Jianpi-Yangxue-Jiedu decoction improves the energy metabolism of psoriasis mice by regulating the electron transfer of oxidative phosphorylation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The inflammatory skin condition psoriasis is immune-related. The decoction of Jianpi-Yangxue-Jiiedu (JPYX) is a useful medication for psoriasis. However, the underlying mechanics of JPYX have not yet been clarified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying the efficacy of JPYX in the treatment of psoriasis in the context of a high-fat diet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This work generated a high-fat feeding model of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like lesion mice. The blood composition of JPYX was examined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The mechanism of JPYX decoction for treating psoriasis was predicted using methods of network pharmacology, metabolomics, and transcriptomics.

RESULTS

JPYX prevented the release of inflammatory cytokines, decreased keratinocyte proliferation, enhanced the percentage of Treg cells in the skin, lymph nodes, and thymus, and greatly alleviated psoriatic lesions. Network pharmacology predicted that IL-1β, TNF, STAT3, and EGFR may be potential targets, and KEGG results showed that PI3K-AKT-mTOR may be a potential mechanism of action. Verification of experimental data demonstrated that the JPYX decoction dramatically decreased mTOR and AKT phosphorylation. According to metabolomics analysis, amino acids and their metabolites, benzene and its substitutes, aldehyde ketone esters, heterocyclic compounds, etc. were the primary metabolites regulated by JPYX. KEGG enrichment analysis of differential metabolites was performed. Fatty acid biosynthesis, Type I polyketide structures, Steroid hormone biosynthesis, Biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid, etc. Transcriptomic results showed that JPYX significantly regulated skin development, keratinocyte differentiation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Further experimental data verification showed that JPYX decoction significantly reduced the mRNA levels of mt-Nd4, mt-Nd5, mt-Nd1, Ifi205, Ifi211, and mt-Atp8.

CONCLUSIONS

JPYX may improve psoriasis by regulating the metabolic pathways of fatty acids and electron transport of oxidative phosphorylation.

Sodium MRI at 7T for Early Response Evaluation of Intracranial Tumors following Stereotactic Radiotherapy Using the CyberKnife

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Conventionally, early treatment response to stereotactic radiotherapy in intracranial tumors is often determined by structural MR imaging. Tissue sodium concentration is altered by cellular integrity and energy status in cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of sodium MR imaging at 7T for the preliminary evaluation of radiotherapeutic efficacy for intracranial tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected from 16 patients (12 men and 4 women, 24-75 years of age) with 22 intracranial tumors who were treated with stereotactic radiation therapy using CyberKnife at our institution between December 1, 2016, and August 15, 2019. Sodium MR imaging was performed at 7T before and 48 hours, 1 week, and 1 month after CyberKnife radiation therapy. Tissue sodium concentration (TSC) was calculated and analyzed based on manually labeled regions of tumors.

RESULTS

Ultra-high-field sodium MR imaging clearly showed the intratumoral signal, which is significantly higher than that of normal tissue (t = 5.250, P <.001)., but the edema zone has some influence. The average TSC ratios of tumor to CSF in the 22 tumors, contralateral normal tissues, edema zones, frontal cortex, and frontal white matter were 0.66 (range, 0.23-1.5), 0.30 (range, 0.15-0.43), 0.58 (range, 0.25-1.21), 0.25 (range, 0.17-0.42), and 0.30 (range, 0.19-0.49), respectively. A total of 12 tumors in 8 patients were scanned at 48 hours, 1 week, and 1 month after treatment. The average TSC at 48 hours after treatment was 0.06 higher than that before treatment and began to decrease at 1 week. The TSC ratios of 10 continued to decline and 2 tumors increased at 1 month, respectively. Tumor volume decreased by 2.4%-99% after 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in the TSC can be quantified by sodium MR imaging at 7T and used to detect radiobiologic alterations in intracranial tumors at early time points after CyberKnife radiation therapy.

RNA-seq reveals transcriptome changes of the embryonic lens cells in Prox1 tissue specific knockout mice

OBJECTIVE

Prox1 is expressed in both lens epithelial cells and fiber cells and is essential for lens fiber cell elongation. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms of how Prox1 mutations influence lens fiber cells development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Comparative transcriptomes analysis of Prox1 conditional knockout (cKO) lens and wild-type (WT) lens were performed using the data GSE69940 downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined by the R package "edgeR" of Trinity software. GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases) enrichment analysis were performed using the cluster Profiler R package. Then, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was predicted using Cytoscape, and the Module analysis of the PPI network was analyzed through the Cytoscape MCODE plugin. Moreover, MotifDb package in R was used to predict the transcription factors binding to Prox1 promoter regions.

RESULTS

In total, 2263 differentially expressed genes were identified between the two groups. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the down-regulated genes were enriched in camera-type eye term, nucleosome assembly, lens fiber cell differentiation, and cell modified and amino acid metabolism. The KEGG pathway of up-regulated genes was associated with lens development, including Hedgehog signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. GO terms of up-regulated DEGs were mainly relevant to bone morphological development, muscle development, and sensory organ morphological development. Next, the PPI network of DEGs was constructed, and 4 modules were analyzed. Moreover, 30 transcription factors were predicted, which are likely to be downstream targets of Prox1 with potential roles in lens development in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insights into the unique transcriptome profile of lens cells in Prox1 conditional knockout mice, which is a valuable resource for further study of mouse lens genomics.

Up-regulation of long non-coding RNA MFI2 functions as an oncogenic role in cervical cancer progression

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer is one of the gynecologic tumors in the world. The main aim of this study was to elucidate the functional role of MFI2 in cervical cancer and provide novel insight into biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for cervical cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The relative expression level of MFI2 was examined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was involved to determine the ability of cell proliferation. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to detect cell apoptosis. Transwell assay and Matrigel assay were involved to determine cell migration and invasion. Expressions of protein kinase B (AKT), phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2), and BCL2-Associated X (Bax) protein levels were detected in Western blotting. Transfected cells were used to perform tumor xenograft formation assay.

RESULTS

Our research validated that MFI2 was up-regulated in cervical cancer by qRT-PCR. Through CCK-8 assay, flow cytometric analysis, transwell assay, and Matrigel assay, we verified that MFI2 can promote cell proliferation, cell metastasis and inhibit cell apoptosis in cervical cancer. Subsequently, we used Western blotting assay to determine the alteration of protein expression of p-AKT, BCL2, and Bax. The results indicated that MFI2 may exert its function by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway. In tumor xenograft formation assay, up-regulated MFI2 accelerated tumor formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Current research elucidated that MFI2 promoted cell proliferation, cell metastasis and inhibited cell apoptosis in cervical cancer by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our results may provide a novel insight into finding new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for cervical cancer.

Effect of Hypotensive Brain Death on the Donor Liver and Its Mechanism in an Improved Bama Miniature Pig (Sus scrofa domestica) Model

BACKGROUND

We aimed to observe the effect of hypotensive brain death on the donor liver and understand its pathophysiological mechanism in improved pig model.

METHODS

The model was induced using the modified intracranial water sac inflation method in 16 Bama miniature pigs. Effects of hypotensive brain death on liver function and tissue morphology were evaluated via changes in liver function enzyme index, liver tissue alkaline phosphatase levels, hourly bile flow, and liver tissue pathology. Its pathophysiological mechanism was examined on the basis of changes in portal vein blood flow, hepatic artery blood flow, portal venous endotoxin level, and liver tissue cytokine levels.

RESULTS

After model establishment, portal vein blood flow, hepatic arterial blood flow, hourly bile flow, and alkaline phosphatase content in hepatic tissue significantly decreased, and serum aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels significantly increased. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of liver tissue showed that after model establishment, hepatic tissue injury was gradually aggravated and hepatic cells were irreversibly damaged at 7 hours. Portal vein endotoxin levels significantly increased after brain death. Tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1, and endothelin 1 levels in liver tissues significantly increased at 3, 6, and 12 hours after brain death (P < .05), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α and nitric oxide levels significantly decreased (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic injury was progressively aggravated under hypotensive brain death. The mechanism of donor liver injury under hypotensive brain death may involve low liver perfusion, release of intestinal endotoxin and inflammatory factors (eg, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1), decreased hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α, and endothelin 1 and nitric oxide imbalance.

[Prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in hospital patients]

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in ophthalmic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed. Diabetic patients who were admitted to Department of Ophthalmology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Muping between October 2012 and June 2013 were included. General information and medical history were obtained from each subject by questionaires. Laboratory and detailed ophthalmic examinations were performed during the study. DR was diagnosed and graded by mydriatic fundus photography. Prevalence of DR was calculated and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between DR and various factors. Results: A total of 676 diabetic patients were included, and 455 of them presented with DR at a morbidity rate of 67.31%. Among DR patients, the number of mild, moderate, severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) patients and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients were 211 (46.37%), 167 (36.70%), 57 (12.53%) and 20 (4.40%), respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of DR among different age groups (χ(2)=6.527, P=0.089). However, there was a significant difference between different disease duration groups (χ(2)=39.401, P<0.001), as well as between insulin therapy group and non-insulin therapy group (χ(2)=7.378, P=0.007). The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated the independent risk factors for DR occurrence were hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (OR=1.131, 95%CI: 1.022-1.252, P=0.011) and duration of diabetes (OR=1.077, 95%CI: 1.046-1.108, P<0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of DR in ophthalmic patients was associated with duration of diabetes, HbA1c, obesity, smoke, nephropaty and insulin therapy. Increased HbA1c level and longer duration of diabetes were independent risk factors for DR in diabetic patients.

The Fate of In Situ Lens Regeneration is Determined by Capsulorhexis Size

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Lens regeneration is an optimal strategy for cataract patients to regain visual acuity with accommodation. We recently designed a novel, minimally invasive capsulorhexis surgical method for cataract removal that achieved functional lens regeneration in human infants. However, small anterior capsulorhexis requires advanced surgical expertise. To examine whether the quality of the regenerated lens can be maintained with enlarged anterior capsulorhexis, we investigated the shape and transparency of the regenerated lenses with different anterior capsulorhexis diameters (ACDs).

METHODS

Thirty-six 4-week-old New Zealand albino rabbits were randomly divided into three groups which underwent lens extraction with different ACDs (Group A: 2.0±0.5 mm, Group B: 4.0±0.5 mm, Group C: 6.0±0.5 mm). The anterior capsule opening area (ACOA) was quantified, and the morphology, weight, and histological characteristics of the regenerated lenses were examined.

RESULTS

Lens regeneration was observed in all three groups. In Group A, the regenerated lenses were relatively complete and transparent. In Groups B and C, the regenerated lenses were doughnut-shaped and opaque. The speed of lens regeneration in Group A was significantly faster than that in Groups B and C. The ACOA in Group A healed quickly and completely approximately 2 weeks after surgery. However, in Groups B and C, ACOA did not heal completely until 12 weeks after surgery. Histological examination showed that in Group A, most of the lens epithelial cells differentiated into well-organized lens fibers. However, in Groups B and C, the regenerated lens fibers were disorganized.

CONCLUSION

Capsulorhexis size is a critical determinant of integrity and transparency in lens regeneration.

Prognostic significance of downregulated BMAL1 and upregulated Ki-67 proteins in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

This study assessed the prognostic value of BMAL1 and Ki-67 expression in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Level of BMAL1 mRNA was assessed in tissue specimens from 36 nasopharyngeal carcinomas and 20 nasopharyngeal chronic inflammations using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Expression of BMAL1 and Ki-67 proteins was analyzed immunohistochemically in 90 paired nasopharyngeal carcinoma and distant normal tissues. The Kaplan-Meier curves and the Log-rank test were used to calculate prognostic significance stratified by BMAL1 and Ki67 protein expression and the COX regression model was to analyze the multivariate prognosis. BMAL1 mRNA was significantly reduced in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (4.67 ± 0.27 versus 6.64 ± 0.51 in chronic inflammation tissues, p = 0.002). Level of BMAL1 mRNA was associated with tumor distant metastasis (3.37 ± 0.66 versus 5.04 ± 0.27 compared with non-metastasis, p = 0.011). Level of BMAL1 protein was also reduced in tumor tissues and BMAL1 expression was associated with better 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) of cancer patients (92.6%, 69.2% and 62.3% versus 59.1%, 40.9% and 0% in patients with low BMAL1 expressed tumors; p = 0.000). BMAL1 expression and age were independent prognostic factors for OS (p = 0.032). Furthermore, Ki-67 expression was high in tumor versus normal tissues and associated with poor OS of cancer patients (p = 0.035). The Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was an inverse association between BMAL1 and Ki-67 protein expression (p = 0.021). This study demonstrated that lost BMAL1 and Ki-67 overexpression were associated with poor OS of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Protective Effect of a Novel Technique for Liver Transplantation in the Rat

The rat orthotopic liver transplantation model with extremely short anhepatic phase was established to study its protective effect on the recipients and graft. One hundred fifty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n = 30), using magnetic rings for the suprahepatic vena cava reconstruction; group B (n = 30), using 7/0 Prolene sutures for suprahepatic vena cava running anastomosis as control; and a sham-operated group (n = 30) as a blank control group. The changes in liver enzyme, serum creatinine, endotoxin, and cytokine levels and histopathology were recorded. The serum creatinine, potassium, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase levels at different points in time in group A were lower than those in group B (P < .05). The level of portal vein blood endotoxin in group A was significantly lower than that in group B at each point (P < .01). At the same time, all the cytokines in group B were higher than those in group A, and the two groups were higher than those in the sham operation group. The mean levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ, (IFN-γ), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) at 3 hours were higher than at 6 hours in group A. IL-10 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were all higher at 3 hours in groups A and B. Levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1, L-selectin, and TIMP-1 in group A and IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, L-selectin, and TIMP-1 in group B were higher in blood than in the liver. Levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-10, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 in group A and TNF-α, IFN-γ IL-1ß, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 in group B were higher in the liver than in blood. We conclude that the extremely short anhepatic phase has protective effects on recipients and grafts in rat liver transplantation because it is related to alleviating ischemia-reperfusion injury and reducing the endotoxin release.

[Inhibitory effect of migration-inducing gene-7-shRNA recombinant retrovirus combined with endostatin on growth and metastasis of hepatoma xenograft]

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of migration-inducing gene-7(Mig-7)interfered with retrovirus-mediated RNA(shRNA)combined with recombinant human endostatin(ES)on the growth and metastasis of subcutaneous xenograft of human hepatoma cells in nude mice. Methods: Two Mig-7-mRNA oligonucleotide sequences(Mig-7-shRNA-1 and Mig-7-shRNA-2)and one sequence as a negative control(Mig-7-shRNA-N)were designed. The specific Mig-7-shRNA recombinant retrovirus expression vector plasmid was constructed and used for the transfection of human hepatoma MHCC-97H cells with high expression of Mig-7. The subcutaneous xenograft tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in nude mice was established, and according to the condition of transfection and administration, the nude mice were divided into pSIREN-M1 group, pSIREN-MN group, ES group, and pSIREN-M1+ES group. The xenograft tumor volume, mass, and metastasis were compared between groups. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the formation of vasculogenic mimicry(VM)in xenograft tumor and the difference in tumor microvascular density(MVD), and Western blot was used to measure the expression of Mig-7 and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in each group. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups, and the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. Results: Compared with the pSIREN-MN group, the pSIREN-M1 group had significantly lower xenograft tumor volume, mass, and metastasis rate, Mig-7 expression, and formation of VM(P < 0.05), as well as significantly higher VEGF expression and MVD(P < 0.05). Compared with the pSIREN-MN group, the ES group had significantly lower xenograft tumor volume, mass, and metastasis rate, VEGF expression, and MVD(P < 0.05), as well as significantly higher Mig-7 expression and formation of VM(P < 0.05). Compared with the pSIREN-M1 group and the ES group, the pSIREN-M1+ES group had significantly lower xenograft tumor volume, mass, and metastasis rate, Mig-7 expression, formation of VM, VEGF expression, and MVD(P < 0.05). Conclusion: Mig-7-shRNA recombinant retrovirus combined with ES has a better inhibitory effect on the growth and metastasis of HCC xenograft tumor than Mig-7-shRNA recombinant retrovirus or ES alone. The anti-tumor angiogenesis therapy alone, which targets vascular endothelial cells in vivo, has a limited effect, since it may promote the formation of VM.

Vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques is associated with type I interferon in a murine model of lupus and atherosclerosis

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between type I interferon (IFN-I) and plaque stability in pristane-treated apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) and extractable nuclear antigen antibody (ENA) levels were measured by immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Atherosclerotic plaques were detected by Sirius red/fast green staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR analyses. We found that pristane-treated ApoE(-/-) mice developed a lupus-like syndrome characterized by an increased production of serum ANA and ENA. Pristane treatment decreased the collagen content and increased the number of apoptotic cells in plaques. Moreover, IFN-induced ISG15, IFIT1-1, and IFIT1-2 gene expression was increased in peripheral blood cells and aortic plaques. An IFN-α-stimulated macrophage supernatant inhibited collagen type I, alpha 1 gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. We concluded that the vulnerability of plaques was associated with the activation of IFN-I in pristane-treated ApoE(-/-) mice. Thus, we speculated that the higher prevalence of cardiovascular events in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus could be due to plaque instability.

Diagnostic value of aberrant gene methylation in stool samples for colorectal cancer or adenomas: a meta-analysis

AIM

Many studies have reported detection of aberrant methylation of genes in stool sample for early colorectal cancer (CRC) or adenomas had high sensitivity and specificity, but still remained controversial. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of stool testing for markers of CRC and adenomas.

METHODS

Medline, EMbase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and EMbase were systematically searched. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model with sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic OR (DOR), area under the summary ROC curves (SROC) and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies including 716 patients with CRC 220 cases of adenoma and 414 healthy controls were eligible for final analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and DOR for the detection of CRC were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.75-0.82), 0.90 (95% CI: 0.91-0.96), 9.612 (95% CI: 6.761-13.666), 0.243 (95% CI: 0.176-0.336), and 48.21 (95% CI: 28.24-82.30), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of adenoma were 0.63 (95% CI: 0.56-0.69) and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.90-0.96), respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 0.9438 and 0.9385 in CRC and adenoma detection, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Fecal gene methylation testing as a noninvasive method can be used as a screening measurement for CRC or colorectal adenoma with high sensitivity and specificity.

Emission properties and CW laser operation of Pr:YLF in the 910 nm spectral range

The polarized emission spectra for the ³P₀→¹G₄ emission transition of the Pr³⁺ ion around 910 nm in the Pr³⁺:LiYF₄ (Pr:YLF) laser crystal were registered and calibrated in unit of cross sections for the first time. Continuous-wave (CW) laser operation is demonstrated at 915 nm in π polarization by pumping the crystal with an optically pumped semiconductor laser (OPSL) at 479.2 nm. An output power of 218 mW is thus obtained with a laser slope efficiency of about 24% for an output coupler (OC) transmission of 1.9%. CW laser operation is also demonstrated at 907 nm in σ polarization by using a thin plate oriented at Brewster angle. An output power of about 89 mW with a slope efficiency of about 10% is then obtained for an OC transmission of 0.8%.The round-trip cavity losses are estimated for different experimental cavity configurations to be about 1% and the typical beam quality M² factors measured in the transverse x and y directions are found equal to about 1.07 and 1.04, respectively. Finally, we also report on a double laser wavelength operation by using an OC with a transmission of about 0.05%, such effect resulting from joint-etalon effects inside the cavity.

The economic burden of fracture patients with osteoporosis in western China

To study the cost of osteoporotic fracture in China, we performed a prospective study and compared the costs of the disease in referral patients with fractures in three of the most common sites. Our results indicated that the economic burden of osteoporotic fracture to both Chinese patients and the nation is heavy.

INTRODUCTION

This paper aims to study the cost of osteoporotic fracture in China and thus to provide essential information about the burden of this disease to individuals and society.

METHODS

This prospective observational data collection study assessed the cost related to hip, vertebral, and wrist fracture 1 year after the fracture based on a patient sample consisting of 938 men and women. Information was collected using patient records, registry sources, and patient interviews. Both direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect non-medical costs were considered.

RESULTS

The annual total costs were highest in hip fracture patients (renminbi, RMB 27,283 or USD 4,330, with confidence interval (RMB 25715, 28851)), followed by patients with vertebral fracture (RMB 21,474 or USD 3,409, with confidence interval (RMB 20082, 22866)) and wrist fracture (RMB 8,828 or USD 1,401, with confidence interval (RMB 7829, 9827)). The direct medical care costs averaged approximately RMB 17,007 per year per patient, of which inpatient costs, drugs, and investigations accounted for the majority of the costs. Nonmedical direct costs were much less compared to direct healthcare costs and averaged approximately RMB 1,846.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the economic burden of osteoporotic fracture to both Chinese patients and China was heavy, and the proportion of the costs in China demonstrated many similar features and some significant differences compared to other countries.

Clinical features of macrophage activation syndrome in the adult northern Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a relatively rare but potentially fatal complication of childhood rheumatic illnesses. We sought to provide insight for the timely recognition and diagnosis of MAS and efficacious disease management in adults with rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

Clinical files for eight adult MAS patients treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University were analyzed for clinical manifestations, laboratory investigations, therapeutic measurements and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The study included male and female patients with ages ranging from 16 to 59 years old. All patients were diagnosed with underlying rheumatic diseases with five patients having adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), two patients having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and one patient having Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The interval from fever onset to MAS diagnosis varied from seven days to 40 days. The most common clinical presentations were prolonged high fever, respiratory symptoms and jaundice. No patients had symptoms involving the central nervous system (CNS). Laboratory findings showed peripheral cytopenias, elevated liver enzymes, elevated triglycerides, hypofibrinogenemia and bone marrow hemophagocytosis. Potential effective treatments for MAS include glucocorticoid plus immunoglobulin therapy, but delays in diagnosis and treatment may lead to a fatal disease course.

CONCLUSION

MAS in adults may not be as rare as was once thought, although the clinical features of MAS in adults often differ from those seen in children. The MAS mortality in adults is far higher than that for children. A diagnosis of MAS should be considered when a patient with rheumatic disease presents with prolonged high fever, peripheral cytopenia and liver failure. Collection of bone marrow aspirates is critical for accurate diagnosis and MAS therapy should begin as early as possible.

Effect of radiotherapy on the treatment of patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease, in which more than 80% of patients present distant metastases at the time of first diagnosis. Chemotherapy is considered as the main treatment of extensive disease of SCLC (ED-SCLC), while the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of ED-SCLC is controversial. A case-control study was undertaken of patients diagnosed as ED-SCLC between 2004 and 2010. Fifty-eight patients with overall survival (OS) over 1 year were chosen, and another 58 patients with OS less than 1 year were selected as the control group, with the age, gender, metastasis or no metastasis of the liver, and the response after the first line of chemotherapy matched. The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and median OS of the 75 ED-SCLC patients who received radiation were 81.47, 29.89, 22.77%, and 17 months, respectively, and were 61.18, 23.53, 0%, and 16 months, respectively, for patients who did not receive radiation. The χ(2) test and odds ratio (OR) estimate demonstrated that these differences were statistically significant (χ(2) = 6.38, P = 0.0116; OR = 2.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.24-6.05). These results show that radiotherapy also plays a role in responding patients with extensive stage of SCLC.

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in epilepsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To clarify the utility of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a biomarker for epilepsy diagnosis and severity.

METHODS

Serum BDNF levels in 135 consecutive people with epilepsy meeting our criteria were assessed. Controls were 34 healthy individuals who over 12 months or longer had no complaints or signs of a neurological disorder. Serum BDNF concentrations were measured using Luminex technology.

RESULTS

Gender, but not age, was found to be a significant factor related to serum BDNF levels in controls and people with epilepsy. Serum BDNF levels in people with epilepsy (mean 8798.5, SE 321.5 pg/ml) were not different from those of controls (mean 8919.5, SE 709.0 pg/ml). A multiple linear regression analysis, however, suggests that seizure frequency (P < 0.001) and epilepsy duration (P = 0.025) negatively correlate with serum BDNF levels independently of other factors. When BDNF cut-off values of 6260 pg/ml were used, the sensitivity for distinguishing people with daily or more frequent seizures from those with fewer seizures was 80% and specificity was 90%.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that the concentration of BDNF in serum is associated with disease severity in people with epilepsy and may be a helpful marker for severity.

Profilin 1 potentiates apoptosis induced by staurosporine in cancer cells

The correlation between the loss of Profilin 1 (Pfn1) with tumor progression indicated that Pfn1 is a tumor suppressor in human carcinoma. The molecular mechanisms underlying Pfn1 tumor suppression has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we showed that Pfn1 overexpression sensitizes cancer cells to apoptosis through the typical intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Mechanistically, the increased Pfn1 expression mediated the upregulation of p53R273H, one of the most common tumor-associated hotspot mutations of p53, with transactivation deletion in tumorigenesis and increased localization of p53R273H in cytoplasm. Further studies showed that mutant p53R273H was involved in apoptosis induced by Staurosporine (STS) via transcription-independent mitochondrial functions. We observed (i) the increased cytosolic localization of p53R273H, (ii) the activation of phosphorylation at Ser15, (iii) its mitochondrial localization; Pfn1 acted as a positive regulator of these processes. We also found that Pfn1 interacted with p53R273H and thus facilitated its exertion over the transcription-independent activity in the cytoplasm during drug action. Our results define a new function and mechanism of Pfn1 demonstrating that the combined effect with apoptotic agents led to a synergistic increase in apoptosis. In addition, p53R273H abrogating DNA binding was found to play a major role in the Pfn1- sensitized apoptosis through a transactivation-independent and cytosolic activity.

Silencing STAT3 may inhibit cell growth through regulating signaling pathway, telomerase, cell cycle, apoptosis and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma: potential uses for gene therapy

The genesis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is related to the abnormity of signaling pathway, telomerase, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and others, in which STAT3 signaling pathway plays a key role. The HCC cell line HepG2 was transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against STAT3. After 72 h, cell growth and cycle were analysed by MTT and Flow cytometry. Then, the protein was extracted and the protein expression of STAT3, Smad3, p44/42, TERT, caspase-3, XIAP, Grp-78, HSP-27, MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF-A, cyclin A, and cyclin E was detected by Western blot. After the transfection, HCC cell growth was inhibited during the 24-72 h time period and the cell cycle was arrested in G0/G1. STAT3 protein expression was inhibited at 72 h after the transfection. Interestingly, Smad3, p-caspase-3, p-p44/42, Grp78, cyclin A, and cyclin E protein expression was increased at 72 h, while TERT, caspase-3, XIAP, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF-A protein expression decreased at 72 h. However, P44/42, and HSP27 protein expression showed no change following transfection. The results demonstrated that STAT3 signaling pathway may participate in HCC genesis and development through regulating the protein expression of other signaling pathway, telomerase, apoptosis, cell cycle and angiogenesis; thereby, blockade of the Stat3 pathway represents a potential strategy for future treatment.

KEYWORDS

STAT3, signaling pathway, telomerase, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis.