Changes in the hepatitis B surface antibody in childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia survivors after treatment with the CCLG-ALL 2008 protocol

Antibody levels after hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination may be affected by suppression of the immune system due to cancer therapy. As such, childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) survivors are at risk of HBV infection due to immunosuppression secondary to chemotherapy. However, the hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb)-seropositive rate of childhood ALL survivors after chemotherapy is unknown, and the need to revaccinate HBsAb-seronegative ALL survivors is not appreciated in China. To assess the changes in HBsAb before and after chemotherapy, we retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 547 patients treated with the Chinese Children Leukaemia Group (CCLG)-ALL 2008 protocol from 1 April 2008 to 30 August 2019. The results revealed that 416 patients (76·1%) were HBsAb-seropositive at diagnosis, and at the time of the cessation of chemotherapy, 177 patients (32·4%) were HBsAb-seropositive and 370 patients (67·6%) were HBsAb-seronegative. Interestingly, 11 patients who were HBsAb-seronegative at diagnosis converted to seropositive at the time of the cessation of chemotherapy. HBsAb titres were decreased after chemotherapy (P < 0·0001). Further, patients with higher HBsAb titres at diagnosis were more likely to maintain protective antibody titres at the completion of chemotherapy (P < 0·0001). The loss of antibody was more remarkable in younger patients (≤ 10 years) both at diagnosis (P = 0·009) and at the completion of chemotherapy (P = 0·006). In summary, this study showed that 67·6% of patients were HBsAb-seronegative at the time of the cessation of chemotherapy, which indicates that ALL survivors are at high risk of HBV. As a result, HBV revaccination after chemotherapy should be highly valued in ALL survivors.

Identification of a double-stranded RNA-degrading nuclease influencing both ingestion and injection RNA interference efficiency in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum

RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency dramatically varies among different insects and among administration methods. Numerous studies have revealed that a poor RNAi response is usually associated with a high double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-degrading activity. Using the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, we conducted genome-wide identification of genes encoding dsRNA-degrading nucleases of the DNA/RNA non-specific endonuclease superfamily. To achieve a robust RNAi response in T. castaneum, four dsRNase genes were identified in the genome that seemed to be the potential factors reducing RNAi efficacy. Analysis of biochemical properties revealed that optimal conditions for the dsRNA-degrading activity were alkaline (pH 8.0) in the absence of Mg²⁺ at 37 °C. The dsRNA-degrading activity was predominantly present in the gut, and via heterologous expression and RNAi experimentation, gut-specific TcdsRNase1 was confirmed as the major nuclease performing dsRNA degradation. After a knockdown of the TcdsRNase1 nuclease activity, RNAi efficiency improved from 38.6% to 58.9% and from 20.9% to 53.9% for injection and ingestion of dsRNA, respectively. Our results contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms influencing dsRNA stability and even RNAi efficiency in T. castaneum and point to a good method for improving RNAi efficiency through downregulation of the relevant nuclease activity.

Astrocytes induce proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells via connexin 47-mediated activation of Chi3l1 expression

OBJECTIVE

Demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases are some of the most important neurological diseases that threaten the health of the elderly. Astrocytes (ASTs) play an important role in the regulation of the growth and development of oligodendrocytes (OLs) and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), which participate in remyelination. This study investigated the mechanism by which ASTs promote the proliferation of OPCs via connexin 47 (Cx47) in OPCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Under direct-contact co-culture conditions, we performed Cx47 siRNA interference in ASTs and OPCs and tested the cell proliferation ability by flow cytometry and with 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU). We then detected Chi3l1 expression by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Next, after the addition of exogenous Chi3l1 protein to OPCs under monoculture conditions, we tested the cell proliferation ability by flow cytometry and EdU.

RESULTS

After siRNA interference with Cx47, the expression of Chi3l1 decreased from 1.10±0.91 to 0.30±0.08, and the proportion of new OPCs decreased from 48.7±3.8% to 28.4±6.6%. Moreover, upon addition of exogenous Chi3l1 protein under OPCs mono-culture conditions, the expression of cyclin D1 increased from 0.68±0.09 to 1.16±0.14, leading to an increased number of OPCs in the S phase, from 7.37±1.38% to 13.55±1.60%.

CONCLUSIONS

Cx47/Chi3l1 plays an important role in the promotion of OPCs proliferation by ASTs. ASTs can promote the expression of Chi3l1 via Cx47 in OPCs, and then activate the expression of cyclin D1 and regulate the cell cycle of OPCs, thereby promoting cell proliferation. This study provides a new target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Metabolic regulation of polyamines and γ-aminobutyric acid in relation to spermidine-induced heat tolerance in white clover

Heat stress decreases crop growth and yield worldwide. Spermidine (Spd) is a small aliphatic amine and acts as a ubiquitous regulator for plant growth, development and stress tolerance. Objectives of this study were to determine effects of exogenous Spd on changes in endogenous polyamine (PA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism, oxidative damage, senescence and heat shock protein (HSP) expression in white clover subjected to heat stress. Physiological and molecular methods, including colorimetric assay, high performance liquid chromatography and qRT-PCR, were applied. Results showed that exogenous Spd significantly alleviated heat-induced stress damage. Application of Spd not only increased endogenous putrescine, Spd, spermine and total PA accumulation, but also accelerated PA oxidation and improved glutamic acid decarboxylase activity, leading to GABA accumulation in leaves under heat stress. The Spd-pretreated white clover maintained a significantly higher chlorophyll (Chl) content than untreated plants under heat stress, which could be related to the roles of Spd in up-regulating genes encoding Chl synthesis (PBGD and Mg-CHT) and maintaining reduced Chl degradation (PaO and CHLASE) during heat stress. In addition, Spd up-regulated HSP70, HSP70B and HSP70-5 expression, which might function in stabilizing denatured proteins and helping proteins to folding correctly in white clover under high temperature stress. In summary, exogenous Spd treatment improves the heat tolerance of white clover by altering endogenous PA and GABA content and metabolism, enhancing the antioxidant system and HSP expression and slowing leaf senescence related to an increase in Chl biosynthesis and a decrease in Chl degradation during heat stress.

IL-12p40 and sRAGE in serum correlate with chemically induced cleft palate in mice

Cleft palate (CP), a congenital defect in the oral and maxillofacial regions, is difficult to detect prenatally. This study investigated the correlation between differentially expressed proteins in serum and CP induced by all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in mice. We studied 80 mice in the following groups: male mice (male; n = 6), nonpregnant female control mice (NP-CRL; n = 6), healthy pregnant controls (P-CRL; Con; n = 24), pregnant mice with CP induced by atRA (n = 24), or pregnant mice with CP induced by TCDD (TCDD; n = 20). Pregnant mice were given with atRA (100 mg/kg) or TCDD (40 μg/kg), or corn oil by oral gavage at E10.5. The serum samples were collected and eight proteins-including interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-12p70, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), interferon (IFN)-γ, IFN-β, IL-10, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and epiregulin-were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Placental tissues were immunostained for IL-12p40 and RAGE from stages E13.5 to E16.5. In P-CRL mice, serum IL-12p40 was significantly increased at E13.5 and declined over E14.5-E16.5. P-CRL had lower IFN-γ levels at E13.5 compared with NP-CRL. The CP groups showed lower concentrations of IL-12p40 at E13.5-E14.5 and clearly higher concentrations of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) at E13.5 when compared with P-CRL. IL-12p40 immunostaining clearly decreased in placental tissue sections obtained from E13.5 to E14.5 in both CP groups. These findings suggest that reduced levels of IL-12p40 and increased levels of sRAGE in serum may be correlated with chemically induced CP in mice, but further studies would be required to establish this.

Comparison of efficacy of RNAi mediated by various nanoparticles in the rice striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis)

RNA interference (RNAi) has proven to be a very promising prospect for insect pest control. However, low RNAi efficacy limits further development of this biotechnology for use on lepidopteran insects, including the rice striped stem borer (SSB) (Chilo suppressalis), one of the major destructive rice pests. In this work, the application of various nanoparticles (NPs) by which double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) could be encapsulated was evaluated as an alternative delivery strategy to potentially increase the bioactivity of dsRNA. Three NPs, chitosan, carbon quantum dot (CQD), and lipofectamine2000, complexed with dsRNA (to target the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (G3PDH)) were tested to examine their use in controlling SSB. Relative mRNA expressions were quantified using qPCR to evaluate knockdown efficiency of NP-dsRNA treated larvae, and the correlated dsRNA-mediated SSB larval mortality was tested. Thereafter, the content dynamics of hemolymph dsRNA after ingesting different NP-dsRNA were monitored in vivo; the hemolymph dsRNA content was in ratios of 5.67, 9.43, and 1 with chitosan, CQD, and lipofectamine2000 induced samples, respectively. The results demonstrated that all three tested NPs led to efficient feeding delivery by improving both dsRNA stability and cellular uptake equally. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation (r= 0.9854) between the hemolymph dsRNA contents and the average RNAi depletions in the non-gut tissues of SSB. Overall, our results strongly suggest that due to its strong endosomal escaping ability, CQD was the most efficient carrier for inducing systemic RNAi, and thereby causing effective gene silencing and mortality in SSB.

Single-site laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (SLPEC) of hernia sac high ligation using an ordinary taper needle: a novel technique for pediatric inguinal hernia

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic high ligation of the internal inguinal ring is an alternative procedure for treatment of pediatric inguinal hernia (PIH), with a major trend toward increasing use of extracorporeal knotting and decreasing use of working ports. We have utilized this laparoscopic technique to treat the entire spectrum of PIH (including incarcerated cases) for more than 17 years, and the technique continues to evolve and improve. We herein report our latest modification of this minimally invasive technique, namely single-site laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (SLPEC) of hernia sac high ligation using an ordinary taper needle, and evaluate its safety and efficacy.

METHODS

From July 2016 to July 2019, 790 children with indirect PIH were treated by laparoscopic surgery. All patients underwent high ligation surgery with a modified single-site laparoscopic technique mainly performed by extracorporeal suturing with an ordinary closed-eye taper needle (1/2 arc 11 × 34). The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

All surgeries were successful without serious complications. A contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) was found intraoperatively and subsequently repaired in 190 patients (25.4%). The mean operative time was 15 min (8-25 min) for 557 unilateral hernias and 21 min (14-36 min) for 233 bilateral hernias. The mean postoperative stay was 20 h. Minor complications occurred in five patients (0.63%) and were managed properly, with no major impact on the final outcomes. No recurrence was noted in the patients who were followed up for 6-42 months. No obvious scar was present postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Modified SLPEC of hernia sac high ligation using an ordinary taper needle for repair of indirect PIH is a safe, reliable, and minimally invasive procedure with satisfactory outcome, with no special device being needed. It is easy to learn and perform and is worthy of popularization in the clinical setting.

New insights on the energy transfer mechanisms of Eu-doped CdS quantum dots

Eu-doped CdS quantum dots with the Eu dopant concentration in the range of 0.5–10% and zinc blende structure were successfully synthesized by a wet chemical method in the noncoordinating solvent.

Identification and characterization of multiple dsRNases from a lepidopteran insect, the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency varies among insects. RNAi is highly efficient and systemic in coleopteran insects but quite variable and inefficient in lepidopteran insects. Degradation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) by double-stranded ribonucleases (dsRNases) is thought to contribute to the variability in RNAi efficiency observed among insects. One or two dsRNases involved in dsRNA digestion have been identified in a few insects. To understand the contribution of dsRNases to reduced RNAi efficiency in lepidopteran insects, we searched the transcriptome of Spodoptera litura and identified six genes coding for DNA/RNA non-specific endonucleases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary expansion of dsRNase genes in insects. The mRNA levels of three midgut-specific dsRNases increased during the larval stage, and the highest dsRNA-degrading activity was detected in third-instar larvae. Proteins produced via the expression of three midgut-specific dsRNases, and the widely expressed dsRNase3, in a baculovirus system showed dsRNase activity for four out of five dsRNases tested. In addition, the increase in dsRNA-degrading activity and upregulation of dsRNase1 and 2 in larvae fed on cabbage leaves suggests that the diet of S. litura can influence dsRNase expression, dsRNA stability, and thus probably RNAi efficiency. This is the first report that multiple dsRNases function together in an RNAi-recalcitrant insect. The data included in this paper suggest that multiple dsRNases coded by the S. litura genome might contribute to the lower and variable RNAi efficiency reported in this and other lepidopteran insects.

MiR-128 promotes the apoptosis of glioma cells via binding to NEK2

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore whether miR-128 could promote the apoptosis of glioma cells by targeting NIMA related kinase-2 (NEK2), thus participating in the occurrence and progression of glioma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Expression levels of miR-128 and NEK2 in glioma tissues and normal brain tissues were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between miR-128 expression, tumor size and stage of glioma was analyzed. The effect of miR-128 on the apoptosis of glioma cells was detected by flow cytometry and Western blot, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to verify the binding condition of miR-128 and NEK2. Meanwhile, rescue experiments were conducted to determine whether miR-128 could promote the apoptosis of glioma cells by targeting NEK2.

RESULTS

The expression level of miR-128 in glioma tissues was significantly lower than that of normal brain tissues. However, NEK2 was highly expressed in glioma tissues. MiR-128 expression was correlated to tumor size and malignant level of glioma, whereas not related to age and gender of glioma patients. Meanwhile, overexpression of miR-128 promoted the apoptosis of U87 cells, upregulated protein levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and BCL2-associated X (Bax), and downregulated B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that miR-128 directly bound to NEK2. Further rescue experiments suggested that NEK2 overexpression partially reversed the effect of miR-128 on the apoptosis of glioma cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Downregulated miR-128 inhibited the apoptosis of glioma cells via targeting NEK2.

Effect of bronchial artery embolisation on the management of tuberculosis-related haemoptysis

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors influencing outcomes of bronchial arterial embolisation (BAE) in tuberculosis (TB) related haemoptysis.METHODS: A cohort of 207 patients underwent BAE for TB-related haemoptysis between March 2014 and March 2018. The clinical data were reviewed. Follow-up ranged from 24 to 1749 days.RESULTS: Immediate haemostasis rate was 94.2%; aggressive pleural thickening (PT) was found to be a risk factor for haemoptysis (P = 0.000, OR 22.52). Cumulative recurrence-free rates were respectively 98.5%, 94.8%, 88.7%, 79.9%, 68.5%, 65.7% and 62.7% for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months. Respectively 8 and 15 patients recovered from pneumonectomy and re-BAE. However, five patients required a third BAE. The Cox regression analysis indicated that aggressive PT (P = 0.000), diabetes mellitus (DM) (P = 0.018) and pulmonary fungal infection (PFI) (P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for recurrence. The death rate following BAE was 9.2%; aggressive PT was a risk factor (P = 0.000, OR 8.14).CONCLUSION: BAE is effective for TB-related haemoptysis in most cases. Aggressive PT, DM and PFI are independent risk factors influencing the prognosis following BAE. PFI and DM should be well managed, while proper surgery should be considered for aggressive PT.

Prevalence and incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus and associated outcomes in the 2009-2016 US Medicare population

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to update data on the prevalence and incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Medicare population and describe associated outcomes.

METHODS

This observational study used Medicare 20% random sample data 2007-2016 to estimate SLE prevalence and incidence 2009-2016. The study population included patients aged ≥18 years (stratified by <65 and ≥65 years) with Medicare fee-for-service coverage. The SLE definition was based on a published and validated algorithm. All-cause death, hospitalizations, and kidney disease incidence were defined for a prevalent SLE cohort 2011-2015. Unadjusted event rates during 5-year follow-up were reported per 100 patient-years.

RESULTS

The study included > 5 million eligible patients for each year 2009-2016. There were 19,518 (10,898, aged ≥65; 8620, aged <65) in 2016, extrapolated to 97,590 (54,490 aged ≥65; 43,100 aged <65) in the overall 2016 Medicare population. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rates (per 100,000 Medicare population) ranged from 301.1 in 2009 to 366.6 in 2016, all ages, and 184.0-239.9, ≥65 years. There were 2614 (1844 aged ≥65; 770 aged <65) incident patients in 2016; age-/sex-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000 Medicare population) ranged from 46.9 in 2009 to 49.0 in 2016, all ages, and 37.5-40.8, ≥65. Five-year unadjusted mortality, elderly vs. younger, was 8.8 vs. 3.8, morbidity 34.5 vs. 32.4, and kidney disease incidence 19.8 vs. 18.0 per 100 patient-years.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence rates steadily increased while incidence was relatively stable 2009-2016. Our data should be interpreted with caution due to our elderly study population.

Clinical outcomes and predictive relapse factors of IgG4-related disease following treatment: a long-term cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive factors for relapse of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) and observe the long-term clinical outcomes in patients with IgG4-RD.

METHODS

We included in the present analysis 122 patients who were newly diagnosed with IgG4-RD, treated with glucocorticoid (GC) monotherapy or GC and immunosuppressant combination therapy, and followed for at least 3 years. Clinical relapse, response and side effects were recorded.

RESULTS

The cumulative relapse rates of patients in this study were 10.66%, 22.95% and 27.87% at 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. Complete drug withdrawal was an independent risk factor for disease relapse. Higher serum IgG4 concentrations, involvement of more organs, higher IgG4 RI scores and elevation of eosinophils at baseline were closely associated with disease relapse. Re-elevation of serum IgG4 concentrations and low GC maintenance dosage during the follow-up period were significantly associated with clinical relapse. The GC dosage should be more than 6.25 mg day^-1 as monotherapy during the maintenance stage; moreover, combining with immunosuppressants can reduce the GC dosage. Adding GC or immunosuppressants for patients with re-elevation of serum IgG4 levels could prevent later disease relapse. No serious complications were noted during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of GC with immunosuppressants was more effective than GC monotherapy during the steroid tapering and maintenance stages. Higher serum IgG4 levels, involvement of more organs, higher IgG4 RI scores, history of allergy, eosinophil elevation at baseline, re-elevation of serum IgG4 levels and lower GC maintenance dosage at follow-up might be predictive of relapse.