[Safety and efficacy of donor-derived chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To investigated the safety and efficacy of donor-derived CD19+ or sequential CD19+ CD22+ chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy in patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: The data of 22 patients with B-ALL who relapsed after allo-HSCT and who underwent donor-derived CAR-T therapy at the Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University and the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of the People's Liberation Army of China from September 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were event-free survival (EFS), complete remission (CR) rate, and Grade 3-4 adverse events. Results: A total of 81.82% (n=18) of the 22 patients achieved minimal residual disease-negative CR after CAR-T infusion. The median follow-up time was 1037 (95% CI 546-1509) days, and the median OS and EFS were 287 (95% CI 132-441) days and 212 (95% CI 120-303) days, respectively. The 6-month OS and EFS rates were 67.90% (95% CI 48.30%-84.50%) and 58.70% (95% CI 37.92%-79.48%), respectively, and the 1-year OS and EFS rates were 41.10% (95% CI 19.15%-63.05%) and 34.30% (95% CI 13.92%-54.68%), respectively. Grade 1-2 cytokine release syndrome occurred in 36.36% (n=8) of the patients, and grade 3-4 occurred in 13.64% of the patients (n=3). Grade 2 and 4 graft-versus-host disease occurred in two patients. Conclusion: Donor-derived CAR-T therapy is safe and effective in patients with relapsed B-ALL after allo-HSCT.

Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Metal ion assistant transformation strategy to synthesize catechol-based metal-organic frameworks from Ti3C2Tx precursors

Chemical transformation strategy is capable of fabricating nanomaterials with well-defined structures and fascinating performance via controllable crystallization kinetics in the phase transformation. V2CTx MXene has been used as precursors to fabricate vanadium porphyrin metal-organic frameworks (V-PMOFs) via the coordination of deprotonated carboxylic acid ligands. However, the rational and in-depth exploration of synthesis mechanism with the aim of enriching the variety of MXene (i.e., Ti3C2Tx) and organic ligands (i.e., catechol-based) to design new MOFs is rarely reported. Herein, we have first developed a metal ion assistant transformation strategy to synthesize three-dimensional catechol-based TiCu-HHTP (HHTP = 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene) MOFs with a non-interpenetrating SrSi2 (srs) framework using two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx as precursors. The unique synergetic transformation mechanism involves the electron transfer from Ti3C2Tx to electrostatically adsorbed Cu2+ ion for redox reaction, the subsequent Ti-C bond rupture for Ti4+ ion release, and the continuous chelation coordination between Ti4+/Cu2+ and HHTP. Ti3C2Tx precursors and auxiliary metal ion could be rationally substituted by V2CTx and Mn+ (e.g., Ni2+, Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+), respectively. This strategy lays the foundation for the design and synthesis of innovative and multifarious MOFs derived from MXene or other unconventional metal precursors.

Human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells prevent pregnancy loss in a rat by JAK/STAT-mediated immunomodulation

AIM

Spontaneous abortion (SA) is a multiple-original syndrome with immune imbalance as one of its major risk factors. As Wharton's jelly-mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are considered to be able to prevent abortion, this study aims to explore the currently poorly understood underlining molecular signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms of WJ-MSCs in pregnancy maintenance.

METHODS

Abortion mode is established by subcutaneous injection of bromocriptine in rat on day 9 and abortion prevention is achieved by WJ-MSCs injection via tail vein. WJ-MSCs were cultured with/without the inhibitors of JAK/STAT or NF-κB. The uterus was collected on the 14th day of gestation and the rate of embryo absorption was calculated. The expression of Th1/Th2/Th3 cytokines in decidual, placental tissue, and peripheral blood was analyzed.

RESULTS

WJ-MSCs treatment significantly reduced the abortion rate in bromocriptine-treated pregnancy such that it was not significantly different from a normal pregnancy. JAK/STAT inhibition abolished pregnancy preserving effects of WJ-MSCs but NF-κB inhibition did not. The levels of Th1-related cytokines and mRNA levels in the bromocriptine abortion model were significantly higher than the normal pregnancy group and ethanol control group, while levels of the Th2-related cytokines and mRNA levels significantly decreased. WJ-MSCs transfusion into the abortion model restored cytokine profiles such that they were not significantly different from the normal pregnancy group and ethanol control group. JAK/STAT inhibition of WJ-MSCs prevented their effect on cytokine and mRNA levels, but NF-κB inhibition did not.

CONCLUSIONS

WJ-MSCs significantly lower the rate of embryo resorption of spontaneous abortion by reducing Th1-related cytokines while increasing Th2 and Th3-related cytokines in JAK/STAT-dependent manner.

Diagnostic values of serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF in acute pulmonary embolism complicated by pulmonary artery hypertension and their correlations with severity of pulmonary artery hypertension

OBJECTIVE

This paper aimed to unveil the diagnostic values of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in acute pulmonary embolism complicated by pulmonary artery hypertension (APE-PAH) and their correlations with severity of PAH.

METHODS

A total of 153 patients with APE were selected for our study and divided into the PAH and Non-PAH groups according to the measurement of pulmonary artery pressure by echocardiography. Serum BNP levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay, and serum PTX3 and VEGF levels were appraised by ELISA. The predictive values of BNP, PTX3, and VEGF for APE-PAH were evaluated by applying the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman test was implemented to correlate BNP, PTX3, and VEGF with the severity of PAH.

RESULTS

Higher serum levels of BNP, PTX3, and VEGF were observed in the PAH group versus the Non-PAH group (p < .05). ROC curve analysis indicated that BNP, PTX3, and VEGF had acceptable diagnostic value for predicting APE-PAH. Higher serum levels of BNP, PTX3, and VEGF were witnessed in the moderate and severe PAH groups in contrast to the mild PAH group (p < .05), and the levels of these parameters were elevated in the severe PAH group versus the moderate PAH group (p < .05). Spearman correlation analysis signified that serum BNP (r = 0.377), PTX3 (r = 0.488), and VEGF (r = 0.575) levels were positively correlated with the severity of PAH in APE-PAH patients.

CONCLUSION

Serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF levels are significantly elevated in APE-PAH patients. Serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF levels are of clinical value in the diagnosis of APE-PAH patients, and serum BNP, PTX3, and VEGF levels are positively correlated with the severity of PAH and can be used as predictors of the severity of PAH.

Wave optics of imaging with contact ball lenses

Recent progress in microspherical superlens nanoscopy raises a fundamental question about the transition from super-resolution properties of mesoscale microspheres, which can provide a subwavelength resolution [Formula: see text], to macroscale ball lenses, for which the imaging quality degrades because of aberrations. To address this question, this work develops a theory describing the imaging by contact ball lenses with diameters [Formula: see text] covering this transition range and for a broad range of refractive indices [Formula: see text]. Starting from geometrical optics we subsequently proceed to an exact numerical solution of the Maxwell equations explaining virtual and real image formation as well as magnification M and resolution near the critical index [Formula: see text] which is of interest for applications demanding the highest M such as cellphone microscopy. The wave effects manifest themselves in a strong dependence of the image plane position and magnification on [Formula: see text], for which a simple analytical formula is derived. It is demonstrated that a subwavelength resolution is achievable at [Formula: see text]. The theory explains the results of experimental contact-ball imaging. The understanding of the physical mechanisms of image formation revealed in this study creates a basis for developing applications of contact ball lenses in cellphone-based microscopy.

[Related factors of negative conversion time of nucleic acid in children with COVID-19]

Objective: To explore the related factors of negative conversion time (NCT) of nucleic acid in children with COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 225 children who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to Changxing Branch of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from April 3^rd to May 31^st 2022 were enrolled in the study. The infection age, gender, viral load, basic disease, clinical symptoms and information of accompanying caregivers were retrospectively analyzed. According to age, the children were divided into<3 years of age group and 3-<18 years of age group. According to the viral nucleic acid test results, the children were divided into positive accompanying caregiver group and negative accompanying caregiver group. Comparisons between groups were performed using Mann-Whitney U test or Chi-square test. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of NCT of nucleic acid in children with COVID-19. Results: Among the 225 patients (120 boys and 105 girls) of age 2.8 (1.3, 6.2) years, 119 children <3 years and 106 children 3-<18 years of age, 19 cases were diagnosed with moderate COVID-19, and the other 206 cases were diagnosed with mild COVID-19. There were 141 patients in the positive accompanying caregiver group and 84 patients in the negative accompanying caregiver group.Patients 3-<18 years of age had a shorter NCT (5 (3, 7) vs.7 (4, 9) d, Z=-4.17, P<0.001) compared with patients <3 years of age. Patients in the negative accompanying caregiver group had a shorter NCT (5 (3, 7) vs.6 (4, 9) d,Z=-2.89,P=0.004) compared with patients in the positive accompanying caregiver group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that anorexia was associated with NCT of nucleic acid (OR=3.74,95%CI 1.69-8.31, P=0.001). Conclusion: Accompanying caregiver with positive nucleic acid test may prolong NCT of nucleic acid, and decreased appetite may be associated with prolonged NCT of nucleic acid in children with COVID-19.

[Etiological diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis]

Objective: To explore the etiological diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis. Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of patients with PD-related peritonitis who were treated and underwent microbial cultivation and mNGS test at the same time from June 2020 to July 2021 in the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University were analyzed. The positive rate, detection time and consistency between mNGS test and traditional microbial culture were compared. Results: A total of 18 patients with age of (50.4±15.4) years old and median dialysis time of 34.0 (12.4, 62.0) months were enrolled in the study, including 11 males and 7 females. Pathogenic microorganisms were isolated in 17 patients by mNGS test, with a positive rate of 17/18, which was higher than 13/18 of microbial culture, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.219). Both mNGS test and microbial culture isolated positive pathogenic bacteria in 12 patients, and mNGS test isolated the same types of pathogenic bacteria as microbial cultivation did in 11 patients. In five patients with negative microbial culture, mNGS test also isolated pathogenic microorganisms, including 3 cases of Staphylococcus epidermidis, 1 case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 1 case of Ureaplasma urealyticum. In 1 patient, microbial culture isolated pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli) whereas mNGS test did not. The detection time of mNGS was 25.0 (24.0, 27.0) h, which was significantly shorter than 89.0 (72.8, 122.0) h of microbial culture (Z=3.726, P<0.001). Conclusions: mNGS test can improve the detection rate of pathogenic microorganisms in PD-related peritonitis and greatly shorten the detection time, and has good consistency with microbial culture. mNGS may provide a new approach for pathogen identification of PD-related peritonitis, especially refractory peritonitis.

[Changes of brain network characteristics in patients with depression before and after precise repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation]

Objective: To investigate the changes of brain network characteristics in patients with depression before and after precise repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment. Methods: Patients with depression in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University and healthy volunteers in the community of Xinxiang city from February 2018 to March 2019 were simultaneously recruited. The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was precisely selected as the stimulation target through the latest Human Brainnetome Atlas, and the near infrared navigation was used to achieve accurate brain stimulation treatment in combination with the structural magnetic resonance data. Moreover, functional connectivity was analyzed before and after rTMS treatment in significantly altered brain areas of patients with depression. Results: Nineteen patients (11 males and 8 females) with depression were included, aged (34±11) years. Meanwhile, 22 healthy controls (9 males and 13 females), aged (30±9) years, were also enrolled. Functional connectivity of insular cortex was decreased in depression patients when the insula was analyzed as the target area (P<0.05). The functional connection from insula to middle frontal lobe and superior parietal lobe in patients with depression decreased before rTMS treatment (P<0.05), but increased after rTMS treatment (P<0.05). The functional connection between dIg_L of the insula and the right middle prefrontal lobe was correlated with Beck Anxiety Index (BAI) before rTMS treatment and Beck Depression Index (BDI) after rTMS treatment (r=0.737, P=0.003; r=0.696, P=0.005). Conclusions: Abnormal functional connectivity of insula may be the brain imaging mechanism of rTMS treatment. Precise brain region selection based on Human Brainnetome Atlas provides a new technical method for clinical rTMS precision treatment.

Interleukin 17 Receptor C, but not Polo-like Kinase 4, Plays a Critical Role in the Development of Skin Papilloma and Psoriasis in Mouse Models

Introduction/Objective

Hyperproliferation of epidermis is a histopathological hallmark of skin cancers and psoriasis. As a master regulator of centriole replication, overexpression of Polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4) has been identified in skin cancers. The aberrant proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes provoked by interleukin 17 (IL17) leads to psoriasis. Thus, targeting centriole replication and IL17 signaling simultaneously has been speculated as a potential therapeutic strategy. We hypothesized that inhibition of centriole duplication enhances the blockade of epidermal proliferation through Il17rc knockout.

Methods/Case Report

To test our hypothesis, 37 mice were used to imbed a two-stage model of skin carcinogenesis using wild-type (WT), IL17 receptor A (T779A) knock-in (Il17ra(T779A)-KI), and IL17 receptor C knock-out (Il17rc-KO) C57BL/6J mouse strains. Furthermore, an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model was established using 69 mice with the same strains.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

In our two-stage skin carcinogenesis model, Il17ra(T779A)-KI mice showed significantly decreased tumor incidence, tumor multiplicity, and tumor volume compared to the WT mice. Il-17rc-KO mice didn’t develop any skin papilloma. The skin papilloma formed never progressed into squamous carcinoma. However, centrinone, a selective inhibitor of PLK4, didn’t affect skin papilloma formation or epidermal thickening. In our psoriasis model, the epidermis thickness of Il-17rc-KO mice was dramatically decreased compared to WT and Il17ra(T779A)-KI mice. There was no significant difference between WT and Il17ra(T779A)-KI mice in terms of skin lesion and thickening of the epidermis. Centrinone didn’t stall the thickening of the epidermis in the psoriasis model. IHC staining showed significantly increased Ki67+ basal keratinocytes in the untreated skin of Il17ra(T779A)-KI male mice compared to WT mice. In imiquimod-treated skin, the percentage of Ki67+ basal keratinocytes significantly decreased in the order from WT, Il17ra(T779A)-KI to Il17rc-KO mice.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the proliferation of keratinocytes is not stalled by centrinone but is inhibited by Il17rc-KO. Il17ra(T779A)-KI significantly inhibits skin papilloma formation, but slightly decreases epidermal thickening in the psoriasis model. However, Il17ra(T779A)-KI increases keratinocyte proliferation based on Ki67 staining in the untreated normal skin.

IFITM3 restricts virus-induced inflammatory cytokine production by limiting Nogo-B mediated TLR responses

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a restriction factor that limits viral pathogenesis and exerts poorly understood immunoregulatory functions. Here, using human and mouse models, we demonstrate that IFITM3 promotes MyD88-dependent, TLR-mediated IL-6 production following exposure to cytomegalovirus (CMV). IFITM3 also restricts IL-6 production in response to influenza and SARS-CoV-2. In dendritic cells, IFITM3 binds to the reticulon 4 isoform Nogo-B and promotes its proteasomal degradation. We reveal that Nogo-B mediates TLR-dependent pro-inflammatory cytokine production and promotes viral pathogenesis in vivo, and in the case of TLR2 responses, this process involves alteration of TLR2 cellular localization. Nogo-B deletion abrogates inflammatory cytokine responses and associated disease in virus-infected IFITM3-deficient mice. Thus, we uncover Nogo-B as a driver of viral pathogenesis and highlight an immunoregulatory pathway in which IFITM3 fine-tunes the responsiveness of myeloid cells to viral stimulation.

Mild Hypothermia Alleviates Complement C5a-Induced Neuronal Autophagy During Brain Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury After Cardiac Arrest

After restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) following cardiac arrest, complements can be activated and excessive autophagy can contribute to the brain ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Mild hypothermia (HT) protects against brain I/R injury after ROSC, but the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we found that HT significantly inhibited the increases in serum NSE, S100β, and C5a, as well as neurologic deficit scores, TUNEL-positive cells, and autophagic vacuoles in the pig brain cortex after ROSC. The C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) mRNA and the C5a, C5aR1, Beclin 1, LC3-II, and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were significantly increased, but the P62 protein and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins were significantly reduced in pigs after ROSC or neuronal oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation. HT could significantly attenuate the above changes in NT-treated neurons. Furthermore, C5a treatment induced autophagy and apoptosis and reduced the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins in cultured neurons, which could be reversed by C5aR1 antagonist PMX205. Our findings demonstrated that C5a could bind to C5aR1 to induce neuronal autophagy during the brain I/R injury, which was associated with the inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. HT could inhibit C5a-induced neuronal autophagy by regulating the C5a-C5aR1 interaction and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, which might be one of the neuroprotective mechanisms underlying I/R injury. The C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) mRNA and the C5a, C5aR1, Beclin 1, LC3-II, and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were significantly increased, but the P62 protein and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins were significantly reduced in pigs after ROSC or neuronal oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation. Mild hypothermia (HT) could significantly attenuate the above changes in NT-treated neurons. Furthermore, C5a treatment induced autophagy and apoptosis and reduced the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins in cultured neurons, which could be reversed by C5aR1 antagonist PMX205. Proposed mechanism by which HT protects against brain I/R injury by repressing C5a-C5aR1-induced excessive autophagy. Complement activation in response to brain I/R injury generates C5a that can interact with C5aR1 to inactivate mTOR, probably through the PI3K-AKT pathway, which can finally lead to autophagy activation. The excessively activated autophagy ultimately contributes to cell apoptosis and brain injury. HT may alleviate complement activation and then reduce C5a-induced autophagy to protect against brain I/R injury. HT, mild hypothermia; I/R, ischemia reperfusion.

Early High-dose Continuous Veno-venous Hemofiltration Alleviates the Alterations of CD4+ T Lymphocyte Subsets in Septic Patients Combined with Acute Kidney Injury

BACKGROUND

This study aims to determine whether early high-dose continuous venous-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) alleviates the alterations in CD4⁺ T lymphocyte subsets in septic patients combined with acute kidney injury.

METHODS

Enrolled septic patients combined with acute kidney injury were randomized into CVVH (n = 50) and conventional treatment (non-CVVH, n = 53) groups. Healthy volunteers (n = 21) were enrolled. CVVH was initiated within 12 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission with the doses of 35 ~ 60 mL/kg/h and maintained for at least 72 h. Th1, Th2, Th17 and T_reg were measured by flow cytometry on days 1, 3 and 7 of ICU admission. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated.

RESULTS

Th1 percentages and Th1/Th2 ratios were lower, and Th2, Th17 and T_reg percentages and Th17/T_reg ratios were higher in septic patients compared to healthy volunteers. CVVH significantly increased Th1 percentages and Th1/Th2 ratios, and significantly decreased Th2, Th17 and T_reg percentages and Th17/T_reg ratios compared to non-CVVH. Th1 percentages and Th1/Th2 ratios were negatively correlated with SOFA scores, while Th2, Th17 and T_reg percentages and Th17/T_reg ratios were positively correlated with SOFA scores. Patients with CVVH had significantly lower SOFA scores on day 7 of ICU admission and a shorter ICU stay compared to those with non-CVVH.

CONCLUSIONS

Septic patients combined with acute kidney injury exhibit different alterations of CD4⁺ T lymphocyte subsets. Early high-dose CVVH alleviates the alterations, which may be one of factors associated with improved sepsis severity.

[Application of two RT-PCR methods for detection of norovirus in market-sold oysters and norovirus genetic characteristic analysis, a survey conducted in Beijing]

Objective: To evaluate the application of real-time RT-PCR and semi-nested RT-PCR in the detection of norovirus in oysters and analyzing the genetic characteristics of the isolates. Methods: Real-time fluorescent RT-PCR and semi-nested RT-PCR were used to detect norovirus GⅠ/GⅡ in fresh oysters collected from the markets in Beijing from November 2014 to October 2015. The detection rate of the parallel test was also analyzed. In addition, the reliability of semi-nested RT-PCR was evaluated by agreement rate and consistency test (Kappa value). The positive products of norovirus GⅠ/GⅡ capsid protein region gene by semi-nested RT-PCR were sequenced. Software BioEdit 7.0.9.0 was used for sequence alignment, and software Mega 6.0 was used to construct the evolutionary tree. Results: In 72 samples, the detection rate of norovirus was 31.94% (23/72) by real-time RT-PCR, 38.89% (28/72) by semi-nested RT-PCR and 48.61% (35/72) by parallel test. The coincidence rate of the two methods was 73.61%, a moderate degree (Kappa value =0.43). A total of 13 norovirus strains were successfully sequenced, and 11 strains (7 GⅡ.17 strains, 2 GⅡ. 4 Sydney_ 2012 strains, 1 GⅡ. 1 strain and 1 GⅡ. 21 strain) were obtained from norovirus positive samples by two RT-PCR methods, two strains (1 GⅡ. 17 strain and 1 GⅡ. 3 strain) were obtained from real-time RT-PCR negative samples which were positive for norovirus by semi-nested RT-PCR. The similarity between these strains and reference strains from diarrhea patients, environmental sewage, and shellfish products were 84.4% - 100.0%. Conclusions: The parallel test of norovirus in oysters by two RT-PCR methods can improve the detection rate and detect more genotypes. Norovirus strains in oysters were highly homologous with reference strains from diarrheal patients, environmental sewage, and shellfish products. Therefore, surveillance, prevention and control for norovirus should be carried out in people who have frequent contacts with oysters and related environments.

EPIGENETIC FACTORS OF SERUM URIC ACID LEVEL AND RELATED GENE POLYMORPHISMS IN SHENYANG, CHINA

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to explore the influencing factors of serum uric acid (SUA) level and related gene polymorphisms in the healthy population.

METHODS

A total of 346 healthy individuals screened from different areas in Shenyang City and 195 patients with high SUA levels were included.

RESULTS

The levels of TC (total cholesterol), HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), TG (triglycerides), GLU (blood glucose) ALT (alanine aminotransferase), TBA (total bile acid), TBIL (total bilirubin), CR (creatinine) and CYSC (Cystatin C) were statistically different between the healthy and hyperuricemia population (P<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the UA level between the two groups (P>0.05). After adjusting for UA, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, GLU, TBIL and CYSC, the additive and recessive models of rs2231142 were statistically significant in females (P<0.05). For males, haplotypes of A-C-A-A-G-G, A-C-G-C-G-G and A-T-G-A-A-G had significant difference between the healthy and hyperuricemia population (P<0.05). For females, the haplotypes of A-C-G-C-G-G and A-T-A-C-A-T had significant differences (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The distributions of SLC2A9 (solute carrier family 2 and facilitated glucose transporter member 9), ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette G2), GCKR (glucokinase regulatory protein), KCNQ1, IGFIR (Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor) and VEGFR (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor) were balanced in the population in Shenyang City. The haplotypes of A-C-A-A-G-G, A-C-G-C-G-G and A-T-G-A-A-G were the influencing factors of high SUA in the population in Shenyang City.

Research Progress on Pathological Fibrosis of Sinoatrial Node

Abstract

Human heart rhythm is mainly regulated and controlled by the sinoatrial node. Fibrosis plays an important regulating role in adjusting the structural and functional integrity of the sinoatrial node pacemaker complex. In physiological state, the fibrosis degree of sinoatrial node is negatively correlated with heart rate, positively correlated with age and heart size, and can maintain a relatively stable heart rate. Pathological fibrosis of sinoatrial node can induce various types of arrhythmias which can result in sudden death. Determination of the mechanisms related to sinoatrial node pathological fibrosis could provide a target for clinical treatment of sinoatrial node fibrosis and diagnosis basis for forensic pathologists. This paper reviews the main mechanism of sinoatrial node pathological fibrosis, including abnormal activation of cardiac fibroblast cells in sinoatrial node, hyperplasia of epicardial adipose tissue, calcium clock disorder, artery stenosis, etc., introduces the test methods, diagnostic criteria as well as its role in sudden cardiac death and discusses the potential application, to provide reference for relevant research and application.

Interventional bronchoscopic therapy in adult patients with tracheobronchial schwannoma

BACKGROUND

Tracheobronchial schwannomas are extremely rare tumors of neurogenic origin. Treatment includes surgery and interventional bronchoscopic therapy. Studies that have described interventional bronchoscopic therapy for tracheobronchial schwannoma have been reported in the published literature, but most of them are individual case reports, in which the long-term efficacy and recurrence are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of interventional bronchoscopic therapy in adult patients with tracheobronchial schwannoma.

METHODS

Patients with pathologically diagnosed tracheobronchial schwannoma between January 2007 and December 2020 who underwent interventional bronchoscopic therapy in a single center in China were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical features, interventional bronchoscopic therapy procedures, complications, and follow-up results were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 7 patients (5 men and 2 women; median age, 56 years; age range, 26-63 years) were enrolled. Patients' symptoms were all significantly relieved after interventional bronchoscopic therapy, with mean American Thoracic Society Dyspnea Index score decreasing from 2.29±0.76 to 0.29±0.49 (t=6.481; P=0.001). No severe procedure-related complications were observed. Intraluminal tumors were found subsequently in three cases during a short-term follow-up (4 days to 1 month). One patient underwent surgery; thereafter got lost to follow-up, while the other 2 patients underwent a second endoscopic resection with good prognosis. Six patients received long-term follow-up (range, 2-12 years; median period, 6 years), with all patients being in stable conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventional bronchoscopic therapy is an acceptable approach in the management of tracheobronchial schwannoma, and is a useful alternative to surgical resection, especially for those who are at a high risk of surgery or unwilling to undergo surgery. However, long-range bronchoscopic surveillance is necessary because of the possibility of tumor recurrence. Due to its benign nature, repeat endoscopic resection can still be considered after recurrence.

Montgomery T-Tube Insertion Under ECMO in a Patient With Complete Subglottic Stenosis and Severe Lower Tracheal Collapse

The treatment of complete subglottic stenosis (SGS) remains a challenge due to anatomic and technological limitations. Placement of the Montgomery T-tube is an effective treatment option. For complete SGS patient combined with lower trachea collapse, the ventilation management during the T-tube insertion process is more complicated. Here, we report a case with complete SGS combined with severe lower trachea collapse, which was successfully managed with T-tube insertion under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The scale-up of antiretroviral therapy coverage was strongly associated with the declining tuberculosis morbidity in Africa during 2000-2018

OBJECTIVES

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces the risk of tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to examine the association between ART coverage scale-up on the changes in TB incidence in Africa from 2000 to 2018.

STUDY DESIGN

The design of the study is a retrospective ecological study.

METHODS

Data for 54 countries were obtained from several institutional-based sources, including the World Health Organization, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, and the World Bank. A fixed-effects regression method of longitudinal data analysis was used to estimate the association between ART coverage and changes in TB incidence rate during 2000-2018. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA 15.0/IC.

RESULTS

The TB incidence declined significantly, by an average of 2.3% per year during 2000-2018. The highest significant declines occurred in eastern and southern Africa. In adjusted analysis, each 1% increase in ART coverage was associated with a 3.97 per 100,000 decline of TB incidence. However, the marginal effects of ART on overall population TB incidence was dependent on the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Investment in the widespread scale-up of ART may contribute to the control of the TB epidemic in Africa. However, interventions are also needed to augment the effect of ART on population TB incidence.

Conductive Ni3(HITP)2 MOFs thin films for flexible transparent supercapacitors with high rate capability

The flexible transparent supercapacitors have been considered as one of the key energy-storage components to power the smart portable electronic devices. However, it is still a challenge to explore flexible transparent capacitive electrodes with high rate capability. Herein, conductive Ni₃(HITP)₂ (HITP = 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene) thin films are adopted as capacitive electrodes in flexible transparent supercapacitors. The Ni₃(HITP)₂ electrode possesses the excellent optoelectronic property with optical transmittance (T) of 78.4% and sheet resistance (R_s) of 51.3 Ω sq^-1, remarkable areal capacitance (C_A) of 1.63 mF cm^-2 and highest scan rate up to 5000 mV s^-1. The asymmetric Ni₃(HITP)₂//PEDOT:PSS supercapacitor (T = 61%) yields a high C_A of 1.06 mF cm^-2 at 3 μA cm^-2, which maintains 77.4% as the current density increases by 50 folds. The remarkable rate capability is ascribed to the collaborative advantages of low diffusion resistance and high ion accessibility, resulting from the intrinsic conductivity, short oriented pores and large specific areas of Ni₃(HITP)₂ films.

Enhancement of tendon-bone healing after rotator cuff injuries using combined therapy with mesenchymal stem cells and platelet rich plasma

OBJECTIVE

The injuries of rotator cuff will cause the shoulder dysfunctions. Due to limited self-regeneration abilities of the tendon-bone part, rotator cuff injuries remain a clinical challenge. Previous studies have proposed many strategies for treating this disease. In this work, we aimed to combine different strategies to achieve better beneficial effects on tendon-bone repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We isolated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and tested the effects of PRP on the gene expression, cell death resistance, and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Then, we utilized multiple strategies to treat rotator cuff injuries. We evaluated the expression of genes that related to tissue repair, bone formation, and tendon regeneration. We also tested the biomechanical property of repair tissues.

RESULTS

We found that the in-vitro co-culture with PRP endowed MSCs with enhanced production of growth factors, better osteogenic differentiation ability, and stronger ability to resist cell death. Next, we applied MSCs, PRP, and MSCs-PRP combined therapies in rat rotator cuff injury model to compare their therapeutic effects in vivo. Through biomechanical testing, we found that the combined therapy was most efficient to promote tissue regeneration and enhance the biomechanical property of the newly generated bone.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined treatment induced strongest signals related to angiogenesis, bone formation, and tendon generation in-situ. We demonstrated that the combination of MSCs and PRP synergistically promotes tendon-bone healing and holds great promise for the treatment of rotator cuff injuries.

Sustained BMP-2 release and platelet rich fibrin synergistically promote tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in rat

OBJECTIVE

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries which cause knee disabilities remain a clinical challenge due to the compromised tendon-bone repair. Multiple strategies have been proposed to treat the tendon-bone injuries, and the combination of these therapies hold great potential to achieve synergistic effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We built PLGA-BMP-2 (bone morphogenetic protein 2) system and confirmed the sustained release of BMP-2 both in vitro and in vivo. We then applied different therapies to treat rat ACL reconstruction. We collected the tissue sample and analyzed the BMP-2 concentration both in serum and in injured sites. We tested the mRNA expression of genes that were related to inflammation, tissue repair and bone formation in damaged tissues. We also analyzed the protein levels of some genes associated with tendon formation and check the function of newly generated bone through biomechanical test.

RESULTS

We found that, compared to monotherapies, simultaneous utilization of sustained BMP-2 release and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction showed better therapeutic effects on tendon-bone healing in rat. This combined therapy efficiently enhanced the levels of growth factors that favor the angiogenesis and relieved the inflammatory responses in the injured sites. Of note, the combined therapy efficiently promoted the signals associated with bone formation and tendon regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that the combined therapy with BMP-2 and PRF achieves synergistic effects on tendon-bone healing and holds great potential for the treatment of ACL reconstruction.

Analysis of Characteristics and Relevant Factors of 1 340 Cases of Intentional Injury Cases in Southwest China

Abstract

Objective To investigate the characteristics and patterns of factors such as victims' information, injury tools and time of occurrence of intentional injury cases in southwest China. Methods One thousand three hundred and forty intentional injury cases from several places in southwest China from 2014 to 2016 assessed as minor injury level Ⅱ and above had been randomly selected. Data on victims' information, motives, injury tools, sites of occurrence, time of occurrence, injured parts and degrees of injury were classified and gathered, and then association analyses of motives and types of injury tools as well as degrees of injury and injury tools were made. Results Most of the victims were young adults between 20-50 years （65.2%）, male （82.3%）, rural household registration （62.8%）; the motives were mainly dispute （45.8%）. Injury tools were mostly blunt （54.6%） or sharp （36.0%）. Specifically, injuries were mostly made bare-handed （36.9%） and by cutting tools （33.2%）; the cases mainly occurred in public areas （59.0%）. Cases occurred more frequently in January （11.3%）, February （13.1%）, March （11.6%） and from 22：00 to 01：00 every night. Injuries mainly involved the craniofacial region. The wounds were mainly assessed as minor injury level Ⅱ （61.6%）. There was statistical significance in the difference of types of injury tools among cases with different motives （P<0.05）. There was statistical significance in the difference of the distribution of injury tools among cases with different degrees of injury （P<0.05）. Conclusion The occurrence of intentional injury cases in southwest China has potential patterns and relevant influencing factors. Prevention and analysis of such cases need to be comprehensively considered from the aspects such as victims' information, injury tools and time of occurrence.

Interlayer Hydrogen-Bonded Metal Porphyrin Frameworks/MXene Hybrid Film with High Capacitance for Flexible All-Solid-State Supercapacitors

2D metal-porphyrin frameworks (MPFs) are attractive for advanced energy storage devices. However, the inferior conductivity and low structural stability of MPFs seriously limit their application as flexible free-standing electrodes with high performance. Here, for the first time, an interlayer hydrogen-bonded MXene/MPFs film is proposed to overcome these disadvantages by intercalation of highly conductive MXene nanosheets into MPFs nanosheets via a vacuum-assisted filtration technology. The alternant insertion of MXene and MPFs affords 3D interconnected "MPFs-to-MXene-to-MPFs" conductive networks to accelerate the ionic/electronic transport rates. Meanwhile, the interlayer hydrogen bonds (F···HO and O···HO) contribute a high chemical stability due to a favorable tolerance to volume change caused by phase separation and structural collapse during the charge/discharge process. The synergistic effect makes MXene/MPFs film deliver a capacitance of 326.1 F g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1 , 1.64 F cm^-2 at 1 mA cm^-2 , 694.2 F cm^-3 at 1 mA cm^-3 and a durability of about 30 000 cycles. The flexible symmetric supercapacitor shows an areal capacitance of 408 mF cm^-2 , areal energy density of 20.4 µW h cm^-2 , and capacitance retention of 95.9% after 7000 cycles. This work paves an avenue for the further exploration of 2D MOFs in flexible energy storage devices.

Wrinkled two-dimensional ultrathin Cu(ii)-porphyrin framework nanosheets hybridized with polypyrrole for flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors

A flexible Cu-TCPP/PPy electrode was fabricated through a direct oxidation polymerization of PPy on a wrinkled 2D Cu-TCPP film.

Evolution and persistence of resistance-associated substitutions of hepatitis C virus after direct-acting antiviral treatment failures

Daclatasvir plus asunaprevir (DCV+ASV) treatment is an all-oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for the genotype 1b HCV-infected patients. In this study, we investigated how resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) evolved after treatment failures and assessed the effect of those substitutions on viral fitness. Sequencing of NS5A and NS3 revealed typical RASs after treatment failures. Interestingly, the RASs of NS3 reverted to the wild-type amino acid within 1 year after treatment failures. However, the RASs of NS5A were stable and did not change. The effect of NS5A and NS3 RASs on viral RNA replication was assessed after mutagenic substitution in the genotype 1b HCV RNA. Among single substitutions, the effect of D168V was more substantial than the others and the effect of the triple mutant combination (D168V+L31V+Y93H) was the most severe. The RAS at NS5A Y93 affected both viral RNA replication and virus production. Finally, the effect of trans-complementation of NS5A was demonstrated in our co-transfection experiments and these results suggest that such a trans-complementation effect of NS5A may help maintain the NS5A RASs for a long time even after cessation of the DAA treatment. In conclusion, the results from this investigation would help understand the emergence and persistence of RASs.

Growth arrest specific 1 (Gas1) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor α1 (Gfrα1), two mouse oocyte glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins, are involved in fertilisation

Recently, Juno, the oocyte receptor for Izumo1, a male immunoglobulin, was discovered. Juno is an essential glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GIP)-anchored protein. This result did not exclude the participation of other GIP-anchored proteins in this process. After bibliographic and database searches we selected five GIP-anchored proteins (Cpm, Ephrin-A4, Gas1, Gfra1 and Rgmb) as potential oocyte candidates participating in fertilisation. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses showed that only three were present on the mouse ovulated oocyte membrane and, of these, only two were clearly involved in the fertilisation process, namely growth arrest specific 1 (Gas1) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor α1 (Gfrα1). This was demonstrated by evaluating oocyte fertilisability after treatment of oocytes with antibodies against the selected proteins, with their respective short interference RNA or both. Gfrα1 and Gas1 seem to be neither redundant nor synergistic. In conclusion, oocyte Gas1 and Gfrα1 are both clearly involved in fertilisation.

Interface effect on the cohesive energy of nanostructured materials and substrate-supported nanofilms

The cohesive energy is a key quantity to determine the mechanical, physical, chemical, and electronic properties of materials.

Atf3 deficiency promotes genome instability and spontaneous tumorigenesis in mice

Mice lacking genes involving in the DNA damage response (DDR) are often tumor prone owing to genome instability caused by oncogenic challenges. Previous studies demonstrate that activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a common stress sensor, can activate the tumor suppressor p53 and regulate expression of p53 target genes upon DNA damage. However, whether ATF3 contributes to the maintenance of genome stability and tumor suppression remains unknown. Here we report that Atf3-deficient (Atf3^-/-) mice developed spontaneous tumors, and died significantly earlier than wild-type (Atf3^+/+) mice. Consistent with these results, Atf3^-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) had more aberrant chromosomes and micronuclei, and were genetically unstable. Whereas we demonstrated that ATF3 activated p53 and promoted its pro-apoptotic activity in mouse thymi and small intestines, the chromosomal instability caused by Atf3 deficiency was largely dependent on the regulation of p53 by ATF3. Interestingly, loss of Atf3 also promoted spontaneous tumorigenesis in Trp53^+/- mice, but did not affect tumor formation in Trp53^-/- mice. Our results thus provide the first genetic evidence linking ATF3 to the suppression of the early development of cancer, and underscore the importance of ATF3 in the maintenance of genome integrity.

Association between Toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly polymorphism and coronary heart disease susceptibility

Published data on the association between Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) Asp299Gly polymorphism and coronary heart disease (CHD) susceptibility are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. English-language studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase databases (up to November 2016). All epidemiological studies were regarding Caucasians because no TLR4 Asp/Gly and Gly/Gly genotypes have been detected in Asians. A total of 20 case-control studies involving 14,416 cases and 10,764 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, no significant associations were found between TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism and CHD susceptibility in the dominant model (OR=0.89; 95%CI=0.74 to 1.06; P=0.20) pooled in the meta-analysis. In the subgroup analysis by CHD, non-significant associations were found in cases compared to controls. When stratified by control source, no significantly decreased risk was found in the additive model or dominant model. The present meta-analysis suggests that the TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism was not associated with decreased CHD risk in Caucasians.

Tissue-specific effects of estrogen on glycerol channel aquaporin 7 expression in an ovariectomized mouse model of menopause

OBJECTIVE

Elevated fat mass and redistribution of body fat are commonly observed in postmenopausal women. Aquaporin 7 (AQP7), a unique glycerol permeable integral membrane protein, has been associated with the onset of obesity. We hypothesized that estrogen supplementation could counteract this fat accumulation and redistribution through tissue-specific modulation of AQP7.

METHODS

We measured fat depot weight, adipocyte size, and the expression of AQP7 and glycerol kinase (GK) in visceral and subcutaneous fat tissues of ovariectomized mice supplemented with or without 17β-estradiol.

RESULTS

Removal of the ovaries resulted in a significant decrease in AQP7 expression and an increase in GK expression in visceral adipocyte tissue; expression of AQP7 and GK in subcutaneous adipose tissue remained unaltered. Supplementation with estrogen significantly restored the visceral, but not subcutaneous, fat depot mass and adipocyte size to those of sham-operated mice. A marked increase in the expression of AQP7 and a reduction of GK were observed selectively in the visceral fat depots in estrogen-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that estrogen has tissue-specific effects on AQP7 expression, and modulation of AQP7 by estrogen alters the balance of adipocyte metabolism between adipose tissue depots.

Dysfunction of the WT1-MEG3 signaling promotes AML leukemogenesis via p53-dependent and -independent pathways

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, exemplified by the recent finding that lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) inhibits tumor growth in a p53-dependent manner. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common malignant myeloid disorder in adults, and TP53 mutations or loss are frequently detected in patients with therapy-related AML or AML with complex karyotype. Here, we reveal that MEG3 is significantly downregulated in AML and suppresses leukemogenesis not only in a p53-dependent, but also a p53-independent manner. In addition, MEG3 is proven to be transcriptionally activated by Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1), dysregulation of which by epigenetic silencing or mutations is causally involved in AML. Therefore MEG3 is identified as a novel target of the WT1 molecule. Ten–eleven translocation-2 (TET2) mutations frequently occur in AML and significantly promote leukemogenesis of this disorder. In our study, TET2, acting as a cofactor of WT1, increases MEG3 expression. Taken together, our work demonstrates that TET2 dysregulated WT1-MEG3 axis significantly promotes AML leukemogenesis, paving a new avenue for diagnosis and treatment of AML patients.

[Expression of LIM and SH3 protein 1 in renal clear cell carcinoma and its effects on invasion and migration of renal clear cell carcinoma 786-O cells]

Objective: To investigate the expression of LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) in renal cell carcinoma and its significance in the invasion and migration of renal clear cell carcinoma 786-O cell line. Methods: The expression level of LASP1 in 41 cases of renal cell carcinoma tissues and normal renal tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the expression level of LASP1 and clinical characteristics was further analyzed. Expression of LASP1 in 10 cases of tumor tissues with or without lymph node metastasis was analyzed by Western blot. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting LASP1 was constructed and transfected into 786-O cells to downregulate LASP1 expression. The interference effect of LASP1 siRNA on LASP1 protein and the expression of related proteins in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway were detected by Western blot. The effects of LASP1 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration and invasion and gene expression were then assessed using CCK8 assay, transwell cell migration system and western blot analysis, respectively. Results: The positive rate of LASP1 expression in renal clear cell carcinoma tissues was 90.2% (37/41), which was significantly higher than that in the adjacent tissues (29.3%, P=0.002). The expression of LASP1 in renal cell carcinoma was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage of renal cell carcinoma (P<0.05). The results of Western blot showed that LASP1 (0.696±0.053) was highly expressed in renal cell carcinoma (1.459±0.628), especially in cases with lymph node metastasis (2.692±0.186, P<0.05). The LASP1 siRNA remarkably down-regulated the expression of LASP1 protein in 786-O cells. The abilities of proliferation, invasion and migration of 786-O cells were decreased significantly in the LASP1 siRNA groups.The relative expression of E-cadherin protein in the siRNA group (0.848±0.020) was significantly higher than those in the siRNA-NC group (0.671±0.018) and control group (0.691±0.037, P<0.05). The relative expression of N-cadherin protein in the siRNA group (0.449±0.047) was significantly lower than those in the siRNA-NC group (0.613±0.018) and control group (0.633±0.045, P<0.05). The relative expression of vimentin protein in the siRNA group (0.477±0.029) was significantly lower than those in the siRNA-NC group (0.598±0.069) and control group (0.633±0.045, P<0.05 for both). Conclusions: LASP1 is highly expressed in renal clear cell carcinoma, which is closely related to the development of the cancer. The effects of LASP1 on the invasion and migration of 786-O cells and lymph node metastasis may be related to the EMT.