Plant-based dietary patterns and risk of esophageal cancer: A prospective cohort study spanning 17 years.

Objective: Plant-based diets have multiple health benefits for cancers; however, little is known about the association between plant-based dietary patterns and esophageal cancer (EC).This study presents an investigation of the prospective associations among three predefined indices of plant-based dietary patterns and the risk of EC. Methods: We performed endoscopic screening for 15,709 participants aged 40-69 years from two high-risk areas of China from January 2005 to December 2009 and followed the cohort until December 31, 2022. The overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI), were calculated using survey responses to assess dietary patterns. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate the multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of EC across 3 plant-based diet indices and further stratified the analysis by subgroups. Results: The final study sample included 15,184 participants in the cohort. During a follow-up of 219,365 person-years, 176 patients with EC were identified. When the highest quartile was compared with the lowest quartile, the pooled multivariable-adjusted HR of EC was 0.50 (95% CI, 0.32-0.77) for hPDI. In addition, the HR per 10-point increase in the hPDI score was 0.42 (95% CI, 0.27-0.66) for ECs. Conversely, uPDI was positively associated with the risk of EC, and the HR was 1.80 (95% CI, 1.16-2.82). The HR per 10-point increase in the uPDI score was 1.90 (95% CI, 1.26-2.88) for ECs. The associations between these scores and the risk of EC were consistent in most subgroups. These results remained robust in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: A healthy plant-based dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of EC. Emphasizing the healthiness and quality of plant-based diets may be important for preventing the development of EC.

Trends of gastric cancer burdens attributable to risk factors in China from 2000 to 2050.

Background: The incidence of gastric cancer (GC) decreased in past decades, which was thought largely attributable to risk factors control, yet China still accounts for 44% of global GC burdens. We aimed to estimate changing trajectories of proportions of GC burdens attributable to modifiable risk factors from 2000 to 2050 in China, to inform future targeted preventive strategies. Methods: The incidence and new cases of GC were predicted to 2050 using Bayesian age-period-cohort model based on incidence data by anatomical subsites drawn from 682 cancer registries from National Central Cancer Registry. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated based on prevalence of risk factors and relative risks with GC. Temporal trends of PAFs were described by sex and categories of risk factors using joinpoint analysis. Findings: We observed declining trends of PAFs of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, smoking, pickled vegetable and alcohol consumption, but increasing trends of PAFs of unhealthy body mass index and diabetes for GC in China. The combined PAFs of these risk factors were estimated to decrease by 10.57% from 2000 to 2050 for GC. We estimated there will be 279,707 GC (122,796 cardia gastric cancer [CGC] and 156,911 non-cardia gastric cancer [NCGC]) cases in 2050. Out of these cases, 70.18% of GC cases could be attributable to modifiable risk factors, while H. pylori infection was predicted to be responsible for 40.7% of CGC and 62.1% of NCGC cases in 2050. Interpretation: More than half of GC remained attributable to modifiable risk factors in China. Continued effective strategies on risk factors control are needed to reduce the burden of this highly life-threatening cancer in future. Funding: Beijing Nova Program (No. Z201100006820069), CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS, grant No. 2021-I2M-1-023), CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS, grant No. 2021-I2M-1-010), Talent Incentive Program of Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Hope Star).

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the relative and attributable risk of Helicobacter pylori infection and cardia and non-cardia gastric cancer.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to update the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from 1990 to December 2021 to identify prospective studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were summarized to validate the relationship between H. pylori infection and GC. RESULTS: Including 27 studies, findings indicated a strong link between H. pylori and non-cardia gastric cancer (NCGC) in both Europe/North America (OR=5.37, 95%CI:4.39-6.57) and Asia (OR = 2.50, 95%CI:1.89-3.32), and a positive association with cardia gastric cancer (CGC) in Asia (OR = 1.74, 95%CI:1.38-2.19), but an inverse association in European/American populations (OR = 0.64, 95%CI: 0.51 to 0.79). Furthermore, the strength of association was greater in studies that detected H. pylori by immunoblotting versus ELISA, and also in studies testing for H. pylori detection further back in time prior to cancer diagnosis (Ptrend<0.05). Approximately 79% of NCGC in Asia and 87% in Europe/North America, along with 62% of CGC in Asia, could be attributable to H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis supports the significant attributable risk of H. pylori infection for GC and underscores the potential impact of targeting H. pylori in GC prevention programs. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42021274120.

Protocol to detect infectious SARS-CoV-2 at low levels using in situ hybridization techniques.

Low and persistent levels of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA/protein/virus can be detected in clinical samples months after infection, possibly related to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants or development of long coronavirus disease. Here, we present a protocol to detect low levels of viral RNA together with protein using flow cytometry and microscopy. We describe steps for cell infection with SARS-CoV-2 and quantification by fluorescence in situ hybridization-flow cytometry. We then detail procedures for visualization using immunolabeling and RNAscope. This approach is directly applicable to clinical samples. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Zhu et al. (2022).1.

Iridoid-glycoside isolation and purification from Premna fulva leaves.

Premna fulva Craib, rich in iridoid glycosides, is widely used to treat periarthritis, osteoproliferation, pain, and other diseases. However, no studies have reported effective purification methods for obtaining iridoid glycosides as active materials. This paper describes an efficient strategy for separating iridoid glycosides from Premna fulva leaves using high-speed counter-current chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. A two-phase solvent system, ethyl acetate/n-butanol/water (7.5:2.5:10, v/v), was selected for high-speed counter-current chromatography separation. The proposed method effectively separated and purified four iridoid glycosides and four lignans, including three new iridoid glycosides (4-6) and five known compounds (1-3, 7, 8), from Premna fulva leaves, indicating that high-speed counter-current chromatography combined with prep-HPLC can efficiently isolate catalpol derivatives from the genus Premna. Additionally, the in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of all isolated compounds were analyzed using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, and the results indicated that six compounds (1 and 3-7) exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activities.

Extracellular RNA in melanoma: Advances, challenges, and opportunities.

Melanoma, a malignant mass lesion that originates in melanocytes and has a high rate of malignancy, metastasis, and mortality, is defined by these characteristics. Malignant melanoma is a kind of highly malignant tumor that produces melanin and has a high mortality rate. Its incidence accounts for 1%-3% of all malignant tumors and shows an obvious upward trend. The discovery of biomolecules for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant melanoma has important application value. So far, the exact molecular mechanism of melanoma development relevant signal pathway still remains unclear. According to previous studies, extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) have been implicated in tumorigenesis and spread of melanoma. They can influence the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of melanoma by controlling the expression of target genes and can also influence tumor progression by participating in signal transduction mechanisms. Therefore, understanding the relationship between exRNA and malignant melanoma and targeting therapy is of positive significance for its prevention and treatment. In this review, we did an analysis of extracellular vesicles of melanoma which focused on the role of exRNAs (lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs) and identifies several potential therapeutic targets. In addition, we discuss the typical signaling pathways involved in exRNAs, advances in exRNA detection and how they affect the tumor immune microenvironment in melanoma.

Bionic research on Paramisgurnus dabryanus scales for drag reduction.

Drag reduction is a key problem in marine vehicles and fluid transportation industries. Reducing drag strategies and mechanisms need to be further investigated. To explore a bionic approach for reducing flow resistance, experimental and numerical simulation research was conducted to study the drag reduction characteristics of the Paramisgurnus dabryanus surface microstructure. In this study, the large-area flexible surface of the bionic loach scale was prepared by the template method of one-step demoulding. The water tunnel experiment results show that compared with the smooth surface, the drag reduction rate of the bionic surface ranges from 9.42% to 17.25%. And the numerical simulation results indicate that the pressure gradient and low-speed vortex effect created by the bionic loach scales can effectively reduce the friction drag. The results of experimental data and numerical simulation both prove that the bionic scales of Paramisgurnus dabryanus can achieve the underwater drag reduction function. This research provides a reference for drag reduction in marine industries and fluid delivery applications.

Rational design to enhance the catalytic activity of 2-deoxy-D-ribose-5-phosphate aldolase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a.

The 2-Deoxy-d-ribose-5-phosphate aldolase (DERA) enzyme in psychrophilic bacteria has gradually attracted the attention of researchers. A novel gene, deoC (681 bp), encoding DERAPsy, was identified in Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a, recombinantly expressed in E. coli BL21 and purified via affinity chromatography, which yielded a homodimeric enzyme of 23 kDa. The specific activity of DERAPsy toward 2-deoxy-d-ribose-5-phosphate (DR5P) was 7.37 ± 0.03 U/mg, and 61.32% of its initial activity remained after incubation in 300 mM acetaldehyde at 25 °C for 2 h. Based on the calculation results (dock binding free energy) with the ligand chloroacetaldehyde (CAH), five target substitutions (T16L, F69R, V66K, S188V, and G189R) were identified, in which the DERAPsy mutant (G189R) exhibited higher catalytic activity toward DR5P than DERAPsy. Only the DERAPsy mutant (V66K) exhibited 12% higher activity toward chloroacetaldehyde and acetaldehyde condensation reactions than DERAPsy. Fortunately, the aldehyde tolerance of these mutants exhibited no significant decline compared with the wild type. These results indicate an effective strategy for enhancing DERA activity.

Esophageal cancer: trends in incidence and mortality in China from 2005 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: The long-term trend analysis of esophageal cancer is rarely reported in China. Our purpose is to analyze the incidence and mortality trends of esophageal cancer in China from 2005 to 2015. METHOD: Based on the data in the annual report of the China Cancer Registry, a comprehensive analysis of esophageal cancer cases and deaths from 2005 to 2015 was carried out. The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are stratified by gender and region (urban or rural). Long-term trend analysis was conducted using Joinpoint regression model. RESULT: In China, the age-standardized incidence rates by the world population declined from 13.84/105 in 2005 to 11.64/105 in 2015. Annual percent changes were 3.4% (95% CI: 0.6%, 6.3%) in the period 2005-2011, -7.4% (95% CI: -10.1%, -4.7%) in the period 2011-2015, respectively. The age-standardized mortality rates declined from 10.86/105 in 2005 to 8.57/105 in 2015. And the average annual percent change was -4.1% (95% CI: -6.7%, -1.5%). The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in men are higher than those in women, and the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in rural areas are much higher than those in urban areas. CONCLUSION: In China, the incidence of esophageal cancer first increased and then decreased during 2005-2015, while the mortality rate has been declining.