Peptidase inhibitor 16 promotes proliferation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells through OASL signaling

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly invasive cancer with a poor prognosis and a 5-year survival rate of less than 11%. As a member of the CAP superfamily of proteins, the role of peptidase inhibitor 16 (Pi16) in tumor progression is still unclear. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR methods were used to detect the expression levels of Pi16 protein and mRNA in PDAC patients. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to knock out the expression of Pi16 in PDAC cell lines. In vivo and in vitro experiments were used to verify the effect of Pi16 on PDAC proliferation ability. By RNA sequencing, we found that oligoadenylate synthetase L (OASL) can serve as a potential downstream target of Pi16. The expression of Pi16 was higher in PDAC tissues than in matched adjacent tissues. High expression of Pi16 was associated with PDAC progression and poor prognosis. Overexpression of Pi16 could promote the proliferation of PDAC cells in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis and coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that Pi16 could bind to OASL. Moreover, the functional recovery test confirmed that Pi16 could promote the proliferation of PDAC via OASL. Our present study demonstrates that Pi16 might participate in the occurrence and development of PDAC by regulating cell proliferation by binding to OASL, indicating that Pi16 might be a promising novel therapeutic target for PDAC.

[The ninth edition of TNM staging for lung cancer: precise staging for precise diagnosis and treatment]

The ninth edition of TNM staging for lung cancer has been announced at the 2023 World Lung Cancer Congress and implemented from January 1, 2024. Te focus of the ninth TNM staging change is dividing N2 into N2a and N2b, as well as M1c into M1c1 and M1c2. Although the T staging has not changed, it has played an important role in verifying the eighth edition of the T staging. The subdivision of stage N2 has led some patients with ⅢA of the eighth edition to experience ascending or descending stages, which will more accurately help to assess the condition and prognosis of patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis, as well as the design of related clinical studies. Modifying the M1c staging will help define oligometastasis and explore new treatment models in the future. The ninth edition of the TNM staging system provides a more detailed division of different tumor loads, but there is no clear explanation for the staging of lung cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. Further data analysis is needed, and it is expected to be answered in the tenth edition of TNM staging.

[Screening, functional analysis and clinical validation of differentially expressed genes in diabetic foot ulcers]

Objective: To screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), and to perform functional analysis and clinical validation of them, intending to lay a theoretical foundation for epigenetic therapy of chronic refractory wounds. Methods: An observational study was conducted. The gene expression profile dataset GSE80178 of DFU patients in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was selected, and the DEG between three normal skin tissue samples and six DFU tissue samples in the dataset was analyzed and screened using the GEO2R tool. For the screened DEG, ClusterProfiler, org.Hs.eg.db, GOplot, and ggplot2 in the R language packages were used for Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, respectively. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed using STRING database to screen key genes in the DEG, and GO enrichment analysis of key genes was performed using Cytohubba plug-in in Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. DFU tissue and normal skin tissue discarded after surgery were collected respectively from 15 DFU patients (7 males and 8 females, aged 55-87 years) and 15 acute wound patients (6 males and 9 females, aged 8-52 years) who were admitted to Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University from September 2018 to March 2021. The mRNA and protein expressions of small proline-rich repeat protein 1A (SPRR1A) and late cornified envelope protein 3C (LCE3C) were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test. Results: Compared with normal skin tissue, 492 statistically differentially expressed DEGs were screened from DFU tissue of DFU patients (corrected P<0.05 or corrected P<0.01), including 363 up-regulated DEGs and 129 down-regulated DEGs. GO terminology analysis showed that DEGs were significantly enriched in the aspects of skin development, keratinocyte (KC) differentiation, keratinization, epidermal development, and epidermal cell differentiation, etc. (corrected P values all <0.01). KEGG pathway analysis showed that DEGs were significantly enriched in the aspects of tumor-associated microRNA, Ras related protein 1 signaling pathway, and pluripotent stem cell regulatory signaling pathway, etc. (corrected P values all <0.01). PPI analysis showed that endophial protein, SPRR1A, SPRR1B, SPRR2B, SPRR2E, SPRR2F, LCE3C, LCE3E, keratin 16 (all down-regulated DEGs), and filoprotein (up-regulated DEG) were key genes of DEGs screened from DFU tissue of DFU patients, which were significantly enriched in GO terms of keratinization, KC differentiation, epidermal cell differentiation, skin development, epidermis development, and peptide cross-linking, etc. (corrected P values all <0.01). The mRNA expressions of SPRR1A and LCE3C in DFU tissue of DFU patients were 0.588±0.082 and 0.659±0.098, respectively, and the protein expressions were 0.22±0.05 and 0.24±0.04, respectively, which were significantly lower than 1.069±0.025 and 1.053±0.044 (with t values of 20.91 and 13.66, respectively, P values all <0.01) and 0.38±0.04 and 0.45±0.05 (with t values of 9.69 and 12.46, respectively, P values all <0.01) in normal skin tissue of acute wound patients. Conclusions: Compared with normal skin tissue, there is DEG profile in DFU tissue of DFU patients, with DEGs being significantly enriched in the aspects of KC differentiation and keratin function. Key DEGs are related to the biological function of KC, and their low expressions in DFU tissue of DFU patients may impede ulcer healing.

[Prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma of head and neck and risk factors for lung metastasis]

Objective: To analyze the prognosis and risk factors of lung metastasis of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC) of head and neck. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. The data of 157 patients with ACC of head and neck treated in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2014 to October 2020 were collected, including 72 males and 85 females, with onset age between 14 and 72 years old. According to whether lung metastasis occurred, the patients were divided into lung metastasis group (88 cases) and non-pulmonary metastasis group (69 cases). Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival rate and progression-free survival rate using SPSS 26.0 software. Log-rank test was used to evaluate statistically relevant clinicopathological factors. Cox proportional risk model was used in multivariate analysis for the factors affecting the lung metastasis-free survival using R Studio 1.2.5042. Results: The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 91.5% and 85.2%, respectively. The 3-year and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 57.7% and 34.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that primary site, histological grade, high-grade transformation, Ki-67, T stage, and lymph node status were the risk factors for lung metastasis (χ²=11.78, 10.41, 4.06, 4.71, 5.37, 16.20, respectively, all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed independent risk factors for lung metastasis, including submandibular gland and sublingual gland (HR=3.53, 95%CI: 1.19-10.46, P<0.05), T3-4 stage (HR=3.09, 95%CI: 1.54-6.23, P<0.05), and Grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ grade (HR=2.47, 95%CI: 1.26-4.86,P<0.05). Conclusion: Distant metastasis, mainly pulmonary metastasis, affects the long-term prognosis of patients with ACC significantly. Primary site, T stage and histopathological grade can be used as the predictors for the risk of lung metastasis.

[Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever and E gene evolution of dengue virus in Guangzhou, 2020]

Objective: To assess the incidence of dengue fever and E gene evolution of dengue virus in Guangzhou in 2020 and understand the local epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever and spreading of dengue virus. Methods: The information of dengue fever cases in Guangzhou in 2020 was collected from Notifiable Infectious Disease System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Serum samples from the cases were detected by real-time PCR. The E gene was sequenced and analyzed. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed using software MEGA 5.05. The statistical analysis was conducted using software SPSS 20.0. Results: A total of 33 dengue fever cases were reported in Guangzhou in 2020, including 31 (93.94%) imported cases and 2 (6.06%) local cases. Compared with the data during 2016 to 2019, the number of cases, overall incidence and local incidence all decreased with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The imported cases from Southeast Asia constituted 90.32% (28/31) of imported cases. The E gene sequences and the phylogenetic trees of imported and local cases demonstrated close relationship with the virus sequences from Southeast Asian, and they were less homologous with the sequences of dengue virus isolated in Guangzhou in previous years. Conclusions: The incidence of dengue in Guangzhou in 2020 was significantly affected by the imported cases, especially those from Southeast Asian countries. The study result demonstrated that dengue fever was not endemic in Guangzhou and it was caused by imported ones.

The clinical role of transesophageal echocardiography during transvenous lead extraction

BACKGROUND

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is commonly used during cardiothoracic procedures. TEE has also become standard during transvenous lead extraction (TLE) procedures, but its effect and role have not been optimally defined. The goal of this study is to identify how TEE was used during TLE at our institute and review its utility.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed high-risk patients undergoing TLE, for whom more complications during extraction procedures, from June 2012 to September 2020. The patients were divided into TEE group and non-TEE group according to real-time TEE monitoring. We compared the rate of procedural success, complications between two groups and concluded the clinical utility of TEE during TLE.

RESULTS

A total of 195 patients were included (105 in TEE group vs 90 in non-TEE group), the rate of procedure success (97.8% vs 96.5%, p = 0.41) and complications during extraction (8.6% vs 12.2%, p = 0.40, major complication 5.7% vs 12.2%, p = 0.11, minor complication 2.9% vs 0%, p = 0.30) were comparable. In TEE group, 12 patients (11.4%) received following benefits: altering surgical plans, guiding subsequent therapy strategies, and rapidly diagnosing complications, moreover no complications occurred from TEE.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that real-time monitoring by TEE cannot change the rate of procedural success and complication during TLE; however, TEE provides valuable information to instruct clinical therapy and improves the safety of TLE.

Anesthetic management of bilateral pheochromocytoma resection in Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (also known as VHL syndrome), is an autosomal dominant inherited disease. We describe a sporadic case of VHL syndrome where bilateral pheochromocytomas were unexpectedly identified. The patient underwent selective laparoscopic resections of the pheochromocytomas, and the anesthetic management during surgery was complex and challenging.

CASE SUMMARY

A 22-year-old man presented to our hospital to seek medical advice for infertility without any other complaints. The results of computed tomography and catecholamine levels in blood and urine demonstrated adrenal gland masses which were diagnosed as pheochromocytomas. Further examination confirmed that the patient also had VHL syndrome. After thorough preparation, the patient underwent selective laparoscopic resection of the pheochromocytomas and was discharged 10 d after surgery. We describe the process of perioperative anesthesia management in this patient undergoing pheochromocytoma resection.

CONCLUSION

This case summaries specific clinical traits and considerations in perioperative anesthesia management for VHL syndrome patients undergoing bilateral pheochromocytoma resection.

[Spatial autocorrelation of dengue cases and molecular biological characteristics of envelope gene of dengue virus in Guangzhou, 2019]

Objective: Analyze epidemiological situation of dengue fever,and survey impacts of four serotypes dengue viruses in Guangzhou, 2019. Methods: Information of patients was collected in Notifiable Infectious Disease Report System (NIDRS). Spatial autocorrelation of dengue cases was evaluated using ArcGIS version 10.2. Serum samples were tested by real-time PCR. Virus strains were isolated from positive sera. Then E gene was sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were including PhyMLsoftwarev 3.1. Results: A total of 1 655 dengue cases, consisted of 1 382 local cases and 273 imported cases, was confirmed in 2019. The incidence was 11.10 per 100 000 dengue cases were autocorrelated in Guangzhou. There were 18 high-high clusters. Most of the imported dengue cases were imported from Southeast Asian countries (86.08%,235/273) and African countries (2.56%,7/273). Of 749 serum samples detected by real-time PCR, the positive rate was 93.06% (697/749). Four hundred and sixty-four dengue virus strains had been isolated in 2019. Compared with data from the genotype tree of the former years, no genotype shift was discovered. Serotype 1 was still predominant. Serotype 2 was the significant strain in Baiyun district and Liwan district. Conclusions: Dengue fever was spreading all over Guangzhou in 2019. The suburban areas, which played a more critical role in causing the spread and outbreak of dengue fever, should be given more prominence. Inspection at ports should be enforced to prevent importing cases from African countries and Southeast Asian countries. The risk of serotype 2 cannot be overlooked. Four serotypes dengue viruses prevailed simultaneously in Guangzhou, which warns us to take precaution of severe dengue outbreaks.

[Analysis of mental state of allergic rhinitis patients in Chengdu city by symptom check list 90 (SCL-90) scale]

Objective: To analyse the mental state of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) in Chengdu. Methods: One thousand five hundred and thirty-six AR patients from Sichuan Provincial Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan People's Hospital, Sichuan Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected from July 2013 to January 2018. Eight hundred and twenty-seven patients were screened into study group by inclusion and exclusion standards. The symptom check list 90 (SCL-90) was used to group and score the mental state of these patients according to nine classification criteria: gender, BMI, age, marital status, monthly salary, disease duration, living environment, education level and working environment. Then, the scores were compared within groups. Inter-group comparison was made between the study group and the Chinese norm, and the positive factors for psychological disorders were extracted. Four symptoms in the study group, i.e. nasal itching, sneezing, clear discharge and nasal congestion, were scored on the visual analogue scale (VAS). SPSS 19.0 software was used to carry out statistical analysis. Partial correlation analysis was performed between the positive factors and the symptom scores by multiple regression statistical method. Results: The total score of SCL-90 in the study group was 2.64±0.25, which was accorded with mild to moderate mental health impairment. There were 124 (15.0%) without mental health damage, 176 (21.3%) with mild damage, 474 (57.3%) with mild to moderate damage, 41 (5.0%) with moderate to severe damage and 12 (1.4%) with severe damage. The in-group comparison showed that the top three categories of different items were the living environment, gender and working environment. The scores of somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, psychosis, other (sleep, diet) and total average score of urban residents were higher than that of country residents (3.29±0.61 vs 2.65±0.50, 2.81±0.77 vs 2.05±0.38, 3.10±0.19 vs 2.49±0.67, 3.40±0.84 vs 2.49±0.70, 3.04±0.64 vs 2.33±0.51, 3.02±0.55 vs 2.40±0.77, 3.40±0.41 vs 2.52±0.77, 2.91±0.11 vs 2.29±0.40, Z value was 4.88, 5.25, 4.57, 5.91, 5.09, 4.63, 5.55, -4.55, respectively, all P<0.05). Women scored higher than man for somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression and others (2.66±0.51 vs 2.00±0.45, 3.37±0.47 vs 2.63±0.51, 3.44±0.57 vs 2.85±0.52, 3.47±0.36 vs 2.76±0.45, Z value was -5.10, -5.51, -4.86, -5.28, respectively, all P<0.05). The scores of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, psychosis and other (sleep, diet) were higher in the indoor group than those in the outdoor group (3.49±0.64 vs 2.78±0.46, 3.33±0.30 vs 2.56±0.68, 3.28±0.60 vs 2.67±0.31, 3.50±0.85 vs 2.85±0.37, Z value was 5.31, 5.79, 4.89, 5.00, respectively, all P<0.05). The outdoor group scored higher on obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety and hostility (3.44±0.40 vs 2.83±0.35, 3.40±0.50 vs 2.57±0.93, 3.34±0.88 vs 2.69±0.56, Z value was 4.96, 6.22, 5.08, respectively, all P<0.05). The inter-group comparison found that depression, anxiety, psychosis and other (sleep, diet) could be partially correlated with VAS scores as 4 positive factors. The results of partial correlation analysis showed that depression was positively correlated with sneezing and nasal runny discharge, anxiety was positively correlated with nasal itching and nasal obstruction, psychosis was positively correlated with nasal itching and sneezing, and other (sleep, diet) was positively correlated with nasal runny discharge and nasal obstruction. Conclusion: AR patients have mild to moderate mental health impairments, which are correlated with AR symptoms.

[Intervention study of compassion fatigue of oncology nurses in Balint group activities]

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of Balint group on compassion fatigue among oncology nurses. Methods: From January to December 2016, 35 oncology nurses from one general hospital were enrolled. 18 cases were allocated in the observation group and 17 cases in the control group by computer randomization. Nurses in the observation group were received a total of 8 times Balint Group activities, with 2 times a month and 1.5 hours each time, which is aiming to discuss difficult cases encountered in the clinic to help nurses have a deeper experience and a better understanding of the emotions and behaviors, fantasies and needs between nurse-patient interaction. Nurses in the control group without intervention. All the Participants were requested to complete the survey of the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) , the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professionals (JSE-HP) , and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) at pre and post intervention. Results: Before intervention, two group of nurses in age, working years, marriage, and education were not statistically significant (P>0.05). There was no difference in the scores of empathy, compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and General health (P>0.05). After intervention, the scores of JSE-HP and its three dimensions of perspective taking, emotional care, and trans-positional consideration in the observation group had significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The level of compassion satisfaction in the observation group was higher, and the general health status was lower (P<0.05). There was no statistically difference in the level of burnout and secondary traumatic stress between two groups (P>0.05) . Conclusion: Balint group has a positive role in promoting nurses'empathetic skills, compassion satisfaction and mental health.

[Clinical analysis of endoscopic sinus surgery on 12 HIV-positive patients with sinusitis]

Objective: To explore the feasibility of endoscopic sinus surgery on HIVinfected patients. Method: Twelve positive patients suffering from sinusitis undergoing endoscopic treatment were retrospectively analyzed. And the clinical characteristics,treatment and therapeutic effects were summarized. Result: After follow-up up for 1-6 years, 8 cases were cured, 1 case was improved, and 3 cases recurred three months after operation.The effective rate was 75%.The quality of life of patients was improved. Conclusion: For HIV-positive sinusitis patients with surgical indications,endoscopic surgery should be considered if general examinations are normal and full perioperative protections can be taken, and the therapeutic efficacy is definite. CD4+ T cell count should not be regarded as an absolute contraindication of surgery.

[Phylogenetic analysis of envelope gene of dengue virus serotype 2 in Guangzhou, 2001-2015]

Objective: To investigate the molecular characteristics of dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) in Guangzhou during 2001-2015, and analyze the E gene of the strains isolated, the phylogenetic tree and molecular clock were constructed to know about the evolution of the strains. Methods: The serum samples of the patients were detected by real time PCR, and positive samples were used to isolate dengue virus by using C6/36 cells. The E gene of the isolated strains were sequenced. The phylogenetic tree was constructed by using software Mega 4.0, and the molecular clock was drawn by using software BEASTv1.8.2. Results: Twenty-six dengue virus strains were isolated between 2001 and 2015. They were all clustered into 2 genotypes, i.e. cosmopolitan genotype and Asian genotype Ⅰ. The strains isolated in Guangzhou shared high homology with Southeast Asian strains. The cosmopolitan genotype was divided into 2 sub-genotype at about 46 and 35 years ago. The substitution rate of dengue virus serotype 2 in Guangzhou was 7.1 × 10(-4) per year per site. Conclusions: There were close relationship between the Guangzhou strains and Southeast Asian strains. Guangzhou was at high risk of imported dengue fever, outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. There might be two ways of introduction of cosmopolitan genotype. The substitution rate of the strains in Guangzhou was similar to that in the neighbor countries.

Analysis of genetic diversity of the heat shock protein 70 gene on the basis of abundant sequence polymorphisms in chicken breeds

This study was designed to detect the sequence variation of the chicken heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene. A total of 102 individuals from 8 native Chinese breeds together with Dwarf White Chicken and Red Junglefowl were used to detect sequence variations. The coding regions of the chicken HSP70 gene from 102 individuals were cloned and sequenced. Thirty-six variations were identified, which included 34 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 2 indel mutations. Fifty-seven haplotypes were observed, of which, 43 were breed-specific and 14 were shared. There were 7 Red Junglefowl-specific haplotypes, while Haidong and Silkie only had 2 specific haplotypes. Eleven and 3 haplotypes were shared between and within species, respectively. The variation in nucleotide diversity (Pi) and average number of nucleotide differences (K) among species were consistent. The total Pi of HSP70 was 0.0016, and the total K was 4.1998. The Pi value of Red Junglefowl was the highest (0.0018) and K was 4.8000, while the Pi of Silkie was the lowest (0.0010) and K was 2.5000. These results demonstrated that variation in chicken HSP70 was abundant between and within species.

The vibrational and buckling behaviors of piezoelectric nanobeams with surface effects

In this work, the influence of surface effects, including residual surface stress, surface elasticity and surface piezoelectricity, on the vibrational and buckling behaviors of piezoelectric nanobeams is investigated by using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The surface effects are incorporated by applying the surface piezoelectricity model and the generalized Young-Laplace equations. The results demonstrate that surface effects play a significant role in predicting these behaviors. It is found that the influence of the residual surface stress and the surface piezoelectricity on the resonant frequencies and the critical electric potential for buckling is more prominent than the surface elasticity. The nanobeam boundary conditions are also found to influence the surface effects on these parameters. This study also shows that the resonant frequencies can be tuned by adjusting the applied electrical load. The present study is envisaged to provide useful insights for the design and applications of piezoelectric-beam-based nanodevices.

Lipid-rich carcinoma of the breast: a case report

Lipid-rich carcinoma is a rare variant and accounts for < or = 2% of all breast cancer diagnoses. We report a case occurring in a 53-year-old female. The patient presented with a painless, right breast mass. Clinical examination and mammography suggested malignancy. Subsequent modified radical mastectomy revealed the diagnosis of lipid-rich carcinoma. The morphological features, differential diagnosis and treatment along with a brief review of the literature are discussed in this article. Lipid-rich carcinoma (L-RC) is a very rare variant of breast carcinomas with an aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. It presents only 1% to 2% of all breast cases. It is classified as a specific variety of mammary carcinoma because the tumour cells possess abundant vacuolated cytoplasm which is strongly positive when stained for neutral fat. Aboumrad first described it in 1963 as lipid-secreting carcinoma. However, Ramos and Taylor renamed it as lipid-rich breast carcinoma. In China, the first case was reported in 1984. Herein, we report a case of lipid-rich carcinoma occurring in a 53-year-old female patient, and the literature is reviewed.

Mitotic kinase Aurora-A phosphorylates RASSF1A and modulates RASSF1A-mediated microtubule interaction and M-phase cell cycle regulation

RASSF1A (RAS-association domain family 1, isoform A) is a newer tumor suppressor that binds to and stabilizes microtubules as well as induces M-phase cell cycle arrest. Several other proteins that interact with and stabilize microtubules also undergo mitotic phase phosphorylation to regulate microtubule dynamics and M-phase cell cycle progression. Currently, however, there is a paucity of information regarding the phosphorylation status of RASSF1A and its regulation during mitosis. In this study, for the first time, we demonstrate that Aurora-A is a RASSF1A kinase and, to the best of our knowledge, this is also the first study reporting the identification of a kinase for RASSF1A. We show that the mitotic kinase Aurora-A directly interacts with and phosphorylates RASSF1 and that RASSF1A is phosphorylated by Aurora-A during mitosis. These findings therefore link an important oncogenic mitotic kinase to regulate RASSF1A tumor suppressor. Aurora-A appears to phosphorylate RASSF1A at Threonine202 and/or Serine203 that reside within the known microtubule-binding domain of RASSF1A. Substitutions of these residues with glutamic acid at both positions, mimicking constitutive phosphorylation of RASSF1A, disrupt RASSF1A interactions with microtubules and abolish its ability to induce M-phase cell cycle arrest. Our results further demonstrate that Aurora-A overexpression also interferes with RASSF1A-mediated growth suppression. In view of our results, we propose that Aurora-A-mediated phosphorylation of RASSF1A is a novel mechanism that regulates the ability of this tumor suppressor to interact with microtubules and modulate M-phase cell cycle progression.

Removal efficiency of high-concentration H2S in a pilot-scale biotrickling filter

A pilot-scale biotrickling filter (BTF) packed with polyurethane (PU) foam was installed at one pharmaceutical factory in Zhejiang Province to study the removal of high-concentration H2S from water treatment plant. Experiments were performed at different empty bed residence times (EBRTs), H2S input load, ratio of liquid flow rate to gas inlet rate (L/G) and sulfate concentration in recirculating liquid to examine their effects on the performance of the BTF. The performance of this bioreactor was monitored continuously over a period of 56 days. After the start-up within 8 days, H2S removal efficiency remained between 90% and 100% with inlet concentration fluctuating from 238 to 590 mg m(-3). H2S removal efficiency was consistently greater than 90%, even at a short EBRT of 9 s and inlet H2S load higher than 187 g m(-3) h(-1). Profiles over the height of the reactor indicated that H2S removal took place mostly in the first section of the column. The performance of BTF could be maintained at high and stable levels when L/G was below 0.005 and sulfate concentration down to 28 g l(-1). The results led to the conclusion that BTF is the optimal choice for treating high-concentration H2S.

Growth response and phytoextraction of copper at different levels in soils by Elsholtzia splendens

Phytoremediation is a promising approach for cleaning up soils contaminated with heavy metals. Information is needed to understand growth response and uptake mechanisms of heavy metals by some plant species with exceptional capability in absorbing and superaccumulating metals from soils. Greenhouse study, field trial, and old mined area survey were conducted to evaluate growth response and Cu phytoextraction of Elsholtzia splendens in contaminated soils, which has been recently identified to be tolerant to high Cu concentration and have great potential in remediating contaminated soils. The results from this study indicate that the plant exhibited high tolerance to Cu toxicity in the soils, and normal growth was attained up to 80 mg kg(-1) available soil Cu (the NH4OAc extractable Cu) or 1000 mg kg(-1) total Cu. Under the field conditions, a biomass yield of 9 ton ha(-1) was recorded at the soil available Cu level of 77 mg kg(-1), as estimated by the NH4OAc extraction method. Concentration-dependent uptake of Cu by the plant occurred mainly at the early growth stage, and at the late stage, there is no difference in shoot Cu concentrations grown at different extractable soil Cu levels. The extractability of Cu from the highly polluted soil is much greater by the roots than that by the shoots. The NH4OAc extractable Cu level in the polluted soil was reduced from 78 to 55 mg kg(-1) in the soil after phytoextraction and removal of Cu by the plant species for one growth season. The depletion of extractable Cu level in the rhizosphere was noted grown in the mined area, even at high Cu levels, the NH4OAc extractable Cu in the rhizosphere was 30% lower than that in the bulk soil. These results indicate that phytoextraction of E. splendens can effectively reduce the plant-available Cu level in the polluted soils.

An agonist anti-human CD40 monoclonal antibody that induces dendritic cell formation and maturation and inhibits proliferation of a myeloma cell line

CD40, a 48-50 KD cell membrane molecule, member of the nerve growth factor receptor and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is an important costimulatory molecule during the immune response. Anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (MAb) has been shown earlier to costimulate with IgM or phorbol esters resting B cells to proliferate, differentiate, secrete immunoglobulins, and switch isotype. Here we report on an agonistic mouse anti-human CD40 MAb 5C11. The specificity of this MAb was verified by flow cytometry, Western blotting, and competition with anti-CD40 MAb 89. We studied the effects of MAb 5C11 on a multimyeloma cell line, XG2, that expresses the CD40 antigen strongly and found that this MAb caused the homotypic aggregation of XG2, strongly suppressed XG2 proliferation, and led to its apoptosis after 24 hr of treatment. Interestingly, MAb 5C11 also triggered the generation, proliferation, and maturation of dendritic cells from peripheral blood monocytes, either by itself or in combination with GM-CSF and IL-4.