Copper and Copper Complexes in Tumor Therapy

Copper (Cu), a crucial trace element in physiological processes, has garnered significant interest for its involvement in cancer progression and potential therapeutic applications. The regulation of cellular copper levels is essential for maintaining copper homeostasis, as imbalances can lead to toxicity and cell death. The development of drugs that target copper homeostasis has emerged as a promising strategy for anticancer treatment, with a particular focus on copper chelators, copper ionophores, and novel copper complexes. Recent research has also investigated the potential of copper complexes in cancer therapy.

Plasma Metabolic Profiles-Based Prediction of Induction Chemotherapy Efficacy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Results of a Bidirectional Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

The efficacy of induction chemotherapy (IC) as a primary treatment for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains a topic of debate, with a lack of dependable biomarkers for predicting its efficacy. This study seeks to establish a predictive classifier utilizing plasma metabolomics profiling.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A total of 166 NPC patients enrolled in the clinical trial NCT05682703 and undergoing IC were included in the study. Plasma lipoprotein profiles were obtained using 1H-NMR before and after IC treatment. An AI-assisted radiomics method was developed to effectively evaluate the efficacy. Metabolic biomarkers were identified through a machine learning approach based on a discovery cohort and subsequently validated in a validation cohort that mimicked the most unfavorable scenario in real-world.

RESULTS

Our research findings indicate that the effectiveness of IC varies among individual patients, with a correlation observed between efficacy and changes in metabolite profiles. Utilizing machine learning techniques, it was determined that the XGB model exhibited notable efficacy, attaining an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.792 (95% CI, 0.668-0.913). In the validation cohort, the model exhibited strong stability and generalizability with an AUC of 0.786 (95%CI, 0.533-0.922).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found that dysregulation of plasma lipoprotein may result in resistance to IC in NPC patients. The prediction model constructed based on the plasma metabolites' profile as good predictive capabilities and potential for real-world generalization. This discovery has implications for the development of treatment strategies and may offer insight into potential targets for enhancing the effectiveness of IC.

The development of a novel zeolite-based assay for efficient and deep plasma proteomic profiling

Plasma proteins are considered the most informative source of biomarkers for disease diagnosis and monitoring. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics has been applied to identify biomarkers in plasma, but the complexity of the plasma proteome and the extremely large dynamic range of protein abundances in plasma make the clinical application of plasma proteomics highly challenging. We designed and synthesized zeolite-based nanoparticles to deplete high-abundance plasma proteins. The resulting novel plasma proteomic assay can measure approximately 3000 plasma proteins in a 45 min chromatographic gradient. Compared to those in neat and depleted plasma, the plasma proteins identified by our assay exhibited distinct biological profiles, as validated in several public datasets. A pilot investigation of the proteomic profile of a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cohort identified 15 promising protein features, highlighting the diagnostic value of the plasma proteome in distinguishing individuals with and without HCC. Furthermore, this assay can be easily integrated with all current downstream protein profiling methods and potentially extended to other biofluids. In conclusion, we established a robust and efficient plasma proteomic assay with unprecedented identification depth, paving the way for the translation of plasma proteomics into clinical applications.

VLDL and LDL Subfractions Enhance the Risk Stratification of Individuals Who Underwent Epstein-Barr Virus-Based Screening for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Serological tests for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies have been widely conducted for the screening of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in endemic areas. Further risk stratification of NPC can be achieved through plasma lipoprotein and metabolic profiles. A total of 297 NPC patients and 149 EBV-positive participants are enrolled from the NCT03919552 and NCT05682703 cohorts for plasma nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomic analysis. Small, dense very low density lipoprotein particles (VLDL-5) and large, buoyant low density lipoprotein particles (LDL-1) are found to be closely associated with nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis. Herein, an NMR-based risk score (NRS), which combines lipoprotein subfractions and metabolic biomarkers relevant to NPC, is developed and well validated within a multicenter cohort. Combining the median cutoff value of the NRS (N50) with that of the serological test for EBV antibodies, the risk stratification model achieves a satisfactory performance in which the area under the curve (AUC) is 0.841 (95% confidence interval: 0.811-0.871), and the positive predictive value (PPV) reaches 70.08% in the combined cohort. These findings not only suggest that VLDL-5 and LDL-1 particles can serve as novel risk factors for NPC but also indicate that the NRS has significant potential in personalized risk prediction for NPC.

Long-Term Outcomes Following Fairly Brief Androgen Suppression and Stereotactic Radiation Therapy in High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Update from the FASTR/FASTR-2 Trials

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

There has been emerging interest in the role of ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy for high-risk prostate cancer, especially given its low α/β ratio. However, there is limited data on the long-term outcomes of this treatment strategy. The FASTR and FASTR-2 clinical trials were designed to assess the tolerability of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) in high-risk prostate cancer. FASTR was discontinued early due to unacceptable acute toxicity, whereas the acute toxicities in FASTR-2 were minimal. Herein, the long-term results from these trials are reported.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Eligible patients had at least 1 high-risk feature as per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria for high-risk prostate cancer, no evidence of metastatic disease, and either a score of 3+ on the Vulnerable Elderly Scale or declined standard therapy. A total of 19 patients from a single institution were enrolled on FASTR between 2011 and 2015. They received 40 Gy to the prostate and 25 Gy to the pelvic lymph nodes in 5 fractions delivered once weekly for 5 weeks, along with 1 year of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The excessive acute toxicity in FASTR prompted several modifications in FASTR-2, including the omission of nodal irradiation. A total of 30 patients from the same institution were enrolled on FASTR-2 between 2015 and 2017. They received 35 Gy to the prostate alone in 5 fractions delivered once weekly for 5 weeks, along with 18 months of ADT.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients were eligible for analysis, 16 from FASTR and 28 from FASTR-2. Most patients were >70 years old (77%). High-risk features included Gleason score ≥8 (46%), T3-T4 disease (27%) and baseline PSA >20 (50%). With a median follow-up of 6.4 years, the cumulative incidence of grade ≥3 genitourinary/gastrointestinal toxicity was 50% among FASTR patients and 7% among FASTR-2 patients. At 5 years, the combined rates of biochemical failure-free survival, freedom from distant metastases, prostate cancer-specific survival and overall survival were 72%, 90%, 92% and 83%, respectively. A total of 12 patients (27%) required further treatment. No significant differences in clinical outcomes were noted between the FASTR and FASTR-2 cohorts.

CONCLUSION

SABR for high-risk prostate cancer is an attractive option for reducing treatment burden. Clinical outcomes and toxicity with the FASTR-2 protocol were comparable to conventionally-fractionated radiotherapy plus ADT. Larger prospective, randomized trials exploring the role of SABR with ADT in high-risk disease are necessary to better understand the efficacy and tolerability of this approach.

The Role of Radiotherapy in Patients with Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma after Brentuximab Vedotin and -/or Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) had important roles in the treatment of relapse or refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Treatment of refractory disease after BV and -/or ICIs remains a challenge. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy for R/R HL after failure to BV or ICIs.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients in two institutions with R/R HL who had failed after first-line therapy, and were refractory to BV or ICIs, and received radiotherapy (RT) thereafter. The overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 19 patients were enrolled. First-line systemic therapy consisted of ABVD (84.2%), AVD + ICIs (10.5%) and BEACOPP (5.3%), respectively. After first-line therapy, 15 patients (78.9%) were refractory, and 4 patients (21.1%) relapsed. After diagnosis of R/R HL, 8 patients (42.1%) received BV, and 17 patients (89.5%) received ICIs. RT was delivered in all 19 patients who failed after BV or ICIs. In 16 efficacy-evaluable patients, the ORR and CR rate were 100% and 100%. The median DOR was 17.2 months (range, 7.9 to 46.7 months). 3 patients progressed at outside of the radiation field. The in-field-response rate was 100%. The 12-month PFS and OS were 84.4% and 100%, respectively. No patients were reported with sever adverse events.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that radiotherapy was effective and safe for refractory HL after BV or ICIs. Further prospective studies were warranted.

[Type III secretory protein SINC of Chlamydia psittaci promotes host cell autophagy by activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of SINC, a secreted protein of Chlamydia psittaci, on autophagy of host cells and the role of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in mediating SINC-induced autophagy.

METHODS

RAW 264.7 cells treated with recombinant SINC were examined for changes in expression levels of LC3-II, Beclin-1, phosphorylated and total ERK1/2 using Western blotting. The expression level of LC3 in the treated cells was detected using immunofluorescence analysis, and the formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of pretreatment with U0126 (a specific ERK inhibitor) on the expression levels of LC3-II and Beclin-1 in RAW 264.7 cells exposed to different concentrations of SINC was examined using Western blotting, and LC3 puncta in the cells was detected with immunofluorescence analysis.

RESULTS

The expression levels of LC3-II and Beclin-1 were the highest in RAW 264.7 cells treated with 2 μg/mL SINC for 12h. Immunofluorescence analysis showed exposure to SINC significantly increased the number of cells containing LC3 puncta, where the presence of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was detected. Exposure to 2 μg/mL SINC for 15 min resulted in the most significant increase of the ratios of p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 in RAW 264.7 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with U0126 prior to SINC exposure significantly decreased the ratio of p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2, lowered the expression levels of LC3-II and Beclin-1, and decreased LC3 aggregation in the cells.

CONCLUSIONS

SINC exposure can induce autophagy in RAW 264.7 cells by activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Uniaxial cyclic stretch enhances osteogenic differentiation of OPLL-derived primary cells via YAP-Wnt/β-catenin axis

The pathogenesis of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification (OPLL) remains inadequately understood. Mechanical stimulation is one of the important pathogenic factors in OPLL. As one of the mechanical stimulation transduction signals, the yes-associated protein (YAP) interacts with the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, which plays an important role in osteogenic differentiation. This study aimed to demonstrate the role of YAP-Wnt/β-catenin axis in cell differentiation induced by mechanical stress. Primary cells extracted from posterior longitudinal ligament tissues from OPLL or non-OPLL patients were subjected to sinusoidal uniaxial cyclic stretch (5 %, 0.5 Hz, 3 d). The expression of runt-related transcription factor 2, collagen I, osterix, osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase were compared between the static and the experimental groups. In addition, the cytoskeleton was detected using phalloidin staining while YAP phosphorylation states and nuclear location were identified using immunofluorescence. The results showed that mechanical stretching loading increased the expression of osteogenic genes and proteins in the OPLL group, while it had no significant effect on the control group. When OPLL cells were stretched, YAP exhibited an obvious nuclear translocation and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated. Knocking down YAP or β-catenin could weaken the impact upon osteogenic differentiation induced by mechanical stimulation. YAP-mediated mechanical stimulation promoted osteogenic differentiation of OPLL cells through Wnt/β-catenin pathway and this progress was independent of the Hippo pathway.

[Research advances on the application of carbon dots in wound treatment]

Chronic and infectious wound healing has always been an issue of concern in clinical and scientific research, in which bacterial infection and oxidative damage are the key factors hindering wound healing. Carbon dots, as a new material, has attracted much attention because of its unique physical and chemical properties and good biological safety. In recent years, the researches on the antibacterial property, antioxidant, and photoluminescence properties of carbon dots are more and more extensive and carbon dots have great potential in the treatment of chronic and infectious wounds. This paper reviews the research progress of carbon dots in three aspects: antibacterial, anti-oxidation and monitoring of wound infection are reviewed, and further discusses its specific mechanism, potential research direction, and application prospect.

Evidence of a Near-Threshold Resonance in ^{11}B Relevant to the β-Delayed Proton Emission of ^{11}Be

A narrow near-threshold proton-emitting resonance (E_{x}=11.4  MeV, J^{π}=1/2^{+}, and Γ_{p}=4.4  keV) was directly observed in ^{11}B via proton resonance scattering. This resonance was previously inferred in the β-delayed proton emission of the neutron halo nucleus ^{11}Be. The good agreement between both experimental results serves as a ground to confirm the existence of such exotic decay and the particular behavior of weakly bound nuclei coupled to the continuum. R-matrix analysis shows a sizable partial decay width for both, proton and α (Γ_{α}=11  keV) emission channels.

Association between isolated diastolic hypertension and cardiovascular events: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohorts

Background

Isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) is a subtype of hypertension, which is defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg by 2018 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guideline and 2019 National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE). Whereas some previous studies have demonstrated the significant association between IDH and cardiovascular (CV) events, some have not.

Purpose

To assess the association between IDH and the risk of CV events, CV mortality, and all-cause mortality.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search for publications using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception through March 2021 for prospective cohort studies exploring the association between IDH and CV events, CV mortality, and all-cause mortality. Relative risks (RR) or hazard ratios were extracted from the selected studies. Random effect models with inverse variance weighting were used to calculate the pooled RR and 95% confidence interval (CI). The primary outcome was a composite of total CV events including CV mortality. The secondary outcomes were CV mortality and all-cause mortality. We defined the IDH as SBP <140 mmHg and DBP ≥90 mmHg, reference group as BP less than 140/90mmHg.

Results

Overall, 15 studies were identified including 1049587 participants (5.5% IDH). For the primary outcome, IDH was significantly associated with risk of CV events (RR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.18–1.66], p<0.001). The increased risk of CV events was also observed in subgroup analyses based on age (less or more than 50) and sex. However, in further stratified analysis based on geographical region, only the Asia population showed a significant association with increased risk of CV events, whereas results were null in Europe and North America populations. For the secondary outcomes, IDH was significantly associated with increased CV mortality (RR [95% CI], 1.41 [1.12–1.78], p<0.001) but not with all-cause mortality (RR [95% CI], 1.13 [0.86–1.48], p=0.378). The sensitivity analysis showed the overall results did not vary significantly after exclusion of any one study.

Conclusions

IDH is associated with increased risk of CV events and CV mortality. Further, more large-scale prospective epidemiological cohorts are needed to confirm our conclusion.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Primary outcomeSecondary outcomes

Effects of miR-195 on diabetic nephropathy rats through targeting TLR4 and blocking NF-κB pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-195 on diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats through targeting Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The model of DN was first successfully established in rats. All rats were randomly divided into six groups, including control group (n=20), model group (n=20), 25 nM miR-195 mimics group (25 nM M group, n=20), 50 nM M group (n=20), 25 nM miR-195 inhibitor group (25 nM I group, n=20), and 50 nM I group (n=20). Urine volume, proteins and inflammatory factors were detected in each group, respectively. Subsequently, macrophages were cultured and transfected in vitro. The mRNA expressions of miR-195 and TLR4 in control group and model groups were determined using fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in macrophages were determined using Western blotting. Furthermore, the proliferation of macrophages was detected via cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay.

RESULTS

Compared with model group, 24-h urine volume, urine protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 levels declined significantly in 25 nM M group and 50 nM M group (p<0.05). However, they increased significantly in 25 nM I group and 50 nM I group (p<0.05). It could be suggested that miR-195 mimics might relieve the symptoms of DN rats. In kidney tissues in DN, miR-195 was lowly expressed, whereas TLR4 was highly expressed (p<0.01). This suggested that there was a negative correlation between the mRNA expressions of miR-195 and TLR4 (r2=0.4836, p=0.0007). After overexpression of miR-195, the protein expression of TLR4 was significantly reduced (p<0.01), indicating that miR-195 could negatively regulate the protein expression of TLR4. Besides, the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in si-TLR4 group were evidently lower than those in NC group (p<0.01). Meanwhile, they also had significant differences in si-TLR4 group compared with si-TLR4 + miR-195 inhibitor group (p<0.05). The above results demonstrated that the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in macrophages could be markedly inhibited by si-TLR4, but be promoted by si-TLR4 + miR-195 inhibitor. CCK-8 assay demonstrated that the proliferation ability of macrophages was remarkably weaker in miR-195 mimics group than NC group (p<0.001). Furthermore, it was also significantly weaker in si-TLR4 + miR-195 inhibitor group than si-TLR4 group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-195 reduces the release of inflammatory factors and inhibits the proliferation of macrophages through targeting TLR4 and blocking the NF-κB pathway, thereby alleviating the symptoms of DN rats.

Nonequilibrium pattern formation in circularly confined two-dimensional systems with competing interactions

We numerically investigate the nonequilibrium behaviors of classic particles with competing interactions confined in a two-dimensional logarithmic trap. We reveal a quench-induced surprising dynamics exhibiting rich dynamic patterns depending upon confinement strength and trap size, which is attributed to the time-dependent competition between interparticle repulsions and attractions under a circular confinement. Moreover, in the collectively diffusive motions of the particles, we find that the emergence of dynamic structure transformation coincides with a diffusive mode transition from superdiffusion to subdiffusion. These findings are likely useful in understanding the pattern selection and evolution in various chemical and biological systems in addition to modulated systems, and add a new route to tailoring the morphology of pattern-forming systems.

In Xenopus ependymal cilia drive embryonic CSF circulation and brain development independently of cardiac pulsatile forces

BACKGROUND

Hydrocephalus, the pathological expansion of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled cerebral ventricles, is a common, deadly disease. In the adult, cardiac and respiratory forces are the main drivers of CSF flow within the brain ventricular system to remove waste and deliver nutrients. In contrast, the mechanics and functions of CSF circulation in the embryonic brain are poorly understood. This is primarily due to the lack of model systems and imaging technology to study these early time points. Here, we studied embryos of the vertebrate Xenopus with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging to investigate in vivo ventricular and neural development during the onset of CSF circulation.

METHODS

Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a cross-sectional imaging modality, was used to study developing Xenopus tadpole brains and to dynamically detect in vivo ventricular morphology and CSF circulation in real-time, at micrometer resolution. The effects of immobilizing cilia and cardiac ablation were investigated.

RESULTS

In Xenopus, using OCT imaging, we demonstrated that ventriculogenesis can be tracked throughout development until the beginning of metamorphosis. We found that during Xenopus embryogenesis, initially, CSF fills the primitive ventricular space and remains static, followed by the initiation of the cilia driven CSF circulation where ependymal cilia create a polarized CSF flow. No pulsatile flow was detected throughout these tailbud and early tadpole stages. As development progressed, despite the emergence of the choroid plexus in Xenopus, cardiac forces did not contribute to the CSF circulation, and ciliary flow remained the driver of the intercompartmental bidirectional flow as well as the near-wall flow. We finally showed that cilia driven flow is crucial for proper rostral development and regulated the spatial neural cell organization.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support a paradigm in which Xenopus embryonic ventriculogenesis and rostral brain development are critically dependent on ependymal cilia-driven CSF flow currents that are generated independently of cardiac pulsatile forces. Our work suggests that the Xenopus ventricular system forms a complex cilia-driven CSF flow network which regulates neural cell organization. This work will redirect efforts to understand the molecular regulators of embryonic CSF flow by focusing attention on motile cilia rather than other forces relevant only to the adult.

Suppressions of vibration in the Tip-Tilt mirror control system by add-on controller

Tip-Tilt mirrors play an important role in astronomical telescopes requiring the tracking performance at the level of microradian or sub-microradian. However, the closed-loop performance suffers a lot from the low-sample rate and time delay of image sensors. Especially, this issue is under the condition of vibrations, because dynamic behaviors are complex and the models are difficult to be obtained accurately. Another challenging issue comes from the measurement of vibrations and its extraction for the closed-loop control. This paper proposes a new method based on an add-on controller of the Tip-Tilt mirror to mitigate telescope vibrations. The proposed method only uses Tip-Tilt errors from an image sensor to implement a disturbance observer, which is not being restricted by an accurate model. As a result, the closed-loop performance can be optimized by designing of a proper Q-filter. To suppress the low-frequency and high-frequency vibrations, a novel Q-filter combining a lowpass filter and a bandpass filter is proposed here. The improved control method is validated by both simulation and experiment in the tip-tilt mirror control system under the condition of vibrations.