The Therapeutic and Prognostic Role of Clusterin in Diverse Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Mini Review

This mini-review aims to introduce the association between Secretory clusterin/apolipoprotein J (sCLU) and diverse musculoskeletal diseases. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to identify basic science and clinical studies, which implied the therapeutic and prognostic role of sCLU in diverse musculoskeletal diseases. sCLU is a multifunctional glycoprotein that is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues and is implicated in many pathophysiological processes. Dysregulated expression of sCLU had been reported to be assocaited with proliferative or apoptotic molecular processes and inflammatory responses, which participated in many pathophysiological processes such as degenerative musculoskeletal diseases including ischemic osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis (OA) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (spinal cord injury), neoplastic musculoskeletal diseases, inflammatory and autoimmune musculoskeletal diseases including Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), joint damage induced by Brucella abortus, Sjogren's syndrome, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, muscle glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and traumatic musculoskeletal diseases. Recent findings of sCLU in these musculoskeletal diseases provides insights on the therapeutic and prognostic role of sCLU in these musculoskeletal diseases. sCLU may serve as a promising therapeutic target for ischemic osteonecrosis, OA and spinal cord injury as well as a potential prognostic biomarker for OA and RA. Moreover, sCLU could act as a prognostic biomarker for osteosarcoma (OS) and a promising therapeutic target for OS resistance. Although many studies support the potential therapeutic and prognostic role of sCLU in some inflammatory and autoimmune-mediated musculoskeletal diseases, more future researches are needed to explore the molecular pathogenic mechanism mediated by sCLU implied in these musculoskeletal diseases.

Nomogram Based on Clinical and Radiomics Data for Predicting Radiation-induced Temporal Lobe Injury in Patients with Non-metastatic Stage T4 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

AIMS

To use pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics data with clinical data to predict radiation-induced temporal lobe injury (RTLI) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with stage T4/N0-3/M0 within 5 years after radiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively examined 98 patients (198 temporal lobes) with stage T4/N0-3/M0 NPC. Participants were enrolled into a training cohort or a validation cohort in a ratio of 7:3. Radiomics features were extracted from pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging that were T1-and T2-weighted. Spearman rank correlation, the t-test and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm were used to select significant radiomics features; machine-learning models were used to generate radiomics signatures (Rad-Scores). Rad-Scores and clinical factors were integrated into a nomogram for prediction of RTLI. Nomogram discrimination was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis and clinical benefits were evaluated using decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

Participants were enrolled into a training cohort (n = 139) or a validation cohort (n = 59). In total, 3568 radiomics features were initially extracted from T1-and T2-weighted images. Age, D_max, D_1cc and 16 stable radiomics features (six from T1-weighted and 10 from T2-weighted images) were identified as independent predictive factors. A greater Rad-Score was associated with a greater risk of RTLI. The nomogram showed good discrimination, with a C-index of 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.79-0.92) in the training cohort and 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.71-0.92) in the validation cohort.

CONCLUSION

We developed models for the prediction of RTLI in patients with stage T4/N0-3/M0 NPC using pre-treatment radiomics data and clinical data. Nomograms from these pre-treatment data improved the prediction of RTLI. These results may allow the selection of patients for earlier clinical interventions.

Speed determinacy of travelling waves for a three-component lattice Lotka-Volterra competition system

In this paper, the invasive speed selection of the monostable travelling wave for a three-component lattice Lotka-Volterra competition system is studied via the upper and lower solution method, as well as the comparison principle. By constructing several special upper and lower solutions, we establish sufficient conditions such that the linear or nonlinear selection is realized.

DLP-based bioprinting of void-forming hydrogels for enhanced stem-cell-mediated bone regeneration

The integration of 3D bioprinting and stem cells is of great promise in facilitating the reconstruction of cranial defects. However, the effectiveness of the scaffolds has been hampered by the limited cell behavior and functions. Herein, a therapeutic cell-laden hydrogel for bone regeneration is therefore developed through the design of a void-forming hydrogel. This hydrogel is prepared by digital light processing (DLP)-based bioprinting of the bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) mixed with gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)/dextran emulsion. The 3D-bioprinted hydrogel can not only promote the proliferation, migration, and spreading of the encapsulated BMSCs, but also stimulate the YAP signal pathway, thus leading to the enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In addition, the in vivo therapeutic assessments reveal that the void-forming hydrogel shows great potential for BMSCs delivery and can significantly promote bone regeneration. These findings suggest that the unique 3D-bioprinted void-forming hydrogels are promising candidates for applications in bone regeneration.

Selective targeting of MD2 attenuates intestinal inflammation and prevents neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis by suppressing TLR4 signaling

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory disease that occurs in premature infants and has a high mortality rate; however, the mechanisms behind this disease remain unclear. The TLR4 signaling pathway in intestinal epithelial cells, mediated by TLR4, is important for the activation of the inflammatory storm in NEC infants. Myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) is a key auxiliary component of the TLR4 signaling pathway. In this study, MD2 was found to be significantly increased in intestinal tissues of NEC patients at the acute stage. We further confirmed that MD2 was upregulated in NEC rats. MD2 inhibitor (MI) pretreatment reduced the occurrence and severity of NEC in neonatal rats, inhibited the activation of NF-κB and the release of inflammatory molecules (TNF-α and IL-6), and reduced the severity of intestinal injury. MI pretreatment significantly reduced enterocyte apoptosis while also maintaining tight junction proteins, including occludin and claudin-1, and protecting intestinal mucosal permeability in NEC rats. In addition, an NEC in vitro model was established by stimulating IEC-6 enterocytes with LPS. MD2 overexpression in IEC-6 enterocytes significantly activated NF-κB. Further, both MD2 silencing and MI pretreatment inhibited the inflammatory response. Overexpression of MD2 increased damage to the IEC-6 monolayer cell barrier, while both MD2 silencing and MI pretreatment played a protective role. In conclusion, MD2 triggers an inflammatory response through the TLR4 signaling pathway, leading to intestinal mucosal injury in NEC. In addition, MI alleviates inflammation and reduces intestinal mucosal injury caused by the inflammatory response by blocking the TLR4-MD2/NF-κB signaling axis. These results suggest that inhibiting MD2 may be an important way to prevent NEC.

[P2X7R promotes migration and invasion of Lewis lung cancer cells by activating the AKT signaling pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in migration and invasion of mouse Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells and examine the tumorigenic ability of LLC cells in P2X7R-knockout mice.

METHODS

RT-PCR was used to examine P2X7R mRNA expression in LLC cells. LLC cells were treated with ATP (as a P2X7R agonist) or 2'- 3'- O- (4-benzoyl- benzoyl)-ATP (BzATP) (a P2X7R agonist) with or without pretreatment with P2X7R antagonist oxATP or A438079. The changes in migration and invasive abilities of the cells were evaluated using wound healing assay and Transwell assay; Western blotting was performed to determine the activation level of the key proteins in the AKT signaling pathway. The effects of BzATP, A438079, and LY294002 (a inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT pathway) on migration and invasion of LLC cells were also examined. In wild-type (WT) and P2X7R knockout (P2X7^-/-) C57BL/6 mice, the growth of subcutaneous LLC cell xenografts were observed by measuring tumor volume and weight.

RESULTS

P2X7R expression was detected in LLC cells. Treatment with P2X7R agonist significantly enhanced migration and invasion abilities of LLC cells, and this effect was inhibited by application of P2X7R antagonists (P < 0.001). Western blotting showed that BzATP treatment of LLC cells significantly increased the expression level of p-AKT protein, which was obviously lowered by treatment with P2X7R antagonist (P < 0.01). P2X7R antagonist strongly inhibited BzATP-induced enhancement of LLC cell migration and invasion (P < 0.001). In the tumor- bearing mice, the tumor volume and weight were significantly lower in P2X7^-/- mice than in WT mice (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

P2X7R promotes migration and invasion of LLC cells by activating the AKT signaling pathway, and LLC cells show lowered tumorigenic capacity in P2X7^-/- mice.

Induced mutation in ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 abolishes anthocyanin accumulation in the hypocotyl of pepper

The causal gene, CaHY5 of a chemical induced green-hypocotyl mutant was identified by molecular mapping. CaHY5 regulates anthocyanin accumulation by directly binding to the promoter of genes in anthocyanin pathway. Morphological markers at seedling stage are useful indicators for F₁ hybrid seeds screening. Pepper is a worldwide vegetable with diverse uses, and F₁ hybrids are popular in the pepper industry. Hypocotyl color is a useful marker to identify F₁ hybrid seeds. However, most pepper accessions have purple hypocotyl caused by anthocyanin accumulation, while green hypocotyl pepper accessions are rare. In this study, we identified a green hypocotyl mutant (e1898) from a pepper ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS) mutant library. By combining bulked segregant RNA-seq (BSR), genome resequencing and recombinant analysis, it was found that CaHY5 is the causal gene of this mutant. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CaHY5 resulted in the decrease of anthocyanin accumulation in pepper hypocotyls. RNA-seq data showed that many genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis and transport decreased significantly in the mutant. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assays showed that CaHY5 can bind to the promoter of CaF3H, CaF3'5'H, CaDFR, CaANS and CaGST, which are important genes in anthocyanin biosynthesis or transport. Our results indicate that CaHY5 directly regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis and transport, thus governing anthocyanin accumulation in pepper hypocotyl. The mutant and gene identified in this work shall be valuable in the purity control of hybrid pepper seeds.

Astrocytes and major depression: The purinergic avenue

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric illnesses worldwide which impairs the social functioning of the afflicted patients. Astrocytes promote homeostasis of the CNS and provide defense against various types of harmful influences. Increasing evidence suggests that the number, morphology and function of astrocytes are deteriorated in the depressed brain and the malfunction of the astrocytic purinergic system appears to participate in the pathophysiology of MDD. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) released from astrocytes modulates depressive-like behavior in animal models and probably also clinical depression in patients. Astrocytes possess purinergic receptors, such as adenosine A_2A receptors (Rs), and P2X7, P2Y₁, and P2Y₁₁Rs, which mediate neuroinflammation, neuro(glio)transmission, and synaptic plasticity in depression-relevant areas of the brain (e.g. medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala nuclei). By contrast, astrocytic A₁Rs are neuroprotective and immunosuppressive. In the present review, we shall discuss the release of purines from astrocytes, and the expression/function of astrocytic purinergic receptors. Subsequently, we shall review in more detail novel evidence indicating that the dysregulation of astrocytic purinergic signaling actively contributes to the pathophysiology of depression and shall discuss possible therapeutic options based on knowledge recently acquired in this field.

Fluid Shear Stress Promotes Osteoblast Proliferation and Suppresses Mitochondrial-Mediated Osteoblast Apoptosis Through the miR-214-3p-ATF4 Signaling Axis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in bone metabolism and participate in the mechanically induced bone alterations. The underlying molecular mechanisms by which fluid shear stress (FSS) regulate the proliferative and apoptotic phenotypic changes of osteoblasts remain elusive. The study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of FSS on osteoblast proliferative and apoptotic phenotypes and the roles of miR-214-3p-ATF4 (activating transcription factor 4) signaling axis in the mechanomodulation processes. FSS promoted the proliferative activity of osteoblasts and suppressed mitochondrial-mediated osteoblast apoptosis. FSS decreased miR-214-3p expression and increased ATF4 expression in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. MiR-214-3p inhibited osteoblast proliferative activity and promoted mitochondrial-mediated osteoblast apoptosis. Overexpression of miR-214-3p attenuated FSS-enhanced osteoblast proliferation and FSS-suppressed mitochondrial-mediated osteoblast apoptosis. We validated that ATF4 acted as a target gene of miR-214-3p. Moreover, miR-214 3p regulated osteoblast proliferation and apoptosis through targeting ATF4. Taken together, our study proved that FSS could suppress mitochondrial-mediated osteoblast apoptosis and promote osteoblast proliferation through the miR-214-3p-ATF4 signaling axis.

Critical roles of mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis in tomato development and environmental response

Plant mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFAS) appears to be important in photorespiration based on the reverse genetics research from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) in recent years, but its roles in plant development have not been completely explored. Here, we identified a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) mutant, fern-like, which displays pleiotropic phenotypes including dwarfism, yellowing, curly leaves, and increased axillary buds. Positional cloning and genetic and heterozygous complementation tests revealed that the underlying gene FERN encodes a 3-hydroxyl-ACP dehydratase enzyme involved in mtFAS. FERN was causally involved in tomato morphogenesis by affecting photorespiration, energy supply, and the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species. Based on lipidome data, FERN and the mtFAS pathway may modulate tomato development by influencing mitochondrial membrane lipid composition and other lipid metabolic pathways. These findings provide important insights into the roles and importance of mtFAS in tomato development.

HIF-1α drives the transcription of NOG to inhibit osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells in response to hypoxia

Osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) is limited in hypoxia, and HIF-1α is key to the response to hypoxia. However, its mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study discovered an osteogenesis-related gene sensitive to hypoxia in PDLSCs, and investigated the molecular mechanisms between HIF-1α and the gene. NOG, a gene that negatively regulates osteogenesis, was discovered by RNA-seq. Under normoxic conditions, HIF-1α overexpression led to enhanced expression of NOG/Noggin and inhibited the expression of osteogenesis-related genes, while inhibition of HIF-1α reversed this effect. The expression of HIF-1α, NOG/Noggin and the osteogenesis-related genes were detected by qRT-PCR or Western blot. Mechanistically, we verified that HIF-1α binds to the hypoxia response element (-1505 to -1502) in the promotor of NOG to enhance secretion of Noggin by chromatin immunoprecipitation and a dual-luciferase reporter assay. IHC staining findings in an animal model verified that Noggin-associated osteogenic differentiation was inhibited in hypoxia. NOG displayed a concordant relationship with HIF-1α, and secreted more with increasing of HIF-1α. Hypoxia stabilized HIF-1α, which bound to the HRE (-1505 to -1502) of the NOG promotor to enhance NOG transcription resulted in inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. This study offers a promising therapy for periodontitis.

[Bioinformatic analysis of differentially expressed proteins in the dorsal raphe nucleus of rats after continuous treatment with olanzapine]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the differentially expressed proteins in the dorsal raphe nucleus of rats treated with olanzapine and explore the possible mechanism of metabolic disorders in the early stage of olanzapine treatment.

METHODS

Twenty male and 20 female SD rats were both randomized equally into olanzapine group and control group for daily treatment with olanzapine and saline for 4 weeks, respectively. One hour after the last treatment, the dorsal raphe nucleus of the rats was dissected for proteomic analysis using iTRAQ combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). GO, KEGG pathway, COG, pathways and protein interaction network analyses of the differentially expressed proteins were performed. Several target genes were selected from the proteomic list, and their expression levels in the dorsal raphe nucleus of another 24 mice with identical grouping and treatment using real time real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

A total of 214 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the dorsal raphe nucleus of olanzapine-treated mice, including 72 unregulated and 142 downregulated proteins. GO analyses showed that the differentially expressed proteins were enriched in cellular process, biological regulation, metabolic process, response to stimulus, multicellular organismal process, bindings, catalytic activity, molecular function regulator and transcription regulator activity. KEGG analysis suggested that these proteins were enriched in fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, serotonergic synapse, butanoate metabolism, thyroid hormone synthesis and IL-17 signaling pathway. The differentially expressed proteins Cav1, Hsp90b1, Canx, Gnai1, MAPK9, and LOC685513 were located at the nodes of the protein-protein interaction network in close relation with metabolic disorders. In olanzapine-treated mice, the expression of Hmgcs2, a negative regulator of apoptosis, was significantly down-regulated in the dorsal raphe nucleus, where the expressions of Pla2g4e, Slc6a4 and Gnai1 involved in serotonergic synapse were significantly upregulated.

CONCLUSION

In the early stage of treatment, olanzapine may contribute to the occurrence of metabolic disorders in rats by regulating the expressions of Cav1, Hsp90b1, Canx, Gnai1, MAPK9, LOC685513 (Gng14) and 5-HTR2 synapse-related proteins in the dorsal raphe nucleus.

Susceptibility-weighted imaging cannot distinguish radionecrosis from recurrence in brain metastases after radiotherapy: a comparison with high-grade gliomas

AIM

To explore the efficiency of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in the differential diagnosis of recurrence from radionecrosis in brain metastases (BM) and in high-grade gliomas (HGG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From September 2016 to November 2018, 56 patients with BM and 42 patients with HGG were included in this retrospective study. BM and HGG were assigned to the recurrence and radionecrosis groups according to their histopathology or follow-up results. The proportion of dark signal intensity (proDSI), which was defined as the area of dark signal on SWI or the enhancing area on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), was calculated for each patient. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's honestly significant difference test was used for the repeat multiple comparisons. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to validate the diagnostic performance.

RESULTS

For HGG, the proDSI in the recurrence group was significantly lower than that in the radionecrosis group (0.13 ± 0.05 versus 0.43 ± 0.11, p<0.001); however, for BM, no statistical difference was found between groups (0.49 ± 0.09 versus 0.46 ± 0.08, p=0.26). proDSI had the best diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76-0.98; sensitivity = 0.87; specificity = 0.88) for HGG, when a cut-off value of 0.21 was selected.

CONCLUSIONS

Semi-quantitative analysis using SWI is feasible for the differential diagnosis between recurrence and radionecrosis in HGG, but is not feasible in BM. Semi-quantitative assessment based on SWI should interpreted with caution in BM after radiotherapy in clinical practice.

[Application of three-dimensional visualization technique in laparoscopic D3 radical resection of right colon cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical value of three-dimensional (3D) visualization technique in laparoscopic D3 radical resection of right colon cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 73 patients with right colon cancer undergoing laparoscopic D3 radical operation in our hospital between May, 2019 and March, 2021. Among these patients, 41 underwent enhanced CT examination with 3D visualization reconstruction to guide the actual operation, and 32 underwent enhanced CT examination only before the operation (control group). In 3D visualization group, we examined the coincidence rate between the 3D visualization model and the findings in surgical exploration of the anatomy and variations of the main blood vessels, supplying vessels of the tumor, and the tumor location, and the coincidence rate between the actual surgical plan for D3 radical resection of right colon cancer and the plan formulated based on the 3D model. The operative time, estimated blood loss, unexpected injury of blood vessels, number of harvested lymph nodes, mean time of the first flatus, complications, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative drainage volume were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The operative time was significantly shorter in 3D visualization group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The volume of blood loss, proportion of unexpected injury of blood vessel, the number of harvested lymph nodes, time of the first flatus, proportion of complications, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative drainage volume did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the 3D visualization group, the 3D visualization model clearly displayed the shape and direction of the colon, the location of the tumor, the anatomy and variation of the main blood vessels and the blood vessels supplying the cancer, and showed a coincidence rate of 100% with the findings by surgical exploration. The surgical plan for D3 radical resection of right colon cancer was formulated based on the 3D model also showed a coincidence rate of 100% with the actual surgical plan.

CONCLUSION

The 3D visualization reconstruction technique allows clear visualization the supplying arteries of the tumor and their variations to improve the efficiency, safety and accuracy of laparoscopic D3 radical resection of right colon cancer.

[Comparison of the long-term outcomes of focused ultrasound ablation surgery for uterine fibroids and myomectomy]

Objective: To compare the long-term outcomes after focused ultrasound ablation surgery (FUAS) versus myomectomy for uterine fibroids. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on women who were treated by FUAS or myomectomy for uterine fibroids at First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2007 to January 2015. Regular follow-up was conducted to evaluate the symptoms relief, symptoms recurrence, the need for re-interventions and complications of the two groups. Results: The effective rates were 95.7% (730/763) and 95.5% (1 151/1 205) in women who were treated by FUAS and myomectomy, no statistical difference was seen between the two groups (χ²=0.027, P=0.869). The cumulative rates of symptoms recurrence at 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 8 years and 10 years of follow-up in FUAS group were 1.8%, 6.8%, 11.9%, 15.2% and 15.9%, respectively; and the cumulative re-intervention rates were 0.7%, 4.1%, 6.8%, 9.9% and 11.0%, respectively. The cumulative rates of symptoms recurrence at 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 8 years and 10 years of follow-up in myomectomy group were 1.8%, 5.9%, 10.6%, 14.2% and 14.9%, respectively; and the cumulative re-intervention rates were 0.9%, 4.5%, 7.8%, 10.3% and 11.4%, respectively. No statistical differences were seen between the two groups (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the effective rate, symptoms recurrence rate and re-intervention rate between the two groups in patients with intermural fibroids; but the effective rate of FUAS (95.9%, 235/245) was higher than that of myomectomy (89.1%, 115/129), the symptoms recurrence rate (11.9%, 28/235) was lower than that of myomectomy (27.8%, 32/115), and the re-intervention rate (7.7%, 18/235) was lower than that of myomectomy (17.4%, 20/115) in patients with submucosal fibroids, there were significant different (all P<0.05). The effective rate of FUAS (91.0%, 132/145) was lower than that of myomectomy (97.0%, 322/332), the symptoms recurrence rate (32.6%, 43/132) was higher than that of myomectomy (9.9%, 32/322), and the re-intervention rate (22.0%, 29/132) was higher than that of myomectomy group (6.2%, 20/132) in patients with subserosal fibroids, there were significant different (all P<0.01). The incidences of total [1.8% (14/763) vs 21.9% (264/1 205)], minor and moderate adverse events were lower in FUAS group than myomectomy group (all P<0.001). Conclusion: Satisfaction with long-term outcomes after FUAS treatment or myomectomy for uterine fibroids is comparable.

[Progress on clinical trials of common gastrointestinal cancer drugs in China from 2012 to 2021]

Objective: Systematically summarize the research progress of clinical trials of gastric cancer oncology drugs and the overview of marketed drugs in China from 2012 to 2021, providing data and decision-making evidence for relevant departments. Methods: Based on the registration database of the drug clinical trial registration and information disclosure platform of Food and Drug Administration of China and the data query system of domestic and imported drugs, the information on gastric cancer drug clinical trials, investigational drugs and marketed drugs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2021 was analyzed, and the differences between Chinese and foreign enterprises in terms of trial scope, trial phase, treatment lines and drug type, effect and mechanism studies were compared. Results: A total of 114 drug clinical trials related to gastric tumor were registered in China from 2012 to 2021, accounting for 3.7% (114/3 041) of all anticancer drug clinical trials in the same period, the registration number showed a significant growth rate after 2016 and reached its peak with 32 trials in 2020. Among them, 85 (74.6%, 85/114) trials were initiated by Chinese pharmaceutical enterprise. Compared with foreign pharmaceutical enterprise, Chinese pharmaceutical enterprise had higher rates of phase I trials (35.3% vs 6.9%, P=0.001), but the rate of international multicenter trials (11.9% vs 67.9%, P<0.001) was relatively low. There were 76 different drugs involved in relevant clinical trials, of which 65 (85.5%) were targeted drugs. For targeted drugs, HER2 is the most common one (14 types), followed by PD-1 and multi-target VEGER. In the past ten years, 3 of 4 marketed drugs for gastric cancer treatment were domestic and included in the national medical insurance directory. Conclusions: From 2012 to 2021, China has made some progress in drug research and development for gastric carcinoma. However, compared with the serious disease burden, it is still insufficient. Targeted strengthening of research and development of investment in many aspects of gastric cancer drugs, such as new target discovery, matured target excavating, combination drug development and early line therapy promotion, is the key work in the future, especially for domestic companies.

[Stereotactic body radiation therapy for patients with lung and liver oligometastases from colorectal cancer: a phase Ⅱ trial]

Objective: To explore the safety and effectiveness of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for oligometastases from colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: This is a prospective, single-arm phase Ⅱ trial. Patients who had histologically proven CRC, 1 to 5 detectable liver or lung metastatic lesions with maximum diameter of any metastases ≤5 cm were eligible. SBRT was delivered to all lesions. The primary endpoint was 3-year local control (LC). The secondary endpoints were treatment-related acute toxicities of grade 3 and above, 1-year and 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank test. Results: Petients from 2016 to 2019 who were treated in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. Forty-eight patients with 60 lesions were enrolled, including 37 liver lesions and 23 lung lesions. Forty-six patients had 1 or 2 lesions, with median diameter of 1.3 cm, the median biologically effective dose (BED(10)) was 100.0 Gy. The median follow-up was 19.5 months for all lesions. Twenty-five lesions developed local failure, the median local progression free survival was 15 months. The 1-year LC, OS and PFS was 70.2% (95% CI, 63.7%~76.7%), 89.0% (95% CI, 84.3%~93.7%) and 40.4% (95%CI, 33.0%~47.8%). The univariate analysis revealed that planning target volume (PTV) and total dose were independent prognostic factors of LC (P<0.05). For liver and lung lesions, the 1-year LC, OS and PFS was 58.7% and 89.4% (P=0.015), 89.3% and 86.5% (P=0.732), 30.5% and 65.6% (P=0.024), respectively. No patients developed acute toxicity of grade 3 and above. Conclusion: SBRT is safe and effective treatment method for oligometastases from CRC under precise respiratory motion management and robust quality assurance.

Protective effect of lithium chloride on pulmonary injury caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae via inhibition of GSK-3β-NF-κB-dependent pathway

Porcine contagious pleuropneumonia (PCP) is a very serious respiratory disease which is difficult to prevent and treat. In this study, the therapeutic effects of lithium chloride (LiCl) on PCP were examined using a mouse model. A mouse model of PCP was established by intranasal infections with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App). Histopathological analysis was performed by routine paraffin sections and an H-E staining method. The inflammatory factors, TLR4 and CCL2 were analyzed by qPCR. The expression levels of p-p65 and pGSK-3ß were detected using the Western Blot Method. The death rates, clinical symptoms, lung injuries, and levels of TLR-4, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL2 were observed to decrease in the App-infected mice treated with LiCl. It was determined that the LiCl treatments had significantly reduced the mortality of the App-infected cells, as well as the expressions of p-p65 and pGSK-3ß. The results of this study indicated that LiCl could improve the pulmonary injuries of mice caused by App via the inhibition of the GSK-3β-NF-κB-dependent pathways, and may potentially become an effective drug for improving pulmonary injuries caused by PCP.

Development of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of novel chicken orthoreovirus

A novel avian orthoreovirus (N-ARV) variant characterized with obvious arthritis and synovial inflammation, was isolated from Shandong, China in May 2016. It caused chicken poor growth and enormous economic losses to the poultry industry of China. However, there are few effective methods for detecting the antibody levels of N-ARV. In this study, a viral structural protein σC was expressed using the prokaryotic expression vector pET32a (+). The target protein was obtained by inducing for 6 hours at an IPTG concentration of 0.6mM. The optimal dilution of the coating antigen and serum antibody were determined to be 1000 fold and 10 fold respectively. A specificity test showed that there was no positive reactivity between N-ARV and other pathogens, and when the positive serum was diluted 100 times detection results were still checkable. The repeatability of this method was determined by the inter assay and intra assay tests with variability ranging from 4.85% to 7.93%. In conclusion, this indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) will be useful for large-scale serological surveys and monitoring antibody levels in N-ARV infection.

Nanoparticle-Stabilized Emulsion Bioink for Digital Light Processing Based 3D Bioprinting of Porous Tissue Constructs

A challenge for bioprinting tissue constructs is enabling the viability and functionality of encapsulated cells. Rationally designed bioink that can create appropriate biophysical cues shows great promise for overcoming such challenges. Here, a nanoparticle-stabilized emulsion bioink for direct fabrication of porous tissue constructs by digital light processing based 3D bioprinting technology is introduced. The emulsion bioink is integrated by the mixture of aqueous dextran microdroplets and gelatin methacryloyl solution and is further rendered stable by β-lactoglobulin nanoparticles. After bioprinting, the printed tissue constructs create the macroporous structure via removal of dextran, thereby providing favorable biophysical cues to promote the viability, proliferation, and spreading of the encapsulated cells. Moreover, a trachea-shaped construct containing chondrocytes is bioprinted and implanted in vivo. The results demonstrate that the generated macroporous construct is of benefit to cartilage tissue rebuilding. This work offers an advanced bioink for the fabrication of living tissue constructs by activating the cell behaviors and functions in situ and can lead to the development of 3D bioprinting.

[Changes in the structure of intestinal mucosal flora in colorectal cancer patients]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes in bacterial flora in fecal samples, at the tumor loci and in adjacent mucosa in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

We collected fecal samples from 13 patients with CRC and 20 healthy individuals and tumor and adjacent mucosa samples from 6 CRC patients. The differences in bacterial composition between the fecal and mucosa samples were analyzed with 16S rDNA sequencing and bioinformatics methods. We also detected the total number of bacteria in the feces using flow cytometry, isolated and identified the microorganisms in the fecal and mucosa samples using common bacterial culture media. We further tested the effects of 7 isolated bacterial strains on apoptosis of 3 CRC cell lines using lactate dehydrogenase detection kit.

RESULTS

The bacterial α-diversity in the feces of healthy individuals and in adjacent mucosa of CRC patients was significantly higher than that in the feces and tumor mucosa in CRC patients (P < 0.05). Lactobacillaceae is a specific bacteria in the feces, while Escherichia, Enterococcus, and Fusobacterium are specific bacteria in tumor mucosa of CRC patients as compared with healthy individuals. Cell experiment with3 CRC cell lines showed that Bacteroides fragilis isolated from the tumor mucosa of CRC patients produced significant inhibitory effects on cell proliferation (P < 0.0001), while the isolated strain Fusobacterium nucleatum obviously promoted the proliferation of the cell lines (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The bacterial flora in the feces, tumor mucosa and adjacent mucosa of CRC patients is significantly different from that in the feces of healthy individuals, and the fecal flora of CRC patients can not represent the specific flora of the tumor mucosa. Inhibition of F. nucleatum colonization in the tumor mucosa and promoting B. fragilis colonization may prove beneficial for CRC treatment.

A mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission

Disease transmission is studied through disciplines like epidemiology, applied mathematics, and statistics. Mathematical simulation models for transmission have implications in solving public and personal health challenges. The SIR model uses a compartmental approach including dynamic and nonlinear behavior of transmission through three factors: susceptible, infected, and removed (recovered and deceased) individuals. Using the Lambert W Function, we propose a framework to study solutions of the SIR model. This demonstrates the applications of COVID-19 transmission data to model the spread of a real-world disease. Different models of disease including the SIR, SIRmp and SEIRρqr model are compared with respect to their ability to predict disease spread. Physical distancing impacts and personal protection equipment use are discussed with relevance to the COVID-19 spread.

Enhanced soluble sugar content in tomato fruit using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated SlINVINH1 and SlVPE5 gene editing

Soluble sugar is known to improve the sweetness and increase tomato sauce yield. Studies have focused on improving the content of soluble sugar in tomato fruits, usually by promoting functional genes. We studied two genes (SlINVINH1 and SlVPE5) that inhibited the accumulation of soluble sugar in tomato fruits and obtained two genes’ knocked-out lines (CRISPR-invinh1 or CRISPR-vpe5) using CRISPR/Cas9. Aggregated lines with CRISPR-invinh1 and CRISPR-vpe5 were gained by hybridization and self-pollination. Compared to wild-type lines, the glucose, fructose, and total soluble solid (TSS) contents of CRISPR-invinh1 and CRISPR-vpe5 increased significantly. Glucose, fructose, and TSS levels further improved simultaneously with CRISPR-invinh1 and CRISPR-vpe5 than with single gene knock-out lines. This indicates that these genes have a synergistic effect and will increase the soluble sugar content. Thus, the knock-out SlINVINH1 and SlVPE5 may provide a practical basis for improving the sweetness of tomato fruits and their processing quality.

The expression profile of miR-222b-5p/MAPK10 in spleens of SPF chickens infected with REV-SNV at 28-42 dpi

Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) is an avian oncogenic retrovirus that causes atrophy of immune organs, such as the spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius, leading to severe immunosuppression. However, there is limited information describing the genes or microRNAs (miRNAs) that play a role in replicating REV-spleen necrosis virus (SNV). Our previous miRNA and RNA sequencing data showed that the expression of gga-miR-222b-5p was significantly upregulated in REV-SNV-infected chicken spleens of 7, 14, and 21 dpi compared to non-infected chicken spleens, but mitogen-activated protein kinase 10 (MAPK10), which is related to innate immunity, had the opposite expression pattern. To understand chicken cellular miRNA function in the virus-host interactions during REV infection, we used quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine whether the expression of gga-miR-222b-5p and MAPK10 in the spleen of specific-pathogen-free chickens at 28, 35, and 42 dpi was consistent with the first 3 time points, and dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the targeting relationship between gga-miR-222b-5p and MAPK10. Results show that MAPK10 was downregulated at all 3 time points; however, significant difference (p⟨0.01) was noted only at 35 dpi. Moreover, the expression of gga-miR-222b-5p was upregulated; however, significant difference (p⟨0.01) was observed only at 28 and 35 dpi. A dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that MAPK10 is a direct target of gga-miR-222b-5p. This study suggests that gga-miR-222b-5p may target MAPK10 to promote the REV-SNV-induced tumorigenesis via the RLRs signaling pathway.