Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment between Young-Onset and Old-Onset Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sporadic young-onset colorectal cancer (yCRC) is increasing. Compared with old-onset colorectal cancer (oCRC), yCRC has different clinical and molecular characteristics. However, the difference in the tumor microenvironment (TME) between yCRC and oCRC remains unclear. METHODS: Fourteen untreated CRC tumor samples were subjected to single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS: B cells and naïve T cells are enriched in yCRC, while effector T cells and plasma cells are enriched in oCRC. Effector T cells of yCRC show decreased interferon-gamma response and proliferative activity; meanwhile, Treg cells in yCRC show stronger oxidative phosphorylation and TGF-ß signaling than that in oCRC. The down-regulated immune response of T cells in yCRC may be regulated by immune and malignant cells, as we observed a downregulation of antigen presentation and immune activations in B cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages. Finally, we identified malignant cells in yCRC and oCRC with high heterogeneity and revealed their interactions with immune cells in the TME. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal significant differences of TME between yCRC and oCRC, of which the TME of yCRC is more immunosuppressive than oCRC. Malignant cells play an essential role in the formation of the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment.

Mucocele: a rare complication following stapled haemorrhoidopexy.

BACKGROUND: Stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) has resulted in a unique collection of procedural complications with postoperative mucocele a particularly rare example. This study is designed to comprehensively describe the characteristics of rectal mucocele and discuss its pathogenesis following SH surgery. METHODS: A database of patients presenting with a rectal mucocele following an SH procedure was established and studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Seven patients (5 males; median age 32 years, range 20-75 years) were identified. All patients complained of variable anal discomfort with 5/7 presenting with inconstant anal pain, 2 with de novo evacuatory difficulty. These cases appeared at a median time of 6 months (range 2-84 months) after SH surgery. CONCLUSION: Rectal Mucocele develops when mucosal fragments become embedded and isolated under the mucosa. It is a preventable complication of SH surgery by ensuring correct purse string placement prior to stapled haemorrhoid excision.

Heat stress decreases egg production of laying hens by inducing apoptosis of follicular cells via activating the FasL/Fas and TNF-α systems.

Heat stress (HS) causes significant economic losses in the poultry industry every year. However, the mechanisms for the adverse effects of HS on avian follicular development are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to test whether HS induces apoptosis of follicular cells and impairs egg production by activating the FasL/Fas and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α systems. To this end, Hy-Line Brown laying hens, at 32 wk of age, were either exposed to HS of 35°C to 37°C or maintained at 24°C to 26°C (control) for 5 D. At the end of the HS period, follicle numbers, apoptosis, FasL/Fas and TNF-α activation, oxidative stress, and hormone secretion were examined in ovarian follicles. Egg production was observed daily during both the stressed (day S1-S5) and the poststress recovery (day R1-R15) periods. The results demonstrated that HS on hens significantly 1) decreased laying rates from day S3 to R6; 2) reduced numbers of large yellow and hierarchical follicles; 3) triggered apoptosis while increasing the expression of FasL, Fas, TNF-α, and TNF-receptor 1 in small and large yellow follicles; and 4) increased levels of oxidative stress, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, and corticosterone while decreasing the estradiol/progesterone ratio in follicular fluid in small and large yellow follicles. Taken together, the results suggested that hen HS impaired egg production by reducing the number of follicles through inducing apoptosis and that it triggered apoptosis in follicular cells by activating the FasL/Fas and TNF-α systems.

[Portal hemodynamics in patients with different syndromes of cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the portal hemodynamics or the indices of liver fibrosis and the liver function score in patients with different traditional Chinese medical syndromes of liver cirrhosis. METHODS: One hundred and forty-seven cases of liver cirrhosis with different syndromes were included in the study. Diameters and blood flow velocities of the portal vein and splenic vein were tested by color Doppler sonarography. The indices of liver function (TBIL, ALT, AST, Alb, Glb, PTA) and the indices of hepatic fibrosis (HA, PC-III, LN, VI-C) were tested. RESULTS: The diameters of portal vein in liver cirrhosis patients with different syndromes (internal accumulation of of damp-heat, stagnation of liver-qi, superabundance of dampness due to spleen-asthenia, asthenia of liver and kidney yin, asthenia of spleen and kidney yang, blood stasis) were not significantly different. The blood flow velocities and flow volumes of portal vein in patients with the blood stasis syndrome and the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome were significantly different (P < 0.05). The diameter of splenic vein in patients with the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome was significantly different to that of the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome, or the blood stasis syndrome, or the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The blood flow velocity of splenic vein in patients with the blood stasis syndrome or the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome was significantly different to that of the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome, or the stagnation of liver-qi syndrome, or the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome, respectively (P < 0.01). The blood flow volume of splenic vein in patients with the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome was significantly different to that of the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome, or the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome, or the blood stasis syndrome, respectively (P < 0.01). The liver cirrhosis indices HA and PC-III in patients with the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome were significantly different to those of the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome (P < 0.05). In Child-Pugh classification, the incidence of Child-Pugh C was the highest in the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome, while the incidence of Child-Pugh A was the highest in the stagnation of liver qi syndrome. CONCLUSION: The changes of portal vein dynamics in liver cirrhosis patients with the asthenia of liver and kidney yin syndrome, or the asthenia of spleen and kidney yang syndrome, or the blood stasis syndrome are significantly different to those of the internal accumulation of damp-heat syndrome and the stagnation of liver-qi syndrome.