Integrated analysis of long non-coding RNAs and mRNA expression profiles identified potential interactions regulating melanogenesis in chicken skin

1. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in various physiological functions. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of lncRNAs in melanogenesis remain unclear. To determine the molecular mechanisms involved in skin melanogenesis, the present study depicted the expression profiles of lncRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in black- (B group) and white- (W group) skinned chickens using RNA sequencing.2. In total, 373 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs; 203 up-regulated and 170 down-regulated) and 253 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 152 up-regulated and 101 down-regulated) were identified between the B and W groups. A total of eight known melanogenesis-related genes were identified (KIT, TYRP1, DCT (TYRP2), SLC45A2, OCA2, EDNRB2, TRPM1 and RAB38).3. Functional annotation of the co-expressed DEGs and DELs was performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. The co-expressed DEGs were mainly involved in melanogenesis and the co-expressed genes of 117 and 108 DELs were significantly enriched in the melanogenesis and tyrosine metabolism pathways, respectively.4. The DEL-DEG interaction network revealed that three lncRNAs (XR_003072387.1, XR_003075112.1, and XR_003077033.1) and DCT genes may have key roles in regulating melanogenesis in chicken skin. This data provides the groundwork for studying the lncRNA regulatory mechanisms of skin melanogenesis and suggested a new perspective on the modulation of melanogenesis in chicken skin based on a lncRNA-mRNA causal regulatory network.

The efficacy of pericapsular nerve group block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing hip surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

As an optional regional anesthesia approach, pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block has been successfully utilized to manage pain for hip surgeries without affecting motor function. The present meta-analysis aimed to verify the efficacy of PENG block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing hip surgery.

Methods

A total of 497 academic articles were identified after a systematic search in the databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to 25 August 2022. The primary outcome was postoperative 24-h morphine consumption. Secondary outcomes included the time of the first request for rescue analgesia, static and dynamic pain scores 6 and 24 h after surgery, and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). We calculated mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for postoperative 24-h morphine consumption, time of the first request for rescue analgesia, static and dynamic pain scores 6 and 24 h after surgery, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs for incidence of PONV. The chi-square test was used for heterogeneity analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed by I ². Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.

Results

Numerous electronic databases were searched, and finally, nine studies were identified. There was no significant difference in morphine consumption during the postoperative 24 h [MD: -2.57, 95% CI: (-5.42, 0.27), P = 0.08] and the time of the first request for rescue analgesia [MD: 1.79, 95% CI: (-1.06, 4.64), P = 0.22] between the PENG block and control groups. PENG block did not reveal a significant difference in 6 h [MD: -0.17, 95% CI: (-0.92, 0.57), P = 0.65] [MD: -0.69, 95% CI: (-1.58, 0.21), P = 0.13] and 24 h [MD: -0.25, 95% CI: (-1.54, 1.05), P = 0.71], [MD: 0.05, 95% CI: (-0.84, 0.93), P = 0.91] static and dynamic pain scores compared with other nerve block methods. Moreover, the two groups have a similar risk of PONV (OR: 1.29, 95% CI = 0.53-3.10, P = 0.57).

Conclusion

This review shows that PENG block can act as an alternative multimodal analgesia for hip surgery, and compared with the other kinds of nerve block, there was no significant difference in the postoperative analgesic effect of PENG block.

Systematic review registration

Supplementary Datasheet 1, identifier: CRD 42022356496.

Creep Behavior of A356 Aluminum Alloy Reinforced with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Stir Casting

Lightweight aluminum alloy components are often used to manufacture a variety of engineering components in many industries. In recent years, researchers have studied the effect of improving the mechanical properties of metal alloys by incorporating nano-carbon into its structure. In this study, the effect of the addition of 0.2, 0.5, and 1 wt% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the stress-strain behavior and creep phenomenon of an A356 aluminum alloy were studied. The effect of nickel coating on 0.2 wt% MWCNTs was also investigated. Samples were prepared using the stir-casting method. The results revealed that the grain size became finer when MWCNT nano-particulates were introduced. Although the MWCNTs were distributed homogeneously in the A356 matrix, as confirmed by FESEM analysis, there were some agglomerations observed in a specific area with dimensions smaller than 100 nm. Nevertheless, the addition of MWCNTs was found to be beneficial in enhancing the hardness of alloys containing 0.2 wt%, 0.2 wt% nickel-coated, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt% MWCNTs by 9%, 24%, 32%, and 15%, respectively, as compared with the unreinforced A345 matrix. It was also found that the 0.5 wt% MWCNT-A356 matrix exhibited an improvement in the creep lifetime by more than two orders of magnitude.

A Trilaminar-Thermosensitive Hydrogel Catalytic Reactor Capable of Single/Tandem Catalytic Switchable Ability

The present endeavor is to develop a highly-intelligent catalytic reactor prototype which is able to autonomously adapt to the environment and provides an in-situ double-shift catalytic ability. By seeking inspiration from nature, this objective is achieved by developing a self-adaptive hydrogel catalytic reactor which held a catalytic trilaminar structure capable of reverse thermosensitive properties. With increasing temperatures, the catalytic tri-layers of this catalytic reactor would function in a sequential way (i.e., one negative temperature response layer, one support layer and one positive temperature response layer) and as a result, led to the single-tandem double-shift catalytic ability. This catalytic reactor individually presented single/tandem catalytic process at relatively low temperatures or high temperatures through the cooperative work of the three layers. In this way, this catalytic reactor showed the single-tandem controllable catalytic ability. The novel protocol not only provides a new solution to complicated catalytic processes but also inspires the further application of smart polymers in a broader spectrum of areas.

Functional network properties derived from wide-field calcium imaging differ with wakefulness and across cell type

To improve 'bench-to-bedside' translation, it is integral that knowledge flows bidirectionally-from animal models to humans, and vice versa. This requires common analytical frameworks, as well as open software and data sharing practices. We share a new pipeline (and test dataset) for the preprocessing of wide-field optical fluorescence imaging data-an emerging mode applicable in animal models-as well as results from a functional connectivity and graph theory analysis inspired by recent work in the human neuroimaging field. The approach is demonstrated using a dataset comprised of two test-cases: (1) data from animals imaged during awake and anesthetized conditions with excitatory neurons labeled, and (2) data from awake animals with different genetically encoded fluorescent labels that target either excitatory neurons or inhibitory interneuron subtypes. Both seed-based connectivity and graph theory measures (global efficiency, transitivity, modularity, and characteristic path-length) are shown to be useful in quantifying differences between wakefulness states and cell populations. Wakefulness state and cell type show widespread effects on canonical network connectivity with variable frequency band dependence. Differences between excitatory neurons and inhibitory interneurons are observed, with somatostatin expressing inhibitory interneurons emerging as notably dissimilar from parvalbumin and vasoactive polypeptide expressing cells. In sum, we demonstrate that our pipeline can be used to examine brain state and cell-type differences in mesoscale imaging data, aiding translational neuroscience efforts. In line with open science practices, we freely release the pipeline and data to encourage other efforts in the community.

[Impact and mechanism of CHL1 in insulin resistant adipocytes and insulin resistant mouse model induced by high glucose and high fat]

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of cell adhesion molecule L1 like (CHL1) in insulin resistant adipocytes and insulin resistant mouse model induced by high glucose and high fat. Methods: The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were randomly divided into control group (transfected with empty vector) and CHL1 overexpression group (transfected with CHL1 vector), cells were then induced to mature adipocytes by insulin, and insulin resistance was then induced by high sugar and high fat. The glucose content was measured to determine the glucose consumption of cells from the two groups. Protein expression levels of CHL1 and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT) phosphorylation levels were detected by Western blot (WB), the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). 24 C57BL/6 adult male mouse were randomly divided into conventional diet group (regular group), high-fat diet group (high-fat group), empty vector overexpression+high-fat group and CHL1 overexpression+high-fat group (n=6 each group). CHL1 overexpression was induced by tail vein injection of lentivirus. Four months later, mice were sacrificed, body weight was determined, and the epididymal white adipose tissue was collect. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the pathology of mouse epididymal white adipose tissue, the expression of CHL1 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining(IHC), RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of CHL1, TNF-α and IL-6 in mouse epididymal white adipose tissue. Results: In vitro, glucose consumption was significantly higher in the CHL1 overexpression group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the protein expressions of CHL1 and GLUT4 were higher in the CHL1 overexpression group than those in the control group (P<0.01), and the mRNA expressions levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were lower in the CHL1 overexpression group than those in the control group (P<0.01). In vivo, the body weight and epididymal white adipose tissue of mouse were higher in the high-fat group and the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group than those in the conventional group (P<0.01), which were lower in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high fat group (P<0.01). HE results showed that the volume of epididymal white adipocytes was larger in the high-fat group and the overexpression control+high-fat group than that in the conventional group, which was smaller in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high fat group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in epididymal white adipose tissue of mice were higher in the high-fat group and the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group than those in the conventional group (P<0.01), which were lower in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high fat group (P<0.05). IHC results showed that protein expression of CHL1 in epididymal white adipose tissue was lower in the high-fat group and the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group than in regular group, which was upregulated in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group (P<0.01). RT-qPCR results showed that mRNA expression of CHL1 in epididymal white adipose tissue was lower in the high-fat group and the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group than in regular group (P<0.01), which was higher in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high fat group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Overexpression of CHL1 can improve insulin resistance in adipocytes and mouse insulin resistance model induced by high glucose and high fat, and the beneficial effects might be mediated by the inhibition of AKT activation and the reduction of related inflammatory responses.

Long-term use of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei N1115 from early life alleviates high-fat-diet-induced obesity and dysmetabolism in mice

Obesity has become one of the most serious public health problems worldwide, and an increasing number of studies indicate that the gut microbiota can affect host metabolism. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate whether long-term use of probiotics can alleviate host obesity and metabolism by altering gut microbiota. The high-fat diet (HFD) starting from weaned period led to higher levels of visceral fat and a significantly heavier liver in male mice. Moreover, HFD resulted in disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, changes in insulin-resistance indices (IR), and an increase in serum insulin and leptin in mice. Of note, 15 weeks use of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei N1115 decreased visceral fat, liver weight, serum levels of insulin and leptin, and IR and alleviated lipid dysmetabolism. HFD resulted in a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bilophila, Lachnoclostridium, and Blautia and may decrease the faecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in mice; in turn, treatment with the potential probiotic strain L. paracasei N1115 protected mice from these negative effects. HFD significant impaired the physiology of the host especially in male mice and dramatically changed the composition of host gut microbiota. However, the use of potential probiotic strain, such as L. paracasei N1115, may prevent these impairments due to HFD via effecting the host gut microbiota and SCFA.

ProANP31-67 ameliorates adverse cardiac remodeling and improves systolic and diastolic functions in a preclinical model of cardiorenal syndrome

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority (HSØ-RHF, Project No. 25674)

Background

The cardiac hormone proANP31-67, a linear fragment of the N-terminal Atrial Natriuretic Peptide, has known enhancing renal effects. More recently, we described the cardio protective effects of this hormone in a model of chronic hypertension. More specifically, independently of the blood pressure level, proANP31-67 improved diastolic function, attenuated cardiac fibrosis, and reduced hypertrophy.

Purpose

The current study was designed to assess the cardiorenal effects of proANP31-67 in a rodent model of hampered renal function, followed by cardiac injury produced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).

Methods

Right uninephrectomy (UNX) was performed in Wistar rats (n=28). Sixteen weeks after UNX, rats underwent cardiac I/R injury and randomly assigned to proANP31-67 (50 ng/kg/day s.c., n=15) or Vehicle (n=13) for four weeks post I/R. Echocardiographic examinations were performed at baseline (before UNX), 16 weeks after UNX, and four weeks after I/R. At the end of the study, cardiomyocytes were isolated and tissue samples were collected.

Results

Chronic UNX resulted in diastolic impairment (E/A: 1.47±0.08 at baseline vs 0.98±0.14 at 16 wks post UNX, p=0.0010). I/R further accentuated the development of the cardiorenal syndrome, and induced a mild systolic dysfunction in the placebo treated animals. However, four weeks of treatment with proANP31-67 preserved systolic function (EF: 62±3% placebo vs 74±2% proANP31-67, p&lt;0.0001), and reverted the diastolic dysfunction (E/A: 0.72±0.15 placebo vs 1.24±0.11 proANP31-67, p=0.0134). ProANP31-67 ameliorated the adverse cardiac remodeling (i.e., reduction in the cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and interstitial fibrosis), enhanced Ca2+ handling, and improved cardiomyocyte t-tubules´ structural changes compared to vehicle. At the cellular level, in vitro experiments demonstrated the direct effect of proANP31-67 on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (assessed by [3H]-leucine incorporation) induced by endothelin 1 and angiotensin II.

Conclusion

ProANP31-67 has a direct cardiomyocyte protective effect, leading to an improvement in Ca2+ homeostasis and t-tubules´ structures and, prevents the development of systolic and diastolic dysfunction in a pre-clinical model of cardiorenal syndrome.

AB0012 IDENTIFICATION OF NEW BIOMARKERS FOR SINOMENINE TREATMENT IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BASED ON BIOINFORMATICS ANALYSIS

Background

Sinomenine (SIN) were extracted from Caulis Sinomenii and achieved an remarkable therapeutic effect for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). However, the mechanism of SIN acting on RA is not clear yet.

Objectives

To excavate potential targets and mechanisms of SIN for RA through bioinformatics.

Methods

The microarray data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GEO2R was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the unique value was retained. The potential targets of active compounds from various databases were screened. Based on the overlapping genes, Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct a protein-protein interactions (PPI) network and to visualize the mechanisms of the treatment by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis by DAVID database. Finally, we used AutoDockTools 1.5.6 for molecular docking.

Results

A total of 5053 DEGs and 1070 intersections were obtained, including 486 up-regulated and 584 down-regulated targets. 298 SIN targets were collected from various databases, 84 potential targets were obtained by intersecting with DEGs. There are 80 nodes and 305 edges were obtained in PPI network. Based on the degree, the top 10 target genes were AKT1, RGFR, MTOR, JAK2, NOS3, IL2, IL6, MMP9, MAPK8, HSP9OAA1. The core targets was most relevant to protein phosphorylation, signal transduction though GO analysis. The results of the KEGG enrichment analysis included PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. Following analysis found that AKT1, EGFR, MTOR and JAK2 existed in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking was used to confirm that the binding energy of AKT1 was -7.68 kJ mol -1, EGFR was -5.33kJ mol-1, and MTOR was -4.77 kJ mol-1,JAK2 was -3.25 KJ mol-1. AKT1 and EGFR was further identified as the core targets.

Conclusion

Present study show that AKT1 and EGFR may be the key targets of SIN acting on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the progression of disease and improving RA.

Keywords: Sinomenine; Rheumatoid Arthritis; bioinformatics;

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Funding

This project was supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81703783 and 81503415);

Identification of new biomarkers for Sinomenine treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis based on bioinformatics analysis

XL Shen1, 2L,YQ L1, 2Y,X Guo1, 2,LF Wang1, 2,JK Zhang1, 2,ZT Feng1, 2*

1. Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, China

2. Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, China

†These authors contributed equally to this work.

*Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed:

Correspondence: Zhitao Feng

E-mail: zhitao.feng@ctgu.edu.cn (Zhitao Feng)

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0082 ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF TOTAL SAPONINS OF PANAX JAPONICUS ON RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease with inflammation[1]. Total saponins of Panax japonicus (TSPJs) are effective components extracted from Panax japonicus[2]. They are known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressoive properties, but their effect of anti-inflammation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) remains unclear.

Objectives

To investigate the anti-inflammatory targets of TSPJ predicted by bioinformatics and the verification in CIA mice.

Methods

The targets of RA are obtained in the GeneCards database. we used Cytoscape 3.7.2 software to construct a protein-protein interactions (PPI) network and obtain the hub genes. There are four effective components of TSPJ: Araloside A, chikusetsusaponin IVa, ginsenoside Rg2, and ginsenoside Ro. Through molecular docking between the screened hub genes and the four effective components of TSPJ, the possibility of TSPJ treating CIA mice can be predicted. The collagen II (CII) and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) were used to induce the CIA model. After establishing the model, 32 DBA1/J mice were divided into C group (n=8), M group (n=8), L group(n=8), and H group(n=8). The L and H groups were gavaged with TSPJ at 30 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg, and the C and M groups were gavaged with normal saline. The thickness of the hind paw, number of swollen joints, and arthritis index were evaluated. After 11 days of treatment, all the mice were sacrificed after anesthesia. Sera were collected to centrifuge tubes and the levels of inflammatory factor were determined by the ELISA kit following the instruction.

Results

A gene list that enriches 263 genes was obtained by searching RA from the GeneCards database. The hub genes of the top 3 obtained from Cytoscape 3.7.2 software were tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, interleukin-17A (IL-17A), a classical inflammatory index in the top 10, was selected and included in the predicted target. The results of molecular docking between the predicted target and the components of TSPJ showed that the combined pose has good stability. The numerical value of hind paw thickness, swollen joint counts, and arthritis index in the intervention groups were lower than those in the M group, suggesting TSPJ played a critical role in improving pathological changes. Compared to those of the C group, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A were increased in the M group. Compared to those of the M group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A in the L and H groups were decreased. Compared to those of the L group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A in the H group were decreased. The results suggested that TSPJ may decrease the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A in CIA mice. These results suggest that TSPJ may inhibit the inflammatory effects of CIA mice.

Conclusion

Current study demonstrated a novel inhibitory effect of TSPJ on inflammation in CIA mice, and TSPJ can act on the targets predicted by bioinformatics of CIA mice, suggesting the potential of TSPJ as a therapeutic agent for RA and providing new ideas for the clinical treatment of RA.

References

[1]Scherer HU, Haupl T, Burmester GR. The etiology of rheumatoid arthritis. J Autoimmun[J]. 2020;110:102400

[2]Guo X, Ji J, Jose Kumar Sreena GS, et al. Computational Prediction of Antiangiogenesis Synergistic Mechanisms of Total Saponins of Panax japonicus Against Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Pharmacol[J]. 2020;11:566129

Acknowledgements

Jingkai Zhang: Preparation, data presentation, and specifically writing the initial draft. Xiang Guo: Application of statistical, Verification. Qinpeng Bu and Xiaolan Shen: Conducting a research and investigation process, Provision of study materials. Zhitao Feng: Ideas, Design of methodology, and including mentorship external to the core team.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

[Evaluation of the level of carotid bifurcation and the morphology of extracranial internal carotid artery in patients with carotid stenosis by color doppler ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography]

Objective: To evaluate the value of color Doppler ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in evaluating the level of carotid bifurcation and the morphology of extracranial internal carotid artery in patients with atherosclerotic carotid stenosis. Methods: The carotid artery examination data of 186 patients with atherosclerotic carotid stenosis who underwent carotid DSA and color Doppler ultrasound in Shanghai Changzheng Hospital from July 2017 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 154 males and 32 females, with ages ranging from 36 to 84 (66±8) years old. The correlation between the position of carotid bifurcation and the level of cervical spine, the distance from the position of carotid bifurcation to mandibular angle, the correlation of the level of bifurcation with the length of neck, and the incidence of carotid distortion were analyzed. Results: DSA showed that the most common position of carotid bifurcation was at C3 level on the left [37.3% (56/150)], and at C3-C4 level on the right [33.6% (42/125)], and the highest position was at C2 level on the left, and at C2-C3 levels on the right, while the lowest level on both sides was at C5 level. The incidence of high bifurcation of left carotid artery (C3 and above) was 46% (69/150), which was higher than that of right carotid artery [21.6% (27/125), P<0.001]. The incidence of high carotid bifurcation in men and women was 33.2% (76/229) and 43.5% (20/46), respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.182). Carotid ultrasound showed that the distance between the left carotid bifurcation and the mandibular angle was (3.0±1.3) cm, which was shorter than that on the right [(3.4±1.2) cm] (P<0.001). The distance between carotid bifurcation and mandibular angle in men and women was (3.2±1.2) cm and (3.3±1.0) cm, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.093). There was no significant correlation between carotid bifurcation level and carotid length (right: r = 0.02, P = 0.091; left: r = 0.01, P = 0.927). The incidence of carotid artery distortion was 28.1% (9/32) in women and 15.6% (24/154) in men, with no significant difference (P = 0.091). The incidence of right carotid artery distortion in high bifurcation group was 59.3% (16/27), which was higher than that in non-high bifurcation group [3.1% (3/98)] (P<0.001). Likewise, the incidence of left carotid artery distortion in high bifurcation group was 30.4% (21/69), which was higher than that in non-high bifurcation group [2.5% (2/81)] (P<0.001). Conclusions: The bifurcation position of left carotid artery in patients with atherosclerotic carotid stenosis is higher than that of the right. Patients with high bifurcation of carotid artery are more likely to be complicated with carotid distortion. Preoperative color doppler ultrasound combined with DSA can evaluate the distortion of extracranial carotid artery, thereby providing reference for the selection of surgical methods.

[Clinicopathological features and prognosis of high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and bcl-2 and/or bcl-6 rearrangements]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) involving combined rearrangements of MYC, bcl-2 and bcl-6. Methods: A total of 1 138 cases of large B cell lymphoma (LBL) that were treated at the Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2017 to September 2020 were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes against MYC, bcl-2 and bcl-6. The clinical and pathological data of the 45 patients with HGBL that had rearrangements of MYC and bcl-2 and/or bcl-6 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 1 138 LBL, 45 (4.0%) cases had combined rearrangements of MYC, bcl-2 and/or bcl-6 that included 6 HGBL cases with MYC, bcl-2 and bcl-6 rearrangements, 14 HGBL cases with MYC and bcl-2 rearrangements, and 25 HGBL cases with MYC and bcl-6 rearrangements. Of these 45 patients, 29 patients were male, and 16 patients were female, aged 29 to 83 years. HGBL with MYC, bcl-2 and bcl-6 rearrangements and HGBL with MYC and bcl-2 rearrangement were reclassified as the germinal center B-cell (GCB) subtype using the Hans algorithm. HGBL with MYC and bcl-6 rearrangement were reclassified as the GCB subtype (68.0%) and the non-GCB subtype (32.0%). The vast majority of HGBL cases had a high Ki-67 proliferation index. Most HGBL patients had advanced stage disease with a high IPI score and an increased LDH level. Also, some patients had clinical features including elevated plasma β2-microglobulin levels, B symptoms, and bone marrow involvement. The IPI scores and LDH levels were significantly different between the HGBL cases with MYC, bcl-2 and bcl-6 rearrangements and the HGBL cases with MYC and bcl-6 rearrangements (P<0.05). Compared with the HGBL cases with MYC, bcl-2 and bcl-6 rearrangements, the HGBL cases with MYC and bcl-2 or bcl-6 rearrangements had a lower incidence of bone marrow involvement (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the prognosis among HGBL cases with MYC, bcl-2 and bcl-6 rearrangements, the cases with MYC and bcl-2 rearrangements, and the cases with MYC and bcl-6 rearrangements (P>0.05). Conclusions: HGBL with MYC, bcl-2 and/or bcl-6 rearrangements are rare types of B-cell lymphoma with high degree of malignancy and have a short overall survival. To reduce misdiagnosis and improve diagnostic accuracy, it is necessary to assess the patients' clinical features and conduct histopathological, immunohistochemical and FISH analyses.

PERK signaling activation restores nucleus pulposus degeneration by activating autophagy under hypoxia environment

OBJECTIVES

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is an important disease with no efficient biological therapy identified. Autophagy, a wildly known therapeutic target for human disease, has been demonstrated to be activated under hypoxia, with underlying mechanism remains elusive. Thus, this study aims to specify the role of autophagy in IVD degeneration, the regulating mechanism of hypoxia-inducing autophagy, and the therapeutic value of autophagy for IVD degeneration.

METHODS

RNA-seq was used to screen the primary pathway affected in NP cells under hypoxia, the specific link between hypoxia and autophagy were investigated using ChIP-seq and dual luciferase reporter assay. Conditional ATG7 knockout mice (ATG7^-/-) were constructed for assessing the effect of autophagy on IVD degeneration, and puncture induced mice model of IVD degeneration were used for intradiscal injection to evaluate the therapeutic value of autophagy.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that hypoxia induces autophagy by transcriptional activation of autophagic gene LC3B and ATG7, which is controlled by PERK signaling. Then, we observed that inhibiting autophagy or PERK signaling leads to impaired NP cell viability and function, furthermore, using ATG7 knockout (ATG7^-/-) mice, we identified the protective role of autophagy in IVD. Furthermore, we found that intradiscal injection of PERK signaling agonist, CCT020312, significantly restores the degeneration level of needle punctured mice IVD.

CONCLUSION

We showed that the activation of PERK signaling upon hypoxia serves as a vital mechanism to induce autophagy and identified the therapeutic value of PERK signaling agonist for IVD degeneration treatment.

Circ_0003221 Downregulation Restrains Cervical Cancer Cell Growth, Metastasis and Angiogenesis by Governing the miR-139-3p/S100A14 Pathway

Circular RNA (circRNA) has considerable potency in carcinogenesis, which has aroused much attention. The objective of our study was to disclose the role of circ_0003221 in cervical cancer. Circ_0003221, miR-139-3p, and S100 calcium-binding protein A14 (S100A14) mRNA were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The proliferation of cancer cells was checked by CCK-8 assay and EdU assay. The migration and invasion of cancer cells were checked by transwell assay. Angiogenesis was determined by tube formation assay. The protein levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers, angiogenesis-related markers, and S100A14 protein were measured by western blot. The interplays between miR-139-3p and circ_0003221 or S100A14 were ensured by RIP assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Further animal study was conducted to verify the role of circ_0003221 in vivo. Circ_0003221 was highly expressed in cancer tissues and cells, and its downregulation suppressed cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis and also delayed tumor growth in vivo. Circ_0003221 bound to miR-139-3p and sequestered miR-139-3p expression. The inhibitory cancer cell biological behaviors by circ_0003221 downregulation were recovered by miR-139-3p suppression. S100A14 was a target gene of miR-139-3p. MiR-139-3p upregulation repressed cancer cell malignant phenotypes by depleting S100A14. Importantly, circ_0003221 positively regulated S100A14 expression by targeting miR-139-3p. Circ_0003221 downregulation restrains cervical cancer cell growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis by governing the miR-139-3p/S100A14 pathway.

Assessing the impact of organ-specific lesion dynamics on survival in patients with recurrent urothelial carcinoma treated with atezolizumab or chemotherapy

Background

Tumor dynamics typically rely on the sum of the longest diameters (SLD) of target lesions, and ignore heterogeneity in individual lesion dynamics located in different organs.

Patients and methods

Here we evaluated the benefit of analyzing lesion dynamics in different organs to predict survival in 900 patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with atezolizumab or chemotherapy (IMvigor211 trial).

Results

Lesion dynamics varied largely across organs, with lymph nodes and lung lesions showing on average a better response to both treatments than those located in the liver and locoregionally. A benefit of atezolizumab was observed on lung and liver lesion dynamics that was attributed to a longer duration of treatment effect as compared to chemotherapy (P value = 0.043 and 0.001, respectively). The impact of lesion dynamics on survival, assessed by a joint model, varied greatly across organs, irrespective of treatment. Liver and locoregional lesion dynamics had a large impact on survival, with an increase of 10 mm of the lesion size increasing the instantaneous risk of death by 12% and 10%, respectively. In comparison, lymph nodes and lung lesions had a lower impact, with a 10-mm increase in the lesion size increasing the instantaneous risk of death by 7% and 5%, respectively. Using our model, we could anticipate the benefit of atezolizumab over chemotherapy as early as 6 months before the end of the study, which is 3 months earlier than a similar model only relying on SLD.

Conclusion

We showed the interest of organ-level tumor follow-up to better understand and anticipate the treatment effect on survival.

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Nine hundred metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients from the IMvigor211 phase III trial were treated with atezolizumab versus chemotherapy.

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A total of 4489 organ-specific measurements were made: 1544 measurements in the lymph, 999 in the lung, 691 in the liver, and 559 locoregionally.

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Longer treatment effect was observed in the lung (P value = 0.043) and liver (P = 0.001) lesions under atezolizumab compared to chemotherapy.

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Those with a 10-mm growth of liver lesion had their instantaneous risk of death increased by 12%, compared to 5% in the lung.

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Treatment effect on overall survival could be predicted based on early organ-specific tumor data 6 months after last patient inclusion.

ac4C acetylation of RUNX2 catalyzed by NAT10 spurs osteogenesis of BMSCs and prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss

N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) is the key enzyme for N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification of mRNA, which participates in various cellular processes and is related to many diseases. Here, we explore the relationships among osteoblast differentiation, NAT10, and ac4C, and we found that NAT0 expression and the ac4C level of total RNA were decreased in the bone tissues of bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) mice and osteoporosis patients. Adenoviruses overexpressing NAT10 reversed bone loss, and Remodelin, an NAT10 inhibitor, enhanced the loss of bone mass in OVX mice. Moreover, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) with low-level ac4C modification formed fewer calcium nodules in vitro with NAT10 silencing, whereas BMSCs with high-level ac4C modification formed more calcium nodules with NAT10 overexpression. Moreover, we demonstrated that the ac4C level of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) mRNA was increased after BMSCs were cultured in osteogenic medium (OM) and decreased after NAT10 silencing. The RUNX2 mRNA half-life and protein expression decreased after silencing NAT10 in BMSCs. Therefore, NAT10-based ac4C modification promotes the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by regulating the RUNX2 ac4C level. Because abnormal levels of NAT10 are probably one of the mechanisms responsible for osteoporosis, NAT10 is a new potential therapeutic target for this disease.