[Research progress on the pathogenic mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of McCune-Albright syndrome]

McCune-Albright syndrome is a rare chimeric disorder due to mutations in the postzygotic GNAS gene. It belongs to the group of guanine nucleotide-binding protein diseases, affecting a wide range of individuals. It is characterized by fibrous dysplasia, café-au-lait skin macules, and precocious puberty with other variable clinical manifestations. At present, there are difficulties in the molecular diagnosis of McCune-Albright syndrome, and there is a lack of effective clinical treatments to halt or reverse the course and regression of the disease. This article summarizes the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, pathogenic molecular mechanisms, treatment and relevant fertility guidelines of McCune-Albright syndrome, with a view to further research and therapy of McCune-Albright syndrome.

Phase 1 Study of the Selective c-MET Inhibitor, HS-10241, in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

Introduction

c-MET is an important therapeutic target for various cancers; however, the People's Republic of China currently retails only one specific c-MET inhibitor. Our preclinical study has revealed the high selectivity of HS-10241 to suppress c-MET. This phase 1 study aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of the selective c-MET inhibitor (HS-10241) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Methods

Patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors orally received a single or multiple dose of HS-10241 once daily or twice daily for 21 consecutive days, which included the following six regimens: 100 mg once daily, 200 mg once daily, 400 mg once daily, 600 mg once daily, 200 mg twice daily, and 300 mg twice daily. The treatment continued until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or treatment termination. The primary end point was the incidence of dose-limiting toxicity and maximal tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary end points included safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.

Results

A total of 27 patients with advanced NSCLC received HS-10241, and dose-limiting toxicity was observed in three patients after 600 mg once-daily HS-10241 treatment. For once-daily dosing, MTD was 400 mg, and for twice-daily dosing, the maximal safe escalated dose was 300 mg, and MTD was not reached. Nausea (48.1%, 13 of 27), fatigue (37.0%, 10 of 27), and anemia (33.3%, 9 of 27) are the three most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events. At 400 mg once daily, C_ss,max was 5076 ng/mL and steady state area under the curve was 39,998 h × ng/mL. Patients (n = 5) with positive MET (MET exon 14-skipping, MET amplified, and MET immunohistochemistry 3+) had confirmed partial responses (n = 1) or stable disease (n = 3), with a disease control rate of 80.0%.

Conclusions

The selective c-MET inhibitor HS-10241 was well tolerated and had clinical activity in advanced NSCLC, especially in patients with positive MET. Furthermore, this study expounds on the therapeutic potential of HS-10241 in patients with cancer.

[Epidemiological characteristics of severe fever with thtrombocytopenia syndrome in China, 2011-2021]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in China from 2011 to 2021, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of SFTS. Methods: The incidence data of SFTS were collected from the National Disease Reporting Information System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention for a descriptive epidemiological analysis and Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to evaluate the association between age and the morbidity rate and case fatality rate (CFR) of SFTS. Results: From 2011 to 2021, a total of 18 902 laboratory confirmed cases of SFTS, including 966 deaths, were reported in 533 counties (districts) of 154 prefecture-level cities in 27 provinces. The annual average morbidity rate was 0.125/100 000, and the annual average CFR was 5.11%. From 2011 to 2021 the overall morbidity rate of SFTS was in increase with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 14.80% (P=0.001). Most cases (99.23%) occurred in 7 provinces, including Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Liaoning, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, with 70.28% of the cases in 11 prefecture-level cities. The average annual CFRs in the 7 provinces varied greatly from 1.30% to 11.27%. In 2011, SFTS cases were reported in 108 counties (districts) of 51 prefecture-level cities in 13 provinces, but SFTS cases were reported in 277 counties (districts) of 88 prefecture-level cities in 19 provinces in 2021, the disease spread from central area to the northeast and from the west and the south. SFTS mainly occurred in summer and autumn in both southern and northern China, and 96.63% of the cases were reported from April to October, and the incidence peak was during May-June. The cases mainly occurred in age group 50-74 years (69.46%), and the deaths mainly occurred in age group ≥60 years (79.71%). Both the morbidity rate and the CFR increased with age. The morbidity rate increased from 0.040/100 000 in age group 0-4 years to 4.480/100 000 in age group ≥80 years in males (χ²=13 185.21, P<0.001) and from 0.038/100 000 in age group 0-4 years to 3.318/100 000 in age group ≥80 years in females (χ²=12 939.83, P<0.001); the CFR increased from 0.70% in age group 30-34 years to 11.58% in age group ≥80 years in males (χ²=115.70, P<0.001) and from 1.56% in age group 35-39 years to 8.98% in age group ≥80 years in females (χ²=103.42, P<0.001). Conclusion: From 2011 to 2021, the incidence of SFTS increased in China, and the spread and obvious spatiotemporal distribution of SFTS were observed. The reported CFR varied greatly with area, and both the morbidity and mortality risk were high in the elderly.

Multiple Cross Displacement Amplification Coupled with Lateral Flow Biosensor (MCDA-LFB) for rapid detection of Legionella pneumophila

Background

Legionella pneumophila is an opportunistic waterborne pathogen of significant public health problems, which can cause serious human respiratory diseases (Legionnaires’ disease). Multiple cross displacement amplification (MCDA), a isothermal nucleic acid amplification technique, has been applied in the rapid detection of several bacterial agents. In this report, we developed a MCDA coupled with Nanoparticles-based Lateral Flow Biosensor (MCDA-LFB) for the rapid detection of L. pneumophila.

Results

A set of 10 primers based on the L. pneumophila specific mip gene to specifically identify 10 different target sequence regions of L. pneumophila was designed. The optimal time and temperature for amplification are 57 min and 65 °C. The limit of detection (LoD) is 10 fg in pure cultures of L. pneumophila. No cross-reaction was obtained and the specificity of MCDA-LFB assay was 100%. The whole process of the assay, including 20 min of DNA preparation, 35 min of L. pneumophila-MCDA reaction, and 2 min of sensor strip reaction, took a total of 57 min (less than 1 h). Among 88 specimens for clinical evaluation, 5 (5.68%) samples were L. pneumophila-positive by MCDA-LFB and traditional culture method, while 4(4.55%) samples were L. pneumophila-positive by PCR method targeting mip gene. Compared with culture method, the diagnostic accuracy of MCDA-LFB method was higher.

Conclusions

In summary, the L. pneumophila-MCDA-LFB method we successfully developed is a simple, fast, reliable and sensitive diagnostic tool, which can be widely used in basic and clinical laboratories.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-021-02363-3.

A Case of Pulmonary Embolism with Sarcomatoid Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma with Long-Term Pleural Effusion

Background

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive tumor that originates from pleural mesothelial cells. In recent years, with the development of asbestos-related industries and the increase in air pollution, its incidence has been increased. The incidence of pulmonary embolism combined with sarcomatoid MPM is very low and the prognosis is extremely poor. We here report a case of a patient with long term of pleural effusion and finally diagnosed as pulmonary embolism with sarcomatoid MPM.

Case

A 75-year-old male with a 30-year history of asbestos exposure was admitted to our hospital due to chest pain and difficulty in breathing after exercise. Radiologic examination revealed pleural effusion, computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) suggests pulmonary embolism, and we consider pleural effusion caused by pulmonary embolism. After anticoagulant therapy for pulmonary embolism and pleural puncture to reduce pleural effusion, the patient's symptoms improved. However, after that, the patient was still admitted to the hospital several times because of recurrent chest pain and dyspnea symptoms, and radiologic examination always showed unexplained pleural effusion. Finally, pathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the pleural biopsy specimens were performed, and the diagnosis was confirmed as sarcomatoid MPM.

Conclusion

In summary, sarcomatoid MPM with pulmonary embolism is relatively rare, and the prognosis is poor. Clinicians need to be alert to its occurrence. When the first diagnosis is confirmed and the effect of targeted treatment is still not good, the possibility of other diseases should be considered. In clinical practice, pleural biopsy guided by PET-CT is a good choice for patients with sarcomatoid MPM who cannot tolerate open pleural biopsies or thoracoscopy. And patients should undergo pleural morphology and immunohistochemistry as soon as possible, which are helpful for timely diagnosis.

Mechanism of the Immunomodulatory Effect of the Combination of Live Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Bacillus on Immunocompromised Rats

Immunodeficiency is a very common condition in suboptimal health status and during the development or treatment of many diseases. Recently, probiotics have become an important means for immune regulation. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of the immunomodulatory effect of a combination of live Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Bacillus (CBLEB), which is a drug used by approximately 10 million patients every year, on cyclophosphamide-immunosuppressed rats. Cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to induce immunosuppression in a rat model on days 1, 2, 3, and 10. Starting from day 4, the rats were continuously gavaged with CBLEB solution for 15 days. The samples were collected to determine routine blood test parameters, liver and kidney functions, serum cytokine levels, gut microbiota, fecal and serum metabolomes, transcriptomes, and histopathological features. The results indicated that CBLEB treatment reduced cyclophosphamide-induced death, weight loss, and damage to the gut, liver, spleen, and lungs and eliminated a cyclophosphamide-induced increase in the mean hemoglobin content and GGT, M-CSF, and MIP-3α levels and a decrease in the red blood cell distribution width and total protein and creatinine levels in the blood. Additionally, CBLEB corrected cyclophosphamide-induced dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and eliminated all cyclophosphamide-induced alterations at the phylum level in rat feces, including the enrichment in Proteobacteria, Fusobacteriota, and Actinobacteriota and depletion of Spirochaetota and Cyanobacteria. Furthermore, CBLEB treatment alleviated cyclophosphamide-induced alterations in the whole fecal metabolome profile, including enrichment in 1-heptadecanol, succinic acid, hexadecane-1,2-diol, nonadecanoic acid, and pentadecanoic acid and depletion of benzenepropanoic acid and hexane. CBLEB treatment also alleviated cyclophosphamide-induced enrichment in serum D-lyxose and depletion of serum succinic acid, D-galactose, L-5-oxoproline, L-alanine, and malic acid. The results of transcriptome analysis indicated that the mechanism of the effect of CBLEB was related to the induction of recovery of cyclophosphamide-altered carbohydrate metabolism and signal transduction. In conclusion, the present study provides an experimental basis and comprehensive analysis of application of CBLEB for the treatment of immunodeficiency.

Rapid Detection of Aspergillus fumigatus Using Multiple Cross Displacement Amplification Combined With Nanoparticles-Based Lateral Flow

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic, ubiquitous, saprophytic mold which can cause infection in the lungs, nose, eyes, brain, and bones in humans, especially in immunocompromised patients. However, it is difficult to diagnose A. fumigatus infection quickly. Here, we introduce a new detection method, namely multiple cross displacement amplification (MCDA) combined with nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensor (LFB) (MCDA-LFB), which was proved to be fast, reliable, and simple for detecting A. fumigatus. We designed a set of 10 primers targeting the gene annexin ANXC4 of A. fumigatus. The best MCDA condition is 66 °C for 35 min. The minimum concentration that can be detected by this method was 10 fg. In the case of 100 sputum samples, 20 (20%) and 15 (15%) samples were positive by MCDA-LFB and PCR method, respectively. MCDA-LFB and traditional culture method showed the same results. Compared with the culture method, the diagnostic accuracy of MCDA-LFB can reach 100%. It showed that the MCDA-LFB method has better detection ability than the PCR method. We found that the whole process could be controlled within 60 min including the preparation of DNA (20 min), MCDA reaction (35 min) and results reporting (2 min). These results show that this assay is suitable for the rapid, sensitive and specific detection of A. fumigatus in clinical samples.

Simple and rapid detection Aspergillus fumigatus by loop-mediated isothermal amplification coupled with lateral flow biosensor assay

AIMS

We have developed a new diagnostic technique, termed loop-mediated isothermal amplification coupled with lateral flow biosensor (LAMP-LFB), which has been successfully applied to the detection of Aspergillus fumigatus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A set of six LAMP primers was designed according to the A. fumigatus-specific anxC4 gene, which specifically recognized eight different regions of the target sequence. The LFB was employed for reporting the A. fumigatus-LAMP results, and the visual readouts were obtained within 2 min. The strains of A. fumigatus species and non-A. fumigatus species were used to test the assay's sensitivity and examine the analytical specificity of the target assay. Optimal LAMP conditions were 66°C for 50 min. The limit of detection is 100 fg. No cross-reactions were obtained, and the specificity of LAMP-LFB assay was 100%. The whole process of the assay, including 20 min of DNA preparation, 50 min of constant temperature amplification, and 2 min of detection by the sensor strip, took a total of 72 min (less than 75 min). Among 89 sputum specimens for clinical evaluation, 10 (11·23%) samples were A. fumigatus-positive by LAMP-LFB and traditional culture method, 9 (10·11%) samples were A. fumigatus-positive by PCR method. Compared with culture method, the diagnostic accuracy of LAMP-LFB method was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel LAMP-LFB detection technology established in the current research is a rapid and reliable detection tool for A. fumigatus.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This novel LAMP-LFB assay can quickly, specifically and sensitively detect A. fumigatus, thereby speeding up the detection process and increasing the detection rate. In addition, it can also be used as a new molecular method for detection of A. fumigatus in clinical and laboratory areas.

Nosocomial infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae among neonates: a molecular epidemiological study

BACKGROUND

Nosocomial infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) and drug resistance of Kp among neonates is a major concern. Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKp) infections are gradually increasing worldwide. Carbapenem-resistant hvKp infection has brought challenges to clinical treatment.

AIM

To evaluate the changes in drug resistance trends of Kp strains in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nosocomial infections, to analyse drug resistance genes and virulence genes of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) and to identify whether these CRKP strains are hvKp.

METHODS

A total of 80 neonates with Kp nosocomial infections from 2013 to 2018 were retrospectively studied. Drug susceptibility testing was performed on 80 Kp strains, among which the 12 CRKP strains were further studied.

FINDINGS

Kp accounted for 26.9% of nosocomial infections in the NICU. CRKP strains accounted for 15.0%. Among the 80 nosocomial infection Kp strains, CRKP strains accounted for 33.3% and 53.3% in 2017 and 2018 respectively. One of the 12 CRKP strains was positive in the drawing test. The 12 CRKP strains were divided into four complete genome sequence types: cgST1 (N = 2), cgST2 (N = 1), cgST3 (N = 1), and cgST4 (N = 8). Among genes that mediated carbapenem resistance, strains of cgST4 carried NDM-5, strains of cgST2 and cgST3 carried NDM-1, and strains of cgST1 carried IMP-4. None of the 12 CRKP strains carried rmpA/rmpA2 (highly related with hvKp).

CONCLUSION

Nosocomial infections of CRKP among neonates are becoming common, but no hvKp was found among the CRKP strains in this study.

Case report: fatal pneumonia caused by new sequence type Legionella pneumophilia serogroup 1

INTRODUCTION

Legionnaires' disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, and commonly manifests as pneumonia and has a high fatality rate.

PATIENT CONCERNS

This case study reports on the fatal incident of a patient, initially diagnosed with pneumonia, and subsequently diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease caused by a new sequence type (ST) of Legionella.

DIAGNOSIS

It is speculated that the patient acquired Legionnaires' disease from a contaminated water source. Legionnaires' disease was diagnosed using the Legionella urinary antigen assay and bacterial cultures of respiratory secretions; Legionella pneumophilia Type 1 was also identified through serological testing. Sequence-based typing of the cultured bacterium revealed it to be a previously unidentified species, and it was named ST2345 new-type.

INTERVENTIONS

In addition to the treatment of Legionnaires' disease, blood samples taken on the second day of admission showed a co-infection of Candida tropicalis, which was treated with anti-fungal treatment. The patient improved after a week, however, on the seventh day of administration lower respiratory secretions showed the growth of Klebsiella pneumonia, indicative of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

OUTCOMES

Despite active treatment, the patient passed away due to multiple organ failure. As this was a fatal case, further research is needed to determine whether the critical condition of this case was related to the virulence of the novel Legionella strain.

CONCLUSION

A key finding of this study is that treatment for suspected Legionnaires' disease must be administered rapidly, as infection with Legionella may give rise to secondary pathogenic infections.

Profiling the effects of physicochemical indexes on the microbial diversity and its aroma substances in pit mud

Microbial diversity of pit mud (PM) plays a significant role in Baijiu's flavour. Here we explored the microbial community structures and aroma substances of Wenwang Winery with high-throughput sequencing coupling with headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We discovered that the odorant was mainly derived from 14 aroma compounds because of their OAVs ≥ 1 (OAV, the ratio of substance concentration to aroma threshold; s, on behalf of the plural), such as ethyl hexanoate (2438), ethyl octanoate (975), caproic acid (52) and etc. Moreover we also revealed that Lactobacillaceae (97·08%) was the mainly bacterial microbial community in 2-year-old PM, companied by the primarily fungi including Aspergillaceae (55·45%), Unclassified Ascomycota (11·13%) and Dipodascaceae (5·72%). Compared with the 2-year-old PM, bacterial floras in 20-year-old PM and 30-year-old PM were more abundant (i.e. Dysgonomonadaceae, Clostridium and Synerggstaceas), while no fungi were detected. Besides, the physicochemical analysis showed that the content of Lactobacillaceae was inversely associated with moisture, pH and ammonia nitrogen. By further Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis, we verified that the content of Lactobacillaceae was positively correlated with ethyl hexanoate, while negatively correlated with ethyl octanoate and caproic acid. Meanwhile, ethyl octanoate and caproic acid were positively correlated with most flora including Ruminococcaceae, Dysgonomonadaceae and Clostridiacea, which were related to physicochemical indexes. This work demonstrates promise for adjusting the physicochemical indexes of PM to affect the micro-organisms and aroma, which may provide a reference for the production of high-quality Baijiu.

Sequence-based typing of clinical and environmental Legionella pneumophila isolates in Shenyang, China

INTRODUCTION

We performed SBT (sequence-based typing) on clinical and environmental Legionellapneumophila isolates in Shenyang (China). We analyzed and compared the results with those obtained by PFGE (pulsed field gel electrophoresis).

METHODS

Twenty-two L. pneumophila isolates were collected from two patients with L. pneumophila infection, two hospitals, and 13 office buildings. There were two clinical isolates, one strain isolated from domestic tap water, another from shower water and 18 strains from cooling tower water. All these isolates were analyzed by SBT and PFGE methods.

RESULTS

The 22 isolates were divided into 7 types by SBT. Five isolates belonged to novel sequence types (ST2345, ST2344, ST2406, ST2407, and ST2408) and one isolate belonged to ST328. The STs were not obtained for two of the isolates. The remaining 14 isolates belonged to ST1. PFGE typing divided the 22 isolates into 14 pulsotypes. The main pulsotype was SYC, which included seven isolates.

CONCLUSION

Both typing methods showed that predominant clonal lines exist in the Shenyang region, with high levels of genetic polymorphisms. Five novel STs were identified, indicating a unique genetic composition of L. pneumophila strains in this region, which are significantly different from those found in other environmental water systems in the world.

Identification and Analysis of Dysfunctional Genes and Pathways in CD8+ T Cells of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Based on RNA Sequencing

Lung cancer, the most common of malignant tumors, is typically of the non-small cell (NSCLC) type. T-cell-based immunotherapies are a promising and powerful approach to treating NSCLCs. To characterize the CD8⁺ T cells of non-small cell lung cancer, we re-analyzed the published RNA-Seq gene expression profiles of 36 CD8⁺ T cell isolated from tumor (TIL) samples and 32 adjacent uninvolved lung (NTIL) samples. With an advanced Monte Carlo method of feature selection, we identified the CD8⁺ TIL specific expression patterns. These patterns revealed the key dysfunctional genes and pathways in CD8⁺ TIL and shed light on the molecular mechanisms of immunity and use of immunotherapy.

Nanoparticles-Based Biosensor Coupled with Multiplex Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Identification of Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus

Introduction

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is a common human pathogen, which can cause a variety of infections from mild to severe. In this article, a new diagnostic method called multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with nanoparticles-based lateral flow biosensor (mLAMP-LFB) has been developed, which was proved to be fast, reliable, and simple for detecting S. aureus, and differentiate MRSA from methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA).

Materials and Methods

We designed a set of six primers targeting the nuc gene of S. aureus, and a set of five primers targeting the mecA gene of MRSA. The lateral flow biosensor visually reported the S. aureus-LAMP results within 2 mins. S. aureus species and non-S. aureus species were used to identify the specificity and sensitivity of the assay.

Results

The best conditions for LAMP were 50 mins at 63°C, and the sensitivity was 100 fg. No cross-reactivity was shown and the specificity of this assay is 100%. This assay requires 20 mins for DNA preparation, 50 mins for isothermal amplification and 2 mins for biosensor detection. The total time is within 75 mins. Among 96 sputum samples, LAMP-LFB and traditional culture method showed the same results, 8 (8.33%) samples were MRSA-positive, and 9 (9.38%) samples were MSSA-positive. Seven (7.29%) samples were MRSA-positive and 7 (7.29%) were MSSA-positive by PCR method. Compared with the culture method, diagnostic accuracy of m-LAMP-LFB assay was 100%. The results showed that the m-LAMP-LFB method has better detection ability than the PCR method.

Discussion

In short, this m-LAMP-LFB assay is a specific and sensitive method that can quickly identify S. aureus stains, and distinguish MRSA from MSSA, and can be used as a new molecular method for detection of S. aureus in laboratories.

Effects of genistein on lipopolysaccharide-induced injury of mouse alveolar epithelial cells and its mechanism

Alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells have critical functions in acute respiratory distress syndrome progress. Genistein could protect the lungs from acute lung injury, however, whether genistein protects the alveolar epithelial cells from LPS-induced injury was less studied. Spectrophotometric method 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to detect cell viability and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6. Flow cytometry and western blot assay were performed to detect cells apoptosis and protein levels. In LPS-induced model of mouse lung epithelial (MLE)-12 cells, PBEF (proinflammatory cytokine) expression, and cell apoptosis were increased and cell viability was decreased, whereas NF-κB was activated and expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were increased. However, genistein partly reversed the effect of LPS, and it plays a protective role in lung injury by reducing expression of PBEF, inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and alleviating inflammatory response of cells.

PERK/eIF-2α/CHOP Pathway Dependent ROS Generation Mediates Butein-induced Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Apoptosis and G2/M Phase Arrest

Butein, a member of the chalcone family, is a potent anticarcinogen against multiple cancers, but its specific anti-NSCLC mechanism remains unknown. The present study examined the effects of butein treatment on NSCLC cell lines and NSCLC xenografts. Butein markedly decreased NSCLC cell viability; inhibited cell adhesion, migration, invasion, and colony forming ability; and induced cell apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest in NSCLC cells. Moreover, butein significantly inhibited PC-9 xenograft growth. Both in vivo and in vitro studies verified that butein exerted anti-NSCLC effect through activating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. These pro-apoptotic effects were reversed by the use of 4- phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), CHOP siRNA, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and Z-VAD-FMK (z-VAD) in vitro. Moreover, inhibition of ER stress markedly reduced ROS generation. In addition, in vivo studies further confirmed that inhibition of ER stress or oxidative stress partially abolished the butein-induced inhibition of tumor growth. Therefore, butein is a potential therapeutic agent for NSCLC, and its anticarcinogenic action might be mediated by ER stress-dependent ROS generation and the apoptosis pathway.

Accuracy of interferon-γ-induced protein 10 for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Effective diagnostic methods for detecting latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are important for its eradication. A number of studies have evaluated the use of interferon-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), which is elevated after tuberculosis infection, as a biomarker for LTBI, but conclusive results regarding its effectiveness have not been reported.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to assess the diagnostic value of IP-10 for LTBI.

DATA SOURCES

We searched the PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases to find eligible studies.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We included cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies that evaluated IP-10 in LTBI participants in comparison with tuberculin skin tests (TST) and interferon-γ release assays (IGRA).

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals with LTBI and uninfected participants.

INTERVENTIONS

IP-10 (index test) compared with TST and IGRA (reference standard) for diagnosing LTBI.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched up to June 2018. A hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model was used to evaluate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and HSROC curve for the diagnostic efficiency of IP-10.

RESULTS

Twelve studies including 1023 participants and 1122 samples were included. The overall pooled sensitivity was 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.88), specificity was 0.89 (95% CI 0.84-0.92), PLR was 7.55 (95% CI 5.20-10.97), NLR was 0.17 (95% CI 0.13-0.22) and DOR was 44.23 (95% CI 28.86-67.79), indicating a high accuracy for diagnosing LTBI. Based on a meta-regression analysis, high-burden countries, study design, IP-10 method, reference standard and the IP-10 cut-off could not explain the heterogeneity (p >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that IP-10 is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of LTBI.

Application of Electrocautery Needle Knife Combined with Balloon Dilatation versus Balloon Dilatation in the Treatment of Tracheal Fibrotic Scar Stenosis

BACKGROUND

Electrocautery needle knives can largely reduce scar and granulation tissue hyperplasia and play an important role in treating patients with benign stricture.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electrocautery needle knife combined with balloon dilatation versus balloon dilatation alone in the treatment of tracheal stenosis caused by tracheal intubation or tracheotomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 43 patients with tracheal stenosis caused by tracheotomy or tracheal intubation in our department from January 2013 to January 2016. Among these 43 patients, 23 had simple web-like stenosis and 20 had complex steno sis. All patients were treated under general anaesthesia, and the treatment methods were (1) balloon dilatation alone, (2) needle knife excision of fibrotic tissue combined with balloon dilatation, and (3) needle knife radial incision of fibrotic tissue combined with balloon dilatation.

RESULTS

After treatment the symptoms, such as shortness of breath, were markedly improved immediately in all cases. The stenosis degree of patients who were treated with the elec-trocautery needle knife combined with balloon dilatation had better improvement compared with that of those treated with balloon dilatation treatment alone after 3 months (0.45 ± 0.04 vs. 0.67 ± 0.05, p < 0.01), and the proportion of restenosis occurrence that required further treatment was decreased at 6 months (46.9 vs. 81.8%), especially for the web-like stenosis patients, as most of their stenoses dilated with no obvious restenosis and achieved clinical cure.

CONCLUSION

Electrocautery needle knife combined with balloon dilatation is an effective and safe treatment for tracheal fibrotic stenosis compared with balloon dilatation alone.

Phloretin induces apoptosis of human esophageal cancer via a mitochondria-dependent pathway

2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propiophenone (phloretin) is found in apple tree leaves and the Manchurian apricot, and is a potent compound that exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor activities. However, the effect of phloretin on esophageal cancer cells is not well-defined. The present study aimed to examine whether and how phloretin induced apoptosis in human esophageal cancer cells. EC-109 cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and incubated with 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 µg/ml phloretin for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. Cell proliferation was measured by an MTT assay. Cell apoptosis rate was measured using flow cytometric analysis subsequent to propidium iodide (PI) staining. The protein expression levels were determined by western blot analysis. It was found that phloretin significantly decreased viable cell numbers in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis in EC-109 cells. Additionally, phloretin exhibited potent anticancer activity in vitro, as evidenced by the downregulation of the anti-apoptosis-associated molecule B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2) and an increase in the levels of the apoptosis-associated molecules bcl-2-like protein 4 and tumor protein p53. Phloretin treatment also affected the expression of apoptotic protease activating factor-1, the protein product of the direct binding of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein with low PI to the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein. The present results indicated that phloretin may inhibit EC-109 cell growth by inducing apoptosis, which may be mediated through a mitochondria-dependent pathway.

[Analysis on the epidemiological features of human brucellosis in northern and southern areas of China, 2015-2016]

Different epidemiological features of human brucellosis appeared in both northern and southern areas of China. The disease was seen endemic in the northern and dispersal in the southern provinces. Appropriate strategies for brucellosis prevention and control should be developed, according to the different epidemiological characteristics in the northern or southern areas.

Losartan, a selective antagonist of AT1 receptor, attenuates seawater inhalation induced lung injury via modulating JAK2/STATs and apoptosis in rat

Losartan is a selective antagonist of AngⅠ type (AT1) receptor of Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), which is widely used as a clinical medicine for the hypertension. Recent studies have shown that losartan was shown to protect from acute lung injury (ALI). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this research was to clarify whether Ang Ⅱ participated in the inflammatory response of ALI induced by seawater inhalation, and whether losartan had the protective effects on ALI by blocking the combination of Ang Ⅱ and AT1 receptor. In the current study, the severity of lung injury and the inflammatory reactions during seawater drowning induced ALI were assessed. Besides, we also detected the activation of relative pathways such as NF-κB, JAK2/STATs and apoptosis. The results showed that seawater inhalation could up-regulate the expression of Ang Ⅱ and AT1. While pretreatment of losartan (especially 15 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) alleviated lung injury by inhibiting Ang-Ⅱ and AT1 receptor combination and in turn decreased the expression of p-NF-κB and activation of JAK2/STATs pathway. We also confirmed that losartan could reduce the apoptotic ratio of cells in the lung by modulating the phosphorylation of JNK and leak of cytochrome C to cytosol. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that losartan might have a therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory agent for treating SWI-ALI.

Lewis Lung Cancer Cells Promote SIGNR1(CD209b)-Mediated Macrophages Polarization Induced by IL-4 to Facilitate Immune Evasion

Tumor-associated macrophages are a prominent component of lung cancer and contribute to tumor progression by facilitating the immune evasion of cancer cells. DC-SIGN (CD209) assists in the immune evasion of a broad spectrum of pathogens and neoplasms by inhibiting the maturation of DCs and subsequent cytokines production. However, the expression of DC-SIGN in macrophages and its role in mediating immune evasion in lung cancer and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Our study aimed to identify the immunosuppressive role of SIGNR1 in murine macrophage differentiation and lung cancer progression. We found that SIGNR1-positive RAW264.7 macrophages were enriched in mixed cultures with Lewis lung cancer cells (LLC) (ratio of RAW 264.7 to LLC being 1:1) after stimulation with IL-4. Moreover, LLC-educated macrophages exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-10 but lower IL-12 in response to IL-4 treatment as determined by RT-PCR and ELISA. However, inhibition of SIGNR1 markedly hampered the production of IL-10, indicating that SIGNR1 was indispensable for IL-4+LLC induced macrophage polarization towards the M2 subtype. Furthermore, polarized M2 cells immersed in a tumor microenvironment promoted the migration of LLCs, as measured by transwell assays, but migration was suppressed after blockade of SIGNR1 using CD209b antibody. In addition, IL-4+LLC-educated macrophages reduced the proliferation of the activated T cells and reduced IFN-γ-mediated Th1 response in T cells, while SIGNR1 inhibition rescued Th1 cell functions. In conclusion, murine SIGNR1 expressed in LLC-educated macrophages appears to mediate IL-4-induced RAW264.7 macrophage polarization and thus facilitate lung cancer evasion.

Neurodevelopmental delay with critical congenital heart disease is mainly from prenatal injury not infant cardiac surgery: current evidence based on a meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE

No consensus has been reached regarding whether brain injury related to congenital heart disease (CHD) is caused by infant cardiac surgery and/or prenatal injury resulting from the CHD. We performed this meta-analysis to identify the likely cause of neurodevelopmental delay in CHD patients.

METHODS

We carried out a literature search without language restriction in December 2013, retrieving records from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and the World Health Organization trials center, to identify studies applying functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) evaluation of brain function before surgery and, in some cases, after surgery (both immediate term and short term postoperatively). The preoperative and postoperative fMRI results were extracted, and meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.1.1 and STATA 11.0, according to the guidelines from the Cochrane review and MOOSE groups.

RESULTS

The electronic search yielded 937 citations. Full text was retrieved for 15 articles and eight articles (nine studies) were eligible for inclusion: six studies (n = 312 cases) with fMRI analysis before surgery and three (n = 36 cases) with complete perioperative fMRI analysis. The overall average diffusivity of CHD cases was significantly higher than that of controls, with a summarized standard (std) mean difference of 1.39 (95% CI, 0.70-2.08), and the fractional anisotropy was lower in CHD cases, with a summarized mean difference of -1.43 (95% CI, -1.95 to -0.91). N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline (Cho) for the whole brain was significantly lower in CHD cases compared with healthy ones, while lactate/Cho was significantly higher in CHD cases. Immediate term postoperatively, significant changes in NAA/creatine and NAA/Cho, relative to preoperative values, were found. However, the difference did not persist at the short-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that the delay in neurological development in newborns with CHD is due mainly to prenatal injury, and cardiac surgery might lead to mild brain injuries postoperatively, but fMRI shows recovery within a short period.

Tetraspanin CD63 is a regulator of HIV-1 replication

Macrophages and CD4(+) T-cells are the major reservoirs for HIV-1 infection. CD63 is a tetraspanin transmembrane protein, which has been shown to play an essential role during HIV-1 replication in macrophages. In this study, we further confirm the requirement of CD63 in HIV-1 replication events in primary human CD4(+) T-cells, dendritic cells, and a CD4(+) cell line. Most interestingly, we also show the evidences for the co-localization and internalization of CD63 and HIV-1 major receptor CD4 in primary human macrophages and CD4(+) cell line by confocal microscopy and Co-Immunoprecipitation assay. Analysis revealed that CD63-depleted CD4(+) T-cells, dendritic cells, and a cell line showed significant decrease in HIV-1 production. Further analysis showed that CD63 down regulation reduced production of the early HIV protein Tat, and affected HIV protein Gag by CD63-Gag interaction. In agreement, CD63 silencing also inhibited production of the late protein p24. Furthermore, we revealed that CD63 silencing has no effect on HIV-1 replication with extensive viral challenge (MOI > 0.2). These findings suggest that CD63 plays a dual-role both in early and late HIV-1 life cycle with a range of HIV-1 infection (MOI < 0.2).

[Relationship between serum histamine levels and ST-segment resolution in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the dynamic changes in serum histamine levels and their association with ST-segment resolution in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 84 consecutive STEMI patients who received primary PCI were enrolled in this study. The dynamic changes in serum histamine levels were observed from before PCI to 1 week after PCI. Factors associated with ST-segment resolution were identified by multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

The serum histamine levels of STEMI patients decreased during the first week after PCI. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the factors associated with ST-segment resolution 2 h after PCI were: the histamine level 2 h after PCI (r=-0.361, P=0.001), pain to balloon time, infarct related artery, and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade after PCI.

CONCLUSION

The higher histamine level 2 h after PCI was independently associated with poor myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients.

Exosomes derived from Rab27a‑overexpressing tumor cells elicit efficient induction of antitumor immunity

Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. However, there is a lack of effective therapeutic strategies. Currently, tumor immunotherapy based on exosomes, which are secreted by a variety of cell types including tumor cells, has drawn particular attention and are suggested to have the potential for exploitation in tumor therapy. Nevertheless, the therapeutic efficacy mediated via tumor cell-derived exosomes is not satisfactory. Rab27a, one of the Rab family of small GTPases, has been suggested to be important in exosome secretion. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine whether exosomes derived from Rab27a‑overexpressing cells elicited more potent antitumor immunity. A Rab27a‑overexpressing line was established via transfection of a Rab27a overexpression vector into the human non-small-cell lung cancer cell line, A549. Exosomes were isolated and the typical exosomal protein markers, CD9, CD63, heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 and Hsp90, were found to be enriched in the exosomes derived from Rab27a‑overexpressing cells. Subsequently, these exosomes were demonstrated to be capable of upregulating major histocompatibility complex class II molecules as well as the co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 on dendritic cells (DCs), suggesting that more potent maturation of DCs was induced. Furthermore, DCs loaded with exosomes derived from Rab27-overexpressing cells significantly promoted CD4+ T cell proliferation in vitro. In addition, in vivo immunization of exosomes derived from Rab27a‑overexpressing cells inhibited tumor growth in a mouse model. It was also demonstrated that splenocytes from mice immunized with exosomes derived from Rab27-overexpressing cells expressed high levels of type I cytokines, including IL-2 and IFN-γ, which are important in the regulation of cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Collectively, it was demonstrated that exosomes derived from Rab27a‑overexpressing cancer cells elicited more potent antitumor immune effects, which may provide novel insights for the development of efficient exosome-based cancer vaccines.

The neuroprotective role and mechanisms of TERT in neurons with oxygen-glucose deprivation

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is reported to protect neurons from apoptosis induced by various stresses including hypoxia-ischemia (HI). However, the mechanisms by which TERT exerts its anti-apoptotic role in neurons with HI injury remain unclear. In this study, we examined the protective role and explored the possible mechanisms of TERT in neurons with HI injury in vitro. Primary cultured neurons were exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) for 3h followed by reperfusion to mimic HI injury in vivo. Plasmids containing TERT antisense, sense nucleotides, or mock were transduced into neurons at 48h before OGD. Expression and distribution of TERT were measured by immunofluorescence labeling and western blot. The expression of cleaved caspase 3 (CC3), Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by western blot. Neuronal apoptosis was measured with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL). The mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by MitoSOX Red staining. Fluorescent probe JC-1 was used to measure the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). We found that TERT expression increased at 8h and peaked at 24h in neurons after OGD. CC3 expression and neuronal apoptosis were induced and peaked at 24h after OGD. TERT inhibition significantly increased CC3 expression and neuronal apoptosis after OGD treatment. Additionally, TERT inhibition decreased the expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and enhanced ROS production and ΔΨm dissipation after OGD. These data suggest that TERT plays a neuroprotective role via anti-apoptosis in neurons after OGD. The underlying mechanisms may be associated with regulating Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio, attenuating ROS generation, and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential.

Comparison of the diagnostic value of 3-deoxy-3-18F-fluorothymidine and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the assessment of regional lymph node in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a pilot study

We used pathological examination as golden standard to determine whether 3-deoxy-3-(18)F-fluorothymidine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FLT PET/CT) can detect regional lymph node metastasis in untreated thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and additionally performed (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT for direct comparison with that of FLT. Twenty-two patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma underwent dual-tracer PET/CT examinations before surgery. The results of reviewing CT images and side-by-side FDG PET and FLT PET images for the diagnosis of locoregional lymph node metastasis were compared prospectively in relation to pathologic findings. All patients underwent esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy. Pathologic examination confirmed nodes positive for metastasis in 16 patients and 47 of 424 excised nodes. The uptake of FDG (median SUVmax, 5.4; range, 2.4-10.6) in locoregional lymph nodes metastases was significantly higher than that of FLT (median SUVmax, 2.8; range, 1.3-4.6). There were 14 false-positive nodes in FDG PET/CT and only 3 in FLT PET/CT; 8 false-negative nodes in FDG PET/CT, while there were 12 false negative nodes in FLT PET/CT. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of FLT PET/CT were 74.47%, 99.20%, 96.46%, 92.11%, and 96.89%, respectively, whereas those of FDG PET/CT were 82.98%, 96.29%, 94.81%, 82.98%, and 96.29%, respectively. P-values were 0.450, 0.014, 0.313, 0.050, and 0.555, respectively. FLT uptake in regional lymph nodes of esophageal carcinoma is significantly lower compared with FDG uptake. FLT PET/CT has fewer false-positive findings and higher specificity compared with FDG PET/CT.

Combining transfer of TTF-1 and Pax-8 gene: a potential strategy to promote radioiodine therapy of thyroid carcinoma

Cotransfer of thyroid-specific transcription factor (TTF)-1 and Pax-8 gene to tumor cells, resulting in the re-expression of iodide metabolism-associated proteins, such as sodium iodide symporter (NIS), thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroperoxidase (TPO), offers the possibility of radioiodine therapy to non-iodide-concentrating tumor because the expression of iodide metabolism-associated proteins in thyroid are mediated by the thyroid transcription factor TTF-1 and Pax-8. The human TTF-1 and Pax-8 gene were transducted into the human thyroid carcinoma (K1 and F133) cells by the recombinant adenovirus, AdTTF-1 and AdPax-8. Re-expression of NIS mRNA and protein, but not TPO and Tg mRNA and protein, was detected in AdTTF-1-infected F133 cells, following with increasing radioiodine uptake (6.1-7.4 times), scarcely iodide organification and rapid iodide efflux (t(1/2) ≈ 8-min in vitro, t(1/2) ≈ 4.7-h in vivo). On contrast, all of the re-expression of NIS, TPO and Tg mRNA and proteins were detected in F133 cells coinfected with AdTTF-1 and AdPax-8. AdTTF-1- and AdPax-8-coinfected K1 and F133 cells could effectively accumulate radioiodine (6.6-7.5 times) and obviously retarded radioiodine retention (t(1/2) ≈ 25-30-min in vitro, t(1/2) ≈ 12-h in vivo) (P<0.05). Accordingly, the effect of radioiodine therapy of TTF-1 and Pax-8 cotransducted K1 and F133 cells (21-25% survival rate in vitro) was better than that of TTF-1-transducted cells (40% survival rate in vitro) (P<0.05). These results indicate that single TTF-1 gene transfer may have limited efficacy of radioiodine therapy because of rapid radioiodine efflux. The cotransduction of TTF-1 and Pax-8 gene, with resulting NIS-mediated radioiodine accumulation and TPO and Tg-mediated radioiodine organification and intracellular retention, may lead to effective radioiodine therapy of thyroid carcinoma.

Radioiodine therapy of thyroid carcinoma following Pax-8 gene transfer

The thyroid transcription factor Pax-8 could bind with the promoter/enhancer of thyroid-specific genes such as thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroperoxidase (TPO) and sodium iodide symporter (NIS), and regulate the expression of these proteins in thyrocyte. Promoting iodide accumulation in tumor cells by re-expression of Pax-8 provides a possible strategy for radioiodine therapy of tumor. Therefore, we investigated the effect of Pax-8 gene transfer on radioiodine therapy of thyroid carcinoma. The human Pax-8 gene was transfected into the human thyroid carcinoma (K1 and F133) cells by the recombinant adenovirus vector. Although the NIS mRNA was not detected, the expression of mRNA and proteins of Tg and TPO in AdPax-8-infected F133 cells were activated by Pax-8. Iodide uptake in thyroid carcinoma cells was reactivated by Pax-8 (increasing 3.3-fold in K1 cells and 5.7-fold in F133 cells). Moreover, Pax-8 promoted iodide organification and the retention time of iodine in Pax-8-expressing cells apparently prolonged in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05). Pax-8-expressing thyroid carcinoma cells were selectively killed by radioiodine. The AdPax-8-infected tumors in vivo clearly visualized in scanning images at 12 h after administration of radioiodine. These results indicate that Pax-8 can promote iodide uptake, and specifically prolong the retention time of iodide in thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo by promoting the expression of TPO and Tg proteins. Pax-8 gene transfection may lead to effective radioiodine therapy of tumor.

17β-Estradiol administration attenuates seawater aspiration-induced acute lung injury in rats

There is very little evidence on the value of administering estrogen in cases of seawater drowning which can induce acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment can attenuate seawater aspiration-induced ALI in rats. In the experiment, ALI was induced by endotracheal instillation of seawater (4mL/kg) and the rats were then given intraperitoneal injection of E2 (5mg/kg) 20min after seawater instillation. Finally, the changes of arterial blood gases which contained hydrogen ion concentration (pH), arterial oxygen tension (PaO(2)) and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO(2)) were measured and the measurement of extravascular lung water (EVLW) was observed. The pulmonary histological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin stain. The expression of aquaporins (AQPs) 1, AQP5, and estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) was measured by western blotting and immunohistochemical methods. The results showed that compared with normal saline water, seawater aspiration induced more serious ALI in rats which was markedly alleviated by E2 treatment. Meanwhile, the ERβ in lung tissues was activated after E2 administration. The seawater aspiration group also presented with severe pulmonary edema which was paralleled with over expressed AQP1 and AQP5. However, the up-regulation of AQP1 and AQP5 was suppressed by the administration of E2, resulting in an attenuation of lung edema. In conclusion, E2 treatment could effectively attenuate seawater aspiration-induced acute lung injury in rats by the down-regulation of AQP1 and AQP5.

Molecular mechanism of silymarin-induced apoptosis in a highly metastatic lung cancer cell line anip973

BACKGROUND

Silymarin, the main flavonoid constituent element extracted from Silybum marianum possessing antioxidant activity, is already known to be able to block the NF-κB activation process and result in cell apoptosis, implicating silymarin's potential to control cancer cell growth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, based upon the above assumption, silymarin was administered to a highly metastatic lung cancer cell line Anip973 to test silymarin's role in cancer cell proliferation.

RESULTS

Silymarin had significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of Anip973 cells in a dose-dependent and time-response manner within 48 hours. Silymarin can induce Anip973 apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Silymarin may in vitro inhibit the proliferation of the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line Anip973 and induce apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent caspase cascade pathway.

CD14, a key candidate gene associated with a specific immune response to cockroach

BACKGROUND

Sensitization to cockroach allergen is one of the strongest predictors of asthma morbidity, especially among African Americans.

OBJECTIVE

Our aims were to determine the genomic basis of cockroach sensitization and the specific response to cockroach antigen.

METHODS

We investigated the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile of co-cultured plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and CD4+ T cells and the 'transcript signature' of the immune response to cockroach antigen using high-throughput expression profiling of co-cultured cells.

RESULTS

We observed significantly elevated levels of IL-13, IL-10, and TNF-alpha, but undetectable levels of IL-12p70 and IFN-alpha, when cultures were exposed to crude cockroach antigen. A significant difference was observed for IL-13 between cockroach-allergic and non-allergic individuals (P=0.039). Microarray analyses demonstrated a greater response at 48 h compared with 4 h, with 50 genes being uniquely expressed in cockroach antigen-treated cells, including CD14, S100A8, CCL8, and IFI44L. The increased CD14 expression was further observed in purified pDCs, human monocytic THP-1 cells, and the supernatant of co-cultured pDCs and CD4+ T cells on exposure to cockroach extract. Furthermore, the most differential expression of CD14 between cockroach allergy and non-cockroach allergy was only observed among individuals with the CC 'high-risk' genotype of the CD14-260C/T. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis analyses suggested the IFN signalling as the most significant canonical pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that these differentially expressed genes, particularly CD14, and genes in the IFN signalling pathway may be important candidates for further investigation of their role in the immune response to cockroach allergen.

Compare the diagnostic value of FLT and FDG PET/CT in assessment of regional lymph nodes in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

e15620

Background: To determine whether FLT PET/CT can detect regional lymph nodes metastases in untreated thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In view of the reported high sensitivity of FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of thoracic nodules of esophageal carcinoma, we additionally performed FDG PET/CT for direct comparison with that of FLT. Methods: From March 2008 to December 2008, 18 patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma underwent dual-tracer PET/CT examinations before surgery. The results of reviewing side-by-side FDG PET/CT and FLT PET/CT images for the diagnosis of locoregional lymph node metastases were compared prospectively in relation to pathologic findings. The PET images were visually inspected with the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) determined from a circular region of interest (ROI) over the entire lesion. The differential threshold for malignancy was set as SUVFDG≥2.5, and SUVFLT≥1.4, respectively. Results: All patients underwent esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy, and pathologic examination confirmed nodes positive for metastasis in 14 patients and 42 of 344 excised nodes. The uptake of FDG (median SUVmax, 5.59; range, 2.5–10.6) in locoregional lymph nodes metastasis was significantly higher than that of FLT (median SUVmax, 2.93; range, 1.6–4.6). There were 14 false positive nodes in FDG PET and only 3 in FLT PET, 7 false negative nodes in FDG PET, while 11 false negative nodes in FLT PET. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of FLT PET/CT were 73.81%, 99.01%, 95.93%, 91.18% and 96.45%, respectively, whereas those of FDG PET/CT were 83.33%, 95.36%, 93.90%, 71.43% and 95.36%, respectively. P values were 0.425, 0.014, 0.298, 0.055, and 0.541, respectively. Conclusions: FLT uptake in regional lymph node of esophageal carcinoma is significantly lower compared with FDG uptake.FLT PET has fewer false-positive findings compared with FDG PET. The specificity of FLT PET/CT is higher than that of FDG. We suggest that esophageal carcinoma N-staging need to combine FLT with FDG PET/CT images.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.