Ben-JNK signaling is required for host mortality during Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus infection

BACKGROUND

Cockroaches are widely acknowledged as significant vectors of pathogenic microorganisms. The Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus (PfDNV) infects the smoky-brown cockroach P. fuliginosa and causes host mortality, which identifies the PfDNV as a species-specific and environmentally friendly biopesticide. However, although the biochemical characterization of PfDNV has been extensively studied, the immune response against PfDNV remains largely unclear.

RESULTS

Here, we investigated the replication of PfDNV and its associated pathological phenotype in the foregut and hindgut. Consequently, we dissected and performed transcriptome sequencing on the foregut, midgut, and hindgut separately. We revealed the up-regulation of immune response signaling pathway c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and apoptosis in response to viral infection. Furthermore, knockdown of the JNK upstream gene Ben resulted in a decrease in virus titer and delayed host mortality.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our findings provide evidence that the Ben-JNK signaling plays a crucial role in PfDNV infection, leading to excessive apoptosis in intestinal tissues and ultimately resulting in the death of the host. Our results indicated that the host response to PfDNV fosters viral infection, thereby increasing host lethality. This underscores the potential of PfDNV as a viable, environmentally friendly biopesticide. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

IMscin001 Part 2: a randomised phase III, open-label, multicentre study examining the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of atezolizumab subcutaneous versus intravenous administration in previously treated locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer and pharmacokinetics comparison with other approved indications

BACKGROUND

Atezolizumab intravenous (IV) is approved for the treatment of various solid tumours. To improve treatment convenience and health care efficiencies, a coformulation of atezolizumab and recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 was developed for subcutaneous (SC) use. Part 2 of IMscin001 (NCT03735121) was a randomised phase III, open-label, multicentre, noninferiority study comparing the drug exposure of atezolizumab SC with atezolizumab IV.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible patients with locally advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer were randomised 2 : 1 to receive atezolizumab SC (1875 mg; n = 247) or IV (1200 mg; n = 124) every 3 weeks. The co-primary endpoints were cycle 1 observed trough serum concentration (Ctrough) and model-predicted area under the curve from days 0 to 21 (AUC0-21 d). The secondary endpoints were steady-state exposure, efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity. Exposure following atezolizumab SC was then compared with historical atezolizumab IV values across approved indications.

RESULTS

The study met both of its co-primary endpoints: cycle 1 observed Ctrough {SC: 89 μg/ml [coefficient of variation (CV): 43%] versus IV: 85 μg/ml (CV: 33%); geometric mean ratio (GMR), 1.05 [90% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-1.24]} and model-predicted AUC0-21 d [SC: 2907 μg d/ml (CV: 32%) versus IV: 3328 μg d/ml (CV: 20%); GMR, 0.87 (90% CI 0.83-0.92)]. Progression-free survival [hazard ratio 1.08 (95% CI 0.82-1.41)], objective response rate (SC: 12% versus IV: 10%), and incidence of anti-atezolizumab antibodies (SC: 19.5% versus IV: 13.9%) were similar between arms. No new safety concerns were identified. Ctrough and AUC0-21 d for atezolizumab SC were consistent with the other approved atezolizumab IV indications.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with IV, atezolizumab SC demonstrated noninferior drug exposure at cycle 1. Efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity were similar between arms and consistent with the known profile for atezolizumab IV. Similar drug exposure and clinical outcomes following SC and IV administration support the use of atezolizumab SC as an alternative to atezolizumab IV.

[Comparison of epidemic characteristics and clinical manifestation of chickenpox between adults and children in Shandong Province from 2019 to 2021]

Objective: To analyze the differences between adults and children in the epidemic characteristics and clinical manifestations of chickenpox and provide a reference for the prevention strategy adjustment of chickenpox. Methods: The incidence data of chickenpox surveillance in Shandong Province from January 2019 to December 2021 were collected. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the distribution of cases, and the chi-square test was used to compare the differences in epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of varicella cases between adults and children. Results: A total of 66 182 cases of chickenpox were reported from 2019 to 2021, including 24 085 cases of adults chickenpox, the male to female sex ratio was 1∶1 (12 032∶12 053), basically the same for men and women, and 42 097 cases of children chickenpox, with a gender ratio of 1.4∶1, the male to female ratio was 1.4∶1 (24 699∶17 398). Fever in chickenpox cases was mainly low and moderate, but the proportion of moderate fever with temperature between 38.1 and 39.0 ℃ in children cases (35.0%,14 744/42 097) was significantly higher than that in adults (32.0%,7 696/24 085). The number of herpes in chickenpox cases was mainly less than 50, but the proportion of severe cases with 100-200 herpes in children was higher than that in adults. The incidence rate of complications was 1.4% (333/24 085) in adults chickenpox, the incidence rate of complications was 1.7% (731/42 097) in children chickenpox. The incidence of encephalitis and pneumonia in children was higher than in adults, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The proportion of chickenpox cases was mainly outpatient, but the hospitalization rate of children cases was 14.4% (6 049/42 097), higher than that of adults, which was 10.7% (2 585/24 085). Conclusions: There were differences between adult chickenpox and child chickenpox in terms of epidemic and clinical manifestations; the symptoms of child chickenpox were more serious than adult chickenpox. However, the adult chickenpox population is generally susceptible and lacks immune strategy protection, which calls for more attention.

[Evaluation of p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry in diagnosis of human papilloma virus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(opscc) and find out the optimal index to improve the accuracy of HPV detection. Methods: A total of 153 cases, from May 2014 to May 2020, diagnosed OPSCC in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, were selected. This cohort included 130 males and 23 females, aged (58.6±10.0) years old. HPV RNA in situ hybridization was chosen as the gold standard to detect their HPV status. p16 immunohistochemistry and p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry were performed on all cases, and the p16/Ki-67 double positive index including 20%, 40%, and 60% were used as the thresholds to compare their sensitivity, specificity, and positive prediction value (PPV), negative prediction value (NPV) and prognosis prediction ability. Results: Among the 153 patients with OPSCC, 114 were HPV-negative and 39 were HPV-positive, and the HPV infection rate of OPSCC patients was 25.5% (39/153). Only 58.1% (36/62) of single p16 positive cases were HPV-positive, and the prognosis of patients could not be distinguished using p16 immunohistochemistry only. Using p16/Ki-67 double staining, the accuracy of HPV positive diagnosis has been improved. The HPV diagnostic ability was the highest when the p16/Ki-67 double positive index was 40% (sensitivity=86.8%, specificity=94.8%, PPV=84.6%, NPV=95.6%, area under the curve=0.897), which could distinguish the prognosis of patients (P=0.012). Conclusions: The p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry can improve the accuracy of HPV positive diagnosis rate and diagnosis of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer is the most accurate when the double-positive index is 40% as the threshold to judge HPV status and could serve as better surrogate marker for HPV detection.

Nutrition-dependent juvenile hormone sensitivity promotes flight-muscle degeneration during the aphid dispersal-reproduction transition

In insects, the loss of flight typically involves a dispersal-reproduction transition, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the parthenogenetic pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, winged females undergo flight-muscle degeneration after flight and feeding on new host plants. Similarly, topical application of a juvenile hormone (JH) mimic to starved aphids also induces flight-muscle degeneration. We found that feeding preferentially upregulated the expression of the JH receptor gene Met and a JH-inducible gene, Kr-h1, in the flight muscles, and, thus, enhanced tissue-specific JH sensitivity and signaling. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Kr-h1 prevented flight-muscle degeneration. Likewise, blocking nutritional signals by pharmacological inhibition of the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) impaired JH sensitivity of the flight muscles in feeding aphids and subsequently delayed muscle degeneration. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that enhanced JH signaling inhibited the transcription of genes involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, likely resulting in reduction of the energy supply, mitochondrial dysfunction and muscle-fiber breakdown. This study shows that nutrient-dependent hormone sensitivity regulates developmental plasticity in a tissue-specific manner, emphasizing a relatively underappreciated mechanism of hormone sensitivity in modulating hormone signaling.

[Study of incidence and economic burden of herpes zoster based on community investigation among the aged in Laiwu district, Jinan city, Shandong Province of China]

Objective: To understand the incidence and economic burden of herpes zoster among the aged in Laiwu district, Jinan city. Methods: Retrospective cohort study was conducted in 5 communities in Laiwu District, Jinan City from July to September, 2019. A total of 8 300 residents born before July 1, 1959 and aged ≥60 years old were included in the investigation. At the same time, an economic burden survey was carried out among 220 cases who developed herpes zoster after July 1, 2017. A questionnaire was used to collect information on incidence and economic burden of HZ, and comparisons were carried out about the incidence and economic burden of herpes zoster among older people with different characteristics. Results: The age of 8 300 subjects was (71.46±6.71) years old. Male and female accounted for 44.10% and 55.90%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of disease after the age of 60 was 73.61‰ among population aged ≥60 years old. The cumulative incidence was 28.03‰, 71.26‰, 86.09‰, 93.48‰ and 88.10‰ among population aged 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and ≥80 years old,respectively. The average annual incidence of HZ was 9.49‰ and annual incidence was 7.59‰, 7.23‰, 8.43‰, 10.24‰ and 13.98‰ in 2014-2018, respectively. HZ cost was (2 626±667) RMB per patient with a median cost of 715 RMB (interquartile range 303-2 358) on 220 cases who developed disease after July 1, 2017. The cost of outpatient cases was (1 329±1 835) RMB per patient with a median cost of 560 RMB (interquartile range 300-1 320), and the cost of inpatient cases was (14 303±16 571) RMB per patient with a median cost of 8 190 RMB (interquartile range 4 368-15 160). Conclusion: The incidence of HZ is high among population aged≥60 years old, which could cause heavy economic burden for them.

The steroid-induced microRNA let-7 regulates developmental growth by targeting cdc7 in the Drosophila fat body

In insects, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) limits systemic growth by triggering developmental transitions. Previous studies have shown that 20E-induced let-7 exhibits crosstalk with the cell cycle. Here, we examined the underlying molecular mechanisms and physiological functions of 20E-induced let-7 in the fat body, an organ for energy storage and nutrient mobilization which plays a critical role in the larval growth. First, the overexpression of let-7 decreased the body size and led to the reduction of both nucleolus and cell sizes in the larval fat body. In contrast, the overexpression of let-7-Sponge increased the nucleolus and cell sizes. Moreover, we found that cdc7, encoding a conserved protein kinase that controls the endocycle, is a target of let-7. Notably, the mutation of cdc7 in the fat body resulted in growth defects. Overall, our findings revealed a novel role of let-7 in the control of endoreduplication-related growth during larval-prepupal transition in Drosophila.

Grainy head signaling regulates epithelium development and ecdysis in Blattella germanica

The transcription factor grainy head (Grh) functions in the protection of the epithelium against the external environment by generating strongly adhesive layers, and this function is conserved in vertebrates and invertebrates. In Drosophila, the top model for holometabolous insects, Grh is necessary during embryonic development, epidermal differentiation, central nervous system specification and epithelial repair. However, the function of this gene in hemimetabolous insect epithelia remains unknown. To examine the function of Grh signaling in regulating epithelium development in Hemimetabola, we focused on the Blattella germanica epidermal layer using a gene knockdown strategy. The spatiotemporal expression pattern of BgGrh was detected, and knockdown of BgGrh and BgCad96ca, which provide positive feedback to BgGrh, caused severe defects in new epithelium development and impeded the molting process required to discard the old integument. Knockdown of the expression of BgGrh and BgCad96ca caused increased expression of chitin synthase gene (BgCHS1) and chitinase gene (BgCht5), the upregulations of which should be mediated by the higher level of hormone receptor 3 (BgHr3) gene. In conclusion, epithelium development is regulated by Grh signaling, which might represent a potential target for the control of urban pest cockroaches.

Dual roles of juvenile hormone signaling during early oogenesis in Drosophila

Juvenile hormone (JH) signaling plays crucial roles in insect metamorphosis and reproduction. Function of JH signaling in germline stem cells (GSCs) remains largely unknown. Here, we found that the number of GSCs significantly declined in the ovaries of Met, Gce and JHAMT mutants. Then we inhibited JH signaling in selected cell types of ovaries by expressing Met and Gce or Kr-h1 double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) using different Gal4 drivers. Blocking of JH signaling in muscle cells has no effect on GSC numbers. Blocking of JH signaling in cap cells reduced GSCs cells. Inductive expression of Met and Gce dsRNA but not Kr-h1 by Nos-Gal4 increased GSC cells. These results indicate that JH signaling plays an important role in GSC maintenance.

Global genetic diversity of Spirometra tapeworms

Spirometra larvae are etiological agents of human sparganosis. However, the systematics of spirometrid cestodes has long been controversial. In order to determine the current knowledge on the evolution and genetic structure of Spirometra, an exhaustive population diversity analysis of spirometrid cestodes using the mitochondrial gene: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) was performed. All publicly available cox1 sequences available in the GenBank and 127 new sequencing genes from China were used as the dataset. The haplotype identify, network, genetic differentiation and phylogenetic analysis were conducted successively. A total of 488 sequences from 20 host species, representing four spirometrid tapeworms (S. decipiens, S. ranarum, S. erinaceieuropaei and Sparganum proliferum) and several unclassified American and African isolates from 113 geographical locations in 17 countries, identified 45 haplotypes. The genetic analysis revealed that there are four clades of spirometrid cestodes: Clade 1 (Brazil + USA) and Clade 2 (Argentina + Venezuela) included isolates from America, Clade 3 contained African isolates and one Korean sample, and the remainders from Asia and Australia belonged to Clade 4; unclassified Spirometra from America and Africa should be considered the separate species within the genus; and the taxonomy of two Korea isolates (S. erinaceieuropaei KJ599680 and S. decipiens KJ599679) was still ambiguous and needs to be further identified. In addition, the demographical analyses supported population expansion for the total spirometrid population. In summary, four lineages were found in the spirometrid tapeworm, and further investigation with deeper sampling is needed to elucidate the population structure.

[Construction and application of immunization information system based on children cases collected by vaccination clinic clients in Shandong Province, China]

Construction and application of immunization information system is an important part of health information, which is very useful to improve the quality, efficiency and safety of vaccination. The background, system architecture, functions and applications, working conditions and characteristics of Shandong province Immunization Information System (IIS) are introduced in this article. It is expected to provide experiences for the development of immunization information system of other provinces.

[Similar coronal curvature may not represent the same 3-dimensional deformity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a matched-pair study using EOS imaging system]

Objective: To analyze the preoperative axial plane and the surgical outcomes of the Lenke type 1A patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) whose coronal curve type was matched but thoracic kyphosis (TK) was different. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed a series of Lenke type 1A female AIS patients who underwent corrective surgery in the Department of Spine Surgery of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from May to August 2017. After matched with the Cobb angle of the main thoracic curve, the apical vertebral, the vertebra number included in the curve, the lumber modifier in the Lenke classification and Risser sign, 12 pairs of AIS patients, whose coronal curve was matched but thoracic kyphosis was different, were included in this study. The patients were divided into normal TK group and thoracic hypokyphosis group. EOS whole-body images were taken preoperatively and reconstructed by three-dimensional reconstruction. The whole spine anteroposterior X-ray was taken at 3 weeks after surgery. The radiographic parameters were measured on the preoperative and postoperative two-dimensional X-ray images: coronal Cobb angle, TK, lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI) and pelvic tilt (PT). The vertebra rotation was obtained on the EOS three-dimensional reconstructed image, and the average vertebral rotation of the major thoracic curve (MTR), the average vertebral rotation of the proximal thoracic curve (PTR) and the average vertebral rotation of the lumbar curve (LR) were calculated. The paired sample t test was used to compare the difference of preoperative and postoperative radiographic parameters between the groups. Results: A total of 24 patients (12 pairs) were included in this study with an average age of (13.7±2.9) years. The preoperative Cobb angle was similar in the two groups (53.8°±10.2° vs 51.0°±11.1°, t=0.27, P=0.81). The average preoperative TK of the normal TK groups was 28.2°±6.1°, while that of the thoracic hypokyphosis group was 11.2°±5.6°(t=7.68, P<0.01). The MTR in the normal TK group was significantly smaller than that in the thoracic hypokyphosis group (10.2° vs 12.7°, t=-3.74, P<0.01), and there was a significant correlation between TK and MTR (r=0.30, P=0.03). As for the lumbar curve rotation, the LR of the normal TK group was significantly smaller than that in the thoracic hypokyphosis group (t=-2.65, P=0.002), but the absolute value of the two groups was similar (t=-0.33, P=0.31). The lumbar Cobb angle correction rate was significantly greater in patients with thoracic and lumbar curve rotating in the same direction than that in the opposite direction (81.1% vs 61.9%, t=4.24, P=0.005). Conclusions: It indicated that when the coronal deformity is matched, the MTR of the patients with thoracic hypokyphosis is significantly larger than that in the patients with normal thoracic kyphosis. The direction of the thoracic and lumbar curve rotation is required to be well concerned in the preoperative surgical planning.

Intracavernosal alprostadil is effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in diabetic men

The efficacy and safety of intracavernosal alprostadil was evaluated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men with type I or type II diabetes mellitus. This was an open-label, flexible dose-escalating study involving 336 men (77% of whom were Asian/Oriental) enrolled by 15 centres in Australia, Canada and seven countries in Asia. The effective alprostadil dose, ie the dose producing penile rigidity adequate for intercourse and lasting up to 60 min, was established by titration at the clinic prior to entry into the 6 month self-treatment home phase. All men were fully trained in the self-injection technique before entry into the home phase. Efficacy and safety were assessed using patient and partner diaries and by interview at clinic visits during the titration phase and after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment. An effective home dose was established by titration for 94% of the 336 men (median dose 20 microg, range 2.5-60 microg). Of 278 (83%) men who entered the home phase, 277 men (247 with type II diabetes and 30 with type I diabetes) had evaluable data for alprostadil dosage and clinical response. During the home phase, a satisfactory erectile response was achieved after 99% of injections, and the median alprostadil dose remained unchanged. The initial home dose and clinical response were similar in type I and type II diabetic men. Treatment was generally well tolerated with a low incidence of penile pain (24%) In conclusion, intracavernosal alprostadil was effective and well tolerated in type I and type II diabetic men with erectile dysfunction of mixed aetiology.

The study on core conflictual relationship of short-term counseling

This study utilizes the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme Method (CCRT; Luborsky and Crits-Christoph, 1997) on process study of short-term counseling. The purpose was to evaluate the formation and variation of interpersonal conflicts presented by nine clients, so as to enhance the understanding of the core conflicts of each client and how these clients were influenced by short-term counseling. CCRT was conducted by two raters to analyze the content of core conflictual relationship themes. The raters started with taking a twenty-minute vignette from four tapes of the counseling sessions which were the 1st, 2nd, 11th and the 12th. A transcript was taken for each session and the raters searched for relationship episodes (REs) in it. Further, other main persons were identified in REs. Three components, including wish(W), response from others(RO), and response of self(RS) were investigated and analyzed. The raters calculated the appearance frequency of each component and transferred them into formulation of relationship theme in written language. The findings are as follows. (1) The interrater reliabilities between the two raters over W, RO, RS are significant (Kappa = .21-.82, P < .01) (2) The most frequently described other main persons in 201 REs were 'clleague' (N = 87, 43. 3%), the second 'self' (N = 42, 32.8%) and the third 'family members' (N = 41, 20. 4%). The first three described wishes were 'to assert self and be independent' (N = 66, 32.8%), 'to be close and accepted' (N = 48, 23.9%), and 'to be loved and understood' (N = 35, 17.4%) (3) The change of pervasiveness scores of each component in terms of positive and negative responses evaluated by t-test were found to decrease significantly in NRO (r = -2.73, p < .05). The score was most significantly decreased in 'rejecting and opposing' item (t = -3.83, p < .01). Conclusions and suggestions regarding application of the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme analytical and categorization methods in the Chinese context are presented.

Change of core conflicts of schizophrenic patients who received brief psychodynamic psychotherapy: a pilot study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

This study examined the change of core conflicts of schizophrenic patients who received brief psychodynamic psychotherapy (BPP).

METHODS

The change of core conflicts and relationship patterns over dynamic psychotherapy sessions were assessed by the core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT) method. Patients were enrolled either from the psychiatric outpatient department or day hospital in a medical center. Transcripts of psychotherapy sessions were used for CCRT analysis. In each extracted transcript, 3 components, i.e., wishes, responses from others and responses of self, were identified and were used to formulate the CCRT. CCRT pervasiveness was calculated to compare the change of each component from early to late sessions.

RESULTS

The main other person most frequently mentioned was the family member. The changes of positive and negative responses of self were found to be statistically significant. Wishes were not so pervasive as those of non-psychotic patients. A high drop-out rate characterized the schizophrenic patients.

CONCLUSION

Self-understanding and self-control may well explain the significant change in responses of self, even in patients with essentially poor ego strength like schizophrenics.