Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy of intracranial postoperative cavities after resection of brain metastases - Clinical outcome and prognostic factors

Background and Purpose

After surgical resection of brain metastases (BM), radiotherapy (RT) is indicated. Postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) reduces the risk of local progression and neurocognitive decline compared to whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Aside from the optimal dose and fractionation, little is known about the combination of systemic therapy and postoperative fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (fSRT), especially regarding tumour control and toxicity.

Methods

In this study, 105 patients receiving postoperative fSRT with 35 Gy in 7 fractions performed with Cyberknife were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS), local control (LC) and total intracranial brain control (TIBC) were analysed via Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify prognostic factors.

Results

Median follow-up was 20.8 months. One-year TIBC was 61.6% and one-year LC was 98.6%. Median OS was 28.7 (95%-CI: 16.9-40.5) months. In total, local progression (median time not reached) occurred in 2.0% and in 20.4% radiation-induced contrast enhancements (RICE) of the cavity (after median of 14.3 months) were diagnosed. Absence of extracranial metastases was identified as an independent prognostic factor for superior OS (p = <0.001) in multivariate analyses, while a higher Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was predictive for longer OS in univariate analysis (p = 0.041). Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) developed in 13% of patients.

Conclusion

FSRT after surgical resection of BM is an effective and safe treatment approach with excellent local control and acceptable toxicity. Further prospective randomized trials are needed to establish standardized therapeutic guidelines.

[Antioxidant activity of Euryale ferox seed shell extract and its therapeutic effects on oral ulcer in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract on oral ulcer in rats and its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The contents of polyphenols and flavonoids in Euryale ferox seed shells were determined by Folin-phenol assay and aluminum nitrate colorimetry, respectively. DPPH·, ABTS+·, ·OH and·O2- scavenging experiments were performed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of Euryale ferox seed shell extract in vitro. In a rat model of oral ulcer induced by burning with glacial acetic acid, the therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract was assessed by detecting changes in serum levels of oxidative factors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and observing pathological changes of the ulcerous mucosa using HE staining; the therapeutic mechanism of the extract was explored by detecting the expression levels of Keap1, Nrf2, Nes-Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in ulcerous mucosa using Western blotting.

RESULTS

The ethyl acetate extract of Euryale ferox seed shells contained 306.74±1.04 mg/g polyphenols and 23.43±0.61 mg/g flavonoids and had IC50 values for scavenging DPPH· and ABTS+· free radicals of 3.42 ± 0.97 μg/mL and 3.32 ± 0.90 μg/mL, respectively. In the rat models, the ethyl acetate extract significantly ameliorated oral mucosal ulcer, increased serum CAT level, and decreased serum MDA level. The protein expression levels of Nes-Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased and Keap1 protein expression was lowered significantly in the ulcerous mucosa of the rats after treatment with the extract (P<0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract on oral ulcers in rats is mediated probably by activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Association of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites with gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational hypertension among pregnant women in Southwest China: A cross-sectional study

The association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gestational hypertension during pregnancy has not yet been established. To investigate the association between PAH exposure and GDM and gestational hypertension, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 4206 pregnant women from the Zunyi birth cohort in southwestern China. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to detect the urinary levels of 10 monohydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAHs). GDM and gestational hypertension were diagnosed and the relevant information was documented by specialist obstetricians and gynecologists. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline regression were employed to investigate their single and nonlinear associations. Stratified analyses of pregnancy and body mass index data were conducted to determine their moderating effects on the abovementioned associations. Compared with the first quartile of urinary ∑OH-PAHs, the third or fourth quartile in all study participants was associated with an increased risk of GDM (quartile 3: odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.77) and gestational hypertension (quartile 3: OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.26-2.81; quartile 4: OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.04-2.39), respectively. Nonlinear associations of 1-OH-PYR with GDM (cutoff level: 0.02 μg/g creatinine [Cr]) and 1-OH-PHE with gestational hypertension (cutoff level: 0.06 μg/g Cr) were also observed. In pregnant women with overweight or obesity, 1-OH-PHE and 3-OH-PHE were more strongly associated with gestational hypertension. Our results indicate that exposure to PAH during pregnancy may significantly increase the maternal risks of GDM and gestational hypertension; however, this finding still needs to be confirmed through larger-scale prospective studies and biological evidence.

Histogram analysis of diffusion kurtosis imaging of deep brain nuclei in Parkinson's disease with different motor subtypes

AIM

To evaluate the diagnostic and differential efficacy of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) histogram analysis for different motor subtypes of Parkinson's disease (PD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy PD patients including 40 with postural instability and gait disorder (PIGD) and 30 with tremor-dominant (TD) and 36 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled prospectively and underwent MRI examinations. The regions of interest (ROI) in the deep brain nuclei were delineated and features were extracted on the map of mean kurtosis (MK), axial kurtosis (Ka), and radial kurtosis (Kr), respectively. The differences in histogram features between PD patients and HC and between patients with PIGD and TD were compared. The areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of all histogram features. The correlations between histogram features and clinical indicators were evaluated.

RESULTS

Some DKI histogram features were significantly different between PD patients and HC, and also different between patients with PIGD and TD (all p<0.05). MK of the substantia nigra pars reticulate (SNprkurtosis), Ka of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) 50 percentile (SNpcP50), and Kr of SNpc 90th percentile showed the highest AUC for distinguishing patients with PIGD from HC. MK-SNpc 10th percentile, Ka-SNpc 25th percentile, and Kr of the head of the caudate nucleus (CN) 90th percentile had the highest AUC for distinguishing patients with TD from HC. MK of the putamen 10th percentile combined with Ka of the bilateral red nucleus RNkurtosis yielded the highest diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.762 for distinguishing patients with PIGD from TD. Certain DKI histogram features were correlated with Hoehn-Yahr (H&Y) stage, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, tremor score, and PIGD score (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

DKI histogram analysis was useful to diagnose and discriminate different motor subtypes of PD. Certain DKI histogram features correlated with clinical indicators.

The Effect of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) Dose-Fraction (fx) Schema on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) dose-fraction (fx) schema for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) varies at different centers and commonly involves 3 to 5 fx. Additionally, the frequency of treatment per week, or treatment schedules (TS), can also differ. We sought to evaluate and compare the effect of different dose-fx schemas on overall survival (OS).

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrieved data from the National Cancer Database. Patient eligibility included early-stage NSCLC with cT1-2 N0M0 disease treated with SBRT using 3-5f x regimens. Demographics and clinical characteristics were identified. Biologically effective dose (BED) and total dose (TD) were calculated. TD included following: 45-60 Gy for 3 fx, 48-60 Gy for 4 fx, and 50-60 Gy for 5 fx. TS was classified as one of the following: daily, every other day, twice per week, or prolonged (less frequently than twice weekly). Non-prolonged TS was defined as daily, every other day, and twice per week. OS was calculated from the date of end of RT to the date of death and censored at the date of last contact. Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate OS and log-rank tests were used to compare the difference between groups. TS was compared pairwise within each individual fx-group. Univariable Cox proportional models with robust standard errors to account for within institution correlations were used to investigate the association between BED, TD, TS, fx-group and OS. Within each fx-group, BED was also assessed and compared.

RESULTS

A total of 3244 patients were identified, with median age 73. 48% were males and 52% females. 601 (19%) patients received 3 fx, 884 (27%) received 4 fx, and 1759 (54%) received 5 fx treatments. For the overall cohort, median and mean BEDs were 112 and 119, respectively. TS did not show a difference in OS among each individual fx group. Overall, prolonged vs non-prolonged schedules also did not show a difference in OS (p = 0.64). OS was superior in the 3 fx group compared to 4 and 5 fx groups, with median survival times of 61.5 vs 53.7 vs 52.6 months, respectively (p = 0.046). Overall, an increase in BED reduced risk of death (HR = 0.97 per 10-units, CI: 0.94-0.99, p = 0.04). When stratified by fx, each 10 unit rise in BED for those treated with 5 fx reduced the risk of death by 8% (HR = 0.92, CI: 0.87-0.97, p<0.01). However, increasing BED was not associated with change in OS for 3 fx (HR = 1.00, CI: 0.93-1.08, p = 0.93) and 4 fx (HR = 1.08, p = 0.08) regimens. Patients who received BED greater than the median (BED>112) had improved OS compared to those receiving BED£112 (HR = 0.86, p = 0.047). When evaluating the 5 fx-group individually, BED >100 (median of 5fx group) had superior OS compared to £100 (HR = 0.80, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Three-fraction regimens have superior OS compared to 4 and 5 fx regimens. Higher BED improves OS in 5 fx regimens. Treatment schedule variations among individual fx-groups does not impact OS.

The Impact of Mutations of BRCA1/2 Genes in Patients with Breast Cancer on Treatment Outcomes Following Radiation Therapy (RT)

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

BRCA1/2 mutations in isolated cancer cells have been shown to enhance radiosensitivity, but it is not known if similar mutations in breast cancer (BC) patients yield improved responses to RT. We analyzed a large, national, previously unexamined dataset to determine if patients with BRCA1/2 mutations receiving RT achieve longer disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) than patients with wild-type (WT) BRCA genes.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The study used the nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record (EHR)-derived de-identified database to select patients with Stage 0-III BC. Patients with known BRCA1/2 status were eligible if treated with RT≤ 1 year from diagnosis. Demographic data for patients with mutated and WT BRCA1/2 were compared using ANOVA and Chi-square tests. DFS was calculated from the start of RT until local/ distant recurrence or death and censored after the last clinic visit. Kaplan Meier estimates and multivariable Cox-proportional models (MVA) were used to compare DFS and OS for mutated and WT BRCA1/2 patients, for clinical stage, biomarkers (ER/PR/HER2), and surgery type (lumpectomy vs mastectomy).

RESULTS

The study group of 1561 Stage 0-III BC patients included 1482 patients (95%) with WT BRCA and 79 patients (5%) with BRCA1/2 mutations (31 patients with a mutation of BRCA1, 46 patients with a mutation of BRCA2, and 2 patients with both mutations). Patients with BRCA1/2 mutations were younger (median: 51 vs 56, p = 0.004), diagnosed at higher clinical stage (Stage 0: 0% vs 0.2%, I: 31.6% vs 48.5%, II: 48.1% vs 34.0%, III: 20.3 vs 17.4%, p = 0.016), and more often grade 3 (60.8% vs 39.9%, p<0.001) than those with WT BRCA. Mastectomy was performed more often for patients with BRCA1/2 mutations (60.8% vs 31.5%, p<0.001). When BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were compared, BRCA1 patients were younger (median: 44 vs 52, p = 0.006), more often ER/PR negative (51.6% vs 13%, p<0.001), and had higher stage tumors (T1: 32.3% vs 47.8%; T2: 38.7% vs 28.3%, p = 0.032). On MVA, comparison of BRCA1/2 mutations vs WT BRCA identified no differences in DFS or OS.

CONCLUSION

In spite of pre-clinical data demonstrating increased radiosensitivity for BRCA1/2-mutated BC cells lines, this large, previously unexamined dataset found BRCA1/2 mutations did not predict an improved OS or DFS for patients who received RT. When compared with WT BRCA patients, patients with BRCA1/2 mutations were found to have tumors of higher grade and clinical stage and to undergo more mastectomies. In a comparison with BRCA2-mutated patients, patients with mutations of BRCA1 were younger, more often ER/PR negative, and more likely to have high-stage tumors. The survival data and the advanced stage of BRCA1/2-mutated tumors suggest that the effect of BRCA1/2 mutations on radiosensitivity in vitro may be nullified by the aggressive behavior of BRCA1/2-mutated tumors in vivo.

[Analysis of the serum bile acid profile to facilitate diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NA(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide deficiency]

Objective: This study focuses on Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) deficiency to analyze and investigate the value of the serum bile acid profile for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods: Clinical data of 66 patients with cholestatic liver diseases (CLDs) diagnosed and treated in the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from early April 2015 to the end of December 2021 were collected, including 32 cases of NTCP deficiency (16 adults and 16 children), 16 cases of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD), 8 cases of Alagille syndrome, and 10 cases of biliary atresia. At the same time, adult and pediatric healthy control groups (15 cases each) were established. The serum bile acid components of the study subjects were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The data were plotted and compared using statistical SPSS 19.0 and GraphPad Prism 5.0 software. The clinical and bile acid profiles of children with NTCP deficiency and corresponding healthy controls, as well as differences between NTCP deficiency and other CLDs, were compared using statistical methods such as t-tests, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Results: Compared with the healthy control, the levels of total conjugated bile acids, total primary bile acids, total secondary bile acids, glycocholic acid, taurocholic acid, and glycochenodeoxycholic acid were increased in NTCP deficiency patients (P < 0.05). Compared with adults with NTCP deficiency, the levels of total conjugated bile acids and total primary bile acids were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency (P < 0.05). The serum levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, taurohyocholate, and tauro-α-muricholic acid were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency, but the bile acid levels such as glycodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, and lithocholic acid were decreased (P < 0.05). The serum levels of secondary bile acids such as lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and hyodeoxycholic acid were significantly higher in children with NTCP deficiency than those in other CLD groups such as NICCD, Alagille syndrome, and biliary atresia (P < 0.05). Total primary bile acids/total secondary bile acids, total conjugated bile acids/total unconjugated bile acids, taurocholic acid, serum taurodeoxycholic acid, and glycodeoxycholic acid effectively distinguished children with NTCP deficiency from other non-NTCP deficiency CLDs. Conclusion: This study confirms that serum bile acid profile analysis has an important reference value for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NTCP deficiency. Furthermore, it deepens the scientific understanding of the changing characteristics of serum bile acid profiles in patients with CLDs such as NTCP deficiency, provides a metabolomic basis for in-depth understanding of its pathogenesis, and provides clues and ideas for subsequent in-depth research.

Integrative analyses of radiation-related genes and biomarkers associated with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

In addition to significantly reducing breast cancer recurrence risk, radiotherapy also prolongs patients' lives. However, radiotherapy-related genes and biomarkers still remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to identify radiation-associated genes in breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Breast cancer data were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and UCSC Xena database. The gene ontology (GO) enrichment and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed for annotation and integrated discovery. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING database and hub genes were identified. Then, immunohistochemistry and tissue expression of key genes was analyzed by using the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and GEPIA database. Genes associated with prognosis were identified by performing univariate cox analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 341 differentially expressed genes related to radiotherapy in breast cancer patients. PPI analysis revealed a total of 129 nodes and 516 interactions and identified five hub genes (EGFR, FOS, ESR1, JUN, and IL6). In addition, 11 SDEGs THBS1, SERPINA11, NFIL3, METTL7A, KCTD12, HSPA6, EGR1, DDIT4, CCDC3, C11orf96, and BCL2A1 candidate genes can be used as potential diagnostic markers. The calibration curve and ROC indicate good probability consistencies of 3-years and 5-year survival rates of patients between estimation and observation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide novel insight into the functional characteristics of breast cancer through integrative analysis of GEO data and suggest potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for breast cancer.

Protection of Toll-Like Receptor 9 Against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress of Pulmonary Epithelial Cells via MyD88-Mediated Pathways

Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a common, severe clinical syndrome. Injury caused by inflammation and oxidative stress in vascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells is a vital process in the pathogenesis of ALI. Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is highly expressed in LPS-induced ALI rats. In this study, Beas-2B human pulmonary epithelial cells and A549 alveolar epithelial cells were stimulated by LPS, resulting in the upregulation of TLR9 in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, TLR9 overexpression and interference vectors were transfected before LPS administration to explore the role of TLR9 in LPS-induced ALI in vitro. The findings revealed that inhibition of TLR9 reduced inflammation and oxidative stress while suppressing apoptosis of LPS-induced Beas-2B and A549 cells, whereas TLR9 overexpression aggravated these conditions. Moreover, TLR9 inhibition resulted in downregulated protein expression of myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88) and activator activator protein 1 (AP-1), as well as phosphorylation of nuclear factor-B (NF-B), c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinases 1/2 was upregulated compared to that of cells subjected to only LPS administration, and this was reversed by TLR9 overexpression. These results indicate that inhibition of TLR9 plays a protective role against LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in Beas-2B and A549 cells, possibly via the MyD88/NF-B and MyD88/MAPKs/AP-1 pathways.

[METTL27 is a prognostic biomarker of colon cancer and associated with immune invasion]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression and gene function of methyltransferase-like protein 27 (METTL27) in colon cancer, its association with immune infiltration and its prognostic significance.

METHODS

We analyzed the expression levels of METTL27 in 33 cancers using R language and identified METTL27 as a differential gene in colon cancer. The related signaling pathways of METTL27 were analyzed by gene functional annotation and enrichment. SsGSEA algorithm was used to analyze immune infiltration, and logistic analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between METTL27 expression and clinicopathological features of the patients. Kaplan-meier analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to construct a nomogram for evaluating the correlation between METTL27 expression and clinical prognosis. The expression level of METTL27 was further verified in colorectal cancer cell lines and 16 clinical specimens of colorectal cancer tissues using qPCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

METTL27 was highly expressed in 21 cancers, and its expression was significantly higher in colon cancer than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.001). METTL27-related genes were identified by differential analysis, and functional annotation revealed that METTL27 was significantly enriched in transmembrane transport and lipid metabolism, and 5 related signaling pathways were identified by GSEA. METTL27 expression was negatively correlated with different T helper cells and central memory T cells (P < 0.001). The patients with a high METTL27 mRNA expression had a poor survival outcome. Cox regression analysis showed that METTL27 expression was an independent prognostic factor of the overall survival. The expression level of METTL27 was significantly higher in the colorectal cancer cell line than in normal cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

METTL27 is overexpressed in colon cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis of the patients. A high expression of METTL27 showed is associated less T cell immune infiltration, suggesting the potential of METTL27 as a prognostic marker of colon cancer.

Effect of COVID-19 Infection on HeartCare, Data from the SHORE Multicenter Registry

Purpose

Transplant patients represent a cohort in which COVID-19 (C19) may stimulate an unpredictable clinical course. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of C19 infection on AlloMap gene expression profiling (AM) and AlloSure donor derived cell free DNA (AS) results in patients post heart transplant.

Methods

The Surveillance Using HeartCare Outcomes Registry (SHORE) is a multicenter study for post heart transplant patients followed with AM/AS for 5 years. Patients enrolled were analyzed based on C19 . AM/AS were evaluated before, at the time and following infection. Both individual trends and the differences between the median AS and AS levels were studied. Nonparametric tests were used to assess categorical and longitudinal variables.

Results

21 patients developed C19 infection; 16 (76%) were males, median age 50 years. There was no significant difference in AM or AS in stable patients (no rejection, CAV, graft dysfunction, dnDSA) compared to the first AM/AS profile in the C19+ patients, Figure 1. Event rates in C19+ patients are described in Table 1. 12 C19+ patients had 28 biopsies, 2 of which were within 30 days of C19. 1 patient had ACR 2R and another AMR 1; all other biopsies were <ACR 2R/AMR1. Additionally, 5 patients developed dnDSA and 7 patients developed subsequent CMV viremia, a median of 67 and 158 days after C19 diagnosis, respectively. No CAV, graft dysfunction, or deaths were reported in this small group of C19+ patients.

Conclusion

The presence of C19 infection is not associated with a significant increase in AS or AM scores, suggesting AS and AM are not confounded by C19 and can be used safely as non-invasive surveillance in this population.

Prediction of potential therapeutic drugs against SARS-CoV-2 by using Connectivity Map based on transcriptome data

OBJECTIVE

Transcriptome data related to severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (a novel coronavirus discovered in 2019, SARS-CoV-2) in GEO database were downloaded. Based on the data, influence of SARS-CoV-2 on human cells was analyzed and potential therapeutic compounds against the SARS-CoV-2 were screened.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

R package "DESeq2" was used for differential gene analysis on the data of cells infected or non-infected with SARS-CoV-2. The "ClusterProfiler" package was used for GO functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed through STRING website, and the key subset in the PPI network was identified after visualization by Cytoscape software. Connectivity Map (CMap) database was used to screen known compounds that caused genomic change reverse to that caused by SARS-CoV-2.

RESULTS

By intersecting DEGs in two datasets, a total of 145 DEGs were screened out, among which 136 genes were upregulated and 9 genes were downregulated in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that these genes were mainly associated with the pathways involved in viral infection, inflammatory response, and immunity. The CMap research found that there were three compounds with a median_tau_score less than -90, namely triptolide, tivozanib and daunorubicin.

CONCLUSIONS

SARS-CoV-2 can cause abnormal changes in a large number of molecules and related signaling pathways in human cells, among which IL-17 and TNF signaling pathways may play a key role in pathogenic process of SARS-CoV-2. Here, three compounds that may be effective for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 were screened, which would provide new options for improving treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Hsa-miR-34a-5p reverses multidrug resistance in gastric cancer cells by targeting the 3'-UTR of SIRT1 and inhibiting its expression

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle to chemotherapy, which leads to ineffective chemotherapy, an important treatment strategy for gastric cancer (GC). The abnormality of microRNAs (miRNAs) is critical to the occurrence and progression of MDR in various tumors. In this study, hsa-miR-34a-5p was found to be decreased in multidrug resistant GC cells SGC-7901/5-Fluorouracil (SGC-7901/5-Fu) compared to the parental SGC-7901 cells. Overexpression of hsa-miR-34a-5p in SGC-7901/5-Fu cells promoted apoptosis and decreased migration and invasiveness after chemotherapy. In addition, overexpression of hsa-miR-34a-5p suppressed the growth of drug-resistant tumor in vivo. The mechanism of the effects of hsa-miR-34a-5p could include the regulation of the expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) or Multidrug resistance-related protein 1 (MRP1) through direct binding to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of SIRT1. Functional gain-and-loss experiments indicated that hsa-miR-34a-5p enhances the chemotherapy sensitivity of MDR GC cells by inhibiting SIRT1, P-gp and MRP1. In conclusion, hsa-miR-34a-5p can reverse the MDR of GC cells by inhibiting the expression of SIRT1, P-gp or MRP1.

An incremental feeding pattern for Guangdong Small-ear Spotted gilts during gestation: effects on stillbirth rate and muscle weight of progeny

While an appropriate feed intake is crucial for the reproductive performance of sows, there is a lack of recommendations currently for feed allowance of Guangdong Small-ear Spotted gilts during gestation. The effects of 2 different feeding patterns during gestation on the reproductive performance of Guangdong Small-ear Spotted gilts were investigated by assigning 80 gilts to 2 feeding pattern groups with a randomized complete block design in accordance with initial body weight and back fat thickness, followed by treatment with an incremental feeding pattern (IFP) and a concaved feeding pattern, respectively, with no difference in total feed intake. The IFP group showed a significant decrease in the stillbirth rate (P < 0.05) and an upward trend in piglet mean birth weight (P = 0.06). Furthermore, the IFP group exhibited an increase in the weights of stomach, supraspinatus tendon, triceps, and psoas minor in neonatal piglets (P < 0.05). Overall, the results of the present investigation showed that IFP could significantly reduce the stillbirth rate of Guangdong Small-ear Spotted gilts and increase the muscle weight of progeny.

Synthesis and properties of EPDM-based oil-absorptive gels with different types of EPDM and styrene derivatives

A series of oil gels based on different types of ethylene–propylene–diene (EPDM) and styrene derivatives crosslinked with divinylbenzene (DVB) were synthesized by suspension polymerization. Effects of EPDM types and styrene derivatives on gel fraction, swelling ratio (q), solubility parameter (δ), average molecular weight between cross-links (M_c), and oil absorption and oil retention of EPDM-based oil-absorptive gels were studied. Characterization of EPDM-based oil-absorptive gels with different styrene derivatives was performed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and oil absorbency tests. The results showed that the double bond of the EPDM side chains was crosslinked with 4-tert-butyl styrene (t-BS), α-methyl styrene (α-MSt), styrene (St) or 4-methyl styrene (4-MSt) to form a three-dimensional network structure, respectively. Compared with the other three EPDM-based oil-absorptive gels, t-BS–EPDM–DVB (ESSB) has the best oil absorption and oil retention, which is mainly due to the fact that the substituent of t-BS is much larger than those of St, 4-MSt and α-MSt. The maximum oil absorption of the ESSB in chloroform was 23 g g⁻¹. This investigation clearly distinguishes the influence of the synthetic raw materials of the EPDM-based oil-absorptive gels on their properties under study, which helps to optimize EPDM-based oil-absorptive materials according to actual applications.

The effects of EPDM types and styrene derivatives on the properties of EPDM-based oil-absorptive gels were studied.

Study on TEMPO-Mediated Oxidation of N-Succinyl Chitosan and the Water Retention Property

C-6 oxidized chitosan is of great interest in obtaining a new moisture retention polymer like hyaluronic acid. The direct C-6 specific oxidation of chitosan mediated by the TEMPO/NaClO/NaBr system has proven to be difficult because of the high crystalline and high C-2 amino group content. In this work, the pre-modification of chitosan by N-succinylation was investigated and followed by the TEMPO-mediated C-6 specific oxidation under homogeneous conditions. The desired 6-oxidized N-succinyl chitosan product was obtained within 15 min with a yield of about 92%. The structure of these chitosan derivatives was confirmed by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, it was observed that the selective oxidation led to a great improvement in water solubility and moisture retention ability. These results present a wide range of possibilities for expanding the utilization of chitosan resources.

Toward High-Performance Electron/Hole-Transporting-Layer-Free, Self-Powered CsPbIBr2 Photodetectors via Interfacial Engineering

Self-powered photodetectors (PDs) with inorganic lead halide perovskites hold multiple traits of high sensitivity, fast response, independence from external power supply, and excellent sustainability and stability, thus holding a great promise for practical applications. However, they generally contain high-temperature-processed electron-transporting layers (ETLs) and high-cost, unstable hole-transporting layers (HTLs) coupled with noble metal electrodes, which bring significant obstacles of production cost and stability for their potential commercialization. Herein, we demonstrate the building of high-performance HTL/ETL-free, self-powered CsPbIBr₂ PD with simplified architecture of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)/CsPbIBr₂/carbon upon interfacial modification by polyethyleneimine (PEI). The optimized PD yields a dark current of 2.03 × 10^-9 A, peak responsivity (R) of 0.32 A/W, maximum specific detectivity (D*) of 3.74 × 10¹² Jones, and response time of 1.21 μs. These figures of merit are far beyond those of the one prepared without PEI modification and even the PD containing TiO₂ ETL. Hence, our work suggests a highly feasible route to develop self-powered PDs with significantly simplified fabrication and a reduced production cost.

Rheological behaviours of guar gum derivatives with hydrophobic unsaturated long-chains

The rheological behaviors of three hydrophobically modified guar gum derivatives in aqueous solutions were systematically studied for practical applications.

Elderly males with or without existing osteoporotic vertebral fracture have much lower future vertebral fracture risk than elderly females: the MrOS (Hong Kong) year-4 follow-up spine radiograph study

MrOS (Hong Kong)'s year-4 follow-up shows, for subjects at baseline without vertebral deformity (VD) and endplate or/and cortex fracture (ECF), the VD progression/new VD rate during follow-up in males was half of our paired MsOS (Hong Kong) study's results. For those with VD or ECF, the VD progression/new VD was less than one sixth of females' rate.

INTRODUCTION

This study documents MrOS (Hong Kong)'s year-4 follow-up, and the results are compared with the MsOS (Hong Kong) study. Of elderly females with Genant's grade-0, -1, -2, and -3 VD, at year-4 follow-up, 4.6%, 8%, 10.6%, and 28.9% had at least one VD progression or incident VD, respectively.

METHODS

Spine radiographs of 1500 Chinese males with baseline (mean age 71.7 years, range 65-91 years) and year-4 follow-up were evaluated according to Genant's VD criteria and ECF (non-existent, ECF0; or existent, ECF1). Grade-2 VDs were divided into mild (VD2m, 25-34% height loss) and severe (VD2s, 34-40% height loss) subgroups. Study subjects were graded into eight categories: VD0/ECF0, VD1/ECF0, VD2m/ECF0, VD0/ECF1, VD1/ECF1, VD2m/ECF1, VD2s/ECF1, and VD3/ECF1. With an existing VD, a further height loss of ≥ 15% was a VD progression. A new VD incident was a change from grade-0 to grade-2/3, or to grade-1 with ≥ 10% height loss.

RESULTS

Of subjects with Genant's grade-0, 2.05% (25/1219) developed at least one VD progression or/and new VD, while of subjects with Genant's grade-1, -2, and -3 VD, only 2% (3/149), 3.1% (3/96), and 2.8% (1/36) developed at least one VD progression/new VD, respectively. Among the three ECF0 groups, there was a significant difference in new ECF incidence, with VD0/ECF0 being the lowest and VD2m/ECF0 being the highest.

CONCLUSION

VD progression/new VD is much less common in elderly men than in elderly women. Vertebrae with VD had a higher risk of developing ECF.

A Novel pH- and Salt-Responsive N-Succinyl-Chitosan Hydrogel via a One-Step Hydrothermal Process

In this study, we synthesized a series of pH-sensitive and salt-sensitive N-succinyl-chitosan hydrogels with N-succinyl-chitosan (NSCS) and the crosslinker glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) via a one-step hydrothermal process. The structure and morphology analysis of the NSCS and glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane-N-succinyl chitosan hydrogel (GNCH) revealed the close relation between the swelling behavior of hydrogels and the content of crosslinker GPTMS. The high GPTMS content could weaken the swelling capacity of hydrogels and improve their mechanical properties. The hydrogels show high pH sensitivity and reversibility in the range of pH 1.0 to 9.0, and exhibit on-off switching behavior between acidic and alkaline environments. In addition, the hydrogels perform smart swelling behaviors in NaCl, CaCl2, and FeCl3 solutions. These hydrogels may have great potential in medical applications.