Identification of m6a-related signature genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by machine learning method

Background: We aimed to construct and validate the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)-related m6A regulators by means of machine leaning. Methods: We used ESCC RNA-seq data of 66 pairs of ESCC from West China Hospital of Sichuan University and the transcriptome data extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-ESCA database to find out the ESCC-related m6A regulators, during which, two machine learning approaches: RF (Random Forest) and SVM (Support Vector Machine) were employed to construct the model of ESCC-related m6A regulators. Calibration curves, clinical decision curves, and clinical impact curves (CIC) were used to evaluate the predictive ability and best-effort ability of the model. Finally, western blot and immunohistochemistry staining were used to assess the expression of prognostic ESCC-related m6A regulators. Results: 2 m6A regulators (YTHDF1 and HNRNPC) were found to be significantly increased in ESCC tissues after screening out through RF machine learning methods from our RNA-seq data and TCGA-ESCA database, respectively, and overlapping the results of the two clusters. A prognostic signature, consisting of YTHDF1 and HNRNPC, was constructed based on our RNA-seq data and validated on TCGA-ESCA database, which can serve as an independent prognostic predictor. Experimental validation including the western and immunohistochemistry staining were further successfully confirmed the results of bioinformatics analysis. Conclusion: We constructed prognostic ESCC-related m6A regulators and validated the model in clinical ESCC cohort as well as in ESCC tissues, which provides reasonable evidence and valuable resources for prognostic stratification and the study of potential targets for ESCC.

Lysosome-targetable brightly green fluorescence carbon dots for real-time monitoring in cell and highly efficient removal in environment of hypochlorite

Due to the lacks of lysosome localization group and reaction/interaction site for hypochlorite (ClO^-) on the surface of the carbon dots (C-dots), no C-dots-based lysosome-targeted fluorescence probes have, so far, been reported for real-time monitoring intracellular ClO^-. In this work, 1,3,6-trinitropyrene (TNP) was used as a precursor to prepare C-dots with maximum excitation and emission wavelengths at 485 and 532 nm, respectively, and quantum yield ∼ 27% by a hydrothermal approach at 196 °C for 6 h under a reductive atmosphere. The brightly green C-dots can sensitively and quickly respond to ClO^- in aqueous solution through surface chemical reaction, showing a linear relationship in the range of 0.5-120 μΜ ClO^- with 0.27 μΜ of limit of detection (LOD). Most significantly, the C-dots can localize at intracellular lysosome to image ClO^- in lysosomes. Also, the magnetic nanocomposites (C-dots@Fe₃O₄ MNCs) were fabricated via a simple electrostatic self-assembly between Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) and C-dots for highly efficient removal of ClO^- in real samples. Therefore, lysosome-targetable C-dots-based probes for real-time monitoring ClO^- were successfully constructed, opening up a promising door to investigate the biological functions and pathological roles of ClO^- at organelle levels.

Experimental Evidence of t_{2g} Electron-Gas Rashba Interaction Induced by Asymmetric Orbital Hybridization

We report the control of Rashba spin-orbit interaction by tuning asymmetric hybridization between Ti orbitals at the LaAlO_{3}/SrTiO_{3} interface. This asymmetric orbital hybridization is modulated by introducing a LaFeO_{3} layer between LaAlO_{3} and SrTiO_{3}, which alters the Ti-O lattice polarization and traps interfacial charge carriers, resulting in a large Rashba spin-orbit effect at the interface in the absence of an external bias. This observation is verified through high-resolution electron microscopy, magnetotransport and first-principles calculations. Our results open hitherto unexplored avenues of controlling Rashba interaction to design next-generation spin orbitronics.

Effect of circumferential resection margin status on survival and recurrence in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate whether circumferential resection margin (CRM) status has an impact on survival and recurrence in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

We screened patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy from January 2017 to December 2019. The CRM was reassessed. Patients were grouped into a CRM of 1 mm or less (0 < CRM ≤ 1 mm) and a CRM greater than 1 mm (CRM>1 mm). The impact of CRM on survival was investigated using Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression modeling. The optimal CRM cut point was evaluated using restricted cubic spline curve.

Results

A total of 89 patients were enrolled in this study. The CRM status was an independent risk factor for the prognosis (HR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.73). Compared with a CRM of 1 mm or less, a CRM greater than 1 mm had better overall survival (HR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.73, log-rank P = 0.011), longer disease-free survival (HR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27-0.95, log-rank P = 0.040), and less recurrence (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.23-0.85, log–rank P = 0.015). We visualized the association between CRM and the hazard ratio of survival and identified the optimal cut point at 1 mm.

Conclusions

A CRM greater than 1 mm had better survival and less recurrence compared to a CRM of 1 mm or less. A more radical resection with adequate CRM could benefit survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy.

[Screening of hot-spot deafness gene mutations among 277 cochlear implantation patients in Sichuan province]

Objective:To investigate the spectrum and incidence of the hot-spot deafness gene mutations of 277 patients with cochlear implantation in Sichuan province, and to provide information of the prevention and treatment for clinical application. Method: The data of the hotspot deafness gene mutations screening of 277 patients with cochlear implantation was analyzed retrospectively. A deafness related gene mutations detection kit was used to detect 9 mutation sites in four deafness-associated genes,including GJB2(35delG,176del16,235delC,299delAT), GJB3(538C＞T),SLC26A4(2168A＞G, IVS7-2A＞G), Mitochondrial 12SrRNA(1494C＞T, 1555A＞G). Result: ① A total of 122 patients with hot-spot Deafness Gene Mutations were detected in 277 cochlear implantation patients(44.04%),among which there were 39 patients were GJB2235delC homozygous mutation(14.08%), 23 patients were GJB2 235delC heterozygous mutation(8.30%), 1 patient was GJB2 299delAT homozygous mutation(0.36%), 2 patients were GJB2 176del16& 235delC compound heterozygous mutation(0.72%), 13 patients were GJB2 235delC& 299delAT compound heterozygous mutation(4.69%), 2 patients were SLC26A4 2168A＞G heterozygous mutation(0.72%), 16 patients were SLC26A4 IVS7-2A＞G homozygous mutation(5.78%), 22 patient were SLC26A4 IVS7-2A＞G heterozygous mutation(7.94%), 1 patients was SLC26A4 2168A＞G& IVS7-2A＞G compound heterozygous mutation(0.36%), 2 patients were mitochondrial 12SrRNA gene 1555A＞G homogenous mutation(0.72%), 1 patient carried both GJB2 235delC homozygous mutation and SLC26A4 IVS7-2A＞G heterozygous mutation(0.36%). ②A total of 49 patients with LVAS were found in 277 cochlear implantation patients: including 15 patients with IVS7-2A＞G homozygous mutation(30.61%), 22 patients with IVS7-2A＞G heterozygous mutation(44.90%), 1 patient with 2168A＞G heterozygous mutation(2.04%), 1 patient with complex heterozygosis mutations of 2168A＞G and IVS7-2A＞G(2.04%), 1 patient with GJB2 235delC homozygous mutation(2.04%) and 1 patient with GJB2 235delC&299delAT compound heterozygous mutation(2.04%), and no hotspot deafness gene mutations were found in 8 patients. ③There were 40 out of 277 cochlear implantation patients with definite family history.There was no statistic difference of the detection rate of hot-spot deafness gene mutations between in patients with family deafness history (57.50%) and in patients without family deafness history (41.77%). ④A total of 273 patients with profound binaural deafness were found among 277 cochlear implantation patients. Three patients with profound deafness in right ear and severe deafness in left ear were found among 277 cochlear implantation patients.Two patients of three were SLC26A4 IVS7-2A＞G heterozygosis mutations, and one patient of three was GJB2 235delC heterozygosis mutations; 1 patient with profound deafness in left ear and severe deafness in right ear was found among 277 cochlear implantation patients,and was GJB2 235delC heterozygosis mutations. Conclusion:① The detection rate of hotspot deafness gene mutations in 277 cochlear implantation patients is 44.04%(122/277). GJB2 Mutation is the most common, SLC26A4 mutation takes the second place, mitochondrial 12SrRNAgene mutation is not common and GJB3 mutation is not found in this study.② SLC26A4 mutation may not be the sole pathogenic factor of LVAS. ③ The results of this study suggest that the genetic background of cochlear implants patients has little effect on the data of the hotspot deafness gene mutations screening.

Dinuclear magnesium, zinc and aluminum complexes supported by bis(iminopyrrolide) ligands: synthesis, structures, and catalysis toward the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide

Synthesis and characterization of novel dinuclear magnesium, zinc and aluminum complexes supported by bis(iminopyrrolide) ligands and their catalysis toward the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and rac-lactide (rac-LA) were carried out. The ligand precursors [(5-Bu(t)-2-C4H2NH)CH=N(CH2)2]2NH (H2L(Bu), 1) and [(2-C4H3NH)CH=N(CH2)2]2NH (H2L(H), 2) were prepared by condensation of diethylene triamine with 5-tert-butyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde and 1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde, respectively. Treatment of 1 with 2 equiv. of Bu(n)MgOBn in toluene at 70 °C produced dinuclear magnesium complex [(μ-OBn)2Mg2L(Bu)] (3). Similar treatment of 1 with EtZnOBn generated [(μ-OBn)2Zn2L(Bu)] (4). Reaction of 2 with 2 equiv. of Me2AlOBn in toluene at 70 °C afforded aluminum complex [Me2Al(μ-OBn)2AlL(H)] (5). Complexes 3-5 were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Each of complexes 3-5 is active for the ROP of ε-CL and rac-LA. Kinetic studies of the polymerization reactions were performed.

Simple and rapid detection of swine hepatitis E virus by reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an enteric pathogen of humans and animals, and pigs have been considered an important reservoir of this virus. Recent evidence has indicated the cross-species transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) from pigs to humans, causing zoonosis, mostly via consumption of uncooked or undercooked animal meat/viscera. In this study, we have developed a one-step RT-LAMP assay for rapid detection of swine HEV. Specific primer sets targeting the ORF3 gene were designed. The sensitivity of the RT-LAMP assay was 10(1) copies/μl of RNA template, which was tenfold higher than that of RT-nPCR. The specificity of this assay was demonstrated by the lack of amplification of DNA/RNA from other swine viruses. Furthermore, a total of 41 bile samples were subjected to RT-LAMP and RT-nPCR. Eighteen positive samples were detected by RT-nPCR, while 36 positive samples were detected by RT-LAMP, indicating that the sensitivity of the RT-LAMP assay was higher than that of the conventional RT-nPCR assay. The RT-LAMP assay reported here may be used for diagnosis of swine HEV, not only in laboratories but also under field conditions.

Associations of intra-renal arterial resistance index with chronic kidney disease and carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Renal dysfunction can be evaluated by increased intra-renal arterial resistance index (RI). We evaluated 113 Chinese men with type 2 diabetes on their RI. Results suggest that RI is associated with chronic kidney disease and subclinical arteriosclerosis. RI may help monitoring the deterioration of intra-renal hemodynamics.

Mesenteric fat thickness as an independent determinant of fatty liver

OBJECTIVE

Mesenteric fat is drained by the portal circulation and has been suggested to be a key component in obesity-related health risk, notably the metabolic syndrome. There are increasing epidemiological and experimental data showing that fatty liver is another component of this multifaceted syndrome. Given their intimate anatomical and physiological relationships, we hypothesized that mesenteric fat thickness may be independently associated with the risk of fatty liver. To test this hypothesis, we examined the predictive role of various fat deposits including mesenteric fat thickness, and various metabolic variables on the risk of fatty liver.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 291 Chinese subjects (134 men and 157 women with a mean BMI of 23.7 kg/m2, range: 16.5-33.4 kg/m2) underwent ultrasound examination for measurement of mesenteric, subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness, and for diagnosis of fatty liver. Body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio were recorded. Blood pressure was measured. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), liver enzymes were determined by common methods.

RESULTS

The subjects with fatty liver had greater abdominal fat thickness and higher anthropometric indexes than those without fatty liver. The subjects with fatty liver also showed higher blood pressure, worse lipid and glycaemic profile compared with those without fatty liver. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, mesenteric fat thickness was a risk factor of fatty liver, independent of body mass index, age, sex, insulin resistance, fasting plasma glucose, lipid and blood pressure. The odds ratio was 1.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.27-1.77) for every 1 mm increase in the mesenteric fat thickness. Measurement of preperitoneal and subcutaneous fat deposits did not show significant associations with fatty liver.

CONCLUSION

Mesenteric fat thickness measured on ultrasound is an independent determinant of fatty liver.

Sonographic measurement of mesenteric fat thickness is a good correlate with cardiovascular risk factors: comparison with subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness, magnetic resonance imaging and anthropometric indexes

OBJECTIVE

Visceral fat, notably mesenteric fat, which is drained by the portal circulation, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome through increased production of free fatty acids, cytokines and vasoactive peptides. We hypothesize that mesenteric fat thickness as measured by ultrasound scan could explain most of the obesity-related health risk. We explored the relationships between cardiovascular risk factors and abdominal fat as determined by sonographic measurements of thickness of mesenteric, preperitoneal and subcutaneous fat deposits, total abdominal and visceral fat measurement by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anthropometric indexes.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS

Subjects included 18 healthy men and 19 women (age: 27-61 y, BMI: 19-33.4 kg/m(2)).

MEASUREMENTS

The maximum thickness of mesenteric, preperitoneal and subcutaneous fat was measured by abdominal ultrasound examination. MRI examinations of whole abdomen and pelvis were performed and the amount of total abdominal and visceral fat was quantified. The body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio were recorded. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by physical examination and blood taking.

RESULTS

Men had more adverse cardiovascular risk profile, higher visceral fat volume and thicker mesenteric fat deposits than women. Among all the investigated obesity indexes, the mesenteric fat thickness showed the highest correlations with total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, HbA(1c) and systolic blood pressure in men, and with triglycerides and HbA(1c) in women. On stepwise multiple regression analysis with different obesity indexes as independent variables, 30-65% of the variances of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C and HbA(1c) in men, and triglycerides in women were explained by the mesenteric fat thickness.

CONCLUSION

Compared with sonographic measurement of subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness, MRI measurement of total abdominal and visceral fat and anthropometric indexes, sonographic measurement of mesenteric fat thickness showed better associations with some of the cardiovascular risk factors. It may potentially be a useful tool to evaluate regional distribution of obesity in the assessment of cardiovascular risk.