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 compare conventional MRI manifestations of brain epithelioid glioblastoma(eGBM)and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma(PXA),and to explore the value of radiomics model for differentiating eGBM and PXA.Methods Forty-three cases of brain eGBM(eGBM group)and 79 cases of PXA(PXA group)confirmed by surgical pathology were retrospectively analyzed,and conventional MRI maniofestations were compared between groups.The patients were divided into training set(n=85,including 30 cases of eGBM and 55 cases of PXA)and test set(n=37,including 13 cases of eGBM and 24 cases of PXA)at the ratio of 7∶3.A radiomics regression model was established based on T2WI and enhanced T1WI.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to assess the value of the model for discriminating eGBM and PXA.Results Patients in eGBM group were older than in PXA group,and the proportion of minors in eGBM group was lower than that in PXA group(both P＜0.05).Compared with PXA group,eGBM group showed higher proportion of multiple lesions,with high T1WI signals and peritumoral edema,more unclear boundary and uneven signals(all P＜0.05).After administration of contrast agents,circular enhancement was more often observed in eGBM group,while lesions in PXA group tended to present wall nodule enhancement(both P＜0.05).The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and area under the curve(AUC)of the radiomics model based on 19 selected features was 88.91％,79.94％,86.75％and 0.892 in training set,respectively,which was 84.58％,79.20％,81.12％and 0.824 in test set,respectively.Conclusion Conventional MRI manifestations of eGBM and PXA were different to a certain extent.Radiomics model was valuable for distinguishing eGBM and PXA.

Surgical resection and radiotherapy have been commonly applied to the treatment of early- and intermediate-stage Merkel cell carcinoma. In recent years, immunotherapy based on immunogenic characteristics of Merkel cell carcinoma has been proved to be effective in the treatment of advanced Merkel cell carcinoma. This review focuses on advances in the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma, and provides a reference for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

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 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 compare the early outcomes of domestic third-generation magnetically levitated left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with or without concomitant mitral valvuloplasty (MVP). Methods The clinical data of 17 end-stage heart failure patients who underwent LVAD implantation combined with preoperative moderate to severe mitral regurgitation in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from May 2018 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a LVAD group and a LVAD+MVP group based on whether MVP was performed simultaneously, and early outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results There were 4 patients in the LVAD group, all males, aged (43.5±5.9) years, and 13 patients in the LVAD+MVP group, including 10 males and 3 females, aged (46.8±16.7) years. All the patients were successful in concomitant MVP without mitral reguragitation occurrence. Compared with the LVAD group, the LVAD+MVP group had a lower pulmonary artery systolic pressure and pulmonary artery mean pressure 72 h after operation, but the difference was not statistically different (P>0.05). Pulmonary artery systolic pressure was significantly lower 1 week after operation, as well as pulmonary artery systolic blood pressure and pulmonary artery mean pressure at 1 month after operation (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in blood loss, operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamping time, mechanical ventilation time, or ICU stay time between the two groups (P>0.05). The differences in 1-month postoperative mortality, acute kidney injury, reoperation, gastrointestinal bleeding, and thrombosis and other complications between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Concomitant MVP with implantation of domestic third-generation magnetically levitated LVAD is safe and feasible, and concomitant MVP may improve postoperative hemodynamics without significantly increasing perioperative mortality and complication rates.

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.