Impact of particulate matter 2.5 on the liver function of mice

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) on liver function at the animal level and to study its impact targets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

60 male and female BALB/c mice of SPF grade, aged 6-8 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups, with 15 mice in each, including the normal saline control group, the PM2.5 low dose group [2 μg/(100 g/d)], the PM2.5 medium dose group [8 μg/(100 g/d)] and the PM2.5 high dose group [16 μg/(100 g/d)]. Each day, 0.9% saline or PM2.5 particles were administered through the nasal route, and samples were taken after 3 weeks of continuous exposure. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the liver damage caused by PM2.5. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were detected by using an automatic biochemical analyzer to detect the content of liver glycogen and blood glucose. Multiple indicators were observed, including plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, oxidative stress response indicators reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) detection, RT-PCR and Western blot detection of glycogen synthase (GS), glucokinase (GK), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and phosphorylation level of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinases (p-JNK).

RESULTS

PM2.5 can cause damage to the liver by increasing PM2.5 concentrations, raising the metabolic rate of liver cells, resulting in a substantial amount of inflammatory infiltration and vacuolar degeneration of cells, and increasing the liver/body weight. TNF-α and IL-6 inflammatory factor expression increased (p<0.05). An increase in the serum ALT and AST levels were also observed. The blood glucose of mice increased, whereas the content of liver glycogen declined (p<0.05). ROS, MDA, and SOD levels all increased considerably. PM2.5 can drastically lower the expression of GS and GK, increase the expression of Nrf2, and raise the phosphorylation level of p-JNK (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PM2.5 can induce oxidative stress in mouse liver through the Nrf2/JNK pathway, induce liver inflammation in mice, and inhibit glycogen synthesis.

KAT7 promotes radioresistance through upregulating PI3K/AKT signaling in breast cancer

Chromatin-modifying enzymes are commonly altered in cancers, but the molecular mechanism by which they regulate cancers remains poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrated that Lysine acetyltransferase 7 (KAT7) was upregulated in breast cancer. KAT7 expression negatively correlated with the survival of breast cancer patients, and KAT7 silencing suppressed breast cancer radioresistance in vitro. Mechanistically, KAT7 activated Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) transcription, leading to enhanced PI3K/AKT signaling and radioresistance. Overexpression of AKT or PIK3CA restored radioresistance suppression induced by KAT7 inhibition. Moreover, overexpression of KAT7, but not KAT7 acetyltransferase activity-deficient mutants promoted AKT phosphorylation at the Ser473 site, PIK3CA expression and radioresistance suppression due to KAT7 inhibition. In conclusion, KAT7 has huge prospects for clinical application as a new target for predicting radioresistance in breast cancer patients.

Multifunctional magnesium-organic framework doped biodegradable bone cement for antibacterial growth, inflammatory regulation and osteogenic differentiation

Degradable bone cement has superior osteoconductivity and plasticity and is commonly used to treat defects greater than the critical-size. Magnesium gallate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (Mg-MOF), with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, are doped into a composite cement composed of calcium sulfate, calcium citrate, and dicalcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous (CS/CC/DCPA). The doping of the Mg-MOF slightly influences the microstructure and curing properties of the composite cement, with the mechanical strength of the cement displaying a significant increase from 27 to 32 MPa. Antibacterial tests reveal that the Mg-MOF bone cement has excellent antibacterial characteristics and can effectively inhibit bacterial growth in 4 h (Staphyloccocus aureus survival rate <10%). Herein, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage models are used to investigate the anti-inflammatory characteristics of composite cement. The Mg-MOF bone cement can regulate the inflammatory factors and polarization of macrophages (M1 and M2). In addition, the composite cement promotes cell proliferation and osteo-differentiation of mBMSCs, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase and calcium nodules are increased. The bone related transcription factor and specific proteins, such as runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone morphogenetic protein 2, osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), and collagen type 1 (COL1), were highly expressed by the Mg-MOF bone cements. Therefore, Mg-MOF doped CS/CC/DCPA bone cement is multifunctional for bone repair, which will promote bone formation and avoid the infection of wounds, and it is suitable for use with non-load-bearing bone defects.

[Establishment and evaluation of a method for extracting exogenous short DNA fragments of Schistosoma japonicum from urine samples]

OBJECTIVE

To establish the method for extracting exogenous short DNA fragments of Schistosoma japonicum from urine samples, and to evaluate the efficiency of this method for extraction from urine samples treated with various methods.

METHODS

The S. japonicum SjG28 gene fragment was selected as a target sequence, and the 81 bp short DNA fragment was amplified on the target sequence using PCR assay. Following characterization using sequencing, the short DNA fragment was added into the urine samples as an exogenous short DNA fragment. Primers and probes were designed with SjG28 as a target gene, to establish the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. The sensitivity of this qPCR assay was evaluated with exogenous short DNA fragments that were diluted at a 1:10 dilution ratio as the DNA template, and the specificity of the qPCR assay was evaluated with the genomic DNA of S. mansoni, S. haematobium, Babesia, Ancyiostoma duodenaie, Cionorchis sinensis, and Paragonimus westermani as DNA templates. Exogenous short DNA fragments were added into artificial and healthy volunteers' urine samples, followed by pH adjustment, centrifugation and concentration, and the efficiency of extracting exogenous short DNA fragments from urine samples was compared with the QIAmp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen kit) and BIOG cfDNA easy kit (BIOG kit).

RESULTS

An 81 bp small DNA fragment of S. japonicum was successfully prepared, and the lowest detection limit of the established qPCR assay was 100 copies/μL of the 81 bp small DNA fragment of S. japonicum. If the genomic DNA of S. japonicum, S. mansoni, S. haematobium, Babesia, A. duodenaie, C. sinensis, and P. westermani served as DNA templates, the qPCR assay only detected fluorescent signals with S. japonicum genomic DNA as the DNA template. If the pH values of artificial urine samples were adjusted to 5, 6, 7 and 8, the recovery rates were (49.12 ± 2.09)%, (84.52 ± 4.96)%, (89.38 ± 3.32)% and (87.82 ± 3.90)% for extracting the exogenous short DNA fragment of S. japonicum with the Qiagen kit, and were (2.30 ± 0.07)%, (8.11% ± 0.26)%, (13.35 ± 0.61)% and (20.82 ± 0.68)% with the BIOG kit, respectively (t = 38.702, 26.955, 39.042 and 29.571; all P values < 0.01). If the Qiagen kit was used for extracting the exogenous short DNA fragment from artificial urine samples, the lowest recovery rate was seen from urine samples with a pH value of 5 (all P values < 0.05), and there were no significant differences in the recovery rate from urine samples with pH values of 6, 7 and 8 (all P values > 0.05). Following centrifugation of artificial [(64.30 ± 1.00)% vs. (58.87 ± 0.26)%; t = 12.033, P < 0.05] and healthy volunteers' urine samples [(31 165 ± 1 017) copies/μL vs. (28 471 ± 818) copies/μL; t = 23.164, P < 0.05]. In addition, concentration of artificial urine samples with the 10 kDa Centrifugal Filter and concentration of healthy volunteers' urine samples with the 100 kDa Centrifugal Filter were both effective to increase the recovery of the Qiagen kit for extracting the exogenous short DNA fragment of S. japonicum (both P values < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

A method for extracting exogenous short DNA fragments of S. japonicum from urine samples has been successfully established, and the Qiagen kit has a high extraction efficiency. Adjustment of urine pH to 6 to 8 and concentration of healthy volunteers' urine samples with the 100 kDa Centrifugal Filter are both effective to increase the efficiency of extracting exogenous short DNA fragments of S. japonicum.

[Interventional treatment and early-stage follow-up of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum]

Objective: To explore the application value of percutaneous peripheral interventional therapy in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septal (PA-IVS). Methods: Retrospective case summary. The data was collected from 25 children who were hospitalized at the Children's Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine from August 2019 to August 2022, had been diagnosed with PA-IVS by echocardiography, and underwent interventional treatment. The sex, age, weight, operation time, radiation exposure time, and radiation dose of the patients were collected. The patients were divided into the arterial duct stenting group and the non-stenting group. Preoperative tricuspid annular diameters and Z scores, right ventricular length diameters, and right ventricular/left ventricular length-diameter ratios were compared by paired t-tests. Right ventricular systolic pressure difference, oxygen saturation, lactic acid before and after the surgery were compared for 24 children who received percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. Right ventricular improvement in 25 children after operation was analyzed. The correlation between postoperative oxygen saturation and postoperative right ventricular systolic blood pressure difference, the degree of pulmonary valve opening and the Z value of tricuspid valve ring in the non-stenting group were analyzed. Results: A total of 25 patients with PA-IVS were enrolled in the study, of whom 19 were males and 6 females, with an age at surgery of 12 (6, 28) days and a weight of (3.7±0.5) kg. One of them underwent only stenting of the arterial duct; 20 children underwent only percutaneous pulmonary valve perforation and balloon angioplasty; 4 children underwent both procedures. The Z-value of the tricuspid ring was -1.5±1.2 in the group with arterial duct stenting, and -0.1±0.4 in the group without stenting (t=2.77, P=0.010). The tricuspid regurgitant flow rate 1 month after surgery was significantly lower than the preoperative ((3.4±0.6) vs. (4.8±0.9) m/s, t=6.62,P<0.001). In the 24 children with percutaneous pulmonary valve perforation and balloon angioplasty, the preoperative right ventricular systolic blood pressure was (110±32) mmHg, and the postoperative systolic blood pressure was (52±19) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) (F=59.55, P<0.001). The factors that may affect postoperative oxygen saturation in 20 cases of non-stenting group were analyzed. The results suggested that the pre and post-operative right ventricular systolic blood pressure differences (r=-0.11, P=0.649), and the pulmonary valve orifice opening (r=-0.31, P=0.201) and tricuspid annulus Z value (r=-0.18, P=0.452) at 1 month after the operation were not significantly correlated with the postoperative oxygen saturation. Conclusions: Interventional therapy can be used as the first choice for one-stage operation of PA-IVS. Percutaneous pulmonary valve perforation and balloon angioplasty are more suitable for children with well-developed right ventricles, tricuspid annulus, and pulmonary arteries. While the smaller the tricuspid annulus, the more dependent it is on the ductus arteriosus and thus patients are more suitable for arterial duct stenting.

Neuronal loss of TRPM8 leads to obesity and glucose intolerance in male mice

OBJECTIVE

Mice with global deletion of the transient receptor potential channel melastatin family member 8 (TRPM8) are obese, and treatment of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice with TRPM8 agonists decrease body weight. Whether TRPM8 signaling regulates energy metabolism via central or peripheral effects is unknow. Here we assessed the metabolic phenotype of mice with either Nestin Cre-mediated neuronal loss of TRPM8, or with deletion of TRPM8 in Advillin Cre positive sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

METHODS

Nestin Cre- and Advillin Cre-Trpm8 knock-out (KO) mice were metabolically phenotyped under chronic exposure to either chow or high-fat diet (HFD), followed by assessment of energy and glucose metabolism.

RESULTS

At room temperature, chow-fed neuronal Trpm8 KO are obese and show decreased energy expenditure when acutely treated with the TRPM8 selective agonist icilin. But body weight of neuronal Trpm8 KO mice is indistinguishable from wildtype controls at thermoneutrality, or when mice are chronically exposed to HFD-feeding. In contrast to previous studies, we show that the TRPM8 agonist icilin has no direct effect on brown adipocytes, but that icilin stimulates energy expenditure, at least in part, via neuronal TRPM8 signaling. We further show that lack of TRPM8 in sensory neurons of the PNS does not lead to a metabolically relevant phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that obesity in TRPM8-deficient mice is centrally mediated and likely originates from alterations in energy expenditure and/or thermal conductance, but does not depend on TRPM8 signaling in brown adipocytes or sensory neurons of the PVN.

[Analysis of reproductive outcomes in the first IVF-ET cycle after laparoscopic treatment in patients with endometriosis]

Objective: To explore the effect of endometriosis (EM) on reproductive outcomes of young patient with EM after laparoscopic treatment in the first in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle. Methods: The clinical data and reproductive outcomes of 394 infertile patients with EM after laparoscopic treatment (EM group) and 3 242 infertile patients caused by gamete transport disorder (control group) in the first IVF-ET cycle were collected in Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children from January 2016 to June 2021. The information included baseline characteristics, oocyte retrieval, embryo development, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth. Propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to perform 1∶2 matching between EM group and control group. The impact of EM on reproductive outcomes was analyzed in the retrospective observational study. Results: In the initial data, compared with control group, the number of two pronucleus (2PN) zygotes (9.7±4.8 vs 9.0±4.4), the number of transferable embryos (6.2±3.6 vs 5.5±3.4) and the rate of transferable embryos (64.0% vs 60.8%) on the third day were significantly lower in EM group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After PSM was performed, there were 394 and 787 cases in EM group and control group, respectively. Compared with control group, the number of 2PN zygotes (9.7±4.9 vs 9.0±4.4), the 2PN fertility rate (77.1% vs 75.3%), the number of transferable embryos on the third day (6.2±3.6 vs 5.5±3.4), the transferable embryos rate on the third day (63.8% vs 60.8%) were significantly lower in EM group, and the differences were statically significant (all P<0.05). The study did not find the effect of EM on embryo implantation rate, pregnancy rate, early miscarriage rate, live birth rate and preterm birth rate (all P>0.05). Conclusions: EM might interfere with the development of oocytes and embryos. Obtaining top-quality embryos may be an effective way to improve the prognosis of patients with EM after laparoscopic treatment.

[Clinical and chest CT features of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis]

Objective: To explore the clinical and chest computed tomography (CT) features and the outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP). Methods: Clinical and chest CT data of 38 CIP patients with malignant tumors from the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between August 2017 and April 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, and the outcomes of pneumonitis were followed up. Results: The median time from the administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to the onset of CIP was 72.5 days in 38 patients with CIP, and 22 patients developed CIP within 3 months after the administration of ICIs. The median occurrence time of CIP in 24 lung cancer patients was 54.5 days, earlier than 119.0 days of non-lung cancer patients (P=0.138), with no significant statistical difference. 34 patients (89.5%) were accompanied by symptoms when CIP occurred. The common clinical symptoms were cough (29 cases) and dyspnea (27 cases). The distribution of CIP on chest CT was asymmetric in 31 cases and symmetrical in 7 cases. Among the 24 lung cancer patients, inflammation was mainly distributed ipsilateral to the primary lung cancer site in 16 cases and diffusely distributed throughout the lung in 8 cases. Ground glass opacities (37 cases) and consolidation (30 cases) were the common imaging manifestations, and organizing pneumonia (OP) pattern (15 cases) was the most common pattern. In 30 CIP patients who were followed up for longer than one month, 17 cases had complete absorption (complete absorption group), and 13 cases had partial absorption or kept stable (incomplete absorption group). The median occurrence time of CIP in the complete absorption group was 55 days, shorter than 128 days of the incomplete absorption group (P=0.022). Compared with the incomplete absorption group, there were less consolidation(P=0.010) and CIP were all classified as hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) pattern (P=0.004) in the complete absorption group. Conclusions: CIP often occurs within 3 months after ICIs treatment, and the clinical and CT findings are lack of specificity. Radiologic features may have a profound value in predicting the outcome of CIP.

[Inducible co-stimulatory molecules participate in mesenteric vascular endothelial-mesenchymal transition and sclerosis of mesenteric vessels in spontaneously hypertensive rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation of inducible co-stimulatory molecules (ICOS) with mesenteric vascular endothelial- mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and sclerosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODS

Twenty 4-week-old WKY rats and 20 SHRs of the same strain were both randomly divided into 4 groups for observation at 4, 6, 10 and 30 weeks of age. ICOS expression frequency in rat spleen CD4⁺T cells was analyzed using flow cytometry, and the expressions of ICOS, VE-cad, α-SMA and Col3 mRNA in rat mesentery were detected by RT-PCR. The distributions of ICOS, IL-17A and TGF-β in rat mesentery were detected by immunohistochemistry. The levels of IL-17A and TGF-β in rat plasma were measured using ELISA. The morphological changes of rat mesenteric vessels were observed with Masson staining. Spearman or Pearson correlation analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between ICOS expression and the expressions of the markers of vascular EndMT and sclerosis.

RESULTS

Compared with the control WKY rats, the SHRs began to show significantly increased systolic blood pressure and ICOS expression frequency on CD4⁺T cells at 6 weeks of age (P < 0.05). In the SHRs, the mRNA and protein expressions of ICOS, α-SMA, Col3, IL-17A and TGF-β in the mesentery were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05), while the mRNA and protein expressions of VE-cad started to reduce significantly at 10 weeks of age (P < 0.05). The plasma levels of IL-17A and TGF-β were significantly increased in SHRs since 6 weeks of age (P < 0.05) with progressive worsening of mesenteric vascular sclerosis (P < 0.05). ICOS mRNA and protein expression levels in the mesenteric tissues of SHRs began to show positive correlations with α-SMA and Col3 expression levels and the severity of vascular sclerosis at 6 weeks of age (P < 0.05) and a negative correlation with VE-cad expression level at 10 weeks (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ICOS play an important pathogenic role in EndMT and sclerosis of mesenteric vessels in essential hypertension by mediating related immune responses.

Single-Cell Analyses of the Oral Mucosa Reveal Immune Cell Signatures

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common immune-related disease of the gastrointestinal tract that affects many people around the world. Extraintestinal manifestations of IBD have been frequently observed in recent years; one of these, periodontitis, has gained increasing attention. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by inflammation and destruction of periodontal tissues due to the disruption of host immune homeostasis. Clinical studies have revealed that periodontal inflammation is associated with IBD. However, the detailed heterogeneity of immune cells and their developmental relationships remain poorly understood at the single-cell level. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing to assess the transcriptome heterogeneity in periodontal tissues. We found the cellular composition and subclusters with specific gene expression profiles by uniform manifold approximation and projection. Pseudo-time analysis combined with gene enrichment analysis was performed to reveal cell states and key pathways. Ligand-receptor pairs revealed cell-cell communication among the immune cell types in periodontal tissues. Based on our analysis, we identified an essential role for Tcr⁺ macrophage, Prdx1⁺ neutrophil, and Mif⁺ T subpopulations with proinflammatory phenotype infiltration. Moreover, we examined the heterogeneity of monocytic cells and B cells. Collectively, the mapping of scRNA revealed the complex cellular landscape of oral mucosa immune cells and highlighted these immune cells as a previously unrecognized factor that may aggravate inflammation. Our analysis proves that periodontitis could exacerbate colitis and provides novel ideas for controlling and preventing IBD exacerbations.

Charged particle therapy for high-grade gliomas in adults: a systematic review

High-grade gliomas are the most common intracranial malignancies, and their current prognosis remains poor despite standard aggressive therapy. Charged particle beams have unique physical and biological properties, especially high relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of carbon ion beam might improve the clinical treatment outcomes of malignant gliomas. We systematically reviewed the safety, efficacy, and dosimetry of carbon-ion or proton radiotherapy to treat high-grade gliomas. The protocol is detailed in the online PROSPERO database, registration No. CRD42021258495. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases were collected for data analysis on charged particle radiotherapy for high-grade gliomas. Until July 2022, two independent reviewers extracted data based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eleven articles were eligible for further analysis. Overall survival rates were marginally higher in patients with the current standard of care than those receiving concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy plus temozolomide. The most common side effects of carbon-ion-related therapy were grade 1-2 (such as dermatitis, headache, and alopecia). Long-term toxicities (more than three to six months) usually present as radiation necrosis; however, toxicities higher than grade 3 were not observed. Similarly, dermatitis, headache, and alopecia are among the most common acute side effects of proton therapy treatment. Despite improvement in survival rates, the method of dose-escalation using proton boost is associated with severe brain necrosis which should not be clinically underestimated. Regarding dosimetry, two studies compared proton therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy plans. Proton therapy plans aimed to minimize dose exposure to non-target tissues while maintaining target coverage. The use of charged-particle radiotherapy seems to be effective with acceptable adverse effects when used either alone or as a boost. The tendency of survival outcome shows that carbon ion boost is seemingly superior to proton boost. The proton beam could provide good target coverage, and it seems to reduce dose exposure to contralateral organs at risk significantly. This can potentially reduce the treatment-related dose- and volume-related side effects in long-term survivors, such as neurocognitive impairment. High-quality randomized control trials should be conducted in the future. Moreover, Systemic therapeutic options that can be paired with charged particles are necessary.

Evaluation of status quo and determinants of catastrophic health expenditure among empty-nest elderly in China: evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal survey (CHARLS)

OBJECTIVE

The aging society and the empty nest of the elderly have become issues that cannot be ignored by the Chinese government. Not only does the physical function of the empty-nest elderly (ENE) decline, and the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases increase significantly, but they are also more likely to have loneliness, low life satisfaction, mental health problems, and even a much greater possibility of suffering from depression than the nonempty-nest elderly, besides the possibility of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) which is also greatly increased. This paper aims to evaluate the status quo of dilemma and determinants of a vast sample of subjects based on the national level.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Data were obtained from the latest 2018's data of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Under the guidance of Andersen's model of health services utilization, this study clarified the overall and different demographic characteristics and prevalence of CHE among ENE and further built the Logit and Tobit model to explore the determinants of CHE occurrence and its intensity.

RESULTS

A total of 7,602 ENE were included in the analysis, and the overall incidence of CHE among them was 21.20%. Poor self-reported health status (OR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.71-2.35), suffering from three or more chronic diseases simultaneously (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.42-2.15), low life satisfaction (OR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.20-1.68) and advanced age played the leading role in accounting for its high risk, and its intensity increased 0.0311 (SE=0.005), 0.0234 (SE=0.007), and 0.0178 (SE=0.005), respectively. In contrast, the leading drop in the probability of CHE among ENE was those whose monthly income was over 20,000 CNY (OR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.38-0.55), whose intensity declined 0.0399 (SE=0.005), whose monthly income was between 2,000 and 20,000 CNY (OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.66-0.90) and whose intensity declined 0.021 (SE=0.005), and who were married during the survey period (OR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.70-0.94). Simultaneously, rural ENE showed more vulnerability and higher risk of CHE when confronted with these factors compared with the urban ones.

CONCLUSIONS

More attention should be paid for ENE in China. The priority, including the relevant health insurance or social security measurements, should be further strengthened.

Identification of ovarian endometriotic cysts in cystic lesions of the ovary by amide proton transfer-weighted imaging and R2∗ mapping

AIM

To investigate the value of amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) imaging and R2∗ mapping of cystic fluid in differentiating ovarian endometriotic cysts (OE) from other ovarian cystic (OOC) lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 42 patients who underwent 3 T pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were enrolled. Nineteen lesions were OE and 27 lesions were OOC. The APTw imaging and R2∗ values of the cystic fluid were measured and compared between the two groups using the independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of different parameters. The area under ROC curves (AUCs) was compared using the Delong test. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between APTw imaging and R2∗ values.

RESULTS

APTw imaging values of OE were lower, while R2∗ values were higher in OE than those in OOC (p=0.001 and < 0.001). The AUCs of APTw imaging and R2∗ values to identify OE from OOC were 0.910 and 0.975. The AUC increased to 0.990 when combining APTw imaging and R2∗ values, yet without a significant difference to the APTw imaging or R2∗ value alone (p=0.229 and 0.082, respectively). APTw imaging values were negatively correlated with R2∗ values (r=-0.522, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both APTw imaging and R2∗ values of OE are significantly different from other ovarian cystic lesions. APTw imaging combined with R2∗ values show excellent diagnostic efficacy to differentiate between OE and OOC.

The efficacy and safety of pulsed-field ablation in para-Hisian paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia: first-in-human pilot trial

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Key Research and Development Program of China

Background

Para-Hisian paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is associated with a higher risk of atrioventricular block due to proximity of the His bundle during catheter ablation. Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) with high tissue selectivity may be a promising technique for catheter ablation in patients with para-Hisian PSVT.

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PFA for para-Hisian PSVT.

Methods

This investigator-initiated, single-center, single-arm, prospective study was the first in-human pilot phase to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel PFA system in patients with PSVT. Patients diagnosed with para-Hisian PSVT via electrophysiological examination were included and treated with PFA. The primary outcome was the ability to achieve acute ablation success. The secondary outcome was ablation success and safety after 3 months.

Results

A total of seven patients with a mean age of 49.4±13.1 years were included and underwent PFA. Acute ablation success was achieved in all seven patients. The skin-to-skin procedure time was 135.0±17.7 minutes, fluoroscopy time was 4.3±1.6 minutes, and the number of PFA applications was 7±1.6. No adverse events occurred in any patient during the ablation or during the 3-month follow-up.

Conclusion

PFA had favorable efficacy and safety in para-Hisian PSVT patients and can help minimize the risk of inadvertent atrioventricular block during ablation. PFA may be a favorable treatment choice for patients with para-Hisian PSVT.

[Effects of interleukin-4-modified gold nanozymes on the full-thickness skin defects in diabetic mice]

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanism of interleukin-4-modified gold nanoparticle (IL-4-AuNP) on the wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in diabetic mice. Methods: Experimental research methods were adopted. Gold nanoparticle (AuNP) and IL-4-AuNP were synthesized by improving the methods described in published literature. The morphology of those two particles were photographed by transmission electron microscopy, and their particle sizes were calculated. The surface potential and hydration particle size of the two particles were detected by nanoparticle potentiometer and particle size analyzer, respectively. The clearance rate of IL-4-AuNP to hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion was measured by hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion kits, respectively. Mouse fibroblast line 3T3 cells were used and divided into the following groups by the random number table (the same below): blank control group, hydrogen peroxide alone group treated with hydrogen peroxide only, hydrogen peroxide+IL-4-AuNP group treated with IL-4-AuNP for 0.5 h and then treated with hydrogen peroxide. After 24 h of culture, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of cells were detected by immunofluorescence method; cell count kit 8 was used to detect relative cell survival rate. The macrophage Raw264.7 mouse cells were then used and divided into blank control group and IL-4-AuNP group that treated with IL-4-AuNP. After 24 h of culture, the expression of arginase 1 (Arg-1) in cells was observed by immunofluorescence method. Twelve male BALB/c mice (mouse age, sex, and strain, the same below) aged 8 to 10 weeks were divided into IL-4-AuNP group and blank control group, treated accordingly. On the 16th day of treatment, whole blood samples were collected from mice for analysis of white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin level, or platelet count and the level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), urea, or creatinine. The inflammation, bleeding, or necrosis in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney tissue of mice were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Another 36 mice were selected to make diabetic model, and the full-thickness skin defect wounds were made on the back of these mice. The wounds were divided into blank control group, AuNP alone group, and IL-4-AuNP group, with 12 mice in each group, and treated accordingly. On the 0 (immediately), 4th, 9th, and 15th day of treatment, the wound condition was observed and the wound area was calculated. On the 9th day of treatment, HE staining was used to detect the length of neonatal epithelium and the thickness of granulation tissue in the wound. On the 15th day of treatment, immunofluorescence method was used to detect ROS level and the number of Arg-1 positive cells in the wound tissue. The number of samples was 6 in all cases. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, corrected t test, Tukey test, or Dunnett T3 test. Results: The size of prepared AuNP and IL-4-AuNP were uniform. The particle size, surface potential, and hydration particle size of AuNP and IL-4-AuNP were (13.0±2.1) and (13.9±2.5) nm, (-45.8±3.2) and (-20.3±2.2) mV, (14±3) and (16±4) nm, respectively. For IL-4-AuNP, the clearance rate to hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion were (69±4)% and (52±5)%, respectively. After 24 h of culture, the ROS level of 3T3 in hydrogen peroxide alone group was significantly higher than that in blank control group (q=26.12, P<0.05); the ROS level of hydrogen peroxide+IL-4-AuNP group was significantly lower than that in hydrogen peroxide alone group (q=25.12, P<0.05) and close to that in blank control group (P>0.05). After 24 h of culture, the relative survival rate of 3T3 cells in hydrogen peroxide+IL-4-AuNP group was significantly higher than that in hydrogen peroxide alone group (t=51.44, P<0.05). After 24 h of culture, Arg-1 expression of Raw264.7 cells in IL-4-AuNP group was significantly higher than that in blank control group (t'=8.83, P<0.05).On the 16th day of treatment, there were no significant statistically differences in WBC, RBC, hemoglobin level, or platelet count and the level of AST, ALT, urea, or creatinine of mice between blank control group and IL-4-AuNP group (P>0.05). No obvious inflammation, bleeding or necrosis was observed in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney of important organs in IL-4-AuNP group, and no significant changes were observed compared with blank control group. On the 0 and 4th day of treatment, the wound area of diabetic mice in blank control group, AuNP alone group, and IL-4-AuNP group had no significant difference (P>0.05). On the 9th day of treatment, the wound areas both in AuNP alone group and IL-4-AuNP group were significantly smaller than that in blank control group (with q values of 9.45 and 14.87, respectively, P<0.05), the wound area in IL-4-AuNP group was significantly smaller than that in AuNP alone group (q=5.42, P<0.05). On the 15th day of treatment, the wound areas both in AuNP alone group and IL-4-AuNP group were significantly smaller than that in blank control group (with q values of 4.84 and 20.64, respectively, P<0.05), the wound area in IL-4-AuNP group was significantly smaller than that in AuNP alone group (q=15.80, P<0.05); moreover, inflammations such as redness and swelling were significantly reduced in IL-4-AuNP group compared with the other two groups. On the 9th day of treatment, compared with blank control group and AuNP alone group, the length of neonatal epithelium in the wound of diabetic mice in IL-4-AuNP group was significantly longer (all P<0.05), and the thickness of the granulation tissue in the wound was significantly increased (with q values of 11.33 and 9.65, respectively, all P<0.05). On the 15th day of treatment, compared with blank control group, ROS levels in wound tissue of diabetic mice in AuNP alone group and IL-4-AuNP group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). On the 15th day of treatment, the number of Arg-1 positive cells in the wounds of diabetic mice in IL-4-AuNP group was significantly more than that in blank control group and AuNP alone group, respectively (all P<0.05). Conclusions: IL-4-AuNP is safe in vivo, and can improve the oxidative microenvironment by removing ROS and induce macrophage polarization towards M2 phenotype, thus promote efficient diabetic wound healing and regeneration of full-thickness skin defects in diabetic mice.

Biological effects of cancer stem cells irradiated by charged particle: a systematic review of in vitro studies

PURPOSE

The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is closely related to tumor recurrence, metastasis, and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. In addition, given the unique physical and biological advantages of charged particle, we hypothesized that charged particle irradiation would produce strong killing effects on CSCs. The purpose of our systematic review is to evaluate the biological effects of CSCs irradiated by charged particle, including proliferation, invasion, migration, and changes in the molecular level.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science until 17 march 2022 according to the key words. Included studies have to be vitro studies of CSCs irradiated by charged particle. Outcomes included one or more of radiation sensitivity, proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and molecular level changes, like DNA damage after been irradiated.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies were included in the final analysis. The 18 articles include 12-carbon ion irradiation, 4-proton irradiation, 1 α-particle irradiation, 1-carbon ion combine proton irradiation.

CONCLUSION

Through the extraction and analysis of data, we came to this conclusion: CSCs have obvious radio-resistance compared with non-CSCs, and charged particle irradiation or in combination with drugs could overcome this resistance, specifically manifested in inhibiting CSCs' proliferation, invasion, migration, and causing more and harder to repair DNA double-stranded breaks (DSB) of CSCs.

LIF Inhibits Proliferation of Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma Cells by Radiation Mediated Through JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Background: Esophagus cancer is a malignant tumor with a high incidence rate, and radiation is an important modality for esophageal cancer therapy. However, therapeutic failure in the treatment of ESCC is often attributed to an inherent radio-resistance of the tumor cells. This study discusses effect and mechanism of carbon ion exerts tumor-inhibiting proliferation via down-regulation of LIF in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Colony formation, CCK8 and EdU assays were used to detect cell survival and proliferation after 0 and 2Gy carbon ion irradiation of ECA109 cells. Proteomics changes were probed in response to carbon ion irradiation using quantitative proteomics approach incorporating TMT isotope tags. Then, candidate genes were identified via bioinformatics analysis methods and microarray results were verified by real-time qPCR. Paired ESCC tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor samples from 17 patients were collected and used for detecting expression by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into ECA109 and KYSE150 cells and cell proliferation was analyzed by EdU assay. Flow cytometry and Western blot were performed to measure the and apoptosis and JAK-STAT3 protein expression level of ECA109 and KYSE150 cells combined drugs after siLIF transfection. Results: When compared with the control (0Gy), Inhibition of ECA109 cell proliferation and clonogenic survival by 2 Gy carbon ions, radiation group screened 360 differentially expressed proteins, 156 of which were up-regulated and 144 were down-regulated. Downregulation of LIF expression by siRNA enhances apoptotic in the ECA109 and KYSE150 cells, significantly inhibited esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells proliferation. In ESCC cells, the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway is inhibited in a LIF-dependent manner, resulting in the expression of STAT3 downstream target genes. Carbon ions combined with siLIF inhibited cell proliferation more significantly. The inhibitory cell proliferation effect was more pronounced by the combined intervention of carbon ion irradiation with siLIF. LIF expression was 18.51±9.84 and 5.82±4.50 in 17 paired ESCC tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues, respectively. LIF protein expression was lower in ESCC than in the adjacent normal tissue. Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that Carbon ion knockdown was shown to downregulate LIF in ESCC cells. LIF is involved in ESCC proliferation and inhibited the ESCC cell proliferation by activating the STAT3 signaling pathways.

RIB induced reactions: Studying astrophysical reactions with low-energy RI beam at CRIB

Astrophysical reactions involving radioactive isotopes (RI) often play an important role in high-temperature stellar environments. The experimental studies on the reaction rates for those are still limited mainly due to the technical difficulties in producing high-quality RI beams. A direct measurement of those reactions would be still challenging in many cases, however, we can make a reliable evaluation of the reaction rates by an indirect method or by studying the resonance prorerties. Here we ntroduce recent examples of experimental studies on such RI-involving astrophysical reactions, performed at Center for Nuclear Study, the University of Tokyo, using the low-energy RI beam separator CRIB. One is for the neutron-induced destruction reactions of 7Be in the Big-Bang nucleosynthesis, and the other is the study on the 22Mg(α, p) reaction relevant in X-ray bursts, which was performed with the resonant scattering method from the inverse reaction channel.