[Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for submucosal tumors originating from muscularis propria layer at esophagogastric junction]

Objective: To evaluate the short-term outcomes and safety of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) for submucosal tumors (SMT) originating from muscularis propria (MP) layer at esophagogastric junction. Methods: The clinical data of 31 patients with SMT originating from MP layer at esophagogastric junction underwent STER were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results: The success rate of STER of the thirty-one patients was 100%. The mean tumor size was (2.5±1.3) cm and the average operative time was (95.9±56.7) min. Perforation occurred in 3 patients and was successfully clipped by endo-clips during operation. One patient developed delayed bleeding and the bleeding was stopped by endoscopic hemostasis. Twenty-nine leiomyomas and two stromal tumors (GIST) were finally pathologically diagnosed. No local recurrence and distant metastasis were noted during the mean 15.4 months follow-up of 20 cases. According to the lesion size, 31 patients who received STER were divided into two groups. The operation time of maximum diameter ≥3.5 cm group was (134.0±70.6) min, significantly longer than (80.3±42.6) min of maximum diameter <3.5 cm group (P=0.014). However, the en bloc removal rate, postoperative hospital stay and the complication incidence between the two groups had no obvious differences (P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the piecemeal removal group had longer tumor diameter, higher incidence of irregular tumor morphology, and longer operative time than the en bloc removal group (all P<0.05). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that irregular shape was a risk factor for failure of en bloc removal (OR=18.000, 95% CI: 1.885~171.88, P=0.012). Conclusion: As a new method of minimally invasive treatment, STER technology appears to be a safe and effective option for patients with SMT originating from MP layer at esophagogastric junction.

Abstract P4-13-02: Selective androgen receptor modulator RAD140 inhibits the growth of endocrine-resistant breast cancer models with defined genetic backgrounds

Estrogen receptor α-positive (ER+) breast cancer is routinely treated with therapies targeting the ER axis. However, de novo and acquired resistance to the standard-of-care treatment occur in a significant subset of patients. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed for the resistance, among which genetic alterations to the coding gene of ERα, ESR1, have been extensively studied. Notably, ESR1 hotspot mutations within the ligand binding domain (LBD), novel fusion proteins consisting of the N-terminal domain of ER and the C-terminal domain of a partner gene, and ESR1 gene amplification have been found to be enriched in endocrine-resistant, metastatic breast cancers. Together these ER gene alterations present new challenges in the management of ER+ breast cancer and call for the development of new agents to supplement the current standard-of-care. Around 90% of the ER+ breast cancer cases are also androgen receptor (AR) positive (AR+). Mounting preclinical evidence has demonstrated that AR agonists suppress AR and ER positive (AR/ER+) breast cancer cell growth, in line with clinical activity of androgens. We recently reported the oral selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) RAD140 is a potent, tissue-selective AR agonist in breast cancer cells which significantly inhibited the growth of AR/ER+ patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, partly via inhibiting ESR1 gene expression and ER signaling. It also elicited enhanced tumor growth inhibition when combined with a CDK4/6 inhibitor.

Here we further examine the activity of RAD140 in AR/ER+ breast cancer models that are endocrine-independent with a spectrum of ESR1 genetic alterations. In PDX models harboring ESR1 amplification or fusion, RAD140 inhibited tumor growth to a greater degree than fulvestrant, a standard-of-care selective ER degrader (SERD). These results are consistent with the clinical history of the donor patients whose diseases relapsed from or progressed rapidly on fulvestrant. In PDX models with ESR1 Y537S mutation, RAD140 showed anti-tumor activity comparable to that of fulvestrant. Notably, RAD140 treatment also led to substantial reduction of proliferation and colony formation in cell line models recapitulating resistance to the combination of estrogen deprivation and CDK4/6 inhibition.

In summary, RAD140 showed marked anti-tumor activity in AR/ER+, endocrine-resistant breast cancer models with defined genetic background. Importantly, in models with ESR1 amplification and fusion, the AR-targeting RAD140 exhibited more profound inhibitory activity compared with fulvestrant. In models with an ESR1 mutation, the efficacy of RAD140 and fulvestrant was comparable. These results lend support to a clinical hypothesis that AR/ER+, endocrine-resistant tumors with these genetic backgrounds may benefit from AR agonist-based treatment. RAD140 is currently being evaluated in hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer patients (NCT03088527).

Citation Format: Yu Z, He S, Miller C, Saeh J, Hattersley G, O'Neill A. Selective androgen receptor modulator RAD140 inhibits the growth of endocrine-resistant breast cancer models with defined genetic backgrounds [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-13-02.

Negative Association of Serum URIC Acid with Peripheral Blood Cellular Aging Markers

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to explore the association between serum UA and cellular aging markers.

DESIGN

The current cross-sectional analysis was based on data collected within a type 2 diabetes project.

SETTINGS

Serum uric acid (UA), which has both antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties, is thought to be involved in cellular aging processes.

PARTICIPANTS

There are 536 participants included in total, 65.3% of which are women. The average serum UA in women was 267.8 umol/l, lower than in men of 337.7 umol/l (P<0.001).

MEASUREMENTS

Serum UA, blood lipid profile, HbA1c, plasma glucose and insulin were determined. The peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) were assessed using a real-time PCR assay. Logistic regressions were used to analyze the associations between serum UA and cellular aging markers.

RESULTS

In Spearman's correlation analysis, there were significantly negative correlations between serum UA and LTL in both women and men (r=-0.162, P=0.006; and r=-0.232, P=0.004, respectively). The logistic regression adjusted for age, BMI, WC, daily energy intake, HbA1c, TG, and LDL-C revealed that the ORs of shorter LTL comparing the extreme serum UA quintiles was 5.52 (95% CI 1.69-18.02; P for trend =0.025) in women and 6.49 (95% CI 1.38-30.45; P for trend =0.108) in men. Furthermore, the OR (95% CI) for shorter LTL per 1 SD increment in serum UA was 1.51(1.10-2.07) in women and 1.64(1.01-2.65) in men. In regard to mtDNAcn, the association between elevated serum UA and lower mtDNAcn only reached significance in men when comparing the second and fifth quintiles with reference quintile (OR=3.73(1.07-13.04) and 3.76(1.01-14.09) , separately, and P for trend=0.066).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate a significant negative association between serum UA and peripheral blood cellular aging markers. Serum UA might play a role in promoting cellular aging.

[Resting metabolic rate estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis and its determinants in maintenance hemodialysis patients]

Objective: To explore the level of resting energy expenditure (REE) estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis and the association of resting metabolic rate (RMR) with clinical related factors, and provide new ideas for improving protein energy wasting (PEW) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods: Seven hundred and sixty-five subjects receiving MHD between July 2015 and September 2016 in 11 hemodialysis centers in Guizhou province were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to measure RMR and body composition, such as lean body mass, fat mass and body cell mass (BCM). Baseline characteristics, routine blood test indexes and biochemical data of hemodialysis patients were collected. The level of RMR and body composition in hemodialysis patients was compared by gender grouping. Then the patients were divided into four groups according to the cutoff value of RMR quartile. Spearman correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the relationships between RMR and clinical related factors. Results: The average age of MHD patients was (54.96±15.78) years and the duriation of dialysis was (42.3±9.0) months. The level of RMR in male patients (474 cases, 61.96%) was significantly higher than that in female patients [1 591(1 444, 1 764) kcal/d vs 1 226 (1 104, 1 354) kcal/d, P<0.001]. However, this significant difference of RMR between different genders disappeared after adjusting for lean body mass (P=0.193). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that RMR was positively correlated with body surface area (β=0.817) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (β=0.198), and negatively correlated with age (β=-0.141), all P<0.05. Conclusion: RMR levels in patients with maintenance hemodialysis are associated with lactate dehydrogenase level, which may become a new index to evaluate energy consumption.

[The application of cineMRI in evaluation of upper airway obstruction levels in complicated pediatric OSAS]

Objective:The aim of this study is to explore the role of cineMRI in the localization of upper airway obstruction in complicated pediatric OSAS. Method:Eleven persistent OSAS and 11 complex OSAS patients underwent cineMRI. Each patient was imaged midline sagittal and axial magnetic resonance cine image. The obtained sagittal and axial images were displayed in cine format, creating a real time "movie" of airway motion, to make a personalized treatment for each child. Polysomnography was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of cineMRI directed treatment for pediatric OSAS. Result:cineMRI could effectively define the upper airway obstruction level. There was a significant improvement in AHI (P=0.019) and saturation nadir (P<0.01). Conclusion:cineMRI is an effective method for assessing the level of airway obstruction on persistent or complex pediatric OSAS.

[Functional rhinoplasty under nasal endoscope]

Objective:At different times and cultural background,people have different definition of beauty.With the improvement of economic level and culture quality,people are becoming more and more recognition of nasal appearance and function are equally important.Even the importance of the function of the nasal is higher than the importance of shape of the nose. Concurrent rhinoplasty (nasal dorsum and lateral nasal wall reduction) and functional sinus surgery (nasal septum reconstructory, middle turbinate,inferior turbinate surgery even extended to the nasal cavity expansion tecunhnique, sinusitis surgery) with endoscopic surgical surgical methods were discussed.Method:The study included 20 patients with deformed functional endoscopic rhinoplasty, 2010-2015 in Beijing Tongren Hospital,of ages 16-53, male 14 cases,female 6 cases, 11cases had history of trauma, all of 20 patients have unilateral nasal plugging. Operating methods, 17 patients were performed nasal endoscopic septoplasty and rhinoplasty at the same time. One case cocurrent endoscopic rhinodacryocystostomy.Two cases were performed Nasal endoscopic sinus operation. Only 5 cases use silica gel prosthesis, 15 cases use autologous cartilage in functional rhinoplasty.Result:Twenty patients compared with performed rhinoplasty,nasal septum reconstructory,middle turbinate,inferior turbinate surgery,nasal cavity expansion,sinusitis surgery separately,surgery is better,no other complicationgs occurred.Actually decredsed the number of surgical treatment and hospitalization expenses.Conclusion:Functional endoscopic rhinoplasty,over the same period it solved the nasal shape and nasal ventilation function.To avoid impact on ventilation function in the process of the rhinoplasty.Implements the unification of beauty and function.Reduce the surgical treatment of times and cost.No other complication compared to convertional surgery,high feasibility.

Low Wall Shear Stress Is Associated with Local Aneurysm Wall Enhancement on High-Resolution MR Vessel Wall Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Some retrospective studies have found that the aneurysm wall enhancement on high-resolution MR vessel wall postgadolinium T1WI has the potential to distinguish unstable aneurysms. This study aimed to identify hemodynamic characteristics that differ between the enhanced and nonenhanced areas of the aneurysm wall on high-resolution MR vessel wall postgadolinium T1WI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

TOF-MRA and high-resolution MR vessel wall T1WI of 25 patients were fused to localize the enhanced area of the aneurysm wall. Using computational fluid dynamics, we studied the aneurysm models. Mean static pressure, mean wall shear stress, and oscillatory shear index were compared between the enhanced and nonenhanced areas.

RESULTS

The aneurysmal enhanced area had lower wall shear stress (P < .05) and a lower oscillatory shear index (P = .021) than the nonenhanced area. In addition, the whole aneurysm had lower wall shear stress (P < .05) and a higher oscillatory shear index (P = .007) than the parent artery.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that there are hemodynamic differences between the enhanced and nonenhanced areas of the aneurysm wall on high-resolution MR vessel wall postgadolinium T1WI.

[Imaging charateristics of bony erosion and fungal culture analysis in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis]

Objective:To investigate the imaging characteristics of bony erosion, fungal culture and related factors in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). Method:Sixty cases of AFRS were reviewed in this study. The characteristics of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging including positive rate of bony erosion, eroded sites, disease extension and sinus expansion were summarized. Fungal culture and identification of nasal secretion were done. The correlation between the degree of sinus expansion, species of fungi and bony erosion was evaluated by statistical analysis. Result:Of the 60 patients, 18 (30%) had bony erosion. There was a significant difference in the proportion of bone erosion among the sinuses (P<0.05). The most commonly eroded site was the ethmoid sinus. The orbit were the most common adjacent anatomic spaces to exhibit disease extension, and anterior cranial fossa is the second most common. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association(P<0.05)of bone erosion with sinus expansion. The positive rate of fungal culture was 51.3%, among which the most common is Aspergillus. Statistical analysis shows no association(P>0.05)of bone erosion with specific fungi. Conclusion:Bone erosion is an important imaging feature of AFRS. Bone erosion may cause by sinus expansion. Extension of disease into the orbit or intracranial cavity results from a natural progression of disease after erosion occurs. Specific fungal species that can cause bone erosion was found.

[Epidemiological investigation on 1 946 hospitalized pediatric patients with burns]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized pediatric patients with burns and explore the prevention and treatment strategy of pediatric burns. Methods: Medical records of pediatric burn patients hospitalized in multiple departments of Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2012 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Data including gender, age, residence, ways of paying, total burn area, burn severity, cause, time, and place of burns, prehospital treatment ways, clinical outcome, length of hospital stay were collected and processed with chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni correction. The factors which influence wound healing were processed with multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: (1) A total of 1 946 pediatric burn patients with complete medical records were hospitalized in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University during the 5 years, with 1 127 boys (57.91%), which were more than 819 girls (42.09%). Pediatric patients≤3 years old were with the highest incidence of burns of 87.15% (1 696/1 946). There was no significantly statistical difference in gender composition ratio among pediatric patients of different ages (χ²=2.294, P= 0.318). (2) The residence of 1 536 pediatric patients (78.93%) were in town, and most of them used urban resident essential medical insurance for medical cost. Most of the pediatric patients living in rural areas paid the medical cost at their own expense. There was significantly statistical difference in way of paying between pediatric patients living in urban and those in rural areas (χ²=658.324, P<0.05). (3) The pediatric patients with total burn surface area≥5% total body surface area (TBSA) and<15% TBSA were the most (1 200 cases, accounting for 61.66%). The pediatric patients with moderate burns were the most (1 225 cases, accounting for 62.95%), followed by mild burns (494 cases, accounting for 25.39%), severe burns (124 cases, accounting for 6.37%), and extremely severe burns (46 cases, accounting for 2.36%). (4) The pediatric patients with scald caused by hot water were the most (1 801 cases, accounting for 92.55%), followed by flame burns (69 cases, accounting for 3.55%), chemical burns (44 cases, accounting for 2.26%), and electrical burns (32 cases, accounting for 1.64%). There was significantly statistical difference in cause of injury among pediatric patients of different ages (χ²=85.471, P<0.05). (5) The incidence of burns of pediatric patients in Spring was 27.95% (544/1 946), which was slightly higher than those in other seasons. There was significantly statistical difference in the burn season among pediatric patients admitted to the hospital in different years (χ²= 23.172, P< 0.05). As to burn place, most of burns of pediatric patients happened at home (1 776 cases, accounting for 91.26%). (6) There was significantly statistical difference in clinical outcome among pediatric patients with different prehospital treatments (H=16.005, P<0.05). There was significantly statistical difference in clinical outcome between pediatric patients with reasonable prehospital treatments and those with unreasonable prehospital treatments (H=-64.990, P<0.05), and between pediatric patients with reasonable prehospital treatments and those without any treatment (H=-74.775, P<0.05). There was no significantly statistical difference in clinical outcome between pediatric patients with unreasonable prehospital treatments and those without any prehospital treatment (H=-9.785, P>0.05). (7) The median of length of hospital stay of pediatric patients was 8 days. The pediatric patients with length of hospital stay≤7 days were the most (834 cases, accounting for 42.86%), and the pediatric patients with length of hospital stay>30 days were the least (39 cases, accounting for 2.00%). (8) The way of prehospital treatment and cause of injury were independent risk factors influencing wound healing (χ²=7.946, 12.977, P<0.05). With no prehospital treatment as benchmark, reasonable prehospital treatments promoted wound healing (odds ratio=1.662, 95% confidence interval=1.129-2.447, P<0.05). With chemical burns as benchmark, electrical burn wounds were harder to heal (odds ratio=0.144, 95% confidence interval=0.028-0.734, P<0.05). Conclusions: Pediatric burn patients hospitalized in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were mainly boys≤3 years old with moderate scald caused by hot water at home in urban areas. Timely and reasonable prehospital treatments are beneficial to wound healing.

Termite soldiers contribute to social immunity by synthesizing potent oral secretions

The importance of soldiers to termite society defence has long been recognized, but the contribution of soldiers to other societal functions, such as colony immunity, is less well understood. We explore this issue by examining the role of soldiers in protecting nestmates against pathogen infection. Even though they are unable to engage in grooming behaviour, we find that the presence of soldiers of the Darwin termite, Mastotermes darwiniensis, significantly improves the survival of nestmates following entomopathogenic infection. We also show that the copious exocrine oral secretions produced by Darwin termite soldiers contain a high concentration of proteins involved in digestion, chemical biosynthesis, and immunity. The oral secretions produced by soldiers are sufficient to protect nestmates against infection, and they have potent inhibitory activity against a broad spectrum of microbes. Our findings support the view that soldiers may play an important role in colony immunity, and broaden our understanding of the possible function of soldiers during the origin of soldier-first societies.

An increased tendency in fibrinogen activity and its association with a hypo-fibrinolytic state in early stages after injury in patients without acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC)

Acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) diagnosed by prolongation of APTT and/or PT/INR involves alterations in platelet activity, coagulation and fibrinolysis. However, data showing the haemostatic situation in injured patients without ATC are scarce. To assess whether haemostatic impairment is also present in injured patients without ATC, ten injured patients without ATC and ten normal individuals were examined. The patients were sampled on arrival at the emergency department 0, 2, 12 h after surgical or other intervention. Thrombin generation, fibrin formation and fibrin proteolysis were determined via several laboratory methods, using tissue factor as the coagulation trigger. Thrombograms demonstrated that trauma accelerated both thrombin generation and decay. In the presence of unaffected peak thrombin levels, these two contradictory effects cancelled each other out, leading to the global endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) remaining normal. Under the mediation of normal ETP, fibrin network permeability (Ks) kept the reference levels in the two groups of subjects. Fibrinogen (FBG) activity (Clauss) rose with time from 0 to 2 h and 12 h, which significantly slowed down Clot Lysis Potential as determined by an in vitro method with exogenous t-PA. Summary: the main haemostatic impairment in the present patients concerned an increased tendency in FBG activity. Since an increase in FBG is a biomarker of acute inflammation and also predicts greater fibrin production which down-regulates fibrinolysis, we suggest that during early stages after injury, patients without ATC may suffer from worsening inflammation and confront enhancement of thrombosis risk due to dysfunction of fibrinolysis.

The clinical features in Chinese patients with PRNP D178N mutation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Fatal familial insomnia (FFI) is an autosomal dominant disease due to the D178N mutation of PRNP gene coupling with homozygous methionine (Met) at codon 129. It is generally considered that D178N mutation cases with 129 M/M homozygotes present as FFI, and 129 V/V as genetic CJD. However, the frequency of 129 Met alleles in Chinese population is much higher than that in Caucasians. This study aims to investigate the clinical features and genetic characteristics of Chinese D178N mutants in this genetic context.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical and genetic features of seven D178N patients. The clinical data, genetic data, electroencephalogram (EEG), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), polysomnography (PSG), CSF 14-3-3 protein examinations of the seven patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

The genotypes at codon 129 were all M/M. Four of the seven cases reported positive family history. Four patients were more likely the CJD phenotype and three were FFI phenotype according to the core clinical features. No major differences were found on the EEG, CSF 14-3-3 protein, and PSG presentations between this study and western studies. Novel neuroimaging findings were two patients had typical neuroimaging abnormalities of CJD and frontotemporal dementia, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike the western populations, the diverse phenotypical presentations of D178N mutants were not simply determined by the 129 genotypes in Chinese. The underlying modifying factors for phenotypical variations warrant further investigations. For those with atypical clinical and imaging features, genetic testing was important for final diagnosis.

Type 1 innate lymphoid cell aggravation of atherosclerosis is mediated through TLR4

ILC populations elaborate a similar cytokine expression pattern with helper T cell subsets Th1, Th2 and Th17. Recent studies indicate that CD25+ILC2 could alleviate atherosclerosis by altering lipid metabolism, whereas the depletion of CD90-expressing ILCs had no influence on atherosclerosis. Thus, these findings raise the question of whether ILC1 cells react on atherosclerosis. Hence, our group attempted to explore the role of ILC1 cells in atherosclerosis. We found that ILC1 cells have a high Th1-like gene expression of T-bet and IFN-γ, which is distinct from ILC2, ILC3 or conventional NK (cNK) cells. Moreover, atherosclerotic lesions were greatly reduced in ApoE-/-Rag1-/- mice treated with anti-NK1.1 mAbs for depleting ILC1 cells (ILC1+cNK cells), compared to ApoE-/-Rag1-/- mice treated with anti-IL-15R mAbs for depleting cNK cells, and these effects could be fully rescued through the adoptive transfer of ILC1 cells sorted from the spleen of ApoE-/-TLR4+/+ mice into ApoE-/-Rag1-/- mice treated with anti-NK1.1 mAbs. However, the adoptive transfer of ILC1 cells sorted from the spleen of ApoE-/-TLR4-/- mice into ApoE-/-Rag1-/- mice treated with anti-NK1.1 mAbs blocked the progression of atherosclerosis, indicating that the pro-atherosclerotic role of ILC1 cells is dependent on TLR4. Furthermore, oxLDL-induced increase in IFN-γ expression from ApoE-/- ILC1 cells was correlated with the decrease in BACH2 expression. Taken together, ILC1 cells exist in atherosclerosis and aggravate atherosclerosis via increasing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in a TLR4/BACH2-dependent manner.

Endothelial extracellular vesicles modulate the macrophage phenotype: Potential implications in atherosclerosis

Endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophages engage in tight and specific interactions that play critical roles in cardiovascular homeostasis and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are circular membrane fragments released from the endosomal compartment as exosomes or shed from the surfaces of the membranes of most cell types. Increasing evidence indicates that EVs play a pivotal role in cell-to-cell communication. However, the contribution of EVs, as determine by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-exposed and/or Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2)-transduced ECs in the interaction between vascular ECs and monocytes/macrophages, which is a key event in atherosclerotic plaque development, has remained elusive. This study demonstrates the characteristic impact of EVs from ox-LDL-treated and/or KLF2-transduced ECs on the monocyte/macrophage phenotype in vitro and in vivo.Q-PCR showed that both the atherosclerosis inducer ox-LDL and atheroprotective factor KLF2 regulated inflammation-associated microRNA-155 (miR-155) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, coculture, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry revealed that miR-155 was enriched in ox-LDL-induced ECs-EVs and subsequently transferred to human monocytic THP1 cells, in which these vesicles enhance monocyte activation by shifting the monocytes/macrophages balance from anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages towards proinflammatory M1 macrophages; EVs from KLF2-expressing ECs suppressed monocyte activation by enhancing immunomodulatory responses and diminishing proinflammatory responses, which indicate the potent anti-inflammatory activities of these cells. Furthermore, oil red staining showed that atherosclerotic lesions were reduced in mice that received EVs from KLF2-transduced ECs with decreased proinflammatory M1 macrophages and increased anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, and this effect is at least partly due to the decreased expression of inflammation-associated miR-155, confirming our in vitro findings. In summary, this study provides novel insights into the pathophysiological effects of altered EV secretion and/or microRNA content and their influence on modulating monocyte activation depending on the environment surrounding EVs-releasing ECs.

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) protects ovariectomized rats fed with high-saturated fat-sucrose diet from bone loss

Dietary patterns may interfere with the efficacy of herbal intervention. Our results demonstrated the protective effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza aqueous extract (SMA) on bone metabolism were influenced by levels of dietary fat and sucrose in ovariectomized (OVX) rats through its actions on attenuating lipid deposition and oxidative stress in rats.

INTRODUCTION

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), also known as Danshen, has been tested as an osteoporosis treatment in a series of small, short human trials that generally report improvements in bone property. However, dietary patterns may interfere with the effects of herbal intervention. We hypothesized that dietary fat and sucrose levels could influence the effects of SM supplementation on bone in estrogen-deficient animals.

METHODS

Six-month-old Sprague-Dawley sham or OVX rats were fed either a low-saturated fat-sucrose (LFS, a diet that was similar in composition to normal rat chow) or a high-fat-sucrose (HFS) diet and OVX rats were treated (8 rats/group) with SM aqueous extract (SMA, 600 mg/kg/day), 17β-estradiol (1 mg/kg/day), or vehicle for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

SMA significantly improved bone properties as revealed by the increase in trabecular bone mineral density and decrease in trabecular separation at proximal metaphysis of the tibia (PT) in HFS-fed OVX rats, but not in LFS-fed OVX rats. SMA greatly reduced lipid deposition and malondialdehyde levels, improved the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the livers of HFS-fed OVX rats. SMA could directly improve the proliferation and differentiation in vitro in an H₂O₂-induced preosteoblast cell model by attenuating cellular reactive oxygen species levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The protective effects of SMA on bone metabolism were influenced by dietary fat and sucrose levels in OVX rats. The ability of SMA to reduce bone loss in HFS-fed OVX rats was associated with the attenuation of lipid deposition and oxidative stress levels.

[Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath for peripheral pulmonary ground glass opacity]

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) for peripheral pulmonary ground glass opacity (GGO). Methods: The clinical data of 27 consecutive patients with 27 GGOs diagnosed by EBUS-GS between November 2014 to December 2015 in our Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The average age of these 27 patients, including 9 males and 18 females, was 59±11 years. The median lesion size of the 27 GGOs was 2.9±1.2 cm, including 24 mixed GGOs and 3 pure GGOs. EBUS images of all 27 GGOs were evaluated, cytological, histological and combination diagnosis analyzed, and complications observed. Results: Under thin bronchoscope, 2 out of 27 cases showed bronchial stenosis, 1 showed bronchial stenosis with mucosal swelling, and the other 24 did not show abnormalities. Twenty-five out of 27 GGOs were found by EBUS, including 22 cases of mGGO and 3 of pGGO. In these ultrasonic images of 22 mGGOs, 18 showed mixed blizzard sign, 3 showed diffusely heterogeneous acoustic shadow and 1showed blizzard sign. Ultrasonic images of 3 pGGOs all appeared as blizzard sign. Twenty-six cytological specimens were obtained, and 16 were diagnosed clearly. All 27 histological specimens were collected, and 18 were diagnosed clearly. Nineteen of 27 cases were diagnosed by combination of cytological and histological specimens. One complication of EBUS-GS with mild bleeding was observed, and hemorrhage was terminated by conservative treatment. Conclusions: EBUS-GS is valuable for GGO diagnosis with less complications and higher safety. GGO ultrasonic image manifested as mixed blizzard sign, blizzard sign or diffusely heterogeneous acoustic shadow.

[Risk factors and survival analysis for synchronous esophageal carcinoma in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the risk factors and survival status of hypopharyngeal carcinoma with synchronous second primary carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods: One hundred and sixty patients with newly diagnosed hypopharyngeal carcinoma from January 2009 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical data, tumor-related information and follow-up results were collected and analyzed. Results: Forty-three synchronous esophageal carcinomas (27%) were detected in 160 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma, and most patients (72%) were at an early stage. On univariate analysis, the median age of less than 55 years old (χ(2)=4.525, P=0.033), excessive alcohol consumption (χ(2)=6.942, P=0.008) and invasion site more than 3 anatomical regions (χ(2)=21.503, P=0.000) had a significant correlation with the occurrence of synchronous esophageal carcinomas. Multivariate analysis showed that excessive alcohol consumption (OR=4.787, P=0.029) and invasion site more than 3 anatomical regions (OR=14.391, P=0.000) were independent risk factors. The median survival time was 26 months in 43 patients with synchronous esophageal carcinomas, which was significantly lower than that (58 months) in patients without secondary primary esophageal carcinomas (χ(2)=11.981, P=0.001). Conclusions: There is a high incidence of synchronous esophageal carcinoma in hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients, affecting the prognosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Surveillance for esophageal carcinomas in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma, especially in excessive alcohol drinkers, is warranted.

Sirt1 mediates improvement in cognitive defects induced by focal cerebral ischemia following hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning in rats

Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBO-PC) has been proposed as a safe and practical approach for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke. However, it is not known whether HPO-PC can improve cognitive deficits induced by cerebral ischemia, and the mechanistic basis for any beneficial effects remains unclear. We addressed this in the present study using rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) as an ischemic stroke model following HBO-PC. Cognitive function and expression of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy polypeptide (pNF-H) and doublecortin (DCX) in the hippocampus were evaluated 14 days after reperfusion and after short interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of sirtuin1 (Sirt1). HBO-PC increased pNF-H and DCX expression and mitigated cognitive deficits in MCAO rats. However, these effects were abolished by Sirt1 knockdown. Our results suggest that HBO-PC can protect the brain from injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion and that Sirt1 is a potential molecular target for therapeutic approaches designed to minimize cognitive deficits caused by cerebral ischemia.

miR-33a inhibits cell proliferation and invasion by targeting CAND1 in lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer continues to be one of the top five causes of cancer-related mortality. This study aims to identify down- and upregulated miRNAs and mRNA which can be used as potential biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for lung cancer.

METHODS

Integrated analysis of differential expression profiles of miRNA and mRNA in lung cancer was performed by searching Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. Based on miRNA expression profiles, direct mRNA targets of miRNAs with experimental support were identified through miRTarBase. The levels of representative miRNAs and mRNAs were confirmed through qualitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

The miR-33a was decreased in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues compared with the para-carcinoma tissues, whereas its target mRNA of cullin-associated NEDD8-dissociated protein 1 (CAND1) was increased in NSCLC tissues. Further research has shown that miR-33a can inhibit lung cancer cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration by targeting CAND1. Moreover, the CAND1 knockout lung cancer cells showed similar results as cells transfected with miR-33a mimic.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that the data mining based on online databases was an effective method in finding novel target in cancer research, and the miR-33a and CAND1 played an important role in lung cancer proliferation and cell migration.

Microbial acceleration of aerobic pyrite oxidation at circumneutral pH

Pyrite (FeS₂ ) is the most abundant sulfide mineral on Earth and represents a significant reservoir of reduced iron and sulfur both today and in the geologic past. In modern environments, oxidative transformations of pyrite and other metal sulfides play a key role in terrestrial element partitioning with broad impacts to contaminant mobility and the formation of acid mine drainage systems. Although the role of aerobic micro-organisms in pyrite oxidation under acidic-pH conditions is well known, to date there is very little known about the capacity for aerobic micro-organisms to oxidize pyrite at circumneutral pH. Here, we describe two enrichment cultures, obtained from pyrite-bearing subsurface sediments, that were capable of sustained cell growth linked to pyrite oxidation and sulfate generation at neutral pH. The cultures were dominated by two Rhizobiales species (Bradyrhizobium sp. and Mesorhizobium sp.) and a Ralstonia species. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing and genome reconstruction indicated the presence of Fe and S oxidation pathways in these organisms, and the presence of a complete Calvin-Benson-Bassham CO₂ fixation system in the Bradyrhizobium sp. Oxidation of pyrite resulted in thin (30-50 nm) coatings of amorphous Fe(III) oxide on the pyrite surface, with no other secondary Fe or S phases detected by electron microscopy or X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Rates of microbial pyrite oxidation were approximately one order of magnitude higher than abiotic rates. These results demonstrate the ability of aerobic microbial activity to accelerate pyrite oxidation and expand the potential contribution of micro-organisms to continental sulfide mineral weathering around the time of the Great Oxidation Event to include neutral-pH environments. In addition, our findings have direct implications for the geochemistry of modern sedimentary environments, including stimulation of the early stages of acid mine drainage formation and mobilization of pyrite-associated metals.

Cardiometabolic risks vary by weight status in pediatric kidney and liver transplant recipients: A cross-sectional, single-center study in the USA

There is an increasing need to understand long-term metabolic changes and resultant comorbidities because life expectancy is increasing after pediatric kidney and liver transplants. We evaluated differences in classic and novel cardiometabolic biomarkers among obese and normal weight adolescent transplant recipients. We enrolled a total of 80 adolescent (mean±SD, 14.8 years ±3.0) transplant recipients (63 kidney, 17 liver) with mean duration from transplantation of 6.0 (±4.1) years. Among kidney transplant recipients, overweight and obese individuals had higher leptin (16.7 vs 7.5 μg/mL, P<.001), lower HDL (1.1 vs 1.3 mmol/L, P=.02), higher free fatty acid (0.6 vs 0.5 mmol/L, P=.03), higher apoB-to-apoA1 ratio (0.8 vs 0.6, P=.03), and higher glucose (5.8 vs 4.3 mmol/L, P=.03) concentrations compared to normal weight individuals. Regardless of obesity status, over half of all participants (57.5%) were considered at high cardiometabolic risk using consensus guidelines, and this was more pronounced for kidney transplant recipients (61.9%). Post-transplantation adolescents have increased cardiometabolic risk characterized by traditional risk factors of obesity and diabetes. The presence of obesity significantly worsens biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk. Future studies should explore whether treatment of obesity can improve the health and long-term outcomes for children undergoing solid organ transplant.

Radiation reduction of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with localisation system in overweight patients: practical technique

AIMS

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MITLIF) has been well validated in overweight and obese patients who are consequently subject to a higher radiation exposure. This prospective multicentre study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a novel lumbar localisation system for MITLIF in overweight patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The initial study group consisted of 175 patients. After excluding 49 patients for various reasons, 126 patients were divided into two groups. Those in Group A were treated using the localisation system while those in Group B were treated by conventional means. The primary outcomes were the effective radiation dosage to the surgeon and the exposure time.

RESULTS

There were 62 patients in Group A and 64 in Group B. The mean effective dosage was 0.0217 mSv (standard deviation (sd) 0.0079) in Group A and 0.0383 mSv (sd 0.0104) in Group B (p < 0.001). The mean fluoroscopy exposure time was 26.42 seconds (sd 5.91) in Group A and 40.67 seconds (sd 8.18) in Group B (p < 0.001). The operating time was 175.56 minutes (sd 32.23) and 206.08 minutes (sd 30.15) (p < 0.001), respectively. The mean pre-operative localisation time was 4.73 minutes (sd 0.84) in Group A and 7.03 minutes (sd 1.51) in Group B (p < 0.001). The mean screw placement time was 47.37 minutes (sd 10.43) in Group A and 67.86 minutes (sd 14.15) in Group B (p < 0.001). The pedicle screw violation rate was 0.35% (one out of 283) in Group A and 2.79% (eight out of 287) in Group B (p = 0.020).

CONCLUSION

The study shows that the localisation system can effectively reduce radiation exposure, exposure time, operating time, pre-operative localisation time, and screw placement time in overweight patients undergoing MITLIF. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:944-50.

[Correlation between TLR4 gene polymorphisms and allergic rhinitis]

Objective:To investigate the correlation between polymorphisms in the TLR4 locus and the susceptibility of allergic rhinitis. Method:Three polymorphisms in TLR4 locus (rs10759930, rs2737190 and rs2770150) were genotyped in 212 subjects with allergic rhinitis and in 169 healthy controls. PCR sequencing methods was performed for genotyping. SPSS program version 17.0 was used for statistic analysis. The characteristic of genetic polymorphism was analyzed. The differences of genotype and allele frequencies between the two groups of children were compared. Result:Heterozygous mutations CT (P=2.70×10⁻⁶, OR=2.66, 95%CI=1.76-4.00), and homozygous mutation TT (P=9.72×10⁻⁹, OR=8.78, 95%CI=3.83-20.13) of rs10759930 appeared significant, are related to AR. Conclusion:Heterozygous and homozygous allele in rs10759930 is associated with allergic rhinitis.

Lithium enhances alveolar bone formation during orthodontic retention in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of lithium on alveolar bone formation during orthodontic retention in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After 2 weeks of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), 42 8-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two orthodontic retention groups: one without (control) and the other with LiCl treatment (LiCl group). Samples were collected on days 0, 3, 7 and 14 during the retention period. We evaluated the bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) ratio and new bone formation in the region of interests (ie, the root, the periodontal ligament and the adjacent alveolar bone around the distal buccal surface of the distal root of the maxillary first molar). We performed quantitative analyses, including histology, histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry to identify Runx2 and Osterix expression.

RESULTS

The density of trabecular bone, the quantity of osteoblasts and the expression of osteogenic markers, Runx2 and Osterix, were significantly higher in the LiCl group than in the control group during the orthodontic retention period.

CONCLUSION

LiCl enhances alveolar bone formation during orthodontic retention in rats.

An epidemiological survey of echinococcosis in intermediate and definitive hosts in Qinghai Province, China

In order to understand the epidemiological status of alveolar and cystic echinococcosis in intermediate and definitive hosts in Qinghai Province, China, during the period 2007-2011, we investigated the infection in humans and animals, including yaks, Tibetan sheep, Tibetan dogs, and wild foxes distributed in different counties around the province. Sera from local residents were examined using a rapid serodiagnostic kit to detect specific antibodies against Echinococcus. Seropositive samples were confirmed with B-scan ultrasonography and X-ray examinations. Yaks and Tibetan sheep were checked at slaughterhouses, and cysts and suspicious lesions were collected for analysis. A rapid diagnostic strip was used to detect Echinococcus adults in Tibetan dogs. Positive dogs were dewormed and the parasites collected. Wild foxes were trapped and necropsies performed with particular attention to the intestine. Forty-eight of 735 (6.4%) humans tested were positive and 475 of 854 (55.6%) Tibetan sheep and 85 of 352 (24.15%) yaks were infected with Echinococcus. Across different counties, 214 of 948 (22.57%) Tibetan dogs were positive, and five of 36 (13.9%) wild foxes were infected with Echinococcus. Molecular studies showed that all the infections detected in humans, domestic yaks, and Tibetan sheep were the G1 genotype (E. granulosus), whereas the parasites from Tibetan foxes and Tibetan dogs were E. shiquicus and E. multilocularis, respectively. In conclusion, Echinococcosis is hyperendemic in Qinghai Province in both its intermediate and definitive hosts and the G1 genotype of cystic Echinococcus is the dominant strain.

[Effect of fibroblast growth factor 1 on the proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in submandibular gland of diabetic mice]

Objective: To examine the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in submandibular gland of diabetic mice and to investigate the influence of fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) on PCNA expression and its possible mechanism. Methods: Sixteen db/db diabetic male mice were randomly divided into diabetic group and diabetic-FGF-1 group (n=8). Eight age-matched db/m mice served as a control group. After FGF-1 was administered intraperitoneally to diabetic-FGF-1 group continuously for 16 weeks, blood glucose and body weight of each mouse in the three groups were detected at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks. Then the flow rate of saliva in three groups was compared at 0, 8, 16 weeks. At 16 week, bilateral submandibular glands were resected. Then HE staining was performed to observe the histological morphology of submandibular gland and PCNA expression was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Results: Four weeks after administration, the blood glucose in diabetic-FGF-1 group decreased markedly, close to the control group (P>0.05). Weight loss in diabetic-FGF-1 group was noticeable at 8 weeks after administration, but still higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The flow rate of saliva in diabetic-FGF-1 group increased gradually after administration, which was higher at 8, 16 weeks ([260.1±43.3], [308.5±34.0] mg·min(-1)·kg(-1)) respectively than that in the diabetic group at the same time point ([181.8±37.5], [194.9±49.8] mg·min(-1)·kg(-1)) (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, submandibular glands in diabetic group significantly atrophied and the glandular atrophy in diabetic-FGF-1 group was alleviated. The submandibular gland index in the control group, diabetic group and diabetic-FGF-1 group were (7.45±0.63), (2.23±0.26), (3.97±0.15) mg/g, respectively (P<0.05). HE staining showed that the histological morphology of submandibular gland in diabetic-FGF-1 group was clearer, and acinar and ductal atrophy were less significant than diabetic group. Immunohistochemistry showed that the rate of PCNA-positive cells in the control group, diabetic group and diabetic-FGF-1 group were (45.23±7.78)%, (11.50±1.69)%, (36.98±6.53)% respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions: FGF-1 can up-regulate the expression of PCNA in submandibular gland of diabetic mice. This effect may be one of the important mechanisms of FGF-1 reversing the structural atrophy and dysfunction of submandibular gland caused by diabetes mellitus.

Molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and pharmacological characterization of melanocortin-4 receptor in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays a pivotal role in the mediation of leptin action on food intake and energy expenditure in mammals. The MC4R has also been identified in several teleosts, and its importance in the regulation of fish energy homeostasis is emerging. We herein reported on the molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and pharmacological characterization of MC4R in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), an economically and ecologically important fish. We showed that grass carp MC4R (ciMC4R) consisted of a 981 bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 326 amino acids, highly homologous (>95%) to several teleost MC4Rs. Phylogenetic and synteny analysis further indicated ciMC4R was closely related to piscine MC4Rs. Using reverse transcription PCR, we found that mc4r messenger RNA was expressed in the brain as well as various peripheral tissues in grass carp. The pharmacological properties of ciMC4R were investigated using 4 agonists, including α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), β-MSH, [Nle⁴, D-Phe⁷]-MSH (NDP-MSH), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). We showed that all 4 ligands could bind to ciMC4R and initiate dose-dependent intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation. Grass carp MC4R had the highest affinity for NDP-MSH. Both NDP-MSH and ACTH (1-24) exhibited higher potencies compared to the other 2 endogenous agonists. The ciMC4R was constitutively active, with significantly increased basal cAMP level compared with that of human MC4R (P < 0.01). The availability of ciMC4R and its pharmacologic characteristics provide a basis for future investigation of its functional roles in regulating diverse physiological processes and novel insights into understanding the mechanism of food habit transition in grass carp.

New insights from GWAS for the cleft palate among han Chinese population

Background

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) already have identified tens of susceptible loci for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). However, whether these loci associated with nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO) remains unknown.

Material and Methods

In this study, we replicated 38 SNPs (Single nucleotide polymorphisms) which has the most significant p values in published GWASs, genotyping by using SNPscan among 144 NSCPO trios from Western Han Chinese. We performed the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) on individual SNPs and gene-gene (GxG) interaction analyses on the family data; Parent-of-Origin effects were assessed by separately considering transmissions from heterozygous fathers versus heterozygous mothers to affected offspring.

Results

Allelic TDT results showed that T allele at rs742071 (PAX7) (p=0.025, ORtransmission=3.00, 95%CI: 1.09-8.25) and G allele at rs2485893 (10kb 3’ of SYT14) were associated with NSCPO (p=0.0036, ORtransmission= 0.60, 95%CI: 0.42-0.85). Genotypic TDT based on 3 pseudo controls further confirmed that rs742071 (p-value=0.03, ORtransmission=3.00, 95%CI: 1.09-8.25) and rs2485893 were associated with NSCPO under additive model (p-value= 0.02, ORtransmission= 0.66, 95%CI: 0.47-0.92). Genotypic TDT for epistatic interactions showed that rs4844913 (37kb 3’ of DIEXF) interacted with rs11119388 (SYT14) (p-value=1.80E-08) and rs6072081 (53kb 3’ of MAFB) interacted with rs6102085 (33kb 3’ of MAFB) (p-value=3.60E-04) for NSCPO, suggesting they may act in the same pathway in the etiology of NSCPO.

Conclusions

In this study, we found that rs742071 and rs2485893 were associated NSCPO from Han Chinese population; also, interactions of rs4844913:rs11119388 and rs6072081:rs6102085 for NSCPO were identified, gene-gene interactions have been proposed as a potential source of the remaining heritability, these findings provided new insights of the previous GWAS.

Key words:GWAS, NSCPO, TDT, parent-of-origin effects, epistatic interactions.

Zebrafish models of leukemia

The zebrafish, Danio rerio, is a well-established, invaluable model system for the study of human cancers. The genetic pathways that drive oncogenesis are highly conserved between zebrafish and humans, and multiple unique attributes of the zebrafish make it a tractable tool for analyzing the underlying cellular processes that give rise to human disease. In particular, the high conservation between human and zebrafish hematopoiesis (Jing & Zon, 2011) has stimulated the development of zebrafish models for human hematopoietic malignancies to elucidate molecular pathogenesis and to expedite the preclinical investigation of novel therapies. While T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the first transgenic cancer model in zebrafish (Langenau et al., 2003), a wide spectrum of zebrafish models of human hematopoietic malignancies has been established since 2003, largely through transgenesis and genome-editing approaches. This chapter presents key examples that validate the zebrafish as an indispensable model system for the study of hematopoietic malignancies and highlights new models that demonstrate recent advances in the field.

Phosphorylation of NFAT3 by CDK3 induces cell transformation and promotes tumor growth in skin cancer

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family proteins are transcription factors that regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other genes during the immune response. Although the NFAT proteins have been extensively investigated in the immune system, their role in cancer progression remains controversial. Here, we report that NFAT3 is highly expressed in various skin cancer cell lines and tumor tissues. Knockdown of endogenous NFAT3 expression by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation, colony formation and anchorage-independent cell growth. Furthermore, results of the mammalian two-hybrid assay showed that cyclin-dependent kinase 3 (CDK3) directly interacted with NFAT3 and phosphorylated NFAT3 at serine 259 (Ser259), which enhanced the transactivation and transcriptional activity of NFAT3. The phosphorylation site of NFAT3 was critical for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated cell transformation of the HaCaT immortalized skin cell line and mutation of NFAT3 at Ser259 led to a reduction of colony formation in soft agar. We also found that overexpressing wildtype NFAT3, but not mutant NFAT3-S259A, promoted A431 xenograft tumor growth. Importantly, we showed that CDK3, NFAT3 and phosphorylated NFAT3-Ser259 were highly expressed in skin cancer compared with normal skin tissues. These results provided evidence supporting the oncogenic potential of NFAT3 and suggested that CDK3-mediated phosphorylation of NFAT3 has an important role in skin tumorigenesis.

Evaluation of immune responses induced by rhoptry protein 5 and rhoptry protein 7 DNA vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii

Infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is widespread, and the organism can cause congenital infections in humans. The horizontal transmission of Toxoplasma is even more common than congenital. An effective vaccine strategy brings the prospect of improving Toxoplasma disease control. Rhoptry protein 5 (ROP5) and ROP7 are potential stimulators of humoral and cellular immune responses. In this study, we constructed a multi-antigenic DNA vaccine expressing ROP5 and ROP7 of T. gondii and compared the protective efficacy to single-gene vaccines and control groups. BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly three times. The levels of IgG antibodies and cytokines in mice immunized with the multi-antigenic DNA vaccine (pROP5/ROP7) were significantly higher than those in the control mice. Mice vaccinated with pROP5/ROP7 showed a longer survival time (16 days) than single-gene-immunized mice (11 and 12 days, respectively) or control mice (8 days) after a challenge with 1 × 10(4) tachyzoites of RH strain of T. gondii. Furthermore, after intragastric infection with 20 cysts of PRU strain of T. gondii, the number of brain cysts in mice immunized with pROP5/ROP7 was only 25% of the number in control mice. Our results showed that a DNA vaccine encoding ROP5 and ROP7 significantly enhanced protection against T. gondii challenge.