Biochar alleviates inhibition effects of humic acid on anaerobic digestion: Insights to performances and mechanisms.

To recover methane from waste activated sludge through anaerobic digestion (AD) is one promising alternative to achieve carbon neutrality for wastewater treatment plants. However, humic acids (HAs) are one of the major compositions in waste activated sludge, and their accumulation performs inhibition effects on AD. This study investigated the potentials of biochar (BC) in alleviating inhibition effects of HAs on AD. Results showed that although the accumulated HAs reduced methane yield by 9.37% compared to control, the highest methane yield, 132.6 mL CH4/g VSS, was obtained after adding BC, which was 45.9% higher than that in HA group. Mechanism analysis showed that BC promoted the activities of hydrolase such as protease and α-glucosidase, which were 69.7% and 29.7% higher than those in HA group, respectively. The conversion of short-chain fatty acids was accelerated. In addition, the evolution of electroactive microorganisms like Clostridium_sensu_stricto_13 and Methanosaeta were consistent with the activitiy of electron transfer and the content of cytochrome c. Furthermore, parts of HAs rather than all of them were adsorbed by BC, and the remaining free HAs and BC formed synergistic effects on methanogenesis, then both CO2 reduction and acetoclastic methanogenesis pathways were improved. The findings may provide some solutions to alleviate inhibition effects of HAs on AD.

[Effect of FCGR3A Polymorphisms on Antibody-dependent Cetuximab-mediated Cytotoxicity in A549 Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of FCGR3A polymorphisms on the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity induced by cetuximab against A549 cells. METHODS: A549 cell line was used as target cells and NKTm cells as effector cells. FCGR3A polymorphisms were detected by direct sequencing. The ADCC activity mediated by cetuximab was assessed by CCK-8 assay. RESULTS: Three genotypes of FCGR3A were detected:V/V,V/F,and F/F. The ADCC activity of NKTm cells with these three different genotypes mediated by cetuximab were significantly different (P=0.0015). NKTm cells with FCGR3A-158V/V genotypes had significantly higher ADCC activity than FCGR3A-V/F or F/F genotypes (P<0.01),whereas the ADCC activity between V/F and F/F genotype showed no statistical significance(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: FCGR3A polymorphisms have an impact on ADCC activity mediated by cetuximab in NKTm cells.

[Diagnostic Value of Combining Permeability with T1 Perfusion Parameters in Quantitative Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Glioma Grading].

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE To investigate the diagnostic value of combining permeability with T1 perfusion parameters in quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in glioma grading. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 16 patients with high grade gliomas (HGG) and 12 patients with low grade gliomas(LGG) confirmed by pathology. The permeability was quantitatively analyzed and the T1 perfusion parameters of the tumor were calculated by the pharmacokinetic model,including volume transfer constant (K(trans)),volume fraction of extravascular extracellular space (ve),reflux constant (kep),fractional plasma volume (vp),cerebral blood flow (CBF),cerebral blood volume (CBV),and mean transit time (MTT). A t-test was used to calculate the statistical significance of quantitative analysis parameters between HGG and LGG. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was also performed for evaluating the sensitivity,specificity,and area under curve (AUC) of the permeability parameters and perfusion parameters and the combination of these parameters. RESULTS: The differences of the K(trans),ve,CBF,and CBV values [(0.276<0.164)/min vs. (0.084<0.044)/min;0.486<0.191 vs. 0.274<0.132;(1.755<1.164)ml/(g·min) vs. (0.761<0.625) ml/(g·min);(0.204<0.101) ml/g vs. (0.115<0.097)ml/g] were statistically significant (t=3.934,3.293,2.672,2.338,P<0.05) between HGG and LGG. The differences of the kep,vp, and MTT value [(1.632<1.204)/min vs. (1.537<1.194)/min;0.114<0.107 vs. 0.055<0.039;(0.128<0.070)min vs. (0.145<0.066)min] were not statistically significant (t=0.208,1.823,0.688,P>0.05). When the K(trans) value was 0.105/min,the AUC was the largest (0.919) by the single parameter in glioma grading,and meanwhile the sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 83.3%,respectively. When the ve-CBF value was 0.631,the AUC was the largest (0.974) by the multiple parameter,and meanwhile the sensitivity and specificity were 93.7% and 100.0%,respectively. CONCLUSION: Combining permeability with perfusion parameters in quantitative DCE-MRI can improve the accuracy of the glioma grading.

Activating transcription factor 3 promotes colon cancer metastasis.

Colorectal cancer is one of the commonest of solid malignancy in the world. Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a homolog of the mouse TI-241 and rat LFR-1, is a stress responsive gene that has been widely indicated in different malignancies. However, the role of ATF3 in colon cancer is paradoxical with both a suggested pro- and anti-tumorigenic role. The objective of the current study was to investigate the role of ATF3 in colon cancer metastasis using HT29 and CaCO2 colon cancer cell lines. Expression of ATF3 was initially evaluated in five pairs of colon cancer and matched noncancerous colon tissues. The role of ATF3 in promoting in vitro migration and invasion were evaluated by siRNA-mediated knockdown and adenovirus-mediated overexpression of ATF3. In addition, the role of ATF3 in promoting in vivo tumor growth and hepatic metastasis was investigated by shRNA-mediated knockdown of ATF3. Expression of ATF3 was more in the colon cancer tissues as compared with the pooled noncancerous control colon tissue. Our results showed that in both HT29 and CaCO2 cells, ATF3 promoted in vitro motility and invasion. Furthermore, knockdown of ATF3 attenuated subcutaneous tumor growth and CD31(+) neovasculature in xenograft assays with HT29 and CaCO2 cells and inhibited hepatic metastasis. Cumulatively, our results unequivocally show that ATF3 promotes colon cancer metastasis.

[Role of epidermal growth factor receptor expression level in cetuximab cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity effect against A549 lung cancer cell line].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression level in cetuximab cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) effect against A549 lung cancer cell line. METHODS: A549 cell line and NKTm cells were used as the target cell and the effector cell, respectively. pEGFR-EGFP plasmids were transfected into A549 cells by nucleofector method. EGFR expression levels were measured by immunohistochemistry. The ADCC activity induced by cetuximab was assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay. RESULTS: A549 cells transfected with pEGFR-EGFP plasmids expressed higher level of EGFR protein on membrane and were more sensitive to ADCC activity mediated by cetuximab (P<0.05). The inhibition rate of A549 cells showed no significant difference between transfection group and wild-type group when treated with cetuximab alone (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: EGFR expression level influences the sensitivity of A549 lung cancer cell line to ADCC activity mediated by cetuximab but not to cetuximab alone.

Extracellular Vesicles from Neural Stem Cells Carry microRNA-16-5p to Reduce Corticosterone-induced Neuronal Injury in Depression Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is a common mental illness. Neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (NSC-EVs) are involved in repairing neuronal injury. We estimated the mechanism of miR-16-5p in depression rats. METHODS: EVs were extracted from NSCs. The depression rat model was established by corticosterone (CORT) induction and treated with NSC-EVs. The depression behavioral/pathological changes in rats were assessed using forced swimming test, open field test, sucrose consumption test and western blotting. The neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal tissue were detected. CORT-induced PC12 cell model was established. EV uptake by PC12 cells was measured and PC12 cell apoptosis was detected. The downstream targets of miR-16-5p were predicted and verified. The expressions of miR-16-5p and MYB in rats, PC12 cells, and EVs were measured. Functional rescue experiments were conducted to verify the role of miR-16-5p and MYB in PC12 cell apoptosis. RESULTS: CORT induction increased neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal tissue and induced depression-like behaviors in rats, while NSC-EV treatment improved depression-like behaviors and apoptosis in rats. In PC12 cells, NSC-EVs decreased CORT-induced PC12 cell apoptosis. NSC-EVs carried miR-16-5p into PC12 cells. miR-16-5p knockdown in EVs partially reversed the inhibitory effects of NSC-EVs on CORT-induced PC12 cell apoptosis. miR-16-5p targeted to inhibit MYB to repress CORT-induced PC12 cell apoptosis. In vivo experiments further verified that NSC-EVs reduced neuronal injury in CORT-induced depression rats via the miR-16-5p/MYB axis. CONCLUSION: NSC-EVs-mediated alleviation on neuronal injury by carrying miR-16-5p to target MYB was highly likely one of the mechanisms by which NSC-EVs mediated miR-16-5p in neuroprotection of depression rats.

Detection of T lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and other lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 64 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma (case group) and analyzed by flow cytometry. The ratios of CD4+CD25+Treg T cells and other T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were compared with those from 33 healthy controls (control group). RESULTS: The percentages of CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ were (66.5±11.0)% and (37.7±10.6)% respectively in the peripheral blood of the case group, which were significantly lower than those [(72.0±6.0)% and (42.0±6.4)%] in the control group (t=-3.2,-2.4; P=0.020, 0.015, respectively). The ratio of CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells in case group (10.5±4.0)% was significantly higher than that [(8.4±3.5)%] in the control group (t=-2.2, P=0.013). CD4+/CD8+ value of case group (1.4±0.8) was significantly lower than that (1.8±0.7) in control group(t=-2.2, P=0.029). CD3+CD8+, CD8+CD28-, and CD8+CD28+ showed no significant differences (all P>0.05). Smoking, differentiation grade, and size of the tumor showed no association with the function damage of T lymphocyte subsets, while the carcino-embryonic antigen level did. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, Treg increases and CD4+/CD8+ decreases, suggesting remarkably suppressed immune functions. However, more research is warranted to validate the association of T cells subset dysfunction with smoking, differentiation grade, and size of tumor.

Sequential chemotherapy and icotinib as first-line treatment for advanced epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Icotinib could have potential effect and tolerability when used sequentially with chemotherapy for advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy followed by icotinib maintenance therapy as first-line treatment for advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC. METHODS: This multicenter, open-label, pilot randomized controlled trial enrolled 68 EGFR-mutated stage IIIB/IV NSCLC patients randomized 2:3 to the icotinib alone and chemotherapy + icotinib groups. RESULTS: The median progression-free survival in the icotinib alone and chemotherapy + icotinib groups was 8.0 mo (95%CI: 3.84-11.63) and 13.4 mo (95%CI: 10.18-16.33), respectively (P = 0.0249). No significant differences were found in the curative effect when considering different cycles of chemotherapy or chemotherapy regimen (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A sequential combination of chemotherapy and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor is feasible for stage IV EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients.

[Antitumor effect of natural killer cells in vitro by blocking transforming growth factor-ß signaling].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antitumor effect of natural killer (NK) cells on human colorectal cancer cells HT-29 in vitro by blocking transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling in NK cells transfected with vector containing dominant negative TGF-ß type 2 receptor (DNTßR2). METHODS: TGF-ß1 was added at the final concentration of 10 ng/ml for HT-29 cells. Primary NK cells were transfected with recombinant plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP-DNTßR2 and control plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP using Amaxa Nucleofector technology respectively. The cytotoxicity of these two types of NK cells to HT-29 cells was detected and analyzed by cell counting kit-8. RESULTS: The transfection efficiency of primary NK cells was 18.85% for the plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP-DNTßR2 and 35.28% for the control plasmid pIRES2-AcGFP. The expression of DNTßR2 in NK cells was confirmed by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Primary NK cells displayed significantly lower cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells incubated with TGF-ß1 than that without TGF-ß1 (effect-target cell ratio 10:1,14.40%∓ 2.00% vs. 26.14% ∓ 2.50%, P > 0.05; effect-target cell ratio 20:1, 19.18% ∓ 2.49% vs. 40.81% ∓ 3.50%, P > 0.05). The cytotoxicity of NK cells transfected with DNTßR2 vector was significantly higher than that with control vector against HT-29 cells cultured with 10 ng/ml TGF-ß1 (effect-target cell ratio 10:1, 21.17% ∓ 2.49% vs. 11.48% ∓ 1.11% ,P > 0.05; and effect-target cell ratio 20:1, 35.30% ∓ 3.78% vs. 17.19% ∓ 2.29%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: NK cells transfected with DNTßR2 vector show better antitumor effect, which may provide new method for NK-based adoptive immunotherapy for cancer.

Revealing the sedative-hypnotic effect of the extracts of herb pair Semen Ziziphi spinosae and Radix Polygalae and related mechanisms through experiments and metabolomics approach.

BACKGROUND: Semen Ziziphi spinosae and Radix Polygalae, two herbs commonly used together in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. The study aims to study the sedative-hypnotic effect of the active components of the herbal pair, the possible mechanisms of such effect, and related metabolic pathways in vivo. METHODS: The sedative and hypnotic effect of the active components (EI30) of the herbal pair was studied by recording influence on the proportion of sleeping within 30 min, sleep latency and sleep length of pentobarbital sodium-induced sleeping on mice. Possible mechanisms of the sedative-hypnotic effect of the active components were investigated by measuring the content of neurotransmitters in the total protein of mice brain tissue. The main chemical compounds of the herbal pair were identified by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). Serum samples of mice were studied, and related differential metabolites between the normal group and model group, and between model group and treatment group were identified by Gas Chromatography Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS), Principal Components Analysis (PCA), and Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, high dose EI30 group and the Clonazepam group were with significantly higher proportions of sleep within 30 min (P = 0.027 and 0.005 respectively). Compared with the control group, all of the high, medium and low dose of EI30 groups were with significantly shorter sleep latency (P < 0.01) and prolonged sleeping time (P < 0.01). The herbal pair has good sedative-hypnotic effects, although it is weaker than the effect of Clonazepam. The sedative-hypnotic effect of EI30 is possibly related to the adjustment of neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) in the total protein of mice brain tissue. There are five metabolic pathways in vivo most related to the sedative-hypnotic effect of EI30, and they are biosynthesis of valine, leucine, and isoleucine, metabolism of glyceride, metabolism of alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, metabolism of phenylalanine, and metabolism of cysteine and methionine. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the mechanisms of sedative and hypnotic effects of herbal pair Semen Ziziphi spinosae and Radix Polygalae by using metabolomics methods. This study provides a basis for further development and utilization of this herbal pair.

High HER-2 protein levels correlate with clinicopathological features in colorectal cancer.

AIM: To obtain a correlation between HER-2 expression and the clinicopathological features incolorectal cancers. (CRCs) using a meta.analysis based approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic databases and reference lists were searched for relevant published studies. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, case and control studies related to research topic were included in present meta-analysis. Data analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta Analysis. (CMA) 2.0 software. RESULT: A total of 30 studies comprising 4,942 CRC patients and 521 healthy controls met the inclusion criteria. Our major results implied that the expression level of HER-2 was significantly higher in CRC patients than healthy controls (odds ratio (OR) = 10.436, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.498-19.810, P < 0.001). Sample stratification based on Dukes stages suggested that increased expression level of HER-2 protein was found in CRC patients with Dukes C/D compared with CRC patients with Dukes A/B (OR = 0.335, 95% CI = 0.198-0.568, P < 0.001). The current meta-analysis also found that, in CRC patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM), the HER-2 expression was significantly higher than that in CRC patients without LNM (OR = 1.987, 95%CI = 1.209-3.265, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis study strongly suggests that HER-2 expression levels are clearly correlated with the clinicopathological features in CRC; therefore, HER-2 may be a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.

Adoptive immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer by expanded activated autologous lymphocytes: a retrospective clinical analysis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the clinical efficacy of expanded activated autologous lymphocytes (EAAL) in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 SCLC patients were selected and randomly divided into EAAL treatment and control groups, 16 cases in each. EAAL were obtained by proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients followed by phenotype determination. Clinical data of all patients were recorded. Patients of both groups were followed up and the overall survival (OS) were compared retrospectively. RESULTS: After culture and proliferation in vitro, the percentages of CD3+, CD3+CD8+, CD45RO+, CD28+, CD29+, CD8+CD28+ and CD3+CD16+/CD56+ cells increased markedly (p<0.05). The OS of the EAAL treatment group was longer than that of control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.060, HR=0.487, 95%CI 0.228~1.037). 1- to 3-year survival rates in EAAL treatment group were longer than those in control group, but there was still no significant difference (p>0.05). COX multivariate regression analysis showed that the number of chemotherapy cycles and the application of EAAL immunotherapy were independent prognostic factors for SCLC patients. The OS in females and chemotherapy≤6 cycles were obviously prolonged after EAAL immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro induction and proliferation of EAAL is easy and biologically safe. Generally, EAAL adoptive immunotherapy can evidently prolong the OS of SCLC patients.