Effects of ferritin heavy chain on oxidative stress, cell proliferation and apoptosis in geese follicular granulosa cells

1. The ferritin heavy chain (FHC) has a vital impact on follicular development in geese, due to its ability to regulate apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) and follicular atresia. However, its specific regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. The present study characterised how FHC regulates oxidative stress, cell proliferation and apoptosis in goose GCs by interfering with and overexpressing the FHC gene.2. After 72 h of interference with FHC expression, the activity of GCs decreased remarkably (p < 0.05), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) increased significantly (p < 0.05). The overexpression of FHC for 72 h was found to significantly reduce the expression of CAT and SOD genes (p < 0.05).3. Interfering with FHC expression revealed that the expression levels of the cell proliferation gene Aurora kinase A (AURORA-A) were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while the expression levels of the apoptosis genes B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and cysteine aspartate-specific protease 8 (CASPASE 8) increased (p < 0.05). Further research has shown that, when interfering with FHC expression for 72 h, apoptosis rate increased by 1.19-fold (p < 0.05), but the current data showed a lower apoptosis rate after FHC overexpression by 59.41%, 63.39%, and 52.31% at three different treatment times (p < 0.05).4. In conclusion, FHC improved the antioxidant capacity of GCs, promotes GCs proliferation, and inhibits GCs apoptosis of ovarian follicles in Sichuan white geese.

Construction of prediction model for fetal growth restriction during first trimester in an Asian population

OBJECTIVE

To construct a prediction model for fetal growth restriction (FGR) during the first trimester of pregnancy and evaluate its screening performance.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies that underwent routine ultrasound screening at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2019 and April 2022. Basic clinical information, ultrasound indicators and serum biomarkers of pregnant women were collected. Fetal weight assessment was based on the fetal growth curve for the Southern Chinese population. FGR was diagnosed according to Delphi consensus criteria. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) regression was used to select variables for inclusion in the model. Discrimination, calibration and clinical effectiveness of the model were evaluated in training and validation cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 1188 pregnant women were included, of whom 108 had FGR. Lasso regression identified seven predictive features, including history of maternal hypertension, maternal smoking or passive smoking, gravidity, uterine artery pulsatility index, ductus venosus pulsatility index and multiples of the median values of placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1. The nomogram prediction model constructed from these seven variables accurately predicted FGR, and the area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve in the validation cohort was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.74-0.90). The calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test demonstrated good calibration, and the clinical decision curve and clinical impact curve supported its practical value in a clinical setting.

CONCLUSION

The multi-index prediction model for FGR has good predictive value during the first trimester. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

A comparison between different patient groups for diabetes management during phases of the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the large uptake in virtual care in primary care in Canada, the care of patients with type 2 diabetes has been greatly affected. This includes decreased in-person visits, laboratory testing and in-person assessments such as blood pressure (BP). No studies have investigated if these changes persisted with pandemic progression, and it is unclear if shifts impacted patient groups uniformly. The purpose of this paper was to examine changes in diabetes care pre, early, and later pandemic across different patient groups.

METHODS

A repeated cross-sectional design with an open cohort was used to investigate diabetes care in adults with type 2 diabetes for a 6-month interval from March 14 to September 13 over three consecutive years: 2019 (pre-pandemic period), 2020 (early pandemic period), and 2021 (later pandemic period). Data for this study were abstracted from the University of Toronto Practice-Based Research Network (UTOPIAN) Data Safe Haven, a primary care electronic medical records database in Ontario, Canada. Changes in diabetes care, which included primary care total visits, in-person visits, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, and BP measurements were evaluated across the phases of the pandemic. Difference in diabetes care across patient groups, including age, sex, income quintile, prior HbA1c levels, and prior BP levels, were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 39,401 adults with type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Compared to the 6-month pre-pandemic period, having any in-person visits decreased significantly early pandemic (OR = 0.079 (0.076-0.082)), with a partial recovery later pandemic (OR = 0.162 (95% CI: 0.157-0.169). Compared to the pre-pandemic period, there was a significant decrease early pandemic for total visits (OR = 0.486 (95% CI: 0.470-0.503)), HbA1c testing (OR = 0.401 (95% CI: 0.389-0.413)), and BP measurement (OR = 0.121 (95% CI: 0.116-0.125)), with partial recovery later pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

All measures of diabetes care were substantially decreased early pandemic, with a partial recovery later pandemic across all patient groups. With the increase in virtual care due to the COVID-19 pandemic, diabetes care has been negatively impacted over 1-year after pandemic onset.

[Properties of gelatin-polyethylene glycol hydrogel loaded with silver nanoparticle Chlorella and its effects on healing of infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in mice]

Objective: To explore the properties of gelatin-polyethylene glycol hydrogel loaded with silver nanoparticle (AgNP) Chlorella (hereinafter referred to as the composite hydrogel) and its effects on healing of infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in mice. Methods: The research was an experimental research. The simple gelatin-polyethylene glycol hydrogel (hereinafter referred to as the simple hydrogel) and the composite hydrogel were prepared, and the appearance and injectability of the two hydrogels were observed at 55 and 37 ℃, and under the irradiation of 808 nm near-infrared light, respectively. An electronic universal testing machine was employed to assess the tensile and compressive stress-strain properties of both types of hydrogels at room temperature. Additionally, the cyclic compressive stress-strain properties of the composite hydrogel were examined at 80% of the maximum compressive stress. Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli solution was added to phosphate buffer solution (PBS), simple hydrogel, and composite hydrogel, respectively. The part of composite hydrogel containing Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli solution was irradiated with near-infrared light for 5 minutes. After each sample was incubated for 6 h, the dilution plating method was used to detect and calculate the mortality rates of the two bacteria at 24 h of culture (n=5). The discarded foreskin tissue was taken from a 6-year-old healthy boy admitted to the Department of Urology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University for circumcision. Primary human fibroblasts (HFbs) were isolated using the enzyme extraction method, routinely cultured to the 3rd to 6th passages for subsequent cellular experiments. Composite hydrogel extracts with final mass concentrations of 100.0, 50.0, 25.0, 12.5, and 0 mg/mL were respectively prepared and used to culture HFbs, and the cell proliferation after 24 h of culture was detected using a cell counting kit 8 (n=3). A total of twenty 6-8 weeks old C57BL/6J female mice were utilized, and a full-thickness skin defect was surgically created on the back of each mouse. The wounds were infected with Staphylococcus aureus solution. The infected mice were divided into blank control group, simple hydrogel group, composite hydrogel group, and combined treatment group according to the random number table, and the wounds were treated with PBS, simple hydrogel, composite hydrogel, and composite hydrogel+light irradiation (under the irradiation of 808 nm near-infrared light for 5 min), respectively, with 5 mice in each group. On post injury day (PID) 0 (immediately after the first wound treatment), 3, 7, and 14, an overall assessment of wound exudation and healing were conducted, and the wound healing rates on PID 7 and 14 were calculated (n=5). On PID 14, hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe histopathological changes in the mouse wound. Results: Both simple hydrogel and composite hydrogel were in a solution state at 55 ℃ and transition to a gel state when cooling to 37 ℃. After the two hydrogels were irradiated by near-infrared light, only the composite hydrogel reheated up and returned to the solution state again with injectability. The maximum tensile stress of the composite hydrogel was up to 301.42 kPa, with a corresponding strain of 87.19%; the maximum compressive stress was up to 413.79 kPa, with a corresponding strain of 91.67%, which was similar to the tensile and compressive properties of the simple hydrogel. After 10 compression cycles, the maximum compressive stress of the composite hydrogel still reached 84.1% of the first compressive stress. After 24 h of culture, the mortality rate of Staphylococcus aureus treated with simple hydrogel was significantly higher than that treated with PBS (P<0.05); the mortality rates of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus treated with composite hydrogel alone were significantly higher than those treated with simple hydrogel (P<0.05); the mortality rates of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus treated with composite hydrogel+light irradiation were significantly higher than those treated with composite hydrogel alone (P<0.05). After 24 h of culture, compared with that cultured in composite hydrogel immersion solution with final mass concentration of 0 mg/mL, the proliferation activity of HFbs cultured in composite hydrogel immersion solution with final mass concentrations of 25.0 and 50.0 mg/mL was significantly enhanced (P<0.05), while the proliferation activity of HFbs cultured in composite hydrogel immersion solution with final mass concentration of 100 mg/mL was significantly decreased (P<0.05). On PID 0 and 3, more purulent secretions were seen in the wounds of mice in blank control group and simple hydrogel group, while only a small amount of exudate was observed in the wounds of mice in composite hydrogel group, and no obvious infection was observed in the wounds of mice in combined treatment group. On PID 7 and 14, the wound healing rates of mice in simple hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in blank control group (P<0.05); the wound healing rates of mice in composite hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in simple hydrogel group (P<0.05); the wound healing rates in combined treatment group were significantly higher than those in composite hydrogel group (P<0.05). On PID 14, the wounds of mice in blank control group exhibited a high infiltration of inflammatory cells with no new epithelial layer observed; the wounds of mice in simple hydrogel group displayed a short length of newly formed epithelium with a small amount of inflammatory cells; the wounds of mice in composite hydrogel group exhibited continuous formation of new epithelium and a large amount of immature granulation tissue; the wounds of mice in combined treatment group showed continuous epithelialization with less immature granulation tissue. Conclusions: The prepared composite hydrogel exhibits excellent thermosensitivity, photothermal properties, and injectability, as well as excellent mechanical properties, antibacterial properties, and biocompatibility, and can promote the healing of infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in mice.

[Research progress of vaccination status, efficacy and safety in children with tumor]

Malignant tumors in children are one of the most important diseases that threaten the health and quality of life of children and are the second most common cause of death in children.With the continuous improvement and progress of treatment technology, the long-term survival rate of children with tumor has been significantly improved, but both the disease itself and the treatment can impair the immune function of children, which makes them vulnerable to various infectious diseases and secondary serious complications, and even become a source of infection, endangering the health of others. Vaccination is the most cost-effective measure to prevent infectious diseases. For children with normal immune functions, the benefits of vaccination usually outweigh the disadvantages. However, there is a lack of detailed data on the vaccination situation, efficacy and safety of vaccine use for such immunocompromised tumor survivors, and there are no authoritative and uniform vaccination recommendations. This article reviewed and summarized the literature and consensus of some domestic and foreign scholars on current status of post-treatment vaccination status, efficacy and safety of vaccination for children with tumors after treatment, with the aim of providing a reference for the practice in this field in China.

Digital image analysis allows objective stratification of patients with silent PIT1-lineage pituitary neuroendocrine tumors

Studies describing the clinical presentation and prognosis of patients with silent PIT1 (pituitary specific transcription factor)-lineage pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are rare. We identified patients with positive PIT1 tumor staining but without evidence of hormone hypersecretion at a tertiary center. Clusters were obtained according to cell morphology and immunostaining from each patient's digitally segmented whole slide image. We compared the clinical presentations, radiological features, and prognoses of the different clusters. We identified 146 patients (68 male, 42.9 ± 14.1 years old) with silent PIT1-lineage PitNETs. Morphology clustering suggested that tumors with large nuclei and apparent eccentricity were associated with a higher proportion of aggressiveness and a higher hazard of recurrence [hazard ratio (HR): 2.64, (95% CI, 1.06-6.55), p = 0.037]. Immunohistochemical clustering suggested that tumors with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) staining or all negative PIT1-lineage hormones were associated with a higher proportion of aggressiveness and a higher risk of recurrence [HR: 12.4, (95% CI, 1.60-93.5), p = 0.015]. We obtained three-tier risk profiles by combining morphological and immunohistochemical clustering. Patients with the high-risk profile presented the highest recurrence rate compared with those in the medium-risk and low-risk profiles [HR: 3.54, (95% CI, 1.40-8.93), p = 0.002]. In conclusion, digital image analysis based on cell morphology and immunohistochemical staining allows objective stratification of patients with silent PIT1-lineage tumors. Typical morphological characteristics of high-risk tumors are large tumor nuclei and high eccentricity, and typical immunostaining characteristics are TSH staining or negative staining for all PIT1-lineage hormones.

[Association between chronic lung diseases and the risk of lung cancer in UK Biobank: observational and Mendelian randomization analyses]

Objective: To investigate the association between chronic lung diseases and the risk of lung cancer. Methods: Using UK Biobank (UKB) survey data, 472 397 participants who had not previously been diagnosed with cancer and whose self-reported sex was consistent with their genetic sex were studied. Information on the prevalence of previous chronic lung diseases, general demographic characteristics and the prevalence of lung cancer was collected using baseline questionnaires and national health system data. The multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the association between four previous chronic lung diseases (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial pulmonary disease) and the risk of lung cancer. A total of 458 526 participants with genotype data in the observational study were selected as research objects, and the closely related and independent genetic loci with four chronic lung diseases were selected as instrumental variables, and the association between four chronic lung diseases and the risk of lung cancer was analyzed by Mendelian randomization (MR). The dose-response relationship between genetic risk score and the risk of lung cancer in different chronic lung diseases was evaluated using a restricted cubic spline function. Results: The age [M (Q1, Q3)] of the subjects was 57 (50, 63) years old, and there were 3 516 new cases of lung cancer (0.74%) during follow-up. The multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that previous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were associated with the risk of lung cancer, about 1.61 (1.49-1.75) and 2.61 (1.24-5.49), respectively. MR Studies showed that genetically predicted chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were associated with the risk of lung cancer, with HR (95%CI) of 1.10 (1.03-1.19) and 1.04 (1.01-1.08), respectively. The results of restricted cubic spline function analysis showed that the risk of lung cancer increased linearly with the increase of genetic risk scores for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (P<0.05). Neither observational studies nor Mendelian randomization analysis found an association between previous asthma or interstitial lung disease and the risk of lung cancer (both P values>0.05). Conclusion: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are potential risk factors for lung cancer.

Ectopic recurrence craniopharyngioma: series report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Craniopharyngioma is a common intracranial tumor located in the sellar-suprasellar region. Due to the involvement of adjacent structures, it can lead to increased intracranial pressure, visual impairment, and endocrine deficiencies. Surgical resection is the primary treatment, but it is a tough challenge to achieve total resection, which will led to the frequency of recurrences and progressions. Among them, distant spread is extremely rare, but important complication, identifying and providing proper therapy, is crucial.

METHODS

We report two cases of ectopic recurrence craniopharyngioma and make a literature review for the published similar case reports.

RESULTS

Our literature review revealed 63 cases (including our patient). The onset age in children group and adult group ranges from 2-14 years old (6.70 ± 3.33) to 17-73 years old (40.63 ± 15.58), while the interval year between tumor initiation and ectopic recurrence ranges from 0.17-20 (7.28 ± 6.76) years to 0.3-34 (6.85 ± 7.29). Achieving gross total resection seems not to prevent the ectopic recurrence. The major pathology of ectopic recurrence craniopharyngioma is adamantinomatous type. The most common site of ectopic recurrence is frontal lobe. According to the pathogenesis, 35 cases were seeding along the surgical approach, and 28 cases were seeding via the CSF pathway.

CONCLUSION

Ectopic recurrence craniopharyngioma is rare, but it can lead to serious symptoms. Delicate surgical procedure can help to reduce the risk of ectopic recurrence, and standardized follow-up can provide valuable information for treatment.

Performance of ultrasound in the diagnosis of cholecystitis: not so (ultra)sound?

INTRODUCTION

Ultrasound has long been the radiological investigation of choice for right upper quadrant pain in the detection of gallstones and cholecystitis. However, previously reported sensitivity, specificity and other diagnostic metrics have varied widely and the underlying patient numbers have been small. We present robust and exhaustive diagnostic metrics based on a large series of 795 patients.

METHODS

All laparoscopic cholecystectomies at Portsmouth Hospitals University were prospectively logged between 2017 and 2020. Ultrasound findings, Nassar operative difficulty and histopathological findings were all collected in addition to patient biometrics.

RESULTS

In our large patient series, the sensitivity of ultrasound for cholecystitis was lower than previously reported at 75.7% for acute cholecystitis, 34.6% for chronic cholecystitis and 42.7% overall. Moreover, we show that sensitivity degrades with the time between ultrasound and cholecystectomy, falling below 50% at 140 days. Finally, we show that ultrasound strongly predicts the Nassar difficulty grade of cholecystectomy and that its ability to do so is greatest when the interval between ultrasound and cholecystectomy is less than 27 days.

CONCLUSIONS

We present robust diagnostic metrics for ultrasound in the diagnosis of cholecystitis. These should caution the clinician that ultrasound may miss a quarter of cases of acute cholecystitis and over half of all cases of cholecystitis. Conversely, the finding of a thickened gallbladder wall on ultrasound can predict a 'difficult cholecystectomy' and highlight the need for appropriate expertise and resources. Both this prediction and the diagnostic sensitivity are best if the ultrasound is done less than 27 days before cholecystectomy.

Global changes in chromatin accessibility and transcription in growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma

PURPOSE

Growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma (GHPA) is an insidious disease with persistent hypersecretion of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1, causing increased morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have investigated the transcription of GHPA. However, the gene regulatory landscape has not been fully characterized. The objective of our study was to unravel the changes in chromatin accessibility and transcription in GHPA.

METHODS

Six patients diagnosed with GHPA in the Department of Neurosurgery at Huashan Hospital were enrolled in our study. Primary pituitary adenoma tissues and adjacent normal pituitary specimens with no morphologic abnormalities from these six patients were obtained at surgery. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) were applied to investigate the underlying relationship between gene expression and chromatin accessibility changes in GHPA.

RESULTS

Totally, 1528 differential expression genes (DEGs) were identified by transcriptomics analyses, including 725 up-regulated and 803 down-regulated. Further, we obtained 64 significantly DEGs including 10 DEGs were elevated and 54 DEGs were negligibly expressed in tumors tissues. The up-regulated DEGs were mainly involved in terms related to synapse formation, nervous system development and secretory pathway. In parallel, 3916 increased and 2895 decreased chromatin-accessible regions were mapped by ATAC-seq. Additionally, the chromatin accessible changes were frequently located adjacent to transcription factor CTCF and Rfx2 binding site.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are the first to demonstrate the landscape of chromatin accessibility in GHPA, which may contribute to illustrate the underlying transcriptional regulation mechanism of this disease.

Transcription Factor ASCL1 Acts as a Novel Potential Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of the Cushing's Disease

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of Cushing's disease (CD) is still not adequately understood despite the identification of somatic driver mutations in USP8, BRAF, and USP48. In this multiomics study, we combined RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) with Sanger sequencing to depict transcriptional dysregulation under different gene mutation backgrounds. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential of achaete-scute complex homolog 1 (ASCL1), a pioneer transcription factor, as a novel therapeutic target for treatment of CD and its possible downstream pathway.

METHODS

RNA-seq was adopted to investigate the gene expression profile of CD, and Sanger sequencing was adopted to detect gene mutations. Bioinformatics analysis was used to depict transcriptional dysregulation under different gene mutation backgrounds. The function of ASCL1 in hormone secretion, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were studied in vitro. The effectiveness of an ASCL1 inhibitor was evaluated in primary CD cells, and the clinical relevance of ASCL1 was examined in 68 patients with CD. RNA-seq in AtT-20 cells on Ascl1 knockdown combined with published chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data and dual luciferase assays were used to explore downstream pathways.

RESULTS

ASCL1 was exclusively overexpressed in USP8-mutant and wild-type tumors. Ascl1 promoted adrenocorticotrophin hormone overproduction and tumorigenesis and directly regulated Pomc in AtT-20 cells. An ASCL1 inhibitor presented promising efficacy in both AtT-20 and primary CD cells. ASCL1 overexpression was associated with a larger tumor volume and higher adrenocorticotrophin secretion in patients with CD.

CONCLUSION

Our findings help to clarify the pathogenesis of CD and suggest that ASCL1 is a potential therapeutic target the treatment of CD.

SUMMARY

The pathogenesis of Cushing's disease (CD) is still not adequately understood despite the identification of somatic driver mutations in USP8, BRAF, and USP48. Moreover, few effective medical therapies are currently available for the treatment of CD. Here, using a multiomics approach, we first report the aberrant overexpression of the transcription factor gene ASCL1 in USP8-mutant and wild-type tumors of CD. Ascl1 promoted adrenocorticotrophin hormone overproduction and tumorigenesis and directly regulated Pomc in mouse AtT-20 cells. Notably, an ASCL1 inhibitor presented promising efficacy in both AtT-20 and primary CD cells. Importantly, ASCL1 overexpression was associated with a larger tumor volume and higher adrenocorticotrophin secretion in patients with CD. Thus, our findings improve understanding of CD pathogenesis and suggest that ASCL1 is a potential therapeutic target the treatment of CD.

[Clinical application and related research advances of negative pressure wound therapy in wound treatment]

Wound repair has always been one of the key issues of clinical concern. In recent years, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has played an increasingly active role in promoting various wound repairs, not only for the treatment of common acute and chronic wounds, but also for closure of surgical incisions, preparation of wounds before skin transplantation, fixation of skin grafts after transplantation, and treatment of some complex thoracic and abdominal trauma. This review aims to summarize the clinical application of NPWT in wound treatment and the related latest research progress, and to preliminarily discuss its future development prospects.

[Clinical analysis of 23 cases with simultaneous double primary gynecological malignant tumors]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of simultaneous double primary gynecological malignant tumors. Methods: A total of 23 patients with simultaneous double primary malignant tumors of female reproductive system primarily treated in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020 were retrospectively collected. The age, symptoms, tumor stage, tumor type, treatment and prognosis of patients were collected and followed up. Results: (1) The number of patients with gynecological tumors in our hospital increased year by year in the past 11 years. A total of 8 987 patients with gynecological malignant tumors were firstly diagnosed and cured in our hospital, including 3 474 cases of cervical cancer, 3 484 cases of endometrial cancer, 1 329 cases of ovarian malignancies, 171 cases of fallopian tube cancer, 182 cases of uterine sarcoma, 42 cases of vaginal cancer, 192 cases of vulvar cancer, 110 cases of trophoblastic tumor and 3 cases of other gynecological malignancies. The top three cancers were endometrial cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian malignancies. (2) There were 23 patients identified with simultaneous double primary gynecological tumors in the past 11 years, accounting for 0.26% (23/8 987) of female malignant tumors. There were 3 cases of cervical cancer complicated with endometrial cancer, 3 cases of cervical cancer complicated with ovarian cancer, 16 cases of endometrial cancer combined with ovarian cancer, and 1 patient with endometrial cancer combined with fallopian tube cancer. (3) All 23 patients underwent surgical treatment. According to the first diagnosis of the tumor, the surgical methods included cervical cancer radical surgery, endometrial cancer staging surgery and ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery. After operation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were supplemented according to the results of pathological examination and tumor staging. (4) The age of 23 patients ranged from 28 to 66 years, with an average age of (49.4±9.7) years. All patients had vaginal bleeding or conscious pelvic mass as their main clinical manifestation. The clinical stage was found in 7 patients (30%, 7/23) with advanced gynecological cancer (stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ), and 16 patients (70%, 16/23) with early stage gynecological cancer (stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ). According to the nonspecific tumor markers, 13 patients (57%, 13/23) had elevated CA₁₂₅ and CA₁₉₉. (5) Among the 23 patients, 1 case was uncontrolled and 3 cases recurred during the follow-up period, and the sites of uncontrolled or recurred were all located in the abdominopelvic cavity. Three cases died. Among the 3 patients who died, 1 patient was an uncontrolled patient, whose tumor type was cervical adenosquamous cell carcinoma combined with ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma. The overall survival time was 19 months with postoperative supplementary radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There were 2 recurrent patients, and the tumor types were endometrioid carcinoma complicated with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma and ovarian endometrioid carcinoma, respectively. After surgery, all patients received supplementary chemotherapy and recurred 60 and 21 months after surgery, respectively, and the overall survival time was 78 and 28 months, respectively. Another patient recurred 43 months after surgery, and survived with tumor for 14 months after recurrence. The remaining 19 patients were tumor-free and were still being followed up. Conclusions: There are no specific markers for simultaneous double primary gynecological malignant tumors. The most common clinical symptoms are vaginal bleeding or pelvic mass. The treatment principle of simultaneous double primary gynecological malignant tumor is the same as that of single gynecological malignant tumor, but need to be taken into account the characteristics of two tumors. Surgery is the main treatment method, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy play an important auxiliary role. The prognosis of simultaneous double primary gynecological malignancies is related to the late stage of the two malignancies.

The p300 Inhibitor A-485 Exerts Antitumor Activity in Growth Hormone Pituitary Adenoma

CONTEXT

Growth hormone pituitary adenoma (GHPA), a major subtype of pituitary adenoma (PA), can lead to progressive somatic disfigurement, multiple complications, and even increased mortality. The efficacy of current treatments is limited; thus, a novel pharmacological treatment is urgently needed. As a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) coactivator, p300 can regulate the transcription of several genes that are crucial for PA tumorigenesis and progression. However, the role of p300 and its catalytic inhibitor in GHPA is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify the expression of p300 in GHPA and in normal pituitary glands.

METHODS

The expression of p300 was detected in GHPA and normal pituitary tissues. Genetic knockdown was performed by siRNA. The efficacy of the p300 inhibitor A-485 in the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, and hormone secretion was investigated by flow cytometry, ELISAs, Western blotting, and qRT-PCR. RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analysis, and subsequent validation experiments were performed to reveal the potential biological mechanism of A-485.

RESULTS

High expression of p300 was found in GHPA tissues compared with normal pituitary tissues. Knockdown of p300 inhibited cell proliferation and clone formation. Treatment with A-485 suppressed cell growth and inhibited the secretion of GH in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic studies showed that A-485 could downregulate the expression or activity of several oncogenes, such as genes in the Pttg1, c-Myc, cAMP and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, which are crucial for PA tumorigenesis and progression.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that inhibition of HAT p300 by its selective inhibitor A-485 is a promising therapy for GHPA.

Meta-regression Analysis of Study Heterogeneity for Systemic Outcomes after Periodontal Therapy

INTRODUCTION

The contribution of periodontal disease to adverse systemic consequences remains controversial. This analysis examined 2 well-investigated conditions independently and combined-adverse pregnancy outcomes and glycemic control for patients with diabetes-based on shared pathogenic mechanisms of periodontal infection and inflammation. It was proposed that inconsistencies in study design significantly contribute to outcome discrepancies found between periodontal intervention studies undergoing meta-analysis.

METHODS

Meta-analyses evaluating periodontal interventions on the rate of preterm birth and changes in glycated hemoglobin A1c in type 2 diabetes populations were conducted based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Meta-regression covariates for exploring heterogeneity included sample size, level of medical management, and bias risk as moderator variables in a random-effects meta-regression.

RESULTS

Systematic review identified 17 studies of diabetes and 13 of pregnancy outcomes. Analyses of these studies identified 0.50% reduction in HbA1c and 0.78 odds ratio for preterm births. The heterogeneity associated with the models was high (I2 = 92.4 and I2 = 62.7%, respectively). The adjusted models evaluating each systemic condition separately accounted for 52.2% of the effect for diabetes and 81.4% for pregnancy outcome effects independently, and 63.5% collectively, across interventional studies.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review with meta-regression analysis of heterogeneity demonstrates that disparate results seen in randomized controlled trials of periodontal therapy affecting systemic outcomes may be explained in large part by study design, specifically stringency in consideration of medical management and sample size. The potential for confounding factors to influence outcomes remains a concern in understanding the implications of oral health on systemic conditions.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT

The findings of this study demonstrate that much of the benefits seen from periodontal therapy on adverse systemic outcomes for diabetes and pregnancy are due to limitations in study design.

Treatment of acromegaly by rosiglitazone via upregulating 15-PGDH in both pituitary adenoma and liver

Rosiglitazone, a synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligand, has been reported to reduce growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in 10 patients with acromegaly. However, the mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we reveal that PPARγ directly enhances 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) expression, whose expression is decreased and negatively correlates with tumor size in acromegaly. Rosiglitazone decreases GH production and promotes apoptosis and autophagy in GH3 and primary somatotroph adenoma cells and suppresses hepatic GH receptor (GHR) expression and IGF-1 secretion in HepG2 cells. Activating the PGE2/cAMP/PKA pathway directly increases GHR expression. Rosiglitazone suppresses tumor growth and decreases GH and IGF-1 levels in mice inoculated subcutaneously with GH3 cells. The above effects are all dependent on 15-PGDH expression. Rosiglitazone as monotherapy effectively decreases GH and IGF-1 levels in all nineteen patients with active acromegaly. Evidence suggests that rosiglitazone may be an alternative pharmacological approach for acromegaly by targeting both pituitary adenomas and liver.

[The effect of diallyl sulfide on the lung tissue of rats poisoned by paraquat]

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of diallyl sulfide (DAS) on paraquat (PQ) - induced acute lung injury in rats. Methods: In May 2016, 32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, model (PQ) group, DAS treatment group and dexamethasone (DXM) treatment group, with 8 rats in each group. PQ poisoning model was established by intragastric administration of PQ solution (70 mg/kg) . 100 mg/kg DAS (DAS treatment group) , normal saline (control group and PQ group) and 1 mg/kg DXM (DXM treatment group) were injected intraperitoneally before and after modeling. After 24 hours, the rats were killed and the degree of lung injury was observed. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lung tissue was measured. Alveolar macrophages were isolated and cultured. The supernatant was taken to determine the content of NO, and the expressions of iNOS mRNA in alveolar macrophages were detected. Results: Compared with the control group, the pathological injury score and the expression of iNOS in the lung tissue of PQ group were significantly increased, and the content of NO secreted by alveolar macrophages and the expression of iNOS mRNA were significantly increased (P<0.05) . Compared with PQ group, the pathological injury scores and the expressions of iNOS in lung tissue of rats in DAS treatment group and DXM treatment group were significantly decreased, and the contents of NO secreted by alveolar macrophages and the expressions of iNOS mRNA were significantly decreased (P<0.05) . There was no significant difference between DXM group and DAS group (P>0.05) . Conclusion: DAS may have protective effect on acute lung injury induced by PQ in rats.

Characterisation of symptomatic intracranial plaque without substantial stenosis using high-resolution vessel wall MRI

AIM

To characterise symptomatic intracranial plaque without substantial stenosis using three-dimensional (3D) high-resolution contrast-enhanced black-blood magnetic resonance imaging (BBMRI) and to determine plaque features associated with recent cerebrovascular events.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The institutional review board approved this retrospective study. The case notes from patients with evidence of intracranial atherosclerosis in a large intracranial artery with preceding BBMRI were reviewed retrospectively. Symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques with substantial luminal stenosis (<50%) were matched by plaque location and patient age. All MRI images were de-identified and interpreted by two neuroradiologists who were blinded to the history of symptoms. Qualitative analyses including the presence of intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH), eccentricity, surface irregularity, and grade of plaque enhancement were recorded. Quantitative analyses including normal wall index and degree of contrast enhancement were calculated. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the association with cerebrovascular ischaemic events.

RESULTS

A total of 38 pairs of symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques from 74 patients were analysed. Compared to asymptomatic plaques, symptomatic plaques demonstrated higher degree of contrast enhancement (29.77 ± 19.23 versus 18.21 ± 12.18%, p=0.039) and presence of IPH (26% versus 8%, p=0.032). No significant differences were detected regarding eccentricity, surface irregularity, and normal wall index. Events were associated with contrast enhancement (OR, 1.212; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.086-1.352) after controlling for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, and stenosis degree. IPH was not associated with events.

CONCLUSION

Contrast enhancement in the intracranial plaque without substantial stenosis is associated with previous events, and may serve as the vulnerable feature, thereby stratifying stroke risk not achievable by luminal stenosis.

Effects of dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium supplementation on inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium (PQQ·Na2) on inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a complete randomized design experiment was used to study the effect of dietary PQQ·Na2 (0 or 1 mg/kg) on broiler chickens with or without a challenge with LPS. A total of two hundred eighty-eight 1-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicate cages of 12 birds per cage. All experimental broilers were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mg/kg body weight of either Escherichia coli LPS or sterile saline at 16, 18, and 20 d of age. Results showed that injecting LPS significantly increased the concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in serum of birds on day 20 and day 21. Meanwhile, LPS injection increased (P < 0.05) the relative mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the duodenal mucosa of broilers on day 21. However, dietary supplementation with PQQ·Na2 decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of IL-6 in serum of birds on day 20 and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum of broiler chickens on day 21. Besides, supplementation of PQQ·Na2 within diet decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA expressions of IL-1β and IL-10 in the duodenal mucosa of birds on day 20. Relative to saline injection, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum and the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) in liver were found to be lower (P < 0.05) in broilers after LPS challenge on day 21. However, birds fed with PQQ·Na2 showed higher (P < 0.05) GSH-Px activity in serum and higher (P < 0.05) T-SOD activities in liver on day 21 and day 42. Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium also significantly attenuated the LPS-induced decreases in villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum of broilers. In conclusion, dietary PQQ·Na2 supplementation significantly exerted protective effects on inflammation damage and oxidant stress of broilers under LPS challenge by regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10) and activities of antioxidant enzymes (GSH-Px, T-SOD, and CAT). Moreover, dietary PQQ·Na2 supplementation significantly ameliorated the LPS-impaired intestinal morphology in broilers. Therefore, it has been considered that PQQ·Na2 can be used as a potential feed additive in broiler production.

Influences of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway on memory function and inflammatory factors in rats with cerebral small vessel disease

OBJECTIVE

To explore the influences of toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB (TLR4/NF-κB) pathway on the memory function and inflammatory factors in rats with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CSVD model in rats was established. Expressions of TLR4/NF-κB-related proteins and inflammatory factors were detected. CSVD rats were treated with the TLR4/NF-κB pathway agonist and inhibitor to evaluate the regulatory effect of TLR4/NF-κB pathway on the expressions of TLR4, NF-κB p50 and NF-κB p65. Moreover, their influences on the cerebral edema, memory function and expressions of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in CSVD rats were also analyzed.

RESULTS

In model group, the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB-related proteins in rat hippocampus were significantly higher than those in sham group (p<0.01), and the expressions of IL-1β and TNF-αsignificantly increased (p<0.05). The agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS) significantly increased the proportion of TLR4-positive cells (p<0.01) and protein expression of TLR4 (p<0.01). The inhibitor CLI-095 obviously reduced the proportion of TLR4-positive cells and TLR4 expression (p<0.05). Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) remarkably reduced the expressions of NF-κB p50 and NF-κB p65 in model group (p<0.05). LPS promoted cerebral edema, leading to memory dysfunction and enhanced inflammatory response in rats of model group. The inhibitor CLI-095+PDTC significantly reduced cerebral edema, lowered memory impairment and relieved inflammatory response in CSVD rats (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The inhibitor of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway can restore memory function and reduce inflammatory response in CSVD rats.

Core surgical field camps: a new deanery-based model for enhancing advanced skills in core surgical trainees through simulation

Hands-on wet lab simulation training is a vital part of modern surgical training. Since 2010, surgical 'boot camps' have been run by many UK deaneries to teach core surgical trainees basic entry level skills. Training in advanced skills often requires attendance at national fee-paying courses. In the Wessex Deanery, multiple, free of charge, core surgical 'field camps' were developed to provide more advanced level teaching in the particular specialty preference of each core surgical trainee. After the COVID-19 pandemic, national hands-on courses will be challenging to provide and deanery-based advanced skills training may be the way forward for craft-based specialties. The experiences over 2 years of delivering the Wessex core surgical field camps are shared, giving a guide and advice for other trainers on how to run a field camp.

Isolation and characterization of endophytic bacteria for controlling root rot disease of Chinese jujube

AIM

Fusarium oxysporum is the primary pathogen causing root rot disease that severely affects cultivation of jujube fruit in the Xinjiang province of China. The aim of this study was to identify endophytic bacteria in healthy jujube organs that could effectively suppress F. oxysporum growth.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Different plant organs (leaves, twigs and roots) were collected from healthy Chinese jujube cultivated in southern Xinjiang province of China. The endophytic bacterium Brevibacterium halotolerans JZ7 was selected for its strong antagonistic activity and growth-promoting characteristics. Gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry analysis showed that acetoin, 2,3-butanediol and fenretinide were the three dominant volatile organic compounds produced by strain JZ7. Fenretinide strongly suppressed spore germination of F. oxysporum in vitro. Pot experiments showed that strain JZ7 colonized both the roots and rhizosphere soil of Chinese jujube and significantly reduced F. oxysporum level in jujube rhizosphere soil.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that B. halotolerans JZ7 can be developed into a biological control agent to combat root rot disease of Chinese jujube in the Xinjiang province of China.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The suggested strategy for biological control of jujube root rot disease is fully in accordance with the current principles of sustainability.

BRD4 as a therapeutic target for nonfunctioning and growth hormone pituitary adenoma

BACKGROUND

Nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and growth hormone pituitary adenoma (GHPA) are major subtypes of pituitary adenomas (PAs). The primary treatment is surgical resection. However, radical excision remains challenging, and few effective medical therapies are available. It is urgent to find novel targets for the treatment. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is an epigenetic regulator that leads to aberrant transcriptional activation of oncogenes. Herein, we investigated the pathological role of BRD4 and evaluated the effectiveness of BRD4 inhibitors in the treatment of NFPA and GHPA.

METHODS

The expression of BRD4 was detected in NFPA, GHPA, and normal pituitary tissues. The efficacies of BRD4 inhibitors were evaluated in GH3 and MMQ cell lines, patient-derived tumor cells, and in vivo mouse xenograft models of PA. Standard western blots, real-time PCR, and flow cytometry experiments were performed to investigate the effect of BRD4 inhibitors on cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and the expression patterns of downstream genes.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry studies demonstrated the overexpression of BRD4 in NFPA and GHPA. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that treatment with the BRD4 inhibitor ZBC-260 significantly inhibited the proliferation of PA cells. Further mechanistic studies revealed that ZBC-260 could downregulate the expression of c-Myc, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), and related genes, which are vital factors in pituitary tumorigenesis.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we determined the overexpression of BRD4 in NFPA and GHPA and assessed the effects of BRD4 inhibitors on PA cells in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that BRD4 is a promising therapeutic target for NFPA and GHPA.

Perioperative intravenous contrast administration and the incidence of acute kidney injury after major gastrointestinal surgery: prospective, multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the impact of preoperative exposure to intravenous contrast for CT and the risk of developing postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.

METHODS

This prospective, multicentre cohort study included adults undergoing gastrointestinal resection, stoma reversal or liver resection. Both elective and emergency procedures were included. Preoperative exposure to intravenous contrast was defined as exposure to contrast administered for the purposes of CT up to 7 days before surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of AKI within 7 days. Propensity score-matched models were adjusted for patient, disease and operative variables. In a sensitivity analysis, a propensity score-matched model explored the association between preoperative exposure to contrast and AKI in the first 48 h after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 5378 patients were included across 173 centres. Overall, 1249 patients (23·2 per cent) received intravenous contrast. The overall rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery was 13·4 per cent (718 of 5378). In the propensity score-matched model, preoperative exposure to contrast was not associated with AKI within 7 days (odds ratio (OR) 0·95, 95 per cent c.i. 0·73 to 1·21; P = 0·669). The sensitivity analysis showed no association between preoperative contrast administration and AKI within 48 h after operation (OR 1·09, 0·84 to 1·41; P = 0·498).

CONCLUSION

There was no association between preoperative intravenous contrast administered for CT up to 7 days before surgery and postoperative AKI. Risk of contrast-induced nephropathy should not be used as a reason to avoid contrast-enhanced CT.

Infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopic analysis and quantitative detection of forage spectral features in ruminant systems

This study aimed to (1) access protein molecular structure profile and metabolic characteristics of model forages [Foreign sourced-origin (coded as: "FSO", n = 7 vs. Chinese sourced-origin alfalfa hay "CSO", n = 5] in ruminant systems; (2) Quantify the relationship between forage protein molecular structures and protein utilization and availability. Advanced non-invasive vibrational molecular spectroscopic technique (ATR-FTIR: Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) with chemometrics was applied to reveal forage protein molecular structure. Both univariate and multivariate molecular spectral analyses were applied to study molecular structure features in model forages. The molecular structure study provided the detailed protein structure profiles of Amide I and Amide II areas and height, total Amide I and II area ratios, Amide I to II height ratio as well as Amide I to II area ratio using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed FSO and CSO had similar (P > 0.05) protein rumen degradation kinetics. However, FSO had superior quality than CSO in intestinal (IDP) and total digestible protein (TDP) and truly absorbed nutrient supply (P < 0.05). As intestinal digestion of protein, FSO was higher (P < 0.05) in protein digestion in terms of: intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein (dIDP: 47.5 vs. 38.3 %RUP); Intestinal digestible protein (IDP: 17.6 vs. 13.7 %CP). As truly absorbed nutrient supply, FSO contained higher (P < 0.05) truly absorbed rumen synthesized microbial protein, absorbable rumen undegradable feed protein in the small intestine, total truly digested protein in the small intestine, metabolizable protein and Feed Milk Value (FMV^DVE: 1.2 vs. 1.1 g/kg DM). The molecular structure-nutrition interactive relationship study showed that protein molecular structure profiles were highly associated to protein rumen degradation kinetics, significantly correlated to protein subfractions, protein intestinal digestion, and truly absorbed nutrient supply in ruminant systems.

Protective Effect of Vitamin E on laying performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in laying hens challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis

Vitamin E (VE) has proven to function as potent lipid-soluble antioxidant, a signaling molecule, and a regulator of the immune system. The objective of the study was to assess the protective effect of VE on laying performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in laying hens exposed to Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). A total of 80 32-week-old salmonella-free double negative Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 20 replicates each (1 bird per replicate) according to a 2 × 2 factorial design with 2 VE supplementation levels [0 IU/kg (VE0) vs. 30 IU/kg (VE30)], and 2 challenge treatments [SE vs. physiological saline solution (PS)]. During the last 3 D of week 43 of age, birds were orally challenged with 1.0 mL suspension of 109 cfu/mL S. Enteritidis daily, whereas the birds of negative treatments (VE0) received the same volume of PS. The egg mass of VE0 treatment decreased (P < 0.05) in contrast to VE treatment after challenge. The serum concentrations of interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of SE treatments increased (P < 0.05) at week 44 and week 46, respectively. In both VE30 treatments, the decrease (P < 0.05) in birds' mortality was associated with higher IgA, IgG, IgM concentrations at week 44, and higher IgA, IgM concentrations at week 46. There is an interaction (P < 0.05) between SE challenge and VE levels with regard to feed conversion, daily egg mass, and serum MDA, IgA, and IgM levels. It can be concluded that supplemental VE (30 IU/kg) in diets for laying hens may alleviate oxidative and immune stress due to SE challenge.

Effects of main cereal type and feed form on production performance, egg quality and egg sanitary indices of laying hens

1. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of cereal types (maize or wheat) and feed forms (pelleted or mash feed) on production performance, egg quality and egg sanitary indices in laying hens.2. Three hundred and sixty hens (Jinghong No. 1) at 18 weeks of age were randomly assigned to four treatments with six replicates of 15 hens per replicate according to a 2 × 2 factorial design with two cereal types (maize or wheat) and two feed forms (pelleted or mash feed).3. Compared with the wheat-based diet, the maize-based diet improved (P < 0.05) average egg weight of laying hens. Yolk colour of hens fed with the maize-based diet was higher (P < 0.05) in comparison to those fed the wheat-based diet, while Haugh units were lower (P < 0.05) for the maize-based treatment. Egg mass and average daily feed intake of hens fed the pelleted diet were higher (P < 0.05) than of those fed the mash diet. However, the mash diet improved (P < 0.05) yolk colour compared with the pelleted diet. The percentage of dirty eggs for the wheat-based diet was higher (P < 0.05) than for the maize-based diet. The percentage of dirty eggs was higher (P < 0.05) in birds fed the pelleted diet compared with those fed the mash diet. There were interactions (P < 0.05) between cereal type and feed form, with regard to average egg weight and shell thickness.4. In conclusion, dietary cereal type affected average egg weight, yolk colour and Haugh units in eggs, while feed form influenced egg mass, average daily feed intake and yolk colour.

Regulation of the EGFR Pathway by HSP90 Is Involved in the Pathogenesis of Cushing's Disease

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of heat-shock protein Hsp90 in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting cells, and to explore the potential clinical application of an inhibitor of Hsp90, 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin(17-AAG) in corticotropinomas [also known as "Cushing's disease" (CD)].

METHODS

Culture of mouse pituitary tumor [AtT-20/D16v-F2 (ATCC^® CRL-1795™)] cells and human pituitary ACTH-secreting tumor cells were employed. Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HLE) was used to evaluate EGFR inhibition by 17-AAG. Cell viability was evaluated using a commercial kit. The ACTH level was measured by a radioimmunoassay. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA. Western blotting was done to measure protein levels.

RESULTS

17-AAG suppressed the viability and proliferation, and promoted the apoptosis, of AtT-20/D16v-F2 cells. 17-AAG suppressed the synthesis and secretion of ACTH in AtT-20/D16v-F2 cells and down-regulated POMC transcription. 17-AAG acted in a similar pattern upon treatment with human pituitary ACTH-secreting tumor cells. Inhibition by 17-AAG was stronger in human pituitary ACTH-secreting tumor cells carrying the ubiquitin-specific protease-8 (USP8) mutant in comparison with cells carrying wild-type USP8.

CONCLUSIONS

The HSP90 inhibitor 17-AAG reduced the viability and secretory function of human pituitary ACTH-secreting tumor cells, and tumor cells carrying the USP8 mutant were more sensitive to 17-AAG than tumor cells carrying wild-type USP8. 17-AAG could be a potential treatment option for CD.

Interactions between the cecal microbiota and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis using laying hens as the model

Chronic liver disease has caused increasing numbers of deaths worldwide. Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome, one of the chronic liver diseases in laying hens, has great similarity to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in humans. It is characterized by the pathological accumulation of liver fat. Non-invasive techniques are needed for early identification of fibrosis. As primary de novo lipogenesis in the liver of chicken is similar to that of humans, mature chicken is an ideal animal model for the understanding of NAFLD. This study was aimed to evaluate the relationships between gut microbiota and natural chronic liver disease (i.e., non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH] and fibrosis stages) in a well-characterized laying hen population. One hundred 20-wk-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were used and fed with basal diets until 52 wk of age. At the end of the experiment, birds were killed for sampling blood, liver, and cecal contents, and then classified by liver histology measurement into different groups. We investigated microbial community structure of cecum using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Subjects in stage 0 fibrosis without NASH were classified as low NAFLD (Group A), subjects in stage 1-2 fibrosis with mild to moderate NASH were defined as low NASH (Group B), and subjects in stage 3 fibrosis were defined as severe NASH (Group C). The abundance of Firmicutes was reduced in Groups B and C (P < 0.001), whereas opposite results were observed for the abundance of Bacteroidetes. Additionally, the families Bacteroidaceae, Ruminococcaceae Lachnospiraceae, and lactobacillae were significantly different between groups of differing fibrosis stages (P < 0.001), driven entirely by alterations of Bacteroides and lactobacillus and lachnospiraceae genera (P < 0.001), were observed. Results indicated that cecal dysbiosis was linked with the severity of fibrosis and NASH; importantly, increased levels of serum AST, alkaline phosphatase, and uric acid were accompanied with liver fibrosis and NASH severity. Collectively, these data highlight the role of gut-liver axis and associations between the gut microbiota and fibrosis and NASH severity.

Exosomes secreted by HUVECs attenuate hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in neural cells by suppressing miR-21-3p

BACKGROUND

Remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) is an effective strategy for preventing key organs from becoming impaired due to an ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the current study, we investigated how remote exosome transfer of microRNAs (miRs) may contribute to the treatment effect of RIPostC on the central nerve system (CNS).

METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and their miR expression profiles were investigated using the microarray method. The pathways associated with dysregulated miRs were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) annotation of the target genes and a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. The role played by the most significantly down-regulated miR (miR-21-3p) in the protective effect of HUVEC-derived exosomes on H/R-treated neural cells was further investigated. The pathway mediating the effect of miR-21-3p was then explored by focusing on activity of autophagy-related 12 (ATG12) protein.

RESULTS

The miR expression profile of HUVECs significantly changed after H/R administration, with 104 miRs becoming upregulated and 249 miRs becoming downregulated. Based on the GO and KEGG analyses, the target genes of 8 selected miRs were involved in multiple biological pathways, including the hippo signaling pathway and longevity regulating pathway. Further studies showed that inhibition of miR-21-3p by HUVEC-derived exosomes or a specific inhibitor could the block apoptotic process in H/R-treated neural cells. Molecular level studies showed that the effect of miR-21-3p inhibition depended on the restored function of ATG12, which resulted in the activation of autophagy and suppression of apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results suggest that H/R caused significant changes of miR expression in exosomes derived from H/R-treated HUVECs, and the exosomes protect neurons against H/R-induced injuries by suppressing miR-21-3p.

Influence of acidified drinking water on growth performance and gastrointestinal function of broilers

The ban on the use of antibiotic feed additives as growth promoters compelled the researchers for exploring the future utility of other alternatives. This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of acidified drinking water on growth performance, gastrointestinal pH, digestive enzymes, intestinal histomorphology, and cecum microbial counting of the broiler chicken. A total of 540 one-day-old male broilers (Arbor Acre) were randomly assigned to 5 treatments, with 6 replicates of 18 chicks per replicate. Broilers received diets and water as follows: NC (negative control, basal diet, normal water), PC (positive control, basal diet + 8 ppm colistin sulfate + 8 ppm enduracidin, normal water), A1 (basal diet, continuous supply of acidified water during whole experiment period), A2 (basal diet, intermittent acidification of water during 0 to 14 d, 22 to 28 d, and 36 to 42 d), and A3 [basal diet, intermittent acidification of water (24 h/d from 0 to 14 d and from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on d 15 to 42)]. During the entire period, the acidified groups (A1, A2, and A3) and PC group showed improve on weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio compared to NC group (P < 0.05). The pH in crop, proventriculus and ileum at 43 d declined by 0.04, 1.03, 1.23; 0.55, 0.69, 0.70; and 0.63, 0.74, 1.21 in A1, A2, and A3 group, respectively. There was a significant decline of lipase activity in the PC and acidified groups compared to NC group. The A2 group had higher villus height in jejunum than NC group. The PC and acidified groups reduced (P < 0.05) the total aerobic bacteria count of cecum when contrasted to NC group. Therefore, we conclude that acidified drinking water can improve growth performance, compensate for gastric acidity, and control pathogenic bacteria in broilers and may be considered as a potential alternative to improve production parameters. Discontinuous supply of acidified water had the same or even better influence on broilers compared to continuous supply.

Visualization of zinc pyrithione particles deposited on the scalp from a shampoo by tape-strip sampling and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurement

OBJECTIVE

Zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) is widely used as an anti-fungal active in commercial anti-dandruff (AD) shampoos. The AD efficacy of ZnPT is highly dependent on the deposition of ZnPT particles onto the scalp during the process of shampoo application and rinse-off. Since ZnPT materials with different particle sizes and morphologies have different deposition behaviours, the measurement of the actual ZnPT deposition is critical to understand the AD performance delivered by different ZnPT shampoos. The aim of this study is to develop a robust and reliable method for visualizing the particle size and morphology of ZnPT deposited on the scalp from AD shampoos.

METHODS

Hair was washed with a commercially available AD shampoo containing ZnPT and zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃ ). Tape strips were applied to collect the deposited particles from the scalp after AD shampoo application and rinse-off. The scalp tape strip samples were subjected to scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) measurement. The morphology of the ZnPT particles was visualized by SEM imaging and identification of ZnPT particles was confirmed by EDX analysis.

RESULTS

For the commercial shampoo studied it was observed that two zinc-containing particulates with different morphologies and composition remained on the scalp after shampoo application and rinse-off. As indicated by the EDX spectra, the ZnPT particles deposited onto the scalp surface had polygonal crystal structures. ZnCO₃ was also deposited onto the scalp surface. This material was mainly present as aggregated particulates.

CONCLUSION

An ex vivo method that combines tape strip sampling and SEM/EDX has been developed for measuring and visualizing the particle size, morphology and composition of ZnPT deposited on the scalp from AD shampoos. This ex vivo measurement method provides higher imaging resolution and more chemical specificity than reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that ZnPT particles were distinguishable from other zinc particles on the scalp. Moreover, the new method allows the microstructures of both ZnPT and other zinc particles on the scalp to be imaged.

Isolation and characterization of antagonistic bacteria with the potential for biocontrol of soil-borne wheat diseases

AIM

The aim of this study was to identify efficient plant-beneficial rhizobacterium that has the potential to be developed as biocontrol agent for the control of wheat soil-borne diseases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from a wheat field located in Taian City. Numerous bacteria were isolated and screened for antagonistic activity against soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi by performing dual-culture assays. Among them, XH-9 was selected for its highly antagonistic activity and others growth-promoting characteristics. Subsequently, the strain was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequence. Pot experiment indicated that XH-9 has good capacities for wheat, corn, and chili root colonization and considerably increased the biometric parameters of wheat seedlings. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction experiments showed that the amount of Fusarium oxysporum associated with the XH-9 after treatment significantly decreased compared with control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum XH-9 has the potential as biocontrol agent when applied in local arable land to prevent damage caused by F. oxysporum and other phytopathogens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The development of biocontrol strategies for reducing the damage caused by plant pathogens is fully in accord with the current principles of sustainability.