Nectar yeasts enhance the interaction between Clematis akebioides and its bumblebee pollinator

It has been hypothesised that intense metabolism of nectar-inhabiting yeasts (NIY) may change nectar chemistry, including volatile profile, which may affect pollinator foraging behaviours and consequently plant fitness. However, empirical evidence for the plant-microbe-pollinator interactions remains little known. To test this hypothesis, we use a bumblebee-pollinated vine Clematis akebioides endemic to southwest China as an experimental model plant. To quantify the incidence and density of Metschnikowia reukaufii, a cosmopolitan NIY in floral nectar, a combination of yeast cultivation and microscopic cell-counting method was used. To examine the effects of NIY on plant-pollinator interactions, we used real flowers filled with artificial nectar with or without yeast cells. Then the volatile metabolites produced in the yeast-inoculated nectar were analysed with coupled gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). On average 79.3% of the C. akebioides flowers harboured M. reukaufii, and cell density of NIY was high to 7.4 × 10⁴ cells mm^-3 . In the field population, the presence of NIY in flowers of C. akebioides increased bumblebee (Bombus friseanus) pollinator visitation rate and consequently seed set per flower. A variety of fatty acid derivatives produced by M. reukaufii may be responsible for the above beneficial interactions. The volatiles produced by the metabolism of M. reukaufii may serve as an honest signal to attract bumblebee pollinators and indirectly promote the female reproductive fitness of C. akebioides, forming a potentially tripartite plant-microbe-pollinator mutualism.

Decreased A20 expression on circulating CD56bright NK cells contributes to a worse disease status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

A20, a pivotal anti-inflammatory protein, preserves immune homeostasis and regulates prolonged inflammation. A previous study has shown that A20 expression levels are down-regulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the precise role of A20 in reducing autoimmune disorders needs to be further elucidated. In this study, A20 expression was found to be preferentially reduced on circulating CD56^bright natural killer (NK) cells in patients with AS, and its level was negatively correlated with that of proinflammatory cytokines. Further investigation demonstrated that A20 reduces interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in CD56^bright NK cells after stimulation with monokines or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin(P/I). Furthermore, CD56^bright NK cells isolated from AS patients promote TNF-α secretion by autologous monocytes, and increasing the A20 expression level partially attenuates this process. More importantly, decreased A20 expression on circulating CD56^bright NK cells is associated with worse disease status in patients with AS. Our findings reveal that A20 participates in the pathogenesis of AS by negatively regulating CD56^bright NK cells and that its reduced expression contributes to a worsened disease status in patients with AS.

Beclin1 enhances cisplatin-induced apoptosis via Bcl-2-modulated autophagy in laryngeal carcinoma cells Hep-2

To investigate the role of Beclin1 in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in laryngeal carcinoma cells Hep-2 and to explore the potential mechanism. We up-regulated Beclin1 expression in Hep-2 cells. The survival rate and apoptotic rate were evaluated by MTT and flow cytometry (FCM). The Beclin1 overexpression group and the control group were treated with cisplatin for 24 hours. The proliferation and cell apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cell lines were evaluated. The mitochondrial membrane potentials were detected by DiOC6(3). Activities of Caspase-8/9/3 and convention of microtubule-associated protein one light chain 3 (LC3) were detected by western blot. The effect of Bcl-2 overexpression on increased cisplatin-sensitivity and autophagy induced by Beclin1 was investigated using Bcl-2 cDNA transfection. Expression of Beclin1 in Hep-2 cells was meaningfully enhanced by transfection, and the proliferation and the apoptosis were not considerably affected. By cisplatin treatment, the Beclin1 overexpression group showed lower survival rate and higher apoptotic rate than the control group (p<0.05). Decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential and increase of activities of Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 were detected. Beclin1 overexpression increase the convention of LC3, especially after the cisplatin treatment. Overexpression of Bcl-2 decreased the cisplatin-induced apoptosis and inhibited Beclin1-induced autophagy. In conclusion, Beclin1 enhances cisplatin-induced apoptosis in laryngeal carcinoma cells Hep-2 via Bcl-2 modulated autophagy.

A Novel SCN9A Mutation (F826Y) in Primary Erythromelalgia Alters the Excitability of Nav1.7

BACKGROUND

Primary erythromelalgia (PE) is a dominant inherited disorder characterized by recurrent pain, redness, and warmth of the extremities that is caused by gain-of-function mutations in Nav1.7 encoding gene SCN9A. Most of the PE-causing mutations of Nav1.7 have been shown to be able to render Nav1.7-expressing cells hyperexcitable, however in most PE cases the symptoms are refractory to treatment with sodium channel blockers and the mechanism underlying the intractability has not been clearly clarified.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the mutation of SCN9A in a Chinese Han family with typical symptoms of PE and study the electrophysiological effect of the identified mutation.

METHODS

A Chinese Han family with typical symptoms of PE was collected and the proband's response to treatment was recorded. All the exons and flanking intronic sequences of SCN9A were amplified with PCR and sequenced. Several online programs were used to predict the damaging effect of variants. The functional effect of variants was studied by voltage-clamp analysis in CHO-K1 cells.

RESULTS

The PE symptoms of the proband are refractory to all kinds of reported medications. Sequence analysis of SCN9A showed that a novel c.2477T>A (p. F826Y) mutation co-segregated with the disease phenotype. Several online programs predicted that the F826Y mutation has a deleterious effect on the gene product. Voltage-clamp analysis showed that while compared with the wild-type channel, activation of the F826Y mutant channel was shifted by 7.7 mV in a hyperpolarizing direction, whereas steadystate inactivation was shifted by 4.3 mV in a depolarizing direction.

CONCLUSION

A novel disease-causing SCN9A Mutation (F826Y) was identified in a Chinese family with typical PE symptoms refractory to treatment. F826Y of Nav1.7 could render DRG neurons hyperexcitable, contributing to the pathogenesis of PE.

Mechanisms of Toxicity and Cardiotoxicity of Alcohol Extract from Root, Stem and Leaf of Chloranthus Serratus

Abstract

Objective To compare the differences of cardiotoxicity of alcohol extract from root, stem and leaf of Chloranthus serratus in the rats, and discuss preliminarily its mechanism of toxicity. Methods Rats were randomly divided into four groups: blank, root alcohol, stem alcohol and leaf alcohol, with 8 in each group. After 14 days of continuous intragastric administration, the body mass change curves were drawn. The cardiac coefficient was calculated. The contents of creatine kinase （CK）, creatine kinase isoenzyme （CK-MB）, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase （α-HBDH） as well as the content changes of oxidative stress indexes - total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in the serum of rats were detected. The cardiac pathomorphology changes in the rats were observed. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule （ICAM-1） and heme oxygenase （HO-1） in myocardial tissue was detected. Results Body mass growth rate： stem alcohol group was the smallest, followed by leaf alcohol group. The difference of cardiac coefficient of every group had no statistical significance （P>0.05）. The myocardial tissues of stem alcohol group suffered the most serious damage, followed by the leaf alcohol group. The contents of CK, CK-MB, LDH and α-HBDH in stem alcohol group increased （P<0.05）. The increase of MDA content and decrease of T-SOD content in stem alcohol group had statistical significance compared with the blank group and root alcohol group, while the leaf alcohol group only had statistical significance in the decrease of T-SOD content compared with the blank group （P<0.05）. The positive expression of ICAM-1 enhanced and the expression of HO-1 protein decreased in every group after the intervention of different extracts. The change trend was stem alcohol > leaf alcohol > root alcohol group. Conclusion The alcohol extract from the stem has the highest cardiotoxicity, followed by the leaf extract, and its mechanism of toxicity may be related to oxidative stress.

[Altered regional brain activity of functional connectivity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea]

Objective: To investigate the changes of default mode network in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using functional connectivity (FC). Methods: Clinical data were collected from thirty-three subjects with OSA who went to the Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, and twenty-nine normal controls were recruited from community from Jan 2016 to Jan 2018. The OSA group was divided into two subgroups according to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the lowest oxygen saturation at night: 15 patients in the mild group and 18 in the moderate to severe group. Both of the two group subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans, and their default network was extracted based on independent component analysis to compare the differences in FC. Results: Body Mass Index (BMI), AHI, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) in the OSA group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(27.1±4.3) vs (22.2±2.7) kg/m(2), (29.5±22.1) vs (2.4±1.6) events/h, 19.5 (4.6, 39.1) vs 0.6 (0.2, 1.6) events/h, (27.5±1.5) vs (29.4±0.8) score, (8.6±3.3) vs (3.5±1.6) score] (all P<0.001). The OSA group showed an increase in left limbic lobe, left cingulate, left parietal lobe, left inferior parietal lobule; a decrease in bilateral temporal lobe, bilateral limbic lobe and parahippocampa gyrus, left frontal lobe in FC value, compared with the normal control group (all P<0.001). The moderated-severe group showed a significant increase in the left occipital lobe, bilateral cuneus, right parietal lobe; a decrease in the bilateral parietal lobe, inferior parietal lobule in FC value compared with the mild group (all P<0.01). Conclusions: The FC of default mode network in OSA group is disrupted, with parts of brain regions suffering injury,while parts of brain regions experiencing compensatory reaction. Additionally, the compensatory period translates to the decompensation period with disease progression in OSA group.

[Efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage and its influence factors in the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with atelectasis]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and its influence factors in the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) with atelectasis. Methods: A retrospective case control study was performed on hospitalized MPP patients with atelectasis and received BAL in the Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 1, 2015 to July 31, 2017. Fever relieved in 48 hours and chest imaging improved in one week after BAL were considered effective. Clinical data, including age, sex, blood routine tests, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cytokines, complications, fever duration before BAL, course of disease before BAL, sputum plug, atelectasis area and its CT values of atelectasis site were collected. Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, or chi square test were used. Results: (1) A total of 163 patients were enrolled, including 69 boys and 94 girls, with the ratio of 1∶1.36. Their ages ranged from 6 months to 12.6 years. (2) On the day of bronchoscope, 113 patients still had fever. They were divided into effective group (n=66) and ineffective group (n=47) according to whether fever was relieved in 48 hours after BAL. The effective group were found to have less sputum plug compared with the ineffective group (33% (22/66) vs. 57% (27/47), χ(2)=6.499, P=0.011). The other factors such as sex, age, fever duration before BAL, course of disease before BAL, C reactive protein (CRP), LDH, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, IFN-γ, atelectasis area and CT value showed no significant difference between the two groups (all P>0.05). (3)A total of 122 cases had chest imaging after BAL. According to chest imaging improvement, they were divided into effective group (n=81) and ineffective group (n=41). The effective group showed lower CT value ((58±9) vs. (63±8) HU, t=-2.436, P=0.017), IL-6 and IL-10 (M(Q(1), Q(3))) (21.0 (1.9, 48.4) vs. 36.4(21.8, 93.6), 4.9 (3.7, 9.6) vs. 7.7 (4.4, 12.0) ng/L, Z=-2.387,-2.009, P=0.017, 0.045). Sex, age, fever duration before BAL, course of disease before BAL, CRP, LDH, IL-2, IL-4, TNF, IFN-γ, atelectasis area showed no significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). (4) Patients were divided into sputum plug group (57 cases) and non sputum plug group (106 cases) according to bronchoscopic findings. The sputum plug group showed higher LDH, CRP, IL-6, IFN-γ, incidence of pleural effusion and extrapulmonary complications (585(433, 833) vs. 369 (312, 588) U/L, 42 (19, 103) vs. 25 (12, 45) mg/L, 38.8 (22.1, 71.3) vs. 20.7 (9.2, 48.3) ng/L, 33.1 (13.5, 89.3) vs. 12.7 (6.5, 33.6) ng/L, 73.7% (42/57) vs. 52.8% (56/106), 40.4% (23/57) vs. 17.0% (18/106)), with statistically significant differences (Z=-4.865,-3.435,-3.098,-3.704, χ(2)= 0.010, 0.001, all P<0.01) . Additionally, fewer patients showed fever relief within 48 hours after BAL in the cases with sputum plug cases compared those without sputum plug (44.9% (22/49) vs. 68.8% (44/64), χ(2)= 0.011, P=0.009). Fewer patients showed chest imaging improvement within one week after BAL in the cases with sputum plug compared with those without sputum plug, but did not show significant difference (56.5% (26/46) vs. 72.4% (55/76), χ(2)=0.073, P=0.056). Conclusions: BAL has some therapeutic effect on fever or atelectasis in MPP children complicated with atelectasis. Chest imaging improvement or fever relief may be hampered by sputum plug, increased IL-6 or IL-10.

[Impact of hypoxia-reoxygenation environment on autophagy level of osteoblasts]

Objective: To investigate the impact of hypoxia-reoxygenation environment on the level of autophagy in osteoblasts. Methods: Osteoblasts were purified from the skulls of newborn SD rats within 24-48 hours by tissue block adherence culture and differential centrifugation. The osteoblasts were identified by alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase staining. The third generation osteoblasts were cultured in normal state and randomly divided into four groups: group A was cultured under normal condition for 36 hours; group B was cultured under normal condition for 18 hours, then under hypoxia for 18 hours; group C was cultured under hypoxia for 36 hours; group D was cultured under hypoxia for 18 hours, and then under normal condition for 18 hours. The ability to form calcium nodules of osteoblasts in the four groups was observed after culture. The proliferation activity of osteoblasts was detected by CCK-8 assay. The expressions of autophagy specified gene Beclin 1, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3) and collagen Ⅰ(COL-Ⅰ), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) genes were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the protein expressions of Beclin 1, LC3-Ⅰ,LC3-Ⅱ and P62 were detected by immunoblotting. Results: Alizarin red staining showed that osteoblasts in group A had the strongest calcification ability, and calcification ability of osteoblasts in group B,C and D lowered gradually, and it was lowest in group D. The proliferative activity under the CCK-8 detection in group A, B, C and D was 98%±8%, 90%±8%,82%±9%,76%±8%, respectively (F=35.764, P=0.000). The mRNA expression of Beclin 1, LC3-Ⅱthe 4 groups increased gradurally (group D> group C> group B> group A)(F=38.327, 16.583, both P<0.05); and the mRNA expression of COL-Ⅰ, BMP-2 decreased gradually in the 4 groups (group A> group B> group C> group D) (F=20.387, 12.426, both P<0.05). The protein expression of Beclin 1,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ increased gradually in the groups (group D>group C>group B>group A) (F=26.843, 28.576, bothP<0.05), and the expression of P62 protein decreased gradually (F=18.946, P=0.011). Conclusions: Hypoxia-reoxygenation environment can reduce the proliferation activity of osteoblasts and up-regulate the expression of autophagy-related genes in osteoblasts. Anoxic reoxygenation environment promotes the increasing of autophagy levels in osteoblasts.

In-vitro analysis of a novel 'add-on' silicone cuff to improve sealing properties of tracheal tubes

Leakage of colonised oropharyngeal secretions across the tracheal tube cuff may cause iatrogenic pulmonary infection. We studied a novel 'add-on' cuff, which can be inserted over an existing tracheal tube and advanced into the subglottic region. The physical properties of the novel silicone cuff (BronchoGuard, Ciel Medical, USA) were evaluated in comparison with the Hi-Lo^® tracheal tube. In a bench study, we identified saline inflation volumes required to transmit pressures between 15 and 30 cmH₂ O against artificial tracheas of 18, 20 and 22 mm internal diameter. We computed cuff compliance, and minimal inflation volume to achieve air sealing during mechanical ventilation. Finally, we compared the leakage flow rate of artificial saliva across the novel cuff. On average, the mean (SD) inflation volumes necessary to transmit tracheal pressures of 15, 20, 25 and 30 cmH₂ O were 4.1 (2.2), 4.4 (2.3), 4.6 (2.4) and 4.8 (2.4) ml for the novel cuff and 7.7 (2.5), 8.0 (2.6), 8.4 (2.6) and 8.7 (2.7) ml for the Hi-Lo tube, respectively (p < 0.001). The minimal inflation volumes to achieve air sealing were 3.8 (0.9) and 10.5 (2.1) ml (p < 0.001), which resulted in transmitted tracheal pressures of 8.3 (9.8) and 27.6 (34.8) cmH₂ O (p < 0.001). Compliance was 0.026 (0.004) and 0.616 (0.324) ml.cmH₂ 0^-1 , respectively (p < 0.001). Although massive leak was found when the novel cuff transmitted pressures ≤ 20 cmH₂ O against the trachea, leakage was avoided with pressures ≥ 25 cmH₂ O, owing to optimal contact between the cuff and the tracheal wall. In contrast, the standard cuff consistently leaked irrespective of the pressure. We conclude that the novel cuff has advantageous properties that warrant clinical corroboration.

[Brain alteration in neonates with congenital heart disease using apparent diffusion coefficient histograms]

Objective: To evaluate the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram in neonatal brain alteration with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: MRIs of 60 neonates with CHD confirmed by echocardiography were retrospectively analyzed in Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2012 to December 2016.Twenty-two MRIs of neonates with mild pneumonia or scalp hematoma who were suspicious of brain disease but normal MRI findings were enrolled as normal control.MRIcron and ImgJ softwares were used to acquire ADC histogram.The correlation between the gestational age and ADC histogram values were calculated respectively.Then t-test was used to analyze the differences of the histogram values and the diagnostic efficacy of different parameters was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: The ADC values were significantly correlated with the gestational age (P<0.05). The 70th-90th ADC, skewness, kurtosis and variance were statistically significant (P<0.05). The area under the curve of the 90th ADC value was the largest at 0.698. Conclusions: The ADC histogram can quantify and objectively provide more diffusion information of brain tissue. It is a rapid and feasible quantitative method to identify brain changes in neonates with CHD.

[Prevalence and associated risk factors on preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age among HIV-infected pregnant women in Hunan province, 2011-2017]

Objective: To describe the prevalence of preterm birth (PB), low birth weight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA) among HIV-infected pregnant women and to identify associated risk factors in Hunan province. Methods: This study appeared a retrospective one on HIV-infected pregnant women retrieved from Information System of Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV management in Hunan province, between January 2011 and December 2017. Information regarding demographic characteristics, pregnancy, antiretroviral therapy (ART), husbands/partners' relevant situation and pregnancy outcomes, among these HIV-infected pregnant women were collected and analyzed. The incidence rates on PB, LBW and SGA were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the associated risk factors. Results: A total of 780 HIV-infected pregnant women were enrolled. The prevalence rates on PB, LBW and SGA in HIV- infected pregnant women appeared as 7.9% (62/780), 9.9% (77/780) and 21.3% (166/780), respectively. Results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors as pregnancy related diseases as moderate/severe anemia, hypertensive, initial time of ART <14 gestational weeks (compared to those women without ART during pregnancy) and husbands/partners' age >35 years old (compared to husbands/partners' age 26-30 years old) etc., were associated with an increased risk of PB with adjusted OR as 4.59 (95%CI: 1.51-13.95), 4.90 (95%CI: 1.56-15.46), 2.40 (95%CI: 1.26- 4.56) and 2.29 (95%CI: 1.21-4.36). For LBW, pregnancy moderate/severe anemia, pregnancy HBV infection and initial time of ART <14 gestational weeks were associated with an increased risk of LBW, with adjusted OR as 3.28 (95%CI: 1.13-9.54), 4.37 (95%CI: 1.42-13.44) and 2.68 (95%CI: 1.51-4.76), respectively. For SGA, pregnancy HBV infection and initial time of ART <14 gestational weeks were risk factors for SGA, with adjusted OR as 4.41 (95%CI: 1.43-13.63) and 2.67 (95%CI: 1.51-4.73), respectively. Conclusion: Preterm birth, LBW and SGA were common adverse pregnancy outcomes for HIV-infected pregnant women and were associated with factors as pregnancy complications, ART and husbands/partners' age.

[Proper patient education improves hepatitis C patients' disease-related knowledge and antiviral treatment acceptance in rural China]

Objective: To evaluate the affect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) education in chronic hepatitis C patients' disease related knowledge and antiviral treatment acceptance in rural china. Methods: Rural HCV patients of attended CHC project of HCV education. Doctor delivered subsequent interactive lecture, and patients completed pre- and post-education questionnaires before and after taking the lectures. Results: 151 CHC patients were included. Mean age was 57.3 years old, 50.3% were male, 51.0% of the students had primary school education or illiterate, and 76.2% had a monthly income below RMB 3,000. 98.0% of patients defined their baseline HCV knowledge as "nothing" or "a little bit". A multivariate analysis reveled baseline knowledge scores were associated with age and household income. After education, mean knowledge score (range: 0-28) increased from 13.1 to 23.0 (P < 0.001) and average percent of patients with correct answers from the topic rose from 46.8% to 82.1% (P < 0.001), and patients' antiviral treatment acceptance increased from 33.9% to 65.6% (P < 0.001). Conclusion: A rural Chinese patients had less education, HCV education delivered on the preferred format of patients substantially improved hepatitis C patients' disease-related knowledge and antiviral treatment acceptance in rural china.

Plant growth promotion and suppression of bacterial leaf blight in rice by Paenibacillus polymyxa Sx3

The effects and mechanisms of Paenibacillus polymyxa Sx3 on growth promotion and the suppression of bacterial leaf blight in rice were evaluated in this study. The results from a plate assay indicated that Sx3 inhibited the growth of 20 strains of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Rice seedling experiments indicated that Sx3 promoted plant growth and suppressed bacterial leaf blight. In addition, bacteriological tests showed that Sx3 was able to fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphate and produce indole acetic acid, indicating that various mechanisms may be involved in the growth promotion by Sx3. The culture filtrate of P. polymyxa Sx3 reduced bacterial growth, biofilm formation and disrupted the cell morphology of Xoo strain GZ 0005, as indicated by the transmission and scanning electron microscopic observations. In addition, MALDI-TOF MS analysis revealed that Sx3 could biosynthesize two types of secondary metabolites fusaricidins and polymyxin P. In summary, this study clearly indicated that P. polymyxa Sx3 has strong in vitro and in vivo antagonistic activity against Xoo, which may be at least partially attributed to its production of secondary metabolites. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Antagonistic bacteria can grow well in their originating environment. However, it is unclear whether antagonistic bacteria were able to survive in different ecological environments. This study revealed that Paenibacillus polymyxa Sx3 isolated from rhizosphere soil of cotton significantly promoted the plant growth and suppressed bacterial leaf blight in rice. Therefore, it could be inferred that P. polymyxa Sx3 has the potential to be used as biocontrol agents in plants grown in different ecological environments.

Abstract P5-07-11: Transcriptome alteration of breast cancer cells in the process of tumor-associated macrophages-promoted metastasis

Introduction: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in the process of tumor metastasis. Previous studies have shown that TAMs induce breast cancer cells undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by secreting CCL18. Reciprocally, the induced mesenchymal-like breast cancer cells activate macrophages into a TAM-like phenotype via secreting the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), forming a positive feedback loop that is essential to breast cancer metastasis.

Methods: To better understand the underlying mechanism that links this positive feedback loop to breast cancer metastasis, a TAMs-induced EMT cell model (MCF-7) was used. RNA-seq was used to compare the transcriptome of MCF-7 cells which were cocultured with TAMs and those with or without monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Results were further verified by qRT-PCR.

Results: Among 811 known protein-coding genes with reliable readouts, 42 were significantly changed between groups (P&lt;0.001). Further analysis using KEGG, Reactome and Wikipathways databases found that these 42 genes were enriched in 15 signal pathways (P&lt;0.01). According to their biological function, these pathways can be divided into 5 functional groups: SUMOylation related, virus related, immune related, interferon related and cytokine related. The last 3 groups demonstrated that our model were representative and able to provide some real and useful information, while SUMOylation and virus related signal pathways have never been reported to be involved in TAMs induced breast cancer metastasis.

Conclusion: We investigated the transcriptome alteration of MCF-7 cells in the process of TAMs-promoted metastasis. Results from bioinformatic analysis indicated SUMOylation and virus related signal pathways in the process of TAMs induced breast cancer metastasis, which are yet to be confirmed.

Citation Format: Long M, Yang M, An J, Su H, Liu R. Transcriptome alteration of breast cancer cells in the process of tumor-associated macrophages-promoted metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-07-11.

Two aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active reaction-type probes: for real-time detecting and imaging of superoxide anions

Two AIE-active reaction-type probes: one probe, two channels, at the same & different cell locations for superoxide anion.

Making the invisible visible: improving detectability of MRI-invisible residual cervical cancer after conisation by DCE-MRI

AIM

To determine whether dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quantitative parameters increase the detectability of MRI-invisible residual cervical cancer after conisation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 59 patients with MRI-invisible cervical cancer, but positive conisation pathology. Thirty-five patients were confirmed to have residual cervical cancer, and 24 patients showed non-residual cervical cancer. DCE-MRI quantitative parameters were calculated in the anterior or posterior cervix according to the conisation position. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to find the threshold of DCE-MRI parameters in differentiate residual cervical cancer patients from non-residual cervical cancer patients after conisation.

RESULTS

For patients with residual cervical cancer, the K^trans and V_e values were significantly higher than in their counterparts with non-residual cervical cancer (0.610±0.395 versus 0.366±0.305/min, p=0.013; and 0.703±0.270 versus 0.540±0.280%, p=0.028; respectively). The K^trans showed the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.705 (p=0.004) with a sensitivity of 67.6% and specificity of 68%.

CONCLUSION

DCE-MRI quantitative parameters increased the detectability of MRI-invisible residual cervical cancer after conisation.

[The therapeutic effects of interleukin 10 gene-modified bone marrow-derived dendritic cells in a murine model of liver fibrosis]

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene-modified dendritic cells (DC-IL-10) in mice with liver fibrosis. Methods: DC-IL-10 was constructed in vitro, the phenotype and function of which were evaluated by flow cytometry. BALB/c mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to establish liver fibrotic model. DC-IL-10 was administrated via tail vein. Animals were divided into 4 groups including normal dendritic cell(DC) control, liver fibrosis only, negative lentiviral transfection DC (DC-mock) and DC-IL-10. Liver function, cytokine secretion, T lymphocyte differentiation and liver histomorphology were tested. Real-time PCR and western blot were used to analyze the effect of DC-IL-10 on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its role in liver fibrosis. Results: When compared with DC control and DC-mock, the expression of DC-IL-10 surface stimulating molecules (major histocompatibity complex-Ⅱ, CD(80), CD(86)) were significantly decreased (F=14.708, 22.503, 12.595, respectively, all P<0.05), and DC-IL-10 significantly inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation (F=50.295, P<0.05). When compared with liver fibrosis group, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase were decreased in DC-IL-10 treated group (all P<0.05), other parameters including inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor α, IL-6, IL-1β) reduced (all P <0.05), the proportion of regulatory T cells (Treg) increased (F=6.742, P<0.05), pathological damage improved, the expression of Wnt3a, α-SMA and β-catenin mRNA and protein significantly reduced in DC-IL-10 treatment group (all P<0.001) . Conclusions: DC-IL-10 induces elevation of Treg for immune tolerance, as well as inhibition of inflammatory response, block of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which translates into improvement of liver fibrosis.

The suppression of ox-LDL-induced inflammatory cytokine release and apoptosis of HCAECs by long non-coding RNA-MALAT1 via regulating microRNA-155/SOCS1 pathway

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs have emerged as critical regulators of atherosclerosis; however, whether they have crosstalk on this issue remains elusive. Here, we investigated the potential associations between lncRNA-MALAT1 and miR-155 on the regulation of atherosclerosis.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to assess the expression of MALAT1, IL-6 and IL-8. ELISA was performed to measure the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. MTT assay was used to determine the proliferation of Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells (HCAECs). Flow cytometry was used to measure the cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to assess the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3.

RESULTS

We found that the pro-inflammatory cytokine release and the apoptosis of HCAECs were elevated upon ox-LDL treatment, while MALAT1 expression was also up regulated. Knocking down of MALAT1 boosted ox-LDL-induced cytokine release and apoptosis of HCAECs. The binding site of miR-155 in MALAT1 sequence was confirmed by dual luciferase assay. Furthermore, miR-155 inhibition significantly repressed ox-LDL mediated inflammation and apoptosis of HCAECs via SOCS1. At last, we found that MALAT1 could suppress the inflammatory cytokine release and cell apoptosis via sponging miR-155 to increase SOCS1 level, which in turn restrained JAK-STAT pathway.

CONCLUSION

In summary, this study revealed the mechanisms by which MALAT1 worked as a putative atherosclerosis suppressor via miR-155 and SOCS1. Therefore, modulation of MALAT1/miR-155/SOCS1 axis might alleviate the inflammation persisted in atherosclerosis.

Niclosamide Inhibits Cell Growth and Enhances Drug Sensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via STAT3 Signaling Pathway

Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignant tumor worldwide, with a high mortality rate at advanced stages. In this study, we investigated the effect of niclosamide on cell growth and drug sensitivity in human HCC and elucidated the underlying mechanism.

Methods: Three human HCC cell lines (HepG2, QGY-7703 and SMMC-7721) were used to evaluate the effect of niclosamide. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay and colony formation assay. Assessment of apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and Hoechst staining. The mRNA and protein levels were analyzed by real-time PCR and western blot, respectively.

Results: Niclosamide suppressed cell viability, inhibited clone formation, and induced cell apoptosis in HCC cells dose- and time-dependently. Furthermore, niclosamide synergized with cisplatin to promote the apoptosis of HCC cells. With niclosamide treatment, phospho-STAT3 (Y705) was inactivated and the downstream antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1 and survivin were downregulated at both mRNA and protein levels in HCC cells.

Conclusion: Niclosamide has effective function in anti-HCC and may be a single or combined drug treatment for HCC and acts via the STAT3 signaling pathway.

In-fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer with piecewise interference spectrum based on hole-assisted dual-core fiber for refractive index sensing: erratum

This erratum is presented to correct Fig. 3 in [Opt. Express26(15), 19091 (2018)].

Liraglutide ameliorates palmitate-induced insulin resistance through inhibiting the IRS-1 serine phosphorylation in mouse skeletal muscle cells

OBJECTIVE

A reduction in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscles is a characteristic of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 agonist liraglutide can reduce blood glucose levels in individuals with T2DM. However, its effect on insulin-induced glucose metabolism in the skeletal muscle of insulin resistance is unknown. We investigated the effects and action mechanisms of liraglutide on insulin resistance (IR) in the skeletal muscle cells treatment with palmitic acid (PA).

METHODS

The cell-surface GLUT4myc levels were determined by an antibody-coupled colorimetric assay. The phosphorylation levels of Akt, PI3K(p85α), AS160, IRS1, IKK, and JNK were determined by western blotting. The quantifications of mRNA levels of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 were determined by real-time PCR. Analysis of variance was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

PA elevated not only phosphorylation of JNK, IRS1 serines, and IKKα/β, but also the expression of IL-6, TNFα and IL-1β in C2C12-GLUT4myc cells. PA can reduce phosphorylation of IRS1 tyrosine. These effects of PA were reversed by liraglutide. In addition, liraglutide can reverse PA-decreased insulin-stimulated cell-surface GLUT4 levels, Akt, PI3K(p85α), and AS160 phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

Liraglutide can enhance insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation by inhibiting IRS1 serine phosphorylation in PA-treated muscle cells.

Halotolerant bacteria belonging to operational group Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in biocontrol of the rice brown stripe pathogen Acidovorax oryzae

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antagonistic activity of halotolerant bacteria against rice brown stripe pathogen Acidovorax oryzae.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifteen of 136 isolates of halotolerant bacteria exhibited strong in vitro and in vivo antagonistic activity against both strains of A. oryzae. The 15 antagonistic isolates were identified as 'operational group Bacillus amyloliquefaciens' based on physiological and biochemical features, fatty acid profiles as well as sequence analysis of 16S rRNA, gyrA and rpoB genes. Furthermore, this result indicated that the most effective antagonistic isolates K5-3 and PPB6 could produce siderophore in iron-limiting medium, and four kinds of secondary metabolites based on MALDI-TOF analysis. In addition, the culture filtrates of isolates K5-3 and PPB6 caused the damage of cell membrane evidenced by the TEM images, and resulted in 73-80% reduction in cell numbers, 55-65% reduction in biofilm formation, and 42-50% reduction in swimming ability of both strains of A. oryzae.

CONCLUSIONS

These isolates in particular K5-3 and PPB6 of halotolerant bacteria markedly inhibited the growth of A. oryzae.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

To our knowledge, this is the first report on biological control of halotolerant bacteria against bacterial brown stripe of rice.

Observation of Complex Time Structures in the Cosmic-Ray Electron and Positron Fluxes with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We present high-statistics, precision measurements of the detailed time and energy dependence of the primary cosmic-ray electron flux and positron flux over 79 Bartels rotations from May 2011 to May 2017 in the energy range from 1 to 50 GeV. For the first time, the charge-sign dependent modulation during solar maximum has been investigated in detail by leptons alone. Based on 23.5×10^{6} events, we report the observation of short-term structures on the timescale of months coincident in both the electron flux and the positron flux. These structures are not visible in the e^{+}/e^{-} flux ratio. The precision measurements across the solar polarity reversal show that the ratio exhibits a smooth transition over 830±30 days from one value to another. The midpoint of the transition shows an energy dependent delay relative to the reversal and changes by 260±30 days from 1 to 6 GeV.

Precision Measurement of Cosmic-Ray Nitrogen and its Primary and Secondary Components with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precision measurement of the nitrogen flux with rigidity (momentum per unit charge) from 2.2 GV to 3.3 TV based on 2.2×10^{6} events is presented. The detailed rigidity dependence of the nitrogen flux spectral index is presented for the first time. The spectral index rapidly hardens at high rigidities and becomes identical to the spectral indices of primary He, C, and O cosmic rays above ∼700  GV. We observed that the nitrogen flux Φ_{N} can be presented as the sum of its primary component Φ_{N}^{P} and secondary component Φ_{N}^{S}, Φ_{N}=Φ_{N}^{P}+Φ_{N}^{S}, and we found Φ_{N} is well described by the weighted sum of the oxygen flux Φ_{O} (primary cosmic rays) and the boron flux Φ_{B} (secondary cosmic rays), with Φ_{N}^{P}=(0.090±0.002)×Φ_{O} and Φ_{N}^{S}=(0.62±0.02)×Φ_{B} over the entire rigidity range. This corresponds to a change of the contribution of the secondary cosmic ray component in the nitrogen flux from 70% at a few GV to <30% above 1 TV.