A novel 3',5'-diprenylated chalcone induces concurrent apoptosis and GSDME-dependent pyroptosis through activating PKCδ/JNK signal in prostate cancer

Although androgen deprivation therapy may initially be effective in prostate cancer, the disease can gradually progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer, at which point chemotherapy becomes the major clinical strategy. In this study, we demonstrated the anti-cancer potential of a novel 3’,5’-diprenylated chalcone (C10), which selectively inhibited the proliferation of PC3 cells in vitro and in vivo. C10 treatment elevated the proportion of PC3 cells in sub-G1 phase and induced programmed cell death. Interestingly, C10 elicited concurrent Caspase-dependent apoptotic and gasdermin E-dependent pyroptotic events. RNA-Seq and bioinformatics analyses revealed a strong correlation between protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation in prostate cancer. PKCδ silencing in PC3 cells suppressed the activation of the JNK pathway and the expression of its downstream genes, including Bax, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β, which are involved in apoptotic and pyroptotic processes. Moreover, in PC3 cell xenograft tumor tissues, C10 treatment inhibited tumor growth and upregulated PKCδ. These findings suggest that C10 treatment induces the PKCδ/JNK pathway, thereby activating Caspase-3 and inducing the cleavage of PARP and gasdermin E to execute apoptosis and cell-lytic pyroptosis in prostate cancer cells.

Is there a non-linear relationship between dietary protein intake and prostate-specific antigen: proof from the national health and nutrition examination survey (2003-2010)

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence demonstrated that dietary protein intake may be a risk factor for prostate cancer and elevate the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). However, proof for the correlation between dietary protein intake and PSA in American adults without prostate tumor history is limited. Our goal was to investigate the association of dietary protein intake with PSA using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2003-2010) database.

METHODS

After the screening, 6403 participants were included in the study. The interested independent is the dietary protein intake, and the dependent variable is PSA levels, the covariates included demographic, dietary, biological data, and physical examination variables. A weighted linear model and a weighted linear regression model were used to examine the distribution of variables in the covariate differences between the different independent groups according to quartiles. Four models were used to survey the association between dietary protein intake and PSA. We also attempted to find a nonlinear relationship between dietary protein intake and PSA using the GAM model and the penalty spline method and further solved the nonlinear problem using weighted two-piecewise linear model.

RESULTS

The weighted multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that dietary protein intake was not independently associated with PSA levels after adjusting potential confounders (β = 0.015, 95%CI:-0.024, 0.055). However, we found the non-linear relationship between dietary protein intake and PSA, whose point was 18.18 g (per 10 g change). The magnitude and confidence intervals for the left and right inflection points are - 0.03 (- 0.09, 0.02) and 0.22 (0.07, 0.36), respectively. On the right side of the inflection point, one gram of increment in protein intake was associated with increased PSA levels by 0.22 (log2 transformation: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.07, 0.36).

CONCLUSIONS

After adjusting for potential covariates, the non-linear correlation between dietary protein intake and PSA was observed. When dietary protein intake exceeded the threshold of 181.8 g, dietary protein intake was positively correlated with elevated PSA levels.

RUNX1-activated upregulation of lncRNA RNCR3 promotes cell proliferation, invasion, and suppresses apoptosis in colorectal cancer via miR-1301-3p/AKT1 axis in vitro and in vivo

PURPOSE

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have participated in progression of colorectal cancer. This study aims to study the role of RUNX1/RNCR3/miR-1301-3p/AKT1 axis in colorectal cancer.

METHODS

The cancer tissues were from patients with colorectal cancer. The qRT-PCR was used to determine expression of lncRNA RNCR3, miR-1301-3p, and AKT1. Both dual-luciferase reporter assay and ChIP assay were conducted to investigate the binding sites of RUNX1 on RNCR3 promoter. Western blot was performed to analyze expression of AKT1 protein. Both dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay were performed to detect the interacting sites between RNCR3 and miR-1301-3p. The CCK-8 assay, soft agar assay, transwell assay, and annexin-V-FITC/PI staining were applied to analyze the cell growth, invasion, and apoptosis, respectively.

RESULTS

The data demonstrated that RNCR3 was elevated in colorectal cancer, and it was negatively correlated with expression of miR-1301-3p which was decreased in cancers. Then, RNCR3 could interact with and suppress miR-1301-3p expression in HCT116 and SW480. Knockdown of RNCR3 or miR-1301-3p overexpression significantly inhibited cell growth, invasion, and increased apoptosis through suppressing expression of Cyclin A1, PCNA, N-cadherin, Bcl-2, and promoting expression of E-cadherin, Bax in vitro and in vivo. RUNX1 was directly bound to RNCR3 promoter to activate RNCR3 expression. Furthermore, overexpression of RNCR3 blocked tumor inhibitory effects of miR-1301-3p on proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, RNCR3 and miR-1301-3p synergistically modulated AKT1 expression.

CONCLUSION

RUNX1-activated upregulation of RNCR3 promoted colorectal cancer progression by sponging miR-1301-3p to elevate AKT1 levels in vitro and in vivo.

Patterns of Immune Infiltration in HNC and Their Clinical Implications: A Gene Expression-Based Study

Background: Immune infiltration of head and neck cancer (HNC) highly correlated with the patient's prognosis. However, previous studies failed to explain the diversity of different cell types that make up the function of the immune response system. The aim of the study was to uncover the differences in immune phenotypes of the tumor microenvironment (TME) between HNC adjacent tumor tissues and tumor tissues using CIBERSORT method and explore their therapeutic implications.

Method: In current work, we employed the CIBERSORT method to evaluate the relative proportions of immune cell profiling in 11 paired HNC and adjacent samples, and analyzed the correlation between immune cell infiltration and clinical information. The tumor-infiltrating immune cells of TCGA HNC cohort was analyzed for the first time. The fractions of LM22 immune cells were imputed to determine the correlation between each immune cell subpopulation and survival and response to chemotherapy. Three types of molecular classification were identified via “CancerSubtypes” R-package. The functional enrichment was analyzed in each subtype.

Results: The profiles of immune infiltration in TCGA HNC cohort significantly vary between paired cancer and para-cancerous tissue and the variation could reflect the individual difference. Total Macrophage, Macrophages M0 and NK cells resting were elevated in HNC tissues, while total T cells, total B cells, T cells CD8, B cell navie, T cell follicular helper, NK cells activated, Monocyte and Mast cells resting were decreased when compared to paracancerous tissues. Among each cell immune subtype, T cells regulatory Tregs, B cells naïve, T cells follicular helper, and T cells CD4 memory activated was significantly associated with HNC survival. Three clusters were observed via Cancer Subtypes R-package. Each cancer subtype has a specific molecular classification and subtype-specific immune cell characterization.

Conclusions: Our data suggest a difference in immune response may be an important driver of HNC progression and response to treatment. The deconvolution algorithm of gene expression microarray data by CIBERSOFT provides useful information about the immune cell composition of HNC patients.

Protective effect of resveratrol on kidney in rats with diabetic nephropathy and its effect on endoplasmic reticulum stress

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) can cause chronic renal insufficiency and significantly reduce the life quality of patients with diabetes mellitus, and may eventually lead to death. The study investigated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related factors, which have important roles in the progress of DN and to explore effects of resveratrol on DN and the possible mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Specific pathogen free (SPF) grade healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into different groups for different treatments. The diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg). The normal rats and diabetes model rats were divided into four groups including normal control group (N), normal control + resveratrol (N+R), model group (M), and model + resveratrol group (M+R) for different treatments. The changes of renal histology were observed by immunohistochemistry. Glucose oxidase/peroxidase method was used to measure FPG, UP 24 h content was measured by bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, BUN, Scr and Cys C content were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. The expressions of 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTS

Resveratrol treatment significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose level, urinary protein level and renal pathological damage. The phosphorylation of PERK in the kidney of rats with diabetes was up-regulated, while resveratrol treatment reduced this change. The expression of p- PERK, GRP78, ATF4, and CHOP was significantly increased in rats with diabetes, while resveratrol treatment can reduce the increased level of those endoplasmic reticulum stress related factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Resveratrol has a good therapeutic effect on DN in rats without side effect. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress response.

[An analysis on incidence of HIV-1 epidemics among men who have sex with men in Sichuan Province during 2011-2015]

The assay was used in HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites to identify recent HIV-1 infection, to estimate HIV-1 incidence and understand the epidemic trends among men who have sex with men during 2011-2015. During 2011-2015, the HIV-1 incidence of men who have sex with men was 5.16%(95%CI: 4.65%-5.66%) in Sichuan Province. According to<Pilot study on classification criteria of AIDS epidemic in China>, a total of 9 cities had been divided into two type of regions: the first type(the proportion of live HIV/AIDS accounts for more than 0.1% of the permanent population, and the number of live HIV/AIDS has reached 500 cases and above) and the second type(the proportion of live HIV/AIDS accounts for 0.03% to 0.100% of the permanent population, and the number of live HIV/AIDS has reached 100-500 cases). During 2011-2015, the HIV-1 incidence of the second type was 4.24% (95%CI: 3.72%-4.76%). The HIV-1 incidence of men who have sex with men was at a high level. The spread of HIV-1 to the second region was possible.

Systematic analysis of alternative splicing signature unveils prognostic predictor for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma

There is growing evidence that alternative splicing (AS) plays an important role in cancer development. However, a comprehensive analysis of AS signatures in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is lacking and urgently needed. It remains unclear whether AS acts as diagnostic biomarkers in predicting the prognosis of KIRC patients. In the work, gene expression and clinical data of KIRC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and profiles of AS events were downloaded from the SpliceSeq database. The RNA sequence/AS data and clinical information were integrated, and we conducted the Cox regression analysis to screen survival‐related AS events and messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Correlation between prognostic AS events and gene expression were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Protein‐protein interaction analysis was conducted for the prognostic AS‐related genes, and a potential regulatory network was built using Cytoscape (version 3.6.1). Meanwhile, functional enrichment analysis was conducted. A prognostic risk score model is then established based on seven hub genes (KRT222, LENG8, APOB, SLC3A1, SCD5, AQP1, and ADRA1A) that have high performance in the risk classification of KIRC patients. A total 46,415 AS events including 10,601 genes in 537 patients with KIRC were identified. In univariate Cox regression analysis, 13,362 survival associated AS events and 8,694 survival‐specific mRNAs were detected. Common 3,105 genes were screen by overlapping 13,362 survival associated AS events and 8,694 survival‐specific mRNAs. The Pearson correlation analysis suggested that 13 genes were significantly correlated with AS events (Pearson correlation coefficient >0.8 or <−0.8). Then, We conducted multivariate Cox regression analyses to select the potential prognostic AS genes. Seven genes were identified to be significantly related to OS. A prognostic model based on seven genes was constructed. The area under the ROC curve was 0.767. In the current study, a robust prognostic prediction model was constructed for KIRC patients, and the findings revealed that the AS events could act as potential prognostic biomarkers for KIRC.

Super-Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Reduces the Incidence of Postoperative Adverse Events in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety of the super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SMP) versus the minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) in the treatment of pediatric renal calculus.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the electronic records of pediatric patients who underwent treatment for renal stones by either SMP or MPCNL from May 2015 to May 2016. We compared the safety of the 2 surgical procedures in the treatment of renal calculus in children by using the generalized estimating equation (GEE) multivariate regression analysis, in which the exposures are the surgical procedures and postoperative adverse events (postoperative complications, fever, and WBC counts) are set as outcome variables.

RESULTS

The study included 39 patients (26 boys and 13 girls), of which 22 underwent MPCNL and 17 underwent SMP, with a mean age of 110.05 ± 45.01 and 93.18 ± 41.72 months, respectively. In the univariate logistic regression model, the surgical procedures showed no significant association with postoperative complications (95% CI 0.0-1.5), fever (95% CI 0.1-2.1), postoperative peripheral WBC (95% CI 0.1-2.2). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, there was an insignificant association between surgical methods and postoperative complications (95% CI 0.28-1.1), fever (95% CI 0.1-1.2), and postoperative peripheral WBC (95% CI 0.03-1.8). While using GEE with multiple dependent variables and MPCNL as a reference, the OR of adverse events was 0.15 and the 95% CI were 0.04-0.55.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to MPCNL, SMP has a lower incidence of postoperative complications and appears to be a safer treatment for children with kidney stones.

An outbreak of strangles associated with a novel genotype of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in donkeys in China during 2018

BACKGROUND

Strangles is a highly contagious respiratory disease of equids caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the cause of an outbreak of strangles that occurred on donkey farms within the Shandong Province of China and determine the prevalence of the disease.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHODS

Samples were taken from clinically affected animals to measure the prevalence of strangles within the population of donkeys at six intensive farms in China and identify the SeM type of isolate recovered from affected animals. Diagnosis was confirmed by bacterial isolation, biochemical tests and PCR. Epidemiological data were analysed using Chi-square test and a Fisher's exact two-sided test. The SeM gene of S. equi isolates recovered from affected animals was determined and compared with the SeM database PubMLST-seM.

RESULTS

In July and August 2018, an outbreak of strangles occurred on six donkey farms within the Shandong Province of China. The overall prevalence of disease within the different donkey herds was 13.4%. Younger animals were worst affected with 40.3% (83/206) of donkey foals aged under 1 year exhibiting clinical signs compared with 12.5% (191/1525) of donkeys aged one to 2 years and 3.8% (17/442) of donkeys over 2 years of age. Analysis of SeM sequencing data identified that the farms were affected by the same strain of S. equi, SD201807, which contains the novel 136 allele of SeM.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

Healthy donkeys were not sampled in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of intensive donkey breeding farms in China has risen recently. The higher numbers of animals that are in closer proximity to one another raise the potential for the transmission of infectious diseases such as strangles. This is the first description of a strangles outbreak among donkey herds in China. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.

A new hope: the immunotherapy in small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is of a high-grade malignancy with a high metastatic potential and poor clinical prognosis. Unfortunately, SCLC initially exhibits a good response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but inevitably, relapses decrease patients' chance of survival. Despite tremendous advances on the development of new chemotherapeutic agents, the prognosis of this disease remains poor. Immunotherapy plays a role in eliciting an anticancer response by modulating the patient's immune response of the tumor. Several studies have demonstrated that abnormal autoimmune regulation has a close relationship with SCLC. Thus, several immunotherapy trials are focused on SCLC treatment, including such approaches as immune checkpoints blockers, tumor vaccine, antigenic targets and adoptive cellular immunotherapy to benefit patients with SCLC. To date, the results from immunotherapy in SCLC have not been promising. For example, tumor vaccines have not been demonstrated to have a significant survival benefit. However, there have been many promising advances with immune checkpoints blockers. This review will provide a general overview of immunotherapy in SCLC. The landmark clinical trials in previous successful immunotherapy studies are summarized here. Finally, the challenges of immunotherapy in SCLC are discussed to facilitate the prediction of possible and valuable strategies for future therapy.

The cellular and molecular mechanism of glutaraldehyde-didecyldimethylammonium bromide as a disinfectant against Candida albicans

OBJECTIVES

In our previous research, we have developed a new combination disinfectant, glutaraldehyde-didecyldimethylammonium bromide (GD). It was verified that GD had a strong effect on both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In this work, Candida albicans was selected as an object, and it could be killed by GD. We aimed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanism of GD effecting on C. albicans.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The results of sterilization experiment indicated that GD was effective on C. albicans. Flow cytometry and atomic absorption spectrometry were applied to detect cell membrane damage of C. albicans. Luciferase reaction and Bradford method were carried out to detect ATP content and protein quantitation. Transmission electron microscopy was used for intracellular organelles morphological observation. In order to study changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, Rh 123 was used as an indicator. DNA conformation analysis was performed by molecular modelling and circular dichroism. The results indicated that membrane permeability was increased rapidly owing to GD effect, and the leaked K⁺ and Mg²⁺ were about 12·1 and 12·4 times those of the control, respectively, at 10 min after GD treatment. Simultaneously, ATP and protein also leaked rapidly out of the cell. Mitochondrial membrane potential was destroyed, succinic dehydrogenase activity was significantly decreased and DNA conformation was changed because of GD action.

CONCLUSIONS

Glutaraldehyde-didecyldimethylammonium bromide disinfected C. albicans through distorting cell membrane integrity and permeability, disturbing the intracellular homeostasis by intracellular substances leakage, especially K⁺ , Mg²⁺ , ATP and protein, causing electrolyte imbalance of mitochondria, changing DNA structure, which finally led to cell death.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study focused on the cellular and molecular mechanism of GD as a disinfectant against C. albicans. It is important to provide theoretical support to GD against Candida albicans in practical application.

SOCS6 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor by Inducing Apoptosis and Inhibiting Angiogenesis in Human Prostate Cancer

Background:

Our previous studies revealed that the downregulation of Suppressor of cytokine signaling 6 (SOCS6) was correlated with malignant progression of human prostate cancer (PCa).

Aims:

In the current study, we aimed to investigate the tumor suppressive roles of SOCS6 and the underlying mechanisms in PCa.

Methods:

SOCS6 expression in PCa and non-cancerous prostate tissues was compared by immunohistochemistry. Statistical associations of SOCS6 expression with various clinicopathological features and patients prognosis were evaluated. In addition, we investigated SOCS6’s functions by overexpressing it in vitro (cell apoptosis, migration and invasion assays) and in vivo (tumor formation, angiogenesis and apoptosis). Moreover, SOCS6-regulated genes were identified by nextgeneration RNA-sequencing analysis, followed by pathway enrichment analysis and in vitro experimental validation.

Results:

SOCS6 downregulation was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage (P=0.029) and positive lymph node metastasis (P=0.013) in PCa patients. We also identified SOCS6 as an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival in PCa patients (P=0.045). Moreover, overexpression of SOCS6 inhibited PCa cell invasion, migration, tumor xenografts growth and angiogenesis, but induced PCa cell apoptosis (P values <0.05). Mechanically, we revealed that SOCS6 expression may induce cell apoptosis coincident with down-regulation of Bcl2 and Hspa1a, and may suppress tumor angiogenesis with downregulation of F7, Fak3 and Frzb.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that the reduced expression of SOCS6 may be predictive of unfavorable prognosis in PCa. Thus, SOCS6 may serve as a tumor suppressor and a novel therapeutic target for this cancer.

Effects of different selenium sources and levels on antioxidant status in broiler breeders

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted with the objectives to examine the impacts of inorganic selenium (Se) and different types and levels of organic selenium on the serum and tissues Se status and antioxidant capacity in broiler breeders.

METHODS

Five hundred and forty 48-wk-old Lingnan Yellow broiler breeders were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments, provided same basal diet (0.04 mg/kg of Se) with 0.15 mg/kg, or 0.30 mg/kg of Se from sodium selenite (SS) or from selenium-enriched yeast (SY) or from selenomethionine (SM). The broiler breeders were slaughtered after an 8-wk experiment.

RESULTS

The results showed that SM was better than SY and SS, 0.30 mg/kg level was better than 0.15 mg/kg level in Se deposition (p<0.05) in serum, liver, kidney, pancreas and muscle; in antioxidant status, organic selenium had better effects than SS in broiler breeders (p<0.05), but SM and SY had a similar result, and 0.15 mg/kg level was better than 0.30 mg/kg (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated the evident advantage of supplementation of broiler breeders with 0.15 mg/kg SM, which improved tissue Se concentrations and antioxidant status, and can be considered as the best selenium source.

[Incidence rates of HIV-1 epidemics among 4 high risk groups in Sichuan province during 2011-2015]

Objective: Data from the HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites was used to identify the recent HIV-1 infections and to estimate the HIV-1 incidence and epidemic trends among intravenous drug users (IDU), MSM, female sex workers and men attending the sexually transmitted disease clinics in Sichuan province. Methods: Specimens collected from IDUs, MSM, female sex workers and men attending the sexually transmitted disease clinics sentinel sites were confirmed as HIV-1 positive and tested with BED-CEIA. Annual HIV-1 prevalence and incidence rates were calculated and the incidence was adjusted by McNermar method. Results: A total number of 194 223 serum specimens were collected and HIV antibody tested, with 5 297 HIV-1 positive. 4 640 of the positives underwent BED-CEIA, with 749 identified as recent infections. During 2011-2015, HIV-1 incidence rates of the four types of population appeared as 5.16% (95%CI: 4.65-5.66), 0.22% (95%CI:0.16-0.28), 0.57%(95%CI: 0.45-0.69), 7.53% (95%CI: 6.06-9.01) and 0.44% (95%CI: 0.36-0.53) respectively. Significant differences were seen in the HIV-1 incidence rates. Conclusions: The HIV-1 incidence rates of IDUs from other sentinel sites in Sichuan province, female sex workers and men attending the sexually transmitted disease clinics appeared low, showing that the AIDS prevention and control activities worked effectively. However, the HIV-1 incidence of MSM was still at high level and even rising, suggesting that HIV-1 transmission between MSM and IDUs was possible.

[Bit1 mediates the malignant behaviors in pancreatic cancer and its potential clinical significance]

Objective: To investigate the potential role of Bit1 in the pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal cancer cells(PDAC) and its potential clinical application value. Methods: Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to detect the expression of Bit1 in six pancreatic cancer cells, then the tool cells were selected to further study the function of Bit1.PolyHEMA was used to monitor the suspended cell culture condition in vitro.The invasion and migration abilities of pancreatic cancer cells were detected through Transwell assay. Western blot and confocal assay were used to explore the potential mechanism of Bit1 in the process of metastasis.The expression of Bit1 was detected through tissue microarray, the potential relationship between Bit1 and other clinical factors were analyzed. Results: The results of real-time PCR and Western blot indicated that the expression of Bit1 was highest in the PANC1 cells and lowest in the Mia paca2 cells (gene: 3.13±0.40 vs. 1.00±0.35, protein: 1.77±1.00 vs. 0.23±0.45). The shBit1 PANC1 and Bit1-OE(over expression) Mia paca2 cells were successfully constructed.Bit1 over expression could promote the anoikis rate of Mia paca2 cells, and Bit knockdown could inhibit the anoikis incidence.Bit1 over expression suppressed the motility and invasion of Mia paca2 cells, but Bit1 knockdown could accelerate the migration and invasion ability of PANC1 cells.Bit1 could potentially affect pancreatic cancer cells' malignant behaviors through epithelial-mesenchymal transition process.Bit1 expression was significantly associated with pancreatic cancer's neural invasion (P<0.05). Conclusions: Bit1 could affect the anoikis incidence of pancreatic cancer, Bit1 negatively affect the migration and invasion abilities of PDAC, the EMT process was potentially involved in the whole modulation process.Bit1 expression is associated with neural invasion in pancreatic cancer patients.

Randomized Study of Ureteral Catheter vs Double-J Stent in Tubeless Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Patients

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively analyze and compare the outcomes of using externalized ureteral catheter (EUC) vs Double-J ureteral stent (DJ) in tubeless minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 109 patients underwent tubeless MPCNL in our institute and have been enrolled into this study. Fifty-six and 53 patients had EUC and DJ positioning at the conclusion of the procedure, respectively. The two approaches have been compared for operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative visual analogue pain scale (VAS) score, analgesic requirement, stent-related symptoms, hospital stay, degree of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on the operative side, and complications according to the modified Clavien system.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the mean operative times, mean VAS scores, analgesic requirements, mean hemoglobin drop, mean hospital stay, and overall complication rate. However, compared with DJ group, EUC group presented fewer postoperative stent-related symptoms and less occurrence of severe VUR (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Positioning EUC in tubeless MPCNL is a safe alternative to DJ in patients with renal or upper ureteral calculi. EUC provides several benefits: obviated the need of a second endoscopic procedure, reduced stent-related discomfort, and lowered the occurrence of severe VUR.

Synergistic Effects in Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Incorporating Hybrid Carbon Nanofillers

In this study thermoplastic polyurethane (TPUs) nanocomposites incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were prepared via melt blending and compression molding and CNT dispersion was optimized by using non-covalent surface modification (surfactant). Filler dispersion was further improved by combining two fillers with different geometric shape and aspect ratio in hybrid filler nanocomposites. Synergistic effects were observed in the TPU-GNP-CNT hybrid composites, especially when combining GNP and CNT at a ratio of 6 : 4, showing higher tensile modulus and strength with respect to the systems incorporating individual CNTs and GNPs at the same overall filler concentration. This improvement was attributed to the interaction between CNTs and GNPs limiting GNP aggregation and bridging adjacent graphene platelets thus forming a more efficient network. Hybrid systems also exhibited improved creep resistance and recovery ability. Morphological analysis carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the hybrid nanocomposite presented slightly smaller and more homogeneous filler aggregates. The well-dispersed nanofillers also favored higher phase separation in TPU, as indicated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), resulting in a better microstructure able to enhance the load transfer and maximize the mechanical and viscoelastic properties.

[Current situation and thoughts on precision medicine about the treatment of tumor in China]

With United States starting"precision medical plan", it is widespread all over the world and opens a new direction to the development of medicine. Our country also starts the plan, trying to take the opportunity. At present, tumor threats human health with high incidence and mortality. In China, the incidence and mortality of tumor has been on the rise.So the tumor has become one of the most important fields of precision medicine.Precision medicine, hoping to reveal the Chinese characteristics of precision medicine, and getting the personal and social maximize health benefits are discussed in the paper.

[The influence of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 on palmitic acid-induced hepatocyte apoptosis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the influence of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) on palmitic acid (PA)-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and its mechanism.

METHODS

Human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 cells were transfected with PNPLA3(WT)-pcDNA3.1 (PNPLA3(WT) group) and PNPLA3(I148M)-pcDNA3.1 (PNPLA3(I148M) group) plasmids respectively to overexpress wild type or mutant type PNPLA3, and cells transfected with empty vector pcDNA3.1 (NC group) were set as control group.After 24 h PA incubation, Oil red staining was used to determine lipid deposition, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) was used to measure apoptosis.Western blot was used to detect the protein level of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and associated apoptosis.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test lysolecithin (LPC) levels in the cellular supernatant.

RESULTS

After 24 h PA incubation, there was no significant difference in lipid deposition among three groups.Compared to NC group, the cell apoptosis rates of PNPLA3(WT) and PNPLA3(I148M) groups were increased by 2 times and 3 times respectively.The levels of ER stress PRKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway associated proteins, immunoglobulin-binding protein (BIP), p-PERK, p-eIF2α, and ER stress associated apoptosis pathway proteins, CCAAT/enhancer binding homologous protein (CHOP), p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), Bax, caspase-3 were higher, and were more significant in PNPLA3(I148M) group.The LPC level in the supernatant of PNPLA3(WT) and PNPLA3(I148M) groups were about 5 times and 1.5 times of NC group respectively after PA incubation.

CONCLUSION

PNPLA3 may be involved in palmitic acid-induced apoptosis mediated by hepatocyte ER stress through regulating LPC metabolism.

Analysis of Road Traffic Injuries by Road User Type in Chongqing, China

Objective

Road traffic injuries are caused by many different factors. This study aimed to analyse road user type information in Chongqing, China in order to develop prevention strategies as well as treatment protocols.

Methods

Data from road traffic crashes from Chongqing, China were collected prospectively over a seven-year period (2000 to 2006). The data included the road user type, description of the injury, mortality and Abbreviated Injury Scale. Prevalence and cross-tabulations were included in the analysis.

Results

Forty-nine percent of deaths were pedestrians and 27.84% of deaths were drivers. Head injuries (26.49%) of pedestrians were higher than those of drivers and passengers. Thoracic injuries (22.78%) and spinal injuries (4.44%) of injured passengers were higher than those of drivers and pedestrians. There were significant differences in road user types in both injury severity and injury regions.

Conclusions

The distribution of road traffic injuries in Chongqing, China is different from that in developed countries and other developing countries. In managing traffic injuries, it is necessary to examine other regions besides the head according to the road user type, such as facial injuries of drivers and passengers, and chest and spinal injuries of passengers.