Multi-messenger nanoprobes of hidden magnetism in a strained manganite

The ground-state properties of correlated electron systems can be extraordinarily sensitive to external stimuli, offering abundant platforms for functional materials. Using the multi-messenger combination of atomic force microscopy, cryogenic scanning near-field optical microscopy, magnetic force microscopy and ultrafast laser excitation, we demonstrate both 'writing' and 'erasing' of a metastable ferromagnetic metal phase in strained films of La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃ (LCMO) with nanometre-resolved finesse. By tracking both optical conductivity and magnetism at the nanoscale, we reveal how strain-coupling underlies the dynamic growth, spontaneous nanotexture and first-order melting transition of this hidden photoinduced metal. Our first-principles calculations reveal that epitaxially engineered Jahn-Teller distortion can stabilize nearly degenerate antiferromagnetic insulator and ferromagnetic metal phases. We propose a Ginzburg-Landau description to rationalize the co-active interplay of strain, lattice distortions and magnetism nano-resolved here in strained LCMO, thus guiding future functional engineering of epitaxial oxides into the regime of phase-programmable materials.

Cyto-friendly polymerization at cell surfaces modulates cell fate by clustering cell-surface receptors

Lots of strategies, e.g. using multivalent synthetic polymers, have been developed to control the spatial distribution of cell-surface receptors, thus modulating the cell function and fate in a custom-tailored manner. However, clustering cell-surface receptors via multivalent synthetic polymers is highly dependent on the structure as well as the ligand-density of the polymers, which may impose difficulties on the synthesis of polymers with a high density of ligands. Here, we pioneered the utilization of a cyto-friendly polymerization at the cell surface to cluster cell-surface receptors. As a proof of concept, an anti-CD20 aptamer conjugated macromer was initially synthesized, which was then efficiently and stably introduced onto the Raji cell surface via ligand–receptor interaction. With the assistance of an initiator, i.e. ammonium peroxysulfate (APS), the macromer bound onto the Raji cell surface polymerized, inducing the clustering of CD20 receptors, and thereby triggering cell apoptosis. This cell-surface polymerization induced cell-surface receptor crosslinking could alternatively be applied in modulating the fates and functions of other cells, especially those mediated by the spatial distribution of cell-surface receptors, such as T cell activation. Our work opens new possibilities in the area of chemical biology to some extent.

Cell-surface polymerization of anti-CD20 aptamer modified macromer to induce CD20 receptor clustering, and effectively initiate the apoptotic signals in cells.

ROS-responsive nano-drug delivery system combining mitochondria-targeting ceria nanoparticles with atorvastatin for acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by sepsis is a serious disease which mitochondrial oxidative stress and inflammatory play a key role in its pathophysiology. Ceria nanoparticles hold strong and recyclable reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging activity, have been applied to treat ROS-related diseases. However, ceria nanoparticles can't selectively target mitochondria and the ultra-small ceria nanoparticles are easily agglomerated. To overcome these shortcomings and improve therapeutic efficiency, we designed an ROS-responsive nano-drug delivery system combining mitochondria-targeting ceria nanoparticles with atorvastatin for acute kidney injury.

Methods: Ceria nanoparticles were modified with triphenylphosphine (TCeria NPs), followed by coating with ROS-responsive organic polymer (mPEG-TK-PLGA) and loaded atorvastatin (Atv/PTP-TCeria NPs). The physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release profiles, mitochondria-targeting ability, in vitro antioxidant, anti-apoptotic activity and in vivo treatment efficacy of Atv/PTP-TCeria NPs were examined.

Results: Atv/PTP-TCeria NPs could accumulate in kidneys and hold a great ability to ROS-responsively release drug and TCeria NPs could target mitochondria to eliminate excessive ROS. In vitro study suggested Atv/PTP-TCeria NPs exhibited superior antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activity. In vivo study showed that Atv/PTP-TCeria NPs effectively decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory, could protect the mitochondrial structure, reduced apoptosis of tubular cell and tubular necrosis in the sepsis-induced AKI mice model.

Conclusions: This ROS-responsive nano-drug delivery system combining mitochondria-targeting ceria nanoparticles with atorvastatin has favorable potentials in the sepsis-induced AKI therapy.

[Clinical assessment and related intervention of neonatal upper airway obstruction]

Objective:To discuss the diagnosis and evaluation of upper airway obstruction in neonates, classify the possible causes of neonatal upper airway obstruction, establish a standardized diagnosis and treatment procedure to improve the of treatment efficacy. Method:Clinical data of 71 cases with upper airway obstruction history were retrospective analyzed, 38 cases were treated by combined medical and surgical treatment, 17 cases underwent medical treatment, 16 cases abandonment the treatment. The effectiveness of fibrolaryngoscope, CT, neck ultrasound, MRI and other results was evaluated, and to analyze the prognosis of the treatment, the outcomes and risk factors were also analysed, to evaluate risk factors associated with upper airway obstruction. Result:Fifty-five cases were cured or improved. The mortality rate of 16 children who gave up treatment and left hospital automatically was 81.25%（13/16）. The accuracy rate of flexible laryngoscope in detecting the level of upper airway obstruction was 100%, the coincidence rate of B-ultrasound for upper airway cystic occupation was 100%. Etiological order from high to low was congenital space-occupying lesions, congenital upper airway malformation, vocal cord paralysis, Pierre-Robin syndrome. The site of obstruction has a significant influence on the severity of upper airway obstruction（P<0.05）. The cure rate of the non-endotracheal intubation group was higher than that of the endotracheal intubation group（P<0.05）. Conclusion:The obstruction site of upper airway significantly affects the outcome and the severity of the disease. Upper airway space occupying lesions are the primary causes of upper airway obstruction in neonates. Early assessment and timely treatment can improve the cure rate and improve the prognosis. Internal medicine combined with surgical treatment is effective in relieving upper airway obstruction.

Prevalence and associations of larger burden of intra-anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions at baseline in an Australian cohort of gay and bisexual men: The Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To investigate factors associated with larger burden of intra-anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in a natural history study of HSIL.

METHODS

617 gay and bisexual men (GBM) attended a baseline visit. High-resolution anoscopy-directed biopsy was performed of suspected HSIL. GBM with biopsy-confirmed HSIL (bHSIL) affecting a single-octant were compared with those who had bHSIL affecting a larger area.

RESULTS

Of 196 men with bHSIL at baseline, 73 (37.2 %) had larger bHSIL burden. Larger burden was independently associated with anal HPV16 detection (aOR 2.06, 95 % CI 1.09-3.89, p = 0.026) and infection with a greater number of high-risk HPV types (aOR per type increase 1.25, 95 % CI 1.05-1.49, p-trend = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

The observation that men with a larger burden of HSIL also had more risk factors for anal cancer suggests this group may warrant closer observation to ensure earlier detection, and thus improved prognosis, of individuals whose HSIL may progress to anal cancer.

The Predictive Value of Sarcopenia and Its Individual Criteria for Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality in Suburb-dwelling Older Chinese

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study is to investigate the associations between the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) sarcopenic definition, and its individual criteria, and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in the Chinese elderly.

METHODS

Longitudinal analysis of 1,264 participants aged 60 years or older at baseline (2013-2014) living in suburban areas, China. Sarcopenia was defined according to the recommended algorithm of AWGS. Muscle mass was measured by a direct segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Muscle strength was assessed by handgrip strength, and physical performance measured via usual walking speed.

RESULTS

Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the risk of CVD and all-cause mortality. After 40 months of follow-up, forty-eight deaths (4.2%) died in this cohort. The mortality rate with sarcopenia was 4.7% in men and 3.8% in women. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of all-cause death was 4.15 times higher in subjects with sarcopenia. Furthermore, low muscle mass (HR: 2.62, 95% CI 1.34-5.13) and low grip strength (HR: 5.79; 95% CI 2.28-14.71), but not walking speed, were found to be significantly associated with all-cause mortality. Risk of CVD mortality was significantly greater in sarcopenia. Low grip strength and low walking speed were associated with 11 times (HR: 11.03, 95% CI 1.58-77.02) and 13 times (HR: 13.02; 95% CI 1.18-143.78) higher risk of CVD mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia and components of sarcopenia were associated with greater CVD and all-cause mortality. Pertinent prevention or rehabilitation programs projects should look to promote healthy aging in different types of sarcopenia group.

Resistive Switching Mechanism of HfO₂ Based Resistance Random Access Memory Devices with Different Electrode Materials

This study investigated the impact of electrode materials on HfO₂-based RRAM devices. The research includes three types of electrode materials: (1) the electrodes with strong ability of oxygen reservoirs; (2) the electrode with poor ability of oxygen reservoirs; (3) the active electrode with injection ability. Through implementing different combinations of electrodes, three types of switching modes were obtained and the relative conduction mechanism was analyzed, as well as conduction model. Those studies may offer ways of using electrodes to control the resistive switching processes and fabricating the RRAM devices with good performance.

pH and Thermal Dual-Sensitive Nanoparticle-Mediated Synergistic Antitumor Effect of Immunotherapy and Microwave Thermotherapy

Cationic anticancer peptides, which can induce tumor cell immunogenic death and further promote systemic tumor-specific immune responses, have offered a promising solution to relieve the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. However, peptide drugs are easily degraded and lack of targeting ability when administered systemically, leading to limitations in their applications. Herein, we report a pH and thermal dual-sensitive bovine lactoferricin-loaded (one of the most widely studied cationic anticancer peptides) nanoparticles, which simultaneously exhibited antitumor and immune cell activated effects when applied with microwave thermotherapy, an auxiliary method of immunotherapy. The bovine lactoferricin could be delivered to the tumor site by nanoparticles, be immediately released from nanoparticles in the acidic environment of lysosomes and the thermal condition caused by microwave radiation, and ultimately induce tumor apoptosis with the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). It is worth noting that the strategy of bovine lactoferricin-loaded nanoparticles intravenous injection combined with local microwave thermotherapy not only showed excellent efficacy in relieving tumor growth but also resulted in strong antitumor immunities, which was due to the released bovine lactoferricin under stimulating conditions, and the pool of tumor-associated antigens generated by tumor destruction. In conclusion, this work presents a strategy for tumor treatment based on dual-sensitive bovine lactoferricin-loaded nanoparticles combined with microwave thermotherapy, which may provide a solution for cationic anticancer peptides delivery and improving antitumor immune responses.

Paclitaxel/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complex-loaded liposomes for overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the largest obstacle to the success of chemotherapy. The development of innovative strategies and safe sensitizers is required to overcome MDR. Paclitaxel (PTX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, the application of which has been learn to understand MDR. However, the application and use are severely restricted because of this MDR. Cyclodextrins (CDs) of many carriers, additionally have shown anti-cancer capability in MDR cancer cells. In this study, novel paclitaxel/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complex-loaded liposomes (PTXCDL) have been developed in an attempt to overcome MDR in a PTX-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma (A549/T) cell line. The in vitro application of PTXCDL exhibited pH-sensitive PTX release, potent cytotoxicity, and enhanced intracellular accumulation. In comparison to in vivo, PTXCDL also show a stronger inhibition of tumor growth. In comparison, these findings suggest that the PTXCDL provide a novel strategy for effective therapy of resistant cancers by overcoming the drug resistance.

Abstract P4-14-14: Clinicopathological features and endocrine therapy mode of ER low expression (1%-9%) breast cancer patients in China

Purpose: Since 2010, ASCO/CAP recommended that ER be considered positive if ≥1% tumor cells with positive nuclear staining by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in breast cancer. ASCO/CAP also recommended considering endocrine therapy (ET) in ER positive patients. However, most breast cancers are either ER negative or ER strongly positive (≥10%), and tumors with low ER (1-9%) expression are rare. Up to now, the effect of ET is controversial for these patients with ER 1-9% and unfortunately, we know little about the clinical information of this subgroup. In this study, we analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and ET mode of patients with low ER expression. We sought to figure out whether the ASCO/CAP guidelines affect clinical ET decision in China and Which features are important considerations for doctors to choose ET. We also evaluated the efficacy of ET in these patients. Methods: Patients diagnosed stage I-III primary invasive breast cancer with ER low expression (1-9%) between January 2008 and December 2016 were retrospectively identified from six hospitals in China. Result: 457 patients (2.7%) had low expression of ER (1-9%) of 17216 patients. Mean age at diagnosis was 49 years. 288 patients (49.9%)were younger than 50 years old. 254 patients (55.6%) had stage II disease and 37 patients (8.1%) had lymphovascular invasion (LVI). 260 patients (56.9%) were HER2 positive; 408 patients had PR negative or low expression; 327 patients' (71.6%) Ki-67 status were &gt; 20%. 388 patients (85%) received chemotherapy. Of those 388 patients, 90% patients received anthracycline combined with taxol chemotherapy regimens. 170 patients (37.2%)received ET. Before 2010, only 25.7% patients with low ER expression received ET. The proportion of ET increased after the 2010 ASCO/CAP guideline was published. In 2013, 50% patients received ET. The rate of ET was totally different in six hospitals. 55% patients received ET in the hospital with highest rate, while only 4% patients received ET in the hospital with lowest rate. Using the univariate logistic regression analysis of ET, ER expression, PR expression, Ki-67 status and LVI were associated with the rate of ET. But after adjustment for other covariates, only ER level was significantly associated with the rate of ET. Compared to patients with ER&lt;5% tumors, patients with ER≥5% tumors had a significantly higher probability of ET rate (OR, 2.882; 95% CI: 1.928-4.308; P &lt; 0.001). Median follow time was 30 months. The 5-year RFS rate was 85%. Younger age and positive lymph nodes were associated with worse RFS. Survival rate did not differ significantly between patients with or without ET (without ER vs with ET: OR, 0.870; 95% CI: 0.508-1.448; p=0.61). Conclusions: 2010 ACSO/CAP recommendation indeed result in an increase of ET rate for patients with 1%-9% ER positive. But these patients do not appear to benefit from ET. Prospective studies are needed for these patients and we need more accurate way to evaluate ER levels, which associate with endocrine response.

Citation Format: Fu P, Wang S, Yao M, Xiang A, Li J, Wang H, Geng C, Jin F, Yin Y, Huang X, Jiang Z. Clinicopathological features and endocrine therapy mode of ER low expression (1%-9%) breast cancer patients in China [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-14-14.

Construction, identification, and immunogenic assessments of an HSV-1 mutant vaccine with a UL18 deletion

HSV-1 is a mucosal and nerve pathogen, whose morbidity shows an increasing tendency. Although several antiviral drugs exist, there is no cure for viral latency for virtually all carriers. There is an urgent need for an HSV-1 vaccine to control infection and limit its spread and recurrence. The UL18 gene, encoding a vital component of capsids, is one of the essential genes of HSV-1. Deletion of UL18 from HSV-1 may be exploited as a new approach to develop an attenuated vaccine. The purpose of this study was to construct a DNA vaccine with a full-length UL18 gene deletion of the HSV-1 genome that can induce an effective immune response. A UL18-knockdown plasmid (BAC-HSV-1ΔUL18) was constructed using the bacterial markerless gene knockout system, consisting of the functional pREDI plasmid and BAC-HSV-1 plasmid. Mice were immunized weekly for 3 weeks, and at 1 week post immunization, blood and splenocyte samples of vaccinated and control groups of mice were prepared for immunogenicity assessment. The level of immune response was evaluated using a DTH assay, cytokine determination, and splenocyte proliferation assay. Combination of the pREDI plasmid and BAC-HSV-1 plasmid provides an effective bacterial markerless gene knockout system. Using two-step homologous recombination with the UL18 homologous recombination fragment constructed by multistep PCR amplification, BAC-HSV-1ΔUL18 plasmid vaccine was successfully constructed and was found to significantly enhance cellular immune responses.