Holmium (III)-doped multifunctional nanotheranostic agent for ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging-guided chemo-photothermal tumor therapy.

Ultra-high-field (UHF) MRI has shown great advantages over low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Despite being the most commonly used MRI contrast agents, gadolinium chelates perform poorly in high magnetic fields, which significantly weakens their T intensity. In comparison, the rare element Holmium (Ho)-based nanoparticles (NPs) have demonstrated great potential as T-weighted MRI contrast agents in UHF MRI due to their extremely short electron relaxation times (∼ 10s).

Fluorinated hydrogel nanoparticles with regulable fluorine contents and relaxation times as F MRI contrast agents.

Medical imaging contrast agents that are able to provide detailed biological information have attracted increasing attention. Among the new emerging imaging contrast agents, F magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents (F MRI CAs) are extremely promising for their weak background disturbing signal from the body. However, to prepare F MRI CAs with a long relaxation time and excellent biocompatibility in a simple and highly effective strategy is still a challenge.

The p-STAT3/ANXA2 axis promotes caspase-1-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background: To explore the roles of Annexin A2 (ANXA2) on hepatocyte pyroptosis and hepatic fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods: Bioinformatics analyses were performed on transcriptome data of liver tissues from mice and patients with liver fibrosis for screening the hepatocyte pyroptosis-related differential genes. The in vivo NASH mouse model and in vitro NASH cellular model were established.

Ketogenesis acts as an endogenous protective programme to restrain inflammatory macrophage activation during acute pancreatitis.

Background: Innate immunity and metabolites link to the pathogenesis and severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). However, liver metabolism and its role in immune response and AP progression remain elusive. We investigated the function of liver metabolism in the pathogenesis of AP.

A Positive Feedback Loop of TET3 and TGF-β1 Promotes Liver Fibrosis.

Pathological activation of TGF-β signaling is universal in fibrosis. Aberrant TGF-β signaling in conjunction with transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into fibrogenic myofibroblasts plays a central role in liver fibrosis. Here we report that the DNA demethylase TET3 is anomalously upregulated in fibrotic livers in both humans and mice.

Expanded CD14CD16 Immunosuppressive Monocytes Predict Disease Severity in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis.

Mild acute pancreatitis (AP) is a self-limiting disease, whereas severe AP has high mortality because of enhanced systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. In experimental models of AP, infiltration of monocytes and activation of monocyte-derived macrophages largely determine the severity of the disease. Our previous studies have shown that CD11bLy-6C inflammatory monocytes were mobilized from bone marrow into peripheral blood and inflamed pancreas during the early stage of AP.

Elevated hepatic expression of H19 long noncoding RNA contributes to diabetic hyperglycemia.

Excessive hepatic glucose production (HGP) contributes significantly to the hyperglycemia of type 2 diabetes; however, the molecular mechanism underlying this dysregulation remains poorly understood. Here, we show that fasting temporally increases the expression of H19 long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in nondiabetic mouse liver, whereas its level is chronically elevated in diet-induced diabetic mice, consistent with the previously reported chronic hepatic H19 increase in diabetic patients. Importantly, liver-specific H19 overexpression promotes HGP, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance, while H19 depletion enhances insulin-dependent suppression of HGP.

Carbon Monoxide Impairs CD11bLy-6C Monocyte Migration from the Blood to Inflamed Pancreas via Inhibition of the CCL2/CCR2 Axis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a sterile inflammation, in which inflammatory monocytes (CD11bLy-6C) are recruited into the inflamed tissue at the onset of disease. Monocyte infiltration and activation at the site of inflammation are critical to the pathogenesis of AP. Our previous studies have shown a protective role for CO in AP, which is partially mediated by inhibition of macrophage activation via TLR4 signaling.

Colloid properties of hydrophobic modified alginate: Surface tension, ζ-potential, viscosity and emulsification.

Micelle properties of hydrophobic modified alginate (HM-alginate) in various dispersion media have been studied by surface tension, ζ-potential, and viscosity measurements. Effect of salt on micelle properties showed that the presence of counter ion weakened the repulsive interaction between surfactant ions, decreased the critical micelle concentration (CMC) value of the HM-alginate, reduced the effective volume dimensions of HM-alginate and hence viscosity, which coincide with the corresponding ζ-potential values. Soy oil-in-water emulsions, stabilized solely by HM-alginate, were produced in high speed homogenization conditions and their stability properties were studied by visual inspection, optical microscopy and droplet size measurements.

Dopamine D receptor signalling controls inflammation in acute pancreatitis via a PP2A-dependent Akt/NF-κB signalling pathway.

Background And Purpose: Dopamine has multiple anti-inflammatory effects, but its role and molecular mechanism in acute pancreatitis (AP) are unclear. We investigated the role of dopamine signalling in the inflammatory response in AP.

Experimental Approach: Changes in pancreatic dopaminergic system and effects of dopamine, antagonists and agonists of D and D dopamine receptors were analysed in wild-type and pancreas-specific Drd2 mice with AP (induced by caerulein and LPS or L-arginine) and pancreatic acinar cells with or without cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulation.

Cholangiographic features and endoscopic treatment of biliary strictures.

Objectives: The most commonly occurring complications following orthotopic liver transplantation procedures are associated with the biliary tract. Endoscopic technique has become the primary modality for the treatment of biliary strictures after liver transplantation. The objective of this study was to assess the role of cholangiographic features of the initial cholangiogram in endoscopic treatment success and stricture recurrence.

Comparison of the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic biliary decompression by nasobiliary catheter and plastic stent placement in acute obstructive cholangitis.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) using a plastic stent is suggested to be as effective as endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) with a nasobiliary catheter for temporary biliary drainage in acute obstructive cholangitis. However, there are few studies that have compared the two methods. We therefore compared the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic biliary decompression by nasobiliary catheter versus plastic stent placement in these patients.

Effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist, Losartan on the apoptosis, proliferation and migration of the human pancreatic stellate cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects of AT1 (Type 1 angiotensin II receptor) antagonist (Losartan) on the apoptosis, proliferation and migration of the human pancreatic stellate cells (hPSCs).

Methods: hPSCs were isolated from pancreatic sample of patients with pancreatic carcinoma using radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique to detect the concentration of AngII in culture media and cell homogenate. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) methods were utilized to test AT1 expression in hPSCs.

Roles of endotoxin-related signaling molecules in the progression of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in mice.

Objective: To study the potential roles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signaling molecules, LPS-binding protein (LBP), CD14, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in mice with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).

Methods: The ANP model was made by 7 intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (50 mug/kg) at hourly intervals, challenged by LPS administration of a dose of 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally 5 hours after the first injection of cerulein. Fifty-nine Balb/C mice were divided into 4 groups: group A, ANP control group, n = 18, received physiological saline; group B, anti-LBP group, n = 18, received 200 mug anti-LBP antibody; group C, anti-CD14 group, n = 18, received 20 microg anti-CD14 antibody; group D, anti-TLR4 group, n = 5, received 20 mug anti-TLR4 antibody.

Angiotensin II mediates acinar cell apoptosis during the development of rat pancreatic fibrosis by AT1R.

Objectives: The mechanisms of pancreatic fibrosis were not fully elucidated. Apoptosis has been suggested to be involved in the progression of pancreatic fibrosis. It has been reported that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a crucial role in the formation of fibrosis, including in the kidney, heart, and liver.

[The role of lipopolysacchride-binding protein in the pathogenesis of animal model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis].

Objective: To explore the pathogenic role of lipopolysacchride-binding protein (LBP) in the pathogenesis of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) by applying anti-LBP antibody to the animal model of ANP in mice.

Methods: Sixty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups, including ANP group (n = 18), ANP treated with anti-LBP antibody group (n = 18), anti-LBP antibody group (n = 18) and normal control (n = 6). ANP model was induced by seven times administration of cerulein (50 micro g/kg.

[Inhibition of angiogenesis in pancreatic carcinoma by cyclooxygenase-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides].

Objective: To investigate the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (COX-2 AS-ODNs) on the angiogenesis in pancreatic carcinoma and to evaluate the intermediary effect of prostaglandin 2 in this process.

Methods: Specific targeting COX-2 AS-ODNs were designed and synthesized, and transfected into the PC3 human pancreatic carcinoma cells cultured in vitro. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the PC3 cells 0.

[Regulatory effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma on the growth of pancreatic carcinoma].

Objective: To examine the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma activation on the growth of human pancreatic carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: The expression of PPARgamma and RXRalpha were examined by RT-PCR. SW1990 pancreatic cancer cells were treated with 9-cis-RA, ligand of PPARgamma, 15d-PGJ(2), and both.