Cathepsin G promotes arteriovenous fistula maturation by positively regulating the MMP2/MMP9 pathway

BACKGROUND

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is currently the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis patients. However, the low maturation rate of AVF severely affects its use in patients. A more comprehensive understanding and study of the mechanisms of AVF maturation is urgently needed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we downloaded the publicly available datasets (GSE119296 and GSE220796) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and merged them for subsequent analysis. We screened 84 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and performed the functional enrichment analysis. Next, we integrated the results obtained from the degree algorithm provided by the Cytohubba plug-in, Molecular complex detection (MCODE) plug-in, weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression. This integration allowed us to identify CTSG as a hub gene associated with AVF maturation. Through the literature search and Pearson's correlation analysis, the genes matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 were identified as potential downstream effectors of CTSG. We then collected three immature clinical AVF vein samples and three mature samples and validated the expression of CTSG using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and double-immunofluorescence staining. The IHC results demonstrated a significant decrease in CTSG expression levels in the immature AVF vein samples compared to the mature samples. The results of double-immunofluorescence staining revealed that CTSG was expressed in both the intima and media of AVF veins. Moreover, the expression of CTSG in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was significantly higher in the mature samples compared to the immature samples. The results of Masson's trichrome and collagen I IHC staining demonstrated a higher extent of collagen deposition in the media of immature AVF veins compared to the mature. By constructing an in vitro CTSG overexpression model in VSMCs, we found that CTSG upregulated the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 while downregulating the expression of collagen I and collagen III. Furthermore, CTSG was found to inhibit VSMC migration.

CONCLUSIONS

CTSG may promote AVF maturation by stimulating the secretion of MMP2 and MMP9 from VSMCs and reducing the extent of medial fibrosis in AVF veins by inhibiting the secretion of collagen I and collagen III.

LIPUS regulates the progression of knee osteoarthritis in mice through primary cilia-mediated TRPV4 channels

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease in middle-aged and elderly people. An imbalance in calcium ion homeostasis will contribute to chondrocyte apoptosis and ultimately lead to the progression of OA. Transient receptor potential channel 4 (TRPV4) is involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis. TRPV4 is expressed in primary cilia, which can sense mechanical stimuli from outside the cell, and its abnormal expression is closely related to the development of OA. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) can alleviate chondrocyte apoptosis while the exact mechanism is unclear. In this project, with the aim of revealing the mechanism of action of LIPUS, we proposed to use OA chondrocytes and animal models, LIPUS intervention, inhibition of primary cilia, use TRPV4 inhibitors or TRPV4 agonist, and use Immunofluorescence (IF), Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western Blot (WB), Quantitative Real-time PCR (QP) to detect the expression of cartilage synthetic matrix and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers. The results revealed that LIPUS altered primary cilia expression, promoted synthetic matrix metabolism in articular chondrocytes and was associated with primary cilia. In addition, LIPUS exerted a active effect on OA by activating TRPV4, inducing calcium inward flow, and facilitating the entry of NF-κB into the nucleus to regulate synthetic matrix gene transcription. Inhibition of TRPV4 altered primary cilia expression in response to LIPUS stimulation, and knockdown of primary cilia similarly inhibited TRPV4 function. These results suggest that LIPUS mediates TRPV4 channels through primary cilia to regulate the process of knee osteoarthritis in mice.

Alternative Splicing Plays a Crucial Role in the Salt Tolerance of Foxtail Millet

Foxtail millet is an important cereal crop that is relatively sensitive to salt stress, with its yield significantly affected by such stress. Alternative splicing (AS) widely affects plant growth, development, and adaptability to stressful environments. Through RNA-seq analysis of foxtail millet under different salt treatment periods, 2078 AS events were identified, and analyses were conducted on differential gene (DEG), differential alternative splicing gene (DASG), and overlapping gene. To investigate the regulatory mechanism of AS in response to salt stress in foxtail millet, the foxtail millet AS genes SiCYP19, with two AS variants (SiCYP19-a and SiCYP19-b), were identified and cloned. Yeast overexpression experiments indicated that SiCYP19 may be linked to the response to salt stress. Subsequently, we conducted overexpression experiments of both alternative splicing variants in foxtail millet roots to validate them experimentally. The results showed that, under salt stress, both SiCYP19-a and SiCYP19-b jointly regulated the salt tolerance of foxtail millet. Specifically, overexpression of SiCYP19-b significantly increased the proline content and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in foxtail millet, compared to that in SiCYP19-a. This shows that SiCYP19-b plays an important role in increasing the content of proline and promoting the clearance of ROS, thus improving the salt tolerance of foxtail millet.

Carbene Footprinting Directs Design of Genetically Encoded Proximity-Reactive Protein Binders

Genetically encoding proximal-reactive unnatural amino acids (PrUaas), such as fluorosulfate-l-tyrosine (FSY), into natural proteins of interest (POI) confer the POI with the ability to covalently bind to its interacting proteins (IPs). The PrUaa-incorporated POIs hold promise for blocking undesirable POI-IP interactions. Selecting appropriate PrUaa anchor sites is crucial, but it remains challenging with the current methodology, which heavily relies on crystallography to identify the proximal residues between the POIs and the IPs for the PrUaa anchorage. To address the challenge, here, we propose a footprinting-directed genetically encoded covalent binder (footprinting-GECB) approach. This approach employs carbene footprinting, a structural mass spectrometry (MS) technique that quantifies the extent of labeling of the POI following the addition of its IP, and thus identifies the responsive residues. By genetically encoding PrUaa into these responsive sites, POI variants with covalent bonding ability to its IP can be produced without the need for crystallography. Using the POI-IP model, KRAS/RAF1, we showed that engineering FSY at the footprint-assigned KRAS residue resulted in a KRAS variant that can bind irreversibly to RAF1. Additionally, we inserted FSY at the responsive residue in RAF1 upon footprinting the oncogenic KRASG12D/RAF1, which lacks crystal structure, and generated a covalent binder to KRASG12D. Together, we demonstrated that by adopting carbene footprinting to direct PrUaa anchorage, we can greatly expand the opportunities for designing covalent protein binders for PPIs without relying on crystallography. This holds promise for creating effective PPI inhibitors and supports both fundamental research and biotherapeutics development.

Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase-4 regulates endometrial decidualization through a fatty acid β-oxidation pathway rather than lipid droplet accumulation

OBJECTIVE

Lipid metabolism plays an important role in early pregnancy, but its effects on decidualization are poorly understood. Fatty acids (FAs) must be esterified by fatty acyl-CoA synthetases to form biologically active acyl-CoA in order to enter the anabolic and/or catabolic pathway. Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) is associated with female reproduction. However, whether it is involved in decidualization is unknown.

METHODS

The expression of ACSL4 in human and mouse endometrium was detected by immunohistochemistry. ACSL4 levels were regulated by the overexpression of ACSL4 plasmid or ACSL4 siRNA, and the effects of ACSL4 on decidualization markers and morphology of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were clarified. A pregnant mouse model was established to determine the effect of ACSL4 on the implantation efficiency of mouse embryos. Modulation of ACSL4 detects lipid anabolism and catabolism.

RESULTS

Through examining the expression level of ACSL4 in human endometrial tissues during proliferative and secretory phases, we found that ACSL4 was highly expressed during the secretory phase. Knockdown of ACSL4 suppressed decidualization and inhibited the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition induced by MPA and db-cAMP in ESCs. Further, the knockdown of ACSL4 reduced the efficiency of embryo implantation in pregnant mice. Downregulation of ACSL4 inhibited FA β-oxidation and lipid droplet accumulation during decidualization. Interestingly, pharmacological and genetic inhibition of lipid droplet synthesis did not affect FA β-oxidation and decidualization, while the pharmacological and genetic inhibition of FA β-oxidation increased lipid droplet accumulation and inhibited decidualization. In addition, inhibition of β-oxidation was found to attenuate the promotion of decidualization by the upregulation of ACSL4. The decidualization damage caused by ACSL4 knockdown could be reversed by activating β-oxidation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that ACSL4 promotes endometrial decidualization by activating the β-oxidation pathway. This study provides interesting insights into our understanding of the mechanisms regulating lipid metabolism during decidualization.

Regulator DegU can remarkably influence alkaline protease AprE biosynthesis in Bacillus licheniformis 2709

Alkaline protease AprE, produced by Bacillus licheniformis 2709 is an important edible hydrolase, which has potential applications in nutrient acquisition and medicine. The expression of AprE is finely regulated by a complex transcriptional regulation system. However, there is little study on transcriptional regulation mechanism of AprE biosynthesis in Bacillus licheniformis, which limits system engineering and further enhancement of AprE. Here, the severely depressed expression of aprE in degU and degS deletion mutants illustrated that the regulator DegU and its phosphorylation played a crucial part in AprE biosynthesis. Further electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) in vitro indicated that phosphorylated DegU can directly bind to the regulatory region though the DNase I foot-printing experiments failed to observe protected region. The plasmid-mediated overexpression of degU32 (Hy) obviously improved the yield of AprE by 41.6 % compared with the control strain, which demonstrated the importance of phosphorylation state of DegU on the transcription of aprE in vivo. In this study, the putative binding sequence of aprE (5'-TAAAT……AAAAT…….AACAT…TAAAA-3') located upstream -91 to -87 bp, -101 to -97 bp, -195 to -191 bp, -215 to -211 bp of the transcription start site (TSS) in B. licheniformis was computationally identified based on the DNA-binding sites of DegU in Bacillus subtilis. Overall, we systematically investigated the influence of the interplay between phosphorylated DegU and its cognate DNA sequence on expression of aprE, which not only contributes to the further AprE high-production in a genetically modified host in the future, but also significantly increases our understanding of the aprE transcription mechanism.

The relative risk of immune checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis in advanced non-small- cell lung cancer: Meta-analyses of controlled clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

Immune checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP) is a prevalent form of immunotherapy-induced pulmonary toxicity, ranking among the leading causes of mortality associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Despite its significance, the risk stratification of CIP in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains uncertain. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis, comparing various factors such as histological types, treatment regimens, PD-L1 expression levels, and EGFR/ALK negativity in advanced NSCLC. Our investigation extends to evaluating the relative risk of developing CIP based on previous treatment history. This analysis aims to provide valuable insights for the identification of specific patient subgroups at higher risk, facilitating more effective risk management and precision therapy approaches.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched up to February 16, 2023. We conducted a screening of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared ICI monotherapy or its combination with chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC. The trials were categorized based on histological type, treatment regimen, PD-L1 expression level, EGFR/ALK-negative status, and prior treatment history. Subsequently, the data were stratified into five subgroups, and the occurrences of all-grades (1-5) and high-grades (3-5) pneumonia events were extracted. Odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were then calculated for further analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-two RCTs, encompassing 13,725 patients with advanced NSCLC, were included in this analysis. Regardless of histology (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.41-4.33, P = 0.002; OR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.10-3.09, P = 0.02), treatment regimen (OR = 3.27, 95% CI 2.00-5.35, P < 0.00001; OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.98-4.27, P < 0.00001), PD-L1 expression level (OR = 5.11, 95% CI 2.58-10.12, P < 0.00001; OR = 5.15, 95% CI 2.48-10.70, P < 0.0001), negative EGFR/ALK expression (OR = 4.32, 95% CI 2.22-8.41, P < 0.0001; OR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.56-8.28, P = 0.003), whether there is a history of treatment (OR = 3.27, 95% CI 2.00-5.35, P < 0.00001; OR = 2.74, 95% CI 1.75-4.29, P < 0.0001), ICI use was associated with a higher risk of all-grade (1-5) and high-grade (3-5) pneumonia compared to chemotherapy. Subgroup analysis revealed that the squamous group, the ICI vs. combination chemotherapy (CT) group, the PD-L1 > 50% group, and the previously untreated group had a higher risk of developing all-grade and grade 3-5 CIP (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In advanced NSCLC, ICI treatment was linked to an elevated risk of pneumonitis across all grades (1-5) as well as high-grade occurrences (3-5) compared to chemotherapy. Notably, individuals with squamous histology and high PD-L1 expression, along with those lacking a history of prior treatment, demonstrated a heightened susceptibility to developing immune-related pneumonitis of all grades (1-5) and high grades (3-5). These observations provide valuable insights for clinicians seeking to enhance the management of pulmonary toxicity associated with immunotherapy.

A High Efficiency, Low Resistance Antibacterial Filter Formed by Dopamine-Mediated In Situ Deposition of Silver onto Glass Fibers

The coating of filter media with silver is typically achieved by chemical deposition and aerosol processes. Whilst useful, such approaches struggle to provide uniform coating and are prone to blockage. To address these issues, an in situ method for coating glass fibers is presented via the dopamine-mediated electroless metallization method, yielding filters with low air resistance and excellent antibacterial performance. It is found that the filtration efficiency of the filters is between 94 and 97% and much higher than that of silver-coated filters produced using conventional dipping methods (85%). Additionally, measured pressure drops ranged between 100 and 150 Pa, which are lower than those associated with dipped filters (171.1 Pa). Survival rates of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis bacteria exposed to the filters decreased to 0 and 15.7%±1.49, respectively after 2 h, with no bacteria surviving after 6 h. In contrast, survival rates of E. coli and B. subtilis bacteria on the uncoated filters are 92.5% and 89.5% after 6 h. Taken together, these results confirm that the in situ deposition of silver onto fiber surfaces effectively reduces pore clogging, yielding low air resistance filters that can be applied for microbial filtration and inhibition in a range of environments.

A selective Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1/2 PROTAC degrader with antitumor activity

The aberrant activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) acts as a potent driver of multiple types of human cancers. Despite the development of several conventional small-molecular FGFR inhibitors, their clinical efficacy is largely compromised due to low selectivity and side effects. Here, we report the selective FGFR1/2-targeting proteolysis targeting chimeric (PROTAC), BR-cpd7 that displays significant isoform specificity to FGFR1/2 with DC50 values around 10 nM, while sparing FGFR3. The following mechanistic investigation reveals the reduced FGFR signaling, through which BR-cpd7 induces cell cycle arrest and consequently blocks the proliferation of multiple FGFR1/2-dependent tumor cells. Importantly, BR-cpd7 has almost no anti-proliferative activity against cancer cells without FGFR aberrations, furtherly supporting its selectivity. In vivo, BR-cpd7 exhibits robust antitumor effects in FGFR1-dependent lung cancer at well-tolerated dose schedules, accompanied by complete FGFR1 depletion. Overall, we identify BR-cpd7 as a promising candidate for developing a selective FGFR1/2-targeted agent, thereby offering a new therapeutic strategy for human cancers in which FGFR1/2 plays a critical role.

Explore the value of carotid ultrasound radiomics nomogram in predicting ischemic stroke risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background and objective

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) with insulin resistance (IR) is prone to damage the vascular endothelial, leading to the formation of vulnerable carotid plaques and increasing ischemic stroke (IS) risk. The purpose of this study is to develop a nomogram model based on carotid ultrasound radiomics for predicting IS risk in T2DM patients.

Methods

198 T2DM patients were enrolled and separated into study and control groups based on IS history. After manually delineating carotid plaque region of interest (ROI) from images, radiomics features were identified and selected using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to calculate the radiomics score (RS). A combinatorial logistic machine learning model and nomograms were created using RS and clinical features like the triglyceride-glucose index. The three models were assessed using area under curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Patients were divided into the training set and the testing set by the ratio of 0.7. 4 radiomics features were selected. RS and clinical variables were all statically significant in the training set and were used to create a combination model and a prediction nomogram. The combination model (radiomics + clinical nomogram) had the largest AUC in both the training set and the testing set (0.898 and 0.857), and DCA analysis showed that it had a higher overall net benefit compared to the other models.

Conclusions

This study created a carotid ultrasound radiomics machine-learning-based IS risk nomogram for T2DM patients with carotid plaques. Its diagnostic performance and clinical prediction capabilities enable accurate, convenient, and customized medical care.

LncRNA NDUFA6-DT: A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential LncRNA Biomarker and Its Regulatory Mechanisms in Gliomas

Gliomas are the most prevalent primary malignant tumors affecting the brain, with high recurrence and mortality rates. Accurate diagnoses and effective treatment challenges persist, emphasizing the need for identifying new biomarkers to guide clinical decisions. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) hold potential as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in cancer. However, only a limited subset of lncRNAs in gliomas have been explored. Therefore, this study aims to identify lncRNA signatures applicable to patients with gliomas across all grades and explore their clinical significance and potential biological mechanisms. Data used in this study were obtained from TCGA, CGGA, and GEO datasets to identify key lncRNA signatures in gliomas through differential and survival analyses and machine learning algorithms. We examined their associations with the clinical characteristics, gene mutations, diagnosis, and prognosis of gliomas. Functional enrichment analysis was employed to elucidate the potential biological mechanisms associated with these significant lncRNA signatures. We explored competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks. We found that NDUFA6-DT emerged as a significant lncRNA signature in gliomas, with reduced NDUFA6-DT expression associated with a worse prognosis in gliomas. Nomogram analysis incorporating NDUFA6-DT expression levels exhibited excellent prognostic and predictive capabilities. Functional annotation suggested that NDUFA6-DT might influence immunological responses and synaptic transmission, potentially modifying glioma initiation and progression. The associated ceRNA network revealed the possible presence of the NDUFA6-DT-miR-455-3p-YWHAH/YWHAG axis in low-grade glioma (LGG) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and influencing glioma cell survival and apoptosis. We believe that NDUFA6-DT is a novel lncRNA linked to glioma diagnosis and prognosis, potentially becoming a pivotal biomarker for glioma.

Integrative Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Mechanism of Petal Blotch Formation in Rosa persica

Petal blotch is a specific flower color pattern commonly found in angiosperm families. In particular, Rosa persica is characterized by dark red blotches at the base of yellow petals. Modern rose cultivars with blotches inherited the blotch trait from R. persica. Therefore, understanding the mechanism for blotch formation is crucial for breeding rose cultivars with various color patterns. In this study, the metabolites and genes responsible for the blotch formation in R. persica were identified for the first time through metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses using LC-MS/MS and RNA-seq. A total of 157 flavonoids were identified, with 7 anthocyanins as the major flavonoids, namely, cyanidin 3-O-(6″-O-malonyl) glucoside 5-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, cyanidin O-rutinoside-O-malonylglucoside, pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin 3,5-O-diglucoside, and peonidin O-rutinoside-O-malonylglucoside, contributing to pigmentation and color darkening in the blotch parts of R. persica, whereas carotenoids predominantly influenced the color formation of non-blotch parts. Zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin mainly contributed to the yellow color formation of petals at the semi-open and full bloom stages. The expression levels of two 4-coumarate: CoA ligase genes (Rbe014123 and Rbe028518), the dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene (Rbe013916), the anthocyanidin synthase gene (Rbe016466), and UDP-flavonoid glucosyltransferase gene (Rbe026328) indicated that they might be the key structural genes affecting the formation and color of petal blotch. Correlation analysis combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further characterized 10 transcription factors (TFs). These TFs might participate in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in the blotch parts of petals by modulating one or more structural genes. Our results elucidate the compounds and molecular mechanisms underlying petal blotch formation in R. persica and provide valuable candidate genes for the future genetic improvement of rose cultivars with novel flower color patterns.

Deficiency of polypeptide N-acetylgalactosamine transferase 9 contributes to a risk for Parkinson's disease via mitochondrial dysfunctions

Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosamine transferase 9 (GALNT9) catalyzes the initial step of mucin-type O-glycosylation via linking N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to serine/threonine in a protein. To unravel the association of GALNT9 with Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, GALNT9 levels were evaluated in the patients with PD and mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, and statistically analyzed based on the GEO datasets of GSE114918 and GSE216281. Glycoproteins with exposing GalNAc were purified using lectin affinity chromatography and identified by LC-MS/MS. The influence of GALNT9 on cells was evaluated via introducing a GALNT9-specific siRNA into SH-SY5Y cells. Consequently, GALNT9 deficiency was found to occur under PD conditions. GALNT9 silencing contributed to a causative factor in PD pathogenesis via reducing the levels of intracellular dopamine, tyrosine hydroxylase and soluble α-synuclein, and promoting α-synuclein aggregates. MS identification revealed 14 glycoproteins. 5 glycoproteins, including ACO2, ATP5B, CKB, CKMT1A, ALDOC, were associated with energy metabolism. GALNT9 silencing resulted in mitochondrial dysfunctions via increasing ROS accumulation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, mPTPs opening, Ca2+ releasing and activation of the CytC-related apoptotic pathway. The dysfunctional mitochondria then triggered mitophagy, possibly intermediated by adenine nucleotide translocase 1. Our study suggests that GALNT9 is potentially developed into an auxiliary diagnostic index and therapeutic target of PD.

A liquid crystal in situ gel based on rotigotine for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

One of the most common neurodegenerative illnesses is Parkinson's disease (PD). Rotigotine (RTG) is a dopamine agonist that exerts anti-Parkinsonian effects through dopamine receptor agonism to improve motor symptoms and overall performance in PD patients. In this study, an in situ liquid crystal gel called rotigotine-gel (RTG-gel) was developed using soya phosphatidyl choline (SPC) and glycerol dioleate (GDO) to provide long-acting slow-release benefits of rotigotine while minimizing side effects. This study prepared the RTG-gel precursor solution using SPC, GDO, and ethanol (in the ratio of 54:36:10, w/w/w). The internal structures of the gel were confirmed by crossed-polarized light microscopy (PLM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The rheological properties of the RTG-gel precursor solution indicate a favorable combination of low viscosity and excellent flowability. The gel that produced during water absorption was also highly viscous and structurally stable, which helped to maintain the drug delayed release at the injection site. In vitro release assays showed that the in vitro release of RTG-gel followed Ritger-Peppas. The RTG-gel precursor solution was administered by subcutaneous injection, and the results of in vivo pharmacokinetic tests in SD rats showed that the plasma elimination half-life (t1/2) was 59.28 ± 16.08 h; the time to peak blood concentration (Tmax) was 12.00 ± 10.32 h, and the peak concentration (Cmax) was 29.9 ± 10.10 ng/mL. The blood concentration remained above 0.1 ng/mL for 20 days after administration and was still detectable after 31 days of administration, and the bioavailability of RTG can reach 72.59%. The results of in vitro solvent exchange tests showed that the RTG-gel precursor solution undergoes rapid exchange upon contact with PBS, and the diffusion of ethanol can reach 48.1% within 60 min and 80% within 8 h. The results of cytotoxicity test showed 89.27 ± 4.32% cell survival after administration of the drug using RTG-gel. The results of tissue extraction at the administration site showed that healing of the injection site without redness and hemorrhage could be observed after 14 days of injection. The results of tissue section of the administered site showed that the inflammatory cells decreased and granulation tissue appeared after 14 days of administration, and there was basically no inflammatory cell infiltration after 35 days of administration, and the inflammatory reaction was basically eliminated. It shows that RTG-gel has some irritation to the injection site, but it can be recovered by itself in the later stage, and it has good biocompatibility. In summary, RTG-gel might be a potential RTG extended-release formulation for treating PD.

Progesterone inhibits endometrial cancer growth by inhibiting glutamine metabolism through ASCT2

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a common malignancy that originates from the endometrium and grows in the female reproductive system. Surgeries, as current treatments for cancer, however, cannot meet the fertility needs of young women patients. Thus, progesterone (P4) therapy is indispensable due to its effective temporary preservation of female fertility. Many cancer cells are often accompanied by changes in metabolic phenotypes, and abnormally dependent on the amino acid glutamine. However, whether P4 exerts an effect on EC via glutamine metabolism is unknown. In the present study, we found that P4 could inhibit glutamine metabolism in EC cells and down-regulate the expression of the glutamine transporter ASCT2. This regulation of ASCT2 affects the uptake of glutamine. Furthermore, the in vivo xenograft studies showed that P4 inhibited tumor growth and the expression of key enzymes involved in glutamine metabolism. Our study demonstrated that the direct regulation of glutamine metabolism by P4 and its anticancer effect was mediated through the inhibition of ASCT2. These results provide a mechanism underlying the effects of P4 therapy on EC from the perspective of glutamine metabolism.

Adenosine-modulating synthetic high-density lipoprotein for chemoimmunotherapy of triple-negative breast cancer

Adenosine (ADO) is a common chemotherapy-associated immune checkpoint that hinders anti-tumor immunity-mediated efficacy of chemotherapy. Herein, we created a synthetic high-density lipoprotein (sHDL) by co-assembly of a doxorubicin (DOX)-apolipoprotein A1 mimetic peptide conjugate, PSB-603 (an A2BR inhibitor), phospholipid, and cholesterol oleate with a microfluidic-based method. The obtained DP-sHDL showed a self-promoted drug delivery to cancer cells via remodeling tumor microenvironment. DP-sHDL could trigger the release of ATP from cancer cells and inhibit its conversion into ADO. Consequently, DP-sHDL, while increasing immunogenic cell death, reduced intratumoral ADO levels by 58%. This treatment improved both the density and activity of CD8+ T cells as well as NK cells and relieved the immunosuppressive microenvironment, and led to a substantial inhibition of 4T1 tumor growth, thereby extending the survival of mice. The efficacy of DP-sHDL could be further improved when used in combination with immune checkpoint blockade therapy. We envision that this platform provides a simple yet promising strategy to enhance anti-tumor response of chemotherapy by relieving treatment-associated immunosuppression.

A Long-Term Follow-Up Study on the Auditory Performance and Speech Intelligibility of Mandarin-Speaking Prelingually Deaf Children With Isolated Large Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome After Cochlear Implantation

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the auditory performance and speech perception of 104 children with isolated large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) and 523 children with no inner ear malformation (IEM) for 5 years after cochlear implantation, in order to explore whether isolated LVAS can affect the long-term hearing and speech rehabilitation of deaf children after cochlear implantation.

METHOD

A cohort study was established consisting of 627 children who underwent cochlear implantation at Beijing Tongren Hospital from 1999 to 2016. The children were examined at 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after cochlear implantation to assess their auditory performance and speech perception using the Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) questionnaires.

RESULTS

The CAP scores of the isolated LVAS group increased significantly during the baseline to the 24th month, after which they gradually rose until reaching the plateau during the 24th to the 60th month. The CAP scores of the non-IEM group increased significantly during the baseline to the 36th month and then increased steadily. The SIR scores went up significantly during the baseline to the 48th month, and increased in a gradual manner in other stages of isolated LVAS evaluation. In comparison, The SIR scores of non-IEM group grew remarkably from the baseline to the 60th month. There were no significant differences in the CAP or SIR scores between isolated LVAS and non-IEM groups in each stage of evaluation, with the only exception being the CAP score at baseline month after cochlear implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

The CAP and SIR questionnaires are helpful tools for quantifying the early hearing and speech skills of younger prelingually deafened cochlear implant recipients. This long-term follow-up study shows that the speech and hearing development of children in isolated LVAS and non-IEM groups follow similar patterns, and isolated LVAS does not affect the long-term rehabilitation of deaf children after cochlear implantation.

Identification and validation of Golgi apparatus-related signature for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The Golgi apparatus plays a pivotal role in various aspects of cancer. This study aims to investigate the predictive value of Golgi apparatus-related genes (GARGs) in breast cancer prognosis and immunotherapy response evaluation.

METHODS

Transcriptional and clinical data from the TCGA-BRCA cohort and GSE96058 cohort were utilized to construct and validate a prognostic model for breast cancer using Cox regression analysis. Differences in immune landscape, somatic mutations, gene expression, drug sensitivity, and immunotherapy response between different risk groups were assessed. A prognostic nomogram for breast cancer was further developed and evaluated. qPCR and single-cell sequencing analyses were performed to validate the expression of GARGs.

RESULTS

A total of 394 GARGs significantly associated with breast cancer prognosis were identified, leading to the construction of a prognostic risk feature comprising 10 GARGs. This feature effectively stratified breast cancer patients into high-risk and low-risk groups, with the high-risk group exhibiting significantly worse prognosis. Meanwhile, significant differences in clinicopathological features, immune infiltration, drug sensitivity, and immunotherapy response were observed between the high- and low-risk groups. The constructed nomogram incorporating these factors showed superior performance in prognostic assessment for breast cancer patients. Ultimately, the utilization of qPCR and single-cell sequencing techniques substantiated the disparate expression patterns of these prognostic genes in breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that a prognostic risk feature derived from GARGs holds promising application potential for predicting prognosis and evaluating immunotherapy response in breast cancer patients.

Phase II clinical trial of neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 (toripalimab) combined with axitinib in resectable mucosal melanoma

BACKGROUND

The outcome of patients with resectable mucosal melanoma is poor. Toripalimab combined with axitinib has shown impressive results in metastatic mucosal melanoma with an objective response rate of 48.3% and a median progression-free survival of 7.5 months in a phase Ib trial. It was hypothesized that this combination administered in the neoadjuvant setting might induce a pathologic response in resectable mucosal melanoma, so we conducted this trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This single-arm phase II trial enrolled patients with resectable mucosal melanoma. Patients received toripalimab 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks (Q2W) plus axitinib 5 mg two times a day (b.i.d.) for 8 weeks as neoadjuvant therapy, then surgery and adjuvant toripalimab 3 mg/kg Q2W starting 2 ± 1weeks after surgery for 44 weeks. The primary endpoint was the pathologic response rate according to the International Neoadjuvant Melanoma Consortium recommendations.

RESULTS

Between August 2019 and October 2021, 29 patients were enrolled and received treatment, of whom 24 underwent resection. The median follow-up time was 34.2 months (95% confidence interval 20.4-48.0 months). The pathologic response rate was 33.3% (8/24; 4 pathological complete responses and 4 pathological partial responses). The median event-free survival for all patients was 11.1 months (95% confidence interval 5.3-16.9 months). The median overall survival was not reached. Neoadjuvant therapy was tolerable with 8 (27.5%) grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events and no treatment-related deaths. Tissue samples of 17 patients at baseline and after surgery were collected (5 responders and 12 nonresponders). Multiplex immunohistochemistry demonstrated a significant increase in CD3+ (P = 0.0032) and CD3+CD8+ (P = 0.0038) tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes after neoadjuvant therapy, particularly in pathological responders.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant toripalimab combined with axitinib in resectable mucosal melanoma demonstrated a promising pathologic response rate with significantly increased infiltrating CD3+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells after therapy.

Identification and Functional Characterization of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway-Related lncRNAs in Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

This paper aimed to investigate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal-pathway regulator factor-related lncRNA signatures (PAM-SRFLncSigs), associated with regulators of the indicated signaling pathway in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) undergoing immunotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, we employed univariate Cox, multivariate Cox, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses to identify prognostically relevant long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), construct prognostic models, and perform Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Subsequently, immunoassay and chemotherapy drug screening were conducted. Finally, the prognostic model was validated using the Imvigor210 cohort, and tumor stem cells were analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified seven prognosis-related lncRNAs (AC084757.3, AC010999.2, LINC02802, AC026979.2, AC024896.1, LINC00941 and LINC01312). We also developed prognostic models to predict survival in patients with LUAD. KEGG enrichment analysis confirmed association of LUAD with the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In the analysis of immune function pathways, we discovered three good prognostic pathways (Cytolytic_activity, Inflammation-promoting, T_cell_co-inhibition) in LUAD. Additionally, we screened 73 oncology chemotherapy drugs using the "pRRophetic" algorithm.

CONCLUSION

Identification of seven lncRNAs linked to regulators of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway provided valuable insights into predicting the prognosis of LUAD, understanding the immune microenvironment and optimizing immunotherapy strategies.

[Clinical characteristics and associated factors of mild cognitive impairment in patients with common cardiovascular diseases]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with common cardiovascular diseases (CVD, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure) combined with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and explore the potential risk factors of MCI in patients with CVD. Methods: A total of 2 294 patients with common cardiovascular diseases who met the criteria at Cardiology Medical Center in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, from June 1, 2021, to January 5, 2022, were retrospectively included. The patients were divided into the normal cognitive function group (1 107 cases) and the MCI group (1 187 cases). Demographic information and CVD status were collected. The information of cognitive function were collected using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scales. The difference between normal cognitive function and MCI were compared and analyzed. The logistic regression analysis was used to explored risk factors of MCI in CVD patients. Results: A total of 2 294 patients aged (60.6±10.4) years were included, among whom there were 29.99% (688 cases) females. Compared with patients in the normal cognitive function group, patients in the MCI group were older [ (57.9±11.4) vs (63.1±8.9) years old, P<0.001], with a higher proportion of women [26.47% (293 cases) vs 33.28% (395 cases), P<0.001]; there was a higher proportion of patients suffering from hypertension in the MCI group [59.62% (660 cases) vs 64.62% (767 cases), P=0.014］, and more components of CVD [(1.68±0.62) vs (1.74±0.65) components, P=0.017]. The risk factors of MCI in patients with common CVD were increased age, increased depression score, combined with hypertension, and ≥3 common components of CVD, with OR (95%CI) of 1.043 (1.032-1.054), 1.021 (1.004-1.037), 1.151 (1.142-3.439), and 1.137 (1.023-1.797), respectively (all P values <0.05). Increasing education level was observed to be associated with reduced risk of MCI with OR (95%CI) of 0.319 (0.271-0.378) (P<0.05). Conclusions: The incidence of MCI was high in CVD patients. The risk factors of MCI in CVD patients included hypertension and≥3 common components of CVD.

Rapamycin mitigates organ damage by autophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation in sepsis

Autophagy activation can alleviate sepsis-induced organ injuries. Rapamycin (Rap) has emerged as an autophagy regulator in multiple forms of organ injuries. This study aimed to assess whether Rap protects rats from cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis through autophagy-mediated inactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Rats were allocated to the sham, CLP, Rap (10 mg/kg), or 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) (15 mg/kg) groups. A rat CLP model was established. The survival of rats and lung wet-to-dry weight ratio in each group was assessed. Blood biochemical indexes and oxidative stress-related factors were analyzed with an automatic biochemical analyzer. The bacterial counts of blood and organs were monitored. The degrees of myeloperoxidase of the ileum, inflammation-related indexes, and pathological changes in the tissues were detected by ELISA and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The levels of NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy-related factors were analyzed by Western blot. Rap increased the survival and SOD activity, and repressed ALT, AST, BUN, SCr, MDA, and inflammation-related marker levels in CLP rats, it also restrained the bacterial counts of blood, lung, liver, and kidney in CLP rats; the effects of 3-MA on CLP rats on the above-mentioned indicators were opposite to those of Rap. Additionally, Rap alleviated the pathological injury of the lung, liver, and kidney, which was the opposite to the effect of 3-MA on CLP rats. Furthermore, Rap mitigated the ASC, Pro-caspase 1, and NLRP3 levels and increased the Beclin-1 levels and the LC3II/LC3I ratio in the organ tissues. Collectively, autophagy activation can mitigate organ damage by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome in sepsis rats.

The Necessity or Not of Additional Endovascular Therapy to Medical Therapy for Symptomatic Intracranial Artery Stenosis: Insights from 30-Day and 1-Year Results

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment between endovascular therapy and medical treatment for symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis is still unclear. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of 2 treatments based on the results from currently published randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science were used for searching the RCTs evaluating the addition of endovascular therapy to medical therapy for treating symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis from the inception of these databases to September 30, 2022. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All analyses were performed using STATA version 12.0.

RESULTS

A total of 4 RCTs were involved in the current study, including 989 participants. In the 30-day results, the data showed that compared with the medical therapy alone group, the additional endovascular therapy group was associated with a higher risk of death or stroke (relative risk (RR): 2.857; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.756-4.648; P < 0.001), ipsilateral stroke (RR: 3.525; 95% CI: 1.969-6.310; P < 0.001), death (risk differences (RD): 0.01; 95% CI: 0.004-0.03; P = 0.015), hemorrhagic stroke (RD: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01-0.06; P < 0.001), and ischemic stroke (RR: 2.221; 95% CI: 1.279-3.858; P = 0.005). In the 1-year results, the additional endovascular therapy group was related to a greater incidence of ipsilateral stroke (RR, 2.247; 95% CI, 1.492-3.383; P < 0.001) and ischemic stroke (RR: 2.092; 95% CI: 1.270-3.445; P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Given that the medical treatment alone was related to a lower risk of stroke and death in the short-term and long-term compared with endovascular therapy combined with medical therapy. Based on this evidence, these findings do not support the addition of endovascular therapy to medical therapy for treating patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis.

Characteristics of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in children with vestibular malformation and severe sensorineural hearing loss

BACKGROUND

With the increasing clinical focus on the safety of bilateral cochlear implantation (CI) and the potential risk of bilateral vestibular dysfunction, evaluating vestibular end-organ function in patients with vestibular malformations with accompanying abnormalities has been strongly recommended.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) values among children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) with vestibular malformation and assess the effectiveness of VEMP testing for inner ear malformations (IEM) diagnosis.

METHODS

This study included 96 children (192 ears), including those with vestibular malformations (48 ears), large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) (50 ears), and SNHL without IEM (94 ears; control group). All groups underwent ocular and cervical VEMP (oVEMP and cVEMP, respectively) testing. The response rates, VEMP parameters, and wave characteristics were compared.

RESULTS

The cVEMP response rates were 37.5 %, 64 %, and 58.51 % and the oVEMP response rates were 42.86 %, 78.95 %, and 77.27 % in the vestibular malformation, LVAS, and control groups, respectively, and significantly differed between groups (cVEMP: X2 = 18.228, P<0.001) (oVEMP: X2 = 7.528, P = 0.023). Significant inter-group differences were observed for the cVEMP and oVEMP latency and amplitude (P < 0.05). The LVAS group's waveform exhibited a prolonged latency and increased amplitude compared with that of the other groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SNHL were highly susceptible to otolith dysfunction, regardless of comorbid vestibular malformation presence. Measuring VEMPs is an effective and rapid evaluation technique for vestibular function and could provide a basis for vestibular rehabilitation training.

Melatonin suppresses tumor proliferation and metastasis by targeting GATA2 in endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a reproductive system disease that occurs in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. However, its etiology is unclear. Melatonin (MT) has been identified as a therapeutic agent for EC; however, its exact mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we determined that GATA-binding protein 2 (GATA2) is expressed at low levels in EC and regulated by MT. MT upregulates the expression of GATA2 through MT receptor 1A (MTNR1A), whereas GATA2 can promote the expression of MTNR1A by binding to its promoter region. In addition, in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that MT inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of EC cells by upregulating GATA2 expression. The protein kinase B (AKT) pathway was also affected. In conclusion, these findings suggest that MT and GATA2 play significant roles in EC development.

Long term survival outcomes of surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for perforated low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms: A multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN) are very rare, accounting for approximately 0.2%-0.5% of gastrointestinal tumors. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study to explore the impact of different surgical procedures combined with HIPEC on the short-term outcomes and long-term survival of patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 91 LAMN perforation patients from 9 teaching hospitals over a 10-year period, and divided them into HIPEC group and non-HIPEC group based on whether or not underwent HIPEC.

RESULTS

Of the 91 patients with LAMN, 52 were in the HIPEC group and 39 in the non-HIPEC group. The Kaplan-Meier method predicted that 52 patients in the HIPEC group had 5- and 10-year overall survival rates of 82.7% and 76.9%, respectively, compared with predicted survival rates of 51.3% and 46.2% for the 39 patients in the non-HIPEC group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2 = 10.622, p = 0.001; χ2 = 10.995, p = 0.001). Compared to the 5-year and 10-year relapse-free survival rates of 75.0% and 65.4% in the HIPEC group, respectively, the 5-year and 10-year relapse-free survival rates of 48.7% and 46.2% in the non-HIPEC group were significant different between the two outcomes (χ2 = 8.063, p = 0.005; χ2 = 6.775, p = 0.009). The incidence of postoperative electrolyte disturbances and hypoalbuminemia was significantly higher in the HIPEC group than in the non-HIPEC group (p = 0.023; p = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that surgery combined with HIPEC can significantly improve 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates and relapse-free survival rates of LAMN perforation patients, without affecting their short-term clinical outcomes.

Key Cell Types and Biomarkers in Heart Failure Identified through Analysis of Single-Cell and Bulk RNA Sequencing Data

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome resulting from various cardiac diseases and a significant medical issue worldwide. Although the role of inflammation in HF pathogenesis is well-known, the specific cell types and regulatory molecules involved remain poorly understood. Here, we identified key cell types and novel biomarkers via an analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data obtained from patients with two major HF types of ischemic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. Myeloid cells were identified as the primary cell population involved in HF through cellular fraction and gene set enrichment analysis. Additionally, differential analysis of myeloid cells revealed crosstalk between cellular communication and cytokine-regulated immune responses in HF, with the MIF pathway emerging as a crucial immune regulatory pathway. The CD74/CXCR4 receptor complex in myeloid cell subgroup Mφ2 was significantly upregulated, potentially acting as a crucial regulator in HF. Upon receiving the MIF signal molecule, the CD74/CXCR4 receptor can activate NF-κB signaling to produce chemokines and thereby enhance the inflammatory response. CD74 and CXCR4 may serve as biomarkers and treatment targets for HF.

Novel Pt(IV) prodrug self-assembled nanoparticles with enhanced blood circulation stability and improved antitumor capacity of oxaliplatin for cancer therapy

Pt(IV) compounds are regarded as prodrugs of active Pt(II) drugs (i.e. cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin) and burgeoned as the most ideal candidates to substitute Pt(II) anticancer drugs with severe side effects. Nanoparticle drug delivery systems have been widely introduced to deliver Pt(IV) prodrugs more effectively and safely to tumors, but clinical outcomes were unpredictable owing to limited in vivo pharmacokinetics understanding. Herein, a novel Pt(IV) prodrug of oxaliplatin(OXA) was synthesized and prepared as self-assembled micellar nanoparticles(PEG-OXA NPs). In vitro, PEG-OXA NPs rapidly released biologically active OXA within 5 min in tumor cells while remaining extremely stable in whole blood or plasma. Importantly, the pharmacokinetic results showed that the AUC_0-∞, and t_1/2 values of PEG-OXA NPs were 1994 ± 117 h·µg/mL and 3.28 ± 0.28 h, respectively, which were much higher than that of free OXA solution (2.03 ± 0.55 h·µg/mL and 0.16 ± 0.07 h), indicating the longer drug circulation of PEG-OXA NPs in vivo. The altered pharmacokinetic behavior of PEG-OXA NPs remarkably contributed to improve antitumor efficacy, decrease systemic toxicity and increase tumor growth inhibition compared to free OXA. These findings establish that PEG-OXA NPs have the potential to offer a desirable self-delivery platform of platinum drugs for anticancer therapeutics.

Nanotherapy for bone repair: milk-derived small extracellular vesicles delivery of icariin

Icariin (ICA) played an important role in the treatment of inflammatory bone defects. However, pharmacokinetic studies have shown that its poor bioavailability limited its application. In this context, we isolated bovine milk-derived sEV and prepared sEV-ICA to improve the osteogenic effect of ICA. In this study, we successfully constructed sEV-ICA. sEV-ICA was found to have significantly higher osteogenic efficiency than ICA in cell culture and cranial bone defect models. Mechanistically, bioinformatics analysis predicted that signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5a) may bind to the GJA1 promoter, while luciferase activity assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments confirmed that STAT5a directly binded to the GJA1 promoter to promote osteogenesis. We proved that compared with ICA, sEV-ICA showed a better effect of promoting bone repair in vivo and in vitro. In addition, sEV-ICA could promote osteogenesis by promoting the combination of STAT5a and GJA1 promoter. In summary, as a complex drug delivery system, sEV-ICA constituted a rapid and effective method for the treatment of bone defects and could improve the osteogenic activity of ICA.

A Multi-Functional CMOS Biosensor Array With On-Chip DEP-Assisted Sensing for Rapid Low-Concentration Analyte Detection and Close-Loop Particle Manipulation With No External Electrodes

This article presents a fully-integrated dielectrophoresis (DEP)-assisted multi-functional CMOS biosensor array chip with 4096 working electrodes (WEs), 12288 photodiodes (PDs), reference electrodes (REs), and counter electrodes (CEs), while each WE and photodiode can be reconfigured to support on-chip DEP actuation, electrochemical potentiostat, optical shadow imaging, and complex impedance sensing. The proposed CMOS biosensor is an example of an actuation-assisted label-free biosensor for the rapid sensing of low-concentration analytes. The DEP actuator of the proposed CMOS biosensor does not require any external electrode. Instead, on-chip WE pairs can be re-used for DEP actuation to simplify the sensor array design. The CMOS biosensor is implemented in a standard 130-nm BiCMOS process. Theoretical analyses and finite element method (FEM) simulations of the on-chip DEP operations are conducted as proof of concept. Biological assay measurements (DEP actuation/electrochemical potentiostat/impedance sensing) with E.coli bacteria and microbeads (optical shadow imaging) demonstrate rapid detection of low-concentration analytes and simultaneous manipulation and detection of large particles. The on-chip DEP operations draw the analytes closer to the sensor electrode surface, which overcomes the diffusion limit and accelerates low-concentration analyte sensing. Moreover, the DEP-based movement of large particles can be readily detected by on-chip photodiode arrays to achieve close-loop manipulation and sensing of particles and droplets. These show the unique advantages of the DEP-assisted multi-functional biosensor.

Fatty acid metabolism-related genes as a novel module biomarker for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma: Bioinformatics modeling with experimental verification

BACKGROUNDS

Lipid metabolism reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, however, the associations between fatty acid metabolism (FAM) and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) prognosis are still less investigated.

METHODS

The gene expression and clinical data of KIRC were obtained from TCGA. Using Cox regression and LASSO regression, a novel prognostic risk score model based on FAM-related genes was constructed, and a nomogram for prediction of overall survival rate of patients with KIRC was proposed. The correlation between risk score and the immune cell infiltration, immune-related function and tumor mutation burden (TMB) were explored. Finally, a hub gene was extracted from the model, and RT-qPCR, Western blot, Immunohistochemical, EdU, Scratch assay and Transwell experiments were conducted to validate and decipher the biomarker role of the hub gene in KIRC theranostics.

RESULTS

In this study, a novel risk score model and a nomogram were constructed based on 20 FAM-related genes to predict the prognosis of KIRC patients with AUC>0.7 at 1-, 3-, and 5-years. Patients in different subgroups showed different phenotypes in immune cell infiltration, immune-related function, TMB, and sensitivity to immunotherapy. In particular, the hub gene in the model, i.e., ACADM, was significantly down-expressed in human KIRC samples, and the knockdown of OCLN promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of KIRC cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, a novel risk score model and a module biomarker based on FAM-related genes were screened for KIRC prognosis. More clinical carcinogenic validations will be performed for future translational applications of the findings.

The opposite influences of Cu and Cd cation bridges on sulfamethoxazole sorption on humic acids in wetting-drying cycles

Wetting-drying cycles in the environment could change the inner- or outer-sphere complexation of heavy metal cations on natural organic matter (NOM) and then influence ternary interactions with organic contaminants - a rarely-discussed essential geochemical process. In this work, the sorption of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on humic acids (HAs) mediated by cations (Cu2+ and Cd2+) was investigated. Considering that outer-sphere complexation could be transformed into inner-sphere complexation during vacuum freeze-drying, the role of inner- or outer-sphere complexation on SMX sorption was explored. The experimental sorption results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that Cu2+ and Cd2+ sorption on HAs was mainly outer- and inner-sphere complexation, respectively. Cd2+ consistently promoted SMX sorption on HAs, while Cu2+ promoted and inhibited SMX sorption before and after freeze-drying. The structure of HA-Cu complexes with inner-sphere complexation was more compact than those with outer-sphere complexation, which reduced the accessibility of sorption sites for SMX on HA-Cu and inhibited SMX sorption. However, the greater number of coordination sites of Cd2+ may provide more sorption sites and the structure of HA-Cd was looser. These findings provide a groundbreaking understanding of the sorption of organics on natural adsorbents in the presence of cations.

Long non-coding RNA MIR17HG impedes FOSL2-mediated transcription activation of HIC1 to maintain a pro-inflammatory phenotype of microglia during intracerebral haemorrhage

Activation and polarization of microglia play decisive roles in the progression of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), and lactate exposure correlates with microglia polarization. This study explores molecules influencing lactate production and microglia phenotype alteration following ICH. A murine model of ICH was induced by intracerebral injection of collagenase. The mice experienced autonomous neurological function recovery, haematoma resolution and rapid lactate production, along with a gradual increase in angiogenesis activity, neuronal recovery and an M1-to-M2 phenotype change of microglia. Galloflavin, a lactate dehydrogenase antagonist, suppressed this phenotype change and the functional recovery in mice. FOS like 2 (FOSL2) was significantly upregulated in the brain tissues from day 7 post-ICH. Overexpression of FOSL2 induced an M1-to-M2 phenotype shift in microglia and accelerated lactate production in vivo and in haemoglobin-treated microglia in vitro. Long non-coding RNA MIR17HG impeded FOSL2-mediated transcription activation of hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1). MIR17HG overexpression induced pro-inflammatory activation of microglia in mice, which was blocked by further HIC1 overexpression. Overall, this study demonstrates that MIR17HG maintains a pro-inflammatory phenotype of microglia during ICH progression by negating FOSL2-mediated transcription activation of HIC1. Specific inhibition of MIR17HG or upregulation of FOSL2 or HIC1 may favour inflammation inhibition and haematoma resolution in ICH.

Icaritin inhibits endometrial carcinoma cells by suppressing O-GlcNAcylation of FOXC1

BACKGROUND

Icaritin has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including significant an-titumor activity. However, the mechanism of action of icaritin in endometrial cancer (UCEC) remains unknown. FOX proteins are a highly conserved transcription factor superfamily that play important roles in epithelial cell differentiation, tumor metastasis, angiogenesis, and cell cycle regulation. FOXC1 is an important member of the FOX protein family. FOXC1 is aberrantly expressed in endometrial cancer and may play a role in the migration and invasion of endometrial cancer; however, its mechanism of action has not yet been reported. O-GlcNAc glycosylation is a common post-translational modification. In endometrial cancer, high levels of O-GlcNAcylation promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Cancer development is often accompanied by O-GlcNAc modification of proteins; however, O-GlcNAc modification of the transcription factor FOXC1 has not been reported to date.

PURPOSE

To investigate the inhibitory effects of icaritin on RL95-2 and Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate the possible molecular mechanisms.

METHODS/STUDY DESIGN

CCK8, colony formation, migration, and invasion assays were used to determine the inhibitory effects of icaritin on endometrial cancer cells in vitro. Cell cycle regulation was assayed by flow cytometry. Protein levels were measured based on western blotting. The level of FOXC1 expression in endometrial cancer tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. To assess whether icaritin also has activity in vivo, its effect on tumor xenografts was evaluated.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical samples revealed that FOXC1 expression was significantly higher in endometrial cancer tissues than in normal tissues. Downregulation of FOXC1 inhibited the proliferative, colony formation, migration, and invasive abilities of RL95-2 and Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. Icaritin inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of endometrial cancer cells and blocked the cell cycle in S phase. Icaritin affected O-GlcNAc modification of FOXC1 and thus the stability of FOXC1, which subsequently triggered the inhibition of endometrial cancer cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

The anti-endometrial cancer effect of icaritin is related to the inhibition of abnormal O-GlcNAc modification of FOXC1, which may provide an important theoretical foundation for the use of icaritin against endometrial cancer.

Multimodal prehabilitation to improve the clinical outcomes of frail elderly patients with gastric cancer: a study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (GISSG+2201)

INTRODUCTION

Gastric cancer (GC) diagnosed in the elderly population has become a serious public health problem worldwide. Given the combined effects of frailty and the consequences of cancer treatment, older individuals with GC are more likely than young patients to suffer from postoperative complications and poor clinical outcomes. Nutrition, functional capacity and psychological state-based multimodal prehabilitation, which is dominated by Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway management, has been shown to reduce postoperative complications, promote functional recovery and decrease hospitalisation time in certain malignancies. However, no previous studies have investigated the clinical application of multimodal prehabilitation in frail older patients with GC.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study is a prospective, multicentre randomised controlled trial in which a total of 368 participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomised into either a prehabilitation group or an ERAS group. The prehabilitation group will receive multimodal prehabilitation combined with ERAS at least 2 weeks before the gastrectomy is performed, including physical and respiratory training, nutritional support, and therapy and psychosocial treatment. The ERAS group patients will be treated according to the ERAS pathway. All interventions will be supervised by family members. The primary outcome measures are the incidence and severity of postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes include survival, functional capacity and other short-term postoperative outcomes. Overall, the multimodal prehabilitation protocol may improve functional capacity, reduce the surgical stress response and concomitant systemic inflammation, and potentially modulate the tumour microenvironment to improve short-term and long-term clinical outcomes and patients' quality of life.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

All procedures and participating centres of this study were approved by their respective ethics committees (QYFYKYLL 916111920). The final study results will be published separately in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05352802.

An Innovative Regimen Basing on HFRT/SBRT and RC48-ADC Coactivation for Salvage Therapy in Patients with HER2-Expressing Advanced Solid Tumors

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

It is now widely accepted that radiotherapy, especially hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT), can modulate tumor phenotypes, enhance antigen presentation and provoke a systemic immune response which gives a strong rationale for the combination of RT and immunotherapy (iRT). The PRaG therapy is an innovative iRT, when combined with HFRT/SBRT, PD-1/L1 inhibitor and GM-CSF to activate the immune response and modulate the tumor microenvironment to exert the desired in abscopal effect. Previous studies have demonstrated encouraging efficacy of the PRaG regimen in the treatment of advanced refractory tumors. RC48-ADC is a promising anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate with inducing immunogenic cell death and widespread release of cancer cell antigens, synergize with immunotherapy by promoting effector T-cell activation. The aim of this study is to explore efficacy and safety of RC48-ADC combined with radiotherapy, PD-1/L1 inhibitor sequential GM-CSF and IL-2(PRaG3.0 regimen) for treatment of HER2-expressing advanced solid tumors.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Participants with advanced, confirmed HER2-expressing (IHC3+, 2+ or 1+) solid tumors that had progressed after standard treatment, or intolerance were enrolled. In a PRaG3.0 regimen cycle, those received RC48-ADC (2.0 mg/kg d1, every 3 weeks), then HFRT (2-3 doses of 5-8 Gy) was delivered for one metastatic lesion every other day, followed by GM-CSF (200 μg d3-7), sequential IL-2(2million IU d8-12), and PD-1/L1 inhibitor was dosing within one week after completion of HFRT. After RC48-ADC combined with PD-1/L1 inhibitor sequential GM-CSF and IL-2 for at least 6 cycles, then maintenance with PD-1/L1 inhibitor was administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT05115500.

RESULTS

With the cutoff date of 31 December 2022, a total of 30 patients (n = 6 for gynecological cancer, n = 5 for pancreatic cancer, n = 19 for other cancers) were enrolled, in which 21 patients completed at least 1 tumor assessment. The objective response rate (ORR) was 42.9%, and the disease control rate was 71.4% by RECIST1.1. The ORR was 66.7% in gynecological cancer, 25.3% in pancreatic cancer, and 36.4% in other cancers. Median progression-free survival (PFS) for all patients was 7.0 months (95% CI: 3.4, 10.7). The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) included fatigue, fever, alopecia and anorexia. Grade ≥3 TRAEs occurred in two patients (6.7%).

CONCLUSION

These preliminary results show that of PRaG3.0 regimen has a manageable safety profile and encouraging antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with HER2- expressing cancers. Ultimately the regimen achieved the accurate integration of RT, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Impact of PRaG Therapy on Immune Microenvironment of Bilateral Subcutaneous Tumor Model of Colon Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Immune microenvironment is closely related to the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors. The immune microenvironment contains a variety of immune cells, including effector T cells (cytotoxic CD8+T cells and effector CD4+T cells), dendritic cells (DC), and Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). The antitumor effects of PRaG therapy have been confirmed in bilateral subcutaneous transplantation tumor model of colon cancer. But the impact of PRaG therapy on immune microenvironment of such model is unclear. Therefore, the study continued to reveal the changes of immune microenvironment in mice.

MATERIALS/METHODS

80 male Balb/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into five groups: control group, PD-1 inhibitor group, radiation group, radiation + PD-1 inhibitor group, and radiation + PD-1 inhibitor +GM-CSF (PRaG therapy) group. Bilateral subcutaneous tumor model of colon cancer in mice was constructed. 3×105 CT26.WT cells were inoculated subcutaneously in the right thigh root, and then the left thigh root 3 days later. Right subcutaneous tumor was selected for radiotherapy of 8 Gy×3. GM-CSF (100ng, i.p.) was given on the 1st day and PD-1 inhibitor (0.25mg/kg, i.p.) was given on the 2nd day after radiotherapy with one cycle every 3 days. On day 15, the spleen, left inguinal lymph node and left subcutaneous tumor of mice were collected. The proportion of immune cells was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Compared with other groups, PRaG therapy decreased the proportion of cDC1 in left inguinal lymph node, increased the proportion of cDC2 in left subcutaneous tumor and left inguinal lymph node. Moreover, PRaG therapy increased the proportion of CD8+ effector memory T cells and CD226+CD8+T cells in left inguinal lymph nodes. Finally, PRaG therapy increased the proportion of CD4+, CD8+ central memory T cells and CD69+CD8+T cells and reduced the proportion of M-MDSCs in spleen.

CONCLUSION

PRaG therapy can improve the immune microenvironment of spleen, unirradiated tumors and inguinal draining lymph nodes of bilateral subcutaneous tumor model of colon cancer in mice.

Cochlear implantation programming characteristics and outcomes of cochlear nerve deficiency

PURPOSE

Due to the specificity of cochlear implantation (CI) programming parameters and outcomes in cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) patients, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between programming parameters and outcomes and further compare the difference between normal and CND groups.

METHODS

Ninety (95 ears) CND patients (normal cochlea, 39; malformed cochlea, 56) and seventy-nine (81 ears) normal cochlea patients who underwent CI surgery with either Med-El or Cochlear devices were included. The programming parameters and outcomes evaluated by the questionnaires were collected and compared among the normal CND, malformed CND, and normal groups in the two device groups, and their correlation was analyzed.

RESULTS

In the CND group, a reduced stimulation rate, higher pulse width, and triphasic pulse were needed in some cases. The stimulus levels of the CND group were significantly higher than that of the normal group (p < 0.05), but the outcomes of the CND group were significantly worse than that of the normal group (p < 0.05), and the stimulus level was significantly correlated with the outcomes (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference between normal and malformed CND groups. The non-auditory response was observed in the CND group, especially the ones with malformations.

CONCLUSION

The CI programming parameters of some CND patients need to be adjusted, and a slower stimulation rate and higher pulse width are required sometimes. CND patients need a higher stimulus level than normal patients but their outcomes are poorer. Non-auditory response should be noticed in CND patients during programming.

Radiotherapy for Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined with Chemotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

With the success of immunotherapy in advanced esophageal cancer, neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy (CIT) is being increasingly used for local staged esophageal cancer, especially in the context of clinical trials, which brings similar pCR with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and shows promising results. However, there is still a part of potentially operable patients can't undergo surgery after neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy. The follow-up treatment and prognosis of this population remain unclear.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients pathologically diagnosed with ESCC, clinical stage T1-3N+M0 or T3-4aNanyM0(AJCC 8th), PS 0-1 were retrospectively enrolled from 1/2020 to 6/2021 in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. All patients firstly received PD-1 inhibitors (Camrelizumab, Sintilimab or Tislelizumab) plus chemotherapy (albumin paclitaxel,260 mg/m²on day 1 plus carboplatin AUC = 5 on day 1) every 3 weeks for 2-4 cycles. For those patients who did not receive surgery, definitive radiotherapy with 50.4Gy/28F or 50Gy/25F was adopted using VMAT, concurrent with chemotherapy or alone. The concurrent chemotherapy regimens included weekly TC (paclitaxel 50 mg/m 2, d1, carboplatin AUC = 2, d1) or S1 (60mg bid d1-14,29-42). The survival outcomes and treatment toxicity were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 56 eligible patients were finally identified from 558 patients who were treated in department of thoracic surgery, 31 patients showed no response to neoadjuvant CIT (6 with PD and 25 with SD), 25 patients achieved PR but did not receive surgery due to poor performance status or refuse to operation. Median age was 66(IQR 56-72) and 55(98.2%) were males. 12(19.6%) were stage II and 44(80.4%) were stage III. Among all the patients,25 (44.6%) received radiotherapy alone, and 31 (55.4%) received chemoradiotherapy after neoadjuvant CIT. The median follow-up was 11.8 months (IQR 8.6-20.1). The median PFS and OS were 16.5 months (95CI 12.9-21.4) and 18.6 months (95CI 11.2-NA), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, the median PFS for patients with PR to CIT was 20.2 moths (95CI:17.23-NA), and 12.9 moths (95CI: 0.68-20.4) for patients with SD or PD, HR was 0.45 (95CI:0.22- 0.93, P = 0.027). No significant difference was observed for patients received radiotherapy alone or chemoradiotherapy with HR = 1.36(95CI:0.69-2.71, P = 0.37). The most common AEs observed during this study were anemia (98.2%), Leukopenia (83.9%), Thrombocytopenia (53.6%). Adverse events of grade≥3 radiation-induced pneumonitis and esophagitis were 12.5% and 32.1%, especially, 6 patients (10.7%) died from esophageal fistula and 2 patients (3.6%) died from grade 5 pneumonitis.

CONCLUSION

For local advanced ESCC patients after neoadjuvant CIT who did not receive surgery, definitive radiotherapy was an optional treatment strategy. However, those patients with no response to CIT also showed poor response to radiotherapy, and particular attention should be paid to treatment related toxicity, especially esophageal fistula.

Regional heterogeneity in short-term associations of meteorological factors, air pollution, and asthma hospitalizations in Guangxi, China

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify and evaluate the short-term and lag effects of environmental factors on asthma hospitalizations in different regions.

STUDY DESIGN

The ecological study on asthma is performed in three regions of Guangxi, China, that are distinctly different in geography and climate.

METHODS

We used distributed lag non-linear models to investigate the exposure-response-lag relationship between meteorological factors, air pollutants, and asthma hospital admissions across the three regions during 2015 (January 1 to December 31).

RESULTS

Cold was an important meteorological factor affecting asthma. At lag 0, the relative risk (RR; 23°C as reference) of cold in the Northwest, Northeast, and South was 1.10 (10°C), 1.14 (8°C), and 1.30 (11°C), respectively. NO2 was identified as the most important air pollutant affecting asthma. The RR of asthma hospitalization increased by 10.9% (at lag 4), 8.1% (at lag 0), and 4.2% (at lag 2) for every 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2 concentration in the Northwest, Northeast, and South, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In the three regions of Guangxi, there were differences in the dominant factors affecting asthma hospitalizations. Differences in geography can inform governments as to how to prepare the healthcare system to meet the expected peaks.

Population pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid and dose optimisation in adult Chinese kidney transplant recipients

1. This study aimed to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model of mycophenolic acid (MPA), quantify the effect of clinical factors and pharmacogenomics of MPA, and optimise the dosage for adult kidney transplant recipients.2. One-hundred and four adult renal transplant patients were enrolled. The PPK model was established using the Phoenix® NMLE software and the stepwise methods were filtered for significant covariates. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to optimise the dosage regimen.3. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination (including lag time) provided a more accurate description of MPA pharmacokinetics. Serum albumin (ALB) significantly affected the central apparent clearance (CL/F), whereas post-transplant time and creatinine clearance were associated with a central apparent volume of distribution (V/F). The estimated population values obtained by the final model were 17.5 L/h and 93.97 L for CL/F and V/F, respectively. Simulation results revealed that larger mycophenolate mofetil doses are required as the ALB concentration decreases. This study established a PPK model of MPA and validated it using various methods. ALB significantly affected CL/F and recommended optimal dose strategies were given based on the final model. These results provide a reference for the personalised therapy of MPA for kidney transplant patients.

A Prospective Clinical Trial of Radiotherapy Combined with PD-1 Inhibitors and GM-CSF, Sequentially Followed by IL-2 (PRaG 2.0) Regimen in Advanced Refractory Solid Tumors

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radiotherapy could stimulate the immune response and might synergize with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the clinical treatment of malignancies. Our previous PRaG trial also demonstrated that SBRT/HFRT in combination with PD-1 inhibitors and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) could improve clinical response in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors (ChiCTR1900026175). To further improve the efficacy of immunotherapy combined with radiotherapy, we conducted the PRaG 2.0 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04892498) and optimized the PRaG regimen by adding interleukin-2 (IL-2). Preliminary results of PRaG 2.0 had been reported in the 64th ASTRO. Now we report an updated result.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The PRaG 2.0 regimen was administered to patients with advanced refractory solid tumors who lacked or were unable to tolerate standard-of-care treatments. A treatment cycle consisted of SBRT or HFRT (5 or 8 Gy×2-3f) delivered for one metastatic lesion, PD-1 inhibitor dosing within one week after completion of radiotherapy, GM-CSF 200μg subcutaneous (SC) injection once daily for 7 days, and then sequentially followed by IL-2 2million IU SC once daily for 7 days. PRaG 2.0 regimen was repeated every 21 days for at least 2 cycles until no appropriate lesions for irradiation or reached the tolerance dose of normal tissues. Patients who could not continue radiotherapy and had not yet developed progression disease (PD) allowed PD-1 inhibitors to be continued as maintenance therapy until PD or unacceptable toxicity but no more than one year. The primary endpoint was Progression-Free Survival (PFS).

RESULTS

As of 31st October 2022, 51 patients were enrolled in the study, and 42 completed at least one tumor assessment. The median Progression-Free Survival (PFS) was 5.8 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 13.5 months. The objective response rate (ORR) was 21.4%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 61.9% according to RECIST version 1.1. Lower plasma levels of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17 at baseline were found to be associated with improved PFS. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) occurred in 34 of 42 (78.6%) patients, Grade ≥ 3 TRAEs occurred in 4 patients (9.5%). TRAEs leading to discontinuation of all study treatments occurred in three patients (7.1%).

CONCLUSION

The PRaG 2.0 trial demonstrates that PD-1 inhibitors in combination with SBRT/HFRT, GM-CSF, and IL-2 could be a potential treatment regimen for patients with advanced refractory solid tumors, with an acceptable benefit/risk profile.

Impact of PRaG Therapy on Peripheral Immune Cells of Subcutaneous Tumor Peritoneal Metastasis Model of Colon Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Immune cells in peripheral blood may be closely related to the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. T cells originally present in tumors may have limited antitumor effects, and T cells that respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors may be derived from peripheral blood. Therefore, in this study, subcutaneous tumor peritoneal metastasis model of colon cancer was constructed to reveal the changes of T cells and their subsets (CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, CD226+T cells), MDSCs and their subsets (G-MDSCs, M-MDSCs) in peripheral blood of mice after PRaG therapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of 90 male Balb/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into five groups: control group, PD-1 inhibitor group, radiation group, radiation + PD-1 inhibitor group, and radiation + PD-1 inhibitor +GM-CSF (PRaG therapy) group. The subcutaneous tumor peritoneal metastasis model of colon cancer was constructed. 3×105 CT26.WT cells was inoculated subcutaneously at the right thigh root, and 5 days later, 1×105 CT26.WT cells was inoculated on the left side at the junction of the anterior superior iliac spine and the midabdominal line. The subcutaneous tumor was selected for radiotherapy of 8 Gy×3. GM-CSF (100ng, i.p.) was given on the 1st day and PD-1 inhibitor (0.25mg/kg, i.p.) was given on the 2nd day after radiotherapy with one cycle every 3 days. On day 22, the peripheral blood of mice was collected. The proportion of immune cells was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Compared with other groups, PRaG therapy decreased the proportion of CD4+T cells and increased the proportion of CD8+T cells. Moreover, PRaG therapy increased the proportion of CD226+CD4+T cells and CD226+CD8+T cells. Finally, PRaG therapy increased the proportion of M-MDSCs and decreased the proportion of G-MDSCs.

CONCLUSION

PRaG therapy can improve the immune microenvironment of peripheral blood of subcutaneous tumor peritoneal metastasis model of colon cancer in mice.

OCLN as a novel biomarker for prognosis and immune infiltrates in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma: an integrative computational and experimental characterization

Background

Occludin (OCLN) is an important tight junction protein and has been reported to be abnormally expressed in the development of malignant tumors. However, its biomarker and carcinogenic roles in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) are less investigated.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas database and Human Protein Atlas database were used to analyze the expression of OCLN in KIRC. UALCAN database and methylation-specific PCR assay were used to evaluate the methylation level of OCLN in KIRC. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to model the prognostic significance of OCLN in KIRC patient cohorts. The correlation between OCLN expression and the immune cell infiltration, immune-related function and immune checkpoints were explored. Finally, EdU, scratch assay and transwell experiments were conducted to validate the role of OCLN in KIRC development.

Results

The expression of OCLN was significantly downregulated in KIRC, compared with normal renal tissues (p<0.001). Patients with low OCLN expression showed a worse prognosis and poorer clinicopathological characteristics. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that OCLN was mainly involved in biological processes such as immune response, immunoglobulin complex circulating and cytokine and chemokine receptor to mediate KIRC development. Immune-related analysis indicated that OCLN could potentially serve as a candidate target for KIRC immunotherapy. OCLN overexpression inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of KIRC cells in vitro.

Conclusion

OCLN was validated as a candidate prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target of KIRC based both on computational and experimental approaches. More in vivo experiments will be conducted to decode its molecular mechanism in KIRC carcinogenesis in the future work.

Integrating single-nucleus sequence profiling to reveal the transcriptional dynamics of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS) are three nervous system diseases that partially overlap clinically and genetically. However, bulk RNA-sequencing did not accurately detect the core pathogenic molecules in them. The availability of high-quality single cell RNA-sequencing data of post-mortem brain collections permits the generation of a large-scale gene expression in different cells in human brain, focusing on the molecular features and relationships between diseases and genes. We integrated single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) datasets of human brains with AD, PD, and MS to identify transcriptomic commonalities and distinctions among them.

METHODS

The snRNA-seq datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The Seurat package was used for snRNA-seq data processing. The uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) were utilized for cluster identification. The FindMarker function in Seurat was used to identify the differently expressed genes. Functional enrichment analysis was carried out using the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene ontology (GO). The protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was analyzed using STRING database ( http://string-db.org ). SCENIC analysis was performed using utilizing pySCENIC (v0.10.0) based on the hg19-tss-centered-10 kb-10species databases. The analysis of potential therapeutic drugs was analyzed on Connectivity Map ( https://clue.io ).

RESULTS

The gene regulatory network analysis identified several hub genes regulated in AD, PD, and MS, in which HSPB1 and HSPA1A were key molecules. These upregulated HSP family genes interact with ribosome genes in AD and MS, and with immunomodulatory genes in PD. We further identified several transcriptional regulators (SPI1, CEBPA, TFE3, GRHPR, and TP53) of the hub genes, which has important implications for uncovering the molecular crosstalk among AD, PD, and MS. Arctigenin was identified as a potential therapeutic drug for AD, PD, and MS.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, the integrated snRNA-seq data and findings have significant implications for unraveling the shared and unique molecular crosstalk among AD, PD, and MS. HSPB1 and HSPA1A as promising targets involved in the pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, the identification of arctigenin as a potential therapeutic drug for AD, PD, and MS further highlights its potential in treating these neurological disorders. These discoveries lay the groundwork for future research and interventions to enhance our understanding and treatment of AD, PD, and MS.