P–371 Clinical value assessment between endometrial receptivity array and immune profiling in patients with implantation failure

Study question

To evaluate whether the pregnancy outcomes could be improved in implantation failure patients by endometrial receptivity array, endometrial immune profiling, or a combination of both.

Summary answer

There was no statistical difference between different endometrial receptivity evaluation and treatment in improving the clinical pregnancy rate.

What is known already

Both endometrial receptivity array and endometrial immune profiling were promised to improve the endometrial receptivity and subsequent clinical pregnancy. However, less is known about the efficiency between each other and whether the combination could further enhance their clinical value.

Study design, size, duration

Between November 2019 and September 2020, 143 women with a history of at least two or more consecutive implantation failure in IVF/ICSI treatment in Chengdu Xinan Gynecology Hospital were included. They were divided into three groups: ‘ERA + Immune Profiling’ (n = 70), ‘Immune Profiling’ (n = 41), and ‘ERA’ (n = 32).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Inclusion criteria were age ≤ 38, with normal uterus and uterine cavity. All patients were suggested to evaluate endometrial receptivity by ERA test (Igenomix, Valencia, Spain) and endometrial immune profiling based on immunohistochemistry simultaneously, who would be free to choose each or both evaluation approaches. Personal Embryo Transfer and/or personal medical care were adopted according to evaluation results. Clinical pregnancy was confirmed by gestational sacs observed under ultrasonography.

Main results and the role of chance

The overall prevalence of displaced window of implantation (WOI) is 84.3%, and nearly 74.8% (83/111) patients were diagnosed as endometrial immune dysregulation. Clinical Pregnancy rate and embryonic implantation rate decreased in the ‘Immune Test’ groups, but without a statistical difference (P = 0.311, and 0.158, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that different endometrial receptivity evaluation and treatment was not associated the clinical pregnancy rate, suggesting the performance of different endometrial receptivity evaluation and treatment is similar in improving the clinical pregnancy rate. Neither the immune profiling (CD56, P = 0.591; FOXP3, P = 0.195; CD68, P = 0.820; CD163, P = 0.926; CD1a, P = 0.561; CD57, P = 0.221; CD8, P = 0.427; CD138 CE, P = 0.372) nor histologic endometrial dating defined by Noyes criteria (P = 0.374) were associated with ERA phases.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Although the selection of evaluation approaches was based on patients’ willingness, the variances of baseline characteristics and immune profiling existed in different groups. The immunological treatment efficacy based on immune profiling was not evaluated before embryo transfer.

Wider implications of the findings: To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing the pregnancy outcomes after two typical endometrial receptivity evaluation approaches. The findings highlight the unsubstitutability for each assessment, indicating that both asynchronous and pathological WOI contribute to implantation failure.

Trial registration number

X2019004

Prospects and Pitfalls: Next-Generation Tools to Control Mosquito-Transmitted Disease

Mosquito-transmitted diseases, including malaria and dengue, are a major threat to human health around the globe, affecting millions each year. A diverse array of next-generation tools has been designed to eliminate mosquito populations or to replace them with mosquitoes that are less capable of transmitting key pathogens. Many of these new approaches have been built on recent advances in CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. These initiatives have driven the development of pathogen-resistant lines, new genetics-based sexing methods, and new methods of driving desirable genetic traits into mosquito populations. Many other emerging tools involve microorganisms, including two strategies involving Wolbachia that are achieving great success in the field. At the same time, other mosquito-associated bacteria, fungi, and even viruses represent untapped sources of new mosquitocidal or antipathogen compounds. Although there are still hurdles to be overcome, the prospect that such approaches will reduce the impact of these diseases is highly encouraging.

Fizeau drag in graphene plasmonics

Dragging of light by moving media was predicted by Fresnel¹ and verified by Fizeau's celebrated experiments² with flowing water. This momentous discovery is among the experimental cornerstones of Einstein's special relativity theory and is well understood^3,4 in the context of relativistic kinematics. By contrast, experiments on dragging photons by an electron flow in solids are riddled with inconsistencies and have so far eluded agreement with the theory^5-7. Here we report on the electron flow dragging surface plasmon polaritons^8,9 (SPPs): hybrid quasiparticles of infrared photons and electrons in graphene. The drag is visualized directly through infrared nano-imaging of propagating plasmonic waves in the presence of a high-density current. The polaritons in graphene shorten their wavelength when propagating against the drifting carriers. Unlike the Fizeau effect for light, the SPP drag by electrical currents defies explanation by simple kinematics and is linked to the nonlinear electrodynamics of Dirac electrons in graphene. The observed plasmonic Fizeau drag enables breaking of time-reversal symmetry and reciprocity¹⁰ at infrared frequencies without resorting to magnetic fields^11,12 or chiral optical pumping^13,14. The Fizeau drag also provides a tool with which to study interactions and nonequilibrium effects in electron liquids.

[Hepatic echinococcus granulosus: a clinicopathological analysis of thirteen cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of hepatic echinococcus granulosus (HEG). Methods: Thirteen cases of HEG were collected from Linzhi People's Hospital between January 2017 to October 2020, and their clinicopathologic features, ultrasound classification, immunophenotype and histochemical data were analyzed, retrospectively and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: Thirteen patients (5 male patients, 8 female patients) were included in this cohort, and the mean age was 40 years. The most common clinical presentation was mild abdominal distention and pain (9/13). Based on WHO-IWGE ultrasound standardized classification, these cases were classified into 5 types, including type CL (1 case), type CE1 (2 cases), type CE2 (4 cases), type CE3 (3 cases) and type CE4 (3 cases). Gross examination revealed a solitary cyst localized in the liver, varying from 2.7 to 13.5 cm in diameter, and most of them(10/13)were more than 10 cm. Histopathologically, these cysts possessed a thin inner germinal layer and outer adventitial layer, and a central cavity filled with a clear"hydatid"fluid. The germinal layer was continuous and generated brood capsules and protoscoleces. The laminated membranes were clearly demonstrated by elastic fiber and Gomori's stains. Inside the"mother"cyst, there were a varying number of"daughter"vesicles of variable sizes. The inflammatory reaction around the cyst consisted of eosinophils, mononuclear cells immediately next to the cyst layer and sometimes formed granuloma and giant cells resembling the Langhan's type giant cells. The lymphoid cells were positive for CD20 and CD3. The CD68 immunohistochemistry clearly demonstrated epithelioid cells of granuloma in two cases. Moreover, immunohistochemistry revealed plasma cells were locally positive for CD38, IgG and IgG4, but not meeting the criteria for IgG4 related lesion. Conclusions: Hepatic echinococcus granulosus is a zoonotic parasitic disease prevalent in pastoral areas such as Tibet. It is important to understand its clinical features, ultrasound characteristics and histological morphology.

[Rapamycin activates autophagy by inhibiting mTOR pathway to alleviate early osteoporosis in rats with skeletal fluorosis]

Objective: To investigate the effects of rapamycin target protein (mTOR) pathway and autophagy on bone formation and bone resorption in fluorosis osteoporosis in rats. Methods: In September 2018, a rat model of skeletal fluorosis was established by intragastric administration of fluorine. The experimental animals were divided into control group, 10 mgF(-)/kg group, 20 mgF(-)/kg group, 2 mg/kg rapamycin (RAPA) +10 mgF(-)/kg group and 2 mg/kg RAPA+20 mgF(-)/kg group, 20 per group. The experiment lasted for 3 months. The changes of bone tissue in rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical indexes, such as Modulus of elasticity, Stiffness, Maximum stress and Maximum load, were measured by BMD and biomechanical biometer. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) , osteocalcin (BGP) , osteoprotectin (OPG) , type I procollagen amino-terminal peptide (PINP) , tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) and nuclear factor kappa B receptor activator ligand (RANKL) were determined by enzymatic linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Bone tissue phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) , autophagy-related index selective autophagy adaptor protein p62, microtubule associated protein II (LC3-II) , ALP, osteoblastic transcription factor (Osterix) , and RNT Expression of related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and bone resorption indicator RANKL were detected by Western blotting. Results: Compared with the control group, dental fluorosis in the 10 mgF(-)/kg and 20 mgF(-)/kg groups was significantly increased, periosteum thickness and absorption lacunae appeared, and BGP, OPG, PINP, TRACP and RANKL in serum contents were increased (P<0.05) , BMD, Modulus of elasticity, Stiffness, Maximum stress and Maximum load of bone tissue decreased significantly (P<0.05) , and the expressions of p-mTOR and p62 were decreased (P<0.05) , also the expressions of ALP, Osterix, Runx2 and RANKL were increased (P<0.05) . Compared with 10 mgF(-)/kg and 20 mgF(-)/kg groups, there were no obvious dental fluorosis symptoms in 2 mg/kg RAPA+10 mgF(-)/kg group and 2 mg/kg RAPA+20 mgF(-)/kg group, and serum ALP, BGP and OPG levels were significantly increased (P<0.05) . TRACP and RANKL contents were significantly decreased (P<0.05) . BMD, Modulus of elasticity, Stiffness, Maximum stress and Maximum load were significantly increased (P<0.05) . The levels of p-mTOR, p62 and RANKL in bone tissues were decreased (P<0.05) , and the expressions of LC3-II, LC3-II/LC3-I, ALP, Osterix and Runx2 were increased (P<0.05) . Conclusion: RAPA may activate autophagy by inhibiting mTOR phosphorylation, and inhibit bone resorption while promoting bone formation, thus alleviating early osteoporosis in skeletal fluorosis rats.

LncRNA HMGA1P4 promotes cisplatin-resistance in gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HMGA1P4 has been previously reported to be upregulated in gastric cancer (GC). This study aims to investigate the role of HMGA1P4 in cisplatin (DDP)-resistant GC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

HMGA1P4 levels in DDP-resistant GC tissues and cells were determined. Regulatory effects of HMGA1P4 on proliferative and apoptotic abilities in DDP-resistant GC cells and their parental cells were assessed. At last, expression levels of genes associated with multidrug-resistance (MDR) (MDR1, MRP1, mTOR and HIF-1α) and apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase3) were determined in DDP-resistant GC cells.

RESULTS

Results revealed that HMGA1P4 was upregulated in DDP-resistant GC tissues and cells. Overexpression of HMGA1P4 stimulated proliferative rate and suppressed apoptosis in both DDP-resistant GC cells and their parental cells. Moreover, in DDP-resistant GC cells, overexpression of HMGA1P4 upregulated MDR-related genes and downregulated apoptosis-related genes.

CONCLUSIONS

HMGA1P4 is upregulated in DDP-resistant GC tissues and cells, and triggers the progression of DDP-resistance in GC.

Effects of miR-18a on proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by regulating RUNX1

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-18a on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer (GC) cells, and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, the expression of miR-18a in GC tissues and para-cancer tissues was verified by in situ hybridization (ISH) of GC tissue microarray (TMA). Meanwhile, the effect of miR-18a expression on the prognosis of GC patients was evaluated. GC AGS cell line was selected and transfected with miR-18a mimic and mimic control (NC) to up-regulate miR-18a expression in vitro. Thereafter, changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration after transfection were detected by biological functional assays. Luciferase reporter gene assay was carried out to verify the target gene Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) modulated by miR-18a. Finally, the Spearman's grade correlation coefficient was calculated to explore the correlation between the expressions of miR-18a and RUNX1.

RESULTS

ISH results of TMA showed that overexpression of miR-18a in GC tissues was significantly associated with low survival rate of patients (p<0.001). High expression of miR-18a remarkably enhanced the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells (p<0.05). Besides, it has been predicted in biology that RUNX1 is one of the target genes of miR-18a. Luciferase reporter gene assay showed that Luciferase activity in cells transfected with wild-type (WT) RUNX1 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Moreover, the protein expression of RUNX1 decreased remarkably in GC cells with over-expression of miR-18a (p<0.05). All these findings indicated that the expression of miR-18a was negatively correlated with RUNX1 in GC cells (p<0.001, r=0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-18a exerts a high predictive value for the prognosis of GC patients by directly targeting the transcription factor RUNX1. All our findings may provide therapeutic candidates for GC identification.

Regeneration of pulp-dentine complex-like tissue in a rat experimental model under an inflammatory microenvironment using high phosphorous-containing bioactive glasses

AIM

To investigate the effects of a bioactive glass with a high proportion of phosphorus (BG-hP) on the repair and regeneration of dental pulps in rats under an inflammatory microenvironment.

METHODOLOGY

Human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) stimulated with 1 μg mL^-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were co-cultured with 0.1 mg mL^-1 BG-hP. Cell proliferation was detected by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. The expression of inflammation-related genes and odontogenic differentiation-related genes was determined by real-time PCR. Alizarin red staining was used to detect the formation of mineralized nodules. Coronal pulp tissues of rat molars were stimulated with 10 mg mL^-1 LPS and then treated with BG-hP. The expression of inflammation-related genes in pulp tissue was determined by real-time PCR. Haematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining were performed to observe the inflammatory response and mineralized matrix formation, after subcutaneous implantation in nude mice, at 3 days and 4 weeks, respectively. Analysis of variance was performed to measure statistical significance (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

BG-hP significantly reduced expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 and significantly upregulated the expression of IL-10, IL-4 and transforming growth factor-β1 of the LPS-stimulated hDPCs (P < 0.05). BG-hP significantly inhibited the initial cell number (P < 0.05), but the hDPCs stimulated by LPS and co-cultured with BG-hP maintained the same proliferation rate as the untreated hDPCs. BG-hP significantly promoted the expression of dentine matrix protein-1 and dentine sialophosphoprotein and the mineralization capacity of the LPS-stimulated hDPCs (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BG-hP significantly downregulated the expression of Il-6 and reduced the inflammatory response of the LPS-stimulated pulp tissue 3 days after subcutaneous implantation (P < 0.05). Four weeks after subcutaneous implantation, BG-hP induced the formation of a continuous layer of dentine-like structure with dentinal tubules and polarizing odontoblast-like cells aligned along it in the LPS-stimulated pulp tissue.

CONCLUSION

The present preliminarily results demonstrated that the bioactive glass with a high proportion of phosphorus inhibited the inflammatory response and promoted the formation of a pulp-dentine complex in a rat experimental model. This study provides a foundation for the construction of materials with the dual functions of exerting anti-inflammatory effects and promoting tissue regeneration to meet the needs of dental pulp repair and regeneration.

Extracellular vesicles derived from EphB2-overexpressing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate DSS-induced colitis by modulating immune balance

Background

The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) open up a new avenue for ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment recently, but they are not selectively enriched in targeted tissues. EphB2, a cell-to-cell signaling receptor, is identified as a regulator for inflammatory response, immune homeostasis and cell migration. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism for EphB2 over-expressing BMSCs derived EVs (EphB2-EVs) in the treatment of UC.

Methods

BMSCs and EVs were obtained and characterized by a series of experiments. Lentivirus vector encoding EphB2 was transfected into BMSCs and verified by qRT-PCR. We analyzed the EphB2-EVs ability of colonic targeting in a DSS-induced colitis model by using confocal microscope and WB. The protective effect of EphB2-EVs in vivo was systematically evaluated by using a series of function experiments.

Results

We successfully constructed EphB2-overexpressing BMSCs derived EVs (EphB2-EVs). Overexpression of EphB2 significantly enhanced the homing of EVs to the damaged colon. In addition, EphB2-EVs were effective to attenuate inflammation in intestinal mucosa and restore the damaged colon tissue by inhibiting the release of proinflammatory cytokines and upregulating the anti-inflammatory mediators. EphB2-EVs effectively reduced the oxidative stress and repaired the intestinal mucosal barrier in the UC rats. Moreover, EphB2-EVs demonstrated a robust immunomodulatory effect to restore immune homeostasis via modulating Th17/Treg balance and restraining STAT3 activation.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that EphB2-EVs have high colonic targeting ability and could mitigate DSS-induced colitis via maintaining colonic immune homeostasis. These findings provide an effective therapeutic strategy for UC treatment in clinic.

[Expert consensus on the strategy and measures to interrupt the transmission of schistosomiasis in China]

Since 2015 when the transmission of schistosomiasis was controlled in China, the country has been moving towards elimination of schistosomiasis, with the surveillance-response as the main interventions for schistosomiasis control. During the period of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the transmission of schistosomiasis had been interrupted in four provinces of Sichuan, Jiangsu, Yunnan and Hubei and the prevalence of schistosomiasis has been at the historically lowest level in China. As a consequence, the goal set in The 13th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China is almost achieved. However, there are multiple challenges during the stage moving towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China, including the widespread distribution of intermediate host snails and complicated snail habitats, many types of sources of Schistosoma japonicum infections and difficulty in management of bovines and sheep, unmet requirements for the current schistosomiasis control program with the currently available tools, and vulnerable control achievements. During the 14th Five-Year period, it is crucial to consolidate the schistosomiasis control achievements and gradually solve the above difficulties, and critical to provide the basis for achieving the ultimate goal of elimination of schistosomiasis in China. Based on the past experiences from the national schistosomiasis control program and the challenges for schistosomiasis elimination in China, an expert consensus has been reached pertaining to the objectives, control strategy and measures for The 14th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China, so as to provide insights in to the development of The 14th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China.

A Review on Recent Advances in Aloperine Research: Pharmacological Activities and Underlying Biological Mechanisms

Aloperine, a quinolizidine-type alkaloid, was first isolated from the seeds and leaves of herbal plant, Sophora alopecuroides L. Empirically, Sophora alopecuroides L. is appreciated for its anti-dysentry effect, a property that is commonly observed in other Sophora Genus phytomedicines. Following the rationale of reductionism, subsequent biochemical analyses attribute such anti-dysentry effect to the bactericidal activity of aloperine. From then on, the multiple roles of aloperine are gradually revealed. Accumulating evidence suggests that aloperine possesses multiple pharmacological activities and holds a promising potential in clinical conditions including skin hyper-sensitivity, tumor and inflammatory disorders etc.; however, the current knowledge on aloperine is interspersed and needs to be summarized. To facilitate further investigation, herein, we conclude the key pharmacological functions of aloperine, and most importantly, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are clarified in detail to explain the functional mode of aloperine.

FLUKA simulation of target fragmentation in proton therapy

In proton therapy, secondary fragments are created in nuclear interactions of the beam with the target nuclei. The secondary fragments have low kinetic energies and high atomic numbers as compared to primary protons. Fragments have a high LET and deposit all their energy close to the generation point. For their characteristics, secondary fragments can alter the dose distribution and lead to an increase of RBE for the same delivered physical dose. Moreover, the radiobiological impact of target fragmentation is significant mostly in the region before the Bragg peak, where generally healthy tissues are present, and immediately after Bragg peak. Considering the high biological impact of those particles, especially in the case of healthy tissues or organs at risk, the inclusion of target fragmentation processes in the dose calculation of a treatment planning system can be relevant to improve the treatment accuracy and for this reason it is one of the major tasks of the MoVe IT project. In this study, Monte Carlo simulations were employed to fully characterize the mixed radiation field generated by target fragmentation in proton therapy. The dose averaged LET has been evaluated in case of a Spread Out Bragg Peak (SOBP). Starting from LET distribution, RBE has been evaluated with two different phenomenological models. In order to characterize the mixed radiation field, the production cross section has been evaluated by means of the FLUKA code. The future development of present work is to generate a MC database of fragments fluence to be included in TPS.

Inter-fractional monitoring of [Formula: see text]C ions treatments: results from a clinical trial at the CNAO facility

The high dose conformity and healthy tissue sparing achievable in Particle Therapy when using C ions calls for safety factors in treatment planning, to prevent the tumor under-dosage related to the possible occurrence of inter-fractional morphological changes during a treatment. This limitation could be overcome by a range monitor, still missing in clinical routine, capable of providing on-line feedback. The Dose Profiler (DP) is a detector developed within the INnovative Solution for In-beam Dosimetry in hadronthErapy (INSIDE) collaboration for the monitoring of carbon ion treatments at the CNAO facility (Centro Nazionale di Adroterapia Oncologica) exploiting the detection of charged secondary fragments that escape from the patient. The DP capability to detect inter-fractional changes is demonstrated by comparing the obtained fragment emission maps in different fractions of the treatments enrolled in the first ever clinical trial of such a monitoring system, performed at CNAO. The case of a CNAO patient that underwent a significant morphological change is presented in detail, focusing on the implications that can be drawn for the achievable inter-fractional monitoring DP sensitivity in real clinical conditions. The results have been cross-checked against a simulation study.

Construction of porous carbon for the highly efficient visible light-driven degradation methyl violet

A series of nanoporous carbons (NPC) Fe-C/N-900 and C/N-900 have been synthesized from one-step carbonization of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin-Fe (Fe-TCPP) and TCPP, respectively and employed as photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dye methyl violet (MV) under UV irradiation. The optimized Fe-C/N-900 (carbonized at 900 oC for 2 h) exhibited an optimal performance in MV degradation. The photodegradation capacity of Fe-C/N-900 has been observed to be higher than that of C/N-900. The photodegradation ability of Fe-C/N-900 as a function of initial MV concentration, catalysis dosage, and pH has been also investigated. The Fe-C/N-900 material showed no apparent loss in MV degradation after four cycles. These features reveal that Fe-C/N-900 may be a promising degradant for dyes removal from water.                     KEY WORDS: Photocatalysis, Nanoporous carbons, Methyl violet, carbonization   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(2), 277-284 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i2.6

[Assessment of schistosomiasis transmission risk in Nanjian County of Yunnan Province in 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the schistosomiasis transmission risk in Nanjing County, so as to provide the scientific evidence for the development of the schistosomiasis control strategy and consolidation of the control achievements.

METHODS

On May 2019, the Deqiu Village in Deqiu Town and Baiyun Village in Nanjing Town of Yunnan Province, where schistosomiasis were historically relatively highly endemic, were selected to assess the risk of transmission of schistosomiasis by means of a retrospective review of the data pertaining to the historical endemic situation and schistosomiasis control, combined with a cross-sectional survey of snail and wild feces distribution.

RESULTS

During the period between 2017 and 2018, the mean sero-prevalence rates of Schistosoma japonicum infections were 6.76% (202/2 990) and 2.86% (142/4 971) in humans and 0 (0/1 160) and 10.65% (31/291) in bovines in Deqiu and Baiyun villages of Nanjian County, respectively; however, no egg-positives were identified; in addition, there were 21.06 hm² snail habitats found, but no S. japonicum infections were detected in snails. In 2019, there was 6.17 hm² snail habitats detected, with 2.17% (245/11 298) occurrence of frames with snails and a 0.06 snails/0.1 m² density of living snails; however, no positives for nucleic acid detection were seen in snails; among the 136 wild fecal samples captures from 23 settings, no S. japonicum infections were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of schistosomiasis transmission remains at a low level in Nanjian County; however, the factors affecting the transmission of schistosomiasis have not been completed eliminated. The integrated schistosomiasis control strategy with an emphasis on the control of the source of S. japonicum infections requires to be reinforced to consolidate the control achievements.

Musashi1 expression is negatively correlated with numb expression in brain metastases

The expression of tumor stem cell markers musashi1 (msi1) and numb in brain metastases were detected to explore their roles in the development of brain metastases.A total of 51 cases of brain metastasis, 29 cases of primary tumor and 15 cases of normal brain tissue were selected. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect msi1 and numb expression at the protein and mRNA levels. Correlation between msi1 and numb in brain metastases were evaluated.Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed that no significant difference in the expression of msi1 and numb between brain metastases and primary tumors was observed (P > .05); the expression of msi1 and numb in brain metastases was significantly higher than that in normal brain tissues (P < .05); and the expression of msi1 and numb in primary tumors was significantly higher than that in normal brain tissues (P < .05). In general, the expression of msi1 gene was negatively correlated with the expression of numb at mRNA level by Pearson correlation analysis (r = -0.345, P < .05). Additionally, the expression of msi1 and numb in brain metastases was not related to gender, age, and tissue origin (P > .05).Msi1 is highly expressed in brain metastases and primary tumors, while numb is lowly expressed in brain metastases and primary tumors; msi1 and numb are negatively correlated in brain metastases, suggesting that msi1 and numb may have regulatory mechanisms in the development of brain metastases.

Elevated Exhaustion Levels of NK and CD8+ T Cells as Indicators for Progression and Prognosis of COVID-19 Disease

Background

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induced Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a global threat to public health. The immune system is crucial in defending and eliminating the virus and infected cells. However, immune dysregulation may result in the rapid progression of COVID-19. Here, we evaluated the subsets, phenotypic and functional characteristics of natural killer (NK) and T cells in patients with COVID-19 and their associations with disease severity.

Methods

Demographic and clinical data of COVID-19 patients enrolled in Wuhan Union Hospital from February 25 to February 27, 2020, were collected and analyzed. The phenotypic and functional characteristics of NK cells and T cells subsets in circulating blood and serum levels of cytokines were analyzed via flow cytometry. Then the LASSO logistic regression model was employed to predict risk factors for the severity of COVID-19.

Results

The counts and percentages of NK cells, CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells and NKT cells were significantly reduced in patients with severe symptoms. The cytotoxic CD3^-CD56^dimCD16⁺ cell population significantly decreased, while the CD3^-CD56^dimCD16^- part significantly increased in severe COVID-19 patients. More importantly, elevated expression of regulatory molecules, such as CD244 and programmed death-1 (PD-1), on NK cells and T cells, as well as decreased serum cytotoxic effector molecules including perforin and granzyme A, were detected in patients with COVID-19. The serum IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were significantly increased in severe patients. Moreover, the CD3^-CD56^dimCD16^- cells were screened out as an influential factor in severe cases by LASSO logistic regression.

Conclusions

The functional exhaustion and other subset alteration of NK and T cells may contribute to the progression and improve the prognosis of COVID-19. Surveillance of lymphocyte subsets may in the future enable early screening for signs of critical illness and understanding the pathogenesis of this disease.

Diabetes is a risk factor for the progression and prognosis of COVID-19

BACKGOUND

To figure out whether diabetes is a risk factor influencing the progression and prognosis of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

METHODS

A total of 174 consecutive patients confirmed with COVID-19 were studied. Demographic data, medical history, symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, chest computed tomography (CT) as well the treatment measures were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

We found that COVID-19 patients without other comorbidities but with diabetes (n = 24) were at higher risk of severe pneumonia, release of tissue injury-related enzymes, excessive uncontrolled inflammation responses and hypercoagulable state associated with dysregulation of glucose metabolism. Furthermore, serum levels of inflammation-related biomarkers such as IL-6, C-reactive protein, serum ferritin and coagulation index, D-dimer, were significantly higher (P < .01) in diabetic patients compared with those without, suggesting that patients with diabetes are more susceptible to an inflammatory storm eventually leading to rapid deterioration of COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support the notion that diabetes should be considered as a risk factor for a rapid progression and bad prognosis of COVID-19. More intensive attention should be paid to patients with diabetes, in case of rapid deterioration.

Nodal mitigates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury via inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation

OBJECTIVE

Nodal is a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family, which induces the activation of the cytoplasmic Smad2 and Smad3, both of which play a neuroprotective role against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the  role of Nodal in cerebral I/R is unclear. Thus, the aim of the present study was to shed light on the function of Nodal in cerebral I/R injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cerebral I/R injury was induced in the Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion and in murine hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22) by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) stimulation. The lentivirus vectors (Nodal overexpressing lentivirus vector [OE-Nodal] and the short hair RNA of Nodal [sh-Nodal]) were used to upregulate and downregulate Nodal in SD rats or cells.

RESULTS

Nodal expression increased in the cerebral I/R models and reached a peak after 12 h of reperfusion. OE-Nodal administration to the cerebral I/R rats significantly reduced the cerebral infarction volume and inhibited the brain cell apoptosis. It also increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, and decreased the levels of the lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde [MDA] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]), in addition to those of the proinflammatory factors. Consistently, the upregulation of Nodal in HT22 by OGD/R significantly increased the SOD level and decreased the levels of MDA, LDH, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that Nodal exerted a protective role during cerebral I/R by inhibiting excessive oxidative stress and inflammation.

Downregulated LINC00460 inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

LINC00460 has been confirmed to contribute to cancer development. However, the role and function of LINC00460 in prostate cancer is not identified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression and effect of LINC00460 on prostate cancer cell malignant behaviors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of LINC00460 in cancer tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. The LINC00460 expression was downregulated by siRNA. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect cell proliferation. The cell migration and invasion were detected by migration and Matrigel invasion assays. The Western blot assay was used to detect the altered expression levels of Ki67, Cyclin D1, PI3K, p-AKT, T-AKT, Bcl2, and Bax.

RESULTS

LINC00460 was increased in human prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. LINC00460 high expression was related to Tumor Size (T1-T2/T3-T4; p=0.004), and high Gleason Score (≤8/>8, p=0.000). Downregulation of LINC00460 by siRNA could inhibit cancer cell proliferation and decreased Ki67 and Cyclin D1 expression. Meanwhile, downregulation of LINC00460 promoted apoptosis of cell lines and was related to PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC00460 could regulate cell proliferation and cell apoptosis, which might be a novel marker in prostate cancer.