The role of GATA switch in benzene metabolite hydroquinone inhibiting erythroid differentiation in K562 cells

The phenolic metabolite of benzene, hydroquinone (HQ), has potential risks for hematological disorders and hematotoxicity in humans. Previous studies have revealed that reactive oxygen species, DNA methylation, and histone acetylation participate in benzene metabolites inhibiting erythroid differentiation in hemin-induced K562 cells. GATA1 and GATA2 are crucial erythroid-specific transcription factors that exhibit dynamic expression patterns during erythroid differentiation. We investigated the role of GATA factors in HQ-inhibited erythroid differentiation in K562 cells. When K562 cells were induced with 40 μM hemin for 0-120 h, the mRNA and protein levels of GATA1 and GATA2 changed dynamically. After exposure to 40 μM HQ for 72 h, K562 cells were induced with 40 μM hemin for 48 h. HQ considerably reduced the percentage of hemin-induced Hb-positive cells, decreased the GATA1 mRNA, protein, and occupancy levels at α-globin and β-globin gene clusters, and increased the GATA2 mRNA and protein levels significantly. ChIP-seq analysis revealed that HQ reduced GATA1 occupancy, and increased GATA2 occupancy at most gene loci in hemin-induced K562 cells. And GATA1 and GATA2 might play essential roles in the erythroid differentiation protein interaction network. These results elucidate that HQ decreases GATA1 occupancy and increases GATA2 occupancy at the erythroid gene loci, thereby downregulating GATA1 and upregulating GATA2 expression, which in turn modulates the expression of erythroid genes and inhibits erythroid differentiation. This partially explains the mechanism of benzene hematotoxicity.

[Pathological evaluation of endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer and precancerous lesion in 411 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pathological characteristics of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) specimens for early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions, accumulating experience for clinical management and pathological analysis.

METHODS

A total of 411 cases of early gastric cancer or precancerous lesions underwent ESD. According to the Japanese guidelines for ESD treatment of early gastric cancer and classification of gastric carcinoma, the clinicopathological data, pathologic evaluation, concordance rate of pathological diagnosis between preoperative endoscopic forceps biopsies and their ESD specimens (in 400 cases), as well as the risk factors of non-curative resection of early gastric cancer, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

23.4% (96/411) of the 411 cases were adenoma/low-grade dysplasia and 76.6% (315/411) were early gastric cancer. The latter included 28.0% (115/411) non-invasive carcinoma/high-grade dysplasia and 48.7% (200/411) invasive carcinoma. The concordance rate of pathological diagnosis between endoscopic forceps biopsies and ESD specimens was 66.0% (264/400), correlating with pathological diagnosis and lesion location (P < 0.01). The rate of upgraded diagnosis and downgraded diagnosis after ESD was 29.8% (119/400) and 4.2% (17/400), respectively. Among the 315 cases of early gastric cancer, there were 277 cases (87.9%) of differentiated type and 38 cases (12.1%) of undifferentiated type. In the study, 262 cases (83.2%) met with absolute indication, while 53 cases (16.8%) met relative indication. En bloc and curative resection rates were 98.1% and 82.9%, respectively. Risk factors for non-curative resection included a long diameter >20 mm (OR=3.631, 95%CI: 1.170-11.270, P=0.026), tumor infiltration into submucosa (OR=69.761, 95%CI: 21.033-231.376, P < 0.001)and undifferentiated tumor histology (OR=16.950, 95%CI: 4.585-62.664, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Several subjective and objective factors, such as the limitations of biopsy samples, the characteristics and distribution of the lesions, different pathological understanding, and the endoscopic sampling and observation, can lead to the differences between the preoperative and postoperative pathological diagnosis of ESD. In particular, the pathological upgrade of postoperative diagnosis was more significant and should receive more attention by endoscopists and pathologists. The curative resection rate of early gastric cancer in ESD was high. Non-curative resection was related to the long diameter, the depth of tumor invasion and histological classification. ESD can also be performed in undifferentiated early gastric cancer if meeting the indication criteria. The comprehensive and standardized pathological analysis of ESD specimens is clinically important to evaluate the curative effect of ESD operation and patient outcomes.

Effectiveness of Inner Traction-Facilitated Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Using Rubber Band and Clips for Colorectal Neoplasms: A Propensity Score-Matched Study

BACKGROUND

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection is a technically demanding but effective treatment for superficial neoplasms. We conducted a study to compare the effectiveness and safety of inner traction-facilitated endoscopic submucosal dissection using rubber band and clip with conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 622 consecutive patients who underwent colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection between January 2016 and December 2019. To overcome selection bias, we used propensity score matching (1:4) between endoscopic submucosal dissection using rubber band and clip and conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection. The frequency of en bloc resections, R0 resections, curative resections, procedure speed, and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, 35 patients were included in the endoscopic submucosal dissection using rubber band and clip group and 140 were included in the conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection group. Endoscopic submucosal dissection using rubber band and clip resulted in a significant increase in resection speed (0.14 vs. 0.09 cm2/min; P = .003). There were no significant differences in en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates between the 2 groups. In subgroup analysis, the resection speed of endoscopic submucosal dissection using rubber band and clip was significantly higher than that of conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection when the lesions were equal to or larger than 2 cm, macroscopically presenting as lateral spreading tumor, and located in transverse colon to ascending colon.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection using rubber band and clip is safe and effective in treating colorectal neoplasms, especially in lesions presenting a particular difficulty.

Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted colonoscopy improves polyp detection and characterization in colonoscopy. However, data from large-scale multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCT) in an asymptomatic population are lacking.

METHODS

This multicenter RCT aimed to compare AI-assisted colonoscopy with conventional colonoscopy for adenoma detection in an asymptomatic population. Asymptomatic subjects 45-75 years of age undergoing colorectal cancer screening by direct colonoscopy or fecal immunochemical test were recruited in 6 referral centers in Hong Kong, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Xiamen, and Beijing. In the AI-assisted colonoscopy, an AI polyp detection system (Eagle-Eye) with real-time notification on the same monitor of the endoscopy system was used. The primary outcome was overall adenoma detection rate (ADR). Secondary outcomes were mean number of adenomas per colonoscopy, ADR according to endoscopist's experience, and colonoscopy withdrawal time. This study received Institutional Review Board approval (CRE-2019.393).

RESULTS

From November 2019 to August 2021, 3059 subjects were randomized to AI-assisted colonoscopy (n = 1519) and conventional colonoscopy (n = 1540). Baseline characteristics and bowel preparation quality between the 2 groups were similar. The overall ADR (39.9% vs 32.4%; P < .001), advanced ADR (6.6% vs 4.9%; P = .041), ADR of expert (42.3% vs 32.8%; P < .001) and nonexpert endoscopists (37.5% vs 32.1%; P = .023), and adenomas per colonoscopy (0.59 ± 0.97 vs 0.45 ± 0.81; P < .001) were all significantly higher in the AI-assisted colonoscopy. The median withdrawal time (8.3 minutes vs 7.8 minutes; P = .004) was slightly longer in the AI-assisted colonoscopy group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicenter RCT in asymptomatic patients, AI-assisted colonoscopy improved overall ADR, advanced ADR, and ADR of both expert and nonexpert attending endoscopists. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT04422548).

A convolutional neural network-based system for detecting early gastric cancer in white-light endoscopy

BACKGROUND

White-light endoscopy (WLE) is a main and standard modality for detection of early gastric cancer (EGC). The detection rate of EGC is not satisfactory so far. In this single-center retrospective study we developed a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based system to automatically detect EGC in WLE images.

METHODS

An EGC detecting system was constructed based on the CNN architecture EfficientDet. We trained our system with a data set including 4527 images from 130 cases (cancerous images, 1737; noncancerous images, 2790). Then we tested its performance with a data set including 1243 images from 64 cases (cancerous images, 445; noncancerous images, 798).

RESULTS

For case-based analysis, our system successfully detected EGC in 63 of 64 cases and the sensitivity was 98.4%. For image-based analysis, the accuracy was 88.3%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 84.5%, 90.5%, 83.2% and 91.3%, respectively. The most common cause for false positives was gastritis (57.9%). The most common cause for false negatives was that the lesion was too small with a diameter of 10 mm or less (44.9%).

CONCLUSION

Our CNN-based EGC detecting system was able to achieve satisfactory sensitivity for detecting EGC in WLE images and shows great potential in assisting endoscopists with the detection of EGC.

Autophagy-related IFNG is a prognostic and immunochemotherapeutic biomarker of COAD patients

Background

Numerous studies have shown autophagy affects cellular immune responses. This study aims to explore prognosis and immunotherapeutic biomarkers related to autophagy in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD).

Methods

Based on R software, we performed the ssGSEA, differential expression analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, correlation analysis, and enrichment analysis. For wet experiment, we did qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and CCK-8 experiments.

Results

Using autophagy-related genes (ARGs) and the ssGSEA, COAD patients were divided into low and high autophagy groups. For immune score, stromal score, tumor purity, tumor infiltrating immune cells, co-signaling molecules, tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, mismatch repair, immune-related pathways, immune signatures, somatic mutations and subtype analysis, high autophagy group might benefit more from immunotherapy. Among 232 ARGs, IFNG was generally significantly correlated with tumor immunotherapy biomarkers (PD-L1, CD8A and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)). The disease-free survival of high IFNG group was significantly longer than that of low group. On above-mentioned immune-related research, the high IFNG group reached the same conclusion. The qRT-PCR and IHC analysis confirmed that IFNG was significantly higher expressed in dMMR samples compared to pMMR samples. For chemotherapy, the autophagy and IFNG were significantly negatively related to the chemosensitivity to cisplatin; IFNG inhibitor glucosamine increased cisplatin chemoresistance while IFNG increased cisplatin chemosensitivity; IFNG could reverse glucosamine induced chemoresistance. The functional enrichment analysis of IFNG, PD-L1, CD8A and 20 similar proteins were related to the activation of the immune system. The GSEA and ceRNA network partly described interaction mechanisms of IFNG with PD-L1 and CD8A.

Conclusion

Autophagy score and IFNG expression were novel immunotherapy predictive biomarkers, which might play predictive effects through the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. IFNG might be a potential targeted therapy for cisplatin resistant colon cancer. Besides, IFNG was also a prognostic indicator.

Asia-Pacific Colorectal Screening Score Combined With Stool DNA Test Improves the Detection Rate for Colorectal Advanced Neoplasms

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The Asia-Pacific Colorectal Screening (APCS) scoring system was developed to stratify the risk of colorectal advanced neoplasm (AN). We aimed to evaluate the performance of the APCS score combined with a stool DNA test used for colorectal cancer screening.

METHODS

A total of 2842 subjects who visited outpatient clinics or cancer screening centers were enrolled. Age, sex, smoking status, and family history were recorded and APCS scores were calculated in 2439 participants. A stool DNA test (SDC2 and SFRP2 tests) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) were performed and colonoscopy was used as the gold standard among 2240 subjects who completed all study procedures. We used a threshold of 4.4 μg/g for the FIT, in addition to the manufacturer's recommended threshold of 20 μg/g to match the specificity of a stool DNA test.

RESULTS

Based on the APCS score, 38.8% (946 of 2439) of the subjects were categorized as high risk, and they had a 1.8-fold increase in risk for AN (95% CI, 1.4-2.3) compared with low and moderate risk. The APCS combined with the stool DNA test detected 95.2% of invasive cancers (40 of 42) and 73.5% of ANs (253 of 344), while the colonoscopy workload was only 47.1% (1056 of 2240). The sensitivity for AN of APCS combined with stool DNA test was significantly higher than that of APCS combined with FIT (73.5% vs 62.8% with FIT cut-off value of 20 μg/g, and 73.5% vs 68.0% with FIT cut-off value of 4.4 μg/g; both P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The APCS score combined with a stool DNA test significantly improved the detection of colorectal ANs, while limiting colonoscopy resource utilization (Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR-DDD-17011169).

P-583 PCOS patients got better IVF/ICSI outcomes with “higher” progesterone level on hCG day: a retrospective study of Ten years data

Study question

We aimed to investigate whether serum Progesterone (P) on the day of hCG trigger can be used as a biomarker to predict the IVF/ICSI outcomes in PCOS patients.

Summary answer

PCOS patients got better IVF/ICSI outcomes with “higher” progesterone level (2.7-5.9mmol/L).

What is known already

There were several studies suggesting serum Progesterone (P) on the day of hCG trigger can be used as a biomarker to predict IVF outcomes, and to decide fresh cycle embryo transfer or frozen all. But there was few study focus on PCOS patients.

Study design, size, duration

This is a single-center retrospective cohort study in PCOS women undergoing the first transfer of an IVF cycle between January 1st 2010 and December 31th 2019. There were 141,539 oocyte retrieval cycles during the study period, and 97,189 cycles were their first IVF cycle. PCOS was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria. Among them, 3,146 cycles full filled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and all with two embryos transferred on Day 3.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

We compared the live birth rate of fresh embryo transfer, stratified for serum P level. We looked for interaction between serum P level and live birth rate of fresh cycles. The serum P level within normal range (&lt; 6nmol/L) on the day of hCG trigger day was divided into 4 quartiles. The four quartiles were defined as ≤ 1.35 nmol/L (Q1), &gt;1.35-1.93 nmol/L (Q2), &gt;1.93-2.7 nmol/L (Q3), &gt;2.7 nmol/L (Q4).

Main results and the role of chance

The baseline characteristics with no different between groups, except BMI. The patients in Q4 group with lowest BMI, significantly higher number of oocytes retrieved and live birth rate (P &lt; 0.05) . The Logistic regression analysis of the relative factors on live birth rate including BMI, basal LH and number of oocytes retrieved [P = 0.003, 0.030, 0.037 respectively, 95%CI (1.022, 1.111), (1.004, 1.076), (1.002, 1.082)].

Limitations, reasons for caution

Due to the retrospective nature of this study, a well-designed and matched large sample prospective study is needed. The definition of elevated P level and the method of hormonal assessments were different between studies, this limiting the comprehensive analysis of researches and the further verification of existing results.

Wider implications of the findings

PCOS patients who with normal range P level on hCG day, got better IVF/ICSI outcomes with “higher” progesterone level (2.7-5.9mmol/L). Weight control is important for PCOS patients accepting IVF treatment.

Trial registration number

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Synchronized early gastric cancer occurred in a patient with serrated polyposis syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND

Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is a relatively rare disease that is characterized by multiple serrated lesions/polyps. Very little is known regarding the extracolonic cancers associated with SPS. The genetic basis of the process remains unknown.

CASE SUMMARY

A 67-year-old male patient initially presented with belching and abdominal distension for a year as well as diarrhea for over 2 mo. The patient underwent colonoscopy and was diagnosed with serrated polyposis syndrome. Half a year later, a gastroscopy was performed during the postoperative re-examination to screen for other lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract. An elevated lesion was detected in the anterior wall of the gastric antrum. Curative en bloc resection of the lesion was achieved via endoscopic submucosal dissection. The pathological result was high-grade dysplasia with focal intramucosal carcinoma. Exome sequencing was performed for the patient and five gastric cancer-associated variants (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, metaxin 1, coiled-coil domain containing 6, glutamate ionotropic receptor delta type subunit 1, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1) were identified.

CONCLUSION

This paper reports a case that presented with both SPS and early gastric cancer. Genetic mutations that were potentially responsible for this condition were sought by exome sequencing.

Facile synthesis of high-efficiency NiFe bimetallic catalyst without pre-reduction for the selective hydrogenation reaction of furfural

A high-efficiency nickel-iron bimetallic catalyst (Ni3Fe1 alloy) was synthesized by a facile solvothermal reaction and directly used in furfural hydrogenation without pre-reduction. When the total metal acetate was 6 mmol...

A Homotypic Membrane-Camouflaged Biomimetic Nanoplatform with Gold Nanocrystals for Synergistic Photothermal/Starvation/Immunotherapy

Although photothermal therapy (PTT) has great potential for tumor inhibition, this single mode of action frequently encounters recurrence and metastasis, highlighting the urgent need for developing combination therapy. Inspired by established evidence that PTT could induce efficient immunogenic cell death (ICD), we here developed a versatile biomimetic nanoplatform (denoted as AuDRM) for the synergism of photothermal/starvation/immunotherapy against cancer. Specifically, dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully constructed followed by the in situ synthesis of Au NPs in the mesopores. Afterward, a hybrid membrane was coated to facilitate the loading of R837. Upon efficient accumulation in the tumor tissue by homotypic targeting, the pH-sensitive membrane could be jettisoned to ensure the exposure of Au NPs for starvation therapy and the effective release of the immunostimulator R837 for enhancement of immunotherapy. Except for the PTT-mediated tumor ablation, the induction of ICD coupled with the release of tumor antigens could work synergistically with the immunostimulator R837 for inhibiting the primary tumor as well as the metastasis and induce a long-term immune memory effect for tumor inhibition via a vaccine-like function. Thus, this study paves the way for high-performance tumor ablation by the synergism of photothermal/starvation/immunotherapy.

The Status of Occupational Protection During COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Healthcare Workers in Endoscopy Units, China

Background: SARS-CoV-2 spreads rapidly around the world, and some patients present gastrointestinal symptoms. The existence of the virus in the gastrointestinal tract makes digestive endoscopy a high-risk operation, which associated with an increased risk of infection rate in healthcare workers. This study aimed at exploring current knowledge, practice and attitudes of healthcare workers in endoscopy units in China regarding the status of occupational protection during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of a national online survey involving 717 healthcare workers in endoscopy units from 94 medical structures in 24 provinces and municipalities around China was conducted online via a questionnaire platform called Wenjuanxing (wjx.cn). The data were analyzed using correlation approaches, Kruskal-Wallis test for independent samples, and linear regression models.

Results: Most Chinese healthcare workers in endoscopy units had a good knowledge of COVID-19 (median: 10; range: 7–12), showed a strikingly positive attitude (median: 65; range: 39–65), and carried out good practice (median: 47; range: 14–50) in strengthening the protection, disinfection and management of COVID-19. In terms of attitudes, female staff was more concerned about protection against COVID-19 than male staff (KW = 8.146, P = 0.004). Nurses performed better in both attitude (KW = 2.600, P = 0.009) and practice (KW = 6.358, P < 0.001) than endoscopic physicians when carrying out personal protection, patient care and environmental disinfection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. More positive attitudes in protection were related to better protective behavior in endoscopic daily medical work (r = 0.312; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that Chinese endoscopy healthcare workers have an excellent mastery of knowledge about COVID-19, which is transformed into positive beliefs and attitudes, contributing to good practice during daily endoscopic procedures. Medical staff may benefit from further education. With the gradual normalization amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, protection and management in endoscopy units may be changed accordingly.

Esophageal superficial adenosquamous carcinoma resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection: A rare case report

BACKGROUND

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), which is comprised of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma elements, is a rare histological type of esophageal carcinoma. Few reports have focused on the endoscopic findings and the effectiveness of the endoscopic treatment of early ASC.

CASE SUMMARY

A 77-year-old man underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for heartburn. A flat lesion with an uneven and slightly elevated central portion was found in the distal esophagus. Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging showed a well-demarcated brownish area with dendritically branched abnormal vessels and highly irregular intrapapillary capillary loops. A histopathological diagnosis of SCC was obtained by endoscopic biopsy. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic mass confined to the mucosa layer. The lesion was suspected to be SCC with invasion into the muscularis mucosa. The lesion was resected en bloc by endoscopic submucosal dissection and histologically diagnosed as esophageal ASC limited within the muscularis mucosa, which was completely resected without lymphovascular or neural invasion. The SCC element was the pre-dominant element. The adenocarcinoma element formed ductal and nested structures distributed in a focal pattern. The patient underwent only endoscopic submucosal dissection and has been under annual endoscopic and radiographic surveillance for 3 years without recurrence.

CONCLUSION

For early ASC confined within the mucosal layer, complete endoscopic resection might also be a curative treatment.

[Analysis of the self-conscious health status and influencing factors of greenhouse agricultural workers in Beijing suburb]

Objective: To explore the self-conscious health status and related influencing factors of greenhouse agricultural workers in Beijing suburb, so as to provide scientific basis for developing strategies to improve and promote the occupational health conditions of those workers. Methods: According to the production characteristics and scale of the main agricultural districts or counties in the suburb of Beijing, 182 agricultural production personnel were randomly selected to investigate the general situation, occupational situation and self-conscious health status during June 2018 to December 2019. The relevant factors which may affect the self-conscious health conditions were also analyzed by statistical methods. Results: The detection or reported rate of self-conscious health problems was 51.6% (94/182) , among which 29.1% (53/182) workers reported musculoskeletal disorder diseases and 21.4% (39/182) workers reported nervous system diseases. And the self-conscious health status of greenhouse agricultural workers were statistically different in household registration, gender, marital status, working years, mixing or spraying pesticides, smoking or eating in the greenhouse (P<0.05) . Moreover, gender, mixing or spraying pesticide, eating and smoking behavior in the workplace all had an impact on the risk of self-conscious health status of greenhouse agricultural workers (P< 0.05) . Specifically, male is the protective factor to reduce the occurrence of self-conscious symptoms of greenhouse agricultural workers (OR=0.447, 95%CI: 0.234~0.852) , while mixing or spraying pesticides and smoking or eating behaviors in the workplace are the risk factors (OR=1.055, 2.524; 95%CI: 0.503~2.210, 1.107~5.755) . Conclusion: Reducing pesticide use from the source thus minimize related exposure opportunities, strengthening occupational health education thus foster good hygienic habits and improve individual protection consciousness are of great significance for the health protection of greenhouse agricultural workers in Beijing suburb.

Endothelin-1 induces chondrocyte senescence and cartilage damage via endothelin receptor type B in a post-traumatic osteoarthritis mouse model

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1), originally known as the potent vasoconstrictor, and its receptors in chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis (OA) development.

METHOD

Temporal changes of ET-1 and its receptors with OA development were characterized in a posttraumatic OA (PTOA) mouse model at time zero, 1-month and 4-month after surgical induction via destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM). A transgenic ET-1 overexpression (TET-1) mouse model was deployed to assess the impact of upregulated ET-1 on chondrocyte senescence and cartilage degradation. Effects of endothelin receptor blockade on chondrocyte senescence and OA development were further examined both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

Local expression of ET-1 in subchondral bone and synovium upregulated after DMM with an increase of plasma ET-1 level from 3.18 ± 0.21 pg/ml at time zero to 6.47 ± 0.34 pg/ml at 4-month post-surgery. Meanwhile, endothelin type B receptor (ET_BR) (53.31 ± 2.42% to 83.8 ± 2.65%) and p16^INK4a (10.91 ± 1.07% to 28.2 ± 1.0%) positve chondrocytes accumulated in articular cartilage since 1-month prior to cartilage loss at 4-month post-surgery. Overexpressed ET-1 promoted p16^INK4a-positive senescent chondrocytes accumulation and cartilage degradation in TET-1 mice. Selective blockade of ET_BR, but not ET_AR, lowered the expression of p16^INK4a in ET-1 or H₂O₂-induced chondrocyte senescence model, and mitigated the severity of murine PTOA. Intriguingly, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, Vitamin C, could rescue ET-1-induced chondrocyte senescence in vitro associated with restoration of mitochondrial dynamics.

CONCLUSION

ET-1 could induce chondrocytes senescence and cartilage damages via ET_BR in PTOA.

Letter: role of probiotics in the COVID-19 pandemic-authors' reply

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Tian et al and Aguila et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15731 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15898

Control measures to prevent Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in endoscopy centers: Multi-center study

AIMS

To investigate control measures for COVID-19 pandemic in GIE centers in China.

METHODS

This is a retrospective multi-center research, including seven centers. Data collection was from 1 February to 31 March 2020 and the same period in 2019.

RESULTS

There were a total of 28 COVID-19 definite cases in these hospitals. Six out of seven GIE centers were arranged to shut down on 1 February, with a mean number of shutdown days of 23.6 ± 5.3. The actual workloads were only 10.3%-62.9% compared to those last year. All centers had a preoperative COVID-19 screening process. Epidemiological questionnaire, temperature taking and QR-code of journey were conducted. Chest CT scan was conducted during the shutdown period and continued in five centers after return to work. Antibody and nucleic acid test were applied in one to three centers. All endoscopists had advanced PPE. Five centers used surgical mask and the rest used N95 mask. Six centers used goggles or face shield. Five centers selected isolation gowns and the rest selected protective suits. The change frequency of these PPE was 4 h. Sterilizing measures were improved in six centers. Five centers utilized ultraviolet and six centers strengthened natural ventilation. Four and six centers used peracetic acid during the period of shutdown and return to work, alone or matched with OPA or acidified water.

CONCLUSIONS

Many effective control measures were conducted in GIE centers during the outbreak, including patients' volume limitation, preoperative COVID-19 screening, advanced PPE and disinfection methods.

Letter: prevalence and patterns of gastrointestinal symptoms in a large Western cohort of patients with coronavirus disease 2019-authors' reply

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Tian et al and Ianiro et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15731 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15946

Letter: does vitamin D have a potential role against COVID-19? Authors' reply

LINKED CONTENT This article is linked to Tian et al and Kumar et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15731 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15801.

LncRNA H19-Derived miR-675-3p Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Stemness in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells by targeting the STAT3 Pathway

Objective: The functional role and mechanism of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 in regulating human pancreatic cancer (PC) cell stemness and invasion have not been completely elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the role of H19 in regulating the stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion and chemosensitivity of PC cells. Methods: The sphere-forming ability was assessed using serum-free floating-culture systems. Chemosensitivity was evaluated via CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays in vitro. Migration and invasion were evaluated by transwell assays. The expression of stemness and EMT markers was detected by flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and western blot analyses. Xenograft initiation, growth and sensitivity were examined; Ki-67 nuclear staining intensity was evaluated by immunohistochemistry; and in situ apoptosis was evaluated by a TUNEL assay. Results: H19 played an important role in maintaining PC cell stemness. Upregulated H19 expression in CAPAN-1 cells promoted tumor cell migration, invasion, EMT and chemoresistance. In contrast, downregulated H19 expression in PANC-1 cells yielded the opposite results. These effects were mediated by positively modulating the STAT3 pathway. Furthermore, SOCS5, an endogenous inhibitor of the STAT3 pathway, was a direct target of miR-675-3p, which was positively regulated by H19 in PC cells. Conclusions: The H19/miR-675-3p signaling axis plays a critical role in maintaining the EMT process and stemness of PC cells by directly targeting SOCS5 to activate the STAT3 pathway. These data provide new insights into the oncogenic function of H19 in human PC and reveal potential targets for the development of optimal treatment approaches for this disease.

Review article: gastrointestinal features in COVID-19 and the possibility of faecal transmission

BACKGROUND

There is little published evidence on the gastrointestinal features of COVID-19.

AIMS

To report on the gastrointestinal manifestations and pathological findings of patients with COVID-19, and to discuss the possibility of faecal transmission.

METHODS

We have reviewed gastrointestinal features of, and faecal test results in, COVID-19 from case reports and retrospective clinical studies relating to the digestive system published since the outbreak.

RESULTS

With an incidence of 3% (1/41)-79% (159/201), gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 included anorexia 39.9% (55/138)-50.2% (101/201), diarrhoea 2% (2/99)-49.5% (146/295), vomiting 3.6% (5/138)-66.7% (4/6), nausea 1% (1/99)-29.4% (59/201), abdominal pain 2.2% (3/138)-6.0% (12/201) and gastrointestinal bleeding 4% (2/52)-13.7% (10/73). Diarrhoea was the most common gastrointestinal symptom in children and adults, with a mean duration of 4.1 ± 2.5 days, and was observed before and after diagnosis. Vomiting was more prominent in children. About 3.6% (5/138)-15.9% (32/201) of adult and 6.5% (2/31)-66.7% (4/6) of children patients presented vomiting. Adult and children patients can present with digestive symptoms in the absence of respiratory symptoms. The incidence of digestive manifestations was higher in the later than in the early stage of the epidemic, but no differences in digestive symptoms among different regions were found. Among the group of patients with a higher proportion of severe cases, the proportion of gastrointestinal symptoms in severe patients was higher than that in nonsevere patients (anorexia 66.7% vs 30.4%; abdominal pain 8.3% vs 0%); while in the group of patients with a lower severe rate, the proportion with gastrointestinal symptoms was similar in severe and nonsevere cases (nausea and vomiting 6.9% vs 4.6%; diarrhoea 5.8% vs 3.5%). Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 and virus nucleocapsid protein were detected in gastrointestinal epithelial cells, and infectious virus particles were isolated from faeces. Faecal PCR testing was as accurate as respiratory specimen PCR detection. In 36% (5/14)-53% (39/73) faecal PCR became positive, 2-5 days later than sputum PCR positive. Faecal excretion persisted after sputum excretion in 23% (17/73)-82% (54/66) patients for 1-11 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with COVID-19, and had an increased prevalence in the later stage of the recent epidemic in China. SARS-CoV-2 enters gastrointestinal epithelial cells, and the faeces of COVID-19 patients are potentially infectious.

Letter: Covid-19, and vitamin D. Authors' reply

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Sands et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15555 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15716 .

Cascade reaction-mediated efficient ferroptosis synergizes with immunomodulation for high-performance cancer therapy

Graphical abstract of the cascade reaction-mediated efficient ferroptosis which synergizes with immunomodulation/immunotherapy for high-performance tumor ablation.

Extraction of Polysaccharide from Dendrobium nobile Lindl. by Subcritical Water Extraction

Subcritical water extraction (SWE) uses hot compressed water as an effective solvent for both polar and nonpolar compounds and has been developed as an environmentally benign extraction technology for natural materials. Polysaccharides as one of the main ingredients in Dendrobium plants showed obvious biological activity. Thus, SWE of polysaccharides obtained from Dendrobium nobile Lindl. was investigated in this work. The response surface methodology (RSM) was combined with a Box-Behnken design to evaluate the influence that the three independent variables had on the response. The optimal extraction conditions (determined via RSM) were 129.83 °C extraction temperature, 16.71 min extraction time, and 1.12 MPa extraction pressure. The maximum predicted polysaccharide yield was 20.67%, which corresponded well with the experiential extraction (21.88%). The polysaccharides obtained from either the stirring extraction, refluxing extraction, ultrasound extraction, or SWE methods were compared, and the extraction processes were modeled. The molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and antioxidative activities of the polysaccharides were analyzed.

[Clinical short-term and long-term efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection in the treatment of early low rectal cancer and precancerous lesions]

Objective: To evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the treatment of early low rectal cancer and precancerous lesions. Methods: Inclusion criteria: (1) Distance from the lower margin of tumor to the anal was ≤ 5 cm. (2) Early low rectal cancers were any size rectal epithelial tumors with infiltration depth limited to the mucosa and submucosa, which were diagnosed by postoperative pathology as high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or adenocarcinoma of the rectum with infiltration depth of intramucosal or submucosal cancer (M or SM stage). (3) Precancerous lesions included adenoma and low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of the rectum. (4) Patients received ESD treatment. Patients with tumor invasion depth over submucosa by pathology were excluded. From January 2008 to January 2018, 63 patients meeting the above criteria in Peking University First Hospital were enrolled in this descriptive cohort study. The disease characteristics, clinical manifestations, pathological types, treatment time, hospitalization time, en bloc resection rate (resection of the whole lesion), complete resection rate (both the horizontal and vertical incision margins were negative), postoperative complications and follow-up results were analyzed. Cummulative survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier. Results: The diameter of the lesion was (29.0±23.4) mm and the distance from the lesion to the anus was (2.7±1.8) cm. The median operation time was 45.0 (range, 10.0 to 360.0) minutes, the median hospitalization time was 3.0 (range, 2.0 to 12.0) days, en bloc resection rate was 100%, complete resection rate was 96.8% (61/63), and 1 case (1.6%) had postoperative bleeding. The follow-up rate was 87.3% (55/63) and the median follow-up time was 57.9 (range, 15.6 to 121.1) months. No local recurrence was found during the follow-up period and the 5-year survival rate was 100%. Conclusion: Short- and long-term efficacy of ESD are quite good in the treatment of patients with early low rectal cancer and precancerous lesions.

Low expression of SPARC in gastric cancer-associated fibroblasts leads to stemness transformation and 5-fluorouracil resistance in gastric cancer

Background

The aim of the present study was to clarify the correlations between SPARC expression in gastric cancer-associated fibroblasts (GCAFs) and the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer and to elucidate the role of GCAF-derived SPARC in stemness transformation and 5-fluorouracil resistance in gastric cancer.

Methods

One hundred ninety-two patients were enrolled in the present study. SPARC expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Primary GCAFs were obtained and cultured from cancer patients for in vitro study, and a lentivirus infection method was employed to knock down SPARC expression in GCAFs. The stemness phenotype and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) response of gastric cancer cells were assessed via a 3D co-culture model. The apoptotic status and stemness alterations were monitored by flow cytometry and western blotting. Additionally, label-free quantification proteomics was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins and potential pathways in gastric cancer cells treated with GCAF-derived SPARC.

Results

Low expression of GCAF-derived SPARC was associated with decreased differentiation and reduced 5-year overall survival and was an independent predictive factor for prognosis in gastric cancer. The 3D tumour growth and 5-FU resistance abilities of gastric cancer cells were elevated after treatment with GCAFs with SPARC knockdown relative to these abilities in negative control cells. Additionally, suppressing SPARC expression in GCAFs facilitated the phenotypic alteration of gastric cancer cells towards CD44⁺/CD24⁻ cancer stem cell (CSC)-like cells. Quantification proteomics analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins in gastric cancer cells were mainly involved in the AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK signalling pathways.

Conclusions

SPARC expression in GCAFs is a useful prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer. Low expression of GCAF-derived SPARC can lead to CSC transformation and 5-FU resistance. Additionally, the AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK signalling pathways may participate in the malignant process.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12935-019-0844-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Consensus on the digestive endoscopic tunnel technique

With the digestive endoscopic tunnel technique (DETT), many diseases that previously would have been treated by surgery are now endoscopically curable by establishing a submucosal tunnel between the mucosa and muscularis propria (MP). Through the tunnel, endoscopic diagnosis or treatment is performed for lesions in the mucosa, in the MP, and even outside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. At present, the tunnel technique application range covers the following: (1) Treatment of lesions originating from the mucosal layer, e.g., endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for oesophageal large or circular early-stage cancer or precancerosis; (2) treatment of lesions from the MP layer, per-oral endoscopic myotomy, submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection, etc.; and (3) diagnosis and treatment of lesions outside the GI tract, such as resection of lymph nodes and benign tumour excision in the mediastinum or abdominal cavity. With the increasing number of DETTs performed worldwide, endoscopic tunnel therapeutics, which is based on DETT, has been gradually developed and optimized. However, there is not yet an expert consensus on DETT to regulate its indications, contraindications, surgical procedure, and postoperative treatment. The International DETT Alliance signed up this consensus to standardize the procedures of DETT. In this consensus, we describe the definition, mechanism, and significance of DETT, prevention of infection and concepts of DETT-associated complications, methods to establish a submucosal tunnel, and application of DETT for lesions in the mucosa, in the MP and outside the GI tract (indications and contraindications, procedures, pre- and postoperative treatments, effectiveness, complications and treatments, and a comparison between DETT and other operations).

Benzene metabolite 1,2,4-benzenetriol changes DNA methylation and histone acetylation of erythroid-specific genes in K562 cells

1,2,4-Benzenetriol (BT) is one of the phenolic metabolites of benzene, a general occupational hazard and ubiquitous environmental air pollutant with leukemogenic potential in humans. Previous studies have revealed that the benzene metabolites phenol and hydroquinone can inhibit hemin-induced erythroid differentiation in K562 cells. We investigated the roles of DNA methylation and histone acetylation in BT-inhibited erythroid differentiation in K562 cells. When K562 cells were treated with 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20 µM BT for 72 h, hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Both 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR, DNA methyltransferase inhibitor) and trichostatin A (TSA, histone deacetylases inhibitor) could prevent 20 µM BT from inhibiting hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis and the mRNA expression of erythroid genes. Exposure to BT changed DNA methylation levels at several CpG sites of erythroid-specific genes, as well as the acetylation of histone H3 and H4, chromatin occupancy of GATA-1 and recruitment of RNA polymerase II at α-globin and β-globin gene clusters after hemin induction. These results demonstrated that BT could inhibit hemin-induced erythroid differentiation, where DNA methylation and histone acetylation also played important roles by down-regulating erythroid-specific genes. This partly explained the mechanisms of benzene hematotoxicity.

Emerging role of long non-coding RNA in the development of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is a common, worldwide malignancy and has a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a significant subtype of RNA molecules with a length longer than 200 nucleotides (nt) that rarely encode proteins. In recent decades, deregulation of lncRNAs has been shown to be involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression in various human carcinomas, including gastric cancer. Accumulating evidence has shown that some lncRNAs may function as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for gastric cancer. Thus, exploring the specific functions of lncRNAs will help both gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis and develop novel treatments for gastric cancer. In this review, we highlight the expression and functional roles of lncRNAs in gastric cancer, and analyze the potential applications of lncRNAs as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

[Efficacy comparison between surgical resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection of early gastric cancer in a domestic single center]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and surgical resection for early gastric cancer (EGC). Method The retrospective case-control study was conducted. Clinical and pathological data of 246 patients who were diagnosed as early gastric cancer and received ESD or surgery for EGC at Peking University First Hospital from 2010 to 2015 were collected, including 171 males and 75 females with average age of (63.6±10.8) years. Eighty-one patients received ESD according to the following indications: no peritoneal lymph node metastasis in preoperative CT; differentiated mucosal cancer without ulcer findings, irrespective of tumor size; differentiated mucosal cancer with diameter ≤30 mm and ulcer; differentiated minimal submucosal invasive cancer (≤500 μm from the muscularis mucosa) with diameter ≤30 mm and without ulcer; undifferentiated mucosal cancer with diameter ≤20 mm and without ulcer; high grade intraepithelial neoplasia with diameter >20 mm; mucous lesion recurrence after EMR without chance of EMR again. One-hundred and sixty-five cases received surgery according to the findings of peritoneal lymph node metastasis in preoperative CT or the growth of carcinoma beyond the expanding criteria of ESD (surgery group). En block resection rate (removing all the lesion at once) and curative resection rate [standard: negative horizontal and vertical surgical margins; negative vessel carcinoma embolus; pT1a and pT1b (SM1); lesion diameter <3 cm with differentiated type, pT1a with ulcer or pT1b(SM1); lesion diameter <2 cm with undifferentiated type, pT1a without ulcer] were compared between two groups. According to pathological results, including tumor location, macrographic type, size, pathological type, differentiated type, invasive depth, surgical margin, vessel carcinoma embolus and lymph node metastasis, all the patients meeting the ESD curative resection criteria in both groups were subgrouped in order to compare the baseline information, surgical conditions, postoperative complications, recovery, follow-up and survival. The end of follow up was December 2016.

RESULTS

The en block resection rate was 93.8%(76/81), while curative resection rate was 91.4% (74/81) in ESD group. The en block resection rate and curative resection rate was both 100% in surgery group. According to the pathological results, 170 cases were confirmed to be in accordance with the curative resection standard, including 74 cases in ESD group and 96 cases in surgery group. Subgroup analysis showed that ESD group had older cases (t=2.939, P=0.004) and more cases with lesion in upper 1/3 of stomach (χ²=8.992, P=0.011), while no significant differences in tumor size, invasion depth, degree of differentiation (t=1.875, 2.393, 3.074, all P>0.05) were observed. Compared to surgery group, ESD group had significantly shorter operative time [(76.4±46.3) minutes vs. (271.9±92.6) minutes, t=17.950, P=0.000], shorter fasting period [(3.2±1.4) days vs. (8.8±5.4) days, t=9.801, P=0.000], shorter hospital stay [(9.0±5.8) days vs. (22.1±9.1) days, t=11.471, P=0.000], less costs [(2.6±2.2) ten thousand yuan vs (7.4±3.0) ten thousand yuan, t=12.235, P=0.000] and lower morbidity of early-stage postoperative complication [1.4%(1/74) vs. 20.8%(20/96), χ²=14.502, P=0.013]. One-hundred and sixty-two of 170 patients (95.3%) were followed up for median time of 28 months (range, 11 to 84 months). The recurrence rate was 2.7% (2/74) in ESD group and 4.2% (4/96) in surgery group respectively without significant difference(χ²=1.787, P=0.409). Five-year overall survival rate was 97.5% and 96.5% respectively without significant difference as well (χ²=0.115, P=0.735).

CONCLUSIONS

ESD is an effective and safe treatment of early gastric cancer. It can be used as the first protocol for well-differentiated mucosal or SM1 EGC without ulcer as well as undifferentiated mucosal EGC with diameter less than 2 cm.

[Efficacy analysis of endoscopic therapy for early colorectal carcinoma: a retrospective study of 113 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical efficacy of endoscopic therapy for early colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Clinical data of 113 early colorectal mucosal carcinoma or submucosal carcinoma receiving endoscopic therapy were retrospectively analyzed and compared with 39 early colorectal cancer cases receiving surgery during the same time.

RESULTS

All the cases were well-moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Size of tumors in endoscopic group was (26.2±21.5) mm, and that was (30.9±24.3) mm in surgery group (P=0.257). Baseline data between the two groups were not significantly different (all P>0.05). Significantly shorter median operating time [15.0 minutes vs. 203.0 minutes, χ²=69.322, P=0.000] and median hospital stay [3.0 days vs. 17.0 days, χ²=76.180, P=0.000] were observed in endoscopic group compared with surgery group. The en bloc resection rate, curative resection rate, lymph node metastatic rate and complication rate were not significantly different between two groups (all P>0.05). Ten patients in endoscopic group were referred to additional surgery for deep invasion and/or incomplete resection, of whom 7 received radical surgery, and the other 3 cases without radical surgery did not develop recurrence during follow-up of (20.5±0.9) months. After follow-up for (17.5±15.8) months, the local recurrence rate was 5.3% (6/113) in endoscopic group and 0 (0/39) in surgery group without significant difference (χ²=0.983, P=0.321). There was no significant difference in 5-year tumor-free survival rate between two groups (91.8% vs. 97.0%, χ²=1.533, P=0.216).

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic therapy possesses shorter operating time, shorter hospital stay and similar efficacy as compared to surgery in the treatment of early colorectal cancer.

Protease sensitivity and redistribution of CD71 and glycophorin A on K562 cells

Transmembrane proteins are delivered to plasma membrane from the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex by vesicular transport along with the cytoskeletal network. Disruption of this process likely affects transmembrane protein expression. K562 cells were digested with Streptomyces griseus protease for different periods of time, and then re-cultured with different cytoskeletal and glycosylation inhibitors. Cell viability and surface expression of transferrin receptor (CD71) and glycophorin A (GPA) were analyzed before and after re-culture by flow cytometry. We found that digestion with protease almost completely removed extracellular CD71 and GPA but their expression recovered to the initial levels after re-culture for 8 h and 24 h, respectively. The microtubule depolymerizer colchicine promoted cell surface recovery of CD71 but inhibited that of GPA; the microtubule stabilizer paclitaxel inhibited cell surface recovery of CD71 but promoted that of GPA; the microfilament depolymerizer cytochalasin D had no effect on cell surface recovery of CD71 and GPA; the microfilament stabilizer phalloidin inhibited cell surface recovery of GPA. The glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin inhibited the recovery of both CD71 and GPA, and BADGP inhibited the recovery of GPA. These studies show differential sensitivities of surface proteins on K562 cells to proteases, and suggest molecular mechanisms of transmembrane protein transport and cycling.

Changes in DNA methylation of erythroid-specific genes in K562 cells exposed to catechol in long term

Catechol is one of phenolic metabolites of benzene that is a general occupational hazard and a ubiquitous environmental air pollutant. Catechol also occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables and cigarettes. Previous studies have revealed that 72h exposure to catechol improved hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells accompanied with elevated methylation in erythroid specific genes. In present study, K562 cells were treated with 0, 10 or 20μM catechol for 1-4weeks, hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis increased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and the enhanced hemoglobin synthesis was relatively stable. The mRNA expression of α-, β- and γ-globin genes, erythroid heme synthesis enzymes PBGD and ALAS2, transcription factor GATA-1 and NF-E2 showed a significant increase in K562 cells exposed to 20μM catechol for 3w, and catechol enhanced hemin-induced mRNA expression of these genes. Quantitative MassARRAY methylation analysis also confirmed that the exposure to catechol changed DNA methylation levels at several CpG sites in several erythroid-specific genes and their far upstream of regulatory elements. These results demonstrated that long-term exposure to low concentration of catechol enhanced the hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells, in which DNA methylation played a role by up-regulating erythroid specific genes.

Answers to if the Lead Aprons are Really Helpful in Nuclear Medicine from the Perspective of Spectroscopy

Wearing lead X-ray-protective aprons is a routine in nuclear medicine department in parts of China. However, the staff are often perplexed by questions such as if it is imperative to wear aprons when injecting radioactive drugs, how much radiation dosage can be shielded and if the apron will produce secondary radiation instead? To answer these questions, a semiconductor detector was employed to record different gamma and X-ray spectra with and without the lead apron or lead sheet. Then, we could estimate the signal shielding ratio to different photons for the lead apron and compare with the hospitals measured data. In general, the two results coincided well. The spectral results showed that the detrimental secondary X-rays irradiation rises when the energy of gamma rays exceeds the K absorption edge of lead (88 keV). Moreover, the aprons are not so effective for gamma rays of 364 keV emitted from 131I and 511 keV emitted from the positron radioactive nuclides. This work is purely a physical measurement in the laboratory. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative study on the level of gamma rays protection offered by the medical lead aprons and the importance of the spectroscopic measurements is discussed in this paper.

Hydrocracking of Jatropha Oil over non-sulfided PTA-NiMo/ZSM-5 Catalyst

The PTA-NiMo/ZSM-5 catalyst impregnated with phosphotungstic acid (PTA) was designed for the transformation of Jatropha oil into benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) aromatics. The produced catalyst was characterized by N₂ adsorption-desorption, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD). The catalytic performance was evaluated by gas chromatography (GC). The liquid products were 70 wt% of the feed oil, and the majority of the liquid products were BTX. The aromatization activity of the catalyst was improved by the addition of PTA and the hierarchical process. The favorable PTA amount was 20 wt% and the yield of BTX was 59 wt% at 380 °C, 3 MPa, H₂/oil (v/v) = 1000 and LHSV = 1 h⁻¹ over the PTA20-NiMo/HZ0.5 catalyst (PTA 20 wt%) without sulfurization.

Antiproliferative Activity of Triterpene Glycoside Nutrient from Monk Fruit in Colorectal Cancer and Throat Cancer

Colorectal cancer and throat cancer are the world’s most prevalent neoplastic diseases, and a serious threat to human health. Plant triterpene glycosides have demonstrated antitumor activity. In this study, we investigated potential anticancer effects of mogroside IVe, a triterpenoid glycoside from monk fruit, using in vitro and in vivo models of colorectal and laryngeal cancer. The effects of mogroside IVe on the proliferation of colorectal cancer HT29 cells and throat cancer Hep-2 cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the expression levels of p53, phosphorylated ERK1/2, and MMP-9 were analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The results indicated that mogroside IVe inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the proliferation of HT29 and Hep-2 cells in culture and in xenografted mice, which was accompanied by the upregulation of tumor suppressor p53, and downregulation of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2. This study revealed the suppressive activity of mogroside IVe towards colorectal and throat cancers and identified the underlying mechanisms, suggesting that mogroside IVe may be potentially used as a biologically-active phytochemical supplement for treating colorectal and throat cancers.

Sirt 1 activator attenuates the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice via inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on the idiopathic bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which is increasingly recognized as an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the effect of resveratrol on the BLM-induced fibrosis in a mouse model, via monitoring the pathological chance in mice lung, the mice body weight change and the mice death. And we also explored the regulation by BLM on (and) resveratrol on the expression and activity of Sirt 1 and on the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated markers in mice lung.

RESULTS

It was demonstrated that resveratrol ameliorated the BLM-induced fibrosis-like pathological change in mice lung, inhibited BLM-induced mice body weight loss and death. Moreover, resveratrol also inhibited the BLM-induced EMT-associated molecular events, such as reduced E-cadherin and elevated Collagen I and α-SMA. We also confirmed the amelioration by resveratrol on the BLM-mediated inhibition of Sirt 1 in expression and activity in mice lung.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed the inhibitory role of resveratrol in the BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model. Resveratrol ameliorated the BLM-induced pathological change of fibrosis, mice body weight loss and death. And such amelioration might be associated with the activation of Sirt 1 in mice lung. The present study implied that resveratrol might be a promising agent for effective control the pulmonary fibrosis.

A Non-sulfided flower-like Ni-PTA Catalyst that Enhances the Hydrotreatment Efficiency of Plant Oil to Produce Green Diesel

The development of a novel non-sulfided catalyst with high activity for the hydrotreatment processing of plant oils, is of high interest as a way to improve the efficient production of renewable diesel. To attempt to develop such a catalyst, we first synthesized a high activity flower-like Ni-PTA catalyst used in the hydrotreatment processes of plant oils. The obtained catalyst was characterized with SEM, EDX, HRTEM, BET, XRD, H₂-TPR, XPS and TGA. A probable formation mechanism of flower-like Ni(OH)₂ is proposed on the basis of a range of contrasting experiments. The results of GC showed that the conversion yield of Jatropha oil was 98.95%, and the selectivity of C11-C18 alkanes was 70.93% at 360 °C, 3 MPa, and 15 h⁻¹. The activity of this flower-like Ni-PTA catalyst was more than 15 times higher than those of the conventional Ni-PTA/Al₂O₃ catalysts. Additionally, the flower-like Ni-PTA catalyst exhibited good stability during the process of plant oil hydrotreatment.