Tislelizumab, a novel PD-1 monoclonal antibody in urothelial cancer: A real-world study

OBJECTIVE

Tislelizumab, a monoclonal antibody against programed death protein-1 (PD-1), has shown encouraging antitumor activity in urothelial cancer. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab in urotelial cancer in a real-world setting.

METHODS

The study was a real-world retrospective study undertaken at Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, China. Eligible patients were ≥18 years. Patients received 200-mg tislelizumab monotherapy intravenously every 3 weeks until the disease progressed to intolerable toxicity. Outcomes included an objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety.

RESULTS

Between March 2020 and December 2022, 33 patients were enrolled. The median follow-up was 10.17 (IQR 5.73-12.47) months. Of all 33 patients, ORR and DCR were 30.30% (95% CI 15.6%-48.7%) and 42.42% (95% CI 25.48%-60.78%), respectively. The median PFS was 5.73 (95% CI 3.27-13.00) months, with a 12-month PFS rate of 31.90% (95% CI 19.20%-53.00%). The median OS was 17.7 (95% CI 12.80-not reach) months, with a 12-month OS rate of 67.50% (95% CI 52.70%-86.40%). Eleven (33.33%) and 8 (24.24%) experienced ≥grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and immune-related Aes, respectively. No treatment-related deaths occurred.

CONCLUSION

The excellent efficacy and controllable safety of tislelizumab in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer suggest that it may be a promising therapeutic option for this population.

Improving prediction of N2O emissions during composting using model-agnostic meta-learning

Nitrous oxide (N2O) represents a significant environmental challenge as a harmful, long-lived greenhouse gas that contributes to the depletion of stratospheric ozone and exacerbates global anthropogenic greenhouse warming. Composting is considered a promising and economically feasible strategy for the treatment of organic waste. However, recent research indicates that composting is a source of N2O, contributing to atmospheric pollution and greenhouse effect. Consequently, there is a need for the development of effective, cost-efficient methodologies to quantify N2O emissions accurately. In this study, we employed the model-agnostic meta-learning (MAML) method to improve the performance of N2O emissions prediction during manure composting. The highest R2 and lowest root mean squared error (RMSE) values achieved were 0.939 and 18.42 mg d-1, respectively. Five machine learning methods including the backpropagation neural network, extreme learning machine, integrated machine learning method based on ELM and random forest, gradient boosting decision tree, and extreme gradient boosting were adopted for comparison to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the MAML prediction model. Feature analysis showed that moisture content of structure material and ammonium concentration during composting process were the two most significant features affecting N2O emissions. This study serves as proof of the application of MAML during N2O emissions prediction, further giving new insights into the effects of manure material properties and composting process data on N2O emissions. This approach helps determining the strategies for mitigating N2O emissions.

Alterations in leukocyte telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number in benzene poisoning patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to examine and evaluate the impact of benzene poisoning on the relative content of the mitochondrial MT-ND1 gene and telomere length in individuals with occupational chronic benzene poisoning (CBP) compared to a control group. The study will analyze and gather data on the mitochondrial gene content and telomere length in cases of benzene poisoning, and investigate the relationship with blood routine parameters in order to contribute scientific experimental data for the prevention and treatment of CBP.

METHOD

The case group comprised 30 individuals diagnosed with occupational chronic benzene poisoning, whereas the control group consisted of 60 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at our hospital concurrently. Blood routine indicators were detected and analyzed, and the PCR method was employed to measure changes in mitochondrial MT-ND1 content and telomere length. Subsequently, a comparison and analysis of the aforementioned indicators was conducted.

RESULT

The case group exhibited a higher mitochondrial gene content (median 366.2, IQR 90.0 rate) compared to the control group (median 101.5, IQR 12.0 rate), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, the case group demonstrated lower white blood cell levels (3.78 ± 1.387 × 109/L) compared to the control group (5.74 ± 1.41 × 109/L), with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the case group displayed lower red blood cell levels (3.86 ± 0.65 × 1012/L) compared to the control group (4.89 ± 0.65 × 1012/L), with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The hemoglobin level in the case group (113.33 ± 16.34 g/L) was lower than that in the control group (138.22 ± 13.22 g/L). There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Platelet levels in the case group (153.80 ± 58.31 × 109/L) is smaller than the control group (244.92 ± 51.99 × 109/L), there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The average telomere length of the normal control group was 1.451 ± 0.475 (rate); The mean telomere length of individuals in the case group diagnosed with benzene poisoning was determined to be 1.237 ± 0.457 (rate). No significant correlation was observed between telomere length and three blood routine parameters, namely white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (HB), and platelets (PLT). However, a significant correlation was found between telomere length and red blood cell count (RBC). Additionally, a negative correlation was observed between mitochondrial gene content and white blood cell count (r = - 0.314, P = 0.026), as well as between mitochondrial gene content and red blood cell count (r = - 0.226, P = 0.032). Furthermore, a negative correlation was identified between mitochondrial gene content and hemoglobin (r = - 0.314, P = 0.028), and platelets (r = - 0.445, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Individuals diagnosed with occupational chronic benzene poisoning exhibit a reduction in telomere length and an elevation in the relative content of the mitochondrial MT-ND1 gene. Moreover, a negative correlation is observed between the content of the mitochondrial MT-ND1 gene and four blood routine parameters, namely white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), and platelets (PLT). Consequently, benzene exposure may potentially contribute to the onset of premature aging.

Detection of magnetospheric ion drift patterns at Mars

Mars lacks a global magnetic field, and instead possesses small-scale crustal magnetic fields, making its magnetic environment fundamentally different from intrinsic magnetospheres like those of Earth or Saturn. Here we report the discovery of magnetospheric ion drift patterns, typical of intrinsic magnetospheres, at Mars using measurements from Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission. Specifically, we observe wedge-like dispersion structures of hydrogen ions exhibiting butterfly-shaped distributions (pitch angle peaks at 22.5°-45° and 135°-157.5°) within the Martian crustal fields, a feature previously observed only in planetary-scale intrinsic magnetospheres. These dispersed structures are the results of drift motions that fundamentally resemble those observed in intrinsic magnetospheres. Our findings indicate that the Martian magnetosphere embodies an intermediate case where both the unmagnetized and magnetized ion behaviors could be observed because of the wide range of strengths and spatial scales of the crustal magnetic fields around Mars.

[A medium- and long-term comparative observation on volumetric changes of cervical disc herniation after symmetrically or asymmetrically decompression and conservative treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy]

Objective: To compare the volumetric changes of cervical disc herniation (CDH) after cervical microendoscopic laminoplasty(CMEL),expansive open-door laminoplasty (EOLP) and conservative treatment. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 101 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM),at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2012 to April 2021. The patients included 52 males and 49 females with an age of (54.7±11.8) years(range:25 to 86 years). Among them, 35 patients accepted CMEL treatment,33 patients accepted EOLP treatment,while 33 patients accepted conservative treatment. Volume data of CDH were measured by three-dimensional analysis of the initial and follow-up MRI images. The absorption rate and reprotrusion rate of CDH were calculated. The happening of resorption or reprotrusion was defined when the ratio was greater than 5%. The clinical outcomes and quality of life were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the neck disability index (NDI).Quantitative data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA with post LSD-t test (multiple comparison) or Kruskal-Wallis test. Categorical data was analyzed by χ2 test. Results: The follow-up time of the CMEL group,EOLP group and the conservative treatment group were (27.6±18.8)months,(21.6±6.9)months and(24.9±16.3)months respectively with no significant difference(P>0.05). Changes of CDH volume in patients:(1) There were 96 CDH of 35 patients in the CMEL group,among which 78 showed absorption. The absorption frequency was 81.3%(78/96) and the absorption rate was ranged 5.9% to 90.9%;9 CDH showed reprotrusion,the reprotrusion frequency was 9.4% (9/96) and the reprotrusion rate was 5.9% to 13.3%;(2) There were 94 CDH of 33 patients in the EOLP group,of which 45 showed absorption. The absorption prevalence was 47.9% (45/94) and the absorption rate was 5.0% to 26.7%;20 CDH showed reprotruded,with the reprotrusion frequency of 21.3% (20/94) and the reprotrusion rate was 5.8% to 28.3%;(3) There were 102 CDH in 33 patients of the conservative group. Among them, 5 showed absorption. The absorption frequency was 4.9% (5/102),and the absorption rate was 7.2% to 14.3%;58 CDH showed reprotruded with the re-protrusion ratio of 56.9% (58/102) and the re-protrusion rate was 5.4% to 174.1%. The absorption ratio and reprotrusion ratio of the CMEL group were statistically different from EOLP group or the conservative group (P<0.01).The absorption ratio and reprotrusion ratio of the EOLP group was different from conservative group (all P<0.01). In terms of clinical outcomes, the excellent/good rate of the JOA score and NDI scores in the CMEL group were different from that of conservative group (all P<0.01) but not from that of the EOLP group(P>0.05). Conclusions: CMEL is an effective method for the treatment of CSM,making CDH easier to resorption compared to the EOLP or conservative treatment,thus making a better decompression effect on the nerves. This study enlightened on a new strategy for the clinical treatment of CSM.

A Self-Attention Integrated Learning Model for Landing Gear Performance Prediction

The landing gear structure suffers from large loads during aircraft takeoff and landing, and an accurate prediction of landing gear performance is beneficial to ensure flight safety. Nevertheless, the landing gear performance prediction method based on machine learning has a strong reliance on the dataset, in which the feature dimension and data distribution will have a great impact on the prediction accuracy. To address these issues, a novel MCA-MLPSA is developed. First, an MCA (multiple correlation analysis) method is proposed to select key features. Second, a heterogeneous multilearner integration framework is proposed, which makes use of different base learners. Third, an MLPSA (multilayer perceptron with self-attention) model is proposed to adaptively capture the data distribution and adjust the weights of each base learner. Finally, the excellent prediction performance of the proposed MCA-MLPSA is validated by a series of experiments on the landing gear data.

A mitochondrial SCF-FBXL4 ubiquitin E3 ligase complex degrades BNIP3 and NIX to restrain mitophagy and prevent mitochondrial disease

Mitophagy is a fundamental quality control mechanism of mitochondria. Its regulatory mechanisms and pathological implications remain poorly understood. Here, via a mitochondria-targeted genetic screen, we found that knockout (KO) of FBXL4, a mitochondrial disease gene, hyperactivates mitophagy at basal conditions. Subsequent counter screen revealed that FBXL4-KO hyperactivates mitophagy via two mitophagy receptors BNIP3 and NIX. We determined that FBXL4 functions as an integral outer-membrane protein that forms an SCF-FBXL4 ubiquitin E3 ligase complex. SCF-FBXL4 ubiquitinates BNIP3 and NIX to target them for degradation. Pathogenic FBXL4 mutations disrupt SCF-FBXL4 assembly and impair substrate degradation. Fbxl4-/- mice exhibit elevated BNIP3 and NIX proteins, hyperactive mitophagy, and perinatal lethality. Importantly, knockout of either Bnip3 or Nix rescues metabolic derangements and viability of the Fbxl4-/- mice. Together, beyond identifying SCF-FBXL4 as a novel mitochondrial ubiquitin E3 ligase restraining basal mitophagy, our results reveal hyperactivated mitophagy as a cause of mitochondrial disease and suggest therapeutic strategies.

YAP activation inhibits inflammatory signalling and cartilage breakdown associated with reduced primary cilia expression

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the role of YAP in modulating cartilage inflammation and degradation and the involvement of primary cilia and associated intraflagellar transport (IFT).

METHODS

Isolated primary chondrocytes were cultured on substrates of different stiffness (6-1000 kPa) or treated with YAP agonist lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) or YAP antagonist verteporfin (VP), or genetically modified by YAP siRNA, all ± IL1β. Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release were measured to monitor IL1β response. YAP activity was quantified by YAP nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and percentage of YAP-positive cells. Mechanical properties of cartilage explants were tested to confirm cartilage degradation. The involvement of primary cilia and IFT was analysed using IFT88 siRNA and ORPK cells with hypomorphic mutation of IFT88.

RESULTS

Treatment with LPA, or increasing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate stiffness, activated YAP nuclear expression and inhibited IL1β-induced release of NO and PGE2, in isolated chondrocytes. Treatment with LPA also inhibited IL1β-mediated inflammatory signalling in cartilage explants and prevented matrix degradation and the loss of cartilage biomechanics. YAP activation reduced expression of primary cilia, knockdown of YAP in the absence of functional cilia/IFT failed to induce an inflammatory response.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that both pharmaceutical and mechanical activation of YAP blocks pro-inflammatory signalling induced by IL1β and prevents cartilage breakdown and the loss of biomechanical functionality. This is associated with reduced expression of primary cilia revealing a potential anti-inflammatory mechanism with novel therapeutic targets for treatment of osteoarthritis (OA).

Characterization of a kg-scale archaeological lead-based PbWO4 cryogenic detector for the RES-NOVA experiment

Core-collapse Supernovae (SNe) are one of the most energetic events in the Universe, during which almost all the star's binding energy is released in the form of neutrinos. These particles are direct probes of the processes occurring in the stellar core and provide unique insights into the gravitational collapse. RES-NOVA will revolutionize how we detect neutrinos from astrophysical sources, by deploying the first ton-scale array of cryogenic detectors made from archaeological lead. Pb offers the highest neutrino interaction cross-section via coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS). Such process will enable RES-NOVA to be equally sensitive to all neutrino flavours. For the first time, we propose the use archaeological Pb as sensitive target material in order to achieve an ultra-low background level in the region of interest (O(1 keV)). All these features make possible the deployment of the first cm-scale neutrino telescope for the investigation of astrophysical sources. In this contribution, we will characterize the radiopurity level and the performance of a small-scale proof-of-principle detector of RES-NOVA, consisting in a PbWO₄ crystal made from archaeological-Pb operated as cryogenic detector.

Impact of chronic benzene poisoning on aberrant mitochondrial DNA methylation: A prospective observational study

Benzene is used as an industrial solvent, which may result in chronic benzene poisoning (CBP). Several studies suggested that CBP was associated with mitochondrial epigenetic regulation. This study aimed to explore the potential relation between CBP and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation. This prospective observational study enrolled CBP patients admitted to Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases hospital and healthy individuals between 2018 and 2021. The white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), and platelet (PLT) counts and mtDNA methylation levels were measured using blood flow cytometry and targeted bisulfite sequencing, respectively. A total of 90 participants were recruited, including 30 cases of CBP (20 females, mean age 43.0 ± 8.0 years) and 60 healthy individuals (42 females, mean age 43.5 ± 11.5 years). This study detected 168 mitochondrial methylation sites >0 in all study subjects. The mtDNA methylation levels in the CBP cases were lower than the healthy individuals [median ± interquartile-range (IQR), 25th percentile, 75th percentile: (1.140 ± 0.570, 0.965, 1.535)% vs. median ± IQR, 25th percentile, 75th percentile: (1.705 ± 0.205,1.240,2.445)%, P < 0.05]. Additionally, the spearman correlation analysis showed that the mtDNA methylation levels were positively correlated with the counts of circulating leukocytes [WBC (r = 0.048, P = 0.036)] and platelets [PLT (r = 0.129, P < 0.01)]. We provided solid evidence of association between CBP and aberrant mtDNA methylation.

Prediction of knee pain improvement over two years for knee osteoarthritis using a dynamic nomogram based on MRI-derived radiomics: a proof-of-concept study

OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate a nomogram to detect improved knee pain in osteoarthritis (OA) by integrating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics signature of subchondral bone and clinical characteristics.

METHODS

Participants were selected from the Vitamin D Effects on Osteoarthritis (VIDEO) study. The primary outcome was 20% improvement of knee pain score over 2 years in participants administrated either vitamin D or placebo. Radiomics features of subchondral bone and clinical characteristics from 216 participants were extracted and analyzed. The participants were randomly split into the training and validation cohorts at a ratio of 8:2. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select features and generate radiomics signatures. The optimal radiomics signature and clinical indicators were fitted into a nomogram using multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS

The nomogram showed favorable discrimination performance [AUC_training, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72-0.79), AUC_validation, 0.83 (95% CI: 0.70-0.96)] as well as a good calibration. Additional contributing value of fusion radiomics signature to the nomogram was statistically significant (NRI, 0.23; IDI, 0.14, P < 0.001 in training cohort and NRI, 0.29; IDI, 0.18, P < 0.05 in validating cohort). Decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical usefulness of nomogram.

CONCLUSION

The radiomics-based nomogram comprising the MR radiomics signature and clinical variables achieves a favorable predictive efficacy and accuracy in differentiating improvement in knee pain among OA patients. This proof-of-concept study provides a promising way to predict clinically meaningful outcomes.

The influence of mouth opening on pharyngeal pressure loss and its underlying mechanism: A computational fluid dynamic analysis

Objective: During inspiration, mechanical energy generated from respiratory muscle produces a negative pressure gradient to fulfill enough pulmonary ventilation. The pressure loss, a surrogate for energy loss, is considered as the portion of negative pressure without converting into the kinetic energy of airflow. Mouth opening (MO) during sleep is a common symptom in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mouth opening on pharyngeal pressure loss using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. Methods: A total of four subjects who were morphologically distinct in the pharyngeal characteristics based on Friedman tongue position (FTP) grades were selected. Upper airway computed tomography (CT) scan was performed under two conditions: Mouth closing (MC) and mouth opening, in order to reconstruct the upper airway models. computational fluid dynamics was used to simulate the flow on the two different occasions: Mouth closing and mouth opening. Results: The pharyngeal jet was the typical aerodynamic feature and its formation and development were different from mouth closing to mouth opening in subjects with different Friedman tongue position grades. For FTP I with mouth closing, a pharyngeal jet gradually formed with proximity to the velopharyngeal minimum area plane (plane_Amin). Downstream the plane_Amin, the jet impingement on the pharyngeal wall resulted in the frictional loss associated with wall shear stress (WSS). A rapid luminal expansion led to flow separation and large recirculation region, corresponding to the interior flow loss. They all contributed to the pharyngeal total pressure loss. While for FTP I with mouth opening, the improved velopharyngeal constriction led to smoother flow and a lower total pressure loss. For FTP IV, the narrower the plane_Amin after mouth opening, the stronger the jet formation and its impingement on the pharyngeal wall, predicting a higher frictional loss resulted from higher WSS. Besides, a longer length of the mouth opening-associated constant constrictive segment was another important morphological factor promoting frictional loss. Conclusion: For certain OSAHS patients with higher Friedman tongue position grade, mouth opening-related stronger jet formation, more jet breakdown and stronger jet flow separation might contribute to the increased pharyngeal pressure loss. It might require compensation from more inspiratory negative static pressure that would potentially increase the severity of OSAHS.

Hair Zinc and Chromium Levels Were Associated with a Reduced Likelihood of Age Related Cognitive Decline in Centenarians and Oldest-Old Adults

BACKGROUND

Cognitive function has inevitable decline with advancing age in nature, and age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) is of increasing concern to aging population. Scarce study has involved the associations between hair trace elements and ARCD in older adults, especially in centenarians and oldest-old adults. This study was to investigate the associations between hair trace elements and ARCD in centenarians and oldest-old adults.

METHODS

Based on the household registration information of centenarians and oldest-old adults provided by the Civil Affairs Department of Hainan Province, China, the investigators conducted a one-to-one household survey among centenarians (≥100 years old) and oldest-old adults (80-99 years old). All 50 centenarians had a median age of 103 years and females accounted for 68.0%. All 73 oldest-old adults aged 80-99 years had a median age of 90 years and females accounted for 82.2%. Basic information were obtained with questionnaire interview, physical examination, biological test and hair collection by pre-trained local doctors and nurses. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer was used to measure hair trace elements. All data in this study comes from China. Age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, smoking, drinking, hemoglobin, albumin, fasting blood pressure, zinc, chromium, copper, selenium, iron, manganese, strontium, lead, magnesium, potassium, and barium were simultaneously included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis. One adjusted model was done with all hair trace elements together.

RESULTS

Zinc and chromium levels were significantly lower in participants with ARCD than those without ARCD (P < 0.05 for all). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that zinc [odds ratio (OR): 0.988, 95%confidence interval (95%CI): 0.977-0.999] and chromium (OR: 0.051, 95%CI: 0.004-0.705) were associated with a reduced likelihood of ARCD (P < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Hair zinc and chromium levels were associated with a reduced likelihood of ARCD in centenarians and oldest-old adults. Further studies are necessary to verify if zinc and chromium supplementation has the potential to improve cognitive function and prevent ARCD development.

Mitochondrial cristae architecture protects against mtDNA release and inflammation

Mitochondrial damage causes mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release to activate the type I interferon (IFN-I) response via the cGAS-STING pathway. mtDNA-induced inflammation promotes autoimmune- and aging-related degenerative disorders. However, the global picture of inflammation-inducing mitochondrial damages remains obscure. Here, we have performed a mitochondria-targeted CRISPR knockout screen for regulators of the IFN-I response. Strikingly, our screen reveals dozens of hits enriched with key regulators of cristae architecture, including phospholipid cardiolipin and protein complexes such as OPA1, mitochondrial contact site and cristae organization (MICOS), sorting and assembly machinery (SAM), mitochondrial intermembrane space bridging (MIB), prohibitin (PHB), and the F₁F_o-ATP synthase. Disrupting these cristae organizers consistently induces mtDNA release and the STING-dependent IFN-I response. Furthermore, knocking out MTX2, a subunit of the SAM complex whose null mutations cause progeria in humans, induces a robust STING-dependent IFN-I response in mouse liver. Taken together, beyond revealing the central role of cristae architecture to prevent mtDNA release and inflammation, our results mechanistically link mitochondrial cristae disorganization and inflammation, two emerging hallmarks of aging and aging-related degenerative diseases.

A Novel Time-Series Memory Auto-Encoder With Sequentially Updated Reconstructions for Remaining Useful Life Prediction

One of the significant tasks in remaining useful life (RUL) prediction is to find a good health indicator (HI) that can effectively represent the degradation process of a system. However, it is difficult for traditional data-driven methods to construct accurate HIs due to their incomprehensive consideration of temporal dependencies within the monitoring data, especially for aeroengines working under nonstationary operating conditions (OCs). Aiming at this problem, this article develops a novel unsupervised deep neural network, the so-called times series memory auto-encoder with sequentially updated reconstructions (SUR-TSMAE) to improve the accuracy of extracted HIs, which directly takes the multidimensional time series as input to simultaneously achieve feature extraction from both feature-dimension and time-dimension. Further, to make full use of the temporal dependencies, a novel long-short time memory with sequentially updated reconstructions (SUR-LSTM), which uses the errors not only from the current memory cell but also from subsequent memory cells to update the output layer's weight of the current memory cell, is developed to act as the reconstructed layer in the SUR-TSMAE. The use of SUR-LSTM can help the SUR-TSMAE rapidly reconstruct the input time series with higher precision. Experimental results on a public dataset demonstrate the outstanding performance of SUR-TSMAE in comparison with some existing methods.

Early on-treatment tumor growth rate (EOT-TGR) determines treatment outcomes of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with programmed cell death protein 1 axis inhibitor

BACKGROUND

Tumor growth rate (TGR), denoted as percentage change in tumor size per month, is a well-established indicator of tumor growth kinetics. The predictive value of early on-treatment TGR (EOT-TGR) for immunotherapy remains unclear. We sought to establish and validate the association of EOT-TGR with treatment outcomes in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) undergoing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1) therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This bicenter retrospective cohort study included a training cohort, a contemporaneously treated internal validation cohort, and an external validation cohort. Computed tomography images were retrieved to calculate EOT-TGR, denoted as tumor burden change per month during a period between baseline and the first imaging evaluation after immunotherapy. Kaplan-Meier methodology and Cox regression analysis were conducted for survival analyses.

RESULTS

In the pooled cohort (n = 172), 125 patients (72.7%) were males; median age at diagnosis was 58 (range 28-79) years. Based on the training cohort, we determined the optimal cut-off value for EOT-TGR as 10.4%/month. Higher EOT-TGR was significantly associated with inferior overall survival [OS; hazard ratio (HR) 2.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47-5.83; P = 0.002], worse progression-free survival (PFS; HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.46-4.08; P = 0.001), and lower objective response rate (3.3% versus 20.9%; P = 0.040) and durable clinical benefit rate (6.7% versus 41.9%; P = 0.001). Results were reproducible in the two validation cohorts for OS and PFS. Among 43 patients who had a best response of progressive disease in the training cohort, those with high EOT-TGR had worse OS (HR 2.64; P = 0.041) and were more likely to progress due to target lesions at the first tumor evaluation (85.2% versus 0.0%; P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher EOT-TGR was associated with inferior OS and immunotherapeutic response in patients with aNSCLC undergoing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. This easy-to-calculate radiologic biomarker may help evaluate the abilities of immunotherapy to prolong survival and assist in tailoring patients' management.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04722406; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04722406.

Morphology and Anti-Corrosive Performance of Cr(III) Passivated Zn-Fe Alloy Coating on NdFeB Substrate

In this study, low-iron Zn-Fe alloy coatings and pure Zn coatings, with or without trivalent chromium passivation treatment, were electrodeposited onto a sintered NdFeB magnet from a weak acid chloride bath. The surface morphology and structure of the coatings were then examined using the X-ray diffraction, a scanning electron microscope and 3D white-light interfering surface analysis. Meanwhile, the electrodeposition behavior and anti-corrosive properties of the coatings were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and natural salt spray tests. The results indicate that a passivated Zn-Fe alloy coating with a 0.9 wt.% Fe content provided much better corrosion resistance than a pure Zn coating and could provide both anodic protection and physical barrier function in the NdFeB substrates. The Fe element in Zn-Fe alloy coating was predominantly in solid solution in η-phase and small amounts in elemental form, which was beneficial to acquire a compact coating and passivation film. Finally, the passivated Zn-Fe alloy coating withstood 210 h against a neutral 3.5 wt.% NaCl salt spray without any white rust, which was 3-4 times longer than the pure Zn coating.

[A preliminary exploration into the efficacy of personalized surgical schemes in the repair of maxillary sinus perforation and maxillary sinus fistula]

To explore the efficacy and value of personalized surgical schemes in the repair of maxillary sinus perforation and maxillary sinus fistula based on the size of the maxillary sinus perforation and maxillary sinus fistula. A total of 28 patients with maxillary sinus perforation and maxillary sinus fistula who were admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatology Hospital of Kunming Medical University from July 2017 to May 2020 were included to conduct a prospective case clinical study. After the inflammation in the maxillary sinus was controlled, a proper surgical repair method was selected according to the size of the perforation and fistula based on the double-layer closure technique. The diameter of the perforation and fistula was measured with the assistance of cone-beam CT. After that, the platelet rich fibrin (PRF) repair was performed on the perforation and fistula with 3 mm≤diameter<7 mm in size in 14 patients. The PRF repair and buccal flap repair were performed on the perforation and fistula with 7 mm ≤diameter<15 mm in size in 7 patients. The adjacent buccal pad repair, palatine flap repair, and buccal flap repair were performed on the perforation and fistula with 15 mm≤ diameter<25 mm in size in 4 patients. The nasolabial axial flap repair and nasolabial free flap repair were performed on the perforation and fistula with a diameter ≥25 mm in size in 3 patients. The medical follow-up was conducted in all patients in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week after surgery, with an overall success rate reaching 96.4% (27/28) after the initial intervention. The relapse of disease occurred in one patient (4.6%) with diabetes and a smoking history in the 2nd week after surgery. Identifying a proper surgical repair method according to the size of the oral and maxillary sinus perforation and maxillary sinus fistula based on the double-layer closure technique can improve the one-time cure rate in these patients under the premise that the inflammation in the maxillary sinus can be controlled.

Identification and characterization of novel MPC1 gene variants causing mitochondrial pyruvate carrier deficiency

Pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, is a key metabolic molecule enabling mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate synthesis and takes part in multiple biosynthetic pathways within mitochondria. The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) plays a vital role in transporting pyruvate from the cytosol into the organelle. In humans, MPC is a hetero-oligomeric complex formed by the MPC1 and MPC2 paralogs that are both necessary to stabilize each other and form a functional MPC. MPC deficiency (OMIM#614741) due to pathogenic MPC1 variants is a rare autosomal recessive disease involving developmental delay, microcephaly, growth failure, and increased serum lactate and pyruvate. To date, two MPC1 variants in four cases have been reported, though only one with a detailed clinical description. Herein, we report three novel pathogenic MPC1 variants in six patients from three unrelated families, identified within European, Kuwaiti, and Chinese mitochondrial disease patient cohorts, one of whom presented as a Leigh-like syndrome. Functional analysis in primary fibroblasts from the patients revealed decreased expression of MPC1 and MPC2. We rescued pyruvate-driven oxygen consumption rate in patient's fibroblasts by reconstituting with wild-type MPC1. Complementing homozygous MPC1 mutant cDNA with CRISPR-deleted MPC1 C2C12 cells verified the mechanism of variants: unstable MPC complex or ablated pyruvate uptake activity. Furthermore, we showed that glutamine and beta-hydroxybutyrate were alternative substrates to maintain mitochondrial respiration when cells lack pyruvate. In conclusion, we expand the clinical phenotypes and genotypes associated with MPC deficiency, with our studies revealing glutamine as a potential therapy for MPC deficiency.

Glycerol-3-phosphate biosynthesis regenerates cytosolic NAD+ to alleviate mitochondrial disease

Electron transport chain (ETC) dysfunction or hypoxia causes toxic NADH accumulation. How cells regenerate NAD⁺ under such conditions remains elusive. Here, integrating bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation, we identify glycerol-3-phosphate (Gro3P) biosynthesis as an endogenous NAD⁺-regeneration pathway. Under genetic or pharmacological ETC inhibition, disrupting Gro3P synthesis inhibits yeast proliferation, shortens lifespan of C. elegans, impairs growth of cancer cells in culture and in xenografts, and causes metabolic derangements in mouse liver. Moreover, the Gro3P shuttle selectively regenerates cytosolic NAD⁺ under mitochondrial complex I inhibition; enhancing Gro3P synthesis promotes shuttle activity to restore proliferation of complex I-impaired cells. Mouse brain has much lower levels of Gro3P synthesis enzymes as compared with other organs. Strikingly, enhancing Gro3P synthesis suppresses neuroinflammation and extends lifespan in the Ndufs4^-/- mice. Collectively, our results reveal Gro3P biosynthesis as an evolutionarily conserved coordinator of NADH/NAD⁺ redox homeostasis and present a therapeutic target for mitochondrial complex I diseases.

PIK3CA mutations in plasma circulating tumor DNA predict survival and treatment outcomes in patients with advanced cancers

Background

Oncogenic mutations in PIK3CA are prevalent in diverse cancers and can be targeted with inhibitors of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway. Analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) provides a minimally invasive approach to detect clinically actionable PIK3CA mutations.

Patients and methods

We analyzed PIK3CA hotspot mutation frequency by droplet digital PCR (QX 200; BioRad) using 16 ng of unamplified plasma-derived cell-free DNA from 68 patients with advanced solid tumors (breast cancer, n = 41; colorectal cancer, n = 13; other tumor types, n = 14). Results quantified as variant allele frequencies (VAFs) were compared with previous testing of archival tumor tissue and with patient outcomes.

Results

Of 68 patients, 58 (85%) had PIK3CA mutations in tumor tissue and 43 (74%) PIK3CA mutations in ctDNA with an overall concordance of 72% (49/68, κ = 0.38). In a subset analysis, which excluded samples from 26 patients known not to have disease progression at the time of sample collection, we found an overall concordance of 91% (38/42; κ = 0.74). PIK3CA-mutated ctDNA VAF of ≤8.5% (5% trimmed mean) showed a longer median survival compared with patients with a higher VAF (15.9 versus 9.4 months; 95% confidence interval 6.7-17.1 months; P = 0.014). Longitudinal analysis of ctDNA in 18 patients with serial plasma collections (range 2-22 time points, median 5) showed that those with a decrease in PIK3CA VAF had a longer time to treatment failure (TTF) compared with patients with an increase or no change (10.7 versus 2.6 months; P = 0.048).

Conclusions

Detection of PIK3CA mutations in ctDNA is concordant with testing of archival tumor tissue. Low quantity of PIK3CA-mutant ctDNA is associated with longer survival and a decrease in PIK3CA-mutant ctDNA on therapy is associated with longer TTF.

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Testing for PIK3CA mutations in ctDNA is concordant with testing of tumor tissue.

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High PIK3CA-mutant abundance in ctDNA was associated with shorter survival.

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Increasing PIK3CA-mutant abundance in serial blood samples was associated with shorter TTF.

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Longitudinal monitoring of PIK3CA-mutant ctDNA tracked with cancer clinical course.

Fabrication of Ag/TiO2 Cotton Fabric to Enhance Photocatalytic Degradation of Anionic Dye

Ag/TiO2 composite fabric was prepared by coprecipitation with TiCl4 as a titanium source and AgNO3 as a silver source. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TG) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The photocatalytic activity of synthetic fabrics was measured by the degradation of anion dyes under ultraviolet light. The effects of silver loading concentration, fabric area, initial concentration, and photocatalytic time on photocatalytic activity were investigated. The experimental results showed that the degradation rate of Ag/TiO2 composite fabric on anion dyes could reach 70.76% in 50 minutes, indicating that the prepared Ag/TiO2 composite fabrics had high photocatalytic activity.

[Correlation of baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation of baseline serum 25(OH) D level with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and blood glucose control in diabetic patients among the middle-aged and elderly individuals in Chengguan District of Lanzhou, Gansu Province.

OBJECTIVE

Residents aged 40 to 75 years in Lanzhou were selected from the "REACTION" study conducted in 2011 and had been followed up since 2014. A total of 5044 subjects with complete data from the two surveys were analyzed. Participants were divided into Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 subgroups based on quartiles of serum 25(OH)D level for comparison of the incidence of T2DM and blood glucose control.

OBJECTIVE

Baseline 25(OH)D level was not found to correlate with FPG, 2h-PG or HbA1c levels among the residents (P>0.05). The participants were followed up for a mean of 3.4±0.6 years, and compared with those in Q1 group, the participants in Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups did not show significantly lowered risk of prediabetes or diabetes regardless of glucose tolerance status. Among the patients with T2DM, the compliance rate of glycemic control after the follow-up was significantly higher than that before the follow-up (63.4% vs 60.6%), and the levels of HbA1c, FPG, and 2h-PG decreased obviously after the follow-up. But compared with Q1 group, Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups showed no significant changes in glycemic control compliance rate or levels of HbA1c, FPG and 2h-PG after the follow-up (P>0.05).

OBJECTIVE

There is no evidence that baseline 25(OH)D levels are associated with the risk of diabetes and blood glucose control in patients with T2DM.

A recursive approach for aeroacoustic phased array measurements in wind tunnels

Noise-interference suppression and data-processing acceleration are crucial to aeroacoustic measurements with phased array in wind tunnels. In this paper, we develop a "multi-window" beamforming algorithm that recursively processes data based on an array-acquisition model. This spatial filtering algorithm is derived from the Kalman filter theory for signal processing. The simulated results show that by using recursive operations, accurate signal estimation is acquired with incoherent and coherent background noise removed in the presence of both channel noise and phase noise. The convergence rate of this recursive algorithm is faster than the existing algorithms. As a result, considerable storage space and computational resources are saved, while testing defects in wind tunnel measurement are revealed and corrected immediately on-site. It has a great potential for real-time localization of sound sources in a noisy environment.

Cabazitaxel versus abiraterone or enzalutamide in poor prognosis metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase II trial

BACKGROUND

Treatment of poor prognosis metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) includes taxane chemotherapy and androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPI). We sought to determine optimal treatment in this setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase II trial recruited patients with ARPI-naive mCRPC and poor prognosis features (presence of liver metastases, progression to mCRPC after <12 months of androgen deprivation therapy, or ≥4 of 6 clinical criteria). Patients were randomly assigned 1 : 1 to receive cabazitaxel plus prednisone (group A) or physician's choice of enzalutamide or abiraterone plus prednisone (group B) at standard doses. Patients could cross over at progression. The primary endpoint was clinical benefit rate for first-line treatment (defined as prostate-specific antigen response ≥50%, radiographic response, or stable disease ≥12 weeks).

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients were accrued (median follow-up 21.9 months). First-line clinical benefit rate was greater in group A versus group B (80% versus 62%, P = 0.039). Overall survival was not different between groups A and B (median 37.0 versus 15.5 months, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.58, P = 0.073) nor was time to progression (median 5.3 versus 2.8 months, HR = 0.87, P = 0.52). The most common first-line treatment-related grade ≥3 adverse events were neutropenia (cabazitaxel 32% versus ARPI 0%), diarrhoea (9% versus 0%), infection (9% versus 0%), and fatigue (7% versus 5%). Baseline circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) fraction above the cohort median and on-treatment ctDNA increase were associated with shorter time to progression (HR = 2.38, P < 0.001; HR = 4.03, P < 0.001). Patients with >30% ctDNA fraction at baseline had markedly shorter overall survival than those with undetectable ctDNA (HR = 38.22, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Cabazitaxel was associated with a higher clinical benefit rate in patients with ARPI-naive poor prognosis mCRPC. ctDNA abundance was prognostic independent of clinical features, and holds promise as a stratification biomarker.

Monochromatic Carbon Nanotube Tangles Grown by Microfluidic Switching between Chaos and Fractals

The nature of chaos is in that elusive flow that is an advanced order out of our vision. It is wise to take advantage of chaos after recognizing or modifying its unique fractal properties. Here, a magnetron weaving strategy was developed for producing chaotic but monochromatic carbon nanotube tangles (CNT-Ts) under Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI). The self-similarity characteristic facilitated individual ultralong CNTs to manipulate their entropy-driven fractal geometry, resulting in ∼10⁴ μm² CNT-Ts with variable curvature radius. In addition, based on the rate-selected mechanism, 85% metallic and ∼100% semiconducting CNT-Ts were synthesized and separated simultaneously at different length positions. After ex situ modifying their fractal into aligned CNTs with hydrogel, these CNT-Ts delivered a current of 10 μA μm^-1 in transistors with an on/off ratio >10⁷. It has provided the third route as a paradigm of applying one-dimensional nanomaterials by switching between chaos and fractal, in parallel with that of direct synthesis and postseparation.

Safety and activity of vandetanib in combination with everolimus in patients with advanced solid tumors: a phase I study

Background

Preclinical studies suggest that combining vandetanib (VAN), a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor of rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), with everolimus (EV), a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, may improve antitumor activity. We determined the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase II dose (RP2D), and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of VAN + EV in patients with advanced solid cancers and the effect of combination therapy on cancer cell proliferation and intracellular pathways.

Patients and methods

Patients with refractory solid tumors were enrolled in a phase I dose-escalation trial testing VAN (100-300 mg orally daily) + EV (2.5-10 mg orally daily). Objective responses were evaluated using RECIST v1.1. RET mutant cancer cell lines were used in cell-based studies.

Results

Among 80 patients enrolled, 72 (90%) patients were evaluable: 7 achieved partial response (PR) (10%) and 37 had stable disease (SD) (51%; duration range: 1-27 cycles). Clinical benefit (SD or PR ≥ 6 months) was observed in 26 evaluable patients [36%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) (25% to 49%)]. In 80 patients, median overall survival (OS) was 10.5 months [95% CI (8.5-16.1)] and median progression-free survival (PFS) 4.1 months [95% CI (3.4-7.3)]. Six patients (7.5%) experienced DLTs and 20 (25%) required dose modifications. VAN + EV was safe, with fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and mucositis being the most common toxicities. In cell-based studies, combination therapy was superior to monotherapy at inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and intracellular signaling.

Conclusions

The MTDs and RP2Ds of VAN + EV are 300 mg and 10 mg, respectively. VAN + EV combination is safe and active in refractory solid tumors. Further investigation is warranted in RET pathway aberrant tumors.

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VAN + EV is safe, active and provides clinical benefit in some patients with refractory solid cancers.

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Dual therapy is superior to monotherapy at inhibiting proliferation and intracellular signaling of RET mutant cancer cells.

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This study highlights the importance of identifying novel combination therapies to overcome therapeutic resistance.

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Next-generation sequencing of advanced solid tumors may inform treatment strategies and guide future drug development.

Activation of TRPV4 by mechanical, osmotic or pharmaceutical stimulation is anti-inflammatory blocking IL-1β mediated articular cartilage matrix destruction

OBJECTIVE

Cartilage health is maintained in response to a range of mechanical stimuli including compressive, shear and tensile strains and associated alterations in osmolality. The osmotic-sensitive ion channel Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is required for mechanotransduction. Mechanical stimuli inhibit interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mediated inflammatory signalling, however the mechanism is unclear. This study aims to clarify the role of TRPV4 in this response.

DESIGN

TRPV4 activity was modulated glycogen synthase kinase (GSK205 antagonist or GSK1016790 A (GSK101) agonist) in articular chondrocytes and cartilage explants in the presence or absence of IL-1β, mechanical (10% cyclic tensile strain (CTS), 0.33 Hz, 24hrs) or osmotic loading (200mOsm, 24hrs). Nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) release and cartilage biomechanics were analysed. Alterations in post-translational tubulin modifications and primary cilia length regulation were examined.

RESULTS

In isolated chondrocytes, mechanical loading inhibited IL-1β mediated NO and PGE₂ release. This response was inhibited by GSK205. Similarly, osmotic loading was anti-inflammatory in cells and explants, this response was abrogated by TRPV4 inhibition. In explants, GSK101 inhibited IL-1β mediated NO release and prevented cartilage degradation and loss of mechanical properties. Upon activation, TRPV4 cilia localisation was increased resulting in histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6)-dependent modulation of soluble tubulin and altered cilia length regulation.

CONCLUSION

Mechanical, osmotic or pharmaceutical activation of TRPV4 regulates HDAC6-dependent modulation of ciliary tubulin and is anti-inflammatory. This study reveals for the first time, the potential of TRPV4 manipulation as a novel therapeutic mechanism to supress pro-inflammatory signalling and cartilage degradation.

Coordination of primary metabolism and virulence factors expression mediates the virulence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus towards cultured shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)

AIMS

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus has emerged as a severe bacterial disease of cultured shrimp. To identify the key virulence factors, two AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus (Vp_AHPND ) strains (123 and 137) and two non-Vp_AHPND strains (HZ56 and ATCC 17082) were selected.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Challenge tests showed that the four strains exhibited different virulence towards shrimp with cumulative mortalities at 48 h postinfection (hpi) ranging from 10 to 92%. The expression of pirAB^VP in strain 123 and 137 was not significantly different. Genomic analysis revealed that the two Vp_AHPND strains contain a plasmid with the PirAB^VP toxins (pirAB^VP ) flanked by the insertion sequence (ISVal1) that has been identified in various locations of chromosomes in Vp_AHPND strains. The two Vp_AHPND strains possessed almost identical virulence factors, while ISVal1 disrupted three genes related to flagellar motility in strain 137. Phenotype assay showed that strain 123 possessed the highest growth rate and swimming motility, followed by strain 137, suggesting that the disruption of essential genes mediated by ISVal1 significantly affected the virulence level. Transcriptome analysis of two Vp_AHPND strains (123 and 137) further suggested that virulence genes related to the capsule, flagella and primary metabolism were highly expressed in strain 123.

CONCLUSIONS

Here for the first time, it is demonstrated that the virulence of Vp_AHPND is not only determined by the expression of pirAB^VP , but also is mediated by ISVal1 which affects the genes involved in flagellar motility and primary metabolism.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Vp_AHPND strains provides valuable information on the virulence factors affecting the pathogenicity of Vp_AHPND.

Effects of lncRNA ANRIL on proliferation and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating TGF-β/Smad pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of the long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) in the proliferation and apoptosis of the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells by regulating the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)/Smad pathway.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Human OSCC cells were cultured, and then transfected with small interfering (si)-ANRIL to inhibit the lncRNA ANRIL and ANRIL-OE to overexpress the lncRNA ANRIL. Next, the flow cytometry was carried out to detect the apoptosis rate, the proliferation was determined via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and the changes in the protein level were detected through Western blotting (WB).

RESULTS

The lncRNA ANRIL was highly expressed in the tissues and serum of patients. The proliferation ability of the cells transfected with si-ANRIL was significantly reduced, while that of the cells transfected with ANRIL-OE was overtly increased. The apoptosis rate was (9.21±5.22)%, (22.3±1.34)%, and (13.21±6.22)% in lncRNA ANRIL-OE group, si-ANRIL group and control group, respectively. The protein expression level of the apoptotic protein active caspase-3 was lowered after the treatment with ANRIL-OE, and the key molecules of the TGF-β/Smad pathway were notably down-regulated after inhibiting ANRIL with si-ANRIL.

CONCLUSIONS

The lncRNA ANRIL regulates the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to promote the proliferation and suppress the apoptosis of OSCC cells.

Very-Low-Frequency transmitters bifurcate energetic electron belt in near-earth space

Very-Low-Frequency (VLF) transmitters operate worldwide mostly at frequencies of 10-30 kilohertz for submarine communications. While it has been of intense scientific interest and practical importance to understand whether VLF transmitters can affect the natural environment of charged energetic particles, for decades there remained little direct observational evidence that revealed the effects of these VLF transmitters in geospace. Here we report a radially bifurcated electron belt formation at energies of tens of kiloelectron volts (keV) at altitudes of ~0.8-1.5 Earth radii on timescales over 10 days. Using Fokker-Planck diffusion simulations, we provide quantitative evidence that VLF transmitter emissions that leak from the Earth-ionosphere waveguide are primarily responsible for bifurcating the energetic electron belt, which typically exhibits a single-peak radial structure in near-Earth space. Since energetic electrons pose a potential danger to satellite operations, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of mitigation of natural particle radiation environment.