Identification of the Microbial Transformation Products of Secoisolariciresinol Using an Untargeted Metabolomics Approach and Evaluation of the Osteogenic Activities of the Metabolites

Secoisolariciresinol (SECO) is one of the major lignans occurring in various grains, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. The gut microbiota plays an important role in the biotransformation of dietary lignans into enterolignans, which might exhibit more potent bioactivities than the precursor lignans. This study aimed to identify, synthesize, and evaluate the microbial metabolites of SECO and to develop efficient lead compounds from the metabolites for the treatment of osteoporosis. SECO was fermented with human gut microbiota in anaerobic or micro-aerobic environments at different time points. Samples derived from microbial transformation were analyzed using an untargeted metabolomics approach for metabolite identification. Nine metabolites were identified and synthesized. Their effects on cell viability, osteoblastic differentiation, and gene expression were examined. The results showed that five of the microbial metabolites exerted potential osteogenic effects similar to those of SECO or better. The results suggested that the enterolignans might account for the osteoporotic effects of SECO in vivo. Thus, the presence of the gut microbiota could offer a good way to form diverse enterolignans with bone-protective effects. The current study improves our understanding of the microbial transformation products of SECO and provides new approaches for new candidate identification in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Development of a micro-electrochemical machining nanosecond pulse power supply

Micro-electrochemical machining (micro-ECM) has been widely used for microscale and nanoscale processing of materials. The performance of the nanosecond pulse power supply is directly related to the precision of micro-ECM, which is one of the core technologies for micro-ECM. In this work, a nanosecond pulse power supply, with adjustable pulse frequency, duty cycle, and voltage, was designed with an STM32F103VET6 single-chip microcomputer as the control core and a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor as the chopper switch component. The performance test has shown that the power supply can produce a continuous pulse with the highest frequency of 8 MHz, the shortest pulse width of 50 ns, the maximum peak current of 12 A, and the maximum voltage of 10 V. As compared with the power supply reported in the literature, the present power supply demonstrated the enhanced output current and improved waveform of the nanosecond pulse output, which could result in better machining accuracy and efficiency for micro-ECM.

Mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics approach for differentiation of beef of different geographic origins

Beef is a common staple food in many countries, and there is a growing concern over misinformation of beef products, such as false claims of origin, species and production methods. In this study, we used a mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach to study the metabolite profiles of beef samples purchased from local retailers in Hong Kong. Using multivariate analysis, beef samples from different a) geographical origins, namely the United States (US), Japan and Australia, and b) feeding regimes could be differentiated. We identified twenty-four metabolites to distinguish beef samples from different countries, ten metabolites to identify Angus beef samples from others and seven metabolites to discriminate Australian beef produced by the organic farming from that produced using other farming modes. Based on results of this study, it is concluded that metabolomics provides an efficient strategy for tracing and authenticating beef products to ensure their quality and to protect consumer rights.

[The role of neutrophil density in neutrophils-mediated inflammatory response induced by monosodium urate crystals]

Objective: To study the role of neutrophil density and molecular mechanism in neutrophils-mediated inflammatory response induced by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. Methods: Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) isolated from healthy human peripheral blood were treated with MSU crystals at different density (5×10(6)/ml, 20×10(6)/ml, 100×10(6)/ml) in vitro. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of PMNs and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. The distribution of MSU crystals was observed by polarized light microscopy. The neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation was detected by immune fluorescence. The cytokines in cell supernatant were measured by beads assay including interleukin 1β (IL-1β) , tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) , interleukin 8 (IL-8) , interferon inducible protein 10 (IP-10) , macrophage inflammatory protein 1 (MIP-1) , monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG) , macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α) , macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β) . Results: (1) After MSU crystal intervention, the side scatters (SSC) of neutrophils with medium-cell density (20×10(6)/ml) and high-cell density (100×10(6)/ml) were 128±13 and 93±9 respectively, both significantly lower than 170±19 in low-cell density (5×10(6)/ml) group.(2) Similarly, compared with low-cell density group, the MFI (lucifer yellow) of PMNs with high-cell density was 1.8±0.2, also significantly decreased (P<0.05). When co-treated with oxygenated adenosine triphosphate (oxATP), MFI of PMNs were all enhanced consistently. (3) In MSU crystals stimulated PMNs, after adding 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, the MFI values were 0.85±0.32, 2.49±0.78, 4.54±1.02 in low cell density groups, medium cell density groups, and high cell density groups respectively, indicating that the generation of ROS was positively correlated with the increase of PMN density (P<0.05). After the intervention of oxATP, the ROS production was significantly reduced. (4) MSU crystal induced NETs formation, especially at high cell density. NETs formation promotes MSU crystal aggregation, which could be partially overcome by oxATP pretreatment. (5) The expression of cytokines were all significantly decreased in the supernatant of PMNs at high cell density exposed to MSU crystals compared with PMNs at medium cell density (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The PMN-mediated inflammation induced by MSU crystals is cell density dependent, and ATP may play a role in partially overcoming the process.

Altered metabolites in guinea pigs with allergic asthma after acupoint sticking therapy: New insights from a metabolomics approach

BACKGROUND

Clinical evidence gathered in Chinese communities suggested that acupoint sticking therapy could be an alternative treatment for asthma-related diseases. However, its underlying mechanism is still poorly understood.

AIM/HYPOTHESIS

In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of acupoint sticking application with 'Treatment of Winter Disease in Summer' (TWDS) prescription by using metabolomics.

METHODS

Allergic asthma in guinea pig was sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin (OVA). Histopathological evaluation of the lung tissue was performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson's trichrome staining. The levels of Th2 cytokine and IgE level in serum were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and orosomucoid-like 3 (ORMDL3) were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Proteins of NF-κB signaling pathway were measured using western blot. The serum metabolomics profiles were obtained by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS).

RESULTS

The overall results confirmed that AST with TWDS prescription had a significant protective effect against OVA-induced allergic asthma in guinea pig. This treatment not only attenuated airway inflammation and collagen deposition in the airway, but also decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IgE in serum. In addition, metabolomics results indicated that metabolisms of phospholipid, sphingolipid, purine, amino acid and level of epinephrine were restored back to the normal control level. Moreover, results of the gene expression of ORMDL3 in lung tissues indicated that AST using TWDS could alter the sphingolipid metabolism. Further western blotting analysis also showed that its anti-inflammatory mechanism was by decreasing the phosphorylation of p65 and IκB.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated that metabolomics provides a better understanding of the actions of TWDS acupoint sticking therapy on OVA-induced allergic asthma.

[Preliminary study of whole-tumor volume analysis of mono-exponential and intravoxel incoherent motion models in the preoperative histologic grading of hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic performance of whole-tumor volume analysis of mono-exponential and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)parameters in the preoperative grading of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 106 patients who undewent parital hepatectomy were prospectively enrolled and underwent with routine MR and IVIM examination.112 HCCs were confirmed by the surgical pathology.The original images of IVIM were imported into the GE AW 4.6 workstation.Two independent radiologist who were blinded to the histopathological results analyzed the data.Freehand ROI was used to cover the whole tumor volume, ADC, ADC(slow), ADC(fast) and f was calculated.Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the inter-observer agreement, One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis sign rank test were used to evaluate the difference of these parameters in grading HCC, Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between these parameters and histologic grade, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: ICC value of ADC, ADC(slow), ADC(fast) and f were 0.948, 0.966, 0.901 and 0.940, respectively.Statistical significances were obtained from the ADC(slow)(R1: χ(2)=74.403, P<0.001; R2: F=44.973, P<0.001) and ADC (R1: χ(2)=52.987, P<0.001; R2: F=30.851, P<0.001) in grading HCC.Between the multiple-comparison in grading HCC, the ADC(slow) and ADC (except for E-S 3 and 4, R1: P=0.134; R2: P=0.069) also demonstrated a statistical significant difference (all P<0.05). Area under curve (AUC) value of two radiologists for ADC(slow) were 0.905 and 0.917, for ADC were 0.831 and 0.829, a negative correlation was obtained from the ADC and ADC(slow) (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Mono-exponential and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model can be used to evaluate the pathological differentiated grade of HCC, ADC and ADC(slow) value entailed the highest diagnostic performance.

An instrument for measuring scintillators efficiently based on silicon photomultipliers

An instrument used for measuring multiple scintillators' light output and energy resolution was developed. The instrument consisted of a light sensor array which was composed of 64 discrete SiPMs (Silicon Photomultipliers), a corresponding individual channel readout electronics system, and a data processing algorithm. A Teflon grid and a large interval between adjacent SiPMs were employed to eliminate the optical cross talk among scintillators. The scintillators' light output was obtained by comparing with a reference sample with known light output. Given the SiPM temperature dependency and the difference among each SiPM, a temperature offset correction algorithm and a non-uniformity correction algorithm were added to the instrument. A positioning algorithm, based on nine points, was designed to evaluate the performance of a scintillator array. Tests were performed to evaluate the instrument's performance. The uniformity of 64 channels for light output measurement was better than 98%, the stability was better than 98% when temperature varied from 15 °C to 40 °C, and the nonlinearity under 511 keV was better than 2%. This instrument was capable of selecting scintillators and evaluating the packaging technology of scintillator arrays with high efficiency and accuracy.

The role of three-dimensional ultrasonographic images in ovarian measurement

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether three-dimensional ultrasonography can increase the ability to evaluate the ovary and follicles, especially in women with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD).

DESIGN

Prospective clinical study.

SETTING

University hospital endocrine and infertility center.

PATIENT(S)

Sixty-six patients undergoing routine gynecologic evaluation were divided into two groups: the normal control group consisted of 22 patients, and there were 44 patients with PCOD.

INTERVENTION(S)

Three-dimensional ultrasonography was performed to store and document whole volumes of the ovaries for evaluation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Three perpendicular planes of bilateral ovaries are rotatable to obtain the largest dimensions. The three-dimensional volume was measured using the trapezoid formula.

RESULT(S)

The ovaries of the patients with PCOD were larger in size, area, and volume than those of normal controls.

CONCLUSION(S)

Stroma and volume determinations can be obtained more accurately by three-dimensional images than by traditional ultrasonography. Three-dimensional ultrasonography not only facilitates noninvasive evaluation and volume calculation but also completes the examination in a short time without increasing patient discomfort.

The determination of vasoactive substances during autonomic dysreflexia

Urinary bladder percussion induced autonomic dysreflexia (AD) was observed in spinal cord injured patients with a complete neurological lesion, the upper level being above T5. To document the pathology and study the etiology of autonomic dysreflexia to further investigate its mechanism, this paper presents some clinical data on the determination of vasoactive substances such as norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), renin (R), angiotensin II (AII) and atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) before and during bladder percussion in 30 patients with a thoracolumbar or cervical spine and spinal cord injury. It is demonstrated that tapping the urinary bladder of such patients can cause AD. Changes of some of the vasoactive substances in the plasma were also observed, which might indicate that autonomic dysreflexia result from excitation of the sympathetic nervous system. Overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system was antagonized by excitation of the vegetative nerve system. There was no correlation between changes of blood pressure and adrenal function as well as the change of R-A II system; during autonomic dysreflexia, the inclement of ANP secretion played an important role in recovering homeostasis.

Coagulopathy during ascites reinfusion: prevention by antiplatelet therapy

The development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) during a controlled IV infusion of concentrated ascitic fluid was studied in a group of patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. Nine studies were performed on patients who had not received prophylactic antiplatelet therapy. All developed laboratory evidence of DIC. The total collagen infused, estimated by ascitic hydroxyproline concentration, correlated significantly with both the prolongation of the partial thromboplastin time with kaolin (r = 0.8628; P less than 0.005) and the decrease in platelet count (r = 0.5674; P less than 0.05). The changes in the coagulation profile were reversible on ceasing the infusion, returning to baseline levels within 12 hours. There were no changes in the coagulation profiles of four patients studied 48 hours after beginning antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and dipyridamole. It is concluded that the infusion of concentrated ascitic fluid into a peripheral vein of patients with cirrhosis results in DIC, the severity of which correlates with the amount of collagen infused and which is completely prevented by inhibiting collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The results support the hypothesis that the DIC that complicates ascites infusion into the systemic circulation is largely related to ascitic fluid collagen.