Emodin protects rat liver from CCl_4-induced fibrogenesis via inhibition of hepatic stellate cells activation

AIM:To investigate the role of emodin in protecting the liver against fibrogenesis caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats and to further explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS: Rat models of experimental hepatic fibrosis were established by injection with CCl4; the treated rats received emodin via oral administration at a dosage of 20 mg/kg twice a week at the same time. Rats injected with olive oil served as a normal group. Histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum and hepatic hydroxyproline content were assayed by biochemical analyses. The mRNA and protein relevant to hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation in the liver were assessed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: The degree of hepatic fibrosis increased markedly in the CCl4 group compared to the normal group (P<0.01), and decreased markedly in the emodin group compared to the CCl4 group according to METAVIR scale (P<0.01) compared with those in the normal control group (51.02±10.64 IU/L and 132.28±18.14 IU/L). The activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in rats injected with CCl4 (289.25±68.84 IU/L and 423.89±35.67 IU/L, both P<0.05). The activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly reduced by administration of emodin (176.34±47.29 IU/L and 226.1±44.52 IU/L, both P<0.05). Compared with the normal controls (54.53±13.46 mg/g), hepatic hydroxyproline content was significantly higher in rats injected with CCl4 (120.27±28.47 mg/g, P<0.05). Hepatic hydroxyproline content was significantly reduced in the rats treated with emodin at 20 mg/kg (71.25±17.02 mg/g, P<0.05). Emodin signif icantly protected the liver from injury by reducing serum AST and ALT activities and reducing hepatic hydroxyproline content. The mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad4 and α-SMA in liver tissues were significantly down-regulated in SD rats that received emodin treatment. Furthermore, significant down-regulation of serum TGF-β1 protein levels and protein expression of Smad4 and α-SMA in liver tissues was also observed in the rats. Emodin inhibited HSC activation by reducing the abundance of TGF-β1 and Smad4.CONCLUSION: Emodin protects the rat liver from CCl4-induced fibrogenesis by inhibiting HSC activation. Emodin might be a therapeutic antifibrotic agent for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

角膜缘保护技术在经上皮角膜交联术中的应用效果

目的:评估经上皮角膜交联(Epi-on CXL)术中采用角膜缘保护技术治疗圆锥角膜的临床应用效果。方法:前瞻性临床研究。选取2019-01/12我院收治拟行Epi-on CXL手术的双眼进展期圆锥角膜患者15例30眼,将右眼15眼纳入试验组,术中采用角膜缘保护技术;左眼15眼纳入对照组,术中不采用角膜缘保护技术。比较两组患眼术前和术后最佳矫正远视力、散光度、角膜曲率Sim-K平均值(Km)、角膜最薄点厚度、泪膜破裂时间及术后不适感、角膜上皮愈合时间的差异。结果:与术前相比,术后3mo时两组最佳矫正远视力、散光度均改善(P<0.05),术后角膜最薄点厚度逐渐减小(P<0.05),术后3mo内泪膜破裂时间变短(P<0.05),但两组之间最佳矫正远视力、散光度、Km、角膜最薄点厚度、泪膜破裂时间、术后不适感方面均无差异(P>0.05),且试验组术后角膜上皮愈合时间比对照组短(3.20±0.56d vs 3.73±0.96d,P=0.041)。结论:角膜缘保护技术能够缩短Epi-on CXL术后角膜上皮愈合时间,初步证实了该技术在Epi-on CXL手术中应用的可行性。

Phase precipitation and corrosion properties of copper-bearing ferritic stainless steels by annealing process

The effects of different annealing processes on the phase precipitation behavior and corrosion properties of copper-bearing 430 ferritic stainless steel were systematically investigated.The shape,quantity and distribution of copper-rich precipitates by different annealing processes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,backscatter electron and backscatter diffraction.The pitting resistance behavior in simulated physiological saline envi-ronments(0.9 wt.%NaCl)was investigated using electrochemical workstation and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The results showed that the copper-rich phase prepared by repeated rolling and annealing gradually changed from long needle-like to short thick rod-like and granular,whose distribution tended to be uniform and diffusive,and the number of copper-rich phases increased.After solution/antibacterial annealing process,the size and density of the copper-rich phase increase,resulting in a discontinuity of the passivation film on the stainless steel,which reduces the pitting resistance to some extent.The refinement mechanism revealed that pre-deformation brings about a modification in both precipitation mechanism and growth kinetics of epsilon copper.

Early Neurological Deterioration after Recanalization Treatment in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke： A Retrospective Study

Background： Early neurological deterioration （END） is a prominent issue after recanalization treatment. However. few studies have reported the characteristics of END after endovascular treatment （EVT） as so far. This study investigated the incidence, composition, and outcomes of END after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator （IV rt-PA） and EVT of acute ischemic stroke, and identified risk factors for END. Methods： Medical records of patients who received recanalization treatment between January l, 2014, and December 31, 2015 were reviewed. Patients were classified into IV rt-PA or EVT group according to the methods ofrecanalization treatment. The END was defined as an increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale （N1HSS） ≥4 or an increase in la of NIHSS ≥I within 72 h after recanalization treatment. Clinical data were compared between the END and non-END subgroups within each recanalization group. Results： Of the 278 patients included in the study, the incidence of END was 34.2%. The incidence rates of END were 29.8% in the IV rt-PA group and 40.2% in the EVT group, lschemia progression （68.4%） was the main contributor to END followed by vasogenic cerebral edema （21. 1%） and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage （10.5%）. Multivariate logistic regression showed that admission systolic blood pressure （SBP） ≥160 mmHg （odds ratio [OR]： 2.312, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 1.105-4.837） and large artery occlusion after IV rt-PA （OR： 3.628.95% （7： 1.482-8.881 ） independently predicted END after IV rt-PA; and admission SBP 〉 140 mmHg （OR： 5.183, 95% CI：1.967 13.661 ）, partial recanalization （OR： 4.791,95% CI： 1.749-13.121 ）, and nonrecanalization （OR： 5.952, 95% CI： 1.841-19.243） independently predicted END alter EVT. The mortality rate and grave outcome rate at discharge of all the END patients （26.3% and 55.8%） were higher than those of all the non-END patients （1.1% and 18.6%： P 〈 0.01）. Conclusions： END was not an uncommon event and associated with death and grave outcome at discharge. High admission SBP and unsatisfactory recanalization of occluded arteries might predict END.

Trans-cranial Doppler predicts early neurologic deterioration in anterior circulation ischemic stroke after successful endovascular treatment

Background:Early neurologic deterioration(END)may occur in patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke(ACIS)after receiving endovascular treatment(EVT).Hemodynamic insufficiency,re-occlusion,and post-re-canalization hyper-perfusion are likely to play a critical role in END.We hypothesized that hemodynamic changes can predict END in patients with ACIS postsuccessful EVT using trans-cranial Doppler(TCD).Methods:We utilized a prospectively maintained database of ACIS patients treated with EVT between September 2016 and June 2018 in the Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University.TCD parameters including peak systolic velocity(PSV),bilateral mean flow velocity(MFV),and pulse index(PI)were determined via the middle cerebral arteries within 72 h post-EVT.A logistic regression model was applied to detect independent predictors for END.Results:Totally,112 EVT patients were included in this study and 80/112 patients experienced successful re-canalization with<50%residual stenosis,while 17/80(21.3%)patients suffered END,for which vasogenic cerebral edema(11/17)was considered as a leading role and followed by symptomatic intra-cranial hemorrhage(4/17)and ischemia progression(2/17).For the 80 patients,the PSV(median:127 cm/s vs.116 cm/s,P=0.039),the ratio of ipsilateral-MFV/contra-lateral-MFV(iMFV/cMFV)(median:1.29 vs.1.02,P=0.036)and iMFV/mean blood pressure(MBP)(median:0.97 vs.0.79,P=0.008)in END patients were higher than those of non-END.Using the receiver-operating characteristic curve to obtain cut-off values for PSV,PI,iMFV/cMFV,and iMFV/MBP for END,we found that PI≥0.85(odds ratio:11.03,95%confidence interval:1.92–63.46,P=0.007)and iMFV/MBP≥0.84(odds ratio:9.20,95%confidence interval:2.07–40.84,P=0.004)were independent predictors of END in a multivariate logistic regression model,with a sensitivity of 82.4%and 76.5%and a specificity of 42.9%and 66.7%,respectively,and had the positive predictive values of 29.0%and 38.2%,and negative predictive values of 90.0%and 91.3%,with an area under the receiveroperating characteristic curve of 0.57 and 0.71,respectively.Conclusion:TCD examination of EVT patients may be used as a real-time tool to detect END predictors,such as the higher PI and iMFV/MBP,allowing for better post-thrombectomy management in ACIS patients.