Netrin-1 mitigates acute lung injury by preventing the activation of the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB (TLR4/NF-κB) signaling

Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most common high-risk diseases associated with a high mortality rate and is still a challenge to treat effectively. Netrin-1 (NT-1) is a novel peptide with a wide range of biological functions, however, its effects on ALI have not been reported before. In this study, an ALI model was constructed using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with NT-1. Pulmonary function and lung wet to dry weight ratio (W/D) were detected. The expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2) were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that the levels of NT-1 were reduced in the LPS-induced ALI mice model. Administration of NT-1 improved histopathological changes of lung tissues and lung function in LPS-challenged ALI mice. We also report that NT-1 decreased Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and ameliorated pulmonary edema. Additionally, treatment with NT-1 reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as IL-8, IL-1β, and CXCL2 in lung tissues of LPS-challenged ALI mice. Importantly, NT-1 reduced cell count in BALF and mitigated oxidative stress (OS) by reducing the levels of MDA and increasing the levels of GSH. Mechanistically, it is shown that NT-1 reduced the levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and prevented nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65. Our findings indicate that NT-1 is a promising agent for the treatment of ALI through inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling.

Alleviation of Cd-polluted paddy soils through Si fertilizer application and its effects on the soil microbial community

In this study, the effects of slag-based Si fertilizers on Cd-polluted paddy soils, soil microbial diversity, and functional properties were evaluated through a long-term field experiment conducted in a double-rice cropping system in southern China. The results showed that soil pH significantly increased from 5.15 to 6.13 after seven years of Si fertilization. Cd accumulation in both the soil and rice plants were significantly decreased for all the Si fertilizers treatments. Treatments using Si fertilizer in powder form exhibited the best alleviation effects, where soil available Cd decreased from 0.50 mg kg^-1 to 0.43 mg kg^-1, and Cd accumulation in rice roots, straw, and grains decreased by 32.2 %, 57.2 %, and 45.5 %, respectively, than that in the control. Following Si application, the soil microbial richness and Shannon diversity increased from 6731 to 7549 and 7.12 to 7.28, respectively. Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae, and Gemmatimonadetes, were significantly enriched in the Si-treated samples, whereas Verrucomicrobia, Chlamydiia, Ktedonobacteria and Candidatus_Saccharibacteria exhibited opposite patterns. Bioinformatics analysis using phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states tools revealed that the varied microbial community induced functional adaption of soil microorganisms involved in metabolism, genetic information processing, cellular processes, and environmental information processing. The soil pH, NH₄-N, and available Cd and Si contents were the key factors that best explained the variations in bacterial community composition among different treatments. Slag-based Si fertilizers are effective for Cd detoxication and can benefit the growth of rice plants throng the regulation of soil microorganisms.

A Canine Surgical Model of Stroke by Minimally Invasive Occlusion of the Proximal Middle Cerebral Artery

In this study, a model of ischemic stroke by surgical proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion was developed on 10 beagle dogs. The advantages of this model are the transtemporal approach and a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: sham-operated (proximal MCA exposure without occlusion) and experimental (permanent proximal MCA occlusion) groups. Different evaluation methods were used to assess the consequences of MCA occlusion in dogs, including neurobehavioral tests, MRI, and immunohistochemical staining. Clear signs of cerebral infarction associated with the region supplied by MCA were confirmed and the model showed good repeatability and consistency. The model can serve as an appropriate large animal model to improve the translation of stroke therapeutics research from the laboratory to the clinical practice.

Chronotype and insomnia may affect the testosterone levels with a sexual difference: a Mendelian randomization

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the causal effects of sleep traits (i.e., chronotype, insomnia, and sleep duration) on bioavailable testosterone (BT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and total testosterone (TT) levels in women and men.

METHODS

We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) using random-effect inverse-variance weighted (IVW) and 7 other MR analyses. Exposure data for sleep traits were obtained from the largest-to-date genome-wide association study (GWAS) from 339,926 to 1,331,010 individuals. Summary data for testosterone levels were obtained from GWAS based on the UK Biobank.

RESULTS

For women, our study supported that chronotype was associated with decreased BT (IVW: β = - 0.042, 95% CI - 0.060, - 0.023, p = 1.17E-05) and TT (IVW: - 0.053, 95% CI - 0.075, - 0.031, p = 2.30E-06). Besides, insomnia can significantly increase BT (IVW: β = 0.025, 95% CI 0.009, 0.041, p = 0.002). These findings were significant in most sensitivity analyses. For men, statistical significance was found between chronotype and BT (β = - 0.027, 95% CI - 0.048, - 0.005, p = 0.016), and insomnia and TT (β = - 0.028, 95% CI - 0.049, 0.007, p = 0.009) in IVW. However, the effect estimates were not broadly consistent with other sensitivity analyses. Our study did not find support for causal effects of sleep duration on testosterone levels in both women and men.

CONCLUSION

Our study reveals the sex differences in the effects of sleep traits on testosterone levels. A healthy sleep habit is vital for the maintenance of testosterone homeostasis in women. Further studies are warranted to investigate the associations between sleep traits and testosterone levels in men.

Studys on the anti-HBV mechanism of Syringopicroside based on serum metabolomics

Aims:

Syringopicroside (SYR) is an iridoid monomer compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine clove leaf. HBV is a hepatotropic virus that can cause severe liver diseases, including acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Syringopicroside has a significant effect on anti-HBV, but the mechanism of action is still unclear.

Methods:

A metabolomics approach based on UPLC-G2-Si-HDMS was performed to analyze the serum biomarkers from HBV transgenic mice to find the biomarkers affected by Syringopicroside. Through the analysis of metabolic pathways, the key pathways of Syringopicroside to play a therapeutic role were explored to study its potential mechanism. Using network pharmacology, the "component-target-pathway" network of Syringopicroside in the treatment of hepatitis B was constructed, and combined with the results of metabolomics, the mechanism of action of Syringopicroside against HBV was discussed.

Results:

Serum metabolomics identified a total of 42 HBV-related biomarkers, of which 8 returned to normal levels after Syringopicroside treatment, involving a total of 6 metabolic pathways. 5 biomarkers returned to normal levels after lamivudine treatment, involving 2 metabolic pathways. Network pharmacology analysis showed that Syringopicroside in the treatment of hepatitis B mainly acts on 26 targets including MMP9, MAPK1 and SLC29A1, involving 4 pathways.

Conclusion:

This study elucidates the multi-target and multi-channel integration mechanism of Syringopicroside against HBV, lays a foundation for in-depth study of the anti-HBV mechanism of Syringopicroside, and also provides support for the development of innovative traditional Chinese medicines for the treatment of hepatitis B.

Association between FOXP3 polymorphisms and vitiligo in a Han Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an autoimmune chronic depigmentation disorder caused by melanocyte loss. Previous studies found that CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T-cell (Treg) dysfunction was involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and that gene polymorphisms in forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) - a master regulator of Treg development and function - were associated with susceptibility to some autoimmune disorders. Therefore, we hypothesized that functional polymorphisms of the FOXP3 gene might be associated with vitiligo via dysregulation of Treg cells.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether FOXP3 polymorphisms are associated with vitiligo risk.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this hospital-based case-control study of 682 patients with vitiligo and 682 vitiligo-free age- and sex-matched controls, we genotyped three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the FOXP3 gene - rs2232365, rs3761548 and rs5902434 - by performing polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP).

RESULTS

Significantly increased vitiligo risk was associated with the rs2232365 GG [odds ratio (OR) 1·68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·17-2·39, P = 0·004] and rs3761548 AA (OR 1·82, 95% CI 1·10-3·01, P = 0·033) genotypes compared with the rs2232365 AA and rs3761548 CC genotypes. On combined analysis of these three variant alleles, we found that individuals carrying 2-6 variant alleles had significantly increased vitiligo risk (OR 1·34, 95% CI 1·08-1·66). This risk was more pronounced in the following subgroups: age > 20 years, male sex, active vitiligo, nonsegmental vitiligo and other accompanying autoimmune diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

FOXP3 gene polymorphisms contributed to vitiligo risk in a Han Chinese population.

Efficacy of early postoperative enteral nutrition in supporting patients after esophagectomy

AIM

This study aims to investigate and evaluate the efficacy and safety of early enteral nutrition (EN) in maintaining and improving the postoperative nutritional status in patients undergoing esophagectomy.

METHODS

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 120 adult patients with esophageal cancer and undergoing esophagectomy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups receiving either EN (N.=64) or parenteral nutrition (PN) (N.=56) postoperatively. The nutritional intake was isonitrogenic and isocalorie for both groups. Nutritional status was evaluated preoperatively as well as on postoperative day I and day 8. Daily nitrogen balance was measured and 7-day cumulative nitrogen balance was calculated. The levels of serum markers including d-lactate, diamine oxidase (DAO), and endotoxin were determined on 1st, 4th and 8th postoperative day for analyzing intestinal barrier function. Postoperative infection rate and the incidence of nutrition support-related complications were examined.

RESULTS

The concentrations of serum albumin and prealbumin in patients of EN group were significantly higher than those in PN group and the concentrations of blood glucose, γ-GT, AKP, TB, and DB were significantly lower compared to those in the PN group (P<0.05). Both daily nitrogen balance and cumulative nitrogen balance of EN group were better than those of PN group since postoperative day III. The serum levels of d-lactate, DAO, and endotoxin of EN group were significantly lower than those of PN group on postoperative day VIII (P<0.01). The incidence of postoperative infections in blood, lung, and intestinal tract in EN group was lower compared to PN group (P<0.05). No severe complications associated with nutritional support occurred in EN group. The time to flatus passage in EN group was significantly shorter, and the cost of nutritional support was significantly less compared to PN group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative early enteral nutrition was safe and feasible for patients undergoing esophagectomy. Compared to PN, EN more efficiently ameliorated postoperational nutritional status of the patients undergoing esophagectomy, played an important role in restoring intestinal barrier function postoperatively, reduced the incidence of postoperative infection, and decreased the cost of hospital stay.

Plaque excision in the management of lower-limb ischemia of atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis with the SilverHawk atherectomy catheter

AIM

Aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of plaque excision in management of lower limb ischemia of atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis with the SilverHawk atherectomy catheter.

METHODS

From November 2010, to August 2011, 43 patients were involved and completed follow-up. They were divided into two groups: group A is the atherosclerotic plaque group (16 cases, 37.2%) and group B is the in-stent restenosis/occlusion lesion group (27 cases, 62.8%). The average age of group A was 68.3 years and group B was 72 years, the mean duration was 27.4 months and 26 months, respectively. Intermittent claudication was 8 cases and 16 cases respectively, and rest pain both was 4 cases, foot ulcer was 1 case and 4 cases, toe gangrene both was 3 cases. Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)≤0.4 was 2 in group A and 8 in group B, ABI>0.4 was 12 and 16, ABI=0 was 2 and 3, respectively. Excision with protective devices in 6 cases. Nine cases and 17 cases received treatment for proximal and distal lesions over the same period, respectively, included the proximal iliac artery stenting 1 case in group A and 5 cases in group B, distal calf arteries stenting 6 cases in group A and 11 cases in group B, balloon angioplasty 2 in group A and 1 in group B. Endpoints included postoperative mortality or amputation of target limb.

RESULTS

Forty-one operations were successful, the technical success rate was 95.3%, one case in group B suffered above-knee amputation. The target vessels of 41 patients maintain patency after discharge. Postoperative claudication distance increased to 500 meters except for one case in each group, all 4 rest pain patients got alleviated, reduced toe ulcer area happened in 1 and 2 cases respectively, all 3 cases of gangrene dried up/infection controlled in each group. Postoperative ABI result 0.7-0.8: 4 in group A and 5 in group B; 0.81-0.9 was 5 and 8; >0.91 was 6 and 13, respectively. Symptom improvement result had no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Follow-up covered 41 patients, average 17.5±3.3 months. Group A patients stayed in good condition, 7 claudication patients's walking distance above 500 meters remains; rest pain no recurrence, one ulcer healing, 2 of 3 toe gangrene self-shedding and stump healing, 1 toe gangrene removed by surgery and wound healing. Group B, 4 of 15 claudication cases recurrence, and received plaque excision again. Rest pain no recurrence. 3 of 4 ulcer healing, 1 ulcer area reduced significantly. One out of 3 gangrene received below knee amputation (toe osteomyelitis), wound healing. One recurrence, angiography showed in-stent severe restenosis, received plaque excision again. One toe gangrene removed by surgery and wound healing.

CONCLUSION

Plaque excision with "SilverHawk" treatment for lower limb ischemia of atherosclerosis or in-stent restenosis is safe and effective. No significant difference for these two lesions in efficacy. Long term follow-up and larger randomized study is needed for further information on treatment.

The association of functional polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) gene with the risk of vitiligo in Han Chinese populations

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder resulting from selective destruction of melanocytes. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is vital to the regulation of melanogenesis and melanocyte proliferation and differentiation through modulating the expressions of melanogenesis-related genes. AHR mutations may negatively affect AHR proteins and its target genes. Therefore, we hypothesized that AHR polymorphisms might be involved in vitiligo by impacting the transcriptional activities of related genes as mentioned above.

OBJECTIVES

  To evaluate the potential association between AHR polymorphisms and vitiligo susceptibility.

METHODS

We performed a hospital-based, case-control study of 1000 patients with vitiligo and 1000 vitiligo-free but age- and gender-matched controls. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the AHR gene (rs10249788 and rs2066853) were selected and genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

RESULTS

A statistically significantly decreased risk of vitiligo was found to be associated with the TT and CT genotypes of rs10249788 [odds ratio (OR) 0·59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·38-0·93; P = 0·028 and OR 0·82, 95% CI 0·68-0·98; P = 0·032, respectively] as well as among subgroups: male, active, nonsegmental vitiligo, and onset age ≤ 20 years. Moreover, subjects with the combined (CT + TT)/GG genotype or T/G haplotype (rs10249788/rs2066853) showed a decreased risk for vitiligo (OR 0·57, 95% CI 0·37-0·87, P = 0·009 and OR 0·78, 95% CI 0·64-0·96, P = 0·033, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the T allele of rs10249788 located in the promoter of the AHR gene is associated with a protective effect on vitiligo in Han Chinese populations.

The effect of rice straw incorporation into paddy soil on carbon sequestration and emissions in the double cropping rice system

BACKGROUND

Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, methane emission, and the net carbon sink represented by rice straw incorporated into soil (RIS) were studied using long-term experimentation with rice straw incorporated into soil (LRIS) and short-term experimentation with different patterns of rice straw incorporated into soil (SPRIS).

RESULTS

Soil organic carbon could be improved by RIS combined with soil ploughing. The increased rate of SOC deposition per cultivated layer was 0.10 t C ha(-1) for 2.625 t ha(-1) straw incorporated each season in LRIS and 0.36 t C ha(-1) for 4.5 t straw ha(-1) season(-1) incorporated in SPRIS; the apparent SOC conversion by rice straw (stubble) was reduced as the amount of incorporated straw increased. However, RIS methane emission from paddy fields also significantly exacerbated the CH(4) emission flux observed during the early and late rice growing seasons, which was increased by 75.0% (P < 0.01) and 251.5% (P < 0.01), respectively, compared with combined application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertiliser (NPK). The apparent methane conversion of straw was almost uniform with a similar rice yield and soil cultivating mode. Among the patterns of RIS, methane emission was significantly reduced under straw covering untilled land, and this property led to the lowest apparent methane conversion.

CONCLUSION

RIS with ploughing and tilling resulted in negative carbon sequestration because of increased methane emissions. A combined NPK application with only rice stubble incorporation may be sustainable for a higher rice yield, but this approach has a reduced rate of negative carbon sequestration in the paddy field. Straw covering with no tillage was the best measure to realise high yield and low carbon emission for RIS.

Lafora's disease in an epileptic Basset hound

A 6-year-old Basset hound developed a progressive central nervous system disease culminating in epileptic seizures. Histologically, Lafora bodies were found in neurones of the middle and deeper cerebral cortex and midbrain, in Purkinje cells and their processes, and in glial cells of the molecular layer of the cerebellum. Many were also observed free in the neuropil. The ultrastructural and histochemical characteristics of the bodies were similar to those described in previous human and canine cases of Lafora's disease.

Efficacy of oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOX4) versus doxorubicin in advanced HCC: Updates on the EACH study

160

Background: In Asia, where hepatitis B is very common, patients often present with locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and their prognosis is poor. The EACH study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFOX4 vs. doxorubicin as palliative systemic chemotherapy in advanced HCC.

Methods: The open-label, randomized, multicenter phase III study was conducted in 371 patients in China, Taiwan, Korea and Thailand, who had locally advanced or metastatic HCC and were ineligible for resection. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either FOLFOX4 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 i.v. d1; LV 200 mg/m2 i.v. h0–h2 d1 and d2; 5FU 400 mg/m2 i.v. bolus h2, then 600 mg/m2 over 22 hours d1 and d2 q2w) or doxorubicin (50 mg/m2 i.v. q3w). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR) by RECIST and safety. Data from final and follow-up analyses of the intent-to-treat (ITT) population and selected subgroup analyses are presented.

Results: At the final analysis, median OS with FOLFOX4 (N = 184) was 6.40 months (95% CI: 5.30, 7.03) vs. 4.97 months (95% CI: 4.23, 6.03) with doxorubicin [N = 187; p = 0.0695 using a stratified log-rank test; statistical significance (p = 0.0425) was achieved at the post hoc follow-up analysis conducted 7 months later]. Median PFS with FOLFOX4 was 2.93 months (95% CI: 2.43, 3.53) vs. 1.77 months with doxorubicin (95% CI: 1.63, 2.30; p = 0.0002). The RR was 8.2% vs. 2.7% of patients with FOLFOX4 and doxorubicin, respectively (p = 0.0233), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 52.2% vs. 31.6% (p < 0.0001). In the Chinese sub-population, OS, PFS, RR and DCR were significantly improved with FOLFOX4 vs. doxorubicin at both the final and follow-up analyses. In the other subgroups analyzed, the OS and PFS benefits of FOLFOX4 vs. doxorubicin were generally consistent.

Conclusions: In the ITT population, median OS was greater with FOLFOX4 than doxorubicin throughout the study and statistical significance was achieved after continued follow-up. FOLFOX4 can benefit patients with advanced HCC, as it significantly increases median OS, PFS, RR and DCR compared with doxorubicin.

[Table: see text]

Responsiveness to aspirin in patients with unstable angina pectoris by whole blood aggregometry

AIMS

To evaluate aspirin responsiveness in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) by whole blood aggregometry. Another goal was to differentiate aspirin-resistant patients into pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic type.

METHODS

We measured platelet aggregation by determining impedance values in 70 normal volunteers and 104 UAP patients on aspirin (100 mg/day > or = 7 days) in four inducing conditions [1 microg/ml collagen, 2 microg/ml collagen, 5 micromol/l adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and 10 micromol/l ADP]. We calculated a cut-off value based on data from normal volunteers to define aspirin responsiveness in cases. Then, the correlation and agreement between the results in the four conditions was analysed to choose a preferred inducing condition for identification of aspirin resistance. Aliquots from all samples were incubated with 0.1 mmol/l aspirin and measured again for aspirin-resistant classification.

RESULTS

Aspirin resistance was observed in 38 patients (36.5%), 51 patients (49.0%), 67 patients (64.4%) and 67 patients (64.4%), respectively, for 1 microg/ml collagen, 2 microg/ml collagen, 5 micromol/l ADP and 10 micromol/l ADP among 104 patients. Collagen at low concentration was suggested as a preferred agent for detecting aspirin inhibitory effect according to the coefficient of sensitivity. After incubation, only three among 38 aspirin-resistant patients showed normal platelet aggregation and were classified into pharmacodynamic type.

CONCLUSIONS

In the presence of collagen at low concentration (1 microg/ml), the prevalence of aspirin resistance is about 36.5% in UAP patients, and according to a classification specific for resistant patients, most of the aspirin 'resistance' is just because of pharmacokinetic issues.

Deterministic Dynamics in Neuronal Discharge from Pallidotomy Targets

The non-linear dynamic specificity of the firing pattern discharged from neurons of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) was investigated by recording their spontaneous firing using a microelectrode during posteroventral pallidotomy in eight patients with Parkinson's disease. Raw data from the cells were processed to extract spiking events (discharges above a selected threshold) and the interspike interval was measured. Using the unstable periodic orbits extraction method, significant period-1, −2 and −3 orbits were identified in burst firing discharged from the GPi cells in all eight patients, suggesting that deterministic dynamics exist in the timing of the discharges. As well as providing a useful peri-operative technique for locating posteroventral pallidotomy targets in Parkinson's disease, this method also provides a promising basis for investigating characteristic neuronal discharges in other regions of the brain and for various other neurological disorders.

Synthesis of azobenzene-centered (co)polymers via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization

An azobenzene-based dithiocarbamate, 4,4'-bis[2-(carbazole-N-dithio formatyl)-2-methyl-propionatyl]-azobenzene (CDMPA), was synthesized and used as the chain transfer agent (CTA) for reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene in anisole solution. Well-defined azobenzene-centered and carbazole-ended polystyrene (PS) with well-controlled molecular weight (Mn) and narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn) was obtained. The good agreement between the theoretical molecular weight (Mn,th) and the 1H NMR determined molecular weight (Mn,NMR) indicated that most of the polymer chains contained an azo-functional center-group end-capped with the carbazole moieties, which were derived from the RAFT agent. The obtained polystyrene (PS) showed a strong ultraviolet absorption in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and emitted fluorescence after excited by UV-irradiation in N,N’-dimethyl formamide (DMF) solutions. The PS was used as the macro-RAFT agent to carry out the polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM). Triblock copolymers (PMA-b-PS-b-PMA), and pentablock copolymers (PNIPAAM-b-PMA-b-PS-b-PMA-b-PNIPAAM) were obtained, respectively. These copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), FT-IR spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy.