Exosomal PD-L1 contributes to immunosuppression and is associated with anti-PD-1 response.

Tumour cells evade immune surveillance by upregulating the surface expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which interacts with programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor on T cells to elicit the immune checkpoint response1,2. Anti-PD-1 antibodies have shown remarkable promise in treating tumours, including metastatic melanoma2-4. However, the patient response rate is low4,5. A better understanding of PD-L1-mediated immune evasion is needed to predict patient response and improve treatment efficacy. Here we report that metastatic melanomas release extracellular vesicles, mostly in the form of exosomes, that carry PD-L1 on their surface. Stimulation with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) increases the amount of PD-L1 on these vesicles, which suppresses the function of CD8 T cells and facilitates tumour growth. In patients with metastatic melanoma, the level of circulating exosomal PD-L1 positively correlates with that of IFN-γ, and varies during the course of anti-PD-1 therapy. The magnitudes of the increase in circulating exosomal PD-L1 during early stages of treatment, as an indicator of the adaptive response of the tumour cells to T cell reinvigoration, stratifies clinical responders from non-responders. Our study unveils a mechanism by which tumour cells systemically suppress the immune system, and provides a rationale for the application of exosomal PD-L1 as a predictor for anti-PD-1 therapy.

A crossover study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of hydroxychloroquine tablets in healthy Chinese subjects.

AIMS: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has a high variability and a long half-life in the human body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of a generic HCQ tablet (test preparation) versus a brand HCQ tablet (reference preparation) under fasting and fed conditions in a crossover design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an open-label, two-period randomized, single-dose, crossover study in 47 healthy Chinese subjects who were sequentially and randomly allocated either to the fed group (high-fat meal; n = 23) or the fasting group (n = 24). Participants in each group were randomized to the two arms to receive either a single 200-mg dose of the test preparation or a 200-mg dose of the reference preparation. The application of the two preparations in each patient was separated by a 28-day washout period, regarded as sufficiently long to avoid significant interference from residual drug in the body. Whole blood samples were collected over 72 hours after drug administration. RESULTS: A total of 23 subjects completed both the fed and the fasting parts of the trial. There were no significant differences in Cmax, AUC0-72h, and T1/2 between the test and reference preparation (p < 0.05). Food had no significant effect on Cmax and T1/2 (p < 0.05), but AUC0-72h values were significantly reduced under fed condition compared to fasting condition (p < 0.05). The 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the geometric mean ratios (GMRs) of Cmax and AUC0-72h were 0.84 - 1.05 and 0.89 - 0.98 in the fed study, and 0.97 - 1.07 and 0.97 - 1.05 in the fasting study, respectively. The carryover effect due to non-zero blood concentrations resulted in higher AUC0-72h values in the second period for both test and reference formulations and had no effect on the statistical results. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: The investigation demonstrated that the test and reference preparations are bioequivalent and well tolerated under both fasting and fed conditions in healthy Chinese subjects.

Isaridin E Protects against Sepsis by Inhibiting Von Willebrand Factor-Induced Endothelial Hyperpermeability and Platelet-Endothelium Interaction.

Endothelial hyperpermeability is pivotal in sepsis-associated multi-organ dysfunction. Increased von Willebrand factor (vWF) plasma levels, stemming from activated platelets and endothelium injury during sepsis, can bind to integrin αvß3, exacerbating endothelial permeability. Hence, targeting this pathway presents a potential therapeutic avenue for sepsis. Recently, we identified isaridin E (ISE), a marine-derived fungal cyclohexadepsipeptide, as a promising antiplatelet and antithrombotic agent with a low bleeding risk. ISE's influence on septic mortality and sepsis-induced lung injury in a mouse model of sepsis, induced by caecal ligation and puncture, is investigated in this study. ISE dose-dependently improved survival rates, mitigating lung injury, thrombocytopenia, pulmonary endothelial permeability, and vascular inflammation in the mouse model. ISE markedly curtailed vWF release from activated platelets in septic mice by suppressing vesicle-associated membrane protein 8 and soluble N-ethylmaleide-sensitive factor attachment protein 23 overexpression. Moreover, ISE inhibited healthy human platelet adhesion to cultured lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), thereby significantly decreasing vWF secretion and endothelial hyperpermeability. Using cilengitide, a selective integrin αvß3 inhibitor, it was found that ISE can improve endothelial hyperpermeability by inhibiting vWF binding to αvß3. Activation of the integrin αvß3-FAK/Src pathway likely underlies vWF-induced endothelial dysfunction in sepsis. In conclusion, ISE protects against sepsis by inhibiting endothelial hyperpermeability and platelet-endothelium interactions.

A Zn(II) Coordination Polymer for Fluorescent Turn-Off Selective Sensing of Heavy Metal Cation and Toxic Inorganic Anions.

A novel coordination polymer [Zn(atyha)2]n (1) (Hatyha = 2-(2-aminothiazole-4-yl)-2- hydroxyiminoacetic acid) was constructed by hydrothermal reaction of Zn2+ with Hatyha ligand. CP 1 exhibits a 2D (4,4)-connected topological framework with Schläfli symbol of {44·62}, where atyha- anions serve as tridentate ligands, bridging with Zn2+ through carboxylate, thiazole and oxime groups. CP 1 displays a strong ligand-based photoluminescence at 390 nm in the solid state, and remains significantly structurally stable in water. Interestingly, it can be utilized as a fluorescent probe for selective and sensitive sensing of Fe3+, Cr2O72- and MnO4- through the fluorescent turn-off effect with limit of detection (LOD) of 3.66 × 10-6, 2.38 × 10-5 and 2.94 × 10-6 M, respectively. Moreover, the efficient recyclability for detection of Fe3+ and Cr2O72- is better than that for MnO4-. The mechanisms of fluorescent quenching involve reversible overlap of UV-Vis absorption bands of the analytes (Fe3+, Cr2O72- and MnO4-) with fluorescence excitation and emission bands for CP 1, respectively.

A Dy(III) Coordination Polymer Material as a Dual-Functional Fluorescent Sensor for the Selective Detection of Inorganic Pollutants.

A Dy(III) coordination polymer (CP), [Dy(spasds)(H2O)2]n (1) (Na2Hspasds = 5-(4-sulfophenylazo)salicylic disodium salt), has been synthesized using a hydrothermal method and characterized. 1 features a 2D layered structure, where the spasda3- anions act as pentadentate ligands, adopting carboxylate, sulfonate and phenolate groups to bridge with four Dy centers in η3-µ1: µ2, η2-µ1: µ1, and monodentate coordination modes, respectively. It possesses a unique (4,4)-connected net with a Schläfli symbol of {44·62}{4}2. The luminescence study revealed that 1 exhibited a broad fluorescent emission band at 392 nm. Moreover, the visual blue color has been confirmed by the CIE plot. 1 can serve as a dual-functional luminescent sensor toward Fe3+ and MnO4- through the luminescence quenching effect, with limits of detection (LODs) of 9.30 × 10-7 and 1.19 × 10-6 M, respectively. The LODs are relatively low in comparison with those of the reported CP-based sensors for Fe3+ and MnO4-. In addition, 1 also has high selectivity and remarkable anti-interference ability, as well as good recyclability for at least five cycles. Furthermore, the potential application of the sensor for the detection of Fe3+ and MnO4- was studied through simulated wastewater samples with different concentrations. The possible sensing mechanisms were investigated using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results revealed that the luminescence turn-off effects toward Fe3+ and MnO4- were caused by competitive absorption and photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and competitive absorption and inner filter effect (IFE), respectively.

FGF13A interacts with NPM1 and UBF and inhibits the invasion of bladder cancer cells.

Bladder cancer (BC) invasion is a critical factor that impacts the prognosis and quality of life of patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of BC invasion is far from clear. Fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13), a non-secretory FGF, has been found to be ectopically expressed in various tumors and implicated in tumor development, but its potential association to BC has not been investigated. Here, we reported that the expression of FGF13A, one nucleolar isoform of FGF13, was downregulated in BC patients and negatively associated with tumor invasion. Additionally, we demonstrated that overexpression of FGF13A could inhibit the migration and invasion of BC 5637 and T24 cells. We also confirmed the localization of FGF13A in the nucleolus and its interaction with nucleoproteins NPM1 and UBP. Subsequently, we identified that the N-terminal region of FGF13A was essential for its nucleolus location and interaction with NPM1. Furthermore, we found that FGF13A inhibited the generation of nascent ribosomal RNA and suppressed the migration and invasion of BC cells through its N-terminal region. Our research establishes, for the first time, a correlation between the expression of FGF13A and the onset and progression of BC. This provides novel insights into the role of FGF13A in the development of BC.

MiR-708 regulates the biological behavior of childhood leukemia cells by binding to the 3'utr end of the target gene and reducing the level of the target gene.

This study was performed to analyze the biological behavior of childhood leukemia cells regulated by miR-708 by binding to the 3' UTR end of the target gene and reducing the level of the target gene. In this regard, human leukemia Jurkat cell lines were selected and divided into a control group, miR-708 overexpression group and miR-708 inhibition group. MTT assay was used to detect the cell proliferation inhibition rate, flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate and cell cycle change, the scratch test was used to detect the cell migration capacity, and Western Blot assay was used to detect the expression of CNTFR, apoptosis and JAK/STAT pathway related proteins. To verify the binding site of miR-708 and target gene CNTFR. The results showed that the cell proliferation inhibition rate, apoptosis rate, G1 phase ratio, Bax protein, and CNTFR protein in the miR-708 overexpression group were significantly lower than those in the control group at each time point, while the S phase ratio, Bcl-2 protein, cell migration ability, JAK3 and STAT3 protein were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The results of the miR-708 inhibition group were contrary to those of the miR-708 overexpression group. The binding sites of miR-708 and CNTFR were predicted by TargetScan bioinformatics software. It was found that there were two binding sites of miR-708 and CNTFR, 394-400 bp and 497-503 bp respectively. In conclusion, miR-708 can reduce the expression of CNTFR by binding to the target gene CNTFR3' UTR, activate the JAK/STAT pathway to regulate apoptosis-related proteins, reduce apoptosis, and enhance the migration ability of leukemia cells.

MCW: A Generalizable Deepfake Detection Method for Few-Shot Learning.

With the development of deepfake technology, deepfake detection has received widespread attention. Although some deepfake forensics techniques have been proposed, they are still very difficult to implement in real-world scenarios. This is due to the differences in different deepfake technologies and the compression or editing of videos during the propagation process. Considering the issue of sample imbalance with few-shot scenarios in deepfake detection, we propose a multi-feature channel domain-weighted framework based on meta-learning (MCW). In order to obtain outstanding detection performance of a cross-database, the proposed framework improves a meta-learning network in two ways: it enhances the model's feature extraction ability for detecting targets by combining the RGB domain and frequency domain information of the image and enhances the model's generalization ability for detecting targets by assigning meta weights to channels on the feature map. The proposed MCW framework solves the problems of poor detection performance and insufficient data compression resistance of the algorithm for samples generated by unknown algorithms. The experiment was set in a zero-shot scenario and few-shot scenario, simulating the deepfake detection environment in real situations. We selected nine detection algorithms as comparative algorithms. The experimental results show that the MCW framework outperforms other algorithms in cross-algorithm detection and cross-dataset detection. The MCW framework demonstrates its ability to generalize and resist compression with low-quality training images and across different generation algorithm scenarios, and it has better fine-tuning potential in few-shot learning scenarios.

CFTR Suppresses Neointimal Formation Through Attenuating Proliferation and Migration of Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells.

ABSTRACT: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) plays important roles in arterial functions and the fate of cells. To further understand its function in vascular remodeling, we examined whether CFTR directly regulates platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and migration, as well as the balloon injury-induced neointimal formation. The CFTR adenoviral gene delivery was used to evaluate the effects of CFTR on neointimal formation in a rat model of carotid artery balloon injury. The roles of CFTR in PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMC proliferation and migration were detected by mitochondrial tetrazolium assay, wound healing assay, transwell chamber method, western blot, and qPCR. We found that CFTR expression was declined in injured rat carotid arteries, while adenoviral overexpression of CFTR in vivo attenuated neointimal formation in carotid arteries. CFTR overexpression inhibited PDGF-BB-induced VSMC proliferation and migration, whereas CFTR silencing caused the opposite results. Mechanistically, CFTR suppressed the phosphorylation of PDGF receptor ß, serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1, JNK, p38 and ERK induced by PDGF-BB, and the increased mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and MMP2 induced by PDGF-BB. In conclusion, our results indicated that CFTR may attenuate neointimal formation by suppressing PDGF-BB-induced activation of serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 and the JNK/p38/ERK signaling pathway.

Increased intracellular Cl- concentration mediates neutrophil extracellular traps formation in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play crucial roles in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our preliminary study shows that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced NET formation is accompanied by an elevated intracellular Cl- concentration ([Cl-]i) and reduced cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expression in freshly isolated human blood neutrophils. Herein we investigated whether and how [Cl-]i regulated NET formation in vitro and in vivo. We showed that neutrophil [Cl-]i and NET levels were increased in global CFTR null (Cftr-/-) mice in the resting state, which was mimicked by intravenous injection of the CFTR inhibitor, CFTRinh-172, in wild-type mice. OxLDL-induced NET formation was aggravated by defective CFTR function. Clamping [Cl-]i at high levels directly triggered NET formation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that increased [Cl-]i by CFTRinh-172 or CFTR knockout increased the phosphorylation of serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase 1 (SGK1) and generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in neutrophils, and promoted oxLDL-induced NET formation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Consistently, peripheral blood samples obtained from atherosclerotic ApoE-/- mice or stable angina (SA) and ST-elevation ACS (STE-ACS) patients exhibited increased neutrophil [Cl-]i and SGK1 activity, decreased CFTR expression, and elevated NET levels. VX-661, a CFTR corrector, reduced the NET formation in the peripheral blood sample obtained from oxLDL-injected mice, ApoE-/- atherosclerotic mice or patients with STE-ACS by lowering neutrophil [Cl-]i. These results demonstrate that elevated neutrophil [Cl-]i during the development of atherosclerosis and ACS contributes to increased NET formation via Cl--sensitive SGK1 signaling, suggesting that defective CFTR function might be a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Platelet CFTR inhibition enhances arterial thrombosis via increasing intracellular Cl- concentration and activation of SGK1 signaling pathway.

Platelet hyperactivity is essential for thrombus formation in coronary artery diseases (CAD). Dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in patients with cystic fibrosis elevates intracellular Cl- levels ([Cl-]i) and enhanced platelet hyperactivity. In this study, we explored whether alteration of [Cl-]i has a pathological role in regulating platelet hyperactivity and arterial thrombosis formation. CFTR expression was significantly decreased, while [Cl-]i was increased in platelets from CAD patients. In a FeCl3-induced mouse mesenteric arteriole thrombosis model, platelet-specific Cftr-knockout and/or pre-administration of ion channel inhibitor CFTRinh-172 increased platelet [Cl-]i, which accelerated thrombus formation, enhanced platelet aggregation and ATP release, and increased P2Y12 and PAR4 expression in platelets. Conversely, Cftr-overexpressing platelets resulted in subnormal [Cl-]i, thereby decreasing thrombosis formation. Our results showed that clamping [Cl-]i at high levels or Cftr deficiency-induced [Cl-]i increasement dramatically augmented phosphorylation (Ser422) of serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK1), subsequently upregulated P2Y12 and PAR4 expression via NF-κB signaling. Constitutively active mutant S422D SGK1 markedly increased P2Y12 and PAR4 expression. The specific SGK1 inhibitor GSK-650394 decreased platelet aggregation in wildtype and platelet-specific Cftr knockout mice, and platelet SGK1 phosphorylation was observed in line with increased [Cl-]i and decreased CFTR expression in CAD patients. Co-transfection of S422D SGK1 and adenovirus-induced CFTR overexpression in MEG-01 cells restored platelet activation signaling cascade. Our results suggest that [Cl-]i is a novel positive regulator of platelet activation and arterial thrombus formation via the activation of a [Cl-]i-sensitive SGK1 signaling pathway. Therefore, [Cl-]i in platelets is a novel potential biomarker for platelet hyperactivity, and CFTR may be a potential therapeutic target for platelet activation in CAD.

Atorvastatin attenuates surgery-induced BBB disruption and cognitive impairment partly by suppressing NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in aged mice.

In clinic, perioperative neurocognitive disorder is becoming a common complication of surgery in old patients. Neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption are important contributors for cognitive impairment. Atorvastatin, as a strong HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, has been widely used in clinic. However, it remains unclear whether atorvastatin could prevent anesthesia and surgery-induced BBB disruption and cognitive injury by its anti-inflammatory property. In this study, aged C57BL/6J mice were used to address this question. Initially, the mice were subject to atorvastatin treatment for 7 days (10 mg/kg). After a simple laparotomy under 1.5% isoflurane anesthesia, Morris water maze was performed to assess spatial learning and memory. Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine the inflammatory response, BBB integrity, and cell apoptosis. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling assay was used to assess cell apoptosis. The fluorescein sodium and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect the permeability and structure of BBB. The results showed that anesthesia and surgery significantly injured hippocampal-dependent learning and memory, which was ameliorated by atorvastatin. Atorvastatin could also reverse the surgery-induced increase of systemic and hippocampal cytokines, including IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6, accompanied by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway and Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain, or Leucine Rich Repeat and Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation, as well as hippocampal neuronal apoptosis. In addition, surgery triggered an increase of BBB permeability, paralleled by a decrease of the ZO-1, occludin, and Claudin 5 proteins in the hippocampus. However, atorvastatin treatment could protect the BBB integrity from the impact of surgery, by up-regulating the expressions of ZO-1, occludin, and Claudin 5. These findings suggest that atorvastatin exhibits neuroprotective effects on cognition in aged mice undergoing surgery.

Antiplatelet and Antithrombotic Effects of Isaridin E Isolated from the Marine-Derived Fungus via Downregulating the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.

Isaridin E, a cyclodepsipeptide isolated from the marine-derived fungus Amphichorda felina (syn. Beauveria felina) SYSU-MS7908, has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory and insecticidal activities. Here, we first found that isaridin E concentration-dependently inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation, activation, and secretion in vitro, but did not affect collagen- or thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Furthermore, isaridin E dose-dependently reduced thrombosis formation in an FeCl3-induced mouse carotid model without increasing the bleeding time. Mechanistically, isaridin E significantly decreased the ADP-mediated phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt. In conclusion, these results suggest that isaridin E exerts potent antithrombotic effects in vivo without increasing the risk of bleeding, which may be due to its important role in inhibiting ADP-induced platelet activation, secretion and aggregation via the PI3K/Akt pathways.

Laparoscopic fixation of biological mesh at hiatus with glue and suture during hiatal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair is associated with higher recurrence rate. Mesh is used to reduce the recurrence rate. This retrospective study is to review our experience of biological mesh fixed with suture and medical glue in hiatal hernias repairs. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for a consecutive series of patients undergoing laparoscopic hiatal herniorrhaphy between January 2018 and January 2019. After hiatus closure, a piece of biological prosthesis was fixed with medical glue and suture for reinforcement of the crural closure. Clinical outcomes were reviewed, and data were collected regarding operative details, complications, symptoms, and follow-up imaging. Radiological evidence of any size of hiatal hernia was considered to indicate a recurrence. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients underwent surgery uneventfully without any serious complication. There was no mortality. The follow-up was, on average, 18.4 months, and there was no symptomatic recurrence. There was one anatomical recurrence without any related presentation. The method of mesh fixation with medical glue and suture took 12 min on average, and the handling was fairly easy. CONCLUSIONS: Biological mesh fixed with suture and medical glue was safe and effective for repairing large hiatal hernias. Of course, a longer follow-up is still needed for determining long-term outcomes.

Endophilin A2 regulates calcium-activated chloride channel activity via selective autophagy-mediated TMEM16A degradation.

TMEM16A Ca2+-activated chloride channel (CaCC) plays an essential role in vascular homeostasis. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying downregulation of TMEM16A CaCC activity during hypertension. In cultured basilar artery smooth muscle cells (BASMCs) isolated from 2k2c renohypertesive rats, treatment with angiotensin II (0.125-1 µM) dose-dependently increased endophilin A2 levels and decreased TMEM16A expression. Similar phenomenon was observed in basilar artery isolated from 2k2c rats. We then used whole-cell recording to examine whether endophilin A2 could regulate TMEM16A CaCC activity in BASMCs and found that knockdown of endophilin A2 significantly enhanced CaCC activity, whereas overexpression of endophilin A2 produced the opposite effect. Overexpression of endophilin A2 did not affect the TMEM16A mRNA level, but markedly decreased TMEM16A protein level in BASMCs by inducing ubiquitination and autophagy of TMEM16A. Ubiquitin-binding receptor p62 (SQSTM1) could bind to ubiquitinated TMEM16A and resulted in a process of TMEM16A proteolysis in autophagosome/lysosome. These data provide new insights into the regulation of TMEM16A CaCC activity by endophilin A2 in BASMCs, which partly explains the mechanism of angiotensin-II-induced TMEM16A inhibition during hypertension-induced vascular remodeling.

SGK1 mediates the hypotonic protective effect against H2O2-induced apoptosis of rat basilar artery smooth muscle cells by inhibiting the FOXO3a/Bim signaling pathway.

Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinease-1 (SGK1) is a serine/threonine kinase regulated by hypotonic stimuli, which is involved in regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Our previous study shows that activation of volume-regulated Cl- channels (VRCCs) protects rat basilar artery smooth muscle cells (BASMCs) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated whether SGK1 was involved in the protective effect of VRCCs in BASMCs. We showed that hypotonic challenge significantly reduced H2O2-induced apoptosis, and increased SGK1 phosphorylation, but did not affect SGK1 protein expression. The protective effect of hypotonic challenge against H2O2-induced apoptosis was mediated through inhibiting mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway, evidenced by increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, stabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), decreased cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm, and inhibition of the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. These protective effects of hypotonic challenge against H2O2-induced apoptosis was diminished and enhanced, respectively, by SGK1 knockdown and overexpression. We further revealed that SGK1 activation significantly increased forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) phosphorylation, and then inhibited the translocation of FOXO3a into nucleus and the subsequent expression of Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim). In conclusion, SGK1 mediates the protective effect of VRCCs against H2O2-induced apoptosis in BASMCs via inhibiting FOXO3a/Bim signaling pathway. Our results provide compelling evidences that SGK1 is a critical link between VRCCs and apoptosis, and shed a new light on the treatment of vascular apoptosis-associated diseases, such as vascular remodeling, angiogenesis, and atherosclerosis.

The impact of ultrasound-guided bilateral rectus sheath block in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy - a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Rectus sheath block (RSB) is known to attenuate postoperative pain and reduce perioperative opioid consumption. Thus, a retrospective study was performed to examine the effects of bilateral rectus sheath block (BRSB) in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). METHODS: A total of 178 patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC at our hospital were included. Patient information and anaesthesia-related indicators were collected from the electronic medical record (EMR) system. All subjects were divided into the following two groups: the G group (general anaesthesia) and the GR group (RSB combined with general anaesthesia). Patients in the GR group received 0.375% ropivacaine for BRSB before surgery. The primary outcomes included the total amount of remifentanil and rocuronium, the total consumption of dezocine after surgery, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) input dose at 1 h (T6), 6 h (T7), 12 h (T8), 24 h (T9) and 48 h (T10) after surgery. Other outcomes were also recorded, such as patient demographic data, the intraoperative heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Compared with the G group, the GR group showed a shorter time to tracheal extubation (P < 0.05), a decreased total amount of remifentanil and rocuronium (P < 0.05), and a reduced VAS score, PCIA input dose and number of PCIA boluses at 1 h, 6 h and 12 h after surgery (P < 0.05). However, at 24 h and 48 h after surgery, there were no differences in the VAS score of pain at rest or during motion between the two groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of hypertension, emergence agitation, delayed recovery, hypercapnia, and nausea and vomiting was lower in the GR group than in the G group (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the changes in MAP and HR during the surgery between the two groups (P > 0.05). No complications associated with nerve block occurred. CONCLUSION: BRSB could provide short-term postoperative analgesia, reduce perioperative opioid consumption and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. It is an effective and safe procedure in CRS/HIPEC.

Smooth muscle-specific TMEM16A expression protects against angiotensin II-induced cerebrovascular remodeling via suppressing extracellular matrix deposition.

Cerebrovascular remodeling is the leading factor for stroke and characterized by increased extracellular matrix deposition, migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and inhibition of their apoptosis. TMEM16A is an important component of Ca2+-activated Cl- channels. Previously, we showed that downregulation of TMEM16A in the basilar artery was negatively correlated with cerebrovascular remodeling during hypertension. However, it is unclear whether TMEM16A participates in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular remodeling in mice that have TMEM16A gene modification. In this study, we generated a transgenic mouse that overexpresses TMEM16A specifically in vascular smooth muscle cells. We observed that vascular remodeling in the basilar artery during Ang II-induced hypertension was significantly suppressed upon vascular smooth muscle-specific overexpression of TMEM16A relative to control mice. Specifically, we observed a large reduction in the deposition of fibronectin and collagen I. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-14), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) were upregulated in the basilar artery during Ang II-induced hypertension, but this was suppressed upon overexpression of TMEM16A in blood vessels. Furthermore, TMEM16A overexpression alleviated the overactivity of the canonical TGF-ß1/Smad3, and non-canonical TGF-ß1/ERK and JNK pathways in the basilar artery during Ang II-induced hypertension. These in vivo results were similar to the results derived in vitro with basilar artery smooth muscle cells stimulated by Ang II. Moreover, we observed that the inhibitory effect of TMEM16A on MMPs was mediated by decreasing the activation of WNK1, which is a Cl--sensitive serine/threonine kinase. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that TMEM16A protects against cerebrovascular remodeling during hypertension by suppressing extracellular matrix deposition. We also showed that TMEM16A exerts this effect by reducing the expression of MMPs via inhibiting WNK1, and decreasing the subsequent activities of TGF-ß1/Smad3, ERK, and JNK. Accordingly, our results suggest that TMEM16A may serve as a novel therapeutic target for vascular remodeling.

Carvacrol suppresses inflammatory responses in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play an essential role in the chronic inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Carvacrol is a natural monoterpenic phenol that retains significant anti-inflammatory activity. However, the effect of carvacrol on inflammatory response in RA-FLSs has not yet been reported. The present study aimed to investigate the role of carvacrol in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in human RA-FLSs. METHODS: Cell viability and proliferation were measured by MTT and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, respectively. The migration was detected by transwell assay. The production of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), NF-κB, p38, p-p38, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p-JNK were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Carvacrol-inhibited LPS-induced cell proliferation and migration of RA-FLSs. The production of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)- 6, and IL-8, was reduced by carvacrol in LPS-induced RA-FLSs. Meanwhile, the induction of MMPs, including MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13, caused by LPS stimulation was inhibited by carvacrol in RA-FLSs. Furthermore, carvacrol prevented LPS-induced activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB, p38, and ERK1/2 pathways in RA-FLSs. CONCLUSIONS: Carvacrol-mitigated LPS-induced cell proliferation, migration, and inflammation in RA-FLSs. The TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB, p38 and ERK1/2 pathways might be involved in the protective effect of carvacrol.