[Metagenomic data-analysis reveals enrichment of lipopolysaccharide synthesis in the gut microbiota of atrial fibrillation patients]

Objective: To investigate the functional changes of key gut microbiota (GM) that produce lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and to explore their potential role in the pathogenesis of AF. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Patients with AF admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University were enrolled from March 2016 to December 2018. Subjects with matched genetic backgrounds undergoing physical examination during the same period were selected as controls. Clinical baseline data and fecal samples were collected. Bacterial DNA was extracted and metagenomic sequencing was performed by using Illumina Novaseq. Based on metagenomic data, the relative abundances of KEGG Orthology (KO), enzymatic genes and species that harbored enzymatic genes were acquired. The key features were selected via the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis. The role of GM-derived LPS biosynthetic feature in the development of AF was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and logistic regression analysis. Results: Fifty nonvalvular AF patients (mean age: 66.0 (57.0, 71.3), 32 males(64%)) were enrolled as AF group. Fifty individuals (mean age 55.0 (50.5, 57.5), 41 males(82%)) were recruited as controls. Compared with the controls, AF patients showed a marked difference in the GM genes underlying LPS-biosynthesis, including 20 potential LPS-synthesis KO, 7 LPS-biosynthesis enzymatic genes and 89 species that were assigned as taxa harbored nine LPS-enzymatic genes. LASSO regression analysis showed that 5 KO, 3 enzymatic genes and 9 species could be selected to construct the KO, enzyme and species scoring system. Genes enriched in AF group included 2 KO (K02851 and K00972), 3 enzymatic genes (LpxH, LpxC and LpxK) and 7 species (Intestinibacter bartlettii、Ruminococcus sp. JC304、Coprococcus catus、uncultured Eubacterium sp.、Eubacterium sp. CAG:251、Anaerostipes hadrus、Dorea longicatena). ROC curve analysis revealed the predictive capacity of differential GM-derived LPS signatures to distinguish AF patients in terms of above KO, enzymatic and species scores: area under curve (AUC)=0.957, 95%CI: 0.918-0.995, AUC=0.940, 95%CI 0.889-0.991, AUC=0.972, 95%CI 0.948-0.997. PLS-SEM showed that changes in lipopolysaccharide-producing bacteria could be involved in the pathogenesis of AF. The key KO mediated 35.17% of the total effect of key bacteria on AF. After incorporating the clinical factors of AF, the KO score was positively associated with the significantly increased risk of AF (OR<0.001, 95%CI:<0.001-0.021, P<0.001). Conclusion: Microbes involved in LPS synthesis are enriched in the gut of AF patients, accompanied with up-regulated LPS synthesis function by encoding the LPS-enzymatic biosynthesis gene.

[The clinical application of mobile internet remote guidance platform for vestibular rehabilitation]

Objective: To guide the patients with vertigo who are suitable for vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), and to evaluate the curative effect through a remote guidance platform based on mobile internet. Methods: Adult outpatients, who were diagnosed as vestibular disorders and required VRT, were selected and conducted baseline evaluation and formulated vestibular rehabilitation plan according to their symptoms, diagnosis and vestibular function examination results. These patients downloaded and installed the mobile internet remote guidance platform app for VRT, and then registered and uploaded medical records. According to the VRT plan formulated by clinicians for patients, the platform launched corresponding exercise guidance videos to guide them to complete 4-week VRT exercise at home. Before and after VRT, the patients were scored with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The rehabilitation effects were statistically analyzed by SigmaStat 4.0 software. Results: From October 2019 to October 2021, 233 patients with vertigo completed the registration of vestibular rehabilitation guidance platform, of whom 187 patients insisted on 4-week rehabilitation training and completed the scale evaluation. Among 187 patients, 65 were male and 122 were female; Age was (49.8±16.0) years; The medical history ranged from one to 192 months, with a median of eight months. Compared with that before rehabilitation exercise, the subjective feeling of vertigo in 170 patients was improved, and the overall effective rate was 90.9% (170/187). The subjective symptoms of vertigo were basically improved after rehabilitation training in patients with unilateral vestibular dysfunction, vestibular neuritis, sudden deafness with vertigo, Hunt syndrome and acoustic neuroma. There were significant differences in ABC, DHI and SAS scores before and after VRT (P<0.05). Of those patients with Meniere's disease in the intermittent period and the patients with Meniere's disease who underwent surgical treatment, more than 90% of their subjective symptoms of vertigo or dizziness improved after VRT, and there were significant differences in the scores of ABC, DHI and SAS before and after VRT exercise (P<0.05). In patients with vestibular migraine, 36.7% (11/30) had no improvement or even aggravation of subjective symptoms of vertigo after VRT, however, the DHI score after rehabilitation exercise was lower than that before exercise, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In patients with bilateral vestibular dysfunction, although most (6/8) subjective symptom scores were improved compared with those before exercise, there was no significant difference in ABC, DHI and SAS scores before and after rehabilitation (P>0.05). Conclusion: VRT with the help of vestibular rehabilitation mobile internet remote guidance platform can effectively improve the subjective symptoms of vertigo, balance ability and anxiety in patients with unilateral vestibular lesions.

[Epidemiological characteristics of influenza and characteristics of hemagglutinin gene of B-Victoria strains in Hebei Province from 2018 to 2019]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of influenza in Hebei Province from 2018 to 2019, and to analyze the characteristics and variation of hemagglutinin(HA) gene of influenza B-Victoria(BV) strains. Methods: Throat swab specimens of influenza-like cases within 3 days of fever were collected from 28 sentinel hospitals in Hebei province, meanwhile, The surveillance data was collected by the Chinese National Influenza Surveillance Network from April 2018 to March 2019, Throat swab specimens were collected from patients with influenza-like symptoms in sentinel hospitals, and tested by RT-PCR and virus isolation. 14 influenza B-Victoria strains from different regions were selected to sequence HA gene, Phylogenetic tree and the molecular characteristics were analyzed by DNASTAR 7.0 and Mega-X software. Results: From 2018 to 2019, A total of 99 266 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) were detected from 4 689 103 cases by 28 influenza sentinel hospitals in Hebei Province, the visit percentage of ILI was 2.12%. During the period, 18 730 samples were detected, and 2 752(14.69%) samples were positive tested by RT-PCR, the peak was in the third week of 2019(44.92%), In the early stage of epidemic season, Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was the main type, while BV virus was the main type in the late stage. HA gene sequence analysis showed that the 14 BV viruses belonged to 162-164 amino acid deletion strains, the amino acid homology between HA sequences was 97.16%-100.00%, and 97.16%-98.95% compared with the vaccine strain B/Colorado/06/2017 recommended by WHO. Compared with the vaccine strains, 14 strains involved 11 amino acid site mutations. Conclusion: Influenza was prevalent in winter and spring in Hebei province from 2018 to 2019, Multiple mutations in antigenic sites of BV viruses might be related to the outbreaks.

[Effects of duodenal ligation on gastroesophageal reflux and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats]

Objective: To investigate the effects of duodenal ligation on gastroesophageal reflux and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Methods: Wistar rats were randomized into the control (Ctrl) group, bleomycin (BLM) group, duodenal ligation (GER) group and duodenal ligation plus bleomycin treatment (BLM+GER) group. At day 0 (d0), duodenum ligation was performed in the GER and the BLM+GER group through an open-abdomen surgery at 1.0 cm below the pylorus by about 30% of the circumference. Meanwhile, sham operation was performed in the Ctrl and the BLM group with similar procedures to the above without ligation of the duodenum. At day 14, bleomycin solution (5 mg/kg, for the BLM and BLM+GER groups) or saline (for the Ctrl and GER groups) was intratracheally instilled. Rats were sacrificed at d28 or at d42. HE, Masson's trichrome or TUNEL staining was performed on lung sections of the groups. The levels of hyrdoxyproline (HYP) or malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured respectively by alkaline hydrolysis or thiobarbituric acid colorimetry. The levels of pepsin and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were assessed by ELISA. Western blot or RT-PCR was used to quantify relative lung expression of proteins or mRNA, respectively. Results: Lungs of the GER group rats were presented with mild inflammatory cell infiltration. Alveolitis and lung fibrosis was prominent in the BLM group but even more severe in the BLM+GER group. Of the Ctrl, GER, BLM and BLM+GER group, the average numbers of apoptotic cells per each magnified field (×200) on d28 lung sections was (5.6±3.0), (6.4±5.3), (15.4±5.3) and (18.4±9.1), respectively (P=0.008); the proportion (%) of blue-stained area under Masson's trichrome at d42 was (21.5±2.8), (23.4±2.5), (34.0±5.8) and (41.3±2.9) (P<0.05); the HYP contents (mg/L) at d42 of each group was (0.77±0.01), (1.26±0.01), (2.02±0.01) and (2.39±0.01) (P<0.01); the BALF levels of MDA (μmol/L) at d42 were (0.51±0.09), (0.87±0.12), (1.40±0.31) and (1.71±0.12) (P<0.001), and differences of these three indices at d42 reached statistical significance when comparing the Ctrl or GER group with the BLM or BLM+GER group (all P<0.05). The levels of pepsin, pH, interleukin (IL)-1β, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and HYP at d28 and d42 were statistically different between the GER group and the Ctrl group (all P<0.05). As compared with the BLM group, the values of TGF-β1, HYP, p-Smad3, vimentin, p-ERK1/2 and cleaved caspase-3 at d28 and d42 were different in the BLM+GER group (all P<0.05). At both d28 and d42, the BALF levels of pepsin and pH were statistically different between the BLM and the Ctrl group, or between the BLM+GER group and the GER group (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Gastroesophageal reflux is induced through duodenal ligation, which activates proinflammatory and profibrotic signals in the lungs and significantly aggravates bleomycin-induced lung injury and fibrosis. In addition, pulmonary fibrosis may induce or worsen the extent of reflux.

[Progress in the diagnosis and treatment of oropharyngeal cancer]

SummaryIn recent years，human papillomavirus has been proved to be closely related to the occurrence and prognosis of oropharyngeal cancer.The treatment of oropharyngeal cancer has evolved from the primary radiotherapy to the corresponding treatment according to different tumor stages.For patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer，the treatment strategy is mostly surgery + postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy.Patients are often accompanied by large defects in the surgical area after surgery.With the improvement of head and neck surgical repair technology and the progress of free flap technology，various repair methods can be adopted to repair and reconstruct.

[Diagnosis and treatment of cervical migratory foreign bodies caused by sharp esophageal foreign bodies]

Objective:Imaging findings and treatment of sharp foreign bodies penetrating the esophagus to migrate in the neck were collected. Method:All of 9 cases were determined by CT imaging. The foreign bodies were removed in 8 cases through the lateral cervical approach. The last case was taken out by bronchoscope. Eight cases successfully removed the foreign bodies. No definite foreign body was found in 1 case. Result:There were no postoperative complications in 8 patients that successful removed of foreign bodies. All patients begin to eat normally after operation and were discharged from hospital in 7 days. Tracheoesophageal fistula occurred that happened to the patient that no foreign body was found in operation. So gastric tube was retained for 7 days. Conclusion:CT imaging should be performed to determine whether there is the possibility of foreign body penetrating out of the esophagus, for the patients who had explicit history but the foreignbodies could not be found by barium meal examination. If necessary, three-dimensional CT reconstruction of the neck should be performed to locate the foreign body. Surgical exploration should be done as soon as possible to avoid aimless migration of foreign bodies, and it is difficult to find it during operation.

[Relationship between gH genotyping and clinical characteristics of children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection]

Objective: To study the relationship between human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) envelope glycoprotein gene H and clinical features of children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Methods: A cohort study was conducted. Newborns diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus infection, hospitalized in the Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, were included from July 2013 to December 2015.HCMV-DNA gH typing in urine, sputum or blood was conducted. Patients then were divided into gH1 group and gH2 group according to gH genotypes. Patients' data during hospitalization in newborn and 3-5 years of follow-up were collected.The relationships between gH genotype and clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, hearing loss and neurological prognosis were analyzed by chi-square test, t test and non-parametric test. Results: A total of 21 cases were enrolled as congenital HCMV infection and followed-up for 3-5 years. Among them, 14 (67%) were gH1 type and 7 (33%) were gH2 type. No mixed infection was found. In the two groups, there were no significant differences in the ratio of males (9/14 vs. 3/7,P=0.397), or birth weight ((2 609±686) vs. (3 021±451) g, t=-1.436, P=0.167). Gestational age of gH1 group was younger than that of gH2 group (38 (29-40) vs. 39(38-40) weeks, Z=-2.18, P=0.029). Moderate to severe hearing loss detected by neonatal auditory brainstem response were found in 40 ears (20 cases). It was higher in gH1 group than that in gH2 group (4/22 vs.0/18, χ(2)=5.145, P=0.023). In the imaging examination of the nervous system, the Alarcon score of gH1 group was lower than that of gH2 group (0.4±0.3 vs. 1.3±1.1, t=-2.459,P=0.024).No significant statistical difference was found in the probability of motor or language development lag in gH2 group and gH1 group (4/7 vs.4/14, P=0.346). Conclusions: Compared with gH2 infection, gH1 infection in children has a younger gestational age. The major type of hearing loss in neonatal period is gH1 infection. Children with gH2 congenital infections are more likely to suffer from nervous systems damage.

[Risk factors analyses for lateral neck lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective:To study the risk factors for the lateral neck lymph node metastasis(LNM) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Method:Total 145 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma patients were reviewed. These patients were divided into the following 2 groups: a lateral LNM-positive group and a lateral LNM-negative group.Clinical factors and tumor ultrasound characteristics were recorded, and the final pathology results were recorded as well. Result: Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that primary tumor size(pathological diameter) >1.0 cm, upper portion location and lymph node metastasis in central neck were the three risk factors for lateral LNM of PTC(OR=6.250,4.881,5.222,P<0.05). The lymph node metastasis in the lateral neck was not correlated obviously with gender, age, capsuleinvasion, multifocality and tumor ultrasonic characteristics(including illdefined and irregular in shape, calcification, hypervascularized). The probability of lateral LNM was then calculated according to the number of risk factors present in each of the 145 patients, using the three factors. When two or more factors were present, the probability increased up to 38.1 %(95%CI23-53).Conclusion: The present study provides that lateral LNM occurs mainly in patients, with a tumor size(pathological diameter) diameter>1.0 cm, with the primary tumor located in the upper part of the lobe and positive central compartment lymph node metastasis. The risk increased up when at least two of the three factors were present. So it needs to pay attention to the high risk factors seriously which effect lateral neck lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC, combined with ultrasonic characteristics of lateral cervical lymph node or more meticulous evaluations, to establish the lymph node dissection individually.

Thyroid hormone-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines interfere with resveratrol-induced anti-proliferation of oral cancer cells

Thyroid hormone, L-thyroxine (T₄), induces inflammatory genes expressions and promotes cancer growth. It also induces expression of the checkpoint programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which plays a vital role in cancer progression. On the other hand, resveratrol inhibits inflammatory genes expressions. Moreover, resveratrol increases nuclear inducible cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 accumulation, complexes with p53, and induces p53-dependent anti-proliferation. In this study, we investigated the effect of T₄ on resveratrol-induced anti-proliferation in oral cancer. T₄ increased the expression and cytoplasmic accumulation of PD-L1. Increased expressions of pro-inflammatory genes, interleukin (IL)-1β and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, were shown to stimulate PD-L1 expression. T₄ stimulated pro-inflammatory and proliferative genes expressions, and oral cancer cells proliferation. In contrast, resveratrol inhibited those genes and activated anti-proliferative genes. T₄ retained resveratrol-induced COX-2 in cytoplasm and prevented COX-2 nuclear accumulation when resveratrol treated cancer cells. A specific signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor, S31-201, blocked T₄-induced inhibition and restored resveratrol-induced nuclear COX-2 accumulation. By inhibiting the T₄-activated STAT3 signal transduction axis with S31-201, resveratrol was able to sequentially reestablish COX-2/p53-dependent gene expressions and anti-proliferation. These findings provide a novel understanding of the inhibitory effects of T₄ on resveratrol-induced anticancer properties via the sequential expression of PD-L1 and inflammatory genes.

[Clinical analysis of 234 esophageal foreign bodies]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment methods of esophageal foreign body. Method: The clinical data of 234 patients with esophageal foreign bodies admitted to our department from January 2015 to August 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including course time, foreign body types, surgical methods, imaging manifestations and treatment related complications. Result: The diagnosis of esophageal foreign bodies was confirmed by esophageal CT or esophageal barium meal X-ray examination before operation in 234 patients. Course time varied from 3 hours to 7 days, and the jujube nucleus was the most common food-borne foreign body.223 patients underwent esophagoscopic exploration and foreign body removal under general intravenous anesthesia, 11 of them had no definite esophageal foreign body, 22 had esophageal perforation and periesophagitis. After removal of foreign body, the nasogastric feeding tube was inserted. About 10 days later, the nasogastric feeding tube was removed when they got healthy. Nine cases underwent cervical abscess incision and drainage under general anesthesia. The average postoperative hospital day was 11 days. Conclusion: The rigid esophagoscopy is a safe and effective method for the esophageal foreign bodies. And neck abscess incision must be necessary,when they suffered from esophageal perforation with neck abscess and other serious complications.

[The diagnosis and treatment of neck abscess and mediastinal abscess following esophageal perforation induced by esophageal foreign body]

Objective:The aim of this study is to discuss the clinical presentation, imaging examination and treatment of neck abscess and mediastinal abscess following esophageal perforation induced by esophageal foreign body. Method:Six patients all underwent lateral neck incision and drainage of neck abscess. Simultaneously, mediastinal abscess drainage was performed in 3 cases with mediastinal abscess. Result:All 6 patients were cured. The median time of extraction of gastric tube was 11 days (7-30 days). All patients were not treated with tracheotomy. Conclusion:Neck and chest CT should be done as soon as possible for suspected patients to definite the location of foreign body and the relationship between foreign body and surrounding structures. Patient who were suspected with neck abscess and mediastinal abscess should undergo surgery to remove foreign body and drain the infectious deep neck and mediastinal spaces as early as possible.

[Nasal glioma in sphenoid sinus: a case report and literature review]

Nasal glioma is a rare congenital malformation in maxillofacial region. It is sluggish, benign, non-tumorous and with low recurrence rate. It is important to evaluate whether there is any intracranial connection before the operation through CT or MRI to avoid the serious intracranial complications. We reported a case of a adult with a nasal glioma in sphenoid sinus, and discuss clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and pathology.

Inhibitory Effect of Anoectochilus formosanus Extract on Hyperglycemia-Related PD-L1 Expression and Cancer Proliferation

Traditional herb medicine, golden thread (Anoectochilus formosanus Hayata) has been used to treat various diseases. Hyperglycemia induces generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancement of oxidative stress which are risk factors for cancer progression and metastasis. In this study, we evaluated hypoglycemic effect of A. formosanus extracts (AFEs) in an inducible hyperglycemia animal model and its capacity of free-radical scavenging to establish hyperglycemia-related carcinogenesis. AFE reduced blood glucose in hyperglycemic mice while there was no change in control group. The incremental area under blood glucose response curve was decreased significantly in hyperglycemic mice treated with AFE in a dose-dependent manner. AFE and metformin at the same administrated dose of 50 mg/kg showed similar effect on intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test in hyperglycemic mice. Free-radical scavenger capacity of AFE was concentration dependent and 200 μg/ml of AFE was able to reduce more than 41% of the free radical. Treatment of cancer cells with AFE inhibited constitutive PD-L1 expression and its protein accumulation. It also induced expression of pro-apoptotic genes but inhibited proliferative and metastatic genes. In addition, it induced anti-proliferation in cancer cells. The results suggested that AFE not only reduced blood glucose concentration as metformin but also showed its potential use in cancer immune chemoprevention/therapy via hypoglycemic effect, ROS scavenging and PD-L1 suppression.

Nano-Diamino-Tetrac (NDAT) Enhances Resveratrol-Induced Antiproliferation by Action on the RRM2 Pathway in Colorectal Cancers

Cancer resistance to chemotherapeutic agents is a major issue in the management of cancer patients. Overexpression of the ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2) has been associated with aggressive cancer behavior and chemoresistance. Nano-diamino-tetrac (NDAT) is a nanoparticulate derivative of tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac), which exerts anticancer properties via several mechanisms and downregulates RRM2 gene expression in cancer cells. Resveratrol is a stilbenoid phytoalexin which binds to a specific site on the cell surface integrin αvβ3 to trigger cancer cell death via nuclear translocation of COX-2. Here we report that resveratrol paradoxically activates RRM2 gene expression and protein translation in colon cancer cells. This unanticipated effect inhibits resveratrol-induced COX-2 nuclear accumulation. RRM2 downregulation, whether achieved by RNA interference or treatment with NDAT, enhanced resveratrol-induced COX-2 gene expression and nuclear uptake which is essential to integrin αvβ3-mediated-resveratrol-induced antiproliferation in cancer cells. Elsewhere, NDAT downregulated resveratrol-induced RRM2 expression in vivo but potentiated the anticancer effect of the stilbene. These findings suggest that RRM2 appears as a cancer cell defense mechanism which can hinder the anticancer effect of the stilbene via the integrin αvβ3 axis. Furthermore, the antagonistic effect of RRM2 against resveratrol is counteracted by the administration of NDAT.

[Comparative study of cone-beam CT and spiral CT in measuring the length of styloid process]

Objective: To compare the difference of measuring the length of styloid process between spiral CT with high resolution and cone-beam CT(CBCT). Methods: Five specimens (including 5 pairs of styloid processes) were selected randomly from the Anatomy Laboratory of Otolaryngology Department, all the specimens underwent spiral CT with high resolution and cone-beam CT retrospectively.With the original DICOM data, the styloid processes were shown in one plate by multiple plate reconstruction technique, and later the length of styloid processes of each specimen were measured separately by software NNT Viewer (to CBCT) or Osrix (to spiral CT with high resolution). Results: The length of styloid processes measured by CBCT and spiral CT was (26.8±5.5) mm and (27.1±5.4) mm respectively, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: In respect of measuring the length of styloid process, the CBCT has the same value in clinical practice comparing to spiral CT with high resolution.

Crosstalk between integrin αvβ3 and ERα contributes to thyroid hormone-induced proliferation of ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death in gynecological diseases. Thyroid hormone promotes proliferation of ovarian cancer cells via cell surface receptor integrin αvβ3 that activates extracellular regulated kinase (ERK1/2). However, the mechanisms are still not fully understood. Thyroxine (T₄) at a physiologic total hormone concentration (10⁻⁷ M) significantly increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) abundance in these cell lines, as did 3, 5, 3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T₃) at a supraphysiologic concentration. Thyroid hormone (T₄ and T₃) treatment of human ovarian cancer cells resulted in enhanced activation of the Ras/MAPK(ERK1/2) signal transduction pathway. An MEK inhibitor (PD98059) blocked hormone-induced cell proliferation but not ER phosphorylation. Knock-down of either integrin αv or β3 by RNAi blocked thyroid hormone-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2. We also found that thyroid hormone causes elevated phosphorylation and nuclear enrichment of estrogen receptor α (ERα). Confocal microscopy indicated that both T4 and estradiol (E₂) caused nuclear translocation of integrin αv and phosphorylation of ERα. The specific ERα antagonist (ICI 182,780; fulvestrant) blocked T₄-induced ERK1/2 activation, ERα phosphorylation, PCNA expression and proliferation. The nuclear co-localization of integrin αv and phosphorylated ERα was inhibited by ICI. ICI time-course studies indicated that mechanisms involved in T₄- and E₂-induced nuclear co-localization of phosphorylated ERα and integrin αv are dissimilar. Chromatin immunoprecipitation results showed that T₄-induced binding of integrin αv monomer to ERα promoter and this was reduced by ICI. In summary, thyroid hormone stimulates proliferation of ovarian cancer cells via crosstalk between integrin αv and ERα, mimicking functions of E₂.

Tetrac downregulates β-catenin and HMGA2 to promote the effect of resveratrol in colon cancer

The molecular pathogenesis of colorectal cancer encompasses the activation of several oncogenic signaling pathways that include the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the overexpression of high mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2). Resveratrol - the polyphenolic phytoalexin - binds to integrin αvβ3 to induce apoptosis in cancer cells via cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) nuclear accumulation and p53-dependent apoptosis. Tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) is a de-aminated derivative of l-thyroxine (T₄), which - in contrast to the parental hormone - impairs cancer cell proliferation. In the current study, we found that tetrac promoted resveratrol-induced anti-proliferation in colon cancer cell lines, in primary cultures of colon cancer cells, and in vivo The mechanisms implicated in this action involved the downregulation of nuclear β-catenin and HMGA2, which are capable of compromising resveratrol-induced COX-2 nuclear translocation. Silencing of either β-catenin or HMGA2 promoted resveratrol-induced anti-proliferation and COX-2 nuclear accumulation which is essential for integrin αvβ3-mediated-resveratrol-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Concurrently, tetrac enhanced nuclear abundance of chibby family member 1, the nuclear β-catenin antagonist, which may further compromise the nuclear β-catenin-dependent gene expression and proliferation. Taken together, these results suggest that tetrac targets β-catenin and HMGA2 to promote resveratrol-induced-anti-proliferation in colon cancers, highlighting its potential in anti-cancer combination therapy.

[Retroperitoneal laparoscopic with renal pedicle rotation for partial nephrectomy of ventro-renal tumor]

OBJECTIVE

Retro-laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a challenge for ventro-renal tumors, especially hilar tumors. The tumors are partial or entirely out of operative field and there is blind space for operation. To solve this problem, a set of techniques including renal pedicle rotation is developed.

METHODS

A set of techniques including renal pedicle rotation, double-layer suture, early artery unclamping for retro-laparoscopic nephrectomy for ventro-renal tumors, especially hilar tumors were developed. Hilar tumors were located anteriorly to the angle of the renal and renal arteries and in contact with the anterior surface of the renal artery. The evaluation of the outcomes included the operation time, warm ischemia time, estimated haemorrhage, surgical margin, renal function after operation, and complications. This study reviewed the data of 28 patients with ventro-renal tumor, including 15 patients with complex hilar tumors.

RESULTS

The average tumor size was (3.8±0.5) cm. The average R.E.N.A.L score was 8 (ranging from 7 to 9). The average warm ischemia time was (23.8±4.7) min, and suture time was (26.2±6.5) min, and operation time was (124.1±12.1) min. The median hospital stay was 4 days and the average estimated haemorrhage was (139.1±54.0) mL. All the surgeries were operated under laparoscope and no surgery switched to open surgery. Seven patients developed Clavien Dindo I-II complications after operation. Three patients (10.7%) developed collective system damage and received repair of collective system in time and three patients (10.7%) developed slightly gross hematuria (Clavien-Dindo I). Two patients developed wound infection (Clavien-Dind II). Three patients (10.7%) got renal vein clamped because of capillary hemorrhage from basilar part of tumors. There were 14 patients received early unclamping of renal artery, and no obvious renal vessel damage was found. There were statistically significant differences between the serum creatinine levels (P<0.05) and the estimated glomerular filtration rates (P=0.02) before and after surgery. All the patients' serum creatinine levels were in normal range and no patient needed regular dialysis. There was no positive surgical margin and the median follow-up was 7 months without local recurrence or distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION

It is safe and effective to apply renal pedicle rotation technique in retro-laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for ventro-renal tumors. The short-term follow-up results are optimistic, but long follow-up is required.

[Laryngeal undifferentiated soft-tissue sarcoma: a case report and review of literature]

Patient presented as a 74-year-old male complaining of hoarseness. Electronic laryngoscope showed a neoplasm whose size was about 1.0 cm×0.5 cm×0.5 cm at anterior commissure. A surgery was conducted to excise the neoplasm en bloc. The histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination suggested inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. A month later, the patient presented with dyspnea and blood-stained sputum. CT scan of neck showed an occupation lesions under glottis. A tracheotomy and a CO₂ laser surgery was conducted due to patient's will. The histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination suggested undifferentiated sarcoma. We advised him keeping a tracheal cannula to receive further treatment such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy in oncology department, but the patient was not compliant with care instructions for personal reason. He was readmitted 2 months later for dyspnea after plugging the tube. Electronic laryngoscope showed a large neoplasm occupied the laryngeal vestibule, covering the glottis. CT and MRI scan showed the lesion involved spaces of supraglottic, glottic, subglottic and soft tissue around larynx. Hence, a total laryngotomy and bilateral functional neck dissection was conducted. The histopathological examination agreed with the former one. Three weeks later, the skin around his tracheal cannula swelled,ulcerated and pyorrheal. After 10 days of dressing change, patient died of uncontrolled infection.

[Risk factors of central neck lymph node metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of central neck lymph node metastasis (CNLNM) in cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma. Method:Retrospective analysis of 114 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma in stage of cN0 who underwent primary treatment. Collected the clinical and pathological data, used the univariate and multivariate analysis to investigate the risk factors of central neck lymph node metastasis and high volume central neck lymph node metastasis.Result:In the univariate analysis, age (48.2% in<45 years vs 27.6% in≥45 years), multifocal (51% with vs 27.7% without), nodular goiter (58.8% with vs 28.7% without), showed significant difference in prevalence of CNLNM. Age (14.3% in<45 years vs 1.7% in≥45 years), tumor size (19.2% >1 cm vs 4.5%≤1 cm) showed significant difference in prevalence of high volume CNLNM. Inmultivariate analysis, age (RR= 0.304), multifocal (RR= 3.637) and nodular goiter (RR= 4.132) showed the independent risk factor of CNLNM.Conclusion:For cN0 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma, if the age is younger than 45 years old, the tumor is multifocal, or associatedwith nodular goiter, the surgery should be more aggressive in the prophylactic central neck dissection.

An assessment of the correlation between early postinfarction pyramidal tract Wallerian degeneration and nerve function recovery using diffusion tensor imaging

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the early diagnosis of pyramidal tract Wallerian degeneration (WD) and assessment of neurological recovery following cerebral infarction. This study included 23 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 10 healthy adult controls. All participants underwent both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DTI scans. DTI images were analyzed using the Functional MRI of the Brain Software Library to determine the regions of interest (ROI) and obtain the mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) value for each ROI. The correlation between FA or MD and postinfarction functional recovery of the nervous system was further analyzed to assess the feasibility of using a DTI scan in the evaluation of functional recovery of the nervous system in patients with cerebral infarction. DTI may be useful in detecting signals of early postinfarction pyramidal tract WD and is useful for the evaluation of postinfarction neurological recovery. Cerebral lesions were detected using MRI in all patients. It was found that in some patients, the FA value of the ipsilateral pyramidal tract on DTI was decreased as early as day 3 after the onset of infarction and in all patients by day 7. Subsequent correlation studies showed that the FA value of the ipsilateral pyramidal tract on day 13 was negatively correlated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, but positively correlated with the Barthel Index, motricity index, and modified Rankin Scale scores.

Polygonum multiflorum Decreases Airway Allergic Symptoms in a Murine Model of Asthma

The root of Polygonum multiflorum (also called He-Shou-Wu in Chinese) is a common herb and medicinal food in Asia used for its anti-aging properties. Our study investigated the therapeutic potential of an extract of the root of Polygonum multiflorum (PME) in allergic asthma by using a mouse model. Feeding of 0.5 and 1 mg/mouse PME inhibited ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma symptoms, including airway inflammation, mucus production, and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), in a dose-dependent manner. To discern PME's mechanism of action, we examined the profile and cytokine production of inflammatory cells in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We found that eosinophils, the main inflammatory cell infiltrate in the lung of OVA-immunized mice, significantly decreased after PME treatment. Th2 cytokine levels, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin, and the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[Formula: see text], decreased in PME-treated mice. Elevated mRNA expression of Th2 transcription factor GATA-3 in the lung tissue was also inhibited after oral feeding of PME in OVA-immunized mice. Thus, we conclude that PME produces anti-asthma activity through the inhibition of Th2 cell activation.

[Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the tonsil: two case reports and review of the literature]

Neuroendocrine carcinoma(NEC) of the tonsil is extremely rare. Only a few cases of this tumor have been reported so far. In this article, we described two patients presented with abnormal sensation of throat or throat pain. The pathological examination were NEC. With review of the literatures, the clinical characteristics were summarized and therapeutic strategies were discussed.

[New advancement in diagnosis and treatment of head and neck lymphoma]

Malignant lymphomas are common malignant neoplastic of lymphatic hematopoietic system, and there are different clinic manifestation in different sites. Malignant lymphomas in the head and neck have characteristics in clinic features,pathologic types and the most common locations. This review is about the role of different clinic manifestation, pathologic types and the International Prognostic Idex(IPI)in the evaluation of prognosis in the head and neck lymphoma.

The cytokine-cosmc signaling axis upregulates the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen Tn

Tn antigen (GalNAc-α-O-Ser/Thr), a mucin-type O-linked glycan, is a well-established cell surface marker for tumors and its elevated levels have been correlated with cancer progression and prognosis. There are also reports that Tn is elevated in inflammatory tissues. However, the molecular mechanism for its elevated levels in cancer and inflammation is unclear. In the current studies, we have explored the possibility that cytokines may be one of the common regulatory molecules for elevated Tn levels in both cancer and inflammation. We showed that the Tn level is elevated by the conditioned media of HrasG12V-transformed-BEAS-2B cells. Similarly, the conditioned media obtained from LPS-stimulated monocytes also elevated Tn levels in primary human gingival fibroblasts, suggesting the involvement of cytokines and/or other soluble factors. Indeed, purified inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 up-regulated Tn levels in gingival fibroblasts. Furthermore, TNF-α was shown to down-regulate the COSMC gene as evidenced by reduced levels of the COSMC mRNA and protein, as well as hypermethylation of the CpG islands of the COSMC gene promoter. Since Cosmc, a chaperone for T-synthase, is known to negatively regulate Tn levels, our results suggest elevated Tn levels in cancer and inflammation may be commonly regulated by the cytokine-Cosmc signaling axis.

[Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with huge lymph node metastasis and squamous cell cancerization:a case report]

We report a 75 years old woman with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma,and squamous cell cancer was found in her lymph node metastases.The patient was characterized by a cervical mass,which was diagnosed as papillary thyroid microcarcinoma by fine needle aspiration.Total thyroidectomy+right radical neck dissection+Ⅵ bilateral neck lymph node dissection were performed for the patient.

Evaluation of insertion-deletion markers suitable for genetic diversity studies and marker-trait correlation analyses in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Peanut is one of the most important oil crops worldwide. We used insertion-deletion (InDel) markers to assess the genetic diversity and population structure in cultivated peanut. Fifty-four accessions from North China were genotyped using 48 InDel markers. The markers amplified 61 polymorphic loci with 1 to 8 alleles and an average of 2.6 alleles per marker. The polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.0364 to 0.9030, with an average of 0.5038. Population structure and neighbor-joining (NJ) tree analyses suggested that all accessions could be divided into four clusters (A1-A4), using the NJ method. Likewise, four subpopulations (G1-G4) were identified using STRUCTURE analysis. A principal component analysis was also used and results concordant with the other analysis methods were found. A multi-linear stepwise regression analysis revealed that 13 InDel markers correlated with five measured agronomical traits. Our results will provide important information for future peanut molecular breeding and genetic research.

The combination of tetraiodothyroacetic acid and cetuximab inhibits cell proliferation in colorectal cancers with different K-ras status

Thyroid hormone induces cancer cell proliferation through its cell surface receptor integrin αvβ3. Acting via integrin αvβ3, the deaminated T4 analog tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac), and its nanoparticle formulation nano-diamino-tetrac (NDAT) could inhibit cell proliferation and xenograft growth. In this study, we investigated the T4 effects on proliferation in colorectal cancer cell lines based on the proliferation marker expressions at both mRNA and protein levels. The effects of tetrac/NDAT, the monoclonal anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab, and their combinations on colorectal cancer cell proliferation were examined according to the relevant gene expression profiles and cell count analysis. The results showed that T4 significantly enhanced PCNA, Cyclin D1 and c-Myc levels in both K-ras wild type HT-29 and mutant HCT 116 cells. In HCT 116 cells, the combination of NDAT and cetuximab significantly suppressed the mRNA expressions of proliferative genes PCNA, Cyclin D1, c-Myc and RRM2 raised by T4 compared to cetuximab alone. In addition, T4-suppressed mRNA expressions of pro-apoptotic genes p53 and RRM2B could be significantly elevated by the combination of NDAT and cetuximab compared to cetuximab alone. In the K-ras mutant HCT 116 cells, but not in the K-ras wild type COLO 205 cells, the combinations of tetrac/NDAT and cetuximab significantly reduced cell proliferation compared to cetuximab alone. In conclusion, T4 promoted colorectal cancer cell proliferation which could be repressed by tetrac and NDAT. The combinations of tetrac/NDAT and cetuximab potentiated cetuximab actions in K-ras mutant colorectal cancer cells.

Anti-proliferative and gene expression actions of resveratrol in breast cancer cells in vitro

We have used a perfusion bellows cell culture system to investigate resveratrolinduced anti-proliferation/apoptosis in a human estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). Using an injection system to perfuse media with stilbene, we showed resveratrol (0.5 – 100 μM) to decrease cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Comparison of influx and medium efflux resveratrol concentrations revealed rapid disappearance of the stilbene, consistent with cell uptake and metabolism of the agent reported by others. Exposure of cells to 10 μM resveratrol for 4 h daily × 6 d inhibited cell proliferation by more than 60%. Variable extracellular acid-alkaline conditions (pH 6.8 – 8.6) affected basal cell proliferation rate, but did not alter anti-proliferation induced by resveratrol. Resveratrol-induced gene expression, including transcription of the most up-regulated genes and pro-apoptotic p53-dependent genes, was not affected by culture pH changes. The microarray findings in the context of induction of anti-proliferation with brief daily exposure of cells to resveratrol—and rapid disappearance of the compound in the perfusion system—are consistent with existence of an accessible initiation site for resveratrol actions on tumor cells, e.g., the cell surface receptor for resveratrol described on integrin αvβ3.

Effect of melatonin on oncosis of myocardial cells in the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury rat and the role of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore

We aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin on myo-cardial cell oncosis in the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury rat, and the role of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) therein. Sprague Dawley rats (N = 60) were randomly divided into five groups of 12 rats each: control, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), melatonin treatment (MT), melatonin treatment + atractyloside (MT+ATR), and atractyloside (ATR). We prepared the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model by reperfusion after the left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated for 30 min. The MT rats were given a 10 mg/kg MT intra-venous injection immediately thereafter; the MT+ATR rats were also given a 5 mg/kg ATR intravenous injection 15 min before the ischemia; the ATR rats were given the ATR injection only. After 2-h re-perfusion, myocardial tissue was extracted, the infarction size was determined, and myocardial ultrastructures were observed using electron microscopy. The expression level of the preoncosis receptor (porimin), which can induce membrane injury, was determined by western blot; the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) content was determined spectrophotometrically. The four treatment groups showed upregulat-ed expression of myocardial porimin, increased myocardial infarction size, and reduced NAD(+) content (P < 0.05). Compared with the I/R and MT+ATR groups, MT rats showed downregulated expression of myo-cardial porimin, reduced myocardial infarct size, and increased myo-cardial cell NAD(+) content (P < 0.05). The above indices between the ATR and MT+ATR groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Thus, MT might protect myocardial ischemia/reperfusion rats by inhibiting MPTP opening and reducing myocardial cell oncosis.

Effects and toxicity of neoadjuvant chemotherapy preoperative followed by adjuvant chemoradiation in small cell neurdendocrine cervical carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy and toxicity of a combined-modality regimen of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) before primary radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiation in small cell neuroendocrine cervical cancer (SCNEC) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was approved by the ethics committee of the present hospital. The records of 23 SCNEC patients who received NACT before primary radical surgery were reviewed at the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between January 1998 and May 2010. All patients received one to four cycles of NACT and two to eight cycles of chemotherapy (NACT and adjuvant chemotherapy) on the basis of platinum, 17 (73.9%) patients received NACT using a regimen consisting of etoposide and cisplatin (EP). Eighteen (85.7%) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy using a regimen consisting of PE and EP. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used for analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 23 eligible patients, 18 had Stages I-IIA, five had Stages IIB-IIIB disease. Twelve patients (52.2%) developed grade 3 and 4 neutropenia. Fourteen patients (60.9%) developed grade 3 and 4 anemia. The majority of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia and non-hematologic toxicities were usually self-limited. Three patients (13.0%) who postoperative pathology showed pathologic complete response (CR) had better prognosis than those did not show pathologic CR; the median survival was 69.5 months (range, 51.1-177.1), 54.5 months (range: 7.3-81.5), respectively. In univariate analysis, lymphovascular space invasion (LSI) (p = 0.013), and deep stromal invasion (DSI) (p = 0.001) were considered poor prognostic factors. With a median follow-up for surviving patients was 40.8 months (range, 7-177), 12 patients recurred, 11 of which had died. The estimated three- and five-year overall survival (OS) rates for all patients were 55.8% and 39.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

NACT before primary radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiation or chemotherapy was well tolerated and seems to be effective for early stage SCNEC patients. Prospective clinical study is necessary and we hope that this research's results help to design a prospective clinical study.

A vaccine targeted at CETP alleviates high fat and high cholesterol diet-induced atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in rabbit

Low HDL-C levels are associated with atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and increased levels may reduce the risk of these diseases. Inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity is considered a promising strategy for increasing HDL-C levels. Since CETP is a self-antigen with low immunogenicity, we developed a novel CETP vaccine (Fc-CETP₆) to overcome the low immunogenicity of CETP and for long-term inhibition of CETP activity. The vaccine consists of a rabbit IgG Fc domain for antigen delivery to antigen-presenting cells fused to a linear array of 6 repeats of a CETP epitope to efficiently activate B cells. Rabbits were fed a high fat/cholesterol (HFC) diet to induce atherosclerosis and NASH, and immunized with Fc-CETP₆ vaccine. The Fc-CETP₆ vaccine successfully elicited anti-CETP antibodies and lowered plasma CETP activity. The levels of plasma HDL-C and ApoA-I were higher, and plasma ox-LDL lower, in the Fc-CETP₆-immunized rabbits as compared to the unimmunized HFC diet-fed rabbits. Pathological analyses revealed less lipid accumulation and inflammation in the aorta and liver of the Fc-CETP₆-immunized rabbits. These results show that the Fc-CETP₆ vaccine efficiently elicited antibodies against CETP and reduced susceptibility to both atherosclerosis and steatohepatitis induced by the HFC diet. Our findings suggest that the Fc-CETP₆ vaccine may improve atherosclerosis and NASH and has high potential for clinical use.

Autophagy Regulates Ageing inC. elegans

The role of autophagy in ageing regulation has been suggested based on studies in C. elegans, in which knockdown of the expression of bec-1 (ortholog of the yeast and mammalian autophagy genes ATG6/VPS30 and beclin 1, respectively) shortens lifespan of the daf-2(e1370) mutant C. elegans. However, Beclin1/ATG6 is also known to be involved in other cellular functions in addition to autophagy. In the current study, we knocked down two other autophagy genes, atg-7 and atg-12, in C. elegans using RNAi. We showed that RNAi shortened the lifespan of both wild type and daf-2 mutant C. elegans, providing strong support for a role of autophagy in ageing regulation.

Topoisomerase IIbeta is required for proper retinal development and survival of postmitotic cells

Topoisomerase IIbeta (Top2b) is an enzyme that modulates DNA supercoiling by catalyzing the passage of DNA duplexes through one another. It is ubiquitously expressed in postmitotic cells and known to function during the development of neuromuscular junctions in the diaphragm and the proper formation of laminar structure in the cerebral cortex. However, due to the perinatal death phenotype of the traditional constitutive and brain-specific Top2b knockout mice, the precise in vivo function of Top2b, especially during postnatal neural development, remains to be determined. Using both the constitutive and retina-specific knockout mouse models, we showed that Top2b deficiency resulted in delayed neuronal differentiation, degeneration of the plexiform layers and outer segment of photoreceptors, as well as dramatic reduction in cell number in the retina. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis by RNA sequencing revealed that genes involved in neuronal survival and neural system development were preferentially affected in Top2b-deficient retinas. Collectively, our findings have indicated an important function of Top2b in proper development and the maintenance/survival of postmitotic neurons in the retina.

Mechanisms of ceramide-induced COX-2-dependent apoptosis in human ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 cells partially overlapped with resveratrol

Ceramide is a member of the sphingolipid family of bioactive molecules demonstrated to have profound, diverse biological activities. Ceramide is a potential chemotherapeutic agent via the induction of apoptosis. Exposure to ceramide activates extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2- and p38 kinase-dependent apoptosis in human ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 cells, concomitant with an increase in the expression of COX-2 and p53 phosphorylation. Blockade of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity by siRNA or NS398 correspondingly inhibited ceramide-induced p53 Ser-15 phosphorylation and apoptosis; thus COX-2 appears at the apex of the p38 kinase-mediated signaling cascade induced by ceramide. Induction of apoptosis by ceramide or resveratrol was inhibited by the endocytosis inhibitor, cytochalasin D (CytD); however, cells exposed to resveratrol showed greater sensitivity than ceramide-treated cells. Ceramide-treated cells underwent a dose-dependent reduction in trans-membrane potential. Although both ceramide and resveratrol induced the expressions of caspase-3 and -7, the effect of inducible COX-2 was different in caspase-7 expression induced by ceramide compared to resveratrol. In summary, resveratrol and ceramide converge on an endocytosis-requiring, ERK1/2-dependent signal transduction pathway and induction of COX-expression as an essential molecular antecedent for subsequent p53-dependent apoptosis. In addition, expressions of caspase-3 and -7 are observed. However, a p38 kinase-dependent signal transduction pathway and change in mitochondrial potential are also involved in ceramide-induced apoptosis.

Macrocyclic biphenyl tetraoxazoles: synthesis, evaluation as G-quadruplex stabilizers and cytotoxic activity

A series of macrocyclic biphenyl tetraoxazoles was synthesized. The latter stages of the synthetic approach allowed for the addition of varied N-protected α-amino acids, which were subsequently deprotected and condensed to provide the desired macrocycles. Improved yields could be realized in the macrocyclization step of their synthesis relative to other macrocyclic G-quadruplex stabilizers. These 24-membered macrocycles were evaluated for their ability to stabilize G-quadruplex DNA and for their relative cytotoxicity against human tumor cells. These biphenyl tetraoxazoles were not strong ligands for G-quadruplex DNA relative to other macrocyclic polyoxazoles. This reduced stabilizing potential did correlate with their comparatively lower cytotoxic activity as observed in the human tumor cell lines, RPMI 8402 and KB3-1. These studies provide useful insights into the conformational requirements for the development of selective and more potent G-quadruplex ligands.

Topoisomerase IIβ deficiency enhances camptothecin-induced apoptosis

Camptothecin (CPT), a topoisomerase (Top) I-targeting drug that stabilizes Top1-DNA covalent adducts, can induce S-phase-specific cytotoxicity due to the arrest of progressing replication forks. However, CPT-induced non-S-phase cytotoxicity is less well characterized. In this study, we have identified topoisomerase IIβ (Top2β) as a specific determinant for CPT sensitivity, but not for many other cytotoxic agents, in non-S-phase cells. First, quiescent mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking Top2β were shown to be hypersensitive to CPT with prominent induction of apoptosis. Second, ICRF-187, a Top2 catalytic inhibitor known to deplete Top2β, specifically sensitized MEFs to CPT. To explore the molecular basis for CPT hypersensitivity in Top2β-deficient cells, we found that upon CPT exposure, the RNA polymerase II large subunit (RNAP LS) became progressively depleted, followed by recovery to nearly the original level in wild-type MEFs, whereas RNAP LS remained depleted without recovery in Top2β-deficient cells. Concomitant with the reduction of the RNAP LS level, the p53 protein level was greatly induced. Interestingly, RNAP LS depletion has been well documented to lead to p53-dependent apoptosis. Altogether, our findings support a model in which Top2β deficiency promotes CPT-induced apoptosis in quiescent non-S-phase cells, possibly due to RNAP LS depletion and p53 accumulation.

A novel synthetic bipartite carrier protein for developing glycotope-based vaccines

Development of successful vaccines against glycotopes remains a major challenge. In the current studies, we have successfully developed a novel carrier protein for glycotopes based on the concept of antigen clustering and specific stimulation of T helper cells to mount strong antibody response to glycotopes. The bipartite carrier protein consists of a tandem repeat of a cysteine-rich peptide for docking of clustered glycotopes to effectively activate B cells and an Fc domain for antigen delivery to antigen presenting cells (APCs). To demonstrate its utility, we conjugated the tumor-specific monosaccharide antigen Tn to this novel carrier protein and successfully developed a Tn vaccine against cancer in animal models. The Tn vaccine effectively elicited high-titer IgG1 antibodies against Tn in immunized mice, and effectively suppressed the development of prostate cancer in Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) mice. Our results suggest that this novel bipartite carrier protein could be effectively used for developing anti-glycotope vaccines such as the anticancer Tn vaccine.

Phosphorylation of Ubc9 by Cdk1 enhances SUMOylation activity

Increasing evidence has pointed to an important role of SUMOylation in cell cycle regulation, especially for M phase. In the current studies, we have obtained evidence through in vitro studies that the master M phase regulator CDK1/cyclin B kinase phosphorylates the SUMOylation machinery component Ubc9, leading to its enhanced SUMOylation activity. First, we show that CDK1/cyclin B, but not many other cell cycle kinases such as CDK2/cyclin E, ERK1, ERK2, PKA and JNK2/SAPK1, specifically enhances SUMOylation activity. Second, CDK1/cyclin B phosphorylates the SUMOylation machinery component Ubc9, but not SAE1/SAE2 or SUMO1. Third, CDK1/cyclin B-phosphorylated Ubc9 exhibits increased SUMOylation activity and elevated accumulation of the Ubc9-SUMO1 thioester conjugate. Fourth, CDK1/cyclin B enhances SUMOylation activity through phosphorylation of Ubc9 at serine 71. These studies demonstrate for the first time that the cell cycle-specific kinase CDK1/cyclin B phosphorylates a SUMOylation machinery component to increase its overall SUMOylation activity, suggesting that SUMOylation is part of the cell cycle program orchestrated by CDK1 through Ubc9.

First Report of Neocosmospora striata Causing Peanut Pod Rot in China

In 2008, an outbreak of pod rot of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) occurred on most of the peanut cultivars in the Old Yellow River drainage area, the largest peanut-growing region in China. Disease incidence reached as high as 90% in some fields, causing severe yield losses. The black rot of pods and blackened, nonrotting taproots is similar to symptoms of peanut black rot caused by Cylindrocladium parasiticum, but the reddish orange perithecia of C. parasiticum were not found on the taproots close to the surface of the soil. The foliage of affected plants was generally asymptomatic, but some plants turned greener. This pod rot disease was further investigated in 2008 and 2010. Twenty-three Fusarium-like isolates were obtained from symptomatic, surface-disinfested pods with a frequency of 82%. These isolates were fast growing, with flat, thin, and grayish white colonies when cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 28°C for 3 to 4 days. The hyaline, elongated to cylindrical conidia, aggregated in slimy heads on conidiogenous cells developed from undifferentiated hyphae when observed with the light microscope. The size of conidia (single celled or one septum) varied from 3 to 9 μm long and 1.5 to 3.5 μm wide on the basis of the measurement of 50 spores. Some conidia appeared slightly curved. Ascomata formed within 10 to 14 days, with a punctate appearance on the colony. The cerebriform ascomata were dark brown, pyriform, ostiolate, glabrous, 120 to 170 × 90 to 130 μm, and with necks 30 to 50 μm long. Asci measured 60 to 90 × 6 to 10 μm, were cylindrical to cylindric-clavate, thin walled, and had an apical ring. Ascospore arrangement was obliquely uniseriate or partially biseriate, very pale yellow to hyaline, ellipsoidal, and measured 8 to 12 × 4.5 to 6 μm. Some spores had a median transverse straight or curved septum and were slightly constricted at the septum, with 6 to 10 thin, transverse, hyaline flanges. Morphological characteristics of the isolates with ascomata dark brown and ascospores with 6 to 10 transverse hyaline flanges matched the description for Neocosmospora striata (1). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified from extracted template DNA with primer pairs ITS4/ITS5 and sequenced. A 591-bp amplicon (GenBank Accession No. HM461900) had 99% sequence identity with Fusarium solani (HQ607968 and HQ608009) and N. vasinfecta (GU213063), which indicated that these fungi belong to the genus Neocosmospora or Fusarium, although there is no direct sequence evidence that they are N. striata. N. striata has only been previously reported in Japan (2). This species is unique because of the dark brown ascomata and there is no comparable species (1). Koch's postulates were completed by surface-disinfesting 80 peanut pods of cv. Jihua 9813 and soaking them in conidial suspensions (10⁵ conidia/ml) for 2 min. Another 80 other pods soaked in sterile water served as controls. All peanuts were incubated in moist petri dishes under darkness at 28°C. Symptoms similar to those originally observed in the field formed within 10 days on all inoculated peanut pods and not the controls. N. striata was reisolated from all affected peanut pods. To our knowledge, this is first report of N. striata causing peanut pod rot in China and the first description of the anamorph of the fungus. References: (1) P. F. Cannon et al. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 82:673, 1984. (2) S. Udagawa et al. Trans. Mycol. Soc. Jpn. 16:340, 1975.

ISG15 disrupts cytoskeletal architecture and promotes motility in human breast cancer cells

The interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) pathway is highly elevated in breast cancer; however, very little is known about how the ISG15 pathway contributes to breast tumorigenesis. In the current study, using the gene disruption approach, we demonstrate that both ISG15 and UbcH8 (ISG15-specific conjugating enzyme) disrupt F-actin architecture and formation of focal adhesions in ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells. In addition, ISG15 and UbcH8 promote breast cancer cell migration. We also demonstrate that ISG15 inhibits ubiquitin/26S proteasome-mediated turnover of proteins implicated in tumor cell motility, invasion and metastasis. Together, our results suggest that the aberrant activation of the ISG15 pathway confers a motile phenotype to breast cancer cells by disrupting cell architecture and stabilizing proteins involved in cell motility, invasion and metastasis. Because the cellular architecture is conserved and the ISG15 pathway is constitutively activated in tumor cells of different lineages, it is reasonable to assume that our observations in breast cancer must hold true for many other tumors.

Interferon-β signaling contributes to Ras transformation

Increasing evidence has pointed to activated type I interferon signaling in tumors. However, the molecular basis for such activation and its role in tumorigenesis remain unclear. In the current studies, we report that activation of type I interferon (IFN) signaling in tumor cells is primarily due to elevated secretion of the type I interferon, IFN-β. Studies in oncogene-transformed cells suggest that oncogenes such as Ras and Src can activate IFN-β signaling. Significantly, elevated IFN-β signaling in Ras-transformed mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells was shown to contribute to Ras transformation as evidenced by morphological changes, anchorage-independent growth, and migratory properties. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the type I IFN, IFN-β, contributes to Ras transformation and support the notion that oncogene-induced cytokines play important roles in oncogene transformation.