Search

Abstract: Objective: To compare the effects of peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) placement using B-mode ultrasound with the modified Seldinger technique (BUMST) versus the blind puncture. Methods: One hundred chemotherapy patients were recruited to participate in a randomised, controlled trial in Guangzhou, China. Fifty were assigned to the experimental group (using BUMST), and 50 were assigned to the control group (blind puncture). Demographic and background data, data related to PICC placement, complications after PICC placement, the patients' degree of comfort (determined via a questionnaire), and patients' costs for PICC maintenance were collected to compare the effects of the two methods. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to analyse the data; p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: Nighty-eight of the 100 PICCs were successfully inserted (50 in the experimental group and 48 in the control group). Compared with the control group, the experimental group had a lower rate of unplanned catheter removal (4.0% vs. 18.7%; p = 0.02), a lower incidence of mechanical phlebitis (0% vs. 22.9%; p < 0.001), a lower incidence of venous thrombosis (0% vs. 8.3%; p = 0.037), and a higher incidence of catheter migration (32% vs. 2.1%; p < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the experimental group experienced significantly less severe contact dermatitis (p = 0.038), had improved comfort at 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after PICC placement (p < 0.001), and had lower costs for PICC maintenance at 2 months, 3 months and when the catheter was removed (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Using B-mode ultrasound with MST for PICC placement reduced complications and patients' costs for PICC maintenance and improved patients' degree of comfort; thus, this procedure should be more widely used. The clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-12002749. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Oplopanax horridus is a plant native to North America. Previous reports have demonstrated that this herb has antiproliferative effects on cancer cells but study mostly focused on its extract or fractions. Because there has been limited phytochemical study on this herb, its bioactive compounds are largely unknown. We recently isolated and identified 13 compounds, including six polyynes, three sesquiterpenes, two steroids, and two phenolic acids, of which five are novel compounds. In this study, we systemically evaluated the anticancer effects of compounds isolated from O. horridus. Their antiproliferative effects on a panel of human colorectal and breast cancer cells were determined using the MTS assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic effects were analyzed by flow cytometry. The in vivo antitumor effect was examined using a xenograft tumor model. Among the 13 compounds, strong antiproliferative effects were observed from falcarindiol and a novel compound oplopantriol A. Falcarindiol showed the most potent antiproliferative effects, significantly inducing pro-apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the S and G2/M phases. The anticancer potential of falcarindiol was further verified in vivo, significantly inhibiting HCT-116 tumor growth in an athymic nude mouse model at 15mg/kg. We also analyzed the relationship between polyyne structures and their pharmacological activities. We observed that both the terminal hydroxyl group and double bond obviously affected their anticancer potential. Results from this study supplied valuable information for future semi-synthesis of polyyne derivatives to develop novel cancer chemopreventive agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Electrochemical calibration curves recorded at enzyme-modified micro- or nanoelectrodes are often quantitatively analysed using graphical approaches. In this case the information is directly derived from the calibration curve using a frequent practice although it is rooted on extrapolating the procedures valid when the enzymes as well as their substrate and cofactors are homogeneously distributed in a solution. Here, using a simple but highly representative model we demonstrate that this practice yields incorrect interpretation of the experimental results even for simple Michaelis-Menten mechanisms. This model makes it possible to establish correct relationships linking calibration currents and bulk substrate concentrations by a simple method allowing to account for the biases due to diffusional constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucommia ulmoides is an important traditional Chinese medicine and has been used as a tonic with a long history. Aucubin is an active component extracted from Eucommia ulmoides , which has liver-protection effects. However the mechanisms are still unclear. To investigate the inhibitory effects and the underlying mechanisms of aucubin on TGF-β1-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells and ECM deposition, Human hepatic stellate cells (LX-2 cells) were incubated with TGF-β1 to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effect of aucubin. Western blot was used to investigate the expression of α-SMA, Col I, Col III, MMP-2 and TIMP-1. ROS production was monitored using DCFH-DA probe, and NOX4 expression was detected by Real-time PCR. Results indicated that TGF-β1 stimulated the activation and ECM deposition of LX-2 cells. Compared with the control group, aucubin and aucubigenin both reduced the protein expression of α-SMA, Col I, Col III and MMP-2 in LX-2 cells. Aucubin and aucubigenin also suppressed the generation of ROS and down-regulated the NOX4 mRNA expression. Taken together, aucubin and aucubigenin both inhibit the activation and ECM deposition of LX-2 cells activated by TGF-β1. Aucubin and aucubigenin are potential therapeutic candidate drugs for liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), escaped from solid tumor to peripheral blood, are responsible for tumor metastasis and closely relevant to cancer progression. As one of the targets of "liquid biopsy", CTCs play an important role in noninvasive tumor diagnosis. In the past decades, various microfluidic devices have been developed to efficiently isolate and accurately numerate CTCs. However, simply enumeration of CTCs can't satisfy the requirements of downstream analysis and clinical application of CTCs. Recently, new microfluidic chips have demonstrated superior advantages in extracting more information from CTCs. In this minireview, we will summarize the classical microfluidic devices for isolating and detecting CTCs, and discuss recent advances of microfluidic chip for in-depth research of CTCs, such as heterogeneity, phenotype and genotype analysis, ex vivo expansion as well as in vivo isolation et al. Finally, we will predict future research for developing next-generation of microfluidic chip to satisfy clinical demand. • Circulating tumor cells are extremely rare in blood and responsible for tumor metastasis. • Classical microfluidic chips for isolation of CTCs are summarized. • Recent advances of microfluidic chips for in-depth analysis of CTCs are discussed. • The future direction of next-generation microfluidic device is predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a significant public health problem in the United States. Abdominal pain is a major complaint among individuals with IBD. Successful IBD management not only controls enteric inflammation, but also reduces abdominal discomfort. Recently, increased attention has been focused on alternative strategies for IBD management. HPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis was employed to evaluate the intestinal microbiome's biotransformation of parent American ginseng compounds into their metabolites. Using a DSS mouse model, the effects of American ginseng microbial metabolites on chemically induced colitis was investigated with disease activity index and histological assessment. Expressions of inflammatory cytokines were determined using real-time PCR and ELISA. Abdominal pain was evaluated using the von Frey filament test. After the gut microbiome's biotransformation, the major metabolites were found to be the compound K and ginsenoside Rg3. Compared with the DSS animal group, American ginseng treatment significantly attenuated experimental colitis, as supported by the histological assessment. The enteric microbiome-derived metabolites of ginseng significantly attenuated the abdominal pain. American ginseng treatment significantly reduced gut inflammation, consistent with pro-inflammatory cytokine level changes. The gut microbial metabolite compound K showed significant anti-inflammatory effects even at low concentrations, compared to its parent ginsenoside Rb1. American ginseng intestinal microbial metabolites significantly reduced chemically-induced colitis and abdominal pain, as mediated by the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Intestinal microbial metabolism plays a critical role in American ginseng mediated colitis management. Highlights • Gut microbiome converts ginsenoside Rb1 into its metabolites Rg3, F2 and compound K. • Oral American ginseng significantly reduces chemically induced colitis. • Ginseng metabolites attenuates inflammation associated visceral hypersensitivity. • The microbial metabolite compound K shows significant anti-inflammatory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although impaired insulin signaling at a post-receptor level was a well-established key driver of insulin resistance, the role of surface abnormal insulin receptor (INSR) location in insulin resistance pathogenesis tended to be ignored and its molecular mechanisms remained obscure. Herein, this study aimed to investigate hepatic apolipoprotein E (APOE) impaired cellular insulin action via reducing cell surface INSR, especially in caveolae. Downregulation of APOE enhanced the caveolae translocation of INSR and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and improved hepatic cells' sensitivity to insulin. Consistently, mice with selective suppression of liver tissue APOE showed lower fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels, better homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index (HOMA-IS, HOMA-IR, HOMA- β) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Furthermore, the co-localization of INSR and CAV1 in the liver of these mice were more substantial than controls. APOE might adversely set the basal gain of INSR signaling implied that APOE could be a new endogenous INSR regulator. [Display omitted] • Apolipoprotein E was indeed involved in the regulation of insulin signaling. • Down-regulation of apolipoprotein E enhanced insulin signaling on glucose metabolism. • Insulin-sensitizing effect of apolipoprotein E downregulation might be traced to the enhanced caveolae INSR activation. • Knockout of hepatic apolipoprotein E in mice reduced in vivo GSIS due to improved insulin sensitivity and HOMA index. • The co-localization between INSR and CAV1 was more evident in the apolipoprotein E KO mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of Na 2 S 2 O 3 on RE-boronizing behavior of 45 carbon steel was investigated by varying the Na 2 S 2 O 3 content in the treatment agent. The content of Na 2 S 2 O 3 was set to 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%, respectively, to study the effect of sulfur on the property of the boride layer. The diffusion layers obtained by the above-described agents containing different levels of Na 2 S 2 O 3 were named B-0SL, B-1SL, B-2SL, B-3SL, B-4SL and B-5SL, respectively. Pack RE-boronizing of 45 carbon steel was carried out at 300 °C for 2 h, and then at 850 °C for 6 h. The diffusion coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Vickers microhardness measurement, profilometry, the Daimler-Benz Rockwell-C adhesion test, and friction test. Testing results have revealed a significant morphology change in the borides with different Na 2 S 2 O 3 contents. The thickness of the layer increases dramatically with increasing content of Na 2 S 2 O 3 , reaches its maximum (152 μm) with an agent of 3 wt.% Na 2 S 2 O 3 , then remains unchanged with further increasing Na 2 S 2 O 3 content. The concentrations of B, S and O in the diffusion coatings increase with increasing the content of Na 2 S 2 O 3 . B-rich, O-rich and S-rich regions form successively from the surface to the inner layer in the B-5SL layer. FeS 2 and Fe 2 O 3 phases with a low hardness were observed in the B-3SL and B-5SL layers, respectively. The microhardness of the B-5SL layer is the highest, while the adhesion between the coating and the substrate in the B-3SL layer is the best among all the coatings. Compared with other coatings, the B-3SL layer can still keep a lower friction coefficient as well as a lower wear rate even when a high load is applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]