[Expression changes of miRNA-29b-3p and miRNA-34c-3p in lung tissue of rats exposed to silica and A549 cells]

Objective: To investigate the role of microRNA-29b-3p (miRNA-29b-3p) and miRNA-34c-3p in the process of pulmonary fibrosis, we detected the expression levels of miRNA-29b-3p and miRNA-34c-3p in the lung tissue of rats exposed to silica and A549 cells. Methods: SPF male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 d control group and silica (SiO(2)) dusting group, with 6 rats in each group. One-time non-exposure method was used to infuse 1ml SiO(2) suspension. The rat SiO(2) dusting group was established in the liquid, and the control rats were intratracheally injected with 1 ml of sterile physiological saline in the same manner. The lung tissues of each group were collected at the corresponding time points after dusting. Three of the rats were taken out for pathological observation, and the other three were used to screen differentially expressed miRNAs in lung tissue by miRNA microarray technology. A549 cells were cultured at the in vitro cell level and divided into control group, SiO(2) stimulation group and TGF-β(1) stimulation group, and cells were collected at 12, 24 and 48 h after treatment. The expression levels of miRNA-29b-3p and miRNA-34c-3p in rat lung tissue and A549 cells were verified by real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), target gene prediction of miRNA-29b-3p and miRNA-34c-3p and perform GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis. Results: The weight growth rate of the control group was significantly higher than that of the SiO(2) dusting group. Compared with the control group, the lung mass and lung coefficient of the SiO(2) dusting group were significantly increased (P<0.05). The inflammatory response of the lungs in the control group was significantly reduced at 21 and 28 days, and the inflammatory cells infiltrated in the lung tissue of the SiO2 group. The rats in the control group had a small amount of collagen at 21 and 28 days. A large amount of collagen fiber deposition began to appear in the lung tissue of rats exposed to SiO(2) for 21 days. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of miRNA-29b-3p and miRNA-34c-3p in the SiO(2) dusting group were significantly down-regulated, and there was significant difference compared with the control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of miRNA-29b-3p and miRNA-34c-3p in A549 cells treated with SiO(2) and human recombinant TGF-β1 were significantly lower than those in the control group at 24 h and 48 h, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Down-regulation of miRNA-29b-3p and miR-34c-3p in rat lung tissue A549 cells may be associated with the development of early silicosis and is expected to be an indicator of early silicosis diagnosis and prognosis.

Mitochondrial DNA mutation m.3243A>G is associated with altered mitochondrial function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, with heteroplasmy levels and with clinical phenotypes

AIMS

To investigate the associations among heteroplasmy levels (i.e. the proportions of mutant and wild-type mitochondrial DNA in the same cell), mitochondrial function and clinical severity of the m.3243A>G mutation.

METHODS

A total of 17 participants carrying the m.3243A>G mutation and 17 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Heteroplasmy levels of the m.3243A>G mutation in leukocytes, saliva and urine sediment were determined by pyrosequencing. The clinical evaluation included endocrinological, audiological and ophthalmological examinations. Mitochondrial function was determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from participants.

RESULTS

Heteroplasmy levels in urine sediment were higher than those in leukocytes and saliva. Reduced levels of adenosine triphosphate and mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased reactive oxygen species production were observed in mutant peripheral blood mononuclear cells (all P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that higher heteroplasmy levels in peripheral blood leukocytes were associated with increased levels of glycated albumin and HbA_1c , and decreased total hip bone mineral density T-score after adjustment for age and sex (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane potential was independently associated with bone mineral density T-score at the femoral neck (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Heteroplasmy levels in peripheral blood leukocytes and mitochondrial membrane potential in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were closely associated with clinical manifestations and were valuable for evaluation of the clinical severity of the m.3243A>G mutation.

A comprehensive analysis of candidate gene signatures in oral squamous cell carcinoma

This study aimed to unravel the molecular mechanism of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). With microarray dataset GSE30784, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between OSCC and control samples. The DEGs overlapped with genes obtained from online database MalaCards were determined as OSCCDEG, followed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. A total of 5177 up-regulated and 6081 down-regulated DEGs were identified between OSCC and control. Out of the DEGs, 451 genes were overlapped with the 704 genes gained from MalaCards and regarded as "OSCCDEG". Up-regulated OSCCDEG were associated with cell cycle pathway, while down-regulated OSCCDEG were linked to ErbB pathway. ANGPT1, ANGPT2 and 3 hub proteins (EGFR, HSP90AA1, RB1) in the PPI network were associated with the survival rates of several tumors. The largest network module with the hub protein EGFR was associated with positive regulation of cell communication. The second largest module with the hub node FN1 was related to angiogenesis. For the third network module in connection with DNA metabolism, the hub protein was PCNA. ErbB and cell cycle pathways were crucial for OSCC. EGFR, FN1, PCNA, ANGPT1 and ANGPT2 might be potential biomarkers for OSCC. These findings help provide guidelines for treating OSCC.

[Study on occupational exposure limits of tributyl phosphate in the workplace air]

Objective: To put forward the suggestion of the occupational contact limit of tributyl phosphate in the air of the workplace. Methods: Data of production and usage, workers' basic information, occupational history, and physical examinations were collected, and the environmental and individual levels of exposure were monitored using fixed-point and individual sampling. The results of the questionnaire and health examination were statistically analyzed using exact probability method of Fisher in the workers exposed to tributyl phosphate and the control group. Results: The results showed that tributyl phosphate was widely distributed in the workplace of production and using enterprises, and the concentration of tributyl phosphate in packaging area was highest at 2.47 mg/m(3), and in feeder nose was highest at 2.13 mg/m(3). The discomfort symptoms were classified and results showed that tributyl phosphate exposure group of 136 people, all symptoms of 128 people, accounting for 94.44% of the total, the remaining 5.56% of the staff report had psychiatric symptoms or lethargy and irritability skin itching, the control group had no symptoms. There is or not discomfort symptoms in the tributyl phosphate exposure group and the control group was compared with the exact probability of Fisher, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The results of healthy physical examination of workers exposed to tributyl phosphate and control group were statistically analyzed by the exact probability method of Fisher. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the results of routine internal medical examination, nervous system examination, skin examination, five senses examination, blood routine, urine routine, lung ventilation, and X ray chest fluoroscopy between the tributyl phosphate exposure group and the control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The workplace permissible time-weighted tributyl phosphate and short-term exposure limit concentrations in China were set at 2.5 mg/m(3) and 5 mg/m(3), respectively.

Prospective evaluation of the cardiac safety of HER2-targeted therapies in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and compromised heart function: the SAFE-HEaRt study

Purpose

HER2-targeted therapies have substantially improved the outcome of patients with breast cancer, however, they can be associated with cardiac toxicity. Guidelines recommend holding HER2-targeted therapies until resolution of cardiac dysfunction. SAFE-HEaRt is the first trial that prospectively tests whether these therapies can be safely administered without interruptions in patients with cardiac dysfunction.

Methods

Patients with stage I–IV HER2-positive breast cancer candidates for trastuzumab, pertuzumab or ado-trastuzumab emtansine (TDM-1), with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 40–49% and no symptoms of heart failure (HF) were enrolled. All patients underwent cardiology visits, serial echocardiograms and received beta blockers and ACE inhibitors unless contraindicated. The primary endpoint was completion of the planned HER2-targeted therapies without developing either a cardiac event (CE) defined as HF, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia or cardiac death or significant asymptomatic worsening of LVEF. The study was considered successful if planned oncology therapy completion rate was at least 30%.

Results

Of 31 enrolled patients, 30 were evaluable. Fifteen patients were treated with trastuzumab, 14 with trastuzumab and pertuzumab, and 2 with TDM-1. Mean LVEF was 45% at baseline and 46% at the end of treatment. Twenty-seven patients (90%) completed the planned HER2-targeted therapies. Two patients experienced a CE and 1 had an asymptomatic worsening of LVEF to ≤ 35%.

Conclusion

This study provides safety data of HER2-targeted therapies in patients with breast cancer and reduced LVEF while receiving cardioprotective medications and close cardiac monitoring. Our results demonstrate the importance of collaboration between cardiology and oncology providers to allow for delivery of optimal oncologic care to this unique population.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s10549-019-05191-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Lymphovascular invasion as a poor prognostic indicator in thoracic esophageal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The ability to further stratify patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC) in the same stage into high-risk patients by the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) may permit refinement of multi-modality therapy. However, the role of LVI in the prognosis of EC is not definite. A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between LVI and EC prognosis. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for studies on the association between LVI and prognosis of EC. Only studies with patient survival data related to LVI were included. The effect size for this analysis was the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Thirty-five studies with 9876 patients were included according to the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. LVI was a poor indicator for the OS (HR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.44-1.87, P < 0.001) and RFS (HR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.38-2.34, P < 0.001). However, the heterogeneity was medium in OS (I2 = 61.2%, P < 0.001) and extreme in RFS (I2 = 77.5%, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, heterogeneity was originated from the staining method and proportion of early disease (stage (I + II)). We concluded that LVI was a poor prognostic indicator in patients with EC, especially in those studies with the IHC staining method and a high proportion of early disease (stage (I + II)).

[Mid-term clinical outcome of total knee arthroplasty with domestic A3 posterior stabilized prosthesis]

Objective: To observe the mid-term clinical outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with domestic A3 posterior stabilized prosthesis. Methods: The clinical data of 342 patients (438 knees) who underwent primary TKA by the same surgeon from June 2012 to December 2013 in Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of prosthesis: 107 patients (137 knees) with domestic A3 prosthesis, as domestic group; 235 patients (301 knees) with a kind of imported prosthesis, as the control group. In the end, 311 patients (390 knees) received complete follow-up.The postoperative knee maximum flexion angle, postoperative Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), postoperative coronal mechanical axis alignment and hospitalization costs were compared between the groups.Paired t-test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative data in the same group, and independent sample t-test was used to compare the data between the two groups at the same time points. Results: The average follow-up time of all the patients was (5.6±1.1) years, and it was averaged for 64.8 months in the domestic group and 68.2 months in the control group.There was no significant difference in the HSS score and WOMAC score, the knee maximum flexion angle, and coronal mechanical axis alignment at the 3 months postoperatively and at the end of follow-up between the two groups (t=-0.890, -1.610, 1.740, 0.620, all P>0.05). In 2012, the average hospital cost was (24 879±1 627) yuan/knee in the domestic group and it was (49 611±1 589) yuan/knee in the control group (t=-48.902, P<0.01). In 2013, it was (38 393±2 773) yuan/knee in the domestic group, and was (55 931±3 533) yuan/knee in the control group (t=-14.795, P<0.01). Conclusion: It indicates that the domestic A3 posterior stabilized prosthesis brings comparable mid-term results with the imported prothesis and it reduces medical costs remarkably.

[Clinical observation of postprandial hypotension in patients with hypertensive and coronary heart disease]

Objective: To explore the prevalence and clinical characteristics of postprandial hypotension(PPH) in patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease. Methods: A total of 197 patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease, who had been treated in the First Department of Cardiology of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December, 2013 to December, 2014 were included. The patients' blood pressure before breakfast, lunch and dinner and 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes after the meal were monitored. Subjects were classified into PPH group (n=37) and non-PPH group (NPPH, n=160) according to postprandial decrease in systolic blood pressure, to explore the clinical characteristics and related factors and the major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events of PPH. Results: Among 197 patients, 37 cases (18.8%) showed at least once postprandial decline in systolic blood pressure greater than and equal to 20 mmHg. The incidence of PPH after breakfast and dinner were higher than lunch (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of PPH among different age groups, among patients accompanied with different diseases, and among patients with different dining position (all P>0.05). According to the baseline systolic blood pressure, patients can be divided into 4 groups(<120 mmHg, 120-129 mmHg, 130-139 mmHg, >140 mmHg), the higher the level of the baseline systolic blood pressure was, the higher the incidence of PPH was. And the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events in patients during hospitalization were increased by PPH. Conclusions: The prevalence of PPH in the patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease is 18.8%. The incidence of PPH after breakfast and dinner is higher than lunch. The baseline systolic blood pressure is considered to be the risk factor of PPH. And PPH could lead to an increase of the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events.

Utility of apparent diffusion coefficient as an imaging biomarker for assessing the proliferative potential of invasive ductal breast cancer

AIM

To determine the clinical utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) metrics for the non-invasive assessment of tumour proliferation indicated by Ki-67 labelling index (LI) in invasive ductal breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty patients with 80 histopathologically proven invasive ductal breast cancers underwent diffusion-weighted imaging with b-values of 0 and 800 s/mm² at a 3-T system. ADC metrics including ADC_mean, ADC_median, ADC_min, ADC_max, and ΔADC (ADC_max-ADC_min) were recorded from the entire tumour volume on ADC maps, and correlated with the Ki-67 LI. Ki-67 staining of ≥14% was considered to indicate high proliferation and <14% was considered to indicate low proliferation.

RESULTS

ADC_min, ADC_max, and ΔADC showed significant correlations with the Ki-67 LI (for all tumours, r=-0.311, 0.436, and 0.551, respectively; for luminal/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative group, r=-0.437, 0.512, and 0.639, respectively; all p<0.01), whereas ADC_mean and ADC_median showed no significant correlation (both p>0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for the differentiation of high- from low-proliferation groups showed that ΔADC yielded the highest area under the ROC curve for the whole tumour population (0.825; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.724, 0.901), as well as for the luminal/HER2-negative group (0.844; 95% CI: 0.692, 0.940).

CONCLUSION

ΔADC may serve as a promising imaging biomarker for the prediction of Ki-67 proliferation status in invasive ductal breast cancer.

Two novel Mg(II)-based and Zn(II)-based complexes: inhibiting growth of human liver cancer cells

Two new Mg(II)-based and Zn(II)-based coordination polymers, {[Mg3(BTB)(DMA)4](DMA)2}n (1, H3BTB=1,3,5-benzenetrisbenzoic acid, DMA=N,N-dimethylacetamide) and {(H2NMe2)2[Zn3(BTB)2(OH)(Im)](DMF)9(MeOH)7}n (2, Im=imidazole, DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide), have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized under solvothermal conditions. 1 contains a linear [Mg3(COO)6] cluster that connected by the fully deprotonated BTB3- ligands to give a kgd-type 2D bilayer structure; 2 represents a microporous 3D pillar-layered system based on the binuclear Zn units and pillared Im ligands, which shows a (3,5)-connected hms topological net. In addition, in vitro anticancer activities of compounds 1 and 2 on 4 human liver cancer cells (HB611, HHCC, BEL-7405 and SMMC-7721) were determined.

Procainamide-induced autoimmunity: Relationship to T-helper 2-type T-cell activation

Drug-induced autoimmunity (DIA) refers to a group of adverse drug reactions, and they remain unpredictable largely due to the limited understanding of the mechanisms involved. There is evidence that procainamide can cause autoimmune reactions in humans but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. To examine the cellular and genetic factors involved in the procainamide-induced autoimmune response, we compared rats that are genetically T-helper (Th)2-predisposed (Brown Norway (BN)), Th1-predisposed (Lewis (LEW)) or not genetically predisposed (Sprague Dawley (SD)). We revealed significant differences in response to autoimmunity induced by procainamide among three strains rats, BN was the most sensitive one, SD exhibited less sensitive, while LEW resistance to procainamide. Much more pronounced of Th2-type responses and more complex differentially expressed genes involved in immune regulation and response in BN might contribute to its susceptibleness to DIA. Moreover, similar immune mechanisms were found between BN and SD, which suggesting that these changes would serve as the potential bridge biomarkers to predict DIA among species. This study may also benefit to further understand the toxicological mechanism of drug-induced autoimmune reactions.

[Assessment for pain control efficiency of ultrasound guided adductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty: a report of 28 continuous cases]

Objective: To assess the pain control efficiency of continuous adductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty. Methods: From October to December 2015, patients with severe knee osteoarthritis undergoing primary unilateral TKA were observed clinically.All of the patients received ultrasound-guided continuous adductor canal block after surgery.NPRS Pain score in rest and activity at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after surgery were collected, preoperative and postoperative quadriceps strength at 24, 48 h were analyzed. Opioids consumption and anesthesia related adverse effects were also recorded. Results: All of the patients were enrolled. Rest pain control was fairly good(1.8±1.5), (2.4±1.5), (2.7±1.3), (2.7±1.7), (2.3±1.4) score, but the patients were not satisfied with activity pain control(3.1±2.1), (3.1±2.1), (4.2±2.2), (4.7±2.5), (6.2±2.4) score. There were statistically differences comparing the NPRS in rest pain with the score in activity, except for the results between each other at 6 hours (P=0.252>0.05)after surgery.The results showed no significant differences comparing quadriceps strengthpreoperatively with 24, 48 h postoperatively by repeated measurements variance analysis.Eight patients acquired additional use of dolantin once (100 mg/per time) within 24 h and among them three patients acquired once dolantin during 24 to 48 h. Eleven patients complained nausea postoperatively, one reported vomiting and one experienced xerostomia. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided continuous adductor canal block can reduce resting pain after TKA, but has a limited effect in activity pain control.Quadriceps strength had been spared after ACB, which might performearly benefits in rehabilitation. ACB-related complications need further observation to be defined.

A genome-wide association study of heat stress-associated SNPs in catfish

Heat tolerance is a complex and economically important trait for catfish genetic breeding programs. With global climate change, it is becoming an increasingly important trait. To better understand the molecular basis of heat stress, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out using the 250 K catfish SNP array with interspecific backcross progenies, which derived from crossing female channel catfish with male F1 hybrid catfish (female channel catfish × male blue catfish). Three significant associated SNPs were detected by performing an EMMAX approach for GWAS. The SNP located on linkage group 14 explained 12.1% of phenotypical variation. The other two SNPs, located on linkage group 16, explained 11.3 and 11.5% of phenotypical variation respectively. A total of 14 genes with heat stress related functions were detected within the significant associated regions. Among them, five genes-TRAF2, FBXW5, ANAPC2, UBR1 and KLHL29- have known functions in the protein degradation process through the ubiquitination pathway. Other genes related to heat stress include genes involved in protein biosynthesis (PRPF4 and SYNCRIP), protein folding (DNAJC25), molecule and iron transport (SLC25A46 and CLIC5), cytoskeletal reorganization (COL12A1) and energy metabolism (COX7A2, PLCB1 and PLCB4) processes. The results provide fundamental information about genes and pathways that is useful for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of heat stress. The associated SNPs could be promising candidates for selecting heat-tolerant catfish lines after validating their effects on larger and various catfish populations.

[Effects of malathion on testicular enzyme activities and sperm quality of male rats]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of sub chronic exposure to malathion on testicular enzyme activities and sperm quality of male rats.

METHODS

Forty male rats were divided into four groups: three exposure groups and a control group. Malathion was administered orally to male rats at 0, 33.75, 54.00, and 108.00 mg/kg for 60 days to evaluate the toxic alterations in sperm dynamics and testicular enzyme activities including ACP,LDH,SDH and γ-GT. The control rats were administered with an equivalent volume of distilled water in the same manner.After sacrificed, the testes were collected and weighed.

RESULTS

The body weight and the testis weight of animals showed a decreasing tendency, and there was a statistical difference between the 54.00, 108.00 mg/kg groups, and the control group (P<0.05). Malathion brought about marked reduction in testicular sperm counts, sperm motility, and significant growth of sperm malformation rate in 108.00 mg/kg group. A significant decrease in the activities of testicular enzyme ACP and γ-GT was observed in malathion exposed rats, while the activities of LDH was significant increased and there were no obvious effects on the activities of SDH. The activities of ACP, γ-GT and LDH showed a statistical difference between the 108.00 mg/kg groups, and the control group.

CONCLUSION

Malathion reduced the sperm counts and sperm motility, increased the malformation rate and reduced the activities of testicular enzymies of male rats.

Adjuvant therapies using normobaric oxygen with hypothermia or ethanol for reducing hyperglycolysis in thromboembolic cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Normobaric oxygen (NBO), ethanol (EtOH), and therapeutic hypothermia (TH) delivered alone or in combination have neuroprotective properties after acute stroke. We used an autologous thromboembolic rat stroke model to assess the additive effects of these treatments for reducing the deleterious effects of hyperglycolysis post-stroke in which reperfusion is induced with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion with an autologous embolus. One hour after occlusion, rt-PA was administered alone or with NBO (60%), EtOH (1.0 g/kg), TH (33 °C), either singly or in combination. Infarct volume and neurological deficit were assessed at 24h after rt-PA-induced reperfusion with or without other treatments. The extent of hyperglycolysis, as determined by cerebral glucose and lactate levels was evaluated at 3 and 24h after rt-PA administration. At the same time points, expressions of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), glucose transporter 3 (Glut3), phosphofructokinase1 (PFK-1), and lactate dehydrogenase were (LDH) measured by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Following rt-PA in rats with thromboembolic stroke, NBO combined with TH or EtOH most effectively decreased infarct volume and neurological deficit. As compared to rt-PA alone, EtOH or TH but not NBO monotherapies significantly reduced post-stroke hyperglycolysis. The increased utilization of glucose and production of lactate post-stroke was prevented most effectively when NBO was combined with either EtOH or TH after reperfusion with rt-PA, as shown by the significantly decreased Glut1, Glut3, PFK-1, and LDH levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In a rat thromboembolic stroke model, both EtOH and TH used individually offer neuroprotection after the administration of rt-PA. While NBO monotherapy does not appear to be effective, it significantly potentiates the efficacy of EtOH and TH. The similar neuroprotection and underlying mechanisms pertaining to the attenuation of hyperglycolysis provided by EtOH or TH in combination with NBO suggest a possibility of substituting EtOH for TH. Thus a combination of NBO and EtOH, which are widely available and easily used, could become a novel and effective neuroprotective strategy in the clinical setting.