PSL-LCCL: a resource for subcellular protein localization in liver cancer cell line SK_HEP1

The characterization of subcellular protein localization provides a basis for further understanding cellular behaviors. A delineation of subcellular localization of proteins on cytosolic membrane-bound organelles in human liver cancer cell lines (hLCCLs) has yet to be performed. To obtain its proteome-wide view, we isolated and enriched six cytosolic membrane-bound organelles in one of the hLCCLs (SK_HEP1) and quantified their proteins using mass spectrometry. The vigorous selection of marker proteins and a machine-learning-based algorithm were implemented to localize proteins at cluster and neighborhood levels. We validated the performance of the proposed method by comparing the predicted subcellular protein localization with publicly available resources. The profiles enabled investigating the correlation of protein domains with their subcellular localization and colocalization of protein complex members. A subcellular proteome database for SK_HEP1, including (i) the subcellular protein localization and (ii) the subcellular locations of protein complex members and their interactions, was constructed. Our research provides resources for further research on hLCCLs proteomics.

Database URL: http://www.igenetics.org.cn/project/PSL-LCCL/

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with the cellular tumor vaccines generated by in vitro modification of tumor cells with non gene transfer approaches

Anti-tumor immune responses are mediated primarily by T cells. Down regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and the molecules that costimulate the immune responses is associated with defective signaling of tumor cells for T cell activation. In vitro fusion of autologous tumor cells with antigen presenting cells (APCs) or treatment of tumor cells with a combination of cytokines significantly increased the expression of MHC class I and adhesion molecules on tumor cell surfaces that costimulate host immune responses. The hybrid cells generated by fusion of tumor cells with APCs and the tumor cells treated in vitro with a combination of cytokines and pre-incubated with a bispecific monoclonal antibody (bi-Mab) cross-linking antigen on tumor cells to CD28 on T cells, become immunogenic and able to stimulate naive T cells with generation of tumor specific cytotoxic T cells both in vitro and in vivo. Immunization with the modified tumor cells elicits an immune response mediated by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. This response protected against a parental tumor cell challenge and cured established tumors. The approach was effective in both low immunogenic and non-immunogenic tumor systems. Modification of tumor cells with tumor:APC fusion or the two-step procedure may provide a strategy for development of tumor vaccines that is effective for cancer immunotherapy.

Polymorphism at beta 85 and not beta 86 of HLA-DR1 is predominantly responsible for restricting the nature of the anchor side chain: implication for concerted effects of class II MHC polymorphism

The first hydrophobic pocket, P1, of class II MHC has been shown to be an important site of peptide anchoring. Two polymorphisms occur in this pocket in the human class II MHC beta chain at position 85 and 86. beta 85 is usually Val, occasionally Ala, whereas beta 86 can be Gly or Val. However, Ala85 is found only in conjunction with Val86. The independent effect of the polymorphism at these two positions on the binding of normal and substituted antigenic peptides has never been examined. To do so, three soluble HLA-DR1 variants that contain the naturally occurring combinations of these side chains at these two positions were generated and tested with a panel of influenza matrix peptides varying at anchor P1. DR1 alleles differing only at position 86 are very similar in the binding of a panel of antigenic peptide, indicating that beta 86 does not substantially influence the peptide binding of DR1. In contrast, DR1 varying only at position beta 85 differ in their binding of substituted peptides containing Ala, Tyr or Trp at the P1 anchor position. Thus, beta 85 shows the predominant effect on the P1 anchor side chain preference of the P1 pocket in DR1. This is in contrast to other HLA-DR alleles where beta 86 has been shown to control the nature of the P1 anchor. These previous data together with our own imply that the role of polymorphism in P1 may be influenced by the contextual framework of the remaining allelic polymorphism.

Cannabinoid modulation of midbrain urocortin 1 neurones during acute and chronic stress

Neurones in the centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWcp) are the main site of urocortin 1 (Ucn1) synthesis in the mammalian brain, and are assumed to play a role in the stress response of the animal. Because endocannabinoid signalling has also been strongly implicated in stress, we hypothesised that endocannabinoids may modulate the functioning of the urocortinergic EWcp. First, using in situ hybridisation, we demonstrated cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) mRNA expression in mouse EWcp-neurones that were Ucn1-negative. Dual- and triple-label immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of CB1R in several GABA-immunopositive fibres juxtaposed to EWcp-Ucn1 neurones. To test functional aspects of such an anatomical constellation, we compared acute (1 h of restraint) and chronic (14 days of chronic mild stress) stress-induced changes in wild-type (WT) and CB1R knockout (CB1R-KO) mice. Acute and especially chronic stress resulted in an increase in Ucn1 content of the EWcp, which was attenuated in CB1R-KO mice. CB1R-KO mice had higher basal and chronic stress-induced adrenocorticotrophin and corticosterone levels and were more anxious on the elevated plus-maze versus WT. Collectively, our results show for the first time EWcp-Ucn1 neurones are putatively innervated by endocannabinoid sensitive, inhibitory, GABAergic afferents. In addition, we provide novel evidence that the absence of the CB1 receptor alters the Ucn1 mRNA and peptide levels in EWcp neurones, concomitant with an augmented stress response and increased anxiety-like behaviour.

Quantification of classical HLA class I mRNA by allele-specific, real-time polymerase chain reaction for most Han individuals

Recent studies have shown that expression levels of different alleles at the same HLA class I locus can vary dramatically, which might have a broad influence on human disease. However, precise quantification of the relative expression level of each HLA allele is challenging, because distinguishing different alleles on the same locus is difficult. Here, we developed a series of allele-specific, real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for quantifying HLA class I allele mRNA in most Han individuals. The alleles of almost all heterozygous genotypes with a frequency higher than 0.5% in our population (78 alleles on HLA-A locus, 124 alleles on HLA-B locus, and 74 alleles on HLA-C locus) were specifically amplified. The specificity of the amplification was strictly validated by setting the corresponding negative control for each allele of each genotype. The amplification efficiency of each reaction was determined, and the slopes of the reactions were compared. This study provides a tool for detecting the comprehensive expression profile of HLA class I alleles and will be useful not only for the investigation of the molecular mechanism underlying HLA allele expression regulation but also for exploration of immunological mechanisms involving HLA expression in the fields of tumour immune evasion, viral infection, auto-immune disorders, and graft vs host disease after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Further evidence that the chromogranin B gene confers predisposition to schizophrenia: a family-based association study in Chinese

The Chromogranin B (CHGB) gene has been proposed as a candidate gene for predisposition to schizophrenia due to its location on the genome, the evidence of genetic studies, and its functional role in schizophrenia. To investigate its association with schizophrenia using case-control analysis, we genotyped eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and performed transmission disequilibrium tests (TDT) using 192 Han Chinese trios. The G allele of IVS4 + 808A > G showed a trend of over-transmission from heterozygous parents to affected offspring (P = 0.06), although no significant over-transmission was found for individual markers. Furthermore, a significant transmission was observed for the common haplotype G-G-A-G-C (P = 0.0018). Overall, our results suggest that at least one locus in or close to the CHGB gene confers risk of the disorder and strengthen the evidence that CHGB is a promising susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in Chinese population.

Polymorphism of human HLA-DRB1 antigens generated by genetic exchange between DR2 (DRB1*15011) and DR6 (DRB1*1405) alleles: a novel DRB1 allele (DRB1*1437) identified in a Paiwan tribe member of Taiwan

We report herein the identification of a new DRB1 allele using sequence-based typing (SBT). This novel allele, HLA-DRB1*1437, was found in an aboriginal individual from the Paiwan tribe in the southern part of Taiwan. This individual was typed by SBT method as having an HLA genotype of HLA-A*02011/0203, HLA-B*15011/3901, HLA-DRB1*11011/1437, HLA-DRB3*0202/0202, and HLA-DPB1*0501/1301. This new allele differs from DRB1*1309 in the 5'-end nucleotide sequence of polymorphic exon 2 at codon 16 (CAT-->CAA; H16Q), codon 37 (AAC-->TTC; R37F), codon 47 (TTC-->TAC; F47Y), and codon 58 (GCC-->GCT; both specify alanine). By sequence comparison, it was found that this new allele has a 5'-end sequence (from amino acid residues 7 to 66) identical to that found in the DRB1*1405 allele and a 3'-end sequence (from amino acid residues 58 to 94) identical to that found in the DRB1*15011 allele. Both DRB1*1405 and DRB1*15011 alleles have been identified among the Paiwan members (Note).

Precision measurement of the mass and lifetime of the Ξ(b)(0) baryon

Using a proton-proton collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb(-1) collected by LHCb at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, about 3800 Ξ(b)(0) → Ξ(c)(+)π(-), Ξ(c)(+)) → pK(-)π(+) signal decays are reconstructed. From this sample, the first measurement of the Ξ(b)(0) baryon lifetime is made, relative to that of the Λ(b)(0) baryon. The mass differences M(Ξ(b)(0))-M(Λ(b)(0)) and M(Ξ(c)(+))-M(Λ(c)(+)) are also measured with precision more than 4 times better than the current world averages. The resulting values are τ(Ξ(b)(0))/τ(Λ)(b)(0)) = 1.006 ± 0.018 ± 0.010,M(Ξ(b)(0))-M(Λ(b)(0)) = 172.44 ± 0.39 ± 0.17 MeV/c(2),M(Ξ(c)(+))-M(Λ(c)(+)) = 181.51 ± 0.14 ± 0.10 MeV/c(2),where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The relative rate of Ξ(b)(0) to Λ(b)(0) baryon production is measured to be f(Ξ)(b)(0))/f(Λ)(b)(0))B(Ξ(b)(0) → Ξ(c)(+)π(-))/B(Λ(b)(0) → Λ(c)(+)π(-))B(Ξ(c)(+) → pK(-)π(+))/B(Λ(c)(+) → pK(-)}π(+)) = (1.88 ± 0.04 ± 0.03) × 10(-2),where the first factor is the ratio of fragmentation fractions, b → Ξ(b)(0) relative to b → Λ(b)(0). Relative production rates as functions of transverse momentum and pseudorapidity are also presented.

Polychromatic emission in a wide energy range from InP-InAs-InP multi-shell nanowires

InP-InAs-InP multi-shell nanowires (NWs) were grown in the wurtzite (WZ) or zincblende (ZB) crystal phase and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated at low temperature (≈6 K) for different measurement geometries. PL emissions from the NWs were carefully studied in a wide energy range from 0.7 to 1.6 eV. The different features observed in the PL spectra for increasing energies are attributed to four distinct emitting domains of these nano-heterostructures: the InAs island (axially grown), the thin InAs capping shell (radially grown), the crystal-phase quantum disks arising from the coexistence of InP ZB and WZ segments in the same NW, and the InP portions of the NW. These results provide a useful frame for the rational implementation of InP-InAs-InP multi-shell NWs containing various quantum confined domains as polychromatic optically active components in nanodevices for quantum information and communication technologies.

Association of size-fractionated indoor particulate matter and black carbon with heart rate variability in healthy elderly women in Beijing

Associations between size-fractionated indoor particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC) and heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) in elderly women remain unclear. Twenty-nine healthy elderly women were measured for 24-hour HRV/HR indices. Real-time size-fractionated indoor PM and BC were monitored on the same day and on the preceding day. Mixed-effects models were applied to investigate the associations between pollutants and HRV/HR indices. Increases in size-fractionated indoor PM were significantly associated with declines in power in the high-frequency band (HF), power in the low-frequency band (LF), and standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN). The largest decline in HF was 19% at 5-minute moving average for an interquartile range (IQR) increase (24 μg/m³ ) in PM_0.5 . The results showed that smaller particles could lead to greater reductions in HRV indices. The reported associations were modified by body mass index (BMI): Declines in HF at 5-minute average for an IQR increase in PM_0.5 were 34.5% and 1.0% for overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m² ) and normal-weight (BMI <25 kg/m² ) participants, respectively. Moreover, negative associations between BC and HRV indices were found to be significant in overweight participants. Increases in size-fractionated indoor PM and BC were associated with compromised cardiac autonomic function in healthy elderly women, especially overweight ones.

An overview on the veracity of intraoral digital scanning system and utilization of iTero scanner for analyzing orthodontic study models both In-Vivo and Ex-Vivo

In the domain of orthodontics, plaster models are contemplated as one of the important tools for diagnosis and treatment planning. In Dentistry, technological advancement has developed in the section of diagnostic devices, for example, the utilization of a 3D intraoral scanner, which can convert plaster models into digital models. With in-office utilization of this system, orthodontists can more meticulously and precisely construct custom braces, clear aligners, and orthodontic appliances. The digital data can be stored as a stereolithography file; it eliminates the disadvantages encountered with the storage of plaster models like breakage, space required, and distortion of the plaster models. ITero®element is the intraoral laser scanner (ILS) which utilizes parallel confocal scanning technology which maximizes the accuracy of the scan. By utilizing the iTero scanner, the dental measurement can be performed in OrthoCADTM software which is highly accurate. The objective of the contemporary study is to review the literature of studies on in-vivo and ex-vivo scanning with the iTero system.

Dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the human glucagon gene (GCG)

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Left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with renal artery stenosis

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been shown to be 3 times more prevalent in patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS) compared to essential hypertension, but factors that predict LVH in this population are not known. We identified 66 patients with unilateral renal artery stenosis and an interpretable electrocardiogram (ECG). LVH by either Cornell voltage-duration product or Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria was present in 18 of the 66 patients (27%). The mean intra-aortic blood pressure was 100 +/- 14 mm Hg in patients with LVH, and 104 +/- 23 mm Hg in those without LVH (P = 0.37). The average stenosis by quantitative computerized angiography was 68 +/- 17% in patients with LVH, and 64 +/- 13% in those without LVH (P = 0.34). The mean translesional pressure gradient was 11 +/- 15 mm Hg in patients with LVH, and 13 +/- 20 mm Hg in those without LVH (P = 0.60). Using linear regression models, there was no correlation between intra-aortic blood pressure, percentage of stenosis, or translesional pressure gradient and either Cornell voltage-duration product or Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria. In summary, LVH using ECG criteria was present in 27% of patients with unilateral RAS but was not associated with blood pressure at the time of the procedure or severity of renal artery stenosis.

Impaired learning of active avoidance in water-intoxicated rats

Brain edema is an important clinical condition. Pathophysiological findings on behavioral changes may be helpful for a comprehensive understanding of brain edema. However, only few reports on behavioral studies of brain edema have so far appeared. Experiments using psychological techniques on animals are rather time-consuming and may not be suitable for the study of transient conditions, as brain edema caused by trauma, vascular accidents, or others. We have developed a method for avoidance learning of rats using a running wheel apparatus with computer assistance. This model was employed in studies on brain edema from water introxication in rats. As a result, avoidance learning was significantly impaired by water intoxication. Either direct overhydration of the brain or indirect effects, as a decrease in cerebral blood flow, or both, are suggested as mechanisms underlying the impairment of behavior.

Pulmonary fibrosis with intractable pneumothorax: new pulmonary manifestation of relapsing polychondritis

Relapsing Polychondritis is a rare disease which causes the repetitive inflammation of cartilage and connective tissues. Although the large airway is sometimes involved and the stenosis of them often influences the prognosis of the patients, there have been few reports concerning the manifestation of the peripheral lung. A 60-year-old man with pulmonary fibrosis was admitted to a regional hospital due to sudden deafness, and then he suffered from relapsing polychondritis. During the steroid therapy, he also suffered from bilateral pneumothoraces. His computed tomogram revealed many bilateral bullae, emphysematous changes, and fibrotic changes in bilateral lungs. The mechanism of generating peripheral pulmonary manifestations is also discussed.

Measurement of [Formula: see text] polarisation in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] = 7 TeV

The polarisation of prompt [Formula: see text] mesons is measured by performing an angular analysis of [Formula: see text] decays using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0[Formula: see text], collected by the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. The polarisation is measured in bins of transverse momentum [Formula: see text] and rapidity [Formula: see text] in the kinematic region [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and is compared to theoretical models. No significant polarisation is observed.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Acupressure on Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupressure on low back pain (LBP).

METHODS

We searched 7 electronic databases and 2 trial registries through December 28, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupressure on LBP were considered for meta-analysis with Revman 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to quantify the statistical reliability. HETRED analysis and GRADE were used to determine the heterogeneity and quality of the results, respectively.

RESULTS

Twenty-three RCTs representing 2400 participants were included. Acupressure was superior to tuina massage on response rate (RR 1.25; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.35; P < 0.00001) and in the standardized mean difference (SMD) for pain reduction [SMD -1.92; 95% CI, -3.09 to -0.76; P=0.001]. Likewise, acupressure was superior to physical therapy [SMD, -0.88; 95% CI, -1.10 to -0.65; P < 0.00001] and to usual care [SMD, -0.32; 95% CI, -0.61 to -0.02; P=0.04] in pain reduction. The Oswestry Disability Index was significantly improved by acupressure compared with usual care [SMD, -0.55; 95% CI, -0.84 to -0.25; P=0.0003]. The combination of acupressure with either manual acupuncture or electro-acupuncture showed significant improvements over the adjuvant therapies alone in response rate [RR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.26; P < 0.00001], pain reduction, and the Japanese Orthopedic Association score (JOA). However, each study displayed substantial heterogeneity. Through subgroup sensitivity analysis and -HETRED analysis, the heterogeneity of acupressure compared with manual acupuncture decreased while the results maintained significance with respect to pain reduction [SMD -0.9; 95% CI, -1.21 to -0.6; P < 0.00001] and JOA [SMD, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.98; P < 0.00001]. Similar results were obtained comparing acupressure with electro-acupuncture with respect to pain [SMD, -1.07; 95% CI, -1.33 to -0.81; P < 0.00001] and JOA [SMD, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.51 to 1.27, P < 0.00001]. TSA demonstrated the effectiveness of acupressure as a standalone or as a combinative treatment (with manual acupuncture or electro-acupuncture) for LBP.

CONCLUSION

Acupressure is an effective treatment for LBP. However, GRADE assessments downgraded the evidence in the trials, indicating that additional investigations are needed to confirm these observations.

Risk of bleeding in cancer patients treated with the angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab: A meta-analysis

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Background: Bleeding is a serious adverse event associated with bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) used extensively in the treatment of cancer. Currently the overall risk of bleeding remains unclear. This study was conducted to determine the overall risk of bleeding associated with bevacizumab in cancer patients by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT). Methods: Databases from PUBMED and the Web Science from January 1966 until July 2008 and abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conferences from January 2000 to through July 2008 were searched to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies included prospective RCTs in which standard anti-neoplastic therapy was administered with and without the use of bevacizumab with available data of bleeding. Summary incidence rate, relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated employing fixed- or random-effect models based upon the heterogeneity of the included studies. Results: A total of 13048 patients with a variety of solid tumors from 20 RCTs were included for analysis. Among patients receiving bevacizumab, the incidence of all-grade bleeding was 36.3% (95% CI: 28.0 - 45.5), and the RR was 3.1 (95% CI: 2.4 - 4.1) as compared to controls. The incidence of high grade (grade 3 or above) bleeding with bevacizumab was 2.7% (95% CI: 2.0 - 3.6%), and the RR was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.2 - 2.7). The risk of bleeding varied with the dose of bevacizumab, with RR of 3.0 (95% CI: 2.4 - 3.6) at 5mg/kg/week and 1.6 (95% CI: 1.3 - 2.0) at 2.5mg/kg/week. The risk of bleeding with bevacizumab may vary with tumor type, with higher risk seen in patients with colorectal cancer (RR=6.6, 95% CI: 3.6–12.2) and renal cell cancer (RR=3.7, 95% CI: 2.6–5.5). Bevacizumab is associated with different patterns of bleeding, with epistaxis being the most common. The incidence of all grade epistaxis with bevacizumab was 33.8% (95% CI 24.5–44.6) with a RR of 3.1 (95% CI 2.4 - 4.0). Conclusions: There is a significant increase in the risk of bleeding in cancer patients receiving bevacizumab. The risk may vary with the dose of bevacizumab and tumor type.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Experimental study on in vitro tumor cell killing by focused bi-frequency ultrasound activated hematoporphyrin derivatives

OBJECTIVE

As ultrasound has become an important therapeutic technique on tumor, in order to find the cell-killing effect of focused bi-frequency ultrasound activated hematoporphyrin derivatives, experimental study was processed in vitro.

METHODS

Tumor cells K562 and SW-480 were killed by focused bi-frequency ultrasound activated hematoporphyrin (Hp) derivatives under optimized ultrasonic parameters and the cell-killing effect was tested by MTT (Thiazolyl blue: 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) technique.

RESULTS

The lower frequency (0.6 MHz) was better than the higher (1.1 MHz) in activating hematoporphyrin derivatives; the bi-frequency was better than mono-frequency, and the cell-killing efficiency was 2-3 times of sum of the two kinds of ultrasounds which constitute bi-frequency. Incubation for the 16 h was better than 4 h after the cells exposed to the ultrasound.

CONCLUSION

The method of killing tumor cells by focused bi-frequency ultrasound activated hematoporphyrin derivatives is presented and evaluated in this paper.