Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on suicide: A network meta-analysis of double-blind randomized trials

The relationship between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and suicide risk in patients with mental disorders remains controversial. We conducted a network meta-analysis to examine the effects of SSRIs on suicide risk in patients with mental disorders. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for articles published until December 19, 2023. The main outcomes were suicidal ideation and instances of suicidal behavior. We included 29 double-blind randomized trials in our analysis. The findings suggest that SSRIs primarily offer short-term protection against suicidal ideation. By week 2, paroxetine, fluoxetine, escitalopram, and non-SSRI treatments were linked to a decreased suicide risk compared with a placebo, with the exception of sertraline. This protective effect was diminished by week 8. In contrast, studies on instances of suicidal behavior from weeks 1 to 10 found no significant difference in efficacy between SSRIs, non-SSRIs, and placebo. These results indicate that SSRIs may offer short-term protection against suicidal ideation. However, their long-term effectiveness in mitigating suicidal ideation and preventing suicidal behaviors is limited.

Does gestational diabetes mellitus increase the risk of cardiovascular disease? A Mendelian randomization study

PURPOSE

In recent years, epidemiological studies have revealed the relationship between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, we utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the potential causal impact of GDM on cardiovascular disease for the first time.

METHODS

 We retrieved summary statistics from published genome-wide association studies. MR was first performed using significant SNPs extracted from the eighth data release of the FinnGen study. Next, a replication analysis for coronary artery disease (CAD) was conducted in another European ancestry population to validate our findings. Finally, mediation analysis was carried out to assess potential mediation effects.

RESULTS

Our data analysis revealed that genetically predicted GDM was significantly associated with increased CAD risk (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.18, p 0.006). Replication analysis confirmed a significant genetic association between GDM and CAD (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.12, p 0.003) in another European ancestry population. Mediation analysis indicated no significant mediation effect by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the GDM-CAD relationship (mediation effect β [95% CI]: 0.005 [-0.003, -0.017]).

CONCLUSION

Women with a prior history of GDM face an elevated risk of future CAD. This increased risk of CAD cannot be solely attributed to the subsequent onset of diabetes. Regular CAD risk assessment and primary prevention strategies are of paramount importance for women with a history of GDM.

[Mechanism of noise induced hidden hearing loss based on proteomics]

Objective: To explore the mechanism of noise-induced hidden hearing loss by proteomics. Methods: In October 2022, 64 SPF male C57BL/6J mice were divided into control group and noise exposure group with 32 mice in each group according to random sampling method. The noise exposure group was exposed to 100 dB sound pressure level, 2000-16000 Hz broadband noise for 2 h, and the mouse hidden hearing loss model was established. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to test the change of hearing threshold of mice on the 7th day after noise exposure, the damage of basal membrane hair cells was observed by immunofluorescence, and the differentially expressed proteins in the inner ear of mice in each group were identified and analyzed by 4D-Label-free quantitative proteomics, and verified by Western blotting. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and t test. Results: On the 7th day after noise exposure, there was no significant difference in hearing threshold between the control group and the noise exposure group at click and 8000 Hz acoustic stimulation (P>0.05) . The hearing threshold in the noise exposure group was significantly higher than that in the control group under 16000 Hz acoustic stimulation (P<0.05) . Confocal immunofluorescence showed that the basal membrane hair cells of cochlear tissue in noise exposure group were arranged neatly, but the relative expression of C-terminal binding protein 2 antibody of presynaptic membrane in middle gyrus and basal gyrus was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05) . GO enrichment analysis showed that the functions of differentially expressed proteins were mainly concentrated in membrane potential regulation, ligand-gated channel activity, and ligand-gated ion channel activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed proteins were significantly enriched in phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, etc. Western blotting showed that the expression of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor 3 (Itpr3) was increased and the expression of solute carrier family 38 member 2 (Slc38a2) was decreased in the noise exposure group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Through proteomic analysis, screening and verification of the differential expression proteins Itpr3 and Slc38a2 in the constructed mouse noise-induced hidden hearing loss model, the glutaminergic synaptic related pathways represented by Itpr3 and Slc38a2 may be involved in the occurrence of hidden hearing loss.

Small extracellular vesicles facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps via the miR-375-3p/QKI axis

BACKGROUND

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, the involvement of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in EMT and their contributions to CRSwNP has not been extensively investigated.

METHODS

SEVs were isolated from nasal mucosa through ultracentrifugation. MicroRNA sequencing and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were employed to analyze the differential expression of microRNAs carried by sEVs. Human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) were used to assess the EMT-inducing effect of sEVs/microRNAs. EMT-associated markers were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine the target gene of miR-375-3p. MicroRNA mimic, lentiviral, and plasmid transduction were used for functional experiments.

RESULTS

In line with the greater EMT status in eosinophilic CRSwNP (ENP), sEVs derived from ENP (ENP-sEVs) could induce EMT in hNECs. MiR-375-3p was elevated in ENP-sEVs compared to that in control and nonENP. MiR-375- 3p carried by ENP-sEVs facilitated EMT by directly targeting KH domain containing RNA binding (QKI) at seed sequences of 913-919, 1025-1033, and 2438-2444 in 3'-untranslated region. Inhibition of QKI by miR-375-3p overexpression promoted EMT, which could be reversed by restoration of QKI. Furthermore, the abundance of miR-375-3p in sEVs was closely correlated with the clinical symptom score and disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-375-3p-enriched sEVs facilitated EMT by suppressing QKI in hNECs. The association of miR-375-3p with disease severity underscores its potential as both a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for the innovative management of CRSwNP.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for menopausal mood disorder: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on mood disorder symptoms for menopausal women.

METHODS

A total of 95 qualified Chinese participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 31 in the acupuncture combined with CHM group (combined group), 32 in the acupuncture combined with CHM placebo group (acupuncture group) and 32 in the CHM combined with sham acupuncture group (CHM group). The patients were treated for 8 weeks and followed up for 4 weeks. The data were collected using the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and safety index.

RESULTS

The three groups each showed significant decreases in the GCS, SDS and SAS after treatment (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the effect on the GCS total score and the anxiety domain lasted until the follow-up period in the combined group (p < 0.05). Within the three groups, there was no difference in GCS and SAS between the three groups after treatment (p > 0.05). However, the combined group showed significant improvement in the SDS, compared with both the acupuncture group and the CHM group at 8 weeks and 12 weeks (p < 0.05). No obvious abnormal cases were found in any of the safety indexes.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that either acupuncture, or CHM or combined therapy offer safe improvement of mood disorder symptoms for menopausal women. However, the combination therapy was associated with more stable effects in the follow-up period and a superior effect on improving depression symptoms.

[Establishment and validation of a nomogram for predicting prognosis of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms based on data from 490 cases in a single center]

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a nomogram for predicting outcomes of patients with gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (G-NENs).

METHODS

We retrospectively collected the clinical data from 490 patients with the diagnosis of G-NEN at our medical center from 2000 to 2021. Log-rank test was used to analyze the overall survival (OS) of the patients. The independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of G-NEN were identified by Cox regression analysis to construct the prognostic nomogram, whose performance was evaluated using the C-index, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the ROC curve (AUC), calibration curve, DCA, and AUDC.

RESULTS

Among the 490 G-NEN patients (mean age of 58.6±10.92 years, including 346 male and 144 female patients), 130 (26.5%) had NET G1, 54 (11.0%) had NET G2, 206 (42.0%) had NEC, and 100 (20.5%) had MiNEN. None of the patients had NET G3. The numbers of patients in stage Ⅰ-Ⅳ were 222 (45.3%), 75 (15.3%), 130 (26.5%), and 63 (12.9%), respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified age, pathological grade, tumor location, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and F-NLR as independent risk factors affecting the survival of the patients (P < 0.05). The C-index of the prognostic nomogram was 0.829 (95% CI: 0.800-0.858), and its AUC for predicting 1-, 3- and 5-year OS were 0.883, 0.895 and 0.944, respectively. The calibration curve confirmed a good consistency between the model prediction results and the actual observations. For predicting 1-year, 3-year and 5-year OS, the TNM staging system and the nomogram had AUC of 0.033 vs 0.0218, 0.191 vs 0.148, and 0.248 vs 0.197, respectively, suggesting higher net benefit and better clinical utility of the nomogram.

CONCLUSION

The prognostic nomogram established in this study has good predictive performance and clinical value to facilitate prognostic evaluation of individual patients with G-NEN.

Synovitis mediates the association between bone marrow lesions and knee pain in osteoarthritis: data from the Foundation for the National Institute of Health (FNIH) Osteoarthritis Biomarkers Consortium

OBJECTIVES

Although subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and synovitis have been well acknowledged as important sources of pain in knee osteoarthritis (KOA), it is unclear if synovitis plays the mediating role in the relationship between BMLs and knee pain.

METHODS

We analyzed 600 subjects with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the Foundation for National Institutes of Health Osteoarthritis Biomarkers Consortium (FNIH) cohort at baseline and 24-month. BMLs and synovitis were measured according to the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) scoring system. BMLs were scored in five subregions. A summary synovitis score of effusion and Hoffa-synovitis was calculated. Knee pain was evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Linear regression models were applied to analyze the natural direct effect (NDE) of BMLs and synovitis with knee pain, respectively, and natural indirect effect (NIE) mediated by synovitis.

RESULTS

590 participants (58.8% females, with a mean age of 61.5) were included in the present analyses. For NDE, knee pain was cross-sectionally associated with medial femorotibial BMLs (β = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.38) and synovitis (β = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.60). Longitudinal associations retained significant [medial femorotibial BMLs (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.53); synovitis (β = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.99)]. In the NIE analyses, synovitis mediated the association between medial femorotibial BML and knee pain at baseline (β = 0.051, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.09) and over 24 months (β = 0.079, 95% CI: 0.023, 0.15), with the mediating proportion of 17.8% and 22.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Synovitis partially mediates the association between medial femorotibial BMLs and knee pain.

Probing ^{93m}Mo Isomer Depletion with an Isomer Beam

The isomer depletion of ^{93m}Mo was recently reported [Chiara et al., Nature (London) 554, 216 (2018)NATUAS0028-083610.1038/nature25483] as the first direct observation of nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC). However, the measured excitation probability of 1.0(3)% is far beyond the theoretical expectation. In order to understand the inconsistency between theory and experiment, we produce the ^{93m}Mo nuclei using the ^{12}C(^{86}Kr,5n) reaction at a beam energy of 559 MeV and transport the reaction residues to a detection station far away from the target area employing a secondary beam line. The isomer depletion is expected to occur during the slowdown process of the ions in the stopping material. In such a low γ-ray background environment, the signature of isomer depletion is not observed, and an upper limit of 2×10^{-5} is estimated for the excitation probability. This is consistent with the theoretical expectation. Our findings shed doubt on the previously reported NEEC phenomenon and highlight the necessity and feasibility of further experimental investigations for reexamining the isomer depletion under low γ-ray background.

Overexpression of zinc-finger protein 677 inhibits proliferation and invasion by and induces apoptosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Recent studies have demonstrated that zinc-finger protein 677 (ZNF677) acts as a tumor suppressor gene in cancer. However, the expression and function of ZNF677 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are still unclear. In this study, we used bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments to investigate the expression of ZNF677 in ccRCC tissues and the malignant biological behavior of ZNF677 in 786–0 cells. We demonstrated that ZNF677 is hypermethylated in ccRCC and is associated with clinicopathological features. The results of the functional assays indicate that ZNF677 inhibits tumor cell proliferation and invasion and induces apoptosis. Further prognostic analysis indicated that low expression of ZNF677 is associated with shorter overall survival. Additionally, ZNF677 overexpression suppressed the invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of 786–0 cells by inactivating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This is the first report to evaluate the influence of ZNF677 on ccRCC cells malignant biological behavior. The results indicate that high expression of ZNF677 could be considered as a favorable prognostic indicator for ccRCC.

[Efficacy of mitomycin C 0.02% for prevention of haze after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy for mild and moderate myopia]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of mitomycin C (MMC) 0.02% for prevention of haze after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (Trans-PRK) for mild and moderate myopia. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. We reviewed medical records of 295 patients (588 eyes) who underwent Trans-PRK with or without use of MMC. There were 45 patients (90 eyes) in the mild myopia group (aged between 18 and 41 years; 37 males and 8 females; myopia diopter <3.00 D) and 250 patients (498 eyes) in the moderate myopia group (aged between 18 and 46 years; 168 males and 82 females; myopia diopter: 3.00 to 6.00 D). The two groups were divided into subgroups with MMC 0.02% and without MMC, respectively. The time of intraoperative application of MMC, if there was, was 15 s and 30 s in the mild myopia group and the moderate myopia group, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 6 months. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent (SE) and haze were analyzed and compared using an independent Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test between subgroups. Haze variables were compared using chi-square statistics. Results: Haze was quantified with Fantes from grade 0.5 to 4. In the mild myopia group, all haze grades were 0.5 within 3 months. The incidence of haze was 6.25% (2/32) in eyes treated with MMC and 8.62% (5/58) in eyes treated without MMC; there was no statistical significance (χ²=0.00, P>0.999). In the moderate myopia group, the incidence of haze was 9.19% (24/261) in eyes treated with MMC within 3 months; the grade was 0.5 in 91.67% (22/24) of eyes with haze and 1 in 8.33% (2/24). The incidence of haze was 29.53% (70/237) in eyes treated without MMC; the grade was 0.5 in 60.00% (42/70) of eyes with haze, 1 in 18.57% (13/70), and 2 in 5.71% (4/70) within 3 months, and 0.5 in 15.71% (11/70) after 3 months (χ²=12.36, P=0.002). In the mild myopia group, BCVA was 5.0(5.0, 5.1) versus 5.0(5.0, 5.1) in the subgroups with MMC and without MMC (Z=-0.34, P=0.733). In the moderate myopia group, BCVA was 5.0(5.0, 5.1) versus 5.0(5.0, 5.1) in the subgroups with and without MMC (Z=-2.05, P=0.040). In the mild myopia group, SE was (0.33±1.07) D versus (0.32±0.57) D in the subgroups with and without MMC (t=0.25, P=0.805). In the moderate myopia group, SE was (0.66±0.85) D versus (0.53±0.67) D in the subgroups with and without MMC (t=2.97, P=0.003). Conclusions: MMC 0.02% was effective in preventing haze after Trans-PRK in the treatment of moderate myopia. However, it was not effective in mild myopia.

D-Galactose-Induced Accelerated Aging Model on Auditory Cortical Neurons by Regulating Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Vitro

OBJECTIVES

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is much more prevalent with age, affecting not only peripheral but central auditory system. We have previously established an aging model of peripheral auditory system in vitro using cultured cochlear basilar membrane. However, there is no ideal accelerated aging model on central auditory system in vitro. To establish the aging model, auditory cortical neurons (ACNs) were primary cultured and treated with either vehicle or different doses of D-galactose (D-gal). We studied the effect of D-gal on ACNs by evaluating the hallmarks of aging, including cell proliferation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and neuronal apoptosis. Compared with the control group, cell viability was significantly inhibited in the D-gal-treated group in a dose-dependent manner. The production of reactive oxygen species was strongly increased in the D-gal-treated group. Meanwhile, the level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, which is a biomarker of DNA oxidative damage, was even higher in the D-gal-treated group than that in the control group. Conversely, the levels of ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential were notably decreased in the D-gal-treated group contrast to that in the control group. Furthermore, the number of neuronal apoptosis in the D-gal-treated group, compared with that in the control group, was dramatically increased in a dose-dependent approach. Together, our results demonstrate that ACNs treated with D-gal in vitro display senescence characteristics by regulating oxidative stress and apoptosis, indicating accelerated aging model on ACNs are successfully established. And the model provides a promising approach for exploring underlying mechanisms of the ARHL.

Pre-operative assessment of facial recess width in paediatric cochlear implant recipients: a radiological study

Background

The location of the vertical segment of the facial nerve varies greatly among patients undergoing otological surgery. Its position relative to the incus determines facial recess width, which has implications for ease of cochlear implantation.

Objective

To investigate the variation in facial nerve depth, relative to the incus, on pre-operative computed tomography in patients undergoing cochlear implantation.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of paediatric patients undergoing cochlear implantation at a tertiary referral centre. Distance between the incus short process and facial nerve, in the transverse (medial-lateral) dimension, was measured at six imaging slices, ranging from 1.25 to 7.25 mm below the tip of the incus short process.

Results

Facial nerve depth relative to the incus short process demonstrated significant variability. Among all subjects and at all measurements taken inferior to the incus, the mean dimension between the facial nerve and the incus short process was 1.71 mm.

Conclusion

This paper presents a rapid, repeatable technique to assess the depth of the facial nerve vertical segment on pre-operative computed tomography, as measured relative to the tip of the incus short process. This allows the surgeon to anticipate facial recess width and round window access during cochlear implantation.

Circ_0004417 inhibits the progression of prostate cancer through sponging miR-1228

OBJECTIVE

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been proved to play a vital role in tumorigenesis and progression. Nevertheless, the potential mechanism of circRNAs in prostate cancer (PC) remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the exact role of circ_0004417 in the progression of prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of circ_0004417 in primary PC tissues and cell lines. In vitro experiments were conducted to explore the function of circ_0004417 in PC progression, including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay and transwell assay. Furthermore, the regulatory function of circ_0004417 on miRNA, p-Akt and E-cadherin was investigated to elucidate the potential mechanisms.

RESULTS

Circ_0004417 was significantly down-regulated in PC tissues and cells (p<0.05). Functional experiments proved that circ_0004417 overexpression markedly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of PC cells (p<0.05). In addition, the results demonstrated that circ_0004417 served as a sponge for miR-1228 and regulated expressions of p-Akt and E-cadherin.

CONCLUSIONS

Circ_0004417 inhibits the progression of prostate cancer through sponging miR-1228. All our findings suggest that circ_0004417 can be used as a potential therapeutic target for PC.

BACE1 and Other Alzheimer's-Related Biomarkers in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma Distinguish Alzheimer's Disease Patients from Cognitively-Impaired Neurosyphilis Patients

BACKGROUND

Patients with spirochetal infection, which causes neurosyphilis (NS) and at a later stage general paresis of the insane (GPI), present with brain pathology features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the relationships among these illnesses regarding biomarker levels are still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore biomarker levels in NS and GPI compared with those in AD and the relationship between biomarker levels and cognitive function in NS and GPI.

METHODS

Levels of neurogranin (NGRN) and β-amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE1) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/plasma, together with amyloid-β 1-40 (Aβ40), Aβ42, and total tau in the CSF of 23 AD patients, 55 GPI patients, and 13 NS patients were measured. Patients were classified into none-to-mild, moderate, and severe stages of cognitive impairment.

RESULTS

Levels of CSF NGRN, BACE1, and tau as well as plasma BACE1 levels were significantly different among groups. In the none-to-mild stage, plasma BACE1 levels correlated with the protein levels in CSF and were significantly increased in AD patients versus GPI patients. The CSF tau levels in AD patients were significantly increased versus GPI patients in the moderate and severe stages. Pooling data from GPI and NS patients, both CSF tau and plasma NGRN levels correlated with cognitive scale scores.

CONCLUSION

GPI and NS patients might have different biomarker level patterns compared to AD patients. While plasma BACE1 could be a promising early biomarker for distinguishing AD from GPI, CSF tau and plasma NGRN levels might be valuable in indications of cognitive function in pooled NS populations.

[Expression of nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase in gastric cancer and its biological and clinicopathological significance]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in gastric cancer (GC) and explore its biological and clinicopathological significance.

OBJECTIVE

We screened the candidate genes associated with the classification and prognosis of gastric cancer by analyzing GEO, Oncomine and TCGA datasets. The molecular pathways and protein interaction network involving these candidate genes were analyzed using STRING, GSEA, David and Cytoscape software. The expressions of the candidate genes in 28 pairs of gastric cancer and adjacent tissues were detected with qRTPCR, and CCK-8 assay, clone formation assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay were carried out to analyze the effects of modulation of NNMT expression on proliferation, invasion and migration of different gastric cancer cell lines.

OBJECTIVE

NNMT was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and was negatively correlated with the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Pathway analysis showed that the high expression of NNMT was associated with adhesion-related pathway molecules such as extracellular matrix receptors, cell adhesion molecules, and cytokine receptors, while its low expression was associated with base mismatch repair and riboflavin metabolism. Protein interaction analysis showed that NNMT interacted with 16 differentially expressed proteins such as AURKA and was co-expressed with TAGLN, PTRF, AKAP12 and IGF2BP2. In clinical tissue specimens, qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of NNMT mRNA was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than in the adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). In gastric cancer cell lines, overexpression of NNMT was found to significantly promote cell proliferation, invasion and migration, while NNMT knockdown produced obvious inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, invasion and migration.

OBJECTIVE

NNMT is highly expressed in gastric cancer and negatively correlated with the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The high expression of NNMT promotes the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells, suggesting the potential of NNMT as prognostic marker of gastric cancer.

Mn-containing bioceramics inhibit osteoclastogenesis and promote osteoporotic bone regeneration via scavenging ROS

Osteoporosis is caused by an osteoclast activation mechanism. People suffering from osteoporosis are prone to bone defects. Increasing evidence indicates that scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) can inhibit receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and suppress ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. It is critical to develop biomaterials with antioxidant properties to modulate osteoclast activity for treating osteoporotic bone defects. Previous studies have shown that manganese (Mn) can improve bone regeneration, and Mn supplementation may treat osteoporosis. However, the effect of Mn on osteoclasts and the role of Mn in osteoporotic bone defects remain unclear. In present research, a model bioceramic, Mn-contained β-tricalcium phosphate (Mn-TCP) was prepared by introducing Mn into β-TCP. The introduction of Mn into β-TCP significantly improved the scavenging of oxygen radicals and nitrogen radicals, demonstrating that Mn-TCP bioceramics might have antioxidant properties. The in vitro and in vivo findings revealed that Mn²⁺ ions released from Mn-TCP bioceramics could distinctly inhibit the formation and function of osteoclasts, promote the differentiation of osteoblasts, and accelerate bone regeneration under osteoporotic conditions in vivo. Mechanistically, Mn-TCP bioceramics inhibited osteoclastogenesis and promoted the regeneration of osteoporotic bone defects by scavenging ROS via Nrf2 activation. These results suggest that Mn-containing bioceramics with osteoconductivity, ROS scavenging and bone resorption inhibition abilities may be an ideal biomaterial for the treatment of osteoporotic bone defect.

•

Mn-containing bioceramics with osteoconductivity, ROS scavenging and bone resorption inhibition abilities were prepared.

•

Mn-containing bioceramics inhibited osteoclastogenesis by scavenging ROS via Nrf2 activation in vitro.

•

Mn-containing bioceramics acted as antioxidant biomaterials accelerated bone defect regeneration in osteoporotic rats.

•

Mn-containing bioceramics can be further applied as a biomaterial for treating osteoporotic bone defects.

(2R,6R)-Hydroxynorketamine Alleviates Electroconvulsive Shock-Induced Learning Impairment by Inhibiting Autophagy

PURPOSE

Learning impairment after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is common. Ketamine, an anesthetic used for ECT, has been demonstrated to attenuate cognitive impairment after ECT. However, the mechanism by which ketamine occurs in this case is still unknown. We aimed to explore the role of ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine [(2R,6R)-HNK] in the protection against learning impairment and investigate whether autophagy is involved in the protective effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A rat depression model received electroconvulsive shock (ECS; simulated ECT in animal models) daily for 3 days. The Morris water maze was used to assess the spatial learning function of the rats. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Beclin-1, light chain (LC)3-II/LC3-I, p62, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p-mTOR in the hippocampus.

RESULTS

The escape latency for the maze in the ECS group was significantly longer than that in the sham ECS group (P=0.042). Meanwhile, the escape latency in the (2R,6R)-HNK+ECS group was significantly shorter than that in the ECS group (P=0.005). The LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and Beclin-1 expression level significantly increased, and the p62 expression level significantly decreased in the ECS group, compared with those in the sham ECS group (all P<0.001). The (2R,6R)-HNK+ECS group showed lower LC3-II/LC3-I ratio (P<0.001) and Beclin-1 expression level (P<0.001) and higher p62 (P<0.001) and p-mTOR expression levels (P=0.048) than did the ECS group. After small-molecule enhancer of rapamycin 28 (SMER28) administration, the role of (2R,6R)-HNK in protecting against learning impairment and inhibiting autophagy was abrogated, showing no difference in the escape latency; the difference in the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and p62 expression level between the SMER28+(2R,6R)-HNK+ECS and ECS groups was not as significant as that between the (2R,6R)-HNK+ECS and ECS groups (P<0.05-0.01 vs P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

(2R,6R)-HNK yields cognitive protection by suppressing autophagy through the mTOR signaling pathway in the ECS-treated rat hippocampus.

The effect of Clostridium tyrobutyricum Spo0A overexpression in the intestine of mice

Clostridium tyrobutyricum shows probiotic properties and can affect the composition of gut microbiota and regulate the intestinal immune system. Compared with other probiotics, this spore-producing bacterium shows unparalleled advantages in commercial production. In addition to being resistant to extreme living environments for extended periods, its endophytic spores are implicated in inhibiting cancer cell growth. We speculated that C. tyrobutyricum spores can also promote gut health, which mean it can maintain intestinal homeostasis. To date, the beneficial effects of C. tyrobutyricum spores on gut health have not been reported. In this study, a Spo0A-overexpressing C. tyrobutyricum strain was developed to increase spore production, and its probiotic effects on the gut were assessed. Compared with the wild-type, the engineered strain showed significantly increased sporulation rates. Mice administered with the engineered strain exhibited enhanced intestinal villi and the villus height/crypt depth ratio, weight gain and improved Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio to facilitate intestinal homeostasis. This study demonstrated for the first time that enhanced spore production in C. tyrobutyricum can improve intestinal homeostasis, which is advantageous for its commercial application in food and pharmaceutical industry.

Abnormal Serum Bilirubin/Albumin Concentrations in Dementia Patients With Aβ Deposition and the Benefit of Intravenous Albumin Infusion for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

Background

Our previous study in animal models revealed that bilirubin could induce Aβ formation and deposition. Bilirubin may be important in neurodegenerative dementia with Aβ deposition. Hence, lowering the concentration of the free bilirubin capable of crossing the blood brain-barrier may benefit the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to examine the change in the serum bilirubin and albumin concentrations of dementia patients with Aβ deposition, and to determine the effects of intravenous administration of albumin in the treatment of AD.

Methods

Bilirubin and albumin concentrations in dementia patients with Aβ deposition were examined. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined in dopaminergic neuron-like cells MN9D treated with bilirubin in the presence of diverse concentrations of serum. Human albumin at a dose of 10 g every 2 weeks for 24 weeks was administered intravenously to AD patients to examine the effect of albumin on AD symptoms.

Results

Significantly higher indirect bilirubin (IBIL) concentrations, lower albumin concentrations, and higher ratio of IBIL to albumin (IBIL/ALB) were observed in dementia patients with Aβ deposition, including AD, dementia with Lewy bodies, and general paresis of insane. In vitro assays showed that bilirubin-induced injury in cultured dopaminergic neuron-like cells negatively depends on the concentration of serum in the culture medium. General linear model with repeated measures analysis indicated a main effect of group on the change in albumin concentrations and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Inventory scale (ADCS-ADL) scores, and the main effect of time and group, and group-by-time interaction on the change of Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) scores. Analysis of the combined data of the entire 28 weeks of assessment period using the area under curve convincingly showed significantly improvements in the change of albumin concentrations, ADCS-ADL scores, and CDR-SB scores.

Conclusion

IBIL and the IBIL/ALB ratio are significantly higher in dementia patients with Aβ deposition, and intravenous administration of albumin is beneficial to AD treatment.

Trial Registration

The intervention study was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR-IOR-17011539). Date of registration: June 1, 2017.

Engineered scaffolds based on mesenchymal stem cells/preosteoclasts extracellular matrix promote bone regeneration

Recently, extracellular matrix-based tissue-engineered bone is a promising approach to repairing bone defects, and the seed cells are mostly mesenchymal stem cells. However, bone remodelling is a complex biological process, in which osteoclasts perform bone resorption and osteoblasts dominate bone formation. The interaction and coupling of these two kinds of cells is the key to bone repair. Therefore, the extracellular matrix secreted by the mesenchymal stem cells alone cannot mimic a complex bone regeneration microenvironment, and the addition of extracellular matrix by preosteoclasts may contribute as an effective strategy for bone regeneration. Here, we established the mesenchymal stem cell/preosteoclast extracellular matrix -based tissue-engineered bones and demonstrated that engineered-scaffolds based on mesenchymal stem cell/ preosteoclast extracellular matrix significantly enhanced osteogenesis in a 3 mm rat femur defect model compared with mesenchymal stem cell alone. The bioactive proteins released from the mesenchymal stem cell/ preosteoclast extracellular matrix based tissue-engineered bones also promoted the migration, adhesion, and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. As for the mechanisms, the iTRAQ-labeled mass spectrometry was performed, and 608 differentially expressed proteins were found, including the IGFBP5 and CXCL12. Through in vitro studies, we proved that CXCL12 and IGFBP5 proteins, mainly released from the preosteoclasts, contributed to mesenchymal stem cells migration and osteogenic differentiation, respectively. Overall, our research, for the first time, introduce pre-osteoclast into the tissue engineering of bone and optimize the strategy of constructing extracellular matrix-based tissue-engineered bone using different cells to simulate the natural bone regeneration environment, which provides new sight for bone tissue engineering.

Prunella vulgaris L protects glucocorticoids-induced osteogenesis inhibition in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through activating the Smad pathway

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the role of Prunella vulgaris L (PVL) in protecting glucocorticoids (GC)-induced osteogenesis inhibition, thereafter, protecting the deterioration of osteoporosis (OP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was conducted to assess the influence of PVL treatment on MSCs viability. Osteogenesis in MSCs was induced by Dexamethasone (DEX) stimulation. Regulatory effects of PVL on osteogenesis-related gene expressions, ALP activity, and mineralization ability in DEX-induced MSCs were determined. At last, protein levels of p-Smad1/5/9 and total-Smad1/5/9 influenced by DEX and PVL were measured by Western blot.

RESULTS

PVL treatment did not pose a time- or dose-dependent influence on MSCs viability. DEX induction in MSCs downregulated ALP, RUNX2, Bglap, and Osterix. ALP activity and mineralization in DEX-induced MSCs were suppressed. Downregulated osteogenesis-related genes decreased ALP activity and mineralization in MSCs undergoing DEX stimulation were partially reversed by PVL treatment. Moreover, the downregulated p-Smad1/5/9 level in DEX-induced MSCs was elevated by PVL treatment, while total-Smad1/5/9 was not affected.

CONCLUSIONS

PVL alleviated GC-induced suppression in MSCs osteogenesis by activating the Smad pathway, thereafter, protecting the deterioration of OP.

AB0126 EXPRESSION CHARACTERISTICS OF ADENOSINE DEAMINASES ACTING ON RNA-1 IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AND ITS CORRELATION WITH SERUM IFN-Α

Background:

SLE is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by the production of multiple autoantibodies and loss of immunity against autoantigens in various tissues. SLE patients have significantly elevated RNA editing levels and the potential to produce new autoantigens.1ADAR1 is an RNA A-I editing enzyme that converts adenine to hypoxanthine and contributes to SLE pathogenesis.2

Objectives:

Dama demonstrated the upregulation of ADAR1p150 expression in SLE T cells, B cells, PBMCs, and NK cells;3however, the following issues were not reported in detail: 1. specific alterations in ADAR1 expression in PBMCs collected from SLE patients with varying degrees of the disease and its correlation with serum IFN-α levels; 2. association between ADAR1 and clinical indicators; and 3. ADAR1 expression in renal tissue of LN patients. Our study therefore aimed to elucidate the abovementioned points.

Methods:

We used qRT-PCR to determine ADAR1 expression levels in PBMCs and renal tissues of controls and SLE patients. We also conducted immunohistochemical studies to detect positive ADAR1 expression rate in renal cells of controls and LN patients.

Results:

ADAR1 expression was higher in PBMCs of SLE patients than in those of controls and was positively correlated with SLEDAI. When serum IFN-α levels in SLE patients decreased <260.0 pg/mL, ADAR1 expression in PBMCs increased with the increase in IFN-α concentration, and serum IFN-α may regulate ADAR1 level in PBMC in SLE patients, which may require the participation of serum IgG antibody and related immune complex. However, there was no significant difference between the expression in renal tissues in all patients.

Conclusion:

There was a certain correlation between ADAR1 expression and serum IFN-α levels in PBMCs of SLE patients.

References:

[1]Roth SH, Danan-Gotthold M, Ben-Izhak M, et al. Increased RNA Editing May Provide a Source for Autoantigens in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.Cell Rep2018; 23: 50-57.

[2]Hogg M, Paro S, Keegan LP and O’Connell MA. RNA editing by mammalian ADARs.Adv Genet2011; 73: 87-120.

[3]Laxminarayana D, Khan IU, O’Rourke KS and Giri B. Induction of 150-kDa adenosine deaminase that acts on RNA (ADAR)-1 gene expression in normal T lymphocytes by anti-CD3-epsilon and anti-CD28.Immunology2007; 122: 623-633.

Figure 1.

Analysis of ADAR1 expression levels. a. The ADAR1 expression in PBMCs was higher in SLE patients (n=30) than in healthy controls (n = 30) (p<0.05). b. SLE patients were divided into three groups: NSLE (SLEDAI 0–4, n = 6), LSLE (SLEDAI 5–9, n = 12), and SSLE (SLEDAI ≥10, n = 12) according to SLEDAI score. c. Based on the effect of the disease on the kidneys, the patients were divided into the SLE#group (#:SLE patient group without the kidney involved, n = 17) and LN group (lupus nephritis group, n = 13). d. There was no significant difference observed between the renal tissues of controls (n = 5) and LN patients (n = 10) (p>0.05).

Figure 2.

a. Immunohistochemical image of renal tissues from the two groups (200×). b. There was no significant difference in the ADAR1 cell positive rate between controls (n = 5), LN patients(n = 20), and different pathological subgroups (class III, n = 5; class IV, n = 5; class V, n = 5; class III+IV, n = 5) (p>0.05). c. The positive expression rate of ADAR1 in renal tubular cells was higher than that in glomerular cells both in the two groups (p<0.05).

Figure 3.

a. Correlation between ADAR1 and serum IFN-α levels in PBMCs of SLE patients. b. Correlation between ADAR1p150 and serum IFN-α levels in PBMCs of SLE patients.

Figure 4.

In vitroPBMCs assay. a. Western blot (WB) analysis of ADAR1p150 and ADAR1p110 in PBMCs using different concentrations of IFN-α, combined with 1.5 mg/mL IgG purified from the serum of SLE patients or without it, and cultured for 24 hours. b. The line graph depicts the trend of ADAR1, ADAR1p150, and ADAR1p110 expression with increase in IFN-α concentrationin vitroPBMCs co-cultured with serum IgG from SLE patients.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

THU0243 HSA_CIRC_0123190 FUNCTIONS AS A COMPETITIVE ENDOGENOUS RNA TO REGULATE APLNR EXPRESSION BY SPONGING HSA-MIR-483-3P IN LUPUS NEPHRITIS

Background:

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Circular RNAs(circRNAs) can act as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to regulate gene transcription, which is involved in mechanism of many diseases, such as, autoimmunity diseases. However, the role of circRNA in lupus nephritis has been rarely reported.

Objectives:

In this study, we aim to investigate the clinical value of circRNAs and explore the mechanism of circRNA involvement in the pathogenesis of LN.

Methods:

Renal tissues from three untreated LN patients and three normal controls (NCs) were used to identify differently expressed circRNAs by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Validated assays were used by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to reveal the clinical value of selected circRNA, miRNA and mRNA. The interactions between circRNA and miRNA, or miRNA and mRNA were further determined by luciferase reporter assay. The degrees of renal fibrosis between the two groups were compared by Masson-trichome staining and immunohistochemistry staining.

Results:

159 circRNAs were significantly dysregulated in LN patients compared with NC group. The expression of hsa_circ_0123190 was significantly decreased in renal tissues of patients with LN (p=0.014), as same as the sequencing results. The area under the ROC curve of hsa_circ_0123190 in renal tissues was 0.820. Bio-informatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay illustrated that hsa_circ_0123190 can act as a sponge for hsa-miR-483-3p which was also validated to interact with APLNR mRNA. APLNR mRNA expression was positively related with chronicity index (CI) of LN (R2=0.452,p=0.033). Finally, the factors of renal fibrosis, especially TGF-β (p=0.018), were more pronounced in the LN group.

Conclusion:

Hsa_circ_0123190 could function as a ceRNA to regulate APLNR expression involved in renal fibrosis by sponging hsa-miR-483-3p in LN

References:

[1]Aljaberi N, Bennett M, Brunner HI, Devarajan P. Proteomic profiling of urine: implications for lupus nephritis. Expert review of proteomics. 2019;16(4):303-13.

[2]Zheng ZH, Zhang LJ, Liu WX, Lei YS, Xing GL, Zhang JJ, et al. Predictors of survival in Chinese patients with lupus nephritis. Lupus. 2012;21(10):1049-56.

[3]Chen LL. The biogenesis and emerging roles of circular RNAs. Nature reviews Molecular cell biology. 2016;17(4):205-11.

[4]Mahmoudi E, Cairns MJ. Circular RNAs are temporospatially regulated throughout development and ageing in the rat. Scientific reports. 2019;9(1):2564.

[5]Liang D, Wilusz JE. Short intronic repeat sequences facilitate circular RNA production. Genes & development. 2014;28(20):2233-47.

[6]Tan WL, Lim BT, Anene-Nzelu CG, Ackers-Johnson M, Dashi A, See K, et al. A landscape of circular RNA expression in the human heart. Cardiovascular research. 2017;113(3):298-309.

[7]Zhao Z, Li X, Jian D, Hao P, Rao L, Li M. Hsa_circ_0054633 in peripheral blood can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Acta diabetologica. 2017;54(3):237-45.

[8]Ouyang Q, Huang Q, Jiang Z, Zhao J, Shi GP, Yang M. Using plasma circRNA_002453 as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis of lupus nephritis. Molecular immunology. 2018;101(undefined):531-8.

[9]Luan J, Jiao C, Kong W, Fu J, Qu W, Chen Y, et al. CircHLA-C Plays an Important Role in Lupus Nephritis by Sponging miR-150. Molecular therapy Nucleic acids. 2018;10(undefined):245-53.

[10]Kuschnerus K, Straessler ET, Müller MF, Lüscher TF, Landmesser U, Kränkel N. Increased Expression of miR-483-3p Impairs the Vascular Response to Injury in Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes. 2019;68(2):349-60.

[11]Huang Z, Wu L and Chen L. Apelin/APJ system: A novel potential therapy target for kidney disease. Journal of cellular physiology. 2018;233(5): 3892-900.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Phase dependent encapsulation and release profile of ZIF-based biocomposites

Biocomposites composed of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs) are generating significant interest due to their facile synthesis, and capacity to protect proteins from harsh environments. Here we systematically varied the composition (i.e. relative amounts of ligand (2-methylimidazole), metal precursor (Zn(OAc)2·2H2O), and protein) and post synthetic treatments (i.e. washes with water or water/ethanol) to prepare a series of protein@ZIF biocomposites. These data were used to construct two ternary phase diagrams that showed the synthesis conditions employed gave rise to five different phases including, for the first time, biocomposites based on ZIF-CO3-1. We examined the influence of the different phases on two properties relevant to drug delivery applications: encapsulation efficiency and release profile. The encapsulation efficiencies of bovine serum albumin and insulin were phase dependent and ranged from 75% to 100%. In addition, release profiles showed that 100% protein release varied between 40 and 300 minutes depending on the phase. This study provides a detailed compositional map for the targeted preparation of ZIF-based biocomposites of specific phases and a tool for the straightforward analysis of the crystalline phases of ZIF based materials (web application named "ZIF phase analysis"). These data will facilitate the progress of ZIF bio-composites in the fields of biomedicine and biotechnology.

Interactive Effect of Depression and Cognitive Impairment on Olfactory Identification in Elderly People

Olfactory identification (OI) deficits have been regarded as an indicator of cognitive impairment in the elderly, but few studies have analyzed the mixed effect of depression on OI. Since depression is common in the elderly and strongly associated with OI, we aimed to explore whether the comorbidity of depression and cognitive impairment may be associated with worse outcomes. In total, 153 elderly patients with depression and 154 normal elderly were recruited. Subjects underwent assessments of depression, cognitive function, and OI. Information on the factors that may affect OI performance was collected (age, sex, smoking history, diabetes, etc.). Correlation analysis showed that several factors had a significant influence on OI performance in the elderly, including severity of depression, cognitive scores, age, sex, and years of education (p < 0.05). Among the different cognitive domains, OI was positively associated with global cognition, memory, language, executive function, and attention performance (p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that memory scores, age, HAMD scores, and sex were the most relevant factors to OI scores across all elderly participants. The factorial analysis suggested that elderly with comorbidity of depression and cognitive impairment (memory deficits or language deficits) had worse OI impairment, and there was an interactive effect of depression and memory deficits on OI in elderly people. The present study suggested that the coexistence of depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment was associated with worse OI in the elderly. Studies exploring the association between OI and cognitive function should include an assessment of depression and adjust the interactive effects of depression.