Urinary Microbiome Dysbiosis and Immune Dysregulations as Potential Diagnostic Indicators of Bladder Cancer

There are a total of 82,290 new cases and 16,710 deaths estimated for bladder cancer in the United States in 2023. Currently, urine cytology tests are widely used for bladder cancer diagnosis, though they suffer from variable sensitivity, ranging from 45 to 97%. More recently, the microbiome has become increasingly recognized for its role in human diseases, including cancers. This study attempts to characterize urinary microbiome bladder cancer-specific dysbiosis to explore its diagnostic potential. RNA-sequencing data of urine samples from patients with bladder cancer (n = 18) and matched controls (n = 12) were mapped to bacterial sequences to yield species-level abundance approximations. Urine samples were analyzed at both the population and species level to reveal dysbiosis associated with bladder cancer. A panel of 35 differentially abundant species was discovered, which may be useful as urinary biomarkers for this disease. We further assessed whether these species were of similar significance in a validation dataset (n = 81), revealing that the genera Escherichia, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacter were consistently differentially abundant. We discovered distinct patterns of microbial-associated immune modulation in these samples. Several immune pathways were found to be significantly enriched with respect to the abundance of these species, including antigen processing and presentation, cytosolic DNA sensing, and leukocyte transendothelial migration. Differential cytokine activity was similarly observed, suggesting the urinary microbiome's correlation to immune modulation. The adherens junction and WNT signaling pathways, both implicated in the development and progression of bladder cancer, were also enriched with these species. Our findings indicate that the urinary microbiome may reflect both microbial and immune dysregulations of the tumor microenvironment in bladder cancer. Given the potential biomarker species identified, the urinary microbiome may provide a non-invasive, more sensitive, and more specific diagnostic tool, allowing for the earlier diagnosis of patients with bladder cancer.

[Association between HBV viral load and severity of liver inflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection]

Objective: To explore the relationship and dynamic changes between virological markers and hepatic pathological damage due to host anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunity in the natural course of disease in chronic HBV infected patients. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-eight adult chronic HBV-infected patients who underwent liver biopsy from January 2016 to June 2022 in Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang Province, were retrospectively selected. General clinical data such as age, gender, platelets, ALT, AST, albumin, HBV DNA, qHBsAg, HBeAg, and liver pathology diagnostic indexes such as the grade of liver necroinflammation and liver fibrotic stages of the patients were collected. The patients were grouped according to HBeAg status, and subgrouped according to different grades of liver necroinflammation and different HBV DNA loads. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the differences in HBV virologic marker levels between the groups, and the correlation between them and the indicators of hepatic inflammatory injury, such as ALT,AST, and the grade of liver necroinflammation in the patients. Results: The levels of HBV virological markers in HBeAg-positive patients with moderate or higher liver necroinflammatory grade (G≥2) were significantly lower than those with mild (no) liver necroinflammatory grade (G < 2) (P < 0.01); whereas the opposite trend was observed in HBeAg-negative patients, with the levels of HBV DNA, and qHBsAg in the G≥2 subgroup being significantly higher than those in the G < 2 subgroup (P < 0.01). Correspondingly, HBV DNA level and qHBsAg showed weak to moderately strong negative correlation with liver necroinflammatory grade and AST which was an indicator of hepatic inflammatory injury in HBeAg-positive patients (P < 0.05); whereas in HBeAg-negative patients, they showed weak to moderately strong positive correlation with hepatic inflammatory activity and ALT, AST (P < 0.001), in which qHBsAg showed only a weak positive correlation with patients' liver necroinflammatory grade (P = 0.003). Further subgroup analyses of HBeAg-positive patients according to whether the HBV DNA level was > 2×10(6) IU/ml showed weak to moderate negative correlations between HBV virological markers and liver necroinflammatory grade as well as ALT and AST in the subgroup of patients with HBV DNA > 2×10(6) IU/ml (P < 0.05); however, the negative correlation disappeared in patients who were still HBeAg positive and had HBV DNA ≤ 2×10(6) IU/ml. Moreover, HBV DNA and ALT, HBeAg and AST showed moderate positive correlation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: We speculate that the activation of host anti-HBV immunity can efficiently inhibit HBV replication by targeting the infected hepatocytes, but only in the early phase of disease progression in HBeAg positive patients with HBV DNA high (> 2×10(6) IU/ml).

Clinical Characteristics and Comorbidities associated with SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection in the University of California Healthcare Systems

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the degree to which clinical comorbidities or combinations of comorbidities are associated with SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection.

METHODS

A breakthrough infection was defined as a positive test at least 14 days after a full vaccination regimen. Logistic regression was used to calculate aORs, which were adjusted for age, sex, and race information.

RESULTS

A total of 110,380 patients from the UC CORDS database were included. After adjustment, stage 5 CKD due to hypertension (aOR: 7.33; 95% CI: 4.86-10.69; p<.001; power=1) displayed higher odds of infection than any other comorbidity. Lung transplantation history (aOR: 4.79; 95% CI: 3.25-6.82; p<.001; power= 1), coronary atherosclerosis (aOR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.77-2.52; p<.001; power=1), and vitamin D deficiency (aOR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.69-2.06; p<.001; power=1) were significantly correlated to breakthrough infection. Patients with obesity in addition to essential hypertension (aOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.51-2.01; p<.001; power=1) and anemia (aOR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.47-2.19; p<.001; power=1) were at additional risk of breakthrough infection compared to those with essential hypertension and anemia alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Further measures should be taken to prevent breakthrough infection for individuals with these conditions, such as acquiring additional doses of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to boost immunity.

Characterization of tRNA-Derived Fragments in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Respect to Tobacco Smoke

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is a highly heterogeneous cancer that is influenced by etiological agents such as tobacco smoke. Accordingly, transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are implicated in both cancer onset and development and demonstrate the potential to act as targets for cancer treatments and therapies. Therefore, we aimed to characterize tRF expression with respect to LUSC pathogenesis and clinical outcomes. Specifically, we analyzed the effect of tobacco smoke on tRF expression. In order to do so, we extracted tRF read counts from MINTbase v2.0 for 425 primary tumor samples and 36 adjacent normal samples. We analyzed the data in three primary cohorts: (1) all primary tumor samples (425 samples), (2) smoking-induced LUSC primary tumor samples (134 samples), and (3) non-smoking-induced LUSC primary tumor samples (18 samples). Differential expression analysis was performed to examine tRF expression in each of the three cohorts. tRF expression was correlated to clinical variables and patient survival outcomes. We identified unique tRFs in primary tumor samples, smoking-induced LUSC primary tumor samples, and non-smoking-induced LUSC primary tumor samples. In addition, many of these tRFs demonstrated correlations to worse patient survival outcomes. Notably, tRFs in the smoking-induced LUSC and non-smoking-induced LUSC primary tumor cohorts were significantly correlated to clinical variables pertaining to cancer stage and treatment efficacy. We hope that our results will be used to better inform future LUSC diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

[Correlation analysis between prenatal exposure of per-/polyfluoroalkyl compounds and neonatal outcome]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the prenatal exposure of per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and the neonatal outcome. Methods: A total of 506 maternal infant cohort samples were collected in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province from 2020 to 2021. The exposure levels of seven PFASs in maternal serum before delivery were detected by solid-phase extraction-ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Multivariable linear regression model was used to analyze the influence of prenatal exposure of PFASs on birth weight, birth length and Apgar score. Results: The maternal age, prenatal body mass index and gestation age were (31.3±4.3) years old, (26.7±3.2) kg/m² and (265.0±28.3) days, respectively. The birth weight, birth length and scores of Apgar-1 and Apgar-5 were (3.1±0.8) kg, (49.3±2.9) cm, (9.88±0.47) points and (9.99±0.13) points, respectively. PFASs were widely distributed in maternal serum, with the highest concentration of (18.453±19.557) ng/ml, (6.756±9.379) ng/ml and (5.057±8.555) ng/ml for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and 6∶2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (Cl-PFESA), respectively. Maternal age, parity and delivery mode were associated with the exposure level of PFASs (P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that PFOS had negative effects on birth weight (β=-0.958), birth length (β=-0.073) and Apgar-5 score (β=-0.288) for neonates in the low birth weight (LBW) group. 6∶2 Cl-PFESA and 8∶2 Cl-PFESA inhibited the birth weight (β=-0.926; β=-0.552) and length (β=-0.074; β=-0.045) of newborn in the LBW group. In addition, 4∶2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS) was associated with increased birth weight (β=0.111) and decreased Apgar-5 score (β=-0.030) in the normal weight group. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure to PFASs is associated with birth weight, birth length and Apgar-5 score. It is necessary to continue to pay attention to the impact of PFASs on fetal growth and development through maternal-fetal transmission.

Archaea Microbiome Dysregulated Genes and Pathways as Molecular Targets for Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The human microbiome is a vast collection of microbial species that exist throughout the human body and regulate various bodily functions and phenomena. Of the microbial species that exist in the human microbiome, those within the archaea domain have not been characterized to the extent of those in more common domains, despite their potential for unique metabolic interaction with host cells. Research has correlated tumoral presence of bacterial microbial species to the development and progression of lung cancer; however, the impacts and influences of archaea in the microbiome remain heavily unexplored. Within the United States lung cancer remains highly fatal, responsible for over 100,000 deaths every year with a 5-year survival rate of roughly 22.9%. This project attempts to investigate specific archaeal species' correlation to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) incidence, patient staging, death rates across individuals of varying ages, races, genders, and smoking-statuses, and potential molecular targets associated with archaea microbiome. Archaeal species abundance was assessed across lung tissue samples of 527 LUAD patients, 479 LUSC patients, and 99 healthy individuals. Nine archaeal species were found to be of significantly altered abundance in cancerous samples as compared to normal counterparts, 6 of which are common to both LUAD and LUSC subgroups. Several of these species are of the taxonomic class Thermoprotei or the phylum Euryarchaeota, both known to contain metabolic processes distinct from most bacterial species. Host-microbe metabolic interactions may be responsible for the observed correlation of these species' abundance with cancer incidence. Significant microbes were correlated to patient gene expression to reveal genes of altered abundance with respect to high and low archaeal presence. With these genes, cellular oncogenic signaling pathways were analyzed for enrichment across cancer and normal samples. In comparing gene expression between LUAD and adjacent normal samples, 2 gene sets were found to be significantly enriched in cancers. In LUSC comparison, 6 sets were significantly enriched in cancer, and 34 were enriched in normals. Microbial counts across healthy and cancerous patients were then used to develop a machine-learning based predictive algorithm, capable of distinguishing lung cancer patients from healthy normal with 99% accuracy.

Abstract 1337: Pan-cancer analysis of immune-associated genes and pathways dysregulated by tobacco reveals osteopontin as a key mediator of smoking-associated carcinogenesis

Background: Smoking remains a primary etiological agent of 12 different cancers. However, current understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of these smoking-induced cancers remains unclear. Though vaping has been proposed as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking, more research is needed to fully understand its potential to cause cancer. In particular, the chemicals in e-cigarette (e-cig) vapor have previously been demonstrated to cause immune dysregulation, similar to conventional cigarette smoke. In this study, we aimed to investigate the immune-associated (IA) genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of a panel of smoking-induced cancers in order to identify common and unique elements among these cancers and to determine whether certain immune dysregulations may be shared between smoking and vaping.

Methods: Whole genome sequencing data from tumors and adjacent normal samples was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to compare the IA landscapes of 5 different smoking-induced cancers: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), esophageal carcinoma (ESCA), bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA), lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Differentially expressed genes were identified and correlated to tumor stage and patient survival. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and ReactomeFi were used to correlate IA gene expression to cancer pathway enrichment. The REVEALER algorithm was used to correlate gene expression to copy number variations and mutations.

Results: We found that the genomic landscapes of smoking-induced cancers were largely unique. However, Osteopontin (OPN), an IA gene capable of regulating the EGFR and CD44 signaling cascades, was found to be upregulated along with its downstream targets in HNSCC, LUAD, LUSC, and ESCA smoking patients. Such upregulation was correlated to poorer prognosis for all 4 cancers. In vitro study indicated an upregulation of OPN and its downstream targets in cell lines exposed to both e-cig vapor and cigarette smoke.

Conclusions: Despite few similarities among the IA landscapes of these smoking-induced cancers, we suggest the importance of OPN upregulation in HNSCC, LUSC, LUAD, and ESCA pathogenesis caused by smoking and, potentially, vaping.

Citation Format: Jaideep Chakladar, Neil Shende, Wei Tse Li, Weg M. Ongkeko. Pan-cancer analysis of immune-associated genes and pathways dysregulated by tobacco reveals osteopontin as a key mediator of smoking-associated carcinogenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1337.

Medical student's perception of the COVID-19 pandemic effect on their education and well-being: a cross-sectional survey in the United States

BACKGROUND

The effects of drastic curricular changes necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students' education and wellbeing have remained largely unstudied. Out study aimed to characterize how medical students were affected by the pandemic, specifically how limitations introduced by the pandemic may have affected the quality, delivery, and experience of medical education.

METHODS

Three hundred students from 5 U.S. allopathic medical schools were surveyed to determine students' perceptions about their quality of medical education, professional development, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2020-December 2020).

RESULTS

A large majority of students report that while lecture-based learning has not been significantly affected by the pandemic, small-group and clinical learning have greatly declined in quality. Students also reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and uncertainty with regards to their futures as physicians.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the medical student education and wellbeing. Although medical schools have implemented measures to continue to train medical students as effectively as they can, further strategies must be devised to ensure the well-being of students in the present and for future national emergencies.

The renal clear cell carcinoma immune landscape

A comprehensive evaluation of the clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) immune landscape was found using 584 RNA-sequencing datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we identified 17 key dysregulated immune-associated genes in ccRCC based on association with clinical variables and important immune pathways. Of the numerous findings from our analyses, we found that several of the 17 key dysregulated genes are heavily involved in interleukin and NF-kB signaling and that somatic copy number alteration (SCNA) hotspots may be causally associated with gene dysregulation. More importantly, we also found that key immune-associated genes and pathways are strongly upregulated in ccRCC. Our study may lend novel insights into the clinical implications of immune dysregulation in ccRCC and suggests potential immunotherapeutic targets for further evaluation.

Analysis of the immune landscape in virus-induced cancers using a novel integrative mechanism discovery approach

Background

The mechanisms of carcinogenesis from viral infections are extraordinarily complex and not well understood. Traditional methods of analyzing RNA-sequencing data may not be sufficient for unraveling complicated interactions between viruses and host cells. Using RNA and DNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we aim to explore whether virus-induced tumors exhibit similar immune-associated (IA) dysregulations using a new algorithm we developed that focuses on the most important biological mechanisms involved in virus-induced cancers. Differential expression, survival correlation, and clinical variable correlations were used to identify the most clinically relevant IA genes dysregulated in 5 virus-induced cancers (HPV-induced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, HPV-induced cervical cancer, EBV-induced stomach cancer, HBV-induced liver cancer, and HCV-induced liver cancer) after which a mechanistic approach was adopted to identify pathways implicated in IA gene dysregulation.

Results

Our results revealed that IA dysregulations vary with the cancer type and the virus type, but cytokine signaling pathways are dysregulated in all virus-induced cancers. Furthermore, we also found that important similarities exist between all 5 virus-induced cancers in dysregulated clinically relevant oncogenic signatures and IA pathways. Finally, we also discovered potential mechanisms for genomic alterations to induce IA gene dysregulations using our algorithm.

Conclusions

Our study offers a new approach to mechanism identification through integrating functional annotations and large-scale sequencing data, which may be invaluable to the discovery of new immunotherapy targets for virus-induced cancers.

Enhancer RNA Profiling in Smoking and HPV Associated HNSCC Reveals Associations to Key Oncogenes

Smoking and HPV infection are known causes for the vast majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) due to their likelihood of causing gene dysregulation and genomic alterations. Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that are known to increase nearby and target gene expression, and activity that has been suggested to be affected by genetic and epigenetic alterations. Here we sought to identify the effects of smoking and HPV status on eRNA expression in HNSCC tumors. We focused on four patient cohorts including smoking/HPV+, smoking/HPV-, non-smoking/HPV+, and non-smoking/HPV- patients. We used TCGA RNA-seq data from cancer tumors and adjacent normal tissue, extracted eRNA read counts, and correlated these to survival, clinical variables, immune infiltration, cancer pathways, and genomic alterations. We found a large number of differentially expressed eRNA in each patient cohort. We also found several dysregulated eRNA correlated to patient survival, clinical variables, immune pathways, and genomic alterations. Additionally, we were able to find dysregulated eRNA nearby seven key HNSCC-related oncogenes. For example, we found eRNA chr14:103272042-103272430 (eRNA-24036), which is located close to the TRAF3 gene to be differentially expressed and correlated with the pathologic N stage and immune cell populations. Using a separate validation dataset, we performed differential expression and immune infiltration analysis to validate our results from the TCGA data. Our findings may explain the association between eRNA expression, enhancer activity, and nearby gene dysregulation.

Disparities in COVID-19 Outcomes by Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status: A Systematic-Review and Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minority groups, and race and ethnicity have been associated with disease severity. However, the association of socioeconomic determinants with racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of race and ethnicity with COVID-19 outcomes and to examine the association between race, ethnicity, COVID-19 outcomes, and socioeconomic determinants.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search of PubMed, medRxiv, bioRxiv, Embase, and the World Health Organization COVID-19 databases was performed for studies published from January 1, 2020, to January 6, 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies that reported data on associations between race and ethnicity and COVID-19 positivity, disease severity, and socioeconomic status were included and screened by 2 independent reviewers. Studies that did not have a satisfactory quality score were excluded. Overall, less than 1% (0.47%) of initially identified studies met selection criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Associations were assessed using adjusted and unadjusted risk ratios (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs), combined prevalence, and metaregression. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main measures were RRs, ORs, and combined prevalence values.

RESULTS

A total of 4 318 929 patients from 68 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, 370 933 patients (8.6%) were African American, 9082 (0.2%) were American Indian or Alaska Native, 101 793 (2.4%) were Asian American, 851 392 identified as Hispanic/Latino (19.7%), 7417 (0.2%) were Pacific Islander, 1 037 996 (24.0%) were White, and 269 040 (6.2%) identified as multiracial and another race or ethnicity. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, African American individuals (RR, 3.54; 95% CI, 1.38-9.07; P = .008) and Hispanic individuals (RR, 4.68; 95% CI, 1.28-17.20; P = .02) were the most likely to test positive for COVID-19. Asian American individuals had the highest risk of intensive care unit admission (RR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.60-2.34, P < .001). The area deprivation index was positively correlated with mortality rates in Asian American and Hispanic individuals (P < .001). Decreased access to clinical care was positively correlated with COVID-19 positivity in Hispanic individuals (P < .001) and African American individuals (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, members of racial and ethnic minority groups had higher risks of COVID-19 positivity and disease severity. Furthermore, socioeconomic determinants were strongly associated with COVID-19 outcomes in racial and ethnic minority populations.

Tobacco Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Vapor Alter Enhancer RNA Expression That Can Regulate the Pathogenesis of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary

It is well established that tobacco smoke is the key player in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) pathogenesis, and there is growing evidence that electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) vapor may also cause LUSC. Recently, several studies have associated tobacco smoke with differential enhancer RNA (eRNA) expression. However, the effects of tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapor on eRNA expression in correlation to LUSC outcomes have not been fully elucidated. This study demonstrates that tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapor may decrease DNA methylation and increase chromosomal alterations at key sites, which ultimately upregulate the expression of oncogenic eRNAs and downregulate the expression of tumor-suppressing eRNAs. Subsequently, we demonstrate that these eRNAs may have altered interactions with immune cells to promote LUSC pathogenesis and reduced patient survival. We hope our results can be validated in future studies, and the key eRNAs we identified may be used as effective targets for more specialized treatments for smoking-mediated LUSC.

Abstract

Tobacco is the primary etiologic agent in worsened lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) outcomes. Meanwhile, it has been shown that etiologic agents alter enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) expression. Therefore, we aimed to identify the effects of tobacco and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use on eRNA expression in relation to LUSC outcomes. We extracted eRNA counts from RNA-sequencing data of tumor/adjacent normal tissue and before/after e-cigarette tissue from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), respectively. Tobacco-mediated LUSC eRNAs were correlated to patient survival, clinical variables, and immune-associated elements. eRNA expression was also correlated to mutation rates through the Repeated Evaluation of Variables Conditional Entropy and Redundance (REVEALER) algorithm and methylated sites through methylationArrayAnalysis. Differential expression analysis was then completed for the e-cigarette data to compare with key tobacco-mediated eRNAs. We identified 684 downregulated eRNAs and 819 upregulated eRNAs associated with tobacco-mediated LUSC, specifically, with the cancer pathological stage. We also observed a decrease in immune cell abundance in tobacco-mediated LUSC. Yet, we found an increased association of eRNA expression with immune cell abundance in tobacco-mediated LUSC. We identified 16 key eRNAs with significant correlations to 8 clinical variables, implicating these eRNAs in LUSC malignancy. Furthermore, we observed that these 16 eRNAs were highly associated with chromosomal alterations and reduced CpG site methylation. Finally, we observed large eRNA expression upregulation with e-cigarette use, which corresponded to the upregulation of the 16 key eRNAs. Our findings provide a novel mechanism by which tobacco and e-cigarette smoke influences eRNA interactions to promote LUSC pathogenesis and provide insight regarding disease progression at a molecular level.

Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal co-morbidities in COVID-19 patients: A systematic-review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 has infected over 35 million people worldwide and led to over 1 million deaths. Several risk factors that increase COVID-19 severity have emerged, including age and a history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or kidney disease. However, a number of outstanding questions persist, including whether the above comorbidities correlate with increased mortality from COVID-19 or whether age is a significant confounding variable that accounts for the observed relationship between COVID-19 severity and other comorbidities.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies documenting COVID-19 patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or chronic kidney disease. We classified COVID-19 cases into severe/non-severe or deceased/surviving and calculated the odds ratio (OR) for each of the four comorbidities in these cohorts. 36 studies, comprising 22,573 patients, are included in our meta-analysis. We found that hypertension is the most prevalent comorbidity in deceased COVID-19 patients (55.4%; CI: 49.4-61.3%), followed by cardiovascular disease (30.7%; CI: 22.6-38.8%), cerebrovascular disease (13.4%; CI: 9.12-19.2%), then chronic kidney disease (9.05%; CI: 5.57-15.0%). The risk of death is also significantly higher for patients with these comorbidities, with the greatest risk factor being chronic kidney disease (OR: 8.86; CI: 5.27-14.89), followed by cardiovascular disease (OR: 6.87; CI: 5.56-8.50), hypertension (OR: 4.87; CI: 4.19-5.66), and cerebrovascular disease (OR: 4.28; CI: 2.86-6.41). These risks are significantly higher than previously reported, while correlations between comorbidities and COVID-19 severity are similar to previously reported figures. Using meta-regression analysis with age as a moderating variable, we observed that age contributes to the observed risks but does not explain them fully.

CONCLUSIONS

In this meta-analysis, we observed that cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and kidney-related comorbidities in COVID-19 significantly contributes to greater risk of mortality and increased disease severity. We also demonstrated that age may not be a confounder to these associations.

Identification of Lung and Blood Microbiota Implicated in COVID-19 Prognosis

The implications of the microbiome on Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis has not been thoroughly studied. In this study we aimed to characterize the lung and blood microbiome and their implication on COVID-19 prognosis through analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples, lung biopsy samples, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples. In all three tissue types, we found panels of microbes differentially abundant between COVID-19 and normal samples correlated to immune dysregulation and upregulation of inflammatory pathways, including key cytokine pathways such as interleukin (IL)-2, 3, 5-10 and 23 signaling pathways and downregulation of anti-inflammatory pathways including IL-4 signaling. In the PBMC samples, six microbes were correlated with worse COVID-19 severity, and one microbe was correlated with improved COVID-19 severity. Collectively, our findings contribute to the understanding of the human microbiome and suggest interplay between our identified microbes and key inflammatory pathways which may be leveraged in the development of immune therapies for treating COVID-19 patients.

Chronic E-Cigarette Aerosol Inhalation Alters the Immune State of the Lungs and Increases ACE2 Expression, Raising Concern for Altered Response and Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2

Conventional smoking is known to both increase susceptibility to infection and drive inflammation within the lungs. Recently, smokers have been found to be at higher risk of developing severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). E-cigarette aerosol inhalation (vaping) has been associated with several inflammatory lung disorders, including the recent e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) epidemic, and recent studies have suggested that vaping alters host susceptibility to pathogens such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To assess the impact of vaping on lung inflammatory pathways, including the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor known to be involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection, mice were exposed to e-cigarette aerosols for 60 min daily for 1-6 months and underwent gene expression analysis. Hierarchical clustering revealed extensive gene expression changes occurred in the lungs of both inbred C57BL/6 mice and outbred CD1 mice, with 2,933 gene expression changes in C57BL/6 mice, and 2,818 gene expression changes in CD1 mice (>abs 1.25-fold change). Particularly, large reductions in IgA and CD4 were identified, indicating impairment of host responses to pathogens via reductions in immunoglobulins and CD4 T cells. CD177, facmr, tlr9, fcgr1, and ccr2 were also reduced, consistent with diminished host defenses via decreased neutrophils and/or monocytes in the lungs. Gene set enrichment (GSE) plots demonstrated upregulation of gene expression related to cell activation specifically in neutrophils. As neutrophils are a potential driver of acute lung injury in COVID-19, increased neutrophil activation in the lungs suggests that vapers are at higher risk of developing more severe forms of COVID-19. The receptor through which SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells, ACE2, was found to have moderate upregulation in mice exposed to unflavored vape pens, and further upregulation (six-fold) with JUUL mint aerosol exposure. No changes were found in mice exposed to unflavored Mod device-generated aerosols. These findings suggest that specific vaping devices and components of e-liquids have an effect on ACE2 expression, thus potentially increasing susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. In addition, exposure to e-cigarette aerosols both with and without nicotine led to alterations in eicosanoid lipid profiles within the BAL. These data demonstrate that chronic, daily inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols fundamentally alters the inflammatory and immune state of the lungs. Thus, e-cigarette vapers may be at higher risk of developing infections and inflammatory disorders of the lungs.

COVID-19 Severity Potentially Modulated by Cardiovascular-Disease-Associated Immune Dysregulation

Patients with underlying cardiovascular conditions are particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19. In this project, we aimed to characterize similarities in dysregulated immune pathways between COVID-19 patients and patients with cardiomyopathy, venous thromboembolism (VTE), or coronary artery disease (CAD). We hypothesized that these similarly dysregulated pathways may be critical to how cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) exacerbate COVID-19. To evaluate immune dysregulation in different diseases, we used four separate datasets, including RNA-sequencing data from human left ventricular cardiac muscle samples of patients with dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy and healthy controls; RNA-sequencing data of whole blood samples from patients with single or recurrent event VTE and healthy controls; RNA-sequencing data of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with and without obstructive CAD; and RNA-sequencing data of platelets from COVID-19 subjects and healthy controls. We found similar immune dysregulation profiles between patients with CVDs and COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, cardiomyopathy patients display the most similar immune landscape to COVID-19 patients. Additionally, COVID-19 patients experience greater upregulation of cytokine- and inflammasome-related genes than patients with CVDs. In all, patients with CVDs have a significant overlap of cytokine- and inflammasome-related gene expression profiles with that of COVID-19 patients, possibly explaining their greater vulnerability to severe COVID-19.

Pan cancer analysis of the intra-tumoral microbiome’s correlation with racial disparities

2519

Background: Microbiome composition can influence cancer development and is moderated by diet, hygiene, sanitation, and other environmental variables. For example, a Mediterranean diet could increase breast Lactobacillus abundance, while the gut microbiome changes dramatically with fructose intake. Recent studies have revealed correlations between microbial abundance and racial disparities in cancer. Given these reports, it is critical to examine whether environmental influences on the microbiome contribute to racial disparities in cancer incidence and prognosis. Methods: We examined the intra-tumoral microbiome in the lungs, breasts, bladder, colon, rectum, cervix, head and neck, prostate, and pancreas (n = 4,169). Raw tumor RNA sequencing data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and aligned to bacterial genomes. Microbial abundance was correlated to race, ethnicity, and prognostic variables (Kruskal-Wallis test or Cox regression, p< 0.05). Results: We identified several microbes correlated with racial disparities for breast and bladder cancer, two microbes for lung squamous cell carcinoma, and one microbe for colon cancer. For breast cancer, African Americans have the highest mortality rate, followed by white Americans and Asian Americans. We found that four microbes, all under the order Burkholderiales, were positively correlated with poor prognosis and were most abundant in African Americans and least abundant in Asian Americans. Therefore, increased abundance of these microbes may contribute to the observed mortality differences between races. For bladder cancer, Asian Americans have the lowest incidence and mortality rates. Seven microbes, including two Geobacillus, two Pseudomonas, and two Burkholderiales, positively correlate with good prognosis and are upregulated in Asian Americans. High Pseudomonas fluorescens abundance is positively correlated with decreased risk of death (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38-0.85). High abundance of the Burkholderiales R. pickettii (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.42-0.92) and V. paradoxus (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36-0.98) also exhibit the same trend. Geobacillus and Pseudomonas are both present in food, while Burkholderiales can cause nosocomial infections and are altered by diet. Conclusions: Our study is the most comprehensive to date investigating racial differences in the intra-tumoral microbiome. Our data serve as a starting point for exploring whether environmental influence of microbial abundance contributes to racial disparities in cancer.

The intratumor microbiome predicts prognosis across gender and subtypes in papillary thyroid carcinoma

While the intratumor microbiome has become increasingly implicated in cancer development, the microbial landscape of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is essentially uninvestigated. PTC is characterized by varied prognosis between gender and cancer subtype, but the cause for gender and subtype-based dissimilarities is unclear. Women are more frequently diagnosed with PTC, while men suffer more advanced-staged PTC. In addition, tall cell variants are more aggressive than classical and follicular variants of PTC. We hypothesized that intratumor microbiome composition distinctly alters the immune landscape and predicts clinical outcome between PTC subtypes and between patient genders. Raw whole-transcriptome RNA-sequencing, Level 3 normalized mRNA expression read counts, and DNA methylation 450 k sequencing data for untreated, nonirradiated tumor, and adjacent normal tissue were downloaded from the Genomic Data Commons (GDC) legacy archive for 563 thyroid carcinoma patients. Microbe counts were extracted using Pathoscope 2.0 software. We correlated microbe abundance to clinical variables and immune-associated gene expression. Gene-set enrichment, mutation, and methylation analyses were conducted to correlate microbe abundance to characterize microbes' roles. Overall, PTC tumor tissue significantly lacked microbes that are populated in adjacent normal tissue, which suggests presence of microbes may be critical in controlling immune cell expression and regulating immune and cancer pathways to mitigate cancer growth. In contrast, we also found that microbes distinctly abundant in tall cell and male patient cohorts were also correlated with higher mutation expression and methylation of tumor suppressors. Microbe dysbiosis in specific PTC types may explain observable differences in PTC progression and pathogenesis. These microbes provide a basis for developing specialized prebiotic and probiotic treatments for varied PTC tumors.

Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy of Hair Shaft Using HID Ion GeneStudioTM S5 Sequencing System

Objective To study the heteroplasmy of the whole mitochondrial genome genotyping result of hair shaft samples using HID Ion GeneStudio^TM S5 Sequencing System. Methods The buccal swabs and blood of 8 unrelated individuals, and hair shaft samples from different parts of the same individual were collected. Amplification of whole mitochondrial genome was performed using Precision ID mtDNA Whole Genome Panel. Analysis and detection of whole mitochondrial genome were carried out using the HID Ion GeneStudio^TM S5 Sequencing System. Results The mitochondrial DNA sequences in temporal hair shaft samples from 2 individuals showed heteroplasmy, while whole mitochondrial genome genotyping results of buccal swabs, blood, and hair samples from the other 6 unrelated individuals were consistent. A total of 119 base variations were observed from the 8 unrelated individuals. The numbers of variable sites of the individuals were 29, 40, 38, 35, 13, 36, 40 and 35, respectively. Conclusion Sequence polymorphism can be fully understood using HID Ion GeneStudio^TM S5 Sequencing system.

Using machine learning of clinical data to diagnose COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed severe stress on healthcare systems worldwide, which is amplified by the critical shortage of COVID-19 tests.

METHODS

In this study, we propose to generate a more accurate diagnosis model of COVID-19 based on patient symptoms and routine test results by applying machine learning to reanalyzing COVID-19 data from 151 published studies. We aim to investigate correlations between clinical variables, cluster COVID-19 patients into subtypes, and generate a computational classification model for discriminating between COVID-19 patients and influenza patients based on clinical variables alone.

RESULTS

We discovered several novel associations between clinical variables, including correlations between being male and having higher levels of serum lymphocytes and neutrophils. We found that COVID-19 patients could be clustered into subtypes based on serum levels of immune cells, gender, and reported symptoms. Finally, we trained an XGBoost model to achieve a sensitivity of 92.5% and a specificity of 97.9% in discriminating COVID-19 patients from influenza patients.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that computational methods trained on large clinical datasets could yield ever more accurate COVID-19 diagnostic models to mitigate the impact of lack of testing. We also presented previously unknown COVID-19 clinical variable correlations and clinical subgroups.

[Characteristic and clinical significance of microRNA expression between 144 Uygur and Han women with endometrial carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the expression patterns of microRNA (miRNA) between 144 Uygur and Han women with endometrial carcinoma and to investigate their clinical significance.

METHODS

Taqman miRNA low-density array was used to compare miRNA profiles between Uygur and Han women with non-endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (NEEC). Five miRNAs were further analyzed in the 144 endometrial cancers including 62 Uygur and 82 Han samples via real-time PCR to determine their expression patterns.

RESULTS

MiRNA expression profiles revealed that many miRNAs overexpressed or downregula-ted in one ethnic group, but did not express or changed slightly in the other ethnic group. Further detection in the 144 endometrial cancers showed that miR-141, miR-200a, and miR-205 overexpressed in both ethnic groups. In Uygur endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC), tumors with miR-141/200a overexpression tended to be more aggressive in behavior, whereas in the Han group, EEC with miR-200a overexpression was relative mild. However, the NEEC with miR-200a overexpression also had aggressive clinicopathologic features in the Han women. MiR-145 and miR-143 expressed differentially between Uygur and Han groups, they overexpressed in the former and decreased in the latter (P<0.05). In the Uygur women miR-145/143 increased significantly in NEEC and there was a trend that NEEC exhibiting favorable clinicopathologic factors had higher miR-145 expression, and was statistically significant in tumors with myometrial invasion less than 1/2 thickness (P=0.042). By contrary, miR-145/143 decreased in Han group and EEC with worse clinicopathologic variables had lower expression although without statistical significance. NEEC in Han group had no such tendency.

CONCLUSION

Uygur and Han women might have different miRNA expression profiles. MiR-141/200a/205 overexpressed in endometrial carcinomas and miR-141/200a might behave differently between these two ethnic groups as well as in EEC and in NEEC. Although miR-145/143 showed inverse expression patterns between Uygur and Han women with endometrial cancer, they all exerted tumor suppression effect on endometrial cancer.

Tobacco, but Not Nicotine and Flavor-Less Electronic Cigarettes, Induces ACE2 and Immune Dysregulation

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, overlaps with the ongoing epidemics of cigarette smoking and electronic cigarette (e-cig) vaping. However, there is scarce data relating COVID-19 risks and outcome with cigarette or e-cig use. In this study, we mined three independent RNA expression datasets from smokers and vapers to understand the potential relationship between vaping/smoking and the dysregulation of key genes and pathways related to COVID-19. We found that smoking, but not vaping, upregulates ACE2, the cellular receptor that SARS-CoV-2 requires for infection. Both smoking and use of nicotine and flavor-containing e-cigs led to upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammasome-related genes. Specifically, chemokines including CCL20 and CXCL8 are upregulated in smokers, and CCL5 and CCR1 are upregulated in flavor/nicotine-containing e-cig users. We also found genes implicated in inflammasomes, such as CXCL1, CXCL2, NOD2, and ASC, to be upregulated in smokers and these e-cig users. Vaping flavor and nicotine-less e-cigs, however, did not lead to significant cytokine dysregulation and inflammasome activation. Release of inflammasome products, such as IL-1B, and cytokine storms are hallmarks of COVID-19 infection, especially in severe cases. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that smoking or vaping may critically exacerbate COVID-19-related inflammation or increase susceptibility to COVID-19.

Long noncoding RNA GAS5 enhanced by curcumin relieves poststroke depression by targeting miR-10b/BDNF in rats

The treatment for post-stroke depression (PSD) is mainly based on a therapeutic strategy combining anti-stroke and anti-depressant drugs. In the present study, the therapeutic effect of curcumin on rats with PSD was detected by open field tests and tail suspension tests, as well as the examination of corticosterone and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels in the serum and neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and dopamine (DA) levels in the hippocampus. Curcumin notably alleviated depression compared to the controls. Furthermore, long noncoding RNA growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) enhanced by curcumin contributed to activation of the BDNF/Trkβ signaling pathway to promote the expression of synaptic-related proteins. GAS5 was demonstrated to function as a sponge of miR-10b. GAS5 upregulation by curcumin could reduce miR-10b to compromise the BDNF mRNA levels. Taken together, these results revealed a novel mechanism of curcumin on PSD through the GAS5/miR-10b/BDNF regulatory axis.

The Liver Microbiome Is Implicated in Cancer Prognosis and Modulated by Alcohol and Hepatitis B

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers in the world. Previous studies have identified the importance of alcohol and hepatitis B (HBV) infection on HCC carcinogenesis, indicating synergy in the methods by which these etiologies advance cancer. However, the specific molecular mechanism behind alcohol and HBV-mediated carcinogenesis remains unknown. Because the microbiome is emerging as a potentially important regulator of cancer development, this study aims to classify the effects of HBV and alcohol on the intratumoral liver microbiome. RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to infer microbial abundance. This abundance was then correlated to clinical variables and to cancer and immune-associated gene expression, in order to determine how microbial abundance may contribute to differing cancer progression between etiologies. We discovered that the liver microbiome is likely oncogenic after exposure to alcohol or HBV, although these etiological factors could decrease the abundance of a few oncogenic microbes, which would lead to a tumor suppressive effect. In HBV-induced tumors, this tumor suppressive effect was inferred based on the downregulation of microbes that induce cancer and stem cell pathways. Alcohol-induced tumors were observed to have distinct microbial profiles from HBV-induced tumors, and different microbes are clinically relevant in each cohort, suggesting that the effects of the liver microbiome may be different in response to different etiological factors. Collectively, our data suggest that HBV and alcohol operate within a normally oncogenic microbiome to promote tumor development, but are also able to downregulate certain oncogenic microbes. Insight into why these microbes are downregulated following exposure to HBV or alcohol, and why the majority of oncogenic microbes are not downregulated, may be critical for understanding whether a pro-tumor liver microbiome could be suppressed or reversed to limit cancer progression.

Clinical practice guideline for image-guided multimode tumour ablation therapy in hepatic malignant tumours

Multimode tumour ablation therapy is a treatment method that combines cryoablation with radiofrequency ablation, guided by medical imaging technology and based on precise planning, targeting, monitoring, and control of the thermal energy delivered, with the aim of achieving a whole-body antitumour immune response to malignant tumours. To develop standardized criteria for the application of multimode tumour ablation therapy to malignant hepatic tumours, to facilitate actualization of the criteria in various hospitals, and to ensure therapeutic efficacy and safety, the Society of Interventional Therapy of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the Solid Tumor Theranostics Committee of the Shanghai Anti-Cancer Association assembled experts who specialize in oncology to discuss this treatment method and to arrive at a clinical practice consensus guideline for the indications, contraindications, and techniques of multimode tumour ablation therapy for malignant hepatic tumours.

Etiology-Specific Analysis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Transcriptome Reveals Genetic Dysregulation in Pathways Implicated in Immunotherapy Efficacy

Immunotherapy has emerged in recent years as arguably the most effective treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the failure of a large percentage of patients to respond to immunotherapy remains as the ultimate obstacle to successful treatment. Etiology-associated dysregulation of immune-associated (IA) genes may be central to the development of this differential clinical response. We identified immune-associated genes potentially dysregulated by alcohol or viral hepatitis B in HCC and validated alcohol-induced dysregulations in vitro while using large-scale RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Thirty-four clinically relevant dysregulated IA genes were identified. We profiled the correlation of all genomic alterations in HCC patients to IA gene expression while using the information theory-based algorithm REVEALER to investigate the molecular mechanism for their dysregulation and explore the possibility of genome-based patient stratification. We also studied gene expression regulators and identified multiple microRNAs that were implicated in HCC pathogenesis that can potentially regulate these IA genes' expression. Our study identified potential key pathways, including the IL-7 signaling pathway and TNFRSF4 (OX40)- NF-κB pathway, to target in immunotherapy treatments and presents microRNAs as promising therapeutic targets for dysregulated IA genes because of their extensive regulatory roles in the cancer immune landscape.

Abstract 3389: Analysis of the hepatocellular carcinoma transcriptome reveals dysregulation in pathways implicated in immunotherapy efficacy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world, but current treatment options are very limited in efficacy for patients who are diagnosed late, which often occurs because of limitations in current screening methods. Immunotherapy has emerged in recent years as arguably the most effective treatment for advanced HCC, but the failure of a large percentage of patients to respond to immunotherapy remains the ultimate obstacle to successful treatment. A phase I clinical trial with CTLA-4 checkpoint blockade has only achieved a 17.6% partial response rate in patients with advanced HCC, while another clinical trial using the PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab has reported 18% partial response. Etiology-associated dysregulation of immune-associated (IA) genes may be able to explain the development of this differential clinical response. Using large-scale RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we identified immune-associated genes potentially dysregulated by alcohol or viral hepatitis B in HCC. Thirty-four dysregulated IA genes exhibiting significant correlation of gene expression to survival data and clinical variables were identified. To investigate the molecular mechanism for their dysregulation and explore the possibility of genome-based patient stratification, we profiled the correlation of all genomic alterations in HCC patients to IA gene expression using the information theory-based algorithm REVEALER. We also studied gene expression regulators and identified multiple microRNAs implicated in HCC pathogenesis that can potentially regulate these IA genes’ expression. Finally, we validated the dysregulation of several genes by alcohol, including the downregulation of NDRG2 and SOCS2, in vitro using HCC cell lines. Our study identified several potentially key pathways, including the IL-7 pathway, TNFRSF4 (OX40)- NF-κB pathway, and IL-10 pathway, that may be targeted in HCC immunotherapy treatments as well as possible sources of dysregulation for pathways known to be implicated in HCC immunotherapy efficacy. Lastly, we present microRNAs as promising therapeutic targets for dysregulated IA genes because of their extensive regulatory roles in the cancer immune landscape.

Citation Format: Wei Tse Li, Christine O. Honda, Yuanhao Qu, Thomas K. Honda, Omar A. Saad, Jessica Wang-Rodriguez, Weg M. Ongkeko. Analysis of the hepatocellular carcinoma transcriptome reveals dysregulation in pathways implicated in immunotherapy efficacy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3389.

Assessment of the cryoablation margin using MRI-CT fusion imaging in hepatic malignancies

AIM

To demonstrate the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-computed tomography (CT) fusion imaging for the assessment of the ablative margin after cryoablation in hepatic malignancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study analysed 35 patients with 47 liver tumours treated with CT-guided cryoablation. Fusion images of pre-ablation MRI and intraoperative CT data were created on a workstation. Minimal ablative margin (MAM) assessment was categorised into three groups: (I) MAM <0 mm (tumour protruded through the ablation zone), (II) MAM 0-5 mm, and (III) MAM ≥5 mm. Local tumour progression (LTP) was assessed during follow-up.

RESULTS

MRI-CT fusion imaging was successfully achieved in 46 (97.9%) of 47 lesions. LTP was detected in 67.4% (31/46) of cases. Twenty-four (77.4%) of 31 LTPs occurred in the subcapsular region of the liver. Using fusion images, the MAM was classified as groups I, II, and III in 18, 25, and three tumours, respectively. In group I, LTP was found in 15 (83.3%) of 18 lesions, whereas in group II, LTP was detected in 16 (64%) of 25 lesions. The cumulative LTP rate in group II was significantly lower than that in group I (p=0.012).

CONCLUSION

Pre-ablation MRI and intraoperative CT fusion imaging is feasible and useful for evaluating the MAM of cryoablation in hepatic malignancies.

[Effect of low dose erythromycin on the proliferation of granulation tissue after tracheal injury]

Objective: To investigate the effect of low dose erythromycin on the proliferation of granulation tissue after tracheal injury. Methods: Forty-two rabbits were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=6 each), group A (saline control group), group B (penicillin group), group C (low dose erythromycin group), group D (low dose erythromycin and penicillin group), group E (budesonide group), group F (low dose erythromycin and budesonide group), group G (low dose erythromycin, penicillin and budesonide group). All rabbits received tracheotomy, and the tracheal mucosa was scraped with a nylon brush 20 times for tracheal stenosis model. Rabbits were treated with corresponding drugs from a week before operation to 9 days after operation. The serum concentrations of transforming growth factor - beta 1 (TGF-β(1)), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL) -6, IL-8 were determined and the tracheal specimens were harvested for measuring degree of stenosis on the 10th day after operation. Results: Serum concentrations of TGF-β(1) in group A, B, C, D, E, F and G were (17.6±1.3), (18.2±3.1), (13.0±1.1), (14.0±1.0), (21.0±6.1), (13.6± 3.5), (8.2±1.3) ng/L; VEGF were (88.1±4.1), (85.8±4.3), (58.1±6.3), (56.5±2.4), (87.8±2.8), (57.0±3.7), (34.3±6.7) ng/L; IL-6 were (67.8±4.0), (66.1±3.5), (54.1±4.8), (52.1±3.2), (64.6±4.9), (49.4±4.2), (35.9±3.7) ng/L; IL-8 were (112.8±5.2), (116.6±4.1), (88.0±6.2), (85.5±3.5), (114.4±4.6), (82.6±3.8), (55.9±6.0) ng/L, respectively. The serum concentrations of TGF-β(1), VEGF, IL-6 and IL-8 in group C, D, F and G were significantly lower than those in group A, B and E (all P<0.05). Compared with the other groups, the serum concentrations in group G were the lowest (all P<0.05). All 42 rabbits had tracheal stenosis with different degrees of proliferation of granulation tissue. The degree of tracheal stenosis in Group A, B, C, D, E, F and G were (53.3±4.4)%, (48.2±5.0)%, (24.3±4.4)%, (29.5±3.2)%, (47.8±6.5)%, (27.9±3.1)%, (15.6±2.0)%, respectively. The degree of tracheal stenosis in group C, D, F and G was significantly lower than that in group A, B and E, which had statistical differences (all P<0.05). Compared with the other groups, the degree of tracheal stenosis in group G was the lowest (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Low dose of erythromycin can effectively inhibit the proliferation of granulation tissue after tracheal injury in rabbits. And it has better effectiveness when combined with other antibiotics and hormone.

Abstract 5743: Aberrant microRNA expression dysregulates the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma immune landscape

Immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising treatments for several cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the failure of a large percentage of patients to respond to immunotherapy remains the ultimate obstacle to successful treatment. Etiology-associated dysregulation of genes involved in the immune system may be central to the development of differential clinical response to immunotherapy. Smoking, one of the main causes of HNSCC, may have a dual effect on the efficacy of immunotherapy. On one hand, mutations caused by tobacco are very effective in promoting antigenicity, thus enhancing immunogenicity. On the other hand, tobacco may alter cellular processes in a way that causes immunotherapy to fail. For example, microRNA-induced mRNA degradation or inhibition of translation could be critical in the dysregulation of immune associated (IA) genes. Using next generation sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we identified a comprehensive panel of dysregulated IA genes, including tobacco-associated dysregulated IA genes, in HNSCC samples compared to normal controls. To validate our findings, normal and cancer epithelial cell lines (HaCaT and UMSCC22B) were exposed to physiologically relevant doses of cigarette smoke condensate, and qPCR was performed to determine tobacco regulation of IA gene expression. Several IA genes, including FOXA2, SEMA3G, PLAU, OLR1, and DKK1, were significantly dysregulated and corroborated with the direction of dysregulation from our analysis of clinical data. The expressions of these genes also showed significant correlation with patient survival in Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (univariate cox regression, p&lt;0.05). Several of these genes correlate significantly with clinical variables, including neoplasm histological grade and pathological stage, as assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p&lt;0.05). In order to understand the molecular mechanism by which these IA genes are dysregulated, we also identified a panel of tobacco-dysregulated microRNAs in HNSCC and distinguished those that can potentially target dysregulated IA genes using the online target prediction service provided by TargetScan, which utilizes a computational model that takes into account miRNA-mRNA complementarity as well as conservation of binding sites. We found a large number of microRNAs to be negatively enriched in relation to IA gene expression using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). These findings will be very important in understanding not only how tobacco use is critical to the pathogenesis and progression of HNSCC, but also the molecular mechanisms underlying the failure of immunotherapy for certain patients. Furthermore, these IA genes and their regulatory microRNAs in HNSCC can potentially be therapeutically targeted as a novel treatment strategy or as a complement to existing immunotherapy treatments.

Citation Format: Yuanhao Qu, Wei Tse Li, Christine O. Honda, Omar Saad, Aswini R. Krishnan, Sunil J. Advani, Weg M. Ongkeko. Aberrant microRNA expression dysregulates the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma immune landscape [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5743.

Functional Genomics Profiling of Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma MicroRNAome as a Potential Biomarker

Though bladder urothelial carcinoma is the most common form of bladder cancer, advances in its diagnosis and treatment have been modest in the past few decades. To evaluate miRNAs as putative disease markers for bladder urothelial carcinoma, this study develops a process to identify dysregulated miRNAs in cancer patients and potentially stratify patients based on the association of their microRNAome phenotype to genomic alterations. Using RNA sequencing data for 409 patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas, we examined miRNA differential expression between cancer and normal tissues and associated differentially expressed miRNAs with patient survival and clinical variables. We then correlated miRNA expressions with genomic alterations using the Wilcoxon test and REVEALER. We found a panel of six miRNAs dysregulated in bladder cancer and exhibited correlations to patient survival. We also performed differential expression analysis and clinical variable correlations to identify miRNAs associated with tobacco smoking, the most important risk factor for bladder cancer. Two miRNAs, miR-323a and miR-431, were differentially expressed in smoking patients compared to nonsmoking patients and were associated with primary tumor size. Functional studies of these miRNAs and the genomic features we identified for potential stratification may reveal underlying mechanisms of bladder cancer carcinogenesis and further diagnosis and treatment methods for urothelial bladder carcinoma.

Alcohol and hepatitis virus-dysregulated lncRNAs as potential biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths because of frequent late detection and poor therapeutic outcomes, necessitating the need to identify effective biomarkers for early diagnosis and new therapeutic targets for effective treatment. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as promising molecular markers for diagnosis and treatment. Through analysis of patient samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we identified putative lncRNAs dysregulated in HCC and by its risk factors, hepatitis infection and alcohol consumption. We identified 184 lncRNAs dysregulated in HCC tumors versus paired normal samples, 53 lncRNAs dysregulated in alcohol-drinking patients with hepatitis B, and 5, 456 lncRNAs dysregulated in patients with hepatitis infection. A panel of these candidate lncRNAs’ expressions correlated significantly with patient survival, clinical variables, and known genomic alteration in HCC. Two most significantly dysregulated lncRNAs in our computational analysis, lnc-CFP-1:1 and lnc-CD164L2-1:1, were validated in vitro to be dysregulated by alcohol. Our findings suggest that lncRNAs dysregulated by different etiologies of HCC serve as potential disease markers and can be further investigated to develop personalized prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

[Psychopathological characteristics in patients with deviation of nasal septum: a preliminary analysis]

Objective: To investigate the psychopathological characteristics in patients with deviation of nasal septum. Methods: Between May 2015 and December 2015, fourty-four patients with deviated nasal septum and 37 patients with vocal cord polyp as control were included in this study. Psychological characteristics were evaluated by a series of questionnaire instruments including symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). Visual analogue scale (VAS) and rhinomanometry through front nostril were used to evaluate nasal symptom. The correlation between psychological characteristics and nasal symptom was evaluated. SPSS 20.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The SCL-90 score in nasal septal deviation group was 130.4±48.3. The total score and total average score of SCL-90 had no significant difference between nasal septal deviation group and the Chinese standard or control group(t value was 0.469, 0.112, 1.575, 1.564, respectively, all P>0.05). The scores of somatization, depression and anxiety factors in nasal septal deviation group were higher than control group (t value was 2.380, 2.133, 1.969, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of positive patients in these three factors between nasal septal deviation group and control group had significant differences (χ² value was 11.585, 9.610, 5.429, respectively, all P<0.05). The scores of SDS and SAS in nasal septal deviation group were 46.0±10.6 and 43.0±10.2, which were higher than that in the Chinese standard and control group (t value was 5.342, 6.236, 1.476, 3.013, respectively, all P<0.05). There were 9 patients companying with depression or anxiety (20.5%, 20.5%, respectively) and 5 patients companying with depression and anxiety in nasal septal deviation group (11.4%). There were positive correlation not only between the scores of SDS and the depression factor of SCL-90 but also between the scores of SAS and the anxiety factor of SCL-90 (Z=0.415, P=0.005, Z=0.445, P=0.002, respectively). The scores of SDS and SAS had positive correlation (Z=0.392, P=0.008). The VAS score of nasal obstruction was 6.0±3.2. The rhinomanometry in inspiratory and expiratory phase were (0.202±0.140) kPa·S/cm³ and (0.230±0.161) kPa·S/cm³. Besides the positive correlation between the rhinomanometry in inspiratory phase and SDS (Z=0.332, P=0.045), the psychological scores, including SCL-90 score, depression, anxiety factors score, SAS and SDS, had no correlation with VAS scores and rhinomanometry (r value was -0.030, -0.052, -0.026, 0.107, 0.185, 0.066, 0.160, 0.203, respectively, all P>0.05). Conclusions: High prevalence of depression and anxiety is found in patients with deviation of nasal septum. The SCL-90 score is consistent with SDS and SAS. Besides the positive correlation between the rhinomanometry in inspiratory phase and SDS, the psychological scores (SCL-90 score, depression, anxiety factors score, SAS and SDS) have no correlation with VAS score and rhinomanometry.

[Progress in the study of central auditory processing disorders]

Summary With the development of artifical ossicular and cochlear implant，the treatment of refractory hearing loss acquire significant breakthrough，thus central auditory processing disorders are becoming the major cause of refractory hearing loss.In this paper，research progress of central auditory processing disorders in clinical and fundamental are reviewed.

[Characteristic and clinical significance of DNA methyltransferase 3B overexpression in endometrial carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinicopathological significance of the DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) overexpression in endometrial carcinomas and to evaluate its correlation with hormone receptor status.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of DNMT3B and hormone receptors in 104 endometrial carcinomas.

RESULTS

DNMT3B overexpression occurred frequently in endometrioid carcinoma (EC, 54.8%) more than in nonendometrioid carcinoma (NEC, 30.0%) with statistical significance (P=0.028). Furthermore, there was a trend that EC with worse clinico-pathological variables and shorter survival had a higher DNMT3B expression, and the correlation between DNMT3B and tumor grade reached statistical significance (P=0.019).A negative correlation between DNMT3B and estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) expression was found in EC. NMT3B overexpression occurred frequently in the ER or PR negative subgroups (78.9%, 86.7%) more than in the positive subgroups (47.7%, 47.8%) with statistical significance (P=0.016, P=0.006). In addition, the DNMT3B overexpression increased in tumors with both ER and PR negative expression (92.9%, P=0.002). However, no such correlation was found in NEC (P>0.05). Sequence analyses demonstrated multiple ER and PR binding sites in the promoter regions of DNMT3B gene.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the expression of DNMT3B in EC and NEC was different. DNMT3B overexpression in EC was associated with the worse clinicopathological variables and might have predictive value. The methylation status of EC and NEC maybe different. In addition, in EC, DNMT3B overexpression negatively correlated with ER or PR expression. In NEC, the correlation between DNMT3B and ER or PR status was not present.

High-Brightness High-Energy Electron Beams from a Laser Wakefield Accelerator via Energy Chirp Control

By designing a structured gas density profile between the dual-stage gas jets to manipulate electron seeding and energy chirp reversal for compressing the energy spread, we have experimentally produced high-brightness high-energy electron beams from a cascaded laser wakefield accelerator with peak energies in the range of 200-600 MeV, 0.4%-1.2% rms energy spread, 10-80 pC charge, and ∼0.2  mrad rms divergence. The maximum six-dimensional brightness B_{6D,n} is estimated as ∼6.5×10^{15}  A/m^{2}/0.1%, which is very close to the typical brightness of e beams from state-of-the-art linac drivers. These high-brightness high-energy e beams may lead to the realization of compact monoenergetic gamma-ray and intense coherent x-ray radiation sources.

Association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T, A1298C) and genetic susceptibility to prostate cancer: a meta-analysis

Genetic polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) were shown to be related to prostate cancer risk in previous studies; however, the results are controversial. We performed a meta-analysis of previous studies and quantitatively estimated these associations. Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library Database were searched for published case-control studies evaluating the association between C677T (or A1298C) and prostate cancer risk. Pooled associations were presented as odds ratios (ORs) along with their 95% confidence intervals. Twenty-one case control studies were identified for meta-analysis that included 21,581 participants. No significant associations were found between the MTHFR polymorphisms C677T or A1298C and prostate cancer risk in our meta-analysis. However, in subgroup analyses, the C677T CT polymorphism was associated with increased prostate cancer risk in East Asians (CT vs CC+TT: OR = 1.324, P = 0.03). The A1298C CC polymorphism in MTHFR was also linked to slightly reduced prostate cancer risk in European residents (CC vs AC+AA: OR = 0.751, P = 0.004; CC vs AA: OR = 0.768, P = 0.011), whereas it was associated with a significantly increased prostate cancer risk in Asian residents (CC vs AA: OR = 1.862, P = 0.006). The C677T CT polymorphism of MTHFR may be a risk factor for prostate cancer in East Asians. The association between the MTHFR A1298C CC genotype and prostate cancer risk may vary within different populations. Large-scale well-designed studies are required to confirm these associations.

Vagal afferent-dependent cholecystokinin modulation of visceral pain requires central amygdala NMDA-NR2B receptors in rats

BACKGROUND

Cholecystokinin (CCK), a gut hormone that is released during feeding, exerts gastrointestinal effects in part through vagal pathway. It is reported to be a potential trigger for increased postprandial visceral sensitivity in healthy subjects and, especially in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. NR2B-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the central amygdala (CeA) participate in pain modulation. Systemically administered CCK activates the CeA-innervating neurons. Here, we investigated whether CCK modulation of visceral sensitivity is mediated through CeA NMDA-NR2B receptors and whether this modulation involves vagal pathway.

METHODS

We first examined the visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distention (CRD) following i.p. injection of CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) in a rat model. Next, the NR2B antagonist ifenprodil and the NR2A antagonist NVP-AAM077 were microinjected into the CeA before systemic CCK injection. NR2B phosphorylation was detected by Western blot. To down-regulate NR2B gene expression, NR2B-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) was delivered into CeA neurons by electroporation. In addition, the effects of functional deafferentation by perivagal application of capsaicin and pretreatment with the CCK1 receptor antagonist devazepide were investigated.

KEY RESULTS

CCK-8 increased VMR to CRD in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was blunted by intra-CeA administration of ifenprodil (but not NVP-AAM077) and was accompanied by phosphorylation of NR2B subunits in the CeA. CCK failed to increase VMR to CRD in NR2B siRNA-treated rats. Perivagal capsaicin application and pretreatment with devazepide prevented CCK-induced pronociception and CeA NR2B phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The pronociception induced by systemic CCK, which is vagal afferent-dependent, requires activation of CeA NMDA-NR2B receptors.

Association of BCSC-1 with human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Breast cancer suppressor candidate-1 (BCSC-1) is a newly identified candidate tumor suppressor gene. BCSC-1 shows decreased levels in a variety of cancer types. In this study, we investigated the association between BCSC-1 and human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). BCSC-1 expression was detected in ESCC and normal tissues adjacent to tumor tissues by Western blot analysis and real-time PCR  as well as immunohistochemistry of paraffin sections. The relationships between BCSC-1 expression and various clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Western blot analysis and real-time PCR showed that levels of BCSC-1 protein and mRNA expression in ESCC significantly decreased compared with those in adjacent normal tissues.  Immunohistochemistry exhibited marked reduction of BCSC-1 in 38 of 105 ESCC specimens. Moreover, downregulation of BCSC-1 was associated with the grade of tumor cellular differentiation (P<0.05). These findings indicate that BCSC-1 downregulation in ESCC is associated with carcinogenesis and may play important roles during the process of ESCC cancer development.

Proteomic analysis identifies differentially expressed proteins participating in forming Type III brush hair in Yangtze River Delta white goat

The Yangtze River Delta white goat is a goat breed that can produce high quality brush hair (Type III hair) around the world. This study aimed to compare Type III hair and non-Type III hair goat skin tissues using differentially expressed proteins based on 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis technology. The differentially expressed protein spots were analyzed using the PDquest 8.0 software. Ten protein spots were detected as positive for mass spectrometric analysis based on a threshold of 2-fold change. Through matching based on Ultraflex III TOF/TOF and MASCOT database, four differentially expressed proteins were identified. Fibrinogen beta chain isoform 1 and ATP synthase beta subunit were upregulated in Type III hair, while succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid-coenzyme A transferase 1-mitochondrial-like and actin-cytoplasmic 1 were upregulated in non-Type III hair. The 4 proteins play important roles in different aspects of hair follicle development. These findings could pave a good foundation for explaining the mechanism of forming Type III hair.

Downregulation of PLK1 by RNAi attenuates the tumorigenicity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells via promoting apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis

Polo-like kinase 1(PLK1) is essential for the maintenance of genomic stability during mitosis. PLK1 has been reported to be upregulated in several solid tumors, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the role of PLK1 in tumorigenesis of ESCC remains undetermined. We used siRNA and lentivirus-mediated PLK1 RNA interference to investigate the tumor suppressor function of PLK1 reduction in ESCC cells. Flow cytometry and Terminal deoxynuleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling assay in vitro, as well as immunohistochemitry analysis of Caspase-3 and CD31 in s.c. tumor tissue section, were performed. Knock down of PLK1 expression significantly suppressed the ability of ESCC cells to form colonies in plastic and soft agar. PLK1 reduction mediated by lentivirus caused growth suppression of ESCC in nude mice. Caspase-3 upregulation further indicated that dysregulated apoptosis might contribute to reduced tumorigenecity. In particular, downregulation of CD31 suggested that PLK1 reduction-induced angiogenesis inhibition may also contribute, at least in part, to attenuated tumorigenecity. These findings indicate that PLK1 might play roles in tumorigenesis of ESCC and that PLK1 might be a potential gene therapy target in ESCC. Apoptosis induction together with decreased angiogenesis might be involved in the mechanism of tumor suppressor function of RNA interference targeting PLK1.

Long-term effects of evodiamine on expressions of lipogenesis and lipolysis genes in mouse adipose and liver tissues

Evodiamine, the major alkaloid component isolated from the fruit of dried, unripened Evodia rutaecarpa Bentham, affects the plasma levels of cholecystokinin and various biological events such as gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit; these effects of evodiamine were previously investigated in male rats. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of evodiamine on average daily weight gain, rectal temperature, and expressions of genes involved in lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissues. Evodiamine was added as a supplement, comprising 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06% of the diet fed to mice for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Results showed that average daily weight gain and rectal temperature decreased significantly over time in a dose-dependent manner. Evodiamine changed expressions of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g (PPARg) in mouse adipose and liver tissues in time- and dose-dependent manners. We found that evodiamine decreased mRNA expression of the sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase in adipose tissue. In addition, evodiamine increased expressions of hormone-sensitive lipase in both liver and adipose tissues. Interestingly, evodiamine increased the expression of triglyceride hydrolase only in adipose tissue. In conclusion, evodiamine could influence lipid metabolism through regulation of the expressions of its key genes, as well as reduce body heat and body weight.

PTEN hypermethylation profiles of Chinese Kazakh patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Aberrant DNA methylation of promoter region CpG islands may serve as an alternative mechanism to genetic defects in the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in human malignancies. The aim of this study was to examine the promoter methylation status of the PTEN TSG and its association with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) carcinogenesis in a Chinese Kazakh population, which is known to have a relatively high ESCC incidence and mortality. The methylation status of the PTEN promoter region was determined in patients with ESCC (n = 95) and healthy individuals (n = 65) using highly sensitive Sequenom Epityper assays. The methylation level of the PTEN gene was significantly higher in patients with ESCC than in healthy controls. The median methylation level was 10.0% (interquartile range [IQR]: 7.0-11.0%) in patients with ESCC and 6.0% in controls (IQR: 4.0-9.0%; P = 0.001). PTEN methylation levels were higher in male patients with ESCC than in male controls, whereas a trend toward significance was observed between female patients with ESCC and female controls (P = 0.005 and P = 0.086, respectively). The PTEN methylation level was associated with histopathological grade and lymph node metastasis in patients with ESCC (P = 0.002 and P = 0.009, respectively). To our knowledge, this is the first report to show the presence of PTEN promoter CpG hypermethylation in ESCC and its association with tumor metastasis.

Preparation and characterization of an antiserum against truncated UL54 protein of pseudorabies virus

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) early protein UL54 is a homolog of herpes simplex virus 1 immediate-early protein ICP27, which is a multifunctional protein essential for the virus replication. However, the precise role of the PRV UL54 protein in the virus life cycle is still poorly understood. To shed more light on this problem, we considered it essential to have available an antiserum specifically detecting this protein. Since it was known that a full-length UL54 protein is a too big molecule for efficient expression in prokaryotic systems, it was truncated from 1 to 66 N-terminal amino acids, fused to EYFP-His tag and expressed in Escherichia coli through an appropriate expression vector. The truncated protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and used for raising an antiserum in rabbits. Western blot analysis showed that this antiserum specifically recognized the purified truncated as well as full-length UL54 protein in PRV-infected cells. Immunofluorescence assay confirmed the latter finding and also demonstrated localization of this protein first in nucleoli and later in whole nuclei of PRV-infected cells. These results indicate that the prepared antiserum could serve as a valuable tool in further studies of PRV UL54 protein function.

All-optical cascaded laser wakefield accelerator using ionization-induced injection

We report on near-GeV electron beam generation from an all-optical cascaded laser wakefield accelerator (LWFA). Electron injection and acceleration are successfully separated and controlled in different LWFA stages by employing two gas cells filled with a He/O2 mixture and pure He gas, respectively. Electrons with a Maxwellian spectrum, generated from the first LWFA assisted by ionization-induced injection, were seeded into the second LWFA with a 3-mm-thick gas cell and accelerated to be a 0.8-GeV quasimonoenergetic electron beam, corresponding to an acceleration gradient of 187  GV/m. The demonstrated scheme paves the way towards the multi-GeV laser accelerators.

Modulation of BCRP mediated atypical multidrug resistance phenotype by RNA interference

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in human cancers is one of the major causes of failure of chemotherapy. The emergence of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), a member of the ABC transporter family, has necessitated the development of antagonists. To overcome the BCRP-mediated atypical multidrug drug resistance, two small interfering RNA constructs (RNAi) targeting two different regions of BCRP mRNA were designed to inhibit the atypical MDR expression by transfecting them into MCF-7/MX100 cell lines. The multidrug resistance index to mitoxantrone and the intensity of mitoxantrone fluorescence of MCF-7/MX100 decreased after transfected by pSUPER-BCRP-A and pSUPER-BCRP-B respectively; the BCRP mRNA level and the BCRP protein level of MCF-7/MX100 decreased after treated with pSUPER-BCRPs. The two constructed RNAi plasmids could reverse the atypical mutidrug resistance mediated by BCRP, but neither can reversed it completely, this may be due to low transfection efficiency and transient transfection.