Spin-degree manipulation for one-dimensional room-temperature ferromagnetism in a haldane system

The intricate correlation between lattice geometry, topological behavior and charge degrees of freedom plays a key role in determining the physical and chemical properties of a quantum-magnetic system. Herein, we investigate the introduction of the unusual oxidation state as an alternative pathway to modulate the magnetic ground state in the well-known S = 1 Haldane system nickelate Y2BaNiO5 (YBNO). YBNO is topologically reduced to incorporate d9-Ni+ (S = 1/2) in the one-dimensional Haldane chain system. The random distribution of Ni+ for the first time results in the emergence of a one-dimensional ferromagnetic phase with a transition temperature far above room temperature. Theoretical calculations reveal that the antiferromagnetic interplay can evolve into ferromagnetic interactions with the presence of oxygen vacancies, which promotes the formation of ferromagnetic order within one-dimensional nickel chains. The unusual electronic instabilities in the nickel-based Haldane system may offer new possibilities towards unconventional physical and chemical properties from quantum interactions.

AMG487 alleviates influenza A (H1N1) virus-induced pulmonary inflammation through decreasing IFN-γ-producing lymphocytes and IFN-γ concentrations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Severe influenza virus-infected patients have high systemic levels of Th1 cytokines (including IFN-γ). Intrapulmonary IFN-γ increases pulmonary IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes through the CXCR3 pathway. Virus-infected mice lacking IP-10/CXCR3 demonstrate lower pulmonary neutrophilic inflammation. AMG487, an IP-10/CXCR3 antagonist, ameliorates virus-induced lung injury in vivo through decreasing viral loads. This study examined whether AMG487 could treat H1N1 virus-induced mouse illness through reducing viral loads or decreasing the number of lymphocytes or neutrophils.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Here, we studied the above-mentioned effects and underlying mechanisms in vivo.

KEY RESULTS

H1N1 virus infection caused bad overall condition and pulmonary inflammation characterized by the infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils. From Day-5 to Day-10 post-virus infection, bad overall condition, pulmonary lymphocytes, and IFN-γ concentrations increased, while pulmonary H1N1 viral titres and neutrophils decreased. Both anti-IFN-γ and AMG487 alleviated virus infection-induced bad overall condition and pulmonary lymphocytic inflammation. Pulmonary neutrophilic inflammation was mitigated by AMG487 on Day-5 post-infection, but was not mitigated by AMG487 on Day-10 post-infection. H1N1 virus induced increases of IFN-γ, IP-10, and IFN-γ-producing lymphocytes and activation of the Jak2-Stat1 pathways in mouse lungs, which were inhibited by AMG487. Anti-IFN-γ decreased IFN-γ and IFN-γ-producing lymphocytes on Day-5 post-infection. AMG487 but not anti-IFN-γ decreased viral titres in mouse lung homogenates or BALF. Higher virus load did not increase pulmonary inflammation and IFN-γ concentrations when mice were treated with AMG487.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

AMG487 may ameliorate H1N1 virus-induced pulmonary inflammation through decreasing IFN-γ-producing lymphocytes rather than reducing viral loads or neutrophils.

Colossal Magnetoresistance in Layered Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Rb(Zn,Li,Mn)4As3 Single Crystals

Diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) with tunable ferromagnetism are among the most promising materials for fabricating spintronic devices. Some DMS systems have sizeable magnetoresistances that can further extend their applications. Here, we report a new DMS Rb(Zn1-x-yLiyMnx)4As3 with a quasi-two-dimensional structure showing sizeable anisotropies in its ferromagnetism and transverse magnetoresistance (MR). With proper charge and spin doping, single crystals of the DMS display Curie temperatures up to 24 K. Analysis of the critical behavior via Arrott plots confirms the long-range ferromagnetic ordering in the Rb(Zn1-x-yLiyMnx)4As3 single crystals. We observed remarkable intrinsic MR effects in the single crystals (i.e., a positive MR of 85% at 0.4 T and a colossal negative MR of -93% at 7 T).

Self-fueling ferroptosis-inducing microreactors based on pH-responsive Lipiodol Pickering emulsions enable transarterial ferro-embolization therapy

Lipiodol chemotherapeutic emulsions remain one of the main choices for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, the limited stability of Lipiodol chemotherapeutic emulsions would lead to rapid drug diffusion, which would reduce the therapeutic benefit and cause systemic toxicity of administrated chemotherapeutics. Therefore, the development of enhanced Lipiodol-based formulations is of great significance to enable effective and safe TACE treatment. Herein, a stable water-in-oil Lipiodol Pickering emulsion (LPE) stabilized by pH-dissociable calcium carbonate nanoparticles and hemin is prepared and utilized for efficient encapsulation of lipoxygenase (LOX). The obtained LOX-loaded CaCO3&hemin-stabilized LPE (LHCa-LPE) showing greatly improved emulsion stability could work as a pH-responsive and self-fueling microreactor to convert polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), a main component of Lipiodol, to cytotoxic lipid radicals through the cascading catalytic reaction driven by LOX and hemin, thus inducing ferroptosis of cancer cells. As a result, such LHCa-LPE upon transcatheter embolization can effectively suppress the progression of orthotopic N1S1 HCC in rats. This study highlights a concise strategy to prepare pH-responsive and stable LPE-based self-fueling microreactors, which could serve as bifunctional embolic and ferroptosis-inducing agents to enable proof-of-concept transarterial ferro-embolization therapy of HCC.

Intrapulmonary IFN-γ instillation causes chronic lymphocytic inflammation in the spleen and lung through the CXCR3 pathway

Some patients with chronic refractory cough have high levels of pulmonary IFN-γ and IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes. Pulmonary IFN-γ administration causes acute airway lymphocytic inflammation and cough hypersensitivity by increasing the number of pulmonary IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes, but these lymphocytes may be recruited from other organs. Intraperitoneal IFN-γ injection can increase the spleen weight of mice. It remains elusive whether pulmonary IFN-γ can induce chronic airway lymphocytic inflammation and cough hypersensitivity by stimulating the proliferation of IFN-γ -producing T lymphocytes in the spleen. Here, we found that pulmonary IFN-γ administration induced chronic airway inflammation and chronic cough hypersensitivity with an increased number of IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes in the spleen, blood and lung. Pulmonary IFN-γ administration also increased 1) the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes in vivo and 2) the IP-10 level and CXCR3+ T lymphocyte numbers in the spleen and lung of mice. IP-10 could promote the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes in vitro but not blood lymphocytes or lung-resident lymphocytes. AMG487, a potent inhibitor of binding between IP-10 and CXCR3, could block pulmonary IFN-γ instillation-induced chronic airway lymphocytic inflammation and the proliferation of IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes in mouse spleens. In conclusion, intrapulmonary IFN-γ instillation may induce the proliferation of splenic IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes through IP-10 and the CXCR3 pathway. The IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes in blood, partly released from the mouse spleen, may be partly attracted to the lung by pulmonary IP-10 through the CXCR3 pathway. IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes and IFN-γ in the lung may cause chronic airway lymphocytic inflammation and chronic cough hypersensitivity.

Reactive Oxygen Species-Triggered Curcumin Release from Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for PM2.5-Induced Acute Lung Injury Treatment

Exposure to fine particulate matter with a diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM_2.5) can result in serious inflammation and oxidative stress in lung tissue. However, there is presently very few effective treatments for PM_2.5-induced many pulmonary diseases, such as acute lung injury (ALI). Herein, curcumin-loaded reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Cur@HMSN-BSA) are proposed for scavenging the intracellular ROS and suppressing inflammatory responses against PM_2.5-induced ALI. The prepared nanoparticles were coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) via an ROS-sensitive thioketal (TK)-containing linker, in which the TK-containing linker would be cleaved by the excessive amounts of ROS in inflammatory sites to induce the detachment of BSA from the nanoparticles surface and thus triggering release of loaded curcumin. The Cur@HMSN-BSA nanoparticles could be used as ROS scavengers because of their excellent ROS-responsiveness, which were able to efficiently consume high concentrations of intracellular ROS. Furthermore, it was also found that Cur@HMSN-BSA downregulated the secretion of several important pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoted the polarization from M1 phenotypic macrophages to M2 phenotypic macrophages for eliminating PM_2.5-induced inflammatory activation. Therefore, this work provided a promising strategy to synergistically scavenge intracellular ROS and suppress the inflammation responses, which may serve as an ideal therapeutic platform for pneumonia treatment.

Predicting tumor repopulation through the gene panel derived from radiation resistant colorectal cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Tumor cells with the capability of radiation resistance can escape the fate of cell death after radiotherapy, serving as the main cause of treatment failure. Repopulation of tumors after radiotherapy is dominated by this group of residual cells, which greatly reduce the sensitivity of recurrent tumors to the therapy, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Therefore, revealing the mechanism of radiation resistant cells participating in tumor repopulation is of vital importance for cancer patients to obtain a better prognosis.

METHODS

Co-expressed genes were searched by using genetic data of radiation resistant cells (from GEO database) and TCGA colorectal cancer. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to define the most significant co-expressed genes for establishing prognostic indicator. Logistic analysis, WGCNA analysis, and other types of tumors were included to verify the predictive ability of the indicator. RT-qPCR was carried out to test expression level of key genes in colorectal cancer cell lines. Colongenic assay was utilized to test the radio-sensitivity and repopulation ability of key gene knockdown cells.

RESULTS

Prognostic indicator based on TCGA colorectal cancer patients containing four key radiation resistance genes (LGR5, KCNN4, TNS4, CENPH) was established. The indicator was shown to be significantly correlated with the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, and also had an acceptable predictive effect in the other five types of cancer. RT-qPCR showed that expression level of key genes was basically consistent with the radiation resistance level of colorectal cancer cells. The clonogenic ability of all key gene knockdown cells decreased after radiation treatment compared with the control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that LGR5, KCNN4, TNS4 and CENPH are correlated with radiation sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells, and the indicator composed by them can reflect the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Our data provide an evidence of radiation resistant tumor cells involved in tumor repopulation, and give patients undergoing radiotherapy an approving prognostic indicator with regard to tumor progression.

X-ray Induced Release of Nitric Oxide from Hafnium-Based Nanoradiosensitizers for Enhanced Radio-Immunotherapy

Radiotherapy (RT) is an extensively used strategy for cancer treatment, but its therapeutic effect is usually limited by the abnormal tumor microenvironment (TME) and it lacks the ability to control tumor metastases. Herein, a nanoscale coordination polymer Hf-nIm@PEG (HNP) wa s prepared by the coordination of hafnium ions (Hf⁴⁺ ) with 2-nitroimidazole (2-nIm), and then modified with lipid bilayers containing PEG. Under low-dose X-ray irradiation, on the one hand, Hf⁴⁺ with high computed tomography signal enhancement ability can deposit radiation energy to induce DNA damage, and on the other hand, NO could be persistently released from 2-nIm, which could not only directly react with the radical DNA to prevent the repair of damaged DNA but also relieve the hypoxic immunosuppressive TME to sensitize radiotherapy. Additionally, NO can also react with superoxide ions to generate reactive nitrogen species (RNS) to induce cell apoptosis. More interestingly, w e discovered that Hf⁴⁺ could effectively activate the cyclic-di-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway to promote the immune responses induced by radiotherapy. Thus, ou r work presents a simple but multifunctional nanoscale coordination polymer to deposit radiation energy, trigger the release of NO, modulate the TME, activate the cGAS-STING pathway and finally realize synergistic radio-immunotherapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Activation of the HNRNPA2B1/miR-93-5p/FRMD6 axis facilitates prostate cancer progression in an m6A-dependent manner

It is becoming increasingly clear that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a key role in post-transcriptional modification of eukaryotic RNAs in cancer. The regulatory mechanism of m6A modifications in prostate cancer is still not completely elucidated. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (HNRNPA2B1), an m6A reader, has been revealed to function as an oncogenic RNA-binding protein. However, its contribution to prostate cancer progression remains poorly understood. Here, we found that HNRNPA2B1 was highly overexpressed and correlated with a poor prognosis in prostate cancer. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments demonstrated that HNRNPA2B1 knockout impaired proliferation and metastasis of prostate cancer. Mechanistic studies indicated that HNRNPA2B1 interacted with primary miRNA-93 and promoted its processing by recruiting DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 (DGCR8), a key subunit of the Microprocessor complex, in an METTL3-dependent mechanism, while HNRNPA2B1 knockout significantly restored miR-93-5p levels. HNRNPA2B1/miR-93-5p downregulated FERM domain-containing protein 6 (FRMD6), a cancer suppressor, and enhanced proliferation and metastasis in prostate cancer. In conclusion, our findings identified a novel oncogenic axis, HNRNPA2B1/miR-93-5p/FRMD6, that stimulates prostate cancer progression via an m6A-dependent manner.

[Overexpression of miR-431-5p impairs mitochondrial function and induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells via the Bax/Bcl-2/caspase3 pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of microRNA miR-431-5p in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and its effects on apoptosis and mitochondrial function in GC cells.

METHODS

The expression level of miR-431-5p in 50 clinical samples of GC tissues and paired adjacent tissues was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and its correlation with the clinicopathological features of the patients was analyzed. A cultured human GC cell line (MKN-45 cells) were transfected with a miR-431-5p mimic or a negative control sequence, and the cell proliferation, apoptosis, mitochondrial number, mitochondrial potential, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content were detected using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, fluorescent probe label, or ATP detection kit. The changes in the expression levels of the apoptotic proteins in the cells were detected with Western blotting.

RESULTS

The expression level of miR-431-5p was significantly lower in GC tissues than in the adjacent tissues (P < 0.001) and was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (P=0.0227), T stage (P=0.0184), N stage (P=0.0005), TNM stage (P=0.0414) and vascular invasion (P=0.0107). In MKN-45 cells, overexpression of miR-431-5p obviously inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, causing also mitochondrial function impairment as shown by reduced mitochondrial number, lowered mitochondrial potential, increased mPTP opening, increased ROS production and reduced ATP content. Overexpression of miR-431-5p significantly downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and increased the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins p53, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 protein.

CONCLUSION

The expression of miR-431-5p is down-regulated in GC, which results in mitochondrial function impairment and promotes cell apoptosis by activating the Bax/Bcl-2/caspase3 signaling pathway, suggesting the potential role of miR-431-5p in targeted therapy for GC.

Giant Exchange-Bias-Like Effect at Low Cooling Fields Induced by Pinned Magnetic Domains in Y2 NiIrO6 Double Perovskite

Exchange bias (EB) is highly desirable for widespread technologies. Generally, conventional exchange-bias heterojunctions require excessively large cooling fields for sufficient bias fields, which are generated by pinned spins at the interface of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic layers. It is crucial for applicability to obtain considerable exchange-bias fields with minimum cooling fields. Here, an exchange-bias-like effect is reported in a double perovskite, Y₂ NiIrO₆ , which shows long-range ferrimagnetic ordering below 192 K. It displays a giant bias-like field of 1.1 T with a cooling field of only 15 Oe at 5 K. This robust phenomenon appears below 170 K. This fascinating bias-like effect is the secondary effect of the vertical shifts of the magnetic loops, which is attributed to the pinned magnetic domains due to the combination of strong spin-orbit coupling on Ir, and antiferromagnetically coupled Ni- and Ir-sublattices. The pinned moments in Y₂ NiIrO₆ are present throughout the full volume, not just at the interface as in conventional bilayer systems.

Regulating the Obesity-Related Tumor Microenvironment to Improve Cancer Immunotherapy

Obesity usually induces systemic metabolic disturbances, including in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This is because adaptive metabolism related to obesity in the TME with a low level of prolyl hydroxylase-3 (PHD3) depletes the major fatty acid fuels of CD8⁺ T cells and leads to the poor infiltration and unsatisfactory function of CD8⁺ T cells. Herein, we discovered that obesity could aggravate the immunosuppressive TME and weaken CD8⁺ T cell-mediated tumor cell killing. We have thus developed gene therapy to relieve the obesity-related TME to promote cancer immunotherapy. An efficient gene carrier was prepared by modifying polyethylenimine with p-methylbenzenesulfonyl (abbreviated as PEI-Tos) together with hyaluronic acid (HA) shielding, achieving excellent gene transfection in tumors after intravenous administration. HA/PEI-Tos/pDNA (HPD) containing the plasmid encoding PHD3 (pPHD3) can effectively upregulate the expression of PHD3 in tumor tissues, revising the immunosuppressive TME and significantly increasing the infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells, thereby improving the responsiveness of immune checkpoint antibody-mediated immunotherapy. Efficient therapeutic efficacy was achieved using HPD together with αPD-1 in colorectal tumor and melanoma-bearing obese mice. This work provides an effective strategy to improve immunotherapy of tumors in obese mice, which may provide a useful reference for the immunotherapy of obesity-related cancer in the clinic.

Biomineralized MnO2 Nanoplatforms Mediated Delivery of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors with STING Pathway Activation to Potentiate Cancer Radio-Immunotherapy

Radiotherapy (RT), as one of the main methods in the clinical treatment of various malignant tumors, would induce systemic immunotherapeutic effects by triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD) of cancer cells. However, the antitumor immune responses produced by RT-induced ICD alone usually are not robust enough to eliminate distant tumors and thus ineffective against cancer metastases. Herein, a biomimetic mineralization method for facile synthesis of MnO₂ nanoparticles with high anti-programmed death ligand 1 (αPDL1) encapsulation efficiency (αPDL1@MnO₂) is proposed to reinforce RT-induced systemic antitumor immune responses. This therapeutic nanoplatforms-mediated RT can significantly improve the killing of tumor cells and effectively evoke ICD by overcoming hypoxia-induced radio-resistance and reprogramming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, the released Mn²⁺ ions from αPDL1@MnO₂ under acidic tumor pH can activate the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway and facilitate the dendritic cells (DCs) maturation. Meanwhile, αPDL1 released from αPDL1@MnO₂ nanoparticles would further promote the intratumoral infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and trigger systemic antitumor responses, resulting in a strong abscopal effect to effectively inhibit tumor metastases. Overall, the biomineralized MnO₂-based nanoplatforms offer a simple strategy for TME modulation and immune activation, which are promising for enhanced RT immunotherapy.

LncFALEC recruits ART5/PARP1 and promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer through enhancing PARP1-meditated self PARylation

Accumulating evidence indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are abnormal expression in various malignant tumors. Our previous research demonstrated that focally amplified long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) on chromosome 1 (FALEC) is an oncogenic lncRNA in prostate cancer (PCa). However, the role of FALEC in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is poorly understood. In this study, we showed FALEC was upregulated in post-castration tissues and CRPC cells, and increased FALEC expression was associated with poor survival in post-castration PCa patients. RNA FISH demonstrated FALEC was translocated into nucleus in CRPC cells. RNA pulldown and followed Mass Spectrometry (MS) assay demonstrated FALEC directly interacted with PARP1 and loss of function assay showed FALEC depletion sensitized CRPC cells to castration treatment and restored NAD⁺. Specific PARP1 inhibitor AG14361 and NAD⁺ endogenous competitor NADP⁺ sensitized FALEC-deleted CRPC cells to castration treatment. FALEC increasing PARP1 meditated self PARylation through recruiting ART5 and down regulation of ART5 decreased CRPC cell viability and restored NAD⁺ through inhibiting PARP1meditated self PARylation in vitro. Furthermore, ART5 was indispensable for FALEC directly interaction and regulation of PARP1, loss of ART5 impaired FALEC and PARP1 associated self PARylation. In vivo, FALEC depleted combined with PARP1 inhibitor decreased CRPC cell derived tumor growth and metastasis in a model of castration treatment NOD/SCID mice. Together, these results established that FALEC may be a novel diagnostic marker for PCa progression and provides a potential new therapeutic strategy to target the FALEC/ART5/PARP1 complex in CRPC patients.

Association of pectoralis muscle area on computed tomography with airflow limitation severity and respiratory outcomes in COPD: A population-based prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of severe or very severe airflow limitation have a reduced pectoralis muscle area (PMA), which is associated with mortality. However, whether patients with COPD of mild or moderate airflow limitation also have a reduced PMA remains unclear. Additionally, limited evidence is available regarding the associations between PMA and respiratory symptoms, lung function, computed tomography (CT) imaging, lung function decline, and exacerbations. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the presence of PMA reduction in COPD and to clarify its associations with the referred variables.

METHODS

This study was based on the subjects enrolled from July 2019 to December 2020 in the Early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (ECOPD) study. Data including questionnaire, lung function, and CT imaging were collected. The PMA was quantified on full-inspiratory CT at the aortic arch level using predefined -50 and 90 Hounsfield unit attenuation ranges. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between the PMA and airflow limitation severity, respiratory symptoms, lung function, emphysema, air trapping, and the annual decline in lung function. Cox proportional hazards analysis and Poisson regression analysis were used to evaluate the PMA and exacerbations after adjustment.

RESULTS

We included 1352 subjects at baseline (667 with normal spirometry, 685 with spirometry-defined COPD). The PMA was monotonically lower with progressive airflow limitation severity of COPD after adjusting for confounders (vs. normal spirometry; Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] 1: β=-1.27, P=0.028; GOLD 2: β=-2.29, P<0.001; GOLD 3: β=-4.88, P<0.001; GOLD 4: β=-6.47, P=0.014). The PMA was negatively associated with the modified British Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (β=-0.005, P=0.026), COPD Assessment Test score (β=-0.06, P=0.001), emphysema (β=-0.07, P<0.001), and air trapping (β=-0.24, P<0.001) after adjustment. The PMA was positively associated with lung function (all P<0.05). Similar associations were discovered for the pectoralis major muscle area and pectoralis minor muscle area. After the 1-year follow-up, the PMA was associated with the annual decline in the post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent of predicted value (β=0.022, P=0.002) but not with the annual rate of exacerbations or the time to first exacerbation.

CONCLUSION

Patients with mild or moderate airflow limitation exhibit a reduced PMA. The PMA is associated with airflow limitation severity, respiratory symptoms, lung function, emphysema, and air trapping, suggesting that PMA measurement can assist with COPD assessment.

Cancer Cells Enter an Adaptive Persistence to Survive Radiotherapy and Repopulate Tumor

Repopulation of residual tumor cells impedes curative radiotherapy, yet the mechanism is not fully understood. It is recently appreciated that cancer cells adopt a transient persistence to survive the stress of chemo- or targeted therapy and facilitate eventual relapse. Here, it is shown that cancer cells likewise enter a "radiation-tolerant persister" (RTP) state to evade radiation pressure in vitro and in vivo. RTP cells are characterized by enlarged cell size with complex karyotype, activated type I interferon pathway and two gene patterns represented by CST3 and SNCG. RTP cells have the potential to regenerate progenies via viral budding-like division, and type I interferon-mediated antiviral signaling impaired progeny production. Depleting CST3 or SNCG does not attenuate the formation of RTP cells, but can suppress RTP cells budding with impaired tumor repopulation. Interestingly, progeny cells produced by RTP cells actively lose their aberrant chromosomal fragments and gradually recover back to a chromosomal constitution similar to their unirradiated parental cells. Collectively, this study reveals a novel mechanism of tumor repopulation, i.e., cancer cell populations employ a reversible radiation-persistence by poly- and de-polyploidization to survive radiotherapy and repopulate the tumor, providing a new therapeutic concept to improve outcome of patients receiving radiotherapy.

In Situ Polymerization of Zwitterions on Therapeutic Proteins to Enable Their Effective Oral Delivery

Oral administration of protein drugs has always been challenging owing to various intestinal barriers. Herein, we developed an efficient oral protein delivery strategy by using in situ polymerization of zwitterions to encapsulate proteins, which were then loaded into enteric coated capsules for oral feeding. After oral administration of such capsules, the enteric coating would be degraded once the capsule enters the intestine, releasing polyzwitterion/protein nanocomplexes. With the help of polyzwitterion modification, such nanocomplexes were able to pass through the mucus and cellular barriers, likely by the proton-assisted amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1) pathway. Such a polyzwitterion-based protein encapsulation strategy could allow for effective oral delivery of different proteins, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), insulin, and antibodies. Using this strategy, the oral bioavailabilities of insulin and immunoglobin G (IgG) were measured to be as high as 16.9% and 12.5%, respectively. Notably, oral feeding of polyzwitterion/insulin capsules could effectively lower the blood glucose level of diabetic animals (mice, rats, and pigs). Moreover, polyzwitterion/antiprogramed death-1 (αPD-1) capsules were able to induce efficient antitumor immune responses, showing significant tumor inhibition effects toward B16F10- and 4T1-tumor bearing mouse models after oral administration. No significant toxic effect was observed for such oral protein formulations in the treated animals. Our work presents a strategy for the efficient oral delivery of protein drugs, including those with large molecular weights (e.g., antibodies) that can hardly be orally delivered using existing technologies.

Constraints on Sub-GeV Dark Matter-Electron Scattering from the CDEX-10 Experiment

We present improved germanium-based constraints on sub-GeV dark matter via dark matter-electron (χ-e) scattering using the 205.4  kg·day dataset from the CDEX-10 experiment. Using a novel calculation technique, we attain predicted χ-e scattering spectra observable in high-purity germanium detectors. In the heavy mediator scenario, our results achieve 3 orders of magnitude of improvement for m_{χ} larger than 80  MeV/c^{2} compared to previous germanium-based χ-e results. We also present the most stringent χ-e cross-section limit to date among experiments using solid-state detectors for m_{χ} larger than 90  MeV/c^{2} with heavy mediators and m_{χ} larger than 100  MeV/c^{2} with electric dipole coupling. The result proves the feasibility and demonstrates the vast potential of a new χ-e detection method with high-purity germanium detectors in ultralow radioactive background.

Exotic Dark Matter Search with the CDEX-10 Experiment at China's Jinping Underground Laboratory

A search for exotic dark matter (DM) in the sub-GeV mass range has been conducted using 205 kg day data taken from a p-type point contact germanium detector of the CDEX-10 experiment at China's Jinping underground laboratory. New low-mass dark matter searching channels, neutral current fermionic DM absorption (χ+A→ν+A) and DM-nucleus 3→2 scattering (χ+χ+A→ϕ+A), have been analyzed with an energy threshold of 160 eVee. No significant signal was found; thus new limits on the DM-nucleon interaction cross section are set for both models at the sub-GeV DM mass region. A cross section limit for the fermionic DM absorption is set to be 2.5×10^{-46}  cm^{2} (90% C.L.) at DM mass of 10  MeV/c^{2}. For the DM-nucleus 3→2 scattering scenario, limits are extended to DM mass of 5 and 14  MeV/c^{2} for the massless dark photon and bound DM final state, respectively.

Pulmonary IFN-γ Causes Lymphocytic Inflammation and Cough Hypersensitivity by Increasing the Number of IFN-γ-Secreting T Lymphocytes

PURPOSE

Respiratory viral infection increases the number of lung-resident T lymphocytes, which enhance cough sensitivity by producing interferon-γ (IFN-γ). It is poorly understood why IFN-γ-secreting T lymphocytes persist for a long time when the respiratory viruses have been removed.

METHODS

Repeated pulmonary administration of IFN-γ and intraperitoneal injection with different inhibitors were used to study the effects of pulmonary IFN-γ in mice and guinea pigs.

RESULTS

IFN-γ administration caused the increasing of IFN-γ-secreting T lymphocytes in both lung and blood, followed by the elevated physiological level of IFN-γ in the lung, the airway inflammation and the airway epithelial damage. IFN-γ administration also enhanced the cough sensitivity of guinea pigs. IFN-γ activated the STAT1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways in lung tissues, released IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and resulted in F-actin accumulation in lung-resident lymphocytes. The CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) inhibitor potently suppressed all the IFN-γ-induced inflammatory changes. The STAT1 inhibitor mitigated IFN-γ-secreting T lymphocytes infiltration by inhibiting T lymphocytes proliferation. F-actin accumulation and the ERK1/2 pathway contributed to pulmonary IFN-γ-induced augmentation of the airway inflammation and increasing of IFN-γ-secreting T lymphocytes in blood.

CONCLUSIONS

High physiological levels of IFN-γ in the lung may cause pulmonary lymphocytic inflammation and cough hypersensitivity by increasing the number of IFN-γ-secreting T lymphocytes through the IP-10 and CXCR3 pathways.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to classical swine fever virus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in healthy pigs in Hunan Province, China

Classical swine fever (CSF) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) are responsible for major economic losses and represent a threat to the swine industry worldwide. Routine surveillance serology for CSF and PRRS viruses is critical to maintaining the health status of sow farms in Hunan Province, which is one of the top pig production provinces in China. The aim of our study was to investigate the serological statistics of CSF virus (CSFV) and PRRS virus (PRRSV) in Hunan Province. The cohort serum samples were collected from vaccinated and unvaccinated pigs. Our findings showed that the average rates of CSFV and PRRSV antibody seropositivity were 82.2% (95% CI: 80.1-84.3) and 84.8% (95% CI: 82.5-87.1), respectively, in the immunized group and that these rates were higher than those in the unvaccinated group (58.6% for CSFV and 47.8% for PRRSV). Additionally, the level of CSFV antibody in piglet serum declined gradually with age, whereas PRRSV-specific antibody level increased initially (1 to 2 weeks old) and then declined with age (2 to 4 weeks old). In summary, we investigated the difference in CSFV/PRRSV antibody levels among piglets at various weeks old (1 to 4 weeks) to further establish the duration of maternal immunity in piglets. In addition, routine monitoring of CSFV/PRRSV antibodies in immunized pigs was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of vaccination.

POS0244 ASSOCIATION OF PROTEINASE 3 GENE (PRTN3) Val119Ile POLYMORPHISM (SNP rs351111) WITH RISK OF RELAPSE AMONG HOMOZYGOUS PATIENTS WITH PR3 ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS

Background

The frequency of the proteinase 3 gene (PRTN3) polymorphisms in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is not well characterized. We hypothesize that PRTN3 gene polymorphisms induce allosteric changes in PR3 conformation which may alter its interaction with ligands and PR3-ANCA during inflammation with potential implications for disease presentation and clinical outcomes.

Objectives

To analyze the association of PRTN3 Val119Ile polymorphism (SNP rs351111) with risk of relapse risk among homozygous patients with PR3 ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Methods

DNA variant calling for SNP rs351111 (chr.19:844020, c.355G>A) in PRTN3 gene assessed the allelic frequency in patients with PR3-AAV included in the Rituximab versus Cyclophosphamide (RAVE) trial. This was followed by RNA-seq variant calling to characterize the mRNA expression. We compared clinical presentation and outcomes between patients homozygous for PR3-Ile119 or PR3-Val119.

Results

Serum samples for DNA calling were available in 188 of the 197 patients with AAV in the RAVE cohort. 75 PR3-AAV patients had the allelic variant: 13 patients were homozygous for PR3-Ile119 and 62 patients were heterozygous PR3-Val119Ile with an allele frequency threshold of 29.3 – 55.1% of reads (Figure 1A and 1B). RNA-seq was available for 89 patients and the mRNA corresponding to the allelic variant was found in 35 PR3-AAV patients: 13 patients were homozygous for PR3-Ile119 and 22 patients were heterozygous PR3-Val119Ile with an allele frequency threshold of 11.1 – 62.8% of reads (Figure 1A and 1C). The agreement between the DNA calling results and the mRNA expression of the 86 patients that overlapped was 100%. We found an additional homozygous patient for PR3-Val119 in which blood was not available for DNA calling. We compared the clinical presentation and outcomes of 74 patients with PR3-AAV: 13 homozygous for PR3-Ile119 and 51 homozygous for PR3-Val119 (Table 1). The frequency of severe flares at 18 months in homozygous PR3-Ile119 was ≥ 2x higher when compared with homozygous PR3-Val119 (46.2% vs. 19.6%, p=0.048). We found no differences in clinical presentation.

Figure 1.

RAVE trial population distribution according to the zygosity status for PRTN3 gene (PR3 and MPO-ANCA patients) and DNA or RNA variant calling (panel A). Allelic frequency for rs351111, chr.19:844020 (c.355G>A) in PRTN3 among patients with AAV (PR3 and MPO-ANCA) in the DNA (panel B) and RNA (panel C) variant calling.

Table 1.

Outcomes of patients with PR3-ANCA according with PRTN3 zygosity.

PR3-ANCA (n=64)Homozygous PR3-Val119(n=51)HomozygousPR3-Ile119(n=13)p-value Remission, n (%)45 (88.2)13 (100)0.194 Complete remission, n (%)36 (70.6)10 (76.9)0.650 Any flare 18 months, n (%)30 (58.8)7 (53.8)0.746 Severe Relapse* 18 months, n (%)10 (19.6)6 (46.2)0.048

* Relapse was considered “Severe” if Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener’s Granulomatosis (BVAS/WG) > 3 or one major item as per the RAVE trial definition.

Abbreviations: ANCA - anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; Ile – isoleucine; n- number; PR3 - proteinase 3; Val - valine.

Conclusion

In patients with PR3-AAV the presence of PRTN3 Val119Ile polymorphism was associated with higher frequency of severe relapse. Further studies are necessary to understand the association of this observation with the risk of severe relapse.

References

[1]Stone JH et al N Engl J Med 2010; 363:221-232

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Monolithic coherent LABS lidar based on an integrated transceiver array

We demonstrate a monolithic frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) lidar chip with an integrated transceiver array based on lens-assisted beam steering (LABS) technology. It enables beam emitting, steering, receiving, and coherent detecting on a single chip with simultaneous distance and velocity detection. An integrated transceiver is designed with a composite structure of a Bragg grating in the middle and a U-shaped photodetector (PD) surrounding it. For a proof-of-concept demonstration, a chip with 2 × 2 switchable transceiver array is fabricated. A monolithic coherent LABS lidar system with a scanning angle of 2.86° and a scanning speed of 5.3 µs is implemented for 5 m ranging and 0.45 m/s velocity detection.

Structural visualization of transient interactions between the cis-acting acyltransferase and acyl carrier protein of the salinomycin modular polyketide synthase

Transient protein–protein interactions between cis-acting acyltransferase (AT) and acyl carrier protein (ACP) domains are critical for the catalysis and processivity of modular polyketide synthases (mPKSs), but are challenging for structural characterization due to the intrinsically weak binding affinity. Here, a stable complex of cis-acting AT and ACP domains from the ninth module of the salinomycin mPKS was obtained using a maleimide cross-linker and the structure of the complex was determined at 2.6 Å resolution. The crystal structure shows that the AT in combination with the ketosynthase (KS)-to-AT linker forms a C-shaped architecture to embrace the ACP. The large hydrolase subdomain of the AT serves as a major binding platform for the ACP, while the small ferredoxin-like subdomain of the AT and the KS-to-AT linker cooperate with each other to constrain binding of the ACP. The importance of interface residues in cis-acting AT–ACP interactions was confirmed by mutagenesis assays. The interaction mode observed in the cis-acting AT–ACP complex is completely different from those observed in trans-acting AT–ACP complexes, where the ACP primarily contacts the small domain of the AT. The complex structure provides detailed mechanistic insights into AT–ACP recognition in cis-AT mPKSs.

Probing the seismic cycle timing with coseismic twisting of subduction margins

Assessing the timing of great megathrust earthquakes is together crucial for seismic hazard analysis and deemed impossible. Geodetic instrumentation of subduction zones has revealed unexpected deformation patterns at subduction segments adjacent to those that hosted recent mega-earthquakes: coastal sites move landward with faster velocities than before the earthquake. Here, we show observations from the largest and best-monitored megathrust earthquakes, and from a scaled analog model, to reveal that these events create coseismic and postseismic deformation patterns typical of a complete gear-like rotation about a vertical axis, hereafter called twisting. We find that such twisting alters the interseismic velocity field of adjacent subduction segments depending on the time since the last earthquake. Early interactions accelerate while late interactions decelerate local kinematics. This finding opens the possibility of using megathrust earthquakes, the characteristics of the twisting pattern, and the ensuing geodetic velocity changes, as a proxy for estimating the timing of the seismic cycle at unruptured segments along the margin.

Satellite geodesy and downscaled laboratory experiments reveal that great subduction earthquakes trigger step changes in kinematics of neighboring segments. This signal is potentially informative of the timing of the seismic cycle.

A Ferrotoroidic Candidate with Well-Separated Spin Chains

The search of novel quasi-1D materials is one of the important aspects in the field of material science. Toroidal moment, the order parameter of ferrotoroidic order, can be generated by a head-to-tail configuration of magnetic moment. It has been theoretically proposed that 1D dimerized and antiferromagnetic (AFM)-like spin chain hosts ferrotoroidicity and has the toroidal moment composed of only two antiparallel spins. Here, the authors report a ferrotoroidic candidate of Ba₆ Cr₂ S₁₀ with such a theoretical model of spin chain. The structure consists of unique dimerized face-sharing CrS₆ octahedral chains along the c axis. An AFM-like ordering at ≈10 K breaks both space- and time-reversal symmetries and the magnetic point group of mm'2'allows three ferroic orders in Ba₆ Cr₂ S₁₀ : (anti)ferromagnetic, ferroelectric, and ferrotoroidic orders. Their investigation reveals that Ba₆ Cr₂ S₁₀ is a rare ferrotoroid ic candidate with quasi 1D spin chain, which can be considered as a starting point for the further exploration of the physics and applications of ferrotoroidicity.

[Progress in the pathogenesis of post-infectious persistent cough]

Respiratory viral infection is a common cause of acute cough. After the cause has been cleared and the symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion and runny nose have been relieved, some patients still have persistent cough. These phenomena indicate that respiratory viruses may mediate cough hypersensitivity and lead to the occurrence of sub-acute or chronic cough. Cough response to viral infection is a protective strategy to prevent the spread of the viruses from the upper respiratory tract to other sites, but excessive coughing becomes a disease. In this review, we introduced the research progress in the pathophysiological mechanism of post-viral persistent cough or chronic cough.

Rotary table wobble error analysis and correction of a rotating accelerometer gravity gradiometer

In a rotating accelerometer gravity gradiometer (RAGG), rotary table wobble refers to the shift in the direction of the spin axis during operation. This motion causes errors in the output of the RAGG, but the mechanism is not clear. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between rotary table wobble and RAGG errors and to propose a method for rejecting these errors. We consider the influence of attitude changes, angular velocity, and angular acceleration caused by the wobble on the specific force, and we describe the error transmission process based on the accelerometer configuration and its measurement principle. Furthermore, we show through a simulated experiment that when the angular velocity noise caused by the wobble is 1 μrad/s, this will produce errors of tens of E. We propose a post-error correction method that is based on the higher-precision RAGG model and motion measurement. The errors in the two channels of the RAGG are reduced to 3.69 E and 1.85 E after error correction. The error analysis of the effects of wobble on a RAGG and the proposed error correction method are of great significance for the development of high-precision gradiometers.

A 2-year locomotive exploration and scientific investigation of the lunar farside by the Yutu-2 rover

The lunar nearside has been investigated by many uncrewed and crewed missions, but the farside of the Moon remains poorly known. Lunar farside exploration is challenging because maneuvering rovers with efficient locomotion in harsh extraterrestrial environment is necessary to explore geological characteristics of scientific interest. Chang'E-4 mission successfully targeted the Moon's farside and deployed a teleoperated rover (Yutu-2) to explore inside the Von Kármán crater, conveying rich information regarding regolith, craters, and rocks. Here, we report mobile exploration on the lunar farside with Yutu-2 over the initial 2 years. During its journey, Yutu-2 has experienced varying degrees of mild slip and skid, indicating that the terrain is relatively flat at large scales but scattered with local gentle slopes. Cloddy soil sticking on its wheels implies a greater cohesion of the lunar soil than encountered at other lunar landing sites. Further identification results indicate that the regolith resembles dry sand and sandy loam on Earth in bearing properties, demonstrating greater bearing strength than that identified during the Apollo missions. In sharp contrast to the sparsity of rocks along the traverse route, small fresh craters with unilateral moldable ejecta are abundant, and some of them contain high-reflectance materials at the bottom, suggestive of secondary impact events. These findings hint at notable differences in the surface geology between the lunar farside and nearside. Experience gained with Yutu-2 improves the understanding of the farside of the Moon, which, in return, may lead to locomotion with improved efficiency and larger range.

Expression of interferon-γ and its effect on cough hypersensitivity in chronic refractory cough patients

Chronic refractory cough (CRC) is characterised by cough hypersensitivity. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) has been reported to induce calcium influx, action potentials of vagal neurons in vitro and cough response in guinea pigs. While the effect of IFN-γ in CRC patients remains unknown. Here, via flow-cytometry and inhalation cough challenge, we found CRC patients had significantly increased levels of sputum IFN-γ⁺CD4⁺ T cells, IFN-γ⁺CD8⁺ T cells as well as supernatant of IFN-γ. The average number of coughs in CRC patients increased as the concentration of inhaled IFN-γ went up in IFN-γ cough challenge. Two or more coughs and five or more coughs elicited by inhaled IFN-γ in CRC patients occurred in 7 of 10 and 2 of 10, respectively. Preinhaled IFN-γ (100 µg/mL) increased the capsaicin cough sensitivity in CRC patients but not healthy volunteers. Targeting IFN-γ may be a potential effective anti-tussive strategy in CRC patients.

Stress-Induced Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells: Unique Way of Formation and Non-Negligible Characteristics

Polyploidy is a conserved mechanism in cell development and stress responses. Multiple stresses of treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy drugs, can induce the polyploidization of tumor cells. Through endoreplication or cell fusion, diploid tumor cells convert into giant tumor cells with single large nuclei or multiple small nucleuses. Some of the stress-induced colossal cells, which were previously thought to be senescent and have no ability to proliferate, can escape the fate of death by a special way. They can remain alive at least before producing progeny cells through asymmetric cell division, a depolyploidization way named neosis. Those large and danger cells are recognized as polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs). Such cells are under suspicion of being highly related to tumor recurrence and metastasis after treatment and can bring new targets for cancer therapy. However, differences in formation mechanisms between PGCCs and well-accepted polyploid cancer cells are largely unknown. In this review, the methods used in different studies to induce polyploid cells are summarized, and several mechanisms of polyploidization are demonstrated. Besides, we discuss some characteristics related to the poor prognosis caused by PGCCs in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive understanding of these huge cells.

[An optimized protocol of meniscus cell extraction for single-cell RNA sequencing]

OBJECTIVE

To optimize the protocol of meniscus cell extraction to enhance the efficiency of cell suspension preparation and maintain a high cell viability for single-cell RNA sequencing.

METHODS

We compared the efficiency of the routine cell extraction methods (short-time digestion and long-time digestion) and the optimized protocol for obtaining meniscus cell suspensions by evaluating the cell number obtained and the cell viability. Single-cell RNA sequencing datasets were analyzed to evaluate the stability of the cell suspension prepared using the optimized protocol. The reliability of the optimized protocol was assessed by comparing the single-cell RNA sequencing dataset obtained by the optimized protocol with published single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of the meniscus.

RESULTS

The optimized protocol harvested a greater number of cells (over 1×10⁵) than the routine protocols. The cell suspension prepared with the optimized protocol showed a cell viability higher than 80%, the highest among the 3 methods. Analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing datasets showed that the ratio of the mitochondrial genes was below 20% in over 80% of the cells. CD34⁺ cells, MCAM⁺ cells and COL1A1⁺ cells were identified in the datasets. Comparison with the publish datasets showed that the optimized protocol was capable of harvesting COL3A1⁺, COL1A1⁺, MYLK⁺, BMP2⁺, CD93⁺ and CDK1⁺ cells.

CONCLUSION

Single-cell suspension prepared from the meniscus can be stably obtained using the optimized protocol for single-cell RNA sequencing using the 10× Genomics platform.

Inhibition of TRPA1 reduces airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in mice with allergic rhinitis

This study was conducted to investigate whether a transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) antagonist (HC-030031) can reduce airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a murine allergic rhinitis (AR) model. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin (OVA) to induce AR. HC-030031 or vehicle was administrated to mice via intraperitoneal injection prior to OVA challenges. Nose-scratching events, histopathologic alterations of the airways, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) were assessed. Differential cells and proinflammatory cytokines in the nasal lavage (NAL) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were measured. Expressions of TRPA1 in nasal mucosa were examined by immunohistochemistry. TRPA1-expressing vagal neurons were labeled by immunofluorescent staining. HC-030031-treated AR mice had markedly reduced type-2 inflammation in nasal mucosa and ameliorated-nose-scratching events than AR mice received vehicle. HC-030031 treatment also dramatically reduced leucocyte numbers and IL-8 level in the BAL fluid, inhibited lower airway remodeling and fibrosis, and nearly abolished BHR. HC-0300031 treatment significantly inhibited the upregulated number of TRPA1 expressing nasal epithelial cells and TRPA1 expressing sensory neurons, leading to downregulation of SP in both upper and lower airways. Targeting TRPA1 may represent a promising strategy for treating AR and AR-related asthma.

Regularly fluctuating somatic cell count pattern in dairy herds

Online somatic cell count (SCC) measurement is widely used in dairy herds milked with automatic milking systems (AMS) and gives the opportunity to closely monitor individual cow udder health. Using automated SCC data, we observed cows displaying a remarkably regularly fluctuating SCC (rfSCC) pattern, which is described in this study. We aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of rfSCC in cows milked by AMS, (2) characterize the rfSCC pattern, and (3) identify factors potentially associated with the rfSCC pattern. We analyzed 30-d episodes of composite SCC recordings of 1,000 cows from 55 dairy herds from 6 countries using an AMS with automated SCC measurement, and we identified the rfSCC pattern in 4.7% (95% CI: 3.5-6.2%) of these episodes. The rfSCC episodes had a median SCC of 701 × 1,000 cells/mL (2.5-97.5% quantile: 539-1,162), a median amplitude of 552 × 1,000 cells/mL (2.5-97.5% quantile: 409-886), and a median cycle length of 4.1 d (2.5-97.5% quantile: 3.7-4.9). Bacteriological culture data from quarter-milk samples collected every 2 wk in 1 Dutch AMS herd were analyzed, yielding no clear association between pathogen species and the rfSCC pattern found in that herd. Altogether, we described an intriguing phenomenon, present in almost 5% of the cows during a 1-mo study period. Further work is needed to quantify its importance in terms of udder health, but also to elucidate the mechanism behind this remarkable SCC pattern.

The Role of B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator in Respiratory System Diseases

B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), an immunomodulatory molecule widely expressed on the surface of immune cells, can influence various signaling pathways and negatively regulate the activation and proliferation of immune cells by binding to its ligand herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM). BTLA plays an important role in immunoregulation and is involved in the pathogenesis of various respiratory diseases, including airway inflammation, asthma, infection, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and lung cancer. In recent years, some studies have found that BTLA also has played a positive regulatory effect on immunity system in the occurrence and development of respiratory diseases. Since severe pulmonary infection is a risk factor for sepsis, this review also summarized the new findings on the role of BTLA in sepsis.

A further look at quantitative trait loci for growth and fatness traits in a White Duroc × Erhualian F3 intercross population

Genetic analysis of porcine growth and fatness traits is beneficial to the swine industry and provides a reference to understand human obesity. Here, we obtained 29 growth and fatness traits for 473 individuals from a White Duroc × Erhualian F₃ intercross population. Basic statistical analyses showed that: (1) Positive correlations between different-stage body weights were detected, the shorter the time interval the stronger the correlation. (2) Strong correlations existed in the paired fatness traits. (3) With the growth of age, the correlation between fatness and body weight was increasing. All pigs were genotyped by Illumina 50 K SNP chips and their whole-genome genotypes were imputed referred to 109 re-sequencing data. We performed common and imputation-based GWASs for these traits. Two genome-wide significant loci on swine chromosome (SSC) 4 and 7 were repeatedly detected. The strongest association (P = 3.24 × 10^-19) was detected at 31.96 Mb on SSC7 for leaf fat weight. On this locus, seven major haplotypes were identified, of which two were novel and had an increasing-fatness effect. In the imputation-based GWAS, three new loci were identified. Our findings provide further insights into and enhance our understanding of genetic mechanism of porcine growth and fat deposition.

TGIF2 promotes cervical cancer metastasis by negatively regulating FCMR

OBJECTIVE

We aimed at studying the correlation between TGIF2 expression and clinicopathological features of cervical cancer (CCa). The relationship between TGIF2 and FCMR and its influence on the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells were investigated using molecular biology techniques, so as to reveal the pathogenesis of CCa and provide a new target for clinical treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

TGIF2 expression in 60 pairs of cervical tumors and paracancerous tissues samples collected from CCa patients of our hospital was studied by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis, and the association between TGIF2 expression and the clinical indicators or prognosis of CCa patients were analyzed. CCa cells with TGIF2 knockdown were constructed using transfection technology. Changes in the biological phenotypes (proliferation, migration, invasion) of CCa cells C33-A and HeLa after TGIF2 knockdown were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays. In addition, the effects of TGIF2/FCMR axis on CCa metastasis were further explored in nude mice in vivo.

RESULTS

Our data revealed a significant increase in TGIF2 mRNA expression in CCa tissue specimens compared to adjacent ones, and the increasing degree was positively correlated with the incidence of lymph node or distant metastasis of CCa patients. The results of CCK-8 and transwell suggested that knocking down TGIF2 effectively attenuated the proliferative ability and invasiveness of CCa cells. Luciferase assay confirmed that TGIF2 can directly bind to the DNA promoter of its target gene FCMR. Simultaneous transfection of sh-TGIF2 and sh-FCMR partially reversed the inhibitory effect of single transfection of TGIF2 knockdown on the malignant progression of CCa. Experiments in nude mice also suggested that TGIF2 could promote CCa tumorigenesis through the modulation of FCMR expression.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, TGIF2 can promote the migration and proliferation ability of cervical cancer cells via down-regulating FCMR. Our study provides a new therapeutic target for the clinical treatment of cervical cancer.

Tl2Ir2O7: A Pauli Paramagnetic Metal, Proximal to a Metal Insulator Transition

A polycrystalline sample of Tl₂Ir₂O₇ was synthesized by high-pressure and high-temperature methods. Tl₂Ir₂O₇ crystallizes in the cubic pyrochlore structure with space group Fd3̅m (No. 227). The Ir⁴⁺ oxidation state is confirmed by Ir-L₃ X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy. Combined temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, specific heat, and DFT+DMFT calculation data show that Tl₂Ir₂O₇ is a Pauli paramagnetic metal, but it is close to a metal-insulator transition. The effective ionic size of Tl³⁺ is much smaller than that of Pr³⁺ in metallic Pr₂Ir₂O₇; hence, Tl₂Ir₂O₇ would be expected to be insulating according to the established phase diagram of the pyrochlore iridate compounds, A³⁺₂Ir⁴⁺₂O₇. Our experimental and theoretical studies indicate that Tl₂Ir₂O₇ is uniquely different from the current A³⁺₂Ir⁴⁺₂O₇ phase diagram. This uniqueness is attributed primarily to the electronic configuration difference between Tl³⁺ and rare-earth ions, which plays a substantial role in determining the Ir-O-Ir bond angle, and the corresponding electrical and magnetic properties.