[Analysis of treatment response and prognostic factors of T-LBL patients treated with pediatric-like ALL therapy following HSCT]

目的

探讨经急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）儿童方案治疗达到完全缓解（CR）和部分缓解（PR）的T淋巴母细胞淋巴瘤（T-LBL）患者应用造血干细胞移植巩固治疗的疗效及预后因素。

方法

收集2013年1月至2017年1月于唐都医院血液病中心接受治疗的T-LBL患者的临床资料，将达到CR或PR的患者纳入研究，进行回顾性分析。

结果

①48例患者接受了ALL儿童方案治疗，经2个疗程的诱导化疗后39例达CR，9例达PR。其中接受自体造血干细胞移植（auto-HSCT）者14例，接受异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）者7例，21例患者移植后造血功能均顺利重建。②中位随访时间31（9～16）个月。3年总生存（OS）率为61.0%（95% CI 53.7%～68.3%），3年无进展生存（PFS）率为54.8%（95% CI 47.1%～62.2%）。③移植组和未移植组3年OS率分别为84.7%和42.8%（P＝0.006），两组3年PFS率分别为75.4%和38.9%（P＝0.004）。④auto-HSCT组与allo-HSCT组患者的OS率、PFS率差异均无统计学意义（P值分别为0.320、0.597）。⑤骨髓侵犯、未接受造血干细胞移植是影响患者长期预后的独立危险因素［ HR＝5.804（95% CI 1.140～29.549），P＝0.034；HR＝5.871（95% CI 1.711～20.140），P＝0.005］。

结论

ALL儿童方案化疗序贯造血干细胞移植治疗T-LBL疗效确切，安全性好。auto-HSCT与allo-HSCT患者的OS率及PFS率差异均无统计学意义。骨髓侵犯、未接受造血干细胞移植是影响T-LBL患者长期预后的独立危险因素。

[Characteristic and clinical significance of microRNA expression between 144 Uygur and Han women with endometrial carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the expression patterns of microRNA (miRNA) between 144 Uygur and Han women with endometrial carcinoma and to investigate their clinical significance.

METHODS

Taqman miRNA low-density array was used to compare miRNA profiles between Uygur and Han women with non-endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (NEEC). Five miRNAs were further analyzed in the 144 endometrial cancers including 62 Uygur and 82 Han samples via real-time PCR to determine their expression patterns.

RESULTS

MiRNA expression profiles revealed that many miRNAs overexpressed or downregula-ted in one ethnic group, but did not express or changed slightly in the other ethnic group. Further detection in the 144 endometrial cancers showed that miR-141, miR-200a, and miR-205 overexpressed in both ethnic groups. In Uygur endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC), tumors with miR-141/200a overexpression tended to be more aggressive in behavior, whereas in the Han group, EEC with miR-200a overexpression was relative mild. However, the NEEC with miR-200a overexpression also had aggressive clinicopathologic features in the Han women. MiR-145 and miR-143 expressed differentially between Uygur and Han groups, they overexpressed in the former and decreased in the latter (P<0.05). In the Uygur women miR-145/143 increased significantly in NEEC and there was a trend that NEEC exhibiting favorable clinicopathologic factors had higher miR-145 expression, and was statistically significant in tumors with myometrial invasion less than 1/2 thickness (P=0.042). By contrary, miR-145/143 decreased in Han group and EEC with worse clinicopathologic variables had lower expression although without statistical significance. NEEC in Han group had no such tendency.

CONCLUSION

Uygur and Han women might have different miRNA expression profiles. MiR-141/200a/205 overexpressed in endometrial carcinomas and miR-141/200a might behave differently between these two ethnic groups as well as in EEC and in NEEC. Although miR-145/143 showed inverse expression patterns between Uygur and Han women with endometrial cancer, they all exerted tumor suppression effect on endometrial cancer.

MiR-155 contributes to intestinal barrier dysfunction in DSS-induced mice colitis via targeting HIF-1α/TFF-3 axis

Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). MiR-155 is increased in colitis and downregulates expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). Here, we investigated the effects of miR-155 on intestinal barrier dysfunction in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. We found that miR-155 antagomir treatment relieved weight loss and intestinal damage in IBD mouse models (P < 0.05). Furthermore, electron microscopy and immunofluorescence imaging showed that miR-155 increased intestinal barrier dysfunction and downregulated the expression of tight junction proteins in DSS-induced colitis. FG-4497, which upregulates HIF-1α expression, elicited protective effects on the intestinal barrier in DSS-induced colitis. Dual luciferase reporter assays also confirmed that miR-155 downregulated expression of HIF-1α. Finally, we discovered that HIF-1α levels were elevated by miR-155 antagomir treatment (P < 0.05) and that TFF-3 expression correlated positively with HIF-1α expression. These results suggest that miR-155 contributes to DSS-induced colitis by promoting intestinal barrier dysfunction and inhibiting the HIF-1α/TFF-3 axis.

Inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA promotes hypoxia-induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

Cell autophagy reduces the sensitivity of cancer cells to therapeutic reagents in various types of human cancer. Therefore, the aim of our study was to use human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells to explore whether inhibition of autophagy by 3-Methyladenine (3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor) is able to enhance hypoxia-induced apoptosis in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HCT116 cells were treated with 3-MA, hypoxia, or 3-MA plus hypoxia, and the autophagy, apoptosis and proliferation of the HCT116 cells were investigated. Western blot analysis was used to detect autophagy specificity protein microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) expression. Effects on apoptosis were evaluated by using flow cytometry (JC-1 staining to measure mitochondrial membrane potential) and annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) staining.

RESULTS

The results showed that the treatment of HCT116 cells in vitro with hypoxia alone increased autophagy as well as apoptosis, whereas combination treatment with 3-MA and hypoxia markedly inhibited hypoxia-induced autophagy, but increased hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Autophagy might play a role as a self-defense mechanism in hypoxia-treated colon cancer cells, and its inhibition could be a promising strategy for the adjuvant chemotherapy of colon cancer.

Plasma exosomal miR-125a-5p and miR-141-5p as non-invasive biomarkers for prostate cancer

Predictive biomarkers for early diagnosis of prostate cancer are important for its treatment. The functional microRNAs in the exosomes of plasma and serum samples are of interest as stable and non-invasive biomarkers for recurrence in cancer patients. The present study aimed to clarify the value of plasma exosomal miRNA-125a-5p and miR-141-5p as biomarkers for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The study included 19 healthy individuals and 31 prostate cancer patients. In comparison to the levels in healthy controls, exosomal miR-141-5p levels showed a slight increase in prostate cancer patients (p=0.085), and miR-125a-5p levels that showed a significant decrease in patients with prostate cancer than in healthy controls (p=0.032). As a derived parameter, the miR-125a-5p/miR-141-5p ratio was significantly higher in patients with prostate cancer than in healthy controls (p<0.001). We found that exosomal miR-141-5p in plasma showed a promise in distinguishing prostate cancer patients with the AUC of 0.652, and for miR-125a-5p, the AUC was 0.691. For the miR-125a-5p/miR-141-5p ratio, the AUC value was 0.793. We found that miR-125a-5p has a weak positive correlation with PSA (correlation coefficient = 0.3413). Moreover, miR-141-5p has been found to hold a negatively no-significant correlation with PSA, with the correlation coefficient is -0.1102. We speculate that, as diagnostic markers for prostate cancer, miR-125-5p and miR-141-5p might be independent of the PSA. In summary, the results of this study suggest that high plasma exosomal expression of miR-141-3p and low expression of miR-125a-5p in plasma exosomes from prostate cancer patients might be useful markers of specific tumor traits associated with prostate cancer. Moreover, the miR-125a-5p/miR-141-5p ratio seems to perform better than either of the single values alone.

Cardiovascular disease potentially contributes to the progression and poor prognosis of COVID-19

BACKGROUND AND AIM

A novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused pneumonia, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), broke out in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and spread all over the world. Patients with COVID-19 showed huge differences in the hospital stay, progression, and prognosis. As reported, the comorbidities may play an important role in COVID-19. Here, we aim to address the role of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the progression and prognosis of COVID-19.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eighty-three confirmed COVID-19 patients were divided into CVD (n = 42) and non-CVD (n = 41) group according to their medical history. Medical records including demographic data, medical history, clinical characteristics, laboratory examinations, chest computed tomography (CT), and treatment measures were collected, analyzed, and compared between the two groups. COVID-19 patients with CVD showed (1) more severe pathological changes in the lungs, (2) elevated injury-related enzymes including α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HDBH), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), (3) significantly increased uncontrolled inflammation related markers, such as c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, serum ferritin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and serum amyloid A (SAA), (4) serious hypercoagulable status reflected by increased D-dimer and serum fibrinogen (FIB), and (5) higher mortality, compared to COVID-19 patients without CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicated that CVD is a strong risk factor for rapid progression and bad prognosis of COVID-19. More intensive medical care should be applied to patients with CVD to prevent rapid deterioration of the disease.

A novel simple scoring model for predicting severity of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

An outbreak of pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) began in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and quickly spread throughout the country and world. An efficient and convenient method based on clinical characteristics was needed to evaluate the potential deterioration in patients. We aimed to develop a simple and practical risk scoring system to predict the severity of COVID‐19 patients on admission. We retrospectively investigated the clinical information of confirmed COVID‐19 patients from 10 February 2020 to 29 February 2020 in Wuhan Union Hospital. Predictors of severity were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 147 patients with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were grouped into non‐severe (94 patients) and severe (53 patients) groups. We found that an increased level of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, D‐dimer, fibrinogen (FIB), IL‐6, C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), α‐hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), serum amyloid A (SAA) and a decreased level of lymphocytes were important risk factors associated with severity. Furthermore, three variables were used to formulate a clinical risk scoring system named COVID‐19 index = 3 × D‐dimer (µg/L) + 2 × lgESR (mm/hr) − 4 × lymphocyte (×10⁹/L) + 8. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.843 (95% CI, 0.771–0.914). We propose an effective scoring system to predict the severity of COVID‐19 patients. This simple prediction model may provide healthcare workers with a practical method and could positively impact decision‐making with regard to deteriorating patients.

[Molecular identification of Tricula spp. and the parasitized trematode cercariae in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province]

OBJECTIVE

To characterize a species of the genus Tricula and parasitized trematodes in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province using a molecular analysis, so as to understand their taxonomic positions.

METHODS

Tricula spp. and Oncomelania snails were collected from Xiangyun County, Yunnan Province, and cercaria parasitizing snails were observed using crushing followed by microscopy. Cercaria parasitizing Tricula snails at various morphologies were sampled using a shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from snail soft tissues and cercariae, and the 16S rRNA, COI, 28S rDNA genes in snails and the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes in cercariae were amplified using a PCR assay and sequenced. The species of Tricula snails and their parasitized trematodes was characterized using sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

Among 382 Tricula snails detected, there were three types of trematode cercariae found, including the non-forked (20.94%, 80/382), double-forked (3.40%, 13/382) and swallow shapes (7.07%, 27/382). Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the 16S rRNA, COI and 28S rDNA gene sequences of this species of Tricula had high homology to those in Delavaya dianchiensis, and were clustered in a branch. Sequencing analysis of the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes revealed that the non-forked cercariae belonged to the family Pleu- rogenidae, the swallow-shaped cercariae belonged to the family Opecoelidae, and the double-forked cercariae belonged to another species of the genus Schistosoma that was different from S. sinensium and S. ovuncatum.

CONCLUSIONS

The species and taxonomy of Triculla spp. and their parasitized trematodes are preliminarily determined in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province; however, further studies are required to investigate the more definite taxonomy and pathogenicity.

[Recommendations of diagnosis and treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome in China]

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocyte proliferation and progressive exocrine gland damage. In China, standardized diagnosis and treatment for Sjögren's syndrome lags behind other common rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Based on the evidence and guidelines from China and other countries, Chinese Sjögren's Syndrome Collaborative Research Group together with stomatologist and ophthalmologist developed Standardization of diagnosis and treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome. The purposes are: (1) to standardize the detection and interpretation of key indicators for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome, including serum anti SSA antibody and labial gland pathology; (2) to suggest using widely accepted disease activity index in evaluation of the disease; (3) to standardize rational management for Sjögren's syndrome patients with topical and systemic diseases.

GPR39 Overexpression in OSCC Promotes YAP-Sustained Malignant Progression

The clinical outcome of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not improved in recent years, mainly due to the limited effective targeted therapy that has been applied. Recently, a transcriptional coactivator, YAP, has been shown to have a key regulatory role in malignant progression in multiple cancers, including OSCC. But pharmacologically targeting YAP or the Hippo pathway, which is the main signaling pathway regulating YAP, has been proven to be challenging. Therefore, uncovering YAP upstream regulators in cancer would identify novel therapeutic targets for treatment of YAP-sustained cancers. Here, we showed that YAP was overactivated in OSCC and that high YAP activity in patients with OSCC was associated with malignant progression and poor survival. We uncovered that GPR39 (a G protein-coupled receptor) was overexpressed in OSCC, that the expression level of GPR39 was correlated with the activity level of YAP, and that the high GPR39 expression was associated with malignant progression and poor survival in patients with OSCC. Moreover, we found that GPR39 regulated YAP through a Gαq/11-RhoA-dependent signaling pathway. Importantly, inhibition of GPR39 resulted in YAP-sustained OSCC growth inhibition. Our findings suggest that GPR39 is a potential therapeutic target for OSCC treatment with itself as a biomarker.

[Survival analysis of laboratory - bred smooth - shelled Oncomelania snails in Yunnan Province]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the survival period of Yunnan Province-derived smooth-shelled Oncomelania snails bred in laboratory.

METHODS

Oncomelania snails were sampled from Heqing and Yongsheng counties where schistosomiasis is endemic, and uninfected adult snails were collected and bred in laboratory. The survival period of snails sampled from these two counties was compared.

RESULTS

The 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year survival rates of laboratory-bred smooth-shelled snails sampled from Yunnan Province were 72.36%, 29.11%, 13.08% and 0.21%, respectively, and were 74.66%, 38.91%, 19.46% and 0.45% for snails derived from Heqing County, and 70.36%, 20.55%, 7.51% and 0 for snails sampled from Yongsheng County, respectively. The mean and median survival period of Yunnan Province-derived adult snails was 20.90 and 20.67 months, and there were significant differences between the snails sampled from Heqing and Yongsheng counties in terms of the mean (22.94 vs. 19.13 months, P < 0.05) and median survival period (21.63 vs. 19.81 months, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The mean survival period of Yunnan Province-derived smooth-shelled adult snails is approximately 20 months in laboratory, and the survival varies in geographical areas.

[Effect of different support angles on the fitness of removable partial denture framework fabricated using selective laser melting technique]

Objective: To evaluate the fitness of bilateral free-end dentition defect removable partial denture framework fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technique with different support angles. Methods: After the control group has been set to eliminate the system error, and according to the standard model of bilateral mandibular posterior teeth loss, eighteen titanium alloy removable partial denture frameworks fabricated by SLM technology were divided into 3 groups with support angles of 0° (horizontal group), 45°(45° group) and 90° (vertical group). Plaster cast with duplicated structure of tissue surface of the removable partial denture (RPD) framework was obtained. A three-dimensional scanner was used to scan original and duplicated plaster casts. The gaps between framework and the model in different parts were analyzed using Geomagic Qualify software to evaluate the fitness of the framework with visual method. Results: The framework fits on the plaster model completely, and its tissue surface fitted on the plaster model well. The deviation between frameworks and plaster casts was calculated as follow: the total deviations of the horizontal, 45°, and vertical group were (0.146±0.017), (0.182±0.015) and (0.185±0.022) mm respectively. The mean deviation of the horizontal group was significantly less than those of the 45° group and the vertical group (P<0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the total deviation between the 45° group and the vertical group. The total deviation of occlusal rest of the horizontal group was significantly less than that of the 45° group (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was detected in the deviation of occlusal rest among the vertical group, the horizontal group, and the 45° group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the deviation of occlusal rest among the vertical group, the horizontal group, and the 45° group. The deviation of clasp of the horizontal group was significantly smaller than those of the 45° group and the vertical group (P<0.05). Whereas, there was no significant difference in the deviation of clasp between the 45° group and the 90° group (P>0.05). No significant difference was found in the deviation of lingual bar among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Among the three kinds of bilateral free-end dentition defect RPD framework fabricated by SLM in different support angles, horizontal printing was proved to reach the minimal deviation, even though the fitness of all three kinds of frameworks can fullfil clinical requirements according to previous studies.

Risk assessment of mycotoxins in stored maize: case study of Shandong, China

Risk characterisation of dietary exposure of aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins (FBs), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA) in maize from Shandong Province was conducted in this study. A total of 520 maize samples were collected after harvesting in 2014 and 2015 from 26 selected villages in Shandong Province, China. A deterministic approach was used in the current study. The dietary intake data of maize was obtained from ‘Shandong Statistical Yearbook 2018’. The risk characterisation of FBs, DON, and ZEA was evaluated in 4 population groups (2 to 6-year-old children, standard adults, city adults and village adults) based on probable intake. 2 to 6-year-old children and adults were exposed to FBs (0.42 and 0.20 μg/kg body weight (bw)/day), DON (0.04 and 0.019 μg/kg bw/day), and ZEA (0.0024 and 0.0011 μg/kg bw/day) through mean maize consumption in diets, which was lower than the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of each mycotoxin established by JECFA. Risk assessments showed a low risk for liver cancer due to consumption of aflatoxin B1 (0.027-0.21 cases per 100,000 persons per year) contaminated maize compared with China’s current liver cancer incidence of 24.6 cases per 100,000 persons per year.

miR-155 antagomir protect against DSS-induced colitis in mice through regulating Th17/Treg cell balance by Jarid2/Wnt/β-catenin

BACKGROUND

Th subsets particularly T helper 17 and regulatory T cells play a critical role in immune balance in colonic mucosa of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Recent studies have indicated miR-155 is overexpressed in the colonic mucosa in IBD patients. Thus, whether and how miR-155 influences Th17/Treg cell balance in IBD patients is worthy of researching.

METHODS

We divided mice into four groups: the mice oral administration of 3.0 % DSS in fresh drinking water for 7 days except normal group. In this period, starting from the fifth day, the miR-155 and NC antagomir group were carried out by intraperitoneal injection of miR-155 antagomirs and corresponding negative controls. In vitro, we isolated naïve CD4⁺T cells and divided into two groups: the cells were transfected with mmu-miR-155-5p inhibitor or corresponding negative controls and then induced differentiation.

RESULTS

We found miR-155 antagomir can reach colon tissues in DSS-induced colitis and indeed ameliorated DSS-induced experimental colitis. Subsequently, we proved the levels of Th17 cells in spleens and Mesenteric lymph nodes and its associated IL-6, IL-17A and RORγt in colonic tissues were dramatically decreased and TGF-β1 raised in DSS + miR-155 antagomir group. However, miR-155 antagomir significantly increased the expression of Tregs. In vitro, we found miR-155 inhibitor could improve the Tregs but decrease Th17 cells. Finally, we dig out that Jarid2 was apparently improved by miR-155 antagomir, Wnt/β-catenin and its associated T cell factor-4 (TCF-4) and Cyclin D1 expression were positively correlated with Jarid2.

CONCLUSION

Silencing of miR-155 attenuates DSS-induced colitis by regulating Th17/Treg cell balance and Jarid2/Wnt/β-catenin participated in the process.

Maternal exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin suppresses male reproductive functions in their adulthood

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant in the environment. The developmental period is more sensitive to TCDD and there is a possibility that maternal exposure to TCDD may affect in adulthood. Adult female Wistar rats were exposed to 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 µg/kg TCDD during the critical stage of organogenesis, that is, on GD15. The results revealed a significant decrease in indices of reproductive organ weight in adult male rats exposed to prenatal TCDD, and dose-dependent reduction in epididymal sperm reserves, percent motile, and viable sperm with an increase in percent morphological abnormal sperm. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed downregulated expression levels of steroidogenic markers such as steroidogenic acute regulatory, cholesterol side-chain cleavage, and 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSDs) in experimental rats. Immunofluorescence sections portrayed reduced distribution of 3β- and 17β-HSD proteins in testes of experimental rats. Furthermore, spermatogenic markers (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase) were significantly altered in the testes. Serum levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormones, and luteinizing hormone were significantly decreased. Testicular levels of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation were significantly elevated with a decline in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, and total thiol levels. Moreover, histological and morphometric examination of testicular cross-sections depicted degenerative changes. Male fertility assessment in adult rats revealed a significant decrease in mating index, fertility index, and mean number of pre- and postimplantations with an increase in pre- and postimplantation losses in rats cohabited with in utero TCDD-exposed adult males. In conclusion, the findings of this study provided clear evidence that maternal exposure to TCDD during the critical stage of development results in suppressed reproductive health in adulthood.

Tailoring spontaneous infrared emission of HgTe quantum dots with laser-printed plasmonic arrays

Chemically synthesized near-infrared to mid-infrared (IR) colloidal quantum dots (QDs) offer a promising platform for the realization of devices including emitters, detectors, security, and sensor systems. However, at longer wavelengths, the quantum yield of such QDs decreases as the radiative emission rate drops following Fermi's golden rule, while non-radiative recombination channels compete with light emission. Control over the radiative and non-radiative channels of the IR-emitting QDs is crucially important to improve the performance of IR-range devices. Here, we demonstrate strong enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate of near- to mid-IR HgTe QDs coupled to periodically arranged plasmonic nanoantennas, in the form of nanobumps, produced on the surface of glass-supported Au films via ablation-free direct femtosecond laser printing. The enhancement is achieved by simultaneous radiative coupling of the emission that spectrally matches the first-order lattice resonance of the arrays, as well as more efficient photoluminescence excitation provided by coupling of the pump radiation to the local surface plasmon resonances of the isolated nanoantennas. Moreover, coupling of the HgTe QDs to the lattice plasmons reduces the influence of non-radiative decay losses mediated by the formation of polarons formed between QD surface-trapped carriers and the IR absorption bands of dodecanethiol used as a ligand on the QDs, allowing us to improve the shape of the emission spectrum through a reduction in the spectral dip related to this ligand coupling. Considering the ease of the chemical synthesis and processing of the HgTe QDs combined with the scalability of the direct laser fabrication of nanoantennas with tailored plasmonic responses, our results provide an important step towards the design of IR-range devices for various applications.

A study of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging features and influence factors of pelvic bone marrow in adult females

Perfusion of the pelvic bone marrow is reduced in the postmenopausal group and with age. Quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI could reflect the blood supply characteristics and hemodynamic changes of the pelvic bone marrow. These results contribute to the description of osteoporosis in the postmenopausal females and the elderly.

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the effect of menstrual status and age on the perfusion of pelvic bone marrow in adult females using quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI).

METHODS

In total, 96 adult females who underwent DCE-MRI between September 2017 and December 2017 were included. All the subjects' quantitative DCE-MRI parameters of pelvic bone marrow were measured and retrospectively analyzed, including K^trans (volume transfer constant), K_ep (efflux rate constant), and V_e (interstitial volume). According to their menstrual status, the subjects were divided into a premenopausal group (n = 39) and a postmenopausal group (n = 57), and the two groups were then divided into four subgroups according to age. The intraobserver reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The parameters were compared between different menstrual status groups and age subgroups by Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the age and the quantitative parameters.

RESULTS

The ICCs of the K^trans, K_ep, and V_e values were 0.989, 0.974, and 0.920, respectively. K^trans, K_ep, and V_e of the premenopausal group were significantly higher than those of the postmenopausal group (P < 0.05). The overall age was negatively correlated with K^trans, K_ep, and V_e (r = - 0.590, - 0.357, and - 0.381, respectively, P < 0.05). In the premenopausal group, K^trans and V_e were significantly higher in subgroup 1 (≤ 40 years) compared with subgroup 2 (> 40 years) (P < 0.05), and age showed a negative correlation with K^trans and V_e (r = - 0.344 and - 0.334, respectively, P < 0.05). In the postmenopausal group, K^trans and K_ep were significantly higher in subgroup 3 (≤ 60 years) compared with subgroup 4 (> 60 years) (P < 0.05), and age showed a negative correlation with K^trans and K_ep (r = - 0.460 and - 0.303, respectively, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Menstrual status and age have significant effects on the perfusion of the pelvic bone marrow microenvironment in adult females and that the microenvironment of the pelvic bone marrow displays different changes at different age stages. Quantitative DCE-MRI has contributed to the interpretation of the pelvic bone marrow perfusion status.

Protective effect of tauroursodeoxycholic acid on the autophagy of nerve cells in rats with acute spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact and protective effect of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on the autophagy of nerve cells in rats with acute spinal cord injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-two 6-8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected and were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a saline control group and a TUDCA treatment group (high and low dose groups). The experimental animals were sacrificed at 24 hours, 5 days and 10 days after spinal cord injury. The Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan locomotor scale was used to assess the hind limb locomotor function after the rats were injured but before sudden death. Electron microscopy, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, TUNEL assays and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to observe the autophagy of the cells. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of the autophagy-related factor Beclin-1 and the apoptosis-related factor caspase-3, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression levels of the above proteins.

RESULTS

The locomotor scores of the rats in the saline group were significantly reduced, their Beclin-1 expression levels in neurons were decreased, and caspase-3 expression was increased. The hind limb locomotor scores of rats in the TUDCA groups were decreased, with no difference between the high- and low-dose groups. Beclin-1 expression in their neurons was increased, and caspase-3 expression was decreased; there was a significant difference when compared with the control group, while there was no significant difference between the high- and low-dose groups.

CONCLUSIONS

TUDCA significantly activates the neuronal autophagic expression in rats with acute spinal cord injury to inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells; therefore, it has a protective effect on neurons.

Long noncoding RNA Lnc01614 promotes the occurrence and development of gastric cancer by activating EMT pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression characteristics of long noncoding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) lnc01614 in gastric cancer, so as to further investigate its roles in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer and its potential regulatory mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of lnc01614 in 79 pairs of gastric cancer tissues and normal adjacent tissues. The correlations of lnc01614 expression with pathological parameters of gastric cancer and prognoses of patients were also analyzed. QRT-PCR was employed to further verify the expression of lnc01614 in gastric cancer cells. Lnc01614 knockdown expression models were established using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in gastric cancer cell strains (SGC-7901 and AGS). The effect of lnc01614 on the biological function of gastric cancer cells was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell invasion and migration assay. Lastly, Western blotting was performed to explore its potential mechanism.

RESULTS

The results of qRT-PCR showed that the expression of lnc01614 in gastric cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. Compared with patients with low expression of lnc01614, patients with high expression of lnc01614 had higher tumor staging, greater lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis rates, and lower overall survival rate. In comparison with the negative control si-NC group, cell proliferation, invasion and migration abilities in lnc01614 knockdown expression group (si-lnc01614) were significantly decreased. Western blotting results indicated that si-lnc01614 group exhibited increased E-cadherin expression, and significantly reduced vimentin and snail expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Lnc01614 was upregulated in gastric cancer and significantly correlated with gastric cancer staging, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and poor prognosis. Lnc01614 may promote the proliferation, invasion and migration capabilities of gastric cancer through the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway.