[Comparison of etiology and incidence of pulmonary infection in patients with esophageal carcinoma accompanied by esophagotracheal fistula before and after the airway stent implantation]

Objective: To compare the etiology and incidence of pulmonary infection in patients with esophageal carcinoma accompanied by esophagotracheal fistula before and after the airway stent implantation. Methods: The clinical records of patients with esophageal carcinoma accompanied by esophagotracheal fistula in Respiratory Department and Oncology Department of Meitan General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed from March 2008 to January 2018. The demographic data, comorbidities, pathological results and etiology were collected before and after tracheal stents were implanted in all patients. The incidence of pulmonary infection was analyzed, and the classification of etiology was compared before and after tracheal stents implantation. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the study. The incidence rate of pulmonary infection before stents implantation was 83.0%. A total of 105 bacterial strains were cultured, including 73 strains of gram-negative bacteria (69.5%) and mainly pseudomonas aeruginosa, 5 strains of gram-positive bacteria [all methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)] (4.8%), and 27 strains of fungi (25.7%) and mainly candida albicans. The incidence rate of pulmonary infection was lowered to 53.0% after tracheal stents implantation (χ(2)=29.102, P<0.001). A total of 79 bacterial strains were cultured, and the main bacteria were still gram-negative bacteria and fungi, in which pseudomonas aeruginosa and candida albicans accounted for the majority. However, 13 strains of MRSA were cultured (16.5%), significantly higher than those before stents implantation (χ(2)=7.451, P=0.005). Conclusions: The incidence rate of pulmonary infection in patients with esophageal carcinoma accompanied by esophagotracheal fistula is very high. Gram-negative bacteria and fungi are the main etiologies. Tracheal stents implantation can effectively reduce the incidence of pulmonary infection. However, the incidence rate of MRSA is significantly increased after stents implantation.

Origin and evolution of plexins, semaphorins, and Met receptor tyrosine kinases

The transition from unicellular to multicellular organisms poses the question as to when genes that regulate cell-cell interactions emerged during evolution. The receptor and ligand pairing of plexins and semaphorins regulates cellular interactions in a wide range of developmental and physiological contexts. We surveyed here genomes of unicellular eukaryotes and of non-bilaterian and bilaterian Metazoa and performed phylogenetic analyses to gain insight into the evolution of plexin and semaphorin families. Remarkably, we detected plexins and semaphorins in unicellular choanoflagellates, indicating their evolutionary origin in a common ancestor of Choanoflagellida and Metazoa. The plexin domain structure is conserved throughout all clades; in contrast, semaphorins are structurally diverse. Choanoflagellate semaphorins are transmembrane proteins with multiple fibronectin type III domains following the N-terminal Sema domain (termed Sema-FN). Other previously not yet described semaphorin classes include semaphorins of Ctenophora with tandem immunoglobulin domains (Sema-IG) and secreted semaphorins of Echinoderamata (Sema-SP, Sema-SI). Our study also identified Met receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which carry a truncated plexin extracellular domain, in several bilaterian clades, indicating evolutionary origin in a common ancestor of Bilateria. In addition, a novel type of Met-like RTK with a complete plexin extracellular domain was detected in Lophotrochozoa and Echinodermata (termed Met-LP RTK). Our findings are consistent with an ancient function of plexins and semaphorins in regulating cytoskeletal dynamics and cell adhesion that predates their role as axon guidance molecules.

Epidemiological characteristics and associated factors of acute hepatitis A outbreak among HIV-coinfected men who have sex with men in Taiwan, June 2015-December 2016

In Taiwan, an outbreak of acute hepatitis A (AHA) infection has been identified since June 2015. Approximately half of the cases occurred in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM). We used the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (TCDC)-operated National Disease Surveillance Systems (NDSS) to identify the incidence of AHA during 2011-2016. Between June 2015 and December 2016, a total of 1268 AHA cases were documented, and 601 cases (47.4%) were co-infected with HIV; the majority of whom were MSM (98.4%). Each AHA case was matched to two HIV-infected controls without AHA reported in the NDSS on age (± 5 years), risk factor of HIV infection, HIV diagnosis date (± 30 days) and county/city of residence at HIV diagnosis. Three hundred forty-three HIV/AHA cases were matched to 686 controls. In multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis, a previous gonorrhoea (adjusted OR=1.77, 95% CI 1.16-2.70) and recent (aOR=6.77, 95% CI 4.34-10.55) or remote syphilis report (aOR=3.56, 95% CI 2.48-5.13) were independently associated with AHA. The epidemic persisted till December 2016, and the cases with a new diagnosis of HIV infection after AHA (28/301, 9.3%) increased after July 2016 (P = .001). HIV/AHA cases were centralized in northern and central metropolitan areas and HIV-infected MSM with a recent history of sexually transmitted diseases in Taiwan. We recommend surveillance of associated behavioural and virologic characteristics and HAV counselling and testing for HIV-infected men.

19F MRI in orthotopic cancer model via intratracheal administration of ανβ3-targeted perfluorocarbon nanoparticles

Aim: To demonstrate the feasibility of intratracheal administration in orthotopic lung cancer model with 19F MRI. Materials & methods: αvβ3-integrin targeting ability of the perfluorocarbon (PFC) nanoparticles was tested. Orthotopic lung cancer model was established in rabbits under computed tomography guidance. αvβ3-targeted PFC nanoparticles were administrated intratracheally or intravenously, and 19F MRI was performed before and up to 24 h after administration. Results: The targeted PFC nanoparticles could bind with αvβ3-integrin. PFC concentrations in the tumors of intratracheal group after administration were significantly higher than intravenous group. Conclusion: Intratracheal administration of PFC nanoparticles was shown to be feasible and efficacious. 19F MRI with αvβ3-targeted PFC nanoparticles provided quantitative assessment of nanoparticles distribution and tumor angiogenesis.

Rapid detection of a dengue virus RNA sequence with single molecule sensitivity using tandem toehold-mediated displacement reactions

Novel tandem toehold-mediated displacement reactions were developed to detect dengue virus RNA. As few as 6 copies of RNA per sample were detected.

18F-Fluoromisonidazole in tumor hypoxia imaging

Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors that is closely associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistance, metastasis and tumors prognosis. Thus, it is important to assess hypoxia in tumors for estimating prognosis and selecting appropriate treatment procedures. ¹⁸F-Fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FMISO PET) has been widely used to visualize tumor hypoxia in a comprehensive and noninvasive way, both in the clinical and preclinical settings. Here we review the concept, mechanisms and detection methods of tumor hypoxia. Furthermore, we discuss the correlation between ¹⁸F-FMISO PET and other detection methods, current applications of ¹⁸F-FMISO PET and the development prospects of this imaging technology.

Indazolo[3,2-b]quinazolinones Attack Hepatocellular Carcinoma Hep3B Cells by Inducing Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis and Inhibition of Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Genotoxic stress resistance in patients often contributes to poor clinical outcomes, and is intensively associated to the upregulation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. In this study, we examined the connection between the anticancer activity of two novel indazolo[3,2-b]quinazolinone (IQ) derivatives, IQ-7 and IQ-12, and their effect on the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

METHODS

We initially measured the cytotoxicity of IQ-7 and IQ-12 in Hep3B (human hepatoma cell) and HL-7702 (normal human liver cell) cell lines, then further detected their effects on Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and apoptosis.

RESULTS

IQ-7 and IQ-12 downregulated the expression levels of Nrf2 and its downstream target genes, such as NQO1, HO-1 and Gclc. In Hep3B cells treated with IQ-7 or IQ-12, the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased dramatically while the expression level of the pro-apoptotic protein VDAC1 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 significantly increased and decreased, respectively. In addition, IQ-7 (but not IQ-12) also induced the activity of Caspase-3. Interestingly, IQ-7 appeared to selectively inhibit Hep3B cells while having rare adverse effect on HL-7702 cells.

CONCLUSION

The two compounds were shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in Hep3B cells, and IQ-7 was suggested a degree of specificity against cancer cells. The design of these compounds may therefore represent a new strategy for designing quinazoline derivatives that could selectively target carcinoma cells.

HDAC3 inhibition ameliorates spinal cord injury by immunomodulation

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), the innate immune response of microglia and infiltrating macrophages clears up cellular debris and promotes tissue repair, but it also inflicts secondary injury from inflammatory responses. Immunomodulation aimed at maximizing the beneficial effects while minimizing the detrimental roles of the innate immunity may aid functional recovery after SCI. However, intracellular drivers of global reprogramming of the inflammatory gene networks in the innate immune cells are poorly understood. Here we show that SCI resulted in an upregulation of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) in the innate immune cells at the injury site. Remarkably, blocking HDAC3 with a selective small molecule inhibitor shifted microglia/macrophage responses towards inflammatory suppression, resulting in neuroprotective phenotypes and improved functional recovery in SCI model. Mechanistically, HDAC3 activity is largely responsible for histone deacetylation and inflammatory responses of primary microglia to classic inflammatory stimuli. Our results reveal a novel function of HDAC3 inhibitor in promoting functional recovery after SCI by dampening inflammatory cytokines, thus pointing towards a new direction of immunomodulation for SCI repair.

[Association of genetic polymorphisms of KIR-HLA system with chronic myeloid leukemia among ethnic Hans from southern China]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of KIR-HLA gene polymorphism with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) among ethnic Hans from southern China.

METHODS

A total of 172 adult CML patients and 480 unrelated healthy controls were screened for the presence of KIR with sequence-specific primers-PCR (PCR-SSP) and sequence-based typing (SBT) of HLA-A, -B and -C loci. Polymorphisms of the KIR-HLA system were analyzed at 4 levels, and the frequencies of KIR framework genes and KIR profiles, classⅠHLA ligands, matched KIR+HLA pairs and KIR-HLA compound profile were compared between the two groups. P values were calculated using SPSS 13.0 software.

RESULTS

For the CML group, the frequencies of HLA-C2 ligand, 2DL1+HLA-C2 pair and HLA-B Bw4-80I were significantly lower than those of the control group, suggesting a protective effect against CML (HLA-C2: OR=0.386, 95%CI:0.240-0.620, P<0.01; 2DL1+HLA-C2: OR=0.316, 95%CI:0.191-0.525, P<0.01; HLA-B Bw4-80I: OR=0.576, 95%CI:0.384-0.862, P<0.01). The frequencies of KIR2DL1 ligand (HLA-C2) and KIR3DL1 ligand (HLA-B Bw4-80I) in the CML group were significantly lower than that of the control group, suggesting that the HLA-C2 and HLA-B Bw4-80I expression is probably decreased in the CML patient group, which led to reduced inhibitory signal and enhanced activating signal of KIR2DL1⁺ and/or KIR3DL1⁺ NK cells. Notably, the frequency of KIR-HLA compound profiles ID2 (KIR AA1-HLA-C1/C1-Bw6/Bw6-A3/11) in CML patients significantly increased in the CML patient group compared with the control group, suggesting that the KIR-HLA compound profiles ID2 may be a risk factor for CML (OR=2.163, 95%CI 1.198-3.906, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Above analysis has identified certain protective and risk factors for CML from the KIR-HLA system, which may provide a clue for the pathogenesis of leukemia and development of individualized immune therapy.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibit T follicular helper cell in lupus-prone mice

Background The objective of this paper is to analyze the role of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on the differentiation of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in lupus-prone mice. Methods Bone marrow cells were isolated from C57BL/6 (B6) mice and cultured in vitro, and surface markers were identified by flow cytometry. Naïve CD4⁺ T cells, splenocytes and Tfh cells were isolated from B6 mice spleens and co-cultured with BM-MSCs. The proliferation and the differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells and Tfh cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Lupus-prone MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice were treated via intravenous injection with expanded BM-MSCs, the differentiation of Tfh cells was detected, and the relief of lupus nephritis was analyzed. Results MSCs could be successfully induced from bone marrow cells, and cultured BM-MSCs could inhibit T cell proliferation dose-dependently. BM-MSCs could prevent Tfh cell development from naïve CD4⁺ T cells and splenocytes. BM-MSCs could inhibit IL-21 gene expression and cytokine production and inhibit isolated Tfh cells and STAT3 phosphorylation. In vivo study proved that BM-MSCs intravenous injection could effectively inhibit Tfh cell expansion and IL-21 production, alleviate lupus nephritis, and prolong the survival rate of lupus-prone mice. Conclusions BM-MSCs could effectively inhibit the differentiation of Tfh cells both in vitro and in vivo. BM-MSC treatment could relieve lupus nephritis, which indicates that BM-MSCs might be a promising therapeutic method for the treatment of SLE.

Single Plasmonic Nanosprings for Visualizing Reactive-Oxygen-Species-Activated Localized Mechanical Force Transduction in Live Cells

Mechanical force signaling in cells has been regarded as the biological foundation of various important physiological functions. To understand the nature of these biological and physiological processes, imaging and determining the mechanical signal transduction dynamics in live cells are required. Herein, we proposed a strategy to determine mechanical force as well as its changes with single-particle dark-field spectral microscopy by using a single plasmonic nanospring as a mechanical sensor, which can transfer force-induced molecular extension/compression into spectral responses. With this robust plasmonic nanospring, we achieved the visualization of activation of localized mechanical force transduction in single live cells triggered by reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) stimulation. The successful demonstration of a biochemical ROS signal to mechanical signal conversion suggested this strategy is promising for studying mechanical force signaling and regulation in live biological systems.

Using Benchmarking To Strengthen the Assessment of Persistence

Chemical persistence is a key property for assessing chemical risk and chemical hazard. Current methods for evaluating persistence are based on laboratory tests. The relationship between the laboratory based estimates and persistence in the environment is often unclear, in which case the current methods for evaluating persistence can be questioned. Chemical benchmarking opens new possibilities to measure persistence in the field. In this paper we explore how the benchmarking approach can be applied in both the laboratory and the field to deepen our understanding of chemical persistence in the environment and create a firmer scientific basis for laboratory to field extrapolation of persistence test results.

Mechanism and origins of selectivity in rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular [3 + 2] cycloadditions of vinylaziridines with allenes

DFT calculations were performed to investigate the rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular [3 + 2] cycloadditions of vinylaziridines with allenes.

Comprehensive mapping of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine epigenetic dynamics in axon regeneration

In contrast to central nervous system neurons, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons can switch to a regenerative state after peripheral axotomy. In a screen for chromatin regulators of the regenerative responses in this conditioning lesion paradigm, we identified Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 3 (Tet3) as upregulated in DRG neurons, along with increased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). We generated genome-wide 5hmC maps in adult DRG, which revealed that peripheral and central axotomy (leading to no regenerative effect) triggered differential 5hmC changes that are associated with distinct signaling pathways. 5hmC was altered in a large set of regeneration-associated genes (RAGs), including well-known RAGs, such as Atf3, Bdnf, and Smad1, that regulate axon growth potential of DRG neurons, thus supporting its role for RAG regulation. Our analyses also predicted HIF-1, STAT, and IRF as potential transcription factors that may collaborate with Tet3 for 5hmC modifications. Intriguingly, central axotomy resulted in widespread 5hmC modifications that had little overlap with those of peripheral axotomy, thus potentially constituting a roadblock for regeneration. Our study revealed 5hmC dynamics as a previously unrecognized epigenetic mechanism underlying the divergent responses after axonal injury.