Excitotoxic Storms of Ischemic Stroke: A Non-neuronal Perspective

Numerous neurological disorders share a fatal pathologic process known as glutamate excitotoxicity. Among which, ischemic stroke is the major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. For a long time, the main idea of developing anti-excitotoxic neuroprotective agents was to block glutamate receptors. Despite this, there has been little successful clinical translation to date. After decades of "neuron-centered" views, a growing number of studies have recently revealed the importance of non-neuronal cells. Glial cells, cerebral microvascular endothelial cells, blood cells, and so forth are extensively engaged in glutamate synthesis, release, reuptake, and metabolism. They also express functional glutamate receptors and can listen and respond for fast synaptic transmission. This broadens the thoughts of developing excitotoxicity antagonists. In this review, the critical contribution of non-neuronal cells in glutamate excitotoxicity during ischemic stroke will be emphasized in detail, and the latest research progress as well as corresponding therapeutic strategies will be updated at length, aiming to reconceptualize glutamate excitotoxicity in a non-neuronal perspective.

Progress on traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of ischemic stroke via the gut-brain axis

Ischemic stroke is a common issue that severely affects the human health. Between the central nervous system and the enteric system, the " Gut-Brain " axis, the bidirectional connection involved in the neuro-immuno-endocrine network, is crucial for the occurrence and development of ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke can lead to change in the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal hormones, which will then reversely affect the disease development. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has unique advantages with reference to the treatment for ischemic stroke. The latest research revealed that a significant portion of medicines and prescriptions of TCM exert their therapeutic effects by improving the gut microbiota and regulating the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones. The present review summarized the Chinese medicines that play a therapeutic role in cerebral ischemia through regulating the "Gut-Brain" axis and described the corresponding mechanisms. This study attempts to provide reference for clinical selection of Chinese medicines and helps better understand the relevant mechanisms of action.

A novel glycosylation-related gene signature predicts survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common malignant tumor that seriously affects human health. Previous studies have indicated that abnormal levels of glycosylation promote progression and poor prognosis of lung cancer. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the prognostic signature related to glycosyltransferases (GTs) for LUAD.

METHODS

The gene expression profiles were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and GTs were obtained from the GlycomeDB database. Differentially expressed GTs-related genes (DGTs) were identified using edge package and Venn diagram. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) methods were used to investigate the biological processes of DGTs. Subsequently, Cox and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression analyses were performed to construct a prognostic model for LUAD. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis was adopted to explore the overall survival (OS) of LUAD patients. The accuracy and specificity of the prognostic model were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC). In addition, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm was used to analyze the infiltrating immune cells in the tumor environment.

RESULTS

A total of 48 DGTs were mainly enriched in the processes of glycosylation, glycoprotein biosynthetic process, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-lacto and neolacto series, and cell-mediated immune response. Furthermore, B3GNT3, MFNG, GYLTL1B, ALG3, and GALNT13 were screened as prognostic genes to construct a risk model for LUAD, and the LUAD patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups. K-M curve suggested that patients with a high-risk score had shorter OS than those with a low-risk score. The ROC analysis demonstrated that the risk model efficiently diagnoses LUAD. Additionally, the proportion of infiltrating aDCs (p < 0.05) and Tgds (p < 0.01) was higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group. Spearman's correlation analysis manifested that the prognostic genes (MFNG and ALG3) were significantly correlated with infiltrating immune cells.

CONCLUSION

In summary, this study established a novel GTs-related risk model for the prognosis of LUAD patients, providing new therapeutic targets for LUAD. However, the biological role of glycosylation-related genes in LUAD needs to be explored further.

Research progress on astrocyte autophagy in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is a highly disabling and potentially fatal disease. After ischemic stroke, autophagy plays a key regulatory role as an intracellular catabolic pathway for misfolded proteins and damaged organelles. Mounting evidence indicates that astrocytes are strongly linked to the occurrence and development of cerebral ischemia. In recent years, great progress has been made in the investigation of astrocyte autophagy during ischemic stroke. This article summarizes the roles and potential mechanisms of astrocyte autophagy in ischemic stroke, briefly expounds on the crosstalk of astrocyte autophagy with pathological mechanisms and its potential protective effect on neurons, and reviews astrocytic autophagy-targeted therapeutic methods for cerebral ischemia. The broader aim of the report is to provide new perspectives and strategies for the treatment of cerebral ischemia and a reference for future research on cerebral ischemia.

[Clinical characteristics and CYP17A1 gene mutation analysis in patients with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency and testicular tumor]

The 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency (17-OHD) is a rare disease. The clinical characteristics and gene mutation of 2 late-diagnosed 17-OHD patients with testicular tumor admitted to our hospital from March 2018 to February 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The two 17-OHD patients were female (46, XY). Laparoscopic abdominal exploration found undeveloped testicles in grey-yellow or grey-red in the groin and iliac fossa. The testicles were removed and showed malignancy in pathology study. Sequencing of the CYP17A1 gene identified c.1247G>A/c.1427T>C and c.985_987delTACinsAA/c.1306G>A complex heterozygous mutations. Taking together, the possibility of 17-OHD should be considered in patients with hypertension, hypokalemia, adrenal adenomatoid hyperplasia together with 46, XY gonadal dysplasia, so as to make early diagnosis and treatment, and avoid dysplastic testicular turning to malignancy.

A novel fluorescent sensor based on 4-(diethylamino)-2-(hydroxy)-phenyl imine functionalized naphthalimide for highly selective and sensitive detection of CN– and Fe3+

In this work, a novel sensor molecule HB1, based on a 4-(diethylamino)-2-(hydroxy)-phenyl imine functionalized naphthalimide derivative, was successfully designed and synthesized. Interestingly, the HB1 showed fluorescence identification ability for CN– in DMSO/H2O (8:2, v/v) solution. After addition of CN– into the HB1 solution, the fluorescence intensity of HB1 solution could be enhanced obviously. The anti-disturbance experiments demonstrated that other anions could not interfere in the detection of CN–. On the other hand, HB1 was capable of dual-channel (absorption and fluorescence) detection of Fe3+ in DMSO solution. With the addition of various metal ions into the HB1 solution, only Fe3+ induced the fluorescence emission of HB1 solution quenching and the colour change, and other metal ions could not interfere in the detection of Fe3+. The limits of detection (LODs) of HB1 for CN– and Fe3+ were 6.30 × 10−8 and 3.95 × 10−8 mol/L, respectively. Importantly, the real sample experiment was carried out by detecting CN– in bitter almonds. Additionally, ion test strips based on HB1 were fabricated, which could act as convenient and efficient test kits for detecting CN– and Fe3+.

[Acupuncture up-regulates MCT2 expression of peri-ischemic cortex in middle cerebral artery occlusion rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of manual acupuncture (MA)＋ electroacupuncture (EA) on changes of neurological function and expression of monocarboxylate transporter 2(MCT2)in cerebral ischemia (CI) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

METHODS

Eighty male Wistar rats were equally randomized into four groups: normal control (normal), sham operation (sham), model and acupuncture. The CI model was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with a thread embolus. Manual acupuncture stimulation (mild twisting reinforcing-reducing method) was applied to "Baihui"(GV20)and "Fengfu"(GV16) for 10 min. EA (1 mA, 2 Hz /15 Hz) was respectively applied to bilateral "Quchi" (LI11) and "Zusanli"(ST36) for 20 min, once per day for 7 days. The neurological deficit severity was evaluated according to Zea Longa's methods. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), fructose-6-phosphate kinase (PFK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) in the peri-ischemic cortex tissue was detected by enzymatic chemistry, and the expression of MCT2 detected by immunofluorescence histochemistry, Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR, separately.

RESULTS

After CI and in comparison with the normal and sham groups, the Zea Longa's score, the fluorescence intensity and the expression level of MCT2 protein were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the activity of LDH, PFK and PK in the peri-ischemic cortex was significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). There was no significant change in the relative expression of MCT2 mRNA (P>0.05). Following the intervention and in comparison with the model group, the Zea Longa's score was considerably decreased in the acupuncture group (P<0.01), the activity of LDH, PFK and PK，and the expression levels of MCT2 protein and mRNA were considerably or further up-regulated in the acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture intervention can improve neurological function in CI rats, which is possibly related with its effects in up-regulating the expression of MCT2 and promoting the utilization of lactate in peri-ischemic cortex.

A cyanide-triggered hydrogen-bond-breaking deprotonation mechanism: fluorescent detection of cyanide using a thioacetohydrazone-functionalized bispillar[5]arene

Bispillar[5]arene-based fluorescent sensor was used for fluorescent detection of cyanide anions through deprotonation accompanied by intermolecular hydrogen bond breakage.

[Establishment of cut-off value of serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide for diagnosis of small cell lung cancer and evaluation on the clinical diagnosis efficiency]

Objective: To determine critical reference value (cut-off value) of serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) and neuron specific enolase(NSE) in the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer(SCLC). To evaluate the clinical significance of serum levels of ProGRP and NSE in diagnosis and differential diagnosis in SCLC. Methods: Three hundred and fifty-two SCLC patients, 163 non small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients , 193 benign pulmonary disease patients and 140 healthy people visiting in National Cancer Hospital were analyzed retrospectively from January 2014 to July 2017.The levels of serum ProGRP and NSE of people were determined using electrochemiluminescent immunoassay respectively . Reference value ranges of the makers were determined by using the method of ROC curves. Results: In NSCLC group, benign lung disease group, healthy control group and mixed group (NSCLC+ lung benign diseases+ healthy control group) as a reference, the cut-off values were 58.3, 62.3, 57.8, 61.3 ng/L. In the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SCLC and NSCLC, benign lung diseases, healthy controls and mixed group, AUC of ProGRP was 0.940 (0.919-0.961), 0.941 (0.921-0.960), 0.959 (0.944-0.975), 0.946 (0.928-0.963) respectively. The sensitivities of ProGRP were 86.4%, 84.9%, 86.4% and 84.7% respectively. The specificities of ProGRP were 95.7%, 96.9%, 99.3%, 98% respectively. In all groups the Youden's index of ProGRP and NSE were 0.821 vs 0.612, 0.818 vs 0.674, 0.857 vs 0.810, 0.827 vs 0.674. In healthy controls, no statistically significant difference was found between ProGRP and NSE (P>0.05) in the diagnosis of AUC. However, in the remaining 3 groups, the ProGRP diagnosis of AUC was significantly greater than that of NSE (P<0.01). Compared with single marker detection, the sensitivity of combined detection of ProGRP and NSE in diagnosis of SCLC increased to 95.5%, 94%, 96.6% and 94% in each group. There was no significant difference between ProGRP and ProGRP+ NSE in the diagnosis of AUC when compared with the NSCLC group and the mixed group (P>0.05). However, when combined with a healthy control group and a benign lung disease group, the ProGRP+ NSE combination was the highest for AUC diagnosis, compared with ProGRP and NSE (P<0.01). In the SCLC ED group serum ProGRP and NSE levels[776.33(3 103.4)ng/L, 52.14(60.59)μg/L]were higher than those in the SCLC LD group[295.59(799.65)ng/L, 23.36(22.97)μg/L], respectively (all P<0.001). The serum ProGRP levels of N0, N1, N2 and N3 in TNM staging were 113.0(343.65), 167.04(724.56), 427.42(1 388.62), 735.99(1 709.95)ng/L respectively (all P<0.001). Serum ProGRP and NSE levels were not statistically different between the sex groups and the age groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: To establish the cut-off value of serum ProGRP is helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SCLC.

A pillar[5]arene-based multiple-stimuli responsive metal-organic gel was constructed for facile removal of mercury ions

A thioacetohydrazide functionalized pillar[5]arene was synthesized, which could further assemble into a linear supramolecular metal-organic polymer upon adding Zn²⁺. Furthermore, the obtained linear supramolecular metal-organic polymer could self-assemble to form a fluorescent supramolecular metal-organic gel at high concentration. When TBAOH was added to the viscous solution at high temperature, the obtained solution could not form a supramolecular metal-organic gel upon cooling. More importantly, when Hg²⁺ ions are added to the metal-organic gel, the strong blue fluorescence is clearly quenched, and this metal-organic gel (xerogel) could effectively remove Hg²⁺ from water. Simultaneously, a thin film based on the metal-organic gel was prepared, which was confirmed to be a convenient test kit for detecting Hg²⁺.

A novel iodination-triggered competitive coordination mechanism: indirect detection of Hg2+and I−using a simple copillar[5]arene-based fluorometric sensor

Proposed mechanism for the detection of Hg²⁺and I⁻byDBP5.

Construction of stimuli-responsive supramolecular gel via bispillar[5]arene-based multiple interactions

A linear supramolecular polymer has been constructed from host–guest recognition. Furthermore, the linear supramolecular polymer could self-assemble to form a supramolecular gel at high concentration, which exhibited external stimuli-responsiveness.

A novel functionalized pillar[5]arene-based selective amino acid sensor forl-tryptophan

The sensing mechanism of the sensorBTAP5forl-Trp.

Pillar[5]arene-based fluorescent polymer for selective detection and removal of mercury ions

A novel pillar[5]arene-based fluorescent polymer has been synthesized, and it is used for fluorescence detection and removal of the toxic mercury ions.

Accessory spleen appearing as an intrasplenic pseudo-tumoral mass: A rare case report

The current study presents a rare case of an accessory spleen that manifested as a solid intrasplenic pseudotumor. The affected patient was previously healthy. Upon examination with computed tomography (CT), an ovoid, soft-tissue mass of ~4.1 cm in diameter was found on the upper pole of the spleen. Biochemical indices, such as blood routine and coagulation tests, and tumor marker analysis, revealed no abnormalities. Another CT scan was performed, but this failed to indicate whether the mass was benign or malignant. Therefore, the lesion was resected along with the spleen by laparoscopic surgery. The resected sample was subject to pathological examinations for final validation, and was finally diagnosed as an accessory spleen. The patient was followed up for six months with no signs of recurrence.

Expression of Gab1 lacking the pleckstrin homology domain is associated with neoplastic progression

An in vitro transformation system of carcinogen-treated Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell cultures represents multistep genetic and nongenetic changes that develop during the neoplastic progression of normal cells to tumor cells in vivo. During this neoplastic progression, SHE cells demonstrate an altered response to epidermal growth factor (EGF). In the present report, we examined the role of the adapter protein Gab1 (Grb2-associated binder-1) in the neoplastic progression of SHE cells. We used two asbestos-transformed SHE cell clones in different neoplastic stages: a 10W+8 clone, which is immortal and retains the ability to suppress the tumorigenicity of tumor cells in cell-cell hybrid experiments, and a 10W-1 clone, which has lost this tumor suppressor ability. 10W+8 cells expressed full-length 100-kDa Gab1 and associated 5.2-kb mRNA. Upon repeated cell passaging, 10W-1 cells showed increasing expression of a novel 87-kDa form of Gab1 as well as 4.6-kb mRNA with diminishing expression of the original 100-kDa Gab1. cDNA encoding the 87-kDa Gab1 predicts a form of Gab1 lacking the amino-terminal 103 amino acids (Gab1(Delta1-103)), which corresponds to loss of most of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Gab1(Delta1-103) retains the ability to be phosphorylated in an EGF-dependent manner and to associate with the EGF receptor and SHP-2 upon EGF stimulation. The endogenous expression of Gab1(Delta1-103) in 10W-1 cells appeared closely related to EGF-dependent colony formation in soft agar. Moreover, transfection and expression of Gab1(Delta1-103), but not Gab1, in 10W+8 cells enhanced their EGF-dependent colony formation in soft agar. These results demonstrate that Gab1 is a target of carcinogen-induced transformation of SHE cells and that the expression of a Gab1 variant lacking most of the PH domain plays a specific role in the neoplastic progression of SHE cells.

Identification of epidermal growth factor receptor- Grb2-associated binder-1-SHP-2 complex formation and its functional loss during neoplastic cell progression

The adaptor protein Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1) is known to bind to the SHP-2 tyrosine phosphatase on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor stimulation. To clarify the roles of these two proteins in EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling and determine their possible alteration during neoplastic cell progression, we studied these proteins in a Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell line model of neoplastic progression. Specifically, we used asbestos-transformed SHE fibroblasts: the 10W+8 clone, which is immortal but nontumorigenic; and the 10W2T clone, which is tumorigenic. Gab1 was detected, and the EGF-dependent formation of the EGFR-Gab1-SHP-2 complex was observed in 10W+8 cells. After cloning hamster Gab1 cDNA, exogenous expression of Gab1 significantly enhanced EGF-dependent mitogenic activity in 10W+8 cells. On the other hand, Gab1 was not detected in 10W2T cells, and the EGF-dependent association of SHP-2 with EGFR was also absent. Exogenous Gab1 expression in transfected 10W2T cells restored the EGF-dependent association of SHP-2 with EGFR, although it only showed a marginal effect on EGF-dependent mitogenic activity. Thus, Gab1 plays a pivotal role in the EGFR signaling pathway via the formation of the EGFR-Gab1-SHP-2 complex, and alteration in the expression and function of Gab1 is implicated in the neoplastic progression of SHE cells.

The linoleic acid metabolite, (13S)-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid, augments the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway by attenuation of receptor dephosphorylation. Differential response in Syrian hamster embryo tumor suppressor phenotypes

In Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) fibroblasts, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase activity regulates the metabolism of endogenous linoleic acid to (13S)-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (13S)-HPODE). (13S)-HPODE stimulates EGF-dependent mitogenesis in a SHE cell phenotype, which expresses tumor suppressor genes (supB+), but was not effective in a variant that does not express these suppressor genes (supB-). In the present study, we have investigated the potential effects of this lipid metabolite on the EGFR signaling pathways in these two SHE cell lines. Treatment of quiescent SHE cells with EGF produced a rapid, transient increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR. Dependence on EGF concentration for EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation was similar in both SHE cell lines, but a more prolonged phosphorylation was detected in the supB- variant. Incubation of supB+ cells with (13S)-HPODE and EGF increased EGFR autophosphorylation and tyrosine phosphorylation on several signaling proteins with Src homology-2 domains including GTPase-activating protein. The lipid metabolite did not significantly alter EGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation in the supB- variant. Tyrosine phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase was also measured. The addition of (13S)-HPODE increased the extent and duration of MAP kinase tyrosine phosphorylation in supB+ cells but not in the supB- variant. MAP kinase activity in supB+ cells, as measured in immunoprecipitates from cells after the addition of EGF, was increased by the presence of (13S)-HPODE. The addition of (13S)-HPODE did not directly alter EGFR kinase activity or the internalization of the EGFR. However, the addition of (13S)-HPODE to supB+ cells extended the tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGFR in response to EGF. The dephosphorylation of the EGFR was measured directly, and a slower rate was observed in the supB- compared with the supB+ cells. Incubation of the supB+ cells with (13S)-HPODE attenuated the dephosphorylation of the EGFR. Thus, (13S)-HPODE stimulates EGF-dependent mitogenesis and up-regulation of EGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation by inhibiting the dephosphorylation of the EGFR. This study shows that a metabolite of an essential dietary fatty acid, linoleic acid, can modulate tyrosine phosphorylation and activity of key signal transduction proteins in a growth factor mitogenic pathway.