TRPV3 promotes sebocyte inflammation via transcriptional modulating TLR2 in acne

Acne is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is an ion channel that is involved in inflammatory dermatosis development. However, the involvement of TRPV3 in acne-related inflammation remains unclear. Here, we used acne-like mice and human sebocytes to examine the role of TRPV3 in the development of acne. We found that TRPV3 expression increased in the skin lesions of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)-injected acne-like mice and the facial sebaceous glands (SGs) of acne patients. TRPV3 promoted inflammatory cytokines and chemokines secretion in human sebocytes and led to neutrophil infiltration surrounding the SGs in acne lesions, further exacerbating sebaceous inflammation and participating in acne development. Mechanistically, TRPV3 enhanced TLR2 level by promoting transcriptional factor phosphorylated-FOS-like antigen-1 (p-FOSL1) expression and its binding to the TLR2 promoter, leading to TLR2 upregulation and downstream NF-κB signaling activation. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of TRPV3 both alleviated acne-like skin inflammation in mice via the TLR2-NF-κB axis. Thus, our study revealed the critical role of TRPV3 in sebaceous inflammation and indicated its potential as an acne therapeutic target.

Challenge-Hindrance Stressors and Academic Engagement Among Medical Postgraduates in China: A Moderated Mediation Model

Background

Improving academic engagement of medical postgraduates is crucial for enhancing the quality of learning and the development of medical education. Due to medical postgraduates face high levels of stress and rigorous demands, yet the mechanisms linking challenge-hindrance stressors to academic engagement in this context remain largely unexplored. This study aims to explore the comprehensive relationship between challenge-hindrance stressors and academic engagement among medical postgraduates in China.

Methods

Data were collected from 437 medical postgraduates in China, to investigate their challenge-hindrance stressors, emotional exhaustion, learning, relaxation and academic engagement. Among these postgraduates, 40.3% were male and 59.7% were female, with the mean age of the participants being 25.71 years. Statistical procedures were conducted using Mplus 8.3, ensuring a robust analysis of the data collected.

Results

Our study showed that both challenge and hindrance stressors are significantly positively correlated with emotional exhaustion among Chinese medical postgraduates, and emotional exhaustion is negatively associated with academic engagement. Emotional exhaustion mediates the relationship between challenge-hindrance stressors and academic engagement. Learning plays a protective role, moderating the challenge stressors and emotional exhaustion relationship and its indirect effect on academic engagement. However, relaxation was not identified as a significant moderating factor in this context.

Conclusion

Our findings not only revealed emotional exhaustion as a potential mechanism underlying the relationship between challenge-hindrance stressors and academic engagement but also validated the moderating role of learning in mitigating the adverse effects of challenge stressors on emotional exhaustion and academic engagement among Chinese medical postgraduates. This comprehensive insight into the complex dynamics between different stressors and academic engagement provides both theoretical and empirical evidence for medical universities. It underscores the importance of interventions to enhance academic engagement in stressful environments and serves as a valuable reference for the development of reasonable assessment systems. These contributions are crucial for fostering a supportive educational atmosphere and promoting the well-being of medical postgraduates.

Analysis of preoperative computed tomography radiomics and clinical factors for predicting postsurgical recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Postsurgical recurrence is of great concern for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). We aim to investigate the value of computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics features and conventional clinical factors in predicting the recurrence of PTC.

METHODS

Two-hundred and eighty patients with PTC were retrospectively enrolled and divided into training and validation cohorts at a 6:4 ratio. Recurrence was defined as cytology/pathology-proven disease or morphological evidence of lesions on imaging examinations within 5 years after surgery. Radiomics features were extracted from manually segmented tumor on CT images and were then selected using four different feature selection methods sequentially. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify clinical features associated with recurrence. Radiomics, clinical, and combined models were constructed separately using logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and neural network (NN), respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to evaluate the model performance in predicting recurrence. A nomogram was established based on all relevant features, with its reliability and reproducibility verified using calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

Eighty-nine patients with PTC experienced recurrence. A total of 1218 radiomics features were extracted from each segmentation. Five radiomics and six clinical features were related to recurrence. Among the 4 radiomics models, the LR-based and SVM-based radiomics models outperformed the NN-based radiomics model (P = 0.032 and 0.026, respectively). Among the 4 clinical models, only the difference between the area under the curve (AUC) of the LR-based and NN-based clinical model was statistically significant (P = 0.035). The combined models had higher AUCs than the corresponding radiomics and clinical models based on the same classifier, although most differences were not statistically significant. In the validation cohort, the combined models based on the LR, SVM, KNN, and NN classifiers had AUCs of 0.746, 0.754, 0.669, and 0.711, respectively. However, the AUCs of these combined models had no significant differences (all P > 0.05). Calibration curves and DCA indicated that the nomogram have potential clinical utility.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined model may have potential for better prediction of PTC recurrence than radiomics and clinical models alone. Further testing with larger cohort may help reach statistical significance.

Progression of Gastrointestinal Injury During Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Secondary Analysis of the OPT-PEACE Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Gastrointestinal injury progression induced by antiplatelet therapy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been well studied.

Objective

To assess the association of aspirin, clopidogrel, and their combination with gastrointestinal injury progression among patients without high bleeding risk after PCI.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This secondary analysis assessed data from the Optimal Antiplatelet Therapy for Prevention of Gastrointestinal Injury Evaluated by ANKON Magnetically Controlled Capsule Endoscopy (OPT-PEACE) double-masked, placebo-controlled, multicenter randomized clinical trial. The OPT-PEACE trial was conducted at 28 centers in China, and recruitment took place from July 13, 2017, to July 13, 2019. The trial included patients with stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation after PCI. Statistical analysis was conducted from September 13, 2022, to January 23, 2023.

Interventions

Patients underwent magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) at baseline and after 6 months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin (100 mg/d) plus clopidogrel (75 mg/d). Those with no evidence of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding (ie, the intention-to-treat [ITT] cohort) were randomized (1:1:1) to aspirin (100 mg/d) plus matching placebo (aspirin alone), clopidogrel (75 mg/d) plus matching placebo (clopidogrel alone), or DAPT for an additional 6 months. A third MCE was performed 12 months after PCI.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the rate of gastric injury progression as assessed with the results of the 3 MCEs (at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months) in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population. The key secondary outcome was the rate of small-intestinal injury progression. Gastric or small-intestinal injury progression was defined as a quantitative increase in erosions or ulcers between the second and third MCEs (at 6 and 12 months, respectively).

Results

This study included the 394 patients in the mITT cohort. Their mean (SD) age was 56.9 (8.7) years, and most were men (296 [75.1%]). A total of 132 patients were randomized to aspirin alone, 132 to clopidogrel alone, and 130 to DAPT. Gastric injury progression occurred in 49 aspirin users (37.1%), 64 clopidogrel users (48.5%), and 69 DAPT users (53.1%) (P = .02), reflecting a lower rate of gastric injury progression among aspirin users vs DAPT users (risk ratio [RR], 0.70 [95% CI, 0.49-0.99]; P = .009). No significant difference was observed between clopidogrel alone and DAPT (48.5% vs 53.1%; P = .46) or between aspirin alone and clopidogrel alone (37.1% vs 48.5%; P = .06). A total of 51 aspirin users (38.6%), 65 clopidogrel users (49.2%), and 71 DAPT users (54.6%) (P = .03) developed progressive small-intestinal injury, reflecting a lower rate of small-intestinal injury among aspirin users vs DAPT users (RR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.50-0.99]; P = .01). No difference was observed between patients treated with clopidogrel vs DAPT (49.2% vs 54.6%; P = .38) or with aspirin vs clopidogrel (38.6% vs 49.2%; P = .08).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, ongoing use of aspirin, clopidogrel, or their combination between 6 and 12 months after PCI was associated with progressive gastric and small-intestinal injury in a substantial proportion of patients, more so with DAPT than with monotherapy. Clopidogrel was at least as likely as aspirin to induce gastrointestinal injury progression. Future research is warranted to determine what impact the findings from MCEs would have on decision-making of antiplatelet therapy.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03198741.

Preparation and Application of Polyrotaxane Cross-Linking Agent Based on Cyclodextrin in Gel Materials Field

The cross-linking point of a conventional chemical cross-linking agent is fixed. Therefore, gels that are prepared with a conventional cross-linking agent have poor deformability, strength, shear resistance, and further properties. Some researchers have prepared a new cross-linking agent using cyclodextrin (CD). In a polyrotaxane cross-linking agent, the cross-linking points can slide freely along the molecule chain. The special "slide ring" structure can provide better elongation, strength, and other properties to gels, which can effectively expand the application of the gel's materials. This paper summarizes the preparation methods and applications from different types of CD and compares the improvements of properties (swelling, viscoelastic properties, etc.). In addition, the current results of our group are presented, and some ideas are provided for the development of polyrotaxane cross-linking agents.

Preparation and Degradation Performance Study of P(AM/GG/PEGDA) Nanocomposite Self-Degradation Gel Plugging Material

Lost circulation is a world-class problem, and the contradiction between plugging and unplugging in reservoirs is a problem that needs to be solved urgently. The traditional LCM is not suitable for reservoirs and the complex subsequent operations. Currently, a self-degrading plugging material is proposed. In this paper, a new self-degradation plugging material, CKS-DPPG, was prepared by AM, GG, nano silica, and PEGDA. The effects of reactant concentration, pH, mineralization, etc., on the swelling and degradation performance of CKS-DPPG were investigated. The plugging capacity was tested by fracture plugging equipment, and the mechanism of self-degradation was revealed. The results show that the CKS-DPPG reached a 50% degradation rate in 54 h and complete degradation in 106 h at 80 °C and pH = 8. Low temperatures, high mineralization, and weak alkaline conditions prolong the complete degradation time of CKS-DPPG, which facilitates subsequent operations. The simulation of the 3 mm opening fracture plugging experiment showed that the pressure-bearing capacity reached 6.85 MPa and that a 0.16 MPa pressure difference could unplug after degradation. The ester bond of PEGDA is hydrolyzed under high-temperature conditions, and the spatial three-dimensional structure of CKS-DPPG becomes linear. The CKS-DPPG can effectively reduce subsequent unplugging operations and lower production costs.

Excess KLHL24 Impairs Skin Wound Healing through the Degradation of Vimentin

Start codon variants in ubiquitin ligase KLHL24 lead to a gain-of-function mutant KLHL24-ΔN28, which mediates the excessive degradation of keratin 15, desmin, and keratin 14, resulting in alopecia, cardiopathy, and epidermolysis bullosa syndrome. Patients with alopecia, cardiopathy, and epidermolysis bullosa syndrome normally present atrophic scars after wounds heal, which is rare in KRT14-related epidermolysis bullosa. The mechanisms underlying the formation of atrophic scars in epidermolysis bullosa of patients with alopecia, cardiopathy, and epidermolysis bullosa syndrome remain unclear. This study showed that KLHL24-ΔN28 impaired skin wound healing by excessively degrading vimentin. Heterozygous Klhl24c.3G>T knock-in mice displayed delayed wound healing and decreased wound collagen deposition. We identified vimentin as an unreported substrate of KLHL24. KLHL24-ΔN28 mediated the excessive degradation of vimentin, which failed to maintain efficient fibroblast proliferation and activation during wound healing. Furthermore, by mediating vimentin degradation, KLHL24 can hinder myofibroblast activation, which attenuated bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis. These findings showed the function of KLHL24 in regulating tissue remodeling, atrophic scarring, and fibrosis.

Added value of histogram analysis of ADC in predicting radiation-induced temporal lobe injury of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the predictive potential of histogram analysis derived from apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in radiation-induced temporal lobe injury (RTLI) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

RESULTS

Pretreatment diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the temporal lobes of 214 patients with NPC was retrospectively analyzed to obtain ADC histogram parameters. Of the 18 histogram parameters derived from ADC maps, 7 statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The final best prediction model selected by backward stepwise elimination with Akaike information criteria as the stopping rule included kurtosis, maximum energy, range, and total energy. A Rad-score was established by combining the four variables, and it provided areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-0.98) and 0.89 (95% CI 0.81-0.97) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The combined model, integrating the Rad-score with the T stage (p = 0.02), showed a favorable prediction performance in the training and validation cohorts (AUC = 0.96 and 0.87, respectively). The calibration curves showed a good agreement between the predicted and actual RTLI occurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment histogram analysis of ADC maps and their combination with the T stage showed a satisfactory ability to predict RTLI in NPC after IMRT.

Development and validation of a prediction model of pneumothorax after CT-guided coaxial core needle lung biopsy

BACKGROUND

Pneumothorax is the most common complication of computed tomography-guided coaxial core needle biopsy (CCNB) and may be life-threatening. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors and develop a model for predicting pneumothorax in patients undergoing computed tomography-guided CCNB, and to further determine its clinical utility.

METHODS

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for pneumothorax from 18 variables. A predictive model was established using multivariable logistic regression and presented as a nomogram based on a training cohort of 690 patients who underwent computed tomography-guided CCNB. The model was validated in 253 consecutive patients in the validation cohort and 250 patients in the test cohort. The area under the curve was used to determine the predictive accuracy of the proposed model.

RESULTS

The risk factors associated with pneumothorax after computed tomography-guided CCNB were sex, patient position, lung field, lesion contact with the pleura, lesion size, distance from the pleura to the lesion, presence of emphysema adjacent to the biopsy tract, and crossing fissures. The predictive model that incorporated these predictors showed good predictive performance in the training cohort [area under the curve, 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.67-0.75)], validation cohort [0.71 (0.64-0.78)], and internal test cohort [0.68 (0.60-0.75)]. The nomogram also provided excellent calibration and discrimination, and decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated its clinical utility.

CONCLUSIONS

The predictive model showed good performance for pneumothorax after computed tomography-guided CCNB and may help improve individualized preoperative prediction.

Recombinant human endostatin injection (Endostar) combined with PF chemotherapy and sequential intensity-modulated radiotherapy is tolerable and improves prognosis of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a randomized, open, multicenter phase II clinical study

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not only a common malignant disease of the head and neck, but also presented as locoregionally advanced NPC at diagnosis with poor prognosis. The efficacy of current chemoradiotherapy is unsatisfactory; therefore, in this study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of treating locally advanced NPC using recombinant human endostatin injection (Endostar), combined with a cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (PF) regimen and sequential intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and compared it with PF plus IMRT regimen. This phase II study included 83 eligible patients with stages III-IVa NPC (8th AJCC/UICC) who were randomized 1:1 into control (n = 42) and experimental (n = 41) groups. The control group received PF chemotherapy and IMRT for locally advanced NPC; One cycle of induction chemotherapy (IC) was administered before IMRT, and three cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) were administered four weeks post-radiotherapy. The experimental group received additional Endostar therapy. All patients were followed up for at least 5 years. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and the objective response rate. The secondary endpoints included overall survival and treatment-related toxicities. The short-term efficacy was evaluated at the end of the fourth chemotherapy cycle. Our results showed that the complete response rate of nasopharyngeal lesions was not significantly different between the experimental and control groups (80.5 vs. 71.4%, P = 0.335); however, there were significant differences in the complete response rates of cervical metastatic lymph nodes (75.6 vs. 40.5%, P = 0.001), especially for cervical N3 lymph nodes in the experimental group (55.6 vs. 9.5%, P = 0.004). The overall median follow-up time was 69.7 months. Patients in the experimental group showed significantly prolonged PFS by about four months (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.41-0.99, P = 0.045). There was no significant difference in the median overall survival (P = 0.374). Furthermore, subgroup analysis indicated that the risk of death in patients with cervical N3 lymph nodes in the experimental group was reduced by 52% (HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23-0.99, P = 0.046). Moreover, the incidence of radiation-induced grades 3-4 oral mucositis was significantly lower in the experimental group (29.3% vs. 54.8%, P = 0.019), while no significant differences in other severe adverse reactions were observed between the two groups (P>0.05). Taken together, our study indicated that, in patients with locally advanced NPC, Endostar in combination with PF chemotherapy and sequential IMRT significantly improved PFS, had tolerable treatment-related toxicities, improved the prognoses of patients with cervical N3 lymph nodes, and reduced the incidence of radiation-related oral mucositis.

Prediction model based on preoperative CT findings for carotid artery invasion in patients with head and neck masses

Objectives

To investigate the performance of a model in predicting carotid artery (CA) invasion in patients with head and neck masses using computed tomography (CT).

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with head and neck masses who underwent CT and surgery between January 2013 and July 2021. Patient characteristics and ten CT features were assessed by two radiologists. The patients were randomly allocated to a training cohort (n=106) and a validation cohort (n=109). Independent risk factors for CA invasion were assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The predictive model was established as a nomogram using the training cohort. In addition, the calibration, discrimination, reclassification, and clinical application of the model were assessed in the validation cohort.

Results

A total of 215 patients were evaluated, including 54 patients with CA invasion. Vascular wall deformation (odds ratio [OR], 7.17; p=0.02) and the extent of encasement to the CA (OR, 1.02; p<0.001) were independent predictors of CA invasion in the multivariable analysis in the training cohort. The performance of the model was similar between the training and validation cohort, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93 (95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.88-0.98) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.80-0.96) (p=0.07), respectively. The calibration curve showed a good agreement between the predicted and actual probabilities.

Conclusion

A predictive model for carotid artery invasion can be defined based on features that come from patient characteristics and CT data to help in improve surgical planning and invasion evaluation.

Magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics model for predicting radiation-induced temporal lobe injury in nasopharyngeal carcinoma after intensity-modulated radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

To develop a model based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics and clinical features for predicting radiation-induced temporal lobe injury (RTLI) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

METHODS

Two hundred and sixteen patients with NPC were retrospectively included. Radiomics features were extracted and selected. The logistic regression analysis was performed for prediction models construction. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated for performance evaluation.

RESULTS

Three radiomics features were selected to construct the radiomics signature (AUC of 0.94 and 0.92). The clinical-radiomics model, integrating radiomics signature with T classification, achieved higher predictive performance in the training and validation cohorts (AUC of 0.95 and 0.93), as well as improved accuracy of the classification of RTLI outcomes (net reclassification improvement: 0.711; 95% CI: 0.57-0.86; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical-radiomics model and radiomics signature both showed great performance in predicting RTLI in patients with NPC.

Sintilimab combined with apatinib plus capecitabine in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A prospective, open-label, single-arm, phase II clinical study

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sintilimab combined with apatinib plus capecitabine in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to provide a more effective first-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC.

Methods

This open-label, prospective, phase II study included patients with unresectable HCC who did not receive systematic treatment. The patients were treated with sintilimab (200 mg, intravenous drip, once every 3 weeks) combined with apatinib (250 mg, oral administration, once a day) plus capecitabine (1000 mg/m², twice a day; after 2 weeks of oral administration, the drug was stopped for 1 week; course of treatment, 3 weeks). The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DoR), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Results

Forty-seven patients (1 lost to follow-up) were enrolled in the study. As of March 1, 2022, the ORR and DCR were 50.0% (95% CI: 34.9–65.1%) and 91.3% (95% CI: 79.2–97.6%), respectively, after blind, independent imaging evaluation. The median follow-up time was 18.7 months (95% CI: 17.2–20.2 months). The median PFS was 9.0 months (95% CI: 7.1–10.9 months). The median DoR was 10.8 months (95% CI: 4.8–16.8 months). The median OS was not reached, and the 1-year OS rate was 71.7% (95% CI: 56.5–84.0%). Only 28.3% (13/46) of patients had grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events.

Conclusion

Sintilimab combined with apatinib plus capecitabine has good safety and anti-tumor activity as a first-line treatment for unresectable HCC. This is worthy of further multi-center, prospective, randomized, large-sample clinical studies.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04411706.

Cathelicidin LL-37 improves bone metabolic balance in rats with ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis via the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and impaired bone microarchitecture due to the abnormal activity of osteoclasts. Cathelicidins are antimicrobial peptides present in the lysosomes of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. LL-37, a cathelicidin, induces various biological effects, including modulation of the immune system, angiogenesis, wound healing, cancer growth, as well as inflammation, and bone loss. A previous study reported direct involvement of LL-37 suppressing osteoclastogenesis in humans. Here, we examined the role of LL-37 in the treatment of osteoporosis using an ovariectomy (OVX) rat model. Our results showed that LL-37 significantly reduced bone loss and pathological injury in OVX rats with osteoporosis. Furthermore, we found that LL-37 significantly increased the activity of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in OVX rats with osteoporosis, including the increased expression of beta-catenin, Osterix (Osx), and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), whereas XAV-939, an inhibitor of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, significantly blocked the effects of LL-37 on bone loss and abnormal bone metabolism. Altogether, our findings suggested that LL-37 exerted a protective role in regulating bone loss and abnormal bone metabolism in rats with osteoporosis by activating the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.

The Role of Wisdom in the Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Chinese Visiting Scholars to Canada: A Mediation Model

This study examines the role of wisdom in the cross-cultural adaptation of Chinese visiting scholars in Canada, as mediated by different coping styles. Path analysis was used to for hypotheses testing. The findings suggest that (1) wisdom measured by 3D-WS and Adult Self-Transcendence Inventory (ASTI), independently had direct correlation with social and psychological adaptation, and positively associated with engaged coping (active coping and proactive–reflective coping); (2) the independent effects of 3D-WS and ASTI on social adaptation, psychological adaptation, and life satisfaction were mediated by proactive–reflective coping; (3) wisdom, when measured by 3D-WS, promoted positive psychological adaptation through decreasing passive coping. This study shows that wisdom is a critical factor affecting cross-cultural adaptation, and the use of proactive–reflective coping is a wise way of handling future life challenges.

Joint communication interference system design based on parameter modulation

In this paper, a joint communication interference integration signal waveform is proposed to satisfy the need of electronic system integration in civil and military uses, and mitigate the tension of spectrum resource. We design the system structure of the integrated signal model and propose the communication receiving processing flow of the integrated system. We utilize the dense false-target jamming style to raise the constant false alarm rate detection threshold via the delay superposition of multiple groups of frequency modulation (FM) slope mismatch jamming signals, which can play a role in protecting our target from being detected. Furthermore, linear frequency modulation (LFM) signals with different FM slopes and Doppler frequencies are obtained via the modulation mapping of communication data; thus, a single LFM signal can carry n bit data. Through correlation processing and frequency detection, code sequence information can be obtained to achieve communication function. The simulation results show that the integrated signal has the effect of shielding and jamming the pulse compression radar. Moreover, the system has a better bit error rate and a high communication rate, which can ensure that the communication task of sending accurate instructions is completed while implementing effective interference.

Baseline MRI-based radiomics model assisted predicting disease progression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with complete response after treatment

Background

Accurate pretreatment prediction for disease progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is key to intensify therapeutic strategies to high-risk individuals. Our aim was to evaluate the value of baseline MRI-based radiomics machine-learning models in predicting the disease progression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who achieved complete response after treatment.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 171 patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma were included. Using hold-out cross validation scheme (7:3), relevant radiomic features were selected with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method based on baseline T2-weighted fat suppression and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images in the training cohort. After Pearson’s correlation analysis of selected radiomic features, multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to radiomic features and clinical characteristics selection. Logistic regression analysis and support vector machine classifier were utilized to build the predictive model respectively. The predictive accuracy of the model was evaluated by ROC analysis along with sensitivity, specificity and AUC calculated in the validation cohort.

Results

A prediction model using logistic regression analysis comprising 4 radiomics features (HGLZE_T2H, HGLZE_T1, LDLGLE_T1, and GLNU_T1) and 5 clinical features (histology, T stage, N stage, smoking history, and age) showed the best performance with an AUC of 0.75 in the training cohort (95% CI: 0.66–0.83) and 0.77 in the validation cohort (95% CI: 0.64–0.90). The nine independent impact factors were entered into the nomogram. The calibration curves for probability of 3-year disease progression showed good agreement. The features of this prediction model showed satisfactory clinical utility with decision curve analysis.

Conclusions

A radiomics model derived from pretreatment MR showed good performance for predicting disease progression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and may help to improve clinical decision making.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40644-022-00448-4.

Prognostic and predictive value of radiomics features at MRI in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE

To explore the value of MRI-based radiomics features in predicting risk in disease progression for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

199 patients confirmed with NPC were retrospectively included and then divided into training and validation set using a hold-out validation (159: 40). Discriminative radiomic features were selected with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test from tumors and normal masticatory muscles of 37 NPC patients. LASSO Cox regression and Pearson correlation analysis were applied to further confirm the differential expression of the radiomic features in the training set. Using the multiple Cox regression model, we built a radiomic feature-based classifier, Rad-Score. The prognostic and predictive performance of Rad-Score was validated in the validation cohort and illustrated in all included 199 patients.

RESULTS

We identified 1832 differentially expressed radiomic features between tumors and normal tissue. Rad-Score was built based on one radiomic feature: CET1-w_wavelet.LLH_GLDM_Dependence-Entropy. Rad-Score showed a satisfactory performance to predict disease progression in NPC with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.604, 0.732, 0.626 in the training, validation, and the combined cohort (all 199 patients included) respectively. Rad-Score improved risk stratification, and disease progression-free survival was significantly different between these groups in every cohort of patients (p = 0.044 or p < 0.01). Combining radiomics and clinical features, higher AUC was achieved of the prediction of 3-year disease progression-free survival (PFS) (AUC, 0.78) and 5-year disease PFS (AUC, 0.73), although there was no statistical difference.

CONCLUSION

The radiomics classifier, Rad-Score, was proven useful for pretreatment prognosis prediction and showed potential in risk stratification for NPC.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12672-021-00460-3.

Correlations of CYP11B2 gene polymorphisms with eclampsia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between CYP11B2 gene polymorphisms and eclampsia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 400 pregnant women treated in our hospital were enrolled in this study, including 200 normal pregnant women (pregnancy group) and 200 pregnant women with eclampsia (eclampsia group). Peripheral blood was collected from subjects of the two groups. Subsequently, genomic deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) were extracted and amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of CYP11B2 rs4543, rs3802228 and rs104894072 polymorphisms. The expression level of CYP11B2 gene was measured as well. Additionally, the correlations of CYP11B2 gene polymorphisms with blood pressure and coagulation and renal function indexes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The distribution of alleles of rs4543 locus in CYP11B2 gene was significantly different between eclampsia group and pregnancy group (p=0.027). The frequency of the allele C was significantly lower in eclampsia group than that of pregnancy group (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the genotype distribution of CYP11B2 rs3802228 (p=0.000) and rs104894072 (p=0.000) between eclampsia group and pregnancy group (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the frequency of AA genotype of rs3802228 and TG genotype of rs104894072 was remarkably higher in eclampsia group than that in pregnancy group (p<0.05). The distribution of the locus rs104894072 (p=0.044) in dominant model and rs3802228 (p=0.002) in recessive model in eclampsia group was different from that in pregnancy group (p<0.05). Eclampsia group showed remarkably elevated frequency of TT + TG of the locus rs104894072 in dominant model and lowered frequency of AG + GG of the locus rs3802228 in recessive model (p<0.05). Similarly, a significant difference was observed in the distribution of the haplotypes CGG (p=0.001) and TGT (p=0.048) in CYP11B2 gene between eclampsia group and pregnancy group (p<0.05). The linkage disequilibrium of the loci rs3802228 and rs104894072 was relatively high (D'=0.382). The polymorphism of the locus rs104894072 in CYP11B2 gene had an evident relation to CYP11B2 gene expression (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of CYP11B2 gene was markedly higher in patients with GG genotype in eclampsia group (p<0.05). The polymorphism of CYP11B2 rs4543 was notably associated with PT level of patients in eclampsia group (p=0.000). Conversely, rs3802228 polymorphism was correlated with 24 h urine protein level (p=0.000). Besides, the proportion of patients with CGG haplotype was significantly larger among patients with systolic blood pressure of 140-160 mmHg (p<0.05). In addition, the proportion of patients with TGT haplotype was evidently greater among patients with systolic blood pressure >180 mmHg in eclampsia group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CYP11B2 gene polymorphisms are significantly correlated with the development and progression of eclampsia.

Changes in intestinal flora in preeclampsia rats and effects of probiotics on their inflammation and blood pressure

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in intestinal flora in preeclampsia rats and the effects of probiotics on their inflammation and blood pressure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 40 Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Wistar rats were randomly selected in this study. Abdominal operation was performed to reduce uterine blood perfusion, so as to establish the model of preeclampsia in rats. All rats were randomly divided into two groups, namely, observation group (treated with probiotics, n=20) and control group (not treated with probiotics, n=20). Subsequently, the changes in serum endotoxin level during intervention, the 24-h urinary 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) excretion rate, and intestinal flora colonization ability after intervention were compared between the two groups. The distribution of intestinal flora after intervention was recorded in the two groups. Meanwhile, vascular endothelial function and blood pressure following intervention were compared between the two groups as well. In addition, the changing trend of inflammatory cytokines during intervention in the two groups, and the correlation of colonization ability of intestinal flora with changes in systolic blood pressure and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level in patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

At 3 days and 1 week after intervention, serum endotoxin level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the same period (p<0.05). Following intervention, observation group exhibited remarkably higher excretion rate of 24-h urinary 99mTc-DTPA (p<0.05), stronger colonization ability of intestinal flora (p<0.05), higher levels of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus in intestinal flora (p<0.05), lower level of endothelin-1 (ET-1) (p<0.05) and higher level of nitric oxide (NO) (p<0.05) than the control group. In addition, the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the observation group were basically normal, which were both notably lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). At 3 days and 1 week after intervention, the levels of serum inflammatory cytokine hs-CRP in the observation group was markedly lower than that in the control group (p<0.05) at the same period. Furthermore, the colonization ability of intestinal flora was negatively associated with the changes in systolic blood pressure and hs-CRP level in patients (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Treating preeclampsia rats with probiotics can effectively reduce the level of serum endotoxin, improve the body's capacity to eliminate metabolites and the colonization ability of intestinal flora, maintain the stability of intestinal flora, enhance vascular endothelial function, and reduce blood pressure and the body's inflammatory responses.

Effect of lncRNA-BLACAT1 on drug resistance of non-small cell lung cancer cells in DDP chemotherapy by regulating cyclin D1 expression

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA)-bladder cancer associated transcript 1 (BLACAT1) on the drug resistance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in cisplatin (DDP) chemotherapy by regulating the expression of Cyclin D1.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analysis of the lncRNA expression profiles in 483 cases of NSCLC tissues and 347 cases of cancer-adjacent tissues in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database revealed that lncRNA-BLACAT1 was differentially expressed in NSCLC and related to prognosis. In order to further study its mechanism of action on DDP-resistant cells, the expression level of lncRNA-BLACAT1 in normal human lung bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, NSCLC cell line A549, and DDP-resistant cell line A549 (A549/DDP) was detected by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). LncRNA-BLACAT1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) (si-BLACAT1) and lncRNA-BLACAT1 negative control (si-NC) were transfected into A549/DPP cells. Then, qPCR was carried out to detect the changes in the expression of lncRNA-BLACAT1 before and after transfection. Thereafter, cell cycle and cell growth rate were detected by flow cytometry and the cell growth curve. Besides, the changes in cell migration, cell apoptosis, and Cyclin D1 were detected via wound healing assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting (WB).

RESULTS

In GEO database, lncRNA-BLACAT1 was significantly overexpressed in NSCLC (p<0.05), and the prognosis of NSCLC in BLACAT1 low-expression group was better than that in the BLACAT1 high-expression group (p<0.0001). Compared with that in BEAS-2B cells, BLACAT messenger RNA (mRNA) was notably highly expressed in A549 cells (p<0.05), and compared with that in A549 cells, BLACAT1 mRNA in A549/DPP was significantly highly expressed in A549/DDP cells (p<0.05). Additionally, in comparison with that in the si-NC group, the content of lncRNA-BLACAT1 in si-BLACAT1 group was remarkably decreased (p<0.01). Moreover, flow cytometry detection of cell cycle revealed that compared with those in si-NC group, G0/G1 phase was markedly prolonged and S phase was shortened in si-BLACAT1 group. MTS assay manifested that the absorbance at 450 nm in si-BLACAT1 group was evidently decreased on the 3rd day compared with that in the si-NC group (p<0.05), and the difference between the two groups was the most significant on the 5th day (p<0.001). According to wound healing assay, compared with those in si-NC group, the distance between cells became larger, the cell migration ability was remarkably weakened (p<0.05), and cell apoptosis was prominently reduced in si-BLACAT1 group (p<0.05). WB results showed that compared with si-NC group, si-BLACAT1 group had significantly reduced Cyclin D1 (p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA-BLACAT1 regulates the expression of Cyclin D1, reduces the malignant phenotype of drug-resistant cells, and increases the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to DDP.

MiR-507 inhibits the growth and invasion of trophoblasts by targeting CAMK4

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the potential influences of miR-507 and CAMK4 on the progression of preeclampsia (PE).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Placental tissues were collected from 24 PE pregnancies and 24 healthy pregnancies. The relative levels of miR-507 and CAMK4 in placental tissues were detected. In addition, expressions of apoptosis-associated genes in collected tissues were examined by both quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The influences of miR-507 and CAMK4 on proliferative and migratory abilities in HTR-8/SVneo cells were assessed by CCK-8 and transwell assay, respectively. The target relationship between miR-507 and CAMK4 was detected by Luciferase assay.

RESULTS

MiR-507 was upregulated in placental tissues collected from PE pregnancies. Overexpression of miR-507 suppressed proliferative and migratory abilities, and stimulated apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells. CAMK4 was the target gene of miR-507, which was downregulated in placental tissues collected from PE pregnancies and negatively correlated to miR-507 level. The knockdown of CAMK4 suppressed proliferative and migratory abilities, and stimulated apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells, and these trends were abolished by silence of miR-507.

CONCLUSIONS

Highly expressed miR-507 in PE pregnancies inhibits proliferative and migratory potentials, and induces apoptosis in trophoblasts by targeting CAMK4.

EphA3 promotes the proliferation of NPC cells through negatively regulating the ability of FOG2

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression level of EphA3 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its effect on the proliferative capacity of NPC. Meanwhile, the underlying mechanism by which EphA3 prompts NPC malignant progression was further explored.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, the expression of EphA3 in 42 pairs of tumor tissue specimens and paracancerous ones collected from NPC patients was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), and the interplay between EphA3 expression and clinical indicators, as well as prognosis of NPC patients was analyzed. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR was also applied to further verify EphA expression in NPC cell lines. In addition, EphA knockdown model was constructed in NPC cell lines, CNE2, and 6-10B, and the impacts of EphA on NPC cell functions was assessed through Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), cell colony formation, as well as 5-Ethynyl-2'- deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. Finally, a potential interplay between EphA3 and FOG2 was also investigated.

RESULTS

In this study, qRT-PCR results revealed that EphA3 expression levels in tumor tissues of patients with NPC were markedly higher than those in adjacent tissues. Compared with patients with low expression of EphA3, those with highly expressed EphA3 had a more advanced pathological stage. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that knocking down EphA3 notably attenuated the proliferation capacity of NPC cells. Subsequently, it was found that the expression of FOG2 in NPC cells was remarkably decreased both in NPC cell lines and tissues, which had a negative correlation with EphA3. Finally, cell recovery experiment revealed a mutual regulation between EphA3 and FOG2, which then together affected the malignant progression of NPC.

CONCLUSIONS

EphA3 is significantly relevant to pathological staging and poor prognosis of patients with NPC and may enhance the proliferation ability of NPC cells by modulating FOG2.

Effects of lncRNA MEG3 on proliferation and apoptosis of gallbladder cancer cells through regulating NF-κB signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) on proliferation and apoptosis of gallbladder cancer (GBC) cells and its molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The relative expression level of lncRNA MEG3 in GBC cell lines was detected via quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The lncRNA MEG3 expression plasmids were constructed, the cell proliferation ability was detected via Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assay, and the apoptosis was detected via flow cytometry. The effects of lncRNA MEG3 expression on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related proteins were determined using Western blotting, and the changes in nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) protein in the nucleus were determined after overexpression of lncRNA MEG3.

RESULTS

The expression of lncRNA MEG3 in three kinds of GBC cell lines was lower than that in human immortalized normal biliary epithelial cells (p<0.05). The results of CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay showed that overexpression of lncRNA MEG3 significantly reduced the proliferation rate and colony formation ability of GBC-SD cells compared with negative control (NC) group (p<0.05, p<0.05). According to the results of flow cytometry, the apoptosis rate was higher in lncRNA MEG63 overexpression group compared with that in NC group (p<0.05). Moreover, the ERS-related proteins (MANF, GRP78, and caspase-3) were remarkably upregulated in lncRNA MEG63 overexpression group compared with those in NC group, indicating that ERS is activated by lncRNA MEG63 overexpression. The NF-κB signal in GBC cells was activated by lncRNA MEG3.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA MEG3 activates the NF-κB signal in GBC cells to affect the proliferation and apoptosis of GBC cells.

TGF-β1 promotes pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats via activating RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of the Rho/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) under the intervention with transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 rats were divided into three groups using a random number table, including control group (healthy rats, n=10), model group (PAH rats, n=10), and TGF group (PAH rats injected with 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 recombinant protein, n=10). The systolic blood pressure, ventricular hypertrophy index, pathological changes in lung tissues, TGF-β1 level, protein, and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of RhoA and ROCK, as well as concentrations of serum nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were detected via hemodynamics test, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemical method, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The results of hemodynamics test showed that the right ventricular systolic pressure was increased markedly in model group (46.53±8.81) and TGF group (56.79±9.12) compared with that in control group (26.03±4.21) (p<0.05). The mean pulmonary systolic pressure in model group (25.89±1.92) and TGF group (29.41±1.91) was evidently higher than that in control group (15.77±2.71) (p<0.05). According to the results of heart weight measurement, model group (0.5118±0.1635) exhibited a higher ventricular hypertrophy index than control group (0.2908±0.0313) (p<0.05) but a lower ventricular hypertrophy index than TGF group (0.7231±0.1004) (p<0.05). The medial thickness of the pulmonary artery of the rats was observed through the HE staining. It was found that compared with control group, the medial thickness of the pulmonary artery was increased significantly in model group (p<0.05), while it was raised more prominently in TGF group, higher than that in model group, suggesting that TGF-β1 expression can increase the medial thickness of the pulmonary artery. It was manifested in immunohistochemical results that the protein expression of RhoA in the left lung tissues rose notably in model group compared with that in control group (p<0.05), and it was also raised remarkably in TGF group in comparison with that in model group (p<0.05), illustrating that the protein expression of TGF can activate the activity of RhoA and ROCK. The results of RT-PCR indicated that the mRNA expressions of RhoA and ROCK in the left lung tissues were elevated distinctly in model group and TGF group compared with those in control group (p<0.05), and the increases were more apparent in TGF group than those in model group (p<0.05). It was revealed in ELISA results that in comparison with control group, model group, and TGF group had markedly increased concentrations of serum NO and ET-1 (p<0.05), while the rises of serum NO and ET-1 concentrations in TGF group were the most prominent compared with those in model group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpressed TGF-β1 can activate the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway, thus promoting the occurrence and development of PAH.

Linc00707 promotes cell proliferation, invasion, and migration via the miR-30c/CTHRC1 regulatory loop in breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in women. We aimed at investigating the function of long non-coding RNA LINC00707 in BC and the potential mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression level of linc00707 was determined using the quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) in BC tissues and cell lines. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays were performed to detect the potential influence of LINC0070 on the proliferation ability of the BC cells. Also, the invasion and migration abilities were assessed by the transwell assay. Furthermore, with the bioinformatic analysis and the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay, we analyzed the interaction in LINC00707/miR-30c/CTHRC1 regulatory loop. The regulatory effects of LINC00707/miR-30c/CTHRC1 on BC were finally determined.

RESULTS

LINC00707 was significantly upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines. The knockdown of LINC00707 inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration in MDA-MB-231 cells, while the overexpression of LINC00707 achieved the opposite results in MDA-MB-468 cells. LINC00707, acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), could sponge miR-30c to upregulate CTHRC1, thus promoting BC progression.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC00707 was highly expressed in BC tissues and cells. It promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and migration via miR-30c/CTHRC1 regulatory loop. This might provide a novel target for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for BC.

Optimal antiplatelet therapy for prevention of gastrointestinal injury evaluated by ANKON magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy: Rationale and design of the OPT-PEACE trial

Background

Gastrointestinal injury is a common complication in patients treated with antiplatelet agents after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the effects of different antiplatelet regimens on the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal injury have not been well studied, principally due to the lack of a low-risk sensitive and accurate detection system.

Trial design

OPT-PEACE is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Gastrointestinal injury will be evaluated with the ANKON magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy system (AMCE), a minimally invasive approach for detecting mucosal lesions in the stomach, duodenum and small intestine. Patients without AMCE-detected gastrointestinal erosions, ulceration or bleeding after drug-eluting stent implantation are enrolled and treated with open-label aspirin (100 mg/d) plus clopidogrel (75 mg/d) for 6 months. Thereafter, 480 event-free patients will undergo repeat AMCE and are randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive aspirin plus clopidogrel, aspirin plus placebo or clopidogrel plus placebo for an additional 6 months. A final AMCE is performed at 12 months. The primary endpoint is the incidence of gastric or intestinal mucosal lesions (erosions, ulceration, or bleeding) within 12 months after enrollment.

Conclusions

OPT-PEACE is the first study to investigate the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal injury in patients receiving different antiplatelet therapy regimens after stent implantation. This trial will inform clinical decision-making for personalized antiplatelet therapy post-PCI.

Correlation analysis between ADAMTS-13 gene polymorphism and hypertension-induced atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between ADAMTS-13 gene polymorphisms and hypertension-induced atrial fibrillation (AF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 200 hypertensive patients without AF (hypertension group) and 200 hypertensive patients with AF (AF group) treated in our hospital were enrolled. Then, peripheral blood was drawn from these subjects enrolled, and the genomic deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) were extracted for analysis of ADAMTS-13 gene polymorphism. Next, Reverse Transcription-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to determine the expression of ADAMTS-13 gene, and the correlations of ADAMTS-13 gene polymorphism with ADAMTS-13 gene expression and clinical indicators were analyzed.

RESULTS

Results revealed that there was a difference in the distribution of alleles of ADSMTS-13 rs3094374 (p=0.046) and rs34054981 (p=0.039) between AF group and hypertension group. The frequency of T allele of the locus rs3094374 and that of the locus rs34054981 in ADSMTS-13 gene was higher in AF group than that in hypertension group. The distribution of genotypes of ADSMTS-13 rs28503257 (p=0.047) and rs34054981 (p=0.013) in AF group were different from those in hypertension group, and AF group had lower frequency of GA genotype of ADAMTS-13 rs28503257 and higher frequency of CT genotype of ADAMTS-13 rs34054981 than hypertension group. Besides, a difference was found in the distribution of ADSMTS-13 rs3094374 between AF group and hypertension group in recessive model (p=0.043), and the frequency of TC + CC was higher in the recessive model. Moreover, the distribution of the haplotypes CAT (p=0.012) and CGT (p=0.031) in ADAMTS-13 gene showed a difference between AF group and hypertension group. The linkage disequilibrium of the loci rs3094374 and rs28503257 in ADAMTS-13 gene was relatively great (D'=0.293). In addition, the polymorphism of the locus rs34054981 in ADAMTS-13 gene had an association with ADAMTS-13 gene expression (p<0.05). The expression of ADAMTS-13 gene was lower in patients carrying genotype TT in AF group. Furthermore, the ADAMTS-13 rs3094374 polymorphism was related to international normalized ratio (INR) (p=0.034), and the ADAMTS-13 rs28503257 polymorphism was correlated with the levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (p=0.047) and D-dimer (p=0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

ADAMTS-13 gene polymorphism is correlated with the susceptibility and procession of hypertension-induced AF.

CD47 deficiency protects cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by rescuing autophagic clearance

To assess the effect of cluster of differentiation (CD47) downregulation on autophagy in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)‑treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes. H9c2 cells were maintained in normoxic conditions (95% air, 5% CO2, 37˚C) without CD47 antibodies, Si‑CD47 or chloroquine (CQ) treatment; H9c2 cells in the H/R group were subjected to 24 h of hypoxia (1% O2, 94% N2, 5% CO2, 37˚C) followed by 12 h of reoxygenation (95% air, 5% CO2, 37˚C). All assays were controlled, triplicated and repeated on three separately initiated cultures. The biochemical parameters in the medium supernatant were measured to evaluate the oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. The Annexin V‑fluorescein isothiocyanate assay was used to detect the apoptotic rate in the H9c2 cells. Transmission electron microscope, immunofluorescent staining and western blot analysis were performed to detect the effect of the CD47 antibody on autophagic flux in H/R‑treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The cardiomyocytic oxidative stress and apoptotic rate decreased and autophagic clearance increased after CD47 downregulation. H/R triggered cell autophagy, autophagosome accumulation and apoptosis in H9c2 cell lines. However, these effects can be attenuated by CD47 downregulation. This study demonstrates its clinical implications in ischemia/reperfusion injury treatment.

Establishment of a Mouse Model of Premature Ovarian Failure Using Consecutive Superovulation

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study investigated the effect of consecutive superovulation on the ovaries and established a premature ovarian failure (POF) model in mice.

METHODS

The mouse POF model was induced by 5-15 consecutive superovulation treatments with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Normal adult mice were compared with mice displaying natural ovarian aging. The following serum biochemical parameters were measured: including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), inhibin B (INH B), malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. Follicles were counted using H&E staining. Levels of 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OhdG), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), nitrotyrosine (NTY), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and CDKN2A/ p16 (p16) were detected using immunohistochemical staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using dihydroethidium (DHE) staining. Cell apoptosis was detected using an in situ TUNEL fluorescence staining assay. Levels of proteins involved in ROS-related pathways and the p16 protein were detected using Western blotting. Sod1, Sod2 and Sod3 mRNA levels were detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). Oocyte quality was evaluated using in vitro fertilization (IVF) and zygote culture.

RESULTS

Consecutive superovulation groups presented lower P, E2, SOD, GSH-Px and INH B levels, significantly higher FSH, LH, MDA and ROS levels, and significantly fewer primordial follicles compared with the control group. Consecutive superovulation groups presented significantly increased levels of Sod2, 8-OhdG, 4-HNE, NTY, significantly increased levels of the SIRT1 and FOXO1 proteins, significantly increased levels of the senescence-associated protein p16, as well as decreased AMH, Sod1 and Sod3 levels and increased granulosa cell apoptosis compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Consecutive superovulation significantly decreased ovarian function and oocyte quality and increased oxidative stress and apoptosis in the ovary via a mechanism involving the p16 and SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathways. These findings suggest that consecutive superovulation may be used to establish a mouse model of ovarian aging.

Curcumin exerts a protective effect against premature ovarian failure in mice

This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin against d-galactose (d-gal)-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) in mice. A mouse POF model was induced by subcutaneous injection of d-gal (200 mg/kg/day) daily for 42 days. Mice in the curcumin group received both d-gal treatment and intraperitoneal injection of curcumin (100 mg/kg/day) for 42 days. Ovarian function, oxidative stress and apoptosis were evaluated. The P, E2 and SOD levels were higher, and the FSH, LH and MDA levels were significantly lower in the curcumin group than those in the d-gal group. The proportion of primordial follicles was also significantly higher in the curcumin group than that in the d-gal group. In addition, curcumin treatment after d-gal administration resulted in significantly lower Sod2, Cat, 8-OhdG, 4-HNE, NTY and senescence-associated protein P16 expression levels, higher Amh expression levels and less apoptosis in granulosa cells than was observed in the d-gal group. Moreover, the p-Akt, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression levels were significantly higher and the apoptosis-related cleaved caspase-3 and -9 protein expression levels were markedly lower in the curcumin group than in the d-gal group. In conclusion, curcumin effectively inhibited d-gal-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and ovarian injury via a mechanism involving the Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, suggesting that curcumin is a potential protective agent against POF.

H9N2 influenza virus isolated from minks has enhanced virulence in mice

H9N2 is one of the major subtypes of influenza virus circulating in poultry in China, which has a wide host range from bird to mammals. Two H9N2 viruses were isolated from one mink farm in 2014. Phylogenetic analysis showed that internal genes of the H9N2 viruses have close relationship with those of H7N9 viruses. Interestingly, two H9N2 were separated in phylogenetic trees, indicating that they are introduced to this mink farm in two independent events. And further mice studies showed that one H9N2 caused obvious weight loss and 20% mortality in infected mice, while another virus did not cause any clinical sign in mice infected at the same dose. Genetic analysis indicated that the virulent H9N2 contain a natural mutation at 701N in PB2 protein, which was reported to contribute to mammalian adaptation. However, such substitution is absent in the H9N2 avirulent to mice. Circulation of H9N2 in mink may drive the virus to adapt mammals; continual surveillance of influenza virus in mink was warranted.

Efficiency and safety of bivalirudin in patients undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention via radial access: A subgroup analysis from the bivalirudin in acute myocardial infarction versus heparin and GPI plus heparin trial

OBJECTIVES

To explore the efficiency and safety of bivalirudin in patients undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention via radial access.

BACKGROUND

Bivalirudin reduces bleeding risks over heparin in patients undergoing PCI. However, bleeding advantages of bivalirudin in patients undergoing transradial intervention is uncertain.

METHODS

In the BRIGHT trial, 1,723 patients underwent emergency PCI via radial access, with 576 patients in the bivalirudin arm, 576 in the heparin arm and 571 in the heparin plus tirofiban arm. The primary outcome was 30-day net adverse clinical event (NACE), defined as a composite of major cardiac and cerebral events or any bleeding.

RESULTS

30-day NACE occurred in 5.7% with bivalirudin, 7.8% with heparin alone (vs. bivalirudin, P = 0.159), and 10.3% with heparin plus tifofiban (vs. bivalirudin, P = 0.004). The 30-day bleeding rate was 0.9% for bivalirudin, 2.3% for heparin (vs. bivalirudin, P = 0.057), and 5.8% for heparin plus tirofiban (vs. bivalirudin, P < 0.001). Major cardiac and cerebral events (4.9 vs. 5.7 vs. 4.6%, P = 0.899), stent thrombosis (0.5 vs. 0.5 vs. 0.7%, P = 0.899) and acquired thrombocytopenia (0.2 vs. 0.5 vs. 0.9%, P = 0.257) at 30 days were similar among three arms. The interaction test for PCI access and randomized treatment showed no significance on all bleeding (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The bleeding benefit of bivalirudin was independent of artery access. Bivalirudin lead to statistical reduction on bleeding risks in comparison to heparin plus tirofiban, and only small numerical difference in comparison to heparin, with comparable risks of ischemic events and stent thrombosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing emergency transradial PCI. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Altered homotopic connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia: a resting state fMRI study

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore interhemispheric intrinsic connectivity in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Methods

We obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 18 right-handed PHN patients (11 males, 7 females; mean age, 59.67±8.41 years) and 18 well-matched healthy controls (11 males, 7 females; mean age, 38.50±7.51 years). Interhemispheric connectivity was examined using voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC), and seed-based functional connectivity analysis was performed.

Results

Compared with the healthy controls, the patients with PHN showed abnormally decreased homotopic connectivity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex (PCUN/PCC). The decreased VMHC in the PCUN/PCC was positively correlated with the visual analog scale of PHN in the PHN patient group (ρ=0.651; P=0.006). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the areas under the curves for the two brain regions were 0.898 for the prefrontal cortex and 0.923 for the PCUN/PCC, which indicated that the VMHC could be used to discriminate PHN patients from healthy controls. A subsequent seed-based functional connectivity analysis revealed widely disrupted intrinsic connectivity between the regions that showed local homotopic connectivity deficits and the areas subserving the default-mode network.

Conclusion

Our results indicated reduced interhemispheric functional connectivity in patients with PHN, which seems to be an important new avenue to investigate to better understand the nature of disconnection of the functional architecture in patients with PHN.

Effect of shRNA-Mediated Gene Silencing of Bmi-1 Expression on Chemosensitivity of CD44+ Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cancer Stem-Like Cells

In this study, we investigate the effect of short hairpin RNA-mediated gene silencing of Bmi-1 expression on chemosensitivity of CD44(+) nasopharyngeal carcinoma cancer stem-like cells. The sequence-specific short hairpin RNA lentivirus targeting at human Bmi-1 was synthesized and used to infect CD44(+) nasopharyngeal cells that were sorted by flow cytometry. We also employed flow cytometry to detect transfection efficiency. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect Bmi-1 and its downstream repressor genes p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF) messenger RNA, while each protein expression level of Bmi-1, p16(INK4a), p14(ARF), and p53 was confirmed by Western blotting protocol. Tumor spheroid assay was used to evaluate the self-renewal capacity. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and colony formation assay were applied to detect proliferation capacity and colony-forming capacity under different concentrations of chemotherapeutic drugs 5-fluorouracil or cisplatin. Transwell cell migration and invasion assay were employed to observe migration and invasion capacity after cells were exposed to cisplatin for 24 hours. The constructed short hairpin RNA lentivirus targeting Bmi-1 gene successfully infected into the CD44(+) nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and effectively inhibited the Bmi-1 messenger RNA and protein expression level, while the expression level of Bim-1 target genes, p16(INK4a), p14(ARF), and p53 was significantly increased (P < .05). Notably, the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion capabilities of the sequence-specific short hairpin RNA lentivirus-infected CD44(+) nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells reduced significantly under chemotherapeutic treatments (P < .05). Our results indicated that Bmi-1 may play an important role in the chemosensitivity of CD44(+) nasopharyngeal carcinoma cancer stem-like cells. Bmi-1 may be a potential new target for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma displaying chemotherapy resistance.

l-Proline-Catalysed the Synthesis of Aromatic Aldehydes and Ketones and their Acridione Derivatives at Room Temperature

A series of xanthene derivatives were prepared from cyclohexane-1,3-dione and aromatic aldehydes through Knoevenagel–Michael and cyclisation reactions in methanol:ethanol mixture (1:1), catalysed by a very small amount of l-proline at room temperature. Isomeric tetraketones were synthesised from dimedone and aromatic aldehydes under the same condition. Condensation of them with amines gave acridione derivatives. The crystal structure of an acridione was obtained and determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction.

Synthesis of 10-Substituted 3,6-Diphenyl-9-Aryl-3,4,6,7,9,10-Hexahydroacridine-1,8(2H,5H)-Dione Derivatives

A series of novel 10-substituted 3,6-diphenyl-9-aryl-3,4,6,7,9,10-hexahydroacridine-1,8(2H,5H)-dione derivatives synthesised by condensation of different amines with xanthenes, was prepared from 5-phenylcyclohexane-1,3-dione and aromatic aldehydes by a Knoevenagel and Michael reaction and cyclisation catalysed by a trace of l-proline at room temperature. In addition, the molecular structure of a xanthene was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Tomoregulin-1 prevents cardiac hypertrophy after pressure overload in mice by inhibiting TAK1-JNK pathways

Cardiac hypertrophy is associated with many forms of heart disease, and identifying important modifier genes involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies. Tomoregulin-1 is a growth factor that is primarily involved in embryonic development and adult central nervous system (CNS) function, and it is expressed abnormally in a variety of CNS pathologies. Tomoregulin-1 is also expressed in the myocardium. However, the effects of tomoregulin-1 on the heart, particularly on cardiac hypertrophy, remains unknown. The aim of the study is to examine whether and by what mechanism tomoregulin-1 regulates the development of cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload. In this study, we found that tomoregulin-1 was significantly upregulated in two cardiac hypertrophy models: cTnT(R92Q) transgenic mice and thoracic aorta constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy mice. The transgenic overexpression of tomoregulin-1 increased the survival rate, improved the cardiac geometry and functional parameters of echocardiography, and decreased the degree of cardiac hypertrophy of the TAC mice, whereas knockdown of tomoregulin-1 expression resulted in an opposite phenotype and exacerbated phenotypes of cardiac hypertrophy induced by TAC. A possible mechanism by which tomoregulin-1 regulates the development of cardiac hypertrophy in TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy is through inhibiting TGFβ non-canonical (TAK1-JNK) pathways in the myocardium. Tomoregulin-1 plays a protective role in the modulation of adverse cardiac remodeling from pressure overload in mice. Tomoregulin-1 could be a therapeutic target to control the development of cardiac hypertrophy.