First report of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus infecting Cynanchum rostellatum in China

Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) was first discovered on cucumber in the United Kingdom in 1935 (Ainsworth, 1935), and has spread worldwide except to Antarctica (Jones, 2021). Given its extensive damage, it is considered an important pathogen on global cucurbit plants and fruit crops. In China, CGMMV was first reported on pumpkin in Guangxi Province in 2003 (Qin et al., 2005), and occurred on 34 plants species across 23 provinces (Liu et al., 2016). Cynanchum rostellatum is a member of the family Apocynaceae. In July 2021, leaves of C. rostellatum exhibiting virus-like symptoms (yellowing, severe crinkling, deformation) were observed and collected in Liaoning Province, China. Aphids were also observed on the leaves and stems (Fig. S1) of the plants and were collected. Total RNA was extracted from diseased leaves following the CTAB method, followed by the depletion of ribosomal RNAs (rRNA) with TIANSeq rRNA Depletion Kit (Tiangen, China). The RNAs were, then processed into a DNBSEQ LncRNA-Seq library, and sequenced on the MGISEQ-2000 platform at BGI Genomics (Wuhan, China). A total of 106.98 M clean reads were obtained after data filtering using SOAPnuke software (BGI, China). The clean reads were assembled into contigs using CLC Genomics Workbench 11 (Qiagen, USA) and Trinity v2.0.6 (Haas et al., 2013). A contig (4,760 reads, average coverage:73.76) of 6,391 nucleotides was found to share the highest sequence identity (99.83%) with CGMMV isolate GDLZ (MK933286), irrespective of other virus-like contigs related to Polerovirus and Totivirus. Based on the genome of GDLZ isolate, seven specific primers (Table S1) were designed to amplify the full viral genomic sequences using a PrimeScriptTM One-Step RT-PCR Kit. Seven expected amplicons were obtained, cloned, and sequenced. The complete genome was determined to be 6,423 nucleotides (GenBank accession number OR854819) in length and designated as LNMJ isolate. LNMJ shared 96.8%-99.7% nucleotide sequence identities with CGMMV isolates from China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome sequences showed that LNMJ clustered together with CGMMV isolates hn (GenBank accession number KC851866), GDLZ (GenBank accession number MK933286), and JD8 (GenBank accession number KM873784) from China. The specific primers LM-TJ-3F/3R were designed to determine the virus-symptom association for LNMJ, and all twelve symptomatic C. rostellatum plants collected from fields tested positive for LNMJ. Two out of six randomly selected aphids from the diseased plants also tested positive. To further prove its infectivity, LNMJ was inoculated mechanically onto ten healthy Nicotiana benthamiana plants, and the results indicated a high infection rate of 80% (8/10), at 30 days post-inoculation despite no distinct symptoms observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the natural infection of C. rostellatum plants with CGMMV. C. rostellatum is a widespread herb in China (Wei et al., 2019) and more surveys are needed to determine the distribution of CGMMV. The habitats of C. rostellatum span diverse agroecological zones, and thus our study underscores the potential spillover of CGMMV to neighboring crops as a significant risk.

Menopausal age and cardiovascular disease risk in American women: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant contributor to the deaths of females, and premature menopause adds to the risk of CVD in females. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the age of menopause and CVD incidence in American females using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHOD

We analyzed data from 6347 females to investigate the association between menopausal age and the risk of CVD using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The study found that a later menopausal age reduces the risk of developing CVD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.63 - 0.88, p < 0.001). Moreover, females with early-onset CVD had an increased risk of premature menopause before the age of 40 years (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.60 - 3.72, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Menopausal age is associated with the risk of developing CVD in American females. Specifically, if menopause occurs earlier, there is an increased risk of CVD. Additionally, early-onset CVD significantly raises the risk of premature menopause, which in turn has important implications for female reproductive health.

The complete genome sequence of a putative novel cytorhabdovirus identified in Chelidonium majus in China

A new cytorhabdovirus, tentatively named "chelidonium yellow mottle associated virus" (CheYMaV), was identified in Chelidonium majus with yellow mottle symptoms by high-throughput sequencing and RT-PCR. Its genome is 12,121 nucleotides in length and contains eight open reading frames (ORFs) in the order 3'-N-P'-P-P3-M-G-P6-L-5'. Amino acid sequence comparisons between the putative proteins of CheYMaV and the corresponding proteins of other cytorhabdoviruses showed that it shares the highest sequence similarity with Trifolium pratense virus A (TpVA, MH982250) and Glehnia littoralis virus 1 (GllV1, BK014304), but with sequence identity values below the species demarcation threshold for cytorhabdoviruses (< 80%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that CheYMaV is most closely related to TpVA and GllV1. CheYMaV should therefore be considered a new member of the genus Cytorhabdovirus. This is the first report of a cytorhabdovirus identified in Chelidonium majus.

[Clinical effect of modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in repairing skin and soft tissue defects after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of the modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in repairing the skin and soft tissue defect after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study. From June 2019 to July 2022, five male patients with low rectal cancer who were conformed to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Basic Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, with ages ranging from 65 to 70 years and the sizes of the perianal skin ulcers ranging from 5 cm×4 cm to 11 cm×9 cm, and all of them underwent abdominoperineal resection. The secondary skin and soft tissue defects in the perineum with an area of 8 cm×6 cm-14 cm×12 cm (with the depth of pelvic floor dead space being 10-15 cm) were repaired intraoperatively with transplantation of modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps with the skin area being 9 cm×7 cm-16 cm×12 cm, the volume of the muscle being 18 cm×10 cm×5 cm-20 cm×12 cm×5 cm, and the vessel pedicle being 18-20 cm in length. During the operation, most of the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle was retained, the flap was transferred to the recipient area through the abdominal cavity, the remaining anterior sheaths of the rectus abdominis muscle on both sides of the donor area were repeatedly folded and sutured, the free edge of the transverse fascia of the abdomen was sutured with the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle, and the donor area skin was directly sutured. After the operation, the survival of the transplanted myocutaneous flap was observed. The occurrence of complications in the perineal recipient area was recorded within 2 weeks after the operation. The recovery of the perineal recipient area and the abdominal donor area was observed during follow-up, and the occurrence of complications in the donor area of the abdomen as well as the recurrence of tumors and metastasis were recorded. Results: All transplanted myocutaneous flaps in 5 patients survived after surgery. One patient had dehiscence of the incision in the perineal recipient area 2 days after surgery, which healed after 7 d with intermittent dressing changes and routine vacuum sealing drainage treatment. In the other 4 patients, no complications such as incisional rupture, incisional infection, or fat liquefaction occurred in the perineal recipient area within 2 weeks after surgery. Follow-up for 6-12 months after discharge showed that the skin of the perineal recipient area had good color, texture, and elasticity, and was not bloated in appearance; linear scars were left in the perineal recipient area and the abdominal donor area without obvious scar hyperplasia or hyperpigmentation; no complications such as incisional rupture, incisional infection, intestinal adhesion, intestinal obstruction, or weakening of the abdominal wall strength occurred in the abdominal donor area, and the abdominal appearance was good with no localized bulge or formation of abdominal hernia; there was no local recurrence of tumor or metastasis in any patient. Conclusions: The surgical approach of using the modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap to repair the skin and soft tissue defects after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer is relatively simple in operation, can achieve good postoperative appearances of the donor and recipient areas with few complications, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Ultrastable Super-Tonks-Girardeau Gases under Weak Dipolar Interactions

The highly excited super-Tonks-Girardeau (sTG) gas was recently observed to be extremely stable in the presence of a weak dipolar repulsion. Here we reveal the underlying reason for this mysterious phenomenon. By exactly solving the trapped small clusters with both contact and dipolar interactions, we show that the reason lies in the distinct spectral responses between sTG gas and its decaying channel (bound state) when a weak dipolar interaction is present. Specifically, a tiny dipolar force can produce a visible energy shift for the localized bound state, but can hardly affect the extended sTG branch. As a result, the avoided level crossing between two branches is greatly modified in both location and width in the parameter axis of coupling strength, leading to a more (less) stable sTG gas for a repulsive (attractive) dipolar force. These results, consistent with experimental observations, are found to robustly apply to both bosonic and fermionic systems.

Quartet Superfluid in Two-Dimensional Mass-Imbalanced Fermi Mixtures

Quartet superfluid (QSF) is a distinct type of fermion superfluidity that exhibits high-order correlation beyond the conventional BCS pairing paradigm. In this Letter, we report the emergent QSF in 2D mass-imbalanced Fermi mixtures with two-body contact interactions. This is facilitated by the formation of a quartet bound state in vacuum that consists of a light atom and three heavy fermions. For an optimized heavy-light number ratio 3:1, we identify QSF as the ground state in a considerable parameter regime of mass imbalance and 2D coupling strength. Its unique high-order correlation can be manifested in the momentum-space crystallization of a pairing field and density distribution of heavy fermions. Our results can be readily detected in Fermi-Fermi mixtures nowadays realized in cold atoms laboratories, and meanwhile shed light on exotic superfluidity in a broad context of mass-imbalanced fermion mixtures.

Prenatal exome sequencing analysis in fetuses with central nervous system anomalies

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utility of prenatal exome sequencing (pES) in fetuses with central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of fetuses identified to have CNS abnormality on prenatal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging. All fetuses were first analyzed by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Fetuses with a confirmed aneuploidy or causal pathogenic copy-number variant (CNV) on CMA did not undergo pES analysis and were excluded, while those with a negative CMA result were offered pES testing.

RESULTS

Of the 167 pregnancies included in the study, 42 (25.1%) were identified to have a pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant. The diagnostic rate was significantly higher in fetuses with a non-isolated CNS abnormality than in those with a single CNS abnormality (35.7% (20/56) vs 14.5% (8/55); P = 0.010). Moreover, when a fetus had three or more CNS abnormalities, the positive diagnostic rate increased to 42.9%. A total of 25/42 (59.5%) cases had de-novo mutations, while, in the remaining cases, mutations were inherited and carried a significant risk of recurrence. Families whose fetus carried a P/LP mutation were more likely to choose advanced pregnancy termination than those with a variant of uncertain significance, secondary/incidental finding or negative pES result (83.3% (25/30) vs 41.3% (38/92); P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

pES improved the identification of genetic disorders in fetuses with CNS anomalies without a chromosomal abnormality or CNV identified on CMA, regardless of the number of CNS anomalies and presence of extracranial abnormality. We also demonstrated that pES findings can significantly impact parental decision-making. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Building a Flexible and Highly Ionic Conductive Solid Electrolyte Interphase on the Surface of Si@C Anodes by Binary Electrolyte Additives

Si@C as a high specific capacity anode material for lithium batteries (LIBs) has attracted a lot of attention. However, the severe volume change during lithium de-embedding causes repeated rupture/reconstruction of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), resulting in poor cycling stability of the Si-based battery system and thus hindering its application in commercial batteries. Using electrolyte additives to form an excellent SEI is considered to be a cost-effective method to meet this challenge. Here, the classical film-forming additive vinyl carbonate (VC), and the newly emerging lithium salt additive lithium difluorophosphate (LiDFP), are chosen as synergistic additives to improve the electrode-electrolyte interface properties. Final results show that the VC additive generates flexible polycarbonate components at the electrode/electrolyte interface, preventing the fragmentation of Si particles. However, the organic components show high impedance, inhibiting the fast transport of Li+. This defect can be supplemented from the decomposition substances of the LiDFP additive. The derived inorganic products, such as LiF and Li3PO4, can strengthen the reaction kinetics of the electrode, reduce the interfacial impedance, and promote the Li+ transport. Thus, the synergistic effect of VC and LiDFP additives builds an effective SEI with good flexibility and high ionic conductivity and then significantly improves the cycling and rate stability of Si@C anodes. The experimental results show that the utilization of LiDFP and VC additives to modify the Si@C anode interface enhances the capacity retention of the Si@C/Li half-cell after 100 cycles from 68.2% to 85.1%. Besides, the possible mechanism of action between VC and LiDFP is proposed by using the spectral characterization technique and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This research opens up a new possibility for improvement of SEI, and provides a simple way to achieve high-performance Si-based LIBs.

Inhibition of annexin A7 suppresses senescence-associated heterochromatin foci formation and senescence through the AMPK/mTOR pathway in human dermal fibroblasts

Senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF) is often used as a biological marker for senescent cells, but the regulation of its formation process is unclear. To find a new modulator of SAHF, we screened our chemical small molecules and found 7-amino-2,3,4,5-tetrahedrobenzo[b][1,4] oxazepin-3-ol (ABO) that was identified as an inhibitor of annexin A7 GTPase (ANXA7) dramatically suppressed the aggregation of heterochromatin protein (HP1γ), an indicator of SAHF. To understand its action mechanism, we first observed the changes in the karyoplasmic ratio of ANXA7 because HP1γ mainly located in the nucleus. The results showed that ABO elevated the protein level of ANXA7 in the nucleus. Therefore, we raised a hypothesis that ANXA7 interacted with HP1γ and regulated its phosphorylation, which is closely related to the formation of SAHF. The co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot experiment results showed that ANXA7 had no direct interaction with HP1γ, however, the phosphorylation of HP1γ was increased by ABO, which suggested that ANXA7 indirectly regulated HP1γ phosphorylation. Then, based on our previous discovery of ANXA7 interacting with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), we investigated the effect of the AMPK/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway on ABO-increased phosphorylation of HP1γ. We found that ABO decreased AMPK phosphorylation and increased the phosphorylation level and activity of mTOR. In the presence of an AMPK activator or mTOR inhibitor, ABO could not increase HP1γ phosphorylation. As a result, ABO inhibited the senescence of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). In this study, we found that ANXA7 was a new regulator of SAHF, it could regulate the formation of SAHF through the AMPK/mTOR pathway. The data suggested that ABO could be used as a powerful tool to inhibit the replicative senescence of HDFs.

HPV Infection Causes Dependence on Alternative DNA Damage Response Pathways Providing Cancer Specific Targets for Radiosensitization

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Cancer-specific radiosensitization is an attractive approach to improving the efficacy of radiotherapy. However, drugs targeting ubiquitous DNA damage response pathways are not cancer specific and can increase radiation related side effects. Thus, there is an unmet need for tumor specific molecular targets. This approach requires an identification of DNA damage signaling pathways that are unique to cancer cells. We hypothesized that by expressing its genome in the host cells HPV infection can rewire DNA damage signaling making HPV-positive tumor cells dependent on alternative pathways to survive radiation, which can be exploited for radiosensitization of HPV-induced cancers.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We have performed a CRISPR/Cas9 screen in HPV-positive SiHa cells that either express HPV16 proteins E6 and E7 or contain a selective knock-out of E6 or E7. We used next-generation sequencing to determine the abundance of gRNA in cells that were mock-treated or irradiated. We identified genes that were required for survival of radiation specifically in the context of E6 or E7 expression. Results of the screen were validated by generating knock-outs of the discovered genes using CRISPR/Cas9. By applying an array of molecular tools to analyze cell survival, cell cycle progression and mitotic progression we assessed the role of these genes in radiation response in HPV-positive cancer cells.

RESULTS

We have identified genes that are required for survival of radiation-induced DNA damage in the context of either E6 or E7 expression. We demonstrate that targeting these genes results in hypersensitization of cervical cancer cells to radiation specifically in the presence of E6 or E7. We show that the gene product required for survival in E6-expressing cells is critical for mitotic progression after radiation exposure serving as a member of a protein complex stabilizing the attachment of mitotic spindle to centromeres.

CONCLUSION

We have uncovered specific genes that are critical for DNA damage response and cell survival after radiation exposure in HPV-positive cells. Our findings suggest that expression of the HPV proteins E6 and E7 rewires DNA damage signaling causing dependence on alternative response pathways. We propose that these pathways can be targeted for a tumor-specific radiosensitization of HPV-induced cancers.

Inhibition of transition-metal dissolution with an inert soluble product interface constructed by high-concentration electrolyte

The formation of a compact and stable cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) film is a promising way to improve the high voltage resistance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, challenges arise due to the corrosion of hydrogen fluoride (HF) and the dissolution of transition metal ions (TMs) in harsh conditions. To address this issue, researchers have constructed an anion-derived CEI film enriched with LiF and LiPO₂F₂ soluble product on the surface of LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ (LNMO) cathode in highly concentrated electrolytes (HCEs). The strong binding of LiF and LiPO₂F₂ generated an inert LiPO₂F₂ soluble product interface, which inhibited HF corrosion and maintained the spinel structure of LNMO, contributing to a capacity retention of 92% after 200 cycles at 55°C in the resulting cell with a soluble LiPO₂F₂-containing CEI film. This new approach sheds light on improving the electrode/electrolyte interface for high-energy LIBs.

[Embedded 3D printing of porous silicon orbital implants and its surface modification]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare customized porous silicone orbital implants using embedded 3D printing and assess the effect of surface modification on the properties of the implants.

METHODS

The transparency, fluidity and rheological properties of the supporting media were tested to determine the optimal printing parameters of silicone. The morphological changes of silicone after modification were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of silicone surface were evaluated by measuring the water contact angle. The compression modulus of porous silicone was measured using compression test. Porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAOECs) were co-cultured with porous silicone scaffolds for 1, 3 and 5 days to test the biocompatibility of silicone. The local inflammatory response to subcutaneous porous silicone implants was evaluated in rats.

RESULTS

The optimal printing parameters of silicone orbital implants were determined as the following: supporting medium 4% (mass ratio), printing pressure 1.0 bar and printing speed 6 mm/s. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the silicone surface was successfully modified with polydopamine and collagen, which significantly improved hydrophilicity of the silicone surface (P < 0.05) without causing significant changes in the compression modulus (P > 0.05). The modified porous silicone scaffold had no obvious cytotoxicity and obviously promoted adhesion and proliferation of PAOECs (P < 0.05). In rats bearing the subcutaneous implants, no obvious inflammation was observed in the local tissue.

CONCLUSION

Poprous silicone orbital implants with uniform pores can be prepared using embedded 3D printing technology, and surface modification obviously improves hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the silicone implants for potential clinical application.

[Repair methods of complex facial defect wounds involving paranasal sinuses and their clinical effectiveness]

Objective: To explore the repair methods of complex facial defect wounds involving paranasal sinuses and their clinical effectiveness. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2020 to May 2022, 5 patients admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and 4 patients admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Chenzhou First People's Hospital with complex facial defect wounds involving paranasal sinuses met the inclusion criteria, including 6 males and 3 females, aged 35-69 years, including 4 patients with titanium mesh exposure combined with paranasal sinuses injury and 5 patients with tumor involving paranasal sinuses. After an adequate assessment of the damage by a multiple discipline team, titanium mesh removal, paranasal sinus debridement, and paranasal sinus mucosa removal were performed in patients with exposed titanium mesh, and radical tumor resection was performed in patients with tumors, with postoperative skin and soft tissue defects areas of 5.0 cm×2.5 cm to 18.0 cm×7.0 cm, anterior paranasal sinus wall defects/absence areas of 3 cm×2 cm to 6 cm×4 cm, and sinus cavity depths of 1 to 4 cm. Depending on the perforator course of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, the anterolateral femoral chimeric flap or anterolateral femoral myocutaneous flap (with flap area of 9 cm×4 cm to 19 cm×8 cm, muscle size of 5 cm×3 cm×3 cm to 11 cm×6 cm×3 cm) was transplanted to repair the defect, and the donor site wound was sutured directly. The type of tissue flap transplanted, the blood vessel of the recipient area, and the vascular anastomosis way during the operation, the recovery of the donor and recipient areas and the occurrence of complications after operation were observed. The appearance and blood supply of the recipient area and the recurrence of ulcers and tumors were followed up. Results: The anterolateral femoral myocutaneous flap transplantation was performed in 6 patients, and the anterolateral femoral chimeric flap transplantation was performed in 3 patients. The blood vessels in recipient areas were facial arteries and veins in 3 cases and superficial temporal arteries and veins in 6 cases. The superficial temporal arteries and veins were bridged with blood vessels in tissue flaps by flow-through way in 2 patients, and end-to-end anastomosis of blood vessels in donor and recipient areas was performed in 7 patients. After operation, all the tissue flaps survived, and the facial defect wounds were well repaired without cerebrospinal fluid leakage or paranasal sinus secretion leakage, no intracranial infection occurred, and the wounds in donor areas were healed well. Follow-up of 6-35 months after operation showed that all the patients had good blood supply in the recipient area, and the shape was acceptable; 4 patients with exposed titanium mesh had no recurrence of ulceration, and 5 patients with tumor had no local tumor recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions: Based on an adequate assessment of the extent of paranasal sinuses involved in the facial wound and the nature of the defect, good clinical effects can be achieved by using the anterolateral femoral muscle flap or the anterolateral femoral chimeric flap transplantation to repair complex facial defect wounds with open paranasal sinuses.

[Malaria control knowledge and behaviors and their influencing factors among residents in Banlao Township, Cangyuan County, Yunnan Province]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the awareness of malaria-related knowledge, the use of mosquito nets and their influencing factors among residents in Banlao Township, Cangyuan County, Yunnan Province.

METHODS

In August 2020, 19 settlement sites in Banlao Township, Cangyuan County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province were selected as study areas, and permanent residents at ages of 10 years and older were enrolled for a questionnaire survey, including residents' demographics, family economic status, malaria control knowledge and use of mosquito nets. In addition, the factors affecting the use of mosquito nets in the night prior to the survey were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 320 questionnaires were allocated, and all were recovered (a 100% recovery rate). There were 316 valid questionnaires, with an effective recovery rate of 98.75%. The 316 respondents included 152 men and 164 women and 250 Chinese respondents and 66 foreign respondents. The awareness of clinical syndromes of malaria was significantly higher among Chinese residents (71.60%) than among foreign residents (50.00%) (χ² = 11.03, P < 0.01), and the proportions of Chinese and foreign residents sleeping under mosquito nets were 46.00% and 69.70% on the night prior to the survey, respectively (χ² = 11.73, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified ethnicity group and type of residence as factors affecting the use of mosquito nets in the night prior to the survey.

CONCLUSIONS

The awareness of malaria control knowledge, the coverage and the use of mosquito nets were low among residents in Banlao Township, Cangyuan County, Yunnan Province. Targeted health education is recommended to improve the awareness of malaria control knowledge and self-protection ability. In addition, improving the allocation of long-lasting mosquito nets and health education pertaining to their uses and increasing the proportion of using mosquito nets correctly is needed to prevent re-establishment of imported malaria.

Esterase D interacts with metallothionein 2A and inhibits the migration of A549 lung cancer cells in vitro

Esterase D (ESD) is a nonspecific esterase widely distributed in various organisms. ESD plays an important role in regulating cholesterol efflux, inhibiting viral replication and lung cancer growth. MT2A (metallothionein 2A) is the most important isoform of metallothionein (MTs) in human and high expression of MT2A in tumors represents poor prognosis and metastatic behavior. However, there are no reports about the molecular mechanism of ESD in the regulation of tumor metastasis. In this study, we found for the first time that activation ESD promoted its interaction with MT2A and decreased the protein level of MT2A, which resulting in the concentration of free zinc ions up-regulated, and inhibited the migration of A549 lung cancer cells in vitro.

Activation of GRP78 ATPase suppresses A549 lung cancer cell migration by promoting ITGB4 degradation

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an essential signal molecule in cancer cells. Activated GRP78 ATPase by a HOCl probe named ZBM-H inhibits lung cancer cell growth. However, the role and underlying mechanism of GRP78 ATPase in lung cancer cell migration have not been established. Here, we reported that activation of GRP78 ATPase by ZBM-H suppressed A549 cell migration and inhibited EMT process. Notably, ZBM-H time-dependently decreased the protein level of integrin β4 (ITGB4) in A549 cells. Combinatorial treatment of 3BDO (an autophagy inhibitor) and ZBM-H partially rescued the protein level of ITGB4. Consistently, 3BDO partially reversed ZBM-H-inhibited cell migration. Furthermore, ZBM-H promoted the interaction between ANXA7 and Hsc70, which participated in the regulation of selective autophagy and degradation of ITGB4.

HOCI Probe CPP Induces the Differentiation of Human Dermal Fibroblasts into Vascular Endothelial Cells through PHD2/HIF-1α/HEY1 Signaling Pathway

Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) have the potential to differentiate into endothelial cells (VECs). In our previous research, we reported that a hypochlorous acid (HOCl) probe CPP efficiently induced the differentiation of HDFs into VECs, however, the mechanism of differentiation was not clear. As an HOCI probe, CPP binds HOCI to modulate its effects. In this study, through Western blotting, qPCR, and PHD2 enzyme activity assay, we found that CPP inhibited the enzyme activity of prolyl-4-hydroxylase 2 (PHD2), thereby stabilizing HIF-1α. To further clarify the mechanism by which CPP inhibits PHD2 enzyme activity, we constructed plasmids, and found that CPP inhibited PHD2 activity to increase the HIF-1α level through the modulation of PHD2 at Cys302 by HOCl in HDFs. Furthermore, RNA-seq experiments showed that CPP could induce the expression of HEY1, which is not only a target gene regulated by HIF1α, but also a key transcription factor for VECs. We used siRNA transfection and in vivo experiments to confirm that CPP could induce HDFs to differentiate into VECs by HEY1. In summary, we identified a new inhibitor of PHD2, demonstrated the new role of HOCl in cell differentiation, and elucidated the mechanism by which HOCl probe CPP induced the differentiation of HDFs into VECs.

Influence of dissolution on the uptake of bimetallic nanoparticles Au@Ag-NPs in soil organism Eisenia fetida

A key aspect in the safety testing of metal nanoparticles (NPs) is the measurement of their dissolution and of the true particle uptake in organisms. Here, based on the tendency of Ag-NP to dissolve and Au-NP to be inert in the environment, we exposed the earthworm Eisenia fetida to Au core-Ag shell NPs (Au@Ag-NPs, Ag-NPs with a Au core) and to both single and combined exposures of non-coated Au-NPs, Ag-NPs, Ag⁺ and Au⁺ ions in natural soil. Our hypothesis was that the Ag shell would partially or completely dissolve from the Au@Ag-NPs and that the Au core would thereby behave as a tracer of particulate uptake. Au and Ag concentrations were quantified in all the soils, in soil extract and in organisms by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The earthworm exposed to Au@Ag-NPs, and to all the combinations of Ag and Au, were analyzed by single particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (spICP-TOFMS) to allow the quantification of the metals that were truly part of a bimetallic particle. Results showed that only 5% of the total metal amounts in the earthworm were in the bimetallic particulate form and that the Ag shell increased in thickness, suggesting that biotransformation processes took place at the surface of the NPs. Additionally, the co-exposure to both metal ions led to a different uptake pattern compared to the single metal exposures. The study unequivocally confirmed that dissolution is the primary mechanism driving the uptake of (dissolving) metal NPs in earthworms. Therefore, the assessment of the uptake of metal nanoparticles is conservatively covered by the assessment of the uptake of their ionic counterpart.

Universal Tetramer and Pentamer Bound States in Two-Dimensional Fermionic Mixtures

We study the emergence of universal tetramer and pentamer bound states in the two-dimensional (N+1) system, which consists of N identical heavy fermions interacting with a light atom. We show that the critical heavy-light mass ratio to support a (3+1) tetramer below the trimer threshold is 3.38, and to support a (4+1) pentamer below the tetramer threshold is 5.14. While the ground state tetramer and pentamer are both with zero total angular momentum, they exhibit very different density distributions and correlations in momentum space, due to their distinct angular momentum decompositions in the dimer-fermion frame. These universal bound states can be accessible by a number of Fermi-Fermi mixtures now realized in cold atoms laboratories, which also suggest novel few-body correlations dominant in their corresponding many-body systems.

Efficient catalyst prepared from water treatment residuals and industrial glucose using hydrothermal treatment: Preparation, characterization and its catalytic performance for activating peroxymonosulfate to degrade imidacloprid

Water treatment residuals (WTRs), as by-products of drinking water treatment plant, were used as catalyst for persulfate activation to degrade organic pollutants. In this study, G-HWTRs were successfully prepared by hydrothermal treatment, which combined WTRs and a hydrothermal reducing agent (industrial glucose) in different ratios. These materials manifested upgraded performance compared with raw WTRs and HWTRs (prepared only with WTRs under hydrothermal condition) in imidacloprid (IMD) degradation. The elemental composition, structure, morphological and magnetic properties of the G-HWTRs were investigated. And the influences of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) concentration, G-HWTRs dosage, initial pH, water matrix on IMD degradation were determined. The results demonstrated that G-HWTRs-3 had the best catalytic performance, 10 μM IMD was almost completely degraded in the system of G-HWTRs (0.2 g L^-1) and PMS (0.1 mM) within 2 h without pH adjustment. Based on the results of the electron spin-resonance spectroscopy (ESR) tests and radicals scavenging experiments, all of SO₄^-, OH, ¹O₂ and O₂- were the reactive oxygen species driving the IMD degradation, and OH was regarded as the main role of IMD degradation. The possible degradation pathways of IMD were further proposed based on the degradation intermediates that identified by LC-MS. Besides, further experiments indicated G-HWTRs has degradation potential for various pollutants, the degradation rate of atrazine (ATZ), acetochlor (ACE) and simazine (SMX) within 2 h achieved 92.54%, 83.88% and 90.25%, respectively. These results confirmed G-HWTRs has good catalytic performance and activation potential on PMS, providing an effective method for remediating organic polluted wastewater.

ZBM-H-induced activation of GRP78 ATPase promotes apoptosis via annexin A7 in A549 lung cancer cells

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an essential signal for the regulation of cancer cell fate, including autophagy and apoptosis. HOCl regulated autophagy by affecting the oxidation modification of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and the activity of GRP78 ATPase. The mechanism of GRP78 ATPase in cell apoptosis has however not yet been clarified. Here we reported that ZBM-H, as a probe of HOCl, was able to directly bind to GRP78 in the presence or absence of ATP. Following ZBM-H treatment, the interaction between GRP78 and annexin A7 (ANXA7) was promoted, and this was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of integrin β4 (ITGB4). In addition, ZBM-H enhanced the phosphorylation of ANXA7. ABO, an inhibitor of ANXA7, inhibited ZBM-H-induced ITGB4 phosphorylation and apoptosis, while ANXA7 activator SEC had opposite effect. Collectively, these data provide new evidence for the mechanism by which ZBM-H-induced activation of GRP78 ATPase regulates apoptosis of A549 lung cancer cells.

Establishment of prediction models for COVID-19 patients in different age groups based on Random Forest algorithm

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly become a global pandemic. Age is an independent factor in death from the disease, and predictive models to stratify patients according to their mortality risk are needed.

AIM

To compare the laboratory parameters of the younger (≤70) and the elderly (>70) groups, and develop death prediction models for the two groups according to age stratification.

DESIGN

A retrospective, single-center observational study.

METHODS

This study included 437 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China, 2020. Epidemiological information, laboratory data and outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between elderly patients and younger patients. First, recursive feature elimination (RFE) was used to select the optimal subset. Then, two random forest (RF) algorithms models were built to predict the prognoses of COVID-19 patients and identify the optimal diagnostic predictors for patients' clinical prognoses.

RESULTS

Comparisons of the laboratory data of the two age groups revealed many different laboratory indicators. RFE was used to select the optimal subset for analysis, from which 11 variables were screened out for the two groups. The RF algorithm were built to predict the prognoses of COVID-19 patients based on the best subset, and the area under ROC curve (AUC) of the two groups is 0.874 (95% CI: 0.833-0.915) and 0.842 (95% CI: 0.765-0.920).

CONCLUSION

Two prediction models for COVID-19 were developed in the patients with COVID-19 based on random forest algorithm, which provides a simple tool for the early prediction of COVID-19 mortality.

Lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3 can influence STX3-induced abnormal autophagy by sponging hsa-miR-1292-3p in intestinal aGVHD

OBJECTIVE

Intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Abnormal autophagy levels in intestinal aGVHD have been confirmed in many studies. LncRNAs exert coregulatory functions and participate in a variety of intracellular regulatory processes. In this study, we investigated how lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3 regulates dysregulated STX3-related autophagy in aGVHD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, we established a mouse model of aGVHD by transplanting a mononuclear cell suspension from Balb/c donor mice treated with 60Co X-rays into CB6F1 recipient mice. STX3-related indicators were analyzed by Western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry which confirmed that STX3 plays an important role in dysregulating autophagy in intestinal aGVHD. TNF-αinduced Caco-2 cells, which is an in vitro model of intestinal barrier dysfunction, were established to verify the effect of STX3. The direct interaction between the partners of lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3-mediated hsa-miR-1292-3p and STX3 axis was evaluated by the Dual-Luciferase activity assay. We performed PCR, WB, and immunofluorescence in Caco-2 cells to determine whether the abnormal autophagy levels were influenced by lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3.

RESULTS

The results showed that lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3 could significantly suppress the number of autophagic vacuoles, the LC3-II/I ratio, and beclin1 levels by increasing STX3 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3 may play an important role in intestinal aGVHD by targeting STX3.

Antioxidation Mechanism of Highly Concentrated Electrolytes at High Voltage

It has been researched that highly concentrated electrolytes (HCEs) can solve the problem of the excessive decomposition of dilute electrolytes at a high voltage, but the mechanism is not clear. In this work, the antioxidation mechanism of HCE at a high voltage was investigated by in situ electrochemical tests and theoretical calculations from the perspective of the solvation structure and physicochemical property. The results indicate that compared with the dilute electrolyte, the change of solvation structures in HCE makes more PF₆^- anions easier to be oxidized prior to the dimethyl carbonate solvents, resulting in a more stable cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) film. First, the lower oxidation potential of the solvation structure with more PF₆^- anions inhibits the side effects of the electrolyte effectively. Second, the CEI film, consisted of LiF and Li_xPO_yF_z generated from the oxidation of PF₆^- and Li₃PO₄ generated from the hydrolysis of LiPF₆ via the soluble PO₂F₂^- intermediate, can reduce the interface impedance and improve the conductivity. Intriguingly, the high viscosity of HCEs and the hydrolysis of LiPF₆ are proven to play a positive role in enhancing the interfacial stability of the electrolyte/electrode at a high voltage. This study builds a deep understanding of the bulk and interface properties of HCEs and provides theoretical support for their large-scale application in high-voltage battery materials.

Esterase D stabilizes FKBP25 to suppress mTORC1

Background

Esterase D (ESD) is a nonspecific esterase that detoxifies formaldehyde. Many reports have stated that ESD activity is associated with a variety of physiological and pathological processes. However, the detailed signaling pathway of ESD remains poorly understood.

Methods

Considering the advantages of the small chemical molecule, our recent work demonstrated that 4-chloro-2-(5-phenyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl) phenol (FPD5) activates ESD, and will be a good tool for studying ESD further. Firstly, we determined the interaction between ESD and FK506 binding protein 25 (FKBP25) by yeast two-hybrid assay and co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) and analyzed the phosphorylation levels of mTORC1, P70S6K and 4EBP1 by western blot. Furthermore, we used the sulforhodamine B (SRB) and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay to analyze cell viability in vitro and in vivo after treatment with ESD activator FPD5.

Results

We screened FKBP25 as a candidate protein to interact with ESD by yeast two-hybrid assay. Then we verified the interaction between ESD and endogenous FKBP25 or ectopically expressed GFP-FKBP25 by CO-IP. Moreover, the N-terminus (1–90 aa) domain of FKBP25 served as the crucial element for their interaction. More importantly, ESD reduced the K48-linked poly-ubiquitin chains of FKBP25 and thus stabilized cytoplasmic FKBP25. ESD also promoted FKBP25 to bind more mTORC1, suppressing the activity of mTORC1. In addition, ESD suppressed tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo through autophagy.

Conclusions

These findings provide novel evidence for elucidating the molecular mechanism of ESD and ubiquitination of FKBP25 to regulate autophagy and cancer cell growth. The ESD/FKBP25/mTORC1 signaling pathway is involved in inhibiting tumor cell growth via regulating autophagy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11658-021-00297-2.

Cloning, genome structure and expression analysis of MHC class I gene in Korean quail

1. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic region of the genome essential to immune responses and animal health. However, avian MHC genetic structure is different from that of mammals. In this study, the structure and expression of Korean quail MHC class I gene was analysed.2. The quail MHC gene consisted of eight exons and seven introns. The open reading frame of the cDNA was 353 amino acids, and the molecular weight was about 38.91 kDa. Exons 1 and 2 coded for leading peptides and alpha 1 regions, respectively. Exons 3 and 4 encoded alpha 2 and alpha 3 regions. Exons 5 to 8 coded for connecting peptides and transmembrane regions/cytoplasmic regions (TM/CY). The Korean quail MHC class I amino acid sequence shared 87% to 99% homology with Japanese quail and 71% to 75% with chicken. The amino acid shared 40% and 43% homology with humans and mice, respectively.3. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that MHC-I was highly expressed in immune tissues such as the bursa of Fabricius. Moreover, the constructed evolutionary tree was consistent with accepted evolutionary pathways.4. MHC-I is closely related to the host's immune system, and these findings may help to better understand the role of Korean quail MHC-I in the immune system.

High urinary excretion rate of glucose attenuates serum uric acid level in type 2 diabetes with normal renal function

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

The relationship between urinary excretion rate of glucose (UEGL) and uric acid (UA) metabolism in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear to date. This study aimed to investigate the relationships of UEGL with serum UA (SUA), urinary excretion rate of uric acid (UEUA), and renal clearance of uric acid (CLUA) in adults with T2D. We hypothesised that high UEGL increases UA excretion, which in turn leads to lower SUA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 635 inpatients with T2D recruited between 2018 and 2019. The relationships of UEGL with UEUA, CLUA, and hyperuricaemia were assessed using analysis of covariance and multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients in the higher quartile of UEGL tended to have lower SUA levels than those in the lower quartile. In contrast, patients in the higher quartile of UEGL tended to have higher CLUA (p for trend < 0.0001), and a similar trend was observed for UEUA. In adjusted multivariable linear regression model, UEGL was negatively correlated with SUA (β = - 0.023, 95% CI - 0.034 to - 0.013, p < 0.0001). However, positive correlations of UEGL with UEUA (β = 0.046, 95% CI 0.018-0.074, p = 0.001) and CLUA (β = 0.063, 95% CI 0.042-0.085, p < 0.0001) were found. Furthermore, consistent significant inverse associations were observed between quartiles of UEGL and hyperuricaemia in the adjusted multivariate logistic regression model.

CONCLUSIONS

A high UEGL level was positively correlated with UEUA and CLUA. Moreover, it was inversely associated with SUA level, and a consistently increased UEGL level reduced the risk of hyperuricaemia in patients with T2D.

[Repair methods and clinical effects of full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers]

Objective: To explore the repair methods and clinical effects of full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers. Methods: A retrospective non-randomized controlled trial was conducted on the 98 patients with full-thickness finger burns deep to tendon or even bone who met the inclusion criteria and were hospitalized in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2010 to December 2019. Among the 98 patients, there were 81 males and 17 females, aged from 1 to 72 years, with 160 fingers involved. The wound area of each of affected fingers ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 12.0 cm×3.5 cm, and the maximum wound area after merging the affected fingers was 12.0 cm×10.0 cm. For adult hands with multiple full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in multiple fingers or children with full-thickness finger burns deep to tendon or even bone, pedicled abdominal flaps were selected. For adults with single or two fingers with full-thickness burns deep to tendon or even bone, the pedicled internal hand flaps and free tissue flaps were selected. The free tissue flap repair requires good vascular conditions in the recipient area with arteries and veins available for anastomosis. For thumb nail burns deep to tendon or even bone or partial absence of the thumb after burns, the thumbs were reconstructed with the first toenail flap or dorsal foot flap with the second toe. In this study, 45 pedicled abdominal flaps were used to repair the wounds in 91 fingers, 37 pedicled internal hand flaps were used to repair the wounds in 37 fingers, 26 free tissue flaps were used to repair the wounds in 28 fingers, 3 first toenail flaps were used to reconstruct 3 patients' thumb nails and to repair hand wounds, and 1 dorsal foot flap with the second toe was used to reconstruct 1 patient's thumb and to repair hand and wrist wounds. The tissue flap area was from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 20.0 cm×10.0 cm. The wound in the donor site was repaired by direct suture or full-thickness skin grafting from the medial upper arm of the affected limb or split-thickness skin grafting from the outer thigh. The postoperative survival of the tissue flap, postoperative complications, and appearance and function of the flap donor site were observed. For the patients who were followed up, their finger functions were evaluated at the last follow-up using the trial criteria for replantation function evaluation of the amputated finger issued by the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association, and the satisfaction of the patients was investigated using the Efficacy Satisfaction Scale. Data were statistically analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis H test and Nemenyi test. Results: Of the 112 tissue flaps, 104 tissue flaps survived completely and had good blood circulation; 1 pedicled thumb dorsal ulnar reverse island flap, 1 pedicled finger artery cutaneous branch reverse island flap, and 1 free grafted anterolateral thigh perforator flap were slightly necrotic at the end, which were repaired with outer thigh split-thickness skin graft after dressing change and granulation tissue growth; 2 free grafted tarsal external artery flaps and 1 pedicled thumb dorsal ulnar reverse island flap suffered from postoperative venous return obstruction, which survived after partial suture removal and heparin saline cleansing of the wound; 1 pedicled modified dorsal metacarpal artery retrograde island flap and 1 free grafted peroneal artery perforator flap were necrotic, which were repaired by a pedicled abdominal flap and a lateral upper arm flap free transplantation respectively in stage Ⅱ. After transplantation, the tissue flaps had good shape, soft texture, and good elasticity, without bloating. There was no functional disorder in the flap donor site, and only slight scar remained. A total of 117 fingers of the 72 patients received 3-24 months of outpatient or telephone follow-up. At the last follow-up, the excellent and good rates of function evaluation of fingers repaired with pedicled abdominal flap, pedicled internal hand flap, and free tissue flap were respectively 77.3% (51/66), 96.3% (26/27), and 95.8% (23/24). The function of fingers repaired with free tissue flap and pedicled internal hand flap was significantly better than that with pedicled abdominal flap (P<0.01). The satisfaction of patients with fingers repaired by free tissue flaps was significantly higher than that by pedicled abdominal flap (P<0.05). Conclusions: According to the specific situation of full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers, the pedicled abdominal flap is used to repair the multiple full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in multiple fingers of adult or the full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers of children, the pedicled internal hand flap or free tissue flap is used to repair the full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in single or two fingers of adult patients, and the first toenail flap or the dorsal foot flap with the second toe is used to reconstruct the thumbs with full-thickness burn deep to tendon or even bone, with high postoperative tissue flap survival rate and few complications. The functional recovery of the affected finger is better after repair with free tissue flap and pedicled internal hand flap, and the patients' satisfaction is the highest after free tissue flap repair.

Borromean Droplet in Three-Component Ultracold Bose Gases

We investigate droplet formation in three-component ultracold bosons. In particular, we identify the formation of a Borromean droplet, where only the ternary bosons can form a self-bound droplet while any binary subsystems cannot, as the first example of Borromean binding due to a collective many-body effect. Its formation is facilitated by an additional attractive force induced by the density fluctuation of a third component, which enlarges the mean-field collapse region in comparison to the binary case and renders the formation of a Borromean droplet after incorporating the repulsive force from quantum fluctuations. Outside the Borromean regime, we demonstrate an interesting phenomenon of droplet phase separation due to the competition between ternary and binary droplets. We further show that the transition between different droplets and gas phase can be conveniently tuned by boson numbers and interaction strengths. The study reveals the rich physics of a quantum droplet in three-component boson mixtures and sheds light on the more intriguing many-body bound state formed in multicomponent systems.

POS0817 A NOVEL MODEL TO ASSESS DISEASE ACTIVITY IN TAKAYASU ARTERITIS BASED ON 18F-FDG-PET/CT: A CHINESE COHORT STUDY

Background:

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a condition characterized by major large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), and is most commonly found in young women (age <40 years) of East Asia countries. 18F-FDG-PET/CT has been widely used in the diagnosis and follow-up of cancers to gather functional information based on metabolic activity. In the present study, we evaluated the value of different parameters in 18F-FDG-PET/CT for assessing active TA disease, and we establish a simple, quantifiable, and effective disease activity evaluation model based on 18F-FDG-PET/CT. A comparison in the ability to identify active disease was performed between the established Kerr score and the new 18F-FDG-PET/CT was also performed.

Objectives:

To investigate the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in assessing disease activity in TA.

Methods:

Ninety-one patients with TA, were recruited from a Chinese cohort from October 2017 to January 2019. Clinical data, acute-phase reactants (APRs), and 18F-FDG-PET/CT findings were simultaneously recorded. The Physician Global Assessment was used as the gold standard to assess TA disease activity. The value of using 18F-FDG-PET/CT to identify active disease was evaluated, using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as a reference. Disease activity assessment models were constructed and concordance index (C-index), net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination index (IDI) were evaluated to compare the benefits of the new modes with ESR and Kerr score.

Results:

In total, 64 (70.3%) cases showed active disease. Higher levels of ESR and CRP, and lower interleukin (IL)-2R levels, were observed in active cases. 18F-FDG-PET/CT parameters, including SUVmean, SUVratio1, SUVratio2, sum of SUVmean, and sum of SUVmax, were significantly higher in active disease groups. The C index threshold of ESR to indicate active disease was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69-0.88). The new activity assessment model combining ESR, sum of SUVmean, and IL-2R showed significant improvement in C index over the ESR method (0.96 vs. 0.78, P < 0.01; NRI 1.63, P < 0.01; and IDI 0.48, P < 0.01). The new model also demonstrated modest superiority to Kerr score assessment (0.96 vs. 0.87, P = 0.03; NRI 1.19, P < 0.01; and IDI 0.33 P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

A novel 18F-FDG-PET/CT-based method that involves combining the sum of SUVmean with ESR score and IL-2R levels demonstrated superiority in identifying active TA compared to conventional methods.

References:

[1]Kerr GS, Hallahan CW, Giordano J, Leavitt RY, Fauci AS, Rottem M, et al. Takayasu arteritis. Ann Intern Med 1994;120:919-29.

[2]Hoffman GS, Ahmed AE. Surrogate markers of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis. A preliminary report from The International Network for the Study of the Systemic Vasculitides (INSSYS). Int J Cardiol 1998;66 Suppl 1:S191-4; discussion S195.

[3]Misra R, Danda D, Rajappa SM, Ghosh A, Gupta R, Mahendranath KM, et al. Development and initial validation of the Indian Takayasu Clinical Activity Score (ITAS2010). Rheumatology (Oxford) 2013;52:1795-801.

[4]Bardi M, Diamantopoulos AP. EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis in clinical practice summary. Radiol Med 2019;124:965-972.

[5]Spick C, Herrmann K, Czernin J. 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET/MRI Perform Equally Well in Cancer: Evidence from Studies on More Than 2,300 Patients. J Nucl Med 2016;57:420-30.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Liposome-paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of liposome-paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-nine consecutive patients treated with liposome-paclitaxel based concurrent chemoradiotherapy between January 2015 and December 2019 at Cancer hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang cancer hospital) were enrolled in this study. The overall response, toxicities, progression-free survival and overall survival were analyzed with SPSS software.

RESULTS

A total of 302 cycles of weekly chemotherapy were delivered, with a median 4 courses. After concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), the efficacy was classified as CR in 4 cases (5.1%), PR in 22 cases (28.2%) and SD in 51 cases (65.4%). The median PFS and OS time were 18.2 months and 23.4 months. The 3-year PFS and OS rates were 45.1% and 43.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Liposome-paclitaxel and carboplatin concurrent with radiotherapy is a safe and effective modality for locally advanced ESCC. Further clinical investigation are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of this regimen.

Analyzing the Mechanism of Functional Groups in Phosphate Additives on the Interface of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 Cathode Materials

The design of a functional electrolyte system that is compatible with the LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ (LNCA) cathode is of great importance for advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, chelated lithium salts of lithium difluoro(bisoxalato) phosphate (LiDFBOP) and lithium tetrafluoro(oxalate) phosphate (LTFOP) are synthesized by a facile and general method. Then, the complexes of LiDFBOP, LTFOP, and lithium difluorophosphate (LiDFP), all of which have a central phosphorus atom, were selected as the salt-type additives for the LiPF₆-based electrolyte to improve the electrochemical performances of LNCA/Li half-batteries, respectively. The results of electrochemical tests, quantum chemistry calculations, potential-resolved in situ electrochemical impedance (PRIs-EIS) measurements, and surface analyses show that the interface property and the battery performance are closely associated with molecular structures of phosphorus-centered complex additives. It indicates that LiDFP with the P═O bond can significantly reduce the interfacial impedance of LNCA/Li half-batteries due to the increase of Li₃PO₄ and the decrease of Li₂CO₃ in the cathode electrolyte interface (CEI). While in LiDFBOP, according to the calculated vertical ionization potential (VIP), the two oxalate-chelated ligands bring about a bidirectional cross-linking reaction, which makes it preferential to be oxidized. This process is self-healing and can form a dense and stretched CEI, which is favorable to the cycle performance at the late stage. In contrast, the polymerization reaction will occur in one direction for LTFOP due to its lone oxalate ligand. Additionally, an unfavorable side reaction between LTFOP and EC has been proposed by the aid of Gibbs free energy calculation. This is a good explanation for the formation of the uneven and unstable CEI, as well as the continuous decomposition of the electrolyte in PRIs-EIS measurement. This work has an extensive applicability and practical significance not only for molecular designing of novel lithium salts, but also for the construction of a functional electrolyte system that is compatible with different electrode materials.

Therapeutic effect of qinghuanling on negative symptoms and cognitive function of schizophrenia

Introduction

Therapeutic effect of Qinghuanling on negative symptoms and cognitive function of schizophrenia

Objectives

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Qinghuanling on cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, and to provide basis for clinical medication.

Methods

24 male patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into study group and control group. The study group was given quetiapine fumarate combined with Qinghuanling, and the control group was given quetiapine fumarate. The positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS) and adverse event response scale (TESS) were evaluated regularly.

Results

The PANSS score of the study group was significantly lower than the control group from 6th week (64.10 ± 7.64 vs 72.31 ± 11.16; 51.60 ± 7.40 vs 63.23 ± 7.08, P < 0.05). Among them, the score of negative factor in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the end of 6 and 8 weeks (2.16 ± 0.40 vs 2.75 ± 0.38; 1.65 ± 0.42 vs 2.38 ± 0.43, P < 0.01); the score of cognitive factor in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the end of the 8th week (1.87 ± 0.20 vs 2.12 ± 0.27, P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, PANSS score and symptom cluster factor score of the two groups were significantly decreased from the 2nd weekend to the 8th weekend (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The combined use of Qinghuanling can significantly improve the therapeutic effect of schizophrenia, especially for the symptom cluster score of negative factors and cognitive factors, with high safety.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Research progress of metabonomics of blood endogenous small molecules in depression

Introduction

Depression (MDD) is a serious mental illness, which greatly affects the quality of life of patients. Nowadays, the clinical diagnosis of MDD lacks sufficient objective basis, and the effect of drug treatment is unsatisfactory. Therefore, biomarkers are very important for the risk prediction, classification, diagnosis and prognosis of MDD.

Objectives

Research progress of metabonomics of blood endogenous small molecules in depression

Methods

Metabonomics is a newly developed discipline after genomics and proteomics, and is an important part of system biology. Metabonomics provides a new approach to explore the etiology, mechanism, prognosis and screening potential biomarkers of MDD. Blood contains almost all the small molecule metabolites in the body. The changes of metabolites in blood can represent the changes of metabolites in other body fluids. Moreover, this sample is easy to obtain and has less trauma, so it is the most common biological sample in clinical detection.

Results

At present, there are many studies on the metabonomics of endogenous small molecules in MDD blood, which provides the possibility for further screening of MDD related biomarkers.

Conclusions

In this paper, the research progress of related biomarkers in MDD blood is reviewed.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

One-Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of Solution-Processable MoS2/PEDOT:PSS Composites for High-Performance Supercapacitors

It is challenging to hydrothermally synthesize solution-processable MoS₂, as the strong van der Waals force between MoS₂ nanosheets induces self-assembly of agglomerates. Here, we introduce poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) into the precursor to impede aggregate formation in the hydrothermal process. A hybrid MoS₂/PEDOT:PSS (MP) hydrogel is formed due to the electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged MoS₂ and positively charged PEDOT chains. This hydrogel can be easily dispersed in water for subsequent solution processing such as vacuum filtration to form free-standing flexible films or extrusion 3D printing to create novel patterns. The MP film with a fracture strength of 18.59 MPa displays excellent electrochemical performance in both aqueous Na₂SO₄ electrolyte (474 mF cm^-2) and solid-state PVA-H₃PO₄ electrolyte (360 mF cm^-2). Flexibility and robustness can be evidenced by high capacitance retention rates of 94 and 89% after being repeatedly bent to 180° for 5000 cycles in aqueous and solid-state electrolytes, respectively.

Peptide transporter-related protein 2 plays an important role in glutathione transport of Streptococcus thermophilus

Streptococcus thermophilus is widely used as a starter culture in the fermentation of yogurt. Glutathione (GSH; γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine), as a tripeptide, has an important physiological role for Strep. thermophilus. However, the scope of the GSH transport proteins is still unexplored in this species. In the present study, 5 peptide transporter-related proteins (Ptrp) of Strep. thermophilus strain ST-1 were selected and then inactivated by gene insertion, respectively. Through detection and comparison of intracellular GSH content of mutant strain and wild strain, we identified 2 proteins, named Ptrp-2 and Ptrp-4, that might be related to GSH transport. Reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR was performed to verify the gene expressions of these 2 possible GSH transport-related proteins, and it was finally determined that Ptrp-2 plays an important role in GSH transport of Strep. thermophilus. Milk fermentation experiments were further conducted to test the effect of Ptrp-2 on the characteristics of yogurt. The results showed that the fermented milk hardly curds using the mutant strain, indicating that Ptrp-2 is important for Strep. thermophilus as a yogurt starter.

High-resolution MRI of the vessel wall helps to distinguish moyamoya disease from atherosclerotic moyamoya syndrome

AIM

To evaluate the value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the vessel wall (VWI) for differentiating moyamoya disease (MMD) from atherosclerotic moyamoya syndrome (AS-MMS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients with MMD or AS-MMS were assessed retrospectively by two independent raters regarding and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) stage grading score; collateral development in the lateral fissure and basal ganglia on MRA; and pattern of the thickening of the arterial wall; presence, degree, and pattern of enhancement; presence and distribution of deep tiny flow voids (DTFVs) and collateral development in the lateral fissure and basal ganglia on VWI. After univariate analysis between the two groups, logistic regression models based on imaging findings of MRA or VWI were implemented respectively, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare the discriminatory power of the two imaging methods for diagnosis of MMD. Interrater agreement was analysed using an unweighted Cohen's κ or interclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

MMD manifested as more concentric thickening, more homogeneous enhancement, higher presence of DTFV, smaller outer-wall boundary area of stenosis or occlusion, and smaller remodelling index on VWI. After Bonferroni-Holm correction for multiple comparisons, for AS-MMS, collaterals in both the lateral fissure and basal ganglia were not usually present on either MRA or VWI. The diagnostic performance of the multivariate logistic regression model based on VWI with an accuracy of 87.1% for classification was higher than MRA. Interrater agreement was moderate or substantial for all the imaging findings.

CONCLUSIONS

VWI might be a useful and feasible method for differentiating MMD from AS-MMS and a prospective tool for guiding first-line treatment.

Physiological effects of transport duration on stress biomarkers and meat quality of medium-growing Yellow broiler chickens

Pre-slaughter transport exerts negative effects on broilers' welfare, meat yield, and meat quality, but little is known about the effect of transport on medium-growing broiler chickens. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of different durations of transport (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3h) on stress biomarkers and meat quality of medium-growing Yellow-feathered broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty Chinese Yellow-feathered broilers aged 75days (marketing age), of 2.02kg average BW, were allotted into five groups; each group contained six replicates (six birds/replicate (crate)). Each crate with dimensions 74×55×27cm (length × width × height) was loaded with six birds, that is, 30kg live BW/m² crate. The tested transport durations increased BW loss (linear, P<0.01), plasma concentrations of ACTH (linear, P<0.10), cortisol and corticosterone (quadratic, P<0.05), and activity of glutathione peroxidase (linear, P<0.05), whereas plasma glucose was not affected. In breast muscle, contents of glycogen, lactic acid, malondialdehyde, and reduced glutathione were not affected (P>0.05), but total antioxidant capacity decreased (linear, P<0.01). The drip loss of breast muscle increased (linear, P<0.01), whereas shear force, pH at 24h postmortem, and breast meat color lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) scores were not affected. In conclusion, the tested transport durations (from 0.5 to 3h) increased BW loss and some plasma stress biomarkers in 75-day-old Yellow-feathered broiler chickens, but the effect on meat quality attributes was minor.

A new activator of esterase D decreases blood cholesterol level through ESD/JAB1/ABCA1 pathway

Excessively high cholesterol content in the blood leads to nonalcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and arteriosclerosis. Although there are increasing publications and patent applications to lower blood cholesterol with small chemical molecules, limited effective drugs can be available in clinic. It is necessary to uncover new targets and drugs to alleviate high cholesterol. Esterase D (ESD) is abundant in liver and it remains unknown about its role in cholesterol metabolism. Here we reported that small chemical molecule fluorescigenic pyrazoline derivative 5 (FPD5), a new ESD activator, could effectively reverse high blood cholesterol level and prevent fatty liver and arteriosclerosis in apoE^-/- mice fed the high-fat diet. We also observed that FPD5 could reduce oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced formation of foam cells. To further investigate the mechanism of FPD5 action on blood cholesterol modulation, we found that ESD trigged by FPD5 was aggregated in lysosome and interacted with Jun activation domain binding protein 1 (JAB1). ESD served as a deacetylase to remove Thr89 acetylation of JAB1 and increased its activity; thus, promoting the ATP-binding cassette transporters A1 (ABCA1) to accelerate cholesterol efflux. Our findings demonstrate that FPD5 decreases blood cholesterol level to ameliorate NAFLD and arteriosclerosis through ESD/JAB1/ABCA1 pathway, and ESD functions as a novel nonclassical deacetylase that hydrolyzes serine/threonine acetyl group. Our findings not only highlight that FPD5 may be a pioneer drug for alleviating blood cholesterol but also indicate that ESD is a potential drug target that promotes cholesterol metabolism.

Effect of Liposome-Encapsulated Zoledronic Acid on Microenvironment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma May Depend on the Ratio Between M1 and M2 Polarized Macrophages

We studied the effect of zoledronic acid encapsulated into liposomes (L-ZOL) on tumorassociated macrophages in the stroma of hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft. Liposomes were prepared from 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-snglycero-3-phospho-sn-1-glycerol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[carboxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] using thin film method and loaded with zoledronic acid. It was shown that L-ZOL promoted apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells, eliminate much more protumoral M2 macrophages than antitumoral M1 macrophages in the tumor xenograft, and did not significantly reduce the size of xenograft in 6 days. Thus, the effect of treatment depends on the ratio between antitumoral M1 and protumoral M2 polarized macrophages in the tumor.

[Establishment and test results of an artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model based on convolutional neural network]

Objective: To establish an artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model based on convolutional neural network, and to test its effectiveness. Methods: In this evaluation study on diagnostic test, 484 wound photos of 221 burn patients in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (hereinafter referred to as the author's unit) from January 2010 to December 2019 taken within 48 hours after injury which met the inclusion criteria were collected and numbered randomly. The target wounds were delineated by image viewing software, and the burn depth was judged by 3 attending doctors with more than 5-year professional experience in Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the author's unit. After marking the superficial partial-thickness burn, deep partial-thickness burn, or full-thickness burn in different colors, the burn wounds were cut according to 224×224 pixels to obtain 5 637 complete wound images. The image data generator was used to expand images of each burn depth to 10 000 images, after which, images of each burn depth were divided into training set, verification set, and test set according to the ratio of 7.0∶1.5∶1.5. Under Keras 2.2.4 Python 2.8.0 version, the residual network ResNet-50 of convolutional neural network was used to establish the artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model. The training set was input for training, and the verification set was used to adjust and optimize the model. The judging accuracy rate of various burn depths by the established model was tested by the test set, and precision, recall, and F1_score were calculated. The test results were visualized to generate two-dimensional tSNE cloud chart through the dimensionality reduction tool tSNE, and the distribution of various burn depths was observed. According to the sensitivity and specificity of the model for the recognition of 3 kinds of burn depths, the corresponding receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn, and the area under the ROC curve was calculated. Results: (1) After the testing of the test set, the precisions of the artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model for the recognition of superficial partial-thickness burn, deep partial-thickness burn, or full-thickness burn were 84% (1 095/1 301), 81% (1 215/1 499) and 82% (1 395/1 700) respectively, the recall were 73% (1 095/1 500), 81% (1 215/1 500) and 93% (1 395/1 500) respectively, and the F1_scores were 0.78, 0.81, and 0.87 respectively. (2) tSNE cloud chart showed that there was small overlapping among different burn depths in the test results for the test set of artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model, among which the overlapping between superficial partial-thickness burn and deep partial-thickness burn and that between deep partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn were relatively more, while the overlapping between superficial partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn was relatively less. (3) The area under the ROC curve for 3 kinds of burn depths recognized by the artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model was ≥0.94. Conclusions: The artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model established by ResNet-50 network can rather accurately identify the burn depth in the early wound photos of burn patients, especially superficial partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn. It is expected to be used clinically to assist the diagnosis of burn depth and improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Association of iodine-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours with urinary iodine excretion in pregnant women with mild iodine deficiency

BACKGROUND

Subsequent to the implementation of the universal salt iodisation policy, China has all but eliminated the iodine deficiency disorders. However, pregnant women are still experiencing mild iodine deficiency. The present study explored factors that could relate to mild iodine deficiency in pregnant women.

METHODS

In total, 2400 pregnant women were enrolled using a multistage, stratified, random sampling method in Shanghai. Data were collected via a standardised questionnaire. The urine samples and household cooking salt samples were collected for the detection of urinary iodine and salt iodine concentrations.

RESULTS

The median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) was 148.0 μg L^-1 for all participants, and 155.0 μg L^-1 , 151.0 μg L^-1 and 139.6 μg L^-1 in the first, second and third trimesters. The MUIC in the third trimester was significantly lower than that of the first trimester (P < 0.05). The usage rates of iodised salt and qualified-iodised salt were 71.5% and 59.4%, respectively. Iodine-related knowledge score composition ratio was significantly different between the high and low UIC groups (P < 0.05). Participants' MUIC increased significantly with the increases in iodine-related knowledge score (P < 0.001). The third trimester was a significant risk factor for high UIC, whereas high iodine-related knowledge score, actively learning dietary knowledge and having a habit of consuming iodine-rich food were significant protective factors for high UIC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Iodine level is adequate among pregnant women in Shanghai during the first and the second trimesters, although it is is insufficient in the third trimester. Good iodine-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours are important for pregnant women with respect to maintaining adequate urinary iodine.

Temporal trends in cause-specific readmissions and their risk factors in heart failure patients in Sweden

Background

It remains unclear whether readmissions of patients with heart failure (HF) have decreased over time in an era of improved therapy and management of HF. This study aimed to determine the temporal short- and long-term trends of cause-specific rehospitalization and their risk factors in a Swedish context.

Methods

HF patients in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry (SwedeHF) were investigated. Maximum follow-up time was 1 year. Outcomes included the first occurrence of all-cause, cardiovascular (CV) and HF rehospitalizations. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to determine the impact of increasing years on risk for rehospitalization and its known risk factors.

Results

Totally, 25,644 index-hospitalized HF patients SwedeHF from 2004 to 2011 were enrolled in the study. For 8 years, the incidence risk of 1-year all-cause rehospitalization remained unchanged, whereas the incidence risk of CV (P=0.038) or HF (P=0.0038) rehospitalization decreased. After adjustment for age and sex, a 3% decrease per every second year was observed for 1-year CV and HF rehospitalizations (P&lt;0.05). However, time to the first occurring all-cause, CV and HF rehospitalization did not change significantly from 2004–2011 (P-values 0.13–0.87). When two study periods (2004–2005 vs. 2010–2011) were compared, the risk factor profile for rehospitalization was found to change.

Conclusions

Throughout the 8-year study period, CV- and HF-related rehospitalizations decreased, whereas all-cause rehospitalization remained unchanged, indicating a parallel increase in non-CV rehospitalization in the HF patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The SwedeHF was funded by the Swedish Society of Cardiology and the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation.

Promoting TTC4 and HSP70 interaction and translocation of annexin A7 to lysosome inhibits apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells

We previously demonstrated that Tetraticopeptide 4 (TTC4) inhibited apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells (VEC) deprived of serum and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). In this study, we aimed to resolve the mechanism of TTC4 inhibiting VEC apoptosis. TTC4, predicted as a HSP70 co-chaperone protein, may regulate the fate of cells by affecting the activity of HSP70, however, there is no experimental evidence showing the interaction of TTC4 and HSP70. Using Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), we demonstrated that TTC4 interacted with HSP70. If HSP70 was knockdown, TTC4 no longer suppressed apoptosis. Furthermore, we found ABO, an inhibitor of annexin A7 (ANXA7) GTPase, could promote the interaction of TTC4 and HSP70 and the translocation of ANXA7 to lysosome. At the same time, ABO inhibited the interaction of HSP70 and ANXA7. Moreover, Akt, as a downstream effector of HSP70 was upregulated, and ANXA7 translocating to lysosome protected the stability of lysosomal membrane. Here, we discovered a special mechanism by which TTC4 inhibited apoptosis via HSP70 in VECs. On the one hand, increasing TTC4 and HSP70 interaction upregulated Akt that inhibited apoptosis. On the other hand, decreasing HSP70 and ANXA7 interaction promoted the translocation of ANXA7 to lysosome, which inhibited apoptosis through protecting the lysosomal membrane stability.

Downregulation of lncRNA SNHG7 inhibits proliferation and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through repressing ROCK1

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have revealed the important role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the progression of tumorigenesis. This study aimed to identify the biological function of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (SNHG7) in the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

LncRNA SNHG7 expressions in NPC cell lines and 50 paired NPC tissue samples were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Transwell assay, wound healing assay and proliferation assay were conducted to evaluate the in vitro function of SNHG7 in NPC cells. Xenograft model was established for determining the in vivo effect of SNHG7 on tumor formation and metastasis of NPC. The underlying mechanism of SNHG7 in mediating the progression of NPC was explored by RT-qPCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

SNHG7 expression was remarkably downregulated in NPC tissues compared with that in adjacent normal samples. Knockdown of SNHG7 attenuated proliferation, invasion and migration of NPC cells. Moreover, tumor size and the number of metastatic nodules were reduced in mice administrated with NPC cells transfected with sh-SNHG7. Knockdown of SNHG7 downregulated ROCK1 at mRNA and protein level. Besides, the expression of ROCK1 in tumor tissues was positively correlated to SNHG7 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Knockdown of SNHG7 inhibits migration, invasion and proliferation of NPC cells through downregulating ROCK1, which may offer a new therapeutic intervention for NPC patients.