Monitoring of lung malignant epithelial cells by gene methylation analysis in the conditionally reprogrammed cell cultures

Conditionally reprogrammed cell (CRC) technology is an effective method for culturing primary malignant cells and non-malignant epithelial cells in vitro. This can be useful for precision medicine applications, such as drug sensitivity assays. However, this approach is commonly hindered by the non-specific growth of non-malignant epithelial cells in CRC cultures and the lack of effective biomarkers/assays to distinguish them from primary tumor cells. In this study, we developed a DNA methylation-based, real-time PCR assay to investigate SHOX2 and PTGER4 gene promoters as sensitive markers for human lung cancer. We first found that in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) malignant lung samples, 90% (28/31) had increased SHOX2 and/or PTGER4 promoter methylation as compared with their adjacent non-malignant samples. We then applied this assay to fresh surgical tumors and found increased SHOX2 and/or PTGER4 promoter methylation in 80% (20/25) of tumor samples as compared with their corresponding adjacent non-malignant tissues. Increased methylation of SHOX2 or PTGER4 promoter regions was also detected in 52% (13/25) of CRC cultures. The presence of malignant cells was confirmed by growth in soft agar cultures, a hallmark of malignant transformation, as well by EGFR mutation analysis. These results demonstrate that SHOX2 and PTGER4 promoter methylation levels can be used to detect malignant lung epithelial cells in CRC cultures.

[Treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients in tumor hospitals under the background of corona virus disease 2019]

In December 2019, a new outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 began to occur. Its pathogen is 2019-nCoV, which has the characteristics of strong infectivity and general susceptibility. The current situation of prevention and control of new coronavirus pneumonia is severe. In this context, as front-line medical workers bearing important responsibilities and pressure, while through strict management strategy, we can minimize the risk of infection exposure. By summarizing the research progress and guidelines in recent years in the fields of colorectal cancer disease screening, treatment strategies (including early colorectal cancer, locally advanced colorectal cancer, obstructive colorectal cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer and the treatment of patients after neoadjuvant therapy), the choice of medication and time limit for adjuvant therapy, the protective measures for patients undergoing emergency surgery, the re-examination of postoperative patients and the protection of medical staff, etc., authors improve treatment strategies in order to provide more choices for patients to obtain the best treatment under the severe epidemic situation of new coronavirus pneumonia. Meanwhile we hope that it can also provide more timely treatment modeling schemes for colleagues.

[Thinking of treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients in tumor hospitals under the background of coronavirus pneumonia]

In December 2019, a new outbreak of coronavirus pneumonia began to occur. Its pathogen is 2019-nCoV, which has the characteristics of strong infectivity and general susceptibility. The current situation of prevention and control of new coronavirus pneumonia is severe. In this context, as front-line medical workers bearing important responsibilities and pressure, while through strict management strategy, we can minimize the risk of infection exposure. By summarizing the research progress and guidelines in recent years in the fields of colorectal cancer disease screening, treatment strategies(including early colorectal cancer, locally advanced colorectal cancer, obstructive colorectal cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer and the treatment of patients after neoadjuvant therapy), the choice of medication and time limit for adjuvant therapy, the protective measures for patients undergoing emergency surgery, the re-examination of postoperative patients and the protection of medical staff, etc., authors improve treatment strategies in order to provide more choices for patients to obtain the best treatment under the severe epidemic situation of new coronavirus pneumonia. Meanwhile we hope that it can also provide more timely treatment modeling schemes for colleagues.

[Molecular epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from ready-to-eat food in 2017 in China]

Objective: To analyze the molecular characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes strains from ready-to eat food in China. Methods: A total of 239 Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from ready-to-eat food in 2017, all strains underwent whole-genome sequencing (WGS) , and comparisons uncovered population structure derived from lineages, clonal complex, serogroups, antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence, which were inferred in silico from the WGS data. Core genome multilocus sequence typing was used to subtype isolates. Results: All strains were categorized into three different lineages, lineage Ⅱ was the predominant types in food, and IIa was the main serogroups. CC8, CC101 and CC87 were the first three prevalent CCs among 23 detected CCs, accounting for 49.4%. Only 4.6% (11 isolates) of tested strains harbored antibiotic resistance genes, which were mostly trimethoprim genes (7 isolates, 2.9%). All strains were positive for LIPI-1, and only a part of strains harbored LIPI-3 and LIPI-4, accounting for 13.8% (33 isolates) and 14.2% (34 isolates), respectively. ST619 carried both LIPI-3 and LIPI-4. 51.5% (123 isolates) of strains carried SSI-1, and all CC121 strains harbored SSI-2. Different lineages, serogroups and CCs can be separated obviously through cgMLST analysis, and 24 sublineages were highly concordant with CCs. Conclusion: Ⅱa was the main serogroups in ready-to-eat food isolates in China; CC8, CC101 and CC87 were the prevalent CCs, and CC87 isolates was hypervirulent isolates, cgMLST method can be adopted for prospective foodborne disease surveillance and outbreaks detection.

Comparison of hand-sewn versus modified coupled arterial anastomoses in head and neck reconstruction: a single operator's experience

Microvascular coupler devices have gained wide acceptance as an alternative to the traditional hand-sewn technique in reconstructive surgery. However, no study has directly compared the efficacy of the coupler and hand-sewn techniques in arterial anastomosis during head and neck reconstruction surgery. A total of 123 patients who underwent surgery performed by a single surgeon between 2016 and 2018 were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into the coupler group and the hand-sewn group according to the technique of arterial anastomosis used. Patients in the coupler group underwent a special procedure including arterial bifurcation to enlarge the recipient artery diameter. Of the 123 free flap surgeries performed, 56 were done using a coupler and 67 with the standard suture technique. One flap in the coupler group failed due to simultaneous arterial and venous thromboses. One flap in the hand-sewn group was lost due to venous compromise. The overall flap survival rate was 98.4% (n=121). There was a significant decrease in anastomotic time when a coupler was used (P<0.001). The complication and flap loss rates were similar in the coupler and hand-sewn groups. The application of the coupler helped to decrease the anastomotic time and achieved satisfactory vessel patency.

P98 Distal myopathy induced the onset of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in a pedigree carrying novel DSG2 null variant

Background

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare cardiac disease predominantly caused by variants in desmosome genes. Variants in human Desmoglein-2 (DSG2) gene can cause ARVC with incomplete penetrance. However, it remains unknown whether ARVC would penetrate by distal myopathy.

Methods

We performed targeted next-generation sequencing using a cardiomyopathy/ion channelopathy panel in a Chinese ARVC pedigree. Plasmids of DSG2 were constructed, and pathogenicity of the DSG2 variant was investigated by real-time PCR, western blots, Immunofluorescence, and electron microscope.

Results

We identified a novel nonsense variant in DSG2 (c.710T &gt; A, p.Leu237Ter) and a reported pathogenic missense variant of distal myopathy in MYH7 (c. 1322C &gt; T, p.Thr441Met) in the proband of an ARVC pedigree. The functional analyses suggested that the nonsense variant could affect the expression and cell location of DSG2, and the number and shape of desmosomes were affected as well, indicating that the variant was implicated in the pathogenesis of ARVC. We found only patients carrying the distal myopathy pathogenic variant would manifested early-onset severe ARVC phenotype, which suggested that MYH7-p.Thr441Met variant could induced the onset of ARVC in the DSG2-p.Leu237Ter variant carriers.

Conclusions

Our study identified a novel null variant in DSG2 gene (c.710T &gt; A, p.Leu237Ter) in an ARVC pedigree with incomplete penetrance. Only patients who carried a distal myopathy associated variant in MYH7 (c. 1322C &gt; T, p.Thr441Met) would induce the onset of ARVC with early-onset and severe symptoms.

MicroRNA-19b alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory injury in human intestinal cells by up-regulation of Runx3

OBJECTIVE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an unexplained inflammatory disease in bowel. Some studies reported that microRNA-19b (miR-19b) was closely related to cell inflammatory response. We aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of miR-19b on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human intestinal cell inflammatory injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Caco2 cells were treated with 10 ng/ml LPS to induce inflammatory injury. The expression of miR-19b and runt-related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) was changed in Caco2 cells by cell transfection. Then, the viability, apoptosis and pro-inflammatory factors expressions of transfected cells were assessed using trypan blue exclusion assay, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, after LPS treatment. At last, the expressions of key factors involved in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase 3 (PI3K/AKT) pathways were evaluated using Western blotting.

RESULTS

LPS significantly induced Caco2 cell inflammatory injury, down-regulated miR-19b expression and activated NF-κB and PI3K/AKT pathways. Suppression of miR-19b enhanced the LPS-induced Caco2 cell inflammatory injury, as well as NF-κB and PI3K/AKT pathways activation. Overexpression of miR-19b had opposite effects. In addition, miR-19b regulated the expression of Runx3 in Caco2 cells. Overexpression of Runx3 reversed the miR-19b knockdown-induced Caco2 cell viability inhibition, apoptosis enhancement, inflammatory factors expressions and NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways activation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that miR-19b alleviated LPS-induced Caco2 cell inflammatory injury via up-regulation of Runx3 and deactivation of NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

P3390Relationship of thrombus healing to underlying plaque characteristics in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: an optical coherence tomography study

Background

Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is typically characterized by an occlusive coronary thrombus propagation on a disrupted or eroded atherosclerotic plaque. A variable period of plaque instability and thrombus formation occur days or weeks old in approximately 50% of patients with STEMI. Presence of late stage (older) thrombi in aspirated coronary material is an independent predictor of 1-year and long-term mortality in STEMI patients. However, the relationship between coronary thrombus healing to underlying plaque morphology and characteristics in vivo still remains largely unknown.

Purpose

Our objective was to assess differences in thrombus healing between ruptured and eroded plaques in vivo and evaluate the impact of underlying plaque characteristics on thrombus healing using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

Analyzable coronary material was obtained during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 135 patients with STEMI within 12h of symptom onset. Thrombi were morphologically classified as either early or late stage (lytic changes or organization). Of the 135 patients, 110 were eligible for culprit lesion evaluation using OCT. Quantitative and qualitative underlying plaque characteristics were assessed by OCT.

Results

Late-stage thrombi were found in 49 of 110 (44.5%) culprit plaques. Patients with eroded plaques more frequently had late-stage thrombi compared with ruptured plaques (59.0% vs. 36.6%, p<0.001). Subgroup analysis was performed between plaque rupture, identified in 71 patients (64.5%) and plaque erosion in 39 patients (35.5%). In plaque ruptures, patients with late-stage thrombi had larger lipid core length (12.4±3.3 vs. 14.5±3.8, p=0.020), larger rupture cavity length [1.5 (1.0, 2.0) vs. 1.9 (1.5, 2.8), p=0.034] and increased residual thrombus length [7.8 (6.3, 11.2) vs. 10.3 (7.8, 13.8), p=0.021] assessed by OCT compared with early thrombus group. However, in plaque erosions, late stage thrombi were associated with decreased residual thrombus burden compared with patients with early thrombus group [16.8 (12.8, 20.4) vs. 13.4 (10.7, 14.8), p=0.012]. No significant difference was found between thrombus healing with peak creatine kinase concentration or maximum NT-pro BNP in subgroup analysis.

Conclusions

Coronary thrombi in STEMI patients exhibited diverse phases of healing, depending on the etiology of the underlying culprit plaque in vivo. These observations indicate entirely distinct mechanisms of thrombus propagation, maturation and healing between plaque rupture and erosion, illustrating an opportunity for more tailored treatment in patients with different plaque type.

Wearable, Flexible, Disposable Plasma-Reduced Graphene Oxide Stress Sensors for Monitoring Activities in Austere Environments

In austere environments, for example, in outer space, on surfaces of extra-terrestrial bodies (Moon, Mars, etc.), or under water, technologies that can enable continuous, reliable, and authentic monitoring of movement of human operators and devices can be critical. We report here the production and human body test of wearable, flexible graphene oxide stress sensors suitable for real-time monitoring of body parameters, state and position of humans, and automatic equipment. These sensors have excellent sensitivity and signal strength across a wide strain range, alleviating the need for additional instrumentation for signal processing and amplification. Their low cost makes them virtually disposable, which may benefit such applications as smart clothing. The sensors were fabricated by a concomitant reduction and N-doping of graphene oxide on polydimethylsiloxane in N₂-H₂ plasma. The direct bias and other plasma parameters have a significant effect on the reduction and properties of graphene oxide sensors, as shown by optical emission, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction. Optical emission showed different excitation and ionization processes involving atomic and molecular species in the N₂-H₂ discharge. The photoelectron spectroscopy has confirmed the graphene reduction and introduction of nitrogen doping into the reduced graphene oxide. The bias efficiently controls plasma-induced electric fields, and plasma-related effects determine the N-doping levels. The reduced graphene oxides demonstrate excellent tensile properties, which make them suitable for efficient but cheap stress sensors. This eco-friendly, fast, room-temperature method shows a great potential for fabrication of efficient, flexible sensors.

[Analysis of occupational poisoning in Jiangsu Province, from 2006-2015]

Objective: Analysis of occupational poisoning character and laws in Jiangsu Province from 2006-2015, so as to provide scientific basis for the formulation of effective intervention measures and prevention strategies. Methods: According to the data of Jiangsu province occupational poisoning cases reports of year 2006 to 2015, by EXCEL arranged, using SPSS software to do epidemiological data statistical analysis. Results: In the past ten years, the number of occupational poisoning cases reported in Jiangsu province increased first and then declined. 547 cases of acute occupational poisoning reported in Jiangsu province from 2006-2015 years (35.82% of the total poisoning cases, the same below) , 980 cases of chronic occupational poisoning (64.18%) . The ratio of male and female in acute poisoning was 2.48, while 1.55 of chronic poisoning. The cases of poisoning reported were young and middle-aged, and working years was mainly in 5 years. The cases reported in the south of Jiangsu (mainly is chronic poisoning) is higher than that in the northern part of Jiangsu (mainly is acute poisoning) , which is more economically underdeveloped.. The reported highest mortality rate of occupational poisoning is asphyxia gas poisoning (5.43%) , followed by irritating gas poisoning (2.99%) and organic solvent poisoning (0.47%) . Many more occupational poisoning cases reported from large, joint-stock enterprises, especially chronic poisoning. Meanwhile more cases of acute poisoning reported from small, micro private enterprises. Conclusion: Although a decline in occupational poisoning cases in Jiangsu, the prevention and treatment measures are still not lax. According to the species of toxic, regional economic differences, the scale of the enterprises and the type of economy, the characteristic key classification and prevention should be carried out. Expand the coverage of hospitals in the diagnosis and reporting of occupational poisoning diseases, and strive to improve the quality of occupational disease reports.

[Analysis on the relationship between Occupational Stress Factors and Psychological Stress Reaction among Petrochemical Workers]

Objective: Analyze the detection rates of occupational contraindication and suspected occupational disease from the employee exposure to noise and describe the distribution characteristics. Methods: According to the Technical Specifications for Occupational Health Surveillance (GBZ 188-2014) 、Diagnosis of Occupational Noise-induced Deafness (GBZ 49-2014) and Guideline of Identification of Contraindication to Job Placement (GBZ/T 260-2014) , calculate and analyze the occupational contraindication and suspected occupational disease detection rates of 149 271 workers from January 1st to December 31st in 2015 who were exposed to noise. Analyze the detection rates distribution characteristics between different gender, age, seniority, industry and enterprise scale. Results: The detection rates of occupational contraindication is 2.08%. The suspected occupational disease detection rates of absences workers (2.13%) is higher than during (2.03%) . The occupational contraindication detection rates of< age 20 (2.64%) , 41~50 years old (2.48%) and<1 working years (5.35%) , are higher than others. The detection rates of suspected occupational disease increases with the growth of ages and working years. The occupational contraindication detection rates of scientific research and technology services industry (10.46%) is the highest. The suspected occupational disease detection rates of transportation warehousing and postal services (5.88%) is the highest. The occupational contraindication detection rates of medium-sized enterprise (2.27%) is the highest, meanwhile, the microenterprise's (1.60%) is the lowest. The suspected occupational disease detection rates of large-scale enterprise (3.21%) is the highest, meanwhile, the microenterprise's (1.33%) is the lowest. Conclusion: Enterprise should insist on regular occupational health examination, strengthen screening of occupational contraindication in new workers, especially pre-job workers and detect the occupational disease patients early. Focus on non-traditional noise industries above mentioned, improve intensity of noise hazards prevention and control. The detection rates of occupational contraindication and suspected occupational disease can be used as a reference standard for the quality control of occupational examination and report of medical institutions.

Gastric infusion of short-chain fatty acids can improve intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets

Background

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of gastric infusion of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) on gut barrier function in a pig model. In this study, 21 DLY barrows with an average initial body weight of (8.31 ± 0.72) kg were randomly allotted into three treatments: (1) control, (2) infusing low SCFA, S1, (3) infusing high SCFA, S2. The experimental period lasted for 7 days.

Results

Gastric infusion of SCFA increased the concentrations of SCFA in serum and digesta, and enhanced the mRNA and protein abundances of SCFA receptors in pig intestine (P < 0.05). Moreover, gastric infusion of SCFA led to alteration of intestinal morphology, elevation of intestinal development-related gene abundances, and decrease of apoptotic cell percentage, as well as reduction of pro-apoptosis gene and protein abundances (P < 0.05). Besides, the jejunal SLC₇A₁ and ileal DMT1 mRNA abundances in the SCFA infusion groups were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, gastric infusion of SCFA increased the mRNA abundances of Occludin and Claudin-1 in the duodenum and ileum, enhanced Lactobacillus spp counts in the ileal digesta, decreased the mRNA and protein abundances of IL-1β in the colon, and reduced Escherichia coli count in the ileal digesta (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These data indicated that gastric infusion of SCFA, especially high SCFA concentration, may be beneficial to gut development of piglets via improving gut morphology, decreasing apoptotic cell percentage, and maintaining intestinal barrier function.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12263-019-0626-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

[Association between hyponatremia and hemodynamic and prognosis in patients with intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism]

Objective: To investigate the association between hyponatremia and hemodynamic and prognosis in patients with intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism. Methods: We retrospectively recruited 110 intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism patients (right ventricular dysfunction was confirmed by echocardiography and CT scan with or without the elevated levels of cardiac injury biomarkers) in the first and the second affiliated hospital of Harbin medical university from January 1,2011 to December 31, 2014. The patients were aged (58.4±14.9) years old.There were 49 males and 61 females.Patients were divided into 2 groups as non-hyponatremia group (plasma sodium>135 mmol/L, 93 cases) and hyponatremia group (plasma sodium≤135 mmol/L, 17 cases). Baseline clinical and hemodynamic parameters were obtained from these patients. All enrolled patients were followed up after discharge. Results: Heart rate ((106.7±21.9) beats per minute vs. (93.4±19.4) beats per minute, P=0.043),N-terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP, (5 561±1 593) ng/L vs. (1 738±589) ng/L, P=0.005), mean pulmonary arterial pressure((42.6±12.6)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (33.9±13.3)mmHg, P=0.046), mean right atria pressure ((20.6±8.1)mmHg vs. (10.2±5.4)mmHg, P=0.014), systolic right atria pressure ((27.3±9.0)mmHg vs. (15.6±6.1)mmHg,P=0.013) and diastolic right atria pressure(6.5(4.3,15.5)mmHg vs. 5.0(2.0,8.0)mmHg,P=0.016) were significantly higher in hyponatremia group than in non-hyponatremia group,and systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in hyponatremia group than in non-hyponatremia group ((113.5±21.9)mmHg vs.(129.5±28.9)mmHg, P=0.048). Pearson correlation analysis showed that hyponatremia was negatively correlated with heart rate (r=-0.262, P=0.043), NT-proBNP (r=-0.227, P=0.048), mean pulmonary arterial hypertension (r=-0.259, P=0.046), mean right ventricular pressure (r=-0.296, P=0.047), mean right atria pressure (r=-0.550, P=0.001), systolic right atria pressure (r=-0.552, P=0.001), and diastolic right atria pressure (r=-0.542, P=0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 1-year, 2-year and 3-year cumulative survival rates were 76.5%,70.6%,and 64.7% in the hyponatremia group, and 90.3%,86.0%,and 83.9% in the non-hyponatremia group(log-rank test, P=0.036).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that hyponatremia was an independent risk factor of death of intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism patient(HR=4.126, 95%CI 1.982-11.343, P=0.036). Conclusion: Hyponatremia is associated with adverse hemodynamic and reduced survival in patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism.