Macrophage-coated tumor cluster aggravates hepatoma invasion and immunotherapy resistance via generating local immune deprivation

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to their capacity for abundant lymphocyte infiltration. However, some patients with HCC respond poorly to ICI therapy due to the presence of various immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment. Our research reveals that a macrophage-coated tumor cluster (MCTC) signifies a unique spatial structural organization in HCC correlating with diminished recurrence-free survival and overall survival in a total of 572 HCC cases from 3 internal cohorts and 2 independent external validation cohorts. Mechanistically, tumor-derived macrophage-associated lectin Mac-2 binding protein (M2BP) induces MCTC formation and traps immunocompetent cells at the edge of MCTCs to induce intratumoral cytotoxic T cell exclusion and local immune deprivation. Blocking M2BP with a Mac-2 antagonist might provide an effective approach to prevent MCTC formation, enhance T cell infiltration, and thereby improve the efficacy of ICI therapy in HCC.

Multidimensional data analysis revealed thyroiditis-associated TCF19 SNP rs2073724 as a highly ranked protective variant in thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancer represents the most prevalent malignant endocrine tumour, with rising incidence worldwide and high mortality rates among patients exhibiting dedifferentiation and metastasis. Effective biomarkers and therapeutic interventions are warranted in aggressive thyroid malignancies. The transcription factor 19 (TCF19) gene has been implicated in conferring a malignant phenotype in cancers. However, its contribution to thyroid neoplasms remains unclear.

RESULTS

In this study, we performed genome-wide and phenome-wide association studies to identify a potential causal relationship between TCF19 and thyroid cancer. Our analyses revealed significant associations between TCF19 and various autoimmune diseases and human cancers, including cervical cancer and autoimmune thyroiditis, with a particularly robust signal for the deleterious missense variation rs2073724 that is associated with thyroid function, hypothyroidism, and autoimmunity. Furthermore, functional assays and transcriptional profiling in thyroid cancer cells demonstrated that TCF19 regulates important biological processes, especially inflammatory and immune responses. We demonstrated that TCF19 could promote the progression of thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo and the C>T variant of rs2073724 disrupted TCF19 protein binding to target gene promoters and their expression, thus reversing the effect of TCF19 protein.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings implicate TCF19 as a promising therapeutic target in aggressive thyroid malignancies and designate rs2073724 as a causal biomarker warranting further investigation in thyroid cancer.

Lnc-SNHG5 Promoted Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression Through the RPS3-NFκB Pathway

Background

We planned to explore the underlying mechanism and clinical significance of lnc-SNHG5 and RPS3 in hepatocellular carcinoma in this current study.

Methods

The expression of Lnc-SNHG5 and RPS3 in HCC tissues and several cell lines were affirmed, respectively, using UALCAN, TIMER, TCGA and RT-qPCR assay. Cell proliferation ability was detected by colony formation assay and CCK8 assay. Cell apoptosis was monitored by flow cytometry assay. Next, the RPS3 expression levels and the related proteins in NFκB pathway were examined using Western blot analysis. The role of lnc-SNHG5 and RPS3 in vivo was identified by subcutaneous tumor bearing experiment.

Results

Lnc-SNHG5 was significantly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Further investigation showed that up-regulated lnc-SNHG5 promoted cell viability and cell proliferation ability of SMMC-7721 cells by regulating the cell apoptosis, while down-regulation of lnc-SNHG5 revealed opposite results in QGY-7703 cells. In terms of mechanism, we found that lnc-SNHG5 interacted with RPS3. Lnc-SNHG5 regulated the NFκB pathway through RPS3 in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

This study suggested that lnc-SNHG5 expression was signally up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, and lnc-SNHG5 promoted the malignant phenotypes in vitro and in vivo via directly regulating RPS3-NFκB pathway. Lnc-SNHG5 might be a target for molecular targeted therapy, a potential and novel diagnostic marker for HCC patients.

METTL3 inhibition induced by M2 macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles drives anti-PD-1 therapy resistance via M6A-CD70-mediated immune suppression in thyroid cancer

The treatment options for advanced papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) refractory to standard therapies are limited. Although anti-PD-1 therapy has a manageable safety profile and has been effective in a small percentage of patients with advanced PTC and refractory ATC, the majority of the patients either do not respond or develop resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a critical determinant of the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, it is unclear whether and how m6A modification in tumor cells shapes the immune landscape of PTC and ATC. In this study, we performed bulk and single cell RNA sequencing analysis of PTC and ATC tissues, and found that low METTL3 expression not only correlated to poor response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) but was also associated with increased TNF family-related ligand-receptor interactions in the immunosuppressive Tregs and exhausted T cells. Furthermore, overexpression of METTL3 in PTC and ATC cells enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell humanized NCG (huPBMC-NCG) mouse model. Mechanistically, M2 macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (M2 EVs) inhibited METTL3 expression in PTC and ATC cells via miR-21-5p. Downregulation of METTL3 promoted demethylation of CD70 mRNA, which prevented YTHDF2-mediated degradation of the transcripts. The stabilization of CD70 mRNA, and the subsequent upregulation in CD70 protein levels increased the abundance of the immunosuppressive Tregs and terminally exhausted T cells, thereby inducing resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy. Furthermore, blocking CD70 using cusatuzumab, a high-affinity monoclonal antibody, reversed the anti-PD-1 therapy resistance induced by M2 EVs in vivo. Finally, we demonstrated that METTL3 expression negatively correlated with CD70 expression and M2 macrophages and Tregs infiltration in PTC and ATC tissues. Our findings provide new insights into developing novel therapies for advanced PTC and ATC.

ABCB11 accumulated in immature tertiary lymphoid structures participates in xenobiotic metabolic process and predicts resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are at a high risk of recurrence and multimodal therapy have not significantly improved survival in recent decades. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective in a small proportion of HNSCC patients, the majority do not respond. In this study, we for the first time revealed that xenobiotic metabolic process was significantly associated with resistance to programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors in HNSCC and found that ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 11 (ABCB11) accumulated in immature tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) predicted worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors therapy. Moreover, the expression of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), a cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme that participates in xenobiotic metabolic process, was significantly upregulated in CD45+ABCB11+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) compared with CD45+ABCB11-TILs in HNSCC tissues. Whole slide scans of 110 HNSCC tissues with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and multispectral immuno-fluorescent (mIF) staining revealed that ABCB11 had a high co-expression with CYP1A2 in immature TLSs, and colocalization of ABCB11 and CYP1A2 in immature TLs significantly associated with high infiltration of immunosuppressive T-regulatory (Treg). Our study revealed that ABCB11 accumulated in immature TLSs might upregulate CYP1A2 to mediate xenobiotic metabolic process, thus increase the immunosuppressive Treg infiltration, and induce resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in HNSCC.

Expression signature and prognostic value of CREC gene family in human colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the malignant tumors with the highest morbidity and mortality and poor prognosis. The mammalian gene family of Cab45/reticulocalbin/ERC-45/calumenin (CREC) consists of RCN1, RCN2, RCN3, SDF4 and CALU. Although CREC family members have been associated with CRC, the expression pattern, prognostic value, and the role of CREC family in CRC remain unclear. In this study, the expression, survival and biological functions of CREC family in CRC were determined via bioinformatic datasets analysis and experimental verification on clinical CRC specimen. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the expression levels of most CREC family genes were higher in CRC tissues than in normal colorectal tissues. The qPCR and western blot results also revealed that the transcriptional and protein levels of CREC family were elevated in CRC tissues compared with adjacent tissues. Besides, CREC family was significantly correlated with advanced tumor stage and poor prognosis of CRC patients. The expression levels of CREC family had correlations with genomic mutation and methylation, and with the infiltration levels of CD4 + T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in the microenvironment of CRC. Functional networks enrichment analysis indicated that the genes of CREC family were essential factors for CRC metastasis. Collectively, these findings suggest that CREC family might be potential targets for the treatment of CRC and candidate prognostic markers for CRC patients.

PARP inhibitor shuts down the global translation of thyroid cancer through promoting Pol II binding to DIMT1 pause

Thyroid cancer has become the most frequent endocrine-related malignancy. Currently, a mounting body of evidences support the clinical strategies for extending the benefit of PARP inhibitors beyond BRCA-mutant cancers. However, the functions and molecular mechanisms of PARP inhibitors in thyroid cancers (TCs) are not fully understood. Here, on the one hand, we revealed that niraparib promotes the accumulation of DNA damage in TCs. On the other hand, we indicated that niraparib inhibits the transcription of DIMT1 through promoting Pol II pausing in a PAR-dependent manner, subsequently leading to a global translation inhibition in TCs. Meanwhile, we found that niraparib activates the NF-κB signaling pathway by inhibiting the PARylation of p65, which decreases its ubiquitination and degradation level through E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF146. Moreover, bortezomib (a small molecule inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway) could significantly enhance the anti-tumor effect of niraparib on TCs in vitro and in vivo. Our findings provide mechanistic supports for the efficacy of PARP inhibitors in cancer cells lacking BRCA-mutant.

[Silencing SIRT1 reduces 5-fluorouracil resistance of cholangiocarcinoma cells by inhibiting the FOXO1/Rab7 autophagy pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism by which SIRT1 silencing reduces 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance of cholangiocarcinoma cells and the role of FOXO1/Rab7 autophagy pathway in mediating this effect.

METHODS

Human cholangiocarcinoma HCCC-9810 cells were treated with 50, 100, 150, and 200 μg/mL 5-FU to construct a 5-FU-resistant cell model, whose expressions of SIRT1, FOXO1 and Rab7 were detected with immunofluorescence assay, Western blotting and RTqPCR, and the expression levels of autophagy related proteins (Beclin1, LC3, and p62) were detected with Western blotting. The 5-FU resistant cells were transfected with a SIRT1 siRNA, and the changes in 5-Fu resistance and migration ability of the cells were evaluated using CCK-8 assay and wound healing assay; The changes in FOXO1 and Rab7 mRNA levels and protein expressions of SIRT1, FOXO1, Rab7, Beclin1, LC3 and P62 were detected with RT-qPCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Treatments with 5-FU at 50, 100, 150, and 200 μg/mL all inhibited the proliferation of HCCC-9810 cells. Immunofluorescence assay revealed significantly enhanced SIRT1 expression in 5-FU-resistant HCC-9810 cells, and Western blotting also showed significantly up-regulated protein expressions of SIRT1, Rab7, P62, FOXO1 and Beclin 1 (P < 0.001) and an increased LC3II/LC3I ratio in the cells (P < 0.001). The mRNA levels of SIRT1, Rab7 and FOXO1 were also up-regulated in 5-Fu-resistant cells (P < 0.05). SIRT1 silencing significantly attenuated 5-FU resistance and migration ability of HCCC-9810 cells, and obviously decreased the protein expressions of SIRT1, Rab7, P62, FOXO1 and Beclin1 and the LC3II/LC3I ratio as well (P < 0.001). FOXO1 and Rab7 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in 5-FU-resistant HCC-9810 cells after SIRT1 silencing (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Silencing SIRT1 attenuates 5-FU resistance in HCC-9810 cells by inhibiting the activation of the FOXO1/Rab7 autophagy pathway.

Clinical characteristics of 14 pediatric mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia associated thrombosis: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP)-associated thrombosis and to gain a better understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

METHODS

The medical records of 14 children with MPP-associated thrombosis between January 2016 and April 2020 were retrospectively reviewed at the Tianjin Children's Hospital.

RESULTS

The ages of the patients ranged from 3 to 12 years old. Among the 14 cases, there were five cases of pulmonary embolism, two cases of cerebral infarction, one case of splenic infarction, one case of cardiac embolism, two cases of cardiac embolism with comorbid pulmonary embolism, one case of internal carotid artery and pulmonary embolism, one case of combined internal carotid artery and the cerebral infarction, and one case combined cardiac embolism and lower limb artery embolism. All cases had elevated D-dimer levels. After thrombolysis and anticoagulation therapy, three cases with cerebral embolism still suffered from neurological sequelae. In contrast, the remaining cases did not develop complications.

CONCLUSION

MPP-associated thrombosis can occur in any vessel of the body. Thrombosis-associated symptoms may be complex and non-specific. Elevated D-dimer levels in a child with refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia should raise suspicion of thrombosis. The long-term prognosis of thrombosis was favorable after the timely administration of anticoagulant therapy.

Activation of GRP78 ATPase suppresses A549 lung cancer cell migration by promoting ITGB4 degradation

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an essential signal molecule in cancer cells. Activated GRP78 ATPase by a HOCl probe named ZBM-H inhibits lung cancer cell growth. However, the role and underlying mechanism of GRP78 ATPase in lung cancer cell migration have not been established. Here, we reported that activation of GRP78 ATPase by ZBM-H suppressed A549 cell migration and inhibited EMT process. Notably, ZBM-H time-dependently decreased the protein level of integrin β4 (ITGB4) in A549 cells. Combinatorial treatment of 3BDO (an autophagy inhibitor) and ZBM-H partially rescued the protein level of ITGB4. Consistently, 3BDO partially reversed ZBM-H-inhibited cell migration. Furthermore, ZBM-H promoted the interaction between ANXA7 and Hsc70, which participated in the regulation of selective autophagy and degradation of ITGB4.

Values of OAS gene family in the expression signature, immune cell infiltration and prognosis of human bladder cancer

Background

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the most common genitourinary malignancies in the world, but its pathogenic genes have not been fully identified and the treatment outcomes are still unsatisfactory. Although the members of 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) gene family are known involved in some tumorous biological processes, the roles of the OAS gene family in BLCA are still undetermined.

Methods

By combining vast bioinformatic datasets analyses of BLCA and the experimental verification on clinical BLCA specimen, we identified the expressions and biological functions of OAS gene family members in BLCA with comparison to normal bladder tissues.

Results

The expression levels of OAS gene family members were higher in BLCA than in normal bladder tissues. The expression levels of most OAS genes had correlations with genomic mutation and methylation, and with the infiltration levels of CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in the microenvironment of BLCA. In addition, high expressions of OAS1, OAS2, OAS3, and OASL predicted better overall survival in BLCA patients.

Conclusions

The highly expressed OAS genes in BLCA can reflect immune cells infiltration in the tumor microenvironment and predict the better overall survival of BLCA, and thus may be considered as a signature of BLCA. The study provides new insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of BLCA.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-10102-8.

ATP8B1 Knockdown Activated the Choline Metabolism Pathway and Induced High-Level Intracellular REDOX Homeostasis in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary

We found that low expression of ATP8B1 was associated with poor prognosis, and involved in the dysregulation of glutathione (GSH) synthesis and choline metabolism in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) samples of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital (TJMUCH) cohort. We further constructed ATP8B1 knockdown of LUSC cell lines H520^SH-ATP8B1 and SK-MES-1^SH-ATP8B1 to investigate how ATP8B1 knockdown promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo via upregulation of the CHKA-dependent choline metabolism pathway. We identified that ATP8B1 knockdown and CHKA upregulation can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and high reduction-oxidation (REDOX) homeostasis, which may be involved in the roles of cardiolipin in maintaining mitochondrial dynamics and phospholipid homeostasis. Therefore, we proposed ATP8B1 as a novel predictive biomarker in LUSC and targeting ATP8B1-driven specific metabolic disorder might be a promising therapeutic strategy for LUSC.

Abstract

The flippase ATPase class I type 8b member 1 (ATP8B1) is essential for maintaining the stability and polarity of the epithelial membrane and can translocate specific phospholipids from the outer membrane to the inner membrane of the cell. Although ATP8B1 plays important roles in cell functions, ATP8B1 has been poorly studied in tumors and its prognostic value in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) remains unclear. By investigating the whole genomic expression profiles of LUSC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital (TJMUCH) cohort, we found that low expression of ATP8B1 was associated with poor prognosis of LUSC patients. The results from cellular experiments and a xenograft-bearing mice model indicated that ATP8B1 knockdown firstly induced mitochondrial dysfunction and promoted ROS production. Secondly, ATP8B1 knockdown promoted glutathione synthesis via upregulation of the CHKA-dependent choline metabolism pathway, therefore producing and maintaining high-level intracellular REDOX homeostasis to aggravate carcinogenesis and progression of LUSC. In summary, we proposed ATP8B1 as a novel predictive biomarker in LUSC and targeting ATP8B1-driven specific metabolic disorder might be a promising therapeutic strategy for LUSC.

ZBM-H-induced activation of GRP78 ATPase promotes apoptosis via annexin A7 in A549 lung cancer cells

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an essential signal for the regulation of cancer cell fate, including autophagy and apoptosis. HOCl regulated autophagy by affecting the oxidation modification of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and the activity of GRP78 ATPase. The mechanism of GRP78 ATPase in cell apoptosis has however not yet been clarified. Here we reported that ZBM-H, as a probe of HOCl, was able to directly bind to GRP78 in the presence or absence of ATP. Following ZBM-H treatment, the interaction between GRP78 and annexin A7 (ANXA7) was promoted, and this was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of integrin β4 (ITGB4). In addition, ZBM-H enhanced the phosphorylation of ANXA7. ABO, an inhibitor of ANXA7, inhibited ZBM-H-induced ITGB4 phosphorylation and apoptosis, while ANXA7 activator SEC had opposite effect. Collectively, these data provide new evidence for the mechanism by which ZBM-H-induced activation of GRP78 ATPase regulates apoptosis of A549 lung cancer cells.

Abstract LB232: Imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathway induced by M2-polarized macrophages promotes hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling represented the predominant cytokine signaling involved in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), another member of TGF-β superfamily, was frequently found to have cross-talk with TGF-β pathway. However, the complex interaction between TGF-β and BMP pathways has not been fully elucidated in HCC. In this study, we found that the imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathway was associated with aggressive pathological features and poor clinical outcome in HCC, and it could significantly promote HCC cells invasion and stemness by increasing inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1). Next, we indicated that the miR-17-92 cluster could disrupted the balance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathway in HCC cells by inducing TGFBR2 post-transcriptional silence and inhibiting ACVR1 post-translational ubiquitylation via targeting Smurf1. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-17-92 cluster was originated from the extracellular vesicles (EVs) of M2-polarized tumor associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) infiltrated in HCC microenvironment and induced the imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathway. Finally, we found that sh-MIR17HG lentivirus, TGFBR2 lentivirus and ACVR1 inhibitor could profoundly inhibit M2-TAMs-stimulated the growth and metastasis of HCC xenografts in vivo. We propose that imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathway may serve as a prognostic biomarker, M2-TAMs and miR-17-92 cluster could be a therapeutic target for this subtype of HCC.

Citation Format: Junya Ning, Yingnan Ye, Jinpu Yu. Imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathway induced by M2-polarized macrophages promotes hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr LB232.

Imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathways induced by M2-polarized macrophages promotes hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway is the predominant cytokine signaling pathway in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), another member of the TGF-β superfamily, has been frequently found to participate in crosstalk with the TGF-β pathway. However, the complex interaction between the TGF-β and BMP pathways has not been fully elucidated in HCC. We found that the imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathways was associated with aggressive pathological features and poor clinical outcomes in HCC. The induction of the imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathways in HCC cells could significantly promote HCC cell invasion and stemness by increasing inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) expression. We also found that the microRNA (miR)-17-92 cluster, originating from the extracellular vesicles (EVs) of M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs), stimulated the imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathways in HCC cells by inducing TGF-β type II receptor (TGFBR2) post-transcriptional silencing and inhibiting activin A receptor type 1 (ACVR1) post-translational ubiquitylation by targeting Smad ubiquitylation regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1). In vivo, short hairpin (sh)-MIR17HG and ACVR1 inhibitors profoundly attenuated HCC cell growth and metastasis by rectifying the imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathways. Therefore, we proposed that the imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathways is a feasible prognostic biomarker and recovering the imbalance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 pathways might be a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Histopathological features of complete pathological response predict recurrence-free survival following neoadjuvant targeted therapy for metastatic melanoma

BACKGROUND

Recent clinical trials demonstrated the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant dabrafenib and trametinib (DT) among patients with surgically resectable clinical stage III BRAFV600E/K mutant melanoma. Although patients achieving a complete pathological response (pCR) exhibited superior recurrence-free survival (RFS) versus those who did not, 30% of pCR patients relapsed. We sought to identify whether histopathological features of the pathological response further delineated risk of relapse.

METHODS

Surgical resection specimens from DT-treated patients in two phase 2 clinical trials were reviewed. Histopathological features, including relative amounts of viable tumour, necrosis, melanosis, and fibrosis (hyalinized or immature/proliferative) were assessed for associations with patient outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients underwent surgical resection following neoadjuvant DT. Patients achieving pCR (49%) had longer RFS compared with patients who did not (P = 0.005). Patients whose treated tumour showed any hyalinized fibrosis had longer RFS versus those without (P = 0.014), whereas necrosis (P = 0.012) and/or immature/proliferative fibrosis (P = 0.026) correlated with shorter RFS. Multivariable analyses showed absence of pCR or presence of immature fibrosis independently predicted shorter RFS. Among pCR patients, mature/hyalinized-type fibrosis correlated with improved RFS (P = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

The extent and composition of the pathological response following neoadjuvant DT in BRAFV600E/K mutant melanoma correlates with RFS, including pCR patients. These findings support the need for detailed histological analysis of specimens collected after neoadjuvant therapy.

Promoting TTC4 and HSP70 interaction and translocation of annexin A7 to lysosome inhibits apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells

We previously demonstrated that Tetraticopeptide 4 (TTC4) inhibited apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells (VEC) deprived of serum and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). In this study, we aimed to resolve the mechanism of TTC4 inhibiting VEC apoptosis. TTC4, predicted as a HSP70 co-chaperone protein, may regulate the fate of cells by affecting the activity of HSP70, however, there is no experimental evidence showing the interaction of TTC4 and HSP70. Using Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), we demonstrated that TTC4 interacted with HSP70. If HSP70 was knockdown, TTC4 no longer suppressed apoptosis. Furthermore, we found ABO, an inhibitor of annexin A7 (ANXA7) GTPase, could promote the interaction of TTC4 and HSP70 and the translocation of ANXA7 to lysosome. At the same time, ABO inhibited the interaction of HSP70 and ANXA7. Moreover, Akt, as a downstream effector of HSP70 was upregulated, and ANXA7 translocating to lysosome protected the stability of lysosomal membrane. Here, we discovered a special mechanism by which TTC4 inhibited apoptosis via HSP70 in VECs. On the one hand, increasing TTC4 and HSP70 interaction upregulated Akt that inhibited apoptosis. On the other hand, decreasing HSP70 and ANXA7 interaction promoted the translocation of ANXA7 to lysosome, which inhibited apoptosis through protecting the lysosomal membrane stability.

Modelling the evolution trajectory of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: experience and suggestions

OBJECTIVES

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan city, China, which has subsequently led to a global pandemic. At the time of writing, COVID-19 in Wuhan appears to be in the final phase and under control. However, many other countries, especially the US, Italy and Spain, are still in the early phases and dealing with increasing cases every day. Therefore, this article aims to summarise and share the experience of controlling the spread of COVID-19 in Wuhan and provide effective suggestions to enable other countries to save lives.

STUDY DESIGN

Data from the National Health Commission of China are used to investigate the evolution trajectory of COVID-19 in Wuhan and discuss the impacts of the intervention strategies.

METHODS

A four-stage modified Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed (SEIR) model is presented. This model considers many influencing factors, including chunyun (the Spring festival), sealing off the city and constructing the Fangcang shelter hospitals. In addition, a novel method is proposed to address the abnormal data on 12-13 February as a result of changing diagnostic criteria. Four different scenarios are considered to capture different intervention measures in practice. The exposed population in Wuhan who moved out before sealing off the city have also been identified, and an analysis on where they had gone was performed using the Baidu Migration Index.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate that the four-stage model was effective in forecasting the peak, size and duration of COVID-19. We found that the combined intervention measures are the only effective way to control the spread and not a single one of them can be omitted. We estimate that England will be another epicentre owing to its incorrect response at the initial stages of COVID-19. Fortunately, big data technology can help provide early warnings to new areas of the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

The four-stage SEIR model was effective in capturing the evolution trajectory of COVID-19. Based on the model analysis, several effective suggestions are proposed to prevent and control the pandemic for countries that are still in the initial phases.

Macrophages-induced long noncoding RNA H19 up-regulation triggers and activates the miR-193b/MAPK1 axis and promotes cell aggressiveness in hepatocellular carcinoma

Dysregulation of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 has been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the concrete regulatory mechanism is lack of research. We mined gene expression profiles of 457 HCC samples from TCGA and TJMUCH cohorts and further validated in 64 FFPE HCC tissues. LncRNA H19 overexpression in situ was significantly correlated with poor prognosis of HCC patients, which induced EMT, promoted stemness and accelerated invasion of HCC cells in vitro. Co-expression network analysis indicated lncRNA H19 negatively correlated with miR-193b and positively correlated with MAPK1 gene, which implicated that lncRNA H19 served as a sponge molecule to hijack miR-193b and protect MAPK1. Forced overexpression of H19 attenuated miR-193b-mediated inhibition on multiple driver oncogenes (EGFR, KRAS, PTEN and IGF1R) and MAPK1 gene, thus triggered EMT and stem cell transformation in HCC. LncRNA H19 positively correlated with CD68 ⁺ TAMs in situ. TAMs-induced lncRNA H19 promotes HCC aggressiveness via triggering and activating the miR-193b/MAPK1 axis, mediates the crosstalk between HCC and immunological microenvironment, and causes poor clinical outcomes. LncRNA H19 is a valuable predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target in HCC.

Inhibiting lysine 353 oxidation of GRP78 by a hypochlorous probe targeting endoplasmic reticulum promotes autophagy in cancer cells

The level of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in cancer cells is higher than that in non-cancer cells. HOCl is an essential signal for the regulation of cell fate and works mainly through the protein post-translational modifications in cancer cells. However, the mechanism of HOCl regulating autophagy has not been clarified. Here we reported that a HOCl probe named ZBM-H targeted endoplasmic reticulum and induced an intact autophagy flux in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, ZBM-H promoted the binding of GRP78 to AMPK and increased the phosphorylation of AMPK in a dose- and time-dependent manner. GRP78 knockdown inhibited ZBM-H-induced AMPK phosphorylation and ZBM-H-stimulated autophagy. In addition, mass spectrometry combined with point mutation experiments revealed that ZBM-H increased GRP78 activity by inhibiting HOCl-induced lysine 353 oxidation of GRP78. Following ZBM-H treatment in vitro and in vivo, cell growth was significantly inhibited while apoptosis was induced. Nevertheless, exogenous HOCl partially reversed ZBM-H-inhibited cell growth and ZBM-H-induced GRP78 activation. In brief, we found that an endoplasmic reticulum-targeted HOCl probe named ZBM-H, acting through attenuating HOCl-induced GRP78 oxidation, inhibited tumor cell survival by promoting autophagy and apoptosis. Overall, these data demonstrated a novel mechanism of hypochlorous acid regulating autophagy by promoting the oxidation modification of GRP78.

Simplified colonic dialysis with hemodialysis solutions delays the progression of chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

The colon plays a vital role in the disposal of nitrogenous waste products. Therefore, the colon may provide a therapeutic target for managing chronic kidney disease (CKD).

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of a simplified model of colonic dialysis with hemodialysis solutions (SCD) to delay the progression of stages 3-5 CKD.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 178 stages 3-5 CKD patients who did or did not receive SCD (SCD group, n = 88; control group, n = 90). The follow-up was 36 months. The outcome of CKD progression was defined as a decrease in 50% or more in estimated glomerular filtration rate, starting hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis or undergoing transplantation. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare CKD progression between SCD and control groups as well as between subgroups at different CKD stages. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for patients' characteristics were used to examine the association between SCD and the outcome.

RESULTS

For all patients, the outcome was significantly better in SCD group compared to control group (P < 0.05). The results were similar in the subgroups of patients at stage 4 (P = 0.001) and stage 5 (P = 0.000), but not in the subgroup of patients at stage 3 (P = 0.121). For all patients, SCD was associated with a lower risk of CKD progression after adjusted for patients' characteristics (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.373; 95% confidence interval, 0.201-0.694; P 0.002).

CONCLUSION

SCD is an effective supplementary therapy to delay the progression of stages 4-5 CKD.

Opposing roles and potential antagonistic mechanism between TGF-β and BMP pathways: Implications for cancer progression

The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily participates in tumour proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, migration, invasion, immune evasion and extracellular matrix remodelling. Genetic deficiency in distinct components of TGF-β and BMP-induced signalling pathways or their excessive activation has been reported to regulate the development and progression of some cancers. As more in-depth studies about this superfamily have been conducted, more evidence suggests that the TGF-β and BMP pathways play an opposing role. The cross-talk of these 2 pathways has been widely studied in kidney disease and bone formation, and the opposing effects have also been observed in some cancers. However, the antagonistic mechanisms are still insufficiently investigated in cancer. In this review, we aim to display more evidences and possible mechanisms accounting for the antagonism between these 2 pathways, which might provide some clues for further study in cancer.

•

Describe the basics of TGF-β and BMP signalling

•

Summarize the potential mechanisms accounting for the antagonism between TGF-β and BMP pathways

•

Provide some evidence about the antagonistic effects between pathways observed in some cancers

Comparative efficacy of adjuvant trastuzumab-containing chemotherapies for patients with early HER2-positive primary breast cancer: a network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab (H) with chemotherapy benefits patients with HER2+ breast cancer (BC); however, we lack head-to-head pairwise assessment of survival or cardiotoxicity for specific combinations. We sought to identify optimal combinations.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, updated October 2017, using keywords "Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy," "Trastuzumab," and "Clinical Trial" and searched Cochrane Library. Our search included randomized trials of adjuvant H plus chemotherapy for early-stage HER2+ BC, and excluding trials of neoadjuvant therapy or without data to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) for outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, one investigator did initial search; two others independently confirmed and extracted information; and consensus with another investigator resolved disagreements. Before gathering data, we set outcomes of overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and severe cardiac adverse events (SCAEs). Analyzing 6 trials and 13,621 patients, we made direct and indirect comparisons using network meta-analysis on HR for OS or EFS and on odds ratio (OR) for SCAE; ranked therapy was done based on outcomes using p scores.

RESULTS

Compared with anthracycline-cyclophosphamide with taxane (ACT), ACT with concurrent H (ACT+H) showed best OS (HR 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55, 0.72), followed by taxane and carboplatin (TC) with concurrent H (TC+H) (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.59, 1) and ACT with sequential H (ACT-H) (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.68, 1.05). Pairwise comparisons showed statistically significant OS benefit for ACT+H over others; similar results for EFS. TC+H showed statistically significant lower SCAE risk compared to ACT+H (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03, 0.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent H with ACT or TC showed most clinical benefit for early-stage HER2+ BC; TC+H had lowest cardiotoxicity.

In Vivo Effects of Stroma-Free Hemoglobin and Polyhemoglobin on Coagulation Factors in Rats

We studied the effects of rat stroma-free hemoglobin (rSFH), human stroma-free hemoglobin (hSFH), rat polyhemoglobin (rPoly), and human polyhemoglobin (hPoly) on coagulation factors in rats. Albumin and saline infused rats were controls. The infusion volume was 10% of the rat's blood volume. The concentrations of hemoglobin in this study were 7 g/dl.

Measurements for prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were at 5 minutes, 2, 6, 24 and 72 hours after infusion. Factor X, fibrinogen, plasminogen, antithrombin III, and antiplasmin were followed at 24 and 72 hours after infusion. Compared with saline infused rats PT and PTT did not change significantly in those rats infused with Hb preparations. There was a transient increase of PTT from 2 to 24 hours after infusion in albumin infused rats. Factor X, fibrinogen, antithrombin III and antiplasmin showed no significant differences between Hb infused groups and saline infused group. Twenty-four hours and 72 hours after infusion plasminogen decreased in all groups except the albumin infused rats at 24 hours after infusion when compared with normal rat plasma pool. However, there were no significant differences in plasminogen levels between the hemoglobin infused groups and the control saline group.

Stroma-free and polyHb solutions (rSFH, hSFH, rPoly and hPoly) did not cause significant changes in prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in rats. The rats infused with hemoglobin solutions (rSFH, hSFH, rPoly, and hPloy) did not show significant differences in Factor X, fibrinogen, antithrombin III and antiplasmin levels compared with the control group.

Neurotensin/IL-8 pathway orchestrates local inflammatory response and tumor invasion by inducing M2 polarization of Tumor-Associated macrophages and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

We previously demonstrated that neurotensin (NTS) induces local inflammation and promotes tumor invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. In this study, positive correlations between NTS and interleukin (IL)-8 were identified at both the mRNA and protein levels in 71 fresh HCC tissues and 100 paraffin-embedded HCC tissues. Furthermore, significant correlations were determined among the co-expression of NTS and IL-8, infiltration of inflammatory cells and enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC cells. NTS-induced IL-8 production was associated with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways rather than the protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) pathways, whose specific antagonists significantly inhibited activation of the NTS/IL-8 pathway. IL-8, which promoted EMT and HCC invasion both in vitro and in vivo, was produced by NTS-induced HCC cells and was effectively attenuated by blocking IL-8 receptors in vitro. Moreover, HCC-derived IL-8 attracted more CD68⁺ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and CD66b⁺ polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) to the local microenvironment, displaying enhanced cytokine secretion and phagocytosis. IL-8 stimulated the M2 polarization of TAMs, which promoted the EMT and invasive potential of HCC cells. Blockage of the IL-8 receptor, NTR1 receptor or both significantly reduced HCC metastases in tumor-bearing mouse models via inhibiting EMT. In summary, aberrant activation of the NTS/IL-8 pathway in HCC dramatically stimulated the invasive potential of HCC cells. HCC-derived IL-8 promoted a pro-oncogenic inflammatory microenvironment by inducing M2-type TAMs and indirectly promoting EMT, which might be a valuable therapeutic target to prevent tumor progression.

On pseudolikelihood inference for semiparametric models with boundary problems

Consider a semiparametric model indexed by a Euclidean parameter of interest and an infinite-dimensional nuisance parameter. In many applications, pseudolikelihood provides a convenient way to infer the parameter of interest, where the nuisance parameter is replaced by a consistent estimator. The purpose of this paper is to establish the asymptotic behaviour of the pseudolikelihood ratio statistic under semiparametric models. In particular, we consider testing the hypothesis that the parameter of interest lies on the boundary of its parameter space. Under regularity conditions, we establish the equivalence between the asymptotic distributions of the pseudolikelihood ratio statistic and a likelihood ratio statistic for a normal mean problem with a misspecified covariance matrix. This result holds when the nuisance parameter is estimated at a rate slower than the usual rate in parametric models. We study three examples in which the asymptotic distributions are shown to be mixtures of chi-squared variables. We conduct simulation studies to examine the finite-sample performance of the pseudolikelihood ratio test.

NFATc1 promotes prostate tumorigenesis and overcomes PTEN loss-induced senescence

Despite recent insights into prostate cancer (PCa)-associated genetic changes, full understanding of prostate tumorigenesis remains elusive due to complexity of interactions among various cell types and soluble factors present in prostate tissue. We found upregulation of Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells c1 (NFATc1) in human PCa and cultured PCa cells, but not in normal prostates and non-tumorigenic prostate cells. To understand the role of NFATc1 in prostate tumorigenesis in situ, we temporally and spatially controlled the activation of NFATc1 in mouse prostate and showed that such activation resulted in prostatic adenocarcinoma with features similar to those seen in human PCa. Our results indicate that the activation of a single transcription factor, NFATc1 in prostatic luminal epithelium to PCa can affect expression of diverse factors in both cells harboring the genetic changes and in neighboring cells through microenvironmental alterations. In addition to the activation of oncogenes c-MYC and STAT3 in tumor cells, a number of cytokines and growth factors, such as IL1β, IL6, and SPP1 (Osteopontin, a key biomarker for PCa), were upregulated in NFATc1-induced PCa, establishing a tumorigenic microenvironment involving both NFATc1 positive and negative cells for prostate tumorigenesis. To further characterize interactions between genes involved in prostate tumorigenesis, we generated mice with both NFATc1 activation and Pten inactivation in prostate. We showed that NFATc1 activation led to acceleration of Pten-null–driven prostate tumorigenesis by overcoming the PTEN loss–induced cellular senescence through inhibition of p21 activation. This study provides direct in vivo evidence of an oncogenic role of NFATc1 in prostate tumorigenesis and reveals multiple functions of NFATc1 in activating oncogenes, in inducing proinflammatory cytokines, in oncogene addiction, and in overcoming cellular senescence, which suggests calcineurin-NFAT signaling as a potential target in preventing PCa.

Has racial difference in cause-specific death improved in older patients with late-stage breast cancer?

BACKGROUND

Research on temporal mortality trends for stage IV breast cancer is limited, especially among older patients by race. We evaluated factors associated with overall, breast cancer-specific and other-cause mortalities using contemporary population data.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked data, we identified older women (≥ 66 years) with stage IV breast cancer diagnosed in 2002-2009. Overall mortality was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, compared by log-rank tests, and modeled by Cox models. Competing risk analysis was used to evaluate breast cancer-specific and other-cause mortalities.

RESULTS

The median overall survival time for non-Hispanic blacks improved from 8.6 months in 2002-2003 to 9.9 months in 2007-2009, whereas that for non-Hispanic whites improved from 12.1 to 14.8 months. In the multivariate model, the risk of breast cancer-specific death for patients diagnosed in 2007-2009 was significantly lower (P = 0.02), whereas the risk of other-cause mortality changed little (P = 0.88) compared with those risks for patients diagnosed in 2002-2003. Non-Hispanic blacks had the higher risk of both mortality types compared with non-Hispanic whites; a diagnosis time-race interaction term was not statistically significant for either cause of death.

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer-specific mortality among older women modestly improved from 2002 to 2009 across all races, but not other-cause mortality. Racial disparity in mortality persisted, but did not widen in this period. Efforts should be devoted to improving other-cause mortality for all women, with special attention toward decreasing breast cancer mortality for non-Hispanic black women.

The role of hydrogen sulfide in pathologies of the vital organs and its clinical application

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is one of the more recently recognised gaseous transmitters that have been shown to be involved in a large range of cellular functions. While H(2)S generally has pro-survival and anti-apoptotic effects, at higher concentrations, this effect is reversed and it becomes anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic instead. H(2)S is also involved in a number of organ specific functions such as thermoregulation, modulating myocardial activity and broncho-dilation. H(2)S has organ protective effects in ischaemia, acting as a vasodilator and negative inotrope to reduce blood pressure. H(2)S generally has a protective effect in acute inflammation and oxidative stress from causes such as allergy and toxins. In chronic organ pathology, low H(2)S levels have been observed in a number of different diseases, while there is evidence that H(2)S may be beneficial in a number of chronic organ degenerations. A number of studies on human tissue and cell line conducted in the recent years shows H(2)S exerting largely similar effects in humans as those in animals. This may indicate that the pharmacological potential of H(2)S modulators could have therapeutic value in a large range of acute conditions such as ischaemia, toxin exposure as well as chronic conditions such as hypertension, lung diseases and neurodegenerative disease.

Impact of isoflurane on malignant capability of ovarian cancer in vitro

BACKGROUND

Metastatic recurrence of ovarian cancer is the foremost cause of postoperative mortality. With recent research indicating that inhalation of anaesthetics may influence cancer cell behaviour, this study investigated the effects of isoflurane on the expression of tumorigenic markers and proliferative capacity in ovarian cancer cells.

METHODS

Ovarian cancer (SK-OV3) cells were cultured and then exposed to 2% isoflurane for 2 h. The expression of markers involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and migration were assessed up to 24 h after treatment using immunofluorescence staining, western blotting, and flow cytometry. The effects of isoflurane on in vitro angiogenesis and migration were also determined.

RESULTS

Isoflurane exposure significantly increased insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-1R expression, cell cycle progression, and cell proliferation in SK-OV3 cells. Increased expression of the angiogenic markers vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by 56% (P<0.05) and angiopoietin-1 by 62% (P<0.05) was also observed 24 h after isoflurane exposure together with an enhanced in vitro angiogenesis. Cell migration was significantly increased after exposure to isoflurane together with increased production of both matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (both P<0.05) by almost five-fold relative to control. These effects were abolished when IGF-1R signalling was blocked either by neutralizing antibody or by small interfering RNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that isoflurane increases the malignant potential of ovarian cancer cells through the up-regulation of markers associated with the cell cycle, proliferation, and angiogenesis. This study warrants further investigations.

Empirical likelihood-based confidence intervals for length-biased data

Logistic or other constraints often preclude the possibility of conducting incident cohort studies. A feasible alternative in such cases is to conduct a cross-sectional prevalent cohort study for which we recruit prevalent cases, that is, subjects who have already experienced the initiating event, say the onset of a disease. When the interest lies in estimating the lifespan between the initiating event and a terminating event, say death for instance, such subjects may be followed prospectively until the terminating event or loss to follow-up, whichever happens first. It is well known that prevalent cases have, on average, longer lifespans. As such, they do not constitute a representative random sample from the target population; they comprise a biased sample. If the initiating events are generated from a stationary Poisson process, the so-called stationarity assumption, this bias is called length bias. The current literature on length-biased sampling lacks a simple method for estimating the margin of errors of commonly used summary statistics. We fill this gap by using the empirical likelihood-based confidence intervals by adapting this method to right-censored length-biased survival data. Both large and small sample behaviors of these confidence intervals are studied. We illustrate our method by using a set of data on survival with dementia, collected as part of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.

Assessment of genotoxic effects of flumorph by the comet assay in mice organs

The present study investigated the genotoxic effects of flumorph in various organs (brain, liver, spleen, kidney and sperm) of mice. The DNA damage, measured as comet tail length (µm), was determined using the alkaline comet assay. The comet assay is a sensitive assay for the detection of genotoxicity caused by flumorph using mice as a model. Statistically significant increases in comet assay for both dose-dependent and duration-dependent DNA damage were observed in all the organs assessed. The organs exhibited the maximum DNA damage in 96 h at 54 mg/kg body weight. Brain showed maximum DNA damage followed by spleen > kidney > liver > sperm. Our data demonstrated that flumorph had induced systemic genotoxicity in mammals as it caused DNA damage in all tested vital organs, especially in brain and spleen.

Overexpression of ubiquitin-specific protease 22 predicts poor survival in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22), a novel ubiquitin hydrolase, has been implicated in oncogenesis and cancer progression in various types of human cancer. However, the clinical significance of USP22 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been determined. In the present study, USP22 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis in 30 cases of NSCLC and in corresponding non-tumor tissue samples. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry was performed to detect USP22 protein expression in 86 primary tumor tissues derived from clinically annotated NSCLC cases at stage I-II. In our analysis we found that both USP22 mRNA and protein levels in NSCLC tissues were significantly higher than those in corresponding non-tumor tissues and that there was a significant correlation between the expression of USP22 mRNA and protein (P=0.000, κ=0.732). In addition, a high-level of USP22 expression was observed in 53.3% (39 out of 86) cases and it was correlated with large tumor size (P=0.029) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.026). Patients with tumors displaying a high-level of USP22 expression showed significantly shorter survival (P=0.006, log-rank test). Importantly, multivariate analysis showed that high USP22 protein expression was an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC patients (P=0.003). In sum, our data suggest that USP22 plays an important role in NSCLC progression at the early stage, and that overexpression of USP22 in tumor tissues could be used as a potential prognostic marker for patients with early clinical stage of NSCLC.

Masticatory biomechanics and masseter fiber-type plasticity

Compared to force-resisting elements of the mammalian feeding apparatus, data on jaw-muscle plasticity are less common. This hinders our understanding of the role of force-producing structures in craniofacial development and integration. Thus, we investigated fiber-type abundance and cross-sectional area in the masseter muscle of growing rabbits subjected to diet-induced variation in masticatory stresses. Three loading cohorts were obtained as weanlings and raised until adult on different diets. Immediately following euthanasia, left-sided masseters were dissected away, weighed, and then divided into anterior, intermediate and posterior sections for fiber-type immunohistochemistry. These data were compared to mandibular proportions and biomineralization from the same subjects. Results indicate that growing mammals fed a tougher, fracture-resistant diet develop: absolutely and relatively lower numbers of Type I jaw-muscle fibers; absolutely larger fiber cross-sectional areas; and relative increases in the amount of Type II fibers. These analyses indicate that an early postweaning dietary shift can induce significant variation in muscle fiber types. Such norms of reaction are comparable to those observed in bony elements. Functionally, the processing of fracture-resistant foods results in jaw adductors potentially characterized by faster contraction times and higher force production capabilities, which may influence the frequency and amplitude of forces experienced by oral tissues.

[Relationship between hypotension during hemodialysis and autonomic dysfunction in diabetic hemodialysis patients]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the change of autonomic nerve function in diabetes mellitus(DM) patients who receive hemodialysis and to explore the relationship between this change and hypotension during hemodialysis.

METHODS

Twenty-five DM patients and 40 chronic glomerulonephritis(CGN) patients who received hemodialysis were checked. We tested their coefficient of variation R-R(CVR-R) in ECG, difference of systolic blood pressure between lying and standing positions, and serum parathyroid hormone(PTH); monitored the decrease of blood pressure during hemodialysis.

RESULTS

The rate(80.0%) of autonomic dysfunction(AD) in DM group is significantly higher than that(57.5%, P < 0.05) in CGN group. The rate(37.2%) of hypotension in those who had AD was significantly higher than that(18.2%, P < 0.05) in those who had normal autonomic nerve function during hemodialysis. No significant difference was found in PTH between each group.

CONCLUSION

DM patients who receive hemodialysis are often complicated with AD, which is one of the reasons that causes hypotension during hemodialysis.

The cytotoxicity of chromium in osteoblasts: effects on macromolecular synthesis

Exposure of an immortalized rat osteoblast cell line, FFC cells, to Cr VI resulted in inhibition of protein, DNA and RNA synthesis. Protein synthesis (3H-leucine incorporation) was most sensitive. There was no inhibition of the incorporation of 3H-proline into collagen at the concentrations which inhibited general protein synthesis (1 microM), but synthesis of extracellular collagen fibers was markedly decreased by concentrations of 0.5 microM Cr VI and above. This indicates that some aspect of the post-translational processing of the collagen fibers is sensitive to Cr VI inhibition. Collagen fiber formation was not inhibited by Cr III (which does not penetrate the cell membrane) or when Cr VI was reduced to Cr III extracellularly. This suggests that the Cr VI inhibits an intracellular stage of post-translational collagen processing. Both Cr VI and Cr III inhibit collagenase activity, the former being more potent but less efficacious. Our results suggest that leakage of chromium ions from orthopedic implants may cause a decrease in the proliferation and infiltration of osteoblasts around the implant, and a reduction in the synthesis and altered turnover of collagen in extracellular matrix. These effects will influence the osseointegration of implants, the osteolytic response, and ultimately the stable life-time of the implants.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alter phosphorus relations of broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus L.) plants

Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus L.) is a dominant grass revegetating many abandoned coal-mined lands in West Virginia, USA. Residual soils on such sites are often characterized by low pH, low nutrients, and high aluminium. Experiments were conducted to assess the resistance of broomsedge to limited phosphorus (Pi) availability and to investigate the role that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play in aiding plant growth under low Pi conditions. Pregerminated mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal seedlings were grown in a sand-culture system with nutrient solutions containing Pi concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 microM for 8 weeks. Non-mycorrhizal plants exhibited severe inhibition of growth under Pi limitation (<60 microM). Colonization by AM fungi (combined Glomus clarum Nicolson & Schenck and Gigaspora gigantea (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe) greatly enhanced host plant growth at low Pi concentrations, but did not benefit growth when Pi was readily available (100 microM). In comparison to non-mycorrhizal plants, mycorrhizal plants had higher phosphorus use efficiency at low Pi concentrations and maintained nearly constant tissue nutrient concentrations across the gradient of Pi concentrations investigated. Manganese (Mn) and sodium (Na) accumulated in shoots of non-mycorrhizal plants under Pi limitation. Mycorrhizal plants exhibited lower instantaneous Pi uptake rates and significantly lower C(min) values compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. These patterns suggest that the symbiotic association between broomsedge roots and AM fungi effectively maintains nutrient homeostasis through changes in physiological properties, including nutrient uptake, allocation and use. The mycorrhizal association is thus a major adaptation that allows broomsedge to become established on infertile mined lands.

[The predomination of rotavirus G3 serotype among children with diarrhea in Lulong County in 1998]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea among children in rural population.

METHODS

120 stool specimens collected from children with diarrhea during the winter of 1998 in Lulong County, Hebei Province were examined for rotavirus by PAGE and ELISA and for serotype by ELISA and PCR.

RESULTS

Rotavirus was detected in children aged between 2-24 months. The positive rate of rotavirus was 39.2% and the ratio of male to female was 1-1.47. All rotavirus RNA profiles were long pattern. The distribution of rotavirus serotypes was type 3(61.7%), followed by type 1(36.2%), and type 4(6.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea during 1998 rotavirus season in Lulong County was similar to that of other regions in China, but rotavirus serotype G3 was a prevalent strain in Lulong County, which was uncommon and different from the predominant G1 in other places throughout China.

[Study of continuous wavelet transform on detecting and enhancing blood vessel in DSA image]

Low contrast is the shortcoming of the image in Digital Subtraction Angiography. This paper presents a new approach for the enhancement of blood volume in DSA image. The wavelet transform was applied to detect blood edges, and then the image contrast was enhanced by the method of contrast stretched. Because the continuous wavelet adopted in this study can detect gray variety in different orientations, the blood vessel edge detected by this algorithm is more precise and complete. Moreover, because the module of image noise by wavelet transform is smaller, the algorithm can protrude blood vessel but restrain noise in background. The processing result showed a very good optical effect of 3 dimensional objects for medical diagnoses.

Facile synthesis of a comb-like mannohexaose: a trimer of the disaccharide repeating unit of the cell-wall mannans of Aphanoascus mephitatus and related species

An efficient method for the preparation of a comb-like mannohexaose having alpha-(1-->6) and alpha-(1-->2) linkages has been described using 6-O-acetyl-2-O-benzoyl-3,4-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate as the key glycosyl donor in an 'inverse Schmidt' procedure.