Systematic Transcriptome Analysis of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Pathogenesis Suggests Inflammatory Activities and Multiple Susceptible Molecules and Pathways

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is characterized by damage to cochlear neurons and associated hair cells; however, a systematic evaluation of NIHL pathogenesis is still lacking. Here, we systematically evaluated differentially expressed genes of 22 cochlear samples in an NIHL mouse model. We performed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Core modules were detected using protein–protein interactions and WGCNA with functional annotation, diagnostic value evaluation, and experimental validation. Pooled functional annotation suggested the involvement of multiple inflammatory pathways, including the TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, rheumatoid arthritis, and p53 signaling pathway. The core modules suggested that responses to cytokines, heat, cAMP, ATP, mechanical stimuli, and immune responses were important in NIHL pathogenesis. These activities primarily occurred on the external side of the plasma membrane, the extracellular region, and the nucleus. Binding activities, including CCR2 receptor binding, protein binding, and transcription factor binding, may be important. Additionally, the hub molecules with diagnostic value included Relb, Hspa1b, Ccl2, Ptgs2, Ldlr, Plat, and Ccl17. An evaluation of Relb and Hspa1b protein levels showed that Relb was upregulated in spiral ganglion neurons, which might have diagnostic value. In conclusion, this study indicates that the inflammatory response is involved in auditory organ changes in NIHL pathogenesis; moreover, several molecules and activities have essential and subtle influences that have translational potential for pharmacological intervention.

CGRP Modulates Orofacial Pain through Mediating Neuron-Glia Crosstalk

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a crucial role in the modulation of orofacial pain, and we hypothesized that CGRP mediated a neuron-glia crosstalk in orofacial pain. The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms whereby CGRP mediated trigeminal neuron-glia crosstalk in modulating orofacial pain. Orofacial pain was elicited by ligating closed-coil springs between incisors and molars. Trigeminal neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs) were cultured for mechanistic exploration. Gene and protein expression were determined through immunostaining, polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot. Orofacial pain was evaluated through the rat grimace scale. Our results revealed that the expressions of CGRP were elevated in both trigeminal neurons and SGCs following the induction of orofacial pain. Intraganglionic administration of CGRP and olcegepant exacerbated and alleviated orofacial pain, respectively. The knockdown of CGRP through viral vector-mediated RNA interference was able to downregulate CGRP expressions in both neurons and SGCs and to alleviate orofacial pain. CGRP upregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase through the p38 signaling pathway in cultured SGCs. In turn, L-arginine (nitric oxide donor) was able to enhance orofacial pain by upregulating CGRP expressions in vivo. In cultured trigeminal neurons, L-arginine upregulated the expression of CGRP, and this effect was diminished by cilnidipine (N-type calcium channel blocker) while not by mibefradil (L-type calcium channel blocker). In conclusion, CGRP modulated orofacial pain through upregulating the expression of nitric oxide through the p38 signaling pathway in SGCs, and the resulting nitric oxide in turn stimulated CGRP expression through N-type calcium channel in neurons, building a CGRP-mediated positive-feedback neuron-glia crosstalk.

Antifungal mechanism of Streptomyces ma. FS-4 on fusarium wilt of banana

AIM

Research on prevention and cure of banana wilt is important to ensure the healthy development of the banana industry. In this study, antifungal mechanism of Streptomyces ma. FS-4 on fusarium wilt of banana was investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The physiological strain of banana fusarium pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 4 (FOC.4) was used as the target fungus, and the antifungal mechanism of the crude extract of Streptomyces ma. FS-4 was investigated. Eighteen different compounds identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were composed of aldehydes, methyl, hydrocarbons, amides, esters and acids. FS-4 significantly inhibited the spore germination of the target fungi, with an EC₅₀ of 22·78 μg ml^-1 . After treatment with 100 μg ml^-1 FS-4 crude extract, the N-acetylglucosamine content in the mycelium increased 1·95-fold. However, the extract had no significant effect on β-1,3-glucanase. At the FS-4 crude extract dose of 100 μg ml^-1 , the total sugar and protein contents decreased by 28·6 and 29·1% respectively, and the fat content was 41·3%. FS-4 significantly inhibited the activity of the mitochondrial complex III of Foc4, which was reduced by 52·45%. Moreover FS-4 reduced the activity of succinate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in the Krebs cycle, by 60·2%. However, FS-4 had no significant effect on malate dehydrogenase. The membrane potential on the mitochondrial inner membrane was significantly reduced at the test concentration of 100 μg ml^-1 . ROS gradually accumulated in the Foc4 hypha, and the burst was 3·97 times higher than the control.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the antifungal mechanism of Streptomyces ma. FS-4 against Foc4 includes the destruction of the plasma membrane and mitochondrial dysfunction and finally induction of cell apoptosis.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

These results may indicate the prevention and control of banana wilt, which is of great significance to the healthy development of banana industry system.

Topologically-tuned spin Hall shift around Fano resonance

The topological magnetoelectric effect is associated with the photonic spin-orbit interaction. However, due to the proportionate fine structure constant of the topological term, the topological magnetoelectric effect is usually weak. In this paper, we demonstrate that the axion term enables manipulation of the spin Hall shift of light around Fano resonance. And, the excited surface plasmon near the nanoparticle's interface could enhance the topological magnetoelectric effect for several orders. Numerical simulation of near field and far-field scattering confirms our theoretical results. Our work may pave the way to exploit the topological magnetoelectric effect in practical applications, such as optical sensing and nanoprobing.

Upregulation of LINC00982 inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis by regulating the activity of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in renal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have confirmed that lncRNAs are involved in the progression of multiple tumors. However, the role of lncRNAs in renal cancer remains unclear. Our study focused on investigating the expression and function of LINC00982 in renal cancer progression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was used to detect the expression of LINC00982 in renal cancer tissues and cell lines. LINC00982 expression was upregulated by transfecting with lentivirus. Western blot assay was used to detect the alteration expression levels of the relative protein involved PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

RESULTS

Downregulated LINC00982 expression was significantly observed in cancer samples when compared with the adjacent specimens, and was related to tumor size and TNM stage. Upregulation of LINC00982 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of ACHN and A-498 cell lines. LINC00982 could regulate the activity of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Upregulation of LINC00982 inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis by regulating the activity of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in renal cancer.

STEM electron beam-induced current measurements of organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells

We describe a new approach for preparing organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells for electron beam-induced current (EBIC) measurements in plan-view geometry. This method substantially reduces sample preparation artefacts, provides good electrical contact and keeps the preparation steps as close as possible to those for real devices. Our EBIC images were acquired simultaneously with annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy images using a home-made highly sensitive EBIC amplifier. High-angle annular dark-field images and energy dispersive X-ray maps were recorded from the same area immediately afterwards. This allowed the EBIC contrast to be correlated with regions containing N and a deficiency of O. The EBIC contrast was also found to be similar to secondary electron contrast recorded with a scanning electron microscope. By identifying the generation and absorption electron processes, we determine that EBIC cannot be separated from the secondary electron and absorbed currents. This means that careful analysis needs to be performed before conclusions can be made on the origin of the current measured across p-n or p-i-n junctions.

Pure transanal endoscopic colectomy for ascending colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated that pure transanal endoscopic surgery is safe and feasible in the treatment of rectal cancer. However, the role of pure transanal endoscopic colectomy in ascending colon cancer (ACC) treatment has not been evaluated. We report a case of transanal endoscopic surgery for ACC.

METHODS

A 35-year-old woman was treated for ACC, using a transanal endoscopic surgery device as the operation platform, and pure transanal endoscopic right hemicolectomy without transabdominal assistance was safely performed. An instrument suture, side-to-side, ileocolic anastomosis was performed. Operative time was 245 min and intraoperative blood loss was 60 ml.

RESULTS

The patient recovered well from the surgery. Compared with the traditional approach, this approach was less invasive and resulted in satisfactory outcomes and cosmesis (no scar).

CONCLUSIONS

Application of pure transanal endoscopic colectomy without abdominal assistance to ACC appears to be feasible and safe.

[Technological innovation and patent transformation in rectal cancer surgery]

Surgery for rectal cancer has obtained quick improvement in techniques and concepts in recent years but still has challenging areas. Colorectal surgeons always seek to make operations clearer and easier, so that surgery can be safer and less time-consuming while guaranteeing surgical goals. With this purpose, our team have explored to make innovations in operations for rectal cancer and translate relevant patents from 2009. We summarize our achievements in this article as follows: (1) Reverse Miles operation (perineal operation first then laparoscopic abdominal operation) with two relevant patents-specialized instruments bag for laparoscopic operations (patent number ZL201520442331.0) and accessory spotlight for ultrasound scalpel (patent number ZL20102 0137689.X). (2) Laparoscopic sphincter-saving surgery for low rectal cancer through marker meeting approach with two patents-vacuum rectal drainage tube with functions of irrigation and ventilation (patent number ZL201520374385.8) and sterile sleeve cover of ultrasound scalpel handle (patent number ZL201920648102.2). (3) Laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer and natural orifice specimen extraction. Different methods were designed according to the location of the tumor that classified as 20-40 cm, 10-20 cm and 5-10 cm to anus. Two relevant patents were specialized instruments for natural orifice specimen extraction (patent application number ZL2017101480141) and plastic film sleeve for natural orifice specimen extraction (patent application number ZL 201921169857.0). Reformation of surgical technique and innovation of surgical instruments should be conducted by surgeons with innovative thinking who always seek the way to translate ideas to patents and then real products to promote surgical treatment.

The microbiome of diabetic foot ulcers: a comparison of swab and tissue biopsy wound sampling techniques using 16S rRNA gene sequencing

Background

Health-care professionals need to collect wound samples to identify potential pathogens that contribute to wound infection. Obtaining appropriate samples from diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) where there is a suspicion of infection is of high importance. Paired swabs and tissue biopsies were collected from DFUs and both sampling techniques were compared using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Results

Mean bacterial abundance determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was significantly lower in tissue biopsies (p = 0.03). The mean number of reads across all samples was significantly higher in wound swabs \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$ \Big(\overline{X} $$\end{document}(X¯ = 32,014) compared to tissue (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$ \overline{X} $$\end{document}X¯ = 15,256, p = 0.001). Tissue biopsies exhibited greater overall diversity of bacteria relative to swabs (Shannon’s H diversity p = 0.009). However, based on a presence/absence analysis of all paired samples, the frequency of occurrence of bacteria from genera of known and potential pathogens was generally higher in wound swabs than tissue biopsies. Multivariate analysis identified significantly different bacterial communities in swabs compared to tissue (p = 0.001). There was minimal correlation between paired wound swabs and tissue biopsies in the number and types of microorganisms. RELATE analysis revealed low concordance between paired DFU swab and tissue biopsy samples (Rho = 0.043, p = 0.34).

Conclusions

Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing this study identifies the potential for using less invasive swabs to recover high relative abundances of known and potential pathogen genera from DFUs when compared to the gold standard collection method of tissue biopsy.

Rational design and latest advances of codelivery systems for cancer therapy

Current treatments have limited effectiveness in treating tumors. The combination of multiple drugs or treatment strategies is widely studied to improve therapeutic effect and reduce adverse effects of cancer therapy. The codelivery system is the key to realize combined therapies. It is necessary to design and construct different codelivery systems in accordance with the variable structures and properties of cargoes and vectors. This review presented the typical design considerations about codelivery vectors for cancer therapy and described the current state of codelivery systems from two aspects: different types of vectors and collaborative treatment strategies. The commonly used loading methods of cargoes into the vectors, including physical and chemical processes, are discussed in detail. Finally, we outline the challenges and perspectives about the improvement of codelivery systems.

FRI0128 FILGOTINIB PROVIDED RAPID AND SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENTS IN FUNCTIONAL STATUS, PAIN, HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE, AND FATIGUE IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO METHOTREXATE: RESULTS FROM THE FINCH 1 STUDY

Background:

In the FINCH 1 study, filgotinib (FIL)—an oral, potent, selective Janus kinase 1 inhibitor—in combination with methotrexate (MTX) provided significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients (pts) with inadequate response to MTX.1While EULAR guidelines recommend a treat-to-target approach focusing on reducing inflammation to prevent joint damage, physical disability, and mortality, pts consider control of pain and fatigue, along with maintenance of physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), to be important aspects for their care.2,3

Objectives:

To evaluate the rate and magnitude of change in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from FINCH 1.

Methods:

In the FINCH 1 study (NCT02889796), pts with active RA received oral FIL 200 mg + MTX, FIL 100 mg + MTX, PBO + MTX, or subcutaneous adalimumab (ADA) 40 mg + MTX for up to 52 weeks (W); pts receiving PBO at W24 were rerandomised 1:1 to FIL 100 or 200 mg. PROs included the HAQ-DI and VAS pain scale, SF-36, and FACIT-Fatigue questionnaire. The change from baseline (CFB) at each time point was assessed up to W52 for each treatment group. The mixed-effects model for repeated measures was used to compare each FIL group with PBO for the CFB at each time point through W24. The logistic regression model was used to compare each FIL group with PBO for the proportion of pts achieving the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of ≥0.22 reduction in CFB in HAQ-DI at each time point through W24.

Results:

Of 1755 pts randomised and treated (475 FIL 200 mg + MTX; 480 FIL 100 mg + MTX; 325 ADA + MTX; and 475 PBO + MTX), 1417 (80.7%) received study drug through W52. As early as W2 through W24, pts receiving either dose of FIL experienced nominally significantly greater (p <0.001) CFB in HAQ-DI and VAS pain scale than those receiving PBO; CFB improvements were maintained through W52 (Fig 1A, B). At W2, compared with PBO (40.2%), a nominally significantly greater proportion of pts achieved the HAQ-DI MCID in both the FIL 200 (52.5%; p <0.001) and 100 mg (46.7%; p = 0.043) groups. This benefit vs PBO was maintained up to W24 and the proportion of pts who achieved a HAQ-DI reduction of ≥0.22 remained ≥75.8% in the FIL 200 mg group and ≥71.5% in the FIL 100 mg group from W12 through W52. FIL provided nominally significantly greater improvement in HRQoL vs PBO at W4 and W12 for both the CFB of the SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) (p <0.001) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) (p ≤0.006); nominal significance was also seen at W24 for CFB of SF-36 PCS (Fig 2A, B). By W4, pts receiving either dose of FIL reported a nominally significantly greater mean CFB in FACIT-Fatigue scores vs PBO (p <0.001); significance was maintained through W24 and improvement in reported fatigue continued through W52 in the FIL groups (Fig 2C). In general, CFB for HAQ-DI, VAS pain scale, and FACIT-Fatigue observed for the FIL groups was higher or comparable to ADA at various time points (Fig 1, 2).

Conclusion:

Both doses of FIL provided rapid and sustained improvements in functional status, pain, HRQoL, and fatigue compared with PBO for pts with RA and inadequate response to MTX throughout the 52-week period.

References:

[1]Combe BG, et al.Ann Rheum Dis.2019;78 (Suppl 2):A77.

[2]Fautrel B, et al.Rheumatol Int.2018;38:935–47.

[3]Smolen JS, et al.Ann Rheum Dis.2017;76:960–77.

Disclosure of Interests:

Alan Kivitz Shareholder of: AbbVie, Amgen, Gilead, GSK, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim,,Flexion, Genzyme, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, Sanofi, SUN Pharma Advanced Research, UCB, Paid instructor for: Celgene, Genzyme, Horizon, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, Flexion, Genzyme, Horizon, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, Sanofi, Yoshiya Tanaka Grant/research support from: Asahi-kasei, Astellas, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Chugai, Takeda, Sanofi, Bristol-Myers, UCB, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Pfizer, and Ono, Consultant of: Abbvie, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Daiichi-Sankyo, Astellas, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AbbVie, YL Biologics, Bristol-Myers, Takeda, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Novartis, Eisai, Janssen, Sanofi, UCB, and Teijin, Susan Lee Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Lei Ye Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Hao Hu Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Robin Besuyen Shareholder of: Galapagos, Employee of: Galapagos, Bernard Combe Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai, Consultant of: AbbVie; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen; Eli Lilly and Company; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; Sanofi, Speakers bureau: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company; Merck Sharp & Dohme; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; UCB

Modelling the patient accrual with truncated Gaussian mixture distribution for the accurate estimation of sample size in survival trials

In survival trials with fixed trial length, the patient accrual rate has a significant impact on the sample size estimation or equivalently, on the power of trials. A larger sample size is required for the staggered patient entry. During enrollment, the patient accrual rate changes with the recruitment publicity effect, disease incidence and many other factors and fluctuations of the accrual rate occur frequently. However, the existing accrual models are either over-simplified for the constant rate assumption or complicated in calculation for the subdivision of the accrual period. A more flexible accrual model is required to represent the fluctuant patient accrual rate for accurate sample size estimation. In this paper, inspired by the flexibility of the Gaussian mixture distribution in approximating continuous densities, we propose the truncated Gaussian mixture distribution accrual model to represent different variations of accrual rate by different parameter configurations. The sample size calculation formula and the parameter setting of the proposed accrual model are discussed further.

Overweight and obesity status from the prenatal period to adolescence and its association with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in young adults: cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations of maternal and child overweight status across multiple time-points with liver fat content in the offspring during young adulthood.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

SETTING

ELEMENT Cohort in Mexico City.

POPULATION

Pregnant women with singleton births (n = 97).

METHODS

We quantified hepatic triglyceride content (liver fat content) by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) and conventional T2-weighted MRIs (3T scanner) in 97 young adults from the ELEMENT birth cohort in Mexico City. Historical records of the cohort were used as a source of pregnancy, and childhood and adolescence anthropometric information, overweight and obesity (OWOB) were defined. Adjusted structural equation models were run to identify the association between OWOB in different life stages with liver fat content (log-transformed) in young adulthood.

MAIN OUTCOME

Maternal OWOB at the time of delivery was directly and indirectly associated with the liver fat content in the offspring at young adulthood.

RESULTS

Seventeen percent of the participants were classified as having NAFLD. We found a strong association of OWOB between all periods assessed. Maternal OWOB at time of delivery (β = 1.97, 95% CI 1.28-3.05), and OWOB status in the offspring at young adulthood (β = 3.17, 95% CI 2.10-4.77) were directly associated with the liver fat content in the offspring. Also, maternal OWOB was indirectly associated with liver fat content through offspring OWOB status.

CONCLUSION

We found that maternal OWOB status is related to fatty liver content in the offspring as young adults, even after taking into account OWOB status and lifestyle factors in the offspring.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

There was an association between pre-pregnancy overweight and the development of NAFLD in adult offspring.

Contribution of usage to endoscope working channel damage and bacterial contamination

BACKGROUND

Biofilm formation has been shown to be associated with damaged areas of endoscope channels. It was hypothesized that the passage of instruments and brushes through endoscope channels during procedures and cleaning contributes to channel damage, bacterial attachment and biofilm formation.

AIM

To compare surface roughness and bacterial attachment in used and new endoscope channels in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Surface roughness of 10 clinically used (retired) and seven new colonoscope biopsy channels was analysed by a surface profiler. For the in-vitro study, a flexible endoscope biopsy forceps was passed repeatedly through a curved 3.0-mm-diameter Teflon tube 100, 200 and 500 times. Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the degree of inner surface damage. The number of Escherichia coli or Enterococcus faecium attached to the inner surface of the new Teflon tube and the tube with 500 forceps passes in 1 h at 37^oC was determined by culture.

RESULTS

The average surface roughness of the used biopsy channels was found to be 1.5 times greater than that of the new biopsy channels (P=0.03). Surface roughness of Teflon tubes with 100, 200 and 500 forceps passes was 1.05-, 1.12- and 3.2-fold (P=0.025) greater than the roughness of the new Teflon tubes, respectively. The number of E. coli and E. faecium attached to Teflon tubes with 500 forceps passes was 2.9-fold (P=0.021) and 4.3-fold (P=0.004) higher compared with the number of E. coli and E. faecium attached to the new Teflon tubes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

An association was found between endoscope usage with damage to the biopsy channel and increased bacterial attachment.

Three-field versus two-field lymphadenectomy in transthoracic oesophagectomy for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: short-term outcomes of a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The benefit and harm of three-field lymphadenectomy for oesophageal cancer are still unknown. The aim of this study was to compare overall survival and morbidity and mortality between three- and two-field lymphadenectomy in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Between March 2013 and November 2016, patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the middle or distal oesophagus were assigned randomly to open oesophagectomy with three-field (cervical-thoracic-abdominal) or two-field (thoracic-abdominal) lymphadenectomy. No chemo(radio) therapy was given before surgery. This paper reports on the secondary outcomes of the study: pathology and surgical complications.

RESULTS

Some 400 patients were randomized, 200 in each group. A median of 37 (i.q.r. 30-49) lymph nodes were dissected in the three-field group, compared with 24 (18-30) in the two-field group (P < 0·001). Some 43 of 200 patients (21·5 per cent) in the three-field group had cervical lymph node metastasis. More patients in the three-field group had pN3 disease: 21 of 200 (10·5 per cent) versus 10 of 200 (5·0 per cent) (P = 0·040). The rate and severity of postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups, except that six patients in the three-field arm needed reintubation compared with none in the two-field group (3·0 versus 0 per cent; P = 0·030). The 90-day mortality rate was 0 per cent in the three-field group and 0·5 per cent (1 patient) in the two-field group (P = 1·000).

CONCLUSION

Oesophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy increased the number of lymph nodes dissected and led to stage migration owing to a 21·5 per cent rate of cervical lymph node metastasis. Postoperative complications were largely comparable between two- and three-field lymphadenectomy. Registration number: NCT01807936 ( https://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

MicroRNA-140-5p suppresses invasion and proliferation of glioma cells by targeting glutamate-ammonia ligase (GLUL)

Glutamine addiction is a major feature of glioma cells and plays an important role in its growth and proliferation. GLUL (glutamate-ammonia ligase), which catalyzes glutamate and ammonia to synthesize glutamine, plays a crucial role in tumor growth and proliferation. We attempt to determine a pathway that limits the growth of glioma by targeting GLUL and explore effective strategies blocking glutamine metabolism. We note that miRNAs mediate regulation of genes participating directly or indirectly in cancer cell metabolism. The regulatory roles of miRNAs on metabolic enzymes are widely discussed, however miRNAs regulation of glutamine metabolism by targeting GLUL in glioma has not yet been reported. Here, we examined both the expression and functions of GLUL in glioma cells. Findings indicated that the expression of GLUL was upregulated in high-grade compared to low-grade glioma cells. Knockdown of GLUL effectively inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells in vitro. Bioinformatics analyses, as well as dual-luciferase reporter assays, revealed that miR-140-5p bound to GLUL mRNA at the 3'-UTR location. Furthermore, the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells were also repressed by miR-140-5p. Overall, these results showed that miR-140-5p exerted its inhibitory effects on proliferation, migration and invasion in glioma cells through downregulating GLUL. Thus, the miR-140-5p/GLUL axis may function as a potential target for glioma treatment.

Design and kinematics analysis of the executing device of heavy-duty casting robot

Aim to the problems of low load and precision of the serial manipulator used in casting operation. Casting execution equipment based on 2UPR-2RPU mechanism was designed. A prototype of heavy-duty casting robot has been proposed and developed. Based on the theory of robot topology, the mechanism constraint relation of the casting execution equipment was analyzed, and it is concluded that the casting actuator has three degrees of freedom. Both the inverse position equation of the casting execution equipment and axial velocity equation of branch chain were established. In this article, kinematics simulation of the casting execution equipment based on ADAMS software was presented, and its kinematics characteristics of each parallel branch chain were analyzed. The validity of this kinematics model of casting actuator was verified. Based on the working space analysis method for parallel mechanism, the working space range of casting execution equipment was simulated by the MATLAB software. This research provides a reference for expanding the application of hybrid structural robot in casting field and developing casting heavy-duty casting robotic products.

GuaLou GuiZhi decoction represses LPS-induced BV2 activation via miR-155 induced inflammatory signals

Inflammatory response that occur post-ischemia is a serious problem in the treatment of ischemic brain disease. MicroRNA-155 is a brain-specific or brain-enriched miRNA, which mediates inflammatory reactions in cerebral ischemic tissue by regulating inflammatory signal and the expression level of SOCS1. The present study was aimed to assess the effect of GuaLou GuiZhi Decoction (GLGZD) on miR-155 expression in activated microglia following inflammation and further explore the role of GLGZD on expression of the inflammation-related gene. BV2 cells were used to simulated by LPS to make the inflammatory model. Expression level of miR-155 was detected by Real-Time PCR. BV2 cells after simulated by LPS were then transfected with miR-155 mimic and its negative controls. Cytokines release were measured by corresponding purchased ELISA kits, respectively. Then target protein expression of miR-155 were detected by western blotting assay. After miRNA over expression transfections, expressions of inflammation-related factors, SOCS-1 and SAMD in BV2 cells after activation were measured by Western blot assay. Results showed that in BV2 cells after simulated by LPS, miR-155 was upregulated. The elevated miR-155 expression enhanced the inflammatory cytokine release. miR-155 directly target and negatively regulated SOCS-1 and SMAD-1 expression. Over expression of SOCS-1 and SMAD reduced inflammatory action that was enhanced by miR-155 mimic transfection. miR-155 was positively related with activation of NF-ϰB signal pathways via SOCS-1 and SMAD. In conclusion, GuaLou GuiZhi Decoction (GLGZD) might exert its anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the expression of miR-155, indicating that miR-155 may be used as a treatment target in clinical treatment with GuaLou GuiZhi Decoction (GLGZD) in ischemic brain.

Association of Circulating Retinol and α-TOH Levels with Cognitive Function in Aging Subject with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition of vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E (α-tocopherol, α-TOH) was observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or dementia patients. However, how these vitamins affect cognitive function of subjects with T2DM was seldom reported. The objective of this study was to determine the association of circulating retinol and α-TOH with cognition in aging subjects with T2DM.

METHODS

A total of 448 T2DM subjects and 448 age, gender and education matched control subjects (aged 55-75 years) were included in the study. Demographic characters of the participants were collected. Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) method was used to collect dietary intake information. To assess the status of cognition, the MoCA test was used. Circulating retinol and α-TOH levels were compared between T2DM and non-T2DM subjects. Correlation of circulating retinol and α-TOH levels with cognitive function was analyzed in T2DM subjects. The effect of serum retinol and α-TOH levels on the risk of MCI in T2DM patients was explored.

RESULTS

We found that T2DM-MCI subjects demonstrate lower serum retinol level than T2DM-nonMCI subjects (P < 0.01). Serum retinol level was positively correlated to cognitive function in T2DM subject (P < 0.05). T2DM subjects with higher circulating retinol level demonstrate higher cognitive scores in visual and executive, attention, language, memory and delayed recall domains (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Diminished circulating retinol predicts an increased risk of MCI in T2DM patients. Our findings provide suggestions that optimal retinol nutritional status might benefit cognition and decrease the risk of MCI in aging subjects with T2DM.