Structural Relatedness Between the 18S rRNA Genes and the Formyl Peptide Receptor Genes: New Insights into the Phylogenesis of Immune Receptors

In this study the authors examined the sequences of the ribosomal 18S rRNA of Drosophila and man and 16 mRNA sequences coding for different members of the family of the mammalian formyl peptide receptors (FPRs). The positions in the sequences of all ≥7-base oligonucleotide identities occurring in at least one of the 18S rRNAs and one of the FPR mRNAs were recorded. On the basis of the positional data, the Drosophila 18S-FPR and human 18S-FPR distances (in nucleotides) were determined for each identity. Then the actual frequency distribution of the distances (grouped into 200-unit classes) was derived. The theoretical frequency distribution of distances was also calculated under the assumption of non-relatedness between the 18S and FPR sequences. Comparison between the theoretical and the actual distributions showed that at class –500 (range from ??400 to ??600) of the 18S-FPR values the actual frequency was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than the theoretical frequency, in both Drosophila and man, suggesting that the second section of the FPR genes (approximately from nucleotide 400 to the end of sequence) may be structurally related to the first section of the ribosomal 18S genes (approximately nucelotides 1–650). The authors advance the hypothesis that the two families of genes may have used common ancestral raw genetic materials in the building of the extant sequences.     

The improvement of calvarial bone healing by durable nanogel-crosslinked materials

Abstract

Different approaches have been developed to improve the scaffold properties that provide structural support and biological interaction to achieve the desired environment for tissue regeneration. We previously reported that addition of human fibroblast growth factor 18 (hFGF18) to acryloyl group-modified cholesterol-bearing pullulan (CHPOA) nanogel-crosslinked (NanoClik) hydrogels that contain human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (hBMP2) stabilized bone healing in mouse calvarial defect model. In this study, we evaluated the use of disc-shaped dried nanogel-crosslinked gel as carriers of growth factors in order to seek possible clinical application in future. Both conventionally-dried NanoClik disc and nanogel-crosslinked porous (NanoCliP) disc made by freeze-drying that contained the growth factors induced bone healing but not as much as with NanoClik hydrogel application but addition of RGD peptides (RGD-NanoCliP disc) improved the healing. All type of discs showed the same biphasic ovalbumin-Alexa Fluor 488 protein release profile in vitro, an initial burst followed by a gradual sustained release more than one week, which was confirmed in vivo. Histological analysis showed remarkable new bone formation with more calcification in RGD-NanoCliP disc with the growth factors and the osteogenesis appeared to begin in the dura mater in contact with the disc. These observations suggest: (1) the fitness of the durable discs to the bone defect is a critical factor for bone healing, which is supplemented by addition of RGD peptides, (2) the porosity is suitable for osteoblast recruitment, (3) growth factor release pattern of the CHPOA nanogel based gels is ideal for bone healing.     

18F-FDG PET/CT显像用于肺癌诊疗的研究进展

常规¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT静态显像在肺癌的诊断、分期、疗效评估等方面发挥了重要作用,并能通过标准化摄取值等代谢参数进行半定量分析,但静态显像无法提供病变的示踪动力学信息。近年出现的动态显像技术能够连续评估某一时间段内病变的代谢变化过程,并可应用净摄取速率常数等动力学参数进行定量分析,与静态显像相互补充,为肺癌的诊断提供更丰富的信息。就 ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT静态及动态显像在肺癌诊疗中的研究进展进行综述。     

Automated synthesis of (R)-[18F]MH.MZ on the iPhase Flexlab reaction platform

(R)-[¹⁸F]MH.MZ ([¹⁸F]MH.MZ) is a promising positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for in vivo study of the 5-HT_2A receptor. To facilitate clinical trials, a fully automated radiosynthesis procedure for [¹⁸F]MH.MZ was developed using commercially available materials on the iPhase Flexlab module. The overall synthesis time was 100 min with a radiochemical yield of 7 ± 0.9% (n = 3). The radiochemical purity was greater than 99% for [¹⁸F]MH.MZ with a molar activity of 361 ± 57 GBq/μmol (n = 3). The protocol described herein reliably provides [¹⁸F]MH.MZ that meets all relevant release criteria for a GMP radiopharmaceutical.     

Complementary Acupuncture Treatment Increases Cerebral Metabolism in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

We used positron emission tomography (PET) and the 18-flourodeoxyglucose tracer to study cerebral effects of complementary acupuncture in Parkinson's disease. Five patients received scalp-acupuncture and Madopa, while the other five had Madopa only. PET scans before and after 5 weeks of complementary acupuncture treatment show increased glucose metabolisms in parietal, temporal, occipital lobes, the thalamus, and the cerebellum in the light-diseased hemisphere, and in parietal and occipital lobes of the severe-diseased hemisphere. No changes were observed in the Madopa-only group. Acupuncture in combination with Madopa may improve cerebral glucose metabolism in Parkinson's disease.     

Glucose and methionine uptake and proliferative activity in meningiomas

Abstract

Despite similar benign histological appearances, proliferative activity of meningiomas varies tumor to tumor, and even region to region in a tumor. To predict proliferative potential before surgery, we compared regional uptake of2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDC) and L-fmethyl-11 CJmethionine ([71C]MET) with histological indices of tumor proliferative activity in 17 specimens from six patients with meningioma obtained by PET guided stereotactic biopsies. Uptake of I11C]MET', an index of protein synthesis rate, significantly correlated not only with the count of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs), a histological index of protein synthesis, but also with Ki-67 index, a histological index of proliferative activity. On the other hand, [18F]FDC uptake showed no significant correlation with Ki-67 index or clinical malignancy. These results suggest that [11 C]MET-PET is a useful tool for predicting tumor proliferative potential in meningiomas. [Neurol Res 1999; 21: 640-644]     

膀胱癌的~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像诊断价值研究

目的研究~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像对膀胱癌的诊断价值。方法选取我院核医学科2013年3月-2015年2月收治的34例可疑膀胱癌患者,术前分别采用增强CT和~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像进行诊断,通过参考手术病理结果回顾性分析~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像诊断的效果。结果该34例经手术病理观察均确诊为移行细胞癌,增强CT、~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像诊断准确度分别为91.18%、94.12%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术中共有11例膀胱肿瘤出现盆腔淋巴结或邻近组织转移、浸润,~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像诊断准确度为72.73%,明显高于增强CT(27.27%),具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 ~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像和增强CT均是临床诊断膀胱癌的有效方法,但~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像在观察膀胱肿瘤病灶的转移和对邻近组织的浸润效果较好,对指导临床诊断和了解肿瘤病变具有重要参考价值。     

道真产淡黄香茶菜化学成分研究

目的 研究道真产淡黄香茶菜Isodon flavidus化学成分,为淡黄香茶菜的进一步开发提供科学依据.方法 采用硅胶、MCI gel、Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱色谱、半制备型HPLC和重结晶等方法对化合物进行分离纯化;借助MS、13C-NMR、1H-NMR、2D-NMR波谱数据鉴定化合物的结构.结果 从道真产...     

Effects of an aqueous extract of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br. fruit on experimental atherosclerosis in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Atherosclerosis (AS) can result in severe cardiovascular diseases. Early indications of AS include disorders in lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and endothelial dysfunction. Statins are the preferred drugs for stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques because of their lipid-lowering, anti-inflammation and endothelial-protection activities. However, they can exhibit side effects and are effective in only one-third of patients. Many natural products (especially traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs)) possessing similar lipid-lowering, anti-inflammation and antioxidant activities are of interest in many studies exploring new AS drug therapy.The widely distributed hawthorn is used to prevent and cure heart disease not only in China but also in the United States and several European countries. For example, the fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. and Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br. (a commonly used hawthorn fruit in China) is used in combination with other TCMs to treat AS. Studies have also shown that the water extracts of these two hawthorn fruits are effective against hyperlipidemia by lowering lipid levels, reducing endothelial dysfunction, and inhibiting inflammation. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of the aqueous extract of Crataegus pinnatifida var. major on AS rats.

Materials and methods

The fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida var. major was extracted with 70% ethanol; the ethanol extract was chromatographed on a D101 macroporous resin to obtain a sugar-free aqueous extract (AECP). Atherosclerotic rats were fed a high-fat diet and injected with vitamin D₃ and ovalbumin. Rats were divided into five groups: normal, model, model plus simvastatin, model plus low-dose AECP, and model plus high-dose AECP. AECP and simvastatin were administered (via the intragastric route) to AECP groups and the simvastatin group. For normal and model groups, water was given for 4 weeks. After 12 weeks, levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in blood were measured by an automatic biochemistry analyzer. Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α (6-keto-PGF_1α) and thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological changes in arteries were observed using an optical microscope and the intima-media thickness (IMT) calculated. Cholesterol deposition was evaluated by filipin staining. Chemical ingredients in AECP were analyzed by qualitative and quantitative means by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results

AECP significantly reduced the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C but increased HDL-C levels. It also decreased the concentrations of CRP, IL-1β, IL-8 and IL-18. AECP increased levels of ET and TXB₂ but increased 6-keto-PGF_1α levels. Histopathological examination showed that AECP inhibited pathological changes in the arteries of AS rats and reduced IMT. Chemical analysis suggested that the main components of AECP were chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B₂, (−)-epicatechin, rutin and isoquercitrin.

Conclusions

These data suggest that AECP can inhibit AS progression in high-fat-diet-fed rats. Possible mechanisms of action include improvement of lipid metabolism, decrease in inflammatory cytokine responses, and protection of the endothelium.     

MRI、CT和PET-CT检查对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的诊断价值

背景与目的:三维适形调强放射治疗已成为鼻咽癌放射治疗发展的方向,靶区勾画的精确性显得尤为重要.本研究的目的是探讨MRI、CT以及18F-FDG PET-CT对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移诊断的临床价值,为设计放射治疗计划提供参考.方法:收集2003年1月至2005年4月间中山大学肿瘤防治中心放疗科收治、经病理证实的初诊鼻咽癌87例,所有病例同时具有治疗前鼻咽和颈部的MRI、增强CT及PET.CT检查资料.在MRI、CT及PET-CT上分别评价鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的检出率,比较采用χ2检验.结果:174侧(87例患者)咽旁间隙中,MRI、CT和PET-CT对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的检出率分别为44.8%、33.9%和24.1%.MRI对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的检出优于CT(P=0.037).MRI及CT对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的检出率高于.PET-CT,其差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.001,P=0.002).咽后淋巴结的最小径与PET-CT的标准摄取值呈正相关(r=0.832,P＜0.001).结论:MRI对咽后淋巴结转移的检出率高于CT及PET-CT.在鼻咽癌的三维适形调强放射治疗中,三者的结合应用将有利于提高靶区勾画的精确度.