[Diagnosis of bacterial and viral infection by HNL, SAA, PCT and CRP combined test]

The value of combined detection of neutrophil apolipoprotein (HNL), serum amyloid A (SAA), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral infectious diseases. A retrospective study was conducted to collect the clinical data of infected patients and healthy people in the clinical department of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from September to December in 2022. 100 patients with confirmed infection were divided into bacterial infection group (n=50) and virus infection group (n=50), and 50 healthy people were selected as control group (n=50). Fasting venous blood was collected at the initial stage of admission or on the day of physical examination. HNL was detected by double antibody sandwich method, SAA and CRP were detected by nephelometry, and PCT was detected by chemiluminescence method. The efficacy of infection markers in the differential diagnosis of bacterial infection and viral infection in infected patients was evaluated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of HNL, SAA, PCT and CRP in bacterial and viral infectious diseases; Logistic regression was used to analyze the influence of each index on the diagnostic efficiency. The results showed that the levels of HNL (126.60±33.32) ng/ml, PCT (28.02±11.37) ng/ml and CRP (36.13±14.37) mg/L in bacterial infection group were significantly higher than those of HNL (47.72±15.94) ng/ml, PCT (1.27±0.40) ng/ml, CRP (18.77±10.66) mg/L in virus group and HNL (38.21±12.53) ng/ml, PCT (0.38±0.12) ng/ml and CRP (4.13±1.07) mg/L in control group. The level of HNL increased most significantly (F=89.228, P<0.05). The area under ROC curve (AUC) from large to small was HNL+SAA+PCT+CRP (0.976), HNL (0.907), PCT (0.885), CRP (0.856), SAA (0.790), SAA/CRP (0.733). The level of SAA/CRP in virus infection group (94.05±3.75) was significantly higher than that in bacteria group (17.70±3.69) and control group (3.89±1.50) (F=84.005, P<0.05). The area under ROC curve (AUC) from large to small was HNL+SAA+PCT+CRP (0.986), SAA/CRP (0.956), SAA (0.878), HNL (0.768), CRP (0.742), PCT (0.730). In conclusion, HNL has the best auxiliary diagnostic efficacy in bacterial infection, followed by PCT; SAA/CRP has the best auxiliary diagnostic efficacy in viral infection, followed by SAA; the combined detection of serum HNL, SAA, PCT and CRP may be helpful for the differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral infections.

[Impact of the 21-gene recurrence score assay in clinical treatment and prognosis analysis for patients with hormone receptor positive early-stage breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the association between the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) and clinicopathologic characteristics as well as prognosis in patients with axillary lymph node negative, hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 439 early breast cancer patients who underwent 21 gene RS testing was retrospectively analyzed. According to the 21 gene RS, the patients were divided into low risk (295 cases), intermediate risk (111 cases) and high-risk (33 cases) group. The relationship between the 21 gene RS and clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, recurrence and metastasis was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to analyze the risk factors for relapse free survival (RFS). Results: Tumor grade, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Ki-67 index were significantly different among the 3 risk cohorts (P<0.001 for all). After a median follow-up of 32 months, the recurrence rate in low risk group (3.7%) was significantly lower than that in the intermediate-high risk group (9.0%), the locoregional recurrence (LRR) rate of low, intermediate and high risk group was 2.4%, 6.3% and 9.1%; and the distant metastasis (DM) rate in low risk group was 1.4% and 2.1% in the intermediate-high risk group. Univariate analysis showed RS, ER status and endocrine therapy were prognostic factors for RFS (P<0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that RS was an independent significant predictor for RFS (P=0.04). Conclusions: The 21-gene RS is related to tumor grade, ER, PR and Ki-67 index. RS is an independent risk factor for RFS in patients with hormone receptor positive early-stage breast cancer.

[Impact of the 21-gene recurrence score assay in clinical treatment and prognosis analysis for patients with hormone receptor positive early-stage breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the association between the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) and clinicopathologic characteristics as well as prognosis in patients with axillary lymph node negative, hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 439 early breast cancer patients who underwent 21 gene RS testing was retrospectively analyzed. According to the 21 gene RS, the patients were divided into low risk (295 cases), intermediate risk (111 cases) and high-risk (33 cases) group. The relationship between the 21 gene RS and clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, recurrence and metastasis was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to analyze the risk factors for relapse free survival (RFS). Results: Tumor grade, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Ki-67 index were significantly different among the 3 risk cohorts (P<0.001 for all). After a median follow-up of 32 months, the recurrence rate in low risk group (3.7%) was significantly lower than that in the intermediate-high risk group (9.0%), the locoregional recurrence (LRR) rate of low, intermediate and high risk group was 2.4%, 6.3% and 9.1%; and the distant metastasis (DM) rate in low risk group was 1.4% and 2.1% in the intermediate-high risk group. Univariate analysis showed RS, ER status and endocrine therapy were prognostic factors for RFS (P<0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that RS was an independent significant predictor for RFS (P=0.04). Conclusions: The 21-gene RS is related to tumor grade, ER, PR and Ki-67 index. RS is an independent risk factor for RFS in patients with hormone receptor positive early-stage breast cancer.

Dexamethasone inhibits the effect of paclitaxel on human ovarian carcinoma xenografts in nude mice

BACKGROUND

Recent studies showed that dexamethasone (DEX) could render cancer cells resistant to paclitaxel (PTX) induced apoptosis though an unknown mechanism.

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of DEX pretreatment on the anti-tumor effect of PTX in an in vivo xenograft model with grafted ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells innude mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The xenograft procedure was performed, and the nude mice were grouped into four cohorts of ten that received the following treatments: Control group, DEX group, PTX group and DEX+PTX group. Individual treatments were administered once every three days for a total of 6 courses. The growth of tumors and the inhibition rates were measured. Changes in tissue morphology and cellular ultrastructure were observed using light and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the expression of Ki-67, Bcl-xL and cleaved caspase-3.

RESULTS

Premedication with DEX reduced the inhibitory effect of PTX on tumor growth by approximately 20% compared to the PTX-only-treated group in the ovarian carcinoma xeno-grafted mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining revealed that significantly fewer cells exhibited vacuolization and apoptosis in the DEX + PTX group compared to the PTX group. Apoptotic characteristics including karyopyknosis, nuclear chromatin condensation along the nuclear membrane and aggregation were observed in both DEX+PTX and PTX groups under electron microscopy. However, these characteristics were less significant in the DEX+PTX group than those in the PTX group. The immunohistochemistry demonstrated that protein expression levels of Ki-67 and Bcl-xL were significantly increased, whereas cleaved caspase-3 decreased in the DEX+PTX group, compared to PTX group (p < 0.0125).

CONCLUSIONS

DEX inhibits the therapeutic efficacy of PTX in a human ovarian carcinoma SKOV-3 xenograft model.

Real-time edge-enhanced optical correlation with a cerium-doped potassium sodium strontium barium niobate photorefractive crystal

The nonlinear diffraction property of a volume grating written by two-wave mixing in a cerium-doped potassium sodium strontium barium niobate crystal is applied in a coherent image processing system to obtain real-time image edge enhancement as well as edge-enhanced optical correlation. The theoretical analysis of the correlator is given, and the experimental results of optical correlation are presented, which are compared with the computer-simulated results.

Diffraction properties of transmission photorefractive volume gratings in a cerium-doped potassium sodium strontium barium niobate crystal

The diffraction efficiency of volume gratings written by two-wave mixing in a cerium-doped potassium sodium strontium barium niobate (Ce:KNSBN) photorefractive crystal is studied. It is found that the diffraction efficiency strongly depends on the polarization of writing beams and exhibits loop behavior with respect to the fringe modulation. The fringe modulations before and behind the crystal are compared. Modified coupled-wave theory is used to fit the experimental data. This research presents data that are relevant to the application of Ce:KNSBN crystals to holographic recording and optical information processing.

Effect of monounsaturation of a branched fatty acid on organ selectivity

1-[11C]-3-R,S-methylheptadecanoic acid (BMHA) is a branched chain fatty acid analog that is transported into the myocardium. Due to incomplete metabolism, however, radiolabeled products are trapped within myocytes. Recently, we demonstrated that this compound is an excellent tracer to monitor fatty acid metabolism.

METHOD

To evaluate the effect of mono-unsaturation on myocardial substrate utilization, we prepared 1-[11C]-3-R,S-methyl-trans--heptadec-7-enoic acid (t-7-BMHA) and measured its biodistribution in rats. In addition, preliminary PET studies were performed on dogs.

RESULTS

Biodistribution studies demonstrated that myocardial-to-lung and myocardial-to-blood ratios for t-7-BMHA are higher than those for BMHA. Fifteen minutes after injection, heart-to-lung ratios were 5.23 compared to 2.92 and heart-to-liver ratios were 3.07 compared to 1.41 for t-7-BMHA and BMHA. By 30 min postinjection heart-to-lung ratios were 7.03 compared to 5.88 and heart-to-liver ratios were 4.43 compared to 1.09. The heart-to-blood ratio of t-7-BMHA was greater than 11:1. PET imaging with 1-[11C]-t-7-BMHA demonstrated high myocardial extraction, prolonged retention of radioactivity and excellent image quality. Accumulation of radioactivity in the myocardium reached a plateau within 10 min postinjection, with heart-to-blood ratios exceeding 20:1 and heart-to-lung ratios exceeding 10:1. Blood clearance of radioactivity was biphasic with half-times of 1.46 and 14.7 min, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that introduction of a trans-double bond in BMHA improves myocardial selectivity and results in a potentially superior imaging agent.

A multisectoral approach to primary health care in Fujian, China

The government of Yongan in Fujian province has developed a multisectoral primary health care program in the rural community of Dahu with the aim of reaching "Health for All" by 1993. In keeping with the spirit of the Alma Ata declaration and the tradition of local self-reliance in China, the program has involved the entire community and is financed almost exclusively at the local level. Community leaders were trained in the importance of primary health care so that they could serve as role models. The project includes school health education, domestic hygiene education, reconstruction of homes to separate the kitchen, toilet and animals pens, road construction to eliminate dust, environmental sanitation, occupational health, and the upgrading of health care facilities. A number of local ordinances regarding construction, zoning and smoking have also been instituted. The results of the project's first year of implementation in two villages indicate that construction of the new road is near completion, and access to clean water is almost universal. Gains are also reported in the percentage of the population receiving physical examinations, the number of health stations that now meet state standards, and the number of homes that are constructed according to the new guidelines.

Dopamine D2 receptors photolabeled by iodo-azido-clebopride

Iodo-azido-clebopride, a photoaffinity compound for dopamine D2 receptors, had high affinity for canine brain striatal dopamine D2 receptors with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 14 nM. Irradiation of striatal homogenate with iodo-azido-clebopride irreversibly inactivated 50% of dopamine D2 receptors at 20 nM (as indicated by subsequent [3H]spiperone binding). Dopamine agonists and antagonists prevented this photo-inactivation with the appropriate rank-order of potency. Striatal dopamine D1, serotonin (S2), alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors were not significantly inactivated following irradiation with iodo-azido-clebopride. Thus, iodo-azido-clebopride is a selective photoaffinity probe for dopamine D2 receptors, the radiolabelled form of which may aid in the molecular characterization of these proteins.

A photoaffinity ligand for dopamine D2 receptors: azidoclebopride

In order to label D2 dopamine receptors selectively and covalently by means of a photosensitive compound, azidoclebopride was synthesized directly from clebopride. The dissociation constant (KD) of clebopride for the D2 dopamine receptor (canine brain striatum) was 1.5 nM, while that for azidoclebopride was 21 nM. The affinities of both clebopride and azidoclebopride were markedly reduced in the absence of sodium chloride. In the presence of ultraviolet light, azidoclebopride inactivated D2 dopamine receptors irreversibly, as indicated by the inability of the receptors to bind [3H]spiperone. Maximal photoinactivation of about 60% of the D2 dopamine receptors occurred at 1 microM azidoclebopride; 30% of the receptors were inactivated at 80 nM azidoclebopride (pseudo-IC50). Dopamine agonists selectively protected the D2 receptors from being inactivated by azidoclebopride, the order of potency being (-)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine greater than apomorphine greater than (+/-)-6,7-dihydroxy-2-aminotetralin greater than (+)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine greater than dopamine greater than noradrenaline greater than serotonin. Similarly, dopaminergic antagonists prevented the photoinactivation of D2 receptors by azidoclebopride with the following order of potency: spiperone greater than (+)-butaclamol greater than haloperidol greater than clebopride greater than (-)-sulpiride greater than (-)-butaclamol. The degree of D2 dopamine receptor photoinduced inactivation by azidoclebopride was not significantly affected by scavengers such as p-aminobenzoic acid and dithiothreitol. Furthermore, irradiation of striatal membranes with a concentration of azidoclebopride sufficient to inactivate dopamine D2 receptors by 60% did not significantly reduce dopamine D1, serotonin (S2), benzodiazepine, alpha 1- or beta-noradrenergic receptors. This study describes the use of a novel and selective photoaffinity ligand for brain dopamine D2 receptors. The molecule, in radiolabeled form, may aid in the molecular characterization of these receptors.

Aporphines. 58. N-(2-chloroethyl) [8,9-2H]norapomorphine, an irreversible ligand for dopamine receptors: synthesis and application

The synthesis of the title compounds (1c and its 2H isomer 1b) from N-(2-hydroxyethyl)norapomorphine was carried out by ring bromination, followed by chlorination to the 2-chloroethyl compound 6. Further reduction with 2H2 or 3H2 and Pd/C gave 1b or 1c. Radiochemically pure (97%) 1c was obtained with a specific activity of 16.3 Ci/mmol. The purity of 1c was determined by LC, HPLC, UV, and NMR. [3H]NCA was shown to label the D2 receptor; however, the D2 signal appears to be only a small portion of the total signal, which may include binding to other dopamine receptor subtypes (D1 and D3).