Liver cancer is the most lethal form of cancer and carries a high risk of death around the world. Goniothalamin (GTN) is a styryl-lactone that possesses antiproliferative and apoptotic activity. The molecular action of GTN is not yet fully evaluated. Thus, our research has been intended to assess the chemopreventive and apoptotic activities of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. Rats were separated into 4 groups: control, DEN only, DEN + GTN (30 mg/kg bw), and GTN (30 mg/kg bw) alone. We evaluated body weight, liver weight, tumor incidence, hepatic toxic markers, antioxidants, inflammatory cytokines, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot studies. DEN lessened body weight, antioxidants, and apoptosis, whereas it elevated tumor incidence, toxic markers, cytokines, and Bcl-2 expression. GTN treatment maintains body weight, liver weight, and antioxidant levels, and it also prevents tumor incidence, oxidative stress, toxic markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and histological changes. It triggers apoptosis by constraining Bcl-2 and elevating caspase-3 levels. GTN also attenuated the P13K/ AKT signaling which enhanced apoptosis. These findings revealed that GTN subdues the P13K/AKT pathway and has auspicious chemopreventive and apoptotic actions in DEN-induced HCC. Therefore, GTN would be suggested as a new medicine in natural remedies for liver cancer.

Liver cancer is the most lethal form of cancer and carries a high risk of death around the world. Goniothalamin (GTN) is a styryl-lactone that possesses antiproliferative and apoptotic activity. The molecular action of GTN is not yet fully evaluated. Thus, our research has been intended to assess the chemopreventive and apoptotic activities of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. Rats were separated into 4 groups: control, DEN only, DEN + GTN (30 mg/kg bw), and GTN (30 mg/kg bw) alone. We evaluated body weight, liver weight, tumor incidence, hepatic toxic markers, antioxidants, inflammatory cytokines, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot studies. DEN lessened body weight, antioxidants, and apoptosis, whereas it elevated tumor incidence, toxic markers, cytokines, and Bcl-2 expression. GTN treatment maintains body weight, liver weight, and antioxidant levels, and it also prevents tumor incidence, oxidative stress, toxic markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and histological changes. It triggers apoptosis by constraining Bcl-2 and elevating caspase-3 levels. GTN also attenuated the P13K/ AKT signaling which enhanced apoptosis. These findings revealed that GTN subdues the P13K/AKT pathway and has auspicious chemopreventive and apoptotic actions in DEN-induced HCC. Therefore, GTN would be suggested as a new medicine in natural remedies for liver cancer.

Liver cancer is the most lethal form of cancer and carries a high risk of death around the world. Goniothalamin (GTN) is a styryl-lactone that possesses antiproliferative and apoptotic activity. The molecular action of GTN is not yet fully evaluated. Thus, our research has been intended to assess the chemopreventive and apoptotic activities of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. Rats were separated into 4 groups: control, DEN only, DEN + GTN (30 mg/kg bw), and GTN (30 mg/kg bw) alone. We evaluated body weight, liver weight, tumor incidence, hepatic toxic markers, antioxidants, inflammatory cytokines, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot studies. DEN lessened body weight, antioxidants, and apoptosis, whereas it elevated tumor incidence, toxic markers, cytokines, and Bcl-2 expression. GTN treatment maintains body weight, liver weight, and antioxidant levels, and it also prevents tumor incidence, oxidative stress, toxic markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and histological changes. It triggers apoptosis by constraining Bcl-2 and elevating caspase-3 levels. GTN also attenuated the P13K/ AKT signaling which enhanced apoptosis. These findings revealed that GTN subdues the P13K/AKT pathway and has auspicious chemopreventive and apoptotic actions in DEN-induced HCC. Therefore, GTN would be suggested as a new medicine in natural remedies for liver cancer.

Liver cancer is the most lethal form of cancer and carries a high risk of death around the world. Goniothalamin (GTN) is a styryl-lactone that possesses antiproliferative and apoptotic activity. The molecular action of GTN is not yet fully evaluated. Thus, our research has been intended to assess the chemopreventive and apoptotic activities of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. Rats were separated into 4 groups: control, DEN only, DEN + GTN (30 mg/kg bw), and GTN (30 mg/kg bw) alone. We evaluated body weight, liver weight, tumor incidence, hepatic toxic markers, antioxidants, inflammatory cytokines, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot studies. DEN lessened body weight, antioxidants, and apoptosis, whereas it elevated tumor incidence, toxic markers, cytokines, and Bcl-2 expression. GTN treatment maintains body weight, liver weight, and antioxidant levels, and it also prevents tumor incidence, oxidative stress, toxic markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and histological changes. It triggers apoptosis by constraining Bcl-2 and elevating caspase-3 levels. GTN also attenuated the P13K/ AKT signaling which enhanced apoptosis. These findings revealed that GTN subdues the P13K/AKT pathway and has auspicious chemopreventive and apoptotic actions in DEN-induced HCC. Therefore, GTN would be suggested as a new medicine in natural remedies for liver cancer.

Liver cancer is the most lethal form of cancer and carries a high risk of death around the world. Goniothalamin (GTN) is a styryl-lactone that possesses antiproliferative and apoptotic activity. The molecular action of GTN is not yet fully evaluated. Thus, our research has been intended to assess the chemopreventive and apoptotic activities of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. Rats were separated into 4 groups: control, DEN only, DEN + GTN (30 mg/kg bw), and GTN (30 mg/kg bw) alone. We evaluated body weight, liver weight, tumor incidence, hepatic toxic markers, antioxidants, inflammatory cytokines, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot studies. DEN lessened body weight, antioxidants, and apoptosis, whereas it elevated tumor incidence, toxic markers, cytokines, and Bcl-2 expression. GTN treatment maintains body weight, liver weight, and antioxidant levels, and it also prevents tumor incidence, oxidative stress, toxic markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and histological changes. It triggers apoptosis by constraining Bcl-2 and elevating caspase-3 levels. GTN also attenuated the P13K/ AKT signaling which enhanced apoptosis. These findings revealed that GTN subdues the P13K/AKT pathway and has auspicious chemopreventive and apoptotic actions in DEN-induced HCC. Therefore, GTN would be suggested as a new medicine in natural remedies for liver cancer.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant tumor of the blood system that is more common in the elderly with abnormal proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells. The current diagnostic methods mainly rely on the detection of M protein and invasive bone marrow aspiration biopsy. The sensitivity and specificity of conventional imaging tests are low. Molecular imaging technology provides new options and methods for the noninvasive diagnosis of MM. Whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) has good soft tissue contrast and spatial resolution, which can show bone marrow infiltration and vascular conditions. Metabolic imaging such as 18F-FDG, acetate, choline, and methionine are highly sensitive. ImmunoPET imaging screens specific targets for targeted therapy or immunotherapy and evaluates the efficacy. This article reviews the progress of molecular imaging in MM, especially immunoPET imaging.

Objective:To investigate the molecular pathogenesis of two coagulation factor Ⅺ (FⅪ) deficiency patients.Methods:Coagulant assays: activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), normal pooled-plasma corrected APTT test, PT, PT-INR and one-stage assay of coagulation factors activities were validated to diagnose coagulation factor Ⅺ deficiency. The patients’ DNA samples were extracted and all exons and flanking sequences of F11 gene were amplified using PCR. After purified, the products of PCR were sequenced directly, the mutations were detected by comparing with wild sequences and analyzed using some bio-informatics softwares. Results:The two patients were diagnosed with coagulation factor Ⅺ deficiency due to prolonged APTT, corrected APTT and low activities of coagulation factor FⅪ. The results of APTT, FⅪ∶C were 88.1s, 1.1% and 107.1s, 3.8% , and the prolonged APTT could be corrected to normal range 32.9s and 31.5s, respectively. Through genetic analysis, we discovered compound heterozygous mutations g. 1305-1G>A and g. 1325delT in patient 1 and the sequencing results of TA plasmid clones showed that the two mutations were located on different strands of chromosomes. Compound heterozygous mutations g. 1124A>G and g. 1550C>G were detected in patient 2 resulting in Lys357Arg and Cys482Trp. Software analysis indicated the mutations probably brought amino acid sequence changed, protein features affected and splice site changed.Conclusion:Compound heterozygous mutations g. 1305-1G>A, g. 1325delT and g. 1124A>G, g. 1550C>G had been identified in two coagulation factor Ⅺ deficiency patients which might be responsible for their prolonged APTT and low FⅪ∶C. To the best of our knowledge, g. 1325delT and g. 1550C>G have been reported, while g. 1124A>G and g. 1305-1G>A are reported for the first time in the literature.

Objective:To investigate the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of five elderly patients with Chlamydia psittaci-caused severe pneumonia.Methods:Through retrospective analysis, diagnosis and treatment process and clinical characteristics of five elderly inpatients with severe pneumonia caused by Chlamydia psittaci were summarized in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Quanzhou First Hospital East Street Branch Area, affiliated to Fujian Medical University between January to June 2021.Results:Five patients with severe pneumonia caused by Chlamydia psittaci were aged from 64 to 74 years, with various underlying diseases such as coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.All patients had an established history of poultry exposure.These cases had high fever, cough, spitting, and dyspnea as the main clinical manifestations.Some of them also had systemic symptoms or weakness of the limbs as the prodromal symptoms.The disease progressed rapidly, with severe respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, and shock appearing soon, accompanied by different degrees of muscle injury, and damage to the heart, liver, blood coagulation, and immune systems at the same time.Laboratory examination showed that levels of inflammatory indicators were increased: at 3, 5, 7 d after admission, the level of C reactive protein was 214.6(153.9-256.3)mg/L, 199.2(115.8-333.8)mg/L, 151.0(11.19-173.7)mg/L, respectively; and interleukin 6 level was 1 241.0(912.1-6822.0)ng/L, 779.1(451.2-7122.0)ng/L, 631.2(7.0-4 321.0)ng/L, respectively.And monitoring results of nutritional index indicated a high metabolic state.The imaging examinations showed that consolidation and ground-glass shadows spreaded to both lungs, may accompany the miliary and nodular shadows, and may also involve pleural which caused pleural effusion.After the clinical use of metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS), mNGS has been confirmed as an important method for the diagnosis of Chlamydia psittaci infection.The disease course and prognosis were related to the severity of the disease, advanced age, underlying diseases, and timely diagnosis and effective treatment.Conclusions:The progression of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia to severe disease may be related to advanced age, more basic diseases such as chronic cardiopulmonary disease, smoking, and timely diagnosis and treatment.Generally, laboratory and imaging examinations have no diagnostic specificity, but mNGS is of great significance for early diagnosis, transition to target treatment and improvement of prognosis.

Objective To investigate whether quality assurance and quality control using multimodal image guidance and radiation dosimetry optimization could ensure and improve the targeting of 125I seeds brachytherapy.Methods A total of 287 patients (184 males,103 females,average age 61.9 years) with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 122 patients (average age 65.5 years) with prostate cancer who were diagnosed by pathology or imaging methods (coincidence imaging,CT,flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy,ultrasonography) from October 2002 to October 2016 were retrospectively enrolled.All imaging methods were used to locate the target area.Optimization of radiation dosimetry was made according to treatment planning system (TPS) and evaluated by dose-volume histogram (DVH).125I seeds implantation was performed under the imaging guidance,followed by real-time location verification,dosimetric verification.Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated.Paired t test was used to analyze the data.Results The prescribed dose (PD) of planning target volume (PTV) was above 140 Gy.Immediate dosimetric verification was performed in 59 patients with NSCLC and 31 patients with pulmonary metastases.The radiation dose before and after the implantation was coincident in 93.2％ (55/59) of NSCLC and 93.5％ (29/31) of pulmonary metastases.The coincident rate of patients with dose delivered to 90％ GTV (D90)＞matched peripheral dose (MPD) was 93.2％ (55/59) and 87.1％ (27/31) respectively in NSCLC and pulmonary metastases.There was no significant difference in MPD,D90 and conformity index (CI) before and after implantation (t values:2.11-9.71,all P＞0.05).The average dose of the risk organs was significantly lower than the tolerance dose of the normal tissue.The incidence of radiation pneumonitis was 1.05％ (3/287).No other serious complications were found.Conclusion Targeted diagnosis and therapy of multimodal image guidance could be optimized to improve the effect of targeting and therapeutic gain ratio of 125I seeds brachytherapy.

Objective To evaluate the effect of nimodipine on the activity of calcineurin (CaN) in the hippocampus of aged rats.Methods Sixty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 18 months,weighing 550-650 g,were divided into 2 groups (n=30 each) using a random number table:surgery group (group S) and nimodipine group (group N).Nimodipine 1 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group N,while the cqual volume of normal saline was given instead in group S,and 30 min later exploratory laparotomy was performed.Ten rats in each group were randomly selected on 1 day before operation and 3 and 7 days after operation,and Morris water maze test was performed.After the end of Morris water maze test,10 rats were selected and sacrificed,brains were removed,and hippocampi were isolated for detection of apoptosis in hippocampal neurons (by flow cytometry) and expression of CaN,phosphor-BAD (p-BAD) and caspase-3 in hippocampal tissues (by Western blot).Apoptotic rate was calculated.Results Compared with the value at 1 day before operation,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased,the time of staying at the platform quadrant was shortcned,apoptotic rate was increased,and the expression of CaN,p-BAD and caspase-3 in hippocampal tissues was up-regulated at each time point after operation in group S (P＜0.05).Compared with group S,the escape latency was significantly shortened,the frequency of crossing the original platform was increased,the time of staying at the platform quadrant was prolonged,apoptotic rate was decreased,and the expression of CaN,p-BAD and caspase-3 in hippocampal tissues was down-regulated at each time point after operation in group N (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which nimodipine inhibits apoptosis in hippocampal neurons and reduces postoperative cognitive dysfunction may be related to inhibition of CaN activation in aged rats.