CaCO3 Nanoparticles Delivering MicroRNA-200c Suppress Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

MicroRNA (miR)-200c suppresses the initiation and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most prevalent head and neck cancer with high recurrence, metastasis, and mortality rates. However, miR-200c-based gene therapy to inhibit OSCC growth has yet to be reported. To develop an miR-based gene therapy to improve the outcomes of OSCC treatment, this study investigates the feasibility of plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding miR-200c delivered via nonviral CaCO3-based nanoparticles to inhibit OSCC tumor growth. CaCO3-based nanoparticles with various ratios of CaCO3 and protamine sulfate (PS) were used to transfect pDNA encoding miR-200c into OSCC cells, and the efficiency of these nanoparticles was evaluated. The proliferation, migration, and associated oncogene production, as well as in vivo tumor growth for OSCC cells overexpressing miR-200c, were also quantified. It was observed that, while CaCO3-based nanoparticles improve transfection efficiencies of pDNA miR-200c, the ratio of CaCO3 to PS significantly influences the transfection efficiency. Overexpression of miR-200c significantly reduced proliferation, migration, and oncogene expression of OSCC cells, as well as the tumor size of cell line-derived xenografts (CDX) in mice. In addition, a local administration of pDNA miR-200c using CaCO3 delivery significantly enhanced miR-200c transfection and suppressed tumor growth of CDX in mice. These results strongly indicate that the nanocomplexes of CaCO3/pDNA miR-200c may potentially be used to reduce oral cancer recurrence and improve clinical outcomes in OSCC treatment, while more comprehensive examinations to confirm the safety and efficacy of the CaCO3/pDNA miR-200c system using various preclinical models are needed.

[Screening for asymptomatic atrial fibrillation in elder community populations in Dalian: a single center study]

Objective: We aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of asymptomatic AF in elder community population (≥65 years old) to analyze the detection rate of different screening methods. Methods: The study was a prospective cohort study. The elder (≥65 years old) residents who voluntarily participated in free physical examination in Dalian community were selected. The participants were randomly divided into screening group (including intensive screening group and single screening group) and control group. The control group received interrogation, medical history collection and routine 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) examination. Screening group received an additional single-lead ambulatory ECG equipment worn for 5-7 days. Intensive screening group received two equal-length wearings in 2020 and 2021 respectively, while one screening group only wore once in 2020. Results: Finally 3 340 residents ((70.7±5.0) years old) which consisted of 1 488 males (44.55%) were enrolled. There were 1 945 residents in screening group, including 859 in intensive screening group and 1 086 in one-time screening group. The control group included 1 395 people. Detection rate of asymptomatic AF was significantly higher in screening group than control group (79(4.06%) vs. 24(1.72%), P<0.001). Higher detection rate was found in screening group than control group in AF risk factors (1 or 2-3) subgroups and CHA2DS2-VASc score (2-3 or≥4) subgroups (P<0.05). Additionally, no difference was found between intensive screening group and single screening group (42(4.89%) vs. 37(3.41%), P=0.100). Intensive screening increased detection rate (7(6.93%) vs. 1(0.58%), P=0.009) only in residents those with low thrombosis risk (CHA2DS2-VaSc<2). Conclusions: Screening in elderly (≥65 years old) can significantly improve the detection rate of asymptomatic AF by wearing single lead dynamic ECG device. The rate increased significantly with the increase of risk factors associated with AF by single screening. In addition, repeat screening of the same method may only improve detection rates in the group with low risk thrombotic scores and non-combination of AF risk factors.Screening methods that are appropriate for different populations may require further exploration.

Improvement of soil acidification and ammonium nitrogen content in tea plantations by long-term use of organic fertilizer

Soil acidification is common in some Chinese tea plantations, which seriously affected growth of tea trees. Hence, it is essential to explore soil remediation in acidified tea plantations for sustainable development of the tea industry. We sought to determine how different fertilizers affect acidified soil and their N transformation in tea plantations. Different fertilizers were used on acidified tea plantation soils for 4 years (2017-2021), and changes in soil pH, indices related to soil N transformation and tea yield were analysed to construct interaction networks of these indices and find which had the largest influence on fertilization. Long-term use of sheep manure reduced soil acidification, increased soil pH, enhanced the number and intensity of N-fixing and ammonifying bacteria, urease, protease, asparaginase and N-acetamide glucose ribosidase activity and nifH gene expression. This treatment reduced the number and intensity of soil nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase activity, while the expression of amoA-AOA, nirK, nirS, narG and nosZ in turn increased ammonium N content of the soil, reduced nitrate N content, and enhanced tea yield. Topsis index weight analysis showed that ammonium N content in the soil had the largest impact among fertilization effects. Long-term use of sheep manure was beneficial in restoring the balance of the micro-ecosystem in acidified soil. This study provides an important practical basis for soil remediation and fertilizer management in acidified tea plantation soils.

[The association between cortical venous outflow and futile recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation]

Objective: To explore the association of baseline venous outflow (VO) profile with futile recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation. Methods: The clinical and imaging data of patients presented with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation and underwent emergency endovascular treatment at Huashan Hospital from March 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively included in the study. All patients were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at baseline.Baseline VO profile was determined by a 0-6 semi-quantitative scoring system which assessed opacification of the ipsilateral superficial middle cerebral vein, vein of Labbé and vein of Trolard on single-phase CT angiography (CTA) images. A 90-day telephone follow-up was performed and functional outcome was evaluated by 90 d modified Rankin scale (mRS). Successful recanalization of the occluded artery, defined as final modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale (mTICI) 2b-3, was considered to be futile if patients failed to achieve functional independence (90 d mRS 0-2). Univariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to explore the optimal cutoff predicting functional indendence. The associations between cortical VO in ischemic area and futile recanalization were evaluated using binary logistic regression analysis and backward linear regression based on Akaike information criterion (AIC). Results: A total of 150 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 92 males (61.3%) and 58 females (38.7%). The median age [M(Q1, Q3)]was 71 (61, 78) years and the median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score [M(Q1, Q3)]was 15 (11, 18). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline VO was associated with 90-day functional independence (OR=1.587, 95%CI: 1.185-2.1873). After classifying VO into two categories based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, VO≥4 showed an independent association with functional independence (OR=5.133, 95%CI: 1.530-9.361) after adjusting for age, baseline glucose, NIHSS score, baseline infarct core volume, modified Tan (mTan) score, hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR), etiological classification, recanalization, presence of any hemorrhagic transformation and final infarct volume. Futile recanalization was observed in 44 (48.4%) of the 91 patients who achieved successful recanalization. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that VO≥4 was an independent protective factor for futile recanalization (OR=0.234, 95%CI: 0.054-0.878). Moreover, in patients with mTICI 2c-3, VO≥4 showed a stronger association with futile recanalization (OR=0.018, 95%CI: 0-0.255). Conclusion: A favorable VO profile at onset protects against futile recanalization in patients with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation, and provides a simple and feasible auxiliary method for predicting the prognosis of endovascular therapy in such patients.

The Wnt signaling pathway in gastrointestinal cancers

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Background: Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway leads to increases in β-catenin levels, which subsequently increases transcription of various genes, including those involved in cell proliferation. Dysregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway has been observed in numerous gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Here we examine Wnt pathway activation across all GI cancers by investigating alterations in certain genes of the Wnt pathway, which may identify patients eligible for clinical trials. Methods: The Oncomap ExTra genomic profiling assay utilizes tumor-normal, whole-exome, whole-transcriptome DNA and RNA sequencing to identify somatic alterations in tumors. The assay detects single-nucleotide substitutions, indels, copy number alterations, alternative transcripts, and gene fusions. Alterations in genes that activate Wnt signaling and their frequency across all GI cancers was determined. Results: A total of 1928 patients assayed April 2018 to July 2022 were included. The Wnt signaling pathway was activated in 922 (47.8%) patients. Wnt pathway activation varied substantially across GI cancers, from 81.1% in colorectal cancer (CRC) to 3.4% in anal cancer. APC was the most commonly altered gene in CRC, small bowel and biliary carcinomas. CTNNB1 was predominant in liver (41.2%), MEN1 in neuroendocrine (14.6%), and RNF43 in gastric (9.4%) cancer. Of 921 patients with alterations in the Wnt pathway, 5.2% had a co-mutation in another Wnt pathway-related gene. RSPO2/3 fusions were found in 4 CRC, 1 stomach, 1 biliary, and 1 small bowel cancer and were mutually exclusive with other alterations in the Wnt pathway. Conclusions: Wnt signaling is activated in about half of all GI cancers, and APC alterations are the most frequently observed. Whole transcriptome profiling allowed us to identify RSPO2/3 fusions, which also contribute to activation of the Wnt pathway. Wnt activation appears to be a particularly important in CRC, with 81.1% of CRC having a Wnt pathway alteration. Our results highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting the abnormal Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in GI malignancies. [Table: see text]

Buoyancy-Induced Convection Driven by Frontal Polymerization

In this Letter, we study the interaction between a self-sustaining exothermic reaction front propagating in a direction perpendicular to that of gravity and the buoyancy-driven convective flow during frontal polymerization (FP) of a low-viscosity monomer resin. As the polymerization front transforms the liquid monomer into the solid polymer, the large thermal gradients associated with the propagating front sustain a natural convection of the fluid ahead of the front. The fluid convection in turn affects the reaction-diffusion (RD) dynamics and the shape of the front. Detailed multiphysics numerical analyses and particle image velocimetry experiments reveal this coupling between natural convection and frontal polymerization. The frontal Rayleigh (Ra) number affects the magnitude of the velocity field and the inclination of the front. A higher Ra number drives instability during FP, leading to the observation of thermal-chemical patterns with tunable wavelengths and magnitudes.

Geriatric Services Hub - A Collaborative Frailty Management Model between The Hospital and Community Providers

BACKGROUND

Frailty is an important geriatric syndrome especially with ageing populations. Frailty can be managed or even reversed with community-based interventions delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. Innovation is required to find community frailty models that can deliver cost-effective and feasible care to each local context.

OBJECTIVES

We share pilot data from our Geriatric Service Hub (GSH) which is a novel frailty care model in Singapore that identifies and manages frailty in the community, supported by a hospital-based multi-disciplinary team.

METHODS

We describe in detail our GSH model and its implementation. We performed a retrospective data analysis on patient characteristics, uptake, prevalence of frailty and sarcopenia and referral rates for multi-component interventions.

RESULTS

A total of 152 persons attended between January 2020 to May 2021. Majority (59.9%) were female and mean age was 81.0 ± 7.1 years old. One-fifth (21.1%) of persons live alone. Mean Charlson Co-morbidity Index was 5.2 ± 1.8. Based on the clinical frailty risk scale (CFS), 31.6% were vulnerable, 51.3% were mildly frail and 12.5% were moderately frail. Based on SARC-F screening, 45.3% were identified to be sarcopenic whilst 56.9% had a high concern about falling using the Falls-Efficacy Scale-International. BMD scans were done for 41.4% of participants, of which 58.7% were started on osteoporosis treatment. In terms of referrals to allied health professionals, 87.5% were referred for physiotherapy, 71.1% for occupational therapy and 50.7% to dieticians.

CONCLUSION

The GSH programme demonstrates a new local model of partnering with community service providers to bring comprehensive population level frailty screening and interventions to pre-frail and frail older adults. Our study found high rates of frailty, sarcopenia and fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults who were not presently known to geriatric care services.

[Analysis on infection risk in secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients]

Objective: To study the infection rate of secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients, and assess the infection risk in the contacts. Methods: COVID-19 patients' close contacts (with a clear exposure time to index case) with negative nucleic acid test results and secondary close contacts were surveyed in continuous isolation and medical observation in this prospective study. The dynamic nucleic acid test results of the close contacts and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients were collected to assess their risk of infection. Results: A total of 4 533 close contacts were surveyed, in whom 14 were confirmed as COVID-19 patients with overall secondary attack rate of 0.31%, and 4 201 secondary contacts were tracked, in whom no subsequent infections occurred. Conclusion: Close contacts of COVID-19 patients entered in centralized isolation for medical observation with negative nucleic acid tese results,the secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients have no risk of infection.

Bio-based Non-estrogenic Dimethacrylate Dental Composite from Cloves

Bisphenol A (BPA), as an endocrine disruptor derived from petroleum-based chemicals, has been prohibited by several regulatory agencies for use in a wide variety of consumer products. For the sake of reducing human exposure to BPA derivatives and in the context of sustainability, it is far-reaching to develop high-performance and low-toxic materials from bountiful biomass sources. The objective of this work was to synthesize 2 bio-based dimethacrylate monomers, 2,2'-dially-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,5'-diglycerolate acrylatediphenylmethane (BEF-EA) and 2,2'-dially-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,5'-diglycerolate methacrylatediphenylmethane (BEF-GMA), using eugenol as the raw material. The estrogenic activity of bio-based bisphenol 2,2'-dially-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,5'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane (BEF) was evaluated and compared with estrogen and commercial bisphenols. After photopolymerization of the di(meth)acrylates diluted with tri(ethyleneglycol) dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), bio-based visible light-curing materials were prepared, and their properties were systematically investigated. Notably, di(meth)acrylates BEF-GMA and BEF-EA derived from these nonestrogenic bio-based phenols exhibited improved biocompatibility and low viscosity (down to 220-280 Pa.s). BEF-GMA and BEF-EA resin matrix exhibits lower volumetric polymerization shrinkage (about 8.5%), high photopolymerization reactivity (>50% in 60 s), and mechanical properties (fracture energy >5.5 N mm; flexural strength of 87-91 MPa, etc), which were comparable or superior to commercial Bis-GMA. The respective bio-based composites still exhibit adequate properties. Therefore, introducing eugenol-based visible light-curable dimethacrylate monomers into dental materials is a potential strategy to establish green sustainability and biocompatible dental materials without BPA.

[Research advances of music therapy and its application in the field of burn treatment]

Different from other trauma, the scar and pigmentation formed after healing of burn wound not only hinder beauty but also easily lead to a series of sequential psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety. Music therapy, as a supplementary treatment, is widely used in many fields including medical and health care and psychological regulation. However, affected by factors such as medical resources, the awareness and acceptance of music therapy among burn treatment workers in China are still low. Based on the clinical characteristics of burns, this paper matches the applicability of music therapy with it, summarizes the supplementary application of music therapy in the field of burn treatment, expounds this natural science with both science and aesthetics, and puts forward feasible suggestions for its future development.

Regulation of miR-33b on endometriosis and expression of related factors

The article "Regulation of miR-33b on endometriosis and expression of related factors, by W.-W. Yang, L. Hong, X.-X. Xu, Q. Wang, J.-L. Huang, L. Jiang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21 (9): 2027-2033-PMID: 28537685" has been retracted by the authors. They state that the reproducibility of protocell experiments was not high, and the research results were significantly different from those in the earlier stage. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/12676.

Development and validation of an automatic commissioning tool for the Monte Carlo dose engine in myQA iON

Independent dose verification with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations is an important feature of proton therapy quality assurance (QA). However, clinical integration of such tools often generates an additional and complex workload for medical physicists. The preparation of the necessary clinical inputs, such as the machine beam model, should therefore be automated. In this work, a methodology for automatic MC commissioning has been devised, validated, and developed into a MATLAB tool for the users of myQA iON, the recent QA platform of IBA Dosimetry. With this workflow, all necessary parameters can easily be tuned using dedicated optimization methods. For the geometrical beam parameters (phase space), the assumption of a single or double Gaussian is made. To model the energy spectrum, a Gaussian function is assumed and parameters are optimized using either MC simulations or a library of pre-computed Bragg peaks. For the absolute dose calibration, commissioning fields can be reproduced with the dose engine to retrieve the necessary parameters. We discuss in a first time the tool efficiency and show that one can optimize all parameters in less than 4 min per energy with excellent accuracy. We then validate a beam model obtained with the tool by simulating homogeneous spread-out Bragg peaks (SOBPs) and patient QA plans previously measured in water. An average range agreement of 0.29 ± 0.34 mm is achieved for the SOBPs while 3%/3 mm local gamma passing rates reach 99.3% on average over all 62 measured patient QA planes, which is well within clinical tolerances.

Beyond epidermal growth factor receptor: MET amplification as a general resistance driver to targeted therapy in oncogene-driven non-small-cell lung cancer

The rapidly changing treatment paradigm for patients with metastatic oncogene-driven lung cancer continues to evolve, and consequently our understanding of the landscape of resistance must also advance. MET amplification is an established and frequent driver of resistance in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recently, the combination of MET proto-oncogene (MET) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has shown promise in overcoming this molecularly defined resistance in clinical trials, and this combination strategy is being pursued in ongoing trials. Emerging data also demonstrate MET amplification as a resistance driver to TKI-treated ALK-, RET-, and ROS-1-fusion NSCLC, consistently at the range of 15%, while the resistance profiling data are maturing for other molecular targets. In this review, we discuss MET amplification as a driver of acquired resistance in well-defined molecular subsets of NSCLC, explore the biology behind this mechanism of resistance, and summarize the recently published clinical data, including the proposed combination strategies in the clinic achieving success in overcoming acquired MET amplification-dependent resistance.

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Understanding mechanisms of resistance in oncogene-driven lung cancer is crucial.

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MET amplification is a recurrent driver of resistance, across molecularly defined subsets of NSCLC.

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Overcoming this resistance in clinical trials, using combination strategies, is currently being pursued.

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We explore the biology behind this mechanism of resistance and summarize recent successes in the clinic.

[Clinical analysis of 11 cases of sub-acute arsenic poisoning]

Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestations, treatments and prognosis of subacute arsenic poisoning. Methods: In January 2020, a retrospective analysis was carried out on 11 patients hospitalized with subacute arsenic poisoning caused by arsenic contaminated drinking water. We observed manifestations, treatments and prognosis. Results: The main clinical presentations of subacute arsenic poisoningin were gastroenteritis in early phase, some of them had other organ damage, such as skin, blood, liver, kidney, cardiovascular and so on. The later phase was mainly peripheral nervous system damage. The treatment was mainly to chelate arsenic, protect target organs and treat toxic peripheral neuropathy. Most were significantly recoveried, but the recovery of severe toxic peripheral neuropathy was tardy. Conclusion: Acute gastroenteritis is the mainly early manifestation of subacute arsenic poisoning caused by digestive tract, and toxic peripheral neuropathy in the later phase. The prognosis is good, but the recovery of severe toxic peripheral neuropathy is tardy.

Phthalyl starch nanoparticles as prebiotics enhanced nisin production in Lactococcus lactis through the induction of mild stress in probiotics

AIM OF THE STUDY

Effect of internalized phthalyl starch nanoparticles (PSNs) on the antimicrobial ability of Lactococcus lactis (LL) KCTC 2013.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Phthalyl starch nanoparticles were prepared by self-assembly of phthalyl starch and the amount of the hydrophobic phthalic moieties were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance: PSN1 (DS: 14·3 mol.%), PSN2 (DS: 17·8 mol.%) and PSN3 (DS: 30·4 mol.%). The sizes of PSN1, PSN2 and PSN3 measured by dynamic light scattering were 364·7, 248·4 and 213·4 nm, respectively, and the surface charges of PSNs measured by electrophoretic light scattering were negative charges and PSNs were spherical in shape according to scanning electron microscope. It was found that when PSNs were treated with LL, the PSNs were internalized into LL through nanoparticle size-, energy- and glucose transporter-dependent mechanisms. The internalization was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Nisin was isolated and identified by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Also, more nisin was produced from PSNs-treated LL than untreated- or starch-treated LL. Co-culture assay and agar diffusion test were performed to test the antimicrobial ability. Antimicrobial ability against Gram-negative Escherichia coli k88, Salmonella gallinarum and Gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes of LL treated with PSNs was higher than that of untreated or starch-treated group. Finally, it was found that the expression level of stress response genes dnaK, dnaJ and groES was significantly higher in PSNs-treated groups compared with starch-treated group or LL alone.

CONCLUSION

The internalization of PSNs into LL enhanced the production of nisin through mild intracellular stimulation, resulting in enhanced antimicrobial ability.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study shows the promising potential of PSNs as new prebiotics for increasing the production of nisin, thus demonstrating a new method for the biological production of such antimicrobial peptides.

Childhood COVID-19: a multicentre retrospective study

Objectives

To investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of paediatric patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19).

Methods

Paediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 15 and March 15, 2020, from seven hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China, were collected retrospectively and analysed.

Results

Thirty-two children with COVID-19, ranging in age from 3 months to 18 years, were enrolled. Family aggregation occurred in 87.5% of infant and preschool-aged children (7/8), and also school-aged children (14/16), but in only 12.5% (1/8) of adolescents (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). Most of these patients had mild symptoms: mainly fever (20/32) followed by cough (10/32) and fatigue (4/32). The average durations of viral RNA in respiratory samples and gastrointestinal samples were 15.8 d and 28.9 d, respectively. Detox duration in faeces decreased with age: 39.8 d, 27.5 d and 20.4 d in infants and preschool children, school children, and adolescents respectively (p_{0–6, –18} <0.01, p_{0–6, –14} <0.05). Pneumonia was found in 14 children, but there was no statistical significance in the incidence of pneumonia between different age groups. Thirty patients were treated with antiviral drugs, and all patients were stable and gradually improved after admission.

Conclusions

Most children with COVID-19 had a mild process and a good prognosis. More attention should be paid to investigation of household contact history in the diagnosis of COVID-19 in young children. Viral RNA lasts longer in the gastrointestinal system than in the respiratory tract, especially in younger children.

Viral kinetics and factors associated with rapid viral clearance during lopinavir/ritonavir-based combination therapy in non-severe COVID-19 patients

OBJECTIVE

Lopinavir/ritonavir has modest antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The aim was to investigate the viral kinetics and factors associated with viral clearance during lopinavir/ritonavir-based combination treatment in non-severe patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-four patients were retrospectively enrolled. Viral RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR assay from sputum or throat swab samples at different time points. The patterns of viral kinetics were characterized, and factors associated with rapid viral clearance, which was defined as viral RNA undetectable within two weeks, were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

All patients achieved viral RNA negativity and were discharged from the hospital. Furthermore, 48 (75%) and 16 (25%) patients achieved rapid and delayed viral clearance, respectively. The lymphocyte counts of rapid viral clearance patients (1.40 [1.20-1.80] × 109/L) were higher, when compared to delayed viral clearance patients (1.00 [0.70-1.47] × 109/L) (p=0.024). The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that high lymphocyte count (≥1.3×109/L) is an independent factor associated with rapid viral clearance (OR=7.62, 95% CI=1.15-50.34, p=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

The viral shedding exhibited different patterns during treatment. Immune insufficiency is responsible for the delayed viral clearance, suggesting that an immunomodulator should be considered to promote viral clearance in patients with low lymphocyte counts.

Reducing Selenoprotein F Promotes the Transformation of Immortalized Prostate Epithelial Cells

Objectives

Selenoprotein F (SELENOF) levels are responsive to available dietary selenium and found in high levels in benign prostate cells. It is implicated in prostate cancer (PCa) mortality due to associations between polymorphisms in the corresponding gene and death from the disease. SELENOF levels are dramatically lower in prostate cancer compared to adjacent benign tissue. The objective of this study was to determine whether reducing SELENOF levels in human, non-transformed RWPE-1 prostate epithelial cells alters their phenotype to implicate SELENOF loss in PCa progression.

Methods

SELENOF levels were reduced in RWPE-1 cells that express high levels of SELENOF using a SELENOF shRNA construct. Proliferation was determined by quantifying DNA using fluorometric dsDNA quantitation. Growth in soft agar and cell mobility of cells in culture (wound healing assay) were imaged using an Evos FL microscope and quantified using Image J software. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was measured using a Seahorse XFe24 Analyzer.

Results

SELENOF levels were reduced in RWPE-1 and these cells exhibited decreased contact inhibition in culture (n = 3, P &lt; 0.001) when compared to controls. Normal prostate epithelial cells are atypical in that they rely on glycolysis for energy production, have a truncated TCA cycle, and a metabolic shift from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) occurs in PCa. Reducing SELENOF in RWPE-1 cells resulted in higher OCR compared to controls, indicating that SELENOF can impact the sources and pathways used in cellular energy metabolism.

Conclusions

Reduced SELENOF levels in RWPE-1 prostate cells resulted in properties consistent with a transformed phenotype and an increase in OCR, and indicating that the reduction in SELENOF may contribute a metabolic shift towards a PCa cancer-like metabolism. Together, these results indicate that SELENOF loss likely contributes to cancer progression.

Funding Sources

This work was supported by a grant from the Department of Defense to AMD and a Pre-Doctoral Education for Clinical and Translational Scientists Fellowship to LKH.

Control of Selenoprotein F Translation in Prostate Cancer

Objectives

Selenoprotein F (SELENOF) is a selenocysteine-containing protein whose levels are responsive to selenium availability and are often lower in prostate cancer (PCa) compared to benign regions. Lowering SELENOF levels in cultured, non-transformed prostate cells results in these cells gaining a transformed phenotype, indicating that SELENOF may function as a tumor suppressor. The reasons for the loss of SELENOF in PCa remain unknown. SELENOF translation requires a selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS), a stem-loop structure within the 3’– untranslated region (UTR) of the SELENOF mRNA. The objective of this study is to determine if SECIS-mediated UGA recoding is impeded in PCa, resulting in lower SELENOF protein levels.

Methods

In order to establish a cell model for the decrease in SELENOF levels, SELENOF levels were determined by western blot analysis of protein from PC3 PCa cells and RWPE-1 immortalized but not tumorigenic prostate cells. SELENOF mRNA levels in each of these cell lines was subsequently determined by RT-qPCR. In order to determine the efficiency of UGA readthrough in PC3 and RWPE-1 cells, reporter constructs were generated in which an in-frame UGA was introduced into the open reading frame of firefly luciferase by in-vitro mutagenesis and the constructs included portions of the SELENOF 3’-UTR required for UGA recoding.

Results

SELENOF levels were 18 times lower in PC3 cells compared to the RWPE-1 cells, while mRNA levels were similar between the two. Using the generated reporter constructs, differences in UGA recoding efficiency in PC3 and RWPE-1 cells were apparent, as were unexpected contributions of portions of the 3’UTR sequences to UGA readthrough efficiency.

Conclusions

Differing levels of SELENOF seen in prostate tissues were recapitulated in a cell culture model, with there being significantly less protein in PC3 cells compared to RWPE-1 cells, without a comparable difference in mRNA. Changes in SELENOF levels due to altered regulation of UGA recoding may be a significant event in PCa progression.

Funding Sources

This work was supported by the University of Illinois at Chicago Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Initiative (LASURI) to SK and Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program to AMD.

Correlation between MRAS gene polymorphism and atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between muscle RAS oncogene homolog (MRAS) gene polymorphism and the onset risk of atherosclerosis (AS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 135 AS patients diagnosed and treated in our hospital from November 2017 to October 2018 were randomly enrolled in the observation group. Meanwhile, 150 healthy adults were selected as control group. Venous blood was withdrawn from all the subjects, and DNAs were extracted. MRAS gene loci rs9818870 and rs3755751 were analyzed by the multiplex SNaPshot method, and their correlations with the onset risk of AS were explored.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences in the frequencies at gene loci were observed between the two groups (p>0.05). Subjects with genotype TT at rs9818870 exhibited significantly higher risk of AS (p=0.041<0.05). The recessive model of rs9818870 (GG + AG/AA) in AS patients with coronary heart disease was correlated with AS (p=0.048<0.05). Similarly, the dominant model of rs3755751 (TT/TC+CC) in those with hypertension was associated with AS (p=0.027<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MRAS gene is correlated with the onset of AS to a certain degree.

Clinical efficacy of lopinavir/ritonavir in the treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019

OBJECTIVE

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which outbroke in December 2019 is highly contagious with a low cure rate. In view of this, there is an urgent need to find a more appropriate therapeutic scheme against COVID-19. The study aimed to investigate whether lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in combination with other pneumonia-associated adjuvant drugs has a better therapeutic effect on COVID-19.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Totally 47 patients with COVID-19 infection who were admitted to Rui'an People's Hospital between January 22 and January 29, 2020 were collected. The patients were divided into the test group and the control group according to whether they had been treated with LPV/r or not during hospitalization. Patients in the test group were treated with LPV/r combined with adjuvant medicine, while those in the control group were just treated with adjuvant medicine. The changes of body temperature, blood routine and blood biochemistry between the two groups were observed and compared.

RESULTS

Both groups achieved good therapeutic effect with the body temperature of patients decreased gradually from admission to the 10th day of treatment. But the body temperature of patients in the test group decreased faster than that of the control group. Blood routine indexes showed that compared with the control group, the abnormal proportion of white blood cells, lymphocytes and C-reactive protein of the test group could be reduced to some extent. Blood biochemical indexes exhibited that the proportion of patients with abnormal alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the test group were lower than the control group. The number of days for nCoV-RNA turning negative after treatment was significantly decreased in the test group than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the treatment of pneumonia-associated adjuvant drugs alone, the combination treatment with LPV/r and adjuvant drugs has a more evident therapeutic effect in lowering the body temperature and restoring normal physiological mechanisms with no evident toxic and side effects. In view of these conclusions, we suggested that the use of LPV/r combined with pneumonia-associated adjuvant drugs in the clinical treatment for patients with COVID-19 should be promoted.

Mesoporous TiO2/carbon catalytic ozonation for degradation of p-chloronitrobenzene

In this study, a mesoporous TiO₂/carbon catalyst (TiO₂/C) was prepared by a facile impregnation-carbonization approach to catalyze ozonation of p-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB). The catalyst was well characterized and the catalytic efficiency under various conditions was systematically evaluated. TiO₂/C has a disordered mesostructure with a high specific surface area. 92.8% of p-CNB (2 μmol/L) can be degraded within 20 min in the TiO₂/C/O₃ system in the presence of 1 mg/L O₃, 100 mg/L catalyst, at pH = 5. Based on the evaluation of the effect of basic parameters, it could be deduced that the removal of p-CNB relied on the synthetic effect of catalysis by TiO₂/C and the autocatalytic induction of p-CNB. The removal efficiency of p-CNB, the structure change and the leaching of Ti ions were also evaluated in five cycles, indicating TiO₂/C is stable and recyclable for catalytic ozonation in water treatment.

Selenium Deficiency in a Mouse Model of Sickle Cell Disease Resulted in Increased Oxygen Consumption and Aberrant Mitochondrial Retention (OR11-05-19)

Objectives

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is caused by a single point mutation in the β-globin gene, resulting in the polymerization of the altered hemoglobin βS in hypoxic conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Previous studies have shown that there are lower selenium levels and reduced activity of the antioxidant selenoprotein GPX1 in SCD patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the consequences of selenium deficiency in a SCD mouse model.

Methods

Humanized SCD (HbSS) mice (Townes model) and wild type (HbAA) mice were purchased from Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, ME). Mice were fed either a selenium-deficient (<0.01 mg/kg) or a selenium adequate (0.1 mg/kg) diet for 4 weeks. Hematological testing was performed using the ADVIATM 120 analyzer (Bayer Corporation, NY). Mitochondrial retention and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by flow cytometry with a BD LSRFortessaTM analyzer using Kaluza analysis software (Beckman Coulter, CA). The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was measured from isolated red blood cells (RBCs) in real time using the Seahorse Extracellular Analyzer (Agilent, CA).

Results

RBCs normally eject their mitochondria before reaching maturity. However, a previous study demonstrated that there was increased RBC mitochondrial retention in SCD mice and patients when compared to controls. Feeding SCD mice a selenium deficient diet resulted in increased retention of mitochondria in RBCs (26% + 6.9%, 5% + 3.5%, n = 3, P < 0.01), decreased hemoglobin levels (5.7 + 0.17 g/dl, 7.0 + 0.83 g/dl, n = 3, P < 0.05), and an increased OCR of the RBCs (P < 0.01) in these animals when compared to SCD mice fed a selenium adequate diet.

Conclusions

Providing humanized SCD mice a selenium deficient diet resulted in increased mitochondrial retention in mature RBCs, decrease hemoglobin levels, and increased RBC oxygen consumption. RBC retention of mitochondria is associated with increased ROS and hemolysis, potentially contributing to the pain and vaso-occlusive crises that occur in the disease. These studies indicate that selenium deficiency may contribute to the severity of symptoms experienced by patients with SCD.

Funding Sources

This work is supported by a grant from the NIH.

Selenium-Binding Protein 1 Reduces Oxygen Consumption and Activates AMPK in Prostate Cancer Cells (OR11-04-19)

Objectives

Selenium (Se) is a non-metallic, essential trace element for many organisms, including humans. Se may have potential in cancer prevention, as evidenced by multiple animal and human epidemiological studies. Selenium-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a highly-conserved protein that covalently binds Se. Prostate cells exhibit cytoplasmic and nuclear SBP1 localization. Reduced levels of nuclear SBP1 were previously shown to be associated with a higher tumor grade and a greater likelihood of prostate cancer recurrence following prostatectomy. The Krebs cycle of the normal prostate is inhibited in favor of the production of citrate energy, therefore distinguishing the energy metabolism of the normal prostate from that of other organs. This inhibition is generally relieved during cancer progression. The objective of this study was to investigate a contribution of SBP1 in this process of metabolic shift.

Methods

Human PC-3 prostate cancer cells that express very low levels of SBP1 were engineered to express the native, nuclear-targeted, or nuclear-excluded SBP1 by transfection of constitutive- or inducible-SBP1 expression constructs. Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) was examined by quantifying the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) using a Seahorse XF analyzer (Agilent, Inc.). Western blotting with SBP1 and phospho-AMPK specific antibodies was employed to interrogate the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of energy homeostasis.

Results

Overexpressing SBP1 in PC-3 cells increased the activating phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 by approximately 70%. In addition, overexpressing the native, nuclear-targeted or nuclear-excluded SBP1 significantly reduced OCR and mitochondrial ATP synthesis, as measures of mitochondrial respiration (32–43% reduction in basal respiration and 40–55% reduction in maximal respiration). These changes in energy metabolism occurred without affecting cellular proliferation.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the loss of SBP1 during prostate cancer development may contribute to disease progression by facilitating the transition to an energy metabolism that favors increased energy production as well as the building blocks required to sustain tumor growth and survival.

Funding Sources

National Institute of Health.

Crystallization-induced refractive index modulation on sapphire-derived fiber for ultrahigh temperature sensing

We have demonstrated crystallization-induced refractive index (RI) modulation on sapphire-derived fiber (SDF) showing superheat resistance and developed the SDF based Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs) for ultrahigh temperature sensing. The SDF is a special fiber with high concentration of alumina to silica in the fiber core region. Reheating and cooling the SDF by arc discharge generates mullite particles in the core region, which achieves RI modulation up to ~0.015. Such crystallized region in the SDF is explored as mirrors for FPI, showing a good linear response to temperature with sensitivity of ~13.2 pm/°C. Benefiting from superheat resistance of the crystallized SDF being mirrors, the developed SDF-FPI sensor is capable to withstand high temperature up to 1600°C, which is the highest working temperature for amorphous fiber. Moreover, the SDF-FPI sensor exhibits 6-hour stability at 1200°C. The crystallized SDF-FPIs with compactness, wide temperature working range, high sensitivity, and robustness show great potential application in harsh environment such as turbine engines, power plants, petrochemical, gas industry, etc.

Cyst Fluid Biosignature to Predict Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas with High Malignant Potential

BACKGROUND

Current standard-of-care technologies, such as imaging and cyst fluid analysis, are unable to consistently distinguish intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas at high risk of pancreatic cancer from low-risk IPMNs. The objective was to create a single-platform assay to identify IPMNs that are at high risk for malignant progression.

STUDY DESIGN

Building on the Verona International Consensus Conference branch duct IPMN biomarker review, additional protein, cytokine, mucin, DNA, and microRNA cyst fluid targets were identified for creation of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based assay. This included messenger RNA markers: ERBB2, GNAS, interleukin 1β, KRAS, MUCs1, 2, 4, 5AC, 7, prostaglandin E2R, PTGER2, prostaglandin E synthase 2, prostaglandin E synthase 1, TP63; microRNA targets: miRs 101, 106b, 10a, 142, 155, 17, 18a, 21, 217, 24, 30a, 342, 532, 92a, and 99b; and GNAS and KRAS mutational analysis. A multi-institutional international collaborative contributed IPMN cyst fluid samples to validate this platform. Cyst fluid gene expression levels were normalized, z-transformed, and used in classification and regression analysis by a support vector machine training algorithm.

RESULTS

From cyst fluids of 59 IPMN patients, principal component analysis confirmed no institutional bias/clustering. Lasso (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator)-penalized logistic regression with binary classification and 5-fold cross-validation used area under the curve as the evaluation criterion to create the optimal signature to discriminate IPMNs as low risk (low/moderate dysplasia) or high risk (high-grade dysplasia/invasive cancer). The most predictive signature was achieved with interleukin 1β, MUC4, and prostaglandin E synthase 2 to accurately discriminate high-risk cysts from low-risk cysts with an area under the curve of up to 0.86 (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified a single-platform polymerase chain reaction-based assay of cyst fluid to accurately predict IPMNs with high malignant potential for additional studies.

Ameliorating Effects of Leaf Water Extract of Three Aromatic Plant Species on Ozone-Polluted Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. 'Jiangjunyoudou')

Ozone (O₃) is one of the major pollutants in near-surface air. In order to protect sensitive plants from O₃ pollution, many kinds of protectants including synthetic ones, were assessed in previous studies. Although they have certain protective effects, some of them are not environment-friendly. In the present study, leaf water extracts of aromatic plants [Plectranthus hadiensis var. tomentosus (PHT), Pelargonium hortorum (PHB), Tagetes patula (TP)] were compared for mitigating the damages caused by O₃ (150 ppb for 3 days, 8 h day^-1) on snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris 'Jiangjunyoudou'). Our results showed that O₃ fumigation impaired plasma membrane, decreased chlorophyll content, increased contents of malondialdehyde and superoxide anion, inhibited photosynthesis, and caused visible injury. Leaf water extracts of PHT, PHB or TP ameliorated the negative effects of O₃. Among them, extract of PHT showed the greatest potential to alleviate the O₃-caused injury, followed by PHB and TP.