OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and diagnostic value of detecting uric acid depositing among patients with tophaceous gout using a dual energy CT based Gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) technology for qualitative analysis of uric acid. METHODS: Thirty one patients with clinically detectable tophaceous gout and 10 healthy volunteers underwent Discovery CT 750 HD scan with GSI mode. We selected four case groups of tophi, muscles, cortical bone, and cancellous bone. Each has a region of interest (ROI) of 10 mm diameter. We then analyzed and compared the difference of CT imaging spectroscopy quantitative parameters including concentration of uric acid, calcium, and water levels. The univariate analysis of variance and independent samples t-test were applied in data analyses. RESULTS: In case group of tophi base substance, the concentration levels were 1268.8 ± 32.2 mg/cm 3 for uric acid (Ca), 19.4 ± 9.5 mg/cm 3 for calcium (uric acid), 10.8 ± 9.5 mg/cm 3 for calcium (water), and 1171.0 ± 26.8 mg/cm 3 for water (calcium), respectively. In cortical bone case group, the four base substance concentration levels changed to 1333.6 ± 83.8 mg/cm 3 , 271.1 ± 85.0 mg/cm 3 , 262.6 ± 85.4 mg/cm 3 , and 1230.8 ± 77.0 mg/cm 3 . In muscles case group, the four base substance concentration levels were 1143.5 ± 15.7 mg/cm 3 , 12.3 ± 5.0 mg/cm 3 , 4.4 ± 1.9 mg/cm 3 , and 1054.1 ± 14.6 mg/cm 3 . Finally, in cancellous bone case group, the corresponding base substance concentration became 1070.9 ± 26.4 mg/cm 3 , 85.1 ± 46.9 mg/cm 3 , 77.4 ± 46.7 mg/cm 3 , and 988.0 ± 23.4 mg/cm 3 . Except tophi and muscle differences between Calcium (uric acid) concentration and differences in Calcium (water) concentration, which were not significantly different (p > 0.29), the remaining group pairwise comparisons of the parameters were significantly different (p < 0.05). X. Li et al. / Detection of uric acid depositing in tophaceous gout using a new dual energy spectral CT technologyCONCLUSION: Dual-energy spectral CT can detect gout tophi within the peripheral joints of the patients. The quantitative measurement of the tophi concentration provides a new imaging method for quantitatively monitoring clinical outcomes of tophi.

White matter injury is the major pathological alteration of subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. It is characterized by progressive demyelination, apoptosis of oligodendrocytes and microglial activation, which leads to impairment of cognitive function. Triptolide exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities including anti-inflammation, immunosuppression and antitumor, etc. In this study, we investigated the effects of triptolide on white matter injury and cognitive impairments in mice with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced by the right unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (rUCCAO). We showed that triptolide administration alleviated the demyelination, axonal injury, and oligodendrocyte loss in the mice. Triptolide also improved cognitive function in novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test. In primary oligodendrocytes following oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), application of triptolide (0.001−0.1 nM) exerted concentrationdependent protection. We revealed that the protective effect of triptolide resulted from its inhibition of oligodendrocyte apoptosis via increasing the phosphorylation of the Src/Akt/GSK3β pathway. Moreover, triptolide suppressed microglial activation and proinflammatory cytokines expression after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in mice and in BV2 microglial cells following OGD, which also contributing to its alleviation of white matter injury. Importantly, mice received triptolide at the dose of 20 μg•kg −1 •d −1 did not show hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity even after chronic treatment. Thus, our results highlight that triptolide alleviates whiter matter injury induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through direct protection against oligodendrocyte apoptosis and indirect protection by inhibition of microglial inflammation. Triptolide may have novel indication in clinic such as the treatment of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced SIVD.

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) can be induced by overuse or misuse of antimicrobials. Few researches were involved in consumers' knowledge and attitude toward antimicrobial use (AMU) in food production. This study was designed to investigate the knowledge and awareness, perception, and attitude of Chinese consumers toward AMU in food production. Their behavior, purchase intention of antimicrobial-free food products, and confidence in information sources were also investigated.MethodsAs a descriptive cross-sectional study, an online electronic survey questionnaire was conducted between February 25 and March 8, 2022, involving 1,065 consumers in China. Factor analysis was conducted to identify underlying patterns of the attitudes and information sources. Spearman correlations were employed to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and the intention to pay extra. The differences in knowledge and attitudes were performed by independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and the difference in intention was performed by Chi-square test, when compared with demographic factors.ResultsThe findings showed that even though 75.0% of them heard of AMR, and 48.2% knew the definition of AMR, the level of consumers' knowledge of AMU in farming production and food regulations in China was not high (48.9% of participants replied correctly). About half viewed AMU and AMR as a potential risk to their health. Of these participants, 61.3% claimed that they were more likely looking for specific information about AMU on food packaging, and 58.3% changed their eating or cooking habits due to the concern. In addition, 79.8% were willing to pay extra for antimicrobial-free food products. Information sources from professionals and authorities were considered more accurate than those from media, the internet, word of mouth, and others.ConclusionsChinese consumers had insufficient knowledge and neutral attitudes about AMU in farming production and food regulations in China. A large proportion of the participants were willing to purchase antimicrobial-free food products. Most of them obtained related information from the media. This study highlighted the importance of updated education and effective communication with consumers in China. It helps to develop the reliable foodborne AMR surveillance system along food chain and improve government communication and consumer awareness.

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