[Relationship between SHP-1 gene methylation and STAT3 phosphorylation and prognosis in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome]

Objective: To assess the methylation level of SHP-1 promoter region and the effects on the phosphorylation of the Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription 3 (STAT3) protein in bone marrow specimen of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and to explore the relationship of SHP-1 methylation and prognosis of the patients. Method: Bone marrow specimens of 93 patients with MDS were collected from the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from September 2010 to June 2014. The enrolled subjects included 54 males and 39 females and they were divided into the low-risk group (IPSS score:0-1.0, median: 0.5) and the high-risk group (IPSS score: 1.5-3.0, median: 2.5) according to the International Prognostic Score System (IPSS). The methylation level of SHP-1 was detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and the level of p-STAT3 was detected using Western blot. Results: In the high-risk group, 64.44% (29/45) of the patients had methylation in the SHP-1 promoter region, which was significantly higher than the low-risk group 22.92% (11/48). Therefore, SHP-1 methylation was frequently presented in the patients of the high-risk group. Similarly, 66.67% (30/45) of the patients in the high-risk group had positive STAT3 phosphorylation status, whereas only 20.83% (10/48) were tested positive in the low-risk group. In addition, correlation analysis also revealed that the SHP-1 methylation rate was positively correlated with the positive rate of STAT3 phosphorylation (r=0.57,P<0.001). Conclusions: SHP-1 methylation is significantly correlated with the risk of MDS patients. It may be used as an independent predictor of shorter survival in patients of the high-risk group. The increased level of SHP-1 methylation will lead to the uncontrolled activation of the downstream JAK/STAT3 pathway, which in turn can cause further positive feedback to amplify the carcinogenic signal.

A radiomics model for determining the invasiveness of solitary pulmonary nodules that manifest as part-solid nodules

AIM

A nomogram model was developed to predict the histological subtypes of lung invasive adenocarcinomas (IAs) and minimally invasive adenocarcinomas (MIAs) that manifest as part-solid ground-glass nodules (GGNs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 119 patients with histopathologically confirmed part-solid GGNs assigned to the training (n=83) or testing cohorts (n=36). Radiomic features were extracted based on the unenhanced computed tomography (CT) images. R software was applied to process the qualitative and quantitative data. The CT features model, radiomic signature model, and combined prediction model were constructed and compared.

RESULTS

A total of 396 radiomic features were extracted from the preoperative CT images, four features including MaxIntensity, RMS, ZonePercentage, and LongRunEmphasis_angle0_offset7 were indicated to be the best discriminators to establish the radiomic signature model. The performance of the model was satisfactory in both the training and testing set with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.854 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.774 to 0.934) and 0.813 (95% CI: 0.670 to 0.955), respectively. The CT morphology of the lesion shape and diameter of the solid component were confirmed to be a significant feature for building the CT features model, which had an AUC of 0.755 (95% CI: 0.648 to 0.843). A nomogram that integrated lesion shape and radiomic signature was constructed, which contributed an AUC of 0.888 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.955).

CONCLUSIONS

The radiomic signature could provide an important reference for differentiating IAs from MIAs, and could be significantly enhanced by the addition of CT morphology. The nomogram may be highly informative for making clinical decisions.

[The inhibition of 18β-sodium glycyrrhetinic acid on thymic stromal lymphopoietin expression in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis rats]

Objective: To explore the effect of 18β-sodium glycyrrhetinic acid on thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR) rats. Methods: One hundred Wistar rats,half male and half female,were randomly divided into 5 groups by random number table method: control group, AR model group,budesonide group,18β-sodium glycyrrhetinic acid at dose of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg groups, with 20 rats in each group. AR animal models were established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization in the other four experimental groups. After successful modeling, budesonide and 18β-sodium glycyrrhetinic acid were given in each group,and the detection time points were 2 weeks and 4 weeks. The distribution of TSLP in rat nasal mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the expression of TSLP in rat nasal mucosa was determined by Western blot at the protein level. The expression of TSLP-mRNA in rat nasal mucosa was detected and compared by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) at mRNA level. The concentrations of IL-4 and OVA-sIgE in rat serum were measured and compared by ELISA. One-way analysis of variance and the least significant difference method were used for the comparison among groups, LSD t test was used for the comparison between the two groups,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Results: Immunohistochemistry confirmed existence of TSLP in rat nasal mucosa, especially in epithelial cells,endothelial cells and epithelial cilia. Western blot and RT-PCR suggested that the expression of TSLP and TSLP-mRNA in nasal mucosa of AR model group was significantly higher than that of control group (2 weeks TSLP: 1.795 9±0.131 4 vs 0.990 5±0.164 2, 4 weeks TSLP: 1.809 7±0.253 4 vs 0.870 3±0.124 4; 2 weeks TSLP-mRNA:4.582 9±0.697 7 vs 1.108 7±0.081 1, 4 weeks TSLP-mRNA:4.814 4±0.662 8 vs 1.001 0±0.155 3; all P<0.05). After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of drug intervention,the expression of TSLP and TSLP-mRNA was inhibited in nasal mucosa of budesonide group,18β-sodium sodium glycyrrhetinic acid at dose of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg group,which was significantly different from that of AR model group (2 weeks TSLP: (0.897 8±0.081 8)/(1.072 1±0.113 6)/(1.396 6±0.133 9) vs 1.795 9±0.131 4; 4 weeks TSLP: (1.191 0±0.161 3)/(1.141 0±0.152 3)/(1.200 5±0.189 6) vs 1.809 7±0.253 4; 2 weeks TSLP-mRNA: (1.175 6±0.100 9)/(1.254 4±0.078 2)/(2.037 2±0.559 2) vs 4.582 9±0.697 7; 4 weeks TSLP-mRNA: (1.158 3±0.104 3)/(1.224 0±0.034 0)/(1.275 2±0.099 6) vs 4.814 4±0.662 8; all P<0.05), and not significantly different from control group. With the inhibition of TSLP, the concentrations of IL-4 and OVA-sIgE in rat serum were also decreased. Conclusion: 18β-sodium glycyrrhetinic acid has obvious inhibitory effect on TSLP in nasal mucosa of AR rats, which can control Th2 type immune inflammatory reaction.

[Effectiveness of P-Gemox chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy in newly diagnosed,stage ⅠE to ⅡE, extranodal nasal type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of pegaspargase, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin(P-Gemox) chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of newly diagnosed, stage IE to IIE of Extranodal nasal type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma(ENKTL) patients.Method: P-Gemox chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy was used to analyze its clinical value and the factors affecting the prognosis in the treatment of 43 newly diagnosed ENKTL patients. In addition, toxicity related to chemotherapy was assessed. Result: The complete remission rate was 86.05% in 43 patients,the partial remission rate was 6.98%, and the total effective rate was 93.02%.Chi-square analysis showed tumor diameter, clinical stage and ECOG points were significant independent factors impacting on complete remission rate(P =0.025, 0.042, 0.037).The 1-year and 3-year overall survival rate and progression-free survival rate of 43 patients were 95.35% and 83.7%, 93.02% and 79.07%, respectively. Coxproportional analysis showed that tumor diameter and Ann Arbor stage were signifcant factors affecting overall survival(P =0.016,0.025).Adverse reactions caused by the P-Gemox chemotherapy regimen are mild and more common in grades I to II. Conclusion: The P-Gemox regimen combined with radiotherapy may be a promising option in the treatment of newly-diagnosed ENKTL due to its high efficacy yet low toxicity, and clinical stage has an important effect on CR and OS.

An Ultimate Stereocontrol in Supramolecular Photochirogenesis: Photocyclodimerization of 2-Anthracenecarboxylate Mediated by Sulfur-Linked β-Cyclodextrin Dimers

Stereoisomeric β-cyclodextrin (CD) dimers linked with a sulfur atom or an arene spacer were designed to create a tethered dual CD capsule for precisely manipulating the regio- and enantioselectivities of the photocyclodimerization of 2-anthracenecarboxylate (AC) to four stereoisomeric classical 9,10:9',10'-cyclodimers and two nonclassical 5,8:9',10'-cyclodimers. Among the dimeric CD hosts prepared, exo-3-thia-β-CD dimer formed 1:1 and 1:2 host-guest complexes with AC in aqueous solutions, the former of which hindered but the latter facilitated the AC photocyclodimerization with regio- and enantioselectivities much higher than those obtained with native β-CD or the rest of the β-CD dimers. The stereochemical outcomes turned out to be highly sensitive to and hence critically manipulable by the linking position and configuration of the connected saccharide units and the linker length, as well as the external variants, such as temperature, pH, and added salt. Eventually, the photocyclodimerization of AC mediated by the dimeric β-CD host gave enantiopure syn-head-to-tail-9,10:9',10'-cyclodimer in 97-98% yield in a pH 5.1 buffer solution at 0.5 °C and also in an aqueous CsCl solution at -20 °C.

Biodiversity of the microbiota in Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

AIMS

Spodoptera exigua is a serious pest of many agricultural crops. However, the bacterial communities of S. exigua are poorly studied, particularly over their entire life cycle. We aimed to study the biodiversity of the microbiota across the life cycle of S. exigua and to provide a better and obtain insight into new pest control strategies.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The bacterial diversity across the life cycle of S. exigua was studied using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Spodoptera exigua is dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, with a total relative abundance of 90·03%. Enterococcus (24·6%), Pseudomonas (12·2%) and Asaia (45·9%) were abundant and active in eggs, while Methylobacterium (18·7%) and Halomonas (16·5%) dominated freshly eclosed larvae. The 3rd and 5th instar larvae were dominated by Enterococcus (76·3 and 62·0%). Pupal stages had the highest microbial diversity. There was no significant difference between newly emerged males and females. Symbionts of eggs were extremely similar and probably vertically transmitted by males during mating.

CONCLUSIONS

The result showed that the bacterial community was affected by the host developmental stages. Our results also suggest that symbionts of egg mass are probably vertically transmitted control by male spawning adults.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our study documents the symbiont bacteria across the life cycle of S. exigua. Understanding the microbial symbionts may provide clues to develop potential biocontrol techniques against this pest.

[Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET in diagnosing and staging extranodal nasal type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma:A Meta-analysis]

Objective:The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the values of 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET in diagnosing extranodal nasal type natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL). Method:Studies about ENKTL diagnosed by 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET until June 2018 were searched in the databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, VIP and Wanfang. Two reviewers independently screened literature and extracted data strictly according to included and excluded criterion, and assessed bias risk by 11 items using QUADAS-2 gulidline. Meta-analysis was performed by Revmann 5.3 and Stata 12.0 software. The pooled weighted Sentivity (Sen), Specificity (Spe), Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated,summary receiver operator curve (SROC) and area under SROC curve (AUC) were also drawn. Result:Ten studies with 457 patients and 5 092 foci on 18F-FDG PET/CT and 4 studies with 169 patients and 384 foci on PET were finally included in our Meta-analysis.Our research showed that pooled Sen, Spe, DOR and AUC of 18F-FDG PET/CT diagnosing ENKTL were 0.97 (95%CI 0.93-0.99), 0.97(95%CI 0.88-0.99), 1 131.07(95%CI 167.77-7 625.28), 0.99(95%CI 0.98-1.00), and they were 0.81 (95%CI 0.70-0.89), 0.90(95%CI 0.66-0.98), 39.63(95%CI 6.41-244.85), 0.86(95%CI 0.82-0.89), respectively. Z test result reveled that 18F-FDG PET/CT had better diagnostic value in detecting ENKTL compared to PET: AUC=0.99(95%CI 0.98-1.00) vs AUC=0.86(95%CI 0.82-0.89), Z=2.95, P=0.003. Conclusion:In comparasion with PET, 18F-FDG PET/CT had excellent diagnostic value in detecting and staging ENKTL and may served as a non-invasive imaging in diagnosing and staging ENKTL.

Induced chirality sensing through formation and aggregation of the chiral imines double winged with pyrenes or perylenes

Reaction of chiral amines with benzaldehydes 3,5-disubstituted by two pyrenes or perylenes afforded corresponding double winged chiral imines, which aggregated to show significantly enhanced circular dichroism spectra at the transition bands of the chromophores in the mixture solutions of DMF and H2O.

Case of severe acute hepatitis A virus infection in United Nations peacekeepers in South Sudan

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis, which can lead to severe cases and acute liver failure. A 41-year-old Chinese military officer of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in South Sudan manifested fever, jaundice and coagulation dysfunction. The patient initially had a negative anti-HAV IgM antibody test result but a positive anti-HAV-IgM antibody test result five days after his alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels peaked. He was given telemedicine consultation and was transferred to a Chinese military hospital specialising in infectious diseases for treatment of severe acute HAV infection. The peak ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and international standard ratio were 5410 U/L, 3475 U/L, 225.1 µmol/L and 2.12 during hospitalisation, respectively. Military personnel undergoing missions in areas with high prevalence of HAV should be tested for previous HAV infection before departure if they have not been previously vaccinated. If negative results are obtained, they should be vaccinated. Anti-HAV-IgM examination should be repeated after the first negative test result is obtained to eliminate the effects of a window period if a clinical suspicion exists. If a life-threatening case of HAV infection is present, the patient should be transported to a base military hospital specialising in infectious diseases for treatment.

Correlations of SOX9 expression with serum IGF1 and inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-6 in skin lesions of patients with acne

OBJECTIVE

To study the correlations of sex determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) expression with serum type-1 insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), interleukin-1α (IL-1α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in skin lesion tissues of patients with acne.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Six patients with acne who were treated for the first time in our outpatient clinic from June 2017 to July 2017 were selected as observation group, and 6 normal subjects were selected as control group. The expression of SOX9 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expressions of IGF-1, IL-1α, and IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SOX9 was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

RESULTS

Compared with that in control group, the expression of SOX9 in observation group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with those in control group, the expressions of IGF-1, IL-1α and IL-6 in observation group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with that in control group, the mRNA expression of SOX9 in observation group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). SOX9 was positively correlated with IGF-1, IL-1α and IL-6.

CONCLUSIONS

The expressions of SOX9, IGF-1, IL-1α, and IL-6 in skin lesion tissues of patients with acne are increased, and SOX9 is positively correlated with IGF-1, IL-1α, and IL-6 and can be used as a target for the treatment of acne inflammation.

Enhanced chiral recognition by γ-cyclodextrin-cucurbit[6]uril-cowheeled [4]pseudorotaxanes

Mixing γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and tetraammonium-bearing axles together led to a spontaneous formation of γ-CD-CB[6]-cowheeled [4]pseudorotaxanes. The well-defined unsymmetrical cavities thus formed enhance the binding affinity towards chiral amines by factors of several hundreds and show remarkably improved chiral discrimination.