Mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 mediates mechanical ventilation-exacerbated ARDS-associated pulmonary fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary fibrosis is a major cause of the poor prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). While mechanical ventilation (MV) is an indispensable life-saving intervention for ARDS, it may cause the remodeling process in lung epithelial cells to become disorganized and exacerbate ARDS-associated pulmonary fibrosis. Piezo1 is a mechanosensitive ion channel that is known to play a role in regulating diverse physiological processes, but whether Piezo1 is necessary for MV-exacerbated ARDS-associated pulmonary fibrosis remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the role of Piezo1 in MV-exacerbated ARDS-associated pulmonary fibrosis.

METHODS

Human lung epithelial cells were stimulated with hydrochloric acid (HCl) followed by mechanical stretch for 48 h. A two-hitmodel of MV afteracidaspiration-inducedlunginjuryin mice was used. Mice were sacrificed after 14 days of MV. Pharmacological inhibition and knockout of Piezo1 were used to delineate the role of Piezo1 in MV-exacerbated ARDS-associated pulmonary fibrosis. In some experiments, ATP or the ATP-hydrolyzing enzyme apyrase was administered.

RESULTS

The stimulation of human lung epithelial cells to HCl resulted in phenotypes of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which were enhanced by mechanical stretching. MV exacerbated pulmonary fibrosis in mice exposed to HCl. Pharmacologicalinhibitionorknockout of Piezo1 attenuated the MV-exacerbated EMT process and lung fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, the observed effects were mediated by Piezo1-dependent Ca2+ influx and ATP release in lung epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings identify a key role for Piezo1 in MV-exacerbated ARDS-associated pulmonary fibrosis that is mediated by increased ATP release in lung epithelial cells. Inhibiting Piezo1 may constitute a novelstrategyfor the treatment of MV-exacerbated ARDS-associated pulmonary fibrosis.

Immunothrombosis in Acute Respiratory Dysfunction of COVID-19

COVID-19 is an acute, complex disorder that was caused by a new β-coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Based on current reports, it was surprising that the characteristics of many patients with COVID-19, who fulfil the Berlin criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), are not always like those of patients with typical ARDS and can change over time. While the mechanisms of COVID-19–related respiratory dysfunction in COVID-19 have not yet been fully elucidated, pulmonary microvascular thrombosis is speculated to be involved. Considering that thrombosis is highly related to other inflammatory lung diseases, immunothrombosis, a two-way process that links coagulation and inflammation, seems to be involved in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, including respiratory dysfunction. Thus, the current manuscript will describe the proinflammatory milieu in COVID-19, summarize current evidence of thrombosis in COVID-19, and discuss possible interactions between these two.

Improved light extraction efficiency of AlGaN deep-ultraviolet light emitting diodes combining Ag-nanodots/Al reflective electrode with highly transparent p-type layer

Enhancement of light extraction efficiency (LEE) of AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been attempted by adopting Ag-nanodots/Al reflective electrodes on a highly transparent complex p-type layer. By thinning the p-GaN to several nm, highly DUV transparent p-type layer is achieved, making it meaningful for the application of reflective electrodes composed of Ag-nanodots and Al film to allow most light emitted upward to be reflected back to the sapphire side. By this approach, the maximum light output power and external quantum efficiency of the DUV-LEDs with optimized Ag nanodots/Al electrodes are severally increased by 52% and 58%, respectively, compared to those with traditional Ni/Au electrodes when the current is below 200 mA.

Structure, kinetic properties and biological function of mechanosensitive Piezo channels

Mechanotransduction couples mechanical stimulation with ion flux, which is critical for normal biological processes involved in neuronal cell development, pain sensation, and red blood cell volume regulation. Although they are key mechanotransducers, mechanosensitive ion channels in mammals have remained difficult to identify. In 2010, Coste and colleagues revealed a novel family of mechanically activated cation channels in eukaryotes, consisting of Piezo1 and Piezo2 channels. These have been proposed as the long-sought-after mechanosensitive cation channels in mammals. Piezo1 and Piezo2 exhibit a unique propeller-shaped architecture and have been implicated in mechanotransduction in various critical processes, including touch sensation, balance, and cardiovascular regulation. Furthermore, several mutations in Piezo channels have been shown to cause multiple hereditary human disorders, such as autosomal recessive congenital lymphatic dysplasia. Notably, mutations that cause dehydrated hereditary xerocytosis alter the rate of Piezo channel inactivation, indicating the critical role of their kinetics in normal physiology. Given the importance of Piezo channels in understanding the mechanotransduction process, this review focuses on their structural details, kinetic properties and potential function as mechanosensors. We also briefly review the hereditary diseases caused by mutations in Piezo genes, which is key for understanding the function of these proteins.

Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper: A Promising Marker for Monitoring and Treating Sepsis

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome that resulting from a dysregulated inflammatory response to infection that leads to organ dysfunction. The dysregulated inflammatory response transitions from a hyper-inflammatory phase to a hypo-inflammatory or immunosuppressive phase. Currently, no phase-specific molecular-based therapies are available for monitoring the complex immune response and treating sepsis due to individual variations in the timing and overlap of the dysregulated immune response in most patients. Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), is broadly present in multiple tissues and circumvent glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) or unwanted side effects. Recently, the characteristics of GILZ downregulation during acute hyperinflammation and GILZ upregulation during the immunosuppressive phase in various inflammatory diseases have been well documented, and the protective effects of GILZ have gained attention in the field of sepsis. However, whether GILZ could be a promising candidate biomarker for monitoring and treating septic patients remains unknown. Here, we discuss the effect of GILZ in sepsis and sepsis-induced immunosuppression.

[Clinicopathological features of myeloid sarcoma and DLBCL in the breast: a comparative study]

Objective: To study the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma of the breast. Methods: Ten cases of myeloid sarcoma (MS) and 19 cases of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the breast were selected from Peking University People's Hospital from February 2005 to September 2019. The cases were evaluated by microscopy and immunohistochemistry basing on WHO classification (2008 and 2017). Results: For the 10 cases of MS, the mean and median age was 33.8 and 31 years (range 23 to 47 years) respectively. All patients presented with breast masses; six presented with B symptoms (6/10); and LDH level was elevated in four patients. The largest tumor dimension was 1.0 to 5.3 cm (mean 2.7 cm). All 10 patients had history of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and in one patient, the AML occurred after chemotherapy for hydatidiform mole. One case was classified as M0, four were M2, two were M4 and three were M5. For the AML, all patients received chemotherapy and nine were treated by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) and the breast masses occurred4 months to 2 years post-transplant. Using Ann Arbor staging, five cases were stage Ⅰ, three were stage Ⅱ, and 2 were stage Ⅳ. The MS was found in the left breast (two cases); right breast (three cases) and both breasts (five cases). Lymphocyte in peripheral blood, B symptom and site of lesion had statistical significance between myeloid sarcoma and DLBCL(P<0.05). The tumor cells were primitive, expressing MPO, CD43, CD117, etc. All ten patients had follow-up information, and the median survival period was 14.4 months (range 1 to 50 months). Seven patients died. The prognosis of patients with MS was worse than DLBCL(P=0.002). Conclusions: The clinical history, pathologic morphology, immunophenotyping and molecular studies are very important for diagnosing MS tumors in the breast, and MS may occur after allo-HSCT for AML. Tumor resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusion are recommended for treatment. The prognosis is poor.

NecroX-5 alleviate lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome by inhibiting TXNIP/NLRP3 and NF-κB

The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB pathway, associating with oxidativestress, have been implicated in the development of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). NecroX-5 has been reported to exhibit theeffectsofanti-oxidation and anti-stress in various diseases. However, the role of NecroX-5 in ALI has not been explicitly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic effects and potential mechanism action of NecroX-5 on ALI. Here, we found that NecroX-5 pretreatment dramatically diminished the levels of IL-1β, IL-18 and ROS in in RAW264.7 cells challenged with LPS and ATP. Furthermore, NecroX-5 suppressed the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signalpathway. In addition, NecroX-5 also inhibited the thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression. In vivo, NecroX-5 reduced the LPS-induced lung histopathological injury, the number of TUNEL-positive cells, lung wet/dry (W/D) ratio, levels of total protein and inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in mice. Additionally, LPS-induced upregulation of myeloperoxidase (MPO), ROS production and malondialdehyde (MDA) were inhibited by NecroX-5 administration. Thus, our results demonstrate that NecroX-5 protects against LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting TXNIP/NLRP3 and NF-κB.

Inhibition of calcineurin/NFATc4 signaling attenuates ventilator‑induced lung injury

Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) is a life-threatening condition caused by the inappropriate use of mechanical ventilation (MV). However, the precise molecular mechanism inducing the development of VILI remains to be elucidated. In the present study, it was revealed that the calcineurin/NFATc4 signaling pathway mediates the expression of adhesion molecules and proinflammatory cytokines essential for the development of VILI. The present results revealed that a high tidal volume ventilation (HV) caused lung inflammation and edema in the alveolar walls and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. The calcineurin activity and protein expression in the lungs were increased in animals with VILI, and NFATc4 translocated into the nucleus following calcineurin activation. Furthermore, the translocation of NFATc4 and lung injury were prevented by a calcineurin inhibitor (CsA). Thus, the present results highlighted the critical role of the calcineurin/NFATc4 signaling pathway in VILI and suggest that this pathway coincides with the release of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TNF-α and IL-1β.

Greatly enhanced performance of AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes by introducing a polarization modulated electron blocking layer

Carrier transport in AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet (DUV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) with the wavelength of 273 nm has been investigated by introducing polarization modulated electron blocking layer (EBL) that adopts an Al composition and thickness graded multiple quantum barriers (MQB) structure. The experimental result shows that the maximum light output power and external quantum efficiency for the proposed structure at the current of 250 mA are 9.6 mW and 1.03% respectively, severally increasing by 405% and 249% compared to traditional one, meanwhile, the efficiency droop at 250 mA is also dramatically reduced from 42.2% to 16.6%. Further simulation analysis indicates that this graded MQB-EBL enhances the potential barrier height for electrons and meanwhile reduces that for holes, hence effectively suppresses the electron leakage, and at the same time significantly improves the hole injection efficiency. As a result, the whole performance of the LED with the proposed MQB-EBL is dramatically improved.

Influence of Hydrostatic Pressure on the Corrosion Behavior of Superhydrophobic Surfaces on Bare and Oxidized Aluminum Substrates

It is generally recognized that superhydrophobic surfaces in water may be used for corrosion resistance due to the entrapped air in the solid/liquid interface and could find potential applications in the protection of ship hull. For a superhydrophobic surface, as its immersion depth into water increases, the resultant hydrostatic pressure is also increased, and the entrapped air can be squeezed out much more easily. It is therefore predicted that high hydrostatic pressure would cause an unexpected decrease in corrosion resistance for the vessels in deep water (e.g., submarines) because of the unstable entrapped air. In this work, in order to clarify the role of hydrostatic pressure in the corrosion behavior of superhydrophobic surfaces, two typical superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) were prepared on bare and oxidized aluminum substrates, respectively, and then were immersed into the NaCl aqueous solutions with different depths of ∼0 cm (hydrostatic pressure ∼0 kPa), 10 cm (1 kPa), and 150 cm (15 kPa). It was found out for the SHSs on the oxidized Al, as the hydrostatic pressure increased, the corrosion behavior became severe. However, for the SHSs on the bare Al, their corrosion behavior was complex due to hydrostatic pressure. It was found that the corrosion resistance under 1 kPa was the highest. Further mechanism analysis revealed that this alleviated corrosion behavior under 1 kPa resulted from suppressing the oxygen diffusion through the liquid and reducing the subsequent corrosion rate as compared with 0 kPa, whereas the relatively low hydrostatic pressure (HP) could stabilize the entrapped air and hence enhance the corrosion resistance, compared with 15 kPa. The present study therefore provided a fundamental understanding for the applications of SHSs to prevent the corrosion, especially for various vessels in deep water.

[Analysis of proliferative lesions of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissue in the female productive tract]

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissue in the female productive tract. Methods: Eleven cases of myeloid sarcoma and leukemia, 9 of non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) , 13 of cervical lymphoma-like lesions were selected from Peking University People's Hospital from January 2006 to August 2017. According to WHO classification of tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues (2008) and updated classification(2016), the cases were studied by microscopy, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results: In 20 cases of tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissue, the mean and median age was 48.5 and 56 years old (range: 16-77 years old) . In cases of lymphoma-like lesion of uterine cervix, the mean and median age was 45.9 and 48 years old (range: 23-62 years old) . The patients with neoplasm present as fever, fatigue, hypogastralgia, colporrhagia and mass etc. Eight cases had history of acute myeloid leukemia, and 3 had myeloid leukemia while pregnancy. One case of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) had history of ovary small cell carcinoma and high grade serous carcinoma resected with chemotherapy. One case of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) had history of renal transplantation. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was elevated in 9 cases (9/18) . The cases of lymphoma-like lesion present as contact bleeding in most cases and all located in cervix. Four cases of neoplasm located in vulva, 1 in vagina, 4 in cervix, 4 in uterine corpus, 8 in ovary and 2 in placenta. Clinical staging of NHL: 4 case was stageⅠ, 1 case of stageⅢ, and 4 cases of stage Ⅳ. Pathological morphology: 9 cases were myeloid sarcoma, 2 cases were placenta invaded by myeloid leukemia. Six cases were DLBCL, and 1 case was CLL/SLL, 1 case was mucosa associated lymphoid tissuse lymphoma (MALToma) , and 1 case was anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Resected mass, chemotherapy was performed in tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissue. Five cases of myeloid sarcoma and 2 of NHL died. In 13 cases of lymphoma-like lesion of uterine cervix, the general condition was good as following up. Conclusions: The clinical history, pathological morphology and immunohistochemistry are very important for diagnosing tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissue in the female productive tract. Resection with chemotherapy is recommended in treatment. The prognosis of lymphoma-like lesion of uterine cervix is good, and should be differentiated from lymphoma.

Comparison of single- and triple-injection methods for ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus blockade

Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus blockade (IBPB) has a relatively high success rate in shoulder surgery; however, whether multiple injections are superior to a single injection (SI) is currently unknown. In the present study, ultrasound-guided SI and triple-injection (TI) IBPBs were compared in a prospective randomized trial. A total of 111 patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery and presenting with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status grading of I-II were randomly allocated to receive IBPB with 15 ml of 1% ropivacaine as a SI or TI. Performance time, procedure-related pain scores, success rate and prevalence of complications were recorded. The distribution of sensory and motor block onset in the radial, median, ulnar and axillary nerves were assessed every 5 min until 30 min post-local anesthetic injection. The duration of sensory and motor blocks were also assessed. A significantly longer performance time was recorded in the TI group (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in success rate (91% in TI vs. 88% in SI) 30 min post-injection, and the prevalence of complications and procedure-related pain were similar between the two groups. Sensory and motor blocks of the ulnar nerve in the TI group were significantly faster and more successful compared with the SI group at all time points (P<0.041). It was also observed that sensory and motor blocks in the TI group were prolonged compared with the SI group (P<0.041). In conclusion, the TI method exhibited a faster time of onset and resulted in a more successful blockade of the ulnar nerve. TI method may be a more effective approach for IBPB in a clinical setting.

Preconditioning of physiological cyclic stretch inhibits the inflammatory response induced by pathologically mechanical stretch in alveolar epithelial cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of preconditioning of physiological cyclic stretch (CS) on the overexpression of early pro-inflammatory cytokines [including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8] during the inflammatory response induced by pathologically mechanical stretch in lung epithelial cells, and to determine its molecular mechanism of action. Cells were subjected to 5% CS for various durations (0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min) prior to 6 h treatment with pathological 20% CS. In a separate experiment, cells were preconditioned with physiological 5% CS or incubated with a nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitor, pyrroldine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). The expression levels of inflammatory mediators were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. NF-κB was quantified using western blot analysis. Preconditioning with physiological 5% CS for 30, 60 and 120 min was demonstrated to significantly attenuate the release of pathologically mechanical stretch-induced early pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8) in alveolar epithelial cells (P<0.05) and significantly reduce the expression of NF-κB (P<0.05). Peak suppression was observed in cells preconditioned for 60 min. In the second set of experiments, it was demonstrated that mechanical stretch-induced release of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 was significantly inhibited by both PDTC pretreatment and 5% CS pretreatment alone (all P<0.05). Furthermore, significant inhibition was also observed when both 5% CS pretreatment and PDTC pretreatment was used on mechanical stretch-induced cells (P<0.05), which was markedly greater than the inhibition induced by either pretreatment alone. The present findings suggest that preconditioning with physiological 5% CS is able to inhibit the inflammatory response induced by pathologically mechanical stretch in alveolar epithelial cells. These anti-inflammatory effects are induced, at least in part, by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.

[Tumors of lymphoid and hematopoietic tissue of spleen: a clinicopathologic analysis of 53 cases]

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the tumors of lymphoidand hematopoietic tissue of the spleen(TLTS). Methods: Fifty-three cases of TLTS were selected from the pathologic files from Peking University People's Hospital from April 2002 to April 2017. According to WHO classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues (2008) and its updated classification (2016), the cases were studied by microscopy, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, combined with the bone marrow biopsy and clinical examination. Results: In 53 cases of TLTS, the male to female ratio was 3.4∶1.0; the mean age was 55.4 years (range 21-76 years), and all patients presented with variable degree of splenomegaly. Laboratory examination showed increased percentage of lymphocyte in peripheral blood in 22 cases, and elevated serum LDH level in 24 cases. Abnormal blood counts were seen in 26 cases pre-operatively, in which 22 cases showed complete or partial correction of these abnormalities post-operatively (84.6%, 22/26). The clinical symptoms included abdominal pain or distension, fatigue, fever, and weight loss, etc. Seventeen cases presented with lymphadenopathy of abdomen or other sites. Bone marrow biopsy was performed in 30 cases, and 19 cases were involved by tumor (63.3%). Of all 53 cases, 43 were diagnosed as primary splenic lymphoma (PSL), and the remaining 10 cases as secondary TLTS. According to Ann Arbor staging, 14 cases were stages Ⅰ or Ⅱ, 6 were stage Ⅲ and 28 were stage Ⅳ. By histopathologic classification, 43 cases of PSL were splenic B-cell marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL; 48.8%, 21/43), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL; 23.3%, 10/43), splenic diffuse red pulp small B-cell lymphoma (11.6%, 5/43), mantle cell lymphoma (9.3%, 4/43), follicular lymphoma (4.7%, 2/43), and composite lymphoma (CL, DLBCL and classical Hodgkin lymphoma; 2.3%, 1/43). The remaining 10 cases were chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (4 cases), hairy cell leukaemia (1 case), hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL; 5 cases), with lesions in other sites. Of the 53 cases of TLTS, 47 were B cell neoplasm (88.7%, 47/53), and the T cell neoplasms were all HSTL(5 cases, 9.4%, 5/53), 1 case was composite lymphoma. In 11 cases of TLTS, EBER in situ hybridization was performed and all cases were negative. Forty eight cases had follow-up data, and the median survival period was 17.0 months(range: 1-96 months). The survival of patients with SMZL and DLBCL were 25.7 and 18.6 months respectively. Thirteen patients died (27.1%, 13/48). The prognosis of those with elevated LDH level, high clinical stage, B symptoms and older than 60 years of age was worse. And the prognosis of DLBCL was worse than that of SMZL. There was no statistically significant difference between these factors and prognosis (P>0.05). Conclusions: Most TLTS cases present with splenomegaly and abnormal blood counts, and complete or partial remission of blood counts isseen after splenectomy. The most common pathologic types of TLTS are SMZL and DLBCL. Definite diagnosis of TLTS could be made by combining clinical features, histopathology, immunophenotype, genetics, bone marrow biopsy and laboratory examination.

miR-127 contributes to ventilator-induced lung injury

Although it is essential in critical care medicine, mechanical ventilation often results in ventilator‑induced lung injury (VILI). Treating mice with lipopolysaccharide has been reported to upregulate the expression of miR‑127, which has been implicated in the modulation of immune responses. However, the putative roles of miR‑127 during the development of VILI have yet to be elucidated. The present study demonstrated that challenging mice with mechanical ventilation for 6 h significantly upregulated the expression of miR‑127 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum and lung tissue samples. Conversely, following the downregulation of miR‑127 expression in vivo using an adenovirus delivery system, VILI‑associated pathologies, including alterations in the pulmonary wet/dry ratio, pulmonary permeability, lung neutrophil infiltration and levels of pro‑inflammatory cytokines, were significantly attenuated. In addition, miR‑127 knockdown inhibited the ventilation‑induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)‑κB and p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK). These findings suggested that the upregulation of miR‑127 expression may contribute to the development of VILI, through the modulation of pulmonary permeability, the induction of histopathological alterations, and the potentiation of inflammatory responses involving NF‑κB and p38 MAPK‑associated signaling pathways.

[Analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and its clinico-pathologic characteristics of the primary lung adenocarcinoma in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region]

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and the clinicopathologic features of primary lung adenocarcinomas in Xinjiang.

METHODS

The mutations of EGFR gene at exons 18-21 in 59 cases (including 15 cases of Uighur and 44 cases of Han) of lung adenocarcinoma tissues, which were obtained from surgical resection, were detected by amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) method. And the relationships among mutations, race and clinicopathologic features were analyzed.

RESULTS

The frequencies of EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma were 20% for Uighur, which was lower than that in Han (54.5%), P<0.05. The deletion mutations at exon 19 were seen in 2 of 15 Uighur cases and 9 of 44 Han cases. EGFR mutations were present, including exon 21 L858R in one Uighur case and 12 Han cases, exon 18 G719X in two of 44 cases of Han, exon 21 L861Q in one of them. On histological type, the frequencies of EGFR mutation in alveolar predominant adenocarcinoma was 71% (22/31), which was higher than both that in solid predominant and mucinous carcinoma ( 6.7%, 20% respectively). According to statistic analysis, EGFR mutations were without correlation with the patient's gender, age, location, gross type, smoking status and lymph node metastasis(P>0.05). EGFR mutation was more frequent in well-differentiated cancer, mainly in acinar carcinoma, while poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and mucous adenocarcinoma were lower.

CONCLUSION

There was a difference of EGFR mutation in primary lung adenocarcinoma between Uighur and Han in Xinjiang, perhaps reflecting ethnic genetic variation, which is worth further analyzing. EGFR mutation was commonly detected in well or middle differentiated adenocarcinoma, mainly in acinar carcinoma.

[Analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and its clinico-pathologic characteristics of the primary lung adenocarcinoma in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region]

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and the clinicopathologic features of primary lung adenocarcinomas in Xinjiang.

METHODS

The mutations of EGFR gene at exons 18-21 in 59 cases (including 15 cases of Uighur and 44 cases of Han) of lung adenocarcinoma tissues, which were obtained from surgical resection, were detected by amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) method. And the relationships among mutations, race and clinicopathologic features were analyzed.

RESULTS

The frequencies of EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma were 20% for Uighur, which was lower than that in Han (54.5%), P<0.05. The deletion mutations at exon 19 were seen in 2 of 15 Uighur cases and 9 of 44 Han cases. EGFR mutations were present, including exon 21 L858R in one Uighur case and 12 Han cases, exon 18 G719X in two of 44 cases of Han, exon 21 L861Q in one of them. On histological type, the frequencies of EGFR mutation in alveolar predominant adenocarcinoma was 71% (22/31), which was higher than both that in solid predominant and mucinous carcinoma ( 6.7%, 20% respectively). According to statistic analysis, EGFR mutations were without correlation with the patient's gender, age, location, gross type, smoking status and lymph node metastasis(P>0.05). EGFR mutation was more frequent in well-differentiated cancer, mainly in acinar carcinoma, while poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and mucous adenocarcinoma were lower.

CONCLUSION

There was a difference of EGFR mutation in primary lung adenocarcinoma between Uighur and Han in Xinjiang, perhaps reflecting ethnic genetic variation, which is worth further analyzing. EGFR mutation was commonly detected in well or middle differentiated adenocarcinoma, mainly in acinar carcinoma.

Estimation of population size based on additive hazards models for continuous-time recapture experiments

We use the semiparametric additive hazards model to formulate the effects of individual covariates on the capture rates in the continuous-time capture-recapture experiment, and then construct a Horvitz-Thompson-type estimator for the unknown population size. The resulting estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal with an easily estimated variance. Simulation studies show that the asymptotic approximations are adequate for practical use when the average capture probabilities exceed .5. Ignoring covariates would underestimate the population size and the coverage probability is poor. A wildlife example is provided.

[Coexpression of intermediate filaments in notochords and chordomas and its significance in the histogenesis and diagnosis of chordoma]

Six chordomas, ten fetal notochords and eight adult notochords were stained for keratin, vimentin, GFAP, desmin, CEA, EMA and s-100 protein. Coexpression of four kinds of intermediate filaments was common in fetal notochords and chordomas. According to the histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics, chordoma may originate from the ectopic remnants of undegenerated notochord during the embryonic stage. The chordoma consists of two cell types; nonvacuolated and physaliphorous cells, and exhibits the potentiality of multidirectional differentiation. The coexpression of different types of intermediate filaments could explain the morphological transformation of chordoma.