Tanshi Li

Thyroid Endocrine Disruption in Zebrafish Larvae after Exposure to Mono-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate (MEHP)

Phthalates are extensively used as plasticizers in a variety of daily-life products, resulting in widespread distribution in aquatic environments. However, limited information is available on the endocrine disrupting effects of phthalates in aquatic organisms. The aim of the present study was to examine whether exposure to mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), the hydrolytic metabolite of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) disrupts thyroid endocrine system in fish. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to different concentrations of MEHP (1.6, 8, 40, and 200 μg/L) from 2 h post-fertilization (hpf) to 168 hpf. The whole-body content of thyroid hormone and transcription of genes involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis were examined. Treatment with MEHP significantly decreased whole-body T4 contents and increased whole-body T3 contents, indicating thyroid endocrine disruption. The upregulation of genes related to thyroid hormone metabolism (Dio2 and UGT1ab) might be responsible for decreased T4 contents. Elevated gene transcription of Dio1 was also observed in this study, which might assist to degrade increased T3 contents. Exposure to MEHP also significantly induced transcription of genes involved in thyroid development (Nkx2.1 and Pax8) and thyroid hormone synthesis (TSHβ, NIS and TG). However, the genes encoding proteins involved in TH transport (transthyretin, TTR) was transcriptionally significantly down-regulated after exposure to MEHP. Overall, these results demonstrate that acute exposure to MEHP alters whole-body contents of thyroid hormones in zebrafish embryos/larvae and changes the transcription of genes involved in the HPT axis, thus exerting thyroid endocrine toxicity.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of active bleeding associated with hepatic and splenic trauma

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging of active bleeding from hepatic and splenic trauma.Materials and methodsThree hundred and ninety-two patients with liver or/and spleen trauma (179 liver and 217 spleen injuries), who underwent CEUS examinations following contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), were enrolled in this retrospective study over a period of >4 years. CEUS detected contrast medium extravasation or pooling in 16% (63/396) of liver or spleen lesions in 61 patients, which was confirmed by contrast-enhanced CT. Special attention was paid to observing the presence, location, and characteristics of the extravasated or pooled contrast medium.ResultsThe CEUS detection rate for active bleeding was not different from that of contrast-enhanced CT (p=0.333). Information from surgery, minimally invasive treatment and conservative treatment was used as reference standard, and the sensitivities of the two techniques were not different (p=0.122). Of 63 lesions in 61 patients, CEUS showed that 74.6% (47/63) (21 liver lesions and 26 spleen lesions) presented contrast medium extravasation or pooling, both in the organ and out the capsule, in 14.3% (9/63) and only outside the capsule in 11.1% (7/63). CEUS imaging of active bleeding from hepatic and splenic trauma presented various characteristics, and the sizes and shapes of the active bleeding due to contrast medium extravasation or pooling were variable.ConclusionsCEUS can show the active bleeding associated with hepatic and splenic trauma with various imaging characteristics, thus making it possible to diagnose active bleeding using CEUS.RiassuntoObiettivoScopo di questo lavoro è stato valutare l’imaging con ecografia con mezzo di contrasto (CEUS) nel sanguinamento attivo nei traumi epatici e splenici.Materiali e metodiTrecentonovantadue pazienti con trauma epatico e/o splenico (179 traumi epatici e 217 splenici), sottoposti ad esame CEUS seguito da tomografia computerizzata (CT) con mezzo di contrasto, sono stati arruolati in questo studio retrospettivo per un periodo di più di 4 anni. La CEUS ha rilevato lo stravaso o l’accumulo di mdc nel 16% (63/396) delle lesioni epatiche o spleniche in 61 pazienti, confermato poi dalla TC con mezzo di contrasto. È stata prestata particolare attenzione nell’osservare la presenza, la localizzazione e il carattere dello stravaso o dell’accumulo del mezzo di contrasto.RisultatiLa capacità della CEUS di individuare un sanguinamento attivo non si è dimostrata differente da quella della TC con mezzo di contrasto (p=0.333). Le informazioni ottenute dalla chirurgia, sia dal trattamento minimamente invasivo sia da quello conservativo, presi come riferimento standard, e la sensibilità delle due tecniche non si sono dimostrate differenti (p=0.122). Nelle 63 lesioni in 61 pazienti, la CEUS ha mostrato che il 74,6% (47/63) delle lesioni (21 lesioni epatiche e 26 spleniche) ha presentato stravaso o accumulo di mdc, entrambi all’interno dell’organo o fuori dalla capsula nel 14,3% (9/63) e solo fuori dalla capsula nell’11,1% (7/63). L’imaging CEUS del sanguinamento attivo da traumi epatici e splenici presenta differenti caratteristiche, e le dimensioni e le forme del sanguinamento attivo dovuto allo stravaso o all’accumulo del mezzo di contrasto sono variabili.ConclusioniLa CEUS può mostrare il sanguinamento attivo associato a trauma epatico e splenico con diverse caratteristiche di imaging, rendendo quindi possibile diagnosticare il sanguinamento attivo.

MUSCLE CRUSH INJURY OF EXTREMITY: QUANTITATIVE ELASTOGRAPHY WITH SUPERSONIC SHEAR IMAGING

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristic of muscle crush injury at quantitative ultrasonographic elastography using supersonic shear imaging (SSI). Twenty-three New Zealand rabbits underwent crush injury to left hind leg caused by a special balloon cuff device. Conventional ultrasonography and SSI quantitative elastography were performed at both crushed and uncrushed regions of the left hind legs. Quantitative lesion elasticity was measured using the Youngs modulus (in kilopascals) at 0.5 h, 2 h, 6 h, 24 h and 72 h after the release of the crushing pressure. Compared with those from the uncrushed regions, both the maximum and mean elasticity values at these time points from the crushed regions were significantly higher (p < 0.001). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to assess diagnostic performance. ROC curves showed that extremity crush injury was diagnosed using elasticity value and the greater the elasticity value, the greater the diagnostic value. SSI provides quantitative elasticity measurements, thus, adding complementary information that potentially could help in crush injury characterization with conventional ultrasonography.

Contrast-Enhanced Sonographic Guidance for Local Injection of a Hemostatic Agent for Management of Blunt Hepatic Hemorrhage: A Canine Study

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether injection of hemostatic agents directly into an injury site under the guidance of contrast-enhanced sonography can effectively control hemorrhage due to hepatic trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen mixed-breed dogs 2-3 years old and weighing 17-20 kg were anesthetized with intramuscular pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg). A special impacting device was used to induce hepatic trauma with a mean force of 5.3 +/- 0.3 kN. Twelve of the 15 dogs had hepatic injuries with a grade of 3-4 or 4. The 12 dogs were divided into treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, hemocoagulase atrox (1 Klobusitzky unit) and alpha-cyanoacrylate (1 mL) were administered by transcutaneous injection into the injury site and the bleeding site, respectively, under the guidance of contrast-enhanced sonography. The control group received injections of 0.9% normal saline solution. RESULTS After injection into the treatment group, no active bleeding was observed at the liver injury site. In the control group, evidence of active bleeding was present on contrast-enhanced sonograms. Laparotomy of the treatment group showed that hepatic injuries had been covered and adhered by clots and the glue membrane of the hemostatic agents and that free intraperitoneal blood volume was significantly less than in the control group (p < 0.001). Bleeding did not stop in the control group. CONCLUSION In dogs, transcutaneous local injection of hemostatic agents can effectively reduce blood loss due to severe liver trauma. Because it is simple, convenient, and effective, the technique may be an alternative for bedside and battlefield management of hepatic hemorrhage due to trauma.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound assessment of muscle blood perfusion of extremities that underwent crush injury: an animal experiment.

BACKGROUND This research aimed to study the assessment of local muscle microcirculation perfusion of extremities that underwent crush injuries by using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). METHODS A total of 28 New Zealand rabbits were anesthetized by using intramuscular pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg). A balloon cuff device was used to create crush injuries to the left hind leg of each rabbit with a force of 18.6 kPa. CEUS was performed at the 0.5th, 2nd, 6th, 24th, and 72nd hour after the release of the crush pressure. Peak intensity (PI) of the crushed regions was compared with those of the uncrushed regions and before the creation of crush injury. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of PI for the crushed region. RESULTS During the 72nd hour after the release of the crush pressure, 5 of the 28 rabbits died, and thus, their statistics were eliminated from the experiment. At different time points after the release of the crush pressure, the crushed regions in all 23 survivals showed quick and high enhancement, and their intensities were higher than those of the uncrushed region in the arterial phase. The time-intensity curves of the crushed regions all appeared as rapid lift-gradual drop. PIs were obviously higher in the crushed regions than in the uncrushed regions and than those before the creation of crush injury (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that extremity crush injury was diagnosed by using PI value. CONCLUSION CEUS presents that the microcirculation perfusion of the crushed muscle increased obviously after the release of the crush pressure. PIs evaluated quantitatively the microcirculation perfusion changes. It may suggest a potential alternative for evaluating microcirculation abnormality of the muscle crush injury to the extremities.

Percutaneous treatment of blunt hepatic and splenic trauma under contrast-enhanced ultrasound guidance

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of hemostatic percutaneous therapy of liver and spleen trauma under contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) guidance. A total of 83 patients with 88 traumatic organ lesions were included in this study. Liver or spleen lesions were treated by percutaneous injection of haemocoagulase atrox and α-cyanoacrylate under CEUS guidance. The results showed that one treatment was sufficient to successfully control hemorrhaging in 86 of 88 traumatic organ lesions. In 2 of 88 traumas, a second percutaneous hemostatic treatment was necessary. Percutaneous treatment of blunt hemorrhagic trauma under CEUS guidance is a feasible and safe adjunct to observation in the nonoperative management.

Identification of Potential Key Long Non-Coding RNAs and Target Genes Associated with Pneumonia Using Long Non-Coding RNA Sequencing (lncRNA-Seq): A Preliminary Study

Background This study aimed to identify the potential key long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and target genes associated with pneumonia using lncRNA sequencing (lncRNA-seq). Material/Methods A total of 9 peripheral blood samples from patients with mild pneumonia (n=3) and severe pneumonia (n=3), as well as volunteers without pneumonia (n=3), were received for lncRNA-seq. Based on the sequencing data, differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs) were identified by the limma package. After the functional enrichment analysis, target genes of DE-lncRNAs were predicted, and the regulatory network was constructed. Results In total, 99 DE-lncRNAs (14 upregulated and 85 downregulated ones) were identified in the mild pneumonia group and 85 (72 upregulated and 13 downregulated ones) in the severe pneumonia group, compared with the control group. Among these DE-lncRNAs, 9 lncRNAs were upregulated in both the mild and severe pneumonia groups. A set of 868 genes were predicted to be targeted by these 9 DE-lncRNAs. In the network, RP11-248E9.5 and RP11-456D7.1 targeted the majority of genes. RP11-248E9.5 regulated several genes together with CTD-2300H10.2, such as QRFP and EPS8. Both upregulated RP11-456D7.1 and RP11-96C23.9 regulated several genes, such as PDK2. RP11-456D7.1 also positively regulated CCL21. Conclusions These novel lncRNAs and their target genes may be closely associated with the progression of pneumonia.

Molecular Mechanisms of Mild and Severe Pneumonia: Insights from RNA Sequencing

Background This study aimed to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying mild and severe pneumonia by use of mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Material/Methods RNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of patients with mild pneumonia, severe pneumonia, and healthy controls. Sequencing was performed on the HiSeq4000 platform. After filtering, clean reads were mapped to the human reference genome hg19. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the control group and the mild or severe group. A transcription factor-gene network was constructed for each group. Biological process (BP) terms enriched by DEGs in the network were analyzed and these genes were also mapped to the Connectivity map to search for small-molecule drugs. Results A total of 199 and 560 DEGs were identified from the mild group and severe group, respectively. A transcription factor-gene network consisting of 215 nodes and another network consisting of 451 nodes were constructed in the mild group and severe group, respectively, and 54 DEGs (e.g., S100A9 and S100A12) were found to be common, with consistent differential expression changes in the 2 groups. Genes in the transcription factor-gene network for the mild group were mainly enriched in 13 BP terms, especially defense and inflammatory response (e.g., S100A8) and spermatogenesis, while the top BP terms enriched by genes in the severe group include response to oxidative stress (CCL5), wound healing, and regulation of cell differentiation (CCL5), and of the cellular protein metabolic process. Conclusions S100A9 and S100A12 may have a role in the pathogenesis of pneumonia: S100A9 and CXCL1 may contribute solely in mild pneumonia, and CCL5 and CXCL11 may contribute in severe pneumonia.