Pretreatment level of serum sialic acid predicts both qualitative and quantitative bone metastases of prostate cancer

Background

Recently, serum sialic acid (SA) has emerged as a distinct prognostic marker for prostate cancer (PCa) and bone metastases, warranting differential treatment and prognosis for low-volume (LVD) and high-volume disease (HVD). In clinical settings, evaluating bone metastases can prove advantageous.

Objectives

We aimed to establish the correlation between SA and both bone metastasis and HVD in newly diagnosed PCa patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1202 patients who received a new diagnosis of PCa between November 2014 and February 2021. We compared pretreatment SA levels across multiple groups and investigated the associations between SA levels and the clinical parameters of patients. Additionally, we compared the differences between HVD and LVD. We utilized several statistical methods, including the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and logistic regression.

Results

The results indicate that SA may serve as a predictor of bone metastasis in patients with HVD. ROC curve analysis revealed a cut-off value of 56.15 mg/dL with an area under the curve of 0.767 (95% CI: 0.703-0.832, P < 0.001) for bone metastasis versus without bone metastasis and a cut-off value of 65.80 mg/dL with an area under the curve of 0.766 (95% CI: 0.644-0.888, P = 0.003) for HVD versus LVD. Notably, PCa patients with bone metastases exhibited significantly higher SA levels than those without bone metastases, and HVD patients had higher SA levels than LVD patients. In comparison to the non-metastatic and LVD cohorts, the cohort with HVD exhibited higher levels of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) (median, 122.00 U/L), fibrinogen (FIB) (median, 3.63 g/L), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (median, 215.70 ng/mL), as well as higher Gleason scores (> 7). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that an SA level of > 56.15 mg/dL was independently associated with the presence of bone metastases in PCa patients (OR = 2.966, P = 0.018), while an SA level of > 65.80 mg/dL was independently associated with HVD (OR = 1.194, P = 0.048).

Conclusion

The pretreatment serum SA level is positively correlated with the presence of bone metastases.

Outcomes of Consolidative Thoracic Radiation within First-Line Chemoimmunotherapy in Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Results from a Single Cancer Center

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Thoracic radiation (TRT) benefits local control undoubtedly and survival with some minor controversy in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients undergoing radiotherapy in the chemoradiotherapy era. However, whether TRT could further enhance the benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) maintenance on outcomes in the immunotherapy era is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of consolidative TRT in ES-SCLC patients receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy followed by immunotherapy maintenance.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Outcomes of patients who were treated with first-line chemo-immunotherapy followed by ICIs maintenance for ES-SCLC were reviewed. Based on TRT or not, patients were allocated to TRT group or non-TRT group. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and local-recurrence free survival (LRFS) were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients with no progressive disease after 4 cycles of chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed between January 2020 and December 2021 and were allocated into TRT group (n = 47) and non-TRT group (n = 53). The median follow-up time was 20.3 months. The median PFS and OS in TRT were 9.1 months and 21.8 months, versus 8.8 months (p = 0.93) and 24.3 months (p = 0.63), respectively, in non-TRT. ICIs agents consisted of Durvalumab (59.0%) and Atezolizumab (41.0%). The median dose of TRT is 50 Gy (IQR: 45 - 54), while the median interval time from chemotherapy completion to TRT was 31 days (IQR: 12 - 44.5). Only 10 (21.3%) patients terminated ICIs in the period of TRT. The rate of intrathoracic progression after the first-line therapy in TRT significantly decreased compared to that with non-TRT (20.0% versus 55.9%, p = 0.003). The median LRFS time in TRT was not reached, but significantly longer than 10.8 months in non-TRT (HR = 0.27, p < 0.01). Second-line chemotherapy significantly prolonged survival compared to that with chemo-free patients (mOS: 24.5 vs. 21.4 months, p = 0.026). The subgroup analysis showed a trend of patients with brain metastases benefit from TRT (21.8 versus 13.7 months, HR 0.61, p = 0.38) while liver metastases did not (13.3 versus 15.0 months, HR 1.80, p = 0.21). Of 47 patients with TRT, only 10.6% of patients experienced grade 3 radiation-induced pneumonitis, while no grade 4 or 5 adverse events occurred. None of patients experienced grade ≥ 3 treatment-related cardiac events.

CONCLUSION

Consolidative TRT in the period of immunotherapy maintenance followed first-line chemo-immunotherapy did not prolong OS and PFS but increased LRFS in ES-SCLC.

[Vascular endothelial growth factor promotes cancer stemness of triple-negative breast cancer via MAPK/ERK pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in regulating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stem cells and the possible pathways involved in this regulatory mechanism.

METHODS

The Oncomine database, UALCAN database and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database were used to analyze the expression of VEGF in breast cancer and its association with the molecular subtypes and prognosis of breast cancer. Sphere formation assay was carried out to examine the effects of hVEGF₁₆₅ on sphere formation ability of TNBC MDA-MB-231 cell line; Western blotting and RT-qPCR were performed to detect the expression of the tumor stem cell markers including CD44, c-Myc, Nanog, and ALDH1 and the activation of the related pathways.

RESULTS

Data from the online databases all showed a significant increase of VEGF expression in breast cancer tissues than in the adjacent tissues (P < 0.0001), and its expression level was associated with the molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Specifically, the expression of VEGF was markedly higher in TNBC than in other subtypes of breast cancer. Survival analysis showed that breast cancer patients with a high VEGF expression had a significantly shortened overall survival (P < 0.0001). In the cell experiments, the sphere formation ability of MDA-MB-231 cells was significantly enhanced after treatment with hVEGF₁₆₅ (P=0.0029). Compared with the monolayer cells, MDA-MB-231 spheres showed significantly increased expressions of VEGF, NRP-1, CD44, Nanog and c-Myc. Treatment with hVEGF₁₆₅ resulted in significant time-dependent up-regulation of the expressions of CD44, c-Myc, Nanog and ALDH1 and down-regulation of CD24 expression in the cells. The results of Western blotting demonstrated that treatment with hVEGF₁₆₅ caused significant activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells.

CONCLUSION

VEGF promotes cancer stemness of triple-negative breast cancer possibly through the ERK/MAPK pathway.

Poroid hidradenoma of the scalp in a US Veteran's Administration (VA) patient

Poroid hidradenomas are a rare subtype of hidradenoma. A Veteran’s Administration patient presented with a mobile, cystic scalp lesion. Intraoperatively the mass spontaneously ruptured. We hope clinicians will consider this entity on their differential when treating patients presenting with similar scalp lesions and intraoperative findings.

CircRNA_100395 protects breast carcinoma deterioration by targeting MAPK6

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to uncover the differential expression of circRNA_100395 in breast carcinoma specimens, and its regulatory effect on cancer cell phenotypes. The role of circRNA_100395 in affecting breast carcinoma progression and the molecular mechanism are explored as well.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CircRNA_100395 expressions in breast carcinoma and paracancerous tissues were detected. The influence of circRNA_100395 level on clinical indicators of breast carcinoma patients was analyzed. In vitro regulations of circRNA_100395 on phenotypes of breast carcinoma cells were examined by CCK-8, colony formation, and transwell assay. The interaction between circRNA_100395 and MAPK6 was confirmed by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and rescue assays.

RESULTS

CircRNA_100395 was downregulated in breast carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Its level was negatively correlated to tumor staging and tumor size of breast carcinoma. Overexpression of circRNA_100395 in SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231 cells weakened proliferative and migratory abilities. MAPK6 was the target gene of circRNA_100395. Overexpression of MAPK6 reversed the anti-cancer effect of circRNA_100395 on breast carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

CircRNA_100395 serves as an anti-cancer gene in breast carcinoma progression by targeting MAPK6, and its level is negatively correlated to tumor staging and tumor size of breast carcinoma. CircRNA_100395 can be utilized as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target of breast carcinoma.

COVID-19 with bronchogram - a potential indication of prolonged treatment

Novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has widely spread all over the world and seriously threatened people's health. This disease is currently diagnosed by clinical features, chest computed tomography (CT) scan, and nucleic acid test of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Recently, some studies have suggested parenchymal consolidation and air bronchogram in severe cases. However, the effective treatment for COVID-19 patients with bronchogram has not been discussed. Herein, we report a case of 47-year-old woman who suffered from COVID-19 with bronchogram. These findings revealed that the body temperature and clinical laboratory test all returned to normal after this patient received a prolonged treatment. Furthermore, chest CT showed the bronchogram and consolidation resolved and nucleic acid retest of SARS-CoV-2 was also negative. These results provide an important reference for treatment option of COVID-19 with bronchogram.

Comparison of functional outcomes and health-related quality of life one year after treatment in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer treated with three different reconstruction methods

We evaluated the functional outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of 117 patients (who had had primary operations for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma) using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire version 4 (UW- QOL V4), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3 (EORTC QLQ-C30 v3) and Head and Neck version 1 (EORTC H&N35 v1). The patients were divided into groups according to the reconstruction techniques used: primary closure, submental island pedicled flap (SIPF), and radial forearm free flap (RFFF). Patients who had reconstruction with RFFF had better HRQoL as measured by swallowing, mastication, speaking, and overall score, than the primary closure group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the RFFF and SIPF groups in overall QOL one year postoperatively. The HRQoL of the SIPF group was also better than that of the primary closure group in terms of mastication, speaking, and loss of appetite. Swallowing, mastication, and speaking are major factors that affect the HRQoL of patients one year after operation for oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Flap reconstruction can improve patients' QoL postoperatively. They can regain their ability to speak and swallow through training, and the importance of this issue must be addressed postoperatively.

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in osteoarthritis: a narrative review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complicated degenerative disease that affects whole joint tissue. Currently, apart from surgical approaches to treat late stage OA, effective treatments to reverse OA are not available. Thus, the mechanisms leading to OA, and more effective approaches to treat OA should be investigated. According to available evidence, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is essential for normal metabolism of joint tissues, but is also involved in development of OA. To provide a wide viewpoint to roles of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in osteoarthritis, a comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed terms 'PI3K OR AKT OR mTOR' and 'osteoarthritis'. This review highlights the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in cartilage degradation, subchondral bone dysfunction, and synovial inflammation, and discusses how this signaling pathway affects development of the disease. We also summarize recent evidences of therapeutic approaches to treat OA by targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and discuss potential challenges in developing these strategies for clinical treatment of OA.

Association between Statin Use and Physical Function among Older Chinese Inpatients with Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE

Multiple statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) risk factors usually coexist in a given older diabetic patient, but the association between statin use and physical function in older Asian persons with T2MD remains uncertain. The present study therefore sought to provide insight into this uncertainty through a focused assessment of statin-associated outcomes in Chinese diabetic adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

The study included 146 participants with T2MD in the Center of Gerontology and Geriatric, West China Hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

The participants received the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Statin use and other medical data for each patient were determined via assessment of the inpatient hospital information system. Assessments of physical functions included ADLs, IADLs and the Timed "Up and Go" (TUG) test. Multiple regression analyses were then performed in order to determine the relationship between statin utilization and physical function.

RESULTS

The average age of these 146 participants (32 women, 21.9%) was 80.00±5.60 years. At enrollment, 78 (53.4%) of the 146 patients were treated with statins. Among the statin users, 48.7% presented with a lack of TUG ability, which was significantly greater than in non-statin users (27.9%). However, the rates of IADL and ADL disabilities did not differ significantly between groups. In a multiple regression analyses, statin use was associated with a three-fold (95% CI 1.06, 9.51) increase in the risk of TUG inability, after adjusted all covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant association between statin use and TUG inability in older Chinese inpatients with diabetes.

Committee II: Guidelines for cytologic sampling techniques of lung and mediastinal lymph nodes

The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology has developed a set of guidelines for pulmonary cytology including indications for bronchial brushings, washings, and endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), technical recommendations for cytological sampling, recommended terminology and classification schemes, recommendations for ancillary testing and recommendations for post-cytological management and follow-up. All recommendations are based on the expertise of the authors, an extensive literature review and feedback from presentations at national and international conferences. This document selectively presents the results of these discussions. The present document summarizes recommendations regarding techniques used to obtain cytological and small histologic specimens from the lung and mediastinal lymph nodes including rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE), and the triage of specimens for immunocytochemical and molecular studies.

Human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells combined with an acellular cartilage extracellular matrix scaffold improve cartilage repair compared with microfracture in a caprine model

OBJECTIVE

As a novel and promising seed cell, human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSCs) are widely applied in tissue engineering. However, whether hWJMSCs can better repair and regenerate the articular cartilage in big animals than microfracture (MF, a predominant clinical treatment strategy for damaged cartilage) is unclear. Evaluation of the validity, and safety of hWJMSCs in a caprine model with a full-thickness femoral condyle articular cartilage defect, compared with MF is required.

METHODS

After cultivation and identification, hWJMSCs were seeded in an acellular cartilage extracellular matrix (ACECM)-oriented scaffold to construct cell-scaffold complex. Six goats with full-thickness femoral condyle articular cartilage defects were randomized to MF (microfracture group, MFG) and cell-scaffold complexes (experimental group, EG). At 2 and 4 weeks, joint fluid was used to assess immuno-inflammatory responses. At 6 and 9 months, all goats were euthanized for assessment of morphology, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histology staining, and evaluation of the elasticity modulus and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents of the repaired regions.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in immuno-inflammatory parameters. MRI demonstrated higher-quality cartilage and complete subchondral bone at defect sites in the EG at 9 months. Histological staining showed that extracellular cartilage, cartilage lacuna and collagen type II levels were higher in the EG compared to the MFG, while the EG exhibited a higher elasticity modulus.

CONCLUSIONS

The hWJMSCs-ACECM scaffold complex achieved better quality repair and regeneration of hyaline cartilage without cartilage-inducing factor, while retaining the structure and functional integrity of the subchondral bone, compared with MF.

Whole exome sequencing as a diagnostic adjunct to clinical testing in fetuses with structural abnormalities

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of prenatal whole exome sequencing (WES) for monogenic disorders in fetuses with structural malformations and normal results on cytogenetic testing, and to describe information on pathogenic variants that is provided by WES.

METHODS

Karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and WES were performed sequentially on stored samples from a cohort of 3949 pregnancies with fetal structural abnormalities detected on ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging, referred between January 2011 and December 2015. Diagnostic rates of the three techniques were investigated overall, for phenotypic subgroups and for proband-only vs fetus-mother-father samples. Information on pathogenic variants was identified by WES.

RESULTS

Overall, 18.2% (720/3949) of fetuses had an abnormal karyotype. Pathogenic copy number variants were detected on CMA in 8.2% (138/1680) of fetuses that had a normal karyotype result. WES performed on a subgroup of 196 fetuses with normal CMA and karyotype results revealed the putative genetic variants responsible for the abnormal phenotypes in 47 cases (24%). The molecular diagnosis rates for fetus-mother-father and proband-only samples were 26.5% (13/49) and 23.1% (34/147), respectively. Variants of uncertain significance were detected in 12.8% (25/196) of fetuses, of which 22 were identified in the fetal proband-only group (15%; 22/147) and three in the fetus-mother-father group (6.1%; 3/49). The incidental finding rate was 6.1% (12/196).

CONCLUSIONS

WES is a promising method for the identification of genetic variants that cause structural abnormalities in fetuses with normal results on karyotyping and CMA. This enhanced diagnostic yield has the potential to improve the clinical management of pregnancies and to inform better the reproductive decisions of affected families. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Novel biomolecular information in rotenone-induced cellular model of Parkinson's disease

In order to uncover the remarkable pathogenic genes or molecular pathological process in Parkinson's disease (PD), we employed a microarray analysis upon the cellular PD model induced by rotenone. Compared to the control group, 2174 genes were screened out to be expressed differently in the rotenone-induced group by certain criterion. GO analysis and the pathways analysis showed the significant enrichment of genes that were associated with the biological process of cell cycle, apoptotic process, organelle fusion, mitochondrial lesion, endoplasmic reticulum stress and so on. Among these significant DE genes, some were sorted out to be involved in cell cycle and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. As the PPI network analysis showed, the interaction relationship of the DEGs involved in the process of protein generation in endoplasmic reticulum(ER) was clearly showed up. As a prediction, we emphasized the genes EDEM1, ATF4, TRAF2 might play central roles in the protein misfolding process during the progression of Parkinson's disease and these new-found genes might be the future research focus and therapeutic targets in PD.

Microarray analysis of an synthetic α-synuclein induced cellular model reveals the expression profile of long non-coding RNA in Parkinson's disease

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a new research focus that are reported to influence the pathogenetic process of neurodegenerative disorders. To uncover new disease-associated genes and their relevant mechanisms, we carried out a gene microarray analysis based on a Parkinson's disease (PD) in vitro model induced by α-synuclein oligomers. This cellular model induced by 25 μmol/L α-synuclein oligomers has been confirmed to show the stable, transmissible neurotoxicity of α-synuclein, a typical PD pathological marker. And several differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were identified in this model, such as G046036, G030771, AC009365.4, RPS14P3, CTB-11I22.1, and G007549. Subsequent ceRNA analysis determined the potential relationships between these lncRNAs and their associated mRNAs and microRNAs. The results of the present study widen our horizon of PD susceptibility genes and provide new pathways towards efficient diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PD.

Rifampicin pre-treatment inhibits the toxicity of rotenone-induced PC12 cells by enhancing sumoylation modification of α-synuclein

Our previous research revealed that rifampicin could protect PC12 (pheochromocytoma 12) cells from rotenone-induced cytotoxicity by reversing the aggregation of α-synuclein. Furthermore, increasing evidence indicated that the misfolded α-synuclein with SUMOylation, an important protein posttranslational modification, was easier to solubilize and was less toxic. Here, we investigated whether rifampicin could stabilize α-synuclein and prevent rotenone-induced PC12 cells from undergoing apoptosis by enhancing SUMOylation of α-synuclein. The expression of SUMO1 and SUMO2/3, the two main proteins responsible for the SUMOylation modification in PC12 cells, were detected by western blotting. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to compare qualitatively the SUMOylation modification of α-synuclein. The cell viability and apoptosis rate were measured by a CCK-8 assay kit and flow cytometry, respectively. We targeted Ubc9 as a key enzyme in the SUMOylation modification pathway and knocked down the UBC9 gene using a short interfering RNA. Treatment with 150 μmol/L rifampicin, increased the expressions of SUMO1 and SUMO2/3 in cells by 1.5 times compared with the control group; meanwhile, the cell viability of rotenone-induced cells increased from 20 to 80% (P < 0.05). In addition, the increased SUMOylation activity in the cells stimulated by rifampicin was observed 18 h earlier compared with cells treated by rotenone alone. SUMOylation of α-synuclein was more significant in rifampicin-treated cells and Ubc9 upregulated cells. However, the same phenomenon and the protective effect of rifampicin were reversed after UBC9 knockout. In conclusion, rifampicin might reduce the cytotoxicity of rotenone-induced PC12 cells by promoting SUMOylation of α-synuclein.

MicroRNA-101 regulated transcriptional modulator SUB1 plays a role in prostate cancer

MicroRNA-101, a tumor suppressor microRNA (miR), is often downregulated in cancer and is known to target multiple oncogenes. Some of the genes that are negatively regulated by miR-101 expression include histone methyltransferase EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2), COX2 (cyclooxygenase-2), POMP (proteasome maturation protein), CERS6, STMN1, MCL-1 and ROCK2, among others. In the present study, we show that miR-101 targets transcriptional coactivator SUB1 homolog (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)/PC4 (positive cofactor 4) and regulates its expression. SUB1 is known to have diverse role in vital cell processes such as DNA replication, repair and heterochromatinization. SUB1 is known to modulate transcription and acts as a mediator between the upstream activators and general transcription machinery. Expression profiling in several cancers revealed SUB1 overexpression, suggesting a potential role in tumorigenesis. However, detailed regulation and function of SUB1 has not been elucidated. In this study, we show elevated expression of SUB1 in aggressive prostate cancer. Knockdown of SUB1 in prostate cancer cells resulted in reduced cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro, and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Gene expression analyses coupled with chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that SUB1 binds to the promoter regions of several oncogenes such as PLK1 (Polo-like kinase 1), C-MYC, serine-threonine kinase BUB1B and regulates their expression. Additionally, we observed SUB1 downregulated CDKN1B expression. PLK1 knockdown or use of PLK1 inhibitor can mitigate oncogenic function of SUB1 in benign prostate cancer cells. Thus, our study suggests that miR-101 loss results in increased SUB1 expression and subsequent activation of known oncogenes driving prostate cancer progression and metastasis. This study therefore demonstrates functional role of SUB1 in prostate cancer, and identifies its regulation and potential downstream therapeutic targets of SUB1 in prostate cancer.

Effect of Telmisartan or Insulin on the Expression of Adiponectin and its Receptors in the Testis of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study investigated the effect of insulin and telmisartan on the expression of adiponectin and its receptors, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines in the testis of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (C, n=8), diabetic (D, n=8), diabetic treated with insulin (DI, n=8), and diabetic treated with telmisartan (DT, n=8). Diabetic was induced by the peritoneal injection of a single dose of streptozotocin. Eight weeks later, bilateral testes were immediately removed after the rat was sacrificed. Epididymis was harvested to prepare sperm suspension. Plasma adiponectin, testicular interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA or protein expression of testicular adiponectin receptor 1 (adipoR1) and 2 (adipoR2), p22phox, transcription factor NF-E2 associated factor 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), AMPK-α, Akt, and eNOS was assayed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR or Western blot. There were significant pathological changes in the testes of diabetic rats. The levels of testicular weight, sperm number and motility, serum and testicular testosterone, plasma insulin and adiponectin, testicular adiponectin and its receptor 1, Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, and phosphorylated-AMPK were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. The levels of blood glucose and lipids, and the levels of testicular p22phox, IL-6, TNF-α, phosphorylated-AKT, e-NOS, and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased in diabetic rats. These changes could be significantly reversed by insulin treatment. Similar results were observed with telmisartan treatment except for NQO1 mRNA and phosphorylated-AMPK. There was no significant difference in the expression of testicular adiponectin receptor 2 among 4 groups. The decreased adiponectin and its receptors, and the increased oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines may play an important role in the testopathy of type 1 diabetic rats. Insulin and telmisartan may produce the protective effect on the testes of diabetic rats by upregulating the expression of adiponectin and its receptors and downregulating the level of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines.

Evolutionary conservation of candidate osmoregulation genes in plant phloem sap-feeding insects

The high osmotic pressure generated by sugars in plant phloem sap is reduced in phloem-feeding aphids by sugar transformations and facilitated water flux in the gut. The genes mediating these osmoregulatory functions have been identified and validated empirically in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum: sucrase 1 (SUC1), a sucrase in glycoside hydrolase family 13 (GH13), and aquaporin 1 (AQP1), a member of the Drosophila integral protein (DRIP) family of aquaporins. Here, we describe molecular analysis of GH13 and AQP genes in phloem-feeding representatives of the four phloem-feeding groups: aphids (Myzus persicae), coccids (Planococcus citri), psyllids (Diaphorina citri, Bactericera cockerelli) and whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 and MED). A single candidate GH13-SUC gene and DRIP-AQP gene were identified in the genome/transcriptome of most insects tested by the criteria of sequence motif and gene expression in the gut. Exceptionally, the psyllid Ba. cockerelli transcriptome included a gut-expressed Pyrocoelia rufa integral protein (PRIP)-AQP, but has no DRIP-AQP transcripts, suggesting that PRIP-AQP is recruited for osmoregulatory function in this insect. This study indicates that phylogenetically related SUC and AQP genes may generally mediate osmoregulatory functions in these diverse phloem-feeding insects, and provides candidate genes for empirical validation and development as targets for osmotic disruption of pest species.

Detection of fetal copy number variants by non-invasive prenatal testing for common aneuploidies

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical performance of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in detecting fetal copy number variants (CNVs).

METHODS

NIPT of cell-free fetal DNA was performed retrospectively, using stored maternal plasma, at an average gestational age of 21.1 weeks in 117 pregnant women who had previously undergone invasive prenatal testing for chromosome microarray analysis (CMA). Among the fetal samples tested by CMA, 18 had positive results (CNVs > 1 megabase (Mb)) and 99 had negative results (CNVs < 1 Mb or without CNVs detected). The results of NIPT and CMA were then compared.

RESULTS

In the 11 CMA-positive samples with CNVs > 5 Mb, the detection rate of CNVs was 90.9%; the one case missed by NIPT had a fetal fraction of 4.7%. For the other seven CMA-positive samples with CNVs < 5 Mb, the detection rate was 14.3%; only one case with a 2.82-Mb duplication was detected, with a fetal fraction of 26.7%. For 35.7% (5/14) of CNVs detected by both NIPT and CMA, the differences in fragment length were within ± 1 Mb. In this study, the overall sensitivity and specificity of NIPT for detecting CNVs > 1 Mb were 61.1% and 95.0%, respectively, with a false-positive rate of 5.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that NIPT for common aneuploidies can detect fetal CNVs > 5 Mb with high sensitivity, provided that fetal fraction is high enough, without increasing sequencing depth. The detection power of NIPT is determined mostly by fetal fraction and CNV size. A positive NIPT screening result for CNVs must be interpreted with caution and validated by additional diagnostic study.

Electrospun PLA/MWCNTs composite nanofibers for combined chemo- and photothermal therapy

Carbon nanotubes are effective thermal generators by absorbing near-infrared radiation (NIR). In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and doxorubicin (DOX) were successfully electrospun into the poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibers. It is confirmed that NIR radiation could not only initiate burst release of DOX from the fibers due to the relatively low glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLLA, but also significantly increase the temperature of fibers-covering tumor site. The multifunctional fibers showed increased cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo by the combination of photothermal induced hyperthermia and chemotherapy with DOX. This drug delivery system could be very useful and convenient in future clinical applications for localized cancer therapy.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Combination of chemo- and photothermal therapy has been widely researched owing to its enhanced cancer treatment efficacy. In this study, chemotherapy and photothermal therapy were integrated into one single system using electrospun DOX/MWCNTs loaded PLLA nanofiber mats and the anti-cancer efficacy of the fibers was studied in vivo for the first time. The effective NIR irradiation control showed a typical switch on/off effect on the release behavior of drug. As local delivery system, the fibers maximize the drug concentration in tumor and keep the MWCNTs in the surroundings of tumor, thus allowing a repeated localized heating. The high porosity of nanofibers is easy for cell binding, which may present an attractive alternative for local hyperthermia treatment of easily metastasizing tumors.

Dimethyl fumarate attenuates 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and in animal model of Parkinson's disease by enhancing Nrf2 activity

Oxidative stress is central to the pathology of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), and therapeutics designed to enhance antioxidant potential could have clinical value. In this study, we investigated whether dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has therapeutic effects in cellular and animal model of PD, and explore the role of nuclear transcription factor related to NF-E2 (Nrf2) in this process. Treatment of animals and dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells with DMF resulted in increased nuclear levels of active Nrf2, with subsequent upregulation of antioxidant target genes. The cytotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was reduced by pre-treatment with DMF in SH-SY5Y cells. The increase in the reactive oxygen species caused by 6-OHDA treatment was also attenuated by DMF in SH-SY5Y cells. The neuroprotective effects of DMF against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity were dependent on Nrf2, since treatment with Nrf2 siRNA failed to block against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity and induce Nrf2-dependent cytoprotective genes in SH-SY5Y cells. In vivo, DMF oral administration was shown to upregulate mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and Nrf2-regulated cytoprotective genes, attenuate 6-OHDA induced striatal oxidative stress and inflammation in C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, DMF ameliorated dopaminergic neurotoxicity in 6-OHDA-induced PD animal models as evidenced by amelioration of locomotor dysfunction, loss in striatal dopamine, and reductions in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and striatum. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that DMF may be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like PD.

Differential expression of hemolymph proteins between susceptible and insecticide-resistant Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

A proteomic approach combining two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry was used to compare hemolymph expression profiles of a beta-cypermethrin-resistant Blattella germanica L. strain and a beta-cypermethrin-susceptible strain. Twenty-eight hemolymph proteins were differentially expressed in the resistant cockroach strain; 19 proteins were upregulated and 9 proteins were downregulated compared with the susceptible strain. Protein identification indicated that expression of putative cuticular protein, nitric oxide synthase, triosephosphate isomerase, alpha-amylase, ABC transporter, and Per a 3 allergen was elevated, and expression of arginine kinase and glycosidase was reduced. The differential expression of these proteins reflects the overall change in cellular structure and metabolism related to the resistance of pyrethroid insecticides.

A complementary graphical method for reducing and analyzing large data sets. Case studies demonstrating thresholds setting and selection

OBJECTIVES

Graphical displays can make data more understandable; however, large graphs can challenge human comprehension. We have previously described a filtering method to provide high-level summary views of large data sets. In this paper we demonstrate our method for setting and selecting thresholds to limit graph size while retaining important information by applying it to large single and paired data sets, taken from patient and bibliographic databases.

METHODS

Four case studies are used to illustrate our method. The data are either patient discharge diagnoses (coded using the International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modifications [ICD9-CM]) or Medline citations (coded using the Medical Subject Headings [MeSH]). We use combinations of different thresholds to obtain filtered graphs for detailed analysis. The thresholds setting and selection, such as thresholds for node counts, class counts, ratio values, p values (for diff data sets), and percentiles of selected class count thresholds, are demonstrated with details in case studies. The main steps include: data preparation, data manipulation, computation, and threshold selection and visualization. We also describe the data models for different types of thresholds and the considerations for thresholds selection.

RESULTS

The filtered graphs are 1%-3% of the size of the original graphs. For our case studies, the graphs provide 1) the most heavily used ICD9-CM codes, 2) the codes with most patients in a research hospital in 2011, 3) a profile of publications on "heavily represented topics" in MEDLINE in 2011, and 4) validated knowledge about adverse effects of the medication of rosiglitazone and new interesting areas in the ICD9-CM hierarchy associated with patients taking the medication of pioglitazone.

CONCLUSIONS

Our filtering method reduces large graphs to a manageable size by removing relatively unimportant nodes. The graphical method provides summary views based on computation of usage frequency and semantic context of hierarchical terminology. The method is applicable to large data sets (such as a hundred thousand records or more) and can be used to generate new hypotheses from data sets coded with hierarchical terminologies.

TRAF family member-associated NF-kappa B activator (TANK) expression increases in injured sensory neurons and is transcriptionally regulated by Sox11

Peripheral nerve injury evokes rapid and complex changes in gene transcription and cellular signaling pathways. Understanding how these changes are functionally related is essential for developing new approaches that accelerate and improve nerve regeneration. Toward this goal we found that nerve injury induces a rapid and significant up-regulation of the transcription factor Sox11 in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. Gain and loss of function studies have shown this increase is essential for normal axon regeneration. To determine how Sox11 impacts neuronal gene expression, DRG neurons were treated with Sox11 siRNA to identify potential transcriptional targets. One gene significantly reduced by Sox11 knockdown was TRAF (tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor)-associated NF-κB activator (TANK). Here we show that TANK is expressed in DRG neurons, that TANK expression is increased in response to peripheral nerve injury and that Sox11 overexpression in vitro increases TANK expression. Injury and in vitro overexpression were also found to preferentially increase TANK transcript variant 3 and a larger TANK protein isoform. To determine if Sox11 regulates TANK transcription bioinformatic analysis was used to identify potential Sox-binding motifs within 5kbp of the TANK 5' untranslated region (UTR) across several mammalian genomes. Two sites in the mouse TANK gene were examined. Luciferase expression assays coupled with site-directed mutagenesis showed each site contributes to enhanced TANK promoter activity. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed direct Sox11 binding in regions containing the two identified Sox motifs in the mouse TANK 5'-UTR. These studies are the first to show that TANK is expressed in DRG neurons, that TANK is increased by peripheral nerve injury and that the regulation of TANK expression is, at least in part, controlled by the injury-associated transcription factor Sox11.

Complications of thermal ablation of hepatic tumours: comparison of radiofrequency and microwave ablative techniques

AIM

To investigate the common complications of thermal ablation of liver tumours using both radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) techniques, and to compare the safety of these two procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study protocol was approved by the institution's ethics committee to allow investigators to review existing patient medical records. A total of 879 patients with hepatic tumours underwent thermal ablation; 323 patients underwent RFA and 556 underwent MWA. The complications of the RFA and MWA techniques were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 1030 thermal ablation sessions was performed in 879 patients with a total of 1652 tumours. Three hundred and twenty-three patients with 562 tumours received a total of 376 RFA sessions with an average of 1.16 ± 0.48 sessions per patient. The other 556 patients with 1090 tumours received a total of 654 MWA with an average 1.18 ± 0.51 sessions per patient. The mortality rates were 0.31% (1/323) and 0.36% (2/556) in RFA and MWA group. In RFA and MWA group, the major complication rates were 3.5% (13/376) and 3.1% (20/654), meanwhile the minor complication rates were 5.9% (22/376) and 5.7% (37/654). There was no statistically significant difference in the mortality rates, major complications, and minor complications between the RFA and MWA groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Thermal ablation therapy in the treatment of liver cancers is relatively safe with low mortality and a low incidence of serious complications. The types and incidences of complications caused by RFA and MWA are similar and comparable for safety consideration in clinical settings.

The identification of a bacterial strain BGI-1 isolated from the intestinal flora of Blattella germanica, and its anti-entomopathogenic fungi activity

A bacterial strain BGI-1 was isolated from the gut of German cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.) and was identified as Bacillus subtilis based on 16S rDNA sequence and morphological, physiological, and biochemical characters. The strain BGI-1 inhibited the growth of Beauveria bassiana; the diameter of the inhibition zone exceeded 30 mm. Vesicles were observed in B. bassiana hyphae on the edge of the inhibition zone. Fermentation of BGI-1 reduced the conidial germination rate by 12%. Further studies demonstrated that B. bassiana infections in German cockroaches orally treated with the extracts of BGI-1 fermentation were significantly weakened. Cumulative mortality rate was 49.5% in the treatment group at the 20 d, while that of the control group was 62.3%. The study intends to understand the relationship between the intestinal flora and the cockroach. Those microbes with anti-entomopathogenic fungi activity might contribute to resisting the infection of pathogenic fungi.

Diagnostic value of fine needle aspirates processed by ThinPrep® for the assessment of axillary lymph node status in patients with invasive carcinoma of the breast

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utility of ThinPrep® as an optional specimen processing method for the detection of axillary lymph node metastasis of invasive breast carcinoma.

METHODS

A computer SNOMED search from the file at our institution between January 2003 and August 2011 retrieved a total of 209 fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens of axillary lymph nodes prepared by ThinPrep and followed by axillary lymph node biopsy and/or dissection. Original cytological diagnoses and corresponding histological diagnoses were documented. Using the histological diagnoses as the gold standard, the diagnostic parameters including sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. Both cytology and histology slides from cyto-histologically discrepant cases were reviewed.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 209 specimens, 193 (92%) had adequate diagnostic material while the remaining 16 specimens (8%) were inadequate for cytological assessment. The diagnostic specimens included 168 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC), 15 invasive lobular carcinomas (ILC) and 10 mixed carcinomas (IDC and ILC). Excluding 19 cases with malignant cells on FNA in which no residual tumour was found in fibrotic lymph nodes after neoadjuvant therapy (cytology and histology confirmed on review) ThinPrep detected nodal metastasis with an overall sensitivity of 77.5%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100% and NPV of 53.7%. Diagnostic accuracy was 82.2%. There was no difference in Bloom-Richardson grade or the number or size of metastases between tumours with true-positive and false-negative cytology. Sampling error was the sole factor contributing to cyto-histological discrepancy.

CONCLUSIONS

ThinPrep is a good alternative to the conventional smear for cytological assessment of axillary lymph node status in patients with invasive breast carcinoma, particularly when specimens are collected at remote sites or when cytologists are not available for assistance during FNA.

Alleviation of Ferric Chloride-Induced Seizures and Retarded Behaviour in Epileptic Rats by Cortical Electrical Stimulation Treatment

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of low-frequency cortical electrical stimulation (CES) on seizures and behaviour in a rat model of epilepsy induced by ferric chloride (FeCl3). METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned into four groups ( n = 8 per group): normal healthy rats; saline-treated control rats; FeCl3-induced epileptic rats; CES-treated FeCl3-induced epileptic rats. Behavioural tests, analysis of the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein in brain tissue, and ultrastructural studies using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were undertaken. RESULTS: CES significantly decreased the number and grade of seizures, and improved rat behaviour, compared with untreated epileptic rats. CES reduced levels of BDNF protein in the forebrain and increased levels of BDNF protein in the hippocampus compared with untreated epileptic rats. TEM showed less damage and ultrastructural changes in the neurons of CES-treated epileptic rats. CONCLUSIONS: CES inhibited seizures in FeCl3-induced epileptic rats and improved their behaviour. These effects might be mediated by altering BDNF protein levels in the brain.

The tumor suppressor gene rap1GAP is silenced by miR-101-mediated EZH2 overexpression in invasive squamous cell carcinoma

Rap1GAP is a critical tumor suppressor gene that is downregulated in multiple aggressive cancers, such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and pancreatic cancer. However, the mechanistic basis of rap1GAP downregulation in cancers is poorly understood. By employing an integrative approach, we demonstrate polycomb-mediated repression of rap1GAP that involves Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase in head and neck cancers. We further demonstrate that the loss of miR-101 expression correlates with EZH2 upregulation, and the concomitant downregulation of rap1GAP in head and neck cancers. EZH2 represses rap1GAP by facilitating the trimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 27, a mark of gene repression, and also hypermethylation of rap1GAP promoter. These results provide a conceptual framework involving a microRNA-oncogene-tumor suppressor axis to understand head and neck cancer progression.

Electrical characterization of composition modulated In(1-x)Sb(x) nanowire field effect transistors by scanning gate microscopy

In this work high quality crystalline In(1_x)Sb(x) nanowires (NWs) are synthesized via a template-based electrochemistry method. Energy dispersive spectroscopy studies show that composition modulated In(1-x)Sb(x) (x approximately 0.5 or 0.7) nanowires can be attained by selectively controlling the deposition potential during growth. Single In(1-x)Sb(x) nanowire field effect transistors (NW-FETs) are fabricated to study the electrical properties of as-grown NWs. Using scanning gate microscopy (SGM) as a local gate the I(ds)-V(ds) characteristics of the fabricated devices are modulated as a function of the applied gate voltage. Electrical transport measurements show n-type semiconducting behavior for the In0.5Sb0.5 NW-FET, while a p-type behavior is observed for the In0.3Sb0.7 NW-FET device. The ability to grow composition modulated In(1-x)Sb(x) NWs can provide new opportunities for utilizing InSb NWs as building blocks for low-power and high speed nanoscale electronics.

Oxygen adsorption by carbon nanotubes and its application in radiotherapy

The ability to deliver large molecules, for example nucleic acids, to cells using carbon nanotubes has been reviewed. Potential applications of functionalised nanotubes to deliver oxygen to cancer cells to enhance the effects of radiotherapy are considered.

Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid and Coulomb blockade in multiwall carbon nanotubes under pressure

We report that the conductance of macroscopic multiwall nanotube (MWNT) bundles under pressure shows power laws in temperature and voltage, as corresponding to a network of bulk-bulk connected Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids (LLs). Contrary to individual MWNTs, where the observed power laws are attributed to Coulomb blockade, the measured ratio for the end and bulk obtained exponents, approximately 2.4, can be accounted for only by LL theory. At temperatures characteristic of interband separation, it increases due to thermal population of the conducting sheets unoccupied bands.

Comparative study of extraction methods for the determination of PAHs from contaminated soils and sediments

The following four methods were compared on the extraction efficiency of 16 EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): German method of the Verband Deutscher Landwirtschaftlicher Untersuchungs und Forschungsanstalten (VDLUFA), two methods of the International Organization for Standardization using shaking (ISO A) and Soxhlet extraction (ISO B) and an ultrasonic method. Recovery rates of 16 PAHs were determined in two soils. Extraction efficiency was evaluated in five soils and three sediments. Effect of drying soils and sediments on extraction efficiency was tested using the VDLUFA and the ultrasonic methods. Our study shows that the number of aromatic rings, rather than extraction procedures, significantly influenced recovery rates of individual PAHs. No significant differences in extraction efficiency of the four methods were observed for less polluted samples. For highly polluted soils, extraction efficiency decreased in the following order: VDLUFA method > ISO A > ultrasonic method > ISO B. Influence of soil moisture on extraction efficiency depended to some extent on both solvent used and content of PAHs in samples. A mixture of dichloromethane/acetone (5:1) is recommended for PAH extraction from moist samples when the ultrasonic method is used.

[Bioslurry remediation of soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons]

Through the operation of the pilot-scale slurry reactor, the operational parameters of bioslurry remediation for soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs), including temperature, ratio of water to soil, aeration flux, were determined. As the operational condition was that the ratio of water to soil was 2:1, the temperature was 20 degrees C-25 degrees C and aeration flux was 60 L/h, a good result of the remediation could be achieved. With the fungi isolated from contaminated soil as pure culture to degrade PAHs, after 34 days incubation, 90% of pyrene and 33.3% of benz[a]anthracene were degraded by Fusarium, 81.5% of pyrene and 49.2% of benz[a]anthracene were degraded by Mucor, 52% of pyrene and of 46% of benz[a]anthracene were degraded by Penicillium.