NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Nucleotide-binding, oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) gene polymorphism was reported to be associated with susceptibility, disease activity or anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the roles of NLRP3 inflammasome in the development of RA have not yet been elucidated fully. The present study aimed to study the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in RA. NLRP3 inflammasome activation in synovial tissues from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients were assessed by Western blot. Active caspase-1 in synovia was stained by a FAM-FLICA caspase-1 probe. Mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were treated with MCC950, a selective NLRP3 inhibitor, or vehicle for 2 weeks. The clinical score of arthritis, synovial inflammation and cartilage erosion were assessed. Proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that NLRP3 inflammasome was highly activated in both synovia from RA patients and CIA mice. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome occurred mainly in the infiltrating monocyte/macrophages in synovia, but not in fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Treatment with MCC950 resulted in significantly less severe joints inflammation and bone destruction. NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the synovia was inhibited significantly by MCC950 with reduced production of interleukin (IL)-1β. The inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by MCC950 was confirmed further in a human monocytic cell line, THP-1. In conclusion, NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome with a small molecule inhibitor might be a novel therapeutic strategy for RA.

[Comparison on the predictive value of different scoring systems for risk of short-term death in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicating cardiogenic shock]

Objective: To compare predictive value of the current 7 scoring systems and CADILLAC-plus scoring system for risk of short-term deathin patients with acute myocardial infarction complicating cardiogenic shock. Methods: A total of 126 acute myocardial infarction patients complicating cardiogenic shock hospitalized in Fuwai hospital from June 2014 to January 2018 were enrolled in this study, the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into survival group(49 cases) and death group(77 cases) according to survival or not at 28 days after diagnosis of cardiogenic shock.The scores of APACHE Ⅱ,APACHE Ⅲ,SAPS Ⅱ,PAMI, TIMI-STEMI,TIMI-NSTEMI,and CADILLAC were calculated within 24 hours in coronary care unit (CCU),and scores of CADILLAC-plus, which is an improved score derived from CADILLAC, was also calculated. The predictive value of the different scoring systems for 28 day smortality of acute myocardial infarction patients complicating cardiogenic shock were compared in this patient cohort. Results: Scores of APACHEⅡ,APACHEⅢ,SAPSⅡ,PAMI,TIMI-STEMI, TIMI-NSTEMI,CADILLAC,and CADILLAC-plus were all significantly higher in death group than in survival group: (28.9±10.2 vs. 21.8±8.3,94.0 (57.0,114.0) vs. 57.0 (45.4,81.5) ,62.0 (46.0,81.0) vs. 47.0 (41.5,60.5) ,7.0 (6.0,9.0) vs. 6.0 (6.0,7.5) ,10.0 (9.0,11.0) vs. 9.0 (8.0,10.0) ,4.0 (3.0,5.0) vs. 3.0 (3.0,4.0) ,10.0 (7.0,12.0) vs. 7.0 (5.0,9.0) ,and 10.0 (8.0,14.0) vs. 7.0 (5.0,10.0) , respectively, all P<0.01).The area under the curve(AUC) of receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve for predicting 28 days death of APACHE Ⅱ,APACHE Ⅲ,SAPS Ⅱ,PAMI, TIMI-STEMI,TIMI-NSTEMI,and CADILLAC scoring systems were 0.820,0.797,0.785,0.667,0.657,0.711,and 0.821,respectively and cut-off value was 27.5,79.5,66.0,8.5,10.5,3.5,and 8.5, respectively and the sensitivity was 0.766,0.844,0.649,0.494,0.494,0.740,and 0.753, respectively and specificity was 0.816,0.755,0.837,0.204,0.796,0.571,and 0.755,respectively.The AUC of ROC of CADILLAC-plus scoring system was 0.885,cut-off value was 9.5, sensitivity was 0.896,and specificity was 0.735. The predicting efficacy of CADILLAC-plus scoring system was superior to other scoring systems. Conclusion: The 7 current scoring systems are all suitable for predicting theshort-term death in acute myocardial infarction patients complicating cardiogenic shock, and the predicting efficacy of the improved CADILLAC-plus score is superior to other scoring systems in this patient cohort.

Evaluation of Methods of Displaying the Real-Time Scattered Radiation Distribution during Fluoroscopically-Guided Interventions for Staff Dose Reduction

2D and 3D scatter dose display options are evaluated for usefulness and ease of interpretation for real-time feedback to staff to facilitate changes in individual positioning for dose reduction purposes, as well as improving staff consciousness of radiation presence. Room-sized scatter dose 3D matrices are obtained utilizing Monte Carlo simulations in EGSnrc. These distributions are superimposed on either a ceiling-view 2D graphic of the patient and table for reference or a 3D augmented reality (AR) display featuring a real-time video feed of the interventional room. A slice of the scatter dose matrix, at a selectable distance above the floor, is color-coded and superimposed on the computer graphic or AR display. The 3D display obtains depth information from a ceiling mounted Microsoft Kinect camera, which is equipped with a 1080p visual camera, as well as an IR emitter/receiver to generate a depth map of the interventional suite and persons within it. The 3D depth information allows parts of objects above the 2D dose map to pass through the map without being colorized by it so the height perspective of the dose map can be maintained. The 2D and 3D displays incorporate network information from the imaging system to scale the scatter dose with exposure factors and adjust rotation of the distribution to match the gantry. Demonstration images were displayed to neurosurgery interventional staff and survey responses were collected. Results from the survey indicated that scatter distribution displays would be desirable and helpful in managing staff dose.

Numerical simulation of bubble growth on and departure from the heated surface by an improved lattice Boltzmann model

Based on the phase change model developed by lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), an improved source term which is responsible for phase change is proposed. The computation of the latent heat is taken into consideration to avoid the error and instability caused by the equation of state (EOS). Periodic bubble growth and departure from a heated surface during the boiling process is investigated based on the newly developed lattice Boltzmann model. Effects of gravity, contact angel and superheat on bubble departure diameter and release period under constant wall temperature conditions are illustrated. The three-phase contact line movements of the vapor bubble and the wall heat flux are also described. The results reflect the dynamic features and the influencing mechanism of bubble in boiling period, and this research lays the foundation of further studies on thermal-hydraulics and safety analysis by LBM.

The small airway epithelium as a target for the adverse pulmonary effects of silver nanoparticle inhalation

Experimental modeling to identify specific inhalation hazards for nanomaterials has in the main focused on in vivo approaches. However, these models suffer from uncertainties surrounding species-specific differences and cellular targets for biologic response. In terms of pulmonary exposure, approaches which combine 'inhalation-like' nanoparticulate aerosol deposition with relevant human cell and tissue air-liquid interface cultures are considered an important complement to in vivo work. In this study, we utilized such a model system to build on previous results from in vivo exposures, which highlighted the small airway epithelium as a target for silver nanoparticle (AgNP) deposition. RNA-SEQ was used to characterize alterations in mRNA and miRNA within the lung. Organotypic-reconstituted 3D human primary small airway epithelial cell cultures (SmallAir) were exposed to the same spark-generated AgNP and at the same dose used in vivo, in an aerosol-exposure air-liquid interface (AE-ALI) system. Adverse effects were characterized using lactate, LDH release and alterations in mRNA and miRNA. Modest toxicological effects were paralleled by significant regulation in gene expression, reflective mainly of specific inflammatory events. Importantly, there was a level of concordance between gene expression changes observed in vitro and in vivo. We also observed a significant correlation between AgNP and mass equivalent silver ion (Ag⁺) induced transcriptional changes in SmallAir cultures. In addition to key mechanistic information relevant for our understanding of the potential health risks associated with AgNP inhalation exposure, this work further highlights the small airway epithelium as an important target for adverse effects.

Embedding Nanocluster in MOF via Crystalline Ion-Triggered Growth Strategy for Improved Emission and Selective Sensing

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing metal nanoclusters (NCs) display great potentials, but the fabrication faces challenges because of the serious agglomeration of NCs during the MOF growth. We report a crystalline ion-triggered growth strategy for embedding AuNCs in ZIF-8. As control, when the encapsulation was triggered with other metal ions (e.g., Ca²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Na⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺), the AuNCs failed to be encapsulated. The quantum yields and lifetime of AuNCs were greatly enhanced after embedding in ZIF-8. The AuNCs@ZIF-8 were then successfully applied for the selective sensing of H₂S both in liquid and gas phases. This crystalline ion-triggered growth strategy was easily extended to other systems, such as AgNCs@ZIF-8 and AuNCs@ZIF-67, indicating the general adaptability of this design protocol.

Primary intestinal-type adenocarcinoma of the tongue

Primary intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) of the tongue is a rare neoplasm. The case of a 59-year-old male with a painless mass in the dorsum of the oral tongue diagnosed as primary ITAC is reported here. The particular characteristic of the case was the patient's long-term medical history of 40years. The patient underwent resection of the tongue carcinoma through a midline approach and direct suture, with postoperative chemoradiotherapy. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the tumour was positive for CK20 and negative for CK7. A review of the English-language literature was performed, which identified six cases of primary ITAC and three cases of metastatic ITAC of the tongue. The clinical characteristics and therapeutic methods used in these cases were analysed.

MiR-7, miR-9 and miR-375 contribute to effect of Exendin-4 on pancreatic β-cells in high-fat-diet-fed mice

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to test whether glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor activation preserved pancreatic β-cells via the regulation of microRNAs and target genes in high-fat-diet-fed mice.

METHODS

C57BL/6 male mice were simultaneously treated with high-fat-diet (HFD) and GLP-1 analogue, Exendin-4 (Ex-4) (3 μg/kg/day or 30 μg/kg/day), i.p. or vehicle, for consecutive 13 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, ΔI30/ΔG30, HOMA-IR and HOMA-% β were measured in each group. Pancreatic β-cell mass was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of miRNAs and related downstream genes were investigated using quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Thirteen weeks of Ex-4 treatment significantly reduced body weight and food intake in HFD-fed mice (P.

Myricitrin ameliorates ethanol-induced steatosis in mouse AML12 liver cells by activating AMPK, and reducing oxidative stress and expression of inflammatory cytokines

It is necessary to identify compounds that may provide protection against alcoholic liver disease. To the best of our knowledge, the effect of myricitrin on the development of ethanol‑induced liver disease has not been previously investigated. The present study aimed to determine the effect of myricitrin on ethanol‑induced steatosis in AML12 mouse liver cells and to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms. Ethanol‑treated AML12 cells exhibited significant improvement in viability following treatment with myricitrin. Oil red O staining indicated that myricitrin ameliorated ethanol‑induced lipid accumulation in cells. Furthermore, following treatment with myricitrin, improvement in ethanol‑induced steatosis and decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species and lipoperoxides were observed in ethanol‑stimulated cells. Myricitrin suppressed mRNA and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor‑α, interleukin‑6 and transforming growth factor‑β1 in ethanol‑stimulated AML12 cells. Myricitrin markedly increased phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) and significantly reduced mRNA expression of sterol‑regulatory element‑binding protein‑1c (SREBP‑1c) and fatty acid synthase in ethanol‑stimulated AML12 cells. The results of the present study indicate that myricitrin ameliorates ethanol‑induced steatosis in AML12 cells by attenuating oxidative stress, suppressing expression of certain inflammatory cytokines and modulating the AMPK/SREBP-1c pathway.

Key Role of TFEB Nucleus Translocation for Silver Nanoparticle-Induced Cytoprotective Autophagy

Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a master regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis. Here, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)-induced cytoprotective autophagy required TFEB is shown. Ag NPs-induced nucleus translocation of TFEB through a well-established mechanism involving dephosphorylation of TFEB at serine-142 and serine-211 but independent of both the mTORC1 and ERK1/2 pathways. TFEB nucleus translocation precedes autophagy induced by Ag NPs and leads to enhanced expression of autophagy-essential genes. Knocking down the expression of TFEB attenuates the autophagy induction is demonstrated, and in the meantime, enhanced cell killing in HeLa cells treats with Ag NPs, indicating that TFEB is the key mediator for Ag NPs-induced cytoprotective autophagy. The results pinpoint TFEB as a potential target for developing more effective Ag NPs-based cancer therapeutics.