[Clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis analysis of gray zone lymphoma]

To explore the clinical and pathological characteristics as well as therapies and prognosis of gray zone lymphoma (GZL). The clinical data of 10 GZL patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from December 2016 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. The clinical and pathological characteristics, therapies and prognosis were analyzed. The cut-off time for follow-up visits was December 31, 2022, and the median time for follow-up visits [M(Q1, Q3)] was 40.0 (28.3, 59.8) months. Treatment efficacy was divided into complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD).　There were 6 males and 4 females, with a median age [M(Q1, Q3)] of 33.5 (27.3-39.5) years. Among them, 8 patients had mediastinal (thymus) involvement and 7 patients were accompanied with extranodal involvement. According to Ann Arbor staging, 1 case was in the limited stage and 9 cases were in the progressive stage. The immunophenotypes of 4 patients were strong expression of CD20, expression of CD30, and no expression of CD15. The immunophenotypes of 6 patients were unequal expression of CD20 and strong expression of CD30 and CD15. One patient received classical hodgkin lymphoma(cHL)-like immunochemotherapy and only achieved PR, and then received enhanced diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-like immunochemotherapy to achieve CR. Five patients received enhanced DLBCL-like immunochemotherapy for induction therapy and achieved CR. All 4 patients who did not achieve CR achieved CR after receiving second-line or third-line salvage therapy. All patients were given autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for consolidation therapy. One patient relapsed and died during the follow-up visit in the 33rd month, and the remaining patients currently maintained a state of sustained remission. It is found that GZL mostly occurs in young patients, mediastinal involvement is common, and diagnosis relies on pathological morphology and immunophenotype. GZL may be more sensitive to DLBCL-like intensive immune regimens. Sequential ASCT for consolidation can reduce the risk of relapse.

Localization of CgVPE1 in secondary cell wall formation during tracheary element differentiation in the pericarp of Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa' fruits

CgVPE1 is important in the differentiation of TE cells in C. grandis 'Tomentosa' fruits as it may directly affects secondary cell wall construction while participating in PCD. The vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE) plays an important role in both developmental and environmentally inducible programmed cell death (PCD); it was originally identified as a cysteine protease localized in the vacuole to activate and mature vacuolar proteins in plants. Interestingly, we found a VPE called CgVPE1 to be associated with deposition of the secondary cell wall in tracheary element (TE) cells in the pericarp of Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa' fruits. We then used ultrathin sections and the TUNEL assay to verify that PCD is involved in TE development. Furthermore, CgVPE1 was found to be mainly expressed in secretory cavities and TEs in the pericarp of Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa' fruits. Immunolocalization of CgVPE1 in the pericarp indicated that CgVPE1 is mainly distributed in the central large vacuole, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi vesicles, cytosol, and secondary wall before TE maturation. CgVPE1 appeared earlier in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi vesicles of TEs cells. The vesicles containing CgVPE1 near the large central vacuole and secondary wall were observed, respectively. CgVPE1 proteins content in the cytoplasm decreased sharply, while the CgVPE1 content in the secondary cell wall did not change significantly after vacuole rupture. CgVPE1 protein contents in the secondary cell wall were significantly reduced until the TE cells developed into hollow thick-walled cells. Furthermore, labeling of VPE homologues in Arabidopsis thaliana using immunoelectron microscopy with anti-CgVPE1 antibody revealed that VPE homologues were specifically distributed in the secondary cell wall of stem TEs. Overall, these results suggested that CgVPE1 is not only involved PCD during TE cell development; furthermore, it may directly participate in the construction of plant secondary cell walls.

[The influence of molecular classification in the selection of postoperative adjuvant therapy in endometrial carcinoma]

Objective: To study the value of molecular classification in postoperative adjuvant therapy for endometrial carcinoma (EC). Methods: Patients with stage Ⅰ EC who underwent surgical-pathological staging surgery and molecular classification in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2020 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The influence of different molecular types of EC on postoperative adjuvant therapy were studied. Results: The age of the 196 patients was (55.1±10.2) years old, and the body mess index (BMI) was (26.0±3.9) kg/m². Molecular classification was performed in 196 stage ⅠEC patients, identifying the 4 subgroups: POLE mutation (POLEmut, n=19, 9.7%), mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR, n=28, 14.3%), no-specific molecular profile (NSMP, n=142, 72.4%) and p53 mutation (p53abn, n=7, 3.6%). Molecular classification was one of the influencing factors on the selection of postoperative adjuvant therapy for EC patients (P=0.003). POLEmut, dMMR and NSMP subtypes were not the variables in selecting radiotherapy or combined chemo-radiotherapy postoperatively. p53abn subtype was not the influencer for radiotherapy, however, it may contribute to the selection of combined chemo-radiotherapy postoperatively (P<0.001). Conclusion: The p53abn subtype in the molecular classification is an influencing factor in the selection of combined chemo-radiotherapy for EC patients postoperatively.

[Application and Inspiration of Information System used in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of America]

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of America has been running for more than 60 years and has achieved many significant achievements with international influence. The application of modern information technologies in NHANES provides a supplementary tool for the project's high quality and refined implementation. This paper introduces the information system of NHANES from seven aspects: project management, survey participant interview, physical examination, laboratory examination, field follow-up, data sharing, and social services. The construction and application prospects of the China National Health Survey Information System, suitable for China's native conditions, are also discussed in this article.

CgPBA1 may be involved in nuclear degradation during secretory cavity formation by programmed cell death in Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa' fruits

Caspase-3 is the crucial executor caspase of apoptosis in mammalian cells, which is essential for chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. Although plants have no caspase-3 homologs, PBA1 acts as a plant caspase-3-like enzyme in plant programmed cell death (PCD). PCD occurs during the formation of secretory cavities in Citrus fruits; hence, secretory cavities could be utilized as a new cell biology model for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of plant PCD. To further study the association between PBA1 and PCD during secretory cavity development in Citrus fruits, CgPBA1 was identified in the fruit of Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa'. The temporal and spatial expression of CgPBA1 during secretory cavity development were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and in situ hybridization, and the morphological changes in the apoptotic cell nuclei were observed using TUNEL assay and ultra-thin section technology. The results revealed that the full-length cDNA of CgPBA1 contains a 711 bp ORF that encodes a putative protein containing 236 amino acid with a proteasome-β-6 functional domain that belongs to the Ntn hydrolase super family. CgPBA1 was predominantly expressed in the secretory cavities; its expression changes coincided with the morphological changes and DNA fragmentation in apoptotic cell nuclei. The green fluorescent fusion protein of CgPBA1 is also located in the nucleus of tobacco epidermal cells. Based on previous research and the findings of the present study, we speculate that CgPBA1 is a highly functional conserved protein in plants, and it might be involved in nuclear degradation during PCD for secretory cavity formation in C. grandis 'Tomentosa' fruits.

[Value of histopathological growth pattern in predicting 3-year progression free survival after operation in patients with liver metastasis of colorectal cancer]

Objectives: To investigate the value of histopathological growth patterns (HGP) in predicting the 3-year progression free survival (PFS) after resection the liver metastasis from patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: The clinicopathological data of the 111 patients with liver metastasis of colorectal cancer diagnosed at Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China from January 2007 to January 2017 were analyzed. After excluding the patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria, a total of 80 patients were analyzed. According to the international expert consensus on HGP, the HGP types of liver metastasis were evaluated. The correlation between HGP and other clinicopathological factors was analyzed using χ² or Fisher test. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to examine 3-year PFS in the patients with liver metastasis of colorectal cancer by HGP. The independent risk factors of 3-year post-resection PFS were determined using univariable and multivariable analyses. Results: A total of 80 cases were analyzed, including 43 cases of desmoplastic type (54%), 32 cases of replacement type (40%), 3 cases of pushing type (4%), and 2 cases of mixed type (2%). There was no correlation of HGP with age, gender, time of metastasis, tumor burden, histological grade, mucous differentiation or microsatellite instability. The 3-year post-resection PFS of the patients with desmoplastic type was significantly longer than that of patients with replacement type. The univariable and multivariable analyses showed that HGP was an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions: The HGP of colorectal cancer metastases to the liver mainly present as desmoplastic and replacement types. HGP is an independent prognostic factor for the patients with liver metastasis of colorectal cancer after resection of the metastasis. Therefore, HGP should be clearly indicated in the pathological report to help guide clinical treatments.

[Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium in Han and Yugur populations in Gansu Province, China]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of pterygium in Han and Yugur populations aged 40-79 years in Gansu Province, China. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A multistage cluster sampling method with urbanization level-based stratification was employed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors of pterygium. Results: A total of 4 193 people (1 840 males, 2 353 females; 3 035 Hans, 1 158 Yugurs) aged over 40 in Gansu Province were included in the study. Among them, 391 patients (9.3%) were found to have pterygium. The prevalence of pterygium adjusted for age and sex was 9.3%. The prevalence rates of Han and Yugur participants were 8.8% (267 patients) and 10.7% (124 patients), respectively, and there was no significant difference between them (χ²=3.629, P=0.057). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the risk factors of pterygium included age (OR=3.66, 95%CI: 2.26-5.92), length of residence in the countryside (OR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.41-3.38), and education level (OR=0.49, 95%CI: 0.29-0.83). In the Han group, the risk factors of pterygium were age (OR=3.84, 95%CI: 2.18-6.78) and length of rural residence (OR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.23-3.33), and a higher level of education (OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.20-0.66) was a protective factor. Older age (OR=3.11, 95%CI: 1.13-8.59) and rural residential length ratio (OR=3.28, 95%CI: 1.09-9.88) were risk factors for pterygium in Yugur population. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of pterygium in Han and Yugur populations aged over 40 in Gansu Province, China was 9.3%, with no significant difference between the two nationalities. Older age and rural residency increased the incidence of pterygium, and a higher education level was a protective factor for pterygium.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56:600-607).

[A multicenter randomized prospective study of concurrent chemoradiation with 60 Gy versus 50 Gy for inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To determine whether 60 Gy is superior to standard 50 Gy for definitive concurrent chemoradiation(CCRT) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) using modern radiation technology in a phase Ⅲ prospective randomized trial. Methods: From April 2013 to May 2017, 331 patients from 22 hospitals who were pathologically confirmed with stage ⅢA-ⅣA ESCC were randomized to 60 Gy or 50 Gy with random number table. Total of 305 patients were analyzed, including 152 in 60 Gy group and 153 in 50 Gy group. The median age was 63 years, 242(79.3%) males and 63(20.7%) females. The median length of primary tumor was 5.6 cm. The clinical characteristics between two groups were comparable. All patients were delivered 2 Gy per fraction, 5 fractions per week. Concurrent weekly chemotherapy with docetaxel (25 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (25 mg/m(2)) and 2 cycles consolidation chemotherapy with docetaxel (70 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (25 mg/m(2), d1-3) were administrated. The primary endpoint was local/regional progression-free survival (LRPFS). The data were compared with Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Results: At a median follow-up of 27.3 months, the disease progression rate was 37.5% (57/152), 43.8% (67/153) in the high and standard-dose group, respectively (χ(2)=1.251, P=0.263). The 1, 2, 3-year LRPFS rate was 75.4%, 56.8%, 52.1% and 74.2%, 58.4%, 50.1%, respectively (HR: 0.95, 95%CI: 0.69-1.31, P=0.761). The 1, 2, 3-year overall survival rate was 84.1%, 64.8%, 54.1% and 85.4%, 62.9%, 54.0%, respectively (HR: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.71-1.38, P=0.927). The 1, 2, 3-year progression-free survival rate was 70.8%, 54.2%, 48.5% and 65.5%, 51.9%, 45.1%, respectively (HR: 0.93, 95%CI: 0.68-1.26, P=0.621). The incidence rates in toxicities between the two groups were similar except for higher rate of severe pneumonitis in high dose group (χ(2)=11.596, P=0.021). Conclusions: The efficacy in disease control is similar between 60 Gy and 50 Gy using modern radiation technology concurrent with chemotherapy for ESCC. The 50 Gy should be recommended as the regular radiation dose with CCRT for ESCC.

[Association between socioeconomic status and overweight/obesity in Yi people, Sichuan province]

Objective: To explore the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and overweight/obesity in Yi people in Sichuan province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in 2015. Stratified cluster sampling method was used to enroll Yi farmers and rural-to-urban Yi migrants aged 20-80 years. SES was measured by education level, personal annual income, and compound SES index. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to determine the association between SES and overweight/obesity (BMI≥24.0 kg/m(2)). Results: 1 894 Yi farmers and 1 162 rural-to urban migrants were included in the analysis. After adjustment for age, smoking, drinking and physical activity, compared with illiteracy, OR for farmer males with higher education level (primary or junior school, senior high school or higher) were 1.71 (95%CI: 1.13-2.58) and 4.15 (95%CI: 2.10-8.22). Compared with lower income group (<5 000 CNY/y), the higher income group had increased risk (OR=1.66, 95%CI: 1.12-2.44). For farmer males with medium and high SES level, the risk of overweight/obesity were 1.65 (95%CI: 1.02-2.67) and 3.26 (95%CI: 1.97-5.42) compared with low level of SES. For farmer females, the risk increased with the higher income, with OR as 1.49 (95%CI: 1.10-2.02). Compared with low SES level, farmer females with medium level of SES was associated with 1.47 (95%CI: 1.11-1.95) times higher risk of overweight/obesity. In Yi migrants, the association between SES and overweight/obesity was not found. Conclusion: Socioeconomic status was positively associated with overweight/obesity only in Yi farmers.

[Clinicopathological study of SET subtype of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and significance of solid, endometrioid and transitional (SET) ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). Methods: A total of 408 cases of ovarian HGSC admitted to Peking University People's Hospital from January 2011 to September 2016 were collected. (1) According to the proportion of tumors with SET form in all tumors, they were divided into three groups: HGSC-classic group (<25%), HGSC-SET Ⅰ (25%-50%) and HGSC-SET Ⅱ (>50%) group. The clinical and pathological characteristics of three groups of ovarian HGSC patients were compared respectively. (2) According to the growth pattern, that was, the proportion of pushing/expanding invasive tumors in the whole pelvic disseminated tumors of pelvic disseminated tumors, the three groups were divided into four subgroups: group A (0-25%), group B (26%-50%), group C (51%-75%) and group D (>75%). Differences in progression-free survival (PFS) among the four subgroups in each group were compared respectively. Results: The median age of 408 cases with ovarian HGSC was 63.3 years (47-78 years), including 152 cases premenopausal and 256 cases postmenopausal. Among 408 cases of ovarian HGSC, 290 cases were in HGSC-classic group, 91 cases in HGSC-SET Ⅰ and 27 cases in HGSC-SET Ⅱ group. (1) There were significant differences in age, proportion of menopausal patients, tumor necrosis (including map necrosis or acne necrosis), response rate to primary chemotherapy, 5-year mortality rate and PFS between HGSC-SET Ⅰ and HGSC-SET Ⅱ (P<0.05). There was no significant difference among the above indexes between HGSC-SET Ⅰ and HGSC-SET Ⅱ (P>0.05). In HGSC-classic group, HGSC-SET Ⅰ and HGSC-SET Ⅱ, the proportion of family members or patients with history of epithelial ovarian cancer or breast cancer increased in turn, and the detection rate of serous tutal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) in fallopian tube tissue decreased in turn. There were significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). (2) In HGSC-classic group, there were 147 cases in group A, 124 cases in group B and 19 cases in group C (0 case in group D), with median PFS of 17.4, 17.7 and 16.5 months respectively (P<0.05); 10, 6, 29 and 46 cases in group A, B, C and D in HGSC-SET Ⅰ, with median PFS of 9.6, 12.7, 30.1 months and 39.0 months respectively, which there were significant difference among group A and C and D (all P<0.05); among group B, C and D group in HGSC-SET Ⅱ, there were respectively 3, 12 and 12 cases (0 case in group A), and the median PFS was 13.5, 34.2 and 47.8 months (P<0.05). PFS was positively correlated with the increase of push/expansive infiltration ratio. Conclusions: The detection rate of STIC in ovarian HGSC patients with SET is higher, the effect of primary chemotherapy is better, and PFS is prolonged. PFS was significantly prolonged in patients with pelvic disseminated tumors of HGSC-SET, the infiltration of which were predominated by pushing or expanding boarder.

[Bone remodeling in patients with juvenile condylar resorption after stabilization splint treatment]

Objective: To investigate bone remodeling in patients with different types of juvenile condylar resorption after stabilization splint treatment using cone-beam CT (CBCT). Methods: Fifty-nine juvenile condylar resorption patients (114 sides of condyle) treated with stabilization splint from January 2012 to May 2018 in Department of Temporomandibular Joint, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were selected as splint group, while twenty-four patients (48 sides of condyle) who underwent natural remodeling without stabilization splint treatment after 6-12 months were severed as control group. Pre-and post-treatment CBCT was taken for all patients. There were three types of condyles (including type Ⅰ, type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ) before treatment and four types of condyles (including progression, no changes, stable without new bone and remodeled with new bone) after treatment. Progression and no change were considered as poor curative effect, and stable without new bone and remodeled with new bone were considered to be effective. The vertical distance of the condylar height was measured and compared before and after treatment in the two groups. Results: Significant difference in treatment outcome was found in types Ⅰ and Ⅱ between the splint group and the control group (Z=-2.874, P=0.004; Z=-3.874, P=0.000), and no significant difference was found in type Ⅲ between the two groups (Z=-0.617, P=0.537). The difference of condylar progression percentage [splint group: 43% (15/35), control group: 80% (16/20)] was statistically significant between the two groups in type Ⅱ (χ(2)=7.139, P=0.011), and no significant difference was found in types Ⅰ and Ⅲ between the two groups (χ(2)=0.103, P=0.748; χ(2)=1.249, P=0.540). In two groups, the condylar height difference before and after treatment in type Ⅱ condylar resorption was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: Stabilization splint treatment was effective in patients with different types of juvenile condylar resorption, especially in type Ⅰ. However, it was difficult to reverse the height reduction of the condylar bone regardless of treatment.

[Characteristics of non-marital and non-commercial heterosexual transmission of HIV infection in Miao-Dong Autonomous prefecture of Qiandongnan]

Objective: The goal of this research was to understand the demographic distribution and related factors of non-marital and non-commercial heterosexual transmission (non-commercial transmission) for HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Methods: Data related to HIV/AIDS infected by non-marital heterosexual transmission and whose present address was in Qian Dongnan, were collected from Information System on the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control. Information included demographic characteristics, the members of non-marital sex partners, transmission path, detection source, CD4(+)T lymphocyte level, et al. cases belong to homosexual history, injective drug use or non-classified non-marital heterosexuality transmission were excluded, totally collect HIV/AIDS 919 cases. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze potential factors associated with non-marital and non-commercial heterosexual transmission. In addition, in March and June 2017, using a convenience sampling, we conducted one-to-one interviews among 10 HIV/AIDS who were infected by non-marital heterosexuality and had non-marital and non-commercial heterosexual experience in Kaili Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The content of the interview included basic information, sexual orientation, the main place of making friends and sexual behavior, attitude to commercial heterosexuality and non-martial and non-commercial heterosexuality and so on. Results: Out of the 919 cases, 645 (70.2%) were male, the proportion of non-commercial transmission was 55.06% (506). The proportion of female HIV/AIDS with non-commercial transmission was 84.7% (232), which was higher than male (42.5%(274)) (χ(2)=138.35, P<0.001). The proportion of Han HIV/AIDS with non-commercial transmission was 61.5% (275), which was higher than other religion (52.2%(412)) (χ(2)=6.32, P=0.012). The proportion of HIV/AIDS with non-commercial transmission who had 0-5 non-marital sexual partners was 58.8% (498), which was higher than who had>5 non-marital sexual partners (11.1%(8)) (χ(2)=61.10, P<0.001). The proportion of HIV/AIDS with non-commercial transmission who lived mobile was 72.9% (94), which was higher than who lived fixedly (52.2%(412)) (χ(2)=19.34, P<0.001). Qualitative interviews results revealed that the age of the respondents were 22-69. Respondents whose ages are in 22-34 were more likely to use mobile phone (4/10) and respondents whose ages are in 35-69 were less likely to look partners through party and the context of working. Conclusion: The proportion of cases being infected by non-marital and non-commercial heterosexual transmission in Qian dongnan was higher than general national levels. The characteristics of sex, marriage status, migration, vocation, the members of non-marital sex partners were significant differed between commercial heterosexual transmission and non-marital and non-commercial heterosexual transmission.

[Influence of sociocultural factors on HIV transmission among men who have sex with men: a qualitative study]

Objective: To understand how social and cultural factors influence sexual perceptions, sexual practices, and HIV transmission among men who have sex with men at selected sites in China. Methods: Qualitative methodology was used and face to face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted from April 2013 to October 2015 in Sichuan, Jiangxi, Henan, Heilongjiang provinces and Chongqing municipality of China. Results: A total of 184 men who have sex with men participated in the interviews. Forty-eight originated from Henan Province, and 12, 50, 47, and 27 from Jiangxi, Heilongjiang, Sichuan provinces and Chongqing municipality, respectively. A total of 122 participants(66.3%)were under 30 years of age, 111 were college graduates(61.3%), 140 were unmarried(76.5%), and 74 were HIV positive(40.2%). Among interviewees, 6%(11 MSM)were employed at nongovernmental organizations. The main findings revealed that: Owing to sociocultural influences and social norms, most homosexual men concealed their sexual orientation and married females so as to fulfill their family obligation; this may encourage HIV transmission from a high-risk population to the general population; the main features of male homosexual behaviors, as well as those of the associated community and subculture, included hedonism, less concern about health, drug abuse, encouraging of high risk behaviors among men who have sex with men, and negative attitudes regarding HIV prevention; subgroups among MSM were found to have differential HIV transmission risk behaviors, with young men more vulnerable to infection with HIV. Conclusion: Sociocultural factors, including external socioenvironmental circumstances and internal MSM community subcultures, have adverse impacts on HIV transmission among men who have sex with men. Because there were varied behavior modes and HIV transmission risks among MSM subgroups, further study focusing on MSM subgroups is imperative, to provide a basis for more targeted and effective prevention strategies.

MiR-4673 Modulates Paclitaxel-Induced Oxidative Stress and Loss of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential by Targeting 8-Oxoguanine-DNA Glycosylase-1

BACKGROUND

Our previous study identified a novel microRNA, miR-4673, which is upregulated in A549 cells exposed to paclitaxel (PTX). In this study, we investigated the role of miR-4673 in PTX-induced cytotoxicity.

METHODS

3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, apoptosis assay, 5,5',6,6'-Tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) staining and 2',7'-Dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) staining were used to evaluate cell viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in A549 and H1299 cells. Bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase reporter assay were used to explore whether 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1) is a target gene of miR-4673.

RESULTS

Enforced expression of miR-4673 decreased cell viability and increased PTX-induced apoptosis, MMP loss and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in A549 and H1299 cells. Bioinformatics analysis, which was used to identify potential target of miR-4673, revealed a binding site of miR-4673 in 3'UTR of OGG1. Luciferase reporters assays showed that miR-4673 specifically binds to 'CUGUUGA' in 3'UTR of OGG1. Enforced expression of miR-4673 decreased accumulation of OGG1. In addition, silencing OGG1 enhanced inhibitory effects of PTX on apoptosis, MMP loss and ROS generation, which is similar to effects of miR-4673. Moreover, enforced expression of OGG1 compromised promoting effects of miR-4673 on PTX-induced apoptosis, MMP loss and ROS generation.

CONCLUSION

miR-4673 modulates PTX-induced apoptosis, MMP loss and ROS generation by targeting OGG1.

[Quality of life and its related factors among HIV/AIDS patients from HIV serodiscordant couples in Zhoukou of Henan province]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the quality of life and its related factors among HIV/AIDS patients from HIV serodiscordant couples in Zhoukou city of Henan province.

METHODS

During January to May in 2015, by the convenience sample, World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire for Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) (Chinese version) and a self-edited questionnaire were used to investigate 1 251 HIV/AIDS patients who were confirmed with HIV positive by local CDC, registered in"HIV serodiscordant family" and agreed to participate in a face-to-face interview with above 18 year-old based on the local CDC , township hospitals and village clinics of 9 counties and 1 district of Zhoukou city, excluding the HIV/AIDS patients who were in divorce, death by one side, unknowing about his HIV status, with mental illness and disturbance of consciousness, incorrectly understanding the content of the questionnaire, and reluctant to participate in this study. The scores of quality of life of physical, psychological, social relations, and environmental domain were calculated. The related factors of the scores of different domains were analyzed by Multiple Two Classification Unconditioned Logistic Regression.

RESULTS

The scores of investigation objects in the physical, psychological, social relations, and environmental domain were 12.00± 2.02, 12.07 ± 2.07, 11.87 ± 1.99, and 11.09 ± 1.84, respectively. The multiple Unconditioned Logistic Regression analysis indicated that age <40 years, on ART and no other sickness in last two weeks were beneficial factors associated with physical domain with OR (95%CI): 0.61 (0.35-1.06), 0.52 (0.30-0.90), and 1.66 (1.09-2.52), respectively. The possibility of no poverty and no other sickness in last two weeks increased to 0.15(0.09-0.26) and 1.57(1.06-2.33) times of those who was in poverty and with other sickness in last two weeks in physical domain. The possibility of participants who were below 40 years old and with children increased to 0.58 (0.34-0.98) and 0.37 (0.23-0.57) times of who were above 40 years old and without children in psychological domain. The factors of with AIDS related symptoms, no children and with other sickness in last two week were found to be significantly associated with environmental domain with OR (95%CI): 0.65 (0.48-0.88), 0.66 (0.51-0.85), and 0.65 (0.51-0.84), respectively .

CONCLUSION

The scores of every domain of quality of life in HIV serodiscordant couples of Zhoukou city were good. Age, whether having AIDS related symptoms, whether to accept ART , children, status of poverty, and whether suffering from other diseases in last two weeks were the main factors associated with the quality of life.

Bevacizumab in combination with first-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

Bevacizumab plays an important role in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The aim of this study is to assemble current RCTs to analyze efficacy of adding bevacizumab to the most used combination first-line chemotherapy in mCRC patients. PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and Embase were systematically searched. Our primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and secondary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Hazard ratios (HRs) for PFS and OS and risk ratio (RR) for ORR were extracted from each trial. All these above were performed using a random-effects model and statistics was performed in StataSE 12.0. Seven randomized controlled studies aggregating 3264 patients were enrolled in our meta-analysis. OS, PFS and ORR were performed using a random-effects model. A therapeutic effect advantage was showed in Bevacizumab added to first-line chemotherapy with higher OS (HR=0.67; 95% CI=0.61-0.72; P=0.000), PFS (HR=0.67; 95% CI=0.61-0.72; P=0.000) compared with chemotherapy alone. Chemotherapy plus bevacizumab increased ORR (38.42% vs. 33.44%), showing statistically difference (RR=1.17, 95% CI=1.06-1.28, P=0.001). Our meta-analysis shows that the addition of bevacizumab to first-line regimens can be beneficial in terms of OS, PFS and ORR compared with chemotherapy alone.

microRNA-506 regulates proliferation, migration and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting F-spondin 1 (SPON1)

Our previous study indicates microRNA-506 (miR-506) is downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the current study, we investigate the effects of miR-506 on proliferation, migration and invasion in HCC. We report that enforced expression of miR-506 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and suppresses tumor growth in vivo. Conversely, suppression of miR-506 exhibits promoting effects on proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and on tumor growth in vivo. In addition, miR-506 binds to the 3'UTR of F-spondin 1(SPON1), and enforced expression of miR-506 decreases accumulation of SPON1. Moreover, enforced expression of SPON1 and suppression of SPON1 alleviates effects of miR-506 mimics and inhibitors on proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, respectively. In conclusion, microRNA-506 regulates proliferation, migration and invasion in HCC by targeting SPON1.

Five miRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarker candidates for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the development and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC). Despite advances in the field of cancer molecular biology and biomarker discovery, the development of clinically validated biomarkers for primary NPC has remained elusive. In this study, we investigated the expression and clinical significance of miRNAs as novel primary NPC diagnostic biomarkers. We used an array containing 2, 500 miRNAs to identify 22 significant miRNAs, and these candidate miRNAs were validated using 67 fresh NPC and 25 normal control tissues via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Expression and correlation analyses were performed with various statistical approaches, in addition to logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses to evaluate diagnostic efficacy. qRT-PCR revealed five differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-93-5p, miR-135b-5p, miR-205-5p and miR-183-5p) in NPC tissue samples relative to control samples (p<0.05), with miR-135b-5p and miR-205-5p being of significant diagnostic value (p<0.01). Moreover, comparison of NPC patient clinicopathologic data revealed a negative correlation between miR-93-5p and miR- 183-5p expression levels and lymph node status (p<0.05). These findings display an altered expression of many miRNAs in NPC tissues, thus providing information pertinent to pathophysiological and diagnostic research. Ultimately, miR-135b-5p and miR-205-5p may be implicated as novel NPC candidate biomarkers, while miR- 93-5p, miR-650 and miR-183-5p may find application as relevant clinical pathology and diagnostic candidate biomarkers.

FBXO31 promotes cell proliferation, metastasis and invasion in lung cancer

FBXO31 is a member of F-box family which is involved in diverse biological functions and development of disease. Recent reports in breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian cancer demonstrated inhibitory effect of FBXO31 on proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, the function of FBXO31 is not analyzed in lung cancer so far. In this study, we reported that expression of FBXO31 was higher in lung cancer tissues compared with non-cancerous lung tissues, and that higher expression of FBXO31 was significantly associated with tumor size, tumor infiltration, clinical stages and lymph node metastasis. In addition, exogenous expression of FBXO31 promoted cell growth, metastasis and invasion in A549 cells. Conversely, silencing FBXO31 by specific siRNA caused inhibitory effect on cell growth, metastasis and invasion. Moreover, tumorigenicity assays in nude mice showed FBXO31 promoted tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, our data suggest FBXO31 promotes cell proliferation, metastasis and invasion in lung cancer.

Surgery upregulates high mobility group box-1 and disrupts the blood-brain barrier causing cognitive dysfunction in aged rats

AIM

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a growing and largely underestimated problem without defined etiology. Herein, we sought to determine the relationship between cognitive decline, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and inflammation, namely high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), after surgery in aged rats.

METHODS

Aged rats were randomly assigned as surgery group (n = 45, splenectomy under general anesthesia), anesthesia (n = 45, 2% isoflurane for 2 h), and naïve control (n = 15). Markers of inflammation were measured in plasma and brain. Blood-brain barrier ultrastructure and permeability were measured by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and IgG immunohistochemistry. Cognitive function was assessed in a reversal learning version of the Morris water maze (MWM).

RESULTS

Surgical trauma under general anesthesia caused distinct changes in systemic and central proinflammatory cytokines. Levels of HMGB1 and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) were significantly upregulated in the hippocampus of operated animals. Immunohistochemistry and TEM showed BBB disruption induced by surgery and anesthesia. These molecular changes were associated with cognitive impairment in latency with the MWM up to postoperative day 3.

CONCLUSIONS

HMGB1 and RAGE signaling appear pivotal mediators of surgery-induced cognitive decline and may contribute to the changes in BBB permeability after peripheral surgical trauma.

[Early morphological changes in the mouse testis induced by 5-fluorouracil]

OBJECTIVE

To propose a simple and practical method for preparing a mouse model of oligo-astheno-terato-spermia/azoospermia, and to offer a methodological suggestion for the studies on the related mechanism of spermatogenesis and evaluation of medication efficacy by observing the early changes of testis morphology after 5-fluorouracil treatment.

METHODS

Mice were injected with a single dose of 5-flourouracil at 250 mg/kg via the tail vein, and their testes were harvested and paraffin sections prepared before and 3, 7, 11 and 14 d after the injection to be observed for the morphological changes by hematoxylin and eosin staining.

RESULTS

The numbers of spermatocytes/spermatids were progressively reduced inside the testis seminiferous tubules of the mice at 3, 7 and 11 d after the 5-fluorouracil injection, and the tubule walls became thinner, which reached the nadir at 11 d, with evident swelling and crazing of the seminiferous tubules. At 14 d, the swelling almost disappeared and spermatocytes became repopulated, while the flaws still existed in the seminiferous tubules and no mature sperm were seen.

CONCLUSION

One-dose injection of 5-fluorouracil via the tail vein might be a simple and effective method for preparing the animal model of reproductive function damage induced by chemotherapeutic medication.

Expression of ATP sensitive K+ channel subunit Kir6.1 in rat kidney

ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels in kidney are considered to play roles in regulating membrane potential during the change in intracellular ATP concentration. They are composed of channel subunits (Kir6.1, Kir6.2), which are members of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel family, and sulphonylurea receptors (SUR1, SUR2A and SUR2B), which belong to the ATP-binding cassette superfamily. In the present study, we have investigated the expression and localization of Kir6.1 in rat kidney with Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization histochemistry, and immunoelectron microscopy. Western blot analysis showed that Kir6.1 was expressed in the mitochondria and microsome fractions of rat kidney and very weakly in the membrane fractions. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Kir6.1 was widely distributed in renal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular mesangial cells, and smooth muscles of blood vessels. In immunoelectron microscopy, Kir6.1 is mainly localized in the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and very weakly in cell membranes. Thus, Kir6.1 is contained in the kidney and may be a candidate of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels.

Neutrino-lepton masses, Zee scalars, and muon g-2

Evidence for neutrino oscillations points to the existence of tiny but finite neutrino masses. Such masses may be naturally generated via radiative corrections in models, such as the Zee model, where a singlet Zee scalar plays a key role. We minimally extend the Zee model by including a right-handed singlet neutrino nu(R). The radiative Zee mechanism can be protected by a simple U(1)(X) symmetry involving only the nu(R) and a Zee scalar. We further construct a class of models with a single horizontal U(1)(FN) (à la Froggatt-Nielsen) such that the mass patterns of the neutrinos and leptons are naturally explained. We then analyze the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g(mu)-2) and the flavor changing mu-->egamma decay. The nu(R) interaction in our minimal extension is found to induce the BNL g(mu)-2 anomaly, with a light charged Zee scalar of mass 100-300 GeV.

[Fusion and expression of the gene encoding human Mn-SOD to anti-CEA single-chain antibody in Escherichia coli]

The gene encoding human manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) was fused to anti-carcinoembryonic antigen single-chain antibody gene to construct the fusion gene, then was ligated into prokaryotic expression vector pET-22b(+), The fusion gene was expressed in E. coli at high level, accounting for 24% of the total bacteria soluble protein; and was characterized by SDS-PAGE and Western-blot analysis; the expression product had the CEA-binding ability in RIA, and also had the SOD activity by pyrogallol autoxidation assay. So, the Mn-SOD moiety retains substantial enzymatic activity, where the ScFv moiety can deliver the fusion protein to tumor, Mn-SOD is a potential tumor-suppressor gene, maybe the fusion protein can provide a new pathway to tumor therapy.

Gender dimorphism of axons in the human lateral corticospinal tract

Axons in the lateral corticospinal tract (LCST) were analyzed morphometrically on 37 cadavers (24 males and 13 females). The results revealed gender differences at the first lumbar cord level. Whereas the shape of the axons showed small differences (they were slightly more circular in males than in females), significant differences regarding the average area and diameter were found for the first time: these showed significant reduction with age in the case of males, but not in the case of females.

Morphometric analysis of the human cervical motoneurons in the aging process

We examined 12 human cervical spinal cords to study the numbers and transverse cell body areas of the motoneurons in relation to the aging process. Our conclusion was that cervical motoneurons regulate their function by increasing in size to compensate the loss in numbers that occur as people get older.

Prenatal morphine exposure differentially alters TH-immunoreactivity in the stress-sensitive brain circuitry of adult male and female rats

Previously, we demonstrated that exposure to morphine during gestation increases hypothalamic norepinephrine (NE) content and turnover rate in adult male rats and decreases these measures in adult females. To investigate the basis of these alterations, the present study examined the effects of prenatal exposure to morphine on tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (TH-IR) in the brains of adult male and female progeny. In male rats, prenatal morphine exposure significantly increased the density of TH-IR in cells and fibers in the caudal paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and locus coeruleus (LC), but had no effects in the lateral hypothalamus (LH). In female rats that were ovariectomized (OVX), prenatal morphine exposure significantly decreased the density of TH-IR in cells and fibers in the LC. Interestingly, an injection of estrogen in OVX control females reduced the mean optical density of TH-IR in the LC, but it was ineffective in drug-exposed females in the same brain region. Estrogen injections also reduced the mean optical density of TH-IR in the LH but not in the PVN of females, regardless of prenatal drug exposure. Thus, the present study suggests that prenatal morphine exposure induces long-term, sex-specific alterations in TH-IR in the PVN and LC of adult progeny.

Chronic postnatal phencyclidine treatment on [3H](+) pentazocine binding in juvenile rat brain

Chronic phencyclidine (PCP) administrations in postnatal rats produce long-term behavioral changes. Here we report the effects of repeated postnatal PCP treatment on [3H](+)pentazocine binding in juvenile rats. Saturation analyses of the binding data showed no significant difference in any of the binding characteristics between chronic PCP-related rats and saline-treated controls suggesting that mechanisms other than alterations in sigma1 binding underlie the behavioral effects of repeated postnatal PCP administration in immature rats.