[A pediatric-inspired regimen for adolescents and young adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results from a single center]

目的

探索应用类似儿童方案治疗Ph染色体阴性青少年及年轻成人急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）患者的疗效和安全性。

方法

回顾性分析2012年1月至2018年11月在北京协和医院确诊并且应用统一的类似儿童ALL方案治疗的71例15～39岁Ph染色体阴性ALL/淋巴母细胞淋巴瘤(LBL)初治患者的临床资料和生存数据。

结果

71例患者中，男性46例（64.8%）；中位年龄为20（15～38）岁。B-ALL/LBL占69.0%（49/71）。高危ALL占ALL总数的35.5%。诱导治疗的完全缓解率为93.0%。中位随访时间为44个月。2年累积复发率为34.6%（95% CI 27.0%～42.2%）。5年无病生存（DFS）率和总生存（OS）率分别为56.3%和64.3%。完成4个疗程化疗后一线行异基因造血干细胞移植组与化疗组患者的5年OS率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。非高危ALL患者的预计5年DFS率和OS率分别为63.1%和73.7%，明显高于高危ALL患者的32.0%和44.4%（P值均<0.001）。不良事件主要为血流感染、真菌感染、股骨头坏死，发生率与既往报道相当。

结论

类似儿童ALL方案是一种对Ph染色体阴性青少年及年轻成人ALL/LBL患者较为安全和有效的治疗方案。

TRIM66 promotes malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting E-cadherin expression through the EMT pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the regulatory role of TRIM66 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to investigate its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 88 pairs of HCC tissues and para-cancerous tissues were surgically resected. The expression of TRIM66 was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The correlation between TRIM66 expression and clinic-pathologic characteristics of HCC patients was analyzed. Follow-up data of enrolled HCC patients were collected for survival analysis. Subsequently, TRIM66 expression in HCC cells was determined by qRT-PCR as well. By constructing si-TRIM66, the biological performances of transfected HCC cells were determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation and transwell assay. Western blot was performed to measure the protein expressions of relative genes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. Finally, HCC cells were co-transfected with si-TRIM66 and pcDNA-E-cadherin, followed by detection of invasive and migratory abilities.

RESULTS

TRIM66 was highly expressed in HCC tissues compared with that of para-cancerous tissues. High expression of TRIM66 was positively correlated with tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis, whereas not correlated with age and sex of HCC patients. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that a higher expression of TRIM66 was associated with worse prognosis of HCC. Similarly, TRIM66 was also highly expressed in HCC cells. The knockdown of TRIM66 in HCC cells significantly inhibited the proliferative, invasive and migratory abilities of transfected cells. However, TRIM66 down-regulation significantly induced cell apoptosis. Western blot results showed that TRIM66 knockdown in HCC cells markedly downregulated the protein expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin and β-catenin. The inhibited migration and invasion of HCC cells resulted from TRIM66 knockdown were partially reversed by E-cadherin overexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

TRIM66 is highly expressed in HCC, which is positively correlated with tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis of HCC patients. In addition, TRIM66 promotes the malignant progression of HCC by inhibiting E-cadherin through the EMT pathway.

[Influence of inhalation injury on fluid resuscitation of massive burn patients during shock stage]

Objective: To explore the influence of inhalation injury on fluid resuscitation of massive burn patients during shock stage. Methods: A total of 74 massive burn patients (65 males and 9 females, aged 21 to 65 years) admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University (n=57) and Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital (n=17) from May 2009 to December 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into inhalation injury group (n=56) and non-inhalation injury group (n=18) based on clinical symptoms, vital signs, and results of bronchofibroscopy. Then 26 patients in inhalation injury group and 13 patients in non-inhalation injury group were 1∶2 matched by case-control matching based on the difference of total burn surface area. The total fluid replacement coefficient, crystalloid replacement coefficient, colloid replacement coefficient, glucose input volume, ratio of crystalloid to colloid, urine volume, and cumulative ratio of input to output volume during the first 24 h post injury, the second 24 h post injury, and the third 24 h post injury, heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and hematocrit (HCT) at post injury hour (PIH) 24, 48, and 72 were recorded and compared between the two groups. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement and Bonferroni correction, t test, Fisher's exact probability test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: (1) After matching, during the first to third 24 h post injury, the total fluid replacement coefficient and glucose input volume of patients in inhalation injury group were significantly higher than those in non-inhalation injury group (F=4.202, 10.671, P<0.05 or P<0.01). During the first, second, and third 24 h post injury, the total fluid replacement coefficient, crystalloid replacement coefficient, colloid replacement coefficient, and ratio of crystalloid to colloid were similar between the patients in two groups(t=-1.336, -1.452, -1.998; -0.148, 0.141, 0.561; 0.916, -0.046, -0.509; -1.024, 0.208, 0.081, P>0.05). During the first, second, and third 24 h post injury, the glucose input volume of patients in inhalation injury group were respectively (2 996±1 176), (2 659±1 030), and (2 680±1 509) mL, which were significantly higher than (2 125±898), (1 790±828), and (1 632±932) mL in non-inhalation injury group (t=-2.334, -2.639, -2.297, P<0.05). (2) After matching, in overall comparison between groups, during the first to third 24 h post injury, the urinary output volumes and cumulative ratios of input to output volume of patients in inhalation injury group were significantly lower or higher than those in non-inhalation injury group, respectively (F=12.158, 9.111, P<0.01). At PIH 24, 48, and 72, heart rate of patients in inhalation injury group were significantly higher than those in non-inhalation injury group (F=4.675, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in heart rate, respiratory rate, MAP, and HCT between patients in the two groups at PIH 24 and 48 (t=-0.039, -1.688, 1.399, 1.299, -1.741, 0.754, -0.677, 0.037, P>0.05). During the first and second 24 h post injury, the urine volume and cumulative ratio of input to output volume of patients in inhalation injury group were respectively significantly lower and higher than those in non-inhalation injury group (t(urine volume)=2.421, 2.876, t(cumulative ratio of input to output volume)=-2.687、-2.943, P<0.05 or P<0.01). At PIH 72, the heart rate and HCT of patients in inhalation injury group ( (114±13) times/min, 0.42±0.06) were significantly higher than those in non-inhalation injury group ( (98±18) times/min, 0.38±0.06, t=-3.182, -2.123, P<0.05 or P<0.01), there were no statistically significant differences in respiratory rate and MAP between the patients in two groups (t=0.359, 1.722, P>0.05). During the third 24 h post injury, there were no statistically significant differences in urine volume and cumulative ratio of input to output volume between the patients in two groups (t=1.664, -1.895, P>0.05). Conclusions: The presence of inhalation injury can lead to increased fluid requirement in massive burn patients during shock stage. An appropriate increase of fluid volume in the fluid resuscitation of burn patients combined with inhalation injury would be beneficial for maintaining ideal urine output.

[Analysis of chloroquine-resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum imported into China in 2012 and 2018]

OBJECTIVE

To detect the chloroquine-resistant molecular marker polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum imported into China, investigate the mutation types of P. falciparum chloroquine resistant transporter (Pfcrt) gene at positions 72 to 76, and analyze the specificity of the P. falciparum specimens with different origins.

METHODS

A total of 674 filter paper blood samples were collected from the National Malaria Diagnosis Reference Laboratory of China in 2012 and 2018. The amino acid po- sitions 72 to 76 of the Pfcrt gene on chromosome 7 were amplified using nested PCR assay and sequenced, and the sequencing results of the target gene fragment and the geographical region-specific prevalence of the mutations in the Pfcrt gene were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 674 imported P. falciparum malaria cases in China in 2012 and 2018, 99.5% (644/674) were from Africa, which were predominantly from western and central Africa (80.4%, 518/644), and 4.5% (30/674) from Southeast Asia and Oceania (Papua New Guinea). A total of 4 site mutations (C72S, M74I, N75E and K76T) and 5 haplotypes (CVMNK, CVIET and SVMNT and two mixed types) were identified, with haplotypes CVMNK and CVIET present in parasites of both African and Southeast Asian origins, SVMNT detected in Southeast Asia (Myanmar) and Papua New Guinea isolates, the mixed type of haplo- types CVMNK/CVIET detected in P. falciparum of African and Southeast Asian origins, and the mixed type of haplotypes CVMNK/SVMNT detected only in the Myanmar isolate. Most P. falciparum parasites of the African origin carried the wild-type Pfcrt allele (77.7%, 478/615), and 68.0% (17/25) of the P. falciparum parasites of the Southeast Asian and Papua New Guinea or- igins harbored chloroquine resistant molecular markers (χ² = 28.5, P < 0.05). The constituent ratio of the wild- and mutant-type Pfcrt allele varied in different geographical regions of Africa (P < 0.01), and the lowest prevalence of the wild-type Pfcrt allele was seen in western Africa.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the 674 imported malaria cases in China in 2012 and 2018, the P. falciparum imported from Sotheast Asia habors a higher proportion of resistance to chloroquine and a higher molecular polymophism at ami- no acid positions 72 to 76 of the Pfcrt gene than the parasite of the African origin.

THU0036 FIRST-IN-HUMAN TRIAL OF BCMA-CD19 COMPOUND CAR IN THE TREATMENT OF AUTOANTIBODY MEDIATED DISORDERS

Background:

Donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSAs) are antibodies in the recipient directed against donor class I/II HLA antigens. The existence of DSAs before allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) are known to cause primary graft failure. Currently there’s no established method of DSA desensitization due to the long half-life of plasma cells.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease involving in multiple organ systems mediated by numerous autoantibodies. Recent results have shown that depletion of B cells by CD19 CAR-T cells effectively reversed some manifestations in two SLE mouse models. However, plasma cells could be spared with single CD19 CAR-T cells, and peripheral circulating anti-DNA IgG and IgM autoantibodies remain elevated or increased in treated mice.

Objectives:

We present the efficacy of BCMA-CD19 compound CAR (cCAR), which target on antibody- producing “root”, both B cells and plasma cells in preclinical study and in our first-in-human phase 1 clinical trial.

Methods:

We constructed a BCMA-CD19 cCAR composed of a complete BCMA-CAR fused to a complete CD19 CAR, separated by a self-cleaving P2A peptide. We assessed the functional activity of cCAR in co-culture assay with multiple cell lines. We also verified cCAR efficacy with two mouse models, injected with either BCMA-expressing MM.1S cells or CD19-expressing REH cells. In our phase 1 clinical trial, we enrolled patients with hematologic malignancies with antibody mediated disorders.

Results:

BCMA-CD19 cCAR exhibited robust cytotoxic activity against the K562 cells engineered to express either CD19 or BCMA in co-culture assays, indicating the ability of each complete CAR domain to specifically lyse target cells. In mouse model study, cCAR-T cells were able to eliminate tumor cells in mice injected with MM.1S cells and REH cells, indicating that both BCMA and CD19 are specifically and equally lysing B cells and plasma cells in vivo, making BCMA-CD19 cCAR a candidate for clinical use.

In our first-in-human clinical trial, the first case is a 48-year-old female patient having resistant B-ALL with high DSA titers. She exhibited complete remission of B-ALL at day 14 post-CAR T treatment. MFI of DSA dropped from 7800 to 1400 at 8 weeks post cCAR treatment, the reduction percentage was approximately 80% (Figure 1). The patient had no CRS, and no neurotoxicity was observed.

Figure 1.

1. A) MFI of DSA and other HLA antibodies before and at different time points after cCAR T infusion. B) the percent reduction post-transfusion of cCAR T cells at different time points.

The second case is a 41-year-old female patient having a refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma with bone marrow (BM) involvement. Furthermore, she has a 20 years of SLE, with manifestation of fever dependent of corticosteroids. On day 28 after cCAR treatment, PET/CT scan showed CR, and BM turned negative. In addition, she is independent of steroids, has no fever and other manifestations, C3/C4 are within normal ranges, and all the ANA dropped significantly, especially the nuclear type ANA, which turned from> 1:1000 to be negative at day 64. She had Grade 1 CRS but with no neurotoxicity observed. The absence of B cells and plasma cells persisted more than 5 months post CAR therapy.

Conclusion:

Our first in human clinical trial on BCMA-CD19 cCAR demonstrated profound efficacy in reducing DSA levels in an AHSCT candidate and ANA titer in a SLE patient. There was strong clinical evidence of depletion of antibody-producing roots, B-cells and plasma cells in both patients. Our results further suggested that BCMA-CD19 cCAR has the potential to benefit patients receiving solid organ transplants or those with other antibody-mediated diseases.

Figure 2.

Reduction of different type of ANA titer at different time points.

Acknowledgments:

patients and their families

Disclosure of Interests:

Fang liu: None declared, Hongyu Zhang: None declared, Xiao Wang: None declared, Jia Feng: None declared, Yuanzhen cao Employee of: Employee of iCell Gene Therapeutics LLC, Yi Su: None declared, Masayuki Wada Employee of: employee of iCell Gene Therapeutics LLC, Yu Ma Employee of: employee of iCAR Bio Therapeutics Ltd, Yupo Ma Shareholder of: shareholder of iCell Gene Therapeutics LLC

Properties of Neon, Magnesium, and Silicon Primary Cosmic Rays Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

We report the observation of new properties of primary cosmic rays, neon (Ne), magnesium (Mg), and silicon (Si), measured in the rigidity range 2.15 GV to 3.0 TV with 1.8×10^{6}  Ne, 2.2×10^{6}  Mg, and 1.6×10^{6}  Si nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment on the International Space Station. The Ne and Mg spectra have identical rigidity dependence above 3.65 GV. The three spectra have identical rigidity dependence above 86.5 GV, deviate from a single power law above 200 GV, and harden in an identical way. Unexpectedly, above 86.5 GV the rigidity dependence of primary cosmic rays Ne, Mg, and Si spectra is different from the rigidity dependence of primary cosmic rays He, C, and O. This shows that the Ne, Mg, and Si and He, C, and O are two different classes of primary cosmic rays.

Minimal-access retroperitoneal pancreatic necrosectomy for infected necrotizing pancreatitis: a multicentre study of a step-up approach

BACKGROUND

Various minimally invasive approaches have been described for infected necrotizing pancreatitis. This article describes a modified minimal-access retroperitoneal pancreatic necrosectomy (MARPN) procedure assisted by gas insufflation.

METHODS

This retrospective, observational study documented patients who had undergone a step-up MARPN between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016. A minimum follow-up of 1 year was required for inclusion. The step-up approach involved percutaneous catheter drainage followed by the modified MARPN and necrosectomy. If more than one access site was needed it was categorized as complex MARPN.

RESULTS

Of 212 patients with infected necrotizing pancreatitis, 164 (77·4 per cent) underwent a step-up approach. The median number of percutaneous catheter drains and MARPN procedures was 3 (range 1-7) and 1 (1-6) respectively. Ninety patients (54·9 per cent) underwent complex MARPN. For residual necrosis after MARPN, three patients (1·8 per cent) underwent sinus tract gastroscopy, and 11 (6·7 per cent) had sinography combined with a tube change. However, operations in 13 patients (7·9 per cent) required conversion to open surgery. Postoperative complications developed in 103 patients (62·8 per cent). The mortality rate was 6·1 per cent (10 deaths).

CONCLUSION

A step-up approach using a modified MARPN for infected necrotizing pancreatitis is a reasonable option.

Precision measurement of the neutral pion lifetime

The explicit breaking of the axial symmetry by quantum fluctuations gives rise to the so-called axial anomaly. This phenomenon is solely responsible for the decay of the neutral pion π⁰ into two photons (γγ), leading to its unusually short lifetime. We precisely measured the decay width Γ of the [Formula: see text] process. The differential cross sections for π⁰ photoproduction at forward angles were measured on two targets, carbon-12 and silicon-28, yielding [Formula: see text], where stat. denotes the statistical uncertainty and syst. the systematic uncertainty. We combined the results of this and an earlier experiment to generate a weighted average of [Formula: see text] Our final result has a total uncertainty of 1.50% and confirms the prediction based on the chiral anomaly in quantum chromodynamics.

Positive-Parity Linear-Chain Molecular Band in ^{16}C

An inelastic excitation and cluster-decay experiment ^{2}H(^{16}C,^{4}He+^{12}Be or ^{6}He+^{10}Be)^{2}H was carried out to investigate the linear-chain clustering structure in neutron-rich ^{16}C. For the first time, decay paths from the ^{16}C resonances to various states of the final nuclei were determined, thanks to the well-resolved Q-value spectra obtained from the threefold coincident measurement. The close-threshold resonance at 16.5 MeV is assigned as the J^{π}=0^{+} band head of the predicted positive-parity linear-chain molecular band with (3/2_{π}^{-})^{2}(1/2_{σ}^{-})^{2} configuration, according to the associated angular correlation and decay analysis. Other members of this band were found at 17.3, 19.4, and 21.6 MeV based on their selective decay properties, being consistent with the theoretical predictions. Another intriguing high-lying state was observed at 27.2 MeV which decays almost exclusively to ^{6}He+^{10}Be(∼6  MeV) final channel, corresponding well to another predicted linear-chain structure with the pure σ-bond configuration.

Surface morphology enhances deposition efficiency in biomimetic, wind-driven fog collection

Passive interception of fog from the wind is an effective solution for accessing water in regions where fog is frequent and other sources scarce. A Namib Desert beetle is often cited as bioinspiration for further advancement, in a narrative which focuses on patterned wettability of its bumpy elytra as a means of transporting accumulated water from its back to its mouth. However, surface transport in fog collection is secondary to the role of the fluid dynamics of droplet deposition, in which inertial droplets migrate across diverging streamlines approaching an obstruction. 3D geometry of biological surface features inevitably affect this process, but its specific role in flow physics of fog collection has not previously been explored. Here, we report experimental measurements of deposition efficiency of targets with identical surface chemistry but varying surface morphology. We find a nearly threefold increase in collection upon addition of millimetric bumps to a spherical target, and provide insight into the micromechanics underlying the performance. Modifying surface morphology can be easier than overall geometry for both manufactured structures and evolved organisms and should therefore be both considered in the design of separation devices and expected in other biological systems for which extraction of particles from flow is important.

Accuracy of molecular diagnostic tests for drug-resistant tuberculosis detection in China: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of molecular diagnostics for the detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Chinese patients.METHOD: Seven databases were searched for eligible studies that evaluated the accuracy of molecular diagnostics against drug susceptibility testing (DST) for detecting drug resistance. A bivariate random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to pool sensitivity and specificity by the index test and drug resistance type.RESULTS: A total of 159 studies were included. Compared with DST (reference standard), Xpert^® could diagnose rifampicin (RMP) resistant TB accurately, with a pooled sensitivity and pooled specificity of 92% (95%CI 90-94) and 98% (95%CI 97-98), respectively. Line-probe assays (LPAs) also performed well for RMP resistance, with a pooled sensitivity of 91% (95%CI 88-93) and pooled specificity of 98% (95%CI 96-99), but not for isoniazid (INH) or second-line drugs due to lower sensitivity (<80%). The pooled sensitivity of GeneChip^® microarrays for RMP, INH and multidrug resistance was 89% (95%CI 86-91), 79% (95%CI 75-82) and 79% (95%CI 73-84), respectively, and the specificities were all >97%. Similarly, the MeltPro^® TB/STR assay had better sensitivity and specificity for first-line drugs, varying from 87% to 89% and 97% to 98%, respectively, than for second-line drugs.CONCLUSION: The Xpert assay, LPA, GeneChip assay, and MeltPro assay are credible methods with high accuracy for RMP resistance detection, but they may not be appropriate for other anti-tuberculosis drugs due to low sensitivity.

Resistance to Fusarium head blight and mycotoxin accumulation among 129 wheat cultivars from different ecological regions in China

A total of 129 wheat cultivars collected from local breeders in four ecological regions in China was evaluated for Fusarium head blight resistance after natural infection under epidemic conditions. The disease index was scored and seven toxins concentrations were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. The disease index ranged from 6.3 to 80.9% and a strong correlation was found between the regions from which the cultivars originate and disease index. The middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River Region showed the highest disease resistance, followed by the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Region. FHB resistance of cultivars from northern and southern Huanghuai Region was lowest and all cultivars in these regions are highly or moderately susceptible. Disease index was significantly correlated with toxin accumulation on nation scale, but no clear correlation was found within most ecological regions. The toxin accumulation was also not well correlated with resistant levels. As the incidence of FHB has increased dramatically over the last decade, improved FHB resistance in cultivars is urgently needed. We recommend that besides scoring for disease index also mycotoxin accumulation in cultivars is incorporated in breeding procedures and the evaluation of cultivars.

Identification of antimicrobial metabolites produced by a potential biocontrol Actinomycete strain A217

AIMS

To extract and identify the metabolites of strain A217 as well as its antifungal spectrum and control effect on various plant pathogens.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Strain A217 was identified as a Streptomyces sp. which was most similar to Streptomyces lienomycini. An antimicrobial spectrum test indicated that strain A217 inhibited several plant pathogenic fungi and strong antibacterial effect such as Phytophthora capsici, Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas campestris. An in vivo tissue test demonstrated that the fermentation broth of strain A217 exerted therapeutic and protective effects of 49·47 and 61·60% respectively, on S. sclerotiorum. Additionally, the fermentation broth of A217 exerted control effects on walnut black spot disease in walnut leaves and branches amounting to 79·33 and 81·52% respectively. In a pot experiment, the fermentation broth exhibited a stronger protective and control effect (68·29%), as well as better bacteriostatic and disease control effects on Phytophthora blight of pepper, compared with Metalaxyl. Compounds possessing antifungal and antibacterial activities were obtained from the fermentation broth of strain A217, using column chromatography and HPLC. Chemical and structural analyses conducted using MS and nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed that these compounds were 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid and 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide. The EC₅₀ values of compound 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid1 for S. sclerotiorum and P. capsici were 20·13 and 50·36 μg ml^-1 respectively. Compound 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide2 showed significant antibacterial activity against different plant pathogenic bacteria. The MIC values of P. syringae, X. campestris and X. campestris pv. jugiandis were 7·5, 30 and 15·0 μg ml^-1 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Actinomyces A217 fermentation products have a broad spectrum of bacteriostasis, and have good bacteriostasis activity to many plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The present study revealed a new antimicrobial producing strain of Streptomyces and its potential application as a biological control agent for plant diseases.

[The value of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To investigate the value of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the diagnosis and treatment process before and after ROSE examination of 12 patients with pulmonary complications after allo-HSCT who were admitted to the Department of hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital from January 2017 to June 2019. The diagnostic accuracy of the ROSE was evaluated by comparing the initial diagnosis of ROSE with the final clinical diagnosis. At the same time, the safety of ROSE examination was evaluated and two typical cases were shared. Results: In the 12 transbronchial lung biopsies, there were 5 cases of organizing pneumonia, 3 cases of bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia, 1 case of pulmonary fibrosis, 1 case of acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia, 1 case of pseudomembranous tracheobronchial aspergillosis and 1 case of uncertain diagnosis evaluated by ROSE. Compared with the final clinical diagnosis, there were 10 cases of accurate diagnosis made by ROSE (10/12). All patients were well tolerant to the operation of bronchoscopy. There was only a small amount of bleeding observed during the operation, without pneumothorax and hemoptysis. And no complications related to ROSE occurred. According to the initial diagnosis of ROSE, 10 cases of non-infectious pulmonary complications were treated with methylprednisolone or other immunosuppressive agents and 1 case of Aspergillus infection was given antifungal therapy. Seven patients with non-infectious pulmonary complications improved after treatment. One patient obtained uncertain diagnosis by ROSE was later diagnosed with virus infection by next generation sequencing technology and improved after treatment with foscarnet sodium and immunoglobulin. As of June 30, 2019, 7 patients improved and 5 died. Conclusion: ROSE has the advantages of diagnostic accuracy and rapidity, and is very suitable for patients with critical illness after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, who are in urgent need of definite diagnosis and prompt treatment, which is beneficial to improve the prognosis of patients.

[Clinical observation of autologous simple limbal epithelial transplantation for unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency]

Objective: To discuss effect of autologous simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) performed for unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Methods: Retrospective case study. In this retrospective study, records of 7 patients (7 eyes) who had undergone autologous SLET for unilateral LSCD, with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up, were reviewed. Demographic details, etiology of LSCD, duration between ocular burn and SLET, prior surgery performed, presence or absence of symblepharon, pre-and post-operative visual acuity, and complications were noted. Results: Seven eyes of 7 patients underwent autologous SLET. With a follow-up of 6 months, a completely epithelialised and stable corneal surface was obtained in all recipient eyes. Visual acuity improved in all patients, while none of the eyes developed any complications. Conclusions: Autologous SLET is an effective and safe modality for treatment of unilateral LSCD. Clinical success rates and visual acuity improvement are equal to or better than those reported with earlier techniques. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55:923-927).

[Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with eosinophilia and FGFR1 rearrangement: 5 cases report and literatures review]

目的

分析罕见疾病伴嗜酸性粒细胞增多和FGFR1重排的髓系/淋系肿瘤（即8p11骨髓增殖综合征，EMS）的临床特征、诊断及治疗。

方法

总结中国医学科学院血液病医院2014年1月至2018年5月收治的5例确诊EMS患者的临床表现、实验室特征、诊治经过及转归。

结果

5例EMS患者外周血白细胞计数均明显升高，伴有嗜酸性粒细胞绝对值增高（均值18.89×10⁹/L）；骨髓髓系极度增生，原始细胞均<5%，嗜酸性粒细胞比例增高（均值17.24%）。5例患者染色体核型各不相同，但FISH检查均存在FGFR1基因重排。发病至确诊平均时间为4.8个月，中位生存期仅14个月。

结论

EMS是一种罕见病，恶性程度高，对常规化疗反应差，生存期短，且易发生误诊漏诊，细胞遗传学及分子生物学检查有助于早期诊断。

[Non-surgical treatment of acute pancreatitis with colonic fistula]

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of non-operative of colonic fistula following acute pancreatitis. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 354 patients with acute pancreatitis who were admitted to Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2013 to December 2018. Age of the patients was (46±14) years (range: 14-85 years); 249 cases (70.3%) were males. There were 41 cases of acute edematous pancreatitis and 313 cases of acute necrotising pancreatitis. Two hundred and fifteen cases were diagnosed as moderate severe acute pancreatitis and 139 were diagnosed as severe acute pancreatitis. Among 313 cases of acute necrotising pancreatitis, 62 cases underwent non-surgical treatment, 251 cases underwent surgical treatment in which 218 of minimal access retroperitoneal pancreatic necrosectomy underwent percutaneous nephroliguectomy with peripancreatic necrotic tissue removal technique. Results: There were 15 cases of colon fistula following acute necrotising pancreatitis, and the incidence rate was 4.2%(15/354). There were 7 males and 8 females, with age of (39±8) years (range: 27 to 50 years). The median interval between acute pancreatitis onset and diagnosis of colonic fistula was 71 days(27-134) days. Two cases occurred at the hepatic flexure of the colon, 4 cases at transverse colon, and 9 cases at splenic flexure of colon. Of the 354 patients, 39 cases died and the mortality was 11.0%. Two patients underwent laparotomy, and one of them died. The remaining 13 patients underwent non-surgical treatment and were discharged. Conclusion: Acute pancreatitis with colonic fistula can be treated with non-surgical treatment and can achieve good prognosis.

Altered processing enhances the efficacy of small-diameter silk fibroin vascular grafts

Current synthetic vascular grafts are not suitable for use in low-diameter applications. Silk fibroin is a promising natural graft material which may be an effective alternative. In this study, we compared two electrospun silk grafts with different manufacturing processes, using either water or hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as solvent. This resulted in markedly different Young's modulus, ultimate tensile strength and burst pressure, with HFIP spun grafts observed to have thicker fibres, and greater stiffness and strength relative to water spun. Assessment in a rat abdominal aorta grafting model showed significantly faster endothelialisation of the HFIP spun graft relative to water spun. Neointimal hyperplasia in the HFIP graft also stabilised significantly earlier, correlated with an earlier SMC phenotype switch from synthetic to contractile, increasing extracellular matrix protein density. An initial examination of the macrophage response showed that HFIP spun conduits promoted an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype at early timepoints while reducing the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype relative to water spun grafts. These observations demonstrate the important role of the manufacturing process and physical graft properties in determining the physiological response. Our study is the first to comprehensively study these differences for silk in a long-term rodent model.

Properties of Cosmic Helium Isotopes Measured by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

Precision measurements by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) on the International Space Station of ^{3}He and ^{4}He fluxes are presented. The measurements are based on 100 million ^{4}He nuclei in the rigidity range from 2.1 to 21 GV and 18 million ^{3}He from 1.9 to 15 GV collected from May 2011 to November 2017. We observed that the ^{3}He and ^{4}He fluxes exhibit nearly identical variations with time. The relative magnitude of the variations decreases with increasing rigidity. The rigidity dependence of the ^{3}He/^{4}He flux ratio is measured for the first time. Below 4 GV, the ^{3}He/^{4}He flux ratio was found to have a significant long-term time dependence. Above 4 GV, the ^{3}He/^{4}He flux ratio was found to be time independent, and its rigidity dependence is well described by a single power law ∝R^{Δ} with Δ=-0.294±0.004. Unexpectedly, this value is in agreement with the B/O and B/C spectral indices at high energies.

Association between intraplaque neovascularization assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and the risk of stroke

AIM

To determine the cut-off value of the area ratio under the curve (ARUC) for predicting symptoms of stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to analyse intraplaque neovascularization (IPN). The correlations between the ARUC and risk factors of stroke were examined. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the cut-off value of the ARUC.

RESULTS

Using a quantitative analysis method for IPN, the ARUC was significantly higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group (p=0.017). The ARUC was positively associated with the homocysteine level (r=0.429, p=0.002) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level (r=0.424, p=0.003). Regression analysis showed that the ARUC was a risk factor for symptoms of stroke. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the cut-off value for symptoms was 0.24; the sensitivity was 77%, and the specificity was 70%; the positive predictive value was 68%, and the negative predictive value was 78%.

CONCLUSION

IPN was a risk factor for the occurrence of the clinical symptoms of stroke. Patients with an ARUC of >0.24 had a higher risk of stroke.

Influences of miR-155/NF-κB signaling pathway on inflammatory factors in ARDS in neonatal pigs

OBJECTIVE

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is greatly threatening human health with high morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of ARDS is closely related to the inflammatory response in patients. The micro-ribonucleic acid (miR)-155/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway is crucial in regulating the expression of inflammation-related genes. Therefore, the influences of miR-155/NF-κB signaling pathway on inflammatory factors in ARDS in neonatal pigs were explored in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The model of ARDS in neonatal pigs was established first. The expression levels of miR-155, NF-κB-related proteins, and inflammatory factors in model group and control group were detected, and their differences were compared. Moreover, after treatment with the miR-155/NF-κB signaling pathway inhibitor, the changes of the inflammatory factors expression in ARDS neonatal pigs were observed at different time points.

RESULTS

In the model group, the levels of miR-155 and NF-κB-related proteins were significantly increased, and the levels of inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6, were also increased synchronously. However, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 declined significantly. In addition, it was proved that after treatment with the inhibitor in model group the mRNA expressions of miR-155/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins were significantly inhibited, and the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were also significantly inhibited (p<0.05). The levels of IL-4 and IL-10 remarkably rose after treatment with the inhibitor for 24 h (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The miR-155/NF-κB signaling pathway influenced the changes of inflammatory factors in ARDS in neonatal pigs, which might be a potential target for eliminating the inflammatory response after ARDS in neonatal pigs.

An Improved Evans Blue Staining Method for Consistent, Accurate Assessment of Plasmodiophora brassicae Resting Spore Viability

Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is an important disease of brassica crops. The use of vital stains to determine the viability of P. brassicae resting spores can provide useful information regarding spore longevity, inoculum potential, or the efficacy of antimicrobial treatments. Evans blue is one example of a vital stain that has been reported to differentially stain viable and nonviable resting spores. Some previously published protocols using Evans blue to stain P. brassicae resting spores have not provided accurate or consistent results. In this study, we modified the Evans blue method by increasing the staining time to 8 h or more and evaluated P. brassicae resting spores after heat treatment at various combinations of temperature and time. Extending staining times significantly increased the numbers of stained resting spores up to 7 h, after which the numbers of stained spores did not change significantly (R² = 96.88; P ≤ 0.001). The accuracy of the modified method to discriminate viable and nonviable spores was evaluated in repeated experiments and by comparing the staining data with those derived from inoculation assays and propidium monoazide quantitative PCR (qPCR). The results demonstrated that the modified Evans blue staining method improved the accuracy and consistency of measurement of P. brassicae resting spore viability. Additionally, it was equivalent to the qPCR method for differentiating viable and nonviable spores (R² = 99.84; P ≤ 0.001) and confirmed in canola infection bioassays.

BMP Signaling in Regulating Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Incisor Homeostasis

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling performs multiple essential functions during craniofacial development. In this study, we used the adult mouse incisor as a model to uncover how BMP signaling maintains tissue homeostasis and regulates mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate by mediating WNT and FGF signaling. We observed a severe defect in the proximal region of the adult mouse incisor after loss of BMP signaling in the Gli1+ cell lineage, indicating that BMP signaling is required for cell proliferation and odontoblast differentiation. Our study demonstrates that BMP signaling serves as a key regulator that antagonizes WNT and FGF signaling to regulate MSC lineage commitment. In addition, BMP signaling in the Gli1+ cell lineage is also required for the maintenance of quiescent MSCs, suggesting that BMP signaling not only is important for odontoblast differentiation but also plays a crucial role in providing feedback to the MSC population. This study highlights multiple important roles of BMP signaling in regulating tissue homeostasis.

Development of a 3-D energy-momentum analyzer for meV-scale energy electrons

In this article, we report on the development of a time-of-flight based electron energy analyzer capable of measuring the 3-D momentum and energy distributions of very low energy (millielectronvolt-scale) photoemitted electrons. This analyzer is capable for measuring energy and 3-D momentum distributions of electrons with energies down to 1 meV with a sub-millielectronvolt energy resolution. This analyzer is an ideal tool for studying photoemission processes very close to the photoemission threshold and also for studying the physics of photoemission based electron sources.

A randomized phase III study evaluating the efficacy of single-dose NEPA, a fixed antiemetic combination of netupitant and palonosetron, versus an aprepitant regimen for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC)

Background

Co-administration of multiple antiemetics that inhibit several molecular pathways involved in emesis is required to optimize chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) control in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). NEPA, a fixed combination of a highly selective NK₁ receptor antagonist, netupitant (300 mg), and the pharmacologically distinct 5-HT₃RA, palonosetron (PALO 0.50 mg), has shown superior CINV prevention compared with PALO in cisplatin and anthracycline/cyclophosphamide-based settings. This study is the first head-to-head comparison of NEPA versus an aprepitant (APR)/granisetron (GRAN) regimen.

Patients and methods

This randomized, double-blind phase III study conducted in Asia was designed with the primary objective to demonstrate non-inferiority of a single oral dose of NEPA compared with a 3-day oral APR/GRAN regimen in chemotherapy-naïve patients receiving cisplatin-based HEC. All patients also received oral dexamethasone (DEX) on days 1–4. The primary efficacy endpoint was complete response (CR: no emesis/no rescue medication) during the overall (0–120 h) phase. Non-inferiority was defined as a lower 95% CI greater than the non-inferiority margin set at − 10%. Secondary efficacy endpoints included no emesis, no rescue medication, and no significant nausea (NSN).

Results

Treatment groups were comparable for the 828 patients analyzed: predominantly male (71%); mean age 54.5 years; ECOG 0–1 (98%); lung cancer (58%). NEPA demonstrated non-inferiority to APR/GRAN for overall CR [NEPA 73.8% versus APR/GRAN 72.4%, 95% CI (−4.5%, 7.5%)]. No emesis [NEPA 75.0% versus APR/GRAN 74.0%, 95% CI (−4.8%, 6.9%)] and NSN rates [NEPA 75.7% versus APR/GRAN 70.4%, 95% CI (−0.6%, 11.4%)] were similar between groups, but significantly more NEPA patients did not take rescue medication [NEPA 96.6% versus APR/GRAN 93.5%, 95% CI (0.2%, 6.1%)]. NEPA was well tolerated with a similar safety profile to APR/GRAN.

Conclusions

In this first study comparing NK₁RA regimens and DEX, NEPA administered only on day 1 was non-inferior to a 3-day oral APR/GRAN regimen in preventing CINV associated with HEC.

Identification of the membrane-spanning domain of glycoprotein 45 in bovine immunodeficiency virus

The membrane-spanning domain (MSD) of the transmembrane subunit (TM) anchors the envelope glycoprotein (Env) on the lipid bilayer of the host cell membrane and virions. Its functions include membrane fusion efficiency and intracellular trafficking of the lentivirus envelope protein. Our study aimed to determine the MSD of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) glycoprotein 45 (gp45) and reveal structural characteristics of the BIV Env protein. We have predicted the region of the BIV MSD and obtained the sequence using bioinformatics software. Various kinds of assays, including analogy analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and dye-transfer-based assays, were carried out to validate the prediction. The results, for the first time, show that the BIV MSD is located at the D170 to M191 amino acids of gp45, and the identified MSD divides gp45 into the extracellular domain (ED), MSD and cytoplasmic domain (CT). We further found that the BIV MSD had a similar structure and function as the HIV MSD using amino acid sequence alignment and fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the dye-transfer-based assay demonstrates that deletion of the BIV MSD efficiently decreases cell-cell fusion. Based on the identification of the MSD, a "snorkeling" model, in which the flanking charged amino acid residues are buried in the lipid bilayer while their side chains interact with polar head groups, was proposed for the BIV MSD. Ultimately, we further improved the primary structure of the BIV envelope glycoprotein.

Towards Understanding the Origin of Cosmic-Ray Electrons

Precision results on cosmic-ray electrons are presented in the energy range from 0.5 GeV to 1.4 TeV based on 28.1×10^{6} electrons collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station. In the entire energy range the electron and positron spectra have distinctly different magnitudes and energy dependences. The electron flux exhibits a significant excess starting from 42.1_{-5.2}^{+5.4}  GeV compared to the lower energy trends, but the nature of this excess is different from the positron flux excess above 25.2±1.8  GeV. Contrary to the positron flux, which has an exponential energy cutoff of 810_{-180}^{+310}  GeV, at the 5σ level the electron flux does not have an energy cutoff below 1.9 TeV. In the entire energy range the electron flux is well described by the sum of two power law components. The different behavior of the cosmic-ray electrons and positrons measured by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is clear evidence that most high energy electrons originate from different sources than high energy positrons.

[Oral melphalan plus high-dose dexamethasone as first-line therapy for patients with primary light chain amyloidosis]

目的

探讨口服美法仑联合大剂量地塞米松（MDex）方案一线治疗原发性轻链型淀粉样变（pAL）的疗效。

方法

收集2009年1月至2017年7月接受MDex方案治疗的76例初治pAL患者临床资料，对其疗效及生存进行回顾性分析。

结果

①76例患者中，男47例，女29例，中位年龄为56（20~74）岁。66例患者可进行梅奥2004分期（1、2、3期者分别为21、32、13例），65例（85.53%）患者存在≥2个器官受累。中位疗程数为5（1~21）个。②在可评价疗效的60例患者中，总体血液学缓解率为48.33%（29/60），完全缓解率和非常好的部分缓解率均为20.00%（12/60），获得最佳血液学缓解的中位时间为5（1~15）个月；总体器官缓解率为36.67%（22/60）。③生存患者的中位随访时间为23（1~113）个月，中位无进展生存（PFS）及总生存（OS）时间及分别为34、43个月。治疗3个月后仍存活患者的中位PFS和OS时间分别为46、65个月。④梅奥2004分期3期和1~2期患者的中位OS时间分别为5、65个月，差异有统计学意义（P=0.001）。

结论

MDex方案是pAL早期患者一种有效的治疗手段，但不适用于心脏受累的晚期患者。

[Posaconazole as primary prevention of fungal infection in intensive immunosuppressive therapy for severe aplastic anemia]

目的

评价在初治重型/极重型再生障碍性贫血（SAA/VSAA）患者抗胸腺/淋巴细胞免疫球蛋白（ATG/ALG）联合环孢素A的强化免疫抑制治疗（IST）中，采用泊沙康唑初级预防真菌感染的疗效及安全性。

方法

回顾性分析北京协和医院2013年4月至2017年5月接受强化IST及抗真菌初级预防的58例SAA患者资料，根据抗真菌预防药物分为泊沙康唑预防组和对照组（伊曲康唑或氟康唑预防），对比两组患者疾病特征、侵袭性真菌病（IFD）预防效果及药物不良反应。

结果

58例初治SAA/VSAA患者中，泊沙康唑预防组20例，对照组38例（伊曲康唑预防23例，氟康唑预防15例）。两组患者基线特征（性别、年龄、疾病严重程度、病因、起病到治疗间隔时间、ATG/ALG种类）差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.1）。泊沙康唑预防组和对照组IFD发生率分别为0和15.8%（P=0.084），对照组6例IFD中确诊、拟诊、未确定各2例；5例为肺部感染，1例为血流感染。在VSAA中，8例泊沙康唑预防组患者无一例发生IFD，15例对照组患者5例发生IFD。泊沙康唑预防组未见明显不良反应。

结论

在SAA/VSAA的强化IST中，本回顾性分析结果提示采用泊沙康唑初级预防真菌感染有效、安全，对于VSAA患者效果明显。

[Screening of adult Ph-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia by multiplex real-time quantitative PCR]

目的

探讨多重实时荧光定量PCR法早期、快速筛查Ph样急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）的可行性，了解Ph样ALL的临床特征及预后。

方法

2010年10月至2016年3月收治的118例初诊成人B-ALL患者纳入研究，利用多重实时荧光定量PCR法检测其中58例BCR-ABL融合基因和MLL重排均阴性患者Ph样相关融合基因及细胞因子受体样因子2（CRLF2）表达情况。比较分析Ph样融合基因阳性和（或）CRLF2高表达患者的临床特征、疗效和预后。

结果

检出Ph样融合基因阳性患者9例（9/58，15.5%），CRLF2高表达患者10例（10/58，17.2%）。Ph样融合基因阳性和（或）CRLF2高表达组、Ph阳性组、MLL重排阳性组以及其他患者组在年龄、WBC、免疫分型、细胞遗传学、危险度分组方面差异有统计学意义（P值均<0.01）。四组患者的2年总生存率分别为65%、47%、64%、74%（P=0.043），2年无复发生存率分别为51%、39%、62%、70%（P=0.010）。

结论

采用多重实时荧光定量PCR法筛查Ph样ALL患者可行，Ph样ALL患者预后较差。

Phosphoproteome profiling revealed abnormally phosphorylated AMPK and ATF2 involved in glucose metabolism and tumorigenesis of GH-PAs

PURPOSE

Protein phosphorylation plays a key role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, little is known about the phosphoproteome profiles of growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas (GH-PAs). The aim of this study was to identify critical biomarkers and signaling pathways that might play important roles in GH-PAs and may, therefore, represent potential therapeutic targets.

METHODS

The differential phosphoprotein expression patterns involved in GH-PAs were investigated by nano-LC-MS/MS in a group of samples. The phosphoprotein expression data were analyzed by bioinformatics. The expression levels of the candidate phosphorylated AMPK (ser496) and ATF2 (ser112) were validated by Western blot analysis in another group of samples.

RESULTS

A total of 1213 phosphorylated protein sites corresponding to 667 proteins were significantly different between GH-PAs and healthy pituitary glands. Among these phosphorylated sites, 871 exhibited lower levels of phosphorylation in GH-PAs. Moreover, 140 novel phosphosites corresponding to 93 proteins were differentially phosphorylated between GH-PAs and healthy pituitary glands, 101 of which showed decreased phosphorylation in GH-PAs. The majority of differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins were significantly enriched in glycolysis and the AMPK signaling pathway in GH-PAs. The AMPK signaling pathway was demonstrated to be inhibited in GH-PAs by pathway activity analysis (z score = - 2.324). Notably, the phosphorylated levels of AMPK (ser496) and ATF2 (ser112) were significantly lower in GH-PAs than in healthy pituitary glands.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that decreased phosphorylation of the AMPK/ATF2 pathway may be critical for glucose metabolism and tumorigenesis in GH-PAs.

Towards Understanding the Origin of Cosmic-Ray Positrons

Precision measurements of cosmic ray positrons are presented up to 1 TeV based on 1.9 million positrons collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station. The positron flux exhibits complex energy dependence. Its distinctive properties are (a) a significant excess starting from 25.2±1.8  GeV compared to the lower-energy, power-law trend, (b) a sharp dropoff above 284_{-64}^{+91}  GeV, (c) in the entire energy range the positron flux is well described by the sum of a term associated with the positrons produced in the collision of cosmic rays, which dominates at low energies, and a new source term of positrons, which dominates at high energies, and (d) a finite energy cutoff of the source term of E_{s}=810_{-180}^{+310}  GeV is established with a significance of more than 4σ. These experimental data on cosmic ray positrons show that, at high energies, they predominantly originate either from dark matter annihilation or from other astrophysical sources.

MicroRNA-182 suppresses clear cell renal cell carcinoma migration and invasion by targeting IGF1R

The purpose of our study was aimed to determine the functional role of microRNA (miR)-182 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and try to clarify its underlying molecular mechanism. Expression of miR-182 in both cancer and peripheral blood samples was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Human RCC line Caki-1 cells were transfected with miR-182 mimic, miR-182 inhibitor, or negative controls, and then the cell viability, colony-formation ability, migration, and invasion assay were determined. Luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to determine whether insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) was a target of miR-182. Further, small interfering RNA (siRNA) against IGF1R was co-transfected with miR-182 inhibitor into cells, and then the effects on migration and invasion were assessed. MiR-182 was down-regulated in both cancer and blood samples compared to the matched non-tumor adjacent tissues and healthy volunteers, respectively (both P<0.05). Compared to the control group, cell viability, colony-forming ability, and numbers of migrated and invaded cells were significantly decreased by transfection with miR-182 mimic but were markedly increased by miR-182 inhibitor (all P < 0.05). Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that IGF1R was a target gene of miR-182, and IGF1R was negatively regulated by miR-182. Co-transfection of miR-182 inhibitor with si-IGF1R reversed the effect of miR-182 inhibitor on the migration and invasion of the cells. MiR-182 functions as an anti-oncogene in ccRCC, and miR-182-mediated inhibition of cell migration and invasion might be through directly targeting IGF1R.