Role of Cisplatin in Inducing Acute Kidney Injury and Pyroptosis in Mice via the Exosome miR-122/ELAVL1 Regulatory Axis

Although cisplatin is an effective chemotherapy drug for the treatment of various cancers, its clinical use is limited due to its side effects, especially nephrotoxicity. Unfortunately, acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by cisplatin remains one of the main challenges in effective cancer treatment. Evidence increasingly suggests that renal inflammation and pyroptotic inflammatory cell death of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) mainly determine the progression and outcome of cisplatin-induced AKI. However, it is not clear how cisplatin regulates the pyroptosis of RTECs cells in AKI. The current study aimed to determine the regulation mechanism of AKI induced by cisplatin. We used cisplatin to induce AKI in vivo. We performed H&E staining of mouse kidney tissue sections and evaluated serological indicators of kidney injury (including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)). We used immunohistochemistry and western blot to detect the important substrate protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) and key target caspase-1 of pyroptosis, respectively. Cisplatin induced mouse AKI and RTECs pyroptosis. HK2 cell-derived exosomes treated with cisplatin influenced pyroptosis of the surrounding HK2 cells. Cisplatin-treated HK2 cells exosome-derived miR-122 regulated pyroptosis in the surrounding cells. Exosome-derived miR-122 affected cisplatin-induced AKI and HK2 cells pyroptosis by regulating the expression of embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAVL1). These results suggest that exosome miR-122 inhibited pyroptosis and AKI by targeting ELAVL1 under cisplatin treatment, and this offers a potential target for the treatment of AKI.

Substituted benzoate-anchored decanuclear titanium-oxo clusters featuring unprecedented defective double-cubane geometry

Based on DMF solvent, four titanium-oxo clusters (TOCs) [Ti10(μ3-O)12(L)6 (OiPr)10 (DMF)2] (Ti-L) (L=4-methylbenzoate(MB), 3,5-Di-tert-butylbenzoate (DTBB), 4-Methoxybenzoate (MOB) and 4-Methyl-3,5-dinitrobenzoate(MDNB) with the same coordination environments have been solvothermally synthesized with high...

APOBEC mutagenesis, kataegis, chromothripsis in EGFR-mutant osimertinib-resistant lung adenocarcinomas

BACKGROUND

Studies of targeted therapy resistance in lung cancer have primarily focused on single-gene alterations. Based on prior work implicating apolipoprotein b mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC) mutagenesis in histological transformation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant lung cancers, we hypothesized that mutational signature analysis may help elucidate acquired resistance to targeted therapies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

APOBEC mutational signatures derived from an Food and Drug Administration-cleared multigene panel [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets (MSK-IMPACT)] using the Signature Multivariate Analysis (SigMA) algorithm were validated against the gold standard of mutational signatures derived from whole-exome sequencing. Mutational signatures were decomposed in 3276 unique lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs), including 93 paired osimertinib-naïve and -resistant EGFR-mutant tumors. Associations between APOBEC and mechanisms of resistance to osimertinib were investigated. Whole-genome sequencing was carried out on available EGFR-mutant lung cancer samples (10 paired, 17 unpaired) to investigate large-scale genomic alterations potentially contributing to osimertinib resistance.

RESULTS

APOBEC mutational signatures were more frequent in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-driven lung cancers (EGFR, ALK, RET, and ROS1; 25%) compared to LUADs at large (20%, P < 0.001); across all subtypes, APOBEC mutational signatures were enriched in subclonal mutations (P < 0.001). In EGFR-mutant lung cancers, osimertinib-resistant samples more frequently displayed an APOBEC-dominant mutational signature compared to osimertinib-naïve samples (28% versus 14%, P = 0.03). Specifically, mutations detected in osimertinib-resistant tumors but not in pre-treatment samples significantly more frequently displayed an APOBEC-dominant mutational signature (44% versus 23%, P < 0.001). EGFR-mutant samples with APOBEC-dominant signatures had enrichment of large-scale genomic rearrangements (P = 0.01) and kataegis (P = 0.03) in areas of APOBEC mutagenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

APOBEC mutational signatures are frequent in RTK-driven LUADs and increase under the selective pressure of osimertinib in EGFR-mutant lung cancer. APOBEC mutational signature enrichment in subclonal mutations, private mutations acquired after osimertinib treatment, and areas of large-scale genomic rearrangements highlights a potentially fundamental role for APOBEC mutagenesis in the development of resistance to targeted therapies, which may be potentially exploited to overcome such resistance.

Gestational bisphenol A exposure impairs hepatic lipid metabolism by altering mTOR/CRTC2/SREBP1 in male rat offspring

Lipid metabolism is an important biochemical process in the body. Recent studies have found that environmental endocrine disruptors play an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. Bisphenol A (BPA), a common environmental endocrine disruptor, has adverse effects on lipid metabolism, but the mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gestational BPA exposure on hepatic lipid metabolism and its possible mechanism in male offspring. The pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to BPA (0, 0.05, 0.5, 5 mg/kg/day) from day 5 to day 19 of gestation to investigate the levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), and the expression of liver lipid metabolism-related genes in male offspring rats. The results showed that compared with the control group, the TG and TC levels in serum and liver in BPA-exposed groups was increased. And the expressions of liver fatty acid oxidation related genes, such as peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor α (PPARα) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1α (CPT1α), were down-regulated. However, the expressions of fatty acid synthesis related genes, such as sterol regulatory element binding proteins 1 (SREBP-1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1), were up-regulated. The increased protein levels of mTOR and p-CRTC2 suggested that CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 2 (CRTC2) might be an important mediator in the mTOR/SREBP-1 pathway. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that mTOR/CRTC2/SREBP-1 could be affected by gestational BPA exposure, which may involve in the lipid metabolic disorders in later life.

Innate immunity stimulation via CpG oligodeoxynucleotides ameliorates Alzheimer's disease pathology in aged squirrel monkeys

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and the only illness among the top 10 causes of death for which there is no disease-modifying therapy. The failure rate of clinical trials is very high, in part due to the premature translation of successful results in transgenic mouse models to patients. Extensive evidence suggests that dysregulation of innate immunity and microglia/macrophages plays a key role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Activated resident microglia and peripheral macrophages can display protective or detrimental phenotypes depending on the stimulus and environment. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of innate immune regulators known to play an important role in governing the phenotypic status of microglia. We have shown in multiple transgenic Alzheimer's disease mouse models that harnessing innate immunity via TLR9 agonist CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) modulates age-related defects associated with immune cells and safely reduces amyloid plaques, oligomeric amyloid-β, tau pathology, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) while promoting cognitive benefits. In the current study we have used a non-human primate model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease pathology that develops extensive CAA-elderly squirrel monkeys. The major complications in current immunotherapeutic trials for Alzheimer's disease are amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, which are linked to the presence and extent of CAA; hence, the prominence of CAA in elderly squirrel monkeys makes them a valuable model for studying the safety of the CpG ODN-based concept of immunomodulation. We demonstrate that long-term use of Class B CpG ODN 2006 induces a favourable degree of innate immunity stimulation without producing excessive or sustained inflammation, resulting in efficient amelioration of both CAA and tau Alzheimer's disease-related pathologies in association with behavioural improvements and in the absence of microhaemorrhages in aged elderly squirrel monkeys. CpG ODN 2006 has been well established in numerous human trials for a variety of diseases. The present evidence together with our earlier, extensive preclinical research, validates the beneficial therapeutic outcomes and safety of this innovative immunomodulatory approach, increasing the likelihood of CpG ODN therapeutic efficacy in future clinical trials.

Impairment of visual cortical plasticity by amyloid-beta species

INTRODUCTION

A variety of transgenic and knock-in mice that express mutant alleles of Amyloid precursor protein (APP) have been used to model the effects of amyloid-beta (Aβ) on circuit function in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however phenotypes described in these mice may be affected by expression of mutant APP or proteolytic cleavage products independent of Aβ. In addition, the effects of mutant APP expression are attributed to elevated expression of the amyloidogenic, 42-amino acid-long species of Aβ (Aβ42) associated with amyloid plaque accumulation in AD, though elevated concentrations of Aβ40, an Aβ species produced with normal synaptic activity, may also affect neural function.

METHODS

To explore the effects of elevated expression of Aβ on synaptic function in vivo, we assessed visual system plasticity in transgenic mice that express and secrete Aβ throughout the brain in the absence of APP overexpression. Transgenic mice that express either Aβ40 or Aβ42 were assayed for their ability to appropriately demonstrate ocular dominance plasticity following monocular deprivation.

RESULTS

Using two complementary approaches to measure the plastic response to monocular deprivation, we find that male and female mice that express either 40- or 42-amino acid-long Aβ species demonstrate a plasticity defect comparable to that elicited in transgenic mice that express mutant alleles of APP and Presenilin 1 (APP/PS1 mice).

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the hypothesis that mutant APP-driven plasticity impairment in mouse models of AD is mediated by production and accumulation of Aβ. Moreover, these findings suggest that soluble species of Aβ are capable of modulating synaptic plasticity, likely independent of any aggregation. These findings may have implications for the role of soluble species of Aβ in both development and disease settings.

Body mass index cut-off points for predicting chronic non-communicable disease should differ by gender and age group

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study to determine whether body mass index (BMI) in different genders and age groups need different thresholds when predicting chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey conducted in 2009. Sequential sample cluster analysis was used to group age according to BMI. Propensity score matching was used to eliminate the influence of age. Receiver operating characteristic curve based on gender and age group was used to evaluate the cut-off values and efficiency of BMI in each group.

RESULTS

A total of 8469 individuals were enrolled in this study. Results of sequential sample cluster analyses showed age was divided into three groups: 18-39, 40-59 and 60-99 years. There were significant differences in the distribution of BMI among the three groups for both males and females (P < 0.001). Statistical differences were observed in the distribution of BMI between genders in the 18-39- and 60-99-year-old age groups (P < 0.001). For men, the cut-off values of BMI were ≥25 kg/m², ≥24 kg/m² and ≥23 kg/m² in the 18-39, 40-59 and 60-99 years old groups, respectively; for women, the corresponding cut-off points were ≥25 kg/m², ≥23 kg/m² and ≥25 kg/m² in groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The thresholds for BMI might be different between gender and age group. In addition, it might not be suitable to determine cut-off values of BMI to predict CNCDs for people aged ≥60 years.

Low frequency, weak MCP-1 secretion and exhausted immune status of peripheral monocytes were associated with progression of severe enterovirus A71-infected hand, foot and mouth disease

A minority of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) results in severe neural complications. However, whether monocyte-mediated immunity is involved in the disease progression of HFMD remains unknown. One hundred and twenty mild and 103 severe HFMD patients were recruited and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry and Transwell culture were performed in the study. Peripheral monocyte counts were lower in both absolute counts and frequencies in severe cases compared to mild cases. After screening 10 monocyte-related cytokines by ELISA, only monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was found at higher levels in sera of mild cases compared to those with severe symptoms. Monocytes purified from mild cases produced more MCP-1 than the cells from severe patients when stimulated in vitro. We observed that immune exhaustion markers programmed death 1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) were highly regulated on the surface of monocytes from severe cases compared to mild cases. PD-L1 blockade induced a higher production of MCP-1 in the supernatant of a Transwell system. The production of MCP-1 also increased following PD-L1 blockade of purified monocytes activated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) combined with R848 or EV-A71 virus. Our results indicate that absolute count, frequency and levels of MCP-1 secretion of peripheral monocytes, together with their immune status, probably contribute to differential disease prognosis in EV-A71-associated HFMD.

Abstract P4-04-01: The landscape of somatic genetic alterations in breast cancers from CHEK2 germline mutation carriers

Introduction: Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) is a tumor suppressor gene, which regulates cell cycle in response to DNA damage response. Selected CHEK2 germline mutations have been shown to confer an increased risk of breast cancer development. Multiple founder mutations in CHEK2 have been identified, and meta analyses have shown that CHEK2 truncating variants confer a higher breast cancer risk than missense variants. Here, we assessed the phenotype and repertoire of genetic alterations of breast cancers from 33 patients with CHEK2 pathogenic germline variants.

Materials and methods: We performed targeted capture massively parallel sequencing (≥410 genes) of tumor and normal samples from 13 patients with CHEK2 pathogenic germline variants, and retrieved whole exome sequencing (WES) data (BAM files) of tumor and normal samples from 20 patients with CHEK2 germline pathogenic variants included in the TCGA breast cancer study. In addition, we retrieved WES data of BRCA1, BRCA2 and ATM associated breast cancers from TCGA and Weigelt et al. (JNCI 2018). Somatic mutations, copy number alterations, mutational signatures and large-scale transitions (LSTs) were defined using state-of-the-art bioinformatics algorithms.

Results: Of the 33 CHEK2-associated breast cancers included in this study, 21 had missense and 12 had loss-of-function (LoF) germline mutations, and 81% were ER-positive and 12% HER2-positive. CHEK2-associated breast cancers statistically significantly less frequently displayed an ER-negative/HER2-negative phenotype (0%) than BRCA1- (80%) or BRCA2-associated (33%) breast cancers (BRCA1, p&lt;0.0001 for both comparisons), but were similar to ATM-associated breast cancers. Biallelic inactivation of CHEK2 through loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the wild-type allele was present in 17 of 33 samples (52%). LOH of the CHEK2 wild-type allele was significantly more frequent in tumors with LOF mutations than in those with missense mutations (78% vs 36%, respectively; p=0.0394). PIK3CA (36%) and GATA3 (33%) were the two most recurrently mutated genes in these samples. TP53 somatic mutations were detected in five cases, four of which harbored missense CHEK2 germline mutations. Unlike BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated breast cancers, but akin to ATM-associated breast cancers, CHEK2-associated breast cancers lacked the mutational signature associated with homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair defects (i.e. signature 3) and only five cases displayed high LST scores.

Conclusion:CHEK2-associated breast cancers are phenotypically and genetically distinct from BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated breast cancers, but similar to ATM-associated breast cancers. Akin to ATM-associated breast cancers, CHEK2-associated breast cancers are preferentially ER-positive, lack genomics features consistent with defective HR, and have a repertoire of somatic genetic alterations similar to those of non-BRCA1/2 ER-positive breast cancers. Our results suggest that either CHEK2 germline mutations contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer independently of the HR DNA repair defects or that the mutational signatures caused by CHEK2 pathogenic germline mutations differ from those caused by pathogenic germline mutations affecting bona fide HR-related genes (e.g. BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2).

Citation Format: Kumar R, Pei X, Selenica P, Wen HY, Powell S, Robson M, Riaz N, Reis-Filho JS, Weigelt B, Mandelker D. The landscape of somatic genetic alterations in breast cancers from CHEK2 germline mutation carriers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-04-01.

Combination of apatinib and continuous nutritional support for a gastric cancer patient with brain metastasis prolongs survival

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES

Gastric cancer is the most common gastrointestinal malignant tumour in China, which rarely metastasizes into the central nervous system. However, brain metastasis leads to increased risk of death.

CASE SUMMARY

Here, we report a case of brain metastasis from gastric cancer, which was treated with apatinib and continual nutritional support, with a survival time of 2 years.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

The combination of apatinib and continual nutritional support may be an option for the treatment of brain metastasis from gastric cancer. A prospective study should be performed to confirm this.

Biomechanics of Immediate Postextraction Implant Osseointegration

The aim of this study was to gain insights into the biology and mechanics of immediate postextraction implant osseointegration. To mimic clinical practice, murine first molar extraction was followed by osteotomy site preparation, specifically in the palatal root socket. The osteotomy was positioned such that it removed periodontal ligament (PDL) only on the palatal aspect of the socket, leaving the buccal aspect undisturbed. This strategy created 2 distinct peri-implant environments: on the palatal aspect, the implant was in direct contact with bone, while on the buccal aspect, a PDL-filled gap existed between the implant and bone. Finite element modeling showed high strains on the palatal aspect, where bone was compressed by the implant. Osteocyte death and bone resorption predominated on the palatal aspect, leading to the loss of peri-implant bone. On the buccal aspect, where finite element modeling revealed low strains, there was minimal osteocyte death and robust peri-implant bone formation. Initially, the buccal aspect was filled with PDL remnants, which we found directly provided Wnt-responsive cells that were responsible for new bone formation and osseointegration. On the palatal aspect, which was devoid of PDL and Wnt-responsive cells, adding exogenous liposomal WNT3A created an osteogenic environment for rapid peri-implant bone formation. Thus, we conclude that low strain and high Wnt signaling favor osseointegration of immediate postextraction implants. The PDL harbors Wnt-responsive cells that are inherently osteogenic, and if the PDL tissue is healthy, it is reasonable to preserve this tissue during immediate implant placement.

A Comparative Assessment of Implant Site Viability in Humans and Rats

Our long-term objective is to devise methods to improve osteotomy site preparation and, in doing so, facilitate implant osseointegration. As a first step in this process, we developed a standardized oral osteotomy model in ovariectomized rats. There were 2 unique features to this model: first, the rats exhibited an osteopenic phenotype, reminiscent of the bone health that has been reported for the average dental implant patient population. Second, osteotomies were produced in healed tooth extraction sites and therefore represented the placement of most implants in patients. Commercially available drills were then used to produce osteotomies in a patient cohort and in the rat model. Molecular, cellular, and histologic analyses demonstrated a close alignment between the responses of human and rodent alveolar bone to osteotomy site preparation. Most notably in both patients and rats, all drilling tools created a zone of dead and dying osteocytes around the osteotomy. In rat tissues, which could be collected at multiple time points after osteotomy, the fate of the dead alveolar bone was followed. Over the course of a week, osteoclast activity was responsible for resorbing the necrotic bone, which in turn stimulated the deposition of a new bone matrix by osteoblasts. Collectively, these analyses support the use of an ovariectomy surgery rat model to gain insights into the response of human bone to osteotomy site preparation. The data also suggest that reducing the zone of osteocyte death will improve osteotomy site viability, leading to faster new bone formation around implants.

The applied value of medical history, physical examination, colour-Doppler ultrasonography and testis scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of acute scrotum

Acute scrotum, especially testicular torsion, is a common surgical emergency. A delay in diagnosis or management may lead to permanent testicular ischaemic damage. Thus, it is particularly important to differentiate testicular torsion from other acute scrotum conditions as soon as possible. Our study has retrospectively investigated 358 patients with acute scrotum admitted to our hospital from the year 2007 to 2016. We have collected a thorough history and clinical data and drew the conclusion by comparing clinical features of different acute scrotum cases, medical history, imaging and surgical findings. Therefore, we propose an innovative "Testicular Torsion (TT) Green Channel" concept. Through the combination of a comprehensive medical history, physical examination and auxiliary colour-Doppler ultrasonography, the diagnosis of testicular torsion is definite in most circumstances. Testis scintigraphy is a novel and complementary diagnostic modality that can reduce the negative exploration rate in ambiguous and certain cases. The TT Green Channel is a new concept in the management of testicular torsion.

A Wnt-Responsive PDL Population Effectuates Extraction Socket Healing

Stem cells residing in the periodontal ligament (PDL) support the homeostasis of the periodontium, but their in vivo identity, source(s), and function(s) remain poorly understood. Here, using a lineage-tracing mouse strain, we identified a quiescent Wnt-responsive population in the PDL that became activated in response to tooth extraction. The Wnt-responsive population expanded by proliferation, then migrated from the PDL remnants that remained attached to bundle bone, into the socket. Once there, the Wnt-responsive progeny upregulated osteogenic protein expression, differentiated into osteoblasts, and generated the new bone that healed the socket. Using a liposomal WNT3A protein therapeutic, we showed that a single application at the time of extraction was sufficient to accelerate extraction socket healing 2-fold. Collectively, these data identify a new stem cell population in the intact periodontium that is directly responsible for alveolar bone healing after tooth removal.

Role of Autophagy in Ovarian Cryopreservation by Vitrification

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification and transplantation are useful methods to recover female fertility after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As type II programmed cell death, autophagy plays important roles in ovarian follicle development, ovarian follicle atresia and anti-stress injury.

OBJECTIVE

The potential role of autophagy in ovarian vitrification was investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mouse ovaries were cryopreserved by vitrification, and autophagy was treated, after which the ovarian histology was checked, and ovarian follicles were counted. The apoptotic rate was detected by TUNEL, and apoptotic molecular marker cleaved caspase-3 was checked by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Our results suggested that autophagy was increased in the process of vitrification compared with the fresh ovaries (p<0.05). The number of primordial follicles was decreased through inhibiting or over-activating the autophagy by autophagy inhibitor or activator (p<0.05). However, the number of primary follicles, antral follicles and atretic follicles was not significantly different compared with vitrified/warmed groups. The apoptotic rate was significantly increased in the vitrified/warmed, autophagy-inhibiting and over-activating groups compared with the fresh group (p<0.05), and this result was further confirmed by western blot analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, autophagy was activated in the ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification and plays a role in a natural adaptive response to cold stress in ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification.

Levothyroxine monotherapy versus levothyroxine and selenium combination therapy in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis

PURPOSE

New strategies are needed for prevention and treatment of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT). This study aimed to assess whether combination of levothyroxine treatment and selenium (Se) supplementation results in improved therapeutic effects in CLT compared with levothyroxine monotherapy.

METHODS

An open-label, randomized controlled study was performed in 60 CLT patients assigned to two groups. Levothyroxine group (LT) patients (n = 24) received levothyroxine alone for 3 months; meanwhile, the combination (LTSS) group (n = 36) was administered levothyroxine with selenium yeast capsule. Blood selenium concentrations, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (Tg) antibody levels, and inflammatory cytokine amounts were compared between both groups before and after treatment.

RESULTS

At baseline, similar values were obtained in both groups for all the parameters assessed (p > 0.05). After treatment, significantly increased blood selenium levels (µg/L) [90.05 (80.69, 107.76) vs. 39.64 (29.42, 51.10), p < 0.001] and decreased anti-TPO antibody (23.63 ± 9.31 vs. 32.00 ± 10.41%, p = 0.002), anti-Tg antibody (35.84 ± 15.21 vs. 45.47 ± 14.24%, p = 0.015) and IL-2 amounts (pg/mL) [159.29 (124.54, 189.70) vs. 226.48 (190.74, 266.56), p < 0.001] were observed in the LTSS group compared with the LT group post-treatment; meanwhile, similar IL-10 concentrations [23.14 (21.65, 28.56) pg/mL vs. 24.68 (21.71, 29.67) pg/mL] were obtained in both groups. Subgroup analysis of patients with hypothyroidism showed the same trend observed in the whole population; in patients with normal thyroid function, only Se and IL-2 amounts differed between the two treatment groups. Correlation analysis of of the indexes: in HT patients, the basal serum selenium concentration was positively correlated with TT₄ (r = 0.294, p < 0.05), significantly negatively correlated with TSH (r = -0.343, p < 0.01), and had no significant correlation with TT3 (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated that levothyroxine and selenium combination results in improved therapeutic effects than the levothyroxine monotherapy in preventing CLT progression.

Contribution of the PDL to Osteotomy Repair and Implant Osseointegration

Our objective was to clarify the fate of the periodontal ligament (PDL) retained in the socket after tooth extraction, then determine if this tissue contributed to the osseointegration of "immediate" implants placed in these fresh extraction sockets. Mice underwent maxillary first molar extraction, the residual PDL was removed by an osteotomy, and titanium implants were placed. The osteotomy was created in such a way that the palatal surface was devoid of PDL remnants while the buccal, mesial, and distal surfaces retained PDL fibers. At multiple time points after surgery, tissues were analyzed using a battery of molecular, cellular, and histomorphometrical assays. We found that PDL remnants mineralized and directly contributed to new bone formation in the extraction site. Compared with regions of an extraction site where the PDL was removed by osteotomy, regions that retained PDL fibers had produced significantly more new bone. Around immediate implants, the retained PDL remnants directly contributed to new bone formation and osseointegration. Thus, we conclude that PDL remnants are inherently osteogenic, and if the tissue is healthy, it is reasonable to conclude that curetting out an extraction socket prior to immediate implant placement should be avoided. This recommendation aligns with contemporary trends toward minimally invasive surgical manipulations of the extraction socket prior to immediate implant placement.

The revascularization and follicular survival of mouse ovarian grafts treated with FSH during cryopreservation by vitrification

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification is a very effective pathway for the preservation of female fertility during radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, damage of follicles was triggered by cryo-injure during the process of ovarian vitrification and ischemia/reperfusion during the process of ovarian transplantation. Appropriate FSH play important roles in anti-apoptosis and neoangiogenesis during ovarian follicle development.

OBJECTIVE

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of FSH on the revascularization and follicular survival of vitrified-warmed ovarian grafts.

MATERIALS AND TMETHODS

Four-week-old C57BL/6J mice with diestrus were used and the ovaries were randomized into the following three groups: fresh control group (FCG), vitrified/warmed group (VCG) and vitrified/warmed group treated with 0.3 IU/mL FSH (FSH-VG) during ovarian vitrification. After warming, the ovaries of the three groups were allotransplanted into the renal capsule of receptor mice. Assessment of follicular quantity was performed by histological analysis. The angiogenesis factors, CD31 and MMP-2, and cell survival factors, PCNA, EdU and survivin were examined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Angiogenesis was detected by vascular perfusion with the fluorescent dye 2MD-FITC-Dextran.

RESULTS

The expression of CD31and MMP-2 were not significantly different in either VCG or FSH-VG compared with FCG, but when the ovaries were transplanted 48 hours later, the expression levels of CD31 and MMP-2 were lower for VCG than FCG (P < 0.05) and FSH-VG was not significantly different from FCG. Before transplantation, the expression levels of PCNA and survivin were lower for VCG and FSH-VG than FCG (p < 0.05), but FSH-VG was higher than VCG (p < 0.05). After 48 h of ovarian transplantation, the expression of survivin was lower for VCG than FCG (P < 0.05), but FSH-VG was not significantly different from FCG. In addition, these data were further supported by the results from detecting the 2MD-FITC-Dextran and EdU.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, supplementation with 0.3 IU/mL FSH during ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification increased the revascularization and follicular survival for mouse ovarian grafts through the up-regulated expression of angiogenesis and ovarian survival factors.