Analysis of serum polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolites in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

BACKGROUND

The importance of lipid mediators in allergic diseases has been long recognized, whereas little is known about their role in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). We investigated whether lipid mediators are associated with ABPA.

METHODS

We recruited 12 ABPA patients, 23 asthma patients and 12 healthy control in our study. Serum of 11 ABPA patients were collected before and following treatment. 36 polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolites were measured in serum samples by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, with ethics number GYFYY-2016-73.

RESULTS

Levels of arachidonic acid (AA), 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), 12(S)-HETE, 8(S)-HETE, 5(S)-HETE, LTB₄, PGB₂, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (HEPE), 12-hydro-xyheptadecatrienoic acid (HHTrE) were significantly higher in ABPA patients than that in HC groups. Compared with asthma group, ABPA group expressed lower levels of 15(S)-hy-droperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HPETE), 5(S)-HPETE, 13(S)-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (HPODE) and 9(S)-HPODE. In APBA patients, AA level was positively correlated with serumtotal IgE (tIgE). The levels of 12(S)-HPETE, 15(S)-HEPE and 12(S)-HEPE correlated with Asp-ergillus fumigatus specific IgE(A. fumigatus sIgE) positively. Peripheral blood eosinophilia correlated with high levels of 12(S)-HETE and 15(S)-HETE. In addition, the serum levels of15(S)-HETE and 12(S)-HETE in ABPA subjects both declined with the decrease of tIgE, A. fumigatus sIgE and sIgG concentrations after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We present data regarding the role of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolites in APBA for the first time. Most of the tested metabolites increased in ABPA when co-mpared with healthy controls and 15(S)-HETE and 12(S)-HETE may play a role in the pat-hogenesis of ABPA. These findings can provide new ideas for diagnosis, therapy and mon-itor of ABPA.

Profound and redundant functions of arcuate neurons in obesity development

The current obesity epidemic faces a lack of mechanistic insights. It is known that the acute activity changes of a growing number of brain neurons rapidly alter feeding behaviour; however, how these changes translate to obesity development and the fundamental mechanism underlying brain neurons in controlling body weight remain elusive. Here, we show that chronic activation of hypothalamic arcuate GABAergic (GABA+), agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons or arcuate non-AgRP GABA+ neurons leads to obesity, which is similar to the obese phenotype observed in ob/ob mice. Conversely, chronic inhibition of arcuate GABA+, but not AgRP, neurons reduces ageing-related weight gain and corrects ob/ob obesity. These results demonstrate that the modulation of Arc GABA+ neuron activity is a fundamental mechanism of body-weight regulation, and that arcuate GABA+ neurons are the major mediator of leptin action, with a profound and redundant role in obesity development.

Paraventricular hypothalamus mediates diurnal rhythm of metabolism

Defective rhythmic metabolism is associated with high-fat high-caloric diet (HFD) feeding, ageing and obesity; however, the neural basis underlying HFD effects on diurnal metabolism remains elusive. Here we show that deletion of BMAL1, a core clock gene, in paraventricular hypothalamic (PVH) neurons reduces diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism, causes obesity and diminishes PVH neuron activation in response to fast-refeeding. Animal models mimicking deficiency in PVH neuron responsiveness, achieved through clamping PVH neuron activity at high or low levels, both show obesity and reduced diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism. Interestingly, the PVH exhibits BMAL1-controlled rhythmic expression of GABA-A receptor γ2 subunit, and dampening rhythmicity of GABAergic input to the PVH reduces diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism and causes obesity. Finally, BMAL1 deletion blunts PVH neuron responses to external stressors, an effect mimicked by HFD feeding. Thus, BMAL1-driven PVH neuron responsiveness in dynamic activity changes involving rhythmic GABAergic neurotransmission mediates diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism and is implicated in diet-induced obesity.

Influence of exosome-derived miR-21on chemotherapy resistance of esophageal cancer

OBJECTIVE

To explore the influence of exosome-derived micro-ribonucleic acid (miR)-21 on chemotherapy resistance of esophageal cancer and its mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human esophageal cancer TE-1 and Eca109/DDP cell lines and human normal esophageal Het-1A cells were cultured, and the exosomes were extracted from cells. After miR-21 was inhibited with an inhibitor and overexpressed with miRNA mimics combined with cisplatin, the cell viability was detected via cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), the interaction between miR-21 and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) was detected via dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, and the changes in the protein level were detected via Western blotting.

RESULTS

The expression level of exosome-derived miR-21 in esophageal cancer cells was higher than that in normal esophageal cells, and it was the highest in cisplatin-resistant esophageal cancer cells. After treatment with cisplatin, miR-21 overexpression significantly reduced the invasion ability of esophageal cancer cells. After miR-21 overexpression, the sensitivity of esophageal cancer cells to cisplatin was lowered. MiR-21 interacted with the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of PDCD4. Moreover, the miR-21 overexpression significantly down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PDCD4 in cells.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-21 affects the sensitivity of esophageal cancer to cisplatin through targeting PDCD4.

Exploration of n-6 and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Metabolites Associated with Nutritional Levels in Patients with Severe Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background and Objective

Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the terminal stage of the disease characterized by declined lung function, malnutrition, and poor prognosis. Such patients cannot tolerate long-time sports rehabilitation owing to dyspnea and fail to achieve the desired therapeutic effect; therefore, increasing nutritional support will be an important strategy for them. The present study applied metabolomics technology to evaluate the correlation between serum concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolites, nutritional status, and lung function in patients with COPD to provide a theoretical basis for accurate nutritional support.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 82 patients with stable severe COPD in our hospital. The general characteristics including height, weight, and lung function were recorded. Metabolomics was used to detect the concentrations of serum metabolites of n-3 and n-6 at baseline and at 24 and 52 weeks after enrollment. The correlations between nutrition level and pulmonary function and clinical indicators were evaluated.

Results

The concentrations of n-3 and n-6 increased over time along with the progression of COPD. Body mass index (BMI) and percent of ideal body weight (IBW%) decreased with disease development, and BMI was found to be significantly correlated with FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC. Serum levels of n-6 metabolites such as linoleic acid (LA), γ-linoleic acid (GLA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) (all P < 0.01) and the n-3 metabolites such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (all P < 0.05) showed significant correlations with BMI and were closely correlated with FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC of lung function (all P< 0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that malnutrition in patients with severe COPD is progressive and is positively correlated with n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and lung function.

Disrupted hypothalamic CRH neuron responsiveness contributes to diet-induced obesity

The current obesity epidemic mainly results from high-fat high-caloric diet (HFD) feeding and may also be contributed by chronic stress; however, the neural basis underlying stress-related diet-induced obesity remains unknown. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH), a known body weight-regulating region, represent one key group of stress-responsive neurons. Here, we found that HFD feeding blunted PVH CRH neuron response to nutritional challenges as well as stress stimuli and dexamethesone, which normally produce rapid activation and inhibition on these neurons, respectively. We generated mouse models with the activity of these neurons clamped at high or low levels, both of which showed HFD-mimicking, blunted PVH CRH neuron responsiveness. Strikingly, both models developed rapid HFD-induced obesity, associated with HFD-mimicking, reduced diurnal rhythmicity in feeding and energy expenditure. Thus, blunted responsiveness of PVH CRH neurons, but not their absolute activity levels, underlies HFD-induced obesity and may also contribute to stress-induced obesity.

Stxbp1/Munc18-1 haploinsufficiency impairs inhibition and mediates key neurological features of STXBP1 encephalopathy

Mutations in genes encoding synaptic proteins cause many neurodevelopmental disorders, with the majority affecting postsynaptic apparatuses and much fewer in presynaptic proteins. Syntaxin-binding protein 1 (STXBP1, also known as MUNC18-1) is an essential component of the presynaptic neurotransmitter release machinery. De novo heterozygous pathogenic variants in STXBP1 are among the most frequent causes of neurodevelopmental disorders including intellectual disabilities and epilepsies. These disorders, collectively referred to as STXBP1 encephalopathy, encompass a broad spectrum of neurologic and psychiatric features, but the pathogenesis remains elusive. Here we modeled STXBP1 encephalopathy in mice and found that Stxbp1 haploinsufficiency caused cognitive, psychiatric, and motor dysfunctions, as well as cortical hyperexcitability and seizures. Furthermore, Stxbp1 haploinsufficiency reduced cortical inhibitory neurotransmission via distinct mechanisms from parvalbumin-expressing and somatostatin-expressing interneurons. These results demonstrate that Stxbp1 haploinsufficient mice recapitulate cardinal features of STXBP1 encephalopathy and indicate that GABAergic synaptic dysfunction is likely a crucial contributor to disease pathogenesis.

The polydopamine-enhanced superadhesion and fracture strength of honeycomb polyurethane porous membranes

The superhydrophobic properties of biological surfaces in nature have attracted extensive attention in scientific and industrial circles. Relative to the rolling superhydrophobic state of lotus leaves, the adhesive superhydrophobic state of geckos and Parthenocissus tricuspidata is also significant in many fields. In this work, polydopamine (PDA) with its excellent biological compatibility and strong adhesion was selected as a substance to simulate the secretion of the suckers of P. tricuspidata and it was precipitated at the surface of honeycomb polyurethane porous membranes (PUPM). The results demonstrated that the honeycomb PUPM, as prepared, displayed special super-adhesion properties similar to those of geckos and P. tricuspidata. PDA formed via self-polymerization in aqueous solution was equivalent to a double-sided adhesive, acquiring a micro-nano structure of PDA and PUPM and displaying increased surface hydrophobicity and improved adhesion properties. Even when the surface precipitation of PDA and modification with n-dodecyl mercaptan made the contact angle increase to more than 160°, the surface adhesion to water was rather strong and remained stable. The addition of the PDA adhesive can effectively change the microporous structure of PUPM, enhancing the viscosity, and facilitating an enhancement in the fracture strength.

Evaluation of the clinical performance of the HISCL-5000 analyzer in the detection of Krebs von den Lungen-6 antigen and its diagnostic value in interstitial lung disease

Background

The sputum saccharide chain antigen (Krebs von den Lungen‐6 [KL‐6]) is a serum biomarker of lung injury. We aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of the automated immunoassay analyzer HISCL‐5000 in detecting KL‐6 by comparing it with LUMIPULSE G1200 and determine the diagnostic value of KL‐6 in interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods

A total of 145 serum samples from patients were tested using the two automated immunoassay analyzers in parallel.

Results

With a cutoff level of 500 U/mL, comparing the two systems, the agreement, sensitivity, specificity, and kappa value were 99.20%, 100%, 98.63%, and 0.984 (95% CI, 0.952‐1.000), respectively. Spearman's correlation and ICC showed that there was a strong correlation between serum KL‐6 levels measured by the two systems (r_S = .991 [95% CI, 0.981‐0.995], ICC = 0.984 [95% CI, 0.978‐0.989], P < .01). The clinical diagnosis agreement rate in both systems was >80%. The kappa value was 0.707 (95% CI, 0.582‐0.832; SYSTEM B) and 0.707 (95% CI, 0.588‐0.826; SYSTEM A). The KL‐6 level in the ILD group (1339.5, 662.5‐2363) was significantly higher than that in the non‐ILD groups (252, 158.5‐353; Mann‐Whitney U = 381.5, P < .01), and the KL‐6 level (1558, 726‐2772.5) in the ILD group detected by SYSTEM A was significantly higher than that in the lung cancer group (339, 207‐424), other respiratory disease group (249, 194‐366), and control group (198, 131.5‐297; Kruskal‐Wallis H = 63.19, P < .01).

Conclusions

HISCL‐5000 showed well‐concordant results with those of HISCL‐5000 in the KL‐6 tests. In patients with ILD, KL‐6 showed a good diagnostic performance.

Plant protein diet suppressed immune function by inhibiting spiral valve intestinal mucosal barrier integrity, anti-oxidation, apoptosis, autophagy and proliferation responses in amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii)

An 8-week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing dietary fishmeal with a plant protein blend on the growth performance, mucosal barrier integrity and the related regulation mechanism in Amur Sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) with initial weight of 87.48 g. Three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were prepared. A basal diet containing 540 g/kg fishmeal (P0), whereas the other two diets were formulated by replacing 50% and 100% of FM with plant protein blend (soybean protein concentrate and cottonseed protein concentrate), and named as P50 and P100, respectively. Although essential amino acids, fatty acids, and available phosphorus had been balanced according to the nutrient requirement of sturgeon, compared with the fish of P0 and P50, the full plant protein diet (P100) significantly reduced growth performance and survival, and accompanied with serious spiral valve intestinal (SVI) damage. The increased tissue necrosis and failed responses in anti-oxidation, programming apoptosis, autophagy and cell proliferation system were regulated by inhibiting ERK1 phosphorylation, which indicated that SVI hypoimmunity and functional degradation were the main reasons for the high mortality and low utilization ability of plant protein in Amur sturgeon.

A Robust AUC Maximization Framework With Simultaneous Outlier Detection and Feature Selection for Positive-Unlabeled Classification

The positive-unlabeled (PU) classification is a common scenario in real-world applications such as healthcare, text classification, and bioinformatics, in which we only observe a few samples labeled as "positive" together with a large volume of "unlabeled" samples that may contain both positive and negative samples. Building robust classifiers for the PU problem is very challenging, especially for complex data where the negative samples overwhelm and mislabeled samples or corrupted features exist. To address these three issues, we propose a robust learning framework that unifies area under the curve maximization (a robust metric for biased labels), outlier detection (for excluding wrong labels), and feature selection (for excluding corrupted features). The generalization error bounds are provided for the proposed model that give valuable insight into the theoretical performance of the method and lead to useful practical guidance, e.g., to train a model, we find that the included unlabeled samples are sufficient as long as the sample size is comparable to the number of positive samples in the training process. Empirical comparisons and two real-world applications on surgical site infection (SSI) and EEG seizure detection are also conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Neurexophilin4 is a selectively expressed α-neurexin ligand that modulates specific cerebellar synapses and motor functions

Neurexophilins are secreted neuropeptide-like glycoproteins, and neurexophilin1 and neurexophilin3 are ligands for the presynaptic cell adhesion molecule α-neurexin. Neurexophilins are more selectively expressed in the brain than α-neurexins, however, which led us to ask whether neurexophilins modulate the function of α-neurexin in a context-specific manner. We characterized the expression and function of neurexophilin4 in mice and found it to be expressed in subsets of neurons responsible for feeding, emotion, balance, and movement. Deletion of Neurexophilin4 caused corresponding impairments, most notably in motor learning and coordination. We demonstrated that neurexophilin4 interacts with α-neurexin and GABAARs in the cerebellum. Loss of Neurexophilin4 impaired cerebellar Golgi-granule inhibitory neurotransmission and synapse number, providing a partial explanation for the motor learning and coordination deficits observed in the Neurexophilin4 null mice. Our data illustrate how selectively expressed Neurexophilin4, an α-neurexin ligand, regulates specific synapse function and modulates cerebellar motor control.

Eicosanoids metabolized through LOX distinguish asthma-COPD overlap from COPD by metabolomics study

Background and objective

The prevalence of asthma is greater than 20% in patients previously diagnosed with COPD. Patients with asthma–COPD overlap (ACO) are at risk of rapid progression of disease and severe exacerbations. However, in some patients with ACO, a clear distinction from COPD is very difficult by using physiological testing techniques. This study aimed to apply a novel metabolomic approach to identify the metabolites in sera in order to distinguish ACO from COPD.

Methods

In the study, blood samples were collected from patients with COPD, ACO, and healthy controls. Cholamine derivatization-ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used to investigate serum metabolites of eicosanoids.

Results

A clear intergroup separation existed between the patients with ACO and those with COPD, while ACO tends to have higher serum metabolic levels of eicosanoids. A robust Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) model was found for discriminating between ACO and COPD (R2Y =0.81, Q2=0.79). In addition, there is a significant correlation between some metabolites and clinical indicators, such as hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HPETEs) and FEV1/FVC. The higher values of area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) of HETEs, which were metabolized from HPETEs through lipoxygenase (LOX), indicated that they should be the potential biomarkers to distinguish ACO from COPD.

Conclusion

Eicosanoids can clearly discriminate different biochemical metabolic profiles between ACO and COPD. The results possibly provide a new perspective to identify potential biomarkers of ACO and may be helpful for personalized treatment.

Metabolic disorder induces fatty liver in Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicas fed a full plant protein diet and regulated by cAMP-JNK/NF-kB-caspase signal pathway

A 10-week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing dietary fishmeal with plant proteins on nutrition metabolism, immunity, inflammation and apoptosis responses in liver tissues of Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicas (initial body weight = 10.42 ± 0.01 g). Two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated. A basal diet containing 54% fishmeal (FM), whereas another diet was prepared by totally replacing FM with a plant protein blend (PP) composed with soybean protein concentrate and cottonseed protein concentrate. Although essential amino acids, fatty acids, and available phosphorus had been balanced according to the FM diet profile, the significantly lower growth performance, metabolic disorder, and fatty liver symptom were observed in the PP group. Compared with the FM group, fish in the PP group showed significantly lower plasma free EAA level and PPV. Glucose metabolism disorder was expressed as the uncontrollable fasting glycolysis and pyruvate aerobic oxidation at postprandial 24 h with significantly up-regulated GK, PK and PDH genes expression, which potentially over-produced acetyl-CoA as the substrate for protein and lipid synthesis. Significantly reduced plasma GLU, but increased GC level, along with very significantly reduced liver GLY storage could be observed in the PP group. Plasma TG and hepatic NEFA contents were significantly decreased, but the hepatic TC content was very significantly increased in the PP group, in addition, hepatocyte vacuolation appeared. The significantly up-regulated cholesterol synthesis gene (HMGCR) expression but down-regulated bile acid synthesis gene (CYP7A1) expression could be the main reason for the fatty liver induced by cholesterol accumulation. The reduced plasma IgM content accompanied by the up-regulated mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL1β) and activated apoptosis signals of liver tissues were found in the PP group. The hyperthyroidism (higher plasma T3 and T4) and the accelerated energy metabolism rate decreased the growth performance in the PP group. The activated p65NF-kB may promote the hepatocytes apoptosis via the extrinsic pathway (caspase8/caspase3). Simultaneously, a "self-saving" response could be observed that activated cAMP promoted the lipolysis/β-oxidation process and up-regulated gene expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 via promoting CREB expression, further inhibited the over-phosphorylation of JNK protein, which might impede the intrinsic apoptosis pathway (caspase9/caspase3). In conclusion, the nutrient and energy metabolic disorder induced fatty liver related to the cholesterol accumulation in Japanese seabass fed full PP diet, which was under the regulation by cAMP-JNK/NF-kB-caspase signaling pathway. The hemostasis phosphorylation of JNK protein protected the liver tissues from more serious damage.

Dietary N-Carbamylglutamate (NCG) alleviates liver metabolic disease and hepatocyte apoptosis by suppressing ERK1/2-mTOR-S6K1 signal pathway via promoting endogenous arginine synthesis in Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus)

N-Carbamylglutamate (NCG), an analogue of N-acetylglutamate (NAG), can promote the synthesis of endogenous Arginine (Arg) in mammals, but not well studied in fish. This study was conducted to investigate the capacity of Arg endogenous synthesis by NCG, and the effects of various dietary NCG doses on growth performance, hepatic health and underlying nutrient regulation metabolism on ERK1/2-mTOR-S6K1 signaling pathway in Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus). Four experimental diets were prepared with NCG supplement levels of 0 (N0), 360 (N360), 720 (N720) and 3600 (N3600) mg/kg, in which N360 was at the maximum recommended level authorized by MOA, China in fish feed, and the N720 and N3600 levels were 2 and 10-fold of N360, respectively. Each diet was fed to 6 replicates with 30 Japanese seabass (initial body weight, IBW = 11.67 ± 0.02 g) in each tank. The results showed that the dietary NCG supplementation had no significant effects on the SGR and morphometric parameters of Japanese seabass, but 360-720 mg/kg NCG inclusion promoted PPV, while the 10-fold (3600 mg/kg) overdose of NCG had remarkably negative effects with significantly reduced feed efficiency, PPV and LPV. We found that Japanese seabass can utilize 360-720 mg/kg NCG to synthesis Arg to improve the amino acid metabolism by increasing plasma Arg and up-regulating intestinal ASL gene expression. Increased plasma GST and decreased MDA indicated the improved antioxidant response. Dietary NCG inclusion decreased plasma IgM and down-regulated the mRNA levels of inflammation (TNF-α and IL8), apoptosis (caspase family) and fibrosis (TGF-β1) related genes in the liver. The immunofluorescence examination revealed significantly decreased hepatic apoptosis and necrosis signals in the NCG groups. The ameliorated liver function and histological structure were closely related to the improved lipid metabolism parameters with decreased plasma VLDL and hepatic TG and NEFA accumulation, down-regulated fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis and simultaneously increased lipolysis gene mRNA levels, which regulated by inhibiting phosphorylation of ERK1/2-mTOR-S6K1 signaling pathway. Consuming 3600 mg/kg of dietary NCG is not safe for Japanese seabass culturing with the significantly increased FCR and decreased protein and lipid retention, and reduced plasma ALB. Accordingly, the observed efficacy and safety level of dietary NCG in the diet of Japanese seabass is 720 mg/kg.

25-OH-vitamin D deficiency identifies poor tumor response in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization

PURPOSE

Vitamin D is implicated linked to liver cancer and chronic liver diseases, but its association with tumor response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether vitamin D levels influence tumor response in HCC patients treated with TACE.

METHODS

A total of 58 HCC patients undergoing TACE were enrolled in the study. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels were determined at baseline and 1 day after TACE using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Response to TACE was evaluated after a 4-6 week interval. Univariate and multivariate analyses with Cox regression model were performed to determine the risk factors associated with tumor response. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the predictive performance of baseline 25-OHD levels on tumor response in HCC patients undergoing TACE.

RESULTS

43.1% of HCC patients showed 25-OHD deficiency. Baseline 25-OHD level was associated with liver cirrhosis (P = 0.025), vascular invasion (P = 0.031), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage (P = 0.002) and an alanine aminotransferase increase after TACE (P = 0.021). Serum 25-OHD level was significantly decreased 1 day after TACE (P = 0.045). Multiple tumor numbers (P = 0.034) and low baseline 25-OHD levels (P = 0.040) were independently correlated with poor tumor response after TACE. ROC curve analysis showed that baseline 25-OHD levels present better predictive performance for OR in those patients, compared with other current clinical test pointers.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that 25-OHD deficiency at baseline is a prognostic indicator for a poor tumor response in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with TACE.

Mechanically Robust and Repairable Superhydrophobic Zinc Coating via a Fast and Facile Method for Corrosion Resisting

Zinc coatings and superhydrophobic surfaces have their own characteristics in terms of metal corrosion resistance. Herein, we have prepared a robust and repairable superhydrophobic zinc coating (SZC) based on a widely commercially available cold galvanized paint via a fast (within 10 min) and facile process for corrosion resistance. Specifically, the cold galvanized paint was sprayed onto the iron substrate, followed by acetic acid (HAc) etching and stearic acid (STA) hydrophobizing. The as-obtained sample was coded as Fe-Zn-HAc-STA and possessed an apparent contact angle of 168.4 ± 1.5° as well as a sliding angle of 3.5 ± 1.2°. The Fe-Zn-HAc-STA sample was mechanically durable and easily repairable. After being ultrasonicated in ethanol for 100 min, the superhydrophobicity was still retained. The Fe-Zn-HAc-STA sample lost its superhydrophobicity after being abraded against sandpaper with a load of 100 g and regained its superhydrophobicity after HAc etching and subsequent STA hydrophobizing. The corrosion resistance of the SZC was investigated by immersing the Fe-Zn-HAc-STA sample into the static or dynamic aqueous solution of NaCl (3.5 wt.%) and the lasting life of the entrapped underwater air layer (EUAL) was roughly determined by the turning point at the variation curve of surface wettability against immersion time. The lasting life of the EUAL iwas 8 to 10 days for the SZC in the static NaCl solution and it decreased sharply to 12 h in a dynamic one with the flow rate of 2 and 4 m/s. This suggests that the superhydrophobic surface provided extra corrosion protection of 8 to 10 days or 12 h to the zinc coating. We hope that the SZC may find its practical application due to the facile and fast fabrication procedure, the good mechanical durability, the easy repairability, and the good corrosion protection.

A comparison between high-intensity focused ultrasound and surgical treatment for the management of abdominal wall endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic outcomes of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and surgical treatment for abdominal wall endometriosis.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

Gynaecological department of a teaching hospital in China.

POPULATION

Patients with abdominal wall endometriosis.

METHODS

Among the 51 patients, 23 patients were treated with ultrasound-guided HIFU and 28 patients with surgery. Pain relief and the size change of the nodule after each management were evaluated 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, respectively. The hospital stay and blood loss were also compared.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Difference between HIFU and surgical treatment for abdominal wall endometriosis.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in the pain relief in 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, respectively. The hospital stay was clearly shorter in the HIFU group than in the surgery group. Change in nodules was more remarkable in the group treated with surgery; no palpable nodules existed in most patients in the surgery group. HIFU had more advantages over surgery, such as no blood loss, no new scar, no anaesthesia and lower pain score immediately after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results, it appears that either HIFU or surgery is safe and effective in treating patients with AWE in short-term. Compared with surgery, HIFU treatment for AWE has the advantages of shorter hospital stay, no blood loss, no new scar, no anaesthesia and a lower immediate pain score.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Either HIFU or surgical treatment is safe and effective in treating patients with AWE. HIFU has the advantages of a less invasive procedure and shorter hospital stay.

Abstract P3-07-07: Withdrawn

This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.

Citation Format: Jiang Y-Z, Ma D, Suo C, Shi J, Xue M, Stover DG, Verschraegen C, Kaklamani V, Wang P, Shi L, Huang W, Shao Z-M. Withdrawn [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 P3-07-07.

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Efficacies of Serological Markers KL-6, SP-A, SP-D, CCL2, and CXCL13 in Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serological markers Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), surfactant protein-A (SP-A), SP-D, chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), and chemokine 13 (CXCL13) in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Patients with IIP aged 18–80 years from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University were enrolled in this retrospective case-control study. Data on the general patient characteristics, laboratory test results, chest high-resolution CT, and pulmonary function test results were collected. The diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was based on the international practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of IPF, a collaborative effort published by the American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Association (ERS), Japanese Respiratory Society, and Latin American Thoracic Society. The diagnostic criteria of non-IPF (N-IPF) followed the consensus classification of the IIPs, which was jointly issued by the ATS and ERS in 2002. The diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) was based on the official research statement on IPAF, which was jointly issued by the ATS and ERS in 2015. Serum levels of KL-6, SP-A, SP-D, CCL2, and CXCL13 were measured. The differences in the expression of these biomarkers and their correlation with the severity of the disease were analyzed. The sensitivity, specificity, cutoff value, and area under the curve (AUC) value for each of the indices were determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. <b><i>Findings:</i></b> Between September 2015 and October 2017, 69 patients with IIP. Of these patients, 19 had IPF, 23 had N-IPF, and 27 had IPAF. We also enrolled 20 age- and gender-matched patients with pneumonia and 15 uninfected individuals as normal control. The serum levels of KL-6, SP-A, ­SP-D, CCL2, and CXCL13 were significantly higher in patients with IIP than in patients with pneumonia and the normal controls. The detection of these markers was found to have better diagnostic efficacy in patients with IIP than in those with pneumonia. Of these markers above, KL-6 had the highest diagnostic value (AUC 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.99). Based on a logistics regression analysis, the combination of KL-6, CCL2, and CXCL13 had an improved diagnostic efficacy for IIP. In patients with IIP, the serum levels of KL-6, SP-A, CCL2, and CXCL13 all showed a significant negative correlation with the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO; <i>r</i> = –0.36, –0.37, –0.36, –0.30, respectively; all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). Although their expression levels along with that of SP-D were elevated in patients with IPF, N-IPF, and IPAF, it was difficult to distinguish between these 3 conditions by detecting the 5 serum biomarkers together. Our findings indicate that the serum levels of KL-6, SP-A, SP-D, CCL2, and CXCL13 are notably elevated in patients with IIP and show significant correlation with the severity of interstitial lung lesions. Additionally, we further explore the diagnostic efficacy of 5 biomarkers in different types of IIP. It is the first time that the level of serum marker CXCL13 of N-IPF and IPAF patients was higher than IPF patients, which further enriched the study on serum markers for IIPs. Between September 2015 and October 2017, 69 patients with IIP. Of these patients, 19 had IPF, 23 had N-IPF, and 27 had IPAF. We also enrolled 20 age- and gender-matched patients with pneumonia and 15 uninfected individuals as normal control. The serum levels of KL-6, SP-A, SP-D, CCL2, and CXCL13 were significantly higher in patients with IIP than in patients with pneumonia and the normal controls. Of these markers above, KL-6 had the highest diagnostic value (AUC 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.99). Based on a logistics regression analysis, the combination of KL-6, CCL2, and CXCL13 had an improved diagnostic efficacy for IIP. In patients with IIP, the serum levels of KL-6, SP-A, CCL2, and CXCL13 all showed a significant negative correlation with the DLCO (<i>r</i> = –0.36, –0.37, –0.36, –0.30, respectively; all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). Our findings indicate that the serum levels of KL-6, ­SP-A, SP-D, CCL2, and CXCL13 are notably elevated in patients with IIP and show significant correlation with the severity of interstitial lung lesions. Additionally, we further explore the diagnostic efficacy of 5 biomarkers in different types of IIP. It is the first time that the level of serum marker CXCL13 of N-IPF and IPAF patients was higher than IPF patients, which further enrich the study on serum markers in IIPs. <b><i>Interpretation:</i></b> Although the combined detection of KL-6, CCL3, and CXCL13 significantly improves the diagnosis of IIP, detection of all the 5 markers together is unable to distinguish between IPF, N-IPF, and IPAF.