ENAM gene associated with T classification and inhibits proliferation in renal clear cell carcinoma

The potential involvement of T classification-related genes in renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) must be further explored. Public data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. An overall survival (OS) predictive model was developed and validated (TCGA train, 5 years, AUC = 0.73, 3 years, AUC = 0.73, 1 year, AUC = 0.76; TCGA test, 5 years, AUC = 0.74, 3 years, AUC = 0.65, 1 year, AUC = 0.73; TCGA all, 5 years, AUC = 0.72, 3 years, AUC = 0.71, 1 year, AUC = 0.75). Finally, ENAM was selected for further analysis. In vitro experiment indicated that ENMA is downregulated in ccRCC, and its knockdown could promote proliferation in two cancer cell lines (OSRC-2 and SW839). Immune infiltration analysis revealed that ENAM could remarkably increase the content of cytotoxic cells, NK CD56 cells, NK cells and CD8+ T cells in the tumor immune microenvironment, which may be one reason for its tumor-inhibiting effect. In summary, ENAM may suppress cell proliferation in ccRCC and can be used as a potential reference value for the relief and immunotherapy of ccRCC.

Could dantrolene be explored as a repurposed drug to treat COVID-19 patients by restoring intracellular calcium homeostasis?

Dantrolene, an FDA approved drug to treat malignant hyperthermia and muscle spasm, has been demonstrated to inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mediated toxicity of host cells. Ryanodine receptor overactivation and associated disruption of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis play important roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication of host cells. Dantrolene, as an inhibitor of RyRs, is expected to ameliorate these detrimental effects of SARS-CoV-2 in host cells. Additionally, dantrolene has also been shown to inhibit multiple cell or organ damage induced by hypoxia/ischemia, mitochondria damage, oxidative stresses, inflammation, impairment of autophagy and apoptosis, etc., which are often the causes of severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients. We have repurposed that dantrolene has a high potential at treating COVID-19 patients and reducing its morbidity and mortality.

[Clinical characteristics and related factors of acute tubular necrosis in patients with minimal change disease]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and related factors of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in patients with minimal change disease (MCD). Methods: Patients from Chinese PLA General Hospital who were pathologically diagnosed with MCD and had clinical manifestations of nephrotic syndrome from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019 were included. The clinical and pathological data of patients were retrospectively analyzed. Meanwhile, the incidence and clinical characteristics of ATN in different age groups were compared. The risk factors for ATN were assessed using binary logistic regression. Results: A total of 525 patients were included, with a gender ratio of 1.56∶1 (male: female), aged 33 (21, 48) years old. ATN occurred in 49 (9.3%) of 525 patients, of which 34 were male and 15 were female. The incidence of ATN increased with age in MCD patients of different age groups (χ(2)=31.442, P<0.001). The incidence of ATN in groups of age≤20 years, 21-40 years, 41-60 years, and >60 years was 2.4% (3/123), 5.2% (10/192), 13.2% (20/152) and 27.6% (16/58), respectively. Elevations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and serum IgE occurred in 92 patients (17.5%), 53 patients (10.1%), 99 patients (18.9%), and 303 patients (57.7%), respectively. There were significant differences in age, ALT, serum creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, history of diabetes and history of hypertension between non-ATN group and ATN group (all P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that>40 years old (OR=6.283, 95% CI: 2.695-14.649, P<0.001) and serum albumin (OR=0.924, 95% CI: 0.857-0.997, P=0.040) was independently associated with ATN in MCD patients. Conclusion: Age>40 years is an independent risk factor and serum albumin is a protective factor for ATN in MCD patients.

Chronic follow-up from the pilot study of a novel substernal extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Background

The investigational Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (EV ICD) is an implantable defibrillator with defibrillation and pacing therapies, including the potential for antitachycardia pacing (ATP).

Purpose

To characterize chronic EV ICD system performance through 12 months of follow-up.

Methods

The first-in-human EV ICD Pilot study was prospectively conducted at four centers in Australia and New Zealand. Patients with Class I or IIa indications for ICD were enrolled between July and December of 2018. A defibrillation lead was inserted into the substernal space under radiologic guidance and a device was positioned close to the left midaxillary line. Figure 1 illustrates the implanted EV ICD. Defibrillation testing was conducted at implant and chronically in 5 patients. Follow-ups were conducted at pre-hospital discharge, 2 weeks, 4–6 weeks and 3 months post-implant, and every 6 months thereafter.

Results

A total of 26 patients were enrolled and 21 underwent the EV ICD implant procedure with no intraprocedural complications. Median energy for defibrillation at implant was 15 J; mean R-wave amplitude was 3.4±2.0 mV; mean pacing capture threshold was 5.1±2.0 volts. Seventeen of 21 implanted patients entered into chronic follow-up after successful system placement and implant testing, and 14 patients continue to be followed, representing &gt;180 patient-months of total follow-up.

Multiple episodes of spontaneous ventricular tachycardia (VT) were detected in one patient and either self-terminated or successfully cardioverted following unsuccessful ATP. One patient received an inappropriate shock secondary to lead tip displacement with subsequent P-wave oversensing. Elective chronic defibrillation testing was performed at physician discretion and converted 5 of 5 patients with ≤40 J (maximum energy of device). Three patients had the system electively removed due to 1) inappropriate shock after lead displacement, 2) recurrent VT without ATP termination, and 3) inadequate chronic safety margin for defibrillation.

Conclusions

The EV ICD is a novel platform for delivering high voltage therapy. Chronic system performance has generally remained stable during 12 months of follow-up and the device has demonstrated the ability to detect and treat VT.

Fluoro images of implanted system

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Medtronic plc

Ovarian Carcinosarcoma with Malignant Neuroectodermal Components (Teratoid Carcinosarcoma) - A Rare Entity

Introduction/Objective

Ovarian carcinosarcoma is an aggressive tumor accounting for 2% of all ovarian malignancies. Ovarian carcinosarcoma with malignant neuroectodermal components is exceedingly rare and only four cases have been previously reported. Here we report a series of three cases in 65(case 1), 61 (case 2) and 72 (case 3) year old females.

Methods

All patients presented with pelvic mass and elevated CA125. They underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy and tumor-debulking, along with lymph node dissection (2,3) and appendectomy (3). The FIGO stages were IIIC (1,3) or IIA (2). Case #2 experienced pelvic recurrence three months after initiating platinum based chemotherapy and was treated with BEP. She died of metastatic disease ten months after initial surgery. Case #3 is a current case and is being treated with chemotherapy. Case #1 was an outside consult and was lost to follow–up.

Results

Grossly the dominant ovarian mass measured 25 (left), 20 (left) and 21 (right) cm. The cut surfaces were hetergenous tan, yellow, partially cystic and solid with hemorrhage and necrosis. Microscopically, they showed mixed morphology of carcinomatous, sarcomatous, and undifferentiated neuroectodermal component. The carcinomatous element showed squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The sarcomatous component included rhabdomyosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and liposarcoma. The undifferentiated neuroectodermal component consisted of nested or solid primitive cells. All three cases showed fetal-appearing teratoid squamous cell epithelium with clear cytoplasm. The contralateral ovary and extraovarian metastatic implants were either carcinosarcoma, carcinoma or contained all three components.

Conclusion

Case #1 and 3 also showed a yolk sac component. All lymph nodes (2,3) were negative for metastatic tumor at the time of initial surgery. Case #2 had first recurrence in retroperitoneal lymph node showing mature neural tissue. Her second recurrence in abdomen was undifferentiated neuroblastoma. Immunohistochemical studies included CK7, CK20, CDX2, NapsinA, S100, GFAP, PAX-8, CK5/6, P63, AE1/AE3, desmin, Myf-4, CD56, glypican3, AFB, CD99, chromogranin, synaptophysin, NF, NeuN, calretinin, and inhibin. The staining pattern was consistent with histologic interpretation. These cases histologically resemble to so-called “teratoid carcinosarcoma” of paranasal sinuses. The histogenesis remains unknown.

Targeting of GSK-3β by miR-214 to facilitate gastric cancer cell proliferation and decrease of cell apoptosis

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "Targeting of GSK-3β by miR-214 to facilitate gastric cancer cell proliferation and decrease of cell apoptosis, by H.-L. Li, S. Liang, J.-H. Cui, G.-Y. Han, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (1): 127-134-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201801_14109-PMID: 29364479" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/14109.

Quality of Split-Mouth Trials in Dentistry: 1998, 2008, and 2018

The objectives of this study were to assess the reporting quality and methodological quality of split-mouth trials (SMTs) published during the past 2 decades and to determine whether there has been an improvement in their quality over time. We searched the MEDLINE database via PubMed to identify SMTs published in 1998, 2008, and 2018. For each included SMT, we used the CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 guideline, CONSORT for within-person trial (WPT) extension, and a new 3-item checklist to assess its trial reporting quality (TRQ), WPT-specific reporting quality (WRQ), and SMT-specific methodological quality (SMQ), respectively. Multivariable generalized linear models were performed to analyze the quality of SMTs over time, adjusting for potential confounding factors. A total of 119 SMTs were included. The mean overall score for the TRQ (score range, 0 to 32), WRQ (0 to 15), and SMQ (0 to 3) was 15.77 (SD 4.51), 6.06 (2.06), and 1.12 (0.70), respectively. The primary outcome was clearly defined in only 28 SMTs (23.5%), and only 27 (22.7%) presented a replicable sample size calculation. Only 45 SMTs (37.8%) provided the rationale for using a split-mouth design. The correlation between body sites was reported in only 5 studies (4.2%) for sample size calculation and 4 studies (3.4%) for statistical results. Only 2 studies (1.7%) performed an appropriate sample size calculation, and 46 (38.7%) chose appropriate statistical methods, both accounting for the correlation among treatment groups and the clustering/multiplicity of measurements within an individual. Results of regression analyses suggested that the TRQ of SMTs improved significantly with time ( P < 0.001), while there was no evidence of improvement in WRQ or SMQ. Both the reporting quality and methodological quality of SMTs still have much room for improvement. Concerted efforts are needed to improve the execution and reporting of SMTs.

Dexmedetomidine alleviates lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by activating PI3K/Akt pathway

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to investigate the role and mechanism of PI3K/Akt pathway in the pathological process of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in dexmedetomidine-treated rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-five healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham operation group, lung ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group) and dexmedetomidine pretreatment group (Dex group). Rats in the sham operation group did not receive other procedures except for opening left chest. The left lung hilar of rats in the IR group was clamped with non-invasive vascular clamp after anesthesia to establish an ischemic model. After 1 hour, the vascular clamp was released and the rats were reperfused for 2 hours. As for rats in the Dex group, 3 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine (pumping time of 10 min) was pumped through the tail vein before releasing the left hilar clamp. After the experiment, blood samples and lung tissues were collected. Serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-10, and IL-1 in rats were examined. Activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in rat lung tissues were also detected. Besides, the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-la (HIF-la), p-Akt, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 in lung tissues were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of HIF-1a, p-Akt, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 in lung tissues were evaluated by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

Lung ischemia-reperfusion markedly increased the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-1 in the IR group. In contrast, dexmedetomidine pretreatment decreased the expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-1in the Dex group. Also, the activities of MDA and MPO in lung tissues of rats in the IR group significantly increased after lung ischemia-reperfusion injury, whereas dexmedetomidine pretreatment reversed the elevated activities of MDA and MPO in the Dex group. Furthermore, dexmedetomidine pretreatment also improved the activities of SOD and CAT in rat lung tissues compared with rats with lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, dexmedetomidine pretreatment increased the expression levels of HIF-1α, p-Akt and HIF- in the Dex group when compared to those in the IR group. The mRNA expressions of HIF-1a, p-Akt, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 in lung tissue of rats was significantly reduced after dexmedetomidine pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Rat lung ischemia-reperfusion can induce severe lung injury. Dexmedetomidine treatment can attenuate lung ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway at the transcriptional level.

0434 Clinical Application of Computer Aided Cloud Sleep Scoring System

Introduction

According to a survey by World Sleep Society, 45% of the population suffered from sleep disorders. The best way to diagnose these patients is to use Polysomnography (PSG), recording their physiological signals throughout the night. Mostly, sleep technologists manually score sleep stages. Manual scoring is quite subjective and time-consuming. Although the technologist’s judgments are based on scoring standards of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, fine-tuning scoring results because of different considerations in different sleep centers may be happened. In order to assess the consistency of scoring standards in sleep technologists, we tried to establish a cloud sleep scoring system and evaluate its feasibility in 4 sleep centers in southern Taiwan.

Methods

We constructed a computer-aided cloud sleep scoring system. Each sleep technologist could score the same test data of PSG online without being restricted by places and hardware equipment. After comparing scoring results of all participants, the scoring system could provide the following reports, including an overall agreement, agreement of each sleep stage and each sleep index. Besides, multi-person scoring results of each epoch with displaying physiological signals were analyzed.

Results

Seven sleep technologists from 4 hospitals in Tainan, Taiwan joined this study. Standard deviations (SDs) of each sleep stage included 2.64 in Wake stage, 6.90 in N1, 8.31 in N2, 6.87 in N3, 1.38 in REM, respectively. SDs of sleep indexes were 2.64 in sleep efficiency, 2.14 in sleep onset time, 8.35 in wake after sleep onset time, 10.03 in total sleep time, individually. The overall agreement was 89.6%. The satisfaction of this scoring system operation was 85.7%.

Conclusion

With the cloud sleep scoring system assistance, it was feasible to evaluate the scoring consistency among sleep technologists in different sleep centers.

Support

This work is supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. (MOST 108-2634-F-006-012)

Increased miR-142 and decreased DJ-1 enhance the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cell to adriamycin

OBJECTIVE

Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway is related to tumorigenesis by up-regulating survivin. Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) can suppress PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, while DJ-1 is the negative regulator of PTEN. DJ-1 up-regulation is closely correlated with the occurrence, progression, and drug resistance of pancreatic cancer. MicroRNA-142 (MiR-142) is significantly declined in pancreatic cancer tissue. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that complementary binding site exists between miR-142 and DJ-1. This investigation, therefore, aimed to study the role of miR-142 in the regulation of DJ-1-PTEN/PI3K/AKT/Survivin signaling pathway as well as in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, and adriamycin (ADM) resistance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dual luciferase assay was performed to assess the targeted relationship between miR-142 and DJ-1. MiR-142, DJ-1, and PTEN expressions in SW1990 cells and drug-resistant SW1990/ADM cells were compared. SW1990/ADM cells were divided into five groups, including mimic-NC, miR-142 mimic, small interfere normal control (si-NC), si-DJ-1, and miR-142 mimic + si-DJ-1 groups. DJ-1, PTEN, phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT), and Survivin expressions were tested. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation was evaluated by EdU staining.

RESULTS

MiR-142 targeted inhibited DJ-1 expression. MiR-142, PTEN, and cell apoptosis significantly down-regulated, while DJ-1, p-AKT, Survivin, and cell proliferation significantly elevated in SW1990/ADM cells compared with SW1990 cells. MiR-142 mimics and/or si-DJ-1 transfection markedly reduced DJ-1, p-AKT, and Survivin expressions enhanced PTEN level, attenuated cell proliferation, enhanced cell apoptosis, and weakened ADM resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-142 over-expression weakened ADM resistance in pancreatic cancer cells by targeting DJ-1 to enhance PTEN expression and attenuate PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activity.

Targeting of GSK-3β by miR-214 to facilitate gastric cancer cell proliferation and decrease of cell apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis. GSK-3β degrades β-catenin and negatively regulates Wnt/β-catenin pathway. A previous study indicated that the GSK-3β expression was significantly reduced in gastric cancer, along with the increase of miR-214 expression. Bioinformatics analysis revealed complementary binding sites between miR-214 and 3'-UTR of GSK-3β mRNA. This study investigated the regulatory role and related mechanism of miR-214 in the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Gastric cancer tissues were collected from patients and the expressions of miR-214, GSK-3β and β-catenin were determined. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to study the regulatory role between miR-214 and GSK-3β. Expressions of miR-214, GSK-3β, β-catenin and survivin from GES-1 and MKN-28 cells were detected. Flow cytometry was used to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis. In vitro cultured MKN-28 cells were treated with miR-214 inhibitor and/or pSicoR-GSK-3β. Levels of GSK-3β, β-catenin and survivin were detected, cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and proliferation was tested by EdU staining.

RESULTS

Compared to normal gastric mucosa, the levels of miR-214 and β-catenin were elevated, and the expression of GSK-3β was decreased in gastric cancer tissues. Compared to GES-1 cells, the expressions of miR-214, β-catenin and survivin in MKN-28 cells were upregulated, along with downregulation of GSK-3β expression. The proliferation was enhanced whilst apoptosis was suppressed. After the transfection of miR-214 inhibitor and/or pSicoR-GSK-3β, GSK-3β expression was induced in MKN-28 cells while β-catenin and survivin expressions were inhibited, along with the increase of cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-214 decreases GSK-3β expression and promotes the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. The inhibition of miR-214 reduces the proliferation of gastric cancer cells via upregulation of GSK-3β and suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway, which provides fundamental support for the future therapy of gastric cancer.

4933Comparison of left ventricular global longitudinal strain measurements using contrast-enhanced and non-contrast echocardiographic images

Background

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) are two important index for the quantification of left ventricular systolic function. With the help of ultrasound contrast agents, we can improve the definition of endocardial borders and allow the quantification of LVEF in patients with poor image quality. However, the feasibility of GLS measurements in contrast-enhanced images is still controversial.

Purpose

Our study aimed to explore the feasibility of GLS measured by velocity vector imaging (VVI) in contrast-enhanced images, compare the difference of measurements in contrast-enhanced and non-contrast images, and analyze the relation between LVEF and GLS in both conditions.

Methods

A total of 133 patients with cancer, who were registered for transthoracic echocardiography as well as contrast-enhanced echocardiography were studied. LVEF was measured using the biplane modified Simpson's rule and GLS was measured with offline VVI analysis of the three standard apical views in non-contrast and contrast-enhanced images respectively. Linear regression was performed to derive correlation coefficients between LVEF and GLS both in non-contrast and contrast-enhanced images.

Results

GLS measurements in non-contrast images were discarded in 2/133 patients (1.5%), while in contrast-enhanced images were obtained in all patients. LVEF (64.12±7.47% vs. 66.25±8.61%, respectively; P<0.01) and GLS (−20.99±4.67% vs. −23.40±4.58%, respectively; P<0.01) were both significantly higher in the presence of contrast agents. A linear regression between LVEF and GLS in non-contrast images (r=0.627, P<0.001) was observed, as well as in contrast-enhanced images (r=0.649, P<0.001).

Conclusions

GLS measured by VVI in contrast-enhanced echocardiography is a feasible and reliable index for the quantification of left ventricular systolic function, even in patients with poor image quality. Compared with the measurements in non-contrast images, both LVEF and GLS measurements are higher in the presence of contrast agents.

[An analysis on incidence of HIV-1 epidemics among men who have sex with men in Sichuan Province during 2011-2015]

The assay was used in HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites to identify recent HIV-1 infection, to estimate HIV-1 incidence and understand the epidemic trends among men who have sex with men during 2011-2015. During 2011-2015, the HIV-1 incidence of men who have sex with men was 5.16%(95%CI: 4.65%-5.66%) in Sichuan Province. According to<Pilot study on classification criteria of AIDS epidemic in China>, a total of 9 cities had been divided into two type of regions: the first type(the proportion of live HIV/AIDS accounts for more than 0.1% of the permanent population, and the number of live HIV/AIDS has reached 500 cases and above) and the second type(the proportion of live HIV/AIDS accounts for 0.03% to 0.100% of the permanent population, and the number of live HIV/AIDS has reached 100-500 cases). During 2011-2015, the HIV-1 incidence of the second type was 4.24% (95%CI: 3.72%-4.76%). The HIV-1 incidence of men who have sex with men was at a high level. The spread of HIV-1 to the second region was possible.

[HIV-1 drug resistance and influencing factors among people living with HIV/AIDS before antiretroviral therapy in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture]

Objective: To explore HIV-1 drug resistance and influencing factors among people living with HIV/AIDS before antiretroviral therapy in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture (Liangshan). Methods: Between January 1 and June 30, in both 2017 and 2018, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Liangshan HIV-1 pol sequences were gathered and analyzed according to WHO Guidelines on HIV drug resistance surveillance of 2014. Both HyPhy 2.2.4 and Cytoscape 3.6.1 software were used to analyze the drug resistant strains of HIV-1 transmission network. Results: A total of 464 people living with HIV/AIDS was recruited. The proportion of HIV-1 CRF07_BC subtype was 88.6% (411/464), with HIV-1 drug resistance rate was 9.9% (46/464). The HIV-1 drug resistance rates of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTI) and protease inhibitors (PI) were 6.7% (31/464), 1.9% (9/464) and 0.4% (2/464) respectively. New recombinant strains of HIV-1 URF_01BC subtype was independently clustered according to the drug resistant mutation sites. Results from the multivariate logistic analysis showed that injected drug users group had higher risk on HIV-1 drug resistance (aOR=3.03, 95%CI:1.40-6.54) than heterosexual group among people living with HIV/AIDS. Conclusions: HIV-1 drug resistance rate had already been in a high level before antiretroviral therapy was in place. The newly identified recombinant strains of HIV-1 URF_01BC subtype were independently clustered according to the drug resistant mutation sites. It was necessary to strengthen the prevention of the HIV-1 drug resistant strains transmission.