Enhanced antitumor efficacy through microwave ablation in combination with immune checkpoints blockade in breast cancer: A pre-clinical study in a murine model

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of microwave ablation (MWA) in combination with immune checkpoints blockade in the treatment of breast cancer using the 4T1 tumor-bearing mice model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We treated tumor-bearing mice with MWA, programmed cell death protein1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) blockade (P+C), MWA plus PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade (combination therapy), or no-treatment. Survival time was evaluated with the Kaplan-Meyer method comparing survival curves by log-rank test. On day 15 after MWA, five mice from the combination therapy group received tumor rechallenge with 4T1 or CT26 cells and the volumes of rechallenge tumor were calculated every 5 days. Immune cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, and the concentrations of plasma interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The combination therapy significantly prolonged tumor-bearing mice survival compared to no-treatment group, P+C group or MWA group (P<0.001, P<0.001 and P=0.01, respectively) and protected most surviving mice from 4T1 tumor rechallenge (P=0.002) but not CT26 tumor rechallenge (P=0.905). Both local and systemic CD8+ T-cell responses were induced by MWA (all P<0.05) and further augmented by subsequent administration of PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade (all P<0.05). Plasma IFN-γ concentrations were significantly elevated in the combination therapy group compared to no-treatment group, P+C group or MWA group (P<0.001, P<0.001 and P=0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MWA combined with immune checkpoints blockade could synergistically enhance antitumor efficacy with augmented specific immune responses, and the combination therapy is a promising approach to treat breast cancer.

First Search for Nontensorial Gravitational Waves from Known Pulsars

We present results from the first directed search for nontensorial gravitational waves. While general relativity allows for tensorial (plus and cross) modes only, a generic metric theory may, in principle, predict waves with up to six different polarizations. This analysis is sensitive to continuous signals of scalar, vector, or tensor polarizations, and does not rely on any specific theory of gravity. After searching data from the first observation run of the advanced LIGO detectors for signals at twice the rotational frequency of 200 known pulsars, we find no evidence of gravitational waves of any polarization. We report the first upper limits for scalar and vector strains, finding values comparable in magnitude to previously published limits for tensor strain. Our results may be translated into constraints on specific alternative theories of gravity.

A soft selective sweep during rapid evolution of gentle behaviour in an Africanized honeybee

Highly aggressive Africanized honeybees (AHB) invaded Puerto Rico (PR) in 1994, displacing gentle European honeybees (EHB) in many locations. Gentle AHB (gAHB), unknown anywhere else in the world, subsequently evolved on the island within a few generations. Here we sequence whole genomes from gAHB and EHB populations, as well as a North American AHB population, a likely source of the founder AHB on PR. We show that gAHB retains high levels of genetic diversity after evolution of gentle behaviour, despite selection on standing variation. We observe multiple genomic loci with significant signatures of selection. Rapid evolution during colonization of novel habitats can generate major changes to characteristics such as morphological or colouration traits, usually controlled by one or more major genetic loci. Here we describe a soft selective sweep, acting at multiple loci across the genome, that occurred during, and may have mediated, the rapid evolution of a behavioural trait.

Africanized honey bees (AHB) are notoriously aggressive, but in Puerto Rico they have a ‘gentle’ phenotype. Here, Avalos et al. show that there has been a soft selective sweep at several loci in the Puerto Rican AHB population and suggest a role in the rapid evolution of gentle behaviour.

[Observation of clinical and electrophysiological features in patients with distal myasthenia gravis]

Objective: To explore the clinical and electrophysiological features and prognosis of distal myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods: Data of MG patients in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from October 2016 to March 2017 were reviewed, including thorough neurological examinations, nerve conduction studies, repetitive nerve stimulations (RNS) and needle electromyographies. Distal MG patients were included and were analyzed as to their clinical and electrophysiological features and response to treatments. Results: Four patients (7.7%) could be classified as distal type among 52 definitely diagnosed MG patients. They had initial symptoms at age 36 to 64 and developed distal limb muscle weakness in the first month to 6 years after the onset of this disease. Hand muscles were preferentially involved in a non-uniform way. And one patient also had leg weakness on his tibialis anterior muscles. RNS showed a more significant decrement at slow rates in distal muscles, compared with proximal muscles. The baseline compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) of the distal affected muscles presented with slightly decreased or fluctuating amplitudes. Their weakness of ocular, bulbar, proximal and distal limb muscles improved generally after administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or steroids plus acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Electrophysiological reexaminations revealed increased baseline CMAPs, reduced decrement on RNS, and relief of myogenic changes on needle electromyography. Conclusions: Relatively prominent distal limb muscle weakness can be found in a minority of MG patients. Besides profound decrement on slow rate RNS, the involved distal muscles may have a characteristic decreased baseline CMAP, sometimes with a diurnal fluctuation. Distal MG responds well to regular treatments. Its short-term prognosis seems similar to that of common MG with proximal predominance.

[The localization diagnosis of patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone-dependent Cushing's syndrome in adolescence]

Objective: To elucidate the clinical characteristics and localization diagnosis of patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS) in adolescence. Methods: The clinical data, laboratory examination and localization diagnosis from 35 patients aged less than 18 years old with adolescent CS who were treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1990 and March 2012 were analyzed. Results: There were 29 cases of Cushing's disease (CD) and 6 cases of ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS). Compared to patients with EAS, those with CD were older at diagnosis[(15.2±2.7) vs (12.8±4.4) years], and had longer disease course[(1.9±1.5) vs (0.7±0.3) years]and higher serum potassium[(3.8±0.6) vs (2.5±0.7) mmol/L], however the plasma ACTH level[(15.4±14.9) vs (42.5±22.7) pmol/L]was lower (all P<0.05). If the cut-off of the ratio of 24-hour urine free cortisol (24 h UFC) after low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) to before LDDST was 0.65, the sensibility to diagnose CD was 70.8%, and the specificity was 100%. If the cut-off of the 24 h UFC ratio after high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST) to before HDDST was 0.54, the sensibility to diagnose CD was 91.7%, and the specificity was 100%. If the cut-off of the plasma ACTH ratio of inferior petrosal vein[bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS)]to peripheral vein was 2, only 6 CD patients (6/8) met it. Conclusion: The study suggested that HDDST was more meaningful in the localization diagnosis of patients with ACTH-dependent CS in adolescence.

CCR2- and CCR2+ corneal macrophages exhibit distinct characteristics and balance inflammatory responses after epithelial abrasion

Macrophages are distributed throughout the body and are crucial for the restoration of damaged tissues. However, their characteristics in the cornea and roles in the repair of corneal injures are unclear. Here we show that corneal macrophages can be classified as CCR2^- macrophages, which already exist in the cornea at embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) and are similar to yolk sac-derived macrophages, microglia, in phenotype and gene expression, and CCR2⁺ macrophages, which do not appear in the cornea until E17.5. At a steady state, CCR2^- corneal macrophages have local proliferation capacity and are rarely affected by monocytes; however, following corneal epithelial abrasion, most CCR2^- corneal macrophages are replaced by monocytes. In contrast, CCR2⁺ macrophages are repopulated by monocytes under both a steady-state condition and following corneal wounding. Depletion of CCR2⁺ macrophages decreases corneal inflammation after epithelial abrasion, whereas depletion of CCR2^- macrophages increases inflammation of the injured cornea. Loss of either cell type results in a delay in corneal healing. These data indicate that there are two unique macrophage populations present in the cornea, both of which participate in corneal wound healing by balancing the inflammatory response.

Pathogenic role of ADGRG2 in CBAVD patients replicated in Chinese population

Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is an important cause of obstructive azoospermia and male infertility worldwide. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations are the main pathogenic cause, although a proportion of cases are still unexplained. Recently, adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2 (ADGRG2) gene, a novel pathogenic gene for CBAVD was identified. We did a single population replication study in Chinese CBAVD patients to replicate its role in CBAVD developing. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing in 18 unrelated CBAVD patients and identified two missense variants in two patients (c.G1709A, p.C570Y; and c.A2968G, p.K990E). Both variants were predicted to be deleterious and highly conserved in silico. The p.C570Y variant is located in the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) proteolysis site domain, which is functionally necessary for autoproteolysis, while the p.K990E variant is in the N-terminal fragment that may regulate activity of the adhesion GPCR. We did not find any potential pathogenic CFTR variants, implying the ADGRG2 variants are the genetic cause in these patients. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first two ADGRG2 variants to be identified in Chinese CBAVD patients, which further validate the disease-causing role of ADGRG2 in this congenital defect.

Pre-operative Carotid Plaque Echolucency Assessment has no Predictive Value for Long-Term Risk of Stroke or Cardiovascular Death in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy

INTRODUCTION

In patients with carotid stenosis receiving medical treatment, carotid plaque echolucency has been thought to predict risk of future stroke and of other cardiovascular events. This study evaluated the prognostic value of pre-operative plaque echolucency for future stroke and cardiovascular death in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy in the first Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial (ACST-1).

METHODS

In ACST-1, 1832/3120 patients underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA), of whom 894 had visual echolucency assessment according to the Gray-Weale classification. During follow-up patients were monitored both for peri-procedural (i.e. within 30 days) death, stroke, or MI, and for long-term risk of stroke or cardiovascular death. Unconditional maximum likelihood estimation was used to calculate odds ratios of peri-procedural risk and Kaplan-Meier statistics with log-rank test were used to compare cumulative long-term risks.

RESULTS

Of 894 operated patients in whom echolucency was assessed, 458 plaques (51%) were rated as echolucent and peri-procedural risk of death/stroke/MI in these patients was non-significantly higher when compared with patients with non-echolucent plaques (OR 1.48 [95% CI 0.76-2.88], p = .241). No differences were found in the 10 year risk of any stroke (30/447 [11.6%] vs. 29/433 [11.0%], p = .900) or cardiovascular (non-stroke) death (85/447 [27.9%] vs. 93/433 [32.1%], p = .301).

CONCLUSION

In ACST-1, carotid plaque echolucency assessment in patients undergoing CEA offered no predictive value with regard to peri-operative or long-term stroke risk or of cardiovascular (non-stroke) death.

[Relationship between pesticide exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes among reproductive couples in rural areas of China]

Objective: To analyze the association between pesticide exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes in women from the rural areas of China. Methods: Data of "National Free Preconception Health Examination Project (NFPHEP)" from January 2010 to December 2012 was used for analysis. A total of 248 501 families that were planning to deliver a baby in the next 6 months were enrolled. Data on paternal exposure to pesticides before or during pregnancy was collected through questionnaires, with related outcomes on pregnancy recorded by doctors. Results: Among all the 248 501 participants, 1 806 (0.74%) women and 2 653 (1.09%) men reported to have been exposed to pesticide before pregnancy, with 505 (0.21%) reported of having been exposed to pesticide during the period of pregnancy. Maternal exposure to pesticide was found a risk factor related to stillbirth (OR=3.37, 95%CI: 2.05-5.55), peculiar smell pregnancy (OR=3.17, 95%CI:1.18-8.55) and low birth weight (OR=7.56, 95% CI: 5.36-10.66). Paternal exposure to pesticide was also found related to miscarriage (OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.03-1.80), low birth weight (OR=3.65, 95% CI:1.51-8.84), or giant infant (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.44-0.93). Maternal exposure to pesticide during pregnancy appeared a risk factor on miscarriage (OR=4.65, 95% CI: 3.47-6.24). Other adverse outcomes on pregnancy would include premature birth and high birth weight. Conclusion: Parental pesticide exposure appeared a risk factor on stillbirth, peculiar smell pregnancy, low birth weight and miscarriage.

GW170104: Observation of a 50-Solar-Mass Binary Black Hole Coalescence at Redshift 0.2

We describe the observation of GW170104, a gravitational-wave signal produced by the coalescence of a pair of stellar-mass black holes. The signal was measured on January 4, 2017 at 10∶11:58.6 UTC by the twin advanced detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory during their second observing run, with a network signal-to-noise ratio of 13 and a false alarm rate less than 1 in 70 000 years. The inferred component black hole masses are 31.2_{-6.0}^{+8.4}M_{⊙} and 19.4_{-5.9}^{+5.3}M_{⊙} (at the 90% credible level). The black hole spins are best constrained through measurement of the effective inspiral spin parameter, a mass-weighted combination of the spin components perpendicular to the orbital plane, χ_{eff}=-0.12_{-0.30}^{+0.21}. This result implies that spin configurations with both component spins positively aligned with the orbital angular momentum are disfavored. The source luminosity distance is 880_{-390}^{+450}  Mpc corresponding to a redshift of z=0.18_{-0.07}^{+0.08}. We constrain the magnitude of modifications to the gravitational-wave dispersion relation and perform null tests of general relativity. Assuming that gravitons are dispersed in vacuum like massive particles, we bound the graviton mass to m_{g}≤7.7×10^{-23}  eV/c^{2}. In all cases, we find that GW170104 is consistent with general relativity.

Hierarchical architecture for flexible energy storage

The introduction of hierarchy and chirality into structure is of great interest, and can result in new optical and electronic properties due to the synergistic effect of helical and anisotropic structures. Herein, we demonstrate a simple and straightforward route toward the fabrication of hierarchical chiral materials based on the assembly of two-dimensional graphene oxide nanosheets (GO) and one-dimensional cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The unique layered structure of CNC/GO could be preserved in the solid state, allowing electrode active SnO₂ to be loaded for potential applications in energy storage. The resultant SnO₂/CNC/reduced GO (SnO₂/CNC/rGO) composite could be processed into film, fiber, and textile with an extremely high tensile strength of 100 MPa. The free-standing SnO₂/CNC/rGO electrodes exhibit highly improved energy storage performance, with a reversible capacity of ∼500 mA h g^-1 maintained for 1500 cycles in the film and ∼800 mA h g^-1 maintained for 150 cycles in the textile at a current density of 500 mA g^-1. This is attributed to the prepared hierarchical chiral structures. The presented technique provides an effective approach to producing hierarchical functional materials from nanoparticles as building blocks, which might open an avenue for the creation of new flexible energy storage devices.

Lipoxin A4 mitigates experimental autoimmune myocarditis by regulating inflammatory response, NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mice

OBJECTIVE

Myocarditis, an acute inflammation disease of the heart, is a potentially lethal disease and can lead to sudden death. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) and to explore the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

EAM was induced in BALB/c mice by injection of porcine cardiac myosin and LAX4 at doses of 10 or 50 μg/kg was administrated from day 1 to 21. The severity of myocarditis was evaluated by detection of heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) ratio and histopathological examination of the heart. Cardiac function and heart structure were assessed by echocardiography. Serum levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines were determined by ELISA. Protein expression was detected by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that LXA4 mitigated the severity of myocarditis by decreasing HW/BW ratio and reducing infiltration of inflammatory cells. Echocardiographic analysis indicated that cardiac function of LXA4-treated rats was significantly improved compared with non-treated group. LXA4 treatment significantly increased the levels of Th1 cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and decreased Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). Furthermore, LXA4 administration effectively inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation and deactivated PI3K/Akt pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

LXA4 has a protective effect against EAM by reducing the inflammatory response and inhibiting NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Upper Limits on the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from Advanced LIGO's First Observing Run

A wide variety of astrophysical and cosmological sources are expected to contribute to a stochastic gravitational-wave background. Following the observations of GW150914 and GW151226, the rate and mass of coalescing binary black holes appear to be greater than many previous expectations. As a result, the stochastic background from unresolved compact binary coalescences is expected to be particularly loud. We perform a search for the isotropic stochastic gravitational-wave background using data from Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory's (aLIGO) first observing run. The data display no evidence of a stochastic gravitational-wave signal. We constrain the dimensionless energy density of gravitational waves to be Ω_{0}<1.7×10^{-7} with 95% confidence, assuming a flat energy density spectrum in the most sensitive part of the LIGO band (20-86 Hz). This is a factor of ∼33 times more sensitive than previous measurements. We also constrain arbitrary power-law spectra. Finally, we investigate the implications of this search for the background of binary black holes using an astrophysical model for the background.

Directional Limits on Persistent Gravitational Waves from Advanced LIGO's First Observing Run

We employ gravitational-wave radiometry to map the stochastic gravitational wave background expected from a variety of contributing mechanisms and test the assumption of isotropy using data from the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory's (aLIGO) first observing run. We also search for persistent gravitational waves from point sources with only minimal assumptions over the 20-1726 Hz frequency band. Finding no evidence of gravitational waves from either point sources or a stochastic background, we set limits at 90% confidence. For broadband point sources, we report upper limits on the gravitational wave energy flux per unit frequency in the range F_{α,Θ}(f)<(0.1-56)×10^{-8}    erg cm^{-2} s^{-1} Hz^{-1}(f/25  Hz)^{α-1} depending on the sky location Θ and the spectral power index α. For extended sources, we report upper limits on the fractional gravitational wave energy density required to close the Universe of Ω(f,Θ)<(0.39-7.6)×10^{-8}  sr^{-1}(f/25  Hz)^{α} depending on Θ and α. Directed searches for narrowband gravitational waves from astrophysically interesting objects (Scorpius X-1, Supernova 1987 A, and the Galactic Center) yield median frequency-dependent limits on strain amplitude of h_{0}<(6.7,5.5,  and  7.0)×10^{-25}, respectively, at the most sensitive detector frequencies between 130-175 Hz. This represents a mean improvement of a factor of 2 across the band compared to previous searches of this kind for these sky locations, considering the different quantities of strain constrained in each case.

[Treatment effects analysis of preoperative long-acting somatostatin analogs combined trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery for patients with growth hormone secreting pituitary macroadenomas]

Objective: To evaluate the treatment effects of preoperative long-acting somatostatin analogue (SSA) combined trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery for patients with growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary macroadenomas. Methods: Retrospective analysis was carried out on 20 patients with GH-secreting pituitary macroadenomas who were treated with preoperative SSA and trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery in our apartment from January 2010 to January 2016. We also selected 20 patients with only trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery treatment and 20 patients with preoperative SSA and non-trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery treatment. The changes of tumor imaging, endocrine and blood pressure before and after treatment were analysed. Results: The Gross total resection (GTR) rate of invasive GH-secreting pituitary macroadenomas of preoperative SSA combined trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery group (8/13) were higher than that if only trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery group (4/16) and preoperative SSA combined non endoscopic surgery group (1/8) (P<0.05). Meanwhile, preoperative SSA combined trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery group had significantly improved the GH levels, blood glucose, lipid metabolism and blood pressure levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: The trans-sphenoidal endoscopic surgery on patients with GH-secreting pituitary macroadenomas has a significant improvement on GH levels, blood glucose, lipid metabolism and blood pressure levels. Through the treatment of preoperative long-acting SSA, the gross total resection rate is higher than other two groups.

Resistin promotes CCL4 expression through toll-like receptor-4 and activation of the p38-MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways: implications for intervertebral disc degeneration

OBJECTIVE

This study was to investigate whether resistin induces the expression of chemokine ligand 4 (CCL4) during Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and whether toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway are involved in this process.

METHODS

The expression pattern of resistin and CCL4 in different degenerated human nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR); Effect of resistin on the migration of macrophages was measured by cell migration assay. Resistin-induced CCL4 expression were analyzed by qPCR, Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and cell immunofluorescence. Involvement of TLR-4, p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK), and NF-κB signaling pathways were studied by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or Lenti-virus mediated knockdown, co-immunoprecipitation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay.

RESULTS

Expression of resistin and CCL4 was elevated in degenerated NP tissue. Resistin promoted macrophage migration through CCL4 and its receptor. Expression of CCL4 was significantly increased by resistin treatment. The pharmacological inhibition or siRNA knockdown of TLR-4 blocked the resistin-induced CCL4 expression. Co-immunoprecipitation data confirmed the binding of resistin to TLR4. Pharmacological inhibition of the NF-κB and p38-MAPK signaling pathways attenuated the resistin-induced CCL4 expression. A ChIP assay and lentivirus mediated knockdown showed that resistin regulate CCL4 expression through p65.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that resistin binds to TLR4 and increase the expression of CCL4 through p38-MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in NP cells, and this expression causes infiltration of macrophages. This study might provide a feasible therapeutic target for controlling the inflammatory response associated with IVDD.