[Correlation analysis of clock genes and MEN2 medullary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between CLOCK and BMAL1 genes and MEN2 medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods: Thirteen cases with MEN2 MTC and thirteen cases with non-MEN2 MTC were selected who were treated in the Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital between January 2013 and September 2021. Clinical indicators such as blood calcitonin level, tumor diameter and metastatic lymph node of patients were collected. The expression differences of CLOCK and BMAL1 between MEN2 MTC and para-carcinoma tissue as well as between MEN2 MTC and non-MEN2 MTC were detected by immunohistochemistry and qPCR. The correlation between lymph node metastasis and CLOCK or BMAL1 expression was analyzed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis combined with qPCR and correlation analysis was used to explore the expression regulation relationship between RET and circadian clock genes. The rhythm disorder of MEN2 cells was verified by lipopolysaccharide cell stimulation experiment after dexamethasone rhythm synchronization. Results: MEN2 MTC exhibited typical RET gene mutation. The mean blood calcitonin level, the tumor diameter and the number of metastatic lymph nodes of patients with MEN2 MTC were higher than those of patients with non-MEN2 MTC (t value was 2.76, 2.53, 2.26, all P<0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 in MEN2 MTC were higher than those in non-MEN2 MTC, while negatively expressed in para-cancerous thyroid follicle. qPCR displayed that the expression of CLOCK gene in cancer tissues was higher than that in non-MEN2 MTC and para-cancerous tissues (t value was 2.68 and 2.86, all P<0.05); the expression of BMAL1 gene in MEN2 MTC was higher than that in non-MEN2 MTC and para-cancerous tissues (t value was 2.21 and 2.35, all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 genes were positively correlated with the number of lymph node metastases in patients with MEN2 MTC (r=0.65, P<0.001; r=0.52, P=0.005). PPI network analysis indicated that the expression of CLOCK gene was positively correlated with the abnormal expression of RET gene (r=0.96, P<0.001). With lipopolysaccharide to stimulate cultured cells in vitro after dexamethasone rhythm synchronization, the expressions of CLOCK and BMAL1 in MEN2 MTC cells (0.47±0.22 and 2.60±1.48) at 12 hours of synchronization were significantly lower than those in para-cancerous tissues (1.70±1.62 and 8.23±2.52), the difference was statistically significant(t=5.04, P=0.007; t=3.34, P=0.029). Conclusion: CLOCK and BMAL1 are correlated with the occurrence and development of MEN2 MTC, and may be potential targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies for MEN2 MTC.

Physical activity patterns, genetic susceptibility, and risk of hip/knee osteoarthritis: a prospective cohort study based on the UK Biobank

OBJECTIVES

The effect of physical activity on hip/knee osteoarthritis (OA) and how it varies by genetic susceptibility to OA remains inconclusive.

METHODS

In a cohort study of UK Biobank, 436,166 OA-free participants were recruited in 2006-2010 and followed for knee/hip OA until the end of 2020. 28 physical activity-related items were collected at baseline. Cox regression was used to estimate associations between physical activity behaviors, as well as major activity patterns (i.e., significant principal components[PCs] identified by principal component analysis), and risk of OA, adjusting for multiple confounders. We further stratified the analyses by polygenic risk score (PRS) for OA to examine the impact of genetic susceptibility to OA on the studied association.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 11.15 years, 13,227 hip and 21,119 knee OA cases were identified. 19, out of 28, studied items showed associations with increased OA risk. Compared with low adherence group(<1^st tertile of PC score for each pattern), individuals with high adherence to five identified patterns were associated with increased risk of OA. The moderate adherence to "strenuous sports"(HR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.89-0.97) and "walking for pleasure"(HR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.89-0.98) patterns was associated with reduced OA. Similar risk patterns were obtained in the stratified analysis by PRS levels for OA.

CONCLUSION

High intensity of most activity patterns were associated with increased OA. However, a protective effect was suggested for moderate adherence to patterns of "strenuous sports" and "walking for pleasure" that consistent across different genetic susceptibilities, underscoring the potential benefits of moderate-intensity physical activity on OA.

Smart hypoxia-responsive transformable and charge-reversible nanoparticles for the deep penetration and tumor microenvironment modulation of pancreatic cancer

The compact extracellular matrix (ECM) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the major physical barrier that hinders the delivery of anti-tumor drugs, leading to strong inherent chemotherapy resistance as well as establishing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). However, forcibly destroying the stroma barrier would break the balance of delicate signal transduction and dependence between tumor cells and matrix components. Uncontrollable growth and metastasis would occur, making PDAC more difficult to control. Hence, we design and construct an aptamer-decorated hypoxia-responsive nanoparticle s(DGL)n@Apt co-loading gemcitabine monophosphate and STAT3 inhibitor HJC0152. This nanoparticle can reverse its surficial charge in the TME, and reduce the size triggered by hypoxia. The released ultra-small DGL particles loading gemcitabine monophosphate exhibit excellent deep-tumor penetration, chemotherapy drugs endocytosis promotion, and autophagy induction ability. Meanwhile, HJC0152 inhibits overactivated STAT3 in both tumor cells and tumor stroma, softens the stroma barrier, and reeducates the TME into an immune-activated state. This smart codelivery strategy provides an inspiring opportunity in PDAC treatment.

Feasibility of an ultra-low dose contrast media protocol for coronary CT angiography

AIM

To evaluate the feasibility of an ultra-low volume contrast media (CM) protocol for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 214 patients receiving coronary CTA were enrolled prospectively and divided into group A (n=107) receiving a conventional dose of CM and group B (n=107) receiving an ultra-low dose. CT values of the right coronary artery (RCA), left anterior descending artery (LAD), and left circumflex artery (LCX) were measured and radiation doses recorded. The image quality was compared between the groups. Changes in renal function indices and proteinuria before, 24, and 72 hours after coronary CTA among those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were also assessed.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in CT values and radiation doses between groups A and B. In group A, the average RCA, LAD, and LCX CT values were 412.5 ± 79.2, 423.5 ± 73.7, and 422.0 ± 88.1 HU, respectively. In group B, the average RCA, LAD, and LCX CT values were 275.2 ± 16.2, 277.8 ± 16.4, and 278.9 ± 16.5 HU, respectively. The radiation dose in the ultra-low protocol recipients (118.70 ± 18.52 mGy·cm) was significantly lower than that used in conventional coronary CTA (131.75 ± 20.96 mGy·cm). The image quality of group B was comparable to that of group A, satisfying the diagnostic requirement. In patients with mild CKD, there were no significant differences in renal functions after coronary CTA.

CONCLUSION

An ultra-low CM protocol was established for coronary CTA, providing comparable image quality and diagnostic yields but significantly lower radiation dose compared with a conventional protocol. This new protocol might be applicable to patients with mild CKD.

High-precision measurement of the W boson mass with the CDF II detector

The mass of the W boson, a mediator of the weak force between elementary particles, is tightly constrained by the symmetries of the standard model of particle physics. The Higgs boson was the last missing component of the model. After observation of the Higgs boson, a measurement of the W boson mass provides a stringent test of the model. We measure the W boson mass, M_W, using data corresponding to 8.8 inverse femtobarns of integrated luminosity collected in proton-antiproton collisions at a 1.96 tera-electron volt center-of-mass energy with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. A sample of approximately 4 million W boson candidates is used to obtain [Formula: see text], the precision of which exceeds that of all previous measurements combined (stat, statistical uncertainty; syst, systematic uncertainty; MeV, mega-electron volts; c, speed of light in a vacuum). This measurement is in significant tension with the standard model expectation.

Recent advances in targeted drug delivery for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has become a serious health problem with high impact worldwide. The heterogeneity of PDAC makes it difficult to apply drug delivery systems (DDS) used in other cancer models, for example, the poorly developed vascular system makes anti-angiogenic therapy ineffective. Due to its various malignant pathological changes, drug delivery against PDAC is a matter of urgent concern. Based on this situation, various drug delivery strategies specially designed for PDAC have been generated.

AREAS COVERED

This review will briefly describe how delivery systems can be designed through nanotechnology and formulation science. Most research focused on penetrating the stromal barrier, exploiting and alleviating the hypoxic microenvironment, targeting immune cells, or designing vaccines, and combination therapies. This review will summarize the ways to reverse the malignant pathological features of PDAC and hopefully provide ideas for subsequent studies.

EXPERT OPINION

Drug delivery systems designed to achieve penetrating functions or to alleviate hypoxia and activate immunity have achieved good therapeutic results in animal models in several studies. In future studies, there is a need to deliver PDAC therapeutics in a more precise manner, or the use of drug carriers for multiple functions simultaneously, are potential therapeutic strategy.

A Micro-Environment Regulator for Filling the Clinical Treatment Gap after a Glioblastoma Operation

The rapid postoperative recurrence and short survival time of glioblastoma (GBM) patients necessitate immediate and effective postoperative treatment. Herein, an immediate and mild postoperative local treatment strategy is developed that regulates the postoperative microenvironment and delays GBM recurrence. Briefly, an injectable hydrogel system (imGEL) loaded with Zn(II)₂ -AMD3100 (AMD-Zn) and CpG oligonucleotide nanoparticles (CpG NPs) is injected into the operation cavity, with long-term function to block the recruitment of microglia/ macrophages and activate cytotoxic T cells. The finding indicated that the imGEL can regulate the immune microenvironment, inhibit GBM recurrence, and gain valuable time for subsequent adjuvant clinical chemotherapy.

Influence of Domestic Cooking on Quality, Nutrients and Bioactive Substances of Undaria pinnatifida

Undaria pinnatifida (UP) is a brown algae commonly consumed as food in Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different domestic cooking methods (i.e., air frying (AF), microwaving, and high temperature and pressure (HTP) cooking) on the nutritional and bioactive substances in UP, as well as on UP color and texture, in order to identify methods to retain beneficial components better. In this study, microwave treatment resulted in better retention of color, polysaccharide (4.17 ± 0.07 mg glucose equivalents (GE)/g dry weight (dw) ), total phenol content (TPC) (1.50 ± 0.0062 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dw) as well as chlorophyll a (18.18 ± 0.41 mg/g fresh weight (fw) ) and fucoxanthin (281.78 ± 17.06 μg/g dw). HTP treatment increased the TPC of UP (1.69 ± 0.0075 mg GAE/g dw), and AF treatment resulted in a lower loss of total amino acids (2.14 ± 0.15%). Overall, microwave cooking appeared to be the best among the three in producing cooked UP with high quality. This study provided a useful guideline in selection of cooking for UP which could retain more health-beneficial substances and yield products with better eating qualities to improve human diet.

Macrophage-Disguised Manganese Dioxide Nanoparticles for Neuroprotection by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Modulating Inflammatory Microenvironment in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Reperfusion injury is still a major challenge that impedes neuronal survival in ischemic stroke. However, the current clinical treatments are remained on single pathological process, which are due to lack of comprehensive neuroprotective effects. Herein, a macrophage-disguised honeycomb manganese dioxide (MnO2 ) nanosphere loaded with fingolimod (FTY) is developed to salvage the ischemic penumbra. In particular, the biomimetic nanoparticles can accumulate actively in the damaged brain via macrophage-membrane protein-mediated recognition with cell adhesion molecules that are overexpressed on the damaged vascular endothelium. MnO2 nanosphere can consume excess hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) and convert it into desiderated oxygen (O2 ), and can be decomposed in acidic lysosome for cargo release, so as to reduce oxidative stress and promote the transition of M1 microglia to M2 type, eventually reversing the proinflammatory microenvironment and reinforcing the survival of damaged neuron. This biomimetic nanomedicine raises new strategy for multitargeted combined treatment of ischemic stroke.

Sequentially Triggered Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles for Macrophage Metabolism Modulation and Tumor Metastasis Suppression

Metabolic interactions between different cell types in the tumor microenvironment (TME) often result in reprogramming of the metabolism to be totally different from their normal physiological processes in order to support tumor growth. Many studies have attempted to inhibit tumor growth and activate tumor immunity by regulating the metabolism of tumors and other cells in TME. However, metabolic inhibitors often suffer from the heterogeneity of tumors, since the favorable metabolic regulation of malignant cells and other cells in TME is often inconsistent with each other. Therefore, we reported the design of a pH-sensitive drug delivery system that targets different cells in TME successively. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from Gram-negative bacteria were applied to coload paclitaxel (PTX) and regulated in development and DNA damage response 1 (Redd1)-siRNA and regulate tumor metabolism microenvironment and suppress tumor growth. Our siRNA@M-/PTX-CA-OMVs could first release PTX triggered by the tumor pH (pH 6.8). Then the rest of it would be taken in by M2 macrophages to increase their level of glycolysis. Great potential was observed in TAM repolarization, tumor suppression, tumor immune activation, and TME remolding in the triple-negative breast cancer model. The application of the OMV provided an insight for establishing a codelivery platform for chemical drugs and genetic medicines.

Protective effects of L-carnitine on reproductive capacity in rats with diabetes

To explore the protective effects of L-carnitine on erectile function and reproductive function in rats with diabetes. A total of 60 male diabetes mellitus induced-erectile dysfunction (DMED) rats were randomly divided into three groups, 20 rats in each group. The blank group was fed normally, the control group was fed with 0.9% sodium chloride solution 5 ml/kg/day, and the experimental group was given L-carnitine 300 mg/kg/day. After six weeks, the Corpus cavernosum penis pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. The sperm of epididymis were taken to detect the parameters of sperm. After six weeks of treatment, ICP and MAP in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group and blank group (p < 0.05), and sperm density and PR in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group and the blank group (p < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group and blank group (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group and blank group (p < 0.05). The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group and blank group (p < 0.05). We conclude that L-carnitine can significantly improve erectile function and reproductive function in rats with diabetes and it has great potential in the treatment of systemic organ damage in DMED rats.

Biomimetic Dendrimer-Peptide Conjugates for Early Multi-Target Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease by Inflammatory Microenvironment Modulation

Current therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments mainly focus on β-amyloid (Aβ) targeting. However, such therapeutic strategies have limited clinical outcomes due to the chronic and irreversible impairment of the nervous system in the late stage of AD. Recently, inflammatory responses, manifested in oxidative stress and glial cell activation, have been reported as hallmarks in the early stages of AD. Based on the crosstalk between inflammatory response and brain cells, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive dendrimer-peptide conjugate (APBP) is devised to target the AD microenvironment and inhibit inflammatory responses at an early stage. With the modification of the targeting peptide, this nanoconjugate can efficiently deliver peptides to the infected regions and restore the antioxidant ability of neurons by activating the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 signaling pathway. Moreover, this multi-target strategy exhibits a synergistic function of ROS scavenging, promoting Aβ phagocytosis, and normalizing the glial cell phenotype. As a result, the nanoconjugate can reduce ROS level, decrease Aβ burden, alleviate glial cell activation, and eventually enhance cognitive functions in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 model mice. These results indicate that APBP can be a promising candidate for the multi-target treatment of AD.

MiR-655-3p inhibits growth and invasiveness of trophoblasts via targeting PBX3 and thus deteriorates preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the regulatory effects of microRNA-655-3p (miR-655-3p) on growth and invasiveness of trophoblasts to influence the development of preeclampsia (PE).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Relative levels of miR-655-3p and PBX3 in 24 PE pregnant women and 24 healthy ones were examined. Then, the regulatory effects of miR-655-3p and PBX3 on viability and invasiveness in HTR-8/SVneo cells were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assay, respectively. Next, the expression levels of apoptosis-associated genes were determined. Finally, the interaction between miR-655-3p and PBX3 was tested by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

MiR-655-3p was upregulated in placental tissues of PE pregnant women than those of healthy ones. The overexpression of miR-655-3p suppressed viability and invasiveness, and induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Besides, PBX3 was the target gene binding to miR-655-3p, and more importantly, the overexpression of PBX3 partially reversed the regulatory effects of miR-655-3p on viability and invasiveness in HTR-8/SVneo cells.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-655-3p is involved in the development of PE by regulating biological features of trophoblasts by targeting PBX3.