6-Formyl-5-isopropyl-3-hydroxymethyl- 7-methyl-1H-indene mitigates methamphetamine-induced photoreceptor cell toxicity through inhibiting oxidative stress

As an extremely addictive psychostimulant drug and an illicit dopaminergic neurotoxin, methamphetamine (METH) conducts to enhance satisfaction, feelings of alertness through influencing monoamine neurotransmitter systems. Long-lasting exposure to METH causes psychosis and increases the risk of neurodegeneration. 6-Formyl-5-isopropyl-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methyl-1H-indene (FIHMI) is a novel compound with potent antioxidant properties. This study was to investigate whether FIHMI could mitigate METH-induced photoreceptor cell toxicity. METH-caused cell toxicity was established in 661W cells and protective effects of FIHMI at different concentrations (1-10 µM) was examined. FIHMI significantly attenuated the METH-caused cell damage in 661W cells, evidenced by increasing cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential, decreasing cytochrome c release and DNA fragmentation, inhibiting activities of caspase 3/9, and changing expression of apoptosis-related protein. Furthermore, FIHMI treatment decreased mRNA expression of Beclin-1 and LC3B protein expression in METH-induced 661W cells suggesting autophagy is reduced. FIHMI decreased the oxidative stress through increasing protein expression of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2. These data demonstrated FIHMI could inhibit oxidative stress, which may also play an essential role in the regulation of METH-triggered apoptotic response, providing the scientific rational to develop FIHMI as the therapeutic agent to alleviate METH-induced photoreceptor cell toxicity.

Jagged2 promotes cancer stem cell properties of triple negative breast cancer cells and paclitaxel resistance via regulating microRNA-200

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of Jagged2 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Breast cancer tissues of patients diagnosed with TNBC in Fujian Medical University Affiliated MinDong Hospital from January 2015 to September 2017 were selected. TNBC patients were divided into the paclitaxel-resistant group (n=34) and non-resistance group (n=11). Jagged2 expression in paclitaxel-resistant group and non-resistance group before and after treatment was detected by quantitative Real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. After Jagged2 knockdown in paclitaxel-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells (MDA-MB-231/TXR), expression of CD44+CD24-ESA+ subset was detected by flow cytometry. MicroRNA-200 expression was detected after Jagged2 knockdown in MDA-MB-231/TXR cells.

RESULTS

Jagged2 was highly expressed in paclitaxel-resistant TNBC tissues and cells. Jagged2 expression was found to be associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties of TNBC cells. Knockdown of Jagged2 inhibited CSC properties and paclitaxel resistance, whereas upregulated microRNA-200 expression. The inhibited CSC properties and paclitaxel resistance induced by Jagged2 knockdown were reversed by microRNA-200 knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

Jagged2 maintains CSC properties of TNBC cells and paclitaxel resistance via regulating microRNA-200.

[Interpretation for the group standard of Health check-up guide for rural residents]

With the acceleration of the population aging in China, the health problems and the demands of health services such as health check-up for rural residents should attract the attention of the whole society. The group standard entitled Health check-up guide for rural residents (T/CHAA 005-2019), was written by experienced researchers from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other professional institutes coordinated by Chinese Health Association. The standard aims to establish a service model that takes health information collection as a means, health risk assessment, health risk intervention and information services as the core, improving the health of rural residents as the target.

[Association between weight control and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients]

Objectives: This study explored the relationship between weight control and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive 333 overweight and obese patients aged 28 to 87 years old, who underwent catheter ablation for AF in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between October 2015 and February 2016. Data of patients' characteristics, laboratory examination and treatment were collected at baseline. Each patient was followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months after ablation to collect information on weight, AF recurrence, stroke, major bleeding, hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons and death, etc. Patients were divided into weight controlled group (ΔBMI<-1 kg/m(2)) and weight uncontrolled group (ΔBMI≥-1 kg/m(2)), according to the changes in the most recent exposure BMI before AF recurrence in patients with recurrence or the BMI at 12 months' follow-up in patients without recurrence and the BMI at baseline. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust other known risk factors of AF recurrence and to explore the association between weight control and AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Results: There were 54 patients in weight controlled group and 279 patients in weight uncontrolled group. There were no significant differences in age, gender, education level, left atrial size and history of hypertension between the two groups (all P>0.05). The proportion of patients using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers was higher in the weight controlled group (50.0%(27/54) vs. 34.8%(97/279), P=0.034). However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with obesity (33.3% (18/54) vs. 29.7% (83/279)), paroxysmal AF (59.3% (32/54) vs. 56.6% (158/279)) and AF duration less than 5 years (76.9% (40/52) vs. 65.4% (178/272)) between the weight controlled group and the uncontrolled group. During 1-year follow-up after ablation, the recurrence rate of AF was significantly lower in the weight controlled group than that in the weight uncontrolled group (14.8% (8/54) vs. 32.6%(91/279), P=0.009). Multivariable logistic regression analysis shows that weight control is independently associated with a lower postoperative AF recurrence rate (OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.18-0.90, P=0.026). Conclusion: Weight control is strongly associated with a lower AF recurrence rate after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients.

InAs/GaAs quantum dot semiconductor saturable absorber for controllable dual-wavelength passively Q-switched fiber laser

We experimentally demonstrate the first use of 1550-nm InAs/GaAs quantum dot semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (QD-SESAM) in the dual-wavelength passively Q-switched (QS) erbium doped fiber (EDF) laser. The dual-wavelength QS lasing was obtained at a pump threshold of 180 mW with the average output power of 2.2 mW and the spacing between the two lasing wavelengths is 14 nm. A large absorption ranging from 1520 to 1590 nm has been realized when no substrate rotation was employed during the molecular beam epitaxy growth of the QD-SESAM indicating the potential to generate a 60 nm spacing of the dual-wavelength QS lasing peaks by changing the positions in the QD-SESAM and replacing EDF by co-doped fiber as gain medium. These results have provided a new opportunity towards achieving the stable and wide wavelength-tunable dual-modes fiber lasers.

Administration of Curcumin Alleviates Neuropathic Pain in a Rat Model of Brachial Plexus Avulsion

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) generally causes a chronic persistent pain that lacks efficacious treatment. Curcumin has been found to possess anti-inflammatory abilities. However, little is known about the mechanisms and effects of curcumin in an animal model of BPA.

METHODS

Mechanical withdrawal thresholds (MWT) were examined by von Frey filaments. Cold allodynia was tested by the acetone spray test. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 in rat spinal cords were analyzed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression levels of c-Fos and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured by Western blot. The expression level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was observed by immunofluorescence and Western blot.

RESULTS

After curcumin treatment, the MWT showed a significant increase when compared to the BPA group on both hind paws. A remarkable decrease of paw-withdrawal response frequency was observed compared with the BPA group. In addition, curcumin treatment significantly decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in rat spinal cords that were exceedingly upregulated in the BPA group. The protein levels of c-Fos and NGF were decreased by treatment with curcumin compared with the corresponding protein levels in the BPA group. Besides, curcumin reduced the number of GFAP positive cells and GFAP expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that curcumin significantly extenuates the BPA-induced pain and inflammation by reducing the expression level of proinflammatory cytokines and pain-associated proteins and inhibiting the activity of astrocytes.

[Application of direct antiviral drugs in special patients with HCV infection]

Patients with HCV infection can develop decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even liver failure. As a result, efficient antiviral treatment is very essential to prevent HCV-related disease progression. Newly developed direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have shown safety profile, favorable tolerability, and relatively short duration, which provide an opportunity to expand the number of patients who can be treated for HCV infection. There is a need for further clinical observation and summaries for DAAs in a real world. In the era of DAAs, special patients with HCV infection still get lots of attention from doctors. This review aims at the application of DAAs in patients with HCV infection, combined with chronic kidney diseases, hepatocellular carcinoma, HBV/HCV co-infection, HIV/HCV co-infection, post liver transplantation, pregnancy, children, lymphoma and retreatment.

Abstract P6-02-14: Not presented

This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Xing W, Li Q, Sun G, Cao R, Chen B, Jiang C, Ma L, Wang K. Not presented [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 P6-02-14.

Abstract P2-01-25: Not presented

This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Xing W, Li Q, Cao R, Sun G, Jiang C. Not presented [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 P2-01-25.

Fast distributed dynamic strain sensing using a modified gain-profile tracing technique

Gain-profile tracing (GPT) is a useful strategy of distributed sensing in BOTDA technique for achieving high spatial resolution, which has not been used for the dynamic strain measurement previously. In this paper, we propose a modified gain-profile tracing (MGPT) technique for fast dynamic strain measurement while maintaining the advantage of high spatial resolution. This technique is based on a modified pump pulse modulation scheme and the slope-assisted demodulation method. The time consumption using MGPT technique for a single pump pulse measurement of dynamic strain is less by 25% than the conventional GPT technique. The spatial resolution of our BOTDA system using MGPT technique is 50cm and maximal frequency of dynamic strain detection could be up to 53.5 Hz for 248m sensing length. In the experiments, we measure two vibration events spacing 50 cm with the frequency of 14.0 Hz and 17.0 Hz in a 248 m single-mode fiber. The proposed method is a potential real-time dynamic alternative for distributed structural health monitoring.

High-transmission polarization-dependent active plasmonic color filters

Plasmonic color filters, exhibiting great promise as an alternative for existing colorant-based filters, often only output one fixed color. Developing active color filters with controllable color output will lead to more compact color filter-based devices. In this paper, we present an approach to achieve active color filtering with a polarization-dependent plasmonic structural color filter, which comprises arrays of asymmetric cross-shaped nanoapertures in an ultrathin film of silver. A systematical study for aperture size, array period, and the thickness of silver film dependences of color filter properties is carried out, and strategies for polarization-dependent color filter designing are generated. A polarization-dependent and high tunability of color can be achieved by selecting the appropriate nanostructure parameters, which imply many potential applications.

New Optical Manipulation of Relativistic Vortex Cutter

A new relativistic vortex cutter driven by the Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) mode is carried out for the first time in three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Studies show that the electric fields periodically concentrate and emanate within every laser wavelength for the reflected circularly polarized LG_{p}^{l} (p=0, l=1, σ_{z}=-1) laser, which works just like a vortex cutter, resulting in a relativistic ultrashort collimated electron cluster with a constant period in space. A single particle model is given and verifies that the cluster formation has a close relation with the parameters of orbital angular momentum (l) and spin angular momentum (σ_{z}). Such a relativistic vortex cutter potentially can be applied for the accelerator, generating high-flux particle and coherent radiation sources, and so on.

Effect of the acrosome reaction on the efficiency of sperm-mediated DNA transfer

Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) is based on the ability of spermatozoa to bind exoge- nous DNA and transfer it into oocytes by fertilization. However, SMGT is still undergoing opti- mization to improve its efficiency to produce transgenic animals. The acrosome reaction is neces- sary for spermatozoa to carry the exogenous DNA into oocytes. In this study, the effect of the acrosome reaction on the efficiency of spermatozoa carrying exogenous DNA was evalua- ted. The results showed that the efficiency of the acrosome reaction was significantly higher (p⟨0.05) after incubation with 50 μmol/L progesterone compared to incubation without proges- terone. It was significantly higher (p⟨0.05) in the 20, 40, and 60 min of progesterone treatment groups than in the 0 min treatment group. The spermatozoa were further incubated with cyanine dye Cy5 labeled DNA (Cy5-DNA) for 30 min at 37°C, and positive fluorescence signals were detected after the acrosome reaction was induced by progesterone at concentrations of 0 and 50 μmol/L for 40 min. The percentage of positive Cy5-DNA signals in spermatozoa was 96.61±2.06% and 97.51±2.03% following exposure to 0 and 50 μmol/L progesterone, respective- ly. The percentage of partial spermatozoa heads observed following combination with Cy5-DNA was 39.73±3.03% and 56.88±3.12% following exposure to 0 and 50 μmol/L progesterone, respec- tively. The ratio of positively stained spermatozoa combined with exogenous DNA showed no reduction after the acrosome reaction. These results suggest that the acrosome reaction might not be the key factor affecting the efficiency of SMGT.