QRS<120 ms and atrioventricular node block or intra-His block, success rates of HBP and HPSP are similarly high and HBP might be considered as the first choice. In patients with QRS ≥ 120 ms and AVB site at distal or inferior His bundle, the success rate of HPSP is higher than that of HBP, suggesting LBBP should be considered as the first-line treatment option.

Brighten Triplet Excitons of Carbon Nanodots for Multicolor Phosphorescence Films

Triplet excitons usually do not emit light under ambient conditions due to the spin-forbidden transition rule, thus they are called dark excitons. Herein, triplet excitons in carbon nanodots (CNDs) are brightened by embedding the CNDs into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films; flexible multicolor phosphorescence films are thus demonstrated. PVA chains can isolate the CNDs, and excited state electron or energy transfer induced triplet exciton quenching is thus reduced; while the formed hydrogen bonds between the CNDs and PVA can restrict vibration/rotation of the CNDs, thus further protecting the triplet excitons from nonradiative recombination. The lifetimes of the flexible multicolor phosphorescence films can reach 567, 1387, 726, and 311 ms, and the longest-lasting phosphorescence film can be observed by naked eyes for nearly 15 s even after bending 5000 times. The phosphorescence films can be processed into various patterns, and a dynamic optical signature concept has been proposed and demonstrated based on the phosphorescence films.

Ultraviolet phosphorescent carbon nanodots

Phosphorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) have generated enormous interest recently, and the CND phosphorescence is usually located in the visible region, while ultraviolet (UV) phosphorescent CNDs have not been reported thus far. Herein, the UV phosphorescence of CNDs was achieved by decreasing conjugation size and in-situ spatial confinement in a NaCNO crystal. The electron transition from the p_x to the sp² orbit of the N atoms within the CNDs can generate one-unit orbital angular momentum, providing a driving force for the triplet excitons population of the CNDs. The confinement caused by the NaCNO crystal reduces the energy dissipation paths of the generated triplet excitons. By further tailoring the size of the CNDs, the phosphorescence wavelength can be tuned to 348 nm, and the room temperature lifetime of the CNDs can reach 15.8 ms. As a demonstration, the UV phosphorescent CNDs were used for inactivating gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria through the emission of their high-energy photons over a long duration, and the resulting antibacterial efficiency reached over 99.9%. This work provides a rational design strategy for UV phosphorescent CNDs and demonstrates their novel antibacterial applications.

[Application of indocyanine green fluorescence visualization in surgical resection of abdominal wall endometriosis]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of indocyanine green (ICG) navigation in the surgical resection of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE). Methods: Seven women undergoing surgery for AWE in First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (from July 1, 2021 to October 1, 2021) were collected. After exposure of the focus, ICG were used intravenously (0.25 mg/kg) as fluorescent dye for the intraoperative evaluation of AWE vascularization. Resection of the AWE was guided by direct visualization of the focus under standard laparoscopy with a near-infrared (NIR) camera head. Surgical margin around the AWE (3, 6, 9 and 12 point) and the margin under the focus were obtained for postoperative pathological examination of endometriosis. Time from injection to fluorescence visualization, the proportion of fluorescence visualization, time of fully resection of AWE, side effects related to the use of ICG, perioperative complications as well as the pathological result of the surgical margins were recorded. Results: ICG fluorescence of the AWE were seen in 5 patients (5/7). The mean time from injection to fluorescence visualization was (46.7±9.8) s. The mean time of fully resection of AWE was (16.4±7.0) minutes. There were no side effects related to the use of ICG. The rate of class-A wound healing was 7/7. All of the surgical margins were confirmed endometriosis-negative by postoperative pathological examination. Conclusion: ICG fluorescence visualization could conduct accurate resection of AWE, which is clinically safe and effective.

Phosphorescent Carbon-Nanodots-Assisted Förster Resonant Energy Transfer for Achieving Red Afterglow in an Aqueous Solution

Water-soluble red afterglow imaging agents based on ecofriendly nanomaterials have potential application in time-gated afterglow bioimaging due to their larger penetration depth and nondurable excitation. Herein, red afterglow imaging agents consisted of Rhodamine B (RhB) and carbon nanodots (CNDs) have been designed and demonstrated. In these agents, CNDs act as energy donors, and RhB acts as an energy acceptor. Both of them are confined into a hydrophilic silica shell to form a CNDs-RhB@silica nanocomposite. The phosphorescence emission spectrum of the CNDs and the absorption spectrum of the RhB match well, and efficient energy transfer from the CNDs to the RhB via Förster resonant energy transfer process can be achieved, with a transfer efficiency can reach 99.2%. Thus, the as-prepared nanocomposite can emit a red afterglow in aqueous solution, and the afterglow spectrum of CNDs-RhB@silica nanocomposite can extend to the first near-infrared window (NIR-I). The luminescence lifetime and afterglow quantum yield (QY) of the CNDs-RhB@silica can reach 0.91 s and 3.56%, respectively, which are the best results in red afterglow region. Time-gated in vivo afterglow imaging has been demonstrated by using the CNDs-RhB@silica as afterglow agents.

Ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on europium-grafted ZnO quantum dots for visual and colorimetric detection of tetracycline

An europium functionalized ZnO quantum dots (QDs) ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe is designed to establish a real time, on-site visual, and highly sensitive probe method for tetracycline (TC). The yellow-emitting ZnO QDs serves as the internal reference, while the Eu³⁺ chelated on the surface of ZnO QDs is used as the signal reporting unit. This nanoprobe exhibits rapid response, excellent selectivity, and high sensitivity with a detection limit of 4 nM in detecting the levels of TC. In addition, fluorescence of the nanoprobe can change from yellow to red as the concentration of TC increases. Thus, naked eye detection of TC was realized using the test paper processed by nanoprobe, followed by RGB value analysis function on the mobile phone APP.

[Application and efficacy of the adjustment on left ventricular electrical delay and the distance between right and left ventricular pacing polar in optimizing the left ventricular pacing polar]

Objective: To investigate the application and efficacy of left ventricular (LV) electrical delay (LVED) and the distance of right ventricular(RV) pacing polar to LV(DRLV) in optimizing LV pacing polar. Methods: Heart failure (HF) patients who implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device with a LV quadripolar lead from January 2014 to January 2018 at General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were enrolled in the study. Measurements of LVED and DRLV of each polar of the lead were performed in patients with HF who underwent CRT with LV quadripolar lead. The principle in turn for polar selecting used for clinical LV pacing was the pacing polar: (1)without phrenic nerve stimulation(PNS); (2)with appropriate capture threshold; (3)not located in apical; (4)with maximal LVED; (5)with maximal DRLV. The LV pacing polar was selected for CRT according to the procedure. The distribution of target veins implanted with LV quadripolar lead were calculated. The percentage of biventricular pacing at 6-month follow-up was recorded. The following indexes were compared before and 6-month after surgery, including QRS duration, LV end-systolic volume(LVESV), LV ejection fraction(LVEF), LV end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD), 6 minute walking distance(6MWD), New York Heart Association(NYHA) class. The efficacy and echocardiographic efficacy of CRT was evaluated. Results: There were twenty-nine HF patients enrolled. The mean age of enrolled patients was(61.7±7.6)years old, nineteen (66%)of them were male. There were seventeen(59%) patients diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy and twelve(41%) patients as ischemic cardiomyopathy. All patients were successfully implanted with LV quadripolar lead into target veins, and all four pacing sites were also in target veins. Target veins were located in lateral veins in 15 patients (52%), anterior veins in 2 patients (7%), posterior veins in 11 patients (38%), and lateral branches of great cardiac veins in 1 patient (3%). After 6-month of follow-up, the percentage of biventricular pacing was greater than 95%.There were nineteen(66%) patients optimized LV pacing polar by the largest LVED and four (14%) patients by the DRLV. Of the 29 patients, 5(17%) patients used D1 as the pacing polar, 5(17%) patients used M2 as the pacing polar, 7(24%) patients used M3 as the pacing polar, and 12(41%) patients used P4 as the pacing polar. The pacing polars (D1, M2) of traditional bipolar lead were used in 10(34%) patients, and the LV quadripolar lead specific pacing polars (M3, P4) were used in 19(66%) patients.Compared to a LV quadripolar lead, the LV pacing polar (M3, P4) selected in 19(66%) patients were not achievable with the traditional LV bipolar lead (D1, M2). Preoperative QRS duration, LVESV, LVEF, LVEDD, 6MWD and NYHA class were (171±24)ms, (231±79)ml, (28±5)%, (74±11)mm, (294±103)m, (3.2±1.0)class and the postoperative 6-month were (130±12)ms, (158±73)ml, (36±10)%, (66±12)mm, (371±86)m, (1.9±0.5)class. These indexes were significantly improved after 6 months operation(P<0.001). 97% and 83% patients were responders of CRT as assessed by 6-month efficacy and echocardiographic efficacy. Conclusion: The maximal LVED and DRLV can be used to select LV pacing polar with a high rate of CRT response rate.

Water-induced MAPbBr3@PbBr(OH) with enhanced luminescence and stability

Poor stability has long been one of the key issues that hinder the practical applications of lead-based halide perovskites. In this paper, the photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) of bromide-based perovskites can be increased from 2.5% to 71.54% by introducing water, and the PL QY of a sample in aqueous solution decreases minimally over 1 year. The enhanced stability and PL QY can be attributed to the water-induced methylamino lead bromide perovskite (MAPbBr3)@PbBr(OH). We note that this strategy is universal to MAPbBr3, formamidine lead bromide perovskite (FAPbBr3), inorganic lead bromide perovskite (CsPbBr3), etc. Light-emitting devices (LEDs) are fabricated by using the as-prepared perovskite as phosphors on a 365 nm UV chip. The luminance intensity of the LED is 9549 cd/m2 when the driven current is 200 mA, and blemishes on the surface of glass are clearly observed under the illumination of the LEDs. This work provides a new strategy for highly stable and efficient perovskites.

Ultrasensitive Mechano-Stimuli Luminescence Enhancement in ZnO Nanoparticles

Ultrasensitive mechano-stimuli photoluminescence enhancement was observed in pyramid-like zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), which are fabricated by a facile hydrothermal route. The response of the ZnO NPs to mechanical stimuli is so sensitive that even an ant walking and acoustic vibration can trigger the luminescence enhancement. The mechanism for this unusual behavior was attributed to the electron injection process between crystal boundaries. Thus, this work opens up the possibility of detecting slight mechanical stimuli wirelessly, rapidly, and sensitively. Importantly, the sensitive response of the NPs to sound waves can find potential application in devices for hearing-impaired people.

[Role of circulating T follicular helper subsets and T follicular helper effector memory cells in systemic lupus erythematosus]

Objective: To investigate the role of T follicular helper (Tfh) subsets and T follicular helper effector memory (Tfhem) cells in circulation of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and explore their roles in SLE disease activity index as biomarkers. Methods: This study enrolled 64 patients with SLE and 15 healthy controls. In peripheral blood from patients with SLE and health controls, the percentage of Tfhem (CD3(+)CD4(+)CD45RA(-)CXCR5(+)CCR7(low)PD-1(high)) cells, Tfh (CD3(+)CD4(+)CD127(high)CD25(l)ow CD45RA(-)CXCR5(+)) subset: Tfh1 (CXCR3(+)CCR6(-)Tfh), Tfh2 (CXCR3(-)CCR6(+) Tfh), Tfh17 (CXCR3(-)CCR6(+) Tfh), were detected by flow cytometry. The correlations of Tfhem/Tfh subsets with clinical indicators which we collected were analyzed. Results: The percentage of Tfhem was significantly increased in SLE patients compare to health controls (1.40±1.12 vs 0.51±0.24, P<0.000 1), and it was also correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) (P=0.015 3) and anti-dsDNA antibody (P=0.003 1), but not with complement C3 (C3), complement C4 (C4), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C reaction protein (CRP). In addition, the percentage of Tfh2, but not Tfh1 or Tfh17, was significantly increased in SLE patients compare to health controls (3.83±2.74 vs 2.18±1.07, P=0.000 4). As compared to anti-dsDNA antibody<25 group, the percentage of Tfh2 in anti-dsDNA antibody>25 group was increased with no significant statistical difference (4.33±3.20 vs 3.70±1.070, P=0.069 6). Conclusion: Our investigation show that Tfhem is associated with SLEDAI and it is a valuable evaluation biomarker for disease process and treatment. Meanwhile Tfhem is also associated with anti-dsDNA antibody, and it plays an important role in autoantibody production in SLE pathogenesis. Tfhem may be a good therapeutic target in SLE. For the meantime, the percentage of Tfh2 is significantly increased in SLE patients, and it had certain correlation with anti-dsDNA antibody, it might be involved in the development of SLE.

[Impact of diverse shapes of prostatic apex on positive apical margin rate and biochemical recurrence following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy]

Objective: To explore the effects of various forms of prostatic apex on positive apical margin rate (PAM) and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 309 patients (aging (65±6) years) who were experienced laparoscopic radical prostatectomy from January 2010 to December 2016 at the Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. According to the relationship between prostate apex and membrane urethra at the mid-sagittal plane of preoperative MRI, all patients were classified into 4 categories. There were 31 patients for type 1, apex covering both anterior and posterior aspects of membranous urethra, 139 patients for type 2, apex covering anterior side of membranous urethra, 63 patients for type 3, apex covering posterior aspect of membranous urethra, 76 patients for type 4, apex not covering membranous urethra. PAM and BCR after operation were compared between this four groups respectively. The χ(2) test was used to compare PAM among the 4 types. Logistic regression analysis were undertaken to analyze the factors affecting PAM. Cox's proportional hazards regression model was undertaken to identify the variables influencing BCR. Results: There was no significant difference in the 4 groups concerning age, body mass index, prostate volume, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, postoperative Gleason score and pathological stage (P>0.05).The median follow-up time was 32 months (ranged from 12 to 60 months).The data showed that the apical type 3 patients has the highest PAM. There was statistical difference among the 4 groups in PAM (χ(2)=15.592, P=0.001). Preoperative level of PSA (OR=20.356, 95% CI: 2.440 to 169.810, P=0.005), postoperative Gleason score (OR=4.113, 95% CI: 1.911 to 8.849, P=0.001), pathological stage (OR=3.422, 95% CI: 1.600 to 7.319, P=0.002) and apical type 3 (OR=6.134, 95% CI: 2.196 to 17.132, P=0.001) were independent relactive factors of PAM. Preoperative level of PSA (HR=1.362, 95% CI: 1.006 to 1.843, P=0.045), postoperative Gleason score (HR=1.920, 95% CI: 1.384 to 2.665, P=0.001), pathological stage (HR=1.476, 95% CI: 1.098 to 1.983, P=0.010), PAM (HR=3.497, 95% CI: 2.407 to 5.081, P=0.001)and apical type 3 (HR=1.828, 95% CI: 1.266 to 2.639, P=0.001) were independent prognosis factors of BCR. Conclusion: Prostate apical type 3 could be a significant independent predictor of PAM, and an independent prognosis factor for BCR.

A self-calibrated luminescent thermometer based on nanodiamond-Eu/Tb hybrid materials

ND-PMA-RE was synthesized and the ND-PMA-Eu/Tb could be served as a self-referencing luminescent thermometer due to the temperature-dependent luminescence performance.

Multi-zinc oxide-cores@uni-barium sulfate-shell with improved photo-, thermal-, and ambient-stability: Non-equilibrium sorption fabrication and light-emitting diodes application

ZnO as an eco-friendly material shows bright luminescence under UV illumination when it is tailored into nanoscale size, which makes it a promising luminescent nanomaterial. However, the poor stability of ZnO hinders its applications drastically. In this work, multi-ZnO-cores@uni-BaSO₄-shell (mZnO@uBaSO₄) nanocomposite has been prepared through a non-equilibrium sorption process employing ZnO QDs as the "seeds" and BaSO₄ as the "valve". The mZnO@uBaSO₄ nanocomposite shows improved photo-, thermal- and ambient-stability compare with bare ZnO QDs. The fluorescence efficiency of the mZnO@uBaSO₄ nanocomposite decreases little even after 60 h of UV irradiation compare with ZnO QDs. The mZnO@uBaSO₄ nanocomposite shows bright luminescence with little decrease even the ambient temperature up to 160 °C and the nanocomposite shows strong resistance to harsh environment. By coating the mZnO@uBaSO₄ nanocomposite and commercial phosphors onto UV-chip, light-emitting diode (LED) with correlated color temperature, Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinate, color rendering index and luminous efficiency of 6109 K, (0.32, 0.33), 85 and 47.33 lm/W have been realized, and this will make a great step towards eco-friendly UV-pumped LEDs.

Carbon-ZnO alternating quantum dot chains: electrostatic adsorption assembly and white light-emitting device application

Aggregation-induced quenching (ACQ) in carbon nanodots (CNDs) impede their applications in solid devices. Herein, the concept of alternating quantum dot (QD) chains was proposed to overcome the common issue of fluorescence quenching in CNDs; in this study, CNDs and ZnO QDs were interlinked to form carbon-ZnO alternating quantum dot chains (CZA-QDCs), which overcame the ACQ of CNDs and hence ensured efficient full-spectrum fluorescence for white light-emitting devices (WLEDs) without excessive blue emission. Under the excitation of 365 nm lines, white emission resulting from the combination of blue emission from the CNDs and yellow emission from the ZnO QDs has been achieved from these powders. The quantum efficiency of the CZA-QDC powders can reach 49% and remain stable for two months. By coating the powders onto an ultraviolet chip as phosphors, WLEDs with a luminous efficiency of 20.1 lm W-1, color coordinate of (0.30, 0.35), correlated color temperature of 5205 K, and a color rendering index of 84 have been fabricated. Due to the relatively high abundance and eco-friendly characteristics of both carbon and ZnO, the results reported herein may provide a promising alternative to fluorescent phosphors that are widely used in WLEDs.

[Effects of urethral fibrosis on urinary control after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy]

Objective: To determine the influence of urethral fibrosis on the recovery of urinary continence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Method: A retrospective study of 203 patients from January 2010 to January 2014 who were underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to preoperative T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of fibrosis status of the urethral wall and periurethral tissue. One hundred and forty-four(≤2 grade) and 59 (≥3 grade) were classified into the no/mild and severe urethral fibrosis groups respectively. Urinary continence at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation were compared between this two groups respectively. Result: There was no significant difference in the two groups with respect to age, body mass index (BMI), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), prostate volume, preoperative prostate-specific antigen value, nerve-sparing procedure, postoperative Gleason score and pathological stage. The operation was completed successfully in all cases. With a median follow-up time of 15 months (ranged from 12 to 24 months), there was no statistical difference between the two groups in urinary continence at 1 month after operation (P>0.05). The incidences of continence in patients with no/mild fibrosis were significantly higher at 3, 6, 12 months after operation than those with severe fibrosis. (In the no/mild fibrosis group and severe fibrosis group, the continue rate at 3 mouths was 50.0% vs 28.8% P=0.005; at 6 mouths was 91.0% vs 59.3% P<0.001; at 12 mouths was 98.6% vs 88.1% P=0.003). Conclusion: Preoperative urethral fibrosis could be a significant predictor of recovery of the long-term urinary continence status after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Compared with no/mild fibrosis, severe fibrosis had worse long-term continence status.

[Heart rate control in chronic heart failure patients received cardiovascular implantable electronic device therapy: effects of optimized medication]

Objective: To investigate the heart rate control situation of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients who received cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) therapy, and to assess the heart rate control efficacy by optimized medication adjustment. Methods: We performed a perspective study in heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients who received CIED according to guideline recommendations, patients were enrolled from January 2012 to January 2017. Resting heart rate (RHR) recorded by electrocardiogram after 10 minutes' rest and medication usage within 1 month were recorded at baseline. RHR less than 70 beats per minute (bpm) was regarded as well controlled. β-receptor blockers and (or) ivabradine would be added in patients whose RHR were over 70 bpm. RHR after optimized medication adjustment was recorded during follow-up period. Results: One hundred and fifty patients were included in this study with average RHR (80.6±11.9) bpm. RHR was<70 bpm in 27.3% (41/150) patients at baseline and β-receptor blockers was underused in 80.7% patients (88/109) whose RHR was>70 bpm. The overall RHR decreased to (73.1±10.4) bpm and percent of patients with RHR<70 bpm increased to 70.0% (105/150) after up-titration of β-receptor blockers compared to baseline (χ²=52.958, P<0.001). Ivabradine was added in the rest 45 patients and RHR was<70 bpm in 43 out of 45 patients after ivabradine use. The overall RHR decreased to (67.1±2.7) bpm and percent of RHR<70 bpm significantly increased to 98.7% (148/150) (χ²=44.504, P<0.001 vs. up-titration of β-receptor blockers only). Conclusion: RHR in CHF patients who received CIED therapy is not ideally controlled in this patient cohort, individual up-titration ofβ-receptor blockers and ivabradine use may help to optimize RHR in these patients.

[Clinical analysis of efficacy and quality of life of segmental bowel resection for bowel endometriosis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and quality of life of segmental bowel resection for bowel endometriosis.

METHODS

Totally 62 symptomatic patients with bowel endometriosis undergoing segmental bowel resection were recruited. A visual analogue scale(VAS)and the 36-item short form health survey(SF-36)questionnaire were administered before and at least 1 year after surgery, respectively. Pregnancy rates were also recorded.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients in total underwent follow-up ranging from 12 to 74 months. All patients complained of obvious pain symptoms, including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pain on defecation and chronic pelvic pain. The relief of dysmenorrhea(2.9 ± 2.2 versus 7.5 ± 2.9), dyspareunia(0.7 ± 0.5 versus 4.3 ± 2.2)and pain on defecation(1.6 ± 0.7 versus 7.3 ± 1.9)after surgery was statistically significant(all P<0.01). The scores for all 8 domains of the SF-36 questionnaire were significant improved after segmental bowel resection(all P<0.01). The complication rate was 45%(28/62), including 18 cases of urinary retention, 4 rectovaginal fistulas, 2 cases of vaginal dehiscence, and 1 case each of thrombogenesis, pelvic abscess and general peritonitis. All of the patients with complications recovered well throughout follow-up. The postoperative pregnancy rate of the previous infertile patients was 6/10. Among the 6 gestational cases, 2 had labour, 2 underwent caesarean sections, one had a spontaneous natural abortion, and one underwent uterine curettage.

CONCLUSION

Segmental bowel resection could significantly relieve pain and improve quality of life for patients with bowel endometriosis.

An unusual ovarian neoplasm diagnosed in a patient with rupture of unicornuate uterus during pregnancy: a case report

Unicornuate uterus is a rare disease characterized with reduced fertility, and ovarian tumor diagnosed during pregnancy is uncommon as well. These two diseases have been reported separately. However, patient suffering from both diseases has never been reported before. The authors herein report a case of a 32-year-old Chinese woman presenting with a unicornuate uterus with no horn, who suffered from acute abdominal pain and intra-abdominal hemorrhage at 26 weeks gestation. Incidentally, a borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) and rupture of uterus were found during an urgent exploratory laparotomy. During the follow-up, ovarian tumor recurred in the first year after the operation. The authors suggest that BOT with micropapillary patterns should be paid much more attention to, other than only assessing the histological type. Furthermore, they also suggest that a slightly increased in serum CA-125 value should not be ignored.

Branched-chain amino acids and arginine improve performance in two consecutive days of simulated handball games in male and female athletes: a randomized trial

The central nervous system plays a crucial role in the development of physical fatigue. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of combined supplementation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and arginine on intermittent sprint performance in simulated handball games on 2 consecutive days.

METHODS

Fifteen male and seven female handball players consumed 0.17 g/kg BCAA and 0.04 g/kg arginine together (AA trial), or placebo (PB trial) before exercise. Each trial contained two 60-min simulated handball games on consecutive days. The game was consisted of 30 identical 2-min blocks and a 20 m all-out sprint was performed at the end of each block. The performance, measured by percentage changes of sprint time between day 1 and 2, was significantly better in the AA trial (first half: AA trial: -1.34 ± 0.60%, PB trial: -0.21 ± 0.69%; second half: AA trial: -1.68 ± 0.58%, PB trial: 0.49 ± 0.42%). The average ratings of perceive exertion throughout the 2-day trial was significantly lower in the AA trial (14.2 ± 0.3) than the PB trial (15.1 ± 0.4). Concurrently, post-exercise tryptophan/BCAA ratio on both days in the AA trial was significantly lower than the baseline. This study showed that BCAA and arginine supplementation could improve performance in intermittent sprints on the second consecutive day of simulated handball games in well-trained athletes by potentially alleviating central fatigue.

Role of salicylic acid in alleviating oxidative damage in rice roots (Oryza sativa) subjected to cadmium stress

Time-dependent changes in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation were investigated in roots of rice (Oryza sativa) grown hydroponically with Cd, with or without pretreatment of salicylic acid (SA). Exposure to 50 microM Cd significantly decreased root growth, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), but increased the concentrations of H(2)O(2), malondialdehyde (MDA), ascorbic acid (AsA), glutathione (GSH) and non-protein thiols (NPT). However, pretreatment with 10 microM SA enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants, but lowered the concentrations of H(2)O(2) and MDA in the Cd-stressed rice compared with the Cd treatment alone. Pretreatment with SA alleviated the Cd-induced inhibition of root growth. The results showed that pretreatment with SA enhanced the antioxidant defense activities in Cd-stressed rice, thus alleviating Cd-induced oxidative damage and enhancing Cd tolerance. The possible mechanism of SA-induced H(2)O(2) signaling in mediating Cd tolerance was discussed.

Uptake of oxytetracycline and its phytotoxicity to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

A series of experiments were conducted in a hydroponic system to investigate the uptake of oxytetracycline (OTC) and its toxicity to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). OTC inhibited alfalfa shoot and root growth by up to 61% and 85%, respectively. The kinetics of OTC uptake could be well described by Michaelis-Menten equation with Vmax of 2.25 micromol g-1 fresh weight h-1, and Km of 0.036 mM. The uptake of OTC by alfalfa was strongly inhibited by the metabolic inhibitor, 2,4-DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol), at pH 3.5 and 6.0, but not by the aquaporin competitors, glycerol and Ag+. OTC uptake, however, was significantly inhibited by Hg2+, suggesting that the inhibition of influx was due to general cellular stress rather than the specific action of Hg2+ on aquaporins. Results from the present study suggested that OTC uptake into alfalfa is an energy-dependent process.

Stabilization of calpain large subunits by overexpression of truncated calpain small subunit in L8 myoblasts

The objectives were to investigate the function of the small subunit in the calpain system by expression of the autolytic form of this subunit in L8 myoblasts. Rat post-autolysis small subunit (21 kDa) cDNA expression plasmid was transfected into L8 myoblasts and selected by G418 containing medium. The concentrations of cytosolic micro-calpain in transfected cells, SS2 and SS3, were found to be 15.7 and 17.3% higher than that in L8Neo control cells, and the concentrations of cytosolic m-calpain in SS2 and SS3 cells were 23.3 and 16.6% higher than that in control cells (L8Neo). The half-life of micro-calpain in SS3 cells (36.5 h) was longer than that in L8Neo cells (32.4 h), while the half-life of m-calpain in SS3 cells (40.1 h) was longer than that in L8Neo cell (37.5 h). These results indicated that the expression of truncated small subunit increased the stability of micro- and m-calpain large subunits in cytosol.

Inhibition of melanoma growth and metastasis by combination with (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate and dacarbazine in mice

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenol in green tea, was shown to have cancer chemopreventive activity. In this study, we examined the antimetastatic effects of EGCG or the combination of EGCG and dacarbazine on B16-F3m melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. First, the antimetastatic potentials of five green tea catechins were examined by soft agar colony formation assay, and the results show that EGCG was more effective than the other catechins in inhibiting soft agar colony formation. Second, EGCG dose-dependently inhibited B16-F3m cell migration and invasion by in vitro Transwell assay. Third, EGCG significantly inhibited the spread of B16-F3m cells on fibronectin, laminin, collagen, and Matrigel in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, EGCG significantly inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). In animal experiments, EGCG alone reduced lung metastases in mice bearing B16-F3m melanomas. However, a combination of EGCG and dacarbazine was more effective than EGCG alone in reducing the number of pulmonary metastases and primary tumor growths, and increased the survival rate of melanoma-bearing mice. These results demonstrate that combination treatment with EGCG and dacarbazine strongly inhibits melanoma growth and metastasis, and the action mechanisms of EGCG are associated with the inhibition of cell spreading, cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions, MMP-9 and FAK activities.

Characterization of the mechanism underlying the reversal of long term potentiation by low frequency stimulation at hippocampal CA1 synapses

Reversal of long term potentiation (LTP) may function to increase the flexibility and storage capacity of neuronal circuits; however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We show that depotentiation induced by low frequency stimulation (LFS) (2 Hz, 10 min, 1200 pulses) was input-specific and dependent on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation. The ability of LFS to reverse LTP was mimicked by a brief application of NMDA. This NMDA-induced depotentiation was blocked by adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist. However, the reversal of LTP by LFS was unaffected by metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonism. This LFS-induced depotentiation was specifically prevented by protein phosphatase (PP)1 inhibitors, okadaic acid, and calyculin A but not by the PP2A or PP2B inhibitors. Furthermore, by using phosphorylation site-specific antibodies, we found that LFS-induced depotentiation is associated with a persistent dephosphorylation of the GluR1 subunit of amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor at serine 831, a protein kinase C and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) substrate, but not at serine 845, a substrate of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. This effect was mimicked by bath-applied adenosine or NMDA and was specifically prevented by okadaic acid. Also, the increased phosphorylation of CaMKII at threonine 286 and the decreased PP activity seen with LTP were overcome by LFS, adenosine, or NMDA application. These results suggest that LFS erases LTP through an NMDA receptor-mediated activation of PP1 to dephosphorylate amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors and CaMKII in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

Suppression of Fas ligand expression on endothelial cells by arsenite through reactive oxygen species

Chronic exposure to arsenite is associated with vascular disease, such as arteriosclerosis. However, the cellular mechanisms for vascular disease in response to arsenic are not well known. The present study has demonstrated that arsenite not arsenate decreased the Fas ligand (FasL) expression on ECV304 cells through reactive oxygen species. Incubation of ECV304 cells with arsenite decreased the FasL expression and increased the intracellular peroxide levels. In addition, hydrogen peroxide was found to suppress FasL expression in a dose-dependent manner. The antioxidant, N-acetyl-cysteine, blocked the suppression of FasL expression in response to arsenite. These data suggested that arsenite initiates endothelium dysfunction, at least partly, by suppressing the FasL expression through activating reactive oxygen species sensitive endothelial cell signaling.

Suppression of inducible cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma by flavonoids in mouse macrophages

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma transcription factor has been implicated in anti-inflammatory response. Of the compounds tested, apigenin, chrysin, and kaempferol significantly stimulated PPAR gamma transcriptional activity in a transient reporter assay. In addition, these three flavonoids strongly enhanced the inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase and inducible nitric oxide synthase promoter activities in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages which contain the PPAR gamma expression plasmids. However, these three flavonoids exhibited weak PPAR gamma agonist activities in an in vitro competitive binding assay. Limited protease digestion of PPAR gamma suggested these three flavonoids produced a conformational change in PPAR gamma and the conformation differs in the receptor bound to BRL49653 versus these three flavonoids. These results suggested that these three flavonoids might act as allosteric effectors and were able to bind to PPAR gamma and activate it, but its binding site might be different from the natural ligand BRL49653.

Griseofulvin potentiates antitumorigenesis effects of nocodazole through induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest in human colorectal cancer cells

In this study, we demonstrate that apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest were easily induced by treatment with the oral-antifungal agent, griseofulvin (GF). The mechanisms of GF-induced G2/M arrest were characterized as (a) induction of abnormal mitotic spindle formation, (b) elevation of cyclin B1/cdc2 kinase activity and (c) down-regulation of myt-1 protein expression. On the other hand, caspase 3 activation, Bcl-2 hyperphosphorylation and inhibition of the normal function of Bcl-2 associated with Bax were demonstrated to be the mechanisms of GF-induced apoptosis. DNA fragmentation and flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that combined treatment of GF with the cancer chemotherapeutic agent, nocodazole (ND), strongly potentiates the apoptotic effect and arrest of the G2/M cell cycle in 5 types of human cancer cells, but not in normal human keratinocytes (#76 KhGH). The combined treatment of GF and ND triggered the polymerization of purified tubulin in HT 29 but not in #76 KhGH cells. To further confirm these observations, the therapeutic efficacy was further examined in vivo by treating athymic mice bearing COLO 205 tumor xenografts, with GF (50 mg/kg), ND (5 mg/kg) or GF + ND. Combined treatment of GF and ND significantly enhanced the effect of ND, and led to cessation of tumor growth. These results suggest that chemotherapeutic agents (such as ND) administered in the presence of GF might provide a novel therapy for colorectal cancer.

Oxidative stress and c-Jun-amino-terminal kinase activation involved in apoptosis of primary astrocytes induced by disulfiram-Cu(2+) complex

Disulfiram is frequently used in the treatment of alcoholism. In this study, we found that CuCl(2) (1-10 microM), but not other metal ions (Fe(2+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+)), markedly potentiated disulfiram-induced cytotoxicity by 440-fold in primary astrocytes. Thus, the molecular mechanisms of the cytotoxic effects induced by the disulfiram-Cu(2+) complex were explored. The changes in morphology (nuclear condensation and apoptotic body formation) and hypodiploidy of DNA suggested that the disulfiram-Cu(2+) complex induced an apoptotic process. Our studies of the death-signaling pathway reveal that decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, increased free radical production, and depletion of non-protein-thiols (glutathione) were involved. The disulfiram-Cu(2+) complex activated c-Jun-amino-terminal kinase (JNK) and caspase-3 followed by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase degradation in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, the cellular Cu content was markedly increased and the copper chelator bathocuproine disulfonate abolished all of these cellular events, suggesting that Cu(2+) is essential for death signaling. The antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and vitamin C also inhibited the cytotoxic effect. Thus, we conclude that the disulfiram-Cu(2+) complex induces apoptosis and perhaps necrosis at a late stage mediated by oxidative stress followed by sequential activation of JNK, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase degradation. These findings imply that the axonal degeneration and neurotoxicity observed after the chronic administration of disulfiram are perhaps, at least in part, due to the cytotoxic effect of the disulfiram-Cu(2+) complex formed endogenously.

Griseofulvin potentiates antitumorigenesis effects of nocodazole through induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest in human colorectal cancer cells

In this study, we demonstrate that apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest were easily induced by treatment with the oral-antifungal agent, griseofulvin (GF). The mechanisms of GF-induced G2/M arrest were characterized as (a) induction of abnormal mitotic spindle formation, (b) elevation of cyclin B1/cdc2 kinase activity and (c) down-regulation of myt-1 protein expression. On the other hand, caspase 3 activation, Bcl-2 hyperphosphorylation and inhibition of the normal function of Bcl-2 associated with Bax were demonstrated to be the mechanisms of GF-induced apoptosis. DNA fragmentation and flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that combined treatment of GF with the cancer chemotherapeutic agent, nocodazole (ND), strongly potentiates the apoptotic effect and arrest of the G2/M cell cycle in 5 types of human cancer cells, but not in normal human keratinocytes (#76 KhGH). The combined treatment of GF and ND triggered the polymerization of purified tubulin in HT 29 but not in #76 KhGH cells. To further confirm these observations, the therapeutic efficacy was further examined in vivo by treating athymic mice bearing COLO 205 tumor xenografts, with GF (50 mg/kg), ND (5 mg/kg) or GF + ND. Combined treatment of GF and ND significantly enhanced the effect of ND, and led to cessation of tumor growth. These results suggest that chemotherapeutic agents (such as ND) administered in the presence of GF might provide a novel therapy for colorectal cancer.

Induction of apoptosis by the oolong tea polyphenol theasinensin A through cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in human U937 cells

This study examined the growth inhibitory effects of theasinensin A (from oolong tea) and black tea polyphenols, including theaflavin (TF-1), a mixture (TF-2) of theaflavin-3-gallate (TF-2a) and theaflavin-3'-gallate (TF-2b), and theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF-3) in human cancer cells. Theasinensin A, TF-1, and TF-2 displayed strong growth inhibitory effects against human histolytic lymphoma U937, with estimated IC50 values of 12 microM, but were less effective against human acute T cell leukemia Jurkat, whereas TF-3 and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) had lower activities. The molecular mechanisms of tea polyphenol-induced apoptosis as determined by annexin V apoptosis assay, DNA fragmentation, and caspase activation were further investigated. Loss of membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were also detected by flow cytometry. Treatment with tea polyphenols caused rapid induction of caspase-3, but not caspase-1, activity and stimulated proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Pretreatment with a potent caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone, inhibited theasinensin A induced DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, it was found that theasinensin A induced loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, elevation of ROS production, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol, and subsequent induction of caspase-9 activity. These results indicate that theasinensin A allows caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease to enter the nucleus and degrade chromosomal DNA and induces DFF-45 (DNA fragmentation factor) degradation. The results suggest that induction of apoptosis by theasinensin A may provide a pivotal mechanism for their cancer chemopreventive function.

Ketoconazole induces G0/G1 arrest in human colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

Ketoconazole is an oral-antifungal agent that has been used worldwide in the treatment of some hormone-dependent human cancer. In this study, we demonstrated that ketoconazole (20 microM) induced various types of human cancer cell growth arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Our results revealed that ketoconazole-induced growth arrest was more profound in COLO 205 and Hep G2 (with wild-type p53) than in HT 29 (p53 His(273) mutant) and Hep 3B (with deleted p53) cells. The protein levels of p53, p21/Cip1, and p27/Kip1 were significantly elevated by ketoconazole (10 microM) treatment in COLO 205 but not in HT 29 cells. The ketoconazole-induced G0/G1 phase arrest in COLO 205 cells was attenuated by p53-specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (20 microM) treatment. These results suggested that the p53-associated signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of ketoconazole-induced cancer cell growth arrest. By Western blot analysis, we demonstrated that cyclin D3 and CDK4 protein but not other G0/G1 phase regulatory protein levels were decreased by ketoconazole-treatment in both COLO 205 and HT 29 cells. Our study provides the basis of molecular mechanisms for ketoconazole in growth inhibition of human cancer cells and such results may have significant applications for cancer chemotherapy.

Influence of an extracellular acidosis on excitatory synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices

The effects of extracellular acidification on the synaptic function and neuronal excitability were investigated on the hippocampal CA1 neurons. A decrease of extracellular pH from 7.4 to 6.7 did not alter either the resting membrane potential or the neuronal membrane input resistance. Extracellularly recorded field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) and population spikes (PSs) were significantly reduced by acidosis. Additionally, the amplitude of presynaptic fiber volley was also reduced. The sensitivity of postsynaptic neurons to N-methyl-D-aspartate, but not to alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid, was depressed by acidosis. Lowering of extracellular pH did not significantly affect the magnitude of paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) of synaptic transmission. Acidosis also reversibly limited the sustained repetitive firing (RF) of Na(+)-dependent action potentials elicited by injection of depolarizing current pulses into the pyramidal cells. The limitation of RF by extracellular acidification was accompanied by the reduction of the maximal rate of rise (;V(max)) of the action potentials and the amplitude of afterhyperpolarization. Neither the Na (+)/H (+) antiporter blocker 5-(N -ethyl -N -isopropyl)-amiloride nor the selective adenosine A (1) receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl -8-cyclopentylxanthine, however, affected the acidosis -induced synaptic depression. It was also found that acidosis did not affect either the induction r maintenance of long -term potentiation (LTP) at Schaffer collateral -CA 1 synapses. These results suggest that the extracellular acidosis -induced synaptic depression is likely to result from an inhibition of presynaptic Na (+) conductance, thereby decreasing the amplitude of action potentials in individual afferent fibers or the number of afferent fiber activation to stimuli and then indirectly affecting the signaling processes contributing to trigger neurotransmitter release.

Death signaling pathway induced by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate-Cu(2+) complex in the cultured rat cortical astrocytes

The chelating and antioxidant effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) have been investigated extensively for preventing cell death induced by different insults. However, the toxic effects of PDTC have been studied only recently and fewer studies on the toxic effects on astrocytes have been reported. In our study, we demonstrated that both PDTC and Cu(2+) alone were rated as only weakly toxic in inducing cell death in cortical astrocytes with IC(50) of 300 microM and 180 microM, respectively. However, PDTC and Cu(2+) in the complex form markedly potentiated with each other by about 1,000-fold with IC(50) of 0.3 microM PDTC plus 10 microM Cu(2+). Other metals at concentrations of 3-10 microM (VO(4)(5+), Cr(6+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+), Bi(2+), Ba(2+), UO(2+), Cs(+), SeO(4)(2-), La(3+)) had no such potentiating effects on PDTC. Changes in morphology (nuclear condensation), apoptotic body formation, and hypodiploidity of DNA suggested that the PDTC-Cu(2+) complex induced cell death through an apoptotic process. Further studies showed that the PDTC-Cu(2+) complex decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, increased hydrogen peroxide production, and depleted GSH contents. After the increased oxidative stress, PDTC-Cu(2+) complex differentially activated JNKs, ERK, p38 and caspase 3, which caused PARP degradation in a time-dependent manner. All these effects were consistent with the increased cellular Cu contents. The nonpermeable copper-specific chelator bathocuproine disulfonate (BCPS), but not the permeable Cu(2+) chelator neocuproine, abolished all the observed effects. Antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine [NAC], vitamin C), catalase, and Cu(2+)-binding proteins (albumin, hemoglobin, and higher serum) reduced the cytotoxic effects of PDTC-Cu(2+) complex. We concluded that the death signaling pathway of PDTC-Cu(2+) complex was mediated by oxidative stress and subsequent JNK activation. These findings imply that PDTC, a widely used pesticide and medicine that is capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier, may cause neurotoxicity through astrocyte dysfunction.

Cancer chemoprevention by tea polyphenols

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages, second only to water. Many experimental researches in laboratory animals demonstrated that tea components had an inhibitory effect on carcinogenesis at a number of organ sites. The inhibitory effects of tea against carcinogenesis have been attributed to the biologic activities of the polyphenol fraction in tea. This review summarizes experimental data on chemopreventive effects of tea polyphenols in various tumor bioassay systems. Many laboratory studies have demonstrated the inhibitory effects of green tea polyphenols, especially (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), on carcinogenesis in animals models. The majority of these studies have been conducted in mouse skin tumor models, where tea polyphenols were used either as oral feeding in drinking water or in direct local application. Most studies used 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or ultraviolet (UV) radiation as the tumor promoter and found anticarcinogenic effects caused by green tea polyphenols. Black tea was also found to be effective, although the activity was weaker than that of green tea in some experiments. Other studies showed that black tea polyphenols-theaflavins exhibited stronger anticarcinogenic activity than did EGCG. Caffeine in tea was also important for tea to prevent tumorigenesis. The molecular mechanisms of the cancer chemopreventive effects of tea polyphenols are not completely understood. They are most likely related to the mechanisms of biochemical actions of tea polyphenols, which include antioxidative activities, modulation of xenobiotic metabolite enzymes and inhibition of tumor promotion. In addition, we have also proposed that tea polyphenols function as cancer chemopreventive agents through modulation of mitotic signal transduction. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this modulation need further investigation.

A role for extracellular adenosine in time-dependent reversal of long-term potentiation by low-frequency stimulation at hippocampal CA1 synapses

The involvement of adenosine on the development of time-dependent reversal of long-term potentiation (LTP) by low-frequency stimulation (LFS) was investigated at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses of rat hippocampal slices. A train of LFS (2 Hz, 10 min, 1200 pulses) had no long-term effects on synaptic transmission but produced lasting depression of previously potentiated responses. This reversal of LTP (depotentiation) was observed when the stimulus was delivered </=3 min after induction of LTP. However, application at 10 min after induction had no detectable effect on potentiation. This time-dependent reversal of LTP by LFS appeared to be mediated by extracellular adenosine, because it was mimicked by bath-applied adenosine and was specifically inhibited by the selective A(1) adenosine receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (100 nM). The effect of adenosine could be mimicked by 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist buspirone, but the LFS-induced depotentiation could not be antagonized by 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist NAN-190. The source of extracellular adenosine in response to LFS appeared to be attributable to the efflux of cAMP. In addition, this LFS-induced depotentiation was blocked by bath application of adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin or injection of a cAMP analog Sp-adenosine cAMP (10 mM) into postsynaptic neurons. Moreover, the selective protein phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitors okadaic acid and calyculin A prevented the LFS-induced depotentiation. These results thus suggest that increasing extracellular adenosine appears to underlie the LFS-induced depotentiation via acting on the A(1) receptor subtype to interrupt the cAMP-dependent biochemical processes leading to the LTP expression.

Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases 2 and 4 activities as well as induction of Cdk inhibitors p21 and p27 during growth arrest of human breast carcinoma cells by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) potently inhibits cell proliferation and suppresses tumor growth both in vitro and vivo, but little is known regarding the cell cycle regulatory proteins mediating these effects. This study investigated the effects of EGCG and other catechins on the cell cycle progression. DNA flow cytometric analysis indicated that 30 microM of EGCG blocked cell cycle progression at G1 phase in asynchronous MCF-7 cells. In addition, cells exposed to 30 microM of EGCG remained in the G1 phase after release from aphidicolin block. Over a 24-h exposure to EGCG, the Rb protein changed from hyper- to hypophosphorylated form and G1 arrest developed. The protein expression of cyclin D1, and E reduced slightly under the same conditions. Immunocomplex kinase experiments showed that EGCG inhibited the activities of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) and 4 (Cdk4) in a dose-dependent manner in the cell-free system. As the cells were exposed to EGCG (30 microM) over 24 h a gradual loss of both Cdk2 and Cdk4 kinase activities occurred. EGCG also induced the expression of the Cdk inhibitor p21 protein and this effect correlated with the increase in p53 levels. The level of p21 mRNA also increased under the same conditions. In addition, EGCG also increased the expression of the Cdk inhibitor p27 protein within 6 h after EGCG treatment. These results suggest that EGCG either exerts its growth-inhibitory effects through modulation of the activities of several key G1 regulatory proteins such as Cdk2 and Cdk4 or mediates the induction of Cdk inhibitor p21 and p27.

Suppression of inducible cyclooxygenase and inducible nitric oxide synthase by apigenin and related flavonoids in mouse macrophages

Prostaglandins biosynthesis and nitric oxide production have been implicated in the process of carcinogenesis and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of various flavonoids and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate on the activities of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Apigenin, genistein and kaempferol were markedly active inhibitors of transcriptional activation of COX-2, with IC(50) < 15 microM. In addition, apigenin and kaempferol were also markedly active inhibitors of transcriptional activation of iNOS, with IC(50) < 15 microM. Of those compounds tested, apigenin was the most potent inhibitor of transcriptional activation of both COX-2 and iNOS. Western and northern blot analyses demonstrated that apigenin significantly blocked protein and mRNA expression of COX-2 and iNOS in LPS-activated macrophages. Transient transfection experiments showed that LPS caused an approximately 4-fold increase in both COX-2 and iNOS promoter activities, these increments were suppressed by apigenin. Moreover, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) experiments indicated that apigenin blocked the LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB). The inhibition of NF-kB activation occurs through the prevention of inhibitor kB (IkB) degradation. Transient transfection experiments also showed that apigenin inhibited NF-kB-dependent transcriptional activity. Finally, we showed that apigenin could inhibit the IkB kinase activity induced by LPS or interferon-gamma. The results of further studies suggest that suppression of transcriptional activation of COX-2 and iNOS by apigenin might mainly be mediated through inhibition of IkB kinase activity. This study suggests that modulation of COX-2 and iNOS by apigenin and related flavonoids may be important in the prevention of carcinogenesis and inflammation.

Suppression of TNFalpha-mediated NFkappaB activity by myricetin and other flavonoids through downregulating the activity of IKK in ECV304 cells

Flavonoids are a group of naturally-occurring phenolic compounds in the plant kingdom, and many flavonoids are found with vascular protective properties. Nevertheless how the protective response is exerted by flavonoids is not well characterized. In view of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) may play a central role in the initiation of atherosclerosis, prevention of the activation of NFkappaB represents an important role in protecting vascular injury. In this study, the effects of flavonoids on NFkappaB/inhibitor-kappaB (IkappaB) system in ECV304 cells activated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) were examined. We investigated the inhibitory action of six flavonoids on IkappaB kinase (IKK) activity, an enzyme recently found to phosphorylate critical serine residues of IkappaB for degradation. Of six flavonoids tested, myricetin was found to strongly inhibit IKK kinase activity, and prevent the degradation of IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta in activated endothelial cells. Furthermore, myricetin was also found to inhibit NFkappaB activity correlated with suppression of monocyte adhesion to ECV304 cells. Therefore we conclude that flavonoids may be of therapeutic value for vascular disease through down regulation of NFkappaB/IkappaB system.

Cancer chemoprevention by tea polyphenols through mitotic signal transduction blockade

Tea is a popular beverage. The consumption of green tea is associated with a lower risk of several types of cancer, including stomach, esophagus, and lung. The cancer chemopreventive effect of tea has been attributed to its major phytopolyphenols. The tea polyphenols comprise about one-third of the weight of the dried leaf, and they show profound biochemical and pharmacological activities including antioxidant activities, modulation of carcinogen metabolism, inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. They intervene in the biochemical and molecular processes of multistep carcinogenesis, comprising tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Several studies demonstrate that most tea polyphenols exert their scavenging effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS); excessive production of ROS has been implicated for the development of cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Recently, we have found that the major tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) suppresses extracellular signals and cell proliferation through epidermal growth factor receptor binding in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells; EGCG also blocks the induction of nitric oxide synthase by down-regulating lipopolysaccharide-induced activity of the transcription factor NFKB in macrophages. Furthermore, EGCG blocks the cell cycle at the G1 phase in MCF-7 cells. We have demonstrated that EGCG inhibits the activities of cyclin-dependent kinases 2 and 4; meanwhile, EGCG induces the expression of the Cdk inhibitors p21 and p27. These results suggest that tumor promotion can be enhanced by ROS and oxidative mitotic signal transduction, and this enhancement can be suppressed by EGCG or other tea polyphenols.

Inhibition of eleven mutagens by various tea extracts, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate, gallic acid and caffeine

The antimutagenic properties of various tea extracts (green tea, pauchong tea, oolong tea and black tea) and their components including (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), gallic acid and caffeine were examined by the Ames test. The antimutagenic activity of the green tea extract against N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), folpet and monocrotophos was greater than those of pouchong, oolong and black tea extracts. The antimutagenic effects of tea extracts against 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) decreased as follows: oolong tea > pauchong tea > black tea > green tea. Furthermore, black tea showed a greater antimutagenic activity against benzo[a]pyrene (BP). The pauchong tea showed a stronger inhibitory effect against 9-aminoacridine (9AA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) than other tea extracts. EGCG markedly suppressed the direct-acting mutagenicity of MNNG, N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU), captan, and folpet which were alkylating agents and fungicides. Similarly, gallic acid, the major component of black tea strongly inhibited the mutagenicity of 9AA, and moderately inhibited the mutagenicity of MNNG and folpet. The caffeine was less active. EGCG and gallic acid perhaps could act as nucleophiles to scavenge the electrophilic mutagens. Taken together, these results suggest that formation of different metabolites during various stages of tea fermentation may affect antimutagenic potencies against different types of chemical mutagens.

Suppression of extracellular signals and cell proliferation by the black tea polyphenol, theaflavin-3,3'-digallate

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that the major green tea polyphenol, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), suppressed autophosphorylation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor induced by EGF in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of black tea polyphenols, including theaflavin (TF-1), a mixture (TF-2) of theaflavin-3-gallate (TF-2a) and theaflavin-3'-gallate (TF-2b), theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF-3) and the thearubigin fraction on the autophosphorylation of the EGF and PDGF receptors in A431 cells and mouse NIH3T3 fibroblast cells, respectively. First, we examined the effects of these polyphenols on the proliferation of A431 and NIH3T3 cells. Both EGCG and TF-3 strongly inhibited the proliferation of A431 and NIH3T3 cells more than the other theaflavins did. In cultured cells with pre-treatment of tea polyphenol, TF-3 was stronger than EGCG on the reduction of EGF receptor and PDGF receptor autophosphorylation induced by EGF and PDGF, respectively. Other theaflavins slightly reduced the autophosphorylation of the EGF and PDGF receptors; furthermore, TF-3 could reduce autophosphorylation of the EGF receptor (or PDGF receptor) even with co-treatment with EGF (or PDGF) and TF-3, but EGCG was inactive under these conditions. In addition, TF-3 was stronger than EGCG in blocking EGF binding to its receptor. These results suggest that not only the green tea polyphenol, EGCG, but also the black tea polyphenol, TF-3, have an antiproliferative activity on tumor cells, and the molecular mechanisms of antiproliferation may block the growth factor binding to its receptor and thus suppress mitogenic signal transduction.

Inhibition of TPA-induced protein kinase C and transcription activator protein-1 binding activities by theaflavin-3,3'-digallate from black tea in NIH3T3 cells

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Several reports have shown that both green tea and black tea were able to inhibit tumor cell proliferation in animal models. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of black tea polyphenols including theaflavin (TF-1), the mixture (TF-2) of theaflavin-3-gallate (TF-2a), and theaflavin-3'-gallate (TF-2b), theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF-3), thearubigin (TR), and a major green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced protein kinase C (PKC) and transcription activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding activities in NIH3T3 cells. On analysis of PKC activity with partial purified preparation, TPA (100 ng/mL) treatment was able to elevate membrane-associated PKC activity approximately 3-fold, and treatment with TF-3 (20 microM) and EGCG (20 microM) showed 94.5% and 9.4% suppression on TPA-induced PKC activity, respectively. Translocation of PKCalpha protein from cytosol to membrane was detected in TPA-treated NIH3T3 cells, and TF-3 was able to block its translocation. By in vitro kinase assay using myelin basic protein (MBP) as a PKC-specific substrate, we found that TPA treatment was able to increase PKC kinase activity by detection of phosphorylated MBP protein and TF-3 showed strongest inhibitory effect on its phosphorylation while EGCG was shown to be less effective. We also analyzed the AP-1 binding activity by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and c-Jun gene expression by northern blot and western blot, the results showed that TF-3 is the most potent inhibitor on TPA-induced AP-1 binding activity and c-Jun gene expression among these five tea polyphenols. Our results might provide new molecular basis for understanding the inhibitory effects of tea polyphenols on TPA-mediated tumor promotion.

Suppression of extracellular signals and cell proliferation through EGF receptor binding by (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells

Tea polyphenols are known to inhibit a wide variety of enzymatic activities associated with cell proliferation and tumor progression. The molecular mechanisms of antiproliferation are remained to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of the major tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma cell line, A431. Using a [3H]thymidine incorporation assay, EGCG could significantly inhibit the DNA synthesis of A431 cells. In vitro assay, EGCG strongly inhibited the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activities of EGF-R, PDGF-R, and FGF-R, and exhibited an IC50 value of 0.5-1 microgram/ml. But EGCG scarcely inhibited the protein kinase activities of pp60v-src, PKC, and PKA (IC50 > 10 micrograms/ml). In an in vivo assay, EGCG could reduce the autophosphorylation level of EGF-R by EGF. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the EGF-R revealed that EGCG inhibited the EGF-stimulated increase in phosphotyrosine level in A431 cells. In addition, we showed that EGCG blocked EGF binding to its receptor. The results of further studies suggested that the inhibition of proliferation and suppression of the EGF signaling by EGCG might mainly mediate dose-dependent blocking of ligand binding to its receptor, and subsequently through inhibition of EGF-R kinase activity.

Suppression of extracellular signals and cell proliferation through EGF receptor binding by (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells

Tea polyphenols are known to inhibit a wide variety of enzymatic activities associated with cell proliferation and tumor progression. The molecular mechanisms of antiproliferation are remained to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of the major tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma cell line, A431. Using a [3H]thymidine incorporation assay, EGCG could significantly inhibit the DNA synthesis of A431 cells. In vitro assay, EGCG strongly inhibited the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activities of EGF-R, PDGF-R, and FGF-R, and exhibited an IC50 value of 0.5-1 microgram/ml. But EGCG scarcely inhibited the protein kinase activities of pp60v-src, PKC, and PKA (IC50 > 10 micrograms/ml). In an in vivo assay, EGCG could reduce the autophosphorylation level of EGF-R by EGF. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the EGF-R revealed that EGCG inhibited the EGF-stimulated increase in phosphotyrosine level in A431 cells. In addition, we showed that EGCG blocked EGF binding to its receptor. The results of further studies suggested that the inhibition of proliferation and suppression of the EGF signaling by EGCG might mainly mediate dose-dependent blocking of ligand binding to its receptor, and subsequently through inhibition of EGF-R kinase activity.

Comparison of the cellular composition of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Chinese and Caucasian-American men

OBJECTIVES

To compare the cellular composition of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Chinese and Caucasian-American men.

METHODS

Surgical specimens of the prostate were obtained from 9 Chinese and 8 Caucasian-American men undergoing cystoprostatectomy for invasive transitional cell carcinoma. The mean ages of the Chinese and Caucasian-American men were 66.8 years and 66.4 years, respectively (P = 0.94). The mean prostate weight of the Chinese and Caucasian-American men was 53.4 g and 32.1 g, respectively (P = 0.01). Double immunoenzymatic staining with antibodies against actin and prostatic acid phosphatase and computer-assisted color image analysis were performed on whole-mount tissue sections. The percent area density of smooth muscle (SM), connective tissue (CT), epithelium (E), and epithelial lumen (L) were obtained by analyzing 30 fields from each specimen.

RESULTS

The mean percent area density of SM, CT, E, and L in the prostate of Chinese men was 32%, 9.1%, 10.8%, and 48.5%, respectively. The mean percent area density of SM, CT, E, and L in the prostate of Caucasian-American men was 52.5%, 27.9%, 12.8%, and 7%, respectively. Overall, the prostates of Chinese men contained significantly more glandular lumen and significantly less SM and CT.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that the cellular composition of BPH in the prostates of Caucasian-American and Chinese men is different. These cellular differences may account for previously observed differences in the incidence of clinical BPH.