Mechanisms of lung toxicity induced by biomass burning aerosols

BACKGROUND

Carbonaceous aerosols emitted from indoor and outdoor biomass burning are major risk factors contributing to the global burden of disease. Wood tar aerosols, namely, tar ball particles, compose a substantial fraction of carbonaceous emissions, especially from biomass smoldering. However, their health-related impacts and toxicity are still not well known. This study investigated the toxicity of the water-soluble fraction of pyrolyzed wood tar aerosols in exposed mice and lung epithelial cells.

RESULTS

Mice exposed to water-soluble wood tar aerosols showed increased inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. Bronchial epithelial cells exposed to the same water-soluble wood tar aerosols showed increased cell death with apoptotic characteristics. Alterations in oxidative status, including changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and reductions in the expression of antioxidant genes related to the transcription factor Nrf2, were observed and were confirmed by increased levels of MDA, a lipid peroxidation adduct. Damage to mitochondria was observed as an early event responsible for the aforementioned changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The toxicity and health effect-related mechanisms of water-soluble wood tar were investigated for the first time in the context of biomass burning. Wood tar particles may account for major responses such as cell death, oxidative stress, supression of protection mechnaisms and mitochondrial damaged cause by expsoure to biomass burning aerosols.

Chinese farmers' attitude towards the improvement of animal welfare in their facilities

This study sought to investigate Chinese farmers' attitude towards animal welfare by using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). According to the TPB, an individual's intention to behave in a certain way is determined by his/her attitude towards the behaviour (specific attitude — importance — and general attitudes), the perceived behavioural control (easiness), and the supposed opinion of the people who are important to him/her (subjective norms). A total of 253 questionnaires are used, which included the three main animal productions in chena (swine, poultry and cattle). Chinese farmers have perceived the improvement of animal welfare as two abstracts: general attitudes (reward-seeking, and empathic farmer); and four specific categories of actions (favourable environment, animal health, humane treatment of animals and farmers' well-being). Our analysis revealted that general and specific attitudes were the strongest predictors of farmers' intentions to improve animal welfare in the questionnaire study. In fact, Chinese farmers considered it fairly important to improve the animal welfare meaures considered in the survey. In contrast, the same animal welfare measures were considered difficult to improve by the farmers as indicated by the lack of association between the easiness of improving animal welfare and the intentions. In addition, veterinarians, agricultural advisers, and scientific experts were considered to be relatively influential subjective norms as regards the activities of the farmers. This is the first study to provide an insight into the underlying meanings and values of Chinese farmers views on improvements to animal welfare.

Lymph node characteristics of 6279 N1 differentiated thyroid cancer patients

PURPOSE

This study examined the clinicopathological characteristics of 6279 N1 differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients who underwent operations in our center.

METHODS

This was a retrospective longitudinal analysis. We categorized the DTC on the basis of various lymph node (LN) characteristics. Logistic regression models and multiple linear regression models were used for the correlation analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 3693 (58.8%) N1a patients and 2586 (41.1%) N1b patients were included. Patients with N1b disease had larger metastatic foci (0.5 vs. 0.15 cm), a greater number of metastatic LNs (5 vs. 2), a greater number of dissected LNs (25 vs. 7), and a smaller lymph node ratio (NR, number of positive LNs / number of sampled LNs) (23.1% vs. 28.6%) than patients in stage N1a. Comparing the clinicopathological features, we found that male, increased tumor size, multifocality, and thyroiditis increased the risk of stage N1b disease (P<0.05). Sex, multifocality, capsular infiltration, and tumor size were associated with the size of the metastatic LNs (P<0.05). Sex, capsular infiltration, and nodular goiter were associated with the NR (P<0.05). Male sex, tumor located in inferior lobe, maximal tumor diameter (MTD) <1cm, and nodular goiter were independent predictors for skip metastases (P<0.05). MTD <1cm, central neck metastasis and advanced age were independent predictors for bilateral lateral neck metastasis (BLNM) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The LN characteristics of stage N1a and N1b disease were associated with significantly different features, such as sex, tumor size, multifocality, capsular infiltration, and nodular goiter.

Connecting the Oxidative Potential of Secondary Organic Aerosols with Reactive Oxygen Species in Exposed Lung Cells

It has been hypothesized that the cytotoxicity of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) is mediated through the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the exposed cells. Here, lung epithelial cells (A549) residing at the air-liquid interface were exposed to proxies of anthropogenic and biogenic SOA that were photochemically aged under varying nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentrations in an oxidation flow reactor. The total organic peroxides and ROS radical content in the SOA were quantified by the iodometric spectrophotometric method and by continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance. The effect of the exposure was evaluated by measuring cell viability and cellular ROS production following the exposure. The results demonstrate that SOA that aged in the absence of NOx contained more ROS than fresh SOA and were more toxic toward the cells, while varying NOx conditions had no significant influence on levels of the ROS content in fresh SOA and their toxicity. Analysis of ROS in the exposed cells using flow cytometry showed a similar trend with the total ROS content in the SOA. This study provides a first and direct observation of such association.

In vitro antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of fermented milk with different culture combinations

This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (Ba) in co-cultures with Streptococcus thermophilus (St) on changes in the acidification profile, proteolytic activity, peptide production, in vitro antioxidant activity, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties of fermented milks during 21 d of storage at 4°C. The pH values and proteolysis in all batches showed a gradual decrease and increase during storage, respectively. The ACE-inhibitory activity and total antioxidant capacity of all co-fermented milk samples followed a similar pattern, with maximum values on d 6 of storage. The St starter, in conjunction with Ba or Lp or both, enhanced proteolysis, peptide generation, and ACE-inhibitory and antioxidant activity, but decreased pH values compared with St alone. The St-Ba-Lp samples showed higher DPPH^• (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and total antioxidant capacity, but similar superoxide anion scavenging activity compared to St-Ba or St-Lp samples. The St-Ba samples showed higher DPPH^• radical scavenging activity but lower hydroxyl radical scavenging activity than St-Lp samples. In the ACE-inhibitory assays, the St-Lp samples exhibited relatively low activity among the co-fermented milks, digested or not. The presence of Ba and Lp in fermentation together did not affect ACE-inhibitory activity in undigested fermented milks compared with the presence of Ba alone, and St-Ba-Lp fermented milks demonstrated an increase in ACE-inhibitory activity after simulated gastrointestinal digestion in storage. Pepsin digestion largely improved ACE-inhibitory activity, except in St-Lp samples, in which the activity was reduced. Further hydrolysis by trypsin reduced final activity in digestion. This study suggests that co-cultured fermentation with probiotics improves in vitro antioxidant and ACE inhibition activity in fermented milks, and this effect is partly due to the higher proteolytic activity of probiotics.

Pathogenicity of high risk HPV infection in pseudocondyloma of vulvae and its carcinogenicity in inducing cervical lesions

OBJECTIVE

To identify high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in pseudocondyloma of vulvae (PV) and the causal relationship between high-risk HPV infection and cervical cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The patients were divided into condyloma acuminatum group, PV groups and PV high-risk HPV infection group according to the clinical data and morphological features. Condyloma acuminatum group and PV group were two control groups. The exfoliated cells were detected and typed by human HPV nucleic acid typing kit. The gene fusion site of HPV and its potential gene integration mechanism were investigated using genome-wide sequencing and high-throughput virus integration screening techniques. The HPV integration frequencies of some key gene integration sites were calculated and some novel genes integration sites were identified.

RESULTS

The samples from PV high-risk HPV infection group showed both the pathologic manifestations of PV and the koilocytes caused by the virus infection. Suspected HPV virus particles with a density different from chromatin were observed from the samples of PV high-risk HPV infection group under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The intercellular desmosomes were regularly connected, and autophagosomes can also be observed in some cases. HPV genome was not detected in PV groups and PV high-risk HPV infection group due to the low copy number. HPV genome was only detected in condyloma acuminatum group.

CONCLUSIONS

PV high-risk HPV infection showed both the symptoms of PV and HPV infection with suspected HPV virus particles in cells.

Mitochondria-mediated disturbance of fatty acid metabolism in proximal tubule epithelial cells leads to renal interstitial fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of mitochondria-mediated fatty acid metabolism in proximal tubule cells in renal interstitial fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Intraperitoneal injection of folate was performed to induce renal interstitial fibrosis in mice. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COX4IL) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) in samples. Electron microscope was used to detect the activity of mitochondria. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were chosen as evaluation criteria for renal function. Western-blotting was used to detect protein expression of cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to test renal structure and deposition of collagen.

RESULTS

In renal interstitial fibrosis, mitochondria mediated the dysfunction and the promotion of tubulointerstitial fatty acid metabolism. Besides, it could also reduce renal interstitial fibrosis and alleviate the fatty acid metabolism of tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Mitochondrial dysfunction induced fatty acid metabolism is an important factor to promote the progress of renal interstitial fibrosis. Intervention of related targets of fatty acid metabolism is expected to become a new treatment for renal interstitial fibrosis.

[Investigation and analysis of 7 cases of acute lung injury caused by a welding operation]

Objective: Throughing the investigation and analysis of seven cases of acute lung injury caused by a welding operation, the hazards and production pathways of harmful gases such as phosgene and nitrogen oxides are understood, which will serve as a reference for preventing similar events in the future. Methods: Throughing the accident scene environment investigation and clinical case analysis, combined with the laboratory test results, carried on the comprehensive analysis. Results: The accident caused a total of 7 people to suffer from acute lung injury to varying degrees. Three of them were sent to the ICU ward for treatment due to acute respiratory failure. After active treatment, 7 people were discharged from the hospital with obvious relief. Conclusion: Welding is also a kind of profession that causes the high incidence of acute lung injury accidents. It is necessary to strengthen the knowledge training and protection awareness education of welding workers to avoid the occurrence of acute harmful gas poisoning accidents.

Biomimetic sensory feedback through peripheral nerve stimulation improves dexterous use of a bionic hand

We describe use of a bidirectional neuromyoelectric prosthetic hand that conveys biomimetic sensory feedback. Electromyographic recordings from residual arm muscles were decoded to provide independent and proportional control of a six-DOF prosthetic hand and wrist-the DEKA LUKE arm. Activation of contact sensors on the prosthesis resulted in intraneural microstimulation of residual sensory nerve fibers through chronically implanted Utah Slanted Electrode Arrays, thereby evoking tactile percepts on the phantom hand. With sensory feedback enabled, the participant exhibited greater precision in grip force and was better able to handle fragile objects. With active exploration, the participant was also able to distinguish between small and large objects and between soft and hard ones. When the sensory feedback was biomimetic-designed to mimic natural sensory signals-the participant was able to identify the objects significantly faster than with the use of traditional encoding algorithms that depended on only the present stimulus intensity. Thus, artificial touch can be sculpted by patterning the sensory feedback, and biologically inspired patterns elicit more interpretable and useful percepts.

Evaluation and comparison of the diagnostic performance of routine blood tests in predicting liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B infection

Background & aims: Biopsy is the gold standard for staging liver fibrosis, but it may be accompanied by complications. As an alternative, non-invasive markers such as transient elastography (for liver fibrosis) and certain combinations of routine blood markers (liver function tests, full blood count) have been developed although their clinical significance remains controversial. Here, we compare the diagnostic values of non-invasive markers for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Methods: Transient elastography and routine laboratory tests were performed in 196 patients. Diagnostic performances were compared and were assessed based on the area under the curve (AUC) of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Elevated GGT to platelet ratio (GPR), the fibrosis index FIB-4 [based on age, AST, platelets and ALT], platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and total bilirubin were independent predictors of liver stiffness defined by transient elastography (all P < 0.001). The AUCs of GPR in predicting both advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis were significantly larger than that of FIB-4 (P = 0.037 and P = 0.008, respectively) and AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) (P = 0.008 and P = 0.005). FIB-4, APRI and red cell volume distribution width-to-platelet ratio (RPR) had similar diagnostic values in discriminating different levels of liver fibrosis. Conclusions: GPR showed the best diagnostic value and RPR and PLR are easily available and inexpensive markers in evaluating fibrosis and cirrhosis. The diagnostic values of these laboratory markers are useful in diagnosing advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, and in confirming the different levels of liver fibrosis.

Notch3 signaling activation in smooth muscle cells promotes extrauterine growth restriction-induced pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Early postnatal life is a critical developmental period that affects health of the whole life. Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) causes cardiovascular development problems and diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH is characterized by proliferation, migration, and anti-apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). However, the role of PASMCs in EUGR has not been studied. Thus, we hypothesized that PASMCs dysfunction played a role in EUGR-induced pulmonary hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Here we identified that postnatal nutritional restriction-induced EUGR rats exhibited an elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular remodeling at 12 weeks old. PASMCs of EUGR rats showed increased cell proliferation and migration features. In EUGR-induced PAH rats, Notch3 signaling was activated. Relative mRNA and protein expression levels of Notch3 intracellular domain (Notch3 ICD), and Notch target gene Hey1 in PASMCs were upregulated. We further demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of Notch3 activity by using a γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT, which blocked the cleavage of Notch proteins to ICD peptides, could effectively inhibit PASMC proliferation. Specifically knocked down of Notch3 in rat PASMCs by shRNA restored the abnormal PASMC phenotype in vitro. We found that administration of Notch signaling inhibitor DAPT could successfully reduce mean pulmonary arterial pressure in EUGR rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that upregulation of Notch3 signaling in PASMCs was crucial for the development of EUGR-induced PAH. Blocking Notch3-Hey1 signaling pathway in PASMCs provides a potential therapeutic target for PAH.

[Clinical analysis of myeloid neoplasms with t (3;21) (q26;q22)]

目的

探讨伴有t（3;21）（q26;q22）髓系肿瘤的临床特征。

方法

回顾性分析2011年1月至2018年3月北京大学人民医院收治的19例伴有t（3;21）（q26;q22）血液恶性肿瘤患者的临床资料，并汇总文献报道的有详细生存资料的48例患者，采用Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析。

结果

19例患者中男15例，女4例，中位年龄36（22~68）岁，包括原发急性髓系白血病（AML）4例，骨髓增生异常综合征（MDS）4例，MDS转化的AML3例，慢性髓性白血病（CML）急变8例。19例患者染色体核型均可见t（3;21）（q26;q22），其中13例伴有附加异常。19例中9例进行AML1-MDS1融合基因检测均阳性。9例患者有随访资料，6例接受化疗的患者中4例无效，2例获得完全缓解。随访期内除1例MDS患者因随访期短（6个月）仍存活，其余8例均死亡，中位生存时间为6（4.5~22）个月。汇总文献生存分析结果显示伴有t（3;21）（q26;q22）的髓系肿瘤患者整体预后差，中位生存时间为7个月，尤以AML/治疗相关的AML预后最差，移植和非移植组中位生存时间分别为20.9和4.7个月，差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）。

结论

t（3;21）（q26;q22）是罕见的重现性染色体异常，主要见于髓系血液肿瘤，临床预后差，建议尽早进行造血干细胞移植。

Measuring the common canal of a persistent cloaca: can MRI replace conventional imaging?

AIM

To evaluate the role of MRI in preoperative assessments of patients with a persistent cloaca and compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus fluoroscopy contrast study in the accuracy of common canal measurement and classification prediction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-one patients with a persistent cloaca were diagnosed and treated at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center between March 2011 and December 2017. The length of the common canal was measured using MRI and fluoroscopy contrast study. Classification results based on measurements were compared with cystoscopy and intraoperative findings. The accuracy in predicting the classification by measuring the common canal length was compared.

RESULT

Among 31 patients, 24 had MRI, 24 underwent fluoroscopy contrast study, and 25 underwent cystoscopy. In 20 patients, MRI-based categorisations were in accordance with cystoscopy or surgery findings, whereas in four patients there was discordance. In 17 patients, categorisations based on fluoroscopy contrast study were in accordance with cystoscopy or surgery findings, and in seven patients there was discordance; the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

MRI may accurately demonstrate genitourinary anomalies and the length of the common canal in patients with persistent cloaca. Categorisation based on MRI measurements of the common canal was accordant with the results from cystoscopy and findings from surgery. The use of this method may help surgeons to develop appropriate reconstruction plans before sending their patients to the operating room.

I/D polymorphism of ACE and risk of diabetes-related end-stage renal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a meta-analysis on exploring the correlation between I/D polymorphism of ACE and risk of diabetes mellitus-related end-stage renal disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Researches on the correlation between I/D polymorphism of ACE and the risk of diabetes-related end-stage renal disease were searched in the three online databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library). Citations of related researches were manually examined and enrolled. This study systematically searched relative literature for cohort studies or case-control studies published in the English language until December 1, 2018. Researches containing odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) calculated based on the correlation between I/D polymorphism of ACE and the risk of diabetes-related end-stage renal disease were enrolled. The included data were weighted by an inverse variance and then analyzed by a fixed or random effects model. Researches met the inclusion criteria were extracted for relevant data and subjected to a heterogeneity test. The effect size was calculated by STATA 12.0 software for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 15 articles including 1199 cases of diabetes-related end-stage renal disease and 2939 cases of controls were enrolled. I/D polymorphism of ACE remarkably increased the risk of diabetes-related end-stage renal disease. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, a significant difference in risk of diabetes-related ESRD was only detected in the Asian population with I/D polymorphism of ACE. However, no significant difference in disease risk was found in the Caucasian population.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggested that I/D polymorphism of ACE can markedly increase the incidence of diabetes-related end-stage renal disease, especially in Asian populations.

Arginine bioavailability and endothelin-1 system in the regulation of vascular function of umbilical vein endothelial cells from intrauterine growth restricted newborns

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a major risk factor for perinatal morbidity and mortality, leading to long-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms in IUGR-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were derived from IUGR or normal newborns. We found that the proliferation of IUGR-derived HUVECs was accelerated compared to those from normal subjects. Gene profiles related to vascular function including vasomotion, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis were dysregulated in IUGR-HUVECs. Compared with HUVECs from normal newborns, nitric oxide (NO) production was reduced, with imbalance between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and arginase-2 (Arg-2) in IUGR. Meanwhile, intracellular asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level was elevated with diminished dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) expression in IUGR-HUVECs. Furthermore, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression were increased, and endothelin receptor type-B (ET_BR) was reduced in the IUGR group. IUGR-HUVECs exposed to hypoxia increased the ratio of ADMA to l-arginine, HIF-1α and protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) expression compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that the reduction of NO bioavailability and release results from elevated Arg-2, accumulation of intracellular ADMA, and imbalance of ET-1 and ET_BR, further leading to IUGR-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction. Our study provides novel evidence on the mechanism underlying fetal programming associated with IUGR, which will serve as potential therapeutic targets in the prevention of adverse cardiovascular consequences in adulthood.

Mitochondria-mediated disturbance of fatty acid metabolism in proximal tubule epithelial cells leads to renal interstitial fibrosis

The article "Mitochondria-mediated disturbance of fatty acid metabolism in proximal tubule epithelial cells leads to renal interstitial fibrosis" by W. Shen, X.-X. Jiang, Y.-W. Li, Q. He, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (3): 810-819 has been withdrawn.