Cancer is one of the main causes of death for human beings. Clinical oncologists increasingly rely upon imaging for diagnosis, stage, response assessment, and follow-up in cancer patient. However, 18F-FDG is not a tumor specific agent, inflammation and infection also have intensive uptake of 18F-FDG, resulting in false positive diagnosis, and some tumors have low uptake of 18F-FDG or even do not uptake 18F-FDG, leading to false negative diagnosis. So it is urgent to develop non-18F-FDG novel tumor targeting agent. Recently, a large number of researches in vitro have demonstrated that berberine has anti-tumor activity against a variety of tumor cells by inducing tumor cell apoptosis through inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain etc. So far, there is no credible evidence of berberine targeting in tumor in vivo. We proposed a hypothesis that berberine has the characteristics of tumor targeting biodistribution in vivo, and verified the proposal by 18F-berberine PET/CT imaging in VX2 muscle tumor-bearing rabbit model. In this review, we intend to give an overview of the progress of berberine anticancer, the structural bases of berberine anticancer and the uderlying molecular mechanisms of berberine anticancer indentified so far. We also introduce the first visualization of 18F labeled berberine derivatives targeting tumor in VX2 muscle tumor-bearing rabbit model by PET/CT. These breakthrough findings suggest that 18F-berberine derivatives as a potential PET/CT tumor targeted molecular imaging agent may have important implications for cancer targeting therapy, molecular imaging and modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Berberine ; chemistry ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molecular Imaging ; Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tissue Distribution ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the current status of moral distress in clinical nurses,and analyze its influential factors.Methods A total of 240 clinical nurses were recruited by stratified sampling method.They were investigated with general situation questionnaire and moral distress scale.Results The average score of moral distress was (2.66±0.41).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that department of work and qualification were influencing factors on moral distress of clinical nurses.Conclusions This study found that nurses' moral distress was above the middle level.Some targeted measures should be taken by nursing managers,in order to help decrease nurses' moral distress.

Objective Take alkaline ashing method as golden standard to explore the accuracy of chloric acid digestion method in determination of human milk iodine. Methods Sixty one breast milk samples collected in Hexi district of Tianjin was measured by the method for determination of iodine in foodstuff by As3+-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry (referred to as the alkaline ashing method) published in 2008 and the method for determination of iodine in urine by As3+-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry(referred to as acid digestion) published in 1999, respectively. were highly correlated(r = 0.960, t = 26.3, P < 0.01), and the regression equation was (Y) = - 28.1 + 0.808X, in which X was independent variable, that is the results of alkaline ashing method; (Y) was dependent variable, that is the estimated data of chloric acid digestion method. The average difference of the results measured by the two methods was 68.3 μg/L, and the results from chloric acid digestion was 38.9% which lower than that of alkaline samples were diluted by 3,4 and 5-fold and then digested by chloric acid, the liquid clarification rates were 80.3% ashing and chloric acid digestion method were, respectively, 165.4, 110.0 μg/L. Conclusions Compared with alkaline ashing method, the results determined by chloric acid digestion method are significantly lower. It is suggested that there are systemic errors in chloric acid digestion method, which means that alkaline ashing method can not be replaced by the chloric acid digestion method.

Activin Receptors, Type I ; analysis ; Animals ; Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Regeneration ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; Sodium Glutamate ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; analysis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; genetics

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of ovalbumin（OVA）-induced cough variant asthma （CVA） on the intestinal flora of mice， based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "exterior-interior relationship between the lung and the large intestine" and 16S ribosomal DNA gene sequencing technology. MethodsTwenty BALB/c female mice were randomly divided into model group and control group， and were sensitized and stimulated with OVA to establish a CVA mouse model. After modeling， the body weight and the cough response of mice were recorded by ammonia water-induced cough method. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the lungs of mice. The feces of mice were collected for 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing analysis. ResultsCompared with the control group， the mice in the model group were in a poorer general state， being restless， scratching their ears， and losing weight （P<0.01）. The model group mice had increased cough times （P<0.01） and shortened cough latency （P<0.01） in comparison to the control group. Pathological results showed that the model group mice had obvious inflammatory infiltration， thickened airway smooth muscle， and epithelial cell necrosis. 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing showed that the species richness and diversity of the intestinal flora of mice in the model group increased， and the structure of the intestinal flora changed significantly. At the phylum level， the relative abundance of Firmicutes in the model group was decreased， and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Euryarchaeota was increased. At the genus level， the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was decreased in the model group， and the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter and Prevotellaceae UCG-003 was increased. ConclusionOVA-induced CVA mice had intestinal flora disorder， which provides new idea for the treatment of CVA， and further enriches the traditional Chinese medicine theory of “exterior-interior relationship between the lung and the large intestine”.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of miR-9 in B lymphocytes, B cell lymphoma and classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) cell lines and its significance.

METHODSCD19(+) B lymphocytes were sorted from normal lymph node by magnetic beads. Total cellular micro-RNA was extracted from cHL cell line L428, B cell lymphoma cell lines Ly1 and Ly10 (diffuse large B cell lymphoma), Raji cells (Burkitt's lymphoma) and CD19(+) B lymphocytes, respectively. These micro-RNAs were separately transformed into cDNA by reverse transcription. The expression levels of miR-9 were measured by fluorescence quantitative PCR. In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of miR-9 in cell lines.

RESULTSThe expression of miR-9 was high in L428 cells (104.44 ± 1.61), and low in cell lines of B cell lymphoma (Ly1: 2.17 ± 0.38; Ly10: 1 ± 0.015; Raji: 2.65 ± 0.89), and extremely low in CD19(+) B lymphocytes (0.0026 ± 0.00040). Compared with that in the other cell lines, the expression of miR-9 in L428 cells was statistically significant (P < 0.05). miR-9 localized in the cytoplasm diffusely and strongly in L428, but scattered and slightly with some prominent distribution around the nuclear membranes in Ly1 and Ly10, and only weakly in Raji.

CONCLUSIONSmiR-9 highly expressed in cHL cell line and might be a molecular marker for diagnosis and treatment of cHL.

B-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Lineage ; Hodgkin Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism

To produce the recombinant baculovirus transfer plasmid pFast-ORF2, the ORF2 gene of Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2) was subcloned into baculovirus transfer vector (pFastBac(TM1) ) using Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system. E. coli DH10Bac (Gibco BRL) containing baculovirus shutter vector (bacmid) and helper vector was transformed with recombinant plasmid pFast-ORF2. Within E. coli DH10Bac, the ORF2 gene was transposed into the bacmid. The colonies of E. coli containing recombinant bacmid (Bac. ORF2) were collected by blue/white selection. The Bac. ORF2 was transfected into sf9 cells to yield AcNPV carrying the PCV2 ORF2 gene, referred to as Ac. ORF2. Expression of the ORF2 gene of PCV2 was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IIFA), SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting. The expressed ORF2 gene product had a molecular mass of 28kD and could be recognized by the positive serum of PCV2. The results indicated the ORF2 gene was properly expressed in sf9 cell. It was noteworthy that many self-assembled virus-like particles (VLPs) were found in purified and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) stained PCV2 ORF2 protein by electron microscope. The particles were of similar morphology to the PCV2 virion and some self-assembled virus-like particles had darkly stained centers that made them appear to be empty capsids. Both PCV2 particles and self-assembled particles were approximately 17 nm in diameter.
Animals ; Baculoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Circovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Insecta ; cytology ; metabolism ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Swine ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Virion

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of urotensin II (U II) and G-protein coupled receptor 14 (GPR14) mRNA in human pheochromocytoma tissues.

METHODSTotal RNA from normal adrenal and pheochromocytoma tissues was extracted. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method was used to evaluate the levels of U II and GPR14 mRNA expression in human pheochromocytoma tissues.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of U II and GPR14 mRNA expression between normal adrenal cortex and medulla. The expression of U II and GPR14 mRNA in pheochromocytoma was significantly lower than that in normal adrenal cortex and medulla (P < 0.05). The expression of GPR14 mRNA in adrenal pheochromocytomas was significantly lower than that of extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONU II and GPR14 may play a role in the pathogenesis and hypertension regulating of pheochromocytoma.

Adrenal Cortex ; metabolism ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Adrenal Medulla ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pheochromocytoma ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Urotensins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of human adrenomedullin (ADM) and its receptor-receptor activity modifying protein 2/calcitonin receptor-like receptor (RAMP2/CRLR) mRNA in the tissues of normal adrenal medulla and pheochromocytoma.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from normal adrenal medulla and pheochromocytomas. The expression of ADM and RAMP2/CRLR mRNA were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The ratios of ADM/GAPDH, RAMP2/ GAPDH, CRLR/GAPDH were used to evaluate the expression levels of ADM, RAMP2 and CRLR mRNA.

RESULTSExpressions of ADM and its receptor- RAMP2/CRLR mRNA were detected in normal adrenal medulla and pheochromocytoma tissues. ADM/GAPDH were 0.48+/-0.09 and 0.75+/-0.24, RAMP2/ GAPDH 0.79+/-0.12 and 1.29+/-0.30, CRLR/GAPDH 0.40+/-0.08 and 0.87+/-0.22 in normal adrenal medulla and pheochromocytomas, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONADM exerts a possible autocrine or paracrine effect in the adrenal. ADM may be involved in the pathogenesis of pheochromocytoma.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Adrenal Medulla ; metabolism ; Adrenomedullin ; Adult ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pheochromocytoma ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 2 ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins ; Receptors, Adrenomedullin ; Receptors, Calcitonin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Peptide ; metabolism

Objective: This study aimed to assess the technical feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the safe triangular working zone (STWZ) approach applied in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) for spinal metastases involving the posterior part of the vertebral body. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 87 patients who underwent PV for spinal metastasis involving the posterior part of the vertebral body, with or without the STWZ approach, from January 2019 to April 2022. Forty-nine patients (27 females and 22 males; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 57.2 ± 11.6 years; age range, 31–76 years) were included in group A (with STWZ approach), accounting for 54 vertebrae. Thirty-eight patients (18 females and 20 males; 59.1 ± 10.9 years; 29–81 years) were included in group B (without STWZ approach), accounting for 57 vertebrae. Patient demographics, procedure-related variables, and pain relief as assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) were collected at different time points. Tumor recurrence in the vertebrae after PV was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: The STWZ approach was successful from T1 to L5 without severe complications. Cement filling was satisfactory in 47/54 (87.0%) and 25/57 (43.9%) vertebrae in groups A and B, respectively (v< 0.001). Cement leakage was not significantly different between groups A and B (p= 1.000). Mean VAS score ± SD before and 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after PV were 7.6 ± 1.8, 4.2 ± 2.0, 2.7 ± 1.9, 1.9 ± 1.5, 1.7 ± 1.4, 1.7 ± 1.1, and 1.6 ± 1.3, respectively, in group A and 7.2 ± 1.7, 4.0 ± 1.3, 3.4 ± 1.6, 2.4 ± 1.2, 1.8 ± 1.0, 1.4 ± 0.5, and 1.7 ± 0.9, respectively, in group B. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a lower tumor recurrence rate in group A than in group B (p = 0.001). Conclusion The STWZ approach may represent a new, safe, alternative/auxiliary approach to target the posterior part of the vertebral body in the PV for spinal metastases.