Considerations about L2- and L1-norm regularizations for ultrasound reverberation characteristics imaging and vectoral Doppler measurement

The L1-norm regularization is applied to ultrasonic reverberation characteristics imaging and vectoral Doppler measurement, of which performances are compared with those of L2-norm regularizations. The L1 regularization yields the sharper image than the L2 regularization. Alternatively, for the Doppler measurement, the L1 regularization yields less accuracy than the L2 regularization. Clinical Relevance- This study will permit us to perform quantitative ultrasonic reverberation characteristics and accurate vectoral Doppler observation.

SIRT5 deficiency enhances the proliferative and therapeutic capacities of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell via metabolic switching

Background

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) render potential therapies for multiple ischemic diseases. However, in vitro expansion of MSCs before application leads to a metabolic switch from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, drastically impairing their proliferative and therapeutic capacities.

Purpose

Here we aim to identify the role of SIRT5, a master metabolic regulator, in culture expansion of adipose-derived MSCs (ADMSCs).

Methods

SIRT5 deficiencyADMSCs was obtained from Sirt5−/− mice and their metabolic pattern and proliferation capacity were tested during in vitro expansion. Hind limb ischemic model was established to evaluated the therapeutic function of Sirt5−/−ADMSCs.

Results

SIRT5 protein level was upregulated in ADMCSs undergoing culture expansion. Sirt5−/−ADMSCs during in vitro expansion exhibited higher proliferation rate, delayed senescence and enhanced antioxidant capacity. SIRT5 deficiency induced hypersuccinylation of metabolic-related proteins, leading to attenuated mitochondrial respiration with elevated glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway. Furthermore, lowering succinylation level by glycine treatment reversed the altered metabolism and enhanced proliferation of Sirt5−/−ADMSCs. In mice hind limb ischemic model, SIRT5−/−ADMSCs treatment achieved better blood flow recovery and angiogenesis compared to WT ADMSCs treatment.

Conclusion

We reveal that SIRT5 is a key regulator of ADMSCs undergoing in vitro culture. Ablation of SIRT5 leads to reversed metabolic pattern, enhanced proliferative capacity and improved therapeutic outcomes. Our data provide a potential target for enhancing MSC functional properties during bio-manufacturing in future MSC therapy. Such work may not only benefit MSC cell therapy, but could extent to a wide variety of other stem cells that share similar metabolic pattern.

Graphic Abstract

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Major Research Plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars.

Delayed presentation of a posttraumatic perirenal urinoma in a 6-year-old boy

A 6-year-old boy presented with a perirenal urinoma over the left flank about 3 months following trauma. Delayed presentation of a post-traumatic perirenal urinoma is rare in children, and percutaneous catheter drainage was effective in this case.

In-vitro and in-vivo antibacterial activities of CS-834, a new oral carbapenem

We evaluated the in-vitro and in-vivo antibacterial activities of R-95867 and CS-834, a new oral carbapenem which is an ester-type prodrug of R-95867. Against Gram-positive bacteria, R-95867 was as active or two to 256 times more active than cefpodoxime, cefdinir, cefditoren and ofloxacin, while its activity was similar to or two to eight times lower than that of imipenem. Against most Gram-negative bacteria it was as active or two to 1024 times more active than the other compounds tested. Against Helicobacter pylori it was two to 64 times more active than orally active anti-H. pylori agents, i.e. amoxycillin, clarithromycin and lansoprazole. It also showed potent bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. R-95867 induced a spherical form in E. coli and showed high affinity for PBP 2 in E. coli. Against systemic infections in mice caused by various bacteria, CS-834 showed an excellent protective effect and its in-vivo efficacy correlated well with the in-vitro activity of R-95867. These results suggest that CS-834 may be effective in the therapy of various bacterial infections.

[A case of synchronous resection of double cancers in the lung and stomach through median sternotomy and abdominal incision]

A 72-year-old male was admitted to our clinic for the treatment of early stomach cancer. A chest X-ray film on admission showed a mass in the right lung field. CT scan and transbronchoscopic lung biopsy revealed lung cancer (C-T2N2M0-stage IIIA). Histologically it was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, which was different from stomach cancer. We underwent synchronous resection of this double cancer through median sternotomy and abdominal incision. We conducted lobectomy, bilateral mediastinal lymph node dissection, and wedge resection of stomach. Postoperative diagnosis was early lung cancer (p-T2N0M0-stage I) and advanced stomach cancer (A-IIc+IIa advanced t2 (mp) n1H0P0M0-stage II). Postoperative course was stable and the patient was healthy at present. As such, this case report suggests that synchronous double cancers involving the lung and stomach, if both cancer are early stage, should be resected synchronously.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and apolipoprotein E polymorphisms are independent risk factors for coronary heart disease in Japanese: a case-control study

A missense variant of the C677T (Ala --> Val) polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) (the T allele) may increase levels of plasma homocysteine. Apolipoprotein E4 increases plasma LDL-cholesterol levels. Increased levels of homocysteine and LDL-cholesterol have been recognized as risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). To examine whether the polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene and the APOE gene are associated with CHD in the Japanese, we analyzed 214 CHD patients with an onset age before 65 and 310 apparently healthy persons. In the controls, significantly higher plasma concentrations of homocysteine were observed in the MTHFR TT genotype (15.1+/-6.0 mmol/l) compared with the CT genotype (11.2+/-1.9 mmol/l) and the CC genotype (10.5+/-3.3 mmol/l). The MTHFR TT genotype was significantly more frequent in the CHD patients (28.5%) compared with the control subjects (13.5%); the odds ratio was 2.54 (P < 0.00003). Subjects with the apo E4 allele were significantly more frequent in the CHD group (22.9%) than in the control group (10.0%); the odds ratio was 2.74 (P < 0.00004). Multivariate analysis showed that the TT genotype of MTHFR and the apoE4 allele are independent risk factors for CHD in the Japanese.

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of kidney]

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of kidney is one kind of rare tumor. About 20 cases have been reported abroad and 3 in this country. This kind of tumor is characterized by high malignancy and invasive growth. It is difficult to differentiate it from renal cancer by radiology. Fibroblasts stand in line as "storiform pattern" and touton giant cell can be seen under microscopy. The definite diagnosis can be made through immunohistochemistry.

Studies of metabolic fate of a new antiallergic agent, azelastine (4-(p-chlorobenzyl)-2-[N-methylperhydroazepinyl-(4)]-1-(2H)-phthalazinone hydrochloride)

The metabolic fate of a new antiallergic agent, azelastine (4-(p-chlorobenzyl)-2-[N-methylperhydroazepinyl-(4)]-1-(2H)-phthalazinone hydrochloride) in rats and guinea pigs was investigated using its 14C-labelled compound. The blood level of radioactivity reached the maximum at 1-1.5 hr after oral administration, indicating the rapid absorption of the drug from gastrointestinal tract. A high concentration of radioactivity was detected in the lung of both species following either oral or intravenous administration. The major pathway of excretion of radioactivity was by way into feces, in both species. The radioactivity excreted in feces was attributable to that which was excreted in bile and exsorbed into gastrointegtinal tract. When the drug was given to pregnant rats, the concentration of radioactivity in the fetus was significantly lower than those in placenta and uterus, indicating the limited placental transfer of the drug. The successive oral administration of the drug in lower doses exerted no effect on the activity of microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes of rat liver, while in higher doses, had a slight effect.