Exposure to micron-grade silica particles triggers pulmonary fibrosis through cell-to-cell delivery of exosomal miR-107

Long-term exposure to inhalable silica particles may lead to severe systemic pulmonary disease, such as silicosis. Exosomes have been demonstrated to dominate the pathogenesis of silicosis, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the roles of exosomes by transmitting miR-107, which has been linked to the toxic pulmonary effects of silica particles. We found that miR-107, miR-122-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-126-5p, and miR-335-5p were elevated in exosomes extracted from the serum of patients with silicosis. Notably, an increase in miR-107 in serum exosomes and lung tissue was observed in the experimental silicosis mouse model, while the inhibition of miR-107 reduced pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, exosomes helped the migration of miR-107 from macrophages to lung fibroblasts, triggering the transdifferentiation of cell phenotypes. Further experiments demonstrated that miR-107 targets CDK6 and suppresses the expression of retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation and E2F1, resulting in cell-cycle arrest. Overall, micron-grade silica particles induced lung fibrosis through exosomal miR-107 negatively regulating the cell cycle signaling pathway. These findings may open a new avenue for understanding how silicosis is regulated by exosome-mediated cell-to-cell communication and suggest the prospect of exosomes as therapeutic targets.

Silica-exposed macrophages-secreted exosomal miR125a-5p induces Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 cell imbalance and promotes fibroblast transdifferentiation

Until now, the specific pathogenesis of silicosis is not clear. Exosomal miRNAs, as a newly discovered intercellular communication medium, play an important role in many diseases. Our previous research found that serum exosomal miR125a-5p was increased in silicosis patients by miRNAs high-throughput sequencing. TRAF6, is a target gene of miR125a-5p, which is involved in T-cell differentiation. Furthermore, results from animal study indicate that knockdown of miR-125a-5p can regulate T lymphocyte subsets and significantly reduce pulmonary fibrosis by targeting TRAF6. However, the level of serum exosomal miR125a-5p in silicosis patients has not been reported, the role of macrophages-secreted exosomal miR-125a-5p in regulating T cell differentiation to promote fibroblast transdifferentiation (FMT) remains unknown. In this study, the levels of serum exosomal miR125a-5p and serum TGF-β1, IL-17A, IL-4 cytokines in silicosis patients were elevated, with the progression of silicosis, the level of serum exosomal miR125a-5p and serum IL-4 were increased; thus, the serum level of IFN-γ was negatively correlated with the progression of silicosis. In vitro, the levels of miR125a-5p in macrophages, exosomes, and T cells stimulated by silica were significantly increased. When the mimic was transfected into T cells, which directly suppressed TRAF6 and caused the imbalance of T cells differentiation, induced FMT. To sum up, these results indicate that exosomal miR-125a-5p may by targeting TRAF6 of T cells, induces the activation and apoptosis of T cells and the remodeling of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Tregs distribution, ultimately promotes FMT. Suggesting that exosomal miR-125a-5p may be a potential therapeutic target for silicosis.

Dynamic Effects of Thoracic Irradiation on Immune Status of Organs in and out of Radiation Field in Mice

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Thoracic irradiation involves large blood vessels and hematopoietic tissues which was easily inducing lymphopenia. Lymphocytes are important components of immune response and lymphopenia is associated with poorer survival. However, the dynamic recovery of lymphocyte subsets after thoracic irradiation were rarely reported in the literature. This study focused on dynamic changes of lymphocytes subsets of mice after receiving thoracic irradiation in and out of radiation field.

MATERIALS/METHODS

C57BL/6 male mice aged 6-8 weeks received 2Gy*5fx whole thoracic irradiation and were sacrificed on the 1 day, 7 days, 15 days, 25 days after irradiation. Peripheral blood was harvested for mature lymphocyte subsets (B cells, T cells, CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, NK cells) detection by performing flow cytometry, while thymus, femur bone marrow and sternal bone marrow for hematopoietic stem cells (Long-term Hematopoietic Stem Cell [LT-HSC], Short-term Hematopoietic Stem Cell [ST-HSC]) and progenitor cells (Multipotent Progenitor [MPP], Common Lymphoid Progenitor [CLP]). Absolute counts method was used in flow cytometry and data analysis were performed by scientific 2-D graphing and statistics software.

RESULTS

We found that the lymphocyte subsets were significantly reduced in peripheral blood of irradiated mice (all p<0.05). The mature lymphocyte subsets returned to normal 2-3 weeks after irradiation. After radiation, thymus weight was significantly decreased (p<0.0001). With the recovery of thymus weight, the number of hematopoietic stem cells returned to the baseline. For the femur bone marrow (out of the radiation field), hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells showed a proliferation tendency. MPP significantly increased in the 1day after irradiation (p = 0.0347) and LT-HSC increased in the 8 days (p = 0.0011). However, although ST-HSC and CLP were slightly increased after irradiation, there were no statistically significance. The sternal bone marrow (in the radiation field) reached the lowest value 1day after irradiation (all p<0.0001). Although hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells recovered gradually, but still far away from the level of the control group (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The recovery of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood might mainly come from the supplement of bone marrow out of the irradiation field, while bone marrow in the field suffered serious destruction which did slightly help for lymphocytes recovery.

Recovery Characteristics of Lymphocyte Subsets after Thoracic Radiotherapy: A Single Center Clinical Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Lymphocytes play a critical role in anti-tumor, and are highly sensitive to radiation. However, the dynamic changes of lymphocytes subsets after receiving thoracic radiotherapy have rarely been investigated. This study was to explore the recovery characteristics of each subset, and the role of thymosin α1 after thoracic radiotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of 252 patients receiving chest radiotherapy included in this study. Blood was harvested before, at the end of radiotherapy, 1 month, 4 months, 7 months, 10 months, 13 months, and 19 months after radiotherapy for lymphocyte subsets detection by performing flow cytometry. In addition, a total of 26 patients with thoracic malignancy were treated with thymosin α1 after radiotherapy for one month. The number of lymphocyte subsets at the end of 1 month after radiotherapy were compared with control group. Absolute counts method was used in flow cytometry.

RESULTS

At the end of radiotherapy, nearly all of the subsets decreased significantly (T cell: 65.4%, Tc cell: 64.8%, Th cell: 66.1%, B cell: 88.7%, NK cell: 68.8%), except Treg cell. Tc cells recovered rapidly to baseline level at 1 month. The number of NK cells increased by 1.95 times at 1 month, and recovered to baseline level at 7th month. The number of B cell at 1 month was still 19.2% compared baseline, and recovered slowly to baseline at 7th month. The number of Th cells were nearly no recovery, and were 44.1% compared with baseline even at 19th month. For patients with thymosin α1 injection, all of the lymphocyte subsets had no significant difference compared those without thymosin α1 injection. In addition, younger patients were with better recovery in Th cells (p = 0.011) and B cells (p < 0.001) than elder patients at 1 month.

CONCLUSION

B cell was the most radiosensitive lymphocyte, and Th cell was continuous exhaustion after thoracic radiation. Thymosin α1 had no effect on lymphocyte subpopulation recovery, and new drugs are urgently needed to explore in the future.

Randomized phase II adjuvant trial to compare two treatment durations of icotinib (2 years versus 1 year) for stage II-IIIA EGFR-positive lung adenocarcinoma patients (ICOMPARE study)

BACKGROUND

Despite the prolonged median disease-free survival (DFS) by adjuvant targeted therapy in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, the relationship between the treatment duration and the survival benefits in patients remains unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase II trial, eligible patients aged 18-75 years with EGFR-mutant, stage II-IIIA lung adenocarcinoma and who had not received adjuvant chemotherapy after complete tumor resection were enrolled from eight centers in China. Patients were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to receive either 1-year or 2-year icotinib (125 mg thrice daily). The primary endpoint was DFS assessed by investigator. The secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and safety. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01929200).

RESULTS

Between September 2013 and October 2018, 109 patients were enrolled (1-year group, n = 55; 2-year group, n = 54). Median DFS was 48.9 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 33.1-70.1 months] in the 2-year group and 32.9 months (95% CI 26.6-44.8 months) in the 1-year group [hazard ratio (HR) 0.51; 95% CI 0.28-0.94; P = 0.0290]. Median OS for patients was 75.8 months [95% CI 64.4 months-not evaluable (NE)] in the 2-year group and NE (95% CI 66.3 months-NE) in the 1-year group (HR 0.34; 95% CI 0.13-0.95; P = 0.0317). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were observed in 41 of 55 (75%) patients in the 1-year group and in 36 of 54 (67%) patients in the 2-year group. Grade 3-4 TRAEs occurred in 4 of 55 (7%) patients in the 1-year group and in 3 of 54 (6%) patients in the 2-year group. No treatment-related deaths or interstitial lung disease was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-year adjuvant icotinib was shown to significantly improve DFS and provide an OS benefit in EGFR-mutant, stage II-IIIA lung adenocarcinoma patients compared with 1-year treatment in this exploratory phase II study.

Beneficial effects of pioglitazone and α-lipoic acid in patients with polycystic ovaries syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Changes in hormone levels, improper lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress all significantly contribute to the pathogenic process of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). According to earlier research, pioglitazone and alpha-lipoic acid are crucial in the emergence of PCOS. The beneficial effects of pioglitazone and alpha-lipoic acid on PCOS were examined in the current study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The 120 patients with PCOS received three months of treatment in pioglitazone groups (n=40 case, 30 mg/time, 1 time/day), α-lipoic acid (n=40 case, 0.6 g/time, 1 time/day), and combination therapy (n=40 case, pioglitazone 30 mg/time, 1 time/day and α-lipoic acid, 0.6 g/time, 1 time/day). Before and after therapy, the following factors were evaluated: the hormonal profile, fasting serum insulin, body weight, body mass index (BMI), menstruation status, oxidative stress, and indications of lipid metabolism.

RESULTS

The combination of pioglitazone and α-lipoic acid has a significantly improving effect on BMI, body weight, oxidative stress levels, lipid metabolism, and menstrual status. A significant increase in body weight, BMI, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were found in mice after being treated with α-lipoic acid alone. However, the use pioglitazone alone improves body weight, BMI, the calculation of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), Area under the curve (AUC)-insulin, fasting glucose/insulin (G/I) ratio, total testosterone, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in post-treatment than pre-treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that pioglitazone alone has a better effect than alpha-lipoic acid in improving oxidative stress levels, BMI, and menstrual cyclicity. Additionally, treatment with pioglitazone and alpha-lipoic acid did demonstrate a greater effect than monotherapy with each medication alone.

Exosomal miR-125a-5p regulates T lymphocyte subsets to promote silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis by targeting TRAF6

Silicosis caused by long-term inhalation of crystalline silica during occupational activities seriously threatens the health of occupational populations. Imbalances in T helper 1(Th1), Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) promote the development of pulmonary silicosis. Exosomes and their contents, especially microRNAs (miRNAs), represent a new type of intercellular signal transmission mediator related to various diseases including pulmonary fibrosis. However, whether exosomal miRNAs can affect the progression of silicosis by regulating T cell differentiation remains to be determined. To test this hypothesis, we established a miR-125a-5p antagomir mouse model and examined changes in miR-125a-5p levels and T cell subtypes. We found that miR-125a-5p levels were increased in lung tissues and serum exosomes in the silica group at 7 days and 28 days. Downregulation of miR-125a-5p attenuated α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, fibronectin, p-p65, and p-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) kinase (IKK) protein expression, while tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and p-inhibitor of κBα (IKBα) expression were increased. MiR-125a-5p anta-miR treatment contributes to the maintenance of Th1/Th2 balance during the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Our findings indicated that knockdown miR-125a-5p could regulate T lymphocyte subsets and significantly reduce pulmonary fibrosis by targeting TRAF6.

The secret of H2 S to keep plants young and fresh and its products

Recently, accumulating evidence has shown that hydrogen sulphide (H₂ S), a newly determined gasotransmitter, plays important roles in senescence, which is an essential biological process for plant fitness and an important agricultural trait that is critical for the yield and quality of farm produce. Here, in this review, we summarize the roles of H₂ S in senescence, both before and after the harvesting of agricultural products, and the underlying mechanism is also discussed. During the plant growth process, the function of H₂ S in the leaf senescence process has been studied extensively, and H₂ S plays roles during the whole process, including the initiation, reorganization and terminal stages. While during the postharvest stage, H₂ S can prevents farm products from deterioration resulting from over-ripening, pathogen attack and incorrect storage. The underlying H₂ S-related mechanisms during different stages of the senescence process are summarized and compared. The most prominent interaction occurs between H₂ S and reactive oxygen species, and the molecular mechanism is explored. Additionally, the conserved action mode of H₂ S in different life processes and different species is also discussed. In the future, multi-omics analyses over time will be needed to investigate the detailed mechanisms of H₂ S, and a safety attribute analysis of H₂ S is also required before it can be used in agricultural production.

[Diagnosis and treatment of 21-hydroxylase deficiency with testicular adrenal rest tumors:a report of three cases and literature review]

Objective: To provide insight into the diagnosis for clinicians, the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment history of 3 patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) and testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) were analyzed. Methods: The clinical, laboratory and imaging data of 3 male patients with 21-OHD and TART, confirmed with CYP21 gene sequencing, from May 2010 to May 2021 in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The treatment strategy and clinical outcome were followed up. Results: All the 3 patients were first diagnosed with bilateral adrenal mass at the age of 27-42 years old. They were 145-162 cm tall. The levels of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) of the 3 patients were relatively high, and that of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) of the 3 patients were low. Testosterone level of 1 patient was significantly elevated, and that of the other 2 patients was below the lower limit of normal range. Testicular ultrasound showed heterogeneous hyperechoic masses in both testes. CT of the adrenal glands showed bilateral adrenal enlargement with mass. All 3 patients were treated with dexamethasone. After 4-96 months of follow-up, 17-hydroxyprogesterone level was kept above the median normal level. One of the patients got married and had a baby after treatment. The sizes of adrenal hyperplasia and testicular masses reduced to various degrees with the change of the testicular masses being proportional to that of adrenal hyperplasia. Conclusions: Patients with 21-OHD are prone to have TART, leading to the impaired testicular function. Early glucocorticold therapy is beneficial to the reduction of TART and restoration of testicular function.

Immigration and Oral Health in Older Adults: An Integrative Approach

The aim of this study was to develop an integrative framework on aging, immigration, and oral health. The methodology was a critical review that used immigration as a social determinant framework through which to evaluate its impact on the oral health of older immigrants. We reviewed recent empirical evidence on factors related to oral health in older immigrants. In a systematic search across multiple databases, we identified 12 eligible studies in this review. Among the eligible studies, most were conducted among East Asian immigrants (8 articles), followed by non-Hispanic White/European origin (2 articles), Mexican origins (1 article), and Iran and other Middle East regions (1 article). The research revealed knowledge gaps in the evidence base, including the dynamic relationship between acculturation and oral health, the role of environmental factors on oral health for immigrants, psychosocial stressors and their relationship with oral health, and oral health literacy, norms, and attitude to dental care utilization and oral hygiene practices. The development of the integrative framework suggests the pathways/mechanisms through which immigration exerts influences on oral health in later life. This provides opportunities for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to gain greater insights into the complex associations between immigration and oral health among older adults.

[Clinical aspects of pregnancy-related lymphocytic hypophysitis]

Objective: To analyze clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of pregnancy-related lymphocytic hypophysitis (LyH). Methods: The clinical data of 16 cases diagnosed as pregnancy-related LyH at Chinese PLA General Hospital between October 2010 and November 2019 were reviewed. Results: Sixteen patients were included (aged 20-40 years). All patients' symptoms occurred from the last 2 months of pregnancy to 12 months postpartum, with 6 cases in the third trimester and 10 cases during postpartum, and all the patients were diagnosed after delivery. Six patients had lymphocytic adenohypophysitis (LAH), 4 patients had lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis (LINH), 4 patients had lymphocytic panhypophysitis (LPH), and 2 had lymphocytic hypothalamitis. Eight patients presented with symptoms of intracranial space-occupying lesions, 14 patients had symptoms of anteriorpituitary hormone deficiencies, 9 patients had central diabetes insipidus (CDI), and 2 had hyperprolactinemia. Pituitary MRI showed that the pituitary presented with diffuse enlargement, pituitary stalk thickening, disappearing of high-intensity signals in posterior pituitary and space-occupying lesions in the infundibulum of hypothalamus. Nine patients were treated with immunosuppressive agent, 3 patients alleviated the space-occupying effects after surgery, and 4 patients recovered spontaneously. Fourteen patients were followed up with a period of 3-98 months. Four patients had a relapse, 2 patients had a complete remission, and 12 patients needed long-term hormone replacement therapy. Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of pregnancy-related LyH are diverse. LyH should be suspected in pregnant or postpartum women with a sellar mass to avoid missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Immunosuppressant therapy is effective. Overall, LyH patients have a favorable prognosis.

Melatonin activates autophagy via the NF-κB signaling pathway to prevent extracellular matrix degeneration in intervertebral disc

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated whether melatonin alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) by promoting autophagy through inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Safranin-O staining were used to measure disc degeneration in rat needle puncture IVDD models, and melatonin was injected intraperitoneally in the treated group to test its function. The expression of autophagy and extracellular matrix (ECM) degeneration related-markers were measured in the discs using immunohistochemistry. Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate the activation of autophagy in human nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues with different degenerated statuses. The expression of autophagy and disc degeneration related-markers were detected in NP cells by Western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence analyses. NF-κB signaling pathway involvement was studied by lentivirus-mediated knockdown, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

Melatonin prevented IVDD development in vivo and in vitro. Compared to non-degenerated disc tissues, degenerated human NP tissues showed a decrease in the autophagy-specific marker LC3B and the numbers of autophagosomes and autolysosomes, whereas the p62 level was increased; similar results were observed in rat IVDD models, indicating a negative correlation between autophagy and IVDD. Furthermore, both in vivo and in vitro studies found that melatonin application induced autophagy and reduced ECM disc degradation. Melatonin was also shown to regulate autophagy by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and vitro.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that melatonin prevents IVDD by promoting autophagy, indicating its possible therapeutic potential for controlling the progression of IVDD.

[Differences of brain functional alterations between subtypes of Cushing's syndrome patients]

Objective: To compare the differences of brain functional damage of subtypes of patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). Methods: A total of 11 adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent CS patients and 29 ACTH-independent CS patients were recruited from Chinese PLA General Hospital between September 2015 and March 2017 with confirmed CS. The psychiatric scales and brain task functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were evaluated. Results: A total of 40 patients (34 females, 6 males) with a mean age of (39.20±12.10) years and a median education level of 12 (9, 16) years were enrolled. ACTH-dependent patients had significantly worse performance than the ACTH-independent patients in response to the depression evaluation (64.6±6.1 vs 56.2±12.8, P=0.008), positive emotion (17.8±4.2 vs 24.3±7.2, P=0.008) and CS life quality [31(29,33) vs 42(29,51), P=0.040]. In the reaction to positive target pictures, ACTH-dependent CS patients showed stronger activation in left superior temporal gyrus compared with patients in ACTH-independent group, while the activation degree of their bilateral dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, bilateralsuperior frontal gyrus and left middle frontal gyrus was much worse. In the reactions to negative target pictures, ACTH-dependent CS patients had weaker activation in bilateral cerebellum, left superior frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left precuneus and right postcentral gyrus, compared with patients in the ACTH-independent CS group (P<0.01, AlphaSim corrected). The activation degree of some regions whose brain function was different between the two groups was correlated to the cortisol level, ACTH level, 24 h urinary free cortisol (UFC) level, depression evaluation and negative emotion assessment (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The severity of the depression and the life quality of patients in ACTH-dependent group are worse than ACTH-independent CS patients. The brain function of ACTH-dependent CS patients is much weaker.

Protective Effects of an Obesity-Associated Polymorphism (CDKAL1 rs9356744) on Prediabetes: The Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) Study

Background Obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance and elevated plasma glucose levels. The rs9356744 polymorphism in the CDKAL1 gene is associated with body mass index (BMI) only in East Asians. Here, we examined the effect of the rs9356744 polymorphism on glucose-related traits and prediabetes in Chinese adults.

Methods A total of 2 357 participants were enrolled from the Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) Study, including 499 persons with prediabetes, 204 persons with type 2 diabetes, and 1 654 normoglycemic controls. The rs9356744 polymorphism in CDKAL1 was genotyped and analyzed in all participants.

Results Despite the positive relationship between obesity and glucose traits, the T allele of rs9356744, which is associated with a predisposition to obesity, was correlated with lower levels of 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) plasma glucose (2hPG) (β=− 0.2104 and P=0.0233), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (β=− 0.0551 and P=0.0298) and higher levels of homeostasis model of assessment β-cell function (HOMA-B) (β=5.282 and P=0.0424). After further adjustment for BMI, the levels of HOMA-B maintained a similar increased trend across rs9356744 genotype (β=3.277 and P=0.1958). In stratified analyses, the associations of rs9356744 with 2hPG and HbA1c were significant for individuals with a low BMI. Moreover, an antagonism action of BMI and rs9356744 on 2hPG (P for interaction=0.0055) was observed. In addition, we found a protective effect of rs9356744 on prediabetes.

Conclusions The CDKAL1 rs9356744 T allele associated with a predisposition to obesity showed a protective effect on HbA1c, 2hPG, and prediabetes. BMI was mediator of the association between the genetic variant and HbA1c, 2hPG, and prediabetes.

Right Atrial Ball Thrombus as a Complication of Subclavian Catheter Insertion for Hemodialysis Access

In two patients right atrial ball thrombi developed following prolonged subclavian cannulation for hemodialysis. One patient died, the other had the ball thrombus removed by open heart surgery. It appears that repeated friction of the catheter tip may have damaged the endothelium of the right atrial wall.

This hitherto unrecognised complication might be prevented by ensuring that subclavian hemodialysis catheters are never allowed to reach as far as the right atrium.

[Clinical features and prognosis of 18 cases of primary lymphocytic hypophysitis]

Objective: To analyze clinical features, prognosis and treatment of lymphocytic hypophysitis (LYH). Methods: The clinical data, treatments and outcomes of 18 cases diagnosed as LYH at Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2001 and July 2017 was respectively reviewed. Results: Eighteen patients with histology-proven LYH (13 females and 5 males ) were identified. All lymphocytic adenohypophysitis (LAH) were females(n=6), two of whom were associated with pregnancy. Eleven patients (6 females and 5 males) had lymphocytic panhypophysitis (LPH) and one(female) had hypothalamitis. Pre-treatment evaluation revealed that 11 patients presented with symptoms of intracranial space-occupying lesions, 12 patients had symptoms of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies, and 12 patients had central diabetes insipidus (CDI). All patients had space-occupying lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which were symmetrically enlarged and homogenously enhanced with or without pituitary stalk thickening. Before or after surgery, 11 patients received immunosuppressant therapy or radiotherapy to alleviate space-occupying effect. After 4-204 months follow-up, 5 patients had a relapse and received immunosuppressants, radiotherapy or surgery to achieve remission. Full recovery (both symptomatic and radiographic) was seen in 6 patients, and 11 patients maintained stable replacement therapy. Conclusions: LYH presents with acute space-occupying effects such as headache, visual disturbances, hypopituitarism, CDI and mild hyperprolactinemia, especially with characteristic radiographic manifestations. Usually, surgery reliably establishes diagnosis, and immunosuppressant therapy is a necessity. On the whole, LYH has a good prognosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with balloon-expandable valve : Analysis of initial experience in China

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is widely applied for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS) in developed countries; however, in China, it is still in the early stage of utilization. On the basis of previous studies, this work explored the feasibility of TAVR in patients with severe AS in China and analyzed the cause of death in four cases.

Methods

This retrospective study included 20 patients who had severe AS and underwent TAVR with a balloon-expandable system (Edwards SAPIEN XT) in our hospital from January 2011 to June 2016. The valve and heart functions of 16 survivors before and after the TAVR procedure were compared. TAVR endpoints, device success, and adverse events were assessed according to the definitions of the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2).

Results

There were 13 male and seven female patients aged 65–81 years (average, 73.15) who underwent TAVR. The TAVR approach was transfemoral in 19 patients and transapical in one patient. Four patients died (two of coronary artery occlusion and two of aortic annulus rupture) during the TAVR procedure or shortly after; six patients had mild paravalvular leakage, and the rest of the patients showed a significant improvement in cardiac function. During the follow-up period (2–62 months), one patient died of lung cancer 13 months after the TAVR procedure.

Conclusion

TAVR with a balloon-expandable system is safe and effective and can be used for patients with severe AS in China. It requires careful patient selection and preoperative assessment so as to reduce the 30-day postoperative mortality rate.

[Clinical characteristics of 128 hospitalized patients with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretics of different etiologies]

Objective: To summarize and analyze the clinical features and etiologies in hospitalized patients with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretics (SIAD) during the past 25 years. Methods: All data of 128 patients with SIAD admitted to Chinese PLA General Hospital since January 1991 to January 2016 were collected. SIAD was diagnosed based on the 1957 criterion. Results: (1) The most frequent causes of increased inappropriate secretion of vasopressin were malignant tumors, lung diseases (e. g. pneumonia), and central nervous system diseases, in which malignant tumors accounted for 38.28% of the SIAD. (2) During the past 25 years, the proportion of malignant diseases declined from 4/7 to 35.29%, while, the proportion of pulmonary infection increased from 1/7 to 35.29% (P<0.05). (3) The patients with malignant tumors had the lowest serum sodium and serum osmolality among all SIAD patients. (4) CT scan had a high diagnostic value for chest and brain detection. (5) Among three SIAD subjects with unknown reasons at onset, two were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and one with gastric cancer during follow-up. Conclusion: The etiology of SIAD is complex and it could be attributed to multifarious etiological factors. Malignant tumors account for the largest proportion of all patients, and pulmonary infection was ranked in second place. Cautions on tumors have to be taken when serum sodium of a SIAD patient is below 118.1 mmol/L.

Vertebral fracture in postmenopausal Chinese women: a population-based study

In a random sample of postmenopausal Chinese women, the prevalence of radiographic vertebral fractures increased from 13% between ages 50 and 59 to over 50% after age 80 years. A model with seven clinical risk factors predicted the probability of vertebral fractures as well with as without BMD and better than a model with only three risk factors. More than half an hour of outdoor activity per day might correlate with lower risk of vertebral fracture in this population.

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to describe the prevalence and develop a model for prediction of radiographic vertebral fractures in a large random sample of postmenopausal Chinese women.

METHODS

We enrolled 1760 women from an age-stratified random sample of postmenopausal women in Beijing, China. The presence of vertebral fracture was assessed by semi-quantitative grading of lateral thoracolumbar radiographs, risk factors by interview, bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur and lumbar spine by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and markers of bone turnover from a fasting blood sample. Associations of these factors were analyzed in logistic models and discrimination by areas of receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC).

RESULTS

The prevalence of vertebral fracture, ranged from 13.4% ages 50 to 59 years old to 58.1% at age 80 years or older. Older age, a history of non-vertebral fracture, lower femoral neck BMD T-score, body mass index (BMI), height loss, housework, and less than half an hour of outdoor activity were significantly associated with increased probability of having a vertebral fracture. A model with those seven factors had a similar AUC with or without BMD and performed better than a simple model with three factors.

CONCLUSION

This study is from a true random sample of postmenopausal women in urban China with high response rate. The prevalence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women in Beijing increases from 13% under age 60 to over 50% by age 80 years. A model with seven clinical risk factors with or without BMD is better than simple models and may guide the use of spine x-rays to identify women with vertebral fractures. More than half an hour of outdoor activity might correlate with lower risk of vertebral fracture in this population.

Correction: Identification of Novel Pre-Erythrocytic Malaria Antigen Candidates for Combination Vaccines with Circumsporozoite Protein

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159449.].

Mutational analysis of HOXA10 gene in Chinese patients with cryptorchidism

Cryptorchidism is one of the most common congenital anomalies and affects 2-4% of full-term new born boys. Its aetiology is poorly understood at present. HOXA10 plays a pivotal role in regulation of testicular descent. Male mice mutant for Hoxa10 exhibit unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism as a result of impaired development of the gubernaculums. In this study, we performed mutation analysis of HOXA10 gene in a cohort of 98 cryptorchid patients. And we found a mutation (N27K) in a boy with unilateral cryptorchidism. The mutation was not detected in 106 healthy controls. Both in silico analyses and functional studies showed that the mutation affected the function of HOXA10. The results demonstrated that mutation in HOXA10 gene contributes to the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism, but may not be a common cause.

Neddylation controls basal MKK7 kinase activity in breast cancer cells

The c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) pathway has been implicated in mammary tumor development. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating JNK activity in breast cancer cells remain unclear. Here, we report that the inhibition of ubiquitination-like post-translational modification neddylation through different strategies results in enhanced basal JNK phosphorylation in human breast cancer cells. The upregulation of basal JNK phosphorylation upon neddylation inhibition is independent of the deneddylation of Cullins, the well-characterized neddylation substrates. Since augmented basal JNK phosphorylation via ectopic MKK7 expression impedes proliferation and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype, the neddylation system might contribute to mammary tumor development partially through limiting basal JNK phosphorylation. Further exploration reveals that MKK7, a JNK-specific MAP2K, undergoes neddylation in human breast cancer cells. MKK7 co-precipitates with a fragment of Ran-binding protein 2 (RanBP2), a large multimodular and pleiotropic protein that has been recognized as a SUMO E3 ligase. Knockdown of RanBP2 attenuates MKK7 neddylation and augments basal JNK phosphorylation without affecting the neddylation of Cullins, whereas ectopic expression of a RanBP2 fragment possessing SUMO E3 activity (RanBP2ΔFG) manifests the opposite effects. In vitro neddylation assays confirm that RanBP2ΔFG works as the neddylation E3 ligase for MKK7. The basal kinase activity of endogenous MKK7 increases upon RanBP2 knockdown but decreases upon the ectopic expression of RanBP2ΔFG. Furthermore, purified MKK7 shows reduced basal kinase activity after in vitro neddylation by RanBP2ΔFG. Consistently, RanBP2 knockdown leads to reduced proliferation and impaired EMT phenotype in human breast cancer cells and the effects of RanBP2 knockdown are reversed by simultaneous MKK7 knockdown. Taken together, our data suggest that MKK7 undergoes neddylation in human breast cancer cells, which limits its basal kinase activity.

Robot-aided motion planning for knee joint rehabilitation with two robot-manipulators

In this paper, we propose a simultaneous design method of motion and external force trajectories for knee joint rehabilitation based on the biomechanical analysis of the lower limb. In this method we assume to use two robots manipulators which provide forces and moments at shank and thigh. We developed a 7 degree of freedom musculoskeletal model of lower limb with 19 muscles. The valuation function of rehabilitation efficiency e has been maximized by Genetic Algorithm (GA) that refers to the musculoskeletal model and tunes motion trajectory of the robots and forces acting on the shank and thigh.

Serum uric acid and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in non-hypertensive Chinese adults: the Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) study

OBJECTIVE

The causal relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) level and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not yet been clarified. The objective of the study was to determine the association between SUA and NAFLD, as well as assess the interactions between SUA and other metabolic risk factors regarding NAFLD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study samples related to a community-based health examination survey conducted in Central China. Initially, a total of 24,878 patients with medical examination were included. After excluding the individuals with confounding factors, the remaining 21,798 subjects with biomarkers available were included in the present study.

RESULTS

The data show that the risk of NAFLD significantly increased with the elevated SUA levels. Further adjustments for sex, age, and other confounding metabolic factors did not change the increasing trend of NAFLD risk. The odds ratios [ORs, 95% confidence interval (CI)] of NAFLD across the increasing quintiles of SUA were 1.00, 1,530 (1.174-1.995), 2.24 (1.714-2.886), 2.636 (2.019-3.441), and 3.714 (2.828-4.877) (p for trend < 0.0001). Also, significant interaction was found between SUA and prehypertension in relation to the NAFLD risk (p for interaction < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SUA was significantly associated with NAFLD risk, independent of other metabolic risk factors, and SUA also had significant interaction with prehypertension regarding the risk of NAFLD.

Woven silk fabric-reinforced silk nanofibrous scaffolds for regenerating load-bearing soft tissues

Although three-dimensional (3-D) porous regenerated silk scaffolds with outstanding biocompatibility, biodegradability and low inflammatory reactions have promising application in different tissue regeneration, the mechanical properties of regenerated scaffolds, especially suture retention strength, must be further improved to satisfy the requirements of clinical applications. This study presents woven silk fabric-reinforced silk nanofibrous scaffolds aimed at dermal tissue engineering. To improve the mechanical properties, silk scaffolds prepared by lyophilization were reinforced with degummed woven silk fabrics. The ultimate tensile strength, elongation at break and suture retention strength of the scaffolds were significantly improved, providing suitable mechanical properties strong enough for clinical applications. The stiffness and degradation behaviors were then further regulated by different after-treatment processes, making the scaffolds more suitable for dermal tissue regeneration. The in vitro cell culture results indicated that these scaffolds maintained their excellent biocompatibility after being reinforced with woven silk fabrics. Without sacrifice of porous structure and biocompatibility, the fabric-reinforced scaffolds with better mechanical properties could facilitate future clinical applications of silk as matrices in skin repair.

Meta-analysis of associations between the TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism with risk of head and neck carcinomas based on case-control studies

Genetic factors have been shown to play a role in the development of head and neck cancers (HNCs). However, studies investigating the association between the TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and HNCs susceptibility have yielded conflicting results. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis of all eligible studies (up to January 1, 2012) to derive a more precise estimation of this association in order to increase understanding of the possible risk factors of HNCs. Twenty-seven case-control studies involving 3966 cases and 4387 controls were included in our analysis. Overall, no evidence of association was observed between the TP53 Arg72Pro single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the risk of HNCs in any genetic model (Arg/Arg vs Pro/Pro: odds ratio (OR) = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65-1.06; Arg/Pro vs Pro/Pro: OR = 0.88, 95%CI= 0.70-1.10; Arg/Arg+Arg/Pro vs Pro/Pro: OR = 0.87, 95%CI= 0.70-1.09; Arg/Arg vs Arg/Pro+Pro/Pro: OR = 0.95, 95%CI= 0.82-1.11). Nevertheless, the TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism shows diverse effects across different subtypes of HNCs. For example, there was a lack of association of this polymorphism with oral cavity cancer, whereas a significant association with nasopharyngeal cancer was observed. Results of this meta-analysis suggest that the TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism might have different effects on the risk of various subtypes of HNCs.