Causal role of immune cells in inflammatory bowel disease: A Mendelian randomization study

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by an inflammatory response closely related to the immune system, but the relationship between inflammation and IBD remains unclear. We performed a comprehensive 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to determine the causal relationship between immune cell characteristics and IBD. Using publicly available genetic data, we explored the relationship between 731 immune cell characteristics and IBD risk. Inverse-variance weighting was the primary analytical method. To test the robustness of the results, we used the weighted median-based, MR-Egger, simple mode, and mode-based methods. Finally, we performed a reverse MR analysis to assess the possibility of reverse causality. We identified suggestive associations between 2 immune cell traits and IBD risk (P = 4.18 × 10-5 for human leukocyte antigen-DR on CD14+ monocytes, OR: 0.902; 95% CI: 0.859-0.947; for CD39+ CD4+ T cells, P = 6.24 × 10-5; OR: 1.042; 95% CI: 1.021-1.063). Sensitivity analysis results of these immune cell traits were consistent. In reverse MR analysis, we found no statistically significant association between IBD and these 2 cell traits. Our study demonstrates the close connection between immune cells and IBD using MR, providing guidance for future clinical and basic research.

Visual detection of water content in liquor with near-infrared fluorescence sensor assisted by smartphone

Water content was an essential indicator in organic solvents, and it was necessary to develop a facile, cheap and readily available tool for the real-time, specifical and sensitive detection of water content. In this work, two novel D-π-A type near-infrared fluorescence sensors (DCM-1 and DCM-2) were designed and synthesized for the detection of trace water in organic solvents. DCM-1 and DCM-2 with solvent-dependent effects and large Stokes shift (>120 nm) showed good linear "intensity-to-content" relationships in four commonly-used organic solvents, and accomplished the ultra-fast and high-accuracy detection of the trace water in organic solvents. More importantly, a portable, fast, and accurate smartphone-assisted visual assay was designed for visual quantitative detection of the water content in organic solvents with a detection limit as low as 1.028 % v/v (e.g. in ethanol) and a wide detection range (0-60 % v/v). The smartphone-based visual assay was further applied to estimate the water content in disinfection alcohol and commercial liquor, which furnished a new strategy and broad prospects to achieve the accurate onsite detection of water content.

Association of overweight and obesity with cumulative live birth rates according to women's age: A cohort study of 26 567 treatment cycles

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of age on the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs) following in vitro fertilization treatment.

METHOD

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 26 567 women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection from 2016 to 2019. We conducted multivariate regression analysis of the association between CLBRs and maternal BMI and age category.

RESULTS

A total of 16 626 (62.58%) patients achieved a live birth. Women with obesity had significantly decreased CLBRs compared with women who had normal weight (odds ratio [OR] 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.66-0.80]). The significant interaction between age and BMI suggested that the impact of BMI on CLBRs was moderated by women's age (P interaction <0.001). The association between obesity and CLBRs was inverse among women aged <30 years (OR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.54-0.73]), 30 to 34 years (OR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.67-0.93]), and 35 to 37 years (OR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.52-0.98]); however, decreases in CLBRs with obesity were not observed in women aged 38 to 40 years (OR, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.70-1.94]) and ≥ 41 years (OR, 1.25 [95% CI, 0.53-2.96]).

CONCLUSION

Maternal obesity was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of having a live birth, but the risk differed according to women's age. A higher BMI might have a less-pronounced detrimental effect with increasing age.

Facile preparation strategy of novel B2O3-modified carbon dots with 1.99 s ultra-long Room-Temperature phosphorescence for multidimensional encryption

Facile synthesis of Ultralong room-temperature phosphorescence (URTP) with super stability and long-afterglow are of great significance, but hard to achieve. Herein, a brilliant gram-scale and solvent-free pyrolysis treatment strategy has been developed to prepare high-performance URTP carbon dots (CDs) by regulating different temperature (250-500 °C). The optimized CDs (CD-400) showed room-temperature phosphorescence 1.99 s and lasting over 22 s to naked eyes, which is superior to most of the reported URTP CDs. Owing to the stabilization effects of the modified B2O3 layer on the surface, the homogenous distribution of CD-400 with the narrow diameter of 1.44 nm was constructed, displaying a superb stability through hydrogen-bond network. In addition, the doping atoms (N, O) greatly enhanced the n-π* transitions and stabilized triplet excitons radiative transitions, facilitating the effective intersystem crossing (ISC) and the RTP emissions. More importantly, the B2O3-modified CDs were successfully applied in the multi-level information encryption (time-resolved RTP performance) and fingerprint identification (bifurcation, whorl and termination details).

Efficient Spin-to-Charge Conversion via Altermagnetic Spin Splitting Effect in Antiferromagnet RuO_{2}

The relativistic spin Hall effect and inverse spin Hall effect enable the efficient generation and detection of spin current. Recently, a nonrelativistic altermagnetic spin splitting effect (ASSE) has been theoretically and experimentally reported to generate time-reversal-odd spin current with controllable spin polarization in antiferromagnet RuO_{2}. The inverse effect, electrical detection of spin current via ASSE, still remains elusive. Here we show the spin-to-charge conversion stemming from ASSE in RuO_{2} by the spin Seebeck effect measurements. Unconventionally, the spin Seebeck voltage can be detected even when the injected spin current is polarized along the directions of either the voltage channel or the thermal gradient, indicating the successful conversion of x- and z-spin polarizations into the charge current. The crystal axes-dependent conversion efficiency further demonstrates that the nontrivial spin-to-charge conversion in RuO_{2} is ascribed to ASSE, which is distinct from the magnetic or antiferromagnetic inverse spin Hall effects. Our finding not only advances the emerging research landscape of altermagnetism, but also provides a promising pathway for the spin detection.

High sensitivity for detecting trace Sn2+ in canned food using novel covalent organic frameworks

Tin (Sn) element plays a vital role in the human body, and its detection is a mandatory inspection item for canned food. The application of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) in fluorescence detection has received extensive attentions. In this work, we designed a kind of novel COFs (COF-ETTA-DMTA) with high specific surface area (353.13 m²/g) by solvothermal synthesis using 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-dialdehyde and tetra (4-aminophenyl) ethylene as precursors. It shows fast response time (about 50 s), low detection limit (228 nM) and good linearity (R² = 0.9968) for the detection of Sn²⁺. Via coordination behavior, the recognition mechanism of COFs toward Sn²⁺ was simulated and verified by the small molecule with the same functional unit. More importantly, this COFs was successfully applied to identify Sn²⁺ in solid canned food (luncheon pork, canned fish, canned red kidney beans) with satisfactory results. This work provides a new approach for determining metal ions with COFs taking the advantage of their natural rich reaction set and specific surface area, improving the detection sensitivity and capacity.

Assessing culturally inclusive instructional design in online learning

This study assessed the psychometric properties of the culturally inclusive instructional design (CIID) scale with 31 items on a 7-point Likert scale. The data were collected from the training (N = 55) and validating samples (N = 80) of K-20 educators. Data analysis employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). EFA results revealed a clear five-factor structure, and the CFA results indicated good factor loadings. The reliability indices were .95 and .94 for the training and validation samples, respectively. The significant correlations among the factors indicated the five subscales measuring on the same CIID construct. In contrast, a non-perfect correlation presented a discriminating power for each subscale measuring the unique dimension of the construct. The study results established the validity and reliability of the instrument to measure culturally inclusive instructional design with implications for the design and development of online learning for cultural inclusivity.

Double vitrification-warming cycles, coupled with blastocyst biopsy, impair live birth but do not affect neonatal outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether the transfer of blastocysts that have been vitrified, thawed, biopsied, revitrified, and subsequently rethawed affects clinical outcome and neonatal outcome.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in a single assisted reproduction technology center from September 2016 to March 2021. Women undergoing single frozen euploid blastocysts transfer were stratified into two groups based on number of vitrification-thawing cycles: single vitrification coupled with single biopsy (group A, n = 177) and double vitrification coupled with single biopsy (group B, n = 30). Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

Clinical pregnancy rates were similar between the two groups. Group B was associated with an increased likelihood of live birth when compared with group A by different multivariable analysis models (model 1: odds ratio, 0.42 [95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.97], P = 0.041; model 2: odds ratio, 0.38 [95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.92], P = 0.033). No major obstetrical complication was reported in the two groups and only one malformation live birth was reported in group A.

CONCLUSION

The procedure of double vitrification-warming cycles, coupled with single biopsy, increases pregnancy loss and ultimately diminishes live birth but does not affect perinatal outcome. Future studies with a larger sample size would help to validate the results.

Pharmacological tumor PDL1 depletion with chlorambucil treats ovarian cancer and melanoma: improves antitumor immunity and renders anti-PDL1-resistant tumors anti-PDL1-sensitive through NK cell effects

BACKGROUND

Tumor intracellular programmed cell death ligand-1 (PDL1) mediates pathologic signals that regulate clinical treatment responses distinctly from surface-expressed PDL1 targeted by αPDL1 immune checkpoint blockade antibodies.

METHODS

We performed a drug screen for tumor cell PDL1 depleting drugs that identified Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved chlorambucil and also 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl] guanine. We used in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate treatment and signaling effects of pharmacological tumor PDL1 depletion focused on chlorambucil as FDA approved, alone or plus αPDL1.

RESULTS

PDL1-expressing mouse and human ovarian cancer lines and mouse melanoma were more sensitive to chlorambucil-mediated proliferation inhibition in vitro versus corresponding genetically PDL1-depleted lines. Orthotopic peritoneal PDL1-expressing ID8agg ovarian cancer and subcutaneous B16 melanoma tumors were more chlorambucil-sensitive in vivo versus corresponding genetically PDL1-depleted tumors. Chlorambucil enhanced αPDL1 efficacy in tumors otherwise αPDL1-refractory, and improved antitumor immunity and treatment efficacy in a natural killer cell-dependent manner alone and plus αPDL1. Chlorambucil-mediated PDL1 depletion was relatively tumor-cell selective in vivo, and treatment efficacy was preserved in PDL1KO hosts, demonstrating tumor PDL1-specific treatment effects. Chlorambucil induced PDL1-dependent immunogenic tumor cell death which could help explain immune contributions. Chlorambucil-mediated PDL1 reduction mechanisms were tumor cell-type-specific and involved transcriptional or post-translational mechanisms, including promoting PDL1 ubiquitination through the GSK3β/β-TRCP pathway. Chlorambucil-mediated tumor cell PDL1 depletion also phenocopied genetic PDL1 depletion in reducing tumor cell mTORC1 activation and tumor initiating cell content, and in augmenting autophagy, suggesting additional treatment potential.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacological tumor PDL1 depletion with chlorambucil targets tumor-intrinsic PDL1 signaling that mediates treatment resistance, especially in αPDL1-resistant tumors, generates PDL1-dependent tumor immunogenicity and inhibits tumor growth in immune-dependent and independent manners. It could improve treatment efficacy of selected agents in otherwise treatment-refractory, including αPDL1-refractory cancers, and is rapidly clinically translatable.

Preparation and performance of latanoprost-loaded hydrogels as a lacrimal suppository for the treatment of glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, and its treatment is attracting widespread attention. Drug-loaded lacrimal suppositories can effectively treat xerophthalmia, but there is little research on the treatment of glaucoma with drug-loaded lacrimal suppositories. This article explored and expanded the non-pharmacological model of lacrimal suppository therapy for glaucoma by using a combination of lacrimal suppository and medication. The drug-loaded lacrimal suppository was rationally designed through the conjugation of gelatin with polyamide (PAM) via the formation of amide linkages, followed by Schiff base reaction grafting with latanoprost. In vitro drug release studies showed that latanoprost released from drug-loaded lacrimal embolus had sustained-release properties with a release time of 33 days and a drug release volume of 82.6%. The biological evaluation of drug-loaded lacrimal thrombus was carried out by IOP test, retinal potential test, and retinal H&E staining. The results showed that the IOP decreased to 27.125 ± 1.1254 mmHg, and the a and b waves of retinal potential increased to 4.39 ± 0.16 μV and 67.9 ± 2.17 μV, respectively. It indicated that latanoprost lacrimal suppository has a good therapeutic effect on glaucoma.

Effect modification by developmental stage of embryos on the association between late follicular phase progesterone elevation and live birth in fresh transfers

BACKGROUND

Late follicular phase progesterone elevation (LFPE) during ovarian stimulation is associated with reduced live birth rates (LBRs) after cleavage-stage embryo transfer. However, due to better synchronization with a stimulated endometrium, prior studies shown that LFPE had no effect on transferring embryos at blastocyst stage. The study aim to exam whether the developmental stage of embryos and serum progesterone levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration jointly affect the odds of live birth in fresh fresh IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.  METHODS: The single-center retrospective cohort study included a total of 4,471 fresh embryo transfer cycles with 2,342 at cleavage stage versus 2,129 at blastocyst stage. Patients underwent IVF/ICSI with ovarian stimulation in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol. The serum progesterone level was examined both as a continuous variable and as a categorical variable by quartiles. Analysis was performed using the generalized estimating equations framework and multivariate regression models.

RESULTS

LBRs were inversely associated with progesterone as a continuous variable on the day of hCG in both the cleavage-stage (crude OR 0.87, 95%CI 0.73-1.03; adjusted OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65-0.98) and the blastocyst-stage (crude OR 0.66, 95%CI 0.56-0,78; adjusted OR 0.61, 95%CI 0.50-0.73) groups. The interaction testing was highly significant (P = 0.018) indicating an effect modifying role of stage of embryos transferred on the association of pregesterone values with the LBRs in fresh cycles. A similar pattern for a greater reduction in ORs for live birth in cycles with blastocysts transfer was also observed when progesterone was analyzed by interquartile ranges. The findings remained unchanged in subgroup analysis stratified by types of ovarian response.

CONCLUSIONS

In fresh cycles, detrimental effect of late follicular phase progesterone elevation on live birth was more prominent in blastocyst-stage group compared with that in clevaged-stage group.

The plant FYVE domain-containing protein FREE1 associates with microprocessor components to repress miRNA biogenesis

FYVE domain protein required for endosomal sorting 1 (FREE1), originally identified as a plant-specific component of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, plays diverse roles either in endosomal sorting in the cytoplasm or in transcriptional regulation of abscisic acid signaling in the nucleus. However, to date, a role for FREE1 or other ESCRT components in the regulation of plant miRNA biology has not been discovered. Here, we demonstrate a nuclear function of FREE1 as a cofactor in miRNA biogenesis in plants. FREE1 directly interacts with the plant core microprocessor component CPL1 in nuclear bodies and disturbs the association between HYL1, SE and CPL1. Inactivation of FREE1 in the nucleus increases the binding affinity between HYL1, SE, and CPL1 and causes a transition of HYL1 from the inactive hyperphosphorylated version to the active hypophosphorylated form, thereby promoting miRNA biogenesis. Our results suggest that FREE1 has evolved as a negative regulator of miRNA biogenesis and provides evidence for a link between FYVE domain-containing proteins and miRNA biogenesis in plants.

Association between CYP2E1 C-1054T and 96-bp I/D genetic variations and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome in Chinese women

PURPOSE

To investigate the association of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) C-1054T (rs2031920) and 96-bp I/D genetic variations with the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and to estimate the effects of genotypes on the clinical, metabolic, hormonal, and oxidative stress indicators.

METHODS

This case-control study included 762 control women and 1034 patients with PCOS. Genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction and/or restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Clinical and biochemical parameters were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Frequencies of the TT + CT genotype (35.4 vs. 28.9%) and T allele (19.6 vs. 16.0%) of the CYP2E1 C-1054T polymorphism were significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (OR = 1.350, 95% CI 1.103-1.652, P = 0.004 for the dominant model). Genotype TT + CT remained a significant predictor of PCOS in a logistic regression model including age, body mass index (BMI), and recruitment year of participants (OR = 1.345, 95% CI 1.071-1.688, P = 0.011). No statistical differences were found in the genotype and allele frequencies of CYP2E1 96-bp I/D polymorphism. However, the combined genotype DD/TT + CT was related to an increased risk of PCOS when the DD/CC wild-type combined genotype was used as a reference. Patients with the I allele of 96-bp I/D polymorphism had a lower BMI but higher plasma apolipoprotein B and oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than those with the DD genotype.

CONCLUSION

CYP2E1 C-1054T, but not 96-bp I/D, genetic polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of PCOS in Chinese women.

Impacts of ezetimibe on risks of various types of cancers: a meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

Ezetimibe is a widely used medication to reduce the plasma cholesterol level, particularly low-density lipoprotein level. However, its impact on cancer remains controversial. Here, its impacts on risks of various types of cancers were meta-analyzed.

METHODS

PubMed and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched and randomized controlled trials with followed up for at least 24 weeks were selected and included. The experimental group was defined as those patients treated with ezetimibe alone or with other medications, and the control group was defined as those who received a placebo or the matched medication. The number of new cancer cases or cancer-related deaths was extracted. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (version 5.3).

RESULTS

Nine trials enrolling 35 222 patients were included in the analyses. Compared with the control group, ezetimibe increased the number of new intestine cancer patients [relative risk (RR), 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.67; P  = 0.03] and had a trend to increase the number of new breast cancer patients (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.98-1.98; P  = 0.07). There was no significant difference in new hepatobiliary cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer or cancer of other sites. Ezetimibe did not significantly increase the risk of new cancer in total (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.96-1.11; P  = 0.38), cancer-related death (RR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.98-1.26; P  = 0.10) or cancer events (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.97-1.12; P  = 0.30). In terms of lipid-lowering effect, ezetimibe significantly reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

Ezetimibe may increase the risk of intestine cancer and has a trend of increasing the risk of breast cancer. There is no evidence to support that it increases or decreases the risk of other types.

Direct and Indirect Impacts of Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten on Kindergarten Readiness and Achievement

Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs provide skills needed for successful kindergarten strides, especially for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. While Florida's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program currently serves most four-year-olds, some educators have questioned the program's quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct and indirect effects of Florida's VPK program on kindergarten readiness and academic achievement for students attending the program in one county's VPK (CVPK) when compared to students who did not attend approved VPK programs in this county. The results suggest that, regardless of socioeconomic status, children who attended CVPK programs were just as prepared and performed equally as well in kindergarten as those who did not attend this program. Unfortunately, we cannot know how the CVPK program compared to specific pre-K alternatives without being able to distinguish program attendance across provider types (i.e., other ECE or no pre-K), which is something we recommend Florida begin tracking and make accessible.

Investigating the mechanism of interactive regulation of B-cell lymphoma-2/Beclin 1 through electroacupuncture intervention during reperfusion in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model

To observe the regulation of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Beclin 1 interaction through electroacupuncture (EA) intervention during reperfusion and to investigate the EA mechanism of apoptosis-autophagy interactive regulation against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). A total of 48 adult Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated group (group Sham), the model group (group Model), the EA group (group EA), and the JNK inhibitor (SP600125) group (group JNK), with 12 rats in each group. Biospecimens were collected randomly from six rats in each group four hours after reperfusion. Evans Blue and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride double-staining were applied to observe each group's myocardial damage area and risk area. We collected 4 ml of blood by abdominal aortic method to detect serum troponin cTnI level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the remaining six in each group, a part of myocardial tissue below the ligation line was stored in 4% paraformaldehyde for immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining; the other amount of myocardial tissue was detected by Western blotting to determine the expression levels of Bcl-2, Beclin1, and the phosphorylation levels of Thr69, Ser70, and Ser87 in Bcl-2. In results: electroacupuncture (EA) intervention during reperfusion significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, cTnI level, and myocardial apoptosis, upregulated Bcl-2 expression, downregulated Beclin 1 expression and inhibited phosphorylation levels of Thr69, Ser70, and Ser87 in Bcl-2. We concluded that EA effectively inhibited apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 expression and inhibiting the phosphorylation of Thr69, Ser70, and Ser87 in Bcl-2. This reduced the separation of Bcl-2 and Beclin 1, restrains excessive autophagy, alleviates MIRI, and has a protective effect on myocardial tissue.

Efficacy of ginseng oral administration and ginseng injections on cancer-related fatigue: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Up to 90% of patients who are under the active treatment suffer from cancer-related fatigue (CRF). CRF can persist about 10 years after diagnosis and/or treatment. Accumulating reports support that ginseng and ginseng injections are both potential drugs for the treatment of CRF but few studies put them together for analysis.

METHODS

Two reviewers independently extracted data in 3 databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) from their inception to May 24, 2021. The primary outcome was the effect of ginseng in alleviating CRF. The secondary outcome was ginseng in alleviating emotional or cognitive fatigue. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was employed.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included to evaluate efficacy of ginseng oral administration and ginseng injections on CRF. The pooled SMD was 0.40 (95% confidence Interval [95% CI] [0.29-0.51], P < .00001). Six studies were included to evaluate efficacy of ginseng oral administration on CRF and the SMD was 0.29 (95% CI [0.15-0.42], P < .0001). The order was 2000 mg/d, 3000 mg/d, 1000 mg/d and placebo from high efficacy to low. Ten studies were included to evaluate efficacy of ginseng injections on CRF and the SMD was 0.74 (95% CI [0.59-0.90], P < .00001). Emotional fatigue was reported in 4 studies, ginseng oral administration in 2 and ginseng injections in 2. The pooled SMD was 0.12 (95% CI [-0.04 to 0.29], P = .15). Cognitive fatigue was reported in 4 studies focusing on ginseng injections and the SMD was 0.72 (95% CI [0.48-0.96], P < .00001).

CONCLUSION

Ginseng can improve CRF. Intravenous injection might be better than oral administration. Ginseng injections may alleviate cognitive fatigue. No evidence was found to support that ginseng could alleviate emotional fatigue.

Arabidopsis flowering integrator SOC1 transcriptionally regulates autophagy in response to long-term carbon starvation

Autophagy is a highly conserved, self-digestion process that is essential for plant adaptations to various environmental stresses. Although the core components of autophagy in plants have been well established, the molecular basis for its transcriptional regulation remains to be fully characterized. In this study, we demonstrate that SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1), a MADS-box family transcription factor that determines flowering transition in Arabidopsis, functions as a transcriptional repressor of autophagy. EMSAs, ChIP-qPCR assays, and dual-luciferase receptor assays showed that SOC1 can bind to the promoters of ATG4b, ATG7, and ATG18c via the conserved CArG box. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the three ATG genes ATG4b, ATG7, and ATG18c were up-regulated in the soc1-2 mutant. In line with this, the mutant also displayed enhanced autophagy activity, as revealed by increased autophagosome formation and elevated autophagic flux compared with the wild type. More importantly, SOC1 negatively affected the tolerance of plants to long-term carbon starvation, and this process requires a functional autophagy pathway. Finally, we found that SOC1 was repressed upon carbon starvation at both the transcriptional and protein levels. Overall, our study not only uncovers an important transcriptional mechanism that contributes to the regulation of plant autophagy in response to nutrient starvation, but also highlights novel cellular functions of the flowering integrator SOC1.

Bone mineral density, osteopenia and osteoporosis among US adults with cancer

BACKGROUND

Bone mineral deficits are one of the most common complications in cancer survivors. However, there are no studies evaluating bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis among patients with different types of cancers.

AIM

The objective was to assess BMD and evaluate the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis among US adults with cancer.

DESIGN

A cross-section propensity score matching study.

METHODS

We extracted data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database from 2005 to 2018. We compared BMD in participants with and without cancer which was further analyzed according to cancer type. We conducted logistic regression to evaluate adjusted odds ratios of osteopenia and osteoporosis and determine risk factors for their development.

RESULTS

We found that BMD was significantly higher in participants without cancer than cancer patients. Furthermore, the median BMD of patients with breast cancer or skin cancer (including melanoma) was significantly lower than participants without cancer. People with breast, lung, genitourinary and skin cancers were more likely to incur osteopenia/osteoporosis than those without cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

BMD differs depending upon type in survivors. Individuals with a history of cancer have a poor understanding of osteoporosis and its risk factors. Understanding risk factors in patients with cancers identified in our study may be helpful for preventing osteoporosis and fractures and the development of screening guidelines.

Comparison of endometrial preparation protocols (natural cycle versus hormone replacement cycle) for frozen embryo transfer (COMPETE): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Natural cycle (NC) and hormone replacement treatment (HT) are frequently used endometrial preparation protocols prior to frozen-thawed embryo transfer in ovulatory women. It is not clear which protocol results in a higher live birth rate. It has been suggested that there is an increased risk in maternal and perinatal morbidity following HT protocol due to the lack of corpus luteum. The objective of this trial is to compare the clinical outcomes of NC and HT protocols in frozen embryo transfer.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

COMPETE is an open-label, single-centre, randomised controlled trial targeting to recruit 888 women, with 444 women each in two arms (1:1 treatment ratio). Women undergoing in vitro fertilisation scheduled for a frozen embryo transfer and have a regular menstrual cycle are eligible. Exclusion criteria include ovulation disorders and intrauterine adhesions. The primary outcome is live birth resulting from the first frozen embryo transfer after randomisation. Secondary outcomes include biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, endometrial thickness, cycle cancellation, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, antepartum haemorrhage, preterm birth, birth weight, large for gestational age, congenital anomaly and perinatal mortality. The data analysis will be following the intention-to-treat principle.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Northwest women's and children's hospital (2020008). Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant before randomisation. The results of the trial will be presented via publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2000040640.

Robust deep learning-based protein sequence design using ProteinMPNN

Although deep learning has revolutionized protein structure prediction, almost all experimentally characterized de novo protein designs have been generated using physically based approaches such as Rosetta. Here, we describe a deep learning-based protein sequence design method, ProteinMPNN, that has outstanding performance in both in silico and experimental tests. On native protein backbones, ProteinMPNN has a sequence recovery of 52.4% compared with 32.9% for Rosetta. The amino acid sequence at different positions can be coupled between single or multiple chains, enabling application to a wide range of current protein design challenges. We demonstrate the broad utility and high accuracy of ProteinMPNN using x-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and functional studies by rescuing previously failed designs, which were made using Rosetta or AlphaFold, of protein monomers, cyclic homo-oligomers, tetrahedral nanoparticles, and target-binding proteins.

Preimplantation genetic testing for recurrent autosomal dominant osteogenesis imperfecta associated with paternal gonosomal mosaicism

Research Question: How to prevent the transfer of a mutation causing osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) to offspring in a couple with recurrent adverse pregnancy outcomes, when the male partner is a gonosomal mosaic carrier.

Design: High-throughput sequencing and first-generation DNA sequencing were performed using the tissues from an aborted fetus and its parents. Regions 2 Mb upstream and downstream of the COL1A1 gene were subjected to multiplex PCR to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and family haplotypes associated with the disease-causing mutation. Single-cell whole-genome amplification and sequencing were performed on trophoblasts cultured in vitro for 5–6 days to construct embryonic SNP haplotypes, and first-generation sequencing was used for pathogenic locus verification and aneuploidy screening. Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) was also performed.

Results: The aborted fetus was heterozygous for the COL1A1 mutation c.1454G>A (chr17-48272089, p.Gly485Asp) suspected to cause OI. The variant was also detected in the peripheral blood cells and sperm of the male partner, who appeared to be a gonosomal mosaic carrier of the mutation. Three morphologically usable blastocysts were obtained in vitro and successfully expanded after a trophectoderm biopsy. Two blastocysts were unusable owing to aneuploidy; however, one was euploid and did not carry the paternal mutation. Post-transfer gestation was confirmed by systematic B-scan ultrasound, and amniocentesis findings were consistent with the PGT-M results.

Conclusion: Parental gonadal mosaicism was the cause of recurrent terminated pregnancies due to fetal skeletal dysplasia. Using PGT-M to select embryos without the paternal pathogenic mutation prevented the vertical transmission of OI in this family, and a successful pregnancy was achieved.

[Influence of age on advanced neoplasia detection in colorectal cancer screening in population at high risk]

Objective: To compare the detection rate of advanced neoplasia and the number of people needing endoscopy in colorectal cancer screening giving at different starting age in population at high risk. Methods: Based on the screening project of early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer in Jiashan county, Zhejiang province, two rounds of colorectal cancer screening were conducted between January 2007 and December 2020. After excluding participants who were not at high risk or had incomplete information, 27 130 participants and 31 205 participants were finally enrolled in round one and in round two, respectively. The spline analysis based on the generalized additive model was used to describe the trend of detection rate of advanced neoplasia with age. The detection rate and number of people needing endoscopy for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were calculated, and the differences in the detection rate were tested by χ² goodness of fit test. Results: A total of 21 077 (77.69%) participants in round one and 25 249 (80.91%) participants in round two received endoscopy, in whom 1 097 (detection rate=52.05‰) and 1 151 (detection rate=45.59‰) had advanced neoplasia (cancers and advanced adenomas), respectively. The detection rate increased significantly with age, and the detection rate in round one were significantly higher than that in round two (P<0.05). The overall detection rates of advanced neoplasia for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were 61.11‰, 56.14‰ and 52.05‰ in round one, and 49.10‰, 46.75‰ and 45.59‰ in round two, respectively. The rates were significantly higher for the group with starting age at 50 years than that with starting age at 40 years in both round one and round two (P<0.05). The numbers of people needing endoscopy of advanced neoplasia for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were 17, 18, and 20 in round one, and 21, 22 and 22 in round two. Conclusions: The detection rate of advanced neoplasia increased with age. Starting screening at lower age might contribute to decreased detection rate and increased number of people needing endoscopy. However, the difference was limited.

[Influence of age on advanced neoplasia detection in colorectal cancer screening in population at high risk]

Objective: To compare the detection rate of advanced neoplasia and the number of people needing endoscopy in colorectal cancer screening giving at different starting age in population at high risk. Methods: Based on the screening project of early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer in Jiashan county, Zhejiang province, two rounds of colorectal cancer screening were conducted between January 2007 and December 2020. After excluding participants who were not at high risk or had incomplete information, 27 130 participants and 31 205 participants were finally enrolled in round one and in round two, respectively. The spline analysis based on the generalized additive model was used to describe the trend of detection rate of advanced neoplasia with age. The detection rate and number of people needing endoscopy for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were calculated, and the differences in the detection rate were tested by χ² goodness of fit test. Results: A total of 21 077 (77.69%) participants in round one and 25 249 (80.91%) participants in round two received endoscopy, in whom 1 097 (detection rate=52.05‰) and 1 151 (detection rate=45.59‰) had advanced neoplasia (cancers and advanced adenomas), respectively. The detection rate increased significantly with age, and the detection rate in round one were significantly higher than that in round two (P<0.05). The overall detection rates of advanced neoplasia for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were 61.11‰, 56.14‰ and 52.05‰ in round one, and 49.10‰, 46.75‰ and 45.59‰ in round two, respectively. The rates were significantly higher for the group with starting age at 50 years than that with starting age at 40 years in both round one and round two (P<0.05). The numbers of people needing endoscopy of advanced neoplasia for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were 17, 18, and 20 in round one, and 21, 22 and 22 in round two. Conclusions: The detection rate of advanced neoplasia increased with age. Starting screening at lower age might contribute to decreased detection rate and increased number of people needing endoscopy. However, the difference was limited.

Tumor Intrinsic PD-L1 Promotes DNA Repair in Distinct Cancers and Suppresses PARP Inhibitor-Induced Synthetic Lethality

BRCA1-mediated homologous recombination is an important DNA repair mechanism that is the target of FDA-approved PARP inhibitors, yet details of BRCA1-mediated functions remain to be fully elucidated. Similarly, immune checkpoint molecules are targets of FDA-approved cancer immunotherapies, but the biological and mechanistic consequences of their application are incompletely understood. We show here that the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1 regulates homologous recombination in cancer cells by promoting BRCA1 nuclear foci formation and DNA end resection. Genetic depletion of tumor PD-L1 reduced homologous recombination, increased nonhomologous end joining, and elicited synthetic lethality to PARP inhibitors olaparib and talazoparib in vitro in some, but not all, BRCA1 wild-type tumor cells. In vivo, genetic depletion of tumor PD-L1 rendered olaparib-resistant tumors sensitive to olaparib. In contrast, anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade neither enhanced olaparib synthetic lethality nor improved its efficacy in vitro or in wild-type mice. Tumor PD-L1 did not alter expression of BRCA1 or its cofactor BARD1 but instead coimmunoprecipitated with BARD1 and increased BRCA1 nuclear accumulation. Tumor PD-L1 depletion enhanced tumor CCL5 expression and TANK-binding kinase 1 activation in vitro, similar to known immune-potentiating effects of PARP inhibitors. Collectively, these data define immune-dependent and immune-independent effects of PARP inhibitor treatment and genetic tumor PD-L1 depletion. Moreover, they implicate a tumor cell-intrinsic, immune checkpoint-independent function of PD-L1 in cancer cell BRCA1-mediated DNA damage repair with translational potential, including as a treatment response biomarker.

SIGNIFICANCE

PD-L1 upregulates BRCA1-mediated homologous recombination, and PD-L1-deficient tumors exhibit BRCAness by manifesting synthetic lethality in response to PARP inhibitors, revealing an exploitable therapeutic vulnerability and a candidate treatment response biomarker. See related commentary by Hanks, p. 2069.

Effects of residual feed intake divergence on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood biochemical parameters in small-sized meat ducks

Feed efficiency (FE) is a major economic trait of meat duck. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of residual feed intake (RFI) divergence on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood biochemical parameters in small-sized meat ducks. A total of 500 healthy 21-day-old male ducks were housed in individual cages until slaughter at 63 d of age. The growth performance was determined for all the ducks. The carcass yield, meat quality, and blood biochemical parameters were determined for the selected 30 high-RFI (HRFI) and 30 low-RFI (LRFI) ducks. In terms of growth performance, the RFI, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were found to be significantly lower in the LRFI group (P < 0.01), whereas no differences were observed in the BW and body weight gain (P > 0.05). For slaughter performance, no differences were observed in the carcass traits between the LRFI and HRFI groups (P > 0.05). For meat quality, the shear force of breast muscle was significantly lower in the LRFI group (P < 0.05), while the other meat quality traits of breast and thigh muscles demonstrated no differences (P > 0.05). For blood biochemical parameters, the serum concentrations of triglycerides (TG) and glucose (GLU) were significantly lower in the LRFI group (P < 0.05), while the other parameters showed no differences (P > 0.05). The correlation analysis demonstrated a high positive correlation between RFI, FCR, and ADFI (P < 0.01). The RFI demonstrated a negative effect on the breast muscle and lean meat yields, but a positive effect on the shear force of breast muscle (P < 0.05). Further, the RFI demonstrated a positive effect on the TG and GLU levels (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the selection for low RFI could improve the FE of small-sized meat ducks without affecting the production performance. This study provides valuable insight into the biological processes underlying the variations in FE in small-sized meat ducks.

Observation of Spin Splitting Torque in a Collinear Antiferromagnet RuO_{2}

Current-induced spin torques provide efficient data writing approaches for magnetic memories. Recently, the spin splitting torque (SST) was theoretically predicted, which combines advantages of conventional spin transfer torque (STT) and spin-orbit torque (SOT) as well as enables controllable spin polarization. Here we provide the experimental evidence of SST in collinear antiferromagnet RuO_{2} films. The spin current direction is found to be correlated to the crystal orientation of RuO_{2} and the spin polarization direction is dependent on (parallel to) the Néel vector. These features are quite characteristic for the predicted SST. Our finding not only presents a new member for the spin torques besides traditional STT and SOT, but also proposes a promising spin source RuO_{2} for spintronics.

Pharmacologic Tumor PDL1 Depletion with Cefepime or Ceftazidime Promotes DNA Damage and Sensitivity to DNA-Damaging Agents

The interaction between tumor surface-expressed PDL1 and immune cell PD1 for the evasion of antitumor immunity is well established and is targeted by FDA-approved anti-PDL1 and anti-PD1 antibodies. Nonetheless, recent studies highlight the immunopathogenicity of tumor-intrinsic PDL1 signals that can contribute to the resistance to targeted small molecules, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and αPD1 immunotherapy. As genetic PDL1 depletion is not currently clinically tractable, we screened FDA-approved drugs to identify those that significantly deplete tumor PDL1. Among the candidates, we identified the β-lactam cephalosporin antibiotic cefepime as a tumor PDL1-depleting drug (PDD) that increases tumor DNA damage and sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents in vitro in distinct aggressive mouse and human cancer lines, including glioblastoma multiforme, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, and melanoma. Cefepime reduced tumor PDL1 post-translationally through ubiquitination, improved DNA-damaging-agent treatment efficacy in vivo in immune-deficient and -proficient mice, activated immunogenic tumor STING signals, and phenocopied specific genetic PDL1 depletion effects. The β-lactam ring and its antibiotic properties did not appear contributory to PDL1 depletion or to these treatment effects, and the related cephalosporin ceftazidime produced similar effects. Our findings highlight the rapidly translated potential for PDDs to inhibit tumor-intrinsic PDL1 signals and improve DNA-damaging agents and immunotherapy efficacy.

[Progress in pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma]

Pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma (PEAC), as a rare histologic subtype of primary lung adenocarcinoma, is defined as an adenocarcinoma in which the enteric component exceeds 50%. It is named after its shared morphological and immunohistochemical features with colorectal cancer. While with such similarity, the differential diagnosis of PEAC and lung metastatic colorectal cancer is a great challenge in the clinic. PEAC may originate from the intestinal metaplasia of respiratory basal cells stimulated by risk factors such as smoking. Current studies have found that KRAS is a relatively high-frequency mutation gene, and other driver gene mutations are rare. In terms of immunohistochemistry, in pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma, the positive rate was 88.2% (149/169) for CK7, 78.1% (132/169) for CDX2, 48.2% (82/170) for CK20 and 38.8% (66/170) for TTF1. As for clinical features, the average age of onset for pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma was 62 years, male patients accounted for 56.5% (35/62), smokers accounted for 78.8% (41/52), and 41.4% (24/58) of the primary lesion was located in the upper lobe of the right lung. In terms of treatment, conventional non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) regimens rather than colorectal cancer regimens are now recommended. There is still an urgent need for more basic and clinical research, in-depth exploration of its molecular feature and pathogenesis from the level of omics and other aspects, to help diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and find the optimal chemotherapy regimen, possibly effective targeted therapy and even immunotherapy.

Immune checkpoint expression and relationships to anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade cancer immunotherapy efficacy in aged versus young mice

Introduction

Aging is the biggest cancer risk, and immune checkpoint (IC) inhibition (ICI) is a revolutionary cancer immunotherapy approach. Nonetheless, there are limited preclinical/clinical data regarding aging effects on ICI outcomes or age effects on IC expression in different organs or tumors.

Methods

Flow cytometry assessed IC on immune and non-immune cells in various organs in young and aged BL6 mice. Comparisons: aged versus young naïve WT versus interferon-γ ^KO mice and WT challenged with B16F10 melanoma and treated with αPD-1 or αPD-L1 ICI. We co-cultured young and aged T cells and myeloid cells in vitro and used OMIQ analyses to test cell-cell interactions.

Results

αPD-1 ICI treated melanoma in young and aged hosts, whereas αPD-L1 ICI was only effective in young. We found considerable, previously undescribed age effects on expression of various IC molecules participating in the ICI treatment, including PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, and CD80, in distinct organs and in the tumor. These data help explain differential ICI efficacy in young and aged hosts. Host interferon-γ influenced age effects on IC expression in both directions depending on specific IC molecule and tissue. IC expression was further affected by tumor challenge on immune, non-immune, and tumor cells in tumor and other organs. In in vitro co-culture, αPD-1 versus αPD-L1 distinctly influenced polyclonal T cells in young versus aged, suggesting mechanisms for distinct age-related ICI outcomes.

Conclusion

Age affects IC expression on specific immune cells in an organ- and tissue-specific manner. ICs were generally higher on aged immune cells. High immune-cell PD-1 could help explain αPD-1 efficacy in aged. High co-expression of CD80 with PD-L1 on dendritic cells could help explain lack of αPD-L1 efficacy in aged hosts. Factors other than myeloid cells and interferon-γ also affect age-related IC expression and T cell function, meriting additional studies.

Natural cycle increases the live-birth rate compared with hormone replacement treatment for frozen-thawed single euploid blastocyst transfer

BACKGROUND

A number of studies have compared the clinical outcomes between the two endometrial preparation methods: natural cycles (NCs) and hormone replacement treatment (HRT) before frozen embryo transfer, but the results were conflicting. In order to mitigate the potential effect of embryos per se, several researchers have worked on this subject for euploid blastocyst transfer, but the results were still inconsistent. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes between HRT and NC for autologous single vitrified-warmed euploid blastocyst transfer based on our data.

METHODS

A total of 598 frozen-thawed single euploid blastocyst transfer cycles in the assisted reproductive center of Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital from January 2014 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Women were stratified into the NC (n = 125) or HRT (n = 473) group according to the patient's preference and the physician's guidance. Multivariate regression models and subgroup analysis were constructed to analyze the association between endometrial preparation and live birth.

RESULTS

Women in the NC group had a higher live birth rate (68.80% versus 58.35%, P = 0.034) and a lower risk of total pregnancy loss (8.51% versus 21.14%, P = 0.005) when compared with women in the HRT group. The biochemical pregnancy rate (75.20% versus 74.00%, P = 0.784) and clinical pregnancy rate (74.40% versus 69.98%, P = 0.334) were similar between the two groups (NC versus HRT). NC was associated with an increased odds of live birth compared with HRT by different multivariable analysis models (Model 1: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57, 0.36 - 0.90; Model 2: aOR, 95%CI: 0.57, 0.35 - 0.92). In addition, the increased chance of live birth in the NC group was found in all subgroups. No major obstetrical complications and two malformation livebirths were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

In women undergoing single euploid frozen blastocyst transfers, the NC group was associated with a lower pregnancy loss rate and an ultimately higher live birth rate than the HRT group. Although HRT is convenient for both clinicians and patients, the lower live birth rate should be taken into account and NC might be the first choice of endometrial preparation method.

Pretreatment with a GnRH agonist and hormone replacement treatment protocol could not improve live birth rate for PCOS women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles

BACKGROUND

The ideal protocols of endometrial preparation for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients are lacking and need further declaration. Our objective was to compare the clinical outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with and without pretreatment gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in PCOS patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we used propensity score matching (PSM) to compare the live birth rate between patients who underwent FET with hormone replacement treatment (HRT) and patients with GnRHa pretreatment (GnRHa + HRT). Patients using GnRHa + HRT (n = 514) were matched with 514 patients using HRT.

RESULTS

The live birth rate was higher in the GnRHa + HRT group compared with the HRT group with no significant difference (60.12% vs 56.03%, p = 0.073). The clinical pregnancy rate (75.29% vs 70.62%), miscarriage rate (14.20% vs 13.81%) and ectopic pregnancy rate (0.39% vs 0.19%) were similar between the two groups. The preterm birth rate in GnRHa + HRT was higher than HRT (20.23% vs 13.04%). No difference was found in live birth between GnRHa +HRT and HRT before adjusting for covariates (crude OR 1.22, 95%CI, 0.99-1.51, p = 0.062) and after PSM (OR 1.47, 95%CI, 0.99-2.83, p = 0.068). In addition, there is a marginally difference after adjusting for covariates (aOR 1.56, 95%CI, 1.001-2.41, p = 0.048), this finding with p-value close to 0.05 represent insufficient empirical evidence. Similar results were obtained after propensity score matching in the entire cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

GnRHa pretreatment could not improve the live birth rate in women with PCOS.

242 Pharmacologic tumor PD-L1 depletion with chlorambucil treats ovarian cancer and melanomas in a tumor PD-L1-dependent manner and renders αPD-L1-resistant tumors αPD-L1-sensitive

Background

Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) overexpression in tumor cells inhibits T cells activity and delivers pathologic intracellular signals that can reduce cancer treatment responses in pre-clinicalmodels.1 2

Methods

To reduce tumor intracellular PD-L1-mediated pathology, we performed a drug screen that identified chlorambucil as a tumor cell PD-L1 depletion drug.

Results

Chlorambucil depletes basal tumor PD-L1 expression through the ubiquitination proteasome pathway. In the tumor microenvironment, high chlorambucil doses treated orthotopic B16 melanoma and ID8agg ovarian cancer. Chlorambucil treatment efficacy was lost or reduced in PD-L1lo ID8agg and PD-L1KO B16 tumors, corroborated with in vitro data. These data suggest that chlorambucil anti-tumor activity of CAMB requires tumor PD-L1 expression, confirmed in PD-L1KO host challenge with CTRL tumor, which chlorambucil treated effectively. Chlorambucil rendered αPD-L1 resistant CTRL ID8agg and PD-L1lo B16 tumors αPD-L1 sensitive, preliminarily possibly due to tumor STING activation, and associated with enhanced tumor NK cell infiltration and central memory T cell generation. Chlorambucil also phenocopied genetic PD-L1KO by reducing tumor cell mTORC1 signals and stem cell content,3 suggesting additional treatment potential.

Conclusions

Chlorambucil could be a useful strategy to reprogram tumor PD-L1 signals and boost immune-based therapies especially for anti-PD-L1-resistant tumors.

References

Clark CA et al. Tumor-intrinsic PD-L1 signals regulate cell growth, pathogenesis, and autophagy in ovarian cancer and melanoma. Cancer Res 2016;76:6964–6974.

Juneja VR et al. PD-L1 on tumor cells is sufficient for immune evasion in immunogenic tumors and inhibits CD8 T cell cytotoxicity. J Exp Med 2017;214:895–904.

Gupta HB et al. Tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 promotes tumor-initiating cell generation and functions in melanoma and ovarian cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2016;1:2095–9907.

Ethics Approval

We received approval from the UT Health San Antonio Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for each procedure that used mice. We conducted each experiment per the standards required by the UT Health San Antonio Department of Laboratory Animal Resources.

298 Tumor cell-intrinsic mTORC1 signaling through raptor makes melanoma and ovarian cancer immunotherapy resistant by regulating interferon-gamma responsiveness and promoting tumor-initiating cells

Background

Although immunotherapy can induce durable anti-tumor response in multiple cancers, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy resistance in ovarian cancer and melanoma remains problematic. Here, we report that tumor cell-intrinsic mTORC1 regulates ICB response through mTORC1 defining subunit Raptor (Rptor) by modulating interferon-gamma (IFNg) resistance and tumor-initiating cell (TIC) virulence.

Methods

We knocked down two distinct mTORC1 signaling components: Rptor (Rptorlo, aids in mTORC1 assembly) and Lamtor1 (Ltor1lo, docks mTORC1 on lysosomes) in murine ovarian cancer ID8agg and melanoma B16 cells. PD-L1 was CRISPR knocked out in B16 and human ovarian cancer line ES2. Mice with tumors were treated with a-PD-L1± a-CD8 antibody. TICs were estimated by flow-cytometry.1

Results

Rptorlo B16 and ID8agg, but not Ltor1lo B16 tumors grew slower and were a-PD-L1 responsive unlike control (ctrl) in WT mice. We noted that ctrl and Rptorlo B16 and ID8agg cells expressed similar surface PD-L1 in vitro. Thus, Rptor suppresses a-PD-L1 response in ICB-resistant tumors. Tumor immune analysis revealed increased CD8+ T cell% and a trend to increased IFNg+CD8+ T cells in a-PD-L1 treated Rptorlo, but not ctrl B16. Rptorlo a-PD-L1 efficacy was lost with a-CD8 and in IFNg knockout mice. In vitro, IFNg suppressed Rptorlo ID8agg proliferation, unlike ctrl. These data suggested that lack of Rptor makes tumors ICB responsive, possibly by making tumors IFNg-sensitive and increasing IFNg+CD8+ T cells. Further, tumor and draining lymph node (DLN) TCF1+PD-1+ T cell stem cells (critical for aPD-L1/PD-1 success2 3) were significantly higher in a-PD-L1 treated Rptorlo tumors. Thus, tumor Rptor status could regulate tumor microenvironment and distal DLN immune landscape on a-PD-L1 treatment.We previously published that mTORC1 promotes PD-L1-dependent tumor proliferation, TIC virulence1 4 PD-L1KO B16 and ES2 cells expressed similar total Rptor protein. However, lower levels of Rptor were loaded in mTOR complex in absence of PD-L1, as assessed by a-mTOR immunoprecipitation, suggesting that pro-tumorigenic Rptor functions were downstream of, and dependent on PD-L1. Successful Rptorlo aPD-L1 treatment reduced TIC in vivo, an effect reversed in absence of CD8+ T cells or host IFNg. Inhibiting ID8agg mTORC1 with rapamycin reduced stemness genes oct4, nanog expression by QPCR. Further, ID8agg Rptorlo TIC formed significantly smaller tumors versus ctrl TIC in immune-compromised NSG mice, confirming their reduced virulence. Rptor, but not Ltor1, expression inversely correlated with tumor CD8+ infiltrate in IMvigor210 trial, and strongly with TIC gene signature in ovarian cancer patients.5 6

Conclusions

Tumor-cell intrinsic Rptor modulates ICB resistance, IFNg responsiveness, immune microenvironment, and TIC virulence.

Acknowledgements

N/A

Trial Registration

N/A

References

Gupta HB, et al. Tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 promotes tumor-initiating cell generation and functions in melanoma and ovarian cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2016;1,Article number:16030.

Im SJ, et al. Defining CD8+ T cells that provide the proliferative burst after PD-1 therapy. Nature 2016;537:417–421.

Dammeijer F, et al. The PD-1/PD-L1-checkpoint restrains T cell immunity in tumor-draining lymph nodes. Cancer Cell 2020;38:685–700.

Clark CA, et al. Tumor-intrinsic PD-L1 signals regulate cell growth, pathogenesis, and autophagy in ovarian cancer and melanoma. Cancer Res 2016;76:6964–6974.

Smith BA, et al. A human adult stem cell signature marks aggressive variants across epithelial cancers. Cell Rep 2018;24:3353–3366.

Hoffman-Censits JH, et al. IMvigor 210, a phase II trial of atezolizumab (MPDL3280A) in platinum-treated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). J Clin Oncol 2016;34, no.2_suppl:355–355.

755 Pharmacologic tumor PD-L1 depletion reduces Chk2 content and sensitizes tumors to small molecule Chk1 DNA damage repair inhibitors

Background

Tumor PD-L1 canonically signals to PD-1 on immune cells to evade immune destruction.1 We reported that tumor PD-L1 also mediates diverse pathologic intracellular signals,2 3 including promoting the ATM/Chk2 DNA damage response, and that genetically PD-L1 deficient tumors are sensitized to Chk1 inhibitor therapy.4 DNA damage increases cytosolic DNA, which induces immunogenic STING signals through inflammatory type I interferon and cytokine production.5

Methods

We conducted a high-throughput drug screen that identified the β-lactam cephalosporin antibiotic cefepime as a pharmacologic tumor PD-L1 depleting agent. In vitro tests of β-lactam antibiotics used 80 μM and the Chk1 inhibitors rabusertib and prexasertib were used at indicated concentrations. Cell lines were RT4 human bladder cancer, ID8agg murine ovarian cancer, and B16 mouse melanoma. Viability was by MTT and proteins by immunoblot. We challenged NSG mice (n = 5 per group) with RT4 (SQ) and treated with cefepime (200 mg/kg), rabusertib (2.5 mg/kg), vehicle, or combination daily.

Results

Cefepime at pharmacologically relevant concentrations depletes tumor PD-L1 and phenocopies genetic tumor PD-L1 depletion by decreasing Chk2 protein and increasing DNA damage (γH2AX) (figure 1). Chk2 is depleted by cefepime in CTRL cells, but not in PD-L1KO or PD-L1 overexpressing cells, and sensitizes PD-L1+ tumor cells to Chk1 inhibitors in vitro in a PD-L1-dependent manner (figures 1 and 2). Combining cefepime with rabusertib in vivo significantly prolonged severely immunodeficient NSG mice survival in RT4 challenge versus cefepime alone while rabusertib alone was not effective (figure 3). Antimicrobial mechanisms, reported to influence tumor treatment responses,6 are unlikely in NSG mice. To test β-lactam contributions to cefepime efficacy, we found that ceftazidime, a structurally related cephalosporin, also depletes tumor PD-L1 and Chk2 protein and sensitizes tumors to rabusertib in a PD-L1 dependent manner (figures 4 and 5). Structurally-unrelated β-lactam antibiotics did not sensitize tumors to rabusertib. Both cefepime and ceftazidime activate tumor STING, suggesting they could augment immunotherapies by increasing tumor immunogenicity (figure 6).

Conclusions

As genetic PD-L1 depletion is not yet clinically feasible, we provide pharmacologic means to deplete tumor PD-L1 to improve clinical treatment efficacy as a rapidly translated approach. Cefepime is the prototype agent, but ceftazidime is structurally similar with significant activity, suggesting important structure activity relationships to explore. Pharmacologic tumor PD-L1 depletion could augment other standard of care approaches, including immunotherapy, and deserves further investigation.

References

Dong H, Strome SE, Salomao DR, Tamura H, Fumiya H, Flies DB, et al. Tumor-associated B7-H1 promotes T-cell apoptosis: a potential mechanism of immune evasion. Nat Med 2002;8:793–800.

Clark CA, Gupta HB, Gangadhara S, Pandeswara S, Lao S, Yuan B, et al. Tumor-Intrinsic PD-L1 signals regulate cell growth, pathogenesis, and autophagy in Ovarian Cancer and Melanoma. Cancer Res 2016;76(23):6964–6974.

3. Gupta HB, Clark CA, Yuan B, Sareddy G, Pandeswara S, Padron AS, et al. Tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 promotes tumor-initiating cell generation and functions in melanoma and ovarian cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2016;1.

Kornepati AV, Zhang D, Hambright HG, Kari SC, Deng Y, Clark CA, et al. Cell-intrinsic programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibits cytotoxic chemo, promotes DNA damage repair, and enhances ATM/ATR signaling following exposure to DNA damaging agents in bladder, melanoma, and ovarian cancer cells. J Immunol 2019;202(1):195.17.

Gehrke N, Mertens C, Zillinger T, Wenzel J, Bald T, Zahn S, et al. Oxidative damage of DNA confers resistance to cytosolic nuclease TREX1 degradation and potentiates STING-dependent immune sensing. Immunity 2013;39(3):482–495.

Gopalakrishnan V, Spencer CN, Nezi L, Reuben A, Andrews MC, Karpinets TV, et al. Gut microbiome modulates response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in melanoma patients. Science 2018;359(6371):97–103.

Ethics Approval

This protocol was approved by the UTHSCSA IACUC.

Abstract 755 Figure 1

Cefepime depletes tumor PD-L1 and Chk2 and induces γH2AX

Abstract 755 Figure 2

Cefepime sensitizes tumors to Chk1 inhibitors in a PD-L1 dependent manner

Abstract 755 Figure 3

Cefepime combined with Chk1 inhibitors in vivo prolongs NSG mouse survival

Abstract 755 Figure 4

Ceftazidime depletes tumor PD-L1 and Chk2

Abstract 755 Figure 5

Ceftazidime, but not other B-lactam antibiotics, sensitizes RT4 to Chk1 inhibitors in a PD-L1 dependent manner

Abstract 755 Figure 6

Cefepime and ceftazidime induce STING and p-TBK1

Green synthesis of orange emissive carbon dots for the detection of Ag+and their application via solid-phase sensing and security ink

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) have attracted considerable interest due to their superior optical properties and facile preparation. In this work, O-phenylenediamine and melamine were used as precursors for the one-step hydrothermal synthesis of novel orange emissive CDs (O-CDs) in an aqueous solution. The fluorescence intensity (580 nm) of the O-CDs exhibited a good linear relationship with Ag⁺in the range of 0.0-50.0μM with the detection limit of 0.289μM. Moreover, the O-CDs were successfully used to determine Ag⁺in biological samples (Hela cells) because of their low cytotoxicity, and good biocompatibility. Besides, the O-CDs-doped solid-phase detection materials (test paper and hydrogel) were employed to monitor Ag⁺qualitatively and quantitatively, indicated that the O-CDs had a great capacity for the detection of Ag⁺in biological and environmental areas. Based on their extraordinary fluorescence property, the O-CDs could also be used as security ink. Overall, based on their excellent fluorescent performance, the CDs in this study have significant potential for practical application toward solid-phase sensing and security ink.

Impact of maternal education level on live birth rate after in vitro fertilization in China: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To assess the association between maternal education level and live birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF).

METHODS

We studied women who underwent the first cycle of fresh or frozen-thawed embryo transfer between 2014 and 2019. Women were divided into four educational categories according to the level of education received (elementary school graduate or less, middle school graduate, high school graduate, college graduate or higher). The live birth rate was compared between different education level groups. We used logistic regression to analyze the association between maternal education level and live birth after IVF.

RESULTS

We studied 41,546 women, who were grouped by maternal educational level: elementary school graduate or less (n = 1590), middle school graduate (n = 10,996), high school graduate (n = 8354), and college graduate or higher (n = 20,606). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, we did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between educational level and live birth in middle school graduate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-1.09), high school graduate (AOR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.87-1.14) or college graduate or higher (AOR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.88-1.14) patients, with elementary school graduate or less as the reference group.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal educational level was not associated with the likelihood of live birth in patients undergoing fresh or frozen embryo transfer.

Fabrication of carbon dots for sequential on-off-on determination of Fe3+ and S2- in solid-phase sensing and anti-counterfeit printing

Glutathione and 2-aminopyridine are used as carbon sources to prepare carbon dots (CDs) by a one-step hydrothermal reaction. The results show that the average particle diameter of CDs is 8.64 nm with uniform size distribution and the fluorescence quantum yield is 13.62%. We further demonstrate that novel CDs possess highly selective sensing of Fe³⁺ from 0.2 to 200 μM with a low detection limit (0.194 μM). Meanwhile, the fluorescence of CDs can be repeated many times by the addition of S^2-. Moreover, the CDs are used for biological imaging of living cells with well cell penetrability and low toxicity. Furthermore, it is successfully applied for anti-counterfeiting and information encryption. More interestingly, it can be doped with hydrogel and filter paper to prepare solid-phase sensors exhibiting high sensitivity and fast response, demonstrating their tremendous potential for the simple, rapid, and low-cost monitoring of Fe³⁺ and S^2-.

Construction of DCM-based NIR fluorescent probe for visualization detection of H2S in solution and nanofibrous film

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) played crucial roles in biological processes and daily life, and the abnormal level of H₂S was associated with many physiological processes. In this paper, we designed and developed a dicyanomethylene-4H-chromene (DCM)-based near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe DCM-NO guided by theoretical calculation. The probe displayed excellent selectivity towards H₂S with a fast response time (3 min) and low detection limit (fluorescence 25.3 nM/absorption 6.61 nM) in Hela cells and real water samples. Furthermore, the probe-doped solid sensing materials (test strips and nanofibrous films) exhibited specific visualization of H₂S under ambient light or hand-held UV lamp, providing great potential for on-site and real-time application in environmental and biological systems.

Case Report: Identification of a de novo Missense Mutation in the F8 Gene, p.(Phe690Leu)/c.2070C > A, Causing Hemophilia A: A Case Report

Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by various types of pathological defects in the factor VIII gene (F8/FVIII). Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disease (PGT-M) is a powerful tool to tackle the transmission of monogenic inherited disorders from generation to generation. In our case, a mutation in F8 had passed through female carriers in a hemophilia A family and resulted in two male patients with hemophilia A. To identify the etiological genetic variants of F8, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used for chromosome copy number variation detection, Sanger sequencing to verify mutation sites, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for site amplification, and sequencing to validate the genetic linkage. Finally, a novel missense mutation, p. (Phe690Leu)/c.2070C > A, occurring in exon 13 of F8, was screened out as a pathogenic mutation. Following this, an F8 normal euploid blastocyst was transferred. At the 18th week, the pregnant mother underwent amniocentesis, NGS, Sanger sequencing, and SNP typing that further confirmed that the fetus had a healthy genotype. After delivery, a neonatal blood sample was sent for FVIII concentration detection, and the result established that the FVIII protein was rescued to a nearly average level. We first identified a new type of pathogenic mutation in F8, which has not been previously reported, selected a genetically healthy progeny for an affected family, and provided valuable knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of hemophilia A.

Alcohol intake and the risk of chronic kidney disease: results from a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Many prospective cohort studies have investigated the association between the consumption of alcohol and CKD risk and have revealed inconsistent results. In the present study, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis of these studies to assess this association.We searched the PubMed and Embase databases up to 2020 and reviewed the reference lists of relevant articles to identify appropriate studies. We calculated the pooled relative risks with 95% CIs using random effects models, and then performed subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Dose-response meta-analyses were performed by sex separately. We identified 25 eligible prospective cohort studies, including 514,148 participants and 35,585 incident CKD cases. Compared with the category of minimal alcohol intake, light (RR = 0.90, I2 = 49%), moderate (RR = 0.86, I2 = 40%), and heavy (RR = 0.85, I2 = 51%) alcohol intake were associated with a lower risk of CKD. Subgroup meta-analysis by sex indicated that light (RR = 0.92, I2 = 0%), moderate (RR = 0.83, I2 = 39%) and heavy (RR = 0.76, I2 = 40%), alcohol consumption were inversely associated with CKD risk in male. Dose-response meta-analyses detected a nonlinear inverse association between alcohol consumption and the risk of CKD in all participants and linear inverse association in female participants. This meta-analysis shows that light (<12 g/day), moderate (12-24 g/day), and heavy (>24 g/day) alcohol consumption are protective against chronic kidney disease in adult participants especially in males.

Effects of three pro-nuclei (3PN) incidence on laboratory and clinical outcomes after early rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (rescue-ICSI): an analysis of a 5-year period

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to explore the effect of three pro-nuclei (3PN) incidence on laboratory and clinical outcomes after early rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (rescue-ICSI).

METHODS

This study included 509 early rescue-ICSI cycles from February 2014 to February 2019. The patients were divided into 3PN = 0% (394 cycles) and 3PN > 0% (115 cycles) group. Main outcomes compared were good quality embryo, available embryo, implantation (IR), clinical pregnancy (CPR), abortion (AR) and live birth rates (LBR).

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the basal characteristics between two groups (p > .05). We observed that 3PN = 0% and 3PN > 0% groups had similar good quality embryo (47.02 versus 46.80%; p = .917) and available embryo (83.28 versus 81.37%; p = .247) rates. Our results showed that the IR (47.26 versus 51.05%; p = .357), CPR (61.17 versus 66.08%; p = .338) and LBR (52.80 versus 50.43%; p = .656) were comparable between 3PN = 0% and 3PN > 0% groups. The 3PN = 0% group showed significantly lower AR than that in the 3PN > 0% group (11.20 versus 21.05%; p = .029; OR 2.114; 95% CI 1.069-4.178).

CONCLUSIONS

3PN incidence made negative effects on the clinical outcomes after early rescue-ICSI.