Metabolic habitat imaging with hemodynamic heterogeneity predicts individual progression-free survival in high-grade glioma

AIM

We design a feasibility study to obtain a set of metabolic-hemodynamic habitats for tackling tumor spatial metabolic patterns with hemodynamic information.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Preoperative data from 69 high-grade gliomas (HGG) patients with subsequent histologic confirmation of HGG were prospectively collected (January 2016 to March 2020) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Four vascular habitats were automatically segmented by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The metabolic information, either at enhancing or edema tumor regions, was obtained by two neuroradiologists. The relative habitat volumes were used for weight estimation procedures for computing the coefficients of a linear regression model using weighted least squares (WLS) for metabolite semiquantifications (i.e. the Cho/NAA ratio and the Cho/Cr ratio) at vascular habitats. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses are used to obtain the odds ratio (OR) and develop a nomogram using weighted estimators corresponding to each covariate derived from Cox regression coefficients.

RESULTS

There was a strongly correlation between perfusion indexes and the Cho/Cr ratio (rCBV, r=0.71) or Cho/NAA ratio (rCBV, r=0.66) at high-angiogenic enhancing tumor habitats (HAT) habitat. Compared isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation to their wild type, the IDH wild type had significantly decreased Cho/Cr ratio (IDH mutation: Cho/Cr ratio = 2.44 ± 0.33, IDH wildtype: Cho/Cr ratio = 2.66 ± 0.36, p=0.02) and Cho/NAA ratio (IDH mutation: Cho/Cr ratio = 4.59 ± 0.61, IDH wildtype: Cho/Cr ratio = 4.99 ± 0.66, p=0.022) at the HAT. The C-index for the median progression-free survival (PFS) prediction was 0.769 for the Cho/NAA nomogram and 0.747 for the Cho/Cr nomogram through 1000 bootstrapping validation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that spatial metabolism combined with hemodynamic heterogeneity is associated with individual PFS to HGG patients post-CCRT.

Managing ischemic and necrotic incarcerated femoral hernia contents and their risk factors

PURPOSE

Incarcerated femoral hernia patients had high risk of hernia contents necrosis. We provide our experience of management ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents in emergency incarcerated femoral hernia patients, and to investigate its risk factors.

METHODS

This is a case-control study. Eighty-nine incarcerated femoral patients who underwent emergency surgery from January 2015 to December 2021 were included, and divided into normal group (60 cases) and ischemia/necrosis group (29 cases) according to the intraoperative condition of hernia contents. The surgical methods, intraoperative and postoperative conditions were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents.

RESULTS

Open preperitoneal tension-free repair was the most commonly used surgical methods (68.5%) for incarcerated femoral patients. The utilization rate of laparoscopic repair in the ischemia/necrosis group was lower than that in the normal group (13.8% vs. 20.0%, P = 0.475). The proportion of mesh placement in the normal group was significantly higher than that in the ischemia/necrosis group (98.3% vs 65.5%, P < 0.001). The hernia contents resection rate (55.2% vs 1.7%), operation time (90 vs 40 min), intraoperative bleeding (5 vs 2 ml), ICU admission rate (31.0% vs 1.7%), and hospital stay (7 vs 4 d) were significantly higher in the ischemia/necrosis group than those in normal group. Results of multivariate logistic regression showed that incarceration time more than 9 h (aOR = 19.3, 95%CI: 1.9-192.9) was an independent risk factor for ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents in emergency incarcerated femoral hernia patients.

CONCLUSION

Open tension-free repair was the most commonly used surgical methods for emergency incarcerated femoral hernia patients. Ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents will increase bowel resection rate and prolong operation and hospital stay. Long incarceration time is an independent risk factor for ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents.

[Clinical effect of anterolateral thigh flow-through chimeric perforator free flap transplantation in the treatment of upper limb complex tissue defects with main artery injury]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of anterolateral thigh flow-through chimeric perforator free flap transplantation in the treatment of upper limb complex tissue defects with main artery injury. Methods: The study was a retrospective observational study. From May 2019 to January 2022, 11 patients with upper limb complex tissue defects combined with main artery injury who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Hand, Foot and Ankle Surgery of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, including 7 males and 4 females, aged from 18 to 56 years. After debridement, the area of skin and soft tissue defects was from 20 cm×6 cm to 32 cm×10 cm, and the exposed area of dead cavity or deep tissue was from 7 cm×4 cm to 10 cm×7 cm. Three patients had radial artery defects with a length of 4 to 7 cm; two patients had ulnar artery defects with a length of 5 to 8 cm; 4 patients had defects in both ulnar and radial arteries with a length of 3 to 7 cm; and in two patients, the ulnar, radial and brachial arteries were all defective with a length of 4 to 8 cm. The anterolateral thigh flow-through chimeric perforator flap was designed and cut. The skin flap area was from 22 cm×7 cm to 32 cm×11 cm, the chimeric muscle flap area was from 7 cm×4 cm to 10 cm×7 cm, and the length of the flow-through vessel in the "T" shaped vessel pedicle was from 4 to 8 cm. When transplanting the skin flap, the proximal end of the vascular pedicle was anastomosed with the proximal end of the recipient site, and the distal end of the vascular pedicle was anastomosed with the more normal blood vessel at the distal end of the forearm; the invalid cavity was filled with the muscle flap. The donor site wounds of tissue flap were closed directly or treated with skin grafting. After operation, the blood supply and survival of the flap, the survival of the distal limb, and the survival of the skin graft at the flap donor site were observed. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed to observe the patency of the proximal and distal anastomotic arteries from 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. During follow-up, the texture of the flap, the survival of the grafted skin and the healing of the donor area were observed. Results: One patient (complete forearm disconnection) developed distal limb blood disorder on 5 days after surgery. CTA examination suggested embolization of the distal anastomosis of the flow-through artery. more muscle and skin and soft tissue necrosis of the distal limb showed in emergency exploration. So, amputation was performed ultimately. No vascular crisis occurred in the skin flaps of the remaining 10 patients, and all skin flaps, distal limbs and the skin grafts in flap donor sites survived well. Two to 4 weeks after surgery, the proximal and distal ends of the anastomosed arteries were good in the patency. Follow-up for 11-37 months, the flap texture was good, and all donor site wounds healed well. Conclusions: The use of anterolateral thigh flow-through chimeric perforator flap to repair upper limb complex tissue defects accompanied by main artery injury can improve the success rate of limb salvage, which can be promoted in clinical practice.

Predictive value of hematological parameters in cirrhotic patients with open umbilical hernia repair

PURPOSE

Patients with liver cirrhosis sometimes suffer from high recurrence rates and postoperative complications. We previously reported that platelet-related hematological parameters are associated with the outcomes after incisional herniorrhaphy, and aim to evaluate the predictive value of these criteria in cirrhotic patients undergoing open umbilical herniorrhaphy.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study. The data of 95 cirrhotic patients undergoing open umbilical herniorrhaphy were analyzed. Patients were grouped based on the recurrence and defined hematological values. Platelet-multiple-lymphocyte index (PLM), neutrophil-leukocyte ratio, lymphocyte-monocyte ratio, platelet-neutrophil ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, and aspartate aminotransferase-leukocyte ratio values were calculated based on preoperative blood analyses. The outcomes were obtained from hospital records and follow-up calls to patients.

RESULTS

Using cutoff values acquired by the Youden Index, we found a PLM value < 27.9, and the history of inguinal herniorrhaphy were revealed to be statistically significant in the recurrence based on univariant and multivariant analyses (p < 0.05). We further divided patients into two groups based on the cutoff value of PLM and found that a PLM value < 27.9 was significantly associated with the recurrence of incisional hernias (p = 0.018) and the occurrence of postoperative foreign sensation (p = 0.044), and tended to result in other postoperative complications such as cardiopathy, respiratory infection, hypoproteinemia, and hepatic diseases (p = 0.089).

CONCLUSION

The preoperative hematological values, especially PLM, may indicate the outcomes in cirrhotic patients after open umbilical herniorrhaphy. Accurate identification of risks may alert the intraoperative and postoperative care for patients.

Development and validation of survival nomograms for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer with distant metastases: a SEER Program-based study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to develop a nomogram model of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer with distant metastases, and to evaluate and validate the nomogram. Also, its prognostic value was compared with that of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor-node-metastasis staging system (AJCC8SS).

METHODS

Patients with distant metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DMDTC) from 2004 to 2015 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program to extract the clinical variables used for analysis. A total of 906 patients were divided into a training set (n = 634) and validation set (n = 272). OS and CSS were selected as the primary end point and secondary end point. LASSO regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were applied to screen variables for constructing OS and CSS nomograms for survival probability at 3, 5, and 10 years. Nomograms were evaluated and validated using the consistency index (C-index), time-dependent receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the ROC curve, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The predictive survival of the nomogram was compared with that of AJCC8SS. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to evaluate the risk-stratification ability OS and CSS nomograms.

RESULTS

CS and CSS nomograms included six independent predictors: age, marital status, type of surgical procedure, lymphadenectomy, radiotherapy, and T stage. The C-index for the OS nomogram was 0.7474 (95% CI = 0.7199-0.775), and that for the CSS nomogram was 0.7572 (0.7281-0.7862). The nomogram showed good agreement with the "ideal" calibration curve in the training set and validation sets. DCA confirmed that the survival probability predicted by the nomogram had high clinical predictive value. The nomogram could stratify patients more accurately, and showed more robust accuracy and predictive power, than AJCC8SS.

CONCLUSIONS

We established and validated prognostic nomograms for patients with DMDTC, which had significant clinical value compared with AJCC8SS.

Chronic kidney disease in a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): a case report

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in captive wildlife species. However, CKD has been rarely documented in giant pandas.

CASE PRESENTATION

The following report describes a case of an eight-year-old female giant panda showing clinical signs of epistaxis, bloody diarrhea, polyuria, azotemia and anemia. The animal died despite of supportive treatments. Necropsy was performed. Grossly, both kidneys were shrunken and scarred with pallor. Subcutis edema and petechia on the epicardium of the heart were observed. The tissue samples were made into paraffin sections and stained by H.E and special staining including Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), von Kossa, Masson's trichrome, Phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin (PTAH), and Congo red. Histopathology examination revealed severe chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis with marked interstitial fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy and calcification in kidneys, and acute necrotizing hemorrhagic myocarditis with calcification in heart. Other lesions included intestinal hemorrhage, hepatic fatty degeneration and necrosis with hemosiderin, and splenic hemosiderin.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, chronic kidney disease was finally diagnosed based on the association of clinical, gross, and histopathological findings. Heart failure secondary to CKD is the leading cause of death in this giant panda. The potential cause of CKD in this animal is possibly due to long term and uncontrolled hypertension. Blood pressure monitoring is essential in establishing the diagnosis and management of hypertension in giant panda.

Van der Waals isotope heterostructures for engineering phonon polariton dispersions

Element isotopes are characterized by distinct atomic masses and nuclear spins, which can significantly influence material properties. Notably, however, isotopes in natural materials are homogenously distributed in space. Here, we propose a method to configure material properties by repositioning isotopes in engineered van der Waals (vdW) isotopic heterostructures. We showcase the properties of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) isotopic heterostructures in engineering confined photon-lattice waves-hyperbolic phonon polaritons. By varying the composition, stacking order, and thicknesses of h10BN and h11BN building blocks, hyperbolic phonon polaritons can be engineered into a variety of energy-momentum dispersions. These confined and tailored polaritons are promising for various nanophotonic and thermal functionalities. Due to the universality and importance of isotopes, our vdW isotope heterostructuring method can be applied to engineer the properties of a broad range of materials.

Energetic Electron Precipitation Driven by Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves from ELFIN's Low Altitude Perspective

We review comprehensive observations of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave-driven energetic electron precipitation using data collected by the energetic electron detector on the Electron Losses and Fields InvestigatioN (ELFIN) mission, two polar-orbiting low-altitude spinning CubeSats, measuring 50-5000 keV electrons with good pitch-angle and energy resolution. EMIC wave-driven precipitation exhibits a distinct signature in energy-spectrograms of the precipitating-to-trapped flux ratio: peaks at >0.5 MeV which are abrupt (bursty) (lasting ∼17 s, or Δ L ∼ 0.56 ) with significant substructure (occasionally down to sub-second timescale). We attribute the bursty nature of the precipitation to the spatial extent and structuredness of the wave field at the equator. Multiple ELFIN passes over the same MLT sector allow us to study the spatial and temporal evolution of the EMIC wave - electron interaction region. Case studies employing conjugate ground-based or equatorial observations of the EMIC waves reveal that the energy of moderate and strong precipitation at ELFIN approximately agrees with theoretical expectations for cyclotron resonant interactions in a cold plasma. Using multiple years of ELFIN data uniformly distributed in local time, we assemble a statistical database of ∼50 events of strong EMIC wave-driven precipitation. Most reside at L ∼ 5 - 7 at dusk, while a smaller subset exists at L ∼ 8 - 12 at post-midnight. The energies of the peak-precipitation ratio and of the half-peak precipitation ratio (our proxy for the minimum resonance energy) exhibit an L -shell dependence in good agreement with theoretical estimates based on prior statistical observations of EMIC wave power spectra. The precipitation ratio's spectral shape for the most intense events has an exponential falloff away from the peak (i.e., on either side of ∼ 1.45 MeV). It too agrees well with quasi-linear diffusion theory based on prior statistics of wave spectra. It should be noted though that this diffusive treatment likely includes effects from nonlinear resonant interactions (especially at high energies) and nonresonant effects from sharp wave packet edges (at low energies). Sub-MeV electron precipitation observed concurrently with strong EMIC wave-driven >1 MeV precipitation has a spectral shape that is consistent with efficient pitch-angle scattering down to ∼ 200-300 keV by much less intense higher frequency EMIC waves at dusk (where such waves are most frequent). At ∼100 keV, whistler-mode chorus may be implicated in concurrent precipitation. These results confirm the critical role of EMIC waves in driving relativistic electron losses. Nonlinear effects may abound and require further investigation.

Nickel nanoparticle decorated silicon carbide as a thermal filler in thermal conductive aramid nanofiber-based composite films for heat dissipation applications

Aramid nanofibers (ANFs) have shown potential applications in the fields of nanocomposite reinforcement, battery separators, thermal insulation and flexible electronics. However, the inherent low thermal conductivity limits the application of ANFs, currently, to ensure long lifetime in electronics. In this work, new nickel (Ni) nanoparticles were employed to decorate the silicon carbide (SiC) filler by a rapid and non-polluting method, in which nickel acetate tetrahydrate (Ni(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O) and SiC were mixed and heated under an inert atmosphere. The composites as thermal fillers were applied to prepare an aramid nanofiber (ANF)-based composite film. Our results showed that the decoration of SiC by an appropriate amount of Ni nanoparticles played an important role in improving the thermal conductivity, hydrophobicity, thermal stability, and puncture resistance of the ANF composite film. After adjusting the balling time at 10 h, the optimized content of 10 mol% Ni nanoparticles improved the thermal conductivity to 0.502 W m^-1 K^-1, 298.4% higher than that of the original ANF film. Moreover, increasing the content of thermal fillers to 30 wt% realized a high thermal conductivity of 0.937 W m^-1 K^-1, which is 643.7% higher than that of the pristine ANF film. Moreover, the compatibility between thermal fillers and ANFs and thermal stability were improved for the ANF-composite films. The effective heat transfer function of our composite films was further confirmed using a LED lamp and thermoelectric device. In addition, the obtained composite films show certain mechanical properties and better hydrophobicity; these results exhibit their great potential applications in electronic devices.

[Association of body fat distribution with depression and social anxiety in children and adolescents: A cross-sectional study based on dual-energy X-ray detection]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the status of depression and social anxiety in children and adolescents, and to analyze the association between body fat distribution and depression, social anxiety in children and adolescents.

METHODS

A total of 1 412 children aged 7 to 18 years in Beijing were included by stratified cluster random sampling method. Body fat distribution, including total body fat percentage (total BF%), Android BF%, Gynoid BF% and Android-to-Gynoid fat ratio (AOI), were obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorption method. Depression and social anxiety were evaluated by Children Depression Inventory and Social Anxiety Scale for Children. Multivariate linear regression and restricted cubic spline analysis were used to estimate the linear and non-linear correlation between body fat distribution and depression and social anxiety.

RESULTS

13.1% and 31.1% of the children and adolescents had depressive symptoms and social anxiety symptoms respectively, and the detection rate of depression and social anxiety in the boys and young groups was significantly lower than those in the girls and old groups. There was no significant linear correlation between total BF%, Android BF%, Gynoid BF%, AOI and depression and social anxiety in the children and adolescents. However, total BF% and Gynoid BF% had significant nonlinear correlation with depression, showing an inverted U-shaped curve relationship with the tangent points of 26.8% and 30.9%, respectively. In terms of the nonlinear association of total BF%, Android BF%, Gynoid BF% and AOI with depression and social anxiety, the change trends of the boys and girls, low age group and high age group were consistent. The overall anxiety risk HR of body fat distribution in the boys was significantly higher than that in the girls, and the risk HR of depression and social anxiety were significantly higher in the high age group than those in the low age group.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant linear correlation between body fat distribution and depression and social anxiety in children and adolescents. Total BF% and depression showed an inverted U-shaped curve, mainly manifested in Gynoid BF%, and this trend was consistent in different genders and different age groups. Maintaining children and adolescents' body fat distribution at an appropriate level is the future direction of the prevention and control of depression and social anxiety in children and adolescents.

An observational study on the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with myasthenia gravis

OBJECTIVE

There is concern that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine may trigger or worsen autoimmune diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of COVID-19 vaccination on symptom severity in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

METHODS

A total of 106 enrolled patients with MG who were vaccinated against COVID-19 were followed up, and a questionnaire was used to document in detail the exacerbation of muscle weakness after vaccination and all other uncomfortable reactions after vaccination. Demographic, clinical characteristics, medication, and vaccination data were collected by follow-up interview. The main observation outcome was whether the MG symptoms of patients were exacerbated. The definition of exacerbation is according to the subjective feeling of the patient or a 2-point increase in daily life myasthenia gravis activity score relative to before vaccination, within 30 days after vaccination.

RESULTS

Of 106 enrolled patients [median age (SD) 41.0 years, 38 (35.8%) men, 53 (50.0%) with generalized MG, 74 (69.8%) positive for acetylcholine receptor antibody, and 21 (19.8%) with accompanying thymoma], muscle weakness symptoms were stable in 102 (96.2%) patients before vaccine inoculation. Muscle weakness worsened in 10 (9.4%) people after vaccination, of which 8 patients reported slight symptom worsening that resolved quickly (within a few days). Two (1.9%) of patients showed serious symptom aggravation that required hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that inactivated virus vaccines against COVID-19 may be safe for patients with MG whose condition is stable. Patients with generalized MG may be more likely to develop increased muscle weakness after vaccination.

Fetal hypoxia results in sex- and cell type-specific alterations in neonatal transcription in rat oligodendrocyte precursor cells, microglia, neurons, and oligodendrocytes

BACKGROUND

Fetal hypoxia causes vital, systemic, developmental malformations in the fetus, particularly in the brain, and increases the risk of diseases in later life. We previously demonstrated that fetal hypoxia exposure increases the susceptibility of the neonatal brain to hypoxic-ischemic insult. Herein, we investigate the effect of fetal hypoxia on programming of cell-specific transcriptomes in the brain of neonatal rats.

RESULTS

We obtained RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from neurons, microglia, oligodendrocytes, A2B5⁺ oligodendrocyte precursor cells, and astrocytes from male and female neonatal rats subjected either to fetal hypoxia or control conditions. Substantial transcriptomic responses to fetal hypoxia occurred in neurons, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and A2B5⁺ cells. Not only were the transcriptomic responses unique to each cell type, but they also occurred with a great deal of sexual dimorphism. We validated differential expression of several genes related to inflammation and cell death by Real-time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Pathway and transcription factor motif analyses suggested that the NF-kappa B (NFκB) signaling pathway was enriched in the neonatal male brain due to fetal hypoxia, and we verified this result by transcription factor assay of NFκB-p65 in whole brain.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reveals a significant impact of fetal hypoxia on the transcriptomes of neonatal brains in a cell-specific and sex-dependent manner, and provides mechanistic insights that may help explain the development of hypoxic-ischemic sensitive phenotypes in the neonatal brain.

Age-dependent mechanical properties of tail tendons in wild-type and mimecan gene-knockout mice - A preliminary study

Mimecan, or osteoglycin, belongs to the family of small leucine-rich proteoglycans. In connective tissues mimecan is implicated in the development and maintenance of normal collagen fibrillar organization. Since collagen fibrils are responsible for tissue reinforcement, the absence of mimecan could lead to abnormal tissue mechanical properties. Here, we carried out a preliminary investigation of possible changes in the mechanical properties of tendons in mice lacking a functional mimecan gene, as a function of age. Tail tendons were dissected from mimecan gene knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice at ages 1, 4 and 8 months and mechanical properties evaluated using a microtensile testing equipment. Mimecan gene knockout resulted in changes in tendon elasticity- and fracture-related properties. While tendons of WT mice exhibited enhanced mechanical properties with increasing age, this trend was notably attenuated in mimecan KO tendons, with the exception of fracture strain. When genotype and age were considered as cross factors, the diminution in the mechanical properties of mimecan KO tendons was significant for yield strength, modulus and fracture strength. This effect appeared to affect the mice at 4 month old. These preliminary results suggest that mimecan may have a role in regulating age-dependent mechanical function in mouse tail tendon.

MicroRNA-210 Downregulates TET2 (Ten-Eleven Translocation Methylcytosine Dioxygenase 2) and Contributes to Neuroinflammation in Ischemic Stroke of Adult Mice

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Neuroinflammation plays a key role in acute brain injury of ischemic stroke. MicroRNA-210 (miR210) is the master hypoxamir and regulates microglial activation and inflammation in a variety of diseases. In this study, we uncovered the mechanism of miR210 in orchestrating ischemic stroke-induced neuroinflammation through repression of TET2 (ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 2) in the adult mouse brain.

METHODS

Ischemic stroke was induced in adult WT (wild type) or miR210 KO (miR210 deficient) mice by transient intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion. Injection of TET2 silencing RNA or miR210 complementary locked nucleic acid oligonucleotides, or miR210 KO mice were used to validate miR210-TET2 axis and its role in ischemic brain injury. Furthermore, the effect of TET2 overexpression on miR210-stimulated proinflammatory cytokines was examined in BV2 microglia. Post assays included magnetic resonance imaging scan for brain infarct size; neurobehavioral tests, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot for miR210; and TET2 levels, flow cytometry, and ELISA for neuroinflammation in the brain after stroke or microglia in vitro.

RESULTS

miR210 injection significantly reduced TET2 protein abundance in the brain, while miR210 complementary locked nucleic acid oligonucleotides or miR210 KO preserved TET2 regardless of ischemic brain injury. TET2 knockdown reversed the protective effects of miR210 inhibition or miR210 KO on ischemic stroke-induced brain infarct size and neurobehavioral deficits. Moreover, flow cytometry and ELISA assays showed that TET2 knockdown also significantly dampened the anti-inflammatory effect of miR210 inhibition on microglial activation and IL (interleukin)-6 release after stroke. In addition, overexpression of TET2 in BV2 microglia counteracted miR210-induced increase in cytokines.

CONCLUSIONS

miR210 inhibition reduced ischemic stroke-induced neuroinflammatory response via repression of TET2 in the adult mouse brain, suggesting that miR210 is a potential treatment target for acute brain injury after ischemic stroke.

Association between acrylamide exposure and sex hormones among premenopausal and postmenopausal women: NHANES, 2013-2016

PURPOSE

Acrylamide (AA) is a potential carcinogen that mainly comes from fried, baked and roasted foods, and Hb adducts of AA (HbAA) and its metabolite glycidamide (HbGA) are the biomarkers of its exposure. Increasing evidence suggests that AA is associated with various hormone-related cancers. This study aims to explore the association of HbAA and HbGA with female serum sex hormone concentrations.

METHODS

942 women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles (2013-2016) were included in this cross-sectional study. The associations between HbAA or HbGA or HbGA/HbAA and sex hormones were assessed by the multiple linear regression. Further stratified analyses were conducted to figure out the effects of menopausal status, BMI and smoking status on sex hormone levels.

RESULTS

Among all participants, 597 were premenopausal and 345 were postmenopausal. HbAA was positively associated with both two androgen indicators. Specifically, a ln-unit increase in HbAA was associated with 0.41 ng/dL higher ln(total testosterone, TT) (95% CI 0.00, 0.27) and 0.14 ng/dL higher ln(free testosterone) (95%CI 0.00, 0.28), respectively. However, HbGA concentrations had no association with sex hormones in the overall population. Additionally, HbGA/HbAA was negatively associated with TT and SHBG in the overall population as well as postmenopausal women. In stratified analysis, higher HbAA was associated with rising TT in postmenopausal women (β = 0.29, 95%CI 0.04, 0.53) and underweight/normal-weight women (β = 0.18, 95%CI 0.03, 0.33). Other indicators had no significant association detected in estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed that HbAA was positively associated with androgen concentrations, especially in postmenopausal and BMI < 25 women.

3D doppler ultrasound imaging of cerebral blood flow for assessment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in mice

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) acutely reduces in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Clinic studies have reported that severe CBF impairment can predict HIE outcomes in neonates. Herein, the present study uses a non-invasive 3D ultrasound imaging approach to evaluate the changes of CBF after HI insult, and explores the correlation between CBF alterations and HI-induced brain infarct in mouse pups. The neonatal HI brain injury was induced in postnatal day 7 mouse pups using the Rice-Vannucci model. Non-invasive 3D ultrasound imaging was conducted to image CBF changes with multiple frequencies on mouse pups before common carotid artery (CCA) ligation, immediately after ligation, and 0 or 24 hours after HI. Vascularity ratio of the ipsilateral hemisphere was acutely reduced after unilateral ligation of the CCA alone or in combination with hypoxia, and partially restored at 24 hours after HI. Moreover, regression analysis showed that the vascularity ratio of ipsilateral hemisphere was moderately correlated with brain infarct size 24 hours after HI, indicating that CBF reduction contributes to of HI brain injury. To further verify the association between CBF and HI-induced brain injury, a neuropeptide C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) or PBS was intranasally administrated to the brain of mouse pups one hour after HI insult. Brain infarction, CBF imaging and long-term neurobehavioral tests were conducted. The result showed that intranasal administration of CNP preserved ipsilateral CBF, reduced the infarct size, and improved neurological function after HI brain injury. Our findings suggest that CBF alteration is an indicator for neonatal HI brain injury, and 3D ultrasound imaging is a useful non-invasive approach for assessment of HI brain injury in mouse model.

[Prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle among children and adolescents of Han nationality in China]

Objective: To explore the epidemiological characteristics and geographical distribution of unhealthy lifestyle among children and adolescents of Han nationality in China and obtain evidence for proposing the related strategies to improve the well-being of this population. Methods: Students aged 6-22 years old were selected from the Chinese National Survey on Students Constitution and Health in 2019. The prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles (physical inactivity, lack of outdoor activity, sedentary behavior, excessive screen time, sleep insufficiency, unhealthy eating behavior) between sex, residence, and age groups was calculated and compared. Multilevel logistic regression was used to explore the influencing factors of unhealthy lifestyle. Results: The prevalence of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity less than 1 h/d or 30 min/d were 82.06% and 54.69%, respectively. The prevalence of less than 2 h/d or 3 h/d of outdoor activities were 95.20% and 83.26%, respectively. The prevalence of more than 2 h/d or 3 h/d of sitting time were 50.64% and 31.92%, respectively. The prevalence of more than 2 h/d or 3 h/d of screen time were 42.02% and 27.79%, respectively. The prevalence of sleep insufficiency, excessive sugary beverages consumption (≥ 1 time/d), and insufficient consumption of eggs, milk, and breakfast (<7 d/week) were 66.49%, 20.97%, 83.36%, 70.71%, and 34.34%, respectively. The prevalence of severe sleep insufficiency, excessive sugary beverages consumption (≥ 3 times/d), and insufficient consumption of eggs, milk, and breakfast (≤2 d/week) were 27.77%, 8.21%, 47.21%, 32.36% and 9.73%, respectively. Conclusion: In 2019, unhealthy lifestyle is common among Han students aged 6-22 years in China. It is of importance to propose policies to strengthen the health education and initiatives to support healthy behaviors in Han children and adolescents. Jointly promotion on the creation of a healthy environment for Han children and adolescents, and formulation of targeted improvement measures in accordance with the epidemic characteristics in various regions are essential to improve the healthy lifestyle of this population.

[Associations between early onset of puberty and obesity types in children: Based on both the cross-sectional study and cohort study]

OBJECTIVE

To explore and analyze the relationship between early onset of puberty and different types of obesity in children, by combining large sample cross-sectional survey data with long-term longitudinal cohort data, so as to provide clues for further clarifying the health hazards of early onset of puberty and obesity prevention and control.

METHODS

The research data were from the cross-sectional survey data of seven provinces(autonomous regions, municipalities) in China and the cohort data of adolescent development in Xiamen. The study first found the association between early onset of puberty and obesity by Logistic regression on the cross-sectional data, and then used Poisson regression to analyze the association between early puberty initiation and various types of obesity risk.

RESULTS

In the study, 43 137 and 1 266 children were included in the cross-sectional survey and cohort survey respectively. The cross-sectional study found that among the girls aged 10-13 years, compared with the girls of the same age who did not start puberty, the body mass index (BMI)-Z score of the girls in the puberty start group was 0.5-0.8 higher, and the waist circumference Z score was 0.4-0.7 higher, and the risk of various types of obesity was higher. At the same time, the early onset of puberty was positively correlated with simple obesity, central obesity and compound obesity, the OR (95%CI) were 1.86 (1.42-2.44), 1.95 (1.65-2.32) and 1.86 (1.41-2.45), respectively. No significant association was found in boys. According to the cohort data, in girls, the risk of simple obesity was 6.00 times [RR (95%CI): 6.00 (1.07-33.60)], the risk of central obesity was 3.30 times [RR (95%CI): 3.30 (1.22-8.92)], and the risk of compound obesity was 5.76 times [RR (95%CI): 5.76 (1.03-32.30)], compared with the group without early puberty initiation, while no association between early puberty initiation and obesity was found in boys.

CONCLUSION

Based on the cross-sectional survey and longitudinal cohort survey, it is confirmed that the early onset of puberty in girls may increase the risk of simple obesity, central obesity and compound obesity, while there is no significant correlation between puberty onset and obesity in boys.

Quantifying Radiation Belt Electron Loss Processes at L < 4

We present a comprehensive analysis of the processes that lead to quasilinear pitch-angle-scattering loss of electrons from the L < 4 region of the Earth's inner magnetosphere during geomagnetically quiet times. We consider scattering via Coulomb collisions, hiss waves, lightning-generated whistler (LGW) waves, waves from ground-based very-low-frequency (VLF) transmitters, and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves. The amplitude, frequency, and wave normal angle spectra of these waves are parameterized with empirical wave models, which are then used to compute pitch-angle diffusion coefficients. From these coefficients, we estimate the decay timescales, or lifetimes, of 30 keV to 4 MeV electrons and compare the results with timescales obtained from in-situ observations. We demonstrate good quantitative agreement between the two over most of the L and energy range under investigation. Our analysis suggests that the electron decay timescales are very sensitive to the choice of plasmaspheric density model. At L < 2, where our theoretical lifetimes do not agree well with the observations, we show that including Coulomb energy drag (ionization energy loss) in our calculations significantly improves the quantitative agreement with the observed decay timescales. We also use an accurate model of the geomagnetic field to provide an estimate of the effect that the drift-loss cone has on the theoretically calculated electron lifetimes, which are usually obtained using an axisymmetric dipole field.

LncRNA HOTTIP PROMOTES OVARIAN CANCER CELL INVASION AND METASTASIS BY STABILIZING HIF-1α IN THE ANOXIC CELLULAR MICROENVIRONMENT

Background

The high recurrence rate and low survival rate of ovarian cancer (OC) patients are closely related to an anoxic environment. We aim to study the mechanism of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP) on hypoxia ovarian cancer cells (OCC) and its mechanism was investigated.

Methods

Knockdown and overexpression of HOTTIP in human OCC (SKOV-3, OVCAR3) were performed. The expression levels of HOTTIP and HIF-1α were monitored by qRT-PCR and WB. Transwell was conducted to validate the cell migration and invasion. ELISA was performed to calculate VEGF concentration in cells. Cell viability was monitored by CCK-8. Cell apoptosis and cycle were tested by flow cytometry. RNA pull-down was used to analyze the interaction between HIF-1α and HOTTIP.

Results

HOTTIP was highly expressed in OCC. After HOTTIP knockdown, HIF-1α expression and VEGF concentration in OCC were decreased. Cell migration, invasion, and cell viability were decreased. Cell apoptosis rate and G0/G1 phase cells were increased. RNA pull-down indicated a direct interaction between HIF-1α and HOTTIP.

Conclusions

HOTTIP formed a positive feedback loop with HIF-1α to promote the development and metastasis of hypoxia ovarian cancer. This study provided theoretical support for the development of new OC treatment strategies.

[Clinical characteristics and whole exome sequencing results of patients with Möbius syndrome]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with Möbius syndrome (MBS) and to explore likely pathogenic genes. Methods: Cross-sectional study. The study enrolled 18 sporadic MBS patients who visited the Eye Center of Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from July 2018 to December 2021. All patients completed the general information questionnaire and underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations and general physical examinations. Seventeen patients received MRI examination of cranial nerves and the orbit. The peripheral venous blood of all patients and their nuclear family members was collected, the genomic DNA was extracted, and the pathogenic gene variations that may lead to MBS were identified by whole exome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Results: Among the 18 patients, there were 8 males and 10 females, and the age was (4.5±4.0) years (range, 8 months to 17 years). All patients showed congenital, bilateral or unilateral abduction deficit and facial weakness, which met the minimum diagnostic criteria of MBS. Among them, bilateral abduction deficit (16/18) and bilateral facial weakness (15/18) were more common. Nine patients were orthotopic in primary position, eight presented with esotropia, and one showed hypotropia. All patients had ametropia, of which 4 patients were diagnosed as amblyopia. Fifteen patients were also accompanied by other multiple congenital malformations, mainly characterized by abnormal development of glossopharynx (14/18) and limbs (5/18), and 7 patients were also accompanied by motor retardation. In addition, 9 patients had intrauterine exposure to adverse factors. Among the 17 patients who underwent MRI, 15 patients had bilateral hypoplasia of the abducens nerve, two had unilateral hypoplasia of the abducens nerve, 14 showed bilateral hypoplasia of the facial nerve, and three showed hypoplasia of the left facial nerve. Besides, some patients were also accompanied by hypoplasia of other cranial nerves, mainly the glossopharyngeal nerve and the hypoglossal nerve. No definite pathogenic variations were found by whole exome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Conclusions: The main clinical features of MBS were congenital abduction deficit and facial weakness, with complicated manifestations and variable severity. MRI showed absence or thinning of the abducens nerve and the facial nerve. The results of MRI can be used as a supplement to the diagnostic criteria of MBS. The mutation detection rate of MBS was low, and half of patients had exposure to adverse factors during pregnancy, suggesting that there was a multifactorial pathogenic mechanism in MBS.

Active Precipitation of Radiation Belt Electrons Using Rocket Exhaust Driven Amplification (REDA) of Man-Made Whistlers

Ground-based very low frequency (VLF) transmitters located around the world generate signals that leak through the bottom side of the ionosphere in the form of whistler mode waves. Wave and particle measurements on satellites have observed that these man-made VLF waves can be strong enough to scatter trapped energetic electrons into low pitch angle orbits, causing loss by absorption in the lower atmosphere. This precipitation loss process is greatly enhanced by intentional amplification of the whistler waves using a newly discovered process called rocket exhaust driven amplification (REDA). Satellite measurements of REDA have shown between 30 and 50 dB intensification of VLF waves in space using a 60 s burn of the 150 g/s thruster on the Cygnus satellite that services the International Space Station. This controlled amplification process is adequate to deplete the energetic particle population on the affected field lines in a few minutes rather than the multi-day period it would take naturally. Numerical simulations of the pitch angle diffusion for radiation belt particles use the UCLA quasi-linear Fokker Planck model to assess the impact of REDA on radiation belt remediation of newly injected energetic electrons. The simulated precipitation fluxes of energetic electrons are applied to models of D-region electron density and bremsstrahlung X-rays for predictions of the modified environment that can be observed with satellite and ground-based sensors.

[Epidemic status of imported malaria before and after malaria elimination in Jiaozuo City of Henan Province]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze and compare the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Jiaozuo City before and after malaria elimination, so as to provide insights into the malaria surveillance during the post-elimination stage and prevention of re-establishment of imported malaria.

METHODS

Data pertaining to the epidemic situation and individual investigation of malaria in Jiaozuo City before (from 2010 to 2016) and after malaria elimination (from 2017 to November, 2020) were captured from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System and the Information System for Parasitic Diseases Control and Prevention of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

A total of 74 imported malaria cases were reported in Jiaozuo City from 2010 to 2021. Imported cases were predominantly Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases in Jiaozuo City before and after malaria elimination, and there was no significant difference in the proportion of malaria parasite species (χ² = 0.234, P > 0.05). The imported malaria cases was predominantly reported in Wuzhi County, and was identified in overseas male farmers and businessmen at ages of 20 to 59 years, while the greatest number of imported malaria cases was reported in June and December before and after malaria elimination. The imported malaria cases predominantly acquired malaria parasite infections in sub-Saharan African countries; however, the proportion of imported malaria cases returning from Southeast Asian counties increased after malaria elimination than before malaria elimination (χ² = 5.989, P < 0.05). The longest duration from onset to definitive diagnosis of malaria reduced from 27 days before malaria elimination to 18 days after malaria elimination, and the median duration reduced from 3 days to 2 days, while the proportion of definitive diagnosis of malaria increased from 60.47% before malaria elimination to 83.87% after malaria elimination (χ² = 4.724, P < 0.05). In addition, the proportion of malaria cases definitively diagnosed and reported by medical institutions increased after malaria elimination than before malaria elimination (χ² = 5.406, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The imported malaria patients were predominantly P. falciparum malaria cases in Jiaozuo City during 2010 to 2021, and the patient's medical care-seeking awareness and medical staff's diagnosis and treatment ability have improved after malaria elimination. It is necessary to strengthen and improve malaria surveillance and response system and prevent the re-establishment of overseas imported malaria.

[Clinical characteristics and outcomes of myasthenia gravis patients with double positive antibodies against acetylcholine receptor and muscle-specific tyrosine kinase]

Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestations, treatment characteristics and outcomes of myasthenia gravis (MG) dually positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab) and anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibody (MuSK-Ab). Method: MG patients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from August 2017 to November 2020 were retrospectively collected. Thirty-four MuSK-Ab positive MG (MuSK-MG) patients, 11 double-antibodies positive MG (DP-MG) patients, and 80 AChR-Ab positive MG (AChR-MG) patients were included and allocated to three different groups. The clinical data of patients in the three groups were collected, and the differences of demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes between DP-MG patients and AChR-MG and MuSK-MG patients were analyzed. Result: The proportion of female and male patients in DP-MG group was 7/11 and 4/11 respectively, and the onset age of DP-MG was (41±27) years.The difference in gender distribution between DP-MG and AChR-MG groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The proportion of extraocular muscle involvement in the DP-MG and MuSK-MG groups (8/11 and 52.9%) was lower than that in the AChR-MG group (83.8%), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The incidence of myasthenia crisis in DP-MG and MuSK-MG groups (54.5% and 61.8%) were higher than that in AChR-MG group (20.0%), with astatistically significant difference(P<0.05). The positive rate of neostigmine test in DP-MG and MuSK-MG groups(8/11 and 74.2%) were lower than that of AChR-MG group (96.8%), and the positive rate of low frequency repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) in DP-MG group (5/10) was lower than that in AChR-MG group (85.1%), with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). MuSK-Ab titer was positively correlated with the course of disease (r=0.466, P<0.05), and antibody titer decreased after symptom improvement (P<0.05). The response of patients in DP-MG and MuSK-MG groups to cholinesterase inhibitors (2/11 and 9.1%) was worse than that in the AChR-MG group (66.3%), and the incidence of side effects in the two groups (5/11 and 39.4%) was higher than that in the AChR-MG group (15.0%), with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). There were 4 DP-MG patients underwent thymectomy, and the pathological results detected two cases of thymoma and two cases of thymic hyperplasia. Subsequent follow-up showed that 5 (5/11) DP-MG patients achieved minimal manifestation status or better status. Conclusion: The gender distribution, age of onset, pharmacological characteristics and electrophysiological examination of DP-MG patients were similar to those of MuSK-MG patients, but the severity of DP-MG patients was between that of AChR-MG and MuSK-MG patients.

Public attitudes and influencing factors toward COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents/children: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically clarify attitudes and influencing factors of the public toward COVID-19 vaccination for children or adolescents.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a scoping review.

METHODS

This scoping review screened, included, sorted, and analyzed relevant studies on COVID-19 vaccination for children or adolescents before December 31, 2021, in databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wiley.

RESULTS

A total of 34 studies were included. The results showed that the public's acceptance rate toward COVID-19 vaccination for children or adolescents ranged from 4.9% (southeast Nigerian mothers) to 91% (Brazilian parents). Parents' or adolescents' age, gender, education level, and cognition and behavior characteristics for the vaccines were the central factors affecting vaccination. The vaccine's safety, effectiveness, and potential side-effects were the main reasons affecting vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

Realizing current public attitudes of COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents or children can effectively develop intervention measures and control the pandemic as soon as possible through herd immunity.

Molecular cloning and yeast two-hybrid provide new evidence for unique sporophytic self-incompatibility system of Corylus

The Corylus genus contains several important nut producing species and exhibits sporophytic self-incompatibility (SSI). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of SSI in Corylus remain largely unknown. To clarify whether Corylus and Brassica share the same SSI molecular mechanism. We cloned ChaTHL1/2, ChaMLPK, ChaARC1, ChaEX70A1 genes from Ping'ou hybrid hazelnut using RACE techniques and tested the interaction between the ChaARC1 and ChaSRK1/2. We also examined the pistil-pollen interactions using scanning electron microscopy. We found no differences in the stigma surface within 1 h after compatible or incompatible pollination. Compatible pollen tubes penetrated the stigma surface, while incompatible pollen did not penetrate the stigma 4 h after pollination. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that ChaTHL1/2, ChaMLPK, ChaARC1 and ChaEX70A1 have corresponding functional domains. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that ChaTHL1/2, ChaMLPK, ChaARC1 and ChaEX70A1 were not regularly expressed in compatible or incompatible pollination. Furthermore, the expression patterns of ARC1, THL1/2, MLPK and Exo70A1 were quite distinct between Corylus and Brassica. According to yeast two-hybrid assays, ChaSRK1/2 did not interact with ChaARC1, confirming that the SRK-ARC1 signalling pathway implicated in the SSI response of Brassica was not conserved in Corylus. These results further reinforce the conclusion that, notwithstanding the similarity of the genetic basis, the SSI mechanism of Corylus does not conform in many respects with that of Brassica. Our findings could be helpful to better explore the potential mechanism of SSI system in Corylus.

[Assessment of biological activities of exopolysaccharides with different relative molecular masses extracted from Rhizopus nigricans]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the antioxidant, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities of exopolysaccharides with different molecular masses isolated from Rhizopus nigricans.

METHODS

Three polysaccharides with different molecular masses, namely RPS-1, RPS-2 and RPS-3, were separated from the fermentation broth of Rhizopus nigricans by fractional ethanol precipitation, and their capacity for scavenging DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals was assessed. Cell counting kit-8 was used to analyze the changes in the viability of MFC, A549 and RAW 264.7 cells following treatments with the 3 polysaccharides; The level of nitric oxide in the supernatant of RAW 264.7 cells was detected using a nitric oxide detection kit, and the apoptosis rate of A549 cells was analyzed with flow cytometry.

RESULTS

All the 3 polysaccharides had good antioxidant activities, and among them RPS-1 with a medium molecular mass exhibited the strongest scavenging capacity for DPPH and ABTS radicals (P < 0.05) while RPS-3 with the lowest molecular mass had the best scavenging activity for hydroxyl radicals (P < 0.01). All the 3 polysaccharides were capable of inhibiting the proliferation of MFC cells and A549 cells, activating the macrophages RAW 264.7 cells, and inducing apoptosis of A549 cells. RPS-2 with the highest molecular mass showed the strongest inhibitory effects against MFC and A549 cells (P > 0.05), and RPS-2 had the strongest activity for inducing apoptosis in A549 cells (P < 0.05). Compared with the other two polysaccharides, RPS-2 more strongly promoted the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells and enhanced NO release from the cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The 3 polysaccharides all have antioxidant, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities, and among them RPS-1 and RPS-3 have better antioxidant activities, and RPS-2 has stronger anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities.

High MEK/ERK signalling is a key regulator of diapause maintenance in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera

MEK/ERK signalling has been identified as a key factor that terminates diapause in Sarcophaga crassipalpis and Bombyx mori. Paradoxically, high p-MEK/p-ERK signalling induces diapause in pupae of the moth Helicoverpa armigera; however, the regulatory mechanism is unknown. In the present study, we show that p-MEK and p-ERK are elevated in the brain of diapause-destined pupae and suppression of MEK/ERK activity terminates diapause progress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate MEK/ERK signalling, causing large-scale phosphorylation of downstream proteins. The levels of ubiquitin-conjugated proteins are also significantly reduced when ROS or p-ERK level decreased. Moreover, terminated diapause progress by 20-hydroxyecdysone injection significantly decreases p-MEK, p-ERK and phospho-ribosomal S6 kinase levels, while phospho-MAPK substrates and ubiquitin-conjugated protein levels increase. Our data demonstrate that high MEK/ERK signalling mediated by ROS promotes diapause maintenance via increasing phosphorylation and degradation of downstream substrates. The results of this study may provide important information for understanding the regulatory mechanisms during insect diapause.

Genome-wide identification of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding (Lhc) family in Gossypium hirsutum reveals the influence of GhLhcb2.3 on chlorophyll a synthesis

Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding (Lhc) family proteins play a significant role in photosynthetic processes. Our objective was systematic identification and analysis of the Lhc family in cotton, as well as the relationship between Lhc family genes and chlorophyll synthesis during photosynthetic processes. We used genome-wide identification, phylogenetic analysis, chromosomal distribution and collinearity to examine potential functions of Lhc superfamily genes in upland cotton. Subcellular localization, qRT-PCR, a yeast two hybrid (Y2H) , and Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiment were used to explore function of GhLhcb2.3. Focusing on GhLhc family, gene structural analysis of G. hirsutum Lhc family genes (GhLhc) indicated the conservation of selected Lhc family members. The expression pattern of GhLhc proteins shows that Lhc family proteins are important for photosynthetic processes in leaves. Results of subcellular localization and qRT-PCR in different cotton varieties showed that GhLhcb2.3 is closely related to chloroplast chlorophyll. Y2H found extensive heteromeric interactions between the GhLhcb2.3 and GhLhcb1.4. Subcellular localization revealed that GhLhcb1.4 is located in chloroplasts. VIGS showed that GhLhcb2.3 influenced chlorophyll a synthesis. We comprehensively identified Lhc family genes in cotton, characterized these genes and reveal the influence of GhLhcb2.3 on chlorophyll a synthesis.

C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Ameliorates Vascular Injury and Improves Neurological Outcomes in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury in Mice

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an important vascular regulator that is present in the brain. Our previous study demonstrated the innate neuroprotectant role of CNP in the neonatal brain after hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insults. In this study, we further explored the role of CNP in cerebrovascular pathology using both in vivo and in vitro models. In a neonatal mouse HI brain injury model, we found that intracerebroventricular administration of recombinant CNP dose-dependently reduces brain infarct size. CNP significantly decreases brain edema and immunoglobulin G (IgG) extravasation into the brain tissue, suggesting a vasculoprotective effect of CNP. Moreover, in primary brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), CNP dose-dependently protects BMEC survival and monolayer integrity against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). The vasculoprotective effect of CNP is mediated by its innate receptors NPR2 and NPR3, in that inhibition of either NPR2 or NPR3 counteracts the protective effect of CNP on IgG leakage after HI insult and BMEC survival under OGD. Of importance, CNP significantly ameliorates brain atrophy and improves neurological deficits after HI insults. Altogether, the present study indicates that recombinant CNP exerts vascular protection in neonatal HI brain injury via its innate receptors, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neonatal HI brain injury.

[Bax inhibitor-1 inhibits calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Bax inhibitor-1(BI-1)on calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs).

METHODS

VSMCs were isolated from the thoracic aorta of SD rats.VSMCs or BI-1-overexpressing VSMCs(transfected with a BI-1-overexpressing plasmid) were cultured in normal medium or calcified medium containing β-glycerophosphate and calcium chloride, and the cell calcification was examined with Alizarin red staining.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the intracellular calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity.The expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and caspase-3 were detected with Western blotting.

RESULTS

After 14 days of culture in the calcified medium, the VSMCs showed significantly reduced expression of BI-1 protein(P=0.001).BI-1 overexpression in the VSMCs caused a significant reduction of calcium level and alkaline phosphatase activities(P=0.0006) and lowered the expression levels of RUNX2 and BMP-2 (P=0.0001) in the cells.The VSMCs with induced calcification exhibited a significantly increased apoptosis rate, but BI-1 overexpression obviously inhibited VSMC apoptosis in the calcified medium (P=0.0003).

CONCLUSION

BI-1 may attenuate vascular calcification by inhibiting calcium deposition, osteogenic differentiation and apoptosis.

MiR-16 inhibits proliferation of cervical cancer cells by regulating KRAS

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-16 on the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer (CC) cells and its related regulatory mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The downstream regulatory targets of miR-16 were analyzed based on the miRNA online database. HCC94 cells were selected as experimental objects. Subsequently, the cells were transfected with miR-16 mimic (miR-16 mimic group), miR-16 small interfering RNA (siRNA) (miR-16 siRNA group) and only Lipofectamine 2000 transfection reagent [blank control group and miR-16 normal control (NC) group]. The expression level of miR-16 in HCC94 cells was measured via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining assay and flow cytometry were then conducted to detect the effects of miR-16 on the viability, proliferation and apoptosis of HCC94 cells, respectively. Additionally, the effect of miR-16 on the protein expression level of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) in HCC94 cells was determined via Western blotting.

RESULTS

MiRNA online database analysis showed that KRAS was the downstream target of miR-16. Compared with miR-16 NC group, the viability and proliferation ability of HCC94 cells increased significantly in miR-16 siRNA group but decreased significantly in miR-16 mimic group (p<0.05). However, the apoptosis rate evidently declined in miR-16 siRNA group while increased remarkably in miR-16 mimic group (p<0.05). In addition, the protein expression level of KRAS in HCC94 cells was significantly higher in miR-16 siRNA group but significantly lower in miR-16 mimic group when compared with miR-16 NC group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-16 is lowly expressed in HCC94 cells. Moreover, highly expressed miR-16 represses the viability and proliferation of HCC94 cells and promotes their apoptosis by targeted regulation on KRAS.

MicroRNA-381 inhibits metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of glioblastoma cells through targeting LEF1

OBJECTIVE

Glioblastoma is a common intracranial malignancy that is extremely harmful to human life and health. Various microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the progression of glioblastoma, except miR-381. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the role of miR-381 in glioblastoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of miR-381 and LEF1 (lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-1) was quantified using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Transwell and Dual-Luciferase reporter assays were used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of miR-381/LEF1 in glioblastoma.

RESULTS

Downregulation of miR-381 was observed in A172 cells. In addition, the overexpression of miR-381 restrained migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-381 inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in A172 cells. Further, miR-381 was confirmed to directly target LEF1 and negatively regulates its expression in glioblastoma cells. Downregulation of LEF1 also inhibited cell migration, invasion, and EMT in glioblastoma cells. More importantly, the upregulation of LEF1 abolished the inhibitory effect of miR-381 in glioblastoma cells.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-381 inhibits cell metastasis and EMT in glioblastoma by suppressing LEF1 expression.