Separation of Molds in Contaminated Fruits and Toxicity Test

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the toxicity of molds in contaminative fruits.[Methods]Common fruits were used as materials to isolate contamination molds and screen the most virulent strain to study its pathogenic mechanism.[Results]We isolated eight kinds of strains from red bayberries,pears,oranges and peaches,and the P2 strain from red bayberries was the most virulent strain,which was preliminarily identified as Aspergillus luchuensis.The toxin from the strain led to the bone marrow cell micronucleus phenomenon,and the greater the toxin dose,the greater the micronucleus rate.With the extension of time,the micronucleus rate increased.The SOD activity of the kidney was inhibited after the mice were exposed to the toxin,and the greater the toxin dose,the lower the SOD activity.With the extension of time,the SOD activity decreased,but increased instead after 48 h because the toxin was metabolized in the body.It was always lower than that of control group.The MDA content in kidney was also affected after the exposure,and the greater the toxin dose,the higher the MDA content.Specifically,it increased with the time prolonged and began to decrease until 48 h,but not less than the control group.It indicated mold contamination in fruits produced toxins,and the P2 strain was the most toxic in red bayberries,causing chromosome and kidney injury.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for the isolation and identification of molds in different fruits and toxicity tests,which is helpful to enhance people’s understanding of mycotoxins and their harm.

Magnetically labeled mesenchymal stem cells after autologous transplantation into acutely injured liver

AIM:To evaluate tracking of magnetically labeled mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) after intraportal transplantation.METHODS:Mononuclear cells were isolated from bone marrow aspirates of pigs by density gradient centrifugation,cultured and expanded,after which,they were incubated with super paramagnetic iron oxide(SPIO).Prussian blue staining was performed to highlight intracellular iron.To establish swine models of acute liver injury,0.5 g/kg D-galactosamine was administrated to 10 pigs,six of which were injected via their portal veins with SPIO-labeled MSCs,while the remaining four were injected with unlabeled cells.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) was performed with a clinical 1.5T MR scanner immediately before transplantation and 6 h,3 d,7 d and 14 d after transplantation.Prussian blue staining was again performed with the tissue slices at the endpoint.RESULTS:Prussian blue staining of SPIO-labeled MSCs had a labeling efficiency of almost 100%.Signal intensity loss in the liver by SPIO labeling on the FFE(T2*WI) sequence persisted until 14 d after transplantation.Histological analysis by Prussian blue staining confirmed homing of labeled MSCs in the liver after 14 d;primarily distributed in hepatic sinusoids and liver parenchyma.CONCLUSION:MSCs were successfully labeled with SPIO in vitro.MRI can monitor magnetically labeled MSCs transplanted into the liver.

Lymph node imaging in initial staging of prostate cancer:An overview and update

Accurate nodal staging at the time of diagnosis of prostate cancer is crucial in determining a treatment plan for the patient. Pelvic lymph node dissection is the most reliable method, but is less than perfect and has increased morbidity. Cross sectional imaging with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are non-invasive tools that rely on morphologic characteristics such as shape and size of the lymph nodes. However, lymph nodes harboring metastatic disease may be normal sized and non-metastatic lymph nodes may be enlarged due to reactive hyperplasia. The optimal strategy for preoperative staging remains a topic of ongoing research. Advanced imaging techniques to assess lymph nodes in the setting of prostate cancer utilizing novel MRI contrast agents as well as positron emission tomography (PET) tracers have been developed and continue to be studied. Magnetic resonance lymphography utilizing ultra-small super paramagnetic iron oxide has shown promising results in detection of metastatic lymph nodes. Combining MRL with diffusion-weighted imaging may also improve accuracy. Considerable efforts are being made to develop effective PET radiotracers that are performed using hybrid-imaging systems that combine PET with CT or MRI. PET tracers that will be reviewed in this article include [18F]fluoro-D-glucose, sodium [18F]fluoride, [18F]choline, [11C]choline, prostate specific membrane antigen binding ligands, [11C]acetate, [18F]fluciclovine, gastrin releasing peptide receptor ligands, and androgen binding receptors. This article will review these advanced imaging modalities and ability to detect prostate cancer metastasis to lymph nodes. While more research is needed, these novel techniques to image lymph nodes in the setting of prostate cancer show a promising future in improving initial lymph node staging.

Shape design of cerium oxide nanoparticles for enhancement of enzyme mimetic activity in therapeutic applications

Cerium oxide nanoparticles （CONPs）, widely used in catalytic applications owing to their robust redox reaction, are now being considered in therapeutic applications based on their enzyme mimetic properties such as catalase and super oxide dismutase （SOD） mimetic activities. In therapeutic applications, the emerging demand for CONPs with low cytotoxicity, high cost efficiency, and high enzyme mimetic capability necessitates the exploration of alternative synthesis and effective material design. This study presents a room temperature aqueous synthesis for low-cost production of shape-selective CONPs without potentially harmful organic substances, and additionally, investigates cell viability and catalase and SOD mimetic activities. This synthesis, at room temperature, produced CONPs with particular planes： {111}/{100} nanopolyhedra, {100} nano/submicron cubes, and {111}/{100} nanorods that grew in [110] longitudinal direction. Enzymatic activity assays indicated that nanopolyhedra with a high concentration of Ce4＋ ions promoted catalase mimetic activity, while nanocubes and nanorods with high Ce3＋ ion concentrations enhanced SOD mimetic activity. This is the first study indicating that shape and facet configuration design of CONPs, coupled with the retention of dominant, specific Ce valence states, potentiates enzyme mimetic activities. These findings may be utilized for CONP design aimed at enhancing enzyme mimetic activities in therapeutic applications.