The Relationship Between Psychological Conditions and Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective

This study aims to explore the nexus between students' psychological well-being and the manifestation of gastrointestinal symptoms (GISs) amid the health lockdown enforced in Xi'an, focusing on the student populace of Xi'an Medical College and Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Materials and methods

A survey encompassing psychological parameters and GISs was administered to a randomized cohort of 1327 college students drawn from Xi'an Medical College and Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The survey instrument was developed utilizing the Questionnaire Star platform. Subsequent to data collection, analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 9 and SPSS 22.0.

Results

Comparative analysis revealed statistically significant disparities (P < 0.05) in various GISs between the periods during and preceding the health lockdown, encompassing symptoms such as nausea/vomiting, acid reflux, postprandial fullness/early satiety, anorexia, decreased appetite, bloating, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Notably, the mean score for Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) was 3.31±3.92, indicating mild anxiety, while the mean score for Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) was 1.15±1.28, suggesting mild depression. Detailed evaluation of anxiety revealed prevalence rates of 34% among respondents, with 34.2% of these individuals reporting concurrent GISs, while among those evaluated for depression (38.8% of the sample), 44.2% reported concurrent GISs. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis unveiled a negative correlation between GISs during the health lockdown and lifestyle scores, while positive correlations were observed with GISs preceding the lockdown, anxiety, and depression. The formulated multiple linear regression equation for GISs during the health lockdown is delineated as follows: 14.693-0.342 life style + 0.725GISs before health lockdown + 0.218anxiety + 0.564 depression.

Conclusion

This investigation underscores the substantial impact of anxiety and depression on the student body, accentuating their role in precipitating GISs during health lockdown situations. The psychological well-being of medical students during exigent circumstances such as natural disasters warrants heightened attention, necessitating proactive measures aimed at emotional regulation to mitigate the onset of GISs.

Vagus nerve stimulation attenuates septic shock-induced cardiac injury in rats

This research aimed to evaluate whether vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) could effectively prevent septic shock-induced cardiac injury in rats and investigate the potential mechanisms. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the Sham group (sham cecal ligation and puncture [CLP] plus vagal nerve trunk separation), the Vehicle group (CLP plus vagal nerve trunk separation), and the VNS groups (CLP plus vagal nerve trunk separation plus VNS). The left ventricular function was analyzed by echocardiography. Histologic examinations of the cardiac tissues were performed through hematoxylin and eosin staining and TUNEL staining. The Vehicle group had worse cardiac function, higher levels of cardiac injury markers, and enhanced myocardial apoptosis than the Sham group. The rats in the VNS groups had enhanced cardiac function, lower levels of cardiac injury markers, and inhibited myocardial apoptosis than those in the Vehicle group. Elevated interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-levels and activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa-B) signal in septic shock rats were inhibited by the performance of VNS. This study suggests that VNS contributes to the reduction of myocardial apoptosis and improvement of left ventricular function to attenuate septic shock-induced cardiac injury in rats. The performance of VNS inhibits the inflammatory responses in heart tissues via the regulation of NF-kappa-B signal.

[The clinical application value of brain 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnostics of Parkinsonian syndromes]

Objective: To analyze the PET/CT imaging features of fluoride 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in patients with various types of Parkinson's syndrome (PS), and to establish a "diagnostic tree" model of 18F-FDG PET/CT for PS. Methods: Data of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), patients with multiple system atrophy cerebellar type (MSA-C), and patients with multiple system atrophy Parkinson's type (MSA-P)admitted to the Neurology Department of Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University from January 2019 to December 2021. 18F-FDG PET/CT examination was conducted in all patients. Clinical and follow-up data was collected to determine clinical diagnosis. The specific patterns of brain glucose metabolism in patients with various types of Parkinsonism were observed and their utility in the differential diagnosis of the disease was analyzed. 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging"diagnostic tree"model was established and its value in the differential diagnosis of Parkinsonism was verified. Results: A total of 320 patients, 187 males and 133 females, aged (62±9) years, were enrolled in our study, including 80 PD, 90 PSP, 114 MSA-C and 36 MSA-P patients. The differential diagnostic features of cerebral glucose metabolism of Parkinsonism were as follows: the metabolism of putamen increased in PD patients, the metabolism of caudate nucleus, thalamus, midbrain, and frontal lobe decreased in PSP patients, the metabolism of cerebellum decreased in MSA-C patients, and the metabolism of putamen and cerebellum decreased in MSA-P patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the"diagnostic tree"model are 88.75% and 91.25% for PD diagnosis, 54.44% and 96.96% for PSP diagnosis, 87.72% and 86.41% for MSA-C diagnosis, and 55.56% and 91.55% for MSA-P diagnosis, respectively. It could correctly classify 75%(240/320) of patients. Conclusions: Characteristic metabolism patterns of brain in 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging is significant for the differential diagnosis of PD, PSP, MSA-C and MSA-P. The"diagnostic tree"model is valuable for clinical diagnosis.

Role of epigenetic modifications mediated by vitamins and trace elements in inflammatory bowel disease

Graphical abstract [Formula: see text] Numerous environmental factors frequently emerge as primary determinants of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diet is a major component of environmental factors, and the consumption of vitamins (A, B, C and D) and trace elements (calcium, iron, zinc and selenium) exerts an impact on the progression of IBD through epigenetic modifications. Intake of vitamins A, B, C and D, as well as excessive amounts of iron and calcium, can modulate the condition of IBD by regulating the levels of DNA methylation, histone acetylation and miRNA. Zinc and selenium alleviate the progression of IBD by regulating the levels of promoter methylation or histone ubiquitination, respectively. Graphical Abstract was adapted from 'Epigenetic levels (layout)', by BioRender.com. Retrieved from https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates.

Oral Nanotherapeutics of Andrographolide/Carbon Monoxide Donor for Synergistically Anti-inflammatory and Pro-resolving Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology affecting the colon and rectum. Current therapeutics are focused on suppressing inflammation but are ineffective. Combining anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches with pro-resolution might be a superior strategy for UC treatment. Andrographolide (AG), an active compound from the plant Andrographis paniculata, presented anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory diseases. Gaseous mediators, such as carbon monoxide (CO), have a role in inflammatory resolution. Herein, we developed a dextran-functionalized PLGA nanocarrier for efficient delivery of AG and a carbon monoxide donor (CORM-2) for synergistically anti-inflammatory/pro-resolving treatment of UC (AG/CORM-2@NP-Dex) based on PLGA with good biocompatibility, slow drug release, efficient targeting, and biodegradability. The resulting nanocarrier had a nano-scaled diameter of ∼200 nm and a spherical shape. After being coated with dextran (Dex), the resulting AG/CORM-2@NP-Dex could be efficiently internalized by Colon-26 and Raw 264.7 cells in vitro and preferentially localized to the inflamed colon with chitosan/alginate hydrogel protection by gavage. AG/CORM-2@NP-Dex performed anti-inflammatory effects by eliminating the over-production of pro-inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide (NO), and down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), while it showed pro-resolving function by accelerating M1 to M2 macrophage conversion and up-regulating resolution-related genes (IL-10, TGF-β, and HO-1). In the colitis model, oral administration of AG/CORM-2@NP-Dex in a chitosan/alginate hydrogel also showed synergistically anti-inflammatory/pro-resolving effects, therefore relieving UC effectively. Without appreciable systemic toxicity, this bifunctional nanocarrier represents a novel therapeutic approach for UC and is expected to achieve long-term inflammatory remission.

First-line treatment options for advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer patients with PD-L1-positive: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lately, many trials have paid much attention on the oncological outcomes of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment. The authors perform a systematic meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of programmed death 1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy for first-line treatment in advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer.

Materials and methods

Literature search through major databases in English and Chinese: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, web of Science and CNKI updated on 10 March 2023. Randomized controlled trials were selected to investigate chemotherapy plus programmed death 1 inhibitor versus chemotherapy.

Results

A total of 7 randomised controlled trials including 5788 participants were included. The overall survival (hazard ratio=0.79;95% CI: 0.74-0.85, P<0.01), progression-free survival (hazard ratio=0.72; 95% CI: 0.67-0.77, P<0.01) and objective response rate (risk ratio=1.24,95% CI: 1.18-1.31, P<0.05) were longer than chemotherapy alone in the pooled analysis. For subgroup analyses of overall survival, programmed death 1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy had a significant advantage in patients with combined positive score greater than or equal to 5, in Asia, in men and in those younger than 65 years (P<0.01), as were immune-mediated adverse events (odds ratio=8.86;95% CI: 1.26-62.47,P<0.05) and treatment-related grade 3-5 adverse events (odds ratio=1.40,95% CI:1.20-1.62, P<0.01).

Conclusion

Programmed death 1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy have significant antitumour activity compared to chemotherapy alone. However, it is riskier in terms of toxicity than chemotherapy. The authors recommend programmed death 1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy as the optimal treatment regimen for patients with positive programmed death ligand 1 expression, in Asia, male and less than 65 years of age. More well-designed studies are needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of different immune plus chemotherapy drug doses and regimens.

[Comparison of diagnostic performance of Clear Cell Likelihood Score v1.0 and v2.0 for clear renal cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the performance of Clear Cell Likelihood Score (ccLS) v1.0 and v2.0 in diagnosing clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) from small renal masses (SRM).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and MR images of patients with pathologically confirmed solid SRM from the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021, and from Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University and Peking University First Hospital between January 1, 2019 and May 17, 2021. Six abdominal radiologists were trained for use of the ccLS algorithm and scored independently using ccLS v1.0 and ccLS v2.0. Random- effects logistic regression modeling was used to generate plot receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ccLS v1.0 and ccLS v2.0 for ccRCC, and the area under curve (AUC) of these two scoring systems were compared using the DeLong's test. Weighted Kappa test was used to evaluate the interobserver agreement of the ccLS score, and differences in the weighted Kappa coefficients was compared using the Gwet consistency coefficient.

RESULTS

In total, 691 patients (491 males, 200 females; mean age, 54 ± 12 years) with 700 renal masses were included in this study. The pooled accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of ccLS v1.0 for diagnosing ccRCC were 77.1%, 76.8%, 77.7%, 90.2%, and 55.7%, as compared with 80.9%, 79.3%, 85.1%, 93.4%, 60.6% with ccLS v2.0, respectively. The AUC of ccLS v2.0 was significantly higher than that of ccLS v1.0 for diagnosis of ccRCC (0.897 vs 0.859; P < 0.01). The interobserver agreement did not differ significantly between ccLS v1.0 and ccLS v2.0 (0.56 vs 0.60; P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ccLS v2.0 has better performance for diagnosing ccRCC than ccLS v1.0 and can be considered for use to assist radiologists with their routine diagnostic tasks.

[The characteristics and correlations of vaginal flora in women with cervical lesions]

Objective: To explore the characteristics and correlations of vaginal flora in women with cervical lesions. Methods: A total of 132 women, including 41 women diagnosed with normal cervical (NC), 39 patients with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1), 37 patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3) and 15 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), who came from the gynecological clinic of Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University during January 2018 to June 2018, were enrolled in this study according to the inclusive and exclusive criteria strictly. The vaginal flora was detected by 16S rDNA sequencing technology. Co-occurrence network analysis was used to investigate the Spearman correlations between different genera of bacteria. Results: The dominant bacteria in NC, CIN 1 and CIN 2/3 groups were Lactobacillus [constituent ratios 79.4% (1 869 598/2 354 098), 63.6% (1 536 466/2 415 100) and 58.3% (1 342 896/2 301 536), respectively], while Peptophilus [20.4% (246 072/1 205 154) ] was the dominant bacteria in SCC group. With the aggravation of cervical lesions, the diversity of vaginal flora gradually increased (Shannon index: F=6.39, P=0.001; Simpson index: F=3.95, P=0.012). During the cervical lesion progress, the ratio of Lactobacillus gradually decreased, the ratio of other anaerobes such as Peptophilus, Sneathia, Prevotella and etc. gradually increased, and the differential bacteria (LDA score >3.5) gradually evolved from Lactobacillus to other anaerobes. The top 10 relative abundance bacteria, spearman correlation coefficient>0.4 and P<0.05 were selected. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that Prevotella, Peptophilus, Porphyrinomonas, Anaerococcus, Sneathia, Atopobium, Gardnerella and Streptococcus were positively correlated in different stages of cervical lesions, while Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with the above anaerobes. It was found that the relationship between vaginal floras in CIN 1 group was the most complex and only Peptophilus was significantly negatively correlated with Lactobacillus in SCC group. Conclusions: The increased diversity and changed correlations between vaginal floras are closely related to cervical lesions. Peptophilus is of great significance in the diagnosis, prediction and early warning of cervical carcinogenesis.

MAD2L1 is transcriptionally regulated by TEAD4 and promotes cell proliferation and migration in colorectal cancer

The molecular mechanism of network regulation in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been constantly improved. Here, we investigated the biological effects of TEAD4-MAD2L1 axis on proliferation and metastasis of human CRC cells. This study revealed that the expressions of MAD2L1 and TEAD4 in CRC tissues and CRC cell lines were significantly higher than those in adjacent epithelial tissues and normal intestinal epithelial cell line NCM460, and their expressions were significantly positively correlated; Moreover, inhibiting the expression of MAD2L1 or TEAD4 can inhibit the proliferation and migration of CRC cells and promote apoptosis. In addition, the promoter region of MAD2L1 gene has a TEAD4 binding site (motif sequence), and the transcription of MAD2L1 is positively regulated by TEAD4 protein; The inhibition of promotion/migration and promotion of apoptosis of CRC cells by silencing TEAD4 can be saved by the high expression of MAD2L1. In conclusion, our study suggests that the transcription and expression of MAD2L1 is regulated by TEAD4, which further promotes the proliferation and migration of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo, and inhibits apoptosis. MAD2L1 and TEAD4 are potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer.

[Update on the medical management of parathyroid carcinoma]

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare endocrine malignancy with an increasing rate of incidence. Most parathyroid carcinoma patients will develop local recurrence or metastases leading to poor prognosis. Medical management is the mainstay of treatment for patients with unresectable parathyroid carcinoma. However, the therapeutic outcome of medical management remains unsatisfactory restricted by limited options and efficacy. With the deepening of research, several novel drugs have been reported to be applied in the treatment of parathyroid carcinoma. Calcimimetics and receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand inhibitors aiming to control hypercalcemia have been applied in the endocrine therapy of parathyroid carcinoma. Besides, preliminary studies have shown the therapeutic effects of targeted therapy and immunotherapy on parathyroid carcinoma. These new drugs have shed light on this clinical dilemma; however, their clinical efficacy remains to be determined. In this article, the recent progress in the medical management of parathyroid carcinoma is updated.

[Effect of metformin combined with intermittent fasting on endoplasmic reticulum stress after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice]

Objective: To explore the effect of metformin combined with intermittent fasting on endoplasmic reticulum stress after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. Methods: One hundred 10-Week-old healthy KM mice of SPF grade, weighing 25-28 g, were divided into 5 groups by the random number table method: sham group, focal cerebral ischemia group (I/R group), intermittent fasting group (IF group), metformin group (Met group), metformin+intermittent fasting group (Met+IF group). In IF group, food was provided ad libitum from 8∶00 to 16∶00 daily, but the mice were fasted for the rest of the time. In Met group, the mice underwent intraperitoneal injection of metformin (10 mg/kg). In Met+IF group, the mice received the same eating method as the IF group and the same method of metformin injection as Met Group. In Sham group, I/R group and IF group, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with equal volume of normal saline. Mice in all groups were not restricted to drinking water. Random plasma glucose and body weight changes in mice during preconditioning were monitored, and a focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was established 14 days later. The cerebral infarction volume was measured after 1 hour of ischemia and 24 hours of reperfusion. The brain tissues of mice were subjected to Western blot to detect the contents of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins, including glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and apoptosis proteins (Caspase-3 and Cleaved-caspase 3). Results: After different interventions, there was no significant difference in random plasma glucose changes among the four groups (all P<0.05). The blood glucose level of the mice in the Met+IF group was lower than the sham group, I/R group, IF group and Met group (all P<0.05). GRP78/β-actin in sham group, I/R group, IF group, Met group, IF+Met group were 0.48±0.05, 1.35±0.10, 0.94±0.05, 0.70±0.14, 0.41±0.37, respectively; CHOP/β-actin were 0.27±0.04, 1.03±0.03, 0.72±0.04, 0.63±0.04, 0.44±0.01, respectively; Caspase-3/β-actin were 0.51±0.04, 1.04±0.04, 0.83±0.03, 0.76±0.03, 0.63±0.05, respectively; Cleaved-Caspase-3/β-actin were 0.17±0.06, 1.01±0.20, 0.75±0.06, 0.51±0.12, 0.29±0.08, respectively, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.001). The counts of GRP78-positive cells in the hippocampus immunohistochemistry in the sham group, I/R group, IF group, Met group, and IF+Met group were 53±5, 192±11, 162±12, 140±10, 114±13, respectively, while the counts of CHOP-positive cells were 35±4, 177±12, 120±12, 100±7, 69±10, respectively, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.001). The relative volume of cerebral infarction in I/R group, IF group, Met group and IF+Met group were 0, 0.333±0.046, 0.258±0.023, 0.116±0.039, 0.111±0.039, respectively, and there were statistically significant differences (all P<0.001). Conclusion: Both Metformin and intermittent fasting can alleviate endoplasmic reticulum stress after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in mice, and the combination of the two has a better effect.

[Clinical analysis of 10 cases with extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment methods and outcomes of extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 10 cases with extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck who were admitted to Henan Tumor Hospital from January 2005 to January 2020. Among the 10 patients, 6 were male and 4 were female. The average age at diagnosis was 56.3 years old (34-74 years old). Among them, 3 cases were located in the nasal cavity, 2 cases in the nasopharynx, 1 case in the sinuses, 2 cases in the larynx, 1 case in the oropharynx, and 1 case in the cervical lymph nodes. Treatments were administered according to tumor size and resection extent. Complete surgical excision (negative margins) was preferred, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. The clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of EMP were analyzed. Results: The patients' symptoms were not specific, frequently with local obstruction symptom and localized masses. All patients were confirmed pathologically as suffering from monoclonal plasmacytoma, with negative bone marrow biopsy and negative skeletal survey. Five patients received surgery, 3 received radiotherapy, and 2 received surgery with additional radiation. The follow-up time was 16-125 months, with a median of 92 months. Two patients developed into multiple myeloma. One patient who received radiotherapy after surgery relapsed after 7 years of follow-up and again received surgical treatment, with no evidence of second recurrence. The remaining patients had no recurrence or progression. Conclusion: Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck has a good prognosis. Surgical treatment can be considered for completely resectable lesions.

A prospective study on vulvovaginal candidiasis: multicentre molecular epidemiology of pathogenic yeasts in China

BACKGROUND

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is frequent in women of reproductive age, but very limited data are available on the epidemiology in cases of VVC in China.

OBJECTIVES

The current study has been conducted to reveal the prevalence, species distribution of yeast causing VVC and molecular genetics of Candida albicans in China.

METHODS

Vaginal swabs were collected from 543 VVC outpatients recruited in 12 hospitals in China between September 2017 and March 2018. They were preliminarily incubated on Sabouraud dextrose agar and then positive subjects of which were then transmitted to our institute for further identification. CHROMagar™ was used to isolate Candida species, and all isolates were finally identified by DNA sequencing. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to analyse phylogenetic relationships of the various C. albicans isolates.

RESULTS

Eleven different yeast species were identified in 543 isolates, among which C. albicans (84.7%) was the most frequent, followed by C. glabrata (8.7%). We obtained 117 unique diploid sequence types from 451 clinical C. albicans isolates and 92 isolates (20.4%) belonged to a New Clade. All the strains appearing in the New Clade were from northern China and they were isolated from non-recurrent VVC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that C. albicans are still the main cause of VVC in China and the majority of C. albicans isolates belongs to Clade 1 with DST 79 and DST 45 being two most common. Moreover, the New Clade revealed in our study seems to be specific to northern China.

Construction and evaluation of prognostic models for esophageal cancer patients with distant and non-distant metastases: providing a reference process for clinical diagnosis and treatment

Background

Although the current treatment for esophageal cancer has great technological progress, the 5-year survival rate of patients is not optimistic. About 70% of patients with esophageal cancer are at an advanced stage at first diagnosis. These patients are prone to distant metastasis, and the prognosis is poor. Therefore, understanding the risk factors for distant metastasis in patients with esophageal cancer, combined with the prognosis of the patient, can aid in choosing the optimal diagnosis and treatment plan. Ultimately, it will improve the patient's survival time and quality of life. This research aims to construct a model for the risk assessment of distant metastasis in patients with esophageal cancer and prognostic models for patients with distant and non-distant metastases.

Methods

The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was used to select patients with esophageal cancer from 2010 to 2015. The optimal cutoff point was selected for the age and tumor size variables using X-tile. The nomogram was constructed using R software (The R Foundation for Statistical Computing).

Results

Gender, grade, T stage, N stage, and tumor size were independent risk factors associated with distant metastasis in patients with esophageal cancer. The concordance index (C-index) of the nomogram prediction model for whether the patient will have distant metastasis was 0.609. Age, grade, T stage, N stage, and tumor size were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis without distant metastasis. The C-index of the nomogram prediction model for patients with distant metastases was 0.590. Age and T stage were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with distant metastases. The C-index of the nomogram prediction model was 0.543. The combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and primary surgery yielded the best overall survival for both patients with distant metastases and patients with non-distant metastases.

Conclusions

A comprehensive assessment of the risk of distant metastasis in patients with esophageal cancer, combined with prognosis prediction, is necessary to provide patients with a reasonable treatment plan.

P–129 Follicular extracellular vesicles of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome inhibit oocyte maturation

Study question

Does follicular extracellular vesicles of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS-EVs) interfere with the quality of oocytes?

Summary answer

PCOS-EVs induced oxidative stress in the oocytes and inhibited oocyte maturation by increasing the abnormal mitochondria distribution and abnormal spindle rates.

What is known already

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, with a prevalence up to 10%. Women with PCOS are characterized by a clustering of features, including hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovarian morphology, and notably, anovulation. Although international guidelines recommend assisted reproduction techniques to be an effective resort for PCOS patients to conceive. However, even after overcoming ovulatory dysfunction via ovulation induction, the pregnancy outcomes of patients with PCOS were far from satisfying with lower fertilization, cleavage, and implantation rates, implicating that theoocyte quality of these patients are affected. Whereas the mechanisms have not been elucidated yet.

Study design, size, duration

Follicular fluid of PCOS patients (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 10) were collected and used for extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolation via ultracentrifugation. Germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes collected from female ICR mice were cocultured with RIF-EVs or FER-EVs, respectively, and PBS served as a blank control. GV breakdown (GVBD) rate and maturation rate were calculated at two-hour and fourteen-hour of co-culture, respectively. Besides, oocyte mitochondria distribution, meiosis spindle morphology, and oxidative status were assessed in different groups.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

EVs were determined by western blotting, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. Fluorescence labeled EVs were used to visualize internalization by oocytes. Oocytes mitochondria and mitosis spindles were stained with fluorescence, and abnormal mitochondria rate or abnormal spindle rate was calculated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected in the differently treated oocytes. Moreover, the expression of CAT, GSS, and SOD was determined in the oocytes using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Main results and the role of chance

Both PCOS-EVs and CTRL-EVs are bilayered vesicles, ranging from 100 to 150 nm, and enriched in Alix, TSG101, and CD9. EVs could be internalized by oocytes within one hour. After coculture, the GVBD rate was similar among the three groups; whereas the maturation rate was significantly decreased in the PCOS-EV group compared with CTRL-EV group or PBS group. In addition, the abnormal mitochondria distribution rate or abnormal spindle rate were significantly increased in the PCOS-EV group compared with PBS or CTRL-EV group. The ROS level was increased in the PCOS-EV group compared with CTRL-EV group, and the expression of CAT, GSS, and SOD was increased in the PCOS-EV-treated oocytes.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Our study did not identify the contents of PCOS-EVs and CTRL-EVs, and the molecular mechanisms of dysregulations induced by PCOS-EVs need further researches to investigate.

Wider implications of the findings: This work confirmed that EV-conducted cellular communication played an important role in oocyte development in women with PCOS. The dysregulation of oocytes induced by PCOS-EVs might be related to the poor oocyte quality of women with PCOS, which may provide a novel target to improve pregnancy outcomes of these patients.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Effect of lncRNA AK023948 on rats with postmenopausal osteoporosis via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) AK023948 (AK0) on rats with postmenopausal osteoporosis via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, postmenopausal osteoporosis rat models were established to obtain osteoblasts. The phosphorylation level of AKT was analyzed by controlling the expression of AK0 gene in osteoblasts. Finally, XTT was used to analyze the proliferation of osteoblasts and the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression level of caspase in AK0 gene knockout (KO) rat model.

RESULTS

In the bone tissue of postmenopausal osteoporosis rats, the levels of phospho-PI3K (p-PI3K), p-Akt, and p-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1(PDK1) were significantly decreased (p<0.05). In rat model osteoblasts, the overexpression of AK0 gene upregulated the phosphorylation level of AKT, while the interference with small interfering RNA (siRNA) in AK0 gene decreased that of AKT. Knocking out AK0 gene led to the down-regulation of phosphorylation level of AKT in cells. Moreover, if the AK0 gene was re-expressed in the KO rat model cells, the phosphorylation level of AKT was restored to a certain extent, but still lower than that after the overexpression of AK0 gene. Although the proliferation rate of osteoblasts in estrogen deficiency-related osteoporosis rats was low, the growth rate of osteoblasts with AK0 KO was remarkably lower than that in blank control group (p<0.05). It was also found that there was a certain correlation between AK0 gene and osteoblast apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA AK0 can regulate the phosphorylation level of AKT in osteoblasts of rats with estrogen deficiency-related osteoporosis through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thus regulating the proliferation of osteoblasts. It is speculated that lncRNA AK0 may be an important factor in regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Effect of lncRNA AK125437 on postmenopausal osteoporosis rats via MAPK pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) AK125437 on rats with postmenopausal osteoporosis via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, including normal group, model group, and an inhibitor group, with 12 rats in each group. Only ovaries were exposed in normal group. The postmenopausal osteoporosis model was established in model group. Meanwhile, the intervention was performed with inhibitor for 3 months after modeling in inhibitor group, followed by sampling. The expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) was detected via immunohistochemistry. The protein expression level of phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) MAPK was determined via Western blotting (WB). Furthermore, the expression level of lncRNA AK125437 and the content of serum estradiol were determined via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. In addition, bone mineral density was measured using dual-energy X-ray bone mineral absorptiometer.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry results indicated that model group and inhibitor group had notably up-regulated positive expression level of RANKL than normal group (p<0.05), which was remarkably lower in inhibitor group than model group (p<0.05). Western blot results showed that compared with normal group, the protein expression level of p-p38 MAPK was substantially elevated in model and inhibitor groups (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the protein expression level of p-p38 MAPK was markedly lower in inhibitor group than that in model group (p<0.05). According to qPCR results, the expression level of lncRNA AK125437 was significantly up-regulated in both model group and inhibitor group compared with normal group, showing statistically significant differences (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between model group and inhibitor group (p>0.05). ELISA results revealed that model group and inhibitor group had markedly lower estradiol content than normal group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the content of estradiol between the two groups (p>0.05). According to the measurement results of bone mineral density, compared with normal group, bone mineral density was notably lower in model group and inhibitor group (p<0.05). Furthermore, it was markedly higher in inhibitor group than that of model group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA AK125437 affects the bone mineral density of rats with postmenopausal osteoporosis by activating the MAPK pathway.

Targeting SNHG3/miR-186-5p reverses the increased m6A level caused by platinum treatment through regulating METTL3 in esophageal cancer

Background

Platinum-based chemotherapy is a mainstay for treating esophageal cancer patients. In this manuscript, we have provided clues for influence of platinum on overall m6A level and further investigated the potential regulatory mechanism.

Methods

qRT-PCR was used to measure SNHG3 and miR-186-5p expression; ELISA and western blot were used to measure the expression of METTL3. CCK8 was used to measure the cell proliferation rate. Caspase 3/7 activity was used to measure the apoptosis rate. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull down assay were used to investigate the potential crosstalk between miR-186-5p and SNHG3; and miR-186-5p and METTL3.

Results

m6A level was increased when treated with platinum (CDDP, CPB and L-OHP). Besides, SNHG3 expression was induced and miR-186-5p expression was suppressed by platinum. Furthermore, SNHG3 could promote the m6A level, however miR-186-5p inhibited the m6A level through targeting METTL3. SNHG3 interacts with miR-186-5p to negatively regulate the expression of miR-186-5p; and miR-186-5p might bind to the 3′UTR of METTL3 to regulate its expression.

Conclusion

Platinum can increase the overall m6A level of esophageal cancer. SNHG3/miR-186-5p, induced by platinum, was involved in regulating m6A level by targeting METTL3. Our manuscript has provided clues that regulating m6A level might be a novel way to enhance the platinum efficacy.

MiRNA-98-5p inhibits the progression of osteosarcoma by regulating cell cycle via targeting CDC25A expression

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to elucidate the exact role of microRNA-98-5p (miRNA-98-5p) in the progression of osteosarcoma and to explore its potential mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression levels of miRNA-98-5p and cell division cycle 25 (CDC25A) in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines were determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Meanwhile, the correlation between expressions of miRNA-98-5p and CDC25A and the survival of osteosarcoma patients was analyzed. After altering miRNA-98-5p and CDC25A expressions by liposome transfection, the expression levels of CDC25A, ki67, Cyclin D1, p21, BCL2-Associated X (BAX), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and BCL-XL in osteosarcoma cells were detected. Subsequently, potential binding sites between miRNA-98-5p and CDC25A were predicted and further verified by miRanda and Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay, respectively. Regulatory effects of miRNA-98-5p and CDC25A on the migratory ability of osteosarcoma cells were evaluated by transwell assay. Moreover, nude mice were subcutaneously implanted with MG-63 cells over-expressing miRNA-98-5p or negative control. In addition, the functions of miRNA-98-5p and CDC25A in tumor-bearing nude mice were explored in vivo.

RESULTS

MiRNA-98-5p was lowly expressed in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines, whereas CDC25A was highly expressed. Survival analysis showed that the survival of osteosarcoma patients with low-level of miRNA-98-5p or high-level of CDC25A was significantly worse. Besides, a negative correlation was identified between miRNA-98-5p and CDC25A. Subsequent experiments revealed that miRNA-98-5p significantly inhibited cell cycle progression and migratory potential, whereas induced the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells by down-regulating CDC25A.

CONCLUSIONS

MiRNA-98-5p is lowly expressed, while CDC25A is highly expressed in osteosarcoma. Furthermore, miRNA-98-5p regulates cell cycle progression by down-regulating CDC25A, thus inhibiting the progression of osteosarcoma.

Effect of age and parity on maternal diastolic function in middle trimester pregnant women with normal left ventricular ejection fraction and potential link of diastolic function to pre-eclampsia

Background

It has been suggested that maternal cardiac adaptations during pregnancy differ between nulliparous and multipara women and also vary according to the age. Impaired cardiac function precedes pre-eclampsia.

Purpose

To evaluate effect of age and parity on maternal cardiac diastolic function in middle trimester among pregnant women with normal left ventricular ejection fraction as well as correlation between impaired diastolic function and pre-eclampsia.

Methods

Pregnant women with singleton pregnancies carried from 13 weeks to 20 weeks and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% were identified. Diastolic function parameters were assessed using transthoracic echocardiography. Pre-eclampsia was identified from medical records.

Results

376 pregnant women were included (median age: 30 years; median gestational age: 14 weeks; 171 multiparous women). LVEF was 66%. Impaired cardiac diastolic function was seen in 7.8% of pregnant women &lt;35 years compared with 28.6% of those ≥35 years (p=0.000). ROC curve showed women with maternal age over 32 began to have a higher rate of impaired cardiac diastolic function (AUC=0.704, p=0.000, sensitivity=54.5%, specificity=75.3%). There was no difference in diastolic function indices between maternal women grouped by parity. After adjustment for confounders, maternal age can be independent effect factor of Em declined (P&lt;0.05). Em&lt;13cm/s was significantly associated with pre-eclampsia occurrence (HR 8.56; 95% CI: 3.40–21.57) after adjusting for the confounders.

Conclusion

Maternal age is an independent impact factor for diastolic function decline. There is no difference in cardiac diastolic function between nullipara and multipara. Pre-eclampsia occurrence is significantly higher in patients with diastolic function decline at mid-gestation. The utility of risk stratification using diastolic function at mid-gestation may improve the survival outcomes of pregnant women.

Association between Em and PE risk

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Immunocyte density in parathyroid carcinoma is correlated with disease relapse

PURPOSE

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an endocrine malignancy with a poor prognosis. The tumour immune microenvironment is a critical factor influencing the outcomes of multiple cancer types. However, knowledge of the immune microenvironment in PC remains limited.

METHODS

The intratumoural density of immunocytes and the Ki-67 index were evaluated immunohistochemically in 51 PC patient samples and were compared with clinicopathological features and parafibromin staining results. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards analysis were used to estimate the effects of these variables on clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Intratumoural immunocyte density was not correlated with age, gender, urolithiasis, or palpation of a neck mass. The Ki-67 index was correlated with the intratumoural density of CD3⁺ cells (P = 0.022) and CD8⁺ cells (P = 0.021) and serum calcium levels (P = 0.022). In the intratumoural area of primary foci, Kaplan-Meier method showed that the risk factors associated with recurrence/metastasis were a low density of CD3⁺ (P = 0.017), CD8⁺ (P = 0.019) and CD45⁺ cells (P = 0.047), a high density of CD163⁺ cells (P = 0.003) and a high Ki-67 index (P = 0.004). Cox regression multivariate analysis revealed that CD163⁺ cell density (hazard ratio (HR) 16.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.99-131.66; P = 0.009) and CD8⁺ cell density (HR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02-0.76, P = 0.024) were independent factors associated with PC relapse.

CONCLUSION

The immune microenvironment is an important factor influencing the relapse of PC. The intratumoural density of CD3⁺, CD8⁺, CD45⁺, and CD163⁺ immunocytes was correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with PC. Immunotherapy based on T lymphocytes or tumour-associated macrophages may be a promising treatment strategy.

[Positive lymph node ratio ≥0.16 is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the value of positive lymph node ratio (LNR) in predicting the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

We retrieved the data of a total of 862 patients with esophageal cancer with complete clinical pathology data archived in SEER database in 2010 to 2015. The best cutoff point of LNR was selected using X-tile software. Univariate and multivariate COX proportional hazard models were used to assess the value of LNR in predicting the prognosis of patients after propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

The best cut-off point of LNR determined using X-tile 3.6.1 software was 0.16. The patients with LNR &lt; 0.16 and those with LNR≥0.16 showed significant differences in the number of positive lymph nodes, pathological type, T stage and M stage. After 1:1 propensity score matching, the two groups showed no significant difference in the clinical data or pathological parameters. Matched univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses showed that LNR, primary tumor site and M staging were all independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients, and among them LNR had the most significant predictive value (LNR &lt; 0.16 vs LNR≥0.16: HR=1.827, 95% CI: 1.140-2.929; P=0.000). The median survival time of patients with LNR &lt; 0.16 was 31 months (95%CI: 22.556-39.444 months), as compared with 16 months (95%CI: 12.989-19.011) in patient with LNR≥0.16 (Log Rank χ²=27.392, P &lt; 0.0001). LNR had a better accuracy than N stage for assessing the patients' prognosis with an area under the ROC curve of 0.617 (95%CI: 0.567-0.666), as compared with 0.515 (95%CI: 0.463-0.565) of N stage (z=3.008, P=0.0026).

CONCLUSIONS

LNR≥0.16 is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer and has better prognostic value than N stage.

Genome-wide identification and expression analyses of R2R3-MYB transcription factor genes from two Orchid species

MYB transcription factors play important roles in different plant biological processes during plant growth, development and stress response. In this study, 101 (DoMYB1-101) and 99 (PaMYB1-99) R2R3-MYB genes were identified in the genomes of Dendrobium officinale and Phalaenopsis aphrodite, respectively. To classify the isolated candidate genes, the R2R3-MYB genes from A. thaliana were selected as references. As a result, all identified DoMYB and PaMYB genes were classified into 22 subfamilies. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S21 had the largest number of members of all the subfamilies. The numbers of introns, exons and conserved sequences in all of the identified genes are different. In addition, 20 DoMYB genes from six subfamilies were selected for further analysis of tissue-specific expression and responses to various abiotic stresses treatments. The results showed that all of the DoMYB genes in S4 and S19 subfamilies exhibited the highest relative expression levels in flowers. And five DoMYB genes including DoMYB31, DoMYB40, DoMYB49, DoMYB52 and DoMYB54, responded to the stress response. These results may provide useful information for further studies of the R2R3-MYB gene family.

Cosmic-ray antinuclei as messengers of new physics: status and outlook for the new decade

The precise measurement of cosmic-ray antinuclei serves as an important means for identifying the nature of dark matter and other new astrophysical phenomena, and could be used with other cosmic-ray species to understand cosmic-ray production and propagation in the Galaxy. For instance, low-energy antideuterons would provide a "smoking gun" signature of dark matter annihilation or decay, essentially free of astrophysical background. Studies in recent years have emphasized that models for cosmic-ray antideuterons must be considered together with the abundant cosmic antiprotons and any potential observation of antihelium. Therefore, a second dedicated Antideuteron Workshop was organized at UCLA in March 2019, bringing together a community of theorists and experimentalists to review the status of current observations of cosmic-ray antinuclei, the theoretical work towards understanding these signatures, and the potential of upcoming measurements to illuminate ongoing controversies. This review aims to synthesize this recent work and present implications for the upcoming decade of antinuclei observations and searches. This includes discussion of a possible dark matter signature in the AMS-02 antiproton spectrum, the most recent limits from BESS Polar-II on the cosmic antideuteron flux, and reports of candidate antihelium events by AMS-02; recent collider and cosmic-ray measurements relevant for antinuclei production models; the state of cosmic-ray transport models in light of AMS-02 and Voyager data; and the prospects for upcoming experiments, such as GAPS. This provides a roadmap for progress on cosmic antinuclei signatures of dark matter in the coming years.

Clinicopathologic features and prognosis of synchronous and metachronous multiple primary colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

Multiple primary colorectal cancers (MPCCs) are different from solitary colorectal cancers in many aspects, which are not well studied. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathological features and prognosis of MPCCs.

METHODS

The data of 64 patients with MPCCs out of 2300 patients with colorectal cancers (CRCs) from January 2009 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Stratified analysis was conducted based on subtypes and microsatellite status.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of MPCC was 2.8% and the median follow-up duration was 51.5 (range 1-120) months. Metachronous CRCs (MCRCs) are more likely to appear in the right colon (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences regarding age, sex, BMI, tumor size, smoking/drinking history, TNM stage, family history of cancer, and 5-year survival rate were observed between synchronous CRC (SCRC) and MCRC. Advanced TNM stage (III) and the presence of polyps were found to be independent poor prognostic factors for MPCCs. The prevalence of mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) in MPCCs was 28.1%. Deficient MMR is more likely to appear in younger, lighter MPCC patients with polyps (p < 0.05). Of four mismatch repair proteins, MLH-1, MSH-2, MSH-6, and PMS-2 were negative in nine, nine, five, and nine patients, respectively. The 5-year survival rate did not differ significantly between MMR-proficient (pMMR) and dMMR groups (p = 0.752).

CONCLUSIONS

Synchronous CRC (SCRC) and MCRC might represent similar disease entities with different courses. Deficient MMR is more likely to appear in younger, lighter MPCC patients with polyps and it is an essential indicator for screening Lynch syndrome.

Function, Significance, and Regulation of Rap1b in Malignancy

Ras-associated protein 1(Rap1) is a member of the RAS family of small G proteins and regulates several signal pathways involved in carcinogenesis. Rap1 consists of two highly homologous isoforms, Rap1a and Rap1b. Increasing data suggest that the deregulated activation of Rap1b is involved in a spectrum of malignancies. Accumulating evidence also indicates effects of Rap1b on cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and treatment resistance. Rap1b overexpresses in many tumors and has prognostic values, which are regulated by A2br, miRNAs, and other upstream effectors. This article aims to review research progress in function, significance, and regulation of Rap1b in malignancy.

[The status analysis of diagnosis and treatment of synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer in China: a report of 1 003 cases in 16 domestic medical centers]

Objective: To analyze the status of domestic surgical treatment of synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer in China. Methods: Clinicopathological data of patients who underwent surgery from October 2003 to October 2018 in 16 domestic medical centers was retrospectively analyzed. Excel database was created which covered 77 fields of 7 parts: baseline information of patients, laboratory tests, imaging tests, chemoradiotherapy information, intra-operative findings, postoperative pathology and follow-up data. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of the measurement data between groups. The χ(2) test was used for comparison of the categorical data between groups. The survival curve was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of the 1 003 patients, there were 575 male and 428 female patients with the age of (58.5±14.1) years (range: 18 to 92 years). In a total of 920 patients, the carcinoma of sigmoid colon was performed in 292 cases (31.8%) with the highest ratio. The proportion of patients with liver metastasis and lung metastasis were 27.9% (219/784) and 8.3% (64/769). Preoperative detection of carcino-embryonic antigen level was the most common method in China (87.74%, 880/1 003), and the positive rate was 64.5% (568/880). The correct rate of preoperative imaging tests was 40.7% (280/688). The ratio of peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) scores between 0 and 10 was the highest (59.6%, 170/285). Two hundred and sixty-two (27.0%) patients were performed by totally laparoscopic operation in 971 patients. The resection of primary tumor was performed in 588 of the 817 patients (72.0%). In a total of 457 cases, 253 (55.4%) patients were performed cytoreduction which group scored completeness of cytoreduction (CCR) 0. The postoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was implemented in 70 of the 334 cases (21.0%). Among 1 003 cases, 562 cases (56.03%) had complete follow-up data and the median overall survival was 15 months. The primary tumor resection and the CCR scores were affected by the PCI scores. The patients underwent primary tumor resection (187/205 vs. 26/80, χ(2)=105.085, P=0.000) and the patients were performed cytoreduction which scored CCR 0 or CCR 1 (162/204 vs. 8/78, Z=-10.465, P=0.000) had significant difference between the groups of PCI<20 and ≥20. There was a close correlation between the surgical method and the CCR scores (Z=-3.246,P=0.001).When the maximum degree of tumor reduction was planned, most surgeons would choose laparotomy. The overall survival time was longer in patients with primary tumor resection (P=0.000). The median survival time was 18.6 months in the group of primary tumor resection. Conclusions: It is difficult to diagnose the synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer before the operation. Primary tumor resection has an obvious effect to prolong the survival time. It is necessary to standardize the treatment of peritoneal metastasis.

Linc-PINT acted as a tumor suppressor by sponging miR-543 and miR-576-5p in esophageal cancer

This manuscript aimed to investigate linc-PINT's role as a tumor suppressor and its downstream microRNAs (miRNAs) in esophageal cancer. Log-rank, Cox, and nomogram were used for survival analysis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the expression. Cell counting kit-8 was used for proliferation tests. As for in vivo experiments, low expression of linc-PINT was associated with better prognosis; besides, the nomogram indicated that linc-PINT, miR-543, and miR-576-5p served well in predicting the survival rate. As for the in vitro experiments, linc-PINT could directly regulate miR-543 and miR-576-5p to inhibit the proliferation of Eca-109 cell line. In conclusion, linc-PINT-miR-543/miR-576-5p pathway could predict the prognosis and provide novel therapeutic targets for esophageal cancer.

Design, modeling, and experimental validation of an acoustofluidic platform for nanoscale molecular synthesis and detection

Microfluidic technologies are increasingly implemented to replace manual methods in biological and biochemical sample processing. We explore the feasibility of an acoustofluidic trap for confinement of microparticle reaction substrates against continuously flowing reagents in chemical synthesis and detection applications. Computational models are used to predict the flow and ultrasonic standing wave fields within two longitudinal standing bulk acoustic wave (LSBAW) microchannels operated in the 0.5-2.0 MHz range. Glass (gLSBAW) and silicon (siLSBAW) pillar arrays comprise trapping structures that augment the local acoustic field, while openings between pillars evenly distribute the flow for uniform exposure of substrates to reagents. Frequency spectra (acoustic energy density E _ac vs frequency) and model-predicted pressure fields are used to identify longitudinal resonances with pressure minima in bands oriented perpendicular to the inflow direction. Polymeric and glass particles (10- and 20-µm diameter polystyrene beads, 6 µm hollow glass spheres, and 5 µm porous silica microparticles) are confined within acoustic traps operated at longitudinal first and second half-wavelength resonant frequencies (f _1,E = 575 kHz, gLSBAW; f _1,E = 666 kHz; and f _2,E = 1.278 MHz, siLSBAW) as reagents are introduced at 5-10 µl min^-1. Anisotropic silicon etched traps are found to improve augmentation of the acoustic pressure field without reducing the volumetric throughput. Finally, in-channel synthesis of a double-labeled antibody conjugate on ultrasound-confined porous silica microparticles demonstrates the feasibility of the LSBAW platform for synthesis and detection. The results provide a computational and experimental framework for continued advancement of the LSBAW platform for other synthetic processes and molecular detection applications.

New findings of heparanase in human diseases

OBJECTIVE

This mini-review aims to discuss research works about heparanase published in 2017 and 2018 and provide a direction for therapy methods targeting heparanase.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The relevant data were searched by using keywords "heparanase", "function", "diseases" and "inhibitors" in "PubMed, "Web of Science" and "China Knowledge Resource Integrated databases (CNKI)", and a hand-search was done to acquire peer-reviewed articles and reports about heparanase.

RESULTS

Except for tumor progression, pathological processes including procoagulant activities, preeclamptic placentas, inflammation and so on are all verified to be associated with heparanase activity. Also, these newly-found functions are closely connected to certain cellular activities, including epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).

CONCLUSIONS

It could be concluded that heparanase would be a potential and valuable therapeutic target.

[Correlation between serum CD147 and carotid intraplaque hemorrhage]

Objective: Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) is one of the most important causes of ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between carotid IPH and CD147, which may be the serum marker related to IPH. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 68 patients with carotid artery stenosis from April to September 2004. 3.0T MRI with the 8 channel surface coil was used to scan carotid artery. Images was processed by MRI-PlaqueView. The integrity of lipid, IPH, calcified components and fibrous cap in the plaque was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The correlation and difference analysis among serum CD147 and plaque components were carried out. Results: Serum CD147 level in IPH positive was higher than that in IPH negative, 5 510.1 vs 4 648.0 (P=0.04). There was no significant correlation among serum CD147 and the quantitative parameters of lipid, IPH and calcification in carotid plaque and fibrous cap rupture. Serum CD147 in patients using statins was lower than that in patients not using statins, 4 914.0 vs 5 926.7 (P<0.01). Serum total cholesterol and LDL were positively correlated with serum CD147. In patients without statin, serum CD147 had a better diagnostic value for carotid IPH (AUC=0.81, P=0.04, 95% CI 0.62-0.99). Conclusion: Serum CD147 would probably be one biomarker of IPH and shows good diagnostic value of carotid IPH in the specific population.

Expression and significance of peripheral myeloid-derived suppressor cells in chronic hepatitis B patients

BACKGROUND

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) exert their suppressive effects on multiple immune response and contribute to the development of many diseases. However, limited data is available on the involvement of MDSCs in human chronic HBV infection.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the progression of chronic HBV infection was associated with imbalance of MDSCs.

METHODS

The percentages of MDSCs, regulatory T (Treg), Th1 and Tc1 cells in the peripheral blood from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and healthy controls (HC) were determined by flow cytometry. Plasma levels of IL-10, TGF-β and IFN-γ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The potential association of the frequencies of MDSCs with clinical parameters was assessed.

RESULTS

The percentages of MDSCs and Treg cells were significantly higher in CHB patients than those in HC. The percentages of MDSCs were negatively correlated with Th1 cells. Increased plasma IL-10 level and decreased IFN-γ level were found in CHB patients compared with HC. Moreover, the frequencies of MDSCs and plasma IL-10 levels were positively correlated with serum HBV DNA loads, as well as liver function impairment.

CONCLUSION

The expanded peripheral MDSCs may contribute to poor viral clearance and disease progression during chronic HBV infection.

Augmented longitudinal acoustic trap for scalable microparticle enrichment

We introduce an acoustic microfluidic device architecture that locally augments the pressure field for separation and enrichment of targeted microparticles in a longitudinal acoustic trap. Pairs of pillar arrays comprise "pseudo walls" that are oriented perpendicular to the inflow direction. Though sample flow is unimpeded, pillar arrays support half-wave resonances that correspond to the array gap width. Positive acoustic contrast particles of supracritical diameter focus to nodal locations of the acoustic field and are held against drag from the bulk fluid motion. Thus, the longitudinal standing bulk acoustic wave (LSBAW) device achieves size-selective and material-specific separation and enrichment of microparticles from a continuous sample flow. A finite element analysis model is used to predict eigenfrequencies of LSBAW architectures with two pillar geometries, slanted and lamellar. Corresponding pressure fields are used to identify longitudinal resonances that are suitable for microparticle enrichment. Optimal operating conditions exhibit maxima in the ratio of acoustic energy density in the LSBAW trap to that in inlet and outlet regions of the microchannel. Model results guide fabrication and experimental evaluation of realized LSBAW assemblies regarding enrichment capability. We demonstrate separation and isolation of 20 μm polystyrene and ∼10 μm antibody-decorated glass beads within both pillar geometries. The results also establish several practical attributes of our approach. The LSBAW device is inherently scalable and enables continuous enrichment at a prescribed location. These features benefit separations applications while also allowing concurrent observation and analysis of trap contents.

miR-302b inhibits cancer-related inflammation by targeting ERBB4, IRF2 and CXCR4 in esophageal cancer

Cancer related inflammation (CRI) plays an important role in the development of esophageal cancer (EC), and the target gene analysis shows that miR-302b potential target genes closely correlated to CRI important signaling pathways. The present study was to evaluate the inhibition of miR-302b on CRI in EC and its mechanism. We found that the expression levels of miR-302b in EC cells were lower than that in Het-1A cells, while TE11 with the lowest expression and OE33 with the highest. Inflammatory stimuli at 48 h significantly reduced expression of miR-302b in EC cells, but had no effect in Het-1A. After up-regulation of miR-302b in TE11 and down-regulation of miR-302b in OE33, it was found that miR-302b reduced CRI key transcription factors and representative cytokines. Then, over-expressed of miR-302b significantly altered potential target genes protein expressions and there was a negative correlation between miR-302b and potential target genes protein expressions (ERBB4, IRF2 and CXCR4) in EC tissues. Then reporter gene analysis revealed that miR-302b post-transcriptionally regulated expression of target genes by specific area of 3′-UTR. Transfected by target genes shRNA plasmids together could get the same effects of miR-302b on protein expression of CRI key transcription factors. Furthermore, miR-302b was able to repress tumor growth and transcription factors protein expression in vivo. These finding suggests that miR-302b inhibits key transcription factors and cytokines by targeting ERBB4, IRF2 and CXCR4, implicating its role in the inhibition of CRI in EC.

[Related factors for the development of fulminant myocarditis in adults]

Objective: To determine the early recognizable factors related to patients with fulminant myocarditis. Methods: Medical records from 60 adult patients who were diagnosed with acute viral myocarditis from January 2003 to September 2016 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed, and divided into the fulminant group (n=9) and the non-fulminant group (n=51). Clinical presentations, biochemical markers, electrocardiography and echocardiography features on admission were analyzed. Results: Prevalence of syncope (33.3%(3/9) vs. 2.0% (1/51), P=0.009) and fatigue (77.8% (7/9) vs. 21.6% (11/51) , P=0.002) was significantly higher, while the duration from flu-like syndromes to chest discomfort was shorter ((2.0±1.8) days vs. (4.5±3.5) days, P=0.041) in the fulminant group than that in the non-fulminant group. Systolic blood pressare (SBP) ((94±14) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (117±12)mmHg, P=0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction((49±12)% vs. (60±13)%, P=0.016) were significantly lower, while heart rate ((99±20)bpm vs. (84±19)bpm, P=0.040) and NT-proBNP concentration ((7 962 (1 470, 23 849) ng/L vs. 1 771 (45, 2 380) ng/L, P=0.000) were significantly higher in the fulminant group than those in the non-fulminant group. PR interval was longer (199 (140, 416) ms vs. 156 (112, 204) ms, P=0.021), QRS complex was wider ((127±14)ms vs. (95±13)ms, t=-6.647, P<0.001) in the fulminant group than those in the non-fulminant group. Prolonged QRS duration≥120 ms was more often in fulminant group (77.8%(7/9) vs. 5.9%(3/51), P=0.000). Multivariate analysis revealed that PR interval (adjusted odd ratio 1.044, 95%CI 1.005-1.084, P=0.025) and QRS complex width (adjusted odd ratio 1.252, 95%CI 1.045-1.501, P=0.015) were the independent risk factors significantly associated with fulminant myocarditis. Conclusions: The risk of a fulminant course of acute myocarditis is higher in patients with elevated NT-proBNP, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and conduction disturbances at admission. Prolonged PR interval and widened QRS complex on admission are independent risk factors for developing fulminant myocarditis in adult patients with acute viral myocarditis.

Correlation between childhood eczema and specific IgG antibody level

Eczema, a common pediatric dermatosis with unclear pathogenesis, can seriously affect the life quality of children due to its recurrence and long course. Recent study has found that food specific IgG (sIgG) might be involved in the course of eczema. To analyze the correlation between childhood eczema and sIgG and evaluate the role of avoiding taking intolerance food in the treatment of childhood eczema, this study enrolled 216 children with eczema who were admitted to the Taian Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shandong, China, between August 2014 and October 2015. They were divided into an eczema group (N = 140) and an allergy group (N = 76). Eighty healthy children who were admitted to the Department of Children Healthcare in the same period were selected as a control group. Enzymelinked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum sIgG level. The result showed that the sIgG positive rates of children in the eczema group and allergy group were 91.4% and 93.4%, respectively, and the difference had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). However, the sIgG positive rates of children in the eczema group and allergy group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P less than 0.05). Milk and eggs were the major allergy-causing food for children with sIgG positive rates higher than 70%. The sIgG test results revealed that eggs had the highest allergenicity, followed by milk, tomatoes and soybeans, and pork was not highly sensitive. Therefore, it can be concluded that sIgG positive rate of children with eczema is high, and examination of food sIgG antibody in serum is valuable in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood eczema.

In silico prediction of multiple-category classification model for cytochrome P450 inhibitors and non-inhibitors using machine-learning method

The cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme superfamily is involved in phase I metabolism which chemically modifies a variety of substrates via oxidative reactions to make them more water-soluble and easier to eliminate. Inhibition of these enzymes leads to undesirable effects, including toxic drug accumulations and adverse drug-drug interactions. Hence, it is necessary to develop in silico models that can predict the inhibition potential of compounds for different CYP isoforms. This study focused on five major CYP isoforms, including CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4, that are responsible for more than 90% of the metabolism of clinical drugs. The main aim of this study is to develop a multiple-category classification model (MCM) for the major CYP isoforms using a Laplacian-modified naïve Bayesian method. The dataset composed of more than 4500 compounds was collected from the PubChem Bioassay database. VolSurf+ descriptors and FCFP_8 fingerprint were used as input features to build classification models. The results demonstrated that the developed MCM using Laplacian-modified naïve Bayesian method was successful in classifying inhibitors and non-inhibitors for each CYP isoform. Moreover, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity values for both training and test sets were above 80% and also yielded satisfactory area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and Matthews correlation coefficient values.

[Feasibility and value of index of microcirculatory resistance in patients with acute myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of detecting index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) and the relationship between IMR and left ventricular (LV) systolic function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: The patients with first AMI received primary PCI in Peking University Third Hospital were enrolled from January 2014 to March 2016. IMR were measured immediately after PCI by using pressure/temperature wire. The relationship between IMR and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessed by echocardiography at first day and 6 months after admission was evaluated. Results: Twenty-eight patients with anterior wall AMI were enrolled, with an average age (56±13) years. The success rate of IMR detection was 100%. The mean IMR was (33±18 )mmHg·s. There was no complication related to intravenous adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (140 μg· kg(-1)· min(-1)). The IMR was negatively correlated with TIMI blood flow grade after primary PCI (r=-0.386, P=0.043), and positively correlated with female gender, CK peak value and TnT peak value (r=0.430, P=0.022; r=0.431, P=0.025; r=0.434, P=0.024). After 6 months of follow-up, no adverse cardiovascular events (including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, malignant arrhythmia, unplanned revascularization, hospitalization for unstable angina pectoris and severe heart failure requiring hospitalization) occurred. LVEF increased significantly compared with the first day after PCI (0.54±0.08 vs 0.47±0.06, P=0.001), and IMR was negatively correlated with LVEF after 6 months (r=-0.477, P=0.014). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that CK peak and IMR were predictors of LVEF after six months ( β=-0.595, t=-3.814, P=0.01; β=-0.352, t=-2.26, P=0.036). Conclusions: Immediate detection of IMR in patients with anterior wall AMI after PCI is safe and feasible. The immediate IMR after PCI reflects the extent of myocardial necrosis and myocardial perfusion, and is a predictor of LVEF at 6 months after PCI.