Yinxieling decoction ameliorates psoriasis by regulating the differentiation and functions of Langerhans cells via the TGF-β1/PU.1/IL-23 signal axis

Langerhans cells (LCs) play a critical role in skin immune responses and the development of psoriasis. Yinxieling (YXL) is a representative Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of psoriasis in South China. It was found to improve psoriasis without obvious side effects in the clinic. Here we attempted to clarify whether and how YXL regulates the differentiation and functions of LCs in Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis in vivo and induced LCs in vitro. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score was used to evaluate the efficacy of YXL for IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mice. Flow cytometry was utilized to analyze the effects of YXL, to regulate the differentiation, migration, maturation, and antigen presentation of LCs. The results show that YXL significantly alleviated skin inflammation, as reduced in PASI score and classic psoriasis characteristics in pathological sections. Although there was no effect on the proportion of total DCs in the skin-draining lymph nodes, the expression of epidermal LCs and its transcription factor PU.1 were both markedly inhibited. LCs were also prevented from migrating from epidermal to skin-draining lymph nodes and mature. In addition, the number of LCs carrying antigens in the epidermis increased, which suggested that YXL could effectively prevent LCs from presenting antigens. In vitro, YXL had a significant impact on inhibiting the differentiation of LCs. Further data showed that YXL decreased the relative expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) messenger RNA (mRNA) and interleukin-23 (IL-23) mRNAs. Thus, YXL alleviates psoriasis by regulating differentiation, migration, maturation, and antigen presentation via the TGFβ/PU.1/IL-23 signal axis.

[Association between the awareness of Nutrition Facts Panel and prepackaged food purchase behavior among residents]

Objective: To explore the association between the cognition of Nutrition Facts Panel and prepackaged food purchase behavior among residents in six provinces in China. Methods: Using a multi-stage sampling method, 3 002 adults aged 18-70 were selected from the western region (Sichuan), eastern region (Guangdong, Jiangsu, Beijing), central region (Henan), and northeastern region (Heilongjiang) of China from July 2020 to March 2021. Socio-demographic characteristics of participants and their cognition of Nutrition Facts Panel and prepackaged food purchase behavior were collected through questionnaire. A multivariate binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between cognition of Nutrition Facts Panel and prepackaged food purchase behavior. Results: The age of 3 002 subjects was (42.3±13.4) years, among which 63.8% (1 914) were female, 66.7% knew the Nutrition Facts Panel, 49.8% would read it when purchasing, 30.7% could understand it, and 56.6% (1 699) bought prepackaged food more than once a week. The results of multivariate analysis showed that after adjusting for relevant confounding factors, compared with the participants knowing but not reading the Nutrition Facts Panel, the group knowing and reading was more likely to buy 11 types of prepackaged food at least once a week (all P<0.05). Compared with the participants reading but not understanding the Nutrition Facts Panel, the group reading and understanding was less likely to buy 11 types of prepackaged food at least once a week (all P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a correlation between cognition of Nutrition Facts Panel and prepackaged food purchase behavior among residents.

Sodium MRI at 7T for Early Response Evaluation of Intracranial Tumors following Stereotactic Radiotherapy Using the CyberKnife

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Conventionally, early treatment response to stereotactic radiotherapy in intracranial tumors is often determined by structural MR imaging. Tissue sodium concentration is altered by cellular integrity and energy status in cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of sodium MR imaging at 7T for the preliminary evaluation of radiotherapeutic efficacy for intracranial tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected from 16 patients (12 men and 4 women, 24-75 years of age) with 22 intracranial tumors who were treated with stereotactic radiation therapy using CyberKnife at our institution between December 1, 2016, and August 15, 2019. Sodium MR imaging was performed at 7T before and 48 hours, 1 week, and 1 month after CyberKnife radiation therapy. Tissue sodium concentration (TSC) was calculated and analyzed based on manually labeled regions of tumors.

RESULTS

Ultra-high-field sodium MR imaging clearly showed the intratumoral signal, which is significantly higher than that of normal tissue (t = 5.250, P <.001)., but the edema zone has some influence. The average TSC ratios of tumor to CSF in the 22 tumors, contralateral normal tissues, edema zones, frontal cortex, and frontal white matter were 0.66 (range, 0.23-1.5), 0.30 (range, 0.15-0.43), 0.58 (range, 0.25-1.21), 0.25 (range, 0.17-0.42), and 0.30 (range, 0.19-0.49), respectively. A total of 12 tumors in 8 patients were scanned at 48 hours, 1 week, and 1 month after treatment. The average TSC at 48 hours after treatment was 0.06 higher than that before treatment and began to decrease at 1 week. The TSC ratios of 10 continued to decline and 2 tumors increased at 1 month, respectively. Tumor volume decreased by 2.4%-99% after 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in the TSC can be quantified by sodium MR imaging at 7T and used to detect radiobiologic alterations in intracranial tumors at early time points after CyberKnife radiation therapy.

A Phase II Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Sunitinib Malate in Combination With Weekly Paclitaxel Followed by Doxorubicin and Daily Oral Cyclophosphamide Plus G-CSF as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced or Inflammatory Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is standard treatment for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) or inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). We hypothesized that adding sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antitumor and antiangiogenic activity, to an anthracycline and taxane regimen would improve pathologic complete response (pCR) rates to a prespecified endpoint of 45% in patients with HER2-negative LABC or IBC.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, phase II trial of neoadjuvant sunitinib with paclitaxel (S+T) followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus G-CSF for patients with HER2-negative LABC or IBC. Patients received sunitinib 25 mg PO daily with paclitaxel 80 mg/m² IV weekly ×12 followed by doxorubicin 24 mg/m² IV weekly + cyclophosphamide 60 mg/m² PO daily with G-CSF support. Response was evaluated using pCR in the breast and the CPS + EG score (clinical-pathologic scoring + estrogen receptor [ER] and grade).

RESULTS

Seventy patients enrolled, and 66 were evaluable for efficacy. Eighteen patients (27%) had pCR in the breast (10 had ER⁺ disease and 8 had triple-negative disease). When defining response as pCR and/or CPS + EG score ≤2, 31 (47%) were responders. In pateints with ER positive disease, 23 (64%) were responders. The most common toxicities were cytopenias and fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant S+T followed by AC+G-CSF was safe and tolerable in LABC and IBC. The study did not meet the prespecified endpoint for pCR; however, 47% were responders using pCR and/or CPS + EG score ≤2. ER positive patients had the highest response rate (64%). The addition of sunitinib to neoadjuvant chemotherapy may provide promising incremental benefit for patients with ER positive LABC.

Investigating the efficiency and tolerability of traditional Chinese formulas combined with antiarrhythmic agents for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The combination of antiarrhythmic drugs with traditional Chinese formulas are used treatments for the management of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). However, the most effective treatment for PAF has yet to be been determined. A Bayesian network meta-analysis study was thus performed for comparing the relative efficacy and tolerability of different treatment alternatives.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is performed from eight database. Maintenance rate of sinus rhythm (MRSR), p-wave dispersion (Pd), left atrium diameter (LAD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and adverse events (AEs) were used as outcomes. We also estimated treatment rank based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). This study was performed using a Bayesian network meta-analysis with a random-effects model.

FINDINGS

After screening, 59 RCTs involving 5,543 patients and 16 treatments were included. The results showed that Shensong-Yangxin capsule (SSYX) plus amiodarone (81%) was the most effective treatment for MRSR according to the value of SUCRA, followed by Wenxin-Keli granules (WXKL) plus amiodarone (73%). Meanwhile, SSYX plus amiodarone (7%) was most likely to reduce Pd, followed by SSYX plus metoprolol (23%), WXKL plus amiodarone (26%), WXKL plus bisoprolol (27%). Furthermore, SSYX plus amiodarone (4%) was more effective in improving LAD. WXKL plus amiodarone was preferred because it had the lowest toxicity. For benefit-risk ratio, amiodarone combined with WXKL or SSYX appeared to be the best option.

CONCLUSION

Antiarrhythmic agents combined with traditional Chinese formulas had higher efficacy and lower toxicity than other treatment alternatives. This study might provide reference to help find the better treatment options for PAF.

Iron deficiency plays essential roles in the trigger, treatment, and prognosis of autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets

By analyzing iron status of 14 ADHR patients, we found that iron deficiency was an important trigger of ADHR. Correcting iron deficiency significantly improved patients' symptoms. Meanwhile, patients' serum phosphate showed positive correlations with iron metabolism parameters and hemoglobin-related parameters, suggesting the necessity of monitoring and correcting the iron status in ADHR.

INTRODUCTION

Autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR) is unique for its incomplete penetrance, variety of disease onsets, and waxing and waning phenotypes. Iron deficiency is a trigger of ADHR. This study aimed to clarify the role of iron deficiency in ADHR.

METHODS

Data of clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations were collected from patients among eight kindreds with ADHR. Multiple regression and Pearson's correlation tests were performed to test the relationships of serum phosphate levels and other laboratory variables during the patients' follow-ups.

RESULTS

Among 23 ADHR patients with fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) mutations, 14 patients presented with obvious symptoms. Ten patients had iron deficiency at the onset of ADHR, coinciding with menarche, menorrhagia, pregnancy, and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. Two patients who did not have their iron status tested presented with symptoms after abortion and pregnancy in one patient each, which suggested that they also had iron deficiency at onset. Patients were treated with ferrous succinate tablets, vitamin C, and neutral phosphate and calcitriol. With correction of the iron status, the patients' symptoms showed notable improvement, with increased serum phosphate levels. Two patients' FGF23 levels also declined to the normal range. There were strong correlations between serum phosphate and serum iron levels (r = 0.7689, p < 0.0001), serum ferritin levels (r = 0.5312, p = 0.002), iron saturation (r = 0.7907, p < 0.0001), and transferrin saturation (r = 0.7875, p < 0.001). We also examined the relationships between serum phosphate levels and hemoglobin-related indices, which were significant (hemoglobin: r = 0.71, p < 0.0001; MCV: r = 0.7589, p < 0.0001; MCH: r = 0.8218, p < 0.0001; and MCHC: r = 0.7751, p < 0.0001). Longitudinal data of six patients' follow-up also showed synchronous changes in serum phosphate with serum iron levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron deficiency plays an important role in triggering ADHR. Monitoring and correcting the iron status are helpful for diagnosing and treating ADHR. Iron metabolism parameters and hemoglobin-related parameters are positively correlated with serum phosphate levels in patients with ADHR and iron deficiency, and these might serve as good indicators of prognosis of ADHR.

Involvement of soluble proteins in growth and metabolic adjustments of drought-stressed Calligonum mongolicum seedlings under nitrogen addition

The planting of seedlings is the most effective measure for vegetation restoration. However, this practice is challenging in desert ecosystems where water and nutrients are scarce. Calligonum mongolicum is a sand-fixing pioneer shrub species, and its adaptive strategy for nitrogen (N) deposition and drought is poorly understood. Thus, in a pot experiment, we studied the impacts of four N levels (0, 3, 6, 9 gN·m^-2 ·year^-1 ) under drought or a well-watered regime on multiple eco-physiological responses of 1-year-old C. mongolicum seedlings. Compared to well-watered conditions, drought considerably influenced seedling growth by impairing photosynthesis, osmolyte accumulation and activity of superoxide dismutase and enzymes related to N metabolism. Nitrogen addition improved the productivity of drought-stressed seedlings, as revealed by increased water use efficiency, enhanced superoxide dismutase and nitrite reductase activity and elevated N and phosphorus (P) levels in seedlings. Nevertheless, the addition of moderate to high levels of N (6-9 gN·m^-2 ·year^-1 ) impaired net photosynthesis, osmolyte accumulation and nitrate reductase activity. N addition and water regimes did not markedly change the N:P ratios of aboveground parts; while more biomass and nutrients were allocated to fine roots to assimilate the insufficient resources. Soluble protein in assimilating shoots might play a vital role in adaptation to the desert environment. The response of C. mongolicum seedlings to N addtion and drought involved an interdependency between soluble protein and morphological, physiological and biochemical processes. These findings provide an important reference for vegetation restoration in arid lands under global change.

Spatial variation of the soil bacterial community in major apple producing regions of China

AIMS

In China, apple production areas are largely from the coastal to inland areas and across varied climate zones. However, the relationship among soil micro-organisms, environmental factors and fruit quality has not been clearly confirmed in orchards. Here we attempted to identify the variation of soil bacteria in the main apple producing regions and reveal the relationship among climatic factor, soil properties, soil bacterial community and fruit quality.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixty soil samples were collected from six main apple producing areas in China. We examined the soil bacteria using bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon profiling. The results show that the soil bacterial diversity of apple orchards varied from the Bohai Bay Region to the Loess Plateau Region. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were the predominant taxa at the phylum level for all six areas. In the Bohai Bay and the Loess Plateau region, which are the two largest apple producing areas, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria had the highest relative abundance, respectively. Furthermore, soil bacterial diversity showed positive correlation with the mean annual temperature (MAT), soil organic matter (SOM) and pH. Excluding a direct effect on the apple fruit quality, MAT exerted an indirect influence through soil SOM and pH to alter the relative abundance of dominant taxa and shift the bacterial diversity, which affects the apple fruit titratable acids and soluble solids.

CONCLUSIONS

Geographic variables underlie apple orchard soil bacterial communities vary according to spatial scale. Environmental factors exert an indirect effect on apple fruit quality via shaping soil bacterial community.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides a list of bacteria associated with environmental factors and the ecological attributes of their interactions in apple orchards, which will improve our ability to promote soil bacterial functional capabilities in order to reduce the fertilizer input and enhance the fruit quality.

Magnetic Solitons in a Spin-1 Bose-Einstein Condensate

Vector solitons are a type of solitary or nonspreading wave packet occurring in a nonlinear medium composed of multiple components. As such, a variety of synthetic systems can be constructed to explore their properties, from nonlinear optics to ultracold atoms, and even in metamaterials. Bose-Einstein condensates have a rich panoply of internal hyperfine levels, or spin components, which make them a unique platform for exploring these solitary waves. However, existing experimental work has focused largely on binary systems confined to the Manakov limit of the nonlinear equations governing the soliton behavior, where quantum magnetism plays no role. Here we observe, using a "magnetic shadowing" technique, a new type of soliton in a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate, one that exists only when the underlying interactions are antiferromagnetic and which is deeply embedded within a full spin-1 quantum system. Our approach opens up a vista for future studies of "solitonic matter" whereby multiple solitons interact with one another at deterministic locations.

HuangqiGuizhiWuwu Decoction Prevents Vascular Dysfunction in Diabetes via Inhibition of Endothelial Arginase 1

Hyperglycemia induces vascular endothelial dysfunction, which contributes to the development of vascular complication of diabetes. A classic prescription of traditional medicine, HuangqiGuizhiWuwu Decoction (HGWWD) has been used for the treatment of various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which all are related with vascular pathology. The present study investigated the effect of HGWWD treatment in streptozocin (STZ)-induced vascular dysfunction in mouse models. In vivo studies were performed using wild type mice as well as arginase 1 knockout specific in endothelial cells (EC-A1-/-) of control mice, diabetes mice and diabetes mice treated with HGWWD (60 g crude drugs/kg/d) for 2 weeks. For in vitro studies, aortic tissues were treated with mice serum containing HGWWD with or without adenoviral arginase 1 (Ad-A1) transduction in high glucose (HG) medium. We found that HGWWD treatment restored STZ-induced impaired mean velocity and pulsatility index of mouse left femoral arteries, aortic pulse wave velocity and vascular endothelial relaxation accompanied by elevated NO production in the aorta and plasma, as well as reduced endothelial arginase activity and aortic arginase 1 expression. The protective effect of HGWWD is reversed by an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis. Meanwhile, the preventive effect of serum containing HGWWD in endothelial vascular dysfunction is completely blocked by Ad-A1 transduction in HG incubated aortas. HGWWD treatment further improved endothelial vascular dysfunction in STZ induced EC-A1-/- mice. This study demonstrates that HGWWD improved STZ-induced vascular dysfunction through arginase 1 - NO signaling, specifically targeting endothelial arginase 1.

Hypereosinophilia (HE) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with normal karyotype: A report of two cases

We present two rare cases of hypereosinophilia (HE) in acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype (NK-AML) at diagnosis. The first case is a 29-year-old female who presented with HE. On evaluation, she was found to have NK-AML. She failed to achieve complete remission (CR) after the first induction therapy with standard idarubicin and cytarabine (IA). She achieved CR after two cycles of reinduction chemotherapy with cytarabine, aclarubicin, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (CAG) but had early relapsed. Reinduction chemotherapy with fludarabine, Ara-C, and G-CSF (FLAG) led to her second remission, followed by unrelated umbilical cord hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Unfortunately, she died of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. The second case is a 23-year-old male who was diagnosed as NK-AML with HE. IA regimen was successively used in two cycles treatment achieving CR. He underwent haploidentical HSCT but had a relapse after 17 months of sustained remission and died 4 months later. The presence of HE may be a poor prognostic feature in NK-AML.

Apple rootstocks with different phosphorus efficiency exhibit alterations in rhizosphere bacterial structure

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to select phosphorus-efficient apple rootstocks under phosphorus deficiency and to reveal the effects of different apple rootstocks on the rhizosphere bacterial community.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used 83 hybrid lines of Malus robusta Rehd. × Malling 9 (M.9) to investigate their physiological traits and the phosphorus deficiency phenotypes of leaves in response to phosphorus deficiency (0·1 mmol l^-1 PO₄ ^3- ). All the plants were cultivated in pots in the greenhouse and watered using drip irrigation. In accordance with the results of investigation, we selected the phosphorus-efficient hybrid lines (PE) and the phosphorus-inefficient hybrid lines (PI) to research their root morphology and root hairs (RH). In addition, we used Illumina MiSeq sequencing to determine the bacterial community of the rhizosphere from different rootstocks. The results showed that the PE plants had better growth characteristics and stronger root plasticity than that of the PI plants, and phosphorus deficiency can stimulate the RH growth of PE plants. There was no significant difference in the rhizosphere bacterial diversity, but we found that the bacterial community structure was significantly different at the genus levels; in addition, 89 genera were found to have significant differences between PE and PI plants, especially Bacillus. The PE rhizosphere had more abundant Bacillus compared to the PI. High positive Pearson correlations with the phosphorus concentration in the plantlets of apple rootstocks were detected for the bacterial genera Bacillus (r: 0·776).

CONCLUSIONS

The phosphorus-efficient apple rootstocks adapted to phosphorus deficiency by shaping the root morphology. Notably, different apple rootstocks showed alteration of the microbes in rhizosphere.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study can provide the materials for exploring the mechanism of apple rootstock phosphorus absorption. In accordance with the different bacterial community compositions, we can develop the inoculants to promote nutrient uptake.

Covalent chemistry on nanostructured substrates enables noninvasive quantification of gene rearrangements in circulating tumor cells

Well-preserved mRNA in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offers an ideal material for conducting molecular profiling of tumors, thereby providing a noninvasive diagnostic solution for guiding treatment intervention and monitoring disease progression. However, it is technically challenging to purify CTCs while retaining high-quality mRNA.Here, we demonstrate a covalent chemistry-based nanostructured silicon substrate ("Click Chip") for CTC purification that leverages bioorthogonal ligation-mediated CTC capture and disulfide cleavage-driven CTC release. This platform is ideal for CTC mRNA assays because of its efficient, specific, and rapid purification of pooled CTCs, enabling downstream molecular quantification using reverse transcription Droplet Digital polymerase chain reaction. Rearrangements of ALK/ROS1 were quantified using CTC mRNA and matched with those identified in biopsy specimens from 12 patients with late-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Moreover, CTC counts and copy numbers of ALK/ROS1 rearrangements could be used together for evaluating treatment responses and disease progression.

let-7i inhibits proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells by targeting HMGA1

Background

Let-7 is one of the earliest discovered microRNAs(miRNAs) and has been reported to be down-regulated in multiple malignant tumors. The effects and molecular mechanisms of let-7i in bladder cancer are still unclear. This study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of let-7i on bladder cancer cells.

Methods

Total RNA was extracted from bladder cancer cell lines. The expression levels of let-7i and HMGA1 were examined by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 and colony formation assays, while transwell and wound healing assays were used to evaluate migration ability. Luciferase reporter assay and western blot were used to confirm the target gene of let-7i.

Results

Compared with the SV-40 immortalized human uroepithelial cell line (SV-HUC-1), bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 5637 had low levels of let-7i expression, but high levels of high mobility group protein A1 (HMGA1) expression. Transfection of cell lines T24 and 5637 with let-7i mimic suppressed cell proliferation and migration. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed HMGA1 may be one of the target genes of let-7i-5p. Protein and mRNA expression of HMGA1 was significantly downregulated in let-7i mimic transfected cell lines T24 and 5637.

Conclusions

Up-regulation of let-7i suppressed proliferation and migration of the human bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 5637 by targeting HMGA1. These findings suggest that let-7i might be considered as a novel therapeutic target for bladder cancer.

Bio-Inspired NanoVilli Chips for Enhanced Capture of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Toward Non-Invasive Detection of Gene Alterations in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in bodily fluids are emerging liquid biopsy markers for non-invasive cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Because the majority of EVs in circulation are not of tumor origin, it is critical to develop new platforms capable of enriching tumor-derived EVs from the blood. Herein, we introduce a biostructure-inspired NanoVilli Chip, capable of highly efficient and reproducible immunoaffinity capture of tumor-derived EVs from blood plasma samples. Anti-EpCAM-grafted silicon nanowire arrays were engineered to mimic the distinctive structures of intestinal microvilli, dramatically increasing surface area and enhancing tumor-derived EV capture. RNA in the captured EVs can be recovered for downstream molecular analyses by reverse transcription Droplet Digital PCR. We demonstrate that this assay can be applied to monitor the dynamic changes of ROS1 rearrangements and epidermal growth factor receptor T790M mutations that predict treatment responses and disease progression in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Apple rootstocks of different nitrogen tolerance affect the rhizosphere bacterial community composition

AIMS

To select apple rootstocks that are tolerant to low nitrogen and reveal the relationship between the rhizosphere bacterial communities and the low nitrogen tolerance of the apple rootstock.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In total, 235 lines of hybrids of Malus robusta Rehd. × M.9 with low nitrogen stress were cultivated in pots in a greenhouse equipped with a drip irrigation system, and growth characteristics, photosynthesis traits and mineral elements were monitored. The bacterial community structure of the rhizosphere from different rootstocks was determined via Illumina MiSeq sequencing. This study selected three low nitrogen-tolerant (NT) lines that had higher nitrogen concentration, and higher photosynthesis rate than the three low nitrogen-sensitive (NS) lines. The bacterial community structure significantly differed (P ≤ 0·001) among the rootstocks. The bacterial phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant groups in the rhizosphere and presented higher abundance in the NT rhizosphere. The N concentration in the apple rootstocks exhibited highly positive Pearson correlations with the bacterial genera Sphingomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Bacillus and Acinetobacter, and negative correlations with the bacterial genera Pseudarthrobacter and Bradyrhizobium.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that investigated rootstocks achieved increased nitrogen concentration by enhancing their photosynthetic production capacity and shaping their rhizobacteria community structure.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The findings provide a basis for studying the mechanisms of resistance to low nitrogen stress in apple rootstocks. Based on these beneficial bacteria, microbial inoculants can be developed for use in sustainable agricultural and horticultural production.

Observation of crossover from intraband to interband nonlinear terahertz optics

In this Letter, we investigate the nonlinear effects of extremely intense few-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses (generated from the organic crystal 4-NN, NN-dimethylamino-4^'4^'-N^'N^'-methyl-stilbazolium 2, 4, 6 trimethylbenzenesulfonate, with peak electrical fields of a few MV/cm) on the carrier dynamics in n-doped semiconductor thin film In_0.53Ga_0.47As. By performing open-aperture Z-scan measurements and recording the transmitted THz energy through semiconductor sample, we observed a strong THz absorption bleaching effect at high fields, followed by an absorption enhancement at even higher fields. We attribute our observations to a crossover from pure intraband carrier dynamics to an interplay between intraband carrier heating and interband carrier generations.

A Chinese medicine warm compress (Wen Jing Zhi Tong Fang), combined with WHO 3-step analgesic ladder treatment for cancer pain relief: A comparative randomized trial

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Chinese medicine warm compress (CMWC) on back meridians in relieving cancer pain, reducing adjuvant analgesic doses and adverse reactions, and improving the quality of life (QOL).

METHODS

A total of 62 patients (age range 39-82 years) diagnosed with a malignant tumor and suffering from cancer-related pain were randomly divided into a treatment group (group A) and a control group (group B) (n = 31 for each). The patients in both groups were administered appropriate drugs for 2 cycles of 7-day treatments according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 3-step ladder for cancer pain relief in adults. In addition, a CMWC was given to patients in group A. Pain relief was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at various time points before and after interventions in each group. Alteration of analgesic doses, adverse reactions, performance status (PS), and QOL were evaluated and any differences between groups A and B evaluated.

RESULTS

VAS scores at various time points after treatment were significantly decreased compared with the baseline level in group A. Overall response rate was significantly improved in group A compared with group B (70.97% vs 29.03%, P < .001). Significant differences in clinical pain relief efficacy in various locations were found in group A after treatment vs before treatment (P < .05). Adjuvant analgesic doses were significantly changed in the control group compared to the treatment group after 1 cycle of 7-day treatment (22.58% vs 12.90%, P = .023). QOL were improved more in group A than in group B (3.00 ± 4.23 vs -2.06 ± 2.38, P < .001). Significantly reduced adverse reactions were observed after treatment of group A compared with group B in terms of the overall incidence (3.23% vs 80.65%, P < .05) or incidence of constipation (3.23% vs 77.42%, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The application of CMWC on back meridians combined with WHO 3-step analgesic ladder treatment was effective in relieving cancer-related pain with reduced doses, less adverse reactions, and improved QOL.

Giant self-induced transparency of intense few-cycle terahertz pulses in n-doped silicon

The results of high-field terahertz transmission experiments on n-doped silicon (carrier concentration of 8.7×10¹⁶  cm^-3) are presented. We use terahertz pulses with electric field strengths up to 3.1  MV cm^-1 and a pulse duration of 700 fs. A huge transmittance enhancement of ∼90 times is observed with increasing of the terahertz electric field strengths within the range of 1.5-3.1  MV cm^-1.

HLA-A*24:388N: a novel HLA-A*24 allele identified by sequence-based typing

The novel allele, A*24:388N, was identified by sequence-based typing in a Chinese individual.

Abstract P5-01-02: Multimodality molecular imaging with dynamic 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) and MRI to evaluate response and resistance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)

Background: Using quantitative FDG PET to measure glucose metabolism and perfusion, and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI to measure perfusion, we previously identified a metabolic signature for breast cancer resistant to NAC. This imaging signature is (1) persistent or increased tumor perfusion despite treatment, (2) an altered pattern of glucose kinetics in response to therapy, and (3) pre-therapy mismatch between tumor metabolism (MRFDG) and glucose delivery (K1) (high ratio of MRFDG/K1). These patterns predict poor response, early relapse and death independent of established prognostic factors, including pathologic response. Identification of factors associated with resistance or response to therapy is the translational goal of "Quantitative Dynamic PET and MRI in Breast Cancer Therapy," part of the Seattle Breast SPORE (1P50CA138293).

Methods: Patients (Pts) undergoing NAC for histologically confirmed breast cancer (stage II-III) were approached for this trial (CCIRB# 7587). FDG PET and DCE-MRI were obtained pre-therapy, 2-12 weeks after start of NAC (mid-therapy) and after completion of NAC. Breast biopsies were obtained pre-therapy and post-NAC. FDG PET included a dynamic scan with kinetic analysis. PET measures included SUVmax, MRFDG, K1, Ki, and Patlak. 3T DCE-MRI measurements included semi-quantitative vascular parameters of peak enhancement (PE), signal enhancement ratio (SER), washout fraction, functional tumor volume, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI). Breast biopsies were assayed by immunohistochemistry and gene expression profiling. NAC was per physician's choice with most pts receiving weekly paclitaxel (with trastuzumab if HER2+) followed by doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide.

Results: 32 pts have completed the study. Pathologic complete response (pCR), defined as absence of invasive cancer in the breast, was observed in 9 (28%); near pCR defined as only microscopic residual invasive cancer in 3 (9%) more pts. Mid-therapy decline in SUVmax and K1 was associated with near pCR; (p-value 0.06, 0.04, respectively). Pre-therapy PET measures of MRFDG and K1 were not predictive of pCR. On MRI, pre-therapy PE (p=0.009), SER (p=0.01), washout fraction (p=0.02), ADC (p=0.08, trend) and mid-therapy change in volume (p=0.05) were each predictive of pCR. Gene profiling of pre-therapy biopsies showed correlation between high MRFDG/K1 ratio in basal and luminal B tumors.

Conclusions: Assessment of serial changes in tumor metabolism and perfusion by FDG PET and DCE-MRI is feasible in the clinic. Mid-therapy decline in metabolism and glucose delivery was predictive of pCR; consistent with prior retrospective series. Baseline DCE-MRI and DWI measures show promise to predict response, and associations of mid-therapy change in MR functional tumor volume with pCR agree with findings of another multisite clinical trial (ISPY). These imaging parameters may serve as useful biomarkers to inform future neoadjuvant trials. Integration of imaging data with gene expression profiling revealed that the pattern of metabolism in luminal B tumors was closer to that of the basal subtype compared to other ER-positive tumors.

Citation Format: Specht JM, Partridge S, Chai X, Novakova A, Peterson L, Shields A, Guenthoer J, Linden HM, Gralow JR, Gadi V, Korde L, Hills D, Hsu L, Hockenbery DM, Kinahan P, Mankoff DA, Porter PL. Multimodality molecular imaging with dynamic 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) and MRI to evaluate response and resistance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-01-02.

Oral chronic GVHD outcomes and resource utilization: a subanalysis from the chronic GVHD consortium

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the extent to which oral chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) consensus assessments are predictive of management across institutions with and without oral medicine (OM) centers, and whether ancillary care guidelines are followed within clinical practice.

METHODS

Longitudinal oral cGVHD data were abstracted from the cGVHD Consortium, and additional mouth-specific management data were analyzed across five transplant centers.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients with 656 visits were observed for a median of 7.1 months with one visit per follow-up month. Ancillary therapies for oral cGVHD were prescribed for 67% of patients for a median of 0.46 months (per follow-up month) at OM centers and 0.78 months at non-OM centers. Patients treated with ancillary therapy were more likely to have an National Institutes of Health (NIH) mouth score of ≥1 (P < 0.001, odds ratio: 5.1) and mouth pain (P = 0.01, odds ratio: 2.6). The odds ratios of receiving ancillary therapy from OM experts were higher than transplant physicians (53%; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral cGVHD consensus assessments corresponding with ancillary therapy use were mouth pain and NIH mouth score, with higher odds ratios of receiving therapy from OM experts. Ancillary care guidelines for oral cGVHD are reflected in academic clinical practice with respect to utilization of recommended prescriptions.

Abstract P4-01-03: HDACi (vorinostat) in metastatic breast cancer to restore sensitivity to ER-directed (AI) therapy: A phase II clinical trial with FES imaging correlates

Background: Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have shown pre-clinical promise in estrogen receptor(ER)-modulation and restoring sensitivity to endocrine manipulation, suggesting potential clinical benefit (Sabnis 2011) (Huang 2000) in ER+ breast cancer. Vorinostat is an FDA-approved HDACi for CTCL, and could have a beneficial role in restoring ER-signaling in endocrine-resistant tumors (Munster 2011) (Yardley 2011). [F-18]fluoroestradiol (FES) PET imaging may be used to monitor regional tumor ER expression in patients with breast cancer (Linden 2011).

Methods: Patients with metastatic breast cancer with prior clinical benefit from endocrine manipulation who progressed on an AI therapy are eligible for this ongoing trial. In part A, patients were given vorinostat for 2 weeks, then resumed AI for 6 W. In part B (reflecting results of prior HDACi trials) patients are given vorinostat 400mg po daily 5/7 days 3/4 weeks while AI is given continuously. Paired FES and FDG PET are performed at baseline, week 2 and 8; clinical/radiologic assessment of disease is also performed at week 8. Patients with clinical benefit (response or stable disease) may continue on treatment until progressive disease or study withdrawal. Lesion-level analysis of the association between baseline FES uptake (logged) and FES/FDG ratio used generalized estimating equations (GEE) with small-sample adjustments to standard errors.

Results: 12/ 20 planned patients have accrued, and the treatment is well tolerated. Enrolled women were postmenopausal, the majority with primary infiltrating ductal tumors, bone/soft tissue dominant with longstanding metastatic disease, exposed to multiple endocrine and chemotherapy regimens. Five patients have had clinical benefit (2/4 on part B with greater HDACi exposure). One patient withdrew from the study due to toxicity. FES and FDG uptake was analyzed in 42 lesions in 11 patients. Average FES uptake was 2.0 (SULmean) for patients with clinical benefit, and 1.2 in patients with progressive disease by 8 weeks (p = 0.09). FES/FDG ratio at baseline was also associated with response (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: HDACi therapy is promising in relapsed ER+ breast cancer. Imaging of metabolic pathways in parallel with clinical trials may accelerate understanding of the underlying tumor biology and refine treatment selection.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-01-03.

Abstract P4-01-02: The role of FLT PET early assessment of response to endocrine therapy for early stage breast cancer

Background: In estrogen receptor positive (ER+) tumors, a low proliferative index (Ki-67) two weeks into endocrine therapy predicts response. FLT PET non-invasively measures tumor proliferation in vivo. The pre-operative window is an opportunity to assess impact of systemic therapies. We tested associations between FLT PET qualitative and quantitative measures and Ki-67 following two weeks of aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy.

Methods: Women with clinical stage I-II ER+ HER2– breast cancer underwent “run-in” of AI monotherapy prior to definitive surgery. Premenopausal women were given GNRH agonist treatment 2 W prior to AI therapy. FLT PET was performed before AI therapy, and 1-7 days before surgery. Ki-67 was measured in baseline core biopsy and surgical specimens.

Results: Fourteen patients (8 postmenopausal, 6 premenopausal) have been enrolled. All have undergone baseline FLT PET imaging; 11 have completed imaging and surgery, including one premenopausal patient with no residual invasive carcinoma following 26 days of AI therapy. The majority harbored ductal carcinomas (n = 9, 5 with lobular histology) with the majority histologic grade ≥ 2 (n = 11). The median number of days exposed to AI was 19 (range, 9-42). Baseline SUVmax ranged from 1.2 to 3.9 (median 2.2), and post run-in SUV (6-64 days later) ranged from 1.2 to 2.8 (median 1.8). Baseline Ki-67 ranged from 6-26.2, median 11.6; surgical Ki-67 post AI therapy ranged from 0- 20.3 median 3.7, with seven below 5%. SUV and flux declined in most patients, as did Ki-67.

Quantitative FLT flux correlated with tumor response assessed by proliferative index (Ki-67) before the “run-in” period, with a stronger correlation at surgery, Pearson correlation coefficients = 0.41 and 0.82, respectively. FLT SUV and qualitative changes were not strongly associated with Ki-67.

Conclusions: Both pre and postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer showed imaging and tissue response to endocrine therapy. Quantitative, but not qualitative FLT is a promising tool to assess tumor proliferation and response to therapy. Accrual is ongoing and updated results will be reported.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-01-02.

The clinical application of absorbable intramedullary nail and claw plate on treating multiple rib fractures

AIM

The absorption intramedullary nail and claw plate indications and efficacy were investigated in the treatment of a life-threatening multiple rib fractures.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 248 surgically treated rib fracture patients was performed who admitted to our hospital from March 2007 to December 2012. Intramedullary nailing was performed in 28 cases, a claw-type bone plate was fixed in 141 cases, and a combination of both was fixed in 79 cases.

RESULTS

All internal fixation patients were clinically cured except 1 patient died 14 days after a massive pulmonary embolism. The patients with flail chest and floating chest wall causing respiratory and circulatory disorders were promptly corrected. Routine follow-up was from 1 to 2 years, displaced fractures were in 2 cases, and there were 11 cases of internal fixation and extraction.

CONCLUSION

Internal fixation is a simple and reliable method for the treatment of multiple rib fractures. Both internal fixation materials have their pros and cons but the claw bone plate is more robust. The actual selection of appropriate treatment options helps to improve the treatment efficacy.

Measurement of oral chronic GVHD: results from the Chronic GVHD Consortium

Oral chronic GVHD (cGVHD) is a serious complication of alloSCT. Scales and instruments to measure oral cGVHD activity and severity have not been prospectively validated. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of oral cGVHD and determine the measures most sensitive to change. Patients enrolled in the cGVHD Consortium with oral involvement were included. Clinicians scored oral changes according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria, and patients completed symptom and quality-of-life measures at each visit. Both rated change on an eight-point scale. Of the 458 participants, 72% (n=331) had objective oral involvement at enrollment. Lichenoid change was the most common feature (n=293; 89%). At visits where oral change could be assessed, 50% of clinicians and 56% of patients reported improvement, with worsening reported in 4-5% for both the groups (weighted kappa=0.41). Multivariable regression modeling suggested that the measurement changes most predictive of perceived change by clinicians and patients were erythema and lichenoid, NIH severity and symptom scores. Oral cGVHD is common and associated with a range of signs and symptoms. Measurement of erythema and lichenoid changes and symptoms may adequately capture the activity of oral cGVHD in clinical trials but require prospective validation.

P1-06-25: Changes in FDG PET SUV Correlates with Ki-67 Following 2 Weeks of Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy in ER+ Early Stage Breast Cancer, a Pilot Imaging Study

Background: In estrogen receptor positive (ER+) tumors, a low proliferative index (Ki-67) two weeks into endocrine therapy predicts response. FDG PET non-invasively measures tumor sites in vivo. The pre-operative window is an opportunity to assess impact of systemic therapies. We tested associations between FDG PET standardized uptake value (SUV) and Ki-67 after two weeks of aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy in newly diagnosed, postmenopausal women.

Methods: Postmenopausal patients with clinical stage I-II ER+ HER2− primary tumors underwent a 9–35 day “run-in” of AI monotherapy prior to definitive surgery. FDG PET was performed before AI therapy, and 1–5 days before surgery. Ki-67 was measured in baseline core biopsy and surgical specimens.

Results: To date, 18 patients (median age 59) have been enrolled of whom 14 patients have undergone serial FDG PET imaging with 12 completed assessment of Ki-67 in surgical samples including one who had no residual invasive carcinoma. The majority harbored ductal carcinomas (n=16) with 10/18 having histologic grade ≥ 2. The median number of days exposed to AI was 18 (range, 9–35). Baseline SUV ranged from 1.8 to 10.9 (median 2.5), and post run-in SUV (7-34 days later) ranged from 1.0 to 10.7 (median 2.5). A median 14% decrease in SUV was observed between paired FDG PET studies (range, 44% decline to 13% increase). Five of 12 patients’ index lesion FDG SUV declined by 20% or more; all also had Ki-67 ≤5% at surgery. An additional 5 patients with Ki-67 ≤5% at surgery had percentage change in FDG PET SUV of 0% to 17% decline. Results will be updated as accrual is ongoing.

Conclusions: Substantial changes in FDG PET SUV in the breast tumor were appreciated early in AI therapy. SUV declined or was stable in all but one patient of 14, and all patients with ≥ 20% decrease in SUV had a low (≤5%) Ki-67 at surgery. Serial PET is a promising measure of early response to therapy.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-06-25.

Acute and subacute dual energy CT findings of pulmonary embolism in rabbits: correlation with histopathology

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to describe quantitative dual energy CT (DECT) findings and their accuracy in the detection of acute and subacute pulmonary embolism (PE) in rabbits.

METHODS

Pulmonary emboli were created in 24 rabbits by gelatin sponge femoral vein injection. Conventional CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and DECT were obtained at either 2 h, 1 day, 3 days or 7 days after embolisation (n=6 rabbits for each time point). The location and number of PEs in the different stages were recorded at CTPA and iodine maps from DECT on a per-lobe basis. With histopathology as the reference standard, sensitivity and specificity of CTPA and DECT were calculated. CT and iodine map overlay values of the embolic and non-embolic areas were measured for each scan.

RESULTS

With histopathology as the reference standard, the overall sensitivity and specificity of CTPA were 98% and 100% and those of iodine maps were 100% and 95%, respectively. Conventional CT and iodine map values of the embolised and non-embolised areas were significantly different between 2 h and 1 day (p<0.001), but not between 3 days and 7 days (p>0.05). A statistical difference was found for overlay values measured in the embolic and non-embolic regions for four groups.

CONCLUSION

Iodine maps derived from DECT show alterations in lung perfusion for acute and subacute PE in an experimental rabbit model and show comparable sensitivity for PE detection and conventional CTPA.