Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, accounting for 14.1% of new cancer cases in 2020. The aggressiveness of prostate cancer is highly variable, depending on its grade and stage at the time of diagnosis. Despite recent advances in prostate cancer treatment, some patients still experience recurrence or even progression after undergoing radical treatment. Accurate initial staging and monitoring for recurrence determine patient management, which in turn affect patient prognosis and survival. Classical imaging has limitations in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, but the use of novel molecular probes has improved the detection rate, specificity, and accuracy of prostate cancer detection. Molecular probe-based imaging modalities allow the visualization and quantitative measurement of biological processes at the molecular and cellular levels in living systems. An increased understanding of tumor biology of prostate cancer and the discovery of new tumor biomarkers have allowed the exploration of additional molecular probe targets. The development of novel ligands and advances in nano-based delivery technologies have accelerated the research and development of molecular probes. Here, we summarize the use of molecular probes in positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical imaging, and ultrasound imaging, and provide a brief overview of important target molecules in prostate cancer.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Molecular Probes ; Molecular Imaging/methods* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Ultrasonography ; Optical Imaging ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Precision Medicine/methods*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules (QJZ) for ameliorating renal damage in MRL/lpr mice. METHODS: With 6 female C57BL/6 mice as the normal control group, 30 female MRL/lpr mice were randomized into model group, QJZ treatment groups at low, moderate and high doses, and prednisone treatment group (n=6). After 8 weeks of treatment, the mice were examined for 24-h urine protein, creatinine and albumin levels, serum levels of IgG, complement 3 (C3), C4, anti-dsDNA, interferon γ (IFN‑γ) and interleukin 17 (IL-17). Kidney tissues were sampled for histopathological examination with HE staining and observation of glomerular ultrastructure changes using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expressions of MyD88/NF-κB pathway-related molecules in the kidney tissue were detected using RT-qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the mice treated with QJZ at the 3 doses and prednisone showed significant reductions in the renal injury biomarkers and serum IgG, anti-dsDNA, IFN‑γ and IL-17 levels and elevation of serum C3 and C4 levels. HE staining revealed lessened glomerular endothelial cell proliferation and mesangial thickening in all the treatment groups. TEM observation further demonstrated reduced electron-dense deposits and diminished inflammatory cell infiltration in the glomeruli in the intervention groups. QJZ at the 3 doses and prednisone treatment all significantly lowered renal expression levels of MyD88, NF-κB, p65 and p52 in the mouse models. CONCLUSIONS QJZ can improve renal damage in MRL/lpr mice possibly by inhibiting overactivation of the MyD88/NF-κB pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Interleukin-17

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules (QJZ) for inhibiting renal B cell differentiation in MRL/lpr mice and explore its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Thirty 8-week-old female MRL/lpr mice were randomly divided into model group, QJZ group, prednisone (Pred) group, QJZ+Pred group, and AIM2 inhibitor group (n=6), with 6 8-week-old female C57BL/6 mice as the normal control group. After treatments with normal saline, QJZ, Pred, or AIM2 inhibitor for 8 weeks, the mice were examined for urinary total protein-to-creatinine ratio (TPCR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, and renal histopathology (with HE, Masson, and PAS staining) and ultrastructural changes (with electron microscopy). ELISA, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to detect blood levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies, cytokines and chemokines, renal deposition of complement components C3 and C4, renal expressions of AIM2, CD19, CD27 and CD138, and changes in splenic B lymphocyte subsets. The effect of QJZ on the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 signaling axis was examined using Western blotting. RESULTS: QJZ treatment significantly improved Cr, BUN, TPCR and ACR in MRL/lpr mice, ameliorated renal pathologies, reduced the expressions of ds-DNA, BAFF, IL-21, CXCL12, CXCL13, C3 and C4, and increased IL-10 levels. QJZ significantly downregulated renal expressions of the key B-cell transcription factors Blimp-1 and XBP-1, upregulated Bcl-6 and PAX5 expressions, inhibited B-cell differentiation, and lowered the expressions of AIM2, CD27, CD138 and CD69. Inhibition of AIM2 similarly reduced renal Blimp-1 and XBP-1 expressions, increased Bcl-6 and PAX5 levels, suppressed B-cell differentiation, decreased IgG production, reduced C3 and C4 deposition, and alleviated renal pathology in MRL/lpr mice. CONCLUSIONS QJZ inhibits B cell differentiation and alleviates renal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus possibly by suppressing the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; B-Lymphocytes/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/metabolism* ; Kidney/drug effects* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Lupus Nephritis

Objective:To observe the application of the controlled respiratory persistence monitor designed based on the principle of rhythmic temperature variations in artificial airways among different populations and in various artificial airways,and to discuss the feasibility and efficacy of monitoring controlled respiration persistence,and to provide a new method for the clinical respiratory monitoring.Methods:A total of 60 adult patients scheduled for general anesthesia,and 30 pediatric patients aged from 1 to 3 years old,classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)Ⅰ-Ⅱ,were selected.A total of 60 adult patients were randomly divided into adult tracheal intubation(ATI)group and adult laryngeal mask(ALM)group,and there were 30 cases in each group.Additionally,30 pediatric patients aged from 1 to 3 years old were regarded as pediatric tracheal intubation(CTI)group.After induction of general anesthesia,the patients in CTI and ATI groups were underwent tracheal intubation,while the patients in ALM group were given a laryngeal mask inserted and were connected to the anesthesia machine for mechanical ventilation.Whether or not the device could detect the respiratory rate(RR)of the patients in various groups was observed;the RR detected by the device and the frequency set on the anesthesia machine in various groups were compared.All the patients in three groups were simulated three common clinical scenarios of continuous respiration changes before surgery:disconnection of the breathing circuit,failure to switch from manual to mechanical control on the anesthesia machine,and slow air leakage in the breathing circuit.The ways to report the alert and start time of the atarm by the monitors were compared.Results:The controlled respiratory persistence monitor was able to detect the RR of the patients in three groups,and there was no significantly difference between the RR detected by the device and the frequency set on the anesthesia machine(P＞0.05).In the simulated scenarios of common respiratory persistence changes,all the patients in three groups received an artificial voice alarm signaling"Attention,breathing has stopped.",which was acknowledged.There was no significant difference in the start time of alarm of the controlled respiratory persistence monitor between ATI group and ALM group(P＞0.05).Compared with the start time of alarm of the patients in the same group across different scenarios,compared with slow air leakage in the breathing circuit,the start time to alarm for circuit disconnection and failure to switch from manual to mechanical control was shorter(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The clinical application of the controlled respiratory persistence monitor device designed based on the principle of detecting rhythmic temperature variations within artificial airways is feasible and effective in different populations and artificial airways.This device offers a new method for monitoring the respiratory continuity and ensuring the respiratory safety during surgery.

Objective:To compare the surgical outcomes between scarless endoscopic thyroidectomy-lateral neck dissection (SET-LND) and open LND for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with lymph node metastasis and to share the experience in the prevention and treatment of lymphatic leakage after LND.Methods:Totally 90 PTC patients (25 males) who underwent LND in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from Jan. 2021 to Aug. 2022 were retrospectively enrolled, with an average age of (28.06±4.89) years. They were divided into the SET-LND group ( n=50) and the open LND group ( n=40). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, drainage volume on the first and the second days, postoperative lymphatic leakage, tumor (T), and node (N) were observed. The categorical variable data were compared between groups by χ 2 test, and the continuous variable data confirming normal distribution were compared between groups by independent sample t-test. Results:The operation time of the SET-LND group was (284.00±74.65) min, significantly longer than that of the open LND group (145.38±43.26) min ( t=-10.42, P<0.001). The intraoperative blood loss ( t=-1.309, P=0.194), postoperative hospital stay ( t=-0.136, P=0.892), drainage volume on the first day ( t=-1.074, P=0.286), and drainage volume on the second day ( t=-1.595, P=0.114), postoperative lymphatic leakage ( χ2=0.001, P=0.989), T ( t=0.367, P=0.714), N ( t=-1.614, P=0.110) were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion:Two surgical methods of LND have similar therapeutic effects and no significant difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative lymphatic leakage between the two groups.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the accumulation law of saponins during growth in Paris polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara, determine the content of the main saponins in different cultivation years, age groups, cultivation modes and provenances. METHODS The content of 5 kinds saponins(I, II, VI, VII, H) was simultaneous determined by HPLC. RESULTS The total saponins in P. polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara were mainly composed of saponin VII and H, supplemented by saponin VI, I and II. The content of saponins(I, II, VII) was significantly different among different cultivation years rhizome, while it reached the standard of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 Edition after 6 years old, 8-year-old rhizome was the highest. The saponins(I, II, VII) content in 4a rhizome and 5a rhizome was significant higher than others, and it ranged from 0.354% to 0.765% in different cultivation modes, from high to low as follows: coniferous forest>bamboo forest>broadleaf forest>greenhouse. In different provenances, it ranged from 0.592% to 0.741%, reached the highest level in Qingyuan Baikan, and was slightly lower than the standard of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 Edition in Sanming Fujian. CONCLUSION There are remarkable correlations among saponins accumulation amounts and cultivation years, age groups, cultivation modes and provenances, which can provide reference for the artificial culvication of P. polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara.

OBJECTIVE To establish an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS) method for determination and comparison of 26 components in different parts of two base plants of Shiliang tea(Chimonanthus salicifolius S.Y.Hu and Chimonanthus zhejiangensis M.C.Liu), and screen quality markers of different parts. METHODS The UHPLC method was performed on an Agilent RRHD Eclipse Plus C18 (2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.8 μm) column with a gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min−1, the column temperature was 35 ℃, and the injection volume was 0.5 μL; the multiple reaction monitoring mode was employed for the quantification of 26 components with electrospray ionization(ESI) source polarity in negative and positive mode. RESULTS Good linear relationship(r >0.999) were observed in the test ranges for 26 compounds, and the average recovery was 88.5%−111.7% with RSD was 3.4%−9.8%. There was no significant difference between the two base plants of Shiliang tea, and all of these samples were divided into two categories by hierarchical cluster analysis. The main components in leaves was flavonoids, among them, the content of kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside was the highest, reaching 12.902 mg.g−1; the main components in stems and roots was coumarins, and the content of alkaloids in roots was higher, relatively; 7 quality markers of difference were screened by OPLS-DA, which were kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, chimonanthine, rutin, fraxetin, calycanthoside, scopolin, neochlorogenic acid. CONCLUSION These study elucidates the differences of chemical components in the different parts of two base plants of Shiliang tea, which providing basis for the research of pharmacodynamic substances and references for the comprehensive utilization of Chimonanthus salicifolius S.Y. Hu and Chimonanthus zhejiangensis M.C.Liu resources.

OBJECTIVE To monitor plasma concentration of anti-tuberculosis drugs in children, and explore the influencing factors and safety of anti-tuberculosis drugs, and promote the rational use of drugs. METHODS The plasma drug concentration monitoring results of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol, the adverse drug reactions and the changes of various parameters before and after treatment in 40 children with tuberculosis were analyzed retrospectively in Zhejiang Hospital of Integrated Tradtional Chinese and Western Medicine. RESULTS The compliance rates of plasma drug concentration of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol in chlidren with tuberculosis were 48.15%, 34.88%, 73.81%, 18.52%, respectively. Isoniazid(P=0.0250), rifampicin(P=0.0212) concentrations were positively correlated with daily dose. Age was also one of the factors affecting the concentrations of isoniazid(P=0.0430) and rifampicin(P=0.0057). Serum albumin(P=0.0475) and sex(P=0.0087) were correlated with rifampicin and pyrazinamide, respectively. Abnormal liver function(5/40, 12.50%) and rash(4/40, 10%) were the most common adverse drug reaction. Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and uric acid levels increased after treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs. CONCLUSION The plasma drug concentrations of isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol in children are low. The anti-tuberculosis drugs maybe related to the increase of AST, ALT and uric acid. Therefore, monitoring of serum drug concentration, renal fuction and liver function during anti-tuberculosis treatment is helpful to improve drug safety and implement individualized treatment.

OBJECTIVE To establish a ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrum/mass spectrum(UPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of anlotinib in human plasma and assessment of clinical application. METHODS Zanubrutinib was used as internal standard and the extraction process was performed through protein precipitation method using acetonitrile, followed by separation on an Ultimate XB-C18(100 mm×2.1 mm, 3.0 μm) column using acetonitrile and 10 mmol·L−1 ammonium acetate-0.1% formic acid step-elution gradient. The flow rate was 0.6 mL·min−1 and injection volume was 5 μL. The mass analysis was performed by positive ion electrospray ionization in multiple-reaction monitoring mode, and the mass spectrometer was set at m/z 408.1→339.1 for anlotinib and m/z 472.2→290.1 for internal standard, respectively. The specificity, standard curve and lower limit of quantification, precision and recovery, matrix effect and stability of the method and clinical application were investigated. RESULTS The method was validated over the concentration range of 1.0−100.0 ng·mL−1, with R2=0.998 4. The precision RSD was<9%, the recovery and matrix effect were 104.81%−107.32% and 102.54%−105.26%, respectively, and this method had good stability and was not affected by matrix effect. The method had been used for determined 52 advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with anlotinib. The trough plasma concentration (Ctrough) was measured on day 43 after initiation of anlotinib treatment. Anlotinib Ctrough were higher than lower limit of quantitation (1.0 ng·mL−1) from 52 patients. The plasma concentration of anlotinib Ctrough was (11.38±4.29)ng·mL−1 with 37.66% coefficients of variation, which were shown large inter-patient variability. CONCLUSION This method is high sensitivity, specificity and accurate, and suitable for determination of anlotinib in human plasma.

Objective To investigate the dietary patterns of rural residents in the high-incidence areas of esophageal cancer (EC), and to explore the clustering and influencing factors of risk factors associated with high-incidence characteristics. Methods A special structured questionnaire was applied to conduct a face-to-face survey on the dietary patterns of rural residents in Yanting county of Sichuan Province from July to August 2021. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the influencing factors of risk factor clustering for EC. Results There were 838 valid questionnaires in this study. A total of 90.8% of rural residents used clean water such as tap water. In the past one year, the people who ate fruits and vegetables, soybean products, onions and garlic in high frequency accounted for 69.5%, 32.8% and 74.5%, respectively; the people who ate kimchi, pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, barbecue, hot food and mildew food in low frequency accounted for 59.2%, 79.6%, 68.2%, 90.3%, 80.9% and 90.3%, respectively. The clustering of risk factors for EC was found in 73.3% of residents, and the aggregation of two risk factors was the most common mode (28.2%), among which tumor history and preserved food was the main clustering pattern (4.6%). The logistic regression model revealed that the gender, age, marital status and occupation were independent influencing factors for the risk factors clustering of EC (P<0.05). Conclusion A majority of rural residents in high-incidence areas of EC in Yanting county have good eating habits, but the clustering of some risk factors is still at a high level. Gender, age, marital status, and occupation are influencing factors of the risk factors clustering of EC.