[Clinical characteristics and outcomes of preoperactive short-acting octreotide treatment in patients with thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with pituitary thyrotropin-secreting adenoma and evaluate the effect of preoperative short-acting octreotide treatment on hyperthyroidism. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 40 patients with pituitary thyrotropin adenoma diagnosed in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from January 2008 to January 2018. The general data, laboratory examinations and imaging findings were reviewed and analyzed. The clinical effect of preoperative octreotide on hyperthyroidism was evaluated. Results: The age of onset year of the 40 patients (male: female = 24∶16) was (30.5±5.1) years. Among them, 35 patients (87.5%) were with macroadenoma. The most common symptoms were thyroid hypermetabolism syndrome, followed by headache, dizziness, visual field damage and hypogonadism. The thyroid function of 30 patients (75%) recovered to normal within 3-5 days after the octreotide treatment. The total effective rate of the octreotide was 90.0%. The level of free thyroxine (FT₄) before treatment in patients with more than 10 times of effective cumulative dose was significantly higher than that in patients with less than 10 doses. Conclusions: Thyroid hypermetabolism syndrome and pituitary occupying effect are the most common clinical manifestations of thyrotropin-secreting adenoma. Preoperative octreotide treatment can effectively control hyperthyroidism. The level of FT₄ is a crucial factor affecting the efficacy of octreotide.

Novel Chiral Thiourea Derived from Hydroquinine and l-Phenylglycinol: An Effective Catalyst for Enantio- and Diastereoselective Aza-Henry Reaction

A series of chiral thiourea bearing multiple H-bond donors derived from hydroquinine has been reported. The aza-Henry reaction of isatin-derived ketimines and long-chain nitroalkanes catalyzed by these chiral thioureas can achieve high enantioselectivity (78-99% ee) and excellent diastereoselectivity (up to 99:1). This work is the first report on long-chain nitroalkanes as substrates with excellent diastereoselectivity in metal-free catalytic systems.

[MiR-300 inhibits invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma cell MG63 by negatively regulating PTTG1]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of miR-300 and PTTG1 on osteosarcoma invasion and metastasis and explore the molecular mechanism of osteosarcoma invasion and metastasis.

OBJECTIVE

Western blot was used to detect the expression of PTTG1 in human osteoblasts hFOB1.19 and osteosarcoma cell MG63 and to detect the transfection efficiency of cells transfected with PTTG1-knockdown plasmid; Transwell invasion assay and CCK8 assay detected the effects of knockdown of PTTG1 and overexpression of miR-300 on the invasion and proliferation of osteosarcoma cell MG63. On-line prediction and screening of microRNAs (miRNAs) with complementary PTTG1 binding was conducted. qRT-PCR was performed to examine the expression of miR-300 in hFOB1.19 and MG63 cells, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of PTTG1 in MG63 cells after transfection with a miR- 300 plasmid. Double luciferase assay was used to detect the targeted binding of miR-300 and PTTG, Transwell invasion assay and CCK8 assay were used to detect the effects of overexpression of miR-300 and overexpression of PTTG1 plasmid on invasion and proliferation of osteosarcoma cell line MG63.

OBJECTIVE

PTTG1 was highly expressed in MG63 cells (P=0.0002). PTTG1 knockdown significantly inhibited the invasion (P=0.0002) and proliferation (P=0.0039) of MG63 cells. Based on the results of online prediction of complementary miRNAs to PTTG1 and analysis of the data from NCBI database, miR-300 was determined as the target miRNA in this study. qRT-PCR results showed a significantly decreased expression of miR-300 in MG63 cells (P=0.0004). Overexpression of MiR-300 in MG63 cells significantly decreased the expression of PTTG1 (P=0.0007), and the expressions of miR-300 and PTTG1 were negatively correlated. Dual luciferase assay showed that miR-300 could specifically bind to PTTG1 (P=0.001). Overexpression of PTTG1 could significantly reverse the effect of miR-300 overexpression on invasion (P=0.0003) and proliferation (P=0.0077) of MG63 cells.

OBJECTIVE

Overexpression of miR-300 can inhibit the invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma cell MG63 by targeting PTTG1.

Critical biodegradation process of a widely used surfactant in the water environment: dodecyl benzene sulfonate (DBS)

Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (DBS) is a widely used surfactant that is now found extensively in water bodies because of anthropogenic emissions. Since the degradation of DBS in the environment mainly relies on microorganisms, it is essential to study the mechanism by which DBS is biodegraded. In this study, Chlorella vulgaris was used to research the biodegradation process of DBS. The C. vulgaris suspension was centrifuged to remove the supernatant, then secondary deionized water and DBS were added to the C. vulgaris. And the intermediate products were detected in real time by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Some novel intermediate products, including 4-sodium sulfophenyldodecanoate acid and its homologs, were detected that had not been mentioned in previous studies. In this work, the process of DBS degradation was indicated, which consisted of three main steps: chain-shorting oxidation, ring-opening oxidation of benzene rings, and degradation of small molecules. By investigating the process of DBS degradation by C. vulgaris, we were able to propose a preliminary mechanism of DBS biodegradation, which is of great significance for research on the migration and conversion of surfactants in the environment.

This work established a method for detecting the intermediate products of DBS degraded by C. vulgaris, and indicated the process of DBS degradation.

Synthesis of optically active 2-amino-1′-benzyl-2′,5-dioxo-5H-spiro[indeno[1,2-b]pyran-4,3′-indoline]-3-carbonitriles catalyzed by a bifunctional squaramide derived from quinine

The first organocatalytic asymmetric reaction of propylene malononitrile with oxoindole and 1,3-indandione for the synthesis of chiral indeno-spiro compounds has been developed.

Effects of tubificid bioturbation on bioaccumulation of Cu and Zn released from sediment by aquatic organisms

To investigate the effects of bioturbation on absorption and enrichment of pollutants from sediments by aquatic organisms, microcosm systems similar to natural aquatic environment were established, and the release of Cu and Zn from the sediment, and their accumulation in some typical aquatic organisms, including submerged plants, floating plants and fish, with the presence of tubificids of different densities were measured. The results of this pilot study showed that the presence of tubificids promoted the migration of the trace metals from sediment to overlying water, especially when there were more worms and especially for Cu which is not easily released from the sediment. During the experiment, Cu in overlying water was mainly in particulate fraction. While for Zn, it was mainly in dissolved form in the early stage of the experiment, and then the dominant fraction gradually changed to particulate fraction. The bioturbation of tubificids also promoted the accumulation of both Cu and Zn in the aquatic organisms. In one system, different types of aquatic organisms showed different features for the accumulation of Cu and Zn. Meanwhile, with the presence of different intensity of bioturbation, the concentration of Cu or Zn in the same kind of organism was different. After a 30-day experiment, trace metal concentration in the aquatic organisms generally decreased in the order of floating plants (lesser duckweed) > submerged plants (Amazon sword) > small fish (zebrafish), and the concentration of Zn in the organisms was usually significantly higher than that of Cu in the same organism, especially in duckweed and zebrafish. However, the presence of tubificids and the density of them had more considerable effects on the uptake of Cu by the organisms, than on the uptake of Zn.

The impact of production factor distortion on total factor energy productivity: insight from China's region level

Clarifying the impact of production factor distortion on total factor energy productivity (TFEP) is a key approach to promote production greenization at the region level. To achieve it, this paper develops a theoretical model to bridge production factor distortion and TFEP with China's four regions as the investigated object based on provincial data from 2003 to 2017. Empirical results show that there exist obvious production factor distortions in China's four regions, and such distortions significantly negatively influence the volatility of TFEP as a whole. Specifically, the allocation of production factors including skilled labor in Eastern and Northeastern China as well as capital input in equipment purchase sector in Central and Western China can significantly improve regional TFEP. What's more, distortions of quite a few production factors including skilled labor in Central and Western China, unskilled labor in four regions, and capital input in some industrial sectors in Central and Northeastern China can all hinder the growth of regional TFEP. Therefore, in order to improve regional TFEP in China and reduce factor distortions, the government need to focus more on the input structure of these production factors that have negative impacts on TFEP, and then promote the institution reform towards the high-quality economy growth mode.

IGF-1R/β-catenin signaling axis is implicated in streptozotocin exacerbating bone impairment in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R)/β-catenin signaling axis in bone impairment induced by hyperglycemia in ovariectomized rats.

METHODS

Rats were divided into four groups. The sham group received sham operation and a single intraperitoneal administration of vehicle. The ovariectomy (OVX) group was subjected to bilateral OVX and vehicle injection. The streptozotocin (STZ) group received sham operation and a single STZ injection to induce hyperglycemia. The OVX + STZ group received bilateral OVX and a single STZ injection. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurement, bone biomechanics test, micro-computed tomography scan, and hematoxylin-eosin staining were performed to evaluate bone alteration in this model. The expression of relevant signals including IGF-1R, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and β-catenin were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot.

RESULTS

The OVX, STZ, and OVX + STZ groups induced bone loss, attenuated bone strength, and impaired microarchitecture compared with the sham group, respectively. Compared with OVX, more serious bone damage was found in the OVX + STZ group, which showed enhanced phosphorylation of IGF-1R, GSK-3β, and β-catenin.

CONCLUSION

OVX plus STZ induced more serious bone impairment than OVX alone, which involves the IGF-1R/β-catenin signaling axis in the pathogenesis. This may provide a potential target for treatment of postmenopausal diabetic osteoporosis.

Development of a linear programming model for the optimal allocation of nutritional resources in a dairy herd

A linear programming model that selects the optimal cropping plan and feeds allocation for diets to minimize the whole dairy farm feed costs was developed. The model was virtually applied on 29 high-yielding Holstein-Friesian herds, confined, total mixed ration dairy farms. The average herd size was 313.2 ± 144.1 lactating cows and the average land size was 152.2 ± 92.5 ha. Farm characteristics such as herd structure, nutritional grouping strategies, feed consumption, cropping plan, intrinsic farm limitations (e.g., silage and hay storage availability, water for irrigation, manure storage) and on farm produced forage costs of production were collected from each farm for the year 2017. Actual feeding strategies, land availability, herd structure, crop production costs and yields, and milk and feed market prices for the year 2017 were used as model inputs. Through optimization, the feeding system was kept equal to the actual farm practice. The linear program formulated diets for each animal group to respect actual herd dry matter intake and fulfill actual consumption of crude protein, rumen-degradable and rumen-undegradable fractions of crude protein, net energy for lactation, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, forage neutral detergent fiber, and nonfiber carbohydrate. Production levels and herd composition were considered to remain constant as the nutritional requirement would remain unchanged. The objective function was set to minimize the whole-farm feed costs including cash crop sales as income, and crop production costs and purchased feed costs as expenses. Optimization improved income over feed costs by reducing herd feed costs by 7.8 ± 6.4%, from baseline to optimized scenario, the improved was explained by lower feed costs per kilogram of milk produced due to a higher feed self-sufficiency and higher income from cash crop. In particular, the model suggested to maximize, starting from baseline to optimized scenario, the net energy for lactation (+8.5 ± 6.3%) and crude protein (+3.6 ± 3.1%) produced on farm, whereas total feed cost (€/100 kg of milk) was greater in the baseline (20.4 ± 2.3) than the optimized scenario (19.0 ± 1.9), resulting in a 6.7% feed cost reduction with a range between 0.49% and 21.6%. This meant €109 ± 96.9 greater net return per cow per year. The implementation of the proposed linear programming model for the optimal allocation of the nutritional resources and crops in a dairy herd has the potential to reduce feed cost of diets and improve the farm feed self-sufficiency.

Universal dynamics of coarsening during polymer-polymer thin-film spinodal dewetting kinetics

The dewetting dynamics of a supported bilayer polymer thin film on a solid substrate is investigated using grazing incidence x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. We find that the top layer dewets via the spinodal mechanism. The kinetics of the dewetting is studied by monitoring the time evolution of the surface diffuse x-ray scattering intensity. We study the time evolution of fluctuations about the average surface structure by measuring the two-time x-ray intensity fluctuation correlation functions. Using these two-time correlation functions we quantify the crossover from early-time diffusive dynamics to hydrodynamics. The early diffusive regime satisfies dynamic universality. The two-time correlation functions also quantify the onset of hydrodynamic effects. The hydrodynamic regime is observed during the spinodal dewetting process as these interactions are not screened.

Thyroid receptor-interacting protein 13 and EGFR form a feedforward loop promoting glioblastoma growth

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification and EGFRvIII mutation drive glioblastoma (GBM) pathogenesis, but their regulation remains elusive. Here we characterized the EGFR/EGFRvIII "interactome" in GBM and identified thyroid receptor-interacting protein 13 (TRIP13), an AAA + ATPase, as an EGFR/EGFRvIII-associated protein independent of its ATPase activity. Functionally, TRIP13 augmented EGFR pathway activation and contributed to EGFR/EGFRvIII-driven GBM growth in GBM spheroids and orthotopic GBM xenograft models. Mechanistically, TRIP13 enhanced EGFR protein abundance in part by preventing Cbl-mediated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Reciprocally, TRIP13 was phosphorylated at tyrosine(Y) 56 by EGFRvIII and EGF-activated EGFR. Abrogating TRIP13 Y56 phosphorylation dramatically attenuated TRIP13 expression-enhanced EGFR signaling and GBM cell growth. Clinically, TRIP13 expression was upregulated in GBM specimens and associated with poor patient outcome. In GBM, TRIP13 localized to cell membrane and cytoplasma and exhibited oncogenic effects in vitro and in vivo, depending on EGFR signaling but not the TRIP13 ATPase activity. Collectively, our findings uncover that TRIP13 and EGFR form a feedforward loop to potentiate EGFR signaling in GBM growth and identify a previously unrecognized ATPase activity-independent mode of action of TRIP13 in GBM biology.

The Oxylipin Signaling Pathway Is Required for Increased Aphid Attraction and Retention on Virus-Infected Plants

Many studies have shown that virus infection alters phytohormone signaling and insect vector contact with hosts. Increased vector contact and movement among plants should increase virus survival and host range. In this study we examine the role of virus-induced changes in phytohormone signaling in plant-aphid interactions, using Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV), pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), and pea (Pisum sativum) as a model. We observed that feeding by aphids carrying PEMV increases salicylic acid and jasmonic acid accumulation in pea plants compared to feeding by virus-free aphids. To determine if induction of the oxylipin jasmonic acid is critical for aphid settling, attraction, and retention on PEMV-infected plants, we conducted insect bioassays using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), an oxylipin signaling inducer, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and a chemical inhibitor of oxylipin signaling, phenidone. Surprisingly, there was no impact of phenidone treatment on jasmonic acid or salicylic acid levels in virus-infected plants, though aphid attraction and retention were altered. These results suggest that the observed impacts of phenidone on aphid attraction to and retention on PEMV-infected plants are independent of the jasmonic acid and salicylic acid pathway but may be mediated by another component of the oxylipin signaling pathway. These results shed light on the complexity of viral manipulation of phytohormone signaling and vector-plant interactions.

SASH1 suppresses triple-negative breast cancer cell invasion through YAP-ARHGAP42-actin axis

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is extremely aggressive and lacks effective therapy. SAM and SH3 domain containing1 (SASH1) has been implicated in TNBC as a candidate tumor suppressor; however, the mechanisms of action of SASH1 in TNBC remain underexplored. Here, we show that SASH1 was significantly downregulated in TNBC patients samples compared with other subtypes of breast cancer. Ectopic SASH1 expression inhibited, while depletion of SASH1 enhanced, the invasive phenotype of TNBC cells, accompanied by deregulated expression of MMP2 and MMP9. The functional effects of SASH1 depletion were confirmed in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane and mouse xenograft models. Mechanistically, SASH1 knockdown downregulated the phosphorylation levels of the Hippo kinase LATS1 and its effector YAP (Yes associated protein), thereby upregulating YAP accumulation together with its downstream target CYR61. Consistently, forced SASH1 expression exhibited opposite effects. Pharmacological inhibition of YAP or knockdown of YAP reversed the enhanced cell invasion of TNBC cells following SASH1 depletion. Furthermore, SASH1-induced YAP signaling was LATS1-dependent, which in reverse enhanced phosphorylation of SASH1. The SASH1 S407A mutant (phosphorylation deficient) failed to rescue the altered YAP signaling by SASH1 knockdown. Notably, SASH1 depletion upregulated ARHGAP42 levels via YAP-TEAD and the YAP-ARHGAP42-actin axis contributed to SASH1-regulated TNBC cell invasion. Therefore, our findings uncover a new mechanism for the tumor-suppressive activity of SASH1 in TNBC, which may serve as a novel target for therapeutic intervention.

743Combining deep learning method with optical coherence tomography for ablation lesion assessment

Background

The immediate effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) on the tissue is not directly visualized. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technique that uses light to capture histology-like images with a penetration depth of 1-3 mm in the cardiac tissue. There are two specific features of ablation lesions in the OCT images: the disappearance of birefringence artifacts in the lateral and sudden decrease of signal at the bottom (Figure panel A and D). These features can not only be used to recognize the ablation lesions from the OCT images by eye, but also be used to train a machine learning model for automatic lesion segmentation. In recent years, deep learning methods, e.g. convolutional neural networks, have been used in medical image analysis and greatly increased the accuracy of image segmentation. We hypothesize that using a convolutional neural network, e.g. U-Net, can locate and segment the ablation lesions in the OCT images.

Purpose

To investigate whether a deep learning method such as a convolutional neural network optimized for biomedical image processing, could be used to segment ablation lesions in OCT images automatically.

Method

8 OCT datasets with ablation lesions were used for training the convolutional neural network (U-Net model). After training, the model was validated by two new OCT datasets. Dice coefficients were calculated to evaluate spatial overlap between the predictions and the ground truth segmentations, which were manually segmented by the researchers (its value ranges from 0 to 1, and "1" means perfect segmentation).

Results

The U-Net model could predict the central parts of lesions automatically and accurately (Dice coefficients are 0.933 and 0.934), compared with the ground truth segmentations (Figure panel B and E). These predictions could reveal the depths and diameters of the ablation lesions correctly (Figure panel C and F).

Conclusions

 Our results showed that deep learning could facilitate ablation lesion identification and segmentation in OCT images. Deep learning methods, integrated in an OCT system, might enable automatic and precise ablation lesion visualization, which may help to assess ablation lesions during radiofrequency ablation procedures with great precision.

Figure legend

Panel A and D: the central OCT images of the ablation lesions. The blue arrows indicate the lesion bottom, where the image intensity suddenly decreases. The white arrows indicate the birefringence artifacts (the black bands in the grey regions). Panel B and E: the ground true segmentations of lesions in panel A and D. Panel C and F: the predictions by U-Net model of the lesions in panel A and D. A scale bar representing 500 μm is shown in each panel.

Abstract Figure

Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis for pregnancies at risk for β-thalassaemia: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical feasibility of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for β-thalassaemia using circulating single molecule amplification and re-sequencing technology (cSMART).

DESIGN

Through carrier screening, 102 pregnant Chinese couples carrying pathogenic HBB gene variants were recruited to the study. Pregnancies were managed using traditional invasive prenatal diagnosis (IPD). Retrospectively, we evaluated the archived pregnancy plasma DNA by NIPD to evaluate the performance of our cSMART assay for fetal genotyping.

SETTING

Chinese prenatal diagnostic centres specialising in thalassaemia testing.

POPULATION

Chinese carrier couples at high genetic risk for β-thalassaemia.

METHODS

Fetal cell sampling was performed by amniocentesis and HBB genotypes were determined by reverse dot blot. NIPD was performed by a newly designed HBB cSMART assay and fetal genotypes were called by measuring the allelic ratios in the maternal cell-free DNA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Concordance of HBB fetal genotyping between IPD and NIPD and the sensitivity and specificity of NIPD.

RESULTS

Invasive prenatal diagnosis identified 29 affected homozygotes or compound heterozygotes, 54 heterozygotes and 19 normal homozygotes. Compared with IPD results, 99 of 102 fetuses (97%) were correctly genotyped by our NIPD assay. Two of three discordant samples were false positives and the other sample involved an incorrect call of a heterozygote carrier as a homozygote normal. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of our NIPD assay was 100% (95% CI 88.06-100.00%) and 97.26% (95% CI 90.45-99.67%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that our cSMART-based NIPD assay for β-thalassaemia has potential clinical utility as an alternative to IPD for pregnant HBB carrier couples.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

A new noninvasive test for pregnancies at risk for β-thalassaemia.

MOB2 suppresses GBM cell migration and invasion via regulation of FAK/Akt and cAMP/PKA signaling

Mps one binder 2 (MOB2) regulates the NDR kinase family, however, whether and how it is implicated in cancer remain unknown. Here we show that MOB2 functions as a tumor suppressor in glioblastoma (GBM). Analysis of MOB2 expression in glioma patient specimens and bioinformatic analyses of public datasets revealed that MOB2 was downregulated at both mRNA and protein levels in GBM. Ectopic MOB2 expression suppressed, while depletion of MOB2 enhanced, the malignant phenotypes of GBM cells, such as clonogenic growth, anoikis resistance, and formation of focal adhesions, migration, and invasion. Moreover, depletion of MOB2 increased, while overexpression of MOB2 decreased, GBM cell metastasis in a chick chorioallantoic membrane model. Overexpression of MOB2-mediated antitumor effects were further confirmed in mouse xenograft models. Mechanistically, MOB2 negatively regulated the FAK/Akt pathway involving integrin. Notably, MOB2 interacted with and promoted PKA signaling in a cAMP-dependent manner. Furthermore, the cAMP activator Forskolin increased, while the PKA inhibitor H89 decreased, MOB2 expression in GBM cells. Functionally, MOB2 contributed to the cAMP/PKA signaling-regulated inactivation of FAK/Akt pathway and inhibition of GBM cell migration and invasion. Collectively, these findings suggest a role of MOB2 as a tumor suppressor in GBM via regulation of FAK/Akt signaling. Additionally, we uncover MOB2 as a novel regulator in cAMP/PKA signaling. Given that small compounds targeting FAK and cAMP pathway have been tested in clinical trials, we suggest that interference with MOB2 expression and function may support a theoretical and therapeutic basis for applications of these compounds.

Synthesis of 4-Azaindolines Using Phase-Transfer Catalysis via an Intramolecular Mannich Reaction

A series of bifunctional asymmetric phase-transfer catalysts containing novel fluorine-containing urea groups derived from cinchona alkaloids have been synthesized and successfully applied in the asymmetric intramolecular Mannich reaction. The 4-azaindoline products bearing multiple substrates were obtained in excellent yield (90-99%), with high enantioselectivity (up to 95%) and diastereoselectivity (up to >99:1).

FKBP9 promotes the malignant behavior of glioblastoma cells and confers resistance to endoplasmic reticulum stress inducers

Background

FK506-binding protein 9 (FKBP9) is amplified in high-grade gliomas (HGGs). However, the roles and mechanism(s) of FKBP9 in glioma are unknown.

Methods

The expression of FKBP9 in clinical glioma tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The correlation between FKBP9 expression levels and the clinical prognosis of glioma patients was examined by bioinformatic analysis. Glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines stably depleted of FKBP9 were established using lentiviruses expressing shRNAs against FKBP9. The effects of FKBP9 on GBM cells were determined by cell-based analyses, including anchorage-independent growth, spheroid formation, transwell invasion assay, confocal microscopy, immunoblot (IB) and coimmunoprecipitation assays. In vivo tumor growth was determined in both chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and mouse xenograft models.

Results

High FKBP9 expression correlated with poor prognosis in glioma patients. Knockdown of FKBP9 markedly suppressed the malignant phenotype of GBM cells in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, FKBP9 expression induced the activation of p38MAPK signaling via ASK1. Furthermore, ASK1-p38 signaling contributed to the FKBP9-mediated effects on GBM cell clonogenic growth. In addition, depletion of FKBP9 activated the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway, which played a role in the FKBP9-mediated oncogenic effects. Importantly, FKBP9 expression conferred GBM cell resistance to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducers that caused FKBP9 ubiquitination and degradation.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest an oncogenic role for FKBP9 in GBM and reveal FKBP9 as a novel mediator in the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway.

[Analysis of follow-up information and pregnancy outcomes of cell free DNA prenatal screening]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of cell free DNA (cf-DNA) screening in prenatal care by analyzing the follow-up information and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: All cf-DNA cases conducted in Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August 2011 to December 2017 were enrolled. The general information of the pregnancies, cf-DNA results, confirmatory testing results, and the follow-up results were collected. The pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in cases with low risk cf-DNA results as well as with high risk results for common trisomies, which were trisomy 21 (T21), trisomy 18 (T18), and trisomy 13 (T13). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of cf-DNA screening were calculated. Results: (1) A total of 43 615 cf-DNA cases were involved, with 44 cases (0.10%, 44/43 615) test failure results, 314 cases (0.72%, 314/43 571) high risk results for common trisomies and 43 257 cases (99.27%, 43 257/43 571) low risk results. (2) Among 277 cases (88.21%, 277/314) high risk cases were successfully followed up, and 228 cases (82.31%, 228/277) underwent invasive confirmatory prenatal diagnosis. In the low risk results, 36 826 cases (85.13%, 36 826/43 257) were successfully followed up, and 572 (1.55%, 572/36 826) cases were found to have adverse pregnancy outcomes, among which 4 false negative cf-DNA results were confirmed. (3) In the 37 103 successfully followed up cf-DNA cases, the sensitivity for T21, T18, T13 were calculated as 97.96%, 96.67% and 100.00%, respectively; the specificity for T21, T18, T13 were calculated as 99.96%, 99.95% and 99.95%, respectively. The positive predictive value for T21, T18, T13 were calculated as 90.57%, 63.04% and 17.39%, respectively. The negative predictive value for T21, T18, T13 were calculated as 99.99%, 99.98% and 100.00%. Conclusions: Cf-DNA is effective in detecting common trisomies, with a high sensitivity and specificity. However, the follow-up information revealed several potential limitations in current clinical practice, such as a number of cases with high risk results rejected invasive confirmatory testing, as well as the genetic diagnostic results for most low risk cases with an adverse pregnancy outcome aren't obtained. Genetic counseling and the follow-up for all the cf-DNA cases should be emphasized in the future.

Enantioselective addition of thiols to trifluoromethyl ketimines: synthesis of N,S-ketals

Enantioselective addition of thiols to acyclic trifluoromethyl ketimines for the construction of trifluoromethylated N,S-ketals was performed successfully using a bifunctional squaramide catalyst.