Job insecurity, employability, and mental health in the new era: A test of plausible influence mechanisms and temporal effects

Although job insecurity and employability have drawn much research attention, the plausible relationships between them and how they jointly influence mental health remain unclear in the literature. We draw upon JD-R and COR theories to test and contrast three plausible relationships between job insecurity and employability, using a longitudinal sample of 1216 employees over 18 years. We further expand tests of these theoretical positions by considering temporal dynamics, using dynamic structural equation models (DSEMs) for stronger mediation evidence and latent growth models (LGMs) to compare the effects of job insecurity and employability trends in predicting the trend of mental health. In general, findings showed that job insecurity mediated the relationship between employability and mental health, supporting the mediation hypothesis. We also found that employability moderated the relationship between job insecurity and mental health, supporting the moderation hypothesis, although the effect was weak. Results further suggested that the effect magnitudes of job insecurity and employability predicting mental health were significantly different. Specifically, job insecurity was a stronger predictor of mental health than employability across all 18 years; the trend of job insecurity also predicted the trend of mental health more strongly than the trend of employability. Taken together, this study not only advances theory precision but also methodological soundness of research on job insecurity, employability, and mental health, supporting the value of considering temporal factors in examining mental health effects of job insecurity and employability.

Exosomal Circsafb2 Reshaping Tumor Environment to Promote Renal Cell Carcinoma Progression by Mediating M2 Macrophage Polarization

Background

Macrophages are the most abundant infiltrating immune-related stromal cells present in and around tumors, showing different phenotypes and functions. M2 macrophages mainly exert immunosuppressive functions and promote tumor growth. Exosomes are emerging as important mediators of cross-talk between tumor cells and the microenvironment. CircRNAs are novel members of non-coding RNAs that regulate cancer proliferation and progression. However, the mechanism by which exosomal circRNA regulates macrophage polarization in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still largely unknown.

Methods

RCC-derived exosomes were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). CCK-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays were performed to assess whether exosomes would affect the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RCC. Furthermore, we performed a bioinformatics analysis to identify circRNAs in RCC serum-derived exosomes from the GEO database. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay was used to detect the cellular distribution of circSAFB2. Bioinformatics analyses (StarBase 2.0) were used to pool the miRNA targets of circSAFB2. Luciferase assays were performed to verify the direct interactions. Western blotting was used to detect markers of macrophage M2 polarization. Lastly, mouse xenograft and bioluminescence imaging were used to examine the clinical relevance of exosomal circSAFB2 in vivo.

Results

We report the circRNA derived from SAFB2 and evaluate its biological function in promoting the immune escape of RCC. We found that circSAFB2 was highly expressed in RCC tissues and RCC-derived exosomes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that exosomal circSAFB2 mediates the polarization of M2 macrophages through the miR-620/JAK1/STAT3 axis to promote RCC metastasis.

Conclusions

Our data first demonstrated that circSAFB2 leads to immune escape from RCC by mediating M2 macrophage polarization via the miR-620/JAK1/STAT3 axis. These findings indicate a novel molecular mechanism of exosomal circSAFB2 in the progression of RCC and implicate circSAFB2 as a target for exosome-mediated tumor immune evasion.

When Does Safety Climate Help? A Multilevel Study of COVID-19 Risky Decision Making and Safety Performance in the Context of Business Reopening

Businesses are gradually reopening as lockdown measures for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are being relieved in many places across the globe. It is challenging but imperative for businesses to manage the risk of infection in the workplace and reopen safely. Drawing on risky decision-making theory and the job demands-resource model of workplace safety, we examined the influences of employees' COVID-19 risk perception on their safety performance at work. On the one hand, COVID-19 risk perception motivates employees to perform safely; on the other hand, COVID-19 risk perception could also undermine safety performance through triggering anxiety. In an effort to find ways that alleviate the negative implications of risk perception, we also tested a cross-level interaction model where the risk perception-anxiety relation is weakened with a favorable team safety climate as well as low abusive supervision. Our data were collected from car dealership employees located in China in March 2020, when businesses just started to reopen in locations where these data were collected. Results showed that COVID-19 risk perception was positively related to anxiety, which in turn undermined safety performance. This negative effect canceled out the direct positive effects of COVID-19 risk perception on safety performance. In addition, cross-level interaction results showed that the buffering effect of team safety climate on the risk perception-anxiety relation was diminished with an abusive supervisor. Our findings provide valuable and timely implications on risk management and workplace safety during a public health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

21 One-Shot Tract Dilatation for Supine Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in Obese Patients

Introduction

With the rising incidence of both obesity and urolithiasis, the need to perform stone surgery in high BMI patients is increasing. We analysed the safety and efficacy of the one-shot tract dilatation (OSD) technique in obese patients undergoing supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Method

Retrospective review of all supine PCNLs performed by a single surgeon between January 2014 and December 2020. Patient factors (age and BMI), stone complexity and procedural characteristics (tract size and dilatation technique) were collected. Outcomes included access success, length of stay, operating duration, and inpatient complications.

Results

Overall 104 supine PCNLs were performed in 93 patients. Forty-four had a BMI >/ =  30 kg/m2 with a median age of 53 years, median BMI 35.12 kg/m2 and median Guy’s stone score of 2. When initial puncture was successful (43 cases (98%)), tract dilatation was satisfactory on all occasions. Dilatation was performed using a balloon dilator (24Ch) in 12 cases and OSD in 31 cases (range 16Ch to 24Ch, median 22Ch). Median length of stay was lower when OSD used (1 day) versus balloon (2 days), P = 0.03. Median operating time using OSD was 98 minutes versus 120 minutes using balloon (P = 0.10). There was no significant difference in operative time or length of stay when using OSD compared with BMI < 30 kg/m2. There were two Clavien-Dindo Grade I and one Grade II complications in patients where OSD was used. No transfusions were required.

Conclusions

One shot dilatation is an effective and safe means of access in obese patients when performing a supine PCNL.

Genome-wide identification studies - A primer to explore new genes in plant species

Genome data have accumulated rapidly in recent years, doubling roughly after every 6 months due to the influx of next-generation sequencing technologies. A plethora of plant genomes are available in comprehensive public databases. This easy access to data provides an opportunity to explore genome datasets and recruit new genes in various plant species not possible a decade ago. In the past few years, many gene families have been published using these public datasets. These genome-wide studies identify and characterize gene members, gene structures, evolutionary relationships, expression patterns, protein interactions and gene ontologies, and predict putative gene functions using various computational tools. Such studies provide meaningful information and an initial framework for further functional elucidation. This review provides a concise layout of approaches used in these gene family studies and demonstrates an outline for employing various plant genome datasets in future studies.

Effect of local anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy to prevent the formation of stenosis in outflow vein in arteriovenous fistula

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Vascular stenosis and angiogenesis are the major causes of short expectancy of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) has been suggested to play an important role in the pathophysiologic process. Anti-VEGF has been proved to be effective on anti-angiogenesis and applied in clinical practice, but its effect on anti-stenosis remains to be verified before it could be applied to prevent stenosis of AVF. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of local anti-VEGF therapy to prevent the formation of stenosis in the outflow vein in AVF and its mechanism.

METHODS

Bioinformatics of VEGF-A and its downstream-regulated molecules from the STRING PPI database were analyzed in this study. The biopsy samples from outflow veins of AVF in patients and C57BL/6 mouse models were analyzed to examine the mechanisms of pathologic vascular stenosis associated with VEGF pathways and their potential therapeutic targets.

RESULTS

We found that the reduction of VEGF-A could downregulate downstream molecules and subsequently reduce the intimal hyperplasia and abnormal vascular remodeling by analyzing the STRING PPI database. Venous wall thickening, intimal neointima formation, and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in the proliferative outflow vein of the AVF were significantly more obvious, and upregulation of expression of VEGF was observed in dysfunctional AVF in patients. In mouse models, the expression of VEGF, Ephrin receptor B4 (EphB4), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, MMP9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)1, TIMP2, and caspase 3 in the control-shRNA surgical group was significantly higher than in the sham group (P < 0.05), and all of these indicators were significantly lower in lentiviral transfection group and Avastin group than in control-shRNA surgical group (P < 0.05) on the 14th day after AVF operation.

CONCLUSION

VEGF expression is significantly increased in vascular endothelial cells in stenosed or occluded outflow veins of dysfunctional AVF. Local injection of Avastin into the adventitia of the proximal outflow vein in autologous AVF procedure has an excellent potential to prevent the subsequent local stenosis of the proximal outflow vein.

Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder in Hemodialysis Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVES

Research about the effects of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) among hemodialysis (HD) patients is controversial. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine Mg supplementation's effects on CKD-MBD in patients requiring dialysis.

METHODS

The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for English language studies up to September 2020. The main indicators of our study were changes in serum Mg, calcium (Ca), phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and C-reactive protein levels, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) after Mg supplementation. Mg efficacy was evaluated by weighted mean difference (WMD) and confidence intervals (CIs), and subgroup analyses of intervention type and intervention duration were also performed.

RESULTS

Eight eligible studies comprising 309 HD patients were included in our meta-analysis. Mg supplementation alone produced a negative effect on serum PTH levels (WMD = -236.56; 95% CI -349.71 to -123.41) and CIMT (WMD = -0.18; 95% CI -0.34 to -0.01). A subgroup analysis based on intervention type showed a significant improvement in serum Mg (WMD = 1.08; 95% CI 0.51-1.64) and Ca (WMD = -0.50; 95% CI -0.77 to -0.23) levels when Mg was administered via dialysate and oral medication, respectively. Different intervention durations had no effect on serum Mg levels. Mg supplementation had no significant effect on serum phosphate (WMD = -0.25; 95% CI -0.64 to 0.14) and C-reactive protein levels (WMD = -0.02; 95% CI -2.80 to 2,76).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that Mg supplementation alone could improve CKD-MBD by regulating serum Ca and PTH metabolism and decreasing CIMT among HD patients.

A constriction channel analysis of astrocytoma stiffness and disease progression

Studies have demonstrated that cancer cells tend to have reduced stiffness (Young's modulus) compared to their healthy counterparts. The mechanical properties of primary brain cancer cells, however, have remained largely unstudied. To investigate whether the stiffness of primary brain cancer cells decreases as malignancy increases, we used a microfluidic constriction channel device to deform healthy astrocytes and astrocytoma cells of grade II, III, and IV and measured the entry time, transit time, and elongation. Calculating cell stiffness directly from the experimental measurements is not possible. To overcome this challenge, finite element simulations of the cell entry into the constriction channel were used to train a neural network to calculate the stiffness of the analyzed cells based on their experimentally measured diameter, entry time, and elongation in the channel. Our study provides the first calculation of stiffness for grades II and III astrocytoma and is the first to apply a neural network analysis to determine cell mechanical properties from a constriction channel device. Our results suggest that the stiffness of astrocytoma cells is not well-correlated with the cell grade. Furthermore, while other non-central-nervous-system cell types typically show reduced stiffness of malignant cells, we found that most astrocytoma cell lines had increased stiffness compared to healthy astrocytes, with lower-grade astrocytoma having higher stiffness values than grade IV glioblastoma. Differences in nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio only partly explain differences in stiffness values. Although our study does have limitations, our results do not show a strong correlation of stiffness with cell grade, suggesting that other factors may play important roles in determining the invasive capability of astrocytoma. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the mechanical properties of astrocytoma across various pathological grades.

Setting the new FRAX reference threshold without bone mineral density in Chinese postmenopausal women

PURPOSE

Despite the large number of osteoporosis patients in China, the diagnosis and treatment rates remain low. The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) can be used to effectively evaluate fracture risk. In this study, we explored the Chinese-specific thresholds of FRAX without the T-score.

METHODS

In all, 264 postmenopausal women aged > 50 years were randomly recruited from community-medical centers. All subjects completed self-reported questionnaires, BMD measurements, and spinal radiographs. The 10-year hip and major osteoporotic fracture risks were calculated by FRAX. A new threshold for both 10-year hip and major osteoporotic fracture risk was explored with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 92 subjects were diagnosed with osteoporosis. Among them, 14 participants with T-score > - 2.5 were diagnosed with osteoporosis based on clinical fractures. ROC analysis showed the cut-off value of the 10-year hip osteoporotic fracture for detecting osteoporosis was 0.95%, while that of 10-year major osteoporotic fracture was 4.95%. The sensitivity and specificity of the 10-year hip osteoporotic fracture probability for detecting osteoporosis were 0.86 and 0.59, respectively, while the guideline-recommended threshold had a sensitivity of 0.49 and specificity of 0.83. The sensitivity and specificity of the 10-year major osteoporotic fractures with the new threshold were 0.76 and 0.69, respectively, while the recommended threshold had a sensitivity of 0 and specificity of 1.

CONCLUSION

Current guideline-recommended FRAX thresholds without BMD showed low sensitivity. Therefore, 10-year osteoporotic hip fracture probability ≥ 0.95% and 10-year osteoporotic major fracture probability ≥ 4.95% are recommended as the new thresholds.

Comparison of therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of paclitaxel alone or in combination with methotrexate in a collagen-induced arthritis rat model

OBJECTIVE

To compare the therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel (PTX) alone to its combination with methotrexate (MTX) on rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

A collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was established by induction of type II collagen. Rats were divided into blank control group, CIA model group, MTX group 1 mg/kg, PTX 1.5 mg/kg, PTX 2.5 mg/kg, PTX 3.5 mg/kg, and MTX 1 mg/kg + PTX 3.5 mg/kg, with 10 rats per group. The inflammation of the ankle joint was analyzed by H&E staining and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL‑6 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. TUNEL assay was performed to detect synovial tissue cell apoptosis after administration of PTX and MTX either alone or in combination. TLR4 and p‑NF-κBp65 protein expression in synovial tissue and the changes of serum IL‑1β, IL‑6, IL‑12, MMP‑3, and TNFα protein factors were detected by western blot and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTS

PTX and MTX improved histopathological changes in CIA rats. Besides, the apoptosis rate of synovial tissue cells in the PTX 3.5 mg/kg group was more than that of the PTX + MTX group. Immunohistochemistry and western blot results indicated that PTX and MTX reduce the expression rate of IL‑6 and IL‑1β and downregulate TLR4 and p‑NF-κBp65 protein expression. Furthermore, TLR4 and p‑NF-κBp65 reduced the concentration of MMP‑3, IL‑12, IL‑6, IL1‑β, and TNFα.

CONCLUSION

Both PTX and MTX exert significant suppression on rheumatoid arthritis, and the combined effect of the two drugs is weaker than that of PTX alone. Moreover, intraperitoneal injection of PTX 3.5 mg/kg every other day was the optimal dose observed in this study.

Metformin alleviates β-glycerophosphate-induced calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells via AMPK/mTOR-activated autophagy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of metformin on β-glycerophosphate-induced calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the possible mechanisms underlying this. Using an established VSMC calcification model, VSMCs were first treated with β-glycerophosphate, before metformin, 3-methyladenine and compound C were added to the cell cultures in different combinations. Calcium deposition in the cells was examined by Alizarin Red S staining and using the O-cresolphthalein complexone method. To assess the occurrence of autophagy, autophagosomes inside the cells were studied using a transmission electron microscope and green fluorescent microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) puncta were examined using a fluorescent microscope. Additionally, protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), LC3II/I, beclin 1 and 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway-associated proteins were determined by western blot analysis. Metformin increased the number of autophagosomes, green fluorescent LC3 puncta and the levels of LC3II/I, beclin 1, α-SMA and phosphorylated (p)-AMPK in the VSMCs that were treated with β-glycerophosphate when compared to controls; whereas, calcium deposition and the expression levels of RUNX2 and p-mTOR were found to be decreased. Treating the VSMCs with 3-methyladenine or compound C reversed the effects of metformin. The results of the present study suggested that metformin may alleviate β-glycerophosphate-induced calcification of VSMCs, which may be attributed to the activation of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway-dependent autophagy.

Prognostic value of age-adjusted d-dimer cutoff thresholds in patients with myocardial infarction treated by percutaneous coronary intervention

Introduction

The association between D-dimer and outcomes of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) remains controversial. Using age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff thresholds significantly improves the accuracy of diagnosis for thrombotic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of age-adjusted D-dimer in MI patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

In this observational study, 3614 consecutive patients with MI treated by PCI were retrospectively recruited. The baseline age-adjusted D-dimer threshold was 500 ng/mL, and was calculated as age × 10 in patients older than 50 years. Cox regression was used for outcome analysis. The primary outcome was all-cause death. Discrimination and reclassification were calculated to assess the additional prognostic value of D-dimer when combined with established clinical risk factors and the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score.

Results

During a median follow-up of 652 days, a total of 194 deaths occurred. High D-dimer level, as defined by age-adjusted thresholds, was an independent predictor for all-cause death (hazard ratio:1.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.23–2.27, P=0.001). Addition of D-dimer level (high or low) significantly improved risk classification for death when combined with established clinical risk factors (net reclassification index [NRI]: 0.601, P&lt;0.001; integrated discrimination improvement [IDI]: 0.011, P=0.046) and GRACE score (NRI: 0.618, P&lt;0.001; IDI: 0.015, P=0.011).

Conclusions

In patients with MI treated by PCI, D-dimer elevation defined by age-adjusted thresholds was an independent predictor for adverse outcomes, and provided additional prognostic value when combined with clinical risk factors and GRACE score.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Association between pre-infarction angina and culprit-lesion morphology in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: an optical coherence tomography study

Background

Previous studies reported the cardiac protection effect of pre-infarction angina (PIA) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the association between PIA and culprit plaques characteristics in AMI patients through optical coherence tomography (OCT)assessment remains unclear.

Purpose

We sought to identify culprit-plaque morphology associated with PIA in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) using OCT.

Methods

A total of 279 STEMI patients who underwent intravascular OCT of culprit-lesion were included. Baseline clinical data and culprit-plaque characteristics were compared between the PIA group the non-PIA group.

Results

Patients with PIA represented 54.8% of the study population (153 patients). No differences were observed in clinical and angiographic data between two groups, except STEMI onset with exertion was significantly less common in PIA group (24.2% versus 40.5%, P=0.004). Patients with PIA exhibited a significantly lower incidence of plaque rupture (40.5% versus 61.9%, P&lt;0.001) and lipid-rich plaques (48.4% versus 69.0%, P=0.001). The thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) prevalence was lower in PIA group, presenting a thicker fibrous cap thickness, although statistically significant differences were not observed (20.3% versus 30.2%, P=0.070; 129.1±92.0μm versus 111.4±78.1μm, P=0.088; respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that PIA was an independent negative predictor for plaque rupture (odds ratio: 0.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.268–0.725, P=0.001).

Conclusion

STEMI patients with PIA showed a significantly lower prevalence of plaque rupture and lipid-rich plaques in culprit-lesion than non-PIA group, implying different mechanisms of STEMI attack.

Flow chart + Bar graphs of OCT findings

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Association between pre-infarction angina and culprit-lesion morphology in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: An optical coherence tomography study

OGT-Mediated KEAP1 Glycosylation Accelerates NRF2 Degradation Leading to High Phosphate-Induced Vascular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease

Unraveling the complex regulatory pathways that mediate the effects of phosphate on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) may provide novel targets and therapies to limit the destructive effects of vascular calcification (VC) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our previous studies have highlighted several signaling networks associated with VSMC autophagy, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Thereafter, the current study was performed to characterize the functional relevance of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) in high phosphate-induced VC in CKD settings. We generated VC models in 5/6 nephrectomized rats in vivo and VSMC calcification models in vitro. Artificial modulation of OGT (knockdown and overexpression) was performed to explore the role of OGT in VSMC autophagy and VC in thoracic aorta, and in vivo experiments were used to substantiate in vitro findings. Mechanistically, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay was performed to examine interaction between OGT and kelch like ECH associated protein 1 (KEAP1), and in vivo ubiquitination assay was performed to examine ubiquitination extent of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). OGT was highly expressed in high phosphate-induced 5/6 nephrectomized rats and VSMCs. OGT silencing was shown to suppress high phosphate-induced calcification of VSMCs. OGT enhances KEAP1 glycosylation and thereby results in degradation and ubiquitination of NRF2, concurrently inhibiting VSMC autophagy to promote VSMC calcification in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. OGT inhibits VSMC autophagy through the KEAP1/NRF2 axis and thus accelerates high phosphate-induced VC in CKD.

From alpha to omega and beyond! A look at the past, present, and (possible) future of psychometric soundness in the Journal of Applied Psychology

The psychometric soundness of measures has been a central concern of articles published in the Journal of Applied Psychology (JAP) since the inception of the journal. At the same time, it isn't clear that investigators and reviewers prioritize psychometric soundness to a degree that would allow one to have sufficient confidence in conclusions regarding constructs. The purposes of the present article are to (a) examine current scale development and evaluation practices in JAP; (b) compare these practices to recommended practices, previous practices, and practices in other journals; and (c) use these comparisons to make recommendations for reviewers, editors, and investigators regarding the creation and evaluation of measures including Excel-based calculators for various indices. Finally, given that model complexity appears to have increased the need for short scales, we offer a user-friendly R Shiny app (https://orgscience.uncc.edu/about-us/resources) that identifies the subset of items that maximize a variety of psychometric criteria rather than merely maximizing alpha. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Efficacy and safety of cinacalcet compared with other treatments for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease: a meta-analysis

Background

It is controversial for the effect and safety between cinacalcet and other treatments in treating secondary hyperparathyroidism for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods

Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched through Feb 2017. 21 randomized controlled trials were included. We calculated the pooled mean difference (MD), relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

Result

Patients received calcimimetic agents had significantly decreased serum parathyroid hormone (MD = − 259.24 pg/mL, 95% CI: − 336.23 to − 182.25), calcium (MD = − 0.92 mg/dL, 95% CI: − 0.98 to − 0.85) and calcium phosphorus product (MD = − 5.97 mg²/dL², 95% CI: − 9.77 to − 2.16) concentration compared with control treatment. However, the differences in cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality between calcimimetics agents and control group were not statistically significant. The incidence of nausea (RR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.62 to 2.79), vomiting (RR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.78 to 2.23) and hypocalcemia (RR = 10.10, 95% CI: 7.60 to 13.43) in CKD patients with calcimimetics agents was significantly higher than that with control treatment.

Conclusion

Cinacalcet improved the biochemical parameters in CKD patients, but did not improve all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Moreover, cinacalcet can cause some adverse events.

Where you came from and where you are going: The role of performance trajectory in promotion decisions

Despite the clear theoretical link between promotions and job performance, the few studies that have tested this relationship have instead found that the role of job performance level in determining promotions is much less than might be expected. In 4 studies, we propose and test a different way of thinking about the performance-promotion relationship. Prospect theory, spiraling theory, and sponsored and contest mobility were used to support the notion that change in performance is at least as important to the prediction of promotion decisions as is absolute level of performance. In Study 1, performance and promotion data were collected for 563 white-collar employees at each of 4 time points spread over 6 years. As hypothesized, change in job performance significantly predicted change in workers' hierarchical level (i.e., promotion) beyond previous performance level. In Study 2, we found that upward trends are associated with ratings of future performance expectation and promotability through their effects on attributions of conscientiousness, proactive personality, and job dedication. In Study 3, we replicated the findings of Study 2 and found no evidence of a performance trend by performance level interaction. In Study 4, we showed that those with upward trends are preferred even to those with performance that is consistent and strong. Taken together, our results suggest that the reason for the modest performance-promotion relationships found in previous research may be that performance trends are seen by decision makers as containing at least as much promotion-relevant information as do performance averages or recent performance levels. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

[Features of gut microbiota in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease]

Objectives: To investigate whether the fecal microbiome of Parkinson's disease patients differs from that of healthy population and explore the pathogenesis and new treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Methods: A total of 30 patients diagnosed as idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD group) in Beijing Friendship Hospital between April 2017 and June 2018 were enrolled and 30 healthy controls (NC group) were recruited at the same time.Medical records and score of unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) were collected and fresh fecal samples were obtained and stored in refrigerator (-80℃). The microbial compositions of fecal samples were investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3-V4 region. The taxa abundance and microbial composition were tested. Results: There was no difference of age and sex in PD and NC groups. Chao1 and Shannon indexes tended to be higher in PD group, yet failed to reach statistic significance (P=0.115 and 0.052). Relative abundance of gut microbiota differed in each taxonomic category. The relative abundance of Firmicutes in PD group was 53.6%(41.7%-64.8%), while that of Bacteroidetes in NC group was 51.7%(31.7%-65.3%). The ratios of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes were significantly different between the two groups (1.6(0.9-3.4) vs 0.7(0.5-1.4), P=0.001). In Clostridia, Bacilli and Erysipelotrichia of Firmicutes, the relative abundances of Clostridiales, Christensenellaceae, Peptoclostridium, Lactobacillus and Erysipelatoclostridium were higher in PD group (P=0.024, 0.046, 0.036, 0.022 and 0.037). The relative abundance of Prevotella of Bacteroidales, was lower in PD group, yet failed to reach statistic significance (P=0.121). The relative abundances of Alistipes of Rikenellaceae and Butyricimonas of Marinilabiliales in PD group were significantly higher than those in NC group (P=0.047 and 0.033). The relative abundance of Bifidobacterium of Actinobacteria was significanly higher in PD group when compared with NC group (P=0.009). Despite the relatively low abundance, Akkermansia of Verrucomicrobia was significantly higher in PD group than in NC group (P=0.025). Conclusion: The structures of the fecal microbiota differ significantly between PD patients and healthy controls.

Assessment of Apparent Internal Carotid Tandem Occlusion on High-Resolution Vessel Wall Imaging: Comparison with Digital Subtraction Angiography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Not all tandem occlusions diagnosed on traditional vascular imaging modalities, such as MRA, represent actual complete ICA occlusion. This study aimed to explore the utility of high-resolution vessel wall imaging in identifying true ICA tandem occlusions and screening patients for their suitability for endovascular recanalization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with no signal in the ICA on MRA were retrospectively reviewed. Two neuroradiologists independently reviewed their high-resolution vessel wall images to assess whether there were true tandem occlusions and categorized all cases into intracranial ICA occlusion, extracranial ICA occlusion, tandem occlusion, or near-occlusion. DSA classified patient images into the same 4 categories, which were used as the comparison with high-resolution vessel wall imaging. The suitability for recanalization of occluded vessels was evaluated on high-resolution vessel wall imaging compared with DSA.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with no ICA signal on MRA who had available high-resolution vessel wall imaging and DSA images were included. Among the 34 patients (34/45, 75.6%) with tandem occlusions on DSA, 18 cases also showed tandem occlusions on high-resolution vessel wall imaging. The remaining 16 patients, intracranial ICA, extracranial ICA occlusions and near-occlusions were found in 2, 6, and 8 patients, respectively, on the basis of high-resolution vessel wall imaging. A total of 20 cases (20/45, 44.4%) were considered suitable for recanalization on the basis of both DSA and high-resolution vessel wall imaging. Among the 25 patients deemed unsuitable for recanalization by DSA, 11 were deemed suitable for recanalization by high-resolution vessel wall imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

High-resolution vessel wall imaging could allow identification of true ICA tandem occlusion in patients with an absence of signal on MRA. Findings on high-resolution vessel wall imaging can be used to screen more suitable candidates for recanalization therapy.

Dual roles of misshapen/NIK-related kinase (MINK1) in osteoarthritis subtypes through the activation of TGFβ signaling

OBJECTIVE

To identify the role of misshapen/NIK-related kinase (MINK1) in age-related Osteoarthritis (OA) and injury-induced OA, and the effects of enhanced TGFβ signaling in these progresses.

DESIGN

The effect of MINK1 was analyzed with MINK1 knock out (Mink1-/-) mice and C57BL/6J mice. OA progress was studied in age-related OA and instability-associated OA (destabilization of the medial meniscus, DMM) models. The murine knee joint was evaluated through histological staining, Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores, immunohistochemistry, and μCT analysis. Primary chondrocytes were isolated from wild type and Mink1-/- mice and subjected to osteogenic induction and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

MINK1 is highly expressed during cartilage development and in normal cartilage. Mink1-/- mice displayed markedly lower OARSI scores, aggrecan degradation neoepitope positive cells and increased Safranin O and pSMAD2 staining in aging-related OA model. However, in injury-induced OA, loss of MINK1 accelerates extracellular matrix (ECM) destruction, osteophyte formation, and subchondral bone sclerosis. Accelerated subchondral bone remodeling in Mink1-/- mice was accompanied with increased numbers of nestin-positive mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osterix-positive osteoprogenitors. pSMAD2 staining was increased in the subchondral bone marrow of Mink1-/- mice and overexpression of MINK1 inhibited SMAD2 phosphorylation in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows for the first time that activation of TGFβ/SMAD2 by MINK1 deficiency plays opposite roles in aging-related and injury-induced OA. MINK1 deficiency protects cartilage from degeneration in aging joints through increased SMAD2 activation in chondrocytes, while accelerating OA progress in injury-induced model through enhanced osteogenesis of MSCs in the subchondral bone. These findings provide insights for developing precision OA therapeutics targeting TGFβ/SMAD2 signaling.

106Plasma trimethylamine N-oxide is associated with culprit plaque characterization as assessed by optical coherence tomography in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

Previous study have demonstrated that plasma trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is associated with vulnerable plaque characteristics as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with coronary artery disease. However, the relation between TMAO and the culprit plaque characteristics as assessed by OCT in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) exhibiting plaque rupture at the site of the culprit stenosis is unknown.

Objective

To explore the relation between plasma TMAO and coronary culprit plaque characterization assessed by OCT in AMI patients exhibiting plaque rupture.

Method

We prospectively enrolled 90 AMI patients with plaque rupture identified by OCT and collected demographic data, risk factors, coronary angiography and OCT data, medical history and laboratory findings of all patients. Plasma TMAO levels were detected by stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Macrophage presence in coronary culprit plaque was quantified by normalized standard deviation (NSD).

Result

All patients were divided into two groups (high TMAO group and low TMAO group) according to the median plasma TMAO level (3.22uM). The culprit plaques in the high TMAO group exhibited a thinner fibrous cap thickness (60um [60–100um] versus 90um [70–110um], P=0.013]), higher frequency of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (15.6% versus 55.6%, P<0.001), microvessel (24.4% versus 4.4%, P=0.014) and macrophage infiltration (66.7% versus 26.7%, P<0.001) compared with the low TMAO group. Moreover, the level of TMAO was significantly positively associated with NSD (Pearson's correlation coefficient: r=0.766, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Plasma TMAO levels are associated with coronary plaque vulnerability and inflammation in patients with AMI exhibiting plaque rupture.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (2016-I2M-1-009)

P819Post-procedural cholesterol and inflammatory risk in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective

This study sought to depict the combined association of post-procedural cholesterol and inflammatory risk with clinical outcomes among acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and pick out patients with highest comprehensive risk.

Methods

A total of 4802 AMI-PCI patients were divided into quartiles according to post-procedural low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), C-reactive protein (CRP) level respectively and in combinations for risk analysis. Univariate and adjusted multivariate analysis with Cox model were performed. Hazard ratio (HR) for short-term (90 days) and long-term (1 year) were compared for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.

Results

A significant change in the hazards of 90-day MACE was seen among patients in the highest quartile of post-procedural LDL-C [HR: 0.526 (0.291, 0.951), p=0.034] and highest quartile of CRP [HR: 2.119 (1.150, 3.920), p=0.016]. For 1-year outcomes, only a trend for increasing risk was seen in patients with higher post-procedural CRP (p-trend = 0.016). Combination analysis for cholesterol/inflammatory risk showed that patients lying simultaneously in the lowest quartile of LDL-C and highest quartile of CRP gained the highest risk in the 90-day [HR: 3.16 (1.124, 8.886), p=0.029] and 1-year [HR: 2.515 (1.153, 5.486), p=0.020] follow up.

Hazard ratios (HR) for short-term (90 days) and long-term (1 year) primary outcomes according to cholesterol and inflammatory risk 90 days 1 year Type of risk Unadjusted HR (95% CI) P value Adjusted HR (95% CI) P value P for trend Unadjusted HR (95% CI) P value Adjusted HR (95% CI) P value P for trend LDL, mmol/L   Quartile 2 0.742 (0.441, 1,248) 0.260 0.663 (0.390, 1.125) 0.128 0.033 0.722 (0.364, 1.125) 0.150 0.683 (0.435, 1.072) 0.097 0.251   Quartile 3 0.653 (0.381, 1.121) 0.122 0.597 (0.344, 1.038) 0.068 0.850 (0.557, 1.229) 0.453 0.850 (0.550, 1.312) 0.462   Quartile 4 0.517 (0.288, 0.928) 0.027 0.526 (0.291, 0.951) 0.034 0.673 (0.427, 1.061) 0.088 0.708 (0.444, 1.131) 0.149 CRP, mg/L   Quartile 2 1.365 (0.717, 2.599) 0.334 1.295 (0.654, 2.522) 0.448 0.007 1.063 (0.656, 1.722) 0.805 0.998 (0.608, 1.636) 0.992 0.016   Quartile 3 1.306 (0.681, 2.502) 0.442 1.279 (0.654, 2.499) 0.472 0.999 (0.612, 1.630) 0.996 0.968 (0.586, 1.597) 0.897   Quartile 4 2.354 (1.312, 4.221) 0.004 2.119 (1.150, 3.920) 0.016 1.657 (1.069, 2.570) 0.024 1.528 (0.967, 2.413) 0.069 Multivariate analysis was adjusted for age, sex and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Combined cholesterol/inflammatory risk

Conclusion

AMI-PCI patients with lower post-procedural LDL-C and higher CRP might encounter greater cardiovascular risk. Patients with the lowest LDL-C and highest CRP gained extremely high risk and required special attention.

A population-based study of the association between food insecurity and potentially avoidable hospitalization among persons with diabetes using linked survey and administrative data

Background

Studies have found food insecurity to be more prevalent among persons with diabetes mellitus. Other research using areal-based measures of socioeconomic status have pointed to a social gradient in diabetes hospitalizations, but without accounting for individuals’ health status. Linking person-level data from health surveys to population-based hospital records enables profiling of the role of food insecurity with hospital morbidity, focusing on the high-risk diabetic population.

Objective

This national study aims to assess the association between income-related household food insecurity and potentially avoidable hospital admissions among community-dwelling persons living with diagnosed diabetes.

Methods

We use three cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (2007, 2008, and 2011) linked to multiple years of hospital records from the Discharge Abstract Database (2005/06 to 2012/13), covering 12 of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories. We apply multiple logistic regression for testing the association of household food insecurity with the risk of hospitalization for diabetes and common comorbid ambulatory care sensitive conditions among persons aged 12 and over living with diabetes.

Analysis

Data linkage allowed us to analyze inpatient hospital records among 10,260 survey respondents with diabetes; 590 respondents had been hospitalized at least once for diabetes or a common comorbid chronic physical or mental illness. The regression results indicated that the odds of experiencing a preventable hospital admission were significantly higher among persons with diabetes who were food insecure compared to their counterparts who were food secure (OR=1.66 [95%CI=1.24-2.23]), after controlling for age, sex and other characteristics.

Conclusion

We found food insecurity to significantly increase the odds of hospital admission for ambulatory care sensitive conditions among Canadians living with diabetes. These results reinforce the need to consider food insecurity in public health and clinical strategies to reduce the hospital burden of diabetes and other nutrition-related chronic diseases, from primary prevention to post-discharge care.

Characterization of Ablation Thresholds for 3D-Cultured Patient-Derived Glioma Stem Cells in Response to High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation

High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) is a technique that uses pulsed electric fields that have been shown to ablate malignant cells. In order to evaluate the clinical potential of H-FIRE to treat glioblastoma (GBM), a primary brain tumor, we have studied the effects of high-frequency waveforms on therapy-resistant glioma stem-like cell (GSC) populations. We demonstrate that patient-derived GSCs are more susceptible to H-FIRE damage than primary normal astrocytes. This selectivity presents an opportunity for a degree of malignant cell targeting as bulk tumor cells and tumor stem cells are seen to exhibit similar lethal electric field thresholds, significantly lower than that of healthy astrocytes. However, neural stem cell (NSC) populations also exhibit a similar sensitivity to these pulses. This observation may suggest that different considerations be taken when applying these therapies in younger versus older patients, where the importance of preserving NSC populations may impose different restrictions on use. We also demonstrate variability in threshold among the three patient-derived GSC lines studied, suggesting the need for personalized cell-specific characterization in the development of potential clinical procedures. Future work may provide further useful insights regarding this patient-dependent variability observed that could inform targeted and personalized treatment.

Sclerostin/Receptor Related Protein 4 and Ginkgo Biloba Extract Alleviates β-Glycerophosphate-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Calcification By Inhibiting Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

BACKGROUND

Abnormal mineral metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may lead to vascular calcification, which is markedly associated with adverse events, including ischemic cardiac diseases and all-cause cardiovascular mortality. Thus, preventing and treating vascular calcification play an important role in improving the prognosis of CKD patients.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the potential functions of sclerostin and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4) in alleviating the β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification, and the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE).

METHODS

VSMC were extracted from Sprague-Dawley rat aorta and cultured in medium. The VSMCs were divided into 3 groups: (1) Negative control group, (2) β-GP group, in which the VSMCs were treated with β-GP, and (3) GBE and β-GP group, where the VSMCs were treated with both β-GP and GBE. The calcium nodules within the cells were examined by using Alizarin red S staining. The mRNA expression levels of β-catenin and bone gamma-carboxyglutamic-acid-containing proteins (BGP) were detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of sclerostin and Lrp4 were determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

Alizarin red S staining showed that the VSMCs in β-GP group had a distinct orange-red precipitate when compared with VSMCs in the negative control group, while the orange-red precipitate of the GBE and β-GP group was significantly reduced compared to the β-GP group. Real-time PCR showed that the mRNA levels of β-catenin and BGP in VSMCs of β-GP group were significantly higher than those of the negative control group (p < 0.05); while they were significantly reduced in VSMCs of the GBE and β-GP group (p < 0.05). Western blot results showed that the expression of sclerostin in the β-GP group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05), whereas Lrp4 was significantly lower than in control group (p < 0.05). Sclerostin in GBE and β-GP group was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), but Lrp4 was significantly elevated when compared with that of the β-GP group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

β-GP induced VSMC calcification by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Sclerostin and Lrp4 were involved in β-GP-induced VSMC calcification and play an important role. GBE could alleviate VSMC calcification induced by β-GP through inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Situational Strength Cues from Social Sources at Work: Relative Importance and Mediated Effects

Situational strength is considered one of the most important situational forces at work because it can attenuate the personality–performance relationship. Although organizational scholars have studied the consequences of situational strength, they have paid little attention to its antecedents. To address this gap, the current study focused on situational strength cues from different social sources as antecedents of overall situational strength at work. Specifically, we examined how employees combine situational strength cues emanating from three social sources (i.e., coworkers, the immediate supervisor, and top management). Based on field theory, we hypothesized that the effect of situational strength from coworkers and immediate supervisors (i.e., proximal sources of situational strength) on employees' perceptions of overall situational strength on the job would be greater than the effect of situational strength from the top management (i.e., the distal source of situational strength). We also hypothesized that the effect of situational strength from the distal source would be mediated by the effects of situational strength from the proximal sources. Data from 363 full-time employees were collected at two time points with a cross-lagged panel design. The former hypothesis was supported for one of the two situational strength facets studied. The latter hypothesis was fully supported.

Intra-aortic balloon pumping and thrombocytopenia in patients with acute coronary syndrome : Incidence, risk factors, and prognosis

BACKGROUND

Thrombocytopenia is a frequently encountered phenomenon during intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP), which may limit its prolonged utilization. The aim of the study was to explore the risk factors and clinical implications of IABP-associated thrombocytopenia in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 222 patients with ACS undergoing invasive treatment strategy supported by IABP. The incidence and risk factors of IABP-associated thrombocytopenia, and the association between thrombocytopenia and relevant clinical endpoints (in-hospital death, bleeding according to the TIMI scale, and thromboembolic events), were analyzed.

RESULTS

IABP-associated thrombocytopenia was observed in 54.5% (121/222) of the patients. The incidence of thrombocytopenia was higher and the magnitude of reduction in platelet count was greater in the Arrow balloon group (n = 89) compared with the Datascope balloon group (n = 133; 68.5% vs. 45.1%, p = 0.001; 48.7% vs. 33.2%, p < 0.001; respectively). Independent predictors of thrombocytopenia included older age and Arrow balloon utilization (odds ratio [OR]: 1.054; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.028-1.080; p<0.001; OR: 2.468; 95%CI: 1.375-4.431; p = 0.002; respectively). The incidence of in-hospital death was higher in patients who developed thrombocytopenia than those who did not (9.1% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.041), and thrombocytopenia was correlated with in-hospital death (OR: 5.932; 95%CI: 1.221-28.822; p = 0.027). However, the rates of TIMI bleeding and thromboembolic events were similar between the two groups (5.8% vs. 5.0%, p = 1.000; 3.2% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.518; respectively), and thrombocytopenia was not associated with TIMI bleeding or thromboembolic events (OR: 0.940; 95%CI: 0.267-3.307; p = 0.923; OR: 0.541, 95%CI: 0.148-1.974, p = 0.352; respectively).

CONCLUSION

IABP-associated thrombocytopenia occurred in 54.5% of patients with ACS undergoing an invasive strategy and it was correlated with increased in-hospital mortality. Older age and use of the Arrow balloon may predict IABP-associated thrombocytopenia.

Nonlinear Transition from Mitigation to Suppression of the Edge Localized Mode with Resonant Magnetic Perturbations in the EAST Tokamak

Evidence of a nonlinear transition from mitigation to suppression of the edge localized mode (ELM) by using resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) in the EAST tokamak is presented. This is the first demonstration of ELM suppression with RMPs in slowly rotating plasmas with dominant radio-frequency wave heating. Changes of edge magnetic topology after the transition are indicated by a gradual phase shift in the plasma response field from a linear magneto hydro dynamics modeling result to a vacuum one and a sudden increase of three-dimensional particle flux to the divertor. The transition threshold depends on the spectrum of RMPs and plasma rotation as well as perturbation amplitude. This means that edge topological changes resulting from nonlinear plasma response plays a key role in the suppression of ELM with RMPs.

Effects of environmental factors on sperm motility and fertilization rate of Phascolosoma esculenta

The study investigated the effects of environmental factors (salinity, pH, ions and activation media) on sperm motility (activation rate, duration of quick movement, and lifespan) and fertilization rate of Phascolosoma esculenta. The results showed that spermatozoa in the coelom and nephridium are able to move quickly. The optimal salinity was 14.64 to 43.35 and the optimal pH was 6.46 to 9.53 for sperm activation and motility, whereas the ranges for fertilization were narrower (18.56 to 30.3 for salinity and 6.46 to 8.61 for pH). Of the ions studied, Na+ was indispensable for sperm motility and fertilization, and Ca2+ and Mg2+ were necessary for fertilization. P. esculenta sperm could not fertilize eggs and have short lifespans in 200 to 600 mmol/L NaCl and KCl solutions. Furthermore, they could not be activated or move in 200 to 600 mmol/L CaCl2, MgSO4, and sucrose solutions.

CMTM3 is frequently reduced in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and exhibits tumor suppressor activities

PURPOSE

CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing member 3 (CMTM3) is silenced in many kinds of cancers and inhibits tumor cells growth. We investigated the expression and role of CMTM3 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

METHODS

The expression of CMTM3 was detected in ccRCC tissue microarray, specimens, and cell lines by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. After transfected with CMTM3 plasmid or vector, the proliferation and migration of ccRCC 786-0 cells were determined by MTT assay and transwell assay, respectively. Furthermore, the anchorage-independent growth of transfected cells was assessed using soft agar colony formation assay.

RESULTS

CMTM3 was down-regulated in 84 % (63/75) of ccRCC tissues and its expression had no correlation with the gender, age, clinical staging and histologic grade. CMTM3 protein was undetectable by western blot in most detected ccRCC specimens and two RCC cell lines (786-0 and ACHN). qRT-PCR analysis showed that CMTM3 mRNA was dramatically down-regulated in 40 ccRCC cancer tissues as compared with the paired adjacent normal ones. Restoration of CMTM3 significantly suppressed the anchorage-independent growth, proliferation and migration of 786-0 cells.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that CMTM3 is significantly down-regulated in ccRCC and exerts remarkable tumor-suppressive functions in 786-0 cells. Reduction of CMTM3 expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of ccRCC and CMTM3 may be a potentially target for therapeutic strategy.

The moderating role of attachment anxiety on social network site use intensity and social capital

This study examined the moderating role of attachment anxiety on the relationship between intensity of social network site use and bridging, bonding, and maintained social capital. Data from 322 undergraduate Chinese students were collected. Hierarchical regression analyses showed positive relationships between online intensity of social network site use and the three types of social capital. Moreover, attachment anxiety moderated the effect of intensity of social network site use on social capital. Specifically, for students with lower attachment anxiety, the relationships between intensity of social network site use and bonding and bridging social capital were stronger than those with higher attachment anxiety. The result suggested that social network sites cannot improve highly anxiously attached individuals' social capital effectively; they may need more face-to-face communications.

Ethanol-induced neurodegeneration in NRSF/REST neuronal conditional knockout mice

The transcription regulator, neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF), also known as repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), plays an important role in neurogenesis and various neuronal diseases such as ischaemia, epilepsy, and Huntington's disease. In these disease processes, neuronal loss is associated with abnormal expression and/or localization of NRSF. Previous studies have demonstrated that NRSF regulates the effect of ethanol on neuronal cells in vitro, however, the role of NRSF in ethanol-induced neuronal cell death remains unclear. We generated nrsf conditional knockout mice using the Cre-loxP system to disrupt neuronal expression of nrsf and its truncated forms. At postnatal day 6, ethanol significantly increased the expression of REST4, a neuron-specific truncated form of NRSF, in the brains of wild type mice, and this effect was diminished in nrsf conditional knockout mice. The apoptotic effect of ethanol was pronounced in multiple brain regions of nrsf conditional mutant mice. These results indicate that NRSF, specifically REST4, may protect the developing brain from ethanol, and provide new evidence that NRSF can be a therapeutic target in foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

Perceived stress and life satisfaction: social network service use as a moderator

Social Network Service (SNS) has become a buzzword in recent media coverage with the development of the second generation of Web-based communities. In China, SNS has played an increasingly important role in its users' daily lives, especially among students. With a sample of 471 college students, we tested the direct relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction using a regression analysis. Moreover, we found SNS use could buffer the negative effect of perceived stress. This study has practical implications on Internet users' SNS use.

Specific determinants of conantokins that dictate their selectivity for the NR2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors

Conantokins are naturally-occurring small peptide antagonists of ion flow through NMDA/glycine activated-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) ion channels. One member of the conantokin family, conantokin (con)-G, a 17-residue peptide, is selective for NMDARs containing the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunit 2 B (NR2B), whereas the homologous peptides, con-T and con-R, show broader selectivity for NR2 subunits. In this study, con-G, con-R, and con-T variants were chemically synthesized and employed to investigate their subunit selectivities as inhibitors of agonist-evoked ion currents in human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK-293) cells expressing various combinations of NMDAR subunits that contain NR1a or NR1b combined with NR2A or NR2B. Using truncation and point mutants, as well as chimeric conantokins, we determined that the N-terminus of con-G contains all the determinants for NR2B selectivity. With this information, a large number of (con) variants were synthesized and used to establish minimal sequence determinants for selectivity. Tyr at position 5 broadens the NR2 selectivity, and recovery of NR2B selectivity in Tyr5 peptides was achieved by incorporating Ala or Gly at position 8. NR2B selectivity in con-R can be conferred through deletion of the Ala at position 10, thereby shifting the γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla) from position 11 to position 10, where a Gla naturally occurs in con-G and con-T. The nature of the amino acid at position 6 is also linked to subunit selectivity. Our studies suggest that the molecular determinants of conantokins that dictate NMDAR subunit selectivity are housed in specific residues of the N-termini of these peptides. Thus, it is possible to engineer desired NMDAR functional properties into conantokin-based peptides.

Study To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Zoladex Combined with CEF Chemotherapy as Neo-Adjuvant Therapy in Hormone Responsive, Premenopausal, Operable Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Zoladex combined with CEF chemotherapy as neo-adjuvant therapy in hormone responsive, premenopausal, operable breast cancer patients.Patients and Methods: 119 patients with hormone responsive, premenopausal, operable breast cancer have been enrolled. Zoladex 3.6 mg was administered by subcutaneous injection per 4 weeks for 3 cycles, concurrently, CEF (CTX 600mg/m2, EPI 60-90 mg/m2, 5-Fu 500 mg/m2) were given per 3 weeks for 4 cycles as neo-adjuvant therapy. The primary objective was pathological complete response (PCR) rate in the breast. The secondary objectives included clinical complete response (CR) rate, clinical partial response (PR) rate, clinical overall response rate (ORR), safety and toxicity, change of biological marker status (ER, PR, HER-2) pre- and post-therapy.Results: 31 patients (26.1%) achieved clinical complete response and 76 patients (63.9%) achieved clinical partial response; the overall clinical response rate was 90.0%. 14 patients (11.8%) achieved pathologic complete response to T0/Tis, N0 and 20 patients (16.8%) achieved pathologic complete response to T0/Tis, Nx. When stratified by the clinical lymph-node status, the clinical partial response rate in clinical lymph-node negative group was significantly better than clinical lymph-node positive group (p=0.02). When stratified by the hormonal status, the clinical partial response rate in ER+PR+ group was significantly better than ER+PR- and ER-PR+ group (p=0.0471). There was no significant difference between HER-2+ group and HER-2- group when stratified by the HER-2 status. There was no treatment-related death and no grade 3 or grade 4 toxicity. The common adverse events were nausea (grade1 65.5%, grade2 18.5%), vomiting (grade1 58.8%, grade2 13.4%), alopecia (grade1 45.4%, grade2 54.6%). Other adverse events with more than 5% incidence included neutropenia (grade1 5.0%) and hepatic dysfunction (grade1 9.2%). There was no drug discontinuation and no drug delay or dose reduction occurred. Hormonal receptor became negative post-therapy in 11 patients' (9.2%), which clinical response rate significantly lower compared with post-therapy hormonal receptor positive group (p&lt;0.001). The change of HER-2 status had no relationship with clinical efficacy. 109(91.6%) patients achieved amenorrhea after the first cycle of Zoladex, 10(8.4%) patients achieved amenorrhea after the second cycle of Zoladex. Mean period of amenorrhea was 6 months (4–17 months). 43 patients have been followed up for more than 1 year after operation and among them 6(14.0%) patients still remain amenorrhea.Conclusion: Zoladex combined with CEF chemotherapy as neo-adjuvant therapy in hormone responsive, premenopausal breast cancer patients was more effective and had no more toxicity than CEF chemotherapy alone. This regimen was most effective especially in the clinical lymph-node negative group and ER/PR double positive group. The clinical response rate will be lower if the hormonal receptor became negative after therapy. The efficacy of this regimen has no relationship with HER-2 status.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4087.

Ischemia and reperfusion reduce the endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor in rat skeletal muscles: an immunohistochemical study

Polyclonal antibodies directed against human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor were used in immunohistochemical studies to localize this growth factor in normal and wounded rat skeletal muscles. According to the intensity of the stain, three main classes of fibers could be identified: the strongly, moderately, and weakly stained fibers. Basic fibroblast growth factor immunoreactivity was found mainly in the extracellular matrix, primarily in the endomysium, which includes the heparin-containing basal lamina, and also in the capillary basal membrane of both normal and wounded muscles; however, the signal intensity was much stronger in normal muscles. The distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor in wounded muscles became markedly heterogeneous and sparse. After 4 hours of ischemia, about 40% of skeletal muscle fibers lost their basic fibroblast growth factor immuno-reactivity. Muscles which underwent 4 hours of ischemia and 24 hours of reperfusion had only a diminished basic fibroblast growth factor immunoreactivity. The pathologic results supported the concept of destroyed cell connection and fiber necrosis in ischemic and reperfused muscles. Potential mechanisms involved in this reduced concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor in wounded muscles may include oxygen free radical activation, a generalized effect of the inflammatory response, and reduced secretion of endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor. These results are only partially compatible with the established mitogenic role of this growth factor and suggest that a reduction of endogenous fibroblast growth factor may partly contribute to a delay in wound healing.

Acidic fibroblast growth factor reduces renal morphologic and functional indicators of injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion

Therapeutic effects of acidic fibroblast growth factor on postischemic renal injury were evaluated in a rat model of bilateral renal ischemia (60 minutes) and reperfusion (7 days). Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into two groups (12 rats each). After 60 minutes of ischemia and at the onset of reperfusion, rats in the acidic fibroblast growth factor-treated group received 2.6 microg of acidic fibroblast growth factor/rat in 50 microl of phosphate-buffered saline solution containing 0.1% heparin (w/v) through the jugular vein, whereas the rats in the phosphate-buffered saline solution-treated group received the same vehicle without acidic fibroblast growth factor. Compared with the phosphate-buffered saline solution-treated group, rats in the acidic fibroblast growth factor-treated group had significantly lower blood urea nitrogen (83.13 +/- 26.07 versus 176.36 +/- 62.36, p < 0.05) and serum creatinine (0.73 +/- 0.14 versus 1.14 +/- 0.36, p < 0.05) levels 1 day after occlusion. Histopathologic scores showed much less renal damage on day 1 in the acidic fibroblast growth factor-treated rats compared with the phosphate-buffered saline solution controls. We conclude that intravenous administration of acidic fibroblast growth factor offers significant protection against postischemic renal injury and these protective effects may come from its nonmitogenic effects such as the regulation of vessel tone and calcium concentration in the body.