Grape SnRK2.7 Positively Regulates Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis

In this study, we obtained and cloned VvSnRK2.7 by screening transcriptomic data to investigate the function of the grape sucrose non-fermenting kinase 2 (SnRK2) gene under stress conditions. A yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay was used to further screen for interaction proteins of VvSnRK2.7. Ultimately, VvSnRK2.7 was heterologously expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana, and the relative conductivity, MDA content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and sugar content of the transgenic plants were determined under drought treatment. In addition, the expression levels of VvSnRK2.7 in Arabidopsis were analyzed. The results showed that the VvSnRK2.7-EGFP fusion protein was mainly located in the cell membrane and nucleus of tobacco leaves. In addition, the VvSnRK2.7 protein had an interactive relationship with the VvbZIP protein during the Y2H assay. The expression levels of VvSnRK2.7 and the antioxidant enzyme activities and sugar contents of the transgenic lines were higher than those of the wild type under drought treatment. Moreover, the relative conductivity and MDA content were lower than those of the wild type. The results indicate that VvSnRK2.7 may activate the enzyme activity of the antioxidant enzyme system, maintain normal cellular physiological metabolism, stabilize the berry sugar metabolism pathway under drought stress, and promote sugar accumulation to improve plant resistance.

Evidence for causal effects of neuropsychiatric conditions on risk of venous thromboembolism: A univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Substantial observational evidence suggests an association between neuropsychiatric conditions and venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the causal relationship between these two conditions requires further investigation. Therefore, we used a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to assess the bidirectional causal effects between four neuropsychiatric conditions and VTE, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism (PE).

METHODS

Genetic variants associated with four neuropsychiatric conditions (ie, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder [MDD], bipolar disorder, and epilepsy) and VTE, deep vein thrombosis, and PE were selected. Bidirectional univariable and multivariable MR methods were applied to evaluate the causal relationships among these conditions. The primary causal estimates were obtained using the inverse variance weighted method with multiplicative random effects, supplemented by MR Egger regression, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the MR pleiotropy residual sum, funnel plots, and outlier (MR pleiotropy and residual sum and outlier) method.

RESULTS

Univariable MR results showed that genetic susceptibility to MDD increases the risk of VTE and PE (VTE: odds ratio [OR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.46; P = .004; PE: OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.09-1.69; P = .006) and that PE has an adverse causal effect on MDD (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04; P = .026). Adjustment for confounders such as obesity, sleep duration, smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption revealed that increased genetic susceptibility to MDD is also associated with VTE and PE.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that genetic susceptibility to MDD might have an adverse causal effect on the risk of VTE and PE and that PE has a reverse causal effect on MDD. Prevention and early diagnosis of depression are crucial in the management of VTE and PE.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of high- and low-embryogenic Hevea brasiliensis genotypes reveals involvement of phytohormones in somatic embryogenesis

BACKGROUND

Rubber plant (Hevea brasiliensis) is one of the major sources of latex. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a promising alterative to its propagation by grafting and seed. Phytohormones have been shown to influence SE in different plant species. However, limited knowledge is available on the role of phytohormones in SE in Hevea. The anther cultures of two Hevea genotypes (Yunyan 73477-YT and Reken 628-RT) with contrasting SE rate were established and four stages i.e., anthers (h), anther induced callus (y), callus differentiation state (f), and somatic embryos (p) were studied. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and transcriptome analyses were used to study phytohormone accumulation and related expression changes in biosynthesis and signaling genes.

RESULTS

YT showed higher callus induction rate than RT. Of the two genotypes, only YT exhibited successful SE. Auxins, cytokinins (CKs), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), gibberellins (GAs), and ethylene (ETH) were detected in the two genotypes. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), CKs, ABA, and ETH had notable differences in the studied stages of the two genotypes. The differentially expressed genes identified in treatment comparisons were majorly enriched in MAPK and phytohormone signaling, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and metabolic pathways. The expression changes in IAA, CK, ABA, and ETH biosynthesis and signaling genes confirmed the differential accumulation of respective phytohormones in the two genotypes.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest potential roles of phytohormones in SE in Hevea.

VaSUS2 confers cold tolerance in transgenic tomato and Arabidopsis by regulation of sucrose metabolism and ROS homeostasis

VaSUS2 enhances cold tolerance of transgenic tomato and Arabidopsis by regulating sucrose metabolism and improving antioxidant enzymes activity. Sucrose synthetase (SUS) is a key enzyme of sugar metabolism, and plays an important role in response to abiotic stress in plant. However, the function of VaSUS2 remains unknown in cold tolerance. Here, the cloning and functional characterization of the plasma membrane-localized VaSUS2 gene isolated from Vitis amurensis was studied. The transcript level of VaSUS2 was up-regulated under cold stress in Vitis amurensis. Heterologous expression of VaSUS2 in tomato increased SUS activity, which promoted the accumulation of glucose and fructose under cold treatment. The transgenic tomato and Arabidopsis exhibited higher levels of antioxidant enzymes activity, lower relative electrolyte leakage (REL), malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content compared to wild type under cold stress. Importantly, the ability of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) in transgenic plants was significantly improved. Moreover, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) indicated that VaSnRK1 might be a potential interaction protein of VaSUS2. qRT-PCR showed that sucrose metabolism-related genes SlSUS, SlSPS and SlINV were significantly up-regulated in transgenic tomatoes. Meanwhile, the expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes and cold-related genes CBF1, COR47 and ICE1 were up-regulated in transgenic plants. Taken together, these results suggested that VaSUS2 was involved in cold tolerance by increasing the levels of soluble sugars, improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and up-regulating the expression of cold-related genes in transgenic tomatoes and Arabidopsis.

VaBAM1 weakens cold tolerance by interacting with the negative regulator VaSR1 to suppress β-amylase expression

Cold stress is a key climatic factor that limits grape productivity and quality. Although β-amylase (BAM) is known to play an important role as a mediator of starch degradation under conditions of cold stress, the mechanism by which BAM regulates cold tolerance in grape remains unclear. Here, we identified VaBAM1 from Vitis amurensis and characterized its interactive regulating mechanism under cold stress in Arabidopsis thaliana and grape. VaBAM1-overexpressing A. thaliana plants (OEs) exhibited high freezing tolerance. Soluble sugar content and amylase activity were increased in OEs and VaBAM1-overexpressing grape calli (VaBAM1-OEs) under cold stress; however, they were decreased in grape calli in which VaBAM1 was edited using CRISPR/Cas9. The results of yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and pull-down experiments showed that serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (VaSR1) interacted with VaBAM1. Furthermore, the expression of VaSR1 was opposite that of VaBAM1 in phloem tissue of Vitis amurensis during winter dormancy. In VaSR1-overexpressing grape calli (VaSR1-OEs), BAM activity and the expression levels of C-repeat binding transcription factor and cold response genes were all significantly lower than that in untransformed calli subjected to cold stress. Moreover, VvBAM1 was downregulated in VaSR1-OEs under cold stress. Overall, we identified that VaSR1 interacts with VaBAM1, negatively regulating BAM activity and resulting in decreased plant cold tolerance.

Identification and expression analysis of the grape pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) gene family in abiotic stress

The pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) is one of the largest gene family in plants, and play important role in regulating plant growth, development and abiotic stress response. However, PPR genes have been poorly studied in grapes. In this study, based on the grape genome database, bioinformatics methods and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to identify the VvPPR family and the response to abiotic stress. A total of 181 PPR genes were identified in grape and divided into two subfamilies. Subcellular localization predicted that this gene family mainly functions in chloroplasts, nucleus, and mitochondria. Protein-protein interaction prediction indicated that there may be interaction between VvPPR44,53 and VvPPR44. The promoter region of VvPPR gene family contained various cis-acting elements, which were related to light and hormone. Expression pattern analysis showed that the VvPPR gene family was highly expressed in grape leaves, buds and carpel tissues. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of VvPPR genes in roots was higher than stems and leaves under NAA, SA, ABA, MeJA and GA3 treatments. VvPPR8 was significantly up-regulated after GA3 and MeJA treatment for 24 h, VvPPR53 was significantly up-regulated after SA, NAA, ABA and MeJA treatment. In addition, In grape leaves, VvPPR53 was up-regulated under PEG, Nacl and 4 ℃ treatments. These data indicate that VvPPR gene family members are responsive to hormones and abiotic stresses, and that there are some differences in the degree of response and expression in different grape tissues. This study provides a certain theoretical basis for grape resistance breeding.

[A case of ocular siderosis caused by iron ore]

A patient complained of vision loss of his left eye which was crushed by iron ore for 11 months. The cornea of the injured eye was thin and swollen, and a large amount of rust-like material was observed to be deposited. An intraocular foreign body was found by orbital CT. During vitrectomy, a piece of metal sheet was found near the ora serrate, and the intraocular structure was severely damaged, and characterized by vitreous brown turbidity, a white optic disc, occlusion of blood vessels in the fundus, and peripheral retinal atrophy with degeneration. The patient was diagnosed as ocular siderosis in the left eye.

Overexpression VaPYL9 improves cold tolerance in tomato by regulating key genes in hormone signaling and antioxidant enzyme

BACKGROUND

Abscisic acid (ABA) has been reported in controlling plant growth and development, and particularly dominates a role in resistance to abiotic stress. The Pyrabactin Resistance1/PYR1-Like /Regulatory Components of ABA receptors (PYR1/PYL/RCAR) gene family, of which the PYL9 is a positive regulator related to stress response in ABA signaling transduction. Although the family has been identified in grape, detailed VaPYL9 function in cold stress remains unknown.

RESULTS

In order to explore the cold tolerance mechanism in grape, VaPYL9 was cloned from Vitis amurensis. The subcellular localization showed that VaPYL9 was mainly expressed in the plasma membrane. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) showed VaPCMT might be a potential interaction protein of VaPYL9. Through the overexpression of VaPYL9 in tomatoes, results indicated transgenic plants had higher antioxidant enzyme activities and proline content, lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ content, and improving the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species than wild-type (WT). Additionally, ABA content and the ratio of ABA/IAA kept a higher level than WT. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that VaPYL9, SlNCED3, SlABI5, and antioxidant enzyme genes (POD, SOD, CAT) were up-regulated in transgenic tomatoes. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) found that VaPYL9 overexpression caused the upregulation of key genes PYR/PYL, PYL4, MAPK17/18, and WRKY in transgenic tomatoes under cold stress.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression VaPYL9 enhances cold resistance of transgenic tomatoes mediated by improving antioxidant enzymes activity, reducing membrane damages, and regulating key genes in plant hormones signaling and antioxidant enzymes.

VaAPL1 Promotes Starch Synthesis to Constantly Contribute to Soluble Sugar Accumulation, Improving Low Temperature Tolerance in Arabidopsis and Tomato

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) is a key rate-limiting enzyme involved in starch synthesis. APL1, an AGPase large subunit, plays an important role in the growth and development of grapes; however, its function in withstanding low temperature (LT) remains elusive. Hence, VaAPL1 was cloned from Vitis amurensis (Zuoshan I), and its function was characterized. The gene was highly expressed in the phloem of V. amurensis during winter dormancy (0, -5, and - 10°C). Phylogenetic relationships demonstrated that VaAPL1 was closely genetic related to SlAPL1 (from Solanum lycopersicum), and clustered into I group. Further, VaAPL1 was ectopically expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana (ecotype Columbia, Col) and tomato ("Micro-Tom" tomato) to characterize its function under LT. Compared with Col, the average survival rate of VaAPL1-overexpressing A. thaliana exceeded 75.47% after freezing treatment. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content decreased in VaAPL1-overexpressing A. thaliana and tomato plants under LT stress. The activities of AGPase, and starch contents in VaAPL1-overexpressing A. thaliana were higher than in Col after LT stress. The contents of sucrose and glucose were accumulated in overexpressing plants compared with wild-type at 0 h and 24 h after LT stress. Transcriptome sequencing of overexpressing tomato plants revealed involvement in sugar metabolism and the hormone signal pathway, and Ca²⁺ signaling pathway-related genes were up-regulated. Hence, these results suggest that overexpression of VaAPL1 not only ensured sufficient starch converting into soluble sugars to maintain cell osmotic potential and provided energy, but also indirectly activated signal pathways involved in LT to enhance plant tolerance.

Temperature-phase transcriptomics reveals that hormones and sugars in the phloem of grape participate in tolerance during cold acclimation

Most of the upregulated genes contributed to the accumulation of soluble sugars and ABA in the phloem of 'Vitis amurensis' compared to 'Merlot' during cold acclimation. Extreme cold is one of the dominant abiotic factors affecting grape yield and quality. However, the changes in sugars, phytohormones, and gene expression in the branch phloem of different tolerant grape varieties during cold acclimation remain elusive. The data supported that with decreasing temperature, the contents of fructose, sucrose, and ABA in the phloem of Vitis amurensis (cold-tolerant, T) and 'Merlot' (cold-sensitive, S) increased during cold acclimation, and these indicators were higher in T than in S. Furthermore, the activities of sucrose synthetase, sucrose phosphate synthetase, and acid invertase peaked in the early phase of cold acclimation (approximately 5 °C) compared to other phases (approximately 28 °C, 0 °C, - 5 °C and - 10 °C). Moreover, the RNA sequencing results helped identify a total of 11,343 differentially expressed genes in the phloem of T and S, among which 4912 were upregulated and 6431 were downregulated. In the abscisic acid pathway, CRTISO, PSPY1-1, CYCP707A4-2, PYL4-1, PYL4-2, P2C08, SAPK2, TARAB1, and DBF3 were more highly expressed in T than in S. In the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway, HXK1, PGMP, GLGL1, SUS6, VCINV, BGL11, SSY1, GPS, BAM1 and BAM3 were also more highly expressed in T than in S. Moreover, the genes related to oxidative phosphorylation, such as NDHF, ND4, ND1, NAD7, NAD2, ATPB, YMF19, ATP9, PMA1 and AHA8, were upregulated in T. These results will be beneficial for understanding the potential differences in tolerance across two different cold-tolerant grapes with respect to sugar metabolism and gene expression.

Bactericidal efficacy of low concentration of vaporized hydrogen peroxide with validation in a BSL-3 laboratory

BACKGROUND

Highly infective pathogens are cultured and studied in biosafety laboratories. It is critical to thoroughly disinfect these laboratories to prevent laboratory infection. A whole-room, non-contact, reduced corrosion disinfection strategy using hydrogen peroxide was proposed and evaluated.

AIM

To evaluate the bactericidal efficacy of 8% and 10% vaporized hydrogen peroxide( VHP) in a laboratory setting with spores and bacteria as bioindicators.

METHODS

Spores of B. atrophaeus and B. stearothermophilus, along with bacteria E. coli, S. aureus, and S. epidermidis were placed in pre-selected locations in a sealed laboratory and an OXY-PHARM NOCOSPRAY2 vaporized hydrogen peroxide generator was applied. Spore killing efficacy was qualitatively evaluated, and bactericidal efficacy was quantitatively analyzed, and the mean log10 reduction was determined. Finally, the optimized disinfection strategy was verified in a BSL-3 laboratory.

FINDINGS

Significant reductions in microbial load were obtained for each of the selected spores and bacteria when exposed to VHP in concentrations of 8% and 10% for 2～3 h. S. aureus was found to be more resistant than E. coli and S. epidermidis. Tests with 8% hydrogen peroxide and exposure for more than 3 h completely killed B. atrophaeus on surfaces and equipment in the BSL-3 laboratory.

CONCLUSION

The vaporized hydrogen peroxide generator is superior in terms of good diffusivity and low corrosiveness and is time-effective in removing the disinfectant residue. This study provides reference for the precise disinfection of air and object surfaces in biosafety laboratories under varying conditions.

Quantification of temperature dependence of vehicle evaporative volatile organic compound emissions from different fuel types in China

The evaporative emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from motor vehicles are dependent upon the ambient temperature. However, the quantitative relationship between evaporative VOC emissions and ambient temperature has rarely been reported, and it is not reflected in the Chinese VOCs emission inventory (EI). In this study, a series of evaporative tests were conducted on a parked gasoline-fueled vehicle in a Variable Temperature Sealed Housing Evaporative Determination chamber under seven temperatures from 298 K to 313 K at intervals of 2.5 K. Results showed that total hydrocarbon emissions at 313 K were 25.7, 12.3, and 26.7 times those at 298 K for China V, China VI, and ethanol-blended E10 fuels, respectively. China V consistently exhibited the lowest evaporative VOC emissions at all temperatures, while those of E10 surpassed even those of China VI and became the highest at 308 K and higher. Along with increasing temperature, the proportions of alkanes and alkenes gradually increased whereas those of aromatics and oxygenated VOCs decreased. Alkenes accounted for less than 20% of the evaporative VOC emissions but contributed to approximately 60% of the total OH loss (L_OH) at 298 K and to over 70% at 313 K. cis-2-Butene and trans-2-butene were responsible for the greatest increase in L_OH from China V, due to their higher OH reactivity. Our results clearly demonstrated the exponential increases of evaporative VOC emissions and the associated atmospheric reactivity with temperature, and also highlighted that upgrading the emission standard from China V to China IV and promoting the E10 fuel would not contribute to the reduction of evaporative VOC emissions. The strong temperature dependence of evaporative VOC emissions underscores the importance of developing a temperature-driven dynamic EI in China, and the functional relationships retrieved from this study form an essential step in developing such a dynamic EI.

Insight into VvGH3 genes evolutional relationship from monocotyledons and dicotyledons reveals that VvGH3-9 negatively regulates the drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis

The Gretchen Hagen3 (GH3) gene family is necessary for growth and development in plants and is regulated by osmotic stress and various hormones. Although it has been reported in many plants, the evolutionary relationship of GH3 in grape has not been systematically analyzed from the perspective of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous. This study identified and analyzed 188 GH3 genes, which were distinctly divided into 9 subgroups, and found these subgroups have obviously been clustered between monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous. VvGH3-x genes had higher synteny with apple and Arabidopsis than that of rice, and the average Ka/Ks value in monocotyledons was higher than that of dicotyledons. The codon usage index showed that monocotyledons preferred to use G3s, C3s, and GC3s, while dicotyledons preferred to use A3s and T3s. The GH3 genes of grape exhibited different expression patterns in various tissues, different abiotic stresses, and hormonal treatments. The subcellular localization showed that VvGH3-9 was expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Additionally, under 20% PEG treatment, the IAA and ABA contents, relative expression levels of VvGH3-9, relative electrical conductivity (REC), as well as MDA were obviously increased in VvGH3-9 overexpression lines at 72 h. In contrast, compared to WT, the contents of proline and H₂O₂, the activities of POD, SOD, and CAT, and the relative expression levels of drought responsive genes were significantly decreased in overexpressing lines. Collectively, this study provided helpful insight for the evolution of GH3 genes and presented some possibilities to study the functions of GH3 genes in monocotyledons and dicotyledons.

Effects of chronic intranasal dantrolene on nasal mucosa morphology in mice

OBJECTIVE

We have previously shown that the intranasal administration of dantrolene ameliorated cognitive dysfunction in the 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. This study examines the morphology of the nasal mucosa after 10 months of intranasal dantrolene in 5XFAD mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

5XFAD mice were either treated with intranasal dantrolene (5 mg/kg, 3 times/wk) from 2 months to 12 months of age or given no treatment at all. The mice were euthanatized at 12 months of age and the snouts were processed for histological examination. The morphology of the nasal mucosa was assessed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the thickness of the olfactory epithelium or the proportion of the thickness of the glandular layer to the wall of mucosa and submucosa in the nasal passages.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term intranasal administration of dantrolene did not significantly change the nasal mucosa morphology in 5XFAD mice.

Malnutrition Increases the Risk of Left Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition is associated with increased incidence of heart failure (HF). Left ventricular (LV) remodeling is one of the most important processes in the occurrence and evolution of HF. However, the association between nutritional status and LV remodeling is not well known. The study aimed to investigate the association between malnutrition and LV remodeling.

DESIGN

The study was a retrospective observation study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

We included patients from the registry of Cardiorenal Improvement study from January 2007 to December 2018 at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary endpoint was LV remodeling, defined as an absolute decrease in LV ejection fraction ≥10% after discharge compared with baseline. Nutritional status was assessed by the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. Eligible patients were divided into absent-mild malnutrition group (CONUT score ≤4) and moderate-severe malnutrition group (CONUT score >4). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed to verify the association between malnutrition and left ventricular remodeling.

RESULTS

A total of 7,217 patients (mean age 61.3±10.5 years, 71.7% male) were included in the final analysis, among which 712 (9.9%) had LV remodeling. The incidence of LV remodeling in moderate-severe malnutrition group was significantly higher than that in absent-mild malnutrition group (12.9% vs. 9.5%, p=0.002). In multivariable logistic regression, moderate-severe malnutrition group was significantly associated with 1.69-fold increased risk of LV remodeling after adjusting confounders (OR: 1.69, CI: 1.32-2.16). Similar results were observed in subgroup stratified by age, gender, and coronary artery disease.

CONCLUSION

Nearly one eighth of patients were classified as moderate-severe malnutrition, 12% of whom had LV remodeling. Moderate-severe malnutrition was associated with 69% increased risk of LV remodeling. Further studies are needed to prospectively evaluate the nutrition-oriented managements on outcomes in LV remodeling.

Inhibition of myeloid differentiation factor 2 by MAC28 suppresses reactive oxygen species, inflammation and improves mitochondrial function, leading to improved cardiac function in prediabetic rats

Background

Chronic inflammation involves in the left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced prediabetes, along with cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction. This involved an activation of myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by lipopolysaccharide, leading to inflammatory cytokines production in the heart. MAC28 is a novel MD2 inhibitor, which had been shown to provide effects against LPS-induced cytokine secretion from macrophages. However, the potential benefits of MAC28 on the LV function and its underlying mechanisms in HFD-induced prediabetic rats are unknown.

Purpose

We tested the hypothesis that MAC28 improves LV function in prediabetic rats by reducing cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were fed either a normal diet (ND, n=8) or HFD (n=24) for 16 weeks. At week 12, HFD-fed rats developed prediabetes and LV dysfunction. At this time, these HFD-fed rats were divided into 3 treatment groups (n=8/group): 1) vehicle (HFDV; 1% Na-carboxymethyl cellulose; p.o.); 2) MAC28 (40 mg/kg; p.o.); 3) metformin (300 mg/kg; p.o.; a positive control), the ND-fed rats received a vehicle (NDV). Rats were received their treatment for 4 weeks. Then, LV function and heart rate variability (HRV) were examined, and the heart was removed to determinecardiac malondialdehyde (MDA), cardiac inflammation (TNF-α) and mitochondrial function.

Results

HFD-induced prediabetes, together with depressed HRV and %LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (Fig. 1A). Moreover, cardiac oxidative stress and inflammation overproduction, and cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction was also observed, shown by elevated cardiac MDA, cardiac TNF-α protein levels, and mitochondrial ROS levels, mitochondrial depolarization and swelling (Fig. 1B). Notably, treatment with MAC28 effectively improved HRV and %LVEF and HRV (Fig. 1A), compared to HFDV group. Moreover, MAC28 significantly reduced cardiac MDA levels, cardiac TNF-α protein levels and cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction in HFD-induced prediabetic rats (Fig. 1B). These beneficial effects were also observed in metformin-treated rats (Fig. 1A, B).

Conclusion

MAC28 exerts cardioprotection in prediabetic rats by reducing cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to restoring LV function.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by the Thailand Science Research and Innovation

Taurine Reduces Liver Damage in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Model in Rats by Down-Regulating IL-9 and Tumor Growth Factor TGF-β

The study employed a rat model to examine the effects of taurine (Tau) on prevention and therapy of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In model rats maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD), the serum levels of ALT, AST, triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL were higher than the corresponding levels in normal control and NP groups (p<0.05). In Tau-prevention and Tau-treatment groups, the serum levels of AST and triglycerides were lower than in HFD rats (p<0.05). In HFD rats, diffuse fatty degeneration and infiltration with inflammatory cells was observed in the liver; in the ileal mucosa, the villi were fractured or absent, the epithelium was exfoliated and infiltrated with inflammatory cells. The levels of TGF-β, IL-9, and their mRNA in the liver and ileal mucosa of HFD rats were significantly higher than in normal control and NP groups (p<0.05). In Tau-prevention and Tau-treatment groups, these levels were significantly lower than in HFD rats (p<0.05). Thus, TGF-β and IL-9 can be implicated in NAFLD genesis, while Tau can preventively or therapeutically diminish the damage to the liver and ileal mucosa in rats with this disease by down-regulating the expression of TGF-β and IL-9.

O-137 Salpingectomy versus neosalpingostomy in women with hydrosalpinx: a prospective cohort study with long-term follow-up

Study question

What is the comparative effectiveness between salpingectomy and neosalpingostomy in the treatment of bilateral severe hydrosalpinx?

Summary answer

In women with bilateral severe hydrosalpinx, salpingectomy combined with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment resulted in a higher cumulative live birth rate than neosalpingostomy.

What is known already

Hydrosalpinx accounts for 25% to 35% of female subfertility and has a negative effect on pregnancy rates in women who undergo IVF. So far salpingectomy before in vitro fertilization treatment has been suggested for the treatment of hydrosalpinx in order to improve the chance of a live birth. Previous studies have reported a pooled live birth rate of 25% through natural conception after neosalpingostomy and an ongoing pregnancy rate of 55.8% after salpingectomy with IVF. Direct comparison of the cumulative live birth rate after salpingectomy versus neosalpingostomy, both followed by IVF is lacking.

Study design, size, duration

We performed a single center, prospective comparative cohort study in the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China. We studied women diagnosed with tubal subfertility with bilateral hydrosalpinx between January 2005 and December 2012. Based on a shared decision approach, they had bilateral salpingectomy or neosalpingostomy followed by IVF. They were annually followed up until July 2020 for the occurrence of live birth.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Out of 113 women, 55 had bilateral salpingectomy and 58 had bilateral neosalpingostomy. Primary outcome was cumulative live birth rate, defined as the cumulative birth rate of the first living neonate through either natural conception or in vitro fertilization. Both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis were processed. Cox proportional hazards regression model with potential variables was performed to identify predictors of successful live birth.

Main results and the role of chance

Baseline characteristics were comparable between two groups. There were 42 live births in the salpingectomy and 36 in the neosalpingostomy group. When the result of IVF was incorporated (55/55 in salpingectomy group and 25/58 in neosalpingostomy group underwent IVF), salpingectomy resulted in a higher cumulative live birth rate (85.3% vs 76.0%; hazard ratio of the whole survival curve, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.37 - 3.45; P = 0.001), a lower risk of ectopic pregnancy (1.8% vs 20.7%; risk ratio, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01 - 0.57; P = 0.013), and a shorter time to live birth (19 [14,27] versus 36 [17,76] months, P = 0.001).The number of live birth rates after natural conception was 0% (0/55) in the salpingectomy group and 28% (16/58) in neosalpingostomy group.The results of PP analyses were comparable with the ITT analyses apart from the biochemical pregnancy rate and the overall live birth rate, they were higher (the former: 76% (42/55) versus 58% (29/50), P = 0.045; the latter: 76% (42/55) versus 56% (28/50), P = 0.027) in salpingectomy group.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This is an observational study. The small sample size along with the data was obtained from a cohort study in a single center.

Wider implications of the findings

In women with confirmed bilateral severe hydrosalpinx, salpingectomy followed by IVF results in a higher cumulative live birth rate and decreases the risk of EP as compared to neosalpingostomy. However, neosalpingostomy is the only option to achieve a live birth by natural conception that should be discussed with patients preoperatively.

Trial registration number

not applicable

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-induced exosomal microRNA-486-3p protects against diabetic retinopathy through TLR4/NF-κB axis repression

AIM

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic disease causing health and economic burdens on individuals and society. Thus, this study is conducted to figure out the mechanisms of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-induced exosomal microRNA-486-3p (miR-486-3p) in DR.

METHODS

The putative miR-486-3p binding sites to 3'untranslated region of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was verified by luciferase reporter assay. High glucose (HG)-treated Muller cells were transfected with miR-486-3p or TLR4-related oligonucleotides and plasmids to explore theirs functions in DR. Additionally, HG-treated Muller cells were co-cultured with BMSC-derived exosomes, exosomes collected from BMSCs that had been transfected with miR-486-3p or TLR4-related oligonucleotides and plasmids to explore their functions in DR. MiR-486-3p, TLR4 and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) expression, angiogenesis-related factors, oxidative stress factors, viability and apoptosis in HG-treated Muller cells were detected by RT-qPCR, western blot analysis, ELISA, MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTS

MiR-486-3p was poorly expressed while TLR4 and NF-κB were highly expressed in HG-treated Muller cells. TLR4 was a target of miR-486-3p. Upregulating miR-486-3p or down-regulating TLR4 inhibited oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, and promoted proliferation of HG-treated Muller cells. Meanwhile, BMSC-derived exosomes inhibited oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, and promoted proliferation of HG-treated Muller cells. Restoring miR-486-3p further enhanced, while up-regulating TLR4 reversed, the improvement of exosomes treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights that up-regulation of miR-486-3p induced by BMSC-derived exosomes played a protective role in DR mice via TLR4/NF-κB axis repression.

Alleviating damage of photosystem and oxidative stress from chilling stress with exogenous zeaxanthin in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings

As a typical thermophilous vegetable, the growth and yield of peppers are easily limited by chilling conditions. Zeaxanthin, a crucial carotenoid, positively regulates plant abiotic stress responses. Therefore, this study investigated the regulatory mechanisms of zeaxanthin-induced chilling tolerance in peppers. The results indicated that the pretreatment with zeaxanthin effectively alleviated chilling damage in pepper leaves and increased the plant fresh weight and photosynthetic pigment content under chilling stress. Additionally, alterations in photosynthetic chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves after zeaxanthin treatment highlighted the participation of zeaxanthin in improving the photosystem response to chilling stress by heightening the quenching of excess excitation energy and protection of the photosynthetic electron transport system. In chill-stressed plants, zeaxanthin treatment also enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and transcript expression, and reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion (O₂^•-) content, resulting in a decrease in biological membrane damage. Additionally, exogenous zeaxanthin upregulated the expression levels of key genes encoding β-carotene hydroxylase (CaCA1, CaCA2), zeaxanthin epoxidase (CaZEP) and violaxanthin de-epoxidase (CaVDE), and promoted the synthesis of endogenous zeaxanthin during chilling stress. Collectively, exogenous zeaxanthin pretreatment enhances plant tolerance to chilling by improving the photosystem process, increasing oxidation resistance, and inducing alterations in endogenous zeaxanthin metabolism.

Dantrolene repurposed to treat sepsis or septic shock and COVID-19 patients

OBJECTIVE

Disruption of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis via excessive and pathological Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and/or sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) through ryanodine receptor (RyRs) Ca2+ channels play a critical role in the pathology of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and associated multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in sepsis or septic shock. Dantrolene, a potent inhibitor of RyRs, is expected to ameliorate SIRS and MODS and decrease mortality in sepsis or septic shock patients. This review summarized the potential mechanisms of therapeutic effects of dantrolene in sepsis or septic shock at molecular, cell, and organ levels and provided suggestions and strategies for future clinical studies.

Genome-wide identification of BAM genes in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) and ectopic expression of VvBAM1 modulating soluble sugar levels to improve low-temperature tolerance in tomato

BACKGROUND

Low temperature (LT) is one of the main limiting factors that affect growth and development in grape. Increasing soluble sugar and scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) play critical roles in grapevine resistance to cold stress. However, the mechanism of β-amylase (BAM) involved in the regulation of sugar levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in response to cold stress is unclear.

RESULTS

In this study, six BAM genes were identified and clustered into four groups. Multiple sequence alignment and gene structure analysis showed that VvBAM6 lacked the Glu380 residue and contained only an exon. The transcript abundance of VvBAM1 and VvBAM3 significantly increased as temperature decreased. After LT stress, VvBAM1 was highly expressed in the leaves, petioles, stems, and roots of overexpressing tomato lines. The total amylase and BAM activities increased by 6.5- and 6.01-fold in transgenic plants compared with those in wild-type tomato plants (WT) subjected to LT, respectively. The glucose and sucrose contents in transgenic plants were significantly higher than those in WT plants, whereas the starch contents in the former decreased by 1.5-fold compared with those in the latter under LT stress. The analysis of transcriptome sequencing data revealed that 541 genes were upregulated, and 663 genes were downregulated in transgenic plants. One sugar transporter protein gene (SlSTP10), two peroxidase (POD)-related genes (SlPER7 and SlPER5), and one catalase (CAT)-related gene (SlCAT1) were upregulated by 8.6-, 3.6-, 3.0-, and 2.3-fold in transgenic plants after LT stress, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that VvBAM1 overexpression promotes ROS scavenging and improves cold tolerance ability by modulating starch hydrolysis to affect soluble sugar levels in tomato plants.

Could dantrolene be explored as a repurposed drug to treat COVID-19 patients by restoring intracellular calcium homeostasis?

Dantrolene, an FDA approved drug to treat malignant hyperthermia and muscle spasm, has been demonstrated to inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mediated toxicity of host cells. Ryanodine receptor overactivation and associated disruption of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis play important roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication of host cells. Dantrolene, as an inhibitor of RyRs, is expected to ameliorate these detrimental effects of SARS-CoV-2 in host cells. Additionally, dantrolene has also been shown to inhibit multiple cell or organ damage induced by hypoxia/ischemia, mitochondria damage, oxidative stresses, inflammation, impairment of autophagy and apoptosis, etc., which are often the causes of severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients. We have repurposed that dantrolene has a high potential at treating COVID-19 patients and reducing its morbidity and mortality.

Identification of risk factors for falls in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for falls in postmenopausal women and provide evidence for the primary prevention of falls in postmenopausal women. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020170927). We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE for observational studies on the risk factors for falls in postmenopausal women. Review Manager 5.3 was used to calculate the relative risk (RR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) of potential risk factors related to falls. STATA 14.0 was used for the quantitative evaluation of publication bias. Eleven studies with 42,429 patients from 7 countries were included. The main risk factors for falls in postmenopausal women were patient sociodemographic risk factors (age: WMD = 0.37, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.68; body weight: WMD = 0.88, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.12; BMI: WMD = 0.34, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.46; exercise: RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.94 to 0.99; and FES-I: WMD = 6.60, 95% CI 0.72 to 12.47) and medical risk factors (dietary calcium intake: WMD = - 16.91, 95% CI - 25.80 to - 8.01; previous fracture history: RR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.29; previous falls: RR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.91 to 2.14; number of diseases, ˃ 2: RR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.23; and number of reported chronic health disorders: WMD = 0.30, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.49). Knowledge of the many risk factors associated with falls in postmenopausal women can aid in fall prevention. However, we cannot rule out some additional potential risk factors (age at the onset of menopause, years since last menstruation, hormone therapy and BMD) that need further clinical research.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of GA2ox, GA3ox, and GA20ox Are Related to Gibberellin Oxidase Genes in Grape (Vitis Vinifera L.)

Gibberellin (GAs) plays the important role in the regulation of grape developmental and growth processes. The bioinformatics analysis confirmed the differential expression of GA2, GA3, and GA20 gibberellin oxidase genes (VvGA2oxs, VvGA3oxs, and VvGA20oxs) in the grape genome, and laid a theoretical basis for exploring its role in grape. Based on the Arabidopsis GA2oxs, GA3oxs, and GA20oxs genes already reported, the VvGA2oxs, VvGA3oxs, and VvGA20oxs genes in the grape genome were identified using the BLAST software in the grape genome database. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using software such as DNAMAN v.5.0, Clustalx, MapGene2Chrom, MEME, GSDS v.2.0, ExPASy, DNAsp v.5.0, and MEGA v.7.0. Chip expression profiles were generated using grape Affymetrix GeneChip 16K and Grape eFP Browser gene chip data in PLEXdb. The expression of VvGA2oxs, VvGA3oxs, and VvGA20oxs gene families in stress was examined by qRT-PCR (Quantitative real-time-PCR). There are 24 GAoxs genes identified with the grape genome that can be classified into seven subgroups based on a phylogenetic tree, gene structures, and conserved Motifs in our research. The gene family has higher codon preference, while selectivity is negative selection of codon bias and selective stress was analyzed. The expression profiles indicated that the most of VvGAox genes were highly expressed under different time lengths of ABA (Abscisic Acid) treatment, NaCl, PEG and 5 °C. Tissue expression analysis showed that the expression levels of VvGA2oxs and VvGA20oxs in different tissues at different developmental stages of grapes were relatively higher than that of VvGA3oxs. Last but not least, qRT-PCR (Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR) was used to determine the relative expression of the GAoxs gene family under the treatment of GA3 (gibberellin 3) and uniconazole, which can find that some VvGA2oxs was upregulated under GA3 treatment. Simultaneously, some VvGA3oxs and VvGA20oxs were upregulated under uniconazole treatment. In a nutshell, the GA2ox gene mainly functions to inactivate biologically active GAs, while GA20ox mainly degrades C20 gibberellins, and GA3ox is mainly composed of biologically active GAs. The comprehensive analysis of the three classes of VvGAoxs would provide a basis for understanding the evolution and function of the VvGAox gene family in a grape plant.

Biophysical and microstructural changes of swelling cornea caused by endothelial cells damage

Biophysical properties and microstructural changes of swelling cornea which caused by endothelial cells damage will be evaluated. Swelling cornea models were established by endothelial cells damage in 114 Sprague Dawley rats. Relative gray value, swelling rate and light transmittance were measured to evaluated the biophysical properties and microstructure changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Relative gray value decreased while swelling rate rose along with time and both of them reached relative stability after 7 days. Light transmittance showed a decline trend with time even after corneal thickness had reached stable stage. Observed by transmission electron microscopy, interfibrillar distance increased, fewer proteoglycans coating appeared and remnants proteoglycan branches became thinner and longer in 7 days. Diameter of fibrils didn't change obviously with time. In cornea edema models caused by endothelial cells damage, the changes of biophysical property and microstructure can help us evaluate corneal edema accurately and objectively.

Alkaline phosphatase 2 is a functional receptor of Cry1Ac but not Cry2Ab in Helicoverpa zea

Although membrane-bound alkaline phosphatases (ALPs) have been proposed as a receptor for Cry1Ac in a few lepidopteran species, their potential functions as a Cry2Ab receptor are yet to be verified. To determine if ALP2 also serves as a receptor for Cry1Ac and even for Cry2Ab in Helicoverpa zea, we measured the potency of activated Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab against midgut and fat body cell lines of H. zea and the ovarian cell line of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) expressing H. zea ALP2 (HzALP2) or transfected with HzALP2 double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Relative to the control cells, the three cell lines expressing HzALP2 were more susceptible to Cry1Ac but there was no difference for Cry2Ab. By contrast, the two H. zea cell lines transfected with HzALP2 dsRNA were resistant to Cry1Ac while kept susceptible to Cry2Ab. Furthermore, RNA interference knockdown of HzALP2 in H. zea larvae enhanced larval survival on Cry1Ac-containing diets. These findings indicate that HzALP2 functions as a receptor of Cry1Ac but not Cry2Ab.

Abstract P6-09-07: Expression of miR-106b in circulating tumor cells is associated with EMT and prognosis in metastatic breast cancer patients

# Co-first author: W.T., G.L., X.X.

* Co-Correspondence: C.G. and W.G.J.

Abstract

Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) display changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and miRNAs regulate EMT in breast cancer cells. The association between EMT characteristics and miRNA expression in CTCs of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and their clinical implications remain unknown.

Methods: CTC-specific miRNAs were screened based on comparison of the miRNA profile between CTC and primary tumor. RT-PCR was used to quantity the expression levels of EMT makers and miRNA candidates. We enrolled 219 MBC patients with CTCs ≥ 5/7.5mL blood from 2 cohorts and CTCs were detected and enriched by CellSearch. Overall survival (OS) and radiological response were analyzed. CTCs were divided into epithelial- (E-CTCs) and mesenchymal-like CTC (M-CTCs) phenotypes based on a cut-off value derived from suspended breast cancer cells recovered from PBMCs.

Results: MiR-106b displayed upregulation in CTCs, with a higher level in M-CTCs than E-CTCs. Patients with E-CTCs showed better OS than those with M-CTCs (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.14-2.78, P =0.012). CTCs from chemo-resistant MBC patients exhibited higher miR-106b. CTC-specific miR-106b was negatively associated with therapy response and OS (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.06-2.84, P = 0.029).

Conclusions: CTC-specific miR-106b was associated with EMT phenotypes of CTCs and may predict prognosis in MBC patients.

Citation Format: Tan W, Liang G, Xie X, Tan L, Sanders AJ, Liu Z, Ling Y, Zhong W, Jiang WG, Gong C. Expression of miR-106b in circulating tumor cells is associated with EMT and prognosis in metastatic breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-09-07.

Abstract P2-08-56: Effects of young age on prognosis in patients with node-negative tumors 2 cm or smaller breast cancer

Background It is still controversial to consider age as a prognostic factor into the treatment strategy of patients with T1N0M0 breast cancer.

Aim The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of age on recurrence risk in patients diagnosed with T1N0M0 breast cancer as well as compare the prognosis of young aged patients(YA,≤40 years old) to non-young aged patients(non-YA,&gt;40 years old) by using a propensity score matching(PSM) analysis.

Methods 365 patients with T1N0M0 breast cancer diagnosed between 2003 and 2016 who received surgery in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital Breast Cancer Center were included.The recurrence free survival (RFS) and risk factors for recurrence were identified by using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. PSM was then used to reduce the confounding effect of known risk factors on prognosis and then to compare 5-year RFS rates in patients between two age groups.

Results After a median follow up of 79 months, 54 patients developed recurrences and 5-year RFS was 87.6%. YA patients had lower RFS estimates (80.6%), compared to patients diagnosed in a later age (89.1% if older than 40-years old; P = 0.049). YA patients tended to have Her-2 positive, TNBC tumors, higher rate of Ki-67 expression and nuclear grade tumor. At multivariate analysis, Her-2 positive (HR 2.115; 95% CI 1.103-4.055, p=0.024) and TNBC (HR 2.963; 95% CI 1.485-5.914, p=0.002) resulted independent prognostic factors of patient with T1N0M0 breast cancer. In the subgroup analysis, we found significant poor RFS for YA patients with Her-2 positive breast cancer compared to the older counterparts(p=0.006) and YA patients were associated with significantly higher rates of the locoregional recurrence rather than metastasis(p=0.004), especially in first 5 years after diagnosis. After PSM, the baseline level and treatment status including tumor size, grade, HR status, Her-2 status, Ki67 expression breast surgery type and systemic adjuvant treatment(AST) of patients in the two age groups tended to be equal. As result, we found significant difference in the 5-year RFS between two age groups(p=0.008).

Conclusion Based on equal treatment condition, young age at presentation conferred a worse prognosis in patients with T1N0M0 breast cancer is independent on other pathological features.

Citation Format: Zhong W, Tan L, You N, Wang Y, Liang G, Liu Z, Ling Y, Tian Z, Gong C. Effects of young age on prognosis in patients with node-negative tumors 2 cm or smaller breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-08-56.

Abstract P2-01-08: The potential role of CTNND1 (catenin (cadherin-associated protein), Delta 1) in breast cancer bone metastasis

Background:

The bone is a frequently visited site by breast cancer cells. Most women who die of metastatic breast cancer would already have bone metastases, whether they are micro- or macro-metastases. Metastatic bone metastasis from breast cancer is mostly osteolytic, with reasons unclear and little in vitro and in vivo studies exploring the osteolytic nature of bone metastasis. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of CTNND1, Catenin (Cadherin-Associated Protein) Delta 1, in the context of bone metastasis of breast cancer.

Materials and Methods:

In order to identify potential genes involved in bone metastasis, we established a novel in vitro model named Bone Matrix Extract (BME) which was extracted from human femur and used to mimic the bone environment. Full profile of gene expression in response to BME was conducted using Ampliseq technology. Potential genes associated with bone metastasis was examined in a clinical breast cohort containing both cancer and normal tissues (n = 103), collected immediately following surgery. Gene transcript levels were quantified using QPCR and analysed against patient's pathological information and clinical outcome. We generated a series of cell models by knocking down and over-expressing one of the most relevant genes, CTNND1, using siRNA, sh-RNA, ribozyme transgenes and insertion of full coding sequence containing plasmids. Function assays including Matrigel based-adhesion, cancer cell-osteobalstic cell contact, proliferation, transwell invasion and migration were used to investigate the changes of biological features after interfering with CTNND1 expression in relation to BME / co-culture models.

Results:

CTNND1 was down regulated in all breast epithelial cells following BME treatment at both mRNA and protein level. From the clinical cohort, we found that compared with benign tissue, breast cancer tissues had significantly decreased CTNND1 transcript expression. Reduced CTNND1 was associated with advanced TNM stage and poor distant metastasis, local recurrence and bone metastasis. We went on to knockdown CTNND1 by siRNA, ribozyme as well as lenti-shCTNND1 transfection in MCF-10A and MDA-231 cells and overexpressed CTNND1 in MCF-7 cells. In vitro study demonstrated that knockdown of CTNND1 expression led to decreased capacity of Matrigel-adhesion, migration and invasion but increased cancer cell-osteobalstic cell adhesion. No effects were observed on cell proliferation after altering CTNND1 expression, in the presence or absence of BME.

Conclusions:

In this initial study on CTNND1 in breast cancer, our current data suggests that lower transcript expression of CTNND1 associates with a poorer patient prognosis. CTNND1 reduction may play a role in the progression of breast cancer bone metastasis.

Citation Format: Gong C, Andrew A, Feng Y, Owen S, Liang G, Davies E, Song E, Jiang W. The potential role of CTNND1 (catenin (cadherin-associated protein), Delta 1) in breast cancer bone metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-01-08.

Abstract P2-07-12: A prognostic prediction nomogram (PDIDC) for breast Paget's disease with infiltrating ductal carcinoma patients: A SEER cohort analysis

Purpose

The aim of the study was to develop a specific nomogram for prediction of prognosis for breast Paget's disease with infiltrating ductal carcinoma (PD-IDC) patients.

Patients and Methods

Patients data were obtained by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program (N=2502). Study outcome was Breast Cancer Specific Survival (BCSS). Cox proportional hazards model was applied to identify risk factors and develop predictive model. For internal validation, discrimination was calculated with the concordance index (C-index) using the bootstrap method and calibration assessed.

Results

NPI classification, skin symptom, tumor site and age showed significant association with BCSS(table.1)and were used to build the PDIDC nomogram and to calculate risk score. PDIDC nomogram's C-index (0.791, 95%CI 0.783-0.818) showed better discrimination power than NPI classification (0.691, 95%CI, 0.650-0.735, P= 0.000) and AJCC staging (0.718, 95%CI, 0.695-0.741, P=0.000). Patients were divided into high-risk (1882/2502, 75.21%) and low-risk (620/2502, 24.78%) subgroups with the optimal cut-off of risk scores (4.28). The total BCSS of low-risk subgroup was 77.8% (95%CI 74.4%-81.4%) vs. 31.1% (95%CI 19.4-49.8) of high-risk group (P=0.000). Bootstrap internal validation demonstrated an average C-index of 0.739 (95% CI, 0.692-0.746). The nomogram calibration was validated to be accurate in predicting 5-year and 10-year survival.

Variable finally selected for risk predicted model.PredictorHazard RatioP Value95% CINPI classification Good1 Moderate2.170.0001.51-3.14Poor7.260.0004.96-10.63Skin symptom Without1 With1.760.0001.34-2.32Tumor site Centrally located1 Non-centrally located1.250.0421.07-1.56Age*1.010.0001.01-1.03* Continuous variable.

Conclusion

Utilizing NPI classification, skin symptom, tumor site and age, we developed the PDIDC nomogram to predict the 5-year and 10-year BCSS of breast PD-IDC patients.

Citation Format: Tan L, Chen K, Jiang WG, You N, Wang Y, Sanders A, Liang G, Liu Z, Ling Y, Zhong W, Tian Z, Gong C. A prognostic prediction nomogram (PDIDC) for breast Paget's disease with infiltrating ductal carcinoma patients: A SEER cohort analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-07-12.

Parent Artery Reconstruction for Large or Giant Cerebral Aneurysms Using the Tubridge Flow Diverter: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial (PARAT)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although flow diverters have been reported with favorable clinical and angiographic outcomes in various literatures, randomized trials determining their true effectiveness and safety are still in lack. The Parent Artery Reconstruction for Large or Giant Cerebral Aneurysms Using the Tubridge Flow Diverter (PARAT) trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Tubridge flow diverter in the treatment of large or giant aneurysms in comparison with Enterprise stent-assisted coiling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, multicenter, randomized trial was conducted at 12 hospitals throughout China. Enrolled adults with unruptured large/giant intracranial aneurysms were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either Enterprise stent-assisted coiling or Tubridge flow diverter implantation. The primary end point was complete occlusion at 6-month follow-up, while secondary end points included technical success, mortality, target vessel-related stroke, aneurysm bleeding, in-stent stenosis, parent artery occlusion, and the frequency of all adverse events.

RESULTS

Among 185 enrolled subjects, 41 withdrew before procedure initiation. Overall, 82 subjects underwent Tubridge implantation, and 62 subjects were primarily treated with stent-assisted coiling. The results of 6-month follow-up imaging included complete occlusion rates of 75.34% versus 24.53% for the Tubridge and stent-assisted coiling groups, respectively, with a calculated common odds ratio of 9.4 (95% confidence interval, 4.14-21.38; P < .001). There was a higher, nonsignificant frequency of complications for Tubridge subjects. Multivariate analysis showed a decreased stroke rate at the primary investigational site, with a marginal P value (P = .051).

CONCLUSIONS

This trial showed an obviously higher rate of large and giant aneurysm obliteration with the Tubridge FD over Enterprise stent-assisted coiling. However, this higher obliteration rate came at the cost of a nonsignificantly higher rate of complications. Investigational site comparisons suggested that a learning curve for flow-diverter implantation should be recognized and factored into trial designs.

S100β in newborns after C-section with general vs. epidural anesthesia: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Preclinical evidence suggests that general anesthetics can dose dependently induce neurodegeneration in the developing brains of animals which can be reliably determined by measurement of blood S100β, but this correlation remains unclear in humans. We hypothesized that S100β would not be increased in cord arterial blood of fetuses exposed briefly to general anesthetics during a C-section, compared with epidural anesthesia.

METHODS

A prospective observational clinical study comparatively measured changes of brain damage biomarker S100β ratio of umbilical artery over vein (changes after fetus circulation) immediately after delivery under C-section with either epidural or general anesthesia. Newborn blood gas measurements, APGAR scores, and maternal well-being were also compared.

RESULTS

Compared with epidural anesthesia, general anesthesia resulted in the lower S100β ratio of umbilical artery over the vein (medium 2.64 [quartiles 1.39, 3.45] vs. medium 1.59 [quartiles 0.88, 2.01], P = 0.031), without changing the S100β level in the vein of the mother. There was no significant difference between general and epidural anesthesia when comparing other maternal and newborn parameters.

CONCLUSION

S100β levels in newborn after C-section is lower with general anesthesia than epidural anesthesia, with unclear mechanisms.

DNA methylation aberrancies delineate clinically distinct subsets of colorectal cancer and provide novel targets for epigenetic therapies

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a worldwide health concern with respect to both incidence and mortality, and as a result, CRC tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis have been heavily studied, especially with respect to identifying genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of disease. DNA methylation alterations are hallmarks of CRC, and epigenetic driver genes have been identified that are thought to be involved in early stages of tumorigenesis. Moreover, distinct CRC patient subgroups are organized based on DNA methylation profiles. CRC tumors displaying CpG island methylator phenotypes (CIMPs), defined as DNA hypermethylation at specific CpG islands in subsets of tumors, show high concordance with specific genetic alterations, disease risk factors and patient outcome. This review details the DNA methylation alterations in CRC, the significance of CIMP status, the development of treatments based on specific molecular profiles and the application of epigenetic therapies for CRC patient treatment.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A review and meta-analysis of prophylaxis management

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation during or after chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer has become a remarkable clinical problem. Prophylactic nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are recommended for patients with breast cancer who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive before chemotherapy. We performed an up-to-date meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of prophylactic lamivudine use with nonprophylaxis in HBsAg-positive breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. PubMed, the Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were searched for relevant articles until June 2016. Eligible articles comparing the efficacy of prophylactic lamivudine use with nonprophylaxis in HBsAg-positive breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were identified. Eight studies which had enrolled 709 HBsAg-positive breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were analysed. Lamivudine prophylaxis significantly reduced the rates of chemotherapy-associated hepatitis B flares in chronic hepatitis B in breast cancer compared with patients with nonprophylaxis (odds ratio [OR]=0.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.07-0.35, P<.00001). Chemotherapy disruption rates attributed to HBV reactivation in the prophylaxis groups were significantly lower than the nonprophylaxis groups (OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.07-0.43, P=.0002). Patients with lamivudine prophylaxis had a higher risk for tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) motif mutations than patients with nonprophylaxis (OR=6.33, 95% CI: 1.01-39.60, P=.05). Prophylactic antiviral therapy management is necessary for HBsAg-positive breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, in spite of high correlation with lamivudine-resistant HBV variants with YMDD motif mutations.

[Polymorphism analysis of MTHFR，BMPR1B and TYMS in microtia]

Objective:To explore the relationship between MTHFR，BMPR1B and TYMS polymorphism and congenitial microtia in Chinese Han population.Method:A total of 180 microtia patients and 141 healthy participants were enrolled in this study.The genotyping of MTHFR rs4846049, BMPR1B rs1434536 and TYMS rs2790 of the participants were examined with multiple PCR. Frequencies and allele distribution of MTHFR rs4846049,BMPR1B rs1434536 and TYMS rs2790 between cases and control were analyzed with Chi-square test. Result:The genotype frequency distribution of TYMS rs27901 polymorphism was significantly different between two groups(P<0.05).Furthermore, gender stratified analysis showed that TYMS rs2790 polymorphism mainly increase the risks of congenitial microtia in male(P<0.05).Compared with AA genotype,the mircotia risks of subjects with AG GG AG+GG raised to 1.93, 3.23 and 2.10 times,respectively(95%CI:1.07-3.48、1.12-9.33 and 1.20-3.68).However,there was no relationship between MTHFR rs4846049, BMPR1B rs1434536 and microtia. Conclusion:The TYMS rs2790 polymorphism may be a risk factor of microtia in male.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) therapy attenuates left ventricular dysfunction and metabolic disturbance by improving FGF21 sensitivity, cardiac mitochondrial redox homoeostasis and structural changes in pre-diabetic rats

AIMS

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) acts as a metabolic regulator and exerts cardioprotective effects. However, the effects of long-term FGF21 administration on the heart under the FGF21-resistant condition in obese, insulin-resistant rats have not been investigated. We hypothesized that long-term FGF21 administration reduces FGF21 resistance and insulin resistance and attenuates cardiac dysfunction in obese, insulin-resistant rats.

METHODS

Eighteen rats were fed on either a normal diet (n = 6) or a high-fat diet (HFD; n = 12) for 12 weeks. Then, rats in the HFD group were divided into two subgroups (n = 6 per subgroup) and received either the vehicle (HFV) or recombinant human FGF21 (rhFGF21, 0.1 mg kg(-1)  day(-1) ; HFF) injected intraperitoneally for 28 days. The metabolic parameters, inflammation, malondialdehyde (MDA), heart rate variability (HRV), left ventricular (LV) function, cardiac mitochondrial redox homoeostasis, cardiac mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) and anti-apoptotic signalling pathways were determined.

RESULTS

HFV rats had increased dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, plasma FGF21 levels, TNF-α, adiponectin and MDA, depressed HRV, and impaired LV and mitochondrial function. HFV rats also had decreased cardiac Bcl-2, cardiac PGC-1α and CPT-1 protein expression. However, FGF21 restored metabolic parameters, decreased TNF-α and MDA, increased serum adiponectin, and improved HRV, cardiac mitochondrial and LV function in HFF rats. Moreover, HFF rats had increased cardiac Bcl-2, cardiac PGC-1α and CPT-1 protein expression.

CONCLUSION

Long-term FGF21 therapy attenuates FGF21 resistance and insulin resistance and exerts cardioprotection by improving cardiometabolic regulation via activating anti-apoptotic and cardiac mitochondrial FAO signalling pathways in obese, insulin-resistant rats.