Poloxamer sols endowed with in-situ gelability and mucoadhesion by adding hypromellose and hyaluronan for prolonging corneal retention and drug delivery

The purpose of this study was to develop poloxamer (P407)-based in-situ thermogellable hydrogels with reducing concentration of P407 by adding hypromellose (HPMC) and with enhancing mucoadhesion of resulting hydrogels by adding hyaluronic acid (HA) for prolonging ocular delivery of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD)-solubilized testosterone (TES). Results demonstrated that 0.5% TES solution was successfully solubilized with adding 10% HPβCD. Non-gellable 13% P407 sol became in-situ gellable with adding 2.0-2.5% HPMC and mucoadhesibility was further imporved with adding 0.3% HA-L (low MW) or HA-H (high MW). Optimized 0.5% HPβCD-solubilized TES P407-based thermogellable hydrogels with enhancement of mucoadhesion for prolonging ocular delivery comprised 13% P407, 2.5% HPMC, and 0.3% HA-L or HA-H. Furthermore, rheological measurements under simulated eye blinking confirmed that non-thixotropic properties of optimized hydrogels could be spreaded evenly and retain a greater amount of drug-loaded hydrogels on the ocular surface for a longer period to prolong drug delivery. Compared with conventional eye drops, the prolonged residence time of optimized hydrogels from ex vivo and in vivo studies were observed, indicating relationships between rheological properties and in vivo performances. It was concluded that P407-based thermosensitive hydrogels with reducing concentration of P407 and enhancing mucoadhesion was successfully formulated by adding 2.5% HPMC and 0.3% HA in 13% P407 for potentially accomplishing effective clinical treatment of DED.

A non-genetic engineering platform for rapidly generating and expanding cancer-specific armed T cells

BACKGROUND

Cancer-specific adoptive T cell therapy has achieved successful milestones in multiple clinical treatments. However, the commercial production of cancer-specific T cells is often hampered by laborious cell culture procedures, the concern of retrovirus-based gene transfection, or insufficient T cell purity.

METHODS

In this study, we developed a non-genetic engineering technology for rapidly manufacturing a large amount of cancer-specific T cells by utilizing a unique anti-cancer/anti-CD3 bispecific antibody (BsAb) to directly culture human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The anti-CD3 moiety of the BsAb bound to the T cell surface and stimulated the differentiation and proliferation of T cells in PBMCs. The anti-cancer moiety of the BsAb provided these BsAb-armed T cells with the cancer-targeting ability, which transformed the naïve T cells into cancer-specific BsAb-armed T cells.

RESULTS

With this technology, a large amount of cancer-specific BsAb-armed T cells can be rapidly generated with a purity of over 90% in 7 days. These BsAb-armed T cells efficiently accumulated at the tumor site both in vitro and in vivo. Cytotoxins (perforin and granzyme) and cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) were dramatically released from the BsAb-armed T cells after engaging cancer cells, resulting in a remarkable anti-cancer efficacy. Notably, the BsAb-armed T cells did not cause obvious cytokine release syndrome or tissue toxicity in SCID mice bearing human tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, the BsAb-armed T cell technology represents a simple, time-saving, and highly safe method to generate highly pure cancer-specific effector T cells, thereby providing an affordable T cell immunotherapy to patients.

Synergistic Combination of Irinotecan and Rapamycin Orally Delivered by Nanoemulsion for Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy of Pancreatic Cancer

In recent years, combining different types of therapy has emerged as an advanced strategy for cancer treatment. In these combination therapies, oral delivery of anticancer drugs is more convenient and compliant. This study developed an irinotecan/rapamycin-loaded oral lecithin-based self-nanoemulsifying nanoemulsion preconcentrate (_LBSNENP_ir/ra) and evaluated its synergistic combination effects on pancreatic cancer. _LBSNENP loaded with irinotecan and rapamycin at a ratio of 1:1 (_LBSNENP_ir10/ra10) had a better drug release profile and smaller particle size (<200 nm) than the drug powder. Moreover, _LBSNENP_ir10/ra10 exhibited a strong synergistic effect (combination index [CI] < 1.0) in cell viability and combination effect studies. In the tumor inhibition study, the antitumor activity of _LBSNENP_{ir10/ra10/sily20} against MIA PaCa-2 (a human pancreatic cancer cell line) was significantly increased compared with the other groups. When administered with rapamycin and silymarin, the area under the curve and the maximum concentration of irinotecan significantly improved compared with the control. We successfully developed an irinotecan/rapamycin-loaded oral self-nanoemulsifying nanoemulsion system to achieve treatment efficacy for pancreatic cancer.

[HIV/AIDS surveillance in men who have sex with men aged 15-24 based on internet in Fuzhou,2016-2021]

Objective: To analyze HIV/AIDS surveillance data in men who have sex with men (MSM) aged from 15 to 24 years in Fuzhou and understand the HIV infection status in MSM and related factors. Methods: From 2016 to 2021, MSM aged 15-24 years who had oral or anal sex with men in the past 6 months were recruited through internet, and their demographic and behavioral characteristics, HIV antibody positive rate and risk factors were analyzed. Results: From 2016 to 2021, a total of 4 234 MSM aged 15-24 years were surveyed. The proportion of MSM from other provinces increased from 13.00% (85/654) to 23.42% (163/696) (trend χ²=60.23, P<0.001); and the proportion of MSM seeking male partners through internet increased from 93.27% (610/654) to 99.71% (694/696) (trend χ²=65.20, P<0.001); In the last anal sex in the past 6 months, the proportion of MSM using condom decreased from 88.16% (484/549) to 74.11% (415/560) (trend χ²=32.32, P<0.001); and in the past 6 months, the proportion of MSM using condom at each anal sex decreased from 65.76% (361/549) to 55.54% (311/560) (trend χ² =6.82, P<0.001); The proportion of MSM with HIV antibody testing increased from 5.66% (37/654) to 25.29% (176/696) (trend χ²=98.51, P<0.001). The cumulative HIV antibody positive rate in the MSM was 3.64% (154/4 234), and there was no significant difference in annual HIV antibody positive rate in the MSM (trend χ²=0.50, P=0.453). The HIV antibody positive rate in the MSM with education level of junior high school or below and the MSM living in Fuzhou for 1-2 years showed an upward trend (P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk for HIV infection in the MSM with education level of high school or technical secondary school was 0.54 times higher than that in those with education level of junior high school or below (95%CI: 0.30-0.99), and the risk for HIV infection in the MSM with education level of junior college or below was 0.29 times higher than that in those with education level of junior high school or below (95%CI: 0.17-0.51). The risk for HIV infection in the MSM who lived in Fuzhou for 1-2 years was 0.35 times higher than that in those who lived in Fuzhou for less than 1 year (95%CI: 0.16-0.74), the risk for HIV infection in the MSM who lived in Fuzhou for more than two years was 0.58 times higher than that in those who lived in Fuzhou for less than 1 year (95%CI: 0.37-0.91). The number of MSM using condoms at each anal sex was 0.18 times higher than that in the those never using condoms (95%CI: 0.08-0.42), and the number of the MSM who didn't suffered from sexually transmitted diseases was 0.25 times higher than that in those who suffered from sexually transmitted diseases (95%CI: 0.13-0.50). Conclusions: The MSM aged 15-24 years in Fuzhou have higher risk for HIV infection, and internet based intervention should be strengthened in adolescent MSM without permanent residence and with low education level.

[The impact of the dosage of intraoperative opioids on postoperative survival outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer]

Objective: To investigate the impact of the dosage of intraoperative opioids on postoperative survival of pancreatic cancer patients who underwent pancreatectomy. Methods: The clinical data of 95 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent pancreatectomy at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital from September 2013 to August 2018 were retrospectively collected. Dosage of intraoperative opioid medications was converted to fentanyl equivalent dose. Patients were divided into high-dose group (fentanyl consumption ≥2.21 mg, n=46) and low-dose group (fentanyl consumption<2.21 mg, n=49) according to the median intra-operative fentanyl equivalents. The relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) between the two groups were compared. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the impact of important covariates on RFS and OS. Results: RFS of patients in low-dose group at 1, 3 and 5 years was 75.5%, 26.5% and 15.2% respectively. OS of patients in low-dose group at 1, 3 and 5 years was 77.6%, 32.5% and 24.4% respectively. RFS of patients in high-dose group at 1, 3 and 5 years was 76.1%, 23.9% and 12.0% respectively. OS of patients in high-dose group at 1, 3 and 5 years was 76.1%, 37.0% and 15.0%. There was no significant difference in RFS and OS between the two groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that dosage of intraoperative fentanyl was not associated with RFS (HR=1.205, 95%CI: 0.737-1.970, P=0.456) or OS (HR=1.062, 95%CI: 0.634-1.778, P=0.818). Conclusion: Dosage of intraoperative opioid has no effect on RFS and OS in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing pancreatectomy.

[A real world study on the relationship between drug resistance of targeted therapy and prognosis of HER-2-positive advanced breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the effect of primary and acquired resistance to anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) on the overall survival of patients with HER-2 positive advanced breast cancer. Methods: The clinical characteristics of HER-2 positive patients with advanced breast cancer admitted to Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 1998 to December 2018 were collected, and their neoadjuvant/adjuvant and advanced three-line chemotherapy were summarized. Among them, targeted drugs for HER-2 included trastuzumab, pertuzumab, T-DM1, RC48-ADC, lapatinib, pyrotinib, allitinib, sipatinib, seratinib. Based on the duration of benefit from anti HER-2 treatment, the patients were divided into two groups: primary anti HER-2 resistance group and acquired anti HER-2 resistance group. In this study, the overall survival (OS) was used as the main end point. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional risk regression model were used to analyze the effects of different drug resistance mechanisms on the overall survival. Results: The whole group of 284 patients were included. The median age of recurrence and metastasis was 48 years old, 155 (54.6%) were hormone receptor (HR) positive and 129 (45.4%) were HR negative, 128 cases (45.1%) were premenopausal and 156 cases (54.9%) were postmenopausal, 277 cases (97.5%) had a score of 0-1 in ECoG PS and 7 cases (2.5%) had a score of more than 2 in the first diagnosis of relapse and metastasis. There were 103 cases (36.3%) in the primary drug resistance group and 181 cases (63.7%) in the secondary drug resistance group. The median overall survival time of the two groups was 24.9 months and 40.4 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). Conclusion: Primary resistance to HER-2 is one of the factors of poor prognosis in HER-2 positive breast cancer, and its mechanism needs to be further explored.

Experimental Evidence of Intrinsic Current Generation by Turbulence in Stationary Tokamak Plasmas

High-β_{θe} (a ratio of the electron thermal pressure to the poloidal magnetic pressure) steady-state long-pulse plasmas with steep central electron temperature gradient are achieved in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak. An intrinsic current is observed to be modulated by turbulence driven by the electron temperature gradient. This turbulent current is generated in the countercurrent direction and can reach a maximum ratio of 25% of the bootstrap current. Gyrokinetic simulations and experimental observations indicate that the turbulence is the electron temperature gradient mode (ETG). The dominant mechanism for the turbulent current generation is due to the divergence of ETG-driven residual flux of current. Good agreement has been found between experiments and theory for the critical value of the electron temperature gradient triggering ETG and for the level of the turbulent current. The maximum values of turbulent current and electron temperature gradient lead to the destabilization of an m/n=1/1 kink mode, which by counteraction reduces the turbulence level (m and n are the poloidal and toroidal mode number, respectively). These observations suggest that the self-regulation system including turbulence, turbulent current, and kink mode is a contributing mechanism for sustaining the steady-state long-pulse high-β_{θe} regime.

Controlled Decomposable Hydrogel Triggered with a Specific Enzyme

In this study, superabsorbent polyelectrolyte hydrogels were synthesized by cross-linking a nondegradable poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and a recombinant protein with a specific enzymatic cleavage site. The recombinant protein was produced by E. coli with the pET-32b(+) plasmid, which is featured with the thioredoxin (Trx) gene containing a thrombin recognition site and a T7/lac hybrid promoter for high expression of recombinant protein. The swelling test shows that the composite hydrogel still maintained a high swelling ratio to 900% when 15% recombinant protein was cross-linked with PAH. The degradation test shows that such a PAH composite hydrogel could be decomposed by the addition of specific enzyme thrombin, which might lead to new biomedical applications of hydrogels needed to be decomposable by specific time not determined by the time period.

A novel anti-tumor/anti-tumor-associated fibroblast/anti-mPEG tri-specific antibody to maximize the efficacy of mPEGylated nanomedicines against fibroblast-rich solid tumor

The therapeutic efficacy of methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG)-coated nanomedicines in solid tumor treatment is hindered by tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs), which promote tumor progression and form physical barriers. We developed an anti-HER2/anti-FAP/anti-mPEG tri-specific antibody (TsAb) for one-step conversion of mPEG-coated liposomal doxorubicin (Lipo-Dox) to immunoliposomes, which simultaneously target HER2⁺ breast cancer cells and FAP⁺ TAFs. The non-covalent modification did not adversely alter the physical characteristics and stability of Lipo-Dox. The TsAb-Lipo-Dox exhibited specific targeting and enhanced cytotoxicity against mono- and co-cultured HER2⁺ breast cancer cells and FAP⁺ TAFs, compared to bi-specific antibody (BsAb) modified or unmodified Lipo-Dox. An in vivo model of human breast tumor containing TAFs also revealed the improved tumor accumulation and therapeutic efficacy of TsAb-modified mPEGylated liposomes without signs of toxicity. Our data indicate that arming clinical mPEGylated nanomedicines with the TsAb is a feasible and applicable approach for overcoming the difficulties caused by TAFs in solid tumor treatment.

Carfilzomib and Paclitaxel Co-Loaded Protein Nanoparticles an Effective Therapy Against Pancreatic Adenocarcinomas

Purpose

Therapeutic efficacy of pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PACs) with combined therapy of carfilzomib (CFZ) and paclitaxel (PTX) co-loaded in human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticles (NPs) was examined.

Methods

CFZ and PTX were encapsulated individually or combined into HSA NPs by a simple reverse self-assembly method developed to achieve an optimal combination ratio for synergistic therapy. CFZ or/and PTX loaded HSA nanoparticles were physically characterized and the evaluation of combination index, drug release, pharmacokinetic, anti-tumor, and biodistribution studies were conducted.

Results

All resultant drug-loaded HSA NPs were spherical with a particle size of <150 nm and a zeta potential of −21.1~−23.0 mV. Drug loading rates and entrapment efficiencies were 9.1%~10.1% and 90.7%~97.1%, respectively. CFZ and PTX demonstrated synergistic effects in an MIA PaCa-2 cytotoxicity at a 1:2 ratio (CI₅₀ were 0.01~0.25). In vitro dissolution revealed that the CFZ/PTX ratio released from the co-loaded HSA NPs (CFZ/PTX/HSA NPs) was about 1.77~2.08, which conformed to the designated loaded ratio. In vivo evaluation showed that the combined therapy of CFZ and PTX at a 1:2 ratio co-loaded in HSA NPs (CFZ/PTX/HSA NPs) demonstrated optimal synergistic improvement of the growth inhibition of MIA PaCa-2 cells with less systematic toxicity, even though the pharmacokinetic profiles observed did not show obvious beneficial and their biodistributions in tumors were found to be smaller.

Conclusion

The one-pot reverse assembly method developed was environmentally friendly and capable of co-loading an optimal combination ratio of two chemodrugs into HSA NPs for synergistic therapy.

Mask reuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey in Taiwan

Background

The use of masks is an effective measure to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection; however, mask reuse is not recommended. Studies examining the factors associated with mask reuse during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are limited. This nationwide survey aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mask reuse among Taiwanese citizens during the pandemic.

Methods

From May 18 through May 31, 2020, a computer-assisted telephone interview system was used to randomly select Taiwanese citizens who were interviewed for COVID-19 preventive behaviors and knowledge on the usage of masks. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with mask reuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyze the rate of mask reuse among participants before and during the pandemic.

Results

For a total of 1,075 participants, the overall mean age was 57.4 years, and 82.2% of participants reported mask reuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. After controlling for other covariates, participants who had a greater knowledge on mask usage or had a high supply of masks were less likely to reuse masks during the pandemic. GEE analysis showed that compared with the participants' mask wearing behaviors before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were more likely to reuse masks during the pandemic.

Conclusions

The rate of mask reuse among the general population during the pandemic was significantly higher than that before the pandemic. Individuals were less likely to reuse masks if they had adequate knowledge on mask usage or had a high supply of masks. Since mask reuse is associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 due to the possibility of wearing SAS-CoV-2-contaminated masks, it is imperative to educate people on the correct usage of masks. Further, the government should provide sufficient masks to the general population to decrease the reuse of masks.

Key messages

Mask reuse increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the shortage in supply. It is imperative to educate people about the correct usage of masks.

CPT11 with P-glycoprotein/CYP 3A4 dual-function inhibitor by self-nanoemulsifying nanoemulsion combined with gastroretentive technology to enhance the oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy against pancreatic adenocarcinomas

Therapeutic efficacies of orally administrated hydrophobic chemodrugs are decreased by poor water solubilities and reduced oral bioavailabilities by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and CYP450. In this study, CPT11 alone or combined with dual-function inhibitors (baicalein (BA) silymarin (SM), glycyrrhizic acid (GA), and glycyrrhetinic acid (GLA)) of P-gp and CYP450 loaded in a lecithin-based self-nanoemulsifying nanoemulsion preconcentrate (LBSNENP) to improve the solubility and inhibit the elimination by P-gp and CYP450. Results revealed that the LBSNENP composed of Capryol 90, lecithin/Tween 80/Cremophor EL, and propylene glycol at a weight ratio of 18:58:24 (designated PC90C10P0) was optimally selected. Encapsulating CPT11 with PEO-7000K in PC90C10P10/30 further enhanced the resultant hydrogel to be gastro-retainable and to release CPT11 in a sustained manner. Pharmacokinetic study of CPT11-loaded PC90C10P0 administered orally revealed an absolute bioavailability (FAB, vs. intravenous CPT11) of 7.8 ± 1.01% and a relative bioavailability (FRB1, vs. oral solution of CPT11) of 70.7 ± 8.6% with a longer half-life (T_1/2) and mean residence time (MRT). Among the dual-function inhibitors, SM was shown to be the most influential in increasing the oral bioavailability of CPT11. SM also increased the plasma concentration of the SN-38 active metabolite, which formed from the enhanced plasma concentration of CPT11. It is concluded that treatment with CPT11 loaded in PC90C10P0 with or without solubilization with SM could expose tumors to higher plasma concentrations of both CPT11 and SN-38 leading to enhancement of tumor growth inhibition with no signs of adverse effects.

In situ subcutaneously injectable thermosensitive PEG-PLGA diblock and PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymer composite as sustained delivery of bispecific anti-CD3 scFv T-cell/anti-EGFR Fab Engager (BiTEE)

In this study, PEGylated poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) thermosensitive composite hydrogels (DTgels) loaded with bispecific anti-cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) scFv T-cell/anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) Fab engager (BiTEE) were subcutaneously (s.c.) injected for the in situ formation of a drug deposit to resolve limitations of the clinical application of the BiTEE of a short half-life and potential side effects. Three kinds of DTgels prepared with different ratios of methoxy poly (ethylene glycol) (mPEG)-PLGA (diblock copolymer, DP) and PLGA-PEG-PLGA (triblock copolymer, TP) were designated DTgel-1, DTgel-2, and DTgel-2S. All three DTgel formulations showed thermosensitive properties with a sol-gel transition temperature at 28-34 °C, which is suitable for an injection. An in vitro release study showed that all DTgel formulations loaded with stabilized BiTEE extended the release of the BiTEE for up to 7 days. In an animal pharmacokinetics study, an s.c. injection of BiTEE/DTgel-1, BiTEE/DTgel-2, or BiTEE/DTgel-2S respectively prolonged the half-life of the BiTEE by 3.5-, 2.0-, and 2.2-fold compared to an intravenous injection of the BiTEE solution. Simultaneously, BiTEE/DTgel formulations showed almost no proinflammatory cytokine release in mice injected with T cells after s.c. administration. Results of an animal antitumor (MDA-MB-231) study indicated that an s.c. injection of the BiTEE/DTgel formulations significantly improved the antitumor efficacy compared to an intravenous (i.v.) or s.c. injection of the BiTEE solution. Moreover, BiTEE/DTgel formulations led to enhanced T-cell recruitment to solid-tumor sites. In conclusion, the in situ formation of injectable PEGylated PLGA thermosensitive hydrogels loaded with the BiTEE was successfully carried out to increase its half-life, maintain a constant blood level within therapeutic windows, and enhance T-cell recruitment to solid-tumor sites resulting in exceptional treatment efficacy.

Long Noncoding RNA NTT Context-Dependently Regulates MYB by Interacting With Activated Complex in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Background

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) mediates the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular, infectious, and metabolic diseases. This study examined the role of lncRNA NTT in the development and progression of cancer.

Methods

The expression of NTT was determined using tissues containing complementary DNA (cDNA) from patients with liver, lung, kidney, oral, and colon cancers. The expression of cis-acting genes adjacent to the NTT locus (CTGF, STX7, MYB, BCLAF1, IFNGR1, TNFAIP3, and HIVEP2) was also assessed. We used knockdown and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays to identify the cis-acting genes that interact with NTT.

Results

NTT was most significantly downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while a higher NTT level correlated with a shorter survival time of patients with HCC. Multivariate analysis indicated NTT was not an independent predictor for overall survival. MYB was significantly upregulated, and its increased expression was associated with dismal survival in HCC patients, similar to the results for NTT. NTT knockdown significantly decreased cellular migration. ChIP of HCC cell lines revealed that NTT is regulated by the transcription factor ATF3 and binds to the MYB promoter via the activated complex. Additionally, when NTT was knocked down, the expression of MYB target genes such as Bcl-xL, cyclinD1, and VEGF was also downregulated. NTT could play a positive or negative regulator for MYB with a context-dependent manner in both HCC tissues and animal model.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that NTT plays a key role in HCC progression via MYB-regulated target genes and may serve as a novel therapeutic target.

Fabrication and characterization of Rhizochitosan and its incorporation with platelet concentrates to promote wound healing

Composite dressing composed of Rhizochitosan and Regenplex™ to promote wound healing were assessed. Rhizochitosan was fabricated by deacetylation of Rhizochitin, which obtained by simply depigmenting sporangium-free mycelial mattress produced from Rhizopus stolonifer F6. Physicochemical characterizations of Rhizochitosan demonstrated that it contained 13.5% chitosan with a water-absorption ability of 35-fold dry weight and exhibiting hydrogel nature after hydration. In a wound-healing study on SD rats with full-thickness injury, the composite dressing had a better healing effect than those for each individual components and control group and wound even healed as functional tissue instead of scar tissue. The underlying mechanism of the composite beneficial to wound remodeling is likely attributable to a more reduction level of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in early stage and a higher MMP-2 expression level in a later stage of healing process. Conclusively, the composite dressing demonstrated to be highly beneficial to the healing of full-thickness injury wound.

Hydrolysable Tannins Exhibit Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory and Anti-Glycation Activities In Vitro and Learning and Memory Function Improvements in Scopolamine-Induced Amnesiac Mice

Agricultural waste from the hulls of water caltrop (Trapa taiwanesis Nakai, TT-hull) was extracted by either steeping them in cold 95% ethanol (C95E), refluxing 95E, refluxing 50E, or refluxing hot water (HW) to obtain C95EE, 95EE, 50EE, and HWE, respectively. These four extracts showed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities and free radical scavenging activities, as well as anti-non-enzymatic protein glycation in vitro. Eight compounds were isolated from TT-hull-50EE and were used to plot the chromatographic fingerprints of the TT-hull extracts, among which tellimagrandin-I, tellimagrandin-II, and 1,2,3,6-tetra-galloylglucose showed the strongest AChE inhibitory activities, and they also exhibited anti-amyloid β peptide aggregations. The scopolamine-induced amnesiac ICR mice that were fed with TT-hull-50EE or TT-hull-HWE (100 and 200 mg/kg) or tellimagrandin-II (100 and 200 mg/kg) showed improved learning behavior when evaluated using passive avoidance or water maze evaluation, and they showed significant differences (p < 0.05) compared to those in the control group. The enriched hydrolysable tannins of the recycled TT-hull may be developed as functional foods for the treatment of degenerative disorders.

Active Tumoral/Tumor Environmental Dual-Targeting by Non-Covalently Arming with Trispecific Antibodies or Dual-Bispecific Antibodies on Docetaxel-Loaded mPEGylated Nanocarriers to Enhance Chemotherapeutic Efficacy and Minimize Systemic Toxicity

PURPOSE

This study was aimed at developing the trispecific antibodies (anti-EGFR/anti-FAP/anti-mPEG, TsAb) or dual bispecific antibodies (anti-EGFR/anti-mPEG and anti-FAP/anti-mPEG) docetaxel (DTX)-loaded mPEGylated lecithin-stabilized micelles (mPEG-lsbPMs) for improving the targeting efficiency and therapeutic efficacy.

METHODS

mPEG-lsbPMs were simply prepared via thin film method. The trispecific antibodies or bispecific antibodies bound the mPEG-lsbPMs by anti-mPEG Fab fragment. The formulations were characterized by DLS and TEM; in vitro and in vivo studies were also conducted to evaluate the cellular uptake, cell cytotoxicity and therapeutic efficacy.

RESULTS

The particle sizes of mPEG-lsbPMs with or without the antibodies were around 100 nm; the formulations showed high encapsulation efficiencies of 97.12%. The TsAb and dual bispecific antibodies were fabricated and demonstrated their targeting ability. Two EGFR-overexpressed cell lines (HT-29 and MIA PaCa-2) were co-cultured with FAP-overexpressed WS1 cells (HT-29/WS1; MIA PaCa-2/WS1) to mimic a tumor coexisting in the tumor microenvironment. Cellular binding study revealed that the binding of anti-FAP micelles to three co-culture ratios (4:1, 1:1, and 1:4) of HT-29/EGFR to WS1/FAP was significantly higher than that for TsAb micelles and dual (1:1) micelles, and the binding of those targeting antibodies to WS1/FAP and MIA PaCa-2/EGFR was equally efficacious resulting in a similar binding amount of the TsAb and dual BsAbs (1:1) with the co-culture of MIA PaCa-2/EGFR and WS1/FAP at a 1:1 ratio. Antitumor efficacy study showed that treatment with DTX-loaded mPEG-lsbPMs modified with or without BsAbs, dual BsAbs (1:1), and TsAbs was enhanced in inhibiting tumor growth compared with that for Tynen® while showing fewer signs of adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

Active targeting of both tumors and TAF-specific antigens was able to increase the affinity of DTX-loaded mPEG-lsbPMs toward tumor cells and TAFs leading to successive uptake by tumor cells or TAFs which enhanced their chemotherapeutic efficacy against antigen-positive cancer cells.

Honokiol/Magnolol-Loaded Self-Assembling Lecithin-Based Mixed Polymeric Micelles (lbMPMs) for Improving Solubility to Enhance Oral Bioavailability

OBJECTIVE

This study was intended to utilize lecithin-based mixed polymeric micelles (lbMPMs) for enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of honokiol and magnolol to resolve the hindrance of their extreme hydrophobicity on the clinical applications.

METHODS

Lecithin was selected to increase the volume of the core of lbMPMs, thereby providing a greater solubilization capacity. A series of amphiphilic polymers (sodium deoxycholate [NaDOC], Cremophor®, and Pluronic® series) were included with lecithin for screening and optimization.

RESULTS

After preliminary evaluation and subsequentially optimization, two lbMPMs formulations composed of honokiol/magnolol:lecithin:NaDOC (lbMPMs[NaDOC]) and honokiol/magnolol:lecithin:PP123 (lbMPMs[PP123]) in respective ratios of 6:2:5 and 1:1:10 were optimally obtained with the mean particle sizes of 80-150 nm, encapsulation efficacy (EEs) of >90%, and drug loading (DL) of >9.0%. These lbMPMs efficiently stabilized honokiol/magnolol in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at room temperature or 4 °C and in fetal bovine serum or PBS at 37 °C. PK study demonstrated that lbMPMs[NaDOC] showed much improvement in enhancing bioavailability than that by lbMPMs[PP123] for both honokiol and magnolol. The absolute bioavailability for honokiol and magnolol after intravenous administration of lbMPMs[NaDOC] exhibited 0.93- and 3.4-fold increases, respectively, compared to that of free honokiol and magnolol. For oral administration with lbMPMs[NaDOC], the absolute bioavailability of honokiol was 4.8%, and the absolute and relative bioavailability of magnolol were 20.1% and 2.9-fold increase, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Overall, honokiol/magnolol loaded in lbMPMs[NaDOC] showed an improvement of solubility with suitable physical characteristics leading to enhance honokiol and magnolol bioavailability and facilitating their wider application as therapeutic agents for treating human disorders.

Reductions of copper ion-mediated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidations of trypsin inhibitors, the sweet potato root major proteins, and LDL binding capacities

BACKGROUND

The root major proteins of sweet potato trypsin inhibitors (SPTIs) or named sporamin, estimated for 60 to 80% water-soluble proteins, exhibited many biological activities. The human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) showed to form in vivo complex with endogenous oxidized alpha-1-antitrypsin. Little is known concerning the interactions between SPTIs and LDL in vitro.

RESULTS

The thiobarbituric-acid-reactive-substance (TBARS) assays were used to monitor 0.1 mM Cu²⁺-mediated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidations during 24-h reactions with or without SPTIs additions. The protein stains in native PAGE gels were used to identify the bindings between native or reduced forms of SPTIs or soybean TIs and LDL, or oxidized LDL (oxLDL). It was found that the SPTIs additions showed to reduce LDL oxidations in the first 6-h and then gradually decreased the capacities of anti-LDL oxidations. The protein stains in native PAGE gels showed more intense LDL bands in the presence of SPTIs, and 0.5-h and 1-h reached the highest one. The SPTIs also bound to the oxLDL, and low pH condition (pH 2.0) might break the interactions revealed by HPLC. The LDL or oxLDL adsorbed onto self-prepared SPTIs-affinity column and some components were eluted by 0.2 M KCl (pH 2.0). The native or reduced SPTIs or soybean TIs showed different binding capacities toward LDL and oxLDL in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The SPTIs might be useful in developing functional foods as antioxidant and nutrient supplements, and the physiological roles of SPTIs-LDL and SPTIs-oxLDL complex in vivo will investigate further using animal models.

The inhibition of the breast cancer by PPARγ agonist pioglitazone through JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Breast cancer, especially triple-negative breast cancer, is one of the deadliest cancers in women. To date, there is a lack of a good therapeutic regimen for it. PPARγ has been reported to be a tumor suppressor and could be activated by many agonists involved in cancer inhibition. Therefore, the expression of PPARγ in breast cancer was analyzed by online software UALCAN whose data were from the TCGA database. The results revealed that the PPARγ expression was reduced in breast cancer tissues. Furthermore, the methylation in the PPARγ promoter was also assayed and the results indicated that the methylation level in the PPARγ promoter in breast cancer tissue was higher than that in normal tissue. In order to verify the methylation in promoter involved in the regulation of gene PPARγ expression, the 5'-Aza and fluorescence assays were performed and the results proved that methylation in promoter participated in gene PPARγ expression regulation. Pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, still was not investigated in breast cancer. Therefore, the effects of pioglitazone on breast cancer cells were tested by cell viability, scratch and transwell assays, and results indicated that the pioglitazone has the inhibition effect on the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells by PPARγ which was correlated with the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. In order to further confirm the inhibition effect of pioglitazone on breast cancer in vivo, the nude mice model was administrated by gavage with pioglitazone. And the results indicated that pioglitazone could inhibit the growth of breast cancer in the PPARγ overexpression group in vivo. In summary, the expression of gene PPARγ was decreased in breast cancer tissues, which was correlated with its methylation in the promoter region. Moreover, pioglitazone could exert its inhibition on breast cancer proliferation and migration by the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

[Paraganglioma of urinary bladder: a clinicopathological features analysis of 23 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and immunohistochemical (IHC) characteristics of paraganglioma of urinary bladder (PUB). Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 23 cases of PUB were collected at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (7 cases); Fujian Provincial Hospital (8 cases); Fujian Medical University Union Hospital (6 cases); and First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (2 cases) from May 2010 to November 2018. IHC staining for CK, GATA3, CD56, Syn, CgA, S-100 protein, HMB45, SDHB, OCT3/4 and Ki-67 was done using EliVision method; and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: There were 14 women and 9 men, aged ranged from 21 to 73 years (median 51 years). Clinically, patients presented with headache, vertigo, palpitation, hypertensive crisis during micturition, hypertension, blurred vision, gross hematuria and paroxysmal pallor. The tumor sizes ranged from 0.9 to 6 cm (mean2.5 cm). Macroscopically, most tumors were exophytic and well delineated within the lamina propria or muscularis propria. The tumors were firm and nodular and showed grayish-tan cut surface. Histologically,the tumor growth pattern was expansive or showed interpenetrating infiltrative growth within the lamina propria or muscularis propria; the tumor cells were typically arranged in distinctive nests (Zellballen) with organoid arrangement; pseudo-rosette were seen in some cases. The cells were rounded or polygonal and had rich, acidophilic or amphophilic cytoplasm and may contain pigmented granules and vacuoles; the nuclei were central or eccentric, with small nucleoli, although occasionally some nuclei were pleomorphic and hyperchromatic. Spindled sustentacular cells could be seen around the nests of tumor cells in some cases. There were abundant vessels that were fissure-like, hemangioma-like or dilated. By IHC, the tumor cells were positive for GATA3 (2/23), OCT3/4 (2/23), CD56 (22/23), Syn (23/23), CgA (22/23), S-100 (sustentacular cell, 23/23) and SDHB (23/23); and negative for CK and HMB45; Ki-67 index was 1%-5%. At follow-up, there was no recurrence or metastasis in 18 cases. Conclusions: The diagnosis of PUB relies on the morphologic and IHC features; but there may be histomorphologic heterogeneity. The most important differential diagnosis is invasive urothelial carcinoma. The tumor cells may show aberrant cytoplasmic expression of OCT3/4; there is no clear correlation between SDHB and OCT3/4 expression in the group.

Development of gamma ray spectrometer with high energy and time resolutions on EAST tokamak

A new gamma ray spectrometer with high energy and time resolutions has been developed and installed on the EAST tokamak to study fast ion and runaway electron behaviors. The spectrometer is based on a LaBr₃(Ce) scintillator detector and a fully digital data acquisition system that is based on a digitizer with digital pulse processing algorithms. The energy resolution of the spectrometer is about 3.9% at 662 keV, and the spectrometer can operate stably at a counting rate as high as 1 MHz, monitored by using a light emitting diode monitoring system. The measured gamma ray spectrum is simulated based on Geant4 and unfolded with the high-resolution boosted Gold deconvolution algorithm, aiming at reconstructing the energy distribution functions of fast ions and runaway electrons.

Author Correction: ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 inhibit cell proliferation in a cyclin D-dependent and p53-independent manner

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Prevention of Postdental Procedure Bacteremia: A Network Meta-analysis

Postdental procedure bacteremia is common and troublesome. The comparative efficacy of multiple prophylactic interventions is unclear. We compared the efficacy of interventions for the prevention of postdental procedure bacteremia. We conducted a review of ClinicalKey, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to December 4, 2018. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated prophylactic interventions for the prevention of postdental procedure bacteremia were eligible. The primary outcome was the incidence of postdental procedure bacteremia. A total of 24 trials were included with 2,147 participants. Our network meta-analysis demonstrated that intravenous administration of 1,000/200 mg of amoxicillin/clavulanate provided the least incidence of postdental procedure bacteremia among all the prophylactic interventions (odds ratio = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.00 to 0.63) as compared with the placebo/controls. Oral 3 g of amoxicillin had the least incidence of postdental procedure bacteremia among all oral or topical forms of prophylactic interventions (odds ratio = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.44) as compared with the placebo/controls. No serious adverse events, such as anaphylactic shock, mortality, and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, were reported. None of the included subjects were of high risk of infectious endocarditis. Our network meta-analysis demonstrates that intravenous amoxicillin/clavulanate and oral amoxicillin might be the best prophylactic interventions in preventing postdental procedure bacteremia among all the oral/topical forms of interventions for the overall populations.

Alternative splicing in human cancer cells is modulated by the amiloride derivative 3,5-diamino-6-chloro-N-(N-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)carbamimidoyl)pyrazine-2-carboxide

Alternative splicing (AS) is a process that enables the generation of multiple protein isoforms with different biological properties from a single mRNA. Cancer cells often use the maneuverability conferred by AS to produce proteins that contribute to growth and survival. In our previous studies, we identified that amiloride modulates AS in cancer cells. However, the effective concentration of amiloride required to modulate AS is too high for use in cancer treatment. In this study, we used computational algorithms to screen potential amiloride derivatives for their ability to regulate AS in cancer cells. We found that 3,5-diamino-6-chloro-N-(N-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)carbamimidoyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (BS008) can regulate AS of apoptotic gene transcripts, including HIPK3, SMAC, and BCL-X, at a lower concentration than amiloride. This splicing regulation involved various splicing factors, and it was accompanied by a change in the phosphorylation state of serine/arginine-rich proteins (SR proteins). RNA sequencing was performed to reveal that AS of many other apoptotic gene transcripts, such as AATF, ATM, AIFM1, NFKB1, and API5, was also modulated by BS008. In vivo experiments further indicated that treatment of tumor-bearing mice with BS008 resulted in a marked decrease in tumor size. BS008 also had inhibitory effects in vitro, either alone or in a synergistic combination with the cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents sorafenib and nilotinib. BS008 enabled sorafenib dose reduction without compromising antitumor activity. These findings suggest that BS008 may possess therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.

Deep intronic variant c.5999-277G>A of F8 gene may be a hot spot mutation for mild hemophilia A patients without mutation in exonic DNA

BACKGROUND

In 10%-18% of mild-type hemophilia A (HA) patients, mutations cannot be found by routine DNA analysis.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify the genetic defects by mRNA analysis of F8 gene in mild HA patients without mutation in exonic DNA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2006 to 2016, we identified F8 exon mutations in 39 of 49 mild HA patients using routine genetic testing. We then evaluated the 10 remaining patients from six unrelated families without exonic DNA mutation by performing cDNA sequence analysis.

RESULTS

Nine of the 10 (90%) patients were confirmed to have F8 gene mutation. Eight patients from four unrelated families were notably found to have presence of an aberrant 675-bp fragment. Sequencing of this fragment showed that there were two separate new alternative splicing exons of 35 bp and 55 bp within intron 18, which formed a 90-bp insertion between exon 18 and exon 19 (E18ins90bpE19) in the mRNA. Based on direct sequencing, this alternative splicing transcript appears to have resulted from deep intronic variant c.5999-277G>A of intron 18.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that deep intronic variant of c.5999-277G>A may be a hot spot mutation for mild hemophilia patients without mutation in exonic DNA.

The role of MIR-186 and ZNF545 in inhibiting the proliferation of multiple myeloma cells

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of tumor suppressor gene miR-186 and zinc finger protein 545 (ZNF545) on the proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. CD138 magnetic beads were used to isolate different types of myeloma cell lines (KM3, U266, RPMI-8226, and H929), which were then infected by lentivirus carrying the miR-186 gene. Using uninfected myeloma cells as the control, MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide] assay was performed to calculate the rate of cell proliferation at different time points. In addition, the correlation between the expression of Jagged 1 and miR-186 was analyzed by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Furthermore, the effect of 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine and acetylase inhibitor Trichomycin A (TSA) on the expression of ZNF545 and proliferation/apoptosis of MM cells was investigated using Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting (WB), MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] cell proliferation assay, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Compared with the control group, the proliferation of miR-186-overexpressing U266 and RPMI-8226 cells was significantly decreased. In cell cloning experiments, miR-186 decreased the number of U266 and RPMI-8226 clones while reducing the protein expression of Jagged 1. The expression level of ZNF545 in myeloma patients was also reduced to some extent. ZNF545 protein also promoted the apoptosis of myeloma cells. By inhibiting the proliferation of myeloma cells, miR-186 gene and ZNF protein may be used as tumor suppressors in the treatment of myeloma.

Bispecific antibodies (anti-mPEG/anti-HER2) for active tumor targeting of docetaxel (DTX)-loaded mPEGylated nanocarriers to enhance the chemotherapeutic efficacy of HER2-overexpressing tumors

Anti-mPEG/anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) non-covalently bound to a docetaxel (DTX)-loaded mPEGylated lecithin-stabilized micellar drug delivery system (LsbMDDs) were endowed with active targetability to improve the chemotherapeutic efficacy of DTX. DTX-loaded mPEGylated LsbMDDs formulations were prepared using lecithin/DSPE-PEG(2K or 5K) nanosuspensions to hydrate the thin film, and then they were subjected to ultrasonication. Two BsAbs (anti-mPEG/anti-DNS or anti-HER2) were simply mixed with the LsbMDDs to form BsAbs-LsbMDDs formulations, respectively, referred as the DNS-LsbMDDs and HER2-LsbMDDs. Results demonstrated that the physical characteristics of the BsAbs-LsbMDDs were similar to those of the plain LsbMDDs but more slowly released DTX than that from the LsbMDDs. Results also showed that the HER2-LsbMDDs suppressed the growth of HER2-expressing MCF-7/HER2 tumors, increasing the amount taken up via an endocytosis pathway leading to high drug accumulation and longer retention in the tumor. In conclusion, the BsAbs-LsbMDDs preserved the physical properties of the LsbMDDs and actively targeted tumors with a drug cargo to enhance drug accumulation in tumors leading to greater antitumor activity against antigen-positive tumors.

Observation of an Unusual Upward-Going Cosmic-Ray-like Event in the Third Flight of ANITA

We report on an upward traveling, radio-detected cosmic-ray-like impulsive event with characteristics closely matching an extensive air shower. This event, observed in the third flight of the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA), a NASA-sponsored long-duration balloon payload, is consistent with a similar event reported in a previous flight. These events could be produced by the atmospheric decay of an upward-propagating τ lepton produced by a ν_{τ} interaction, although their relatively steep arrival angles create tension with the standard model neutrino cross section. Each of the two events have a posteriori background estimates of ≲10^{-2} events. If these are generated by τ-lepton decay, then either the charged-current ν_{τ} cross section is suppressed at EeV energies, or the events arise at moments when the peak flux of a transient neutrino source was much larger than the typical expected cosmogenic background neutrinos.

Surface assembly of poly(I:C) on polyethyleneimine-modified gelatin nanoparticles as immunostimulatory carriers for mucosal antigen delivery

The mucosal immune system is the host's first line of defense against invasion by foreign pathogens. Gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) are suitable carriers for the delivery of antigens via various routes of administration. In the present study, GNPs were modified with polyethyleneimine (PEI), a positively charged polymer. Then, ovalbumin (OVA) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), an immunostimulant, were adsorbed onto the surface of the positively charged GNPs. We assessed whether GNPs could act as an effective mucosal vaccine that is capable of inducing both mucosal and systemic immune responses. The results showed that GNPs effectively adsorbed OVA/poly(I:C), facilitated cellular uptake by RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro, and led to increased expression of the maturation markers CD80 and CD86 on BMDCs. Furthermore, GNPs induced increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in both RAW 264.7 and BMDCs. C57BL/6 mice that were intranasally twice-immunized with OVA/poly(I:C)-loaded GNPs produced high levels of serum OVA-specific IgG antibodies and secretory IgA in nasal and lung lavage. Spleen cells from immunized mice were collected and re-stimulated with OVA, and results showed significantly augmented production of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6 in mice that received OVA/poly(I:C)-loaded GNPs. Moreover, intranasal immunization with OVA/poly(I:C)-loaded GNPs resulted in the inhibition of EG7 tumor growth in C57BL/6 mice. Taken together, these results indicate that nasal administration of OVA/poly(I:C)-loaded GNPs elicited effective mucosal and systemic immune responses, which might be useful for further applications of antigen delivery. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1228-1237, 2019.

Performance of fast-ion loss diagnostic on EAST

The scintillator-based detector for fast-ion loss measurements has been installed on EAST. To obtain high temporal resolution for fast-ion loss diagnostics, fast photomultiplier tube systems have been developed which can supply the complementary measurements to the previous image system with good energy and pitch resolution by using a CCD camera. By applying the rotatable platform, the prompt losses of beam-ions can be measured in normal and reverse magnetic field. The thick-target bremsstrahlung occurring in the stainless steel shield with energetic electrons can produce X-rays, which will strike on the scintillator based detector. To understand this interference on fast-ion loss signals, the effects of energetic electrons on the scintillator-based detector are studied, including runaway electrons in the plasma ramping-up phase and fast electrons accelerated by the lower hybrid wave.

135-Day Interventions of Yam Dioscorin and the Dipeptide Asn-Trp (NW) To Reduce Weight Gains and Improve Impaired Glucose Tolerances in High-Fat Diet-Induced C57BL/6 Mice

The C57BL/6J mice were fed a 135-day normal diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) without, or concurrent with, a single yam dioscorin (80 mg/kg) or dipeptide NW (40 mg/kg) intervention every day. The final body weights (g) of mice were 26.1 ± 1.4, 34.97 ± 2.1, 31.75 ± 2.6, and 31.66 ± 3.1, respectively, for normal diet-fed, HFD-fed, dioscorin-intervened, and NW-intervened group. The mice in both intervened groups showed similar less weight gains and had significant differences (P < 0.05) compared to those in the HFD group under the same cumulative HFD intakes. The blood biochemical index of mice with dioscorin interventions showed significantly lower contents in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, and NW interventions showed significantly lower total triglyceride contents compared to those of the HFD group (P < 0.05). Both intervened mice exhibited similar reductions in total visceral lipid contents and have significant differences compared to those of the HFD group (P < 0.05). The dioscorin intervention was better than NW interventions in lowering blood glucose levels by oral glucose tolerance tests and both showed significant differences (P < 0.05) compared to those in the HFD group. Yam dioscorin or dipeptide NW will potentially be used for preventive functional foods of less body weight gains and impaired glucose tolerance controls, which require further clinical trial investigations.

Primary Sjogren's syndrome and the risk of acute pancreatitis: a nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Studies on the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) are limited. We evaluated the effects of pSS on the risk of acute pancreatitis in a nationwide, population-based cohort in Taiwan.

STUDY DESIGN

Population-based retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

We studied the claims data of the >97% Taiwan population from 2002 to 2012.

PARTICIPANTS

We identified 9468 patients with pSS by using the catastrophic illness registry of the National Health Insurance Database in Taiwan. We also selected 37 872 controls that were randomly frequency matched by age (in 5 year bands), sex and index year from the general population.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

We analysed the risk of acute pancreatitis by using Cox proportional hazards regression models including sex, age and comorbidities.

RESULTS

From 23.74 million people in the cohort, 9468 patients with pSS (87% women, mean age=55.6 years) and 37 872 controls were followed-up for 4.64 and 4.74 years, respectively. A total of 44 cases of acute pancreatitis were identified in the pSS cohort versus 105 cases in the non-pSS cohort. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the incidence rate of acute pancreatitis was significantly higher in the pSS cohort than in the non-pSS cohort (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.48, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.12). Cyclophosphamide use increased the risk of acute pancreatitis (aHR 5.27, 95% CI 1.16 to 23.86). By contrast, hydroxychloroquine reduced the risk of acute pancreatitis (aHR 0.23, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.55).

CONCLUSION

This nationwide, retrospective cohort study demonstrated that the risk of acute pancreatitis was significantly higher in patients with pSS than in the general population.

Modulation the alternative splicing of GLA (IVS4+919G>A) in Fabry disease

While a base substitution in intron 4 of GLA (IVS4+919G>A) that causes aberrant alternative splicing resulting in Fabry disease has been reported, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here we reported that upon IVS4+919G>A transversion, H3K36me3 was enriched across the alternatively spliced region. PSIP1, an adapter of H3K36me3, together with Hsp70 and NONO were recruited and formed a complex with SF2/ASF and SRp20, which further promoted GLA splicing. Amiloride, a splicing regulator in cancer cells, could reverse aberrant histone modification patterns and disrupt the association of splicing complex with GLA. It could also reverse aberrant GLA splicing in a PP1-dependant manner. Our findings revealed the alternative splicing mechanism of GLA (IVS4+919G>A), and a potential treatment for this specific genetic type of Fabry disease by amiloride in the future.

Hot-Water Extracts from Roots of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana and Identified ε-Viniferin Improve Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Mice

In this study, hot-water extracts (HW) from roots of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana (VTT-R) were shown to lower levels of lipid accumulation significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.001) compared to the control in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The VTT-R-HW (40 mg/kg) interventions concurrent with a high-fat (HF) diet in C57BL/6 mice over a 5 eek period were shown to reduce body weights significantly (P < 0.05) compared to those of mice fed a HF diet under the same food-intake regimen. The (+)-ε-viniferin isolated from VTT-R-HW was shown to reduce the size of lipid deposits significantly compared to the control (P < 0.05 or 0.001) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and dose-dependent 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitions showed that the 50% inhibitory concentration was calculated to be 96 μM. The two-stage (+)-ε-viniferin interventions (10 mg/kg, day 1 to day 38; 25 mg/kg, day 39 to day 58) were shown to lower mice body weights significantly (P < 0.05 or 0.001), the weight ratio of mesenteric fat, blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein compared to that of the HF group under the same food-intake regimen but without concurrent VTT-R-HW interventions. It might be possible to use VTT-R-HW or (+)-ε-viniferin as an ingredient in the development of functional foods for weight management, and this will need to be investigated further.

Trends in hip fracture rates in Taiwan: a nationwide study from 1996 to 2010

There was an initial increase and a later decrease in hip fracture rates in Taiwan between 1996 and 2010 (457.9 to 390.0 fractures per 100,000 people per year). Mortality rates decreased but re-emerged later (2.26 to 1.91 deaths per 100 hip fracture admissions). The turning point for change in trends was 2003.

INTRODUCTION

Fractures of the proximal femur remain a major cause of mortality and morbidity. We aimed to examine recent trends in hip fracture rates, in-hospital mortality rates, and length of hospital stay (LOS) due to hip fractures in people aged 55 and over in Taiwan.

METHODS

This is a time-trend study. We used data from the National Health Insurance Research Database between 1996 and 2010 in Taiwan. Insurants aged 55 and over were included. The outcome measures were age-adjusted hip fracture rates, age-adjusted in-hospital mortality rates, and LOS due to hip fractures. We classified hip fractures into femoral neck, trochanteric, and subtrochanteric fractures.

RESULTS

We identified 250,919 hospitalizations for hip fractures. The total number of hip fractures increased steadily from 12,479 to 19,841 cases. There was a trend towards initial increase and then later decrease in hip fracture rates (from 457.9 to 390.0 fractures per 100,000 people per year). LOS decreased by 46.5 % (17.53 to 9.38 days). By contrast, mortality rates for hip fractures decreased initially, but re-emerged later with a total decrement of 15.5 % (2.26 to 1.91 deaths per 100 hip fracture admissions). Women outnumbered men in all types of hip fractures, but men had higher in hospital mortality rates. LOS was similar between genders and among age groups. The turning point for change in trends was year 2003.

CONCLUSIONS

While LOS shortened gradually since 1996, the absolute number of hip fractures in Taiwan continues to rise. There is still room for improvement in reducing mortality due to hip fractures.

Measurement and simulation of the response function of time of flight enhanced diagnostics neutron spectrometer for beam ion studies at EAST tokamak

The 2.5 MeV TOFED (Time-Of-Flight Enhanced Diagnostics) neutron spectrometer with a double-ring structure has been installed at Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) to perform advanced neutron emission spectroscopy diagnosis of deuterium plasmas. This work describes the response function of the TOFED spectrometer, which is evaluated for the fully assembled instrument in its final layout. Results from Monte Carlo simulations and dedicated experiments with pulsed light sources are presented and used to determine properties of light transport from the scintillator. A GEANT4 model of the TOFED spectrometer was developed to calculate the instrument response matrix. The simulated TOFED response function was successfully benchmarked against measurements of the time-of-flight spectra for quasi-monoenergetic neutrons in the energy range of 1-4 MeV. The results are discussed in relation to the capability of TOFED to perform beam ion studies on EAST.

Scintillator-based fast ion loss measurements in the EAST

A new scintillator-based fast ion loss detector (FILD) has been installed on Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) to investigate the fast ion loss behavior in high performance plasma with neutral beam injection (NBI) and ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). A two dimensional 40 mm × 40 mm scintillator-coated (ZnS:Ag) stainless plate is mounted in the front of the detector, capturing the escaping fast ions. Photons from the scintillator plate are imaged with a Phantom V2010 CCD camera. The lost fast ions can be measured with the pitch angle from 60° to 120° and the gyroradius from 10 mm to 180 mm. This paper will describe the details of FILD diagnostic on EAST and describe preliminary measurements during NBI and ICRH heating.

Operation of bolometer system using Pt foil on SiN substrate detector for EAST tokamak

The foil resistive bolometer diagnostic on experimental advanced superconducting tokamak has been upgraded partly with a new generation of detectors. The new detectors have faster response time. However, the microwave interference is still a serious issue for the bolometer system. The system response to microwave is tested, and the test results show that the closed Wheatstone bridge circuit in the detector is the most sensitive component to high power microwave field. Simulation results of microwave transmission by the high frequency structure simulator software and shielding design are also presented.

First results from gamma ray diagnostics in EAST Tokamak

Gamma ray diagnostics has been developed in the EAST tokamak recently. Six BGO scintillator detectors are arranged on the down-half cross-section and pointed at the up-half cross-section of plasma, with space resolution about 15 cm and energy range from 0.3 MeV to 6 MeV. Three main gamma ray peaks in the energy spectra have been observed and are identified as the results of nuclear reactions ²⁰⁷Pb(n, n')^207mPb, H(n, γ) D, and D(p, γ)³He, respectively. Upgrading of the system is in progress by using LaBr3(Ce) scintillator, fast photo-multiplier tubes, and a fully digital data acquisition system based on high sample frequency digitizers with digital pulse processing algorithms.

Synthesized Peptides from Yam Dioscorin Hydrolysis in Silico Exhibit Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitory Activities and Oral Glucose Tolerance Improvements in Normal Mice

RRDY, RL, and DPF were the top 3 of 21 peptides for inhibitions against dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) from the pepsin hydrolysis of yam dioscorin in silico and were further investigated in a proof-of-concept study in normal ICR mice for regulating glucose metabolism by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The sample or sitagliptin (positive control) was orally administered by a feeding gauge; 30 min later, the glucose loads (2.5 g/kg) were performed. RRDY, yam dioscorin, or sitagliptin preload, but not DPF, lowered the area under the curve (AUC0-120) of blood glucose and DPP-IV activity and elevated the AUC0-120 of blood insulin, which showed significant differences compared to control (P < 0.05 or 0.001). These results suggested that RRDY and yam dioscorin might be beneficial in glycemic control in normal mice and need further investigations in diabetic animal models.

Awareness and use of nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada

OBJECTIVES

Nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is a strategy to reduce the risk of HIV infection in those with high-risk exposure. This study characterized nPEP awareness among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada after a pilot nPEP programme established in 2012.

METHODS

Momentum Health Study participants were MSM aged ≥16 years recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS) who completed a computer-assisted self-interview. Stratifying patients by HIV status, we used multivariable logistic regression with backward selection to identify factors associated with nPEP awareness. All analyses were RDS-adjusted.

RESULTS

A total of 51.9% (112 of 173) of HIV-positive and 48.5% (272 of 500) of HIV-negative participants had heard of nPEP. Only 3% (five of 106) of HIV-negative participants who reported recent high-risk sex used nPEP. Generally, nPEP awareness was higher for participants who engaged in sexual activities with increased HIV transmission potential. Factors associated with greater awareness among HIV-negative participants included recent alcohol use, higher communal sexual altruism, previous sexually transmitted infection diagnosis, and greater perceived condom use self-efficacy. Other factors associated with greater awareness among HIV-negative participants included white race/ethnicity, gay sexual identity, more formal education, lower personal sexual altruism, and Vancouver residence. Greater nPEP awareness among HIV-positive participants was associated with greater perceived agency to ask sexual partners' HIV status and more frequently reporting doing so, a higher number of lifetime receptive sex partners, and greater access to condoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Following implementation of an nPEP pilot programme, nPEP awareness among HIV-negative MSM was 51% and use was 3%. These data support the need to expand access to and actively promote nPEP services.

Bortezomib inhibits Burkitt's lymphoma cell proliferation by downregulating sumoylated hnRNP K and c-Myc expression

Bortezomib (Velcal) was the first proteasome inhibitor to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myelomas. Previous studies have demonstrated that bortezomib inhibits tumor cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by blocking the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. However, the exact mechanism by which bortezomib induces cancer cell apoptosis is still not well understood. In this study, we found that bortezomib significantly inhibited cell proliferation in both human Burkitt's lymphoma CA46 and Daudi cells. Through proteomic analysis, we found that bortezomib treatment changed the expression of various proteins in distinct functional categories including unfolding protein response (UPS), RNA processing, protein targeting and biosynthesis, apoptosis, and signal transduction. Among the proteins with altered expression, hnRNP K, hnRNP H, Hsp90α, Grp78, and Hsp7C were common to both Daudi and CA46 cells. Interestingly, bortezomib treatment downregulated the expression of high-molecular-weight (HMw) hnRNP K and c-Myc but upregulated the expression of low-molecular-weight (LMw) hnRNP K. Moreover, cell proliferation was significantly correlated with high expression of HMw hnRNP K and c-Myc. HMw and LMw hnRNP K were identified as sumoylated and desumoylated hnRNP K, respectively. Using transient transfection, we found that sumoylated hnRNP K increased c-Myc expression at the translational level and contributed to cell proliferation, and that Lys422 of hnRNP K is the candidate sumoylated residue. Our results suggest that besides inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, bortezomib may inhibit cell proliferation by downregulating sumoylated hnRNP K and c-Myc expression in Burkitt's lymphoma cells.