De Novo Design of Activatable Photoacoustic/Fluorescent Probes for Imaging Acute Lung Injury In Vivo

Effective monitoring of the physiological progression of acute lung injury (ALI) in real time is crucial for early theranostics to reduce its high mortality. In particular, activatable fluorescence and photoacoustic molecule probes have attracted attention to assess ALI by detecting related indicators. However, the existing fluorophores often encounter issues of low retention in the lungs and slow clearance from the body, which compromise the probe's actual capability for in situ imaging by intravenous injection in vivo. Herein, a novel near-infrared hemicyanines fluorophore (FJH) bearing a quaternary ammonium group was first developed by combining with the rational design and screening strategy. The properties of good hydrophilicity and blood circulation effectively enable FJH accumulation for lung imaging. Inspired by the high retention efficiency, the probe FJH-C that turns on fluorescence and photoacoustic signals in response to the ALI indicator (esterase) was subsequently synthesized. Notably, the probe FJH-C successfully achieved the selectivity and sensitivity toward esterase in vitro and in living cells. More importantly, FJH-C can be further used to assess lipopolysaccharides and silica-induced ALI through the desired fluo-photoacoustic signal. Therefore, this study not only shows the first activatable probe for real-time imaging of lung function but also highlights the fluorophore structure with high lung retention. It is believed that FJH and FJH-C can serve as an efficient platform to reveal the pathological progression of other lung diseases for early diagnosis and medical intervention.

Knockdown of long non-coding RNA TPT1-AS1 inhibits invasion and migration of hepatocarcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) TPT1-AS1 has been proved to affect the migration and invasion of tumor cells by different means, but its specific role and related mechanisms in hepatic carcinoma still need further research.

AIM

To investigate the expression of TPT1-AS1 in hepatocarcinoma tissues and cell lines and explore its biological role in the invasion and migration of hepatocarcinoma cells.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure lncRNA TPT1-AS1 expression in hepatocarcinoma tissue and cell lines (Huh7, SMMC-7721, HCCLM3, and HepG2). After being transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA-TPT1-AS1), the invasion and migration of HepG2 cells were detected by transwell assay and wound healing assay. Western blot was used to measure the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

RESULTS

TPT1-AS1 was up-regulated in hepatopcarcinoma tissues and cell lines Huh7, SMMC-7721, HCCLM3, and HepG2. Transfection with siRNA-TPT1-AS1 noticeably restrained HepG2 cell invasion and migration, and suppressed the EMT process. Furthermore, TPT1-AS1 knockdown reduced MMP-9 expression and inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

TPT1-AS1 is up-n regulated in hepatic carcinoma. Knockdown of TPT1-AS1 inhibits the invasion and migration of HepG2 cells via mechanisms that may be associated with reducing the activity of PI3K/AKT pathway and the expression of its downstream gene MMP-9, and inhibiting the EMT process.

Effects of probiotics on intestinal flora, inflammation and degree of liver cirrhosis in rats with liver cirrhosis by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

We aimed to explore the effects of probiotics on intestinal flora, inflammation and degree of liver cirrhosis in rats with liver cirrhosis, and to verify the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway that regulates this process. A total of 30 SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely, control group (n=10), model group (n=10) and probiotic group (n=10). Rats in the model group were used to construct liver cirrhosis models using carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) method, and those in the probiotic group were administered with probiotic preparations by gavage for 8 weeks. Then the feces of rats in each group were taken to detect the composition of intestinal flora, and changes in the content of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), in peripheral blood collected were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Next, changes in the degree of liver cirrhosis were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and the expression levels of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related molecules, including β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β and Frizzled-2, in liver tissues in each group were detected via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting (WB). Compared with rats in the control group, those in the model group had a disordered structure of hepatic lobule and hyperplasia of a large number of fibrous tissues. In contrast to those in the model group, the liver lobule structure was greatly improved, the edema cells were obviously reduced, and the hyperplasia of collagen fibers was remarkably alleviated in the probiotic group. Moreover, the degree of liver cirrhosis in the probiotic group was significantly reduced compared with that in the model group. Moreover, the rats in the model group exhibited a higher Bifidobacterium level in the intestinal tract, while those in the probiotic group displayed higher levels of microorganisms in the intestinal tract, such as Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Actinbacteria, Slackia and Pasteurellaceae. In comparison with that in the control group, the level of salt-tolerant Lactobacillus in the intestinal tract of rats in the model group was significantly decreased, while that in the probiotic group was partially increased (P=0.023). Meanwhile, some intestinal flora of rats in the control group, model group and probiotic group were closely correlated. Specifically, highly positive correlations were found between Bacteroidetes and Paraeggerthella (r=0.423, P=0.034) and between Firmicutes and Lactobacillus (r=0.318, P=0.027), but strongly negative associations were detected between Firmicutes and Paraeggerthella (r=-0.691, p=0.004) and between Paraeggerthella and Lactobacillus (r=-0.384, P=0.047). In addition, the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α IL-6, MCP-1 and IFN-γ in the plasma of rats in the model group were markedly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), whereas such levels in the probiotic group were decreased compared with those in the model group (P<0.05). PCR results revealed that the expression levels of β-catenin and Frizzled-2 in the model group were higher than those in the control group, whereas they were lower in the probiotic group than those in the model group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the model group had a decreased level of GSK-3β in comparison with the control group, but the probiotic group had a higher level of GSK-3β than the model group (P<0.05). WB results were consistent with PCR results. Probiotics can affect intestinal flora, inflammation and degree of liver cirrhosis in rats with liver cirrhosis, and its mechanism may be related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Diagnostic value of NKG2D promoter methylation in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: Natural killer cell receptor group 2D (NKG2D) plays an important role in the immune regulation of tumors. We speculate that DNA methylation are involved in the regulation of NKG2D gene. Methods: We investigated the methylation status of the NKG2D promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy controls by methylation-specific PCR and the mRNA expression level was examined by real-time quantitative PCR. Results: The methylation frequency of NKG2D promoter in HCC patients was higher than that of chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy controls. NKG2D promoter methylation has a good predictive value for HCC diagnosis. Conclusion: NKG2D promoter methylation can be used as a noninvasive marker for detecting HCC.

BATF Interference Blocks Th17 Cell Differentiation and Inflammatory Response in Hepatitis B Virus Transgenic Mice

BACKGROUND

B cell-activating transcription factor (BATF) contributes to Th17 cell differentiation and pathological inflammatory responses.

AIMS

This study explored BATF as a regulator of Th17 differentiation in normal and hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice.

METHODS

Normal mice were divided into control, short hairpin RNA (shRNA) scramble, and shRNA BATF groups. HBV transgenic mice were divided into control, entecavir, shRNA scramble, entecavir + vector control, entecavir + shRNA scramble, shRNA BATF, and entecavir + shRNA BATF groups. Serum concentrations of AST, ALT, HBV-DNA, BATF, IL-17, and IL-22 and Th17 cell frequencies in the liver were compared among the groups. Correlations of serum HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), e-antigen (HBeAg), and core antigen (HBcAg) concentrations with BATF mRNA expression and the proportion of Th17 cells in the livers of HBV transgenic mice were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Serum AST, ALT, BATF, IL-17, and IL-22 concentrations and Th17 cell proportions were higher in HBV transgenic mice relative to normal controls. Positive correlations of the HBcAg concentration with BATF mRNA and the proportion of Th17 cells were observed in HBV transgenic mice. BATF interference reduced the proportion of Th17 cells and serum IL-17 and IL-22 concentrations and led to obvious downregulation of AST, ALT, BATF, IL-17, and IL-22 expression and a reduced proportion of Th17 cells when combined with entecavir.

CONCLUSION

HBV markedly upregulated BATF expression and promoted Th17 cell activation. By contrast, BATF interference significantly impeded the proliferation of Th17 cells and secretion of IL-17 and IL-22 while alleviating hepatic lesions.

Methylation status of the estrogen receptor 1 promoter predicts poor prognosis of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

BACKGROUND

Acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) is an acute deteriorating liver disease and rapidly progresses to multiple organ failure. There is currently no adequate accurate predictive models of ACHBLF prognosis.

AIMS

To identify the methylation frequency of the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) promoter in ACHBLF and analyze the associated prognostic significance.

METHODS

Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to determine the methylation frequency of the ESR1 promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a training and validation cohort of patients. The training cohort included 113 patients with ACHBLF, 73 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 40 healthy controls (HCs). The validation cohort consisted of 37 patients with ACHBLF. Another 18 patients with pre-ACHBLF who progressed to ACHBLF were used to dynamically evaluate ESR1 promoter methylation changes associated with a severe clinical condition.

RESULTS

Death from ACHBLF was associated with hyperbilirubinemia, a higher score in the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), a higher incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and an increased frequency of ESR1 promoter methylation during the 28 day follow-up. HE, MELD score and ESR1 promoter methylation were the independent risk factors associated with 28-day mortality from ACHBLF. The frequency of ESR1 promoter methylation was significantly higher than in patients with CHB and HCs. Albumin and the MELD score were significantly associated with ESR1 promoter methylation. Moreover, ESR1 promoter methylation frequency increased with ACHBLF progression. More importantly, ESR1 promoter methylation was an independent risk factor and had a high value to predict 28-day mortality from ACHBLF.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal ESR1 methylation could be a prognostic biomarker for ACHBLF.

Hypomethylated Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme2 Q1 (UBE2Q1) Gene Promoter in the Serum Is a Promising Biomarker for Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aberrant DNA methylation, which can be detected in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), is one of the major epigenetic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). UBE2Q1, a putative member of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family, might play substantial roles in tumorigenesis. However, the methylation status of the UBE2Q1 gene in HCC remains unknown. We aimed to determine the methylation status of the UBE2Q1 gene promoter and to evaluate its potential clinical significance for HCC detection. The methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) assay was used to detect the UBE2Q1 gene methylation status in serum samples from 80 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC, 40 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), 40 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and 20 healthy controls (HCs). Significantly lower methylation frequencies were detected in HCC patients (33.75%) compared with LC patients (55.00%, p = 0.026) and CHB patients (60.00%, p = 0.006) and HCs (65.00%, p = 0.011). Hypomethylation of the UBE2Q1 gene was negatively associated with the tumor node metastasis stage (r_s = -0.30, p = 0.008). The UBE2Q1 gene methylation status combined with alpha fetoprotein using cut-off points of 20, 200 and 400 ng/ml showed sensitivity and specificity values of 58.8% and 75.0%, 53.8% and 87.5%, and 37.5% and 88.7%, respectively, and yielded a significantly increased area under the ROC curve (0.720, 0.760 and 0.694, respectively) for discriminating HCC from LC and CHB. Our study results suggest that hypomethylation of the UBE2Q1 gene promoter is a potential biomarker for detecting HBV-associated HCC.

Combined detection of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 promoter methylation improves the diagnostic efficacy of AFP in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

This study quantitatively assessed serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) promoter methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and explored its clinical value. A total of 80 patients with hepatitis B virus-associated HCC, 35 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and 20 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. MethyLight was used to quantitatively assess the methylation levels of serum IGFBP7 promoter. A logistic regression model was established for the combined evaluation of AFP and serum IGFBP7 promoter methylation. The results showed that mean methylation levels of serum IGFBP7 promoter were significantly higher in HCC (5.33%, interquartile range [IQR] 1.14-15.70%) patients than in individuals with CHB (1.54%, IQR 0.64-2.45%; P<0.01) and HC (0.63%, IQR 0.22-0.98%; P<0.01). In HCC subgroups, patients with vascular invasion, tumor size >3cm and advanced tumor node metastasis (TNM) showed higher methylation levels compared with the remaining groups (P<0.05). Compared with AFP alone, combined determination based on logistic regression analysis significantly improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) (0.759 vs 0.623, P<0.05). In addition, the Youden index was increased from 5.71%, 11.25% and 15.18%, when considering AFP alone at cut-off values of 20, 200, and 400ng/ml, respectively, to 45.71% with IGFBP7 promoter methylation taken into consideration (all P<0.05). These results suggested that combined quantitative measurement of serum IGFBP7 promoter methylation could enhance the diagnostic ability of AFP in distinguishing hepatitis B virus-associated HCC from CHB.

A model to predict the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease within 2 years in elderly adults

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic hepatitis, which leads to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, it is difficult to identify subjects at high risk for NAFLD onset. This study aims to construct a model to predict the onset of NAFLD within 2 years in elderly adults.

METHODS

This study included and followed 3378 initial NAFLD-free subjects aged 60 years or over for 2 years, which were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set. NAFLD was diagnosed on ultrasound. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded at baseline. A model was constructed in the training set to predict the onset of NAFLD and validated in the validation set.

RESULTS

Body mass index, hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides were identified as predictors for the onset of NAFLD. A risk score (R) was calculated by them. It classified the subjects into low-risk group (R ≤ -2.88), moderate-risk group (-2.88 < R ≤ -1.26), and high-risk group (R > -1.26). In the training set, 4.68% of the participants in the low-risk group, 11.59% of the participants in the moderate-risk group, and 31.02% of the participants in the high-risk group developed NAFLD. In the validation set, 5.84% of the participants in the low-risk group, 10.57% of the participants in the moderate-risk group, and 29.44% of the participants in the high-risk group developed NAFLD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study developed a model to predict the onset of NAFLD in elderly adults, which might provide indications for intervention to these subjects.

Change in the Treg/Th17 cell imbalance in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and its clinical value

Recent studies have indicated that the T cell mediated immune response plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found an imbalance in Treg/Th17 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HCC patients. The percentages of CD4CD25FOXP3 Treg cells and CD4IL-17 Th17 cells were significantly higher in HCC patients than in the controls. The numbers of Treg and Th17 cells were increased and correlated in a positive linear manner. Moreover, the increased percentages of Treg and Th17 cells were closely related to the tumor stage and tumor size of HCC. Therefore, we concluded that Treg and Th17 cells might participate in the promotion of the invasion and progression of HCC and that a Treg/Th17 cell imbalance might be able to serve as an important indicator for determining the progression and prognosis of HCC. Further studies might provide novel therapeutic targets for HCC.

Methylation of the Glutathione-S-Transferase P1 Gene Promoter Is Associated with Oxidative Stress in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) and glutathione-S-transferase M3 (GSTM3) catalyze the glutathione-related clearance of xenobiotics. The methylation of these gene promoters was associated with oxidative stress that induced liver damage. This study aims to explore the relationship among GSTP1 and GSTM3 methylation, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) expression, and oxidative stress in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We retrospectively enrolled 153 patients with CHB and 40 healthy controls (HCs). The GSTP1 and GSTM3 methylation status, DNMTs mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and TNF-α and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma were detected. GSTP1 methylation was significantly higher in patients with CHB than HCs (P = 0.047). Patients with HBeAg-positive CHB showed significantly higher GSTP1 methylation than those with HBeAg-negative CHB (P = 0.017) and HCs (P = 0.007). No significant difference was observed between GSTP1 methylation in HBeAg-negative CHB and HCs (P = 0.191). DNMT1 and DNMT3a mRNA levels were significantly higher in participants with GSTP1 methylation than those without. In patients with CHB, the degree of GSTP1 promoter methylation was significantly correlated with DNMT1 mRNA, DNMT3a mRNA, TNF-α, MDA, HBeAg, ALT, AST and TBIL. In contrast, no significant difference was found between GSTM3 methylation in patients with CHB and HCs (P = 0.079). Meanwhile, no significant difference could be observed between GSTM3 promoter methylation in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB and HBeAg-negative CHB (P = 0.146). Therefore, this study demonstrated that GSTP1 hypermethylation was associated with DNMT1, DNMT3a overexpression and oxidative stress in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB.

[Distributions and influencing factors of total dissolved inorganic antimony in the coastal area of Zhejiang and Fujian]

Antimony has been ubiquitously present in the aquatic environment as a toxic and rare metalloid element. The contamination of antimony and its compounds in the environment is increasingly severe, so it has been received extensive attention by the international scientific community. The cruise was carried out in the coastal area of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces in the East China Sea (ECS) in May 2008. The concentrations of total dissolved inorganic antimony (TDISb) were measured by Hydride Generation-Atomic Fluorescence (HG-AFS). The concentration ranges of TDISb in the surface and bottom layer were 0.68-5.64 nmol x L(-1) and 0.71-5.25 nmol x L(-1) with averages of 2.25 and 1.79 nmol x L(-1), respectively. The concentration of TDISb in the study area was lower than the environmental quality standards for surface water of China and drinking water standards of World Health Organization (about 41.08 nmol x L(-1)), indicating that it remained at the pristine level. The concentration of TDISb decreased gradually from the coastal area to the central ECS shelf with higher concentration in the surface layer than the bottom. Water mass mixing, adsorption/desorption behavior on the surface of the suspended particulate matters (SPM) and biological activities were the main influence factors of TDISb biogeochemistry in the study area.

Autoantibody detection to tumor-associated antigens of P53, IMP1, P16, cyclin B1, P62, C-myc, Survivn, and Koc for the screening of high-risk subjects and early detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic values by detecting sera autoantibodies to eight tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) of P53, IMP1, P16, cyclin B1, P62, C-myc, Survivn and Koc full-length recombinant proteins for the screening of high-risk subjects and early detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect autoantibodies against the eight selected TAAs in 567 sera samples from four groups, including 200 individuals with normal esophageal epithelia (NOR), 214 patients with esophageal basal cell hyperplasia (BCH), 65 patients with esophageal dysplasia (DYS), and 88 patients with ESCC. In addition, the expression of the eight antigens in esophageal tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Statistically significant distribution differences were identified among the four groups for each of the individual autoantibodies to six TAAs (P53, IMP1, P16, cyclin B1, P62, and C-myc); the detection rates of antoantibodies were positively correlated with the progression of ESCC. When autoantibody assay successively accumulated to six TAAs (P53, IMP1, P16, cyclin B1, P62, and C-myc), a stepwise increased detection frequency of autoantibodies was found in the four sera groups (6% in NOR, 18% in BCH, 38% in DYS, and 64% in ESCC, respectively), the risks to BHC, DYS, and ESCC steadily increased about 3-, 9-, and 27-folds. The sensitivity and the specificity for autoantibodies against the six TAAs in diagnosing ESCC reached up to 64% and 94%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the six anti-TAA autoantibodies was 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.74-0.83). No more increasing in sensitivity was found with the addition of new anti-TAA autoantibodies. A combination detection of autoantibodies to TAAs might distinguish ESCC patients from normal individuals and the patients with esophageal precancerous lesions.

Enhanced demethylation of interferon-γ gene promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

Acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) refers to liver failure occurring in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) related liver diseases. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) plays an important role in the exacerbation of liver function. However, the exact mechanism, by which IFN-γ mediates ACHBLF, is not fully understood. Forty patients with ACHBLF, fifteen patients with CHB and ten healthy controls were included in this present study. ELISA was performed to measure the level of serum IFN-γ. The methylation status of IFN-γ promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined using methylation-specific PCR. Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scoring was performed for evaluating the severity of liver failure. The serum level of IFN-γ in patients with ACHBLF or CHB was significantly lower than that in healthy controls, while the serum IFN-γ level in ACHBLF patients was significantly higher than that in CHB patients. In ACHBLF patients, the level of IFN-γ was positively correlated with total bilirubin and MELD score, but negatively correlated with prothrombin time activity. These results suggest the involvement of IFN-γ in the pathogenesis of ACHBLF. Importantly, the degree of methylation of the IFN-γ gene promoter in ACHBLF patients (60%, 24/40) was significantly lower than that in CHB patients (93%, 14/15), but was higher than that in the control group (20%, 2/10). Furthermore, in ACHBLF patients, the serum IFN-γ level was significantly higher in unmethylation group than that in methylation group. In conclusion, enhanced demethylation of IFN-γ gene promoter in PBMCs may be associated with the onset of ACHBLF.

Effects of cake collapse caused by deposition of fractal aggregates on pressure drop during ceramic filtration

A cake collapse model was developed by taking the combined effects of fractal dimension, relaxation ratio, coordination number, and aggregate diameter into consideration. The cake porosity including intraaggregate and interaggregate porosities was modeled successively by three typical coordination numbers (n = 6, 8, and 12). Accordingly, an inversion method made it possible to deduce the coordination number using the measured cake porosities, and the reverse-calculated value with minimum error and the corresponding relaxation ratios were applied as the parameters for the model. As a result, the profiles of intraaggregate and interaggregate porosities and cake porosity were respectively predicted in contrast to the integrated variation of the relaxation ratio and the fractal dimension. Furthermore, a comparison between the model predictions of the cake pressure drop gradients with and without aggregate compression was conducted to validate the presence of cake collapse. The results show that the predictions based on the proposed collapse model are in agreement with the experiments, and the coordination number is one of the key factors that must be incorporated into the cake collapse models.

The fate of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd during the pyrolysis of sewage sludge at different temperatures

In the present study, a sequential extraction procedure, recommended by the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR), was used for the fractionation of the heavy metals Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in sewage sludge and its residues produced after pyrolysis at different temperatures from 250 to 700 degrees C. The results show that, in the sludge sample, the sum of the percentages of the reducible and oxidizable fractions for all metals except Cu was very high (65.4% for Cd, 85.7% for Pb, 78.7% for Zn), whereas the sum of the percentages of the oxidizable and residual fractions for Cu was very high (88.8%). The same result could be attained in the residues. Statistical analysis shows that at low temperatures the variation in pyrolysis temperature did not effectively contribute to the distribution of metal speciation in the residues. Meanwhile a modified Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) was employed to determine the leachability of these four metals. The result indicates that the TCLP concentration of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd dropped sharply after the temperature reached 350 degrees C, 550 degrees C, 500 degrees C and 400 degrees C respectively, which means pyrolysis can enhance the stability of these four metals when the temperature is high enough.

[Study on the relationship of serum vitamin E and liver pathological features in the patients with chronic hepatitis B]

OBJECTIVE

To study on the relationship of serum vitamin E and liver pathological features in the patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS

Sixty-six patients with chronic hepatitis B and ten healthy controls were enrolled in this present study. The serum vitamin E level was measured spectrophotometrically. Comparisons of liver function test, HBeAg and HBV DNA level were conducted among different liver pathological features including inflammatory grading and fibrosis staging.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, the serum level of vitamin E was significantly decreased in the patients with chronic hepatitis B, especially in those with elevated ALT activity. In comparison between HBeAg positive group and HBeAg negative group, the serum level of vitamin E of the former group did not significantly changed (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the serum level of vitamin E has been demonstrated to be negatively associated with the inflammation grading in the patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, there was no significant association between the serum vitamin E and liver fibrosis staging.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin E, as one of the important anti-oxidants, was demonstrated to be implicated in the progression of liver inflammation in the patients with chronic hepatitis B. Furthermore, the supplement of vitamin E would be a potential therapy for attenuate the inflammatory response.

Plasma alpha-tocopherol is negatively correlated with hepatocyte apoptosis in chronic hepatitis B patients

AIM

Hepatocyte apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of liver diseases, while at the same time oxidative stress plays an important role in liver cell damage. This prompted us to evaluate the possible relationship between hepatocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS

CHB patients were placed in groups A (ALT >40 IU/L) and B (ALT <or=40 IU/L). Healthy controls were considered as group C (all ALT <or=40 IU/L). Serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined and liver cell apoptosis was evaluated by using terminal deoxynucleotydil transferase-mediated d-UTP biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL).

RESULTS

SOD, GSH-Px, and MDA did not differ between groups. alpha-Tocopherol was significantly decreased in groups A (p<0.01) and B (p<0.05) when compared with group C and it was negatively correlated with the apoptosis index (r=-0.575, p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Only the plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol rather than the other oxidative stress markers changed significantly in patients with normal alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT <40 IU/L) when compared with healthy controls and correlated significantly with the apoptosis index, suggesting that alpha-tocopherol may be a possible marker to reflect liver cell damage, especially in the absence of serum aminotransferase elevation.

[Role of afferent renal nerves in 2K2C Goldblatt hypertension]

In order to study the role of afferent renal nerves in 2K2C Goldblatt hypertension, the renal afferent nerves were selectively lesioned by bilateral T9-L2 spinal dorsal rhizotomy before clipping (internal diameter, 0.3 mm) of birenal arteries. Systolic blood pressure of the rat was measured by tail-cuff method. Concentrations of catecholamines, Ang II, and aldosterone were determined respectively by HPLC-EC and RIA, and vascular structural changes were measured by blood vessel micro-image analysis system coupled with a computer. The results showed that the concentrations of NE and E in medulla oblongata, adrenal gland and plasma, and of plasma Ang II and aldosterone as well as body weight of the rat were all significantly increased. The heart coefficient (heart wt/body wt), the media thickness, and the media thickness/lumen diameter in superior mesenteric arteries were also increased in 2K2C hypertensive rats (clipping, 6 wk) as compared with those in control rats. Bilateral rhizotomy delayed development of 2K2C hypertension and prevented above-mentioned vascular structural changes, the NE and E concentrations of medulla oblongata, adrenal gland and plasma were all decreased, hypothalamic NE and E were increased, and plasma Ang II level was not significantly changed. These results suggest that afferent renal nerves may play a partial role in the development of hypertension in 2K2C rats by activating sympathetic nervous system as a result of affecting metabolic activities of brain catecholaminergic neurons, and that high-plasma Ang II and aldosterone as well as heart hypertrophy and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells may also participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension in 2K2C rats.

[A simplified method for preparation of DOCA-salt hypertension model in rats by subcutaneous implantation of DOCA silastic tube]

To study a simplified method for preparation of DOCA-Salt hypertension model in rat. 45 male SD rats (140 +/- 9 g) were used in this study. A silastic tube (length 25 mm; external diameter 4 mm; internal diameter 2.5 mm; 10-14 about 300 microns micropores on the wall) filled 100 mg DOCA in was implanted subcutaneously at the belly of the rat and followed by uninephrectomy. After operation the rat only received 1% salt solution in stead of drinking water. Hypertension developed within 3 weeks. At the 8th week after operation, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of rats was elevated to 23.3 +/- 0.37 kPa. If DOCA (10 mg/rat, weekly) was given subcutaneously, however, from control level of 16 +/- 0.16 kPa hypertension did not occur until the 5th week after injection. At the 13th week, SBP was elevated to 23.3 +/- 0.66 kPa. Difference of regression coefficients (1.295, 0.692) of SBP curves between two experimental groups was very significant (P < 0.001). Compared with subcutaneous injection, there are two advantages for method of subcutaneous implantation: (1) The rate of SBP elevation is faster and amplitude higher. (2) This method is simple and well reproducible.