[Diagnostic value of multiparametric MRI-based models in the assessment of extra-prostatic extension of prostate cancer]

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) based models in the assessment of extra-prostatic extension (EPE) of prostate cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included 168 consecutive men with prostate cancers [aged 48 to 82 (66.6±6.8) years] who underwent radical prostatectomy and preoperative mpMRI examinations at the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from January 2021 to February 2022. According to European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) score, EPE grade and mEPE score, all cases were independently evaluated by two radiologists, with disagreement reviewed by a senior radiologist as the final result. The diagnostic performance of each MRI-based model for pathologic EPE prediction was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and the differences between the corresponding area under the curve (AUC) were compared using the DeLong test. The weighted Kappa test was used to evaluate the inter-reader agreement of each MRI-based model. Results: A total of 62 (36.9%) prostate cancer patients had pathologic confirmed EPE after radical prostatectomy. The AUC of ESUR score, EPE grade and mEPE score for predicting pathologic EPE were 0.836 (95%CI: 0.771-0.888), 0.834 (95%CI: 0.769-0.887) and 0.785 (95%CI: 0.715-0.844), respectively. The AUC of ESUR score and EPE grade were both superior to that of mEPE score with significant differences (all P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the ESUR score and EPE grade models (P=0.900). EPE grading and mEPE score had good inter-reader consistency, with weighted Kappa values of 0.65 (95%CI: 0.56-0.74) and 0.74 (95%CI: 0.64-0.84), respectively. The inter-reader consistency of ESUR score was moderate, and the weighted Kappa value was 0.52 (95%CI: 0.40-0.63). Conclusion: All MRI-based models showed good preoperative diagnostic value in predicting EPE, among which the EPE grade resulted in more reliable performance with substantial inter-reader agreement.

Clinical Relevance of Plaque Distribution for Basilar Artery Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is no clear association between plaque distribution and postoperative complications in patients with basilar artery atherosclerotic stenosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether plaque distribution and postoperative complications after endovascular treatment for basilar artery stenosis are related.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study enrolled patients with severe basilar artery stenosis who were scanned with high-resolution MR imaging and followed by DSA before the intervention. According to high-resolution MR imaging, plaques can be classified as ventral, lateral, dorsal, or involved in 2 quadrants. Plaques affecting the proximal, distal, or junctional segments of the basilar artery were classified according to DSA. An experienced independent team assessed ischemic events after the intervention using MR imaging. Further analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between plaque distribution and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 140 eligible patients were included in the study, with a postoperative complication rate of 11.4%. These patients were an average age of 61.9 (SD, 7.7) years. Dorsal wall plaques accounted for 34.3% of all plaques, and plaques distal to the anterior-inferior cerebellar artery accounted for 60.7%. Postoperative complications of endovascular treatment were associated with plaques located at the lateral wall (OR = 4.00; 95% CI, 1.21-13.23; P = .023), junctional segment (OR = 8.75; 95% CI, 1.16-66.22; P = .036), and plaque burden (OR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; P = .042).

CONCLUSIONS

Plaques with a large burden located at the junctional segment and lateral wall of the basilar artery may increase the likelihood of postoperative complications following endovascular therapy. A larger sample size is needed for future studies.

Single versus multiple hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy applications for T4 gastric cancer patients: Efficacy and safety profiles

Objective

To explore the clinical safety and efficacy of single and multiple applications of lobaplatin-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for patients with T4 gastric cancer and to evaluate the impact of HIPEC on peritoneal metastasis.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from T4 gastric cancer patients who underwent radical gastric resection plus HIPEC between March 2018 and August 2020 from the National Cancer Center and Huangxing Cancer Hospital. Patients who underwent radical surgery and HIPEC were divided into two groups: the single-HIPEC group (radical resection + a single application of intraoperative HIPEC with lobaplatin 50 mg/m2 at 43.0 ± 0.5°C for 60 min), and a multi-HIPEC group (two more HIPEC applications were performed after radical surgery).

Results

A total of 78 patients were enrolled in this two-center study; among them, 40 patients were in the single-HIPEC group, and 38 patients were in the multi-HIPEC group. The baseline characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the postoperative complication rates between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). Mild renal dysfunction, mild liver dysfunction, low platelet levels and low white blood cell levels were recorded in both groups, without significant differences between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). After a mean follow-up of 36.8 months, 3 (7.5%) patients in the single-HIPEC group and 2 (5.2%) patients in the multi-HIPEC group experienced peritoneal recurrence (P &gt; 0.05). Both groups had comparable 3-year overall survival (OS) (51.3% vs. 54.5%, P = 0.558) and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates (44.1% vs. 45.7%, P = 0.975). Multivariate analysis showed that an age &gt; 60 years and low preoperative albumin levels were independent risk factors for postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Single and multiple applications of HIPEC in patients with T4 gastric cancer were safe and feasible. Both groups had similar postoperative complication rates, 3-year OS rates and 3-year DFS rates. Special attention should be given to HIPEC for patients aged &gt; 60 years and patients with low preoperative albumin levels.

GWAS and genetic and phenotypic correlations of plasma metabolites with complete blood count traits in healthy young pigs reveal implications for pig immune response

Introduction: In this study estimated genetic and phenotypic correlations between fifteen complete blood count (CBC) traits and thirty-three heritable plasma metabolites in young healthy nursery pigs. In addition, it provided an opportunity to identify candidate genes associated with variation in metabolite concentration and their potential association with immune response, disease resilience, and production traits.

Methods: The blood samples were collected from healthy young pigs and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was used to quantify plasma metabolites. CBC was determined using the ADVIA® 2120i Hematology System. Genetic correlations of metabolite with CBC traits and single step genome-wide association study (ssGWAS) were estimated using the BLUPF90 programs.

Results: Results showed low phenotypic correlation estimates between plasma metabolites and CBC traits. The highest phenotypic correlation was observed between lactic acid and plasma basophil concentration (0.36 ± 0.04; p &lt; 0.05). Several significant genetic correlations were found between metabolites and CBC traits. The plasma concentration of proline was genetically positively correlated with hemoglobin concentration (0.94 ± 0.03; p &lt; 0.05) and L-tyrosine was negatively correlated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH; −0.92 ± 0.74; p &lt; 0.05). The genomic regions identified in this study only explained a small percentage of the genetic variance of metabolites levels that were genetically correlated with CBC, resilience, and production traits.

Discussion: The results of this systems approach suggest that several plasma metabolite phenotypes are phenotypically and genetically correlated with CBC traits, suggesting that they may be potential genetic indicators of immune response following disease challenge. Genomic analysis revealed genes and pathways that might interact to modulate CBC, resilience, and production traits.

A266 DIET-BASED THERAPIES FOR INTESTINAL DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE INFECTION

Background

Chronic gut dysfunction occurs in up to 25% of patients following antibiotic-treated C. difficile infection (CDI). We developed a humanized mouse model in which germ free mice colonized with microbiota from patients with severe constipation post-CDI developed slow colonic transit, as a result of damage to the Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) network by pro-inflammatory macrophages. Colonic transit, immune activation and the ICC network normalized after fecal microbiota transplantation using samples from healthy mice, as well after treatment with psyllium fiber. Here we explored the long-term effects of psyllium and evaluated the therapeutic potential of pectin and quercetin in this model.

Purpose

1) To investigate the time course of the beneficial effect of psyllium on colonic motility.

2) To explore possible therapeutic properties of flavonoids and pectin.

Method

Germ-free mice were colonized with microbiota from the post-CDI (PCDI) patient or healthy controls (HC). After 3 weeks, the mice were fed for 4-5 weeks with a control diet or diets with 15% psyllium (PSY), 10% pectin (PCT) or 0.05% quercetin (QCT). To evaluate time course of PSY on motility, control diet was administered for 3-weeks following PSY treatment. The bead expulsion test was used to assess colonic motility. Stool samples were collected for microbial profiling, and short and branched-chain fatty acids (SCFA/BCFA) analysis. Macrophages morphology and counts, and ICC network structure were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Result(s)

Compared to HC microbiota, colonization with post-CDI microbiota induced slow colonic transit in recipient mice, and this was normalized by PSY (n=13; p=0.02). The benefit of PSY was transient as colonic transit slowed following discontinuation of PSY (p=0.001). The changes in colonic transit were paralleled by switch in macrophages phenotype and damage to the ICC network. Additionally, discontinuation of PSY resulted in a return of microbial diversity (p< 0.001), SCFA/BCFA levels (acetic and propionic acid/ iso-butyric and valeric acid) and specific bacterial species abundances, to values seen in untreated mice colonized with post-CDI microbiota. Microbial analysis predicted potential pathways involved in macrophage polarization, including the synthesis of SCFA/BCFA, degradation of inositol and production of acetylglucosamine.

PCT also normalized slow intestinal transit in mice colonized with post-CDI microbiota (p=0.003), restored phenotype of infiltrating macrophages, and improved the structural integrity of the ICC network. In contrast, QCT failed to improve gut dysfunction in PCDI mice.

Conclusion(s)

Our results suggest that the beneficial effects of psyllium in this model are transient. Dietary pectin, but not quercetin, may also serve as a novel treatment strategy to restore colonic motility and immune homeostasis in humans with severe constipation post-CDI.

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W. Garfield Weston Foundation

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

A62 IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIFIC COLONIC DEEP MUSCLE LAYER MACROPHAGES SUBSETS BY THE CD64 (FCΓRI) MARKER

Background

Although intestinal muscle layer macrophages have been suggested to play an important role in the colonic transit by interacting with the myenteric plexus neurons, they have not been fully characterized. CD64 (FcγRI) is one of the most generally used markers for intestinal macrophages, but several studies suggested existence of a subpopulation of macrophages that lack CD64. In addition, the muscle layer macrophage subsets currently identified are considered to be same in the small intestine and colon, although this has not been formally tested.

Purpose

In this study, we aim to identify and characterize the subsets of muscle layer macrophages by CD64 marker. We hypothesize that colon specific CD64-macrophages have a different role from CD64+ conventional macrophages.

Method

The muscle layers of small intestine (ileum) and colon were separated from SPF mice and cells from each muscle layer were analyzed by flow cytometry and fluorescent staining. The muscle layer macrophages were gated withCD45+, F4/80+, CD11b+ and Ly6c-, and analyzed with CD64 and MHCⅡmarkers by flow cytometry. In additional experiments, fluorescent staining with CD64 and F4/80 was assessed in whole-mount tissue of the separated muscle layer.

Result(s)

Within the macrophage population from the colon muscle layer, we found not only CD64+ cells, a conventional marker of macrophage, but also CD64- cell population (CD45+, F4/80+, CD11b+, Ly6c-). However, in the small intestine, this CD64- cell population was barely detectable. In addition, colonic CD64+ cells had mostly high expression of MHCⅡ marker, while CD64- cells had low expression of MHCⅡ. A similar pattern was found when we examined intestinal and colonic tissues by immunofluorescent staining.

Conclusion(s)

We identified a colon-specific CD64- subset of macrophage in muscle layer. Additional experiments are needed to characterize their immunomodulatory properties.

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None

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

CLIINICAL PRACTICE

Identification of critical prognosis signature associated with lymph node metastasis of stomach adenocarcinomas

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is an important factor affecting the prognosis of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (STAD), which is the most common malignancy of the human digestive system. Current detection techniques have limited sensitivity and specificity, and there is a lack of effective biomarkers to screen for LNM. Therefore, it is critical to screen for biomarkers that predict LNM in STAD. Gene expression differential analysis (false discovery rate < 0.05, |log₂Fold change| ≥1.5) was performed on 102 LNM samples, 224 non-LNM samples, and 29 normal gastric tissue samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) STAD dataset, and 269 LNM-specific genes (DEGs) were obtained. Enrichment analysis showed that LNM-specific genes functioned mainly in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, calcium signaling, and other pathways. Ten DEGs significantly associated with overall survival in STAD patients were screened by multivariate Cox regression, and an LNM-based 10-mRNA prognostic signature was established (Logrank P < 0.0001). This 10-mRNA signature was well predicted in both the TCGA training set and the Gene Expression Omnibus validation dataset (GSE84437) and was associated with survival in patients with LNM or advanced-stage STAD. Using Kaplan-Meier survival, receiver operating characteristic curve, C-index analysis, and decision curve analysis, the 10-mRNA signature was found to be a more effective predictor of prognosis in STAD patients than the other two reported models (P < 0.0005). Protein-protein interaction network and gene set enrichment analysis of the 10-mRNA signature revealed that the signature may affect the expression of multiple biological pathways and related genes. Finally, the expression levels of prognostic genes in STAD tissues and cell lines were verified using qRT-PCR, Western blot, and the Human Protein Atlas database. Taken together, the prognostic signature constructed in this study may become an indicator for clinical prognostic assessment of LNM-STAD and provide a new strategy for future targeted therapy.

The role and molecular mechanism of gut microbiota in Graves' orbitopathy

PURPOSE

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is an autoimmune orbital disorder. Gut microbiota dysfunction plays a vital role in autoimmune diseases, including Graves' disease (GD) and GO. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the change of gut microbiota in GD/GO using mouse model.

METHODS

The murine model of GD/GO was established by the challenge of adenovirus expressing thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) (Ad-TSHR). The histological changes of orbital and thyroid tissues were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

The GD/GO model was established successfully, as manifested as the broadened eyelid, exophthalmia and conjunctive redness, severe inflammatory infiltration among thyroid glands and between extraocular muscle space, hypertrophic extraocular muscles, elevated thyroxine (T4) and decreased TSH, and positive CD34, CD40, collagen I, and α-SMA staining. A total of 222 operational taxonomic units (OUTs) were overlapped between mice in the Ad-NC and Ad-TSHR groups. The microbial composition of the samples in the two groups was mainly Bacteroidia and Clostridia, and the Ad-NC group had a significantly lower content of Bacteroidia and higher content of Clostridia. KEGG orthology analysis results revealed differences in dehydrogenase, aspartic acid, bile acid, chalcone synthase, acetyltransferase, glutamylcyclotransferase, glycogenin, and 1-phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase between two groups; enzyme commission (EC) analysis results revealed differences in several dehydrogenase, oxidase, thioxy/reductase between two groups; MetaCyc pathways analysis results revealed differences in isoleucine degradation, oxidation of C1 compounds, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle IV, taurine degradation, and biosynthesis of paromamine, heme, colonic acid building blocks, butanediol, lysine/threonine/methionine, and histidine/purine/pyrimidine between two groups.

CONCLUSION

This study induced a mouse model of GD/GO by Ad-TSHR challenge, and gut microbiota characteristics were identified in the GD/GO mice. The Bacteroidia and Clostridia abundance was changed in the GD/GO mice. These findings may lay a solid experimental foundation for developing personalized treatment regimens for GD patients according to the individual gut microbiota. Given the potential impact of regional differences on intestinal microbiota, this study in China may provide a reference for the global overview of the gut-thyroid axis hypothesis.

[Clinical diagnosis and treatment of hereditary thrombocytopenia and purpura: a report of five cases and literature review]

Objective: To report the clinical manifestations and laboratory features of five patients with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) and explore its standardized clinical diagnosis and treatment along with a review of literature. Methods: Clinical data of patients, such as age of onset, disease manifestation, personal history, family history, and misdiagnosed disease, were collected. Treatment outcomes, therapeutic effects of plasma infusion, and organ function evaluation were observed. The relationship among the clinical manifestations, treatment outcomes, and ADAMTS13 gene mutation of patients with cTTP was analyzed. Additionally, detection of ADAMTS13 activity and analysis of ADAMTS13 gene mutation were explored. Results: The age of onset of cTTP was either in childhood or adulthood except in one case, which was at the age of 1. The primary manifestations were obvious thrombocytopenia, anemia, and different degrees of nervous system involvement. Most of the patients were initially suspected of having immune thrombocytopenia. Acute cTTP was induced by pregnancy and infection in two and one case, respectively. ADAMTS13 gene mutation was detected in all cases, and there was an inherent relationship between the mutation site, clinical manifestations, and degree of organ injury. Therapeutic or prophylactic plasma transfusion was effective for treating cTTP. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of cTTP vary among individuals, resulting in frequent misdiagnosis that delays treatment. ADAMTS13 activity detection in plasma and ADAMTS13 gene mutation analysis are important bases to diagnose cTTP. Prophylactic plasma transfusion is vital to prevent the onset of the disease.

[Value of clear cell likelihood score in differentiation between renal oncocytoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the value of clear cell likelihood score (ccLS) in identifying renal oncocytoma (RO) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods: Retrospective data of pathologically confirmed 43 RO patients [24 men and 19 women, aged 22-77 (54±14) years] between February 2008 and September 2021 and 43 ccRCC patients [30 men and 13 women, aged 29-78 (56±12) years] between May and July 2021 were consecutively included in the department of radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital. Two radiologists used ccLS to assess each case independently, and disagreements were resolved by consensus. The ability of ccLS to identify RO and ccRCC was examined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve which identified the best optimal diagnostic cut-off values, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Results: The mean tumor diameter was 3.8 cm in RO patients and 3.7 cm in ccRCC patients. Central scar and segmental enhancement inversion (SEI) were more frequently observed in the RO group compared to the ccRCC group [53.5% (23∶43) versus 11.6% (5∶43) and 41.9% (18∶43) versus 7.0% (3∶43), respectively], with statistical differences (P<0.001). The ccLS scores in the RO group ranged from 1 to 4, while 79.0% of the cases were 3. The ccLS scores in the ccRCC group ranged from 2 to 5, while 72% of the cases were 4. The scores of the two groups were statistically different (P<0.001). The ccLS showed the best performance when the threshold was 4 according to the ROC curve. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ccLS for distinguishing RO from ccRCC were 83.7%, 90.7%, 87.2%, 90.0%, and 84.8%, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve value was 0.879. Conclusion: The ccLS has credible sensitivity and specificity in differentiating renal oncocytoma from clear cell carcinoma, which may be helpful for the preoperative diagnosis.

Thrombectomy Using the EmboTrap Clot-Retrieving Device for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Glimpse of Clinical Evidence

BACKGROUND

The EmboTrap Recanalization Device is a novel stent retriever for thrombectomy in the setting of acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion.

PURPOSE

Our aim was to summarize the safety and efficacy of the EmboTrap Recanalization Device in acute ischemic stroke-large-vessel occlusion through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched up to April 2022.

STUDY SELECTION

Nine observational studies using the EmboTrap Recanalization Device were selected.

DATA ANALYSIS

We adapted effect size with 95% CIs for dichotomous data. P value <.05 was statistically significant.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The estimated rate of successful recanalization (modified TICI 2b-3) was 90% (95% CI, 86%-95%; I ² = 82.4%); 90-day favorable outcome (mRS 0-2), 53% (95% CI, 42%-63%; I ² = 88.6%); modified first-pass effect, 43% (95% CI, 35%-51%; I ² = 63.7%); and first-pass effect, 36% (95% CI, 29%-46%; I ² = 10.7%). The rate of any intracerebral hemorrhage was 19% (95% CI, 16%-22%; I ² = 0.0%); symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, 5% (95% CI, 1%-8%; I ² = 84.6%); and 90-day mortality, 14% (95% CI, 9%-19%; I ² = 79.3%). Subgroup analysis showed higher rates of complete recanalization for EmboTrap II than for the EmboTrap System.

LIMITATIONS

The included studies are single-arm without direct comparison with other stent retrievers. Some of the studies recruited had a small sample size and were limited by the retrospective study design. In addition, the uncertain heterogeneity among studies was high.

CONCLUSIONS

The EmboTrap Recanalization Device is safe and efficient in treating acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion.

A, Barbano A, Barwick SW, Bastian B, Basu V, Baur S, Bay R, Beatty JJ, Becker KH, Becker Tjus J, Bellenghi C, BenZvi S, Berley D, Bernardini E, Besson DZ, Binder G, Bindig D, Blaufuss E, Blot S, Boddenberg M, Bontempo F, Borowka J, Böser S, Botner O, Böttcher J, Bourbeau E, Bradascio F, Braun J, Brinson B, Bron S, Brostean-Kaiser J, Browne S, Burgman A, Burley RT, Busse RS, Campana MA, Carnie-Bronca EG, Chen C, Chen Z, Chirkin D, Choi K, Clark BA, Clark K, Classen L, Coleman A, Collin GH, Conrad JM, Coppin P, Correa P, Cowen DF, Cross R, Dappen C, Dave P, De Clercq C, DeLaunay JJ, Delgado López D, Dembinski H, Deoskar K, Desai A, Desiati P, de Vries KD, de Wasseige G, de With M, DeYoung T, Diaz A, Díaz-Vélez JC, Dittmer M, Dujmovic H, Dunkman M, DuVernois MA, Dvorak E, Ehrhardt T, Eller P, Engel R, Erpenbeck H, Evans J, Evenson PA, Fan KL, Fazely AR, Fedynitch A, Feigl N, Fiedlschuster S, Fienberg AT, Filimonov K, Finley C, Fischer L, Fox D, Franckowiak A, Friedman E, Fritz A, Fürst P, Gaisser TK, Gallagher J, Ganster E, Garcia A, Garrappa S, Gerhardt L, Ghadimi A, Glaser C, Glauch T, Glüsenkamp T, Goldschmidt A, Gonzalez JG, Goswami S, Grant D, Grégoire T, Griswold S, Günther C, Gutjahr P, Haack C, Hallgren A, Halliday R, Halve L, Halzen F, Ha Minh M, Hanson K, Hardin J, Harnisch AA, Haungs A, Hebecker D, Helbing K, Henningsen F, Hettinger EC, Hickford S, Hignight J, Hill C, Hill GC, Hoffman KD, Hoffmann R, Hokanson-Fasig B, Hoshina K, Huang F, Huber M, Huber T, Hultqvist K, Hünnefeld M, Hussain R, Hymon K, In S, Iovine N, Ishihara A, Jansson M, Japaridze GS, Jeong M, Jin M, Jones BJP, Kang D, Kang W, Kang X, Kappes A, Kappesser D, Kardum L, Karg T, Karl M, Karle A, Katz U, Kauer M, Kellermann M, Kelley JL, Kheirandish A, Kin K, Kintscher T, Kiryluk J, Klein SR, Koirala R, Kolanoski H, Kontrimas T, Köpke L, Kopper C, Kopper S, Koskinen DJ, Koundal P, Kovacevich M, Kowalski M, Kozynets T, Kun E, Kurahashi N, Lad N, Lagunas Gualda C, Lanfranchi JL, Larson MJ, Lauber F, Lazar JP, Lee JW, Leonard K, Leszczyńska A, Li Y, Lincetto M, Liu QR, Liubarska M, Lohfink E, Lozano Mariscal CJ, Lu L, Lucarelli F, Ludwig A, Luszczak W, Lyu Y, Ma WY, Madsen J, Mahn KBM, Makino Y, Mancina S, Mariş IC, Martinez-Soler I, Maruyama R, Mase K, McElroy T, McNally F, Mead JV, Meagher K, Mechbal S, Medina A, Meier M, Meighen-Berger S, Micallef J, Mockler D, Montaruli T, Moore RW, Morse R, Moulai M, Naab R, Nagai R, Nahnhauer R, Naumann U, Necker J, Nguyen LV, Niederhausen H, Nisa MU, Nowicki SC, Nygren D, Obertacke Pollmann A, Oehler M, Oeyen B, Olivas A, O’Sullivan E, Pandya H, Pankova DV, Park N, Parker GK, Paudel EN, Paul L, Pérez de los Heros C, Peters L, Peterson J, Philippen S, Pieper S, Pittermann M, Pizzuto A, Plum M, Popovych Y, Porcelli A, Prado Rodriguez M, Price PB, Pries B, Przybylski GT, Raab C, Rack-Helleis J, Raissi A, Rameez M, Rawlins K, Rea IC, Rehman A, Reichherzer P, Reimann R, Renzi G, Resconi E, Reusch S, Rhode W, Richman M, Riedel B, Roberts EJ, Robertson S, Roellinghoff G, Rongen M, Rott C, Ruhe T, Ryckbosch D, Rysewyk Cantu D, Safa I, Saffer J, Sanchez Herrera SE, Sandrock A, Sandroos J, Santander M, Sarkar S, Sarkar S, Satalecka K, Schaufel M, Schieler H, Schindler S, Schmidt T, Schneider A, Schneider J, Schröder FG, Schumacher L, Schwefer G, Sclafani S, Seckel D, Seunarine S, Sharma A, Shefali S, Silva M, Skrzypek B, Smithers B, Snihur R, Soedingrekso J, Soldin D, Spannfellner C, Spiczak GM, Spiering C, Stachurska J, Stamatikos M, Stanev T, Stein R, Stettner J, Steuer A, Stezelberger T, Stokstad R, Stürwald T, Stuttard T, Sullivan GW, Taboada I, Ter-Antonyan S, Tilav S, Tischbein F, Tollefson K, Tönnis C, Toscano S, Tosi D, Trettin A, Tselengidou M, Tung CF, Turcati A, Turcotte R, Turley CF, Twagirayezu JP, Ty B, Unland Elorrieta MA, Valtonen-Mattila N, Vandenbroucke J, van Eijndhoven N, Vannerom D, van Santen J, Verpoest S, Walck C, Watson TB, Weaver C, Weigel P, Weindl A, Weiss MJ, Weldert J, Wendt C, Werthebach J, Weyrauch M, Whitehorn N, Wiebusch CH, Williams DR, Wolf M, Woschnagg K, Wrede G, Wulff J, Xu XW, Yanez JP, Yoshida S, Yu S, Yuan T, Zhang Z, Zhelnin P. Evidence for neutrino emission from the nearby active galaxy NGC 1068

A supermassive black hole, obscured by cosmic dust, powers the nearby active galaxy NGC 1068. Neutrinos, which rarely interact with matter, could provide information on the galaxy’s active core. We searched for neutrino emission from astrophysical objects using data recorded with the IceCube neutrino detector between 2011 and 2020. The positions of 110 known gamma-ray sources were individually searched for neutrino detections above atmospheric and cosmic backgrounds. We found that NGC 1068 has an excess of 79 − 20 + 22 neutrinos at tera–electron volt energies, with a global significance of 4.2σ, which we interpret as associated with the active galaxy. The flux of high-energy neutrinos that we measured from NGC 1068 is more than an order of magnitude higher than the upper limit on emissions of tera–electron volt gamma rays from this source.

[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.

Search for Unstable Sterile Neutrinos with the IceCube Neutrino Observatory

We present a search for an unstable sterile neutrino by looking for a resonant signal in eight years of atmospheric ν_{μ} data collected from 2011 to 2019 at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Both the (stable) three-neutrino and the 3+1 sterile neutrino models are disfavored relative to the unstable sterile neutrino model, though with p values of 2.8% and 0.81%, respectively, we do not observe evidence for 3+1 neutrinos with neutrino decay. The best-fit parameters for the sterile neutrino with decay model from this study are Δm_{41}^{2}=6.7_{-2.5}^{+3.9}  eV^{2}, sin^{2}2θ_{24}=0.33_{-0.17}^{+0.20}, and g^{2}=2.5π±1.5π, where g is the decay-mediating coupling. The preferred regions of the 3+1+decay model from short-baseline oscillation searches are excluded at 90% C.L.

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth attenuate trigeminal neuralgia in rats by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress

Background

The treatment of trigeminal neuralgia remains a challenging issue. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) provide optimized therapy for chronic pain. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the attenuation of trigeminal neuralgia by SHED.

Methods

Trigeminal neuralgia was induced by chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve. The mechanical threshold was assessed after model establishment and local SHED transplantation. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology and Caspase12 expression in trigeminal ganglion (TG) was evaluated as well. BiP expression was observed in PC12 cells induced by tunicamycin.

Results

The local transplantation of SHED could relieve trigeminal neuralgia in rats. Further, transmission electron microscopy revealed swelling of the ER in rats with trigeminal neuralgia. Moreover, SHED inhibited the tunicamycin-induced up-regulated expression of BiP mRNA and protein in vitro. Additionally, SHED decreased the up-regulated expression of Caspase12 mRNA and protein in the TG of rats caused by trigeminal neuralgia after chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve mode.

Conclusions

This findings demonstrated that SHED could alleviate pain by relieving ER stress which provide potential basic evidence for clinical pain treatment.