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The objective of this study was to analyze the value of artificial intelligence algorithm-based computerized tomography (CT) image combined with serum tumor markers for diagnoses of pancreatic cancer. In the study, 68 hospitalized patients with pancreatic cancer were selected as the experimental group, and 68 hospitalized patients with chronic pancreatitis were selected as the control group, all underwent CT imaging. An image segmentation algorithm on account of two-dimensional (2D)-three-dimensional (3D) convolution neural network (CNN) was proposed. It also introduced full convolutional network (FCN) and UNet network algorithm. The diagnostic performance of CT, serum carbohydrate antigen-50 (CA-50), serum carbohydrate antigen-199 (CA-199), serum carbohydrate antigen-242 (CA-242), combined detection of tumor markers, and CT-combined tumor marker testing (CT-STUM) for pancreatic cancer were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the average Dice coefficient of 2D-3D training was 84.27%, which was higher than that of 2D and 3D CNNs. During the test, the maximum and average Dice coefficient of the 2D-3D CNN algorithm was 90.75% and 84.32%, respectively, which were higher than the other two algorithms, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ). The penetration ratio of pancreatic duct in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group, the rest were higher than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ). CA-50, CA-199, and CA-242 in the experimental group were 141.72 U/mL, 1548.24 U/mL, and 83.65 U/mL, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and authenticity of combined detection of serum tumor markers were higher than those of CA-50, CA-199, and CA-242, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ). The results showed that the proposed algorithm 2D-3D CNN had good stability and image segmentation performance. CT-STUM had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnoses of pancreatic cancer.

Atherosclerosis is a common type of cardiovascular disease (CVD), remaining one of the leading causes of global death. Tripartite motif-containing 28 (TRIM28) is a member of TRIM family that has been found to be involved in atherosclerosis. However, the role of TRIM28 in atherosclerosis remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of TRIM28 on the phenotypic switching of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), which is considered as a fundamental event during the development of atherosclerosis. The results showed that TRIM28 was highly expressed in human atherosclerotic tissues, as well in cultured HASMCs stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor subunit B homodimer (PDGF-BB). Knockdown of TRIM28 by transfection with siRNA targeting TRIM28 (si-TRIM28) significantly suppressed the PDGF-BB-induced cell proliferation and migration of HASMCs. Besides, knockdown of TRIM28 inhibited the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. The VSMC markers including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), calponin and SM22α were upregulated in TRIM28 knocked down HASMCs. Furthermore, knockdown of TRIM28 blocked PDGF-BB-induced NF-κB activation in HASMCs. Collectively, knockdown of TRIM28 prevented PDGF-BB-induced phenotypic switching of HASMCs, which might be mediated by the regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) capsules are promising candidates for many kinds of cancer detection and treatment but are usually intended to deliver cargo to specific sites or to destroy cancer cells based on photothermal effects from the outside. In this publication we prove that it is possible to kill cancer cells from the inside based on phagocytosed PEM capsules. In addition we show how to open the cells and bring the PEM capsules to the surface of cancer cells based on photothermal effects and rapid evaporation of water. Diffusion-based temperature determinations of the photothermal effect up to the evaporation temperature of water are presented.

Autophagy is a tightly regulated process activated in response to metabolic stress and other microenvironmental changes. Astrocyte elevated gene 1 (AEG-1) reportedly induces protective autophagy. Our results indicate that AEG-1 also enhances the susceptibility of malignant glioma cells to TGF-β1-triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through induction of autophagy. TGF-β1 induced autophagy and activated AEG-1 via Smad2/3 phosphorylation in malignant glioma cells. Also increased was oncogene cyclin D1 and EMT markers, which promoted tumor progression. Inhibition of autophagy using siRNA-BECN1 and siRNA-AEG-1 suppressed EMT. In tumor samples from patients with malignant glioma, immunohistochemical assays showed that expression levels of TGF-β1, AEG-1, and markers of autophagy and EMT, all gradually increase with glioblastoma progression. In vivo siRNA-AEG-1 administration to rats implanted with C6 glioma cells inhibited tumor growth and increased the incidence of apoptosis among tumor cells. These findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying the invasiveness and progression of malignant gliomas.

Modern drug delivery systems rely on either antibody-based single-surface recognition or on surface-hydrophobicity-based approaches. For a tumor showing various surface mutations, both approaches fail. This publication hereby presents Janus capsules based on polyelectrolyte multilayer microcapsules exhibiting human leucocyte (THP-1 cell line) cell membranes for discriminating HUVEC cells from three different cancer cell lines. Despite destroying the cellular integrity of leucocyte cells, the modified Janus capsules are able to adhere to cancer cells. Leucocyte cell-membrane-coated Janus capsules are phagocytosed with the cellular membrane part pointing to the cells.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease with manifestation of over-accumulation of fat in liver. Increasing evidences indicate that NAFLD may be in part caused by malfunction of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), a nuclear receptor protein, plays an important role in sustain hepatic lipid homeostasis via transcriptional regulation of genes involved in secretion of VLDL, such as apolipoprotein B (ApoB). However, the exact functional change of HNF4α in NAFLD remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we found that high fat diet (HFD) induced cytoplasmic retention of HNF4α in hepatocytes, which led to down-regulation of hepatic ApoB expression and its protein level in serum, as well as reduced secretion of VLDL. We further revealed that oxidative stress, elevated in fatty liver, was the key factor inducing the cytoplasmic retention of HNF4α in hepatocytes by activating protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation in HNF4α. Thus, our findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying HFD-induced fatty liver that oxidative stress impairs function of HNF4α on ApoB expression and VLDL secretion via PKC activation, eventually promoting fat accumulation in the liver. Therefore, oxidative stress/PKC/HNF4α pathway may be a novel target to treat diet-induced fatty liver.

Background Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) has been proposed an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the magnitude of this association in the general population varied considerably. Objective To investigate the association of baseline non-HDL-C level with CHD risk in the general population by conducting a meta-analysis. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed in the Pubmed and Embase until January 2017. Prospective observational studies that investigated the association between baseline non-HDL-C level and CHD risk in the general population were included. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for the highest vs. the lowest non-HDL-C category. Results Seven articles with 9 independent prospective studies involving 448,732 individuals were included. Meta-analysis showed that individuals with the highest non-HDL-C level at baseline were associated with greater risk of CHD (RR 1.79; 95% CI 1.68–1.91) than those in the lowest non-HDL-C level category. Subgroup analysis suggested that the risk of CHD seemed more pronounced among men (HR 1.98; 95% CI 1.70–2.30) than among women (HR 1.63; 95% CI 1.35–1.96). Conclusions Higher baseline non-HDL-C level is associated with increased risk of CHD in the general population. This risk seems more pronounced in men than in women. However, gender difference in non-HDL-C level associated with CHD risk should be verified by more well-designed prospective studies.

Efforts to improve the genotype 1a potency and pharmacokinetics of earlier naphthyridine-based HCV NS5A inhibitors resulted in the discovery of a novel series of pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds, which displayed potent inhibition of HCV genotypes 1a and 1b in the replicon assay. SAR in this system revealed that the introduction of amides bearing an additional ‘E’ ring provided compounds with improved potency and pharmacokinetics. Introduction of a chiral center on the amide portion resulted in the observation of a stereochemical dependence for replicon potency and provided a site for the attachment of functional groups useful for improving the solubility of the series. Compound 21 was selected for administration in an HCV-infected chimpanzee. Observation of a robust viral load decline provided positive proof of concept for inhibition of HCV replication in vivo for the compound series.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication is highly dependent on host cell factors. Identification of these host factors not only facilitates understanding of the biology of HCV infection but also enables the discovery of novel targets for anti-HCV therapy. To identify host genes important for HCV RNA replication, we screened a library of small interfering RNA (siRNA) that targets approximately 4,000 human genes in Huh7-derived EN5-3 cells harboring an HCV subgenomic replicon with the nonstructural region NS3-NS5B from the 1b-N strain. Nine cellular genes that potentially regulate HCV replication were identified in this screen. Silencing of these genes resulted in inhibition of HCV replication by more than 60% and exhibited minimal toxicity. Knockdown of host gene expression by these siRNAs was confirmed at the RNA level and, in some instances, at the protein level. The level of siRNA silencing of these host genes correlated well with inhibition of HCV. These genes included those that encoded a G-protein coupled receptor (TBXA2R), a membrane protein (LTβ), an adapter protein (TRAF2), 2 transcription factors (RelA and NFκB2), 2 protein kinases (MKK7 and SNARK), and 2 closely related transporter proteins (SLC12A4 and SLC12A5). Of interest, some of these genes are members of the tumor necrosis factor/lymphotoxin signaling pathway. Conclusion: Findings of this study may provide important information for understanding HCV replication. In addition, these cellular genes may constitute a novel set of targets for HCV antiviral therapy. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The absence of culture systems permissive for HCV replication has presented a major bottleneck to antiviral development. We sought to recapitulate the early steps in the life cycle of HCV by means of DNA-based expression of viral genomic sequences. Here we report expression of replicating HCV RNA by using a, to our knowledge, novel binary expression system in which cells were transfected with a T7 polymerase-driven full-length HCV cDNA plasmid containing a cis -acting hepatitis Δ ribozyme to control 3′ cleavage, and infected with vaccinia-T7 polymerase. HCV genomic and replicative strand synthesis, in addition to protein synthesis, was detectable and depended on full-length HCV sequences. Moreover, the system was capable of generating HCV RNA quasispecies, consistent with the action of the low-fidelity HCV NS5B RNA polymerase. IFN-α, but not ribavirin, directly inhibited the viral replicative cycle in these cells, identifying the virus itself and not solely the immune system as a direct target of IFN action. The availability of a cell-based test for viral replication will facilitate screening of inhibitory compounds, analysis of IFN-resistance mechanisms, and analysis of virus–host cell interactions.

The therapeutic activity of ceftobiprole medocaril, the prodrug of ceftobiprole, was compared to that of vancomycin, daptomycin, and the combination of a subtherapeutic dose of ceftobiprole and vancomycin in a rat model of infective endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (ATCC 43300) or glycopeptide-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (GISA) (NRS4 and HIP 5836) strains. The minimum bactericidal concentrations of ceftobiprole, vancomycin, and daptomycin at bacterial cell densities similar to those encountered in the cardiac vegetation in the rat endocarditis model were 2, >64, and 8 μg/ml, respectively, for MRSA ATCC 43300 and 4, >64, and 8 μg/ml, respectively, for the GISA strain. Ceftobiprole medocaril administered in doses of 100 mg/kg of body weight given intravenously (i.v.) twice a day (BID) every 8 h (q8h) (equivalent to a human therapeutic dose of ceftobiprole [500 mg given three times a day [TID]) was the most effective monotherapy, eradicating nearly 5 log 10 CFU/g MRSA or 6 log 10 CFU/g GISA organisms from the cardiac vegetation and had the highest incidence of sterile vegetation compared to the other monotherapies in the endocarditis model. In in vitro time-kill studies, synergistic effects were observed with ceftobiprole and vancomycin on MRSA and GISA strains, and in vivo synergy was noted with combinations of subtherapeutic doses of these agents for the same strains. Additionally, sterile vegetations were achieved in 33 and 60%, respectively, of the animals infected with MRSA ATCC 43300 or GISA NRS4 receiving ceftobiprole-vancomycin combination therapy. In summary, ceftobiprole was efficacious both as monotherapy and in combination with vancomycin in treating MRSA and GISA infections in a rat infective endocarditis model and warrants further evaluation.

The new broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone JNJ-Q2 displays in vitro activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and ciprofloxacin-resistant MRSA isolates. Tested with isogenic methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA strains bearing quinolone-resistant target mutations, JNJ-Q2 displayed MICs ≤ 0.12 μg/ml, values 16- to 32-fold lower than those determined for moxifloxacin. Overexpression of the NorA efflux pump did not impact JNJ-Q2 MICs. Inhibition of S. aureus DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV enzymes demonstrated that JNJ-Q2 was more potent than comparators against wild-type enzymes and enzymes carrying quinolone-resistant amino acid substitutions, and JNJ-Q2 displayed equipotent activity against both enzymes. In serial-passage studies comparing resistance selection in parallel MRSA cultures by ciprofloxacin and JNJ-Q2, ciprofloxacin readily selected for mutants displaying MIC values of 128 to 512 μg/ml, which were observed within 18 to 24 days of passage. In contrast, cultures passaged in the presence of JNJ-Q2 displayed MICs ≤ 1 μg/ml for a minimum of 27 days of serial passage. A mutant displaying a JNJ-Q2 MIC of 4 μg/ml was not observed until after 33 days of passage. Mutant characterization revealed that ciprofloxacin-passaged cultures with MICs of 256 to 512 μg/ml carried only 2 or 3 quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) mutations. Cultures passaged with JNJ-Q2 selection for up to 51 days displayed MICs of 1 to 64 μg/ml and carried between 4 and 9 target mutations. Established in vitro biofilms of wild-type or ciprofloxacin-resistant MRSA exposed to JNJ-Q2 displayed greater decreases in bacterial counts (7 days of exposure produced 4.5 to >7 log 10 CFU decreases) than biofilms exposed to ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampin, or vancomycin.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase is essential for viral replication and has been a prime target for drug discovery research. Our efforts directed toward the discovery of HCV polymerase inhibitors resulted in the identification of unsymmetrical dialkyl-hydroxynaphthalenoyl-benzothiadiazines 2 and 3. The most active compound displayed activity in genotypes 1a and 1b polymerase and replicon cell culture inhibition assays at subnanomolar and low nanomolar concentrations, respectively. It also displayed an excellent pharmacokinetic profile in rats, with a plasma elimination half-life after intravenous dosing of 4.5 h, oral bioavailability of 77%, and a peak liver concentration of 21.8 microg/mL.

Compound A-837093, a non-nucleoside HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor, displayed nanomolar potencies against HCV genotypes 1a and 1b replicons. It also exhibited an excellent metabolic profile and achieved high plasma and liver concentrations in animals. In order to characterize the development of resistance to this anti-HCV agent, HCV subgenomic 1b strain N replicon cells were cultured in the presence of A-837093 with G418. Mutations S368A, Y448H, G554D, Y555C, and D559G in the NS5B polymerase gene were identified that led to substantial decreases in the susceptibilities of 1b genotype replicons to the inhibitor A-837093. However, the resistant mutants remained susceptible to HCV protease inhibitor BILN-2061 and alpha interferon as well as to a different class of non-nucleoside HCV polymerase inhibitor. In addition, each single resistant mutation identified significantly reduced the replication capacity of mutant compared to wild-type replicon. These findings provide a strategic guide for the future development of non-nucleoside inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

High rates of genetic variation ensure the survival of RNA viruses. Although this variation is thought to result from error-prone replication, RNA viruses must also maintain highly conserved genomic segments. A balance between conserved and variable viral elements is especially important in order for viruses to avoid “error catastrophe.” Ribavirin has been shown to induce error catastrophe in other RNA viruses. We therefore used a novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication system to determine relative mutation frequencies in variable and conserved regions of the HCV genome, and we further evaluated these frequencies in response to ribavirin. We sequenced the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) and the core, E2 HVR-1, NS5A, and NS5B regions of replicating HCV RNA isolated from cells transfected with a T7 polymerase-driven full-length HCV cDNA plasmid containing a cis -acting hepatitis delta virus ribozyme to control 3′ cleavage. We found quasispecies in the E2 HVR-1 and NS5B regions of untreated replicating viral RNAs but not in conserved 5′ UTR, core, or NS5A regions, demonstrating that important cis elements regulate mutation rates within specific viral segments. Neither T7-driven replication nor sequencing artifacts produced these nucleotide substitutions in control experiments. Ribavirin broadly increased error generation, especially in otherwise invariant regions, indicating that it acts as an HCV RNA mutagen in vivo. Similar results were obtained in hepatocyte-derived cell lines. These results demonstrate the potential utility of our system for the study of intrinsic factors regulating genetic variation in HCV. Our results further suggest that ribavirin acts clinically by promoting nonviable HCV RNA mutation rates. Finally, the latter result suggests that our replication model may be useful for identifying agents capable of driving replicating virus into error catastrophe.