Discriminating between bronchiolar adenoma, adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung with CT

PURPOSE

To identify computed tomography (CT) features that may help distinguish bronchiolar adenoma (BA) from lung adenocarcinomas in situ (AIS) and minimally invasive adenocarcinomas (MIA) among lung lesions presenting as ground-glass nodules (GGNs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 140 patients with GGNs confirmed by surgery and pathology, were reviewed retrospectively. There were 68 men and 72 women with a mean age of 64.3±8.9 (SD) years (range: 31 - 85 years). The CT features of BA, AIS, and MIA were analyzed and compared. CT features, including percentage of solid component, maximum diameter of solid component, lesion density, location, margin, shape, pseudo-cavitation, calcification, ill-defined peripheral opacity, and air bronchogram, were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

There were 11/140 (7.9%) patients with BA (mean age, 67.7±7.5 [SD]; range 45 - 77 years), 63/140 (45.0%) patients with AIS (mean age, 62.5±8.6 [SD]; range 36 - 69 years) and 66/140 (47.1%) patients with MIA (mean age, 63.5±7.9 [SD]; range 35 - 72 years). By comparison with AIS and MIA, significantly different CT features of BA included tumor size, solid component diameters, low CT attenuation of the ground-glass component, irregular shape, ill-defined peripheral opacity, pseudo-cavitation, and abnormal pulmonary vein. Ill-defined peripheral opacity (odds ratio, 1.060; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.020 - 1.380) and pseudo-cavitation (odds ratio, 1.236; 95% CI: 1.070 - 1.565) were variables independently associated with the diagnosis of BA.

CONCLUSION

CT provides morphological features that allow differentiating between BA and AIS-MIA among lung lesions presenting as GGNs.

[Effects of long non-coding RNA FLJ37505 on the proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells]

Objective: To examine the expression of long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) FLJ37505 in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines, and to analyze the molecular mechanism of FLJ37505 to inhibit the proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells. Methods: Quantitative Real-time PCR(qPCR) was used to analyze the relative expression of FLJ37505 in 63 cases of bladder cancer tissues and bladder cancer cell lines (T24, J82, 5637, BIU-87 and UM-UC-3). The bladder cancer cell lines with the least expression of FLJ37505 were divided into control group (transfected with blank plasmid) and FLJ37505 group (transfected with a plasmid carrying the FLJ37505 sequence) according to random number method. MTS assay and scratch assay were used to detect the effect of up-regulation of FLJ37505 expression on cell proliferation and migration. Bioinformatics predicts the target gene of FLJ37505. The dual luciferase reporter system detects the binding of FLJ37505 to the target gene. qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the effect of FLJ37505 on the expression of target gene. Results: Compared with adjacent tissues, FLJ37505 expression was lower in bladder cancer tissue [(4.90±0.79) vs (0.89±0.28), P<0.05]. Compared with human normal bladder tubular epithelial cells, the expression of FLJ37505 was lower in bladder cancer cell lines (P<0.05), and FLJ37505 has the lowest expression in UM-UC-3 cells (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of FLJ37505 in UM-UC-3 cells of FLJ37505 group was higher [(0.79±0.04) vs (9.92±1.17), P<0.01]. Compared with the control group, the proliferation ability of UM-UC-3 cells in FLJ37505 group was inhibited (P<0.05), and the cell migration ability was also inhibited (P<0.01). Bioinformatics showed that the target gene of FLJ37505 is miR-203a-3p, and the target gene of miR-203a-3p is inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase typeⅡ (INPP4B). The dual luciferase reporter gene system showed that FLJ37505 could complement the miR-203a-3p (P<0.01), and miR-203a-3p could complement the INPP4B mRNA (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of miR-203a-3p was lower [(1.00±0.05) vs (0.20±0.02), P<0.01], the expression of INPP4B in mRNA and protein levels of UM-UC-3 cells in FLJ37505 group was significantly increased (all P<0.01). Conclusions: The expression of FLJ37505 was significantly decreased in bladder cell carcinoma and bladder cancer cells. Up-regulation of FLJ37505 significantly inhibits the proliferation and migration of bladder cell carcinoma UM-UC-3 cells, and the mechanism might be up-regulating the expression of the INPP4B gene by adsorbing miR-203a-3p.

Coalescing Majorana edge modes in non-Hermitian [Formula: see text]-symmetric Kitaev chain

A single unit cell contains all the information about the bulk system, including the topological feature. The topological invariant can be extracted from a finite system, which consists of several unit cells under certain environment, such as a non-Hermitian external field. We present an exact solvable non-Hermitian finite-size Kitaev chain with [Formula: see text]-symmetric chemical potentials at the symmetric point. The straightforward calculation shows that there are two kinds of Majorana edge modes in this model divided by [Formula: see text] symmetry-broken and unbroken. The one appeared in the [Formula: see text] symmetry-unbroken region can be seen as the finite-size projection of the conventional degenerate zero modes in a Hermitian infinite system with the open boundary condition. It indicates a possible variant of the bulk-edge correspondence: The number of Majorana edge modes in a finite non-Hermitian system can be the topological invariant to identify the topological phase of the corresponding bulk Hermitian system.

O-GlcNAcylation promotes malignant phenotypes of bladder cancer cells

O-GlcNAcylation (O-GlcNAc) is a posttranslational modification that is mediated by O-GlcNAc-transferase (OGT) and reversed by O-GlcNAcase (OGA). Increasing evidence indicates that protein O-GlcNAcylation is increased in various types of cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the expression and function of both OGT and OGA in bladder cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Expression data of OGT and OGA at the mRNA level was obtained from the Oncomine database. Effects of OGT and OGA on cell proliferate, invasive, and migratory abilities were assessed using MTT, wound healing, cell invasive assay, and cell cycle analysis. In vivo assay was also performed in nude mice. The results revealed that the expression of OGT in bladder cancer tissues was higher than that of normal tissues, while the OGA level was found to be lower in cancer tissues. We also found that knockdown of OGT could inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and induce cell cycle arrest, while these are reversed when OGA is inhibited. We also observed that O-GlcNAcylation could promote tumor formation in vivo, compared with a negative control. In summary, this study describes the oncogenic role of O-GlcNAcylation in bladder cancer cells.

Effect of dietary fibre and grit on performance, gastrointestinal tract development, and grit pattern of goose

1. This study aimed to investigate effects of dietary fibre and grit on growth performance, gastrointestinal tract development, and gizzard grit retention of geese. 2. The trial had a 3 × 2 factorial design consisting of three levels of dietary crude fibre (CF, 4%, 7% and 10%, adjusted by grass powder), with or without grit addition (1-4 mm river sand). 3. In total, 648, 22-d-old male goslings were randomly allotted to six treatments (six pens/treatment). At 49 d and 70 d of age, one goose per pen was euthanised to collect samples. 4. The birds fed 10% CF had decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) during 22-49 d, but this effect was less in older geese. Increasing dietary CF levels increased relative weights of gizzards for geese aged 49 d and 70 d. Grit addition decreased the relative weights of gizzard and duodenum of geese aged 49 d. The gizzard of geese could selectively retain grit from feed even with no grit added. With adequate supply, most grit in gizzard was 0.45-3 mm in size. 5. In conclusion, supplement of CF and grit mainly affected gastrointestinal tract, and the amount of CF affected FCR. Geese aged 22-49 d could utilise dietary CF levels of 4%-7% and older birds could feed on diets with up to 10% CF. The gizzard of goose selectively retained grit of a particle size of 0.45-3 mm.

Large Neck and Strong Ostium Inflow as the Potential Causes for Delayed Occlusion of Unruptured Sidewall Intracranial Aneurysms Treated by Flow Diverter

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Flow diverter-induced hemodynamic change plays an important role in the mechanism of intracranial aneurysm occlusion. Our aim was to explore the relationship between aneurysm features and flow-diverter treatment of unruptured sidewall intracranial aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MR imaging, 4D phase-contrast, was prospectively performed before flow diverter implantation in each patient with unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Two postprocedure follow-ups were scheduled at 6 and 12 months. Responses were grouped according to whether the aneurysms were occluded or remnant. Preprocedural aneurysm geometries and ostium hemodynamics in 38 patients were compared between the 2 groups at 6 and 12 months. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed for significant geometric and hemodynamic continuous parameters.

RESULTS

After the 6-month assessment, 21 of 41 intracranial aneurysms were occluded, and 9 additional aneurysms were occluded at 12 months. Geometrically, the ostium maximum diameter was significantly larger in the remnant group at 6 and 12 months (both P < .001). Hemodynamically, the proximal inflow zone was more frequently observed in the remnant group at 6 months. Several preprocedural ostium hemodynamic parameters were significantly higher in the remnant group. As a prediction for occlusion, the areas under the curve of the ostium maximum diameter (for 6 and 12 months), systolic inflow rate ratio (for 6 months), and systolic inflow area (for 12 months) reached 0.843, 0.883, 0.855, and 0.860, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracranial aneurysms with a large ostium and strong ostium inflow may need a longer time for occlusion. Preprocedural 4D flow MR imaging can well illustrate ostium hemodynamics and characterize aneurysm treatment responses.

River toxicity assessment using molecular biosensors: Heavy metal contamination in the Turag-Balu-Buriganga river systems, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Pollution in rapidly urbanising cities and in delta systems is a serious problem that blights the lives and livelihoods of millions of people, damaging and restricting potable water supply and supplies to industry (Whitehead et al, 2015, 2018). Employing new technology based on luminescent molecular biosensors, the toxicity in the rivers around Dhaka in Bangladesh, namely the Turag, Tongi, Balu and Buriganga, has been assessed. Samples taken at 36 sites during medium and low flow conditions and during the Bishwa Ijtema Festival revealed high levels of cell toxicity, as well as high concentrations of metals, particularly aluminium, cadmium, chromium, iron, zinc, lithium, selenium and nickel. Chemical analysis also revealed low dissolved oxygen levels and anoxic conditions in the rivers at certain sites. The bacterial molecular biosensors were demonstrated to be fast, with results in 30 min, robust and a highly sensitive method for the assessment of water toxicity in the field. Furthermore, the biosensor toxicity analysis correlated with the metals data, and a multivariate regression relationship was developed relating toxicity to key metals, such a selenium, zinc and chromium. The resulting model has been validated against split samples and the Bishwa Ijtema Festival data. The combination of modelling and the molecular biosensor technology provides a new approach to detecting and managing pollution in urban river systems.

Associations of TNF-α -308 G>A and TNF-β 252 A>G with Physical Function and BNP-Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study

OBJECTIVES

To explore the associations of TNF-α -308 G>A (rs1800629) and TNF-β 252 A>G (rs909253) with physical function and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP).

METHODS

Data of 1747 community-dwelling elders from the ageing arm of the Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study was used. Physical function was measured by handgrip strength, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and 5-meter walking test (5MWT).

RESULTS

AA genotype of the TNF-α -308 G>A was associated with higher mean time of TUG test and 5MWT (multivariable adjusted β=5.75 and 5.70, respectively, p<0.05), compared with GG genotype. For the TNF-β 252 A>G polymorphism, GG genotype was associated with higher mean time of TUG test and 5MWT (multivariable adjusted β=1.55 and 0.83, respectively, p<0.05) and lower handgrip strength (multivariable adjusted β=-0.69, p<0.05), compared with AA genotype. Further, GG was associated with greater odds of low handgrip strength (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.06-2.04), low speed of TUG test (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.20-2.01) and elevated BNP (OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.08-1.84). GG also interacted with elevated BNP to be associated with greater odds of low handgrip strength and 5MWT.

CONCLUSIONS

TNF-β 252 A>G was associated with physical function measurements, plasma BNP level, and odds of elevated BNP in an elderly population. TNF-β 252 A>G also interacted with elevated BNP to be associated with greater odds of physical function measurements.

Modelling heavy metals in the Buriganga River System, Dhaka, Bangladesh: Impacts of tannery pollution control

Heavy metal pollution from tanneries is a global problem in many rapidly developing economies. Effluent discharges into rivers cause serious problems for water quality, damaging ecology and threatening the livelihoods of people, especially in developing urban centres which often have a high concentration of factories. The industry intensive capital area of Bangladesh is impacted with high levels of metals pollution in rivers in the Greater Dhaka Watershed. Sampling and modelling studies have been undertaken to assess pollution in the Buriganga River System in Dhaka. The process based, dynamic model INCA (Integrated Catchments) model has been used to simulate metals along the Buriganga River System in Central Dhaka. Observed and simulated metals concentrations are high, and the model shows that the proposed transfer of the tannery industry upstream helps to reduce the pollution significantly downstream. However, moving the industry upstream may be counterproductive as it is discharged into the upper reaches of the river. This will create pollution upstream unless the newly constructed effluent treatment system can operate at a high level.

A blood metabolomics study of metabolic variations in Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats under shortened and natural photoperiod conditions

This study investigated metabolic variations by using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC–MS)-based metabolomics in the blood of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats under shortened and natural photoperiod conditions. Twenty-four female (non-pregnant) Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats aged 1–1.5 yr with similar live weights (mean, 20.36 ± 2.63 kg) were randomly allocated into two groups: a natural daily photoperiod group (NDPP group: 10–16 h light, n = 12) and a short daily photoperiod group (SDPP group: 7 h light:17 h dark, n = 12). In this study, we found that a SDPP promoted the blood metabolic perturbations based on the GC–MS-based metabolomics investigation, and nine metabolites were related to a SDPP. Compared with the NDPP group, the contents of serine, oxaloacetic acid, xylose, l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, and xanthosine significantly were up-regulated, whereas the contents of carnitine, 1,3-diaminopropane, indole-3-acetic acid, and l-kynurenine were significantly down-regulated in the SDPP group. The different metabolites could contribute to the regulation mechanisms of promoting cashmere growth of goats in the SDPP group.

[Gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 36 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC). Methods: The clinical and pathologic data of 36 cases of gastric MANEC collected from January 2011 to December 2018 in the Department of Pathology, Fujian Provincial Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Light microscopy and EnVision immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were used in the study. The results were compared with 40 cases of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma collected within the same period. Results: The 36 cases were collected, there were 29 males and 7 females. The patients' age ranged from 43 to 87 years (mean 66 years). The tumor diameter ranged from 1.0 to 9.0 cm (mean 5.0 cm). Clinical staging showed that four cases were at T1+T2 stages and 32 cases were at T3+T4 stages. The main clinical manifestations were upper abdominal pain, abdominal distension and dysphagia. Complete follow-up data were obtained in 20 (eleven living and nine dead) patients. Pathologic analysis showed that all tumors were composed of neuroendocrine carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and each of the components was more than 30%. IHC staining showed that CK was expressed in adenocarcinoma; whereas the neuroendocrine carcinoma mainly expressed CD56 and Syn. There was no significant difference in age, sex, T stage and prognosis between gastric MANEC and gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma(P>0.05). Gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma predominantly occurred in the esophagogastric junction and the gastric body but only rarely in the gastric antrum; gastric MANEC mainly occurred in the esophagogastric junction and the gastric antrum but rarely in the gastric body. Gastric MANEC was more prone to lymph node metastasis than gastric neuroendocrine cancer(P<0.05). Conclusions: Most of the gastric MANEC patients are middle-aged and elderly males, and the tumors predominantly occur in the esophagogastric junction and the gastric antrum. Most of the patients are found to have higher stages, and most of them have lymph node metastases and poor prognosis.

[Clinical characteristics of 46 pediatric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and treatment outcome]

Objective: To summarize the clinical data of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in children and to evaluate the efficacy of Beijing Children's Hospital B cell lymphoma protocol in the treatment of pediatric DLBCL. Methods: The data (clinical, pathology, lab and image data) of 46 pediatric DLBCL admitted to the treatment group of Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2005 to June 2017 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. According to the risk factors of staging, existence of poor prognosis genes and giant tumors, stratified treatment was carried out according to the international standard modified LMB89 regimen with high dose and short course. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the event free survival (EFS) and the overall survival (OS). Results: (1) Among the 46 cases, there were 33 males and 13 females. The median age was 8.0 years. The time from the initial symptom onset to the diagnosis was more than 15 days in 45 children. Fourteen cases had B group symptoms (fever, night sweat, and weight lost), 25 cases had extranodal disease, 39 cases were stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ, 12 cases had bone marrow involvement, 3 cases had jawbone involvement. Thirty cases were group B and 16 cases were group C in the treatment group. (2) Initial symptoms: 6 cases had cervical mass, 20 cases had abdominal mass, 10 had abdominal pain with acute abdomen, 8 cases had fever, 2 cases had snore or upper respiratory tract obstruction. (3) Pathology result: 40 cases were germinal center B cell DLBCL, 6 cases were non germinal center B cell DLBCL, no case had the MYC gene rupture, double hit lymphoma and triple hit lymphoma. (4) Complication and evaluation: the tumor lysis syndrome was seen in 3 cases initially, severe infection and delayed treatment was seen in 1 case, no treatment related death. The first evaluation showed all cases were sensitive to chemotherapy (shrink>25%), the second evaluation showed 1 case had residual disease, the others were complete remission. (5) Treatment and outcome: the 5 year-EFS was the same with 5 year-OS, both were (97.8±2.2) %. Two cases relapsed after treatment off, early relapse was seen in 1 case, and died because of abandoning treatment. Late relapse was seen in 1 case and got a complete remission after Rituximab+group C protocol treatment. Conclusions: Pediatric DLBCL was common in school aged boys, most cases were at middle and late stage at the time of diagnosis. DLBCL had a good prognosis after the treatment with Beijing Children's Hospital's B cell lymphoma protocol, but late relapse could be seen.

[Clinicopathological significance of Golgi phosphoprotein 3 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the expression of Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics of PTC and American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk of recurrence stratification. Methods: The mRNA expression level of GOLPH3 in PTC tissues and the matched adjacent noncancerous tissues from 30 cases of PTC undergoing surgical operation in Fujian Provincial Hospital between March 2017 and April 2018 was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The protein expression of GOLPH3 in PTC tissues and the matched adjacent noncancerous tissues of 135 cases of PTC between January 2013 and April 2018 was measured by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between the expression of GOLPH3 in PTC and clinicopathologic characteristics and ATA risk of recurrence stratification was analyzed. Results: The mRNA level of GOLPH3 in PTC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent noncancerous tissues (7.53±1.32 vs 3.64±1.44, P<0.001). The protein expression level of GOLPH3 in PTC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent noncancerous tissues [66(30, 95) vs 34(20, 72), P<0.001]. The expression of GOLPH3 was significantly correlated to the tumor size (P=0.026), extrathyroid invasion (P=0.016), lymph node metastasis (P=0.001) and TNM stage (P=0.027) in PTC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GOLPH3 expression was independently correlated to tumor size (OR=3.58, 95%CI: 1.19-15.46, P=0.017) and lymph node metastasis (OR=7.28, 95%CI: 2.43-10.08, P=0.002). The expression of GOLPH3 was positively correlated to ATA risk of recurrence stratification (P=0.041). Conclusions: Overexpression of GOLPH3 is associated with the development of PTC and poor prognosis in patients with PTC. Detection of GOLPH3 expression can help evaluate proliferative and metastatic potential of PTC, as well as the risk of postoperative recurrence in patients with PTC.

Effects of compound porcine cerebroside and ganglioside on neurotoxicity caused by oxaliplatin chemotherapy: preliminary results

OBJECTIVE

Oxaliplatin has shown good anti-tumour activity in the treatment of tumours involving the digestive system. However, its application is limited because of severe neurotoxicity in some patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether compound porcine cerebroside and ganglioside (CPCG) can reduce or prevent oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with digestive system tumour who received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy were retrospectively divided into experimental and control groups according to the receipt of CPCG during chemotherapy. Adverse events at the end of each chemotherapy cycle were recorded. We compared the incidence of neurotoxicity between the two groups and graded the neurotoxicity symptoms using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0.

RESULTS

The study included 115 patients (experimental group, 57; control group, 58). The number of chemotherapy cycles (6.65 vs. 6.41, p=0.540) and oxaliplatin dose (775.92 mg/m2 vs. 724.20 mg/m2, p=0.250) were comparable between the two groups. All patients developed grade 1 to 3 neurotoxicity; grade 4-5 neurotoxicity was not observed. The incidence of neurotoxicity and the probability of advanced neurotoxicity were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). After a 6 to 18 months follow-up, the two groups showed no significant differences in the chemotherapy response and recurrence rate (p=0.846).

CONCLUSIONS

CPCG reduces oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity without reducing the efficacy of oxaliplatin-based regimens; thus, it can be used for preventing oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity in patients with cancer.

Water quality modelling of the Mekong River basin: Climate change and socioeconomics drive flow and nutrient flux changes to the Mekong Delta

The Mekong delta is recognised as one of the world's most vulnerable mega-deltas, being subject to a range of environmental pressures including sea level rise, increasing population, and changes in flows and nutrients from its upland catchment. With changing climate and socioeconomics there is a need to assess how the Mekong catchment will be affected in terms of the delivery of water and nutrients into the delta system. Here we apply the Integrated Catchment model (INCA) to the whole Mekong River Basin to simulate flow and water quality, including nitrate, ammonia, total phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus. The impacts of climate change on all these variables have been assessed across 24 river reaches ranging from the Himalayas down to the delta in Vietnam. We used the UK Met Office PRECIS regionally coupled climate model to downscale precipitation and temperature to the Mekong catchment. This was accomplished using the Global Circulation Model GFDL-CM to provide the boundary conditions under two carbon control strategies, namely representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and a RCP 8.5 scenario. The RCP 4.5 scenario represents the carbon strategy required to meet the Paris Accord, which aims to limit peak global temperatures to below a 2 °C rise whilst seeking to pursue options that limit temperature rise to 1.5 °C. The RCP 8.5 scenario is associated with a larger 3-4 °C rise. In addition, we also constructed a range of socio-economic scenarios to investigate the potential impacts of changing population, atmospheric pollution, economic growth and land use change up to the 2050s. Results of INCA simulations indicate increases in mean flows of up to 24%, with flood flows in the monsoon period increasing by up to 27%, but with increasing periods of drought up to 2050. A shift in the timing of the monsoon is also simulated, with a 4 week advance in the onset of monsoon flows on average. Decreases in nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations occur primarily due to flow dilution, but fluxes of these nutrients also increase by 5%, which reflects the changing flow, land use change and population changes.

Screening topological materials with a CsCl-type structure in crystallographic databases

CsCl-type materials have many outstanding characteristics, i.e. simple in structure, ease of synthesis and good stability at room temperature, thus are an excellent choice for designing functional materials. Using high-throughput first-principles calculations, a large number of topological semimetals/metals (TMs) were designed from CsCl-type materials found in crystallographic databases and their crystal and electronic structures have been studied. The CsCl-type TMs in this work show rich topological character, ranging from triple nodal points, type-I nodal lines and critical-type nodal lines, to hybrid nodal lines. The TMs identified show clean topological band structures near the Fermi level, which are suitable for experimental investigations and future applications. This work provides a rich data set of TMs with a CsCl-type structure.

STRIP2 silencing inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via P38-AKT-MMP-2 signaling pathway

STRIP2 (FAM40B) was reported to regulate tumor cell migration. Our study aims to discuss the effect of STRIP2 in mouse aortic smooth muscle cell (MOVAS) proliferation and migration processes, which contributes greatly to atherosclerosis formation. In MOVAS cells, STRIP2 depletion suppressed cell proliferation and migration, which were related to a remarkable decrease in matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2)/MMP-9 expression. Additionally, P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and Protein kinase B (AKT) are inactivated while extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) are activated upon STRIP2 silencing. SB203580 (P38 inhibitor) further reduced AKT phosphorylation (p-AKT) while dehydrocorydaline chloride (Dc; P38 activator) reversed this effect. Furthermore, Dc significantly recovered MMP-2 expression in STRIP2-knockdown cells. As expected, overexpressing STRIP2 exhibited a contrary effect. Dc and AKT activator SC79 reversed the inhibition of cell proliferation and migration induced by STRIP2 silencing. Interestingly, STRIP2 depletion increased vascular endothelial growth factor level significantly. Taken together, STRIP2 contributed to cell proliferation and migration through P38-AKT-MMP-2 signaling in MOVAS cells, indicating the importance of STRIP2 in atherosclerosis.

TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1 shows better response to methotrexate in a Chinese population: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Methotrexate (MTX) is an efficacious treatment for psoriasis; however, its widespread application is limited by its unpredictable efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association of clinical factors and variants of psoriasis susceptibility genes with clinical responses to MTX in a prospective cohort.

METHODS

A total of 221 patients with psoriasis were recruited. Patients who achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) improvement ≥ 75% at week 12 were defined as responders, whereas those with PASI improvement < 50% were defined as nonresponders. In 90 screening patients, genetic variants for 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 14 susceptibility genes, and HLA-Cw6 status were initially compared for responders and nonresponders. Statistically significant associations in genetic variants were verified in all 221 patients.

RESULTS

Overall, 49% and 45% of patients achieved PASI 75 improvement during screening and verification stages, respectively. Concomitant arthritis with psoriasis and high body mass index (BMI) negatively affect the efficacy of MTX. TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1 was significantly associated with PASI 75 response at week 12 (54% and 37%, P < 0·05). A significantly higher PASI 90 response was observed in patients with TT genotype of rs10036748 (27% vs. 12%, P < 0·01) and TC/TT genotype of rs4112788 in LCE3D (25% vs. 13%, P < 0·05) at week 12 compared with those who had other genotypes. After adjustment for all confounding factors, only BMI (P < 0·05), arthritis (P < 0·05) and genotype of rs10036748 (P < 0·05) were significantly associated with clinical responses to MTX.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with psoriasis with TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1, with lower BMI, without arthritis will achieve a better response to MTX.

[Clinical and prognostic analysis of 186 children with Burkitt's lymphoma]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and prognostic factors of childhood Burkitt's lymphoma and to summarize the therapeutic effect of the mature B-cell lymphoma regimen of Beijing Children's Hospital. Methods: It was a retrospective study. From January 2007 to December 2015, 186 patients below 18 years of age with newly diagnosed, untreated Burkitt's lymphoma were enrolled. Three cases were eliminated because of the abandonment of the treatment and 183 cases were stratified and treated according to the mature B-cell lymphoma regimen of Beijing Children's Hospital, groups were as follows: A, n=1; B, n=59; C, n=123 and 97 patients in group C received combined rituximab therapy during the treatment. The clinical features and therapeutic effects of patients were analyzed, overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. COX regression was used to identify the prognostic factors. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 5 (1-14) years. There were 159 males (85.5%) and 27 females (14.5%) , the male-to-female ratio was 5.9∶1. A total of 174 cases (93.5%) evolved to stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ. Eight cases did not achieve remission and progressed to death, 9 cases relapsed. Only 5 patients (2.7%) died of treatment-related complications. With a median follow-up time of 48.0 (0.5-128.0) months, the 5-year OS rate and EFS rate were (89.1±2.3) % and (87.8±2.5) %. There was significant difference in the 5-year EFS rate between group B and C ( (94.9±2.9) % vs. (84.0±3.4) %, χ(2)=4.258, P=0.039). The 5-year EFS rate was (73.1±8.7) % and (86.7±3.7) % for patients in the group C treated with chemotherapy only and those treated with chemotherapy combined rituximab, but no statistical difference was found between them (χ(2)=3.360, P=0.067) . Central nervous system (CNS) involvement, insensitivity to early phase chemotherapy, residual diseases in mid-term evaluation were independent unfavorable prognostic factors (HR=6.167, 9.102, 3.104, 95%CI: 2.293-16.592, 1.837-45.107, 1.182-8.153) . Conclusions: The large dose, short course treatment of mature B-cell lymphoma regimen of Beijing Children's Hospital is effective for pediatric Burkitt's Lymphoma. Combined treatment with rituximab can improve the efficacy. CNS involvement, insensitivity to early phase chemotherapy, residual diseases in mid-term evaluation are associated with increased risk of poor prognosis.

Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharide suppressing proliferation and metastasis of the human non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H520 cells is associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Lung cancer (LC) is the highest lethality in all tumors. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 80% of all LC. Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharide (ASPS) is extracted from the root of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS). Herein, we examined the effect and molecular mechanism of ASPS on NSCLC. The proliferation, invasion and migration of NCI-H520 cells were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell assay and wound healing assay, respectively. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related factors were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) and western blot assay. Our results observed that ASPS significantly decreased the proliferation of cells at 24 and 48 h. Moreover, ASPS markedly repressed the invasion and migration capacities of cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Besides, ASPS obviously down-regulated the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, fibronectin 1 (FN1), vimentin, wnt3a, phosphorylated-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) and cyclin D1, whereas, up-regulating E-cadherin level. The level of GSK3β was not changed in the different groups. ASPS conspicuously inhibited the abilities of proliferation and metastasis in human non-small cell lung cancer cell line NCI-H520 possibly by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin pathway mediated-EMT.

Formaldehyde Induces Mesenteric Artery Relaxation via a Sensitive Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) and Endothelium-Dependent Mechanism: Potential Role in Postprandial Hyperemia

Formaldehyde (FA), the smallest aldehyde, is generated endogenously, and is widespread in the environment in foods, beverages and as a gas phase product of incomplete combustion. The main metabolite of FA, formate, was increased significantly in murine urine (∼3×) after overnight feeding. Because feeding increases mesenteric blood flow, we explored the direct effects of FA in isolated murine superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Over the concentration range of 30–1,200 μM, FA strongly and reversibly relaxed contractions of SMA induced by three different agonists: phenylephrine (PE), thromboxane A₂ analog (U46,619) and high potassium (60K, 60 mM K⁺). Formate (to 1.5 mM) induced a modest relaxation. FA (>1,500 μM) irreversibly depressed vascular function in SMA indicating vasotoxicity. The sensitivity (EC₅₀) but not the efficacy (% relaxation) of FA-induced relaxations was dependent on blood vessel type (SMA << aorta) and contractile agonist (PE, EC₅₀= 52 ± 14 μM; U46,619, EC₅₀= 514 ± 129 μM; 60K, EC₅₀= 1,093 ± 87 μM). The most sensitive component of FA vasorelaxation was within physiological levels (30–150 μM) and was inhibited significantly by: (1) mechanically impaired endothelium; (2) Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME); (3) transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) antagonist (A967079); (4) guanylyl cyclase (GC) inhibitor (ODQ); and, (5) K⁺ channel inhibitor (BaCl₂). A similar mechanism of SMA vasorelaxation was stimulated by the TRPA1 agonist cinnamaldehyde. Positive TRPA1 immunofluorescent staining and gene-specific sequence were present in SMA but not in aorta. These data indicate FA, but not formate, robustly relaxes SMA via a sensitive TRPA1- and endothelium-dependent mechanism that is absent in aorta. Thus, as FA levels increase with feeding, FA likely contributes to the physiological reflex of post-prandial hyperemia via SMA vasodilatation.

Developing a geostatistical simulation method to inform the quantity and placement of new monitors for a follow-up air sampling campaign

Sampling campaign design is a crucial aspect of air pollution exposure studies. Selection of both monitor numbers and locations is important for maximizing measured information, while minimizing bias and costs. We developed a two-stage geostatistical-based method using pilot NO₂ samples from Lanzhou, China with the goal of improving sample design decision-making, including monitor numbers and spatial pattern. In the first step, we evaluate how additional monitors change prediction precision through minimized kriging variance. This was assessed in a Monte Carlo fashion by adding up to 50 new monitors to our existing sites with assigned concentrations based on conditionally simulated NO₂ surfaces. After identifying a number of additional sample sites, a second step evaluates their potential placement using a similar Monte Carlo scheme. Evaluations are based on prediction precision and accuracy. Costs are also considered in the analysis. It was determined that adding 28-locations to the existing Lanzhou NO₂ sampling campaign captured 73.5% of the total kriged variance improvement and resulted in predictions that were on average within 10.9 μg/m³ of measured values, while using 56% of the potential budget. Additional monitor sites improved kriging variance in a nonlinear fashion. This method development allows for informed sampling design by quantifying prediction improvement (accuracy and precision) against the costs of monitor deployment.

Optimizing land management strategies for maximum improvements in lake dissolved oxygen concentrations

Eutrophication and anoxia are unresolved issues in many large waterbodies. Globally, management success has been inconsistent, highlighting the need to identify approaches which reliably improve water quality. We used a process-based model chain to quantify effectiveness of terrestrial nutrient control measures on in-lake nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorophyll and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in Lake Simcoe, Canada. Across a baseline period of 2010-2016 hydrochemical outputs from catchment models INCA-N and INCA-P were used to drive the lake model PROTECH, which simulated water quality in the three main basins of the lake. Five terrestrial nutrient control strategies were evaluated. Effectiveness differed between catchments, and water quality responses to nutrient load reductions varied between deep and shallow lake basins. Nutrient load reductions were a significant driver of increased DO concentrations, however strategies which reduced tributary inflow had a greater impact on lake restoration, associated with changes in water temperature and chemistry. Importantly, when multiple strategies were implemented simultaneously, resultant large flow reductions induced warming throughout the water column. Negative impacts of lake warming on DO overwhelmed the positive effects of nutrient reduction, and limited the effectiveness of lake restoration strategies. This study indicates that rates of lake recovery may be accelerated through a coordinated management approach, which considers strategy interactions, and the potential for temperature change-induced physical and biological feedbacks. Identified impacts of flow and temperature on rates of lake recovery have implications for management sustainability under a changing climate.

Abstract P2-06-14: The role of SLC7A5 (LAT1) in endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer

Endocrine therapies are commonly used to treat estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers, which comprise 70% of all new breast cancer cases. Unfortunately, emergence of resistance to these therapies presents a major clinical challenge. Cancer cells can adapt to the dysregulation of cellular metabolism induced by endocrine therapy in order to evade cell death.Central to this adaptation is the scavenging of free-formed amino acids from the tumor microenvironment. For example, we found 109 solute carrier (SLC) mRNAs to be differentially expressed between endocrine-sensitive and resistant cells. We began our mechanistic studies of these genes with SLC family 7 member 5 (SLC7A5 or LAT1). SLC7A5 is a key component of a transmembrane transporter, which can complex with CD98 and increase the uptake of large, neutral amino acids (such as leucine or tyrosine).

We used a panel of endocrine therapy-resistant (LCC9) and sensitive (MCF7; LCC1) breast cancer cells. SLC7A5 expression was upregulated by estrogen in MCF7 and LCC1 cells; this induction was blocked by fulvestrant treatment. Basal expression of the SLC7A5 protein in the absence of estrogen was 2.75-fold higher in LCC9 cells compared with MCF7 cells; SLC7A5 mRNA expression was 71-fold higher. Fulvestrant treatment did not significantly alter SLC7A5 mRNA or protein expression in LCC9 cells. Inhibiting SLC7A5 function using either a pharmacological inhibitor (JPH203), or depleting expression using siRNA, led to significant suppression of LCC9 cell growth. Cell cycle analysis revealed that SLC7A5 depletion caused cells to accumulate in the G1-phase, with a concurrent reduction of cells in S-phase. In four publicly available datasets of ER+, tamoxifen treated breast cancer patients, high expression of SLC7A5 was significantly associated with poor relapse-free survival.

This study uncovers a novel adaptive mechanism in endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer cells that is facilitated by increased expression of SLC7A5, which enables them to supplement their increased metabolic needs and promoting cell growth. Blocking the functions of SLC7A5, perhaps in conjunction with inhibition of autophagy, may therefore offer a new avenue of potential therapeutic intervention against endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancers.

Citation Format: Sevigny CM, Sengupta S, Luo Z, Jin L, Pearce D, Clarke R. The role of SLC7A5 (LAT1) in endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer [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 P2-06-14.

Abstract P5-04-17: Local network topology differences between early and late recurrence in ER+ breast cancers

Background: Late recurrence is characteristic of ER+ breast cancers. Despite an apparently effective adjuvant endocrine therapy, many breast cancers recur years after their initial endocrine treatment. Why some tumors recur early (&lt;3 years) and some recur later (&gt;5 years) is poorly understood. If systemic endocrine therapies killed all cells, recurrence would reflect only the appearance of new disease. Thus, we hypothesized that cells that survive and lie dormant may be driven, in part, by altered wiring of their cell death signaling. We, therefore, studied how cell death signaling is differentially wired in primary tumors that will recur early versus those that will recur later.

Method: Genes involved in apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis were identified from KEGG to initiate network feature analysis of gene expression data from public and our first in-house gene expression dataset. Data were collected from ER+ breast cancer pre-endocrine treatment samples with up to 20 years follow-up. Publicly available datasets used were GSE6532, GSE2034, GSE7390, GSE17705, GSE12093, and TCGA. We applied our Knowledge-fused Differential Dependency Network (KDDN) analysis tool to the public datasets; KDDN has provided powerful new insights into signaling in breast and other cancers. Common gene-gene interactions (edges) predicted in at least two different datasets were extracted from all KDDN analyses results. To strengthen the relevance of these features, predicted network edges that represent known protein-protein interactions (PPI) were identified from the STRING database, and these edges were noted in the signaling graphs. Final network graphs were constructed using the common edges from all overlaid networks. We conducted IPA analysis on all nodes in the final network and selected those incorporating network hubs. We took a similar approach to our second in-house dataset, which we used for independent testing. Here, patients were included if their tumor exhibited an initial reduction in volume of at least 40% by four months in response to neo-adjuvant Letrozole. Patients were then classified into two groups during follow-up of up to 3.7 years: i) initial tumor size reduction followed by continued response (expected to recur late); ii) initial reduction followed by tumor regrowth (expected to recur early). KDDN analysis was performed on pretreatment samples from these two groups and a network created annotated with PPI information.

Results: MAPK8 and CYCS (Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer, p=1.58E-52), TNFRSF1A Neuroinflammation Signaling Pathway, p=1.26E-54), RELA, and NFKB1 (Colorectal Cancer Metastasis Signaling, p=7.94E-35), were identified as hubs. Hubs may be critical signaling components driving the differences between tumors that will become dormant and recur late. Connections between SLC25A6 and SQSTM1 (p = 0.008), BIRC2 and GABARAP (p = 0.021) in the early group, and AKT3 and IRS2 (p = 0.014) in the late group, were shared between the two final networks. With longer follow-up time on the second in-house dataset, we will better define the two groups and identify additional common phenotype specific gene-gene interactions.

Citation Format: Clarke R, Dixon M, Jin L, Pearce D, Turnbull A, Selli C, Hu R, Zwart A, Wang Y, Xuan J, Sengupta S, Sims A, Liu MC. Local network topology differences between early and late recurrence in ER+ breast cancers [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 P5-04-17.

Association of BNP with Frailty in Elderly Population: Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study

OBJECTIVES

To explore the associations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) with physical frailty status as well as each domain of frailty in a general elderly population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of prospective cohort study.

SETTING

All of 31 communities in Jiang'an township.

PARTICIPANTS

Overall 1338 participants (aged 70-89 years, mean 77.42±4.08 years) without a history of cardiovascular diseases in the third-wave of the aging arm of the Rugao Longevity and Aging Study (RuLAS).

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was defined as the presence of ≥3 domains among five modified Fried's criteria (unintentional weight loss, low physical activity level, weakness (low grip strength), exhaustion, and slowness (slow gait speed)) and pre-frailty as the presence of 1-2 domains.

RESULTS

The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty was 10.4% and 53.3%, respectively, in this elderly population. Elevated BNP (≥100 pg/mL) was significantly associated with pre-frailty (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.13-2.29) and frailty (OR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.61-4.32) after adjustment for covariates. In addition, elevated BNP was associated with low grip strength (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.41-2.82) and low gait speed (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.15-2.28) after adjustment for multiple covariates. Log BNP was inversely associated with grip strength (r= -0.265, p<0.001) and gait speed (r= -0.189, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated plasma BNP was associated with increased risks of frailty, pre-frailty, and low levels of grip strength and gait speed in the elderly community people.

[Evaluation of curative effect of VNG and VEMP in patients with severe sudden hearing loss]

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between vestibular function and curative effect in patients with severe sudden hearing loss.Method:The vestibular function of 79 patients with severe hearing loss was examined by video-nystagmography (VNG) and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP).Result:There were significant differences between the two test outcomes (P<0.01) in the severe group (27 cases). The effective rate of both VNG and VEMP normal group was 100%, the effective rate that both VNG and VEMP were abnormal was 41.7%. In the profound severe group (52 cases) there was also a significant difference between the two test results and the therapeutic effect (P<0.01). The effective rate of both VNG and VEMP normal group was 76.9%. The effective rate was 34.6% with both VNG and VEMP abnormal. There was no significant difference between hearing loss degree and curative effect.Conclusion:The VNG and VEMP examinations in patients with severe sudden hearing loss are valuable in evaluating the efficacy. Both VNG and VEMP were abnormal with the worst curative effect.

Real-time parallel 3D multiple particle tracking with single molecule centrifugal force microscopy

Real-time tracking of multiple particles is key for quantitative analysis of dynamic biophysical processes and materials science via time-lapse microscopy image data, especially for single molecule biophysical techniques, such as magnetic tweezers and centrifugal force microscopy. However, real-time multiple particle tracking with high resolution is limited by the current imaging processes or tracking algorithms. Here, we demonstrate 1 nm resolution in three dimensions in real-time with a graphics-processing unit (GPU) based on a compute unified device architecture (CUDA) parallel computing framework instead of only a central processing unit (CPU). We also explore the trade-offs between processing speed and size of the utilized regions of interest and a maximum speedup of 137 is achieved with the GPU compared with the CPU. Moreover, we utilize this method with our recently self-built centrifugal force microscope (CFM) in experiments that track multiple DNA-tethered particles. Our approach paves the way for high-throughput single molecule techniques with high resolution and efficiency. LAY DESCRIPTION: Particles are widely used as probes in life sciences through their motions. In single molecule techniques such as optical tweezers and magnetic tweezers, microbeads are used to study intermolecular or intramolecular interactions via beads tracking. Also tracking multiple beads' motions could study cell-cell or cell-ECM interactions in traction force microscopy. Therefore, particle tracking is of key important during these researches. However, parallel 3D multiple particle tracking in real-time with high resolution is a challenge either due to the algorithm or the program. Here, we combine the performance of CPU and CUDA-based GPU to make a hybrid implementation for particle tracking. In this way, a speedup of 137 is obtained compared the program before only with CPU without loss of accuracy. Moreover, we improve and build a new centrifugal force microscope for multiple single molecule force spectroscopy research in parallel. Then we employed our program into centrifugal force microscope for DNA stretching study. Our results not only demonstrate the application of this program in single molecule techniques, also indicate the capability of multiple single molecule study with centrifugal force microscopy.

[Effect of hydrogen-rich saline on the CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells of allergic rhinitis guinea pigs model]

Objective: To explore the effect of hydrogen-rich saline on the CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells in a guinea pig model of allergic rhinitis (AR) and investigate the underling anti-inflammatory mechanism. Methods: Using random number table, eighteen guinea pigs were divided into three groups (control group/AR group/HRS group, n=6 of each group). AR guinea pig model was built with ovalbumin and aluminum. The guinea pigs were injected with hydrogen-rich saline (HRS group) for ten days after sensitation. And control group was injected with equal normal saline at the same time. Number of sneezes, degree of runny nose and nasal rubbing movements were scored. Peripheral blood eosinophil count was recorded. The content of interleukin 10(IL-10) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in the serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemical method was taken to detect IL-10 and TGF-β in nasal mucosa. The proportion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) T cells in the CD4(+) T cells of spleen and peripheral blood were determined with flow cytometry. SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: There was significant difference in symptom scores among them. The scores of AR group preceded control group, and HRS could decrease the scores of AR ((6.29±1.79) vs (1.01±0.71), (4.50±0.84) vs (6.29±1.79), F=24.725, all P<0.05). The highest number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood belonged to control group, and the number of eosinophils were dramatically reduced after HRS administration ((0.41±0.05)×10(9)/L vs (0.25±0.03 )×10(9)/L, (0.32±0.03)×10(9)/L vs (0.41±0.05)×10(9)/L, F=70.05, all P<0.05). The content of IL-10 and TGF-β in control group is peak ((86.88±17.17) pg/ml, (598.28±72.70) pg/ml, respectively), and compared with AR group, HRS also increased the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β of peripheral blood ((72.54±11.75) pg/ml vs (53.49±10.07) pg/ml, (530.23±57.15) pg/ml vs (482.69±65.96) pg/ml, F value was 28.357, 14.128, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells in controls exceeded HRS group and AR group (1.81%±0.10%, 1.29%±0.74%, respectively), and HRS treatment increased the ratio of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells than AR group of peripheral blood ((1.50%±0.11%) vs (1.15%±0.11%), F=168.96, P<0.05). But there was no significant diferences in splene tissue ((1.01%±0.08%) vs (0.98%±0.09%), F=97.381, P>0.05). Conclusion: Both the number and the cytokine secretion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells are decreased in AR group, HRS may inhibit inflammatory response and ameliorate AR via improving the number and the cytokine secretion.

S1PR2 antagonist alleviates oxidative stress-enhanced brain endothelial permeability by attenuating p38 and Erk1/2-dependent cPLA2 phosphorylation

Both sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-2 (S1PR2) and cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂) are implicated in the disruption of cerebrovascular integrity in experimental stroke. However, the role of S1PR2 in induction of cPLA₂ phosphorylation during cerebral ischemia-induced endothelial dysfunction remains unknown. This study investigated the effect of S1PR2 blockade on oxidative stress-induced cerebrovascular endothelial barrier impairment and explored the possible mechanisms. In bEnd3 cells, cPLA₂ inhibitor CAY10502 as well as S1PR2 antagonist JTE013 profoundly suppressed hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced changes of paracellular permeability and ZO-1 localization. Besides p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1/2 is required for H₂O₂-increased cPLA₂ phosphorylation and endothelial permeability. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of S1PR2 significantly suppressed their phosphorylation in response to H₂O₂. Especially lentivirus-mediated knockdown of S1PR2 inhibited H₂O₂-induced ZO-1 redistribution and paracellular hyperpermeability. Using the permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) mouse model, we found JTE013 pretreatment markedly reduced Evans blue dye (EBD) extravasation and reversed the decrease in VE-cadherin, occludin, claudin-5 and CD31 expression in infarcted hemisphere. Lentivirus-mediated S1PR2 knockdown also attenuated EBD extravasation. Furthermore, JTE013 pretreatment attenuated neurological deficit, brain edema and infarction volume. Therefore, our findings suggest the protective effect of JTE013 on brain endothelial barrier integrity is likely mediated by suppressing p38 and Erk1/2-dependent cPLA₂ phosphorylation under oxidative stress.

Incident Direction Independent Wave Propagation and Unidirectional Lasing

We propose an incident direction independent wave propagation generated by properly assembling different unidirectional destructive interferences (UDIs), which is a consequence of the appropriate match between synthetic magnetic fluxes and the incident wave vector. Single-direction lasing at spectral singularity is feasible without introducing nonlinearity. UDI allows unidirectional lasing and unidirectional perfect absorption; when they are combined in a parity-time-symmetric manner, the spectral singularities vanish with bounded reflections and transmissions. Furthermore, the simultaneous unidirectional lasing and perfect absorption for incidences from opposite directions is created. Our findings provide insights into light control and may shed light on the explorations of desirable functionality in fundamental research and practical applications.

[Effect of interleukin-7 on the anti-tumor function of CD8(+) T cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer]

Objective: To investigate the effect of interleukin (IL)-7 on anti-tumor activity of CD8(+) T cells in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: Twenty-seven NSCLC patients and ten healthy controls were included from Zhengzhou Central Hospital between January 2017 and July 2017. Plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (both tumor site and non-tumor site) were collect from NSCLC patients, while plasma and PBMCs were also collected from healthy controls. IL-7 level and IL-7 receptor α (CD127) mRNA relative expression was measured. Purified CD8(+) T cells and primary NSCLC cells were stimulated with recombinant IL-7. Cellular proliferation, cytokines secretion, and protein expression in IL-7 signaling pathway were investigated. Direct/indirect contact coculture system of CD8(+) T cells and primary NSCLC cells was also used to assess the cytolytic and noncytolytic activity after IL-7 stimulation. Results: Plasma IL-7 level was significantly reduced in NSCLC patients compared with normal controls[1 731 (1 364, 2 536) vs 2 686 (1 692, 4 786) ng/L, P=0.023). IL-7 level in BALF isolated from tumor site was also remarkably down-regulated compared with non-tumor site in NSCLC patients[1 045 (562, 1 550) vs 1 599 (1 166, 2 107) ng/L, P=0.006 9). There was no statistical difference of CD127 mRNA between the two groups. Recombinant IL-7 stimulation did not affect cellular proliferation and cytokines production in primary NSCLC cells, however, remarkably increased cellular proliferation, interferon (IFN)-γ/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α secretion, and signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5) phosphorylation and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression of CD8(+) T cells from NSCLC patients. IL-7 stimulation also significantly enhanced the cytolytic and noncytolytic function of CD8(+) T cells on primary NSCLC cells. Conclusion: IL-7 enhances anti-tumor activity of CD8(+) T cells in NSCLC patients.

Abstract B52: HIF-ZMYND8-BRD4 axis mediates breast cancer progression and metastasis

Metastatic breast cancer is lethal and incurable. The major obstacle to ending this aggressive disease is the absence of definitive prognostic biomarker and effective therapeutic target. Epigenetic dysregulation plays a crucial role in breast cancer metastasis. However, how epigenetic dysregulation under tumor hypoxia stimulates breast cancer progression and metastasis remains unknown.

We recently identified the epigenetic reader ZMYND8 as a novel HIF target gene by analyzing expression changes of 720 epigenetic genes in three microarray gene expression and mRNA sequencing datasets. Analysis of a human breast cancer tissue microarray revealed that ZMYND8 is highly expressed in invasive breast tumors and high levels of ZMYND8 are significantly correlated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with breast cancer. ZMYND8 depletion significantly suppresses colony formation, invasion, and migration of breast cancer cells in vitro, and inhibits breast tumor growth and metastasis in mice. To figure out the underlying mechanism, we performed co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and quantitative PCR assays and found that ZMYND8 interacts with HIF complex and acetyl lysine 16 of histone H3 at the hypoxia response elements (HREs) to stimulate the expression of HIF target genes LOX, AGR2, AQP1, and VEGFA. HIF is required for ZMYND8-mediated breast cancer growth and metastasis in mice. We further found that p300 binds and acetylates ZMYND8 in breast cancer cells. Acetylated ZMYND8 interacts with the bromodomains of BRD4 and recruits BRD4 to the HREs to stimulate RNA polymerase II phosphorylation and subsequent transcriptional elongation of HIF target genes. ZMYND8 acetylation is necessary and sufficient for breast tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and in mice. Together, these findings indicate that p300-acetylated ZMYND8 mediates breast cancer progression and metastasis by BRD4-dependent activation of HIF.

In summary, ZMYND8 represents a positive-feedback mechanism that amplifies HIF-mediated breast cancer progression and metastasis, and may be a potential epigenetic target for the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Citation Format: Yan Chen, Bo Zhang, Lei Bao, Lai Jin, Mingming Yang, Yan Peng, Jennifer Wang, Chenliang Wang, Xuan Zou, Yingfei Wang, Weibo Luo. HIF-ZMYND8-BRD4 axis mediates breast cancer progression and metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Breast Cancer Research; 2017 Oct 7-10; Hollywood, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2018;16(8_Suppl):Abstract nr B52.

[Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced CT scans in identifying lung adenocarcinomas manifesting as ground glass nodules]

Objective: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced CT scans in differential diagnosis of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), minimal invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in patients who manifested as ground glass nodules (GGNs) or mixed GGNs (mGGNs) in unenhanced CT imaging. Methods: The unenhanced and enhanced CT images of 194 patients with GGNs in the lung were retrospectively analyzed, including 64 cases with pre-invasive lesions, 80 cases with MIA, and 50 cases with IAC. The prediction of pathological types was based on maximal diameters and the solid portions of the lesions displayed on unenhanced and enhanced CT images, and then compared with pathological diagnosis. Results: In 64 patients with pre-invasive lesions, the CT value increased in 59 cases after contrast-enhanced administration, whereas the solid portions increased in 5 cases. In the 80 patients with MIA, solid portions increased in 50 cases and the CT value increased in 30 cases after contrast administration. In 50 cases with IAC, almost all of them showed increased solid portions, whereas only 2 cases showed an increase of CT values. In the pre-invasive group and the MIA group, the increase of CT values after contrast administration was (45.88±15.97) HU and (66.47±44.54) HU, respectively, showing statistically significant difference (P=0.001). The increase of solid portions in the MIA group and IAC group was (1.55±0.73) mm and (1.88±0.75) mm, respectively, also showing significant difference (P=0.032). Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced CT scans were more useful than unenhanced CT scans for the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinomas manifesting as GGNs .