Short-chain fatty acids reprogram metabolic profiles with the induction of reactive oxygen species production in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) exhibit anticancer activity in cellular and animal models of colon cancer. Acetate, propionate, and butyrate are the three major SCFAs produced from dietary fiber by gut microbiota fermentation and have beneficial effects on human health. Most previous studies on the antitumor mechanisms of SCFAs have focused on specific metabolites or genes involved in antitumor pathways, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) biosynthesis. In this study, we performed a systematic and unbiased analysis of the effects of acetate, propionate, and butyrate on ROS levels and metabolic and transcriptomic signatures at physiological concentrations in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. We observed significantly elevated levels of ROS in the treated cells. Furthermore, significantly regulated signatures were involved in overlapping pathways at metabolic and transcriptomic levels, including ROS response and metabolism, fatty acid transport and metabolism, glucose response and metabolism, mitochondrial transport and respiratory chain complex, one-carbon metabolism, amino acid transport and metabolism, and glutaminolysis, which are directly or indirectly linked to ROS production. Additionally, metabolic and transcriptomic regulation occurred in a SCFAs types-dependent manner, with an increasing degree from acetate to propionate and then to butyrate. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of how SCFAs induce ROS production and modulate metabolic and transcriptomic levels in colon cancer cells, which is vital for understanding the mechanisms of the effects of SCFAs on antitumor activity in colon cancer.

Alcohol intake and the risk of chronic kidney disease: results from a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Many prospective cohort studies have investigated the association between the consumption of alcohol and CKD risk and have revealed inconsistent results. In the present study, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis of these studies to assess this association.We searched the PubMed and Embase databases up to 2020 and reviewed the reference lists of relevant articles to identify appropriate studies. We calculated the pooled relative risks with 95% CIs using random effects models, and then performed subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Dose-response meta-analyses were performed by sex separately. We identified 25 eligible prospective cohort studies, including 514,148 participants and 35,585 incident CKD cases. Compared with the category of minimal alcohol intake, light (RR = 0.90, I2 = 49%), moderate (RR = 0.86, I2 = 40%), and heavy (RR = 0.85, I2 = 51%) alcohol intake were associated with a lower risk of CKD. Subgroup meta-analysis by sex indicated that light (RR = 0.92, I2 = 0%), moderate (RR = 0.83, I2 = 39%) and heavy (RR = 0.76, I2 = 40%), alcohol consumption were inversely associated with CKD risk in male. Dose-response meta-analyses detected a nonlinear inverse association between alcohol consumption and the risk of CKD in all participants and linear inverse association in female participants. This meta-analysis shows that light (<12 g/day), moderate (12-24 g/day), and heavy (>24 g/day) alcohol consumption are protective against chronic kidney disease in adult participants especially in males.

[Screening of phenylketonuria and analysis of phenylalanine hydroxylase gene in 380 996 newborns from Hainan province]

Objective: To investigate the incidence of phenylketonuria and distribution characteristics of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene in newborns from Hainan province. Methods: Dry blood spot specimens of heels from 380 996 newborns in Hainan province from January 2017 to December 2019 were collected. Phenylalanine (Phe) concentrations in these dry blood spots were measured by the fluorescence method to screen phenylketonuria (PKU). A second dry blood spot sample will be collected if suspicious samples were detected after initial screening. Tandem mass spectrometry were used to detect the concentrations of Phe and tyrosine. Urine samples of the suspected newborns were sent out for urotrexate spectrum analysis and tetrahydrobiopterin loading test. PCR and flow-through rapid hybridization method were employed to detect PAH gene mutations. Meanwhile, peripheral blood samples of suspicious newborns of PKU and their parents were collected to perform gene sequencing. Results: Among the 380 996 newborns, 39 were suspected and 14 were diagnosed with PKU, including 11 cases of PAH deficiency and 3 cases of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency. Of 14 confirmed cases, there were 8 male cases and 6 female cases. In the newborn population of Hainan province, the annual incidence of PKU was 1.22/100 000. Thirteen PAH gene mutations were detected in confirmed cases: c.728G>A, c.158G>A, c.1238G>C, c.611A>G, c.1068C>A, c.706+5G>A, c.740G>T, c.1081A>T, c.793T>G, c.1223G>A, c.721C>T, c.331C>T and c.1174T>A. Conclusions: PKU has a high incidence in newborn population of Hainan province in the past three years. The PAH gene has a wide spectrum of mutations. Two rare mutations were also found: c.793T>G and c.706+5G>A.

Correlative study between the JAK2V617F mutation and thrombosis in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm

In this study, we investigated the correlation between the JAK2V617F mutation and thrombosis in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The incidence of thrombus was monitored and blood and coagulation were routinely assayed in patients with MPN. The JAK2V617F mutation was found in 8/68 individuals in the control group (11.8%); it was expressed in 44/68 patients with MPN (64.7%), suggesting that the rate of this mutation was significantly higher in patients with MPN than that in the control group. Twenty-six MPN patients (38.2%) showed symptoms of thrombosis; MPN patients with thrombosis showed a significantly higher rate of the JAK2V617F mutation, were of a greater age, and had higher blood pressure than MPN patients without thrombosis. In addition, the white blood cells (WBC) (21.98 ± 1.95) and platelets (364.68 ± 97.72) were significantly higher in patients, expressing the mutated gene, with polycythemia vera than in the patients without the mutation. The WBC (32.89 ± 4.25) and hemoglobin (161.92 ± 16.19) were significantly increased in the essential thrombocythemia patients with gene mutation compared with the patients without mutation. MPN patients showed higher blood clotting ability than the control subjects; moreover, MPN patients with the JAK2V617F mutation showed higher blood clotting ability than those without the mutation. The findings of this study indicate that the JAK2V617F mutation is correlated with the incidence of thrombosis, and analysis of this mutation has important clinical significance in the diagnosis and treatment of MPN.

Management of acute combination atlas-axis fractures with percutaneous triple anterior screw fixation in elderly patients

INTRODUCTION

Patients with combined C1-2 fractures were often treated by posterior arthrodesis. However, elderly patients with multiple injuries (such as brain injury), the large surgical trauma of posterior arthrodesis will increase the risk of perioperative mortality. A minimally invasive technique may be better for them, and decrease the risk of perioperative mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven patients with combined C1-2 fractures underwent percutaneous anterior odontoid screw and anterior C1-2 transarticular screws (percutaneous triple anterior screws fixation). The surgical technique of percutaneous triple anterior screws fixation is described.

RESULTS

The operation performed on all patients successfully without technical difficulties, and no intra-operative surgery-related complications such as vertebral artery, nerve injury and soft tissue complications occurred. No pullout, loosening, or breakage of internal screws was observed. C1/2 stable was found in all cases and radiographic union achieved in all odontoid fractures.

CONCLUSION

Using the appropriate instruments allied to intra-operative image-intensification, we suggest that percutaneous triple anterior screw fixation is reliable, effective and minimally invasive procedure for elderly and brain injured patients suffering of combined atlas-axis fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV. Retrospective study.

Effects of disulfide bridges glycoprotein E1 on fusogenic activity of Rubella virus

Rubella virus (RUBV) infects cells via an acid-triggered membrane fusion process. RUBV virions contain two cysteine-rich glycoproteins, E2 and E1. The latter is believed to be involved in the membrane fusion. Using a recombinant plasmid containing RUBV E1 and E2, 11 of total 20 cysteines present in the ectodomain of wild type E1 were mutated to test their role in the fusion via the formation of disulfide bridges. The recombinant plasmids containing mutated E1 (Cys2-Cys20) or wild type (wt) E1 were expressed in BHK-21 cells. Their fusogenic and hemadsorption activities in addition to a potential of cell surface expression of E1 and E2 were assayed. The results showed that the fusogenic activity was lost in all tested mutants, while the hemadsorption activity and cell surface expression potential were affected differently in individual mutants. Since only the Cys5 and Cys8 mutations led to a reduction of both hemadsorption and cell surface expression, we assume that these mutations prevented the formation of the disulfide bridge, what led to a misfolding of E1 and consequently to a failure of recognition of E1 by E2. In conclusion, the disulfide bridges disrupted in all the tested mutants appear essential for the cell fusion, while only the disulfide bridge C(5)-C(8) seems to be crucial for the transport of E1 and E2 in the cell.

[A preliminary study of HCV infections with hemophilia and their family members]

28 cases of hemophilia were examined for HCV infection status by using the Kehua anti-HCV ELISA kit of second generation. It was found that the infection rate was 78.5% and the infection rate was even higher with patients who had received transfusions or preparations of coagulatory factors. 10 families of 15 patients were also investigated. It was found that of 15 hemophilia patients, 12 showed positive anti-HCV, while none of their 53 family members exhibited any positive anti-HCV. In 8 children of 9 couples no positive anti-HCV was found. Our results revealed that the hemophilia patient may get infected with HCV by receiving multiple transfusions or preparation of coagulatory factors. The risk of getting infected with HCV via daily-life contact including sexual contact is extremely low.

A new design of internal fixation for scoliosis and its preliminary clinical application

A new scoliotone composed of screw, socket, distraction rod, lateral mass and compression rod can produce free movement in three different planes and fix the vertebral column in three-dimensions. The instrument has a strong force of fixation, distraction, compression and anti-rotation and it can be locked in any degree angle. Preliminary clinical application in 10 cases showed that when the spinal curvature (Cobb's angle) was less than 50, the average correction rate of scoliosis was 78.2% and that of the hump was 90%; when Cobb's angle was within 50-100 degrees, the average curve correction was 68.2%, and the hump correction 87.7%; when Cobb's angle was 100 degrees, the average curve correction was 63.3%, and the hump correction 82%. The vertebral column needed no external fixation after the operation. Biomechanical characteristics of the vertebral pedicle, and the technical features are discussed.

[Surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma]

This paper reports the results and experiences of 95 cases with differentiated thyroid carcinoma managed by surgical treatment. Eighty-two patients were followed up with an average time of 6.2 years, the longest was fifteen years and six months, 96% of patients were survival over 5 years. The factors influencing prognosis are as follows: 1. Age: Elder predicts worse prognosis. 2.

HISTOLOGY

Papillary is better then follicular. 3. The stage of thyroid carcinoma: Bigger mass, tumor cells spreading out of thyroid capsule with invasion of adjacent tissues and regional lymph nodes, and intravascular tumor cell embolus almost always shows higher recurrence and mortality. 4. Simple tumor removal before admission gives no reasonable cure, but increasing risk of spreading as showed in our cases. Therefore, we emphasize that thyroid carcinoma should be treated primarily with radical operation. By our experience thyroid carcinoma should be treated with lobectomy for affected site, excision of isthmus, and contralateral subtotal thyroidectomy. Because of the low grade malignancy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma, modified neck dissection is the surgical procedure of choice. Patients undergoing such surgical procedure as stated above can be prevented from sequelae.