BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)represent the predominant histological types of primary liver cancer,comprising over 99%of cases.Given their differing biological behavio...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)represent the predominant histological types of primary liver cancer,comprising over 99%of cases.Given their differing biological behaviors,prognoses,and treatment strategies,accurately differentiating between HCC and ICC is crucial for effective clinical management.Radiomics,an emerging image processing technology,can automatically extract various quantitative image features that may elude the human eye.Reports on the application of ultrasound(US)-based radiomics methods in distinguishing HCC from ICC are limited.METHODS In our retrospective study,we included a total of 280 patients who were diagnosed with ICC(n=140)and HCC(n=140)between 1999 and 2019.These patients were divided into training(n=224)and testing(n=56)groups for analysis.US images and relevant clinical characteristics were collected.We utilized the XGBoost method to extract and select radiomics features and further employed a random forest algorithm to establish ultrasomics models.We compared the diagnostic performances of these ultrasomics models with that of radiologists.RESULTS Four distinct ultrasomics models were constructed,with the number of selected features varying between models:13 features for the US model;15 for the contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)model;13 for the combined US+CEUS model;and 21 for the US+CEUS+clinical data model.The US+CEUS+clinical data model yielded the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)among all models,achieving an AUC of 0.973 in the validation cohort and 0.971 in the test cohort.This performance exceeded even the most experienced radiologist(AUC=0.964).The AUC for the US+CEUS model(training cohort AUC=0.964,test cohort AUC=0.955)was significantly higher than that of the US model alone(training cohort AUC=0.822,test cohort AUC=0.816).This finding underscored the significant benefit of incorporating CEUS information in accurately distin-guishing ICC from HCC.CONCLUSION We developed a radiomics diagnostic model based on CEUS images capable of quickly distinguishing HCC from ICC,which outperformed experienced radiologists.展开更多
Recent studies have shown that induced expression of endogenous antioxidative enzymes thr- ough activation of the antioxidant response element/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） pathway may be a neur...Recent studies have shown that induced expression of endogenous antioxidative enzymes thr- ough activation of the antioxidant response element/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） pathway may be a neuroprotective strategy. In this study, rat cerebral cortical neurons cultured in vitro were pretreated with 10 ktM curcumin or post-treated with 5 pM curcumin, respectively before or after being subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation for 24 hours. Both pretreatment and post-treatment resulted in a significant decrease of cell injury as indicated by propidium iodide/Hoechst 33258 staining, a prominent increase of Nrf2 protein expression as indicated by western blot analysis, and a remarkable increase of protein expression and enzyme activity in whole cell lysates of thioredoxin before ischemia, after ischemia, and after reoxygenation. In addition, post-treatment with curcumin inhibited early DNA/RNA oxidation as indicated by immunocytochemistry and increased nuclear Nrf2 protein by inducing nuclear accumulation of Nrf2. These findings suggest that curcumin activates the expression of thi- oredoxin, an antioxidant protein in the Nrf2 pathway, and protects neurons from death caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation in an in vitro model of ischemia/reperfusion. We speculate that pharmacologic stimulation of antioxidant gene expression may be a promising approach to neu- roprotection after cerebral ischemia.展开更多
BACKGROUND Epidemiological surveys on heart failure(HF)in Chinese community are relatively lacking.This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and incidence of HF among community residents in southern China.METHODS Ba...BACKGROUND Epidemiological surveys on heart failure(HF)in Chinese community are relatively lacking.This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and incidence of HF among community residents in southern China.METHODS Baseline data of this prospective study was collected from 2015 to 2017 among 12,013 permanent residents aged≥35years in Guangzhou,China.The same survey process was carried out for individuals aged≥65 years after a three-year follow-up.RESULTS The overall prevalence of HF in community residents aged≥35 years was 1.06%.Male had significantly higher risk of HF prevalence[odds ratio(OR)=1.50,P=0.027].The gender-adjusted risk of HF was 1.48 times higher per 10 years aging.HF prevalence was statistically associated with atrial fibrillation,valvular heart disease,hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after adjusting for age and gender(OR=8.30,5.17,1.11,2.28,respectively;all P<0.05).HF incidence in individuals aged≥65 years were 847 per 100,000 person-years.Baseline atrial fibrillation,valvular heart disease,and diabetes mellitus were risk factors for HF incidence for individuals aged≥65 years adjusting for age and gender(OR=5.05,3.99,2.11,respectively;all P<0.05).Besides,residents with new-onset atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction were at significantly higher risk of progression to HF(OR=14.41,8.54,respectively;all P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS Both pre-existing and new-onset cardiovascular diseases were associated with HF incidence in southern China.Management of related cardiovascular diseases may be helpful to reduce the incidence of HF.展开更多
BACKGROUND IgA nephropathy(IgAN)is a common primary glomerular disease that leads to end-stage renal disease with poor therapy efficacy.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is effective in the treatment of IgAN and has th...BACKGROUND IgA nephropathy(IgAN)is a common primary glomerular disease that leads to end-stage renal disease with poor therapy efficacy.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is effective in the treatment of IgAN and has the potential to become an alternative treatment for IgAN.Professor Yan-Qin Zou is a nephropathy expert,a National Chinese Medicine Master,and an heir to the Menghe School of Medicine.CASE SUMMARY A 28-year-old man had positive urinary protein and elevated serum creatinine(Scr)results and was diagnosed with IgAN 2-3 years prior to the outpatient department visit at our hospital in 2017.Professor Zou used the following methods to treat the patient:Invigorating the spleen and tonifying the kidney,removing dampness and clearing turbidity,quickening the blood and transforming stasis,and freeing vessels and regulating collaterals.She adjusted the prescription in accordance with the patient’s symptoms.After 6 mo of treatment,the symptoms had resolved and serological indexes were also decreased[Scr from 288.5 to 188.6μmol/L,blood urea nitrogen(BUN)from 10.9 to 9.5 mmol/L,serum uric acid(UA)from 612 to 503μmol/L].During follow-up,BUN,Scr,and UA levels remained stable.CONCLUSION Professor Zou’s therapeutic strategy to treat IgAN using TCM was efficacious and a good reference for application.展开更多
Background：Amyloid-β deposition and accumulation of autophagic vacuoles are pathologic features of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）.Dysregulation of the endosomal-autophagic-lysosomal （EAL） pathway,which impairs amyloi...Background：Amyloid-β deposition and accumulation of autophagic vacuoles are pathologic features of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）.Dysregulation of the endosomal-autophagic-lysosomal （EAL） pathway,which impairs amyloid precursor protein processing,is one of the earliest changes in AD.However,the precise role of EAL pathway in neurodegeneration remains unclear.This study aimed to investigate the role of EAL pathway in AD and further study the mechanism of EAL dysfunction.Methods：We used 3-,7-,and 12-month-old APPswe/PSEN1dE9 （APP/PS1） mice to model different stages of AD with age-and gender-matched wild-type littermates as controls （4-7 mice per group） and detected the changes of EAL markers,endosomal organizers Rab5 and Rab7,autophagosome marker LC3B,and lysosomal proteins Lamp 1/2 in cortex and hippocampus by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis.To further explore the mechanism of EAL dysregulation in AD,components of the class Ⅲ phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3KC3） complex,activators ofRab7 （Beclin1 and UVRAG）,and the negative regulator of Rab7 （Rubicon） were also measured in this two brain regions.Results：In 7-month-old APP/PS1 brain that amyloid beta initiated to accumulate intracellularly,EAL pathway,and related PI3KC3 members,UVRAG and Beclin1 were upregulated both in cortex and hippocampus （all P 〈 0.05）.By the age of 12 months old,when abundant amyloid plaques formed,EAL markers,UVRAG,and Beclin 1 were also upregulated in the cortex （all P 〈 0.05）.However,Rab7 was decreased significantly （P =0.0447）,accompanied by a reduction of its activating PI3KC complex component Beclin1 （P =0.0215） and enhancement of its inhibiting component Rubicon （P =0.0055） in the hippocampus.Conclusions：Our study implies that EAL pathway,represented as Rab7 and its PI3KC3 regulators＇ expressions,showed temporal and spatial variation in brains at different stages of AD.It provides new insights into the role of EAL pathway in pathogenesis and indicates potential therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
Objective: To verify the existence of microRNAs(miRNAs) extracted from fresh ginseng decoction.Methods: Fresh ginseng was prepared into decoction according to the conventional method. The miRNA were extracted from the...Objective: To verify the existence of microRNAs(miRNAs) extracted from fresh ginseng decoction.Methods: Fresh ginseng was prepared into decoction according to the conventional method. The miRNA were extracted from the condensed ginseng decoction by plant microRNA extraction kit. Then miRNA were treated by DNase I and subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis and Agilent 2100 bioanalysis. Mi R-159 and mi R-6135, which were highly expressed in ginseng, were selected and verified by real-time quantitative PCR to detect the expression in the decoction.Results: Ginseng miRNA were successfully extracted from fresh decoction. Mi R-159 and mi R-6135 were expressed in fresh decoction with lower levels than those of fresh ginseng.Conclusion: miRNAs stably existed after processing, and retained some stability after high-temperature treatment. The findings provide a valuables basis for the further studies on ginseng miRNAs.展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.92059201.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)represent the predominant histological types of primary liver cancer,comprising over 99%of cases.Given their differing biological behaviors,prognoses,and treatment strategies,accurately differentiating between HCC and ICC is crucial for effective clinical management.Radiomics,an emerging image processing technology,can automatically extract various quantitative image features that may elude the human eye.Reports on the application of ultrasound(US)-based radiomics methods in distinguishing HCC from ICC are limited.METHODS In our retrospective study,we included a total of 280 patients who were diagnosed with ICC(n=140)and HCC(n=140)between 1999 and 2019.These patients were divided into training(n=224)and testing(n=56)groups for analysis.US images and relevant clinical characteristics were collected.We utilized the XGBoost method to extract and select radiomics features and further employed a random forest algorithm to establish ultrasomics models.We compared the diagnostic performances of these ultrasomics models with that of radiologists.RESULTS Four distinct ultrasomics models were constructed,with the number of selected features varying between models:13 features for the US model;15 for the contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)model;13 for the combined US+CEUS model;and 21 for the US+CEUS+clinical data model.The US+CEUS+clinical data model yielded the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)among all models,achieving an AUC of 0.973 in the validation cohort and 0.971 in the test cohort.This performance exceeded even the most experienced radiologist(AUC=0.964).The AUC for the US+CEUS model(training cohort AUC=0.964,test cohort AUC=0.955)was significantly higher than that of the US model alone(training cohort AUC=0.822,test cohort AUC=0.816).This finding underscored the significant benefit of incorporating CEUS information in accurately distin-guishing ICC from HCC.CONCLUSION We developed a radiomics diagnostic model based on CEUS images capable of quickly distinguishing HCC from ICC,which outperformed experienced radiologists.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81171090Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing Education Committee of China,No.KJ110313+1 种基金Foundation of Key State Laboratory of Neurobiology of Fudan University in China,No.10-08Foundation of Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of the Third Medical Military University in China
文摘Recent studies have shown that induced expression of endogenous antioxidative enzymes thr- ough activation of the antioxidant response element/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） pathway may be a neuroprotective strategy. In this study, rat cerebral cortical neurons cultured in vitro were pretreated with 10 ktM curcumin or post-treated with 5 pM curcumin, respectively before or after being subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation for 24 hours. Both pretreatment and post-treatment resulted in a significant decrease of cell injury as indicated by propidium iodide/Hoechst 33258 staining, a prominent increase of Nrf2 protein expression as indicated by western blot analysis, and a remarkable increase of protein expression and enzyme activity in whole cell lysates of thioredoxin before ischemia, after ischemia, and after reoxygenation. In addition, post-treatment with curcumin inhibited early DNA/RNA oxidation as indicated by immunocytochemistry and increased nuclear Nrf2 protein by inducing nuclear accumulation of Nrf2. These findings suggest that curcumin activates the expression of thi- oredoxin, an antioxidant protein in the Nrf2 pathway, and protects neurons from death caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation in an in vitro model of ischemia/reperfusion. We speculate that pharmacologic stimulation of antioxidant gene expression may be a promising approach to neu- roprotection after cerebral ischemia.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81870254)the Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease Foundation(No.2020B1111170011)the Science and Technology Programs of Guangdong Province(No.2019B020230004)。
文摘BACKGROUND Epidemiological surveys on heart failure(HF)in Chinese community are relatively lacking.This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and incidence of HF among community residents in southern China.METHODS Baseline data of this prospective study was collected from 2015 to 2017 among 12,013 permanent residents aged≥35years in Guangzhou,China.The same survey process was carried out for individuals aged≥65 years after a three-year follow-up.RESULTS The overall prevalence of HF in community residents aged≥35 years was 1.06%.Male had significantly higher risk of HF prevalence[odds ratio(OR)=1.50,P=0.027].The gender-adjusted risk of HF was 1.48 times higher per 10 years aging.HF prevalence was statistically associated with atrial fibrillation,valvular heart disease,hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after adjusting for age and gender(OR=8.30,5.17,1.11,2.28,respectively;all P<0.05).HF incidence in individuals aged≥65 years were 847 per 100,000 person-years.Baseline atrial fibrillation,valvular heart disease,and diabetes mellitus were risk factors for HF incidence for individuals aged≥65 years adjusting for age and gender(OR=5.05,3.99,2.11,respectively;all P<0.05).Besides,residents with new-onset atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction were at significantly higher risk of progression to HF(OR=14.41,8.54,respectively;all P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS Both pre-existing and new-onset cardiovascular diseases were associated with HF incidence in southern China.Management of related cardiovascular diseases may be helpful to reduce the incidence of HF.
基金Supported by Delaying the Progression of Renal Failure in Chronic Kidney Disease Project,No. JD2019SZ10Jiangsu Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Development Projects,No. YB201913
文摘BACKGROUND IgA nephropathy(IgAN)is a common primary glomerular disease that leads to end-stage renal disease with poor therapy efficacy.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is effective in the treatment of IgAN and has the potential to become an alternative treatment for IgAN.Professor Yan-Qin Zou is a nephropathy expert,a National Chinese Medicine Master,and an heir to the Menghe School of Medicine.CASE SUMMARY A 28-year-old man had positive urinary protein and elevated serum creatinine(Scr)results and was diagnosed with IgAN 2-3 years prior to the outpatient department visit at our hospital in 2017.Professor Zou used the following methods to treat the patient:Invigorating the spleen and tonifying the kidney,removing dampness and clearing turbidity,quickening the blood and transforming stasis,and freeing vessels and regulating collaterals.She adjusted the prescription in accordance with the patient’s symptoms.After 6 mo of treatment,the symptoms had resolved and serological indexes were also decreased[Scr from 288.5 to 188.6μmol/L,blood urea nitrogen(BUN)from 10.9 to 9.5 mmol/L,serum uric acid(UA)from 612 to 503μmol/L].During follow-up,BUN,Scr,and UA levels remained stable.CONCLUSION Professor Zou’s therapeutic strategy to treat IgAN using TCM was efficacious and a good reference for application.
基金This work was supported by a grant of National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 81271406）.
文摘Background：Amyloid-β deposition and accumulation of autophagic vacuoles are pathologic features of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）.Dysregulation of the endosomal-autophagic-lysosomal （EAL） pathway,which impairs amyloid precursor protein processing,is one of the earliest changes in AD.However,the precise role of EAL pathway in neurodegeneration remains unclear.This study aimed to investigate the role of EAL pathway in AD and further study the mechanism of EAL dysfunction.Methods：We used 3-,7-,and 12-month-old APPswe/PSEN1dE9 （APP/PS1） mice to model different stages of AD with age-and gender-matched wild-type littermates as controls （4-7 mice per group） and detected the changes of EAL markers,endosomal organizers Rab5 and Rab7,autophagosome marker LC3B,and lysosomal proteins Lamp 1/2 in cortex and hippocampus by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis.To further explore the mechanism of EAL dysregulation in AD,components of the class Ⅲ phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3KC3） complex,activators ofRab7 （Beclin1 and UVRAG）,and the negative regulator of Rab7 （Rubicon） were also measured in this two brain regions.Results：In 7-month-old APP/PS1 brain that amyloid beta initiated to accumulate intracellularly,EAL pathway,and related PI3KC3 members,UVRAG and Beclin1 were upregulated both in cortex and hippocampus （all P 〈 0.05）.By the age of 12 months old,when abundant amyloid plaques formed,EAL markers,UVRAG,and Beclin 1 were also upregulated in the cortex （all P 〈 0.05）.However,Rab7 was decreased significantly （P =0.0447）,accompanied by a reduction of its activating PI3KC complex component Beclin1 （P =0.0215） and enhancement of its inhibiting component Rubicon （P =0.0055） in the hippocampus.Conclusions：Our study implies that EAL pathway,represented as Rab7 and its PI3KC3 regulators＇ expressions,showed temporal and spatial variation in brains at different stages of AD.It provides new insights into the role of EAL pathway in pathogenesis and indicates potential therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scholars of China(no.81403195)Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(no.S2013010015418)
文摘Objective: To verify the existence of microRNAs(miRNAs) extracted from fresh ginseng decoction.Methods: Fresh ginseng was prepared into decoction according to the conventional method. The miRNA were extracted from the condensed ginseng decoction by plant microRNA extraction kit. Then miRNA were treated by DNase I and subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis and Agilent 2100 bioanalysis. Mi R-159 and mi R-6135, which were highly expressed in ginseng, were selected and verified by real-time quantitative PCR to detect the expression in the decoction.Results: Ginseng miRNA were successfully extracted from fresh decoction. Mi R-159 and mi R-6135 were expressed in fresh decoction with lower levels than those of fresh ginseng.Conclusion: miRNAs stably existed after processing, and retained some stability after high-temperature treatment. The findings provide a valuables basis for the further studies on ginseng miRNAs.
