Application Research Progress of Nanomaterial Graphene and its Derivative Complexes in Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy

Functional nanomaterial graphene and its derivatives have attracted considerable attention in many fields because of their unique physical and chemical properties. Most notably, graphene has become a research hotspot in the biomedical field, especially in relation to malignant tumors. In this study, we briefly review relevant research from recent years on graphene and its derivatives in tumor diagnosis and antitumor therapy. The main contents of the study include the graphene-derivative diagnosis of tumors in the early stage, graphene quantum dots, photodynamics, MRI contrast agent, acoustic dynamics, and the effects of ultrasonic cavitation and graphene on tumor therapy. Moreover, the biocompatibility of graphene is briefly described. This review provides a broad overview of the applications of graphene and its derivatives in tumors. Conclusion, graphene and its derivatives play an important role in tumor diagnosis and treatment.

Source apportionment and ozone formation mechanism of VOCs considering photochemical loss in Guangzhou, China

Understanding the sources and impact of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on ozone formation is challenging when the traditional method does not account for their photochemical loss. In this study, online monitoring of 56 VOCs was carried out in summer and autumn during high ozone pollution episodes. The photochemical age method was used to evaluate the atmospheric chemical loss of VOCs and to analyze the effects on characteristics, sources, and ozone formation of VOC components. The initial concentrations during daytime were 5.12 ppbv and 4.49 ppbv higher than the observed concentrations in the summer and autumn, respectively. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model identified 5 major emission sources. However, the omission of the chemical loss of VOCs led to underestimating the contributions of sources associated with highly reactive VOC components, such as those produced by biogenic emissions and solvent usage. Conversely it resulted in overestimating the contributions from VOC components with lower chemical activity such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) usage, vehicle emissions, and gasoline evaporation. Furthermore, the estimation of ozone formation may be underestimated when the atmospheric photochemical loss is not taken into account. The ozone formation potential (OFP) method and propylene-equivalent concentration method both underestimated ozone formation by 53.24 ppbv and 47.25 ppbc, respectively, in the summer, and by 40.34 ppbv and 26.37 ppbc, respectively, in the autumn. The determination of the ozone formation regime based on VOC chemical loss was more acceptable. In the summer, the ozone formation regime changed from the VOC-limited regime to the VOC-NOx transition regime, while in the autumn, the ozone formation regime changed from the strong VOC-limited regime to the weak VOC-limited regime. To obtain more thorough and precise conclusions, further monitoring and analysis studies will be conducted in the near future on a wider variety of VOC species such as oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs).

CT Findings of Stage IA Ovarian Cancer: Comparison between Borderline Tumor and Stage IC Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is a common gynecological malignant tumor in women. Most patients have reached the advanced stage when they visit the hospital. In order to diagnose ovarian cancer at an early stage, treat it at an early stage, and improve the survival rate of patients, this study has used the imaging computed tomography (CT) method to diagnose stage IA ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was to study CT features of stage IA ovarian cancer, and compare the borderline tumor and stage IC ovarian cancer at the same time so as to improve the CT diagnosis of early ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected clinical and CT data of patients with stage I ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumor admitted to Nantong Tumor Hospital from 2013 to 2021. Altogether, 23 cases of patients (borderline ovarian tumor, 9 cases; stage IA ovarian cancer, 5 cases; stage IC ovarian cancer, 9 cases) were involved. CT characteristics of these patients were analyzed in terms of the tumor diameter, cystic solid structure, solid component, septation, enhancement, peritoneal thickening, ascites, and abdominal lymph nodes.

RESULTS

CT features of stage IA ovarian cancer included large tumor size (average diameter: 15 cm), cystic solid structure (4/5; 80%), septation (4/5; 80%), and enhanced cystic wall, septum, or solid components of the tumor on contrast-enhanced CT (5/5; 100%) no peritoneal thickening (0/5; 0%), no ascites (0/5; 0%), and no abdominal lymph node enlargement (0/5; 0%). The tumor structure did not differ significantly between stage IA and IC ovarian cancers (p > 0.05), while intraperitoneal ascites did (χ2 = 0.031; p < 0.05). Stage IA and borderline ovarian tumors did not differ significantly in ovarian tumor structure (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CT features of stage IA ovarian cancer included large tumor size, cystic solid structure, septation, and enhanced cystic wall and solid parts in the tumors. No pelvic or abdominal metastasis was observed.

[Efficacy of decitabine combined with low dose chemotherapy on children with acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of decitabine combined with low dose chemotherapy (LDC) in the treatment of high-risk, refractory and relapsed pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: Clinical data of 19 AML children treated with decitabine combined with LDC in the Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University from April 2017 to November 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The therapeutic response, adverse effects and survival status were analyzed,and the outcomes of patients were followed up. Results: Among 19 AML cases, there were 10 males and 9 females. Five cases were high-risk AML, 7 cases were refractory AML, and 7 cases were relapsed AML. After one course of decitabine+LDC treatment, 15 cases achieved complete remission, 3 cases got partial remission, and only 1 case didn't get remission. All patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as consolidation therapy. The follow-up time of all cases was 46 (37, 58) months, 14 children had survived. The cumulative three-year overall survival rate was (79±9) %, events free survival rates was (68±11) %, and recurrence free survival rate was (81±10) %. The most common adverse effects related to the induction treatment were cytopenia (19 cases) and infection (16 cases).There were no treatment-related death during the therapy. Conclusion: Decitabine combined with LDC is a safe and effective option for high-risk, refractory and relapsed AML children, which provides an opportunity for HSCT.

[Analysis of vaginal microecology in 23 181 cases of the gynecological female outpatients]

Objective: To analyze the vaginal microecological status of vaginitis population and non-vaginitis population of gynecological female outpatients. Methods: A total of 30 265 women who visited the gynecological outpatient clinic of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from December 2018 to December 2020 completed vaginal microecological examination. After removing the follow-up patients, 23 181 women were divided into group with symptoms and signs of vaginitis (6 697 cases) and group without symptoms and signs of vaginitis (16 484 cases), according to whether the women with symptoms and signs of vaginitis or not. And the vaginal microecological status of the two groups was compared and analyzed. Results: (1) The total detection rate of vaginitis in the initial women was 34.87% (8 083/23 181), of which 46.10% (3 087/6 697) in group with symptoms and signs of vaginitis and 30.31% (4 996/16 484) in group without symptoms and signs of vaginitis, nearly 1/3 of the gynecological outpatients without signs and symptoms of vaginitis had vaginitis. (2) Among the types of simple vaginitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was the most frequent in group with symptoms and signs of vaginitis (16.01%, 1 072/6 697), followed by aerobic vaginitis (AV; 12.83%, 859/6 697), with significant differences compared with group without symptoms and signs of vaginitis (all P<0.001). There were no statistical differences between the two groups of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomonal vaginitis (TV), indicating that BV and TV were more likely to be neglected (all P>0.05). (3) The proportion of various combinations of vaginitis among 2 632 cases of mixed vaginitis were, in descending order: BV+AV, VVC+AV, BV+AV+VVC, AV+TV, AV+TV+BV, BV+VVC. (4) Microecological analysis of 15 098 cases diagnosed with non-vaginitis had normal flora (including those with normal flora and those with normal flora but decreased function) in 14 013 cases (92.81%, 14 013/15 098), abnormal flora in 429 cases (2.84%, 429/15 098) and the BV intermediate in 656 cases (4.34%, 656/15 098); this indicated that the vast majority of the microecological tests were normal in the vaginal microbiota of those without vaginitis. Conclusions: Microecological examination could diagnose multiple pathogenic infections at once, and is especially important as a guide for the definitive diagnosis of mixed vaginitis and vaginitis with atypical clinical symptoms. Vaginal infections such as BV and TV that are easily overlooked should be concerned.

[GNB2L1 gene expression and clinical value in hepatocellular carcinoma based on bioinformatics]

Objective: To analyze guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit beta-2-like 1 (GNB2L1) expression based on bioinformatics, so as to evaluate its role and its relationship with survival rate during the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: GEPIA, UALCAN and HPA databases were used to analyze the expression level of GNB2L1 and its relationship with HCC survival rate. Mutations in the GNB2L1 gene and their impact on survival were analyzed using the cBioPortal database. LinkedOmics database was used to analyze GNB2L1-related genes in HCC. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were performed simultaneously. STEING database was used to construct the GNB2L1 protein interaction network. TIMER database was used to analyze the relationship between GNB2L1 gene expression and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. Differential expression of GNB2L1 in plasma platelets of HCC patients and healthy controls was analyzed using mRNA-based sequencing technology. Data between groups were compared using an independent-samples t-test. Results: GNB2L1 expression level was significantly increased in HCC tissues (P<0.05), and its expression was significantly correlated with body weight, classification and stage (P<0.05). The overall survival rate was higher in GNB2L1 low expression group (P<0.001). GNB2L1 and its related genes were related to biological process regulation, metabolic process, protein binding, oxidative phosphorylation, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway and so on. GNB2L1 had interaction with RPS12, RPS11 and RPL19, and participated in multiple biological processes such as liver regeneration and positive regulation of endogenous apoptotic signaling pathway. GNB2L1 expression was significantly positively correlated with the infiltration degree of various immune cells in HCC (P<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that GNB2L1 was an independent risk factor for lower survival rate in patients with HCC [Hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)=1.456 (1.034~2.051), P=0.031]. GNB2L1expression levels were significantly higher in platelets of HCC patients than that of healthy controls (10.40±1.36 vs. 9.58±0.51, t=2.194, P=0.037). Conclusion: GNB2L1 has high expression and close relationship to survival rate in HCC. Therefore, GNB2L1 may be a potential biomarker of HCC.

[Analysis of resistance and sensitivity of 1 200 strains of vulvovaginal candidiasis in China to five common antifungal drugs]

Objective: To test the antibiotic susceptibility of vulvovaginal candidiasis pathogenic strains to 5 antifungal drugs commonly used in clinic. Methods: A total of 1 200 vulvovaginal candida patients from 23 gynecological and family planning outpatient departments in China were enrolled. Their vaginal secretions were collected for candida strain isolation and species identification. According to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27-S3, the sensitivity of 1 200 strains to clotrimazole, fluconazole, miconazole, itraconazole and nystatin was tested. Results: (1) The sensitivity and resistance of 1 200 vulvovaginal candidiasis pathogens to 5 antifungal drugs were statistically different (χ²=3 513.201, P<0.01). (2) All strains had higher sensitivity to nystatin [99.92% (1 199/1 200)], followed by miconazole [92.25% (1 107/1 200)] and clotrimazole [87.17% (1 046/1 200)]. All strains had higher resistance to fluconazole [69.17% (830/1 200)], while itraconazole was 50.83% (610/1 200). (3) There was no significant difference between candida albicans and non-candida albicans in drug sensitivity to nystatin (P=0.315) and miconazole (P=0.425). (4) Candida albicans and non-candida albicans showed different sensitivity to clotrimazole, fluconazole and itraconazole, respectively. Compared with non-candida albicans, candida albicans showed higher sensitivity to clotrimazole [susceptibility rate: 73.01% (165/226) vs 90.45% (881/974); P<0.001] and higher resistance to fluconazole [resistance rate: 50.88% (115/226) vs 73.41% (715/974); P<0.001]. Although the drug sensitivity of itraconazole was not high, the susceptibility rate of candida albicans to itraconazole was slightly higher than that of non-candida albicans [37.68% (367/974) vs 23.89% (54/226)], and the drug resistance rate was lower [49.28% (480/974) vs 57.52% (130/226)]. Conclusions: The sensitivity of 1 200 strains of candida to 5 antifungal drugs is significantly different, the sensitivity rate of nystatin, miconazole and clotrimazole are higher, but the resistance rate of fluconazole and itraconazole are higher. The sensitivity of candida albicans and non-candida albicans to the same drug is also significantly different. It is suggested that in clinical diagnosis and treatment, we should pay attention to the identification of candida and drug sensitivity test, so as to select antifungal drugs rationally.

[Preliminary study of a mask filtration test device with respiratory simulation]

Objective: To develop an air particulate protective mask filter test device that can simulate the dynamics process of human breathing. Methods: The new device used two air pumps working alternately to simulate the dynamics process of human breathing. On March 4th to 17th, 2017, the new device and the traditional one-way airflow mask filtration test device were used to measure the internal and external particle levels of 39 masks of 13 models of 6 brands, and then the filtration efficiency of the mask was calculated and the test results were compared. Results: For the mask without breathing valve, there was no statistically significant difference between the filter efficiency test results of the new device and the traditional unidirectional airflow filter performance test device (P>0.05) . For masks with breathing valves, the new device detected that three of them had lower filtration efficiency (99.50% vs 98.63%, P<0.01) . After sealing the mask breathing valve with glue, the filtering efficiency of the mask with a breathing valve detected by the new device significantly improved (98.63% vs 99.50%, P<0.01) . Conclusion: This new device can simulate the dynamic process of human exhalation and inhalation, and measure the filtration efficiency of the mask. For masks with breathing valves, the new device makes it easier to detect the decrease in the filtering efficiency of the mask caused by the breathing valve.

[The safety of decitabine as bridging pretreatment regimen before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric hematological malignancies]

The safety of decitabine as bridging treatment before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with refractory hematological malignancies was evaluated. All 11 cases succeeded in hematopoietic reconstitution. The main adverse reaction was hematological toxicity. Neither did infections occur, nor drug-induced liver damage and renal impairment during decitabine administration. Most cases showed grade Ⅰ-Ⅱgastrointestinal adverse events. One case was diagnosed as severe acute graft versus host disease and died of intracranial hemorrhage on day 61 after allo-HSCT. The other 10 patients survived. Decitabine bridge is a safe regimen before allo-HSCT in children with refractory hematological malignancies.

Identification of lipopeptides produced by Bacillus subtilis Czk1 isolated from the aerial roots of rubber trees

We obtained a strain of Bacillus subtilis, which we named Czk1, from the aerial roots of rubber trees. This bacterial isolate exhibits strong antagonistic activity against Ganoderma pseudoferreum, Phellinus noxius, Helicobasidium compactum, Rigidoporus lignosus, Sphaerostilbe repens, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Our earlier research has shown that the antagonistic activity of a fermentation supernatant Czk1 isolate produces a complex mixture of lipopeptides. In this study, we used methanol to extract crude lipopeptides, purified them using a Sephadex G-25 column, cloned the lipopeptide genes, and analyzed purified fractions by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) to identify the lipopeptides from B. subtilis strain Czk1. The cloned lipopeptide genes included those that encode the enzymes lpa, ituD, sfp, and fenB. The crude lipopeptides were purified and found in five fractions. Further analysis revealed that five fractions of the purified composition contained members of the surfactin, iturin, fengycin, and bacillomycin families of antibiotics. This suggests that these lipopeptides from strain Czk1 have potential as plant disease biocontrol agents.

Cellular stress response in Eca-109 cells inhibits apoptosis during early exposure to isorhamnetin

The flavonol aglycone isorhamnetin shows anti-proliferative activity in a variety of cancer cells. Previous work, from our laboratory showed that isorhamnetin inhibits the proliferation of human esophageal squamous carcinoma Eca-109 cells in vitro, but only after 72 h of exposure. This led us to propose that isorhamnetin exposure induces a cellular stress response that inhibits the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of the compound during early exposure. To test this hypothesis, the present study examined the effects of isorhamnetin on Eca-109 cells during the first 72 h of exposure. Cell growth was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion assay, and expression of IκBα, NF-κB/p65, NF-κB/p50, phospho-Akt, Bcl-2, COX-2, Mcl-1, Bax, p53 and Id-1 were analyzed by Western blot. During the first 72 h of exposure, NF-κB/p65 and NF-κB/p50 accumulated in nuclei and expression of COX-2, Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 increased. In contrast, expression of IκBα and Bax fell initially but later increased. Expression of phospho-Akt and p53 showed no detectable change during the first 48 h. Pretreatment with the NF-κB inhibitor MG132 before exposure to isorhamnetin blocked the nuclear accumulation of p50 and p65, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation. These results show that during early exposure of Eca-109 cells to isorhamnetin, the NF-κB signaling pathway is activated and COX-2 expression increases, and this increase in expression partially inhibits isorhamnetin-induced apoptosis. Beyond 72 h of exposure, however, the apoptotic effect of isorhamnetin dominates, leading to inhibition of the NF-κB pathway and of cellular proliferation. These results will need to be taken into account when exploring the use of isorhamnetin against cancer in vivo.

Citrullinated vimentin stimulates proliferation, pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and PADI4 and RANKL expression of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the possible effects of vimentin (Vim) and citrullinated Vim (cVim) on proliferation capacity, pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and the expression of peptidylarginine deiminase type 4 (PADI4) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) in cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

METHOD

Human native Vim was citrullinated with rabbit PAD in vitro and detected using a Western blot assay with anti-modified citrulline antibody (anti-MC Ab). FLSs from RA or OA synovial samples were stimulated with Vim or cVim. Cell proliferation capacity was determined using the Celltiter 96 AQueous cell proliferation assay. The concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-17 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of PADI4 and RANKL was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a Western blot assay.

RESULTS

Our Western blot assay with anti-MC Ab indicated that the amount of cVim increased significantly after Vim had been incubated with rabbit PAD in vitro. The proliferation capacity and secretion of TNF-α and IL-1 were significantly enhanced in the FLSs of RA patients when treated with cVim. However, when treated with Vim, an inhibitory effect on the proliferation capacity was noted in the FLSs from RA and also from OA patients. cVim significantly increased the expression of PADI4 and RANKL in the FLSs from RA patients.

CONCLUSION

cVim seems to have remarkable biological effects on RA as confirmed by the stimulation of proliferation capacity, pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and PADI4 and RANKL expression in the FLSs of RA patients.

Simultaneous blockade of costimulatory signals CD28-CD80 and CD40-CD154 combined with monoclonal antibody against CD25 induced a stable chimerism and tolerance without graft-versus-host disease in rat

BACKGROUND

The conditioning regimen to induce chimerism for immune tolerance is usually accompanied by high toxicity and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Our aim was to explore a nontoxic strategy for the induction of mixed chimerism by pretreatment with anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (mAb), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4Ig) and anti-CD154 mAb.

METHODS

A total of 30 Lewis recipient rats (RT1l) were randomly divided into control (A and B) and treated (C, D and E) groups. Recipients serving as controls were without any pretreatment (group A) or pretreated with anti-CD25 mAb, CTLA4Ig and anti-CD154 mAb on days 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 without bone marrow transplantation (BMT; group B). In the treated groups, the recipients were pretreated with anti-CD25 mAb and CTLA4Ig (group C), with anti-CD25 mAb and anti-CD154 mAb (group D) or with anti-CD25 mAb, CTLA4Ig and anti-CD154 mAb (group E) on days 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 plus BMT [2 × 10(8) unmodified whole bone marrow cells from Brown Norway donor rats (RT1n)] on day 0. Full-thickness skin grafts from donor-specific Brown Norway rats were grafted to the dorsal thoracic wall of Lewis recipients on day 8. GVHD was assessed after BMT, and chimerism and T cell apoptosis on days 7, 21, 35 and 49 were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

GVHD was not observed in any groups. On days 7, 21 and 35, hematopoietic chimerism was present and maintained in the recipients of the 3 treated groups (groups C, D and E), and thereafter disappeared on day 49. The rate of chimerism in group E was significantly higher compared to that in group C on day 7 and that in group C or D on day 21, but there was no significant difference on day 35 among the 3 groups. The rate of T cell apoptosis in group C, D or E was significantly higher than in group A or B on days 14, 21 and 35. The grafted skin survival in group C, D or E was longer than in group A or B, and survival was significantly longer in group E than in group C or D.

CONCLUSION

Preconditioning with anti-CD25 mAb, CTLA4Ig and anti-CD154 mAb could effectively induce chimerism and immune tolerance without GVHD in a major histocompatibility complex-disparate rat model. This strategy may be attractive for induction of transplantation tolerance. T cell apoptosis is one of the important considerations in tolerance induction.