[Design for online monitoring of occupational hazard factors based on internet of things]

At present, there are disadvantages with the detection for occupational hazard factors, such as insufficient monitoring data, poor timeliness, weak representativeness, long detection cycles, and inability to continuously monitor. Taking advantages of internet of things technology, an online monitoring platform for occupational hazard factors has been designed. The platform collects the concentration (intensity) of hazard factors through sensors, transmits the occupational hazards data collected online in realtime. The online monitoring cloud center for occupational hazard factors processes and analyzes online monitoring data in realtime, stores the hazard factors data to form database management, and provides user application services to form an intelligent online monitoring service model for occupational hazard factors. Based on the online monitoring platform of occupational hazard factors, multi-level government health supervision departments and employers can grasp the status of hazard factors in real time, which is conducive to improving the level of occupational hazard supervision.

A novel protein encoded by circINSIG1 reprograms cholesterol metabolism by promoting the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of INSIG1 in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia is a hallmark of solid tumors and leads to the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells. The role of epigenetic regulation between hypoxia and aberrant cholesterol metabolism in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains elusive.

METHODS

Hypoxia-responsive circular RNAs (circRNAs) were identified by high throughput RNA sequencing between CRC cells cultured under normoxia or hypoxia. The protein-coding potential of circINSIG1 was identified by polysome profiling and LC-MS. The function of circINSIG1 was validated in vitro and in vivo by gain or loss of function assays. Mechanistic results were concluded by immunoprecipitation analyses.

RESULTS

A novel hypoxia-responsive circRNA named circINSIG1 was identified, which was upregulated in CRC tissues and correlated with advanced clinical stages and poor survival. Mechanistically, circINSIG1 encoded a 121 amino acid protein circINSIG1-121 to promote K48-linked ubiquitination of the critical cholesterol metabolism regulator INSIG1 at lysine 156 and 158 by recruiting CUL5-ASB6 complex, a ubiquitin E3 ligase complex, thereby inducing cholesterol biosynthesis to promote CRC proliferation and metastasis. The orthotopic xenograft tumor models and patient-derived xenograft models further identified the role of circINSIG1 in CRC progression and potential therapeutic target of CRC.

CONCLUSIONS

circINSIG1 presents an epigenetic mechanism which provides insights into the crosstalk between hypoxia and cholesterol metabolism, and provides a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.

GAS6 From CD200+ Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Mitigates Colonic Inflammation in a Macrophage-Dependent Manner

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Stem cell therapy is a promising cell-based treatment modality for inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD], but its application is limited by the nature of cell heterogeneity.

METHODS

Single-cell RNA-sequencing was performed on the adipose-derived stem cells [ADSCs]. The in vitro immunomodulatory effect of ADSCs was evaluated by co-culturing with human CD4+ T cells or macrophages. The in vivo therapeutic value of ADSCs was assessed using a murine colitis model induced by dextran sulphate sodium [DSS] or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid [TNBS].

RESULTS

CD200+ ADSCs were identified as a novel subpopulation of ADSCs, based on gene ontology analysis of immunoregulatory functions. The immunoregulatory functions of these cells were further confirmed by co-culturing with CD4+ T cells or macrophages. Administration of CD200+ ADSCs effectively reduced intestinal inflammation in IBD mice models. Furthermore, we found CD200+ ADSCs-derived GAS6 exerted protective effects on experimental colitis by promoting macrophage M2 polarization via the Mer/PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signalling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This study uncovered the heterogeneity in ADSCs, in which CD200+ ADSCs presents as an alternative to conventional treatment of IBD.

Prevalence of primary drug resistance among newly diagnosed HIV-1 infected individuals in Hunan province, China

At present, research on the prevalence of primary drug resistance (PDR) in Hunan province is limited. Therefore, we explored the current status of HIV-1 PDR in Hunan to provide a basis for antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a theoretical foundation for the prevention and control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.370 newly diagnosed HIV-1 infected individuals who had not received ART were enrolled in Hunan province, China. Plasma samples were collected, RNA was extracted, two rounds of gene amplification were carried out with the In-house method, and a subtype analysis and drug resistance analysis were carried out with the relevant software. We found that the most prevalent subtypes of HIV-1 in Hunan Province are CRF_01AE (126/359, 35.1%) and CRF07_BC (85/359, 23.7%). The PDR rate among newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients was 10.0% (36/359). Among them, the drug resistance rate of protease inhibitors (PIs), nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and integrase inhibitors (INs) was 0.3% (1/359), 3.3% (12/359), 8.36% (30/359), and 0.6% (2/359), respectively. The distribution of HIV-1 subtypes in Hunan Province is diverse and complex, and the primary drug resistance rate has exceeded the low-level warning line set by the WHO (< 5%). Therefore, we should conduct pre-treatment drug resistance assays to determine the optimal primary ART, so that the patients can obtain better antiretroviral treatment outcomes, and the transmission of drug-resistant strains in the population can be blocked.

A comprehensive overview of Artemisinin and its derivatives as anticancer agents

Artemisinin is the crucial ingredient of artemisia annua, a traditional Chinese medicine used for the therapy of malaria in China for hundreds of years. In recent years, the anticancer properties of artemisinin and its derivatives have also been reported. This review has summarized the research and development of artemisinin and its derivatives as anticancer agents, which included both natural and synthetic monomers as well as their dimers. In addition, it highlights the antitumor effects of artemisinin and its derivatives after site-modification or after transformation to a nano-delivery system. Moreover, we have further explored their potential mechanisms of action and also discussed the clinical trials of ARTs used to treat cancer, which will facilitate in further development of novel anticancer drugs based on the scaffold of artemisinin.

Transanal total mesorectal excision combined with intersphincteric resection has similar long-term oncological outcomes to laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection in low rectal cancer: a propensity score-matched cohort study

Background

Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) or intersphincteric resection (ISR) has recently proven to be a valid and safe surgical procedure for low rectal cancer. However, studies focusing on the combination of these two technologies are limited. This study aimed to evaluate perioperative results, long-term oncologic outcomes, and anorectal functions of patients with low rectal cancer undergoing taTME combined with ISR, by comparing with those of patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (laAPR).

Methods

After 1:1 propensity score matching, 200 patients with low rectal cancer who underwent laAPR (n = 100) or taTME combined with ISR (n = 100) between September 2013 and November 2019 were included. Patient demographics, clinicopathological characteristics, oncological outcomes, and anal functional results were analysed.

Results

Patients in the taTME-combined-with-ISR group had less intraoperative blood loss (79.6 ± 72.6 vs 107.3 ± 65.1 mL, P = 0.005) and a lower rate of post-operative complications (22.0% vs 44.0%, P < 0.001) than those in the laAPR group. The overall local recurrence rates were 7.0% in both groups within 3 years after surgery. The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 86.3% in the taTME-combined-with-ISR group and 75.1% in the laAPR group (P = 0.056), while the 3-year overall survival rates were 96.7% and 94.2%, respectively (P = 0.319). There were 39 patients (45.3%) in the taTME-combined-with-ISR group who developed major low anterior resection syndrome, whereas 61 patients (70.9%) had good post-operative anal function (Wexner incontinence score ≤ 10).

Conclusion

We found similar long-term oncological outcomes for patients with low rectal cancer undergoing laAPR and those undergoing taTME combined with ISR. Patients receiving taTME combined with ISR had acceptable post-operative anorectal function.

[Incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian province, 2015-2020]

Objective: To analyze the incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian province from 2015 to 2020 and provide the scientific evidences for the risk assessment, prevention and control of leptospirosis. Methods: The incidence data of leptospirosis in Fujian during 2015-2020 were collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention for a descriptive analysis, and software ArcGIS 10.3.1 was used for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and rats were captured in 17 surveillance areas during the same period, and the rat organs were collected for pathogen culture, the level of Leptospira antibody was detected in serum samples of rats, healthy population and the serum samples of patients sent by the hospitals. The infection status of Leptospira in human and rats were analyzed. Results: The incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian showed a downward trend from 2015 to 2020. A total of 176 cases of leptospirosis were reported. There were obvious seasonality and bimodal distribution. The majority of cases were farmers, accounting for 49.43% (87/176). Most cases were aged 30-69 years (85.80%, 151/176). The male to female ratio of the cases was 3.51∶1 (137∶39). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that leptospirosis had high or low clustering areas. From 2015 to 2020, the average capture rate of rats in 17 surveillance areas was 6.96% (1 519/21 838), Rattus losea, Rattus flavipectus and Niviventer fulvescens were the main species. The average positive rate of Leptospira antibody in rats was 28.64% (252/880). Java and Autumnalis were the predominant serogroups, accounting for 56.75% (143/252) and 17.46% (44/252), respectively. The average positive rate of Leptospira antibody in healthy population was 16.13% (254/1 575), and Autumnalis and Australis were the predominant serogroups, accounting for 71.65% (182/254). The confirmation rate of leptospirosis in patient serum samples sent by the hospitals was 2.23% (188/8 431), Autumnalis (56.38%, 106/188) and Hebdomadis (19.68%, 37/188) were the major serogroups. Conclusions: The incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian showed a downward trend from 2015 to 2020, there were obvious area clustering and seasonality. The high clustering areas were mainly distributed in northern, western and central Fujian. Java and Autumnalis were the predominant serogroups in rats. The infection rate in healthy population decreased year by year. Autumnalis and Hebdomadis were the main serogroups in population in Fujian.

[Controversy and progress on whether to retain left colonic artery in radical resection of rectal cancer]

Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum (JSCCR) guideline 2019 recommended that lymph node dissection for advanced rectal cancer should include the lymphatic adipose tissue at the root of the inferior mesenteric vessels, but the ligation site of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) was not determined, and the NCCN guideline did not indicate clearly whether to retain the left colonic artery (LCA). Controversy over whether to retain LCA is no more than whether it can reduce the incidence of anastomotic complications or postoperative functional damage without affecting the patients' oncological outcome. Focusing on the above problems, this paper reviews the latest research progress. In conclusion, it is believed that the advantages of retaining LCA are supported by most studies, which can improve the blood supply of the proximal anastomosis, and technically can achieve the same range of lymph node dissection as IMA high ligation. However, whether it affects the survival of patients, reduces the incidence of anastomotic leakage, and improves the quality of life of patients, more high-quality evidence-based medical evidence is still needed.

A novel NF-κB regulator encoded by circPLCE1 inhibits colorectal carcinoma progression by promoting RPS3 ubiquitin-dependent degradation

BACKGROUND

Constitutive activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling plays a key role in the development and progression of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). However, the underlying mechanisms of excessive activation of NF-κB signaling remain largely unknown.

METHODS

We used high throughput RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) between normal human intestinal epithelial cell lines and CRC cell lines. The identification of protein encoded by circPLCE1 was performed using LC-MS. The function of novel protein was validated in vitro and in vivo by gain or loss of function assays. Mechanistic results were concluded by immunoprecipitation analyses.

RESULTS

A novel protein circPLCE1-411 encoded by circular RNA circPLCE1 was identified as a crucial player in the NF-κB activation of CRC. Mechanistically, circPLCE1-411 promoted the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of the critical NF-κB regulator RPS3 via directly binding the HSP90α/RPS3 complex to facilitate the dissociation of RPS3 from the complex, thereby reducing NF-κB nuclear translocation in CRC cells. Functionally, circPLCE1 inhibited tumor proliferation and metastasis in CRC cells, as well as patient-derived xenograft and orthotopic xenograft tumor models. Clinically, circPLCE1 was downregulated in CRC tissues and correlated with advanced clinical stages and poor survival.

CONCLUSIONS

circPLCE1 presents an epigenetic mechanism which disrupts NF-κB nuclear translocation and serves as a novel and promising therapeutic target and prognostic marker.

Puerarin Protects Against LPS-Induced Vascular Endothelial Cell Hyperpermeability via Preventing Downregulation of Endothelial Cadherin

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of puerarin on the hyperpermeability of vascular endothelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its underlying mechanisms. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pre-incubated with puerarin (25, 50, and 100 μM) for 1 h, and then exposed to LPS (1 μg/mL). The monolayer permeability of endothelial cells was assessed by measuring the paracellular flux of FITC-dextran 40,000 (FD40). The expression of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) in HUVECs was examined by Western blotting analysis. A total of 18 mice were randomly assigned into three groups as follows: control group, LPS group, and puerarin group. The pulmonary W/D ratio (wet-to-dry weight ratios) was calculated, and the lung morphology was examined. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in cell supernatant and mouse serum were determined by ELISA. Compared with the control group, LPS obviously increased the flux of FD40 and the monolayer permeability, raised the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in cell supernatant, and reduced the VE-cadherin expression in HUVECs. However, puerarin (25, 50, and 100 μM) was able to relieve such LPS-induced increase in flux of FD40 and then reduce the hyperpermeability. Puerarin decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in cell supernatant and increased the VE-cadherin expression in HUVECs (P < 0.05). Moreover, LPS obviously increased the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in mouse serum and elevated the pulmonary W/D ratios, resulting in lung injury. However, all of above-mentioned LPS-induced changes were improved by puerarin pre-treatment. Puerarin could alleviate LPS-induced hyperpermeability in endothelial cells via preventing downregulation of endothelial cadherin.

[Transanal lateral lymph node dissection surgery for 5 cases of mid-low rectal cancer]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of transanal lateral lymph node dissection for mid-low rectal cancer. Methods: A descriptive case series research method was used. Clinical and pathological data of 5 mid-low rectal cancer patients who underwent transanal lateral lymph node dissection at Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 2018 to May 2019 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Of 5 cases, 4 were male and 1 was female with mean age of (43.2±13.2) years and mean body mass index of (21.2±2.6) kg/m(2); the mean diameter of tumor was (3.2±2.4) cm; the mean distance between tumor and anus was (6.3±2.5) cm; 3 received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In preoperative TNM staging, 2 cases were T3N1M0, 1 was T3cN2aM0, 1 was T3cN2bM0, and 1 was T2N1M0. All the patients had no intestinal obstruction before operation. Surgical methods: (1) total mesorectal excision: using general transanal and transabdominal methods to mobilize and resect total mesorectum, and dissect No.252, No.253 lymph nodes; (2) transanal lateral lymph node dissection: dissect the adipose lymphoid tissue on the surface of the iliococcygeal muscle, the coccygeal muscle, and the obturator muscle (the No.283 lymph nodes) upward, and dissect No.263d and No.263p lymph nodes with fat tissue sequentially till the bifurcation of the internal and external iliac artery; (3) take out the specimen from anus, and make anastomosis between proximal colon and anal canal. Intraoperative and postoperative variables was observed. Results: All the 5 patients completed surgery successfully, and no patient needed to convert to open approach. The mean operative time was (295.6±97.7) minutes, and the median intraoperative blood loss was 70 (50-500) ml. The mean length of specimen was (12.9±3.0) cm, and the mean number of harvested lymph node was 30.4±9.9. The positive lateral lymph nodes were founder in 4 patients. The median distance between tumor and distal resection margin was 1.5 (1.2-8.0) cm. The resection margin in all the patients was negative. The mean time to postoperative flatus was (4.2±1.6) days, the mean postoperative spontaneous urination was (3.0±1.9) days, time to drainage tube removal was (5.6±1.9) days, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (9.4±2.1) days. The postoperative TNM staging by pathology was 1 case with T1N0M0, 1 with T2N1M0, 1 with T3N2bM0, and 2 with T3N2M0. Five patients were moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Only 1 patient developed postoperative abdominal bleeding, who was healed after conservative treatment. The other 4 patients did not develop any perioperative complications, such as incision infection, presacral abscess, pelvic abscess, anastomotic leakage, or anastomotic stricture. Four patients underwent postoperative chemotherapy. All the patients were followed up for 2 to 28 weeks after surgery and they all felt well. The patients with stoma had fluent bowel. Conclusions: Transanal lateral lymph node dissection is feasible and safe in the treatment of mid-low rectal cancer, which can achieve the purpose of extended radical resection of mid-low movement rectal cancer. Moreover, this procedure is a new method to treat rectal cancer patients with lateral lymph node metastasis.

[Radiographic analysis for infarcted angiomatous polyps in maxillary sinus]

Objective:To explore the CT, MRI manifestations of the polyp of maxillary sinus cavernous hemangioma. To summarize the imaging characteristics and it may assist doctors to diagnose infarcted angiomatous polyps in maxillary sinus with further developing.Method:A retrospective analysis of the CT, MRI manifestations and clinical analysis about 27 cases confirmed by surgery pathology who are maxillary sinus cavernous hemangioma.Result:Twenty-seven cases were unilateral diseases, and clinical manifestations were nasal congestion. Twenty-seven cases were proceeded CT scan, of which 9 cases of double-phase dynamic enhanced CT examination, 11 cases with MRI examination, of which 6 cases with MRI enhanced examination. CT scan showed unilateral maxillary sinus full of mixed density and involving the nasal cavity, maxillary sinus abnormal expansion of deformation, with local bone resorption damage in 27 cases, but without violation the adjacent tissue. CT enhanced scan of lesions shows that the spotted blood vessels were significantly enhanced and progressive enhancement. MRI can clearly identifylesions and obstructive sinusitis and morbid shape was irregular with mixed signal. T2WI showed high and low mixed ring signals, and the edge of the irregular low signal ring, with enhanced nodules and patchy unevenly enhanced.Conclusion:Most polypof maxillary sinus cavernous hemangioma clinical manifestations are unilateral nasal obstruction. CT shows the maxillary sinus irregular expands and compression bone absorption with a prompt action to this disease.Vascular-like enhancement and progressive enhancement are characteristic enhanced CT manifestations of this disease. MRI can better show the lesion range. T2WI with high and low ring mixed signals, low ring signals, and mostly enhanced nodules, uneven enhancement of plaqueare characteristic imaging manifestations.

[A study on cutaneous microcirculation in the human]

From the research on diseased tissues of the skin, we found that there are evidences of microcirculatory damages at the following sites: (1) Arterial limbs; (2) Venule limbs (3) All Loops (4) Top of Loops (5) Skin Papilla. On the other hand. We have observed such atypical loops, under microcirculatory microscope and recording color TV, as: (1) big fishhook-like (2) dumb-bell like (3) glomerular (4) hemorrhagic (5) vascular (6) big tadpole-like (7) net-like (8) papillar edema. For clinical diagnosis and treatment, studies on cutaneous microcirculation may prove to be helpful.