Advancing carbohydrate quantification in MALDI mass spectrometry by the rapidly freeze-drying droplet (RFDD) method.

Quantitative carbohydrate analysis faces challenges in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), including insufficient sensitivity and inconsistent spatial distribution of ion intensity. This study introduces an innovative sample preparation approach, the Rapidly Freeze-Drying Droplet (RFDD) method, aimed at overcoming these challenges by enhancing the homogeneity of the sample morphology and signal intensity in MALDI. Compared to conventional preparation methods, the RFDD method reduces the laser energy threshold and demonstrates a remarkable increase in signal intensity for carbohydrates, facilitating the detection of high-molecular-weight polysaccharides (>10 kDa). The RFDD-prepared samples exhibit a uniformly distributed signal intensity that overcomes the 'sweet spot' issue in MALDI. The enhanced signal intensity and reproducibility lead to reliable quantitative analysis of carbohydrates, eliminating the need for expensive isotopic standards in each sample. A straightforward and accessible approach is presented for general laboratories, revolutionizing carbohydrate analysis in MALDI-MS.

Cytokine alterations during paraneoplastic neutrophilia and leukemoid reaction in patients with advanced melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction (PLR) is a rare phenomenon in metastasized melanoma associated with poor prognosis and rapid disease progression. Currently, no specific therapeutic options exist other than treating the underlying malignancy. METHODS: Five cases of paraneoplastic neutrophilia in patients with advanced-stage IV melanoma were enrolled in our study. Cytokine concentrations in patients' serum samples were analyzed before and during PLR using a multiplex cytokine array. Further, immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissue biopsied during PLR was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We observed a strong correlation between worsening of tumor burden and aggravation of neutrophilia. Cytokine measurements revealed an increase of proinflammatory cytokines (IL6, IFNγ), proangiogenic cytokines (VEGF) and immune stem cell growth factors (G-CSF) during PLR. Immunohistochemistry confirmed neutrophil infiltration of tumor tissue. The presented cytokine alterations provide a basis for further functional analysis, which is necessary for the development of targeted therapeutic approaches against PLR.

Hierarchical Nanoarchitectonics of Ultrathin 2D Organic Nanosheets for Aqueous Processed Electroluminescent Devices.

Ultrathin 2D organic nanosheets (2DONs) with high mobility have received tremendous attention due to thickness of few molecular layers. However, ultrathin 2DONs with high luminescence efficiency and flexibility simultaneously are rarely reported. Here, the ultrathin 2DONs (thickness: 19 nm) through the modulation of tighter molecular packing (distance: ≈3.31 Å) achievable from the incorporation of methoxyl and dipenylamine (DPA) groups into 3D spirofluorenexanthene (SFX) building blocks is successfully prepared. Even with closer molecular stacking, ultrathin 2DONs still enable the suppression of aggregation quenching to exhibit higher quantum yields of blue emission (ΦF  = 48%) than that on amorphous film (ΦF  = 20%), and show amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) with a mediate threshold (332 mW cm-2 ). Further, through drop-casting method, the ultrathin 2DONs are self-organized into large-scale flexible 2DONs films (1.5 × 1.5 cm) with the low hardness (H: 0.008 Gpa) and low Young's modulus (Er : 0.63 Gpa). Impressively, the large-scale 2DONs film can realize electroluminescence performances with a maximum luminance (445 cd m-2 ) and low turn on voltage (3.7 V). These ultrathin 2DONs provide a new avenue for the realization of flexible electrically pumping lasers and intelligent quantum tunneling systems.

A Middle Eocene lowland humid subtropical "Shangri-La" ecosystem in central Tibet.

Tibet's ancient topography and its role in climatic and biotic evolution remain speculative due to a paucity of quantitative surface-height measurements through time and space, and sparse fossil records. However, newly discovered fossils from a present elevation of ∼4,850 m in central Tibet improve substantially our knowledge of the ancient Tibetan environment. The 70 plant fossil taxa so far recovered include the first occurrences of several modern Asian lineages and represent a Middle Eocene (∼47 Mya) humid subtropical ecosystem. The fossils not only record the diverse composition of the ancient Tibetan biota, but also allow us to constrain the Middle Eocene land surface height in central Tibet to ∼1,500 ± 900 m, and quantify the prevailing thermal and hydrological regime. This "Shangri-La"-like ecosystem experienced monsoon seasonality with a mean annual temperature of ∼19 °C, and frosts were rare. It contained few Gondwanan taxa, yet was compositionally similar to contemporaneous floras in both North America and Europe. Our discovery quantifies a key part of Tibetan Paleogene topography and climate, and highlights the importance of Tibet in regard to the origin of modern Asian plant species and the evolution of global biodiversity.

Underdiagnosis and underreporting of vertebral fractures on chest radiographs in men aged over 50 years or postmenopausal women with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are often clinically silent and unrecognized. The present study aimed to determine whether routine chest radiographs could be a potential screening tool for identifying missed vertebral fractures in men aged over 50 years or postmenopausal women, especially those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of undetected vertebral fractures in elderly Chinese patients with and without T2DM. METHODS: Clinical data and chest radiographs of 567 individuals with T2DM (T2DM group) and 583 without diabetes (nondiabetic group) at a tertiary hospital in central south China were extracted from the records. Vertebral fractures were specifically looked for on chest radiographs and classified using the Genant semi-quantitative scale. Prevalence was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Mean age and sex composition were comparable between the two groups. Mean weight and body mass index were significantly lower in the T2DM group. In both groups, fractures mostly involved the T11-12 and L1 vertebrae. Moderate/severe fractures were identified in 33.3% individuals in the T2DM group (31.4% men and 36.0% women) versus 23.2% individuals (20.9% men and 25.5% women) in the nondiabetic group. CONCLUSIONS: Routine chest radiographs could be a useful screening tool for identifying asymptomatic vertebral fractures. Trial registration The study was designed as an observational retrospective study, therefore a trial registration was not necessary.

AMPK activator C24 inhibits hepatic lipogenesis and ameliorates dyslipidemia in HFHC diet-induced animal models.

Dyslipidemia is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of lipids in plasma. Recently, various studies demonstrate that the increased activity of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) causes health benefits in energy regulation. Thus, great efforts have been made to develop AMPK activators as a metabolic syndrome treatment. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the AMPK activator C24 on dyslipidemia and the potential mechanisms. We showed that C24 (5-40 µM) dose-dependently increased the phosphorylation of AMPKα and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and inhibited lipogenesis in HepG2 cells. Using compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, or hepatocytes isolated from liver tissue-specific AMPK knockout AMPKα1α2fl/fl;Alb-cre mice (AMPK LKO), we demonstrated that the lipogenesis inhibition of C24 was dependent on hepatic AMPK activation. In rabbits with high-fat and high-cholesterol diet-induced dyslipidemia, administration of C24 (20, 40, and 60 mg · kg-1· d-1, ig, for 4 weeks) dose-dependently decreased the content of TG, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in plasma and played a role in protecting against hepatic dysfunction by decreasing lipid accumulation. A lipid-lowering effect was also observed in high-fat and high-cholesterol diet-fed hamsters. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the small molecular AMPK activator C24 alleviates hyperlipidemia and represents a promising compound for the development of a lipid-lowering drug.

Efficient tandem organic light-emitting diodes with non-doped structures.

Highly efficient tandem organic light-emitting diodes (TOLEDs) were achieved based on a non-doped charge generation unit (CGU) consisting of LiF/Al/C60/4,4',4"-tris(N-3-methylphenyl-N-phenyl-amino) triphenylamine (m-MTDATA) and ultrathin emitting layers. The current-voltage characteristics of the CGU devices and electron-only devices and the capacitance-voltage characteristics of the CGU-based capacitance devices were characterized to explore the charge generation and injection mechanisms. The charge generation process occurs at the interface of C60/m-MTDATA through electron transferring from the highest occupied molecular orbital of m-MTDATA to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of C60. It is found that the thinner C60 layer contributes to efficient electron injection. Under the optimal structure, the blue TOLEDs exhibit a maximum current efficiency (CEmax) of 43.3 cd/A. The CEmax and maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of the white TOLEDs reach 84.6 cd/A and 26.7%, respectively.

Prenylated Acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum faberi.

The isolation and structure elucidation of six new prenylated acylphloroglucinols, faberiones A-F, from the whole plant of Hypericum faberi is reported. Faberiones A-D (1-4) share a rare styrene substituent and may be biosynthetically generated via further acylation of the acylphloroglucinols. By analyzing the MS and NMR data, the structures of the new isolates were established. Faberiones B (2) and C (3) showed moderate cytotoxicity against the pancreatic cell line (PANC-1) with IC50 values of 6.2 and 9.0 µM, respectively.

Novel substituted pyrazolone derivatives as AMP-activated protein kinase activators to inhibit lipid synthesis and reduce lipid accumulation in ob/ob mice.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by hepatic steatosis. NAFLD is closely linked to obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) functions as an energy sensor and plays a central role in regulating lipid metabolism. In this study, we identified a series of novel pyrazolone AMPK activators using a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assay (HTRF) based on the AMPKα2ß1γ1 complex. Compound 29 (C29) is a candidate compound that directly activated the kinase domain of AMPK with an EC50 value of 2.1-0.2 µmol/L and acted as a non-selective activator of AMPK complexes. Treatment of HepG2 cells with C29 (20, 40 µmol/L) dose-dependently inhibited triglyceride accumulation. Chronic administration of C29 (10, 30 mg/kg every day, po, for 5 weeks) significantly improved lipid metabolism in both the liver and the plasma of ob/ob mice. These results demonstrate that the AMPK activators could be part of a novel treatment approach for NAFLD and associated metabolic disorders.

Up-regulated microRNA-299 corrected with poor prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme patients by targeting ELL2.

BACKGROUND: An increasing understanding of the genes and molecular pathways of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) can provide us a useful insight for the development of more effective targeted therapeutic. METHODS: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of miR-299 and its target genes in GBM, the expression levels of miR-299 and its target gene in human normal brain tissues and GBM were analyzed in silico using genes microarray and hierarchical clustering analysis followed by validation with quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Our results show that miR-299 is up-regulated in GBM patients. Moreover, patients with low miR-299 expression had longer overall survival (OS) compared with those with high miR-299 expression. RNA polymerase II elongation factor, ELL2, was identified as a miR-299 direct target. High expression of ELL2 together with miR-299 down-regulation correlated with a shorter median OS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide the first evidence that ELL2 is a direct target of miR-299 and increased ELL2 expression and down-regulation of miR-299 are associated with GBM progression and poor prognosis in patients, suggesting that ELL2 and miR-299 might have potential prognostic value and be used as tumor biomarkers for the diagnosis of patients with GBM.

Early adenocarcinoma mixed with a neuroendocrine carcinoma component arising in the gastroesophageal junction: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Early adenocarcinoma mixed with a neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) component arising in the gastroesophageal junctional (GEJ) region is rare and even rarer in young patients. Here, we report such a case in a 29-year-old Chinese man. CASE SUMMARY: This patient presented to our hospital with a 3-mo history of dysphagia and regurgitation. Upper endoscopy revealed an elevated nodule in the distal esophagus 1.6 cm above the GEJ line, without Barrett's esophagus or involvement of the gastric cardia. The nodule was completely resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Pathological examination confirmed diagnosis of intramucosal adenocarcinoma mixed with an NEC component, measuring 1.5 cm. Immunohistochemically, both adenocarcinoma and NEC components were positive for P53 with a Ki67 index of 90%; NEC was positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin. Next-generation sequencing of 196 genes demonstrated a novel germline mutation of the ERCC3 gene in the DNA repair pathway and a germline mutation of the RNF43 gene, a common gastric cancer driver gene, in addition to pathogenic somatic mutations in P53 and CHEK2 genes. The patient was alive without evidence of the disease 36 mo after ESD. CONCLUSION: Early adenocarcinoma with an NEC component arising in the distal esophageal side of the GEJ region showed evidence of gastric origin.

Status of human papillomavirus infection in the rural female population in Northwestern China: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and evaluate the risk factors for occurrence of HPV infection in the prevention of HPV-related cancers in Northwestern China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 402 rural women, ages 20 to 60 years in the rural areas of Shiquan County in the Shaanxi Province of China between August 2009 and July 2010 were interviewed and examined, and specimens were collected to identify the HPV type using the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of HPV was 12.6% (47/373). Coinfections with more types of HPV were detected in 38.3% (18/47) of HPV-positive subjects. There was an age-dependent prevalence, showing the highest prevalence among women in the study between ages 20 and 29 years (18.2%, 8/44). Human papillomavirus 35 was the most common type of infection found, occurring in 5.1% (19/373) of the HPV-positive samples, followed by HPV-16 (4.6%, 17/373), HPV-58 E7 (4.0%, 15/373), HPV-18 (1.6%, 6/373), HPV-31 (0.5%, 2/373), and HPV-33 (0.3%, 1/373). More than 1 previous abortion and women with vaginitis were associated with the increased risk of HPV infection (χ = 4.71, p < .05; χ = 9.703, p < .01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of HPV among women in the study was 12.6%, and HPV-35 was the most common type of HPV infection in the study in Shaanxi Province. Women with more than 1 previous abortion and vaginitis had more HPV prevalence, and HPV infection could coincide with pregnancy.

Analysis of an Unselected Patient Cohort With Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma from a Maximum Care Center.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Systemic treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) includes chemotherapy in combination with a targeted antibody. Novel targeted therapies and immunotherapies are introduced for specific molecular subgroups. Prognostic relevant determinants are still under investigation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Systemic therapies of an unselected patient cohort with metastatic CRC were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment outcome was evaluated according to time-to-next-treatment (TTNT) and frequency of conversion surgery and compared between subgroups stratified by primary tumor side, molecular profile, sex and age, and metastases sites. RESULTS: More than 50% of patients with locally advanced or metastatic CRC underwent secondary resection after first-line systemic therapy. Rectum carcinoma had the best prognosis under anti-EGFR-antibody treatment. Female patients had a worse prognosis than male patients in late disease stage. Young patients demonstrated poor response to systemic therapy, but a high rate of conversion surgeries. Conversely, elderly patients benefited from systemic therapy but underwent surgery less frequently. Liver and lung metastases had a worse prognosis than other metastases sites, whereas lung metastases were more likely to be resected than liver metastases in early disease stage. CONCLUSION: Patient age, sex, primary tumor localization, and metastatic sites are prognostic factors that could guide future treatment decisions for the therapy of metastatic CRC.

[Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Addition on Soil Nutrient Content and Stoichiometry in Desert Grassland].

In order to discuss the response of soil nutrient content, stoichiometric ratio, and dynamic nutrient balance to the addition of multiple restrictive nutrients, the correlation between available nutrients and total nutrients in soil, as well as the indication of soil total and available stoichiometric characteristics, were studied in a desert grassland subjected to 4 years of nutrient addition treatments. The Ningxia desert grassland was used as the research object to carry out nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition experiments. The experiment included four treatments:control (CK), N addition[10 g·(m2·a)-1], P addition[10 g·(m2·a)-1], and NP co-addition (10 g·(m2·a)-1 N+10 g·(m2·a)-1 P). The results showed that:① in the fourth year of nutrient addition, soil total nitrogen (TN) content was significantly increased. The N:P ratio was significantly increased by N addition, and soil organic carbon (SOC) content was significantly increased by P addition and NP co-addition. In the third and fourth years of nutrient addition, the soil available N:P ratio (AN:AP) was significantly increased by N addition; N addition and NP co-addition significantly increased the content of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) but significantly reduced the soil available C:N ratio. P addition and NP co-addition significantly increased total phosphorus (TP) and soil available phosphorus (AP), whereas it significantly reduced the soil total and available C:P and N:P ratios. ② The interaction between N addition and P addition had a combined effect on NH4+-N, AP, available C:N, and AN:AP ratio of desert grassland. ③ The soil C:N ratio was relatively stable in desert grassland, soil N:P ratio was mainly limited by soil TP content, and the soil available C:P and AN:AP ratios were mainly limited by soil AP content. ④ There were cumulative effects of N and P additions on soil N, SOC, and inorganic nitrogen. N limitation in desert grassland was alleviated by N addition, whereas it was aggravated by P addition and NP co-addition. The variation coefficients of soil available stoichiometric characteristics were higher than that of soil total stoichiometric characteristics. Soil available stoichiometry was more sensitive to N and P addition than soil total stoichiometry in desert grassland, which could better reflect the effects of N and P addition on soil ecological stoichiometry and as a rapid indicator of soil nutrient status in desert grassland.

Clinicopathological significance of intestinal metaplasia in endoscopically resected early gastric carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of intestinal metaplasia (IM) in endoscopically resected early gastric carcinoma (EGC). METHODS: Altogether 136 consecutive cases with EGC resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection over 5 years were included and divided into the early gastric cardiac (EGCC; n = 60) and non-cardiac carcinoma (EGNCC; n = 76) groups. Goblet cell IM and subtypes were determined with histology and immunostaining. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was compared among various IM groups. RESULTS: IM was identified in 128 (94.1%) EGC cases, including complete IM (n = 39), incomplete IM (n = 27), and mixed IM (n = 62). Incomplete IM was significantly more common in EGCC and exhibited a lower frequency of en bloc resection than the complete subtype. The frequency of synchronous or metachronous gastric tumor was significantly more common in EGCC with complete IM than in those with incomplete IM. Compared to EGC without IM, EGC with IM showed a significantly higher frequency of non-poorly cohesive carcinoma, en bloc resection, and non-eCuraC-1 grade. EGNCC with IM was significantly associated with negative resection margins and en bloc resection. The 5-year RFS was significantly lower in EGNCC patients with incomplete IM compared with those with mixed IM. The independent risk factors for RFS included tumor size >2 cm and eCuraC-1 grade. CONCLUSIONS: Subtyping IM in EGC helped predict endoscopic resectability, prognosis, and risk of synchronous or metachronous gastric tumor. The significance of IM differed between EGCC and EGNCC. Large studies with longer follow-up are warranted to validate our findings.

Correction to: Amelioration of radiation­induced liver damage by p-coumaric acid in mice.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s10068-022-01118-8.].

Amelioration of radiation-induced liver damage by p-coumaric acid in mice.

Radiation-induced liver damage (RILD) is a spiny problem in radiotherapy or other circumstances that exposure to radiation. The need for radioprotective agent is increasing to protect liver tissue. This study aimed to explore the hepatoprotective effect of p-coumaric acid (CA) against RILD. C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to 4 Gy irradiation and administrated with CA for 4 days starting on the same day of irradiation. Mice were sacrificed to obtain blood and liver tissues on day 3.5 or 14 post irradiation, respectively. The blood and liver tissues were collected. As compared with the only irradiated group, CA supplementation improved liver morphology, decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, inhibited BCL2-associated X (BAX) protein expression, and improved the mice hematopoietic function. CA at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight showed better effect compared to the other doses. Thus, CA might possess potential to protect against RILD.

T cell receptor dynamic and transcriptional determinants of T cell expansion in glioma-infiltrating T cells.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by low numbers of glioma-infiltrating lymphocytes (GIL) with a dysfunctional phenotype. Whether this dysfunctional phenotype is fixed or can be reversed upon ex vivo culturing is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess T cell receptor (TCR)-dynamics and -specificities as well as determinants of in vitro GIL expansion by sequencing-based technologies and functional assays to explore the use of GIL for cell therapy. Methods: By means of flow cytometry, T cell functionality in GIL cultures was assessed from 9 GBM patients. TCR beta sequencing (TCRB-seq) was used for TCR repertoire profiling before and after in vitro expansion. Microarrays or RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were performed from 6 micro-dissected GBM tissues and healthy brain RNA to assess the individual expression of GBM-associated antigens (GAA). GIL reactivity against in silico predicted tumor-associated antigens (TAA) and patient-individual GAA was assessed by ELISpot assay. Combined ex vivo single cell (sc)TCR-/RNA-seq and post-expansion TCRB-seq were used to evaluate transcriptional signatures that determine GIL expansion. Results: Human GIL regains cellular fitness upon in vitro expansion. Profound TCR dynamics were observed during in vitro expansion and only in one of six GIL cultures, reactivity against GAA was observed. Paired ex vivo scTCR/RNA-seq and TCRB-seq revealed predictive transcriptional signatures that determine GIL expansion. Conclusions: Profound TCR repertoire dynamics occur during GIL expansion. Ex vivo transcriptional T cell states determine expansion capacity in gliomas. Our observation has important implications for the use of GIL for cell therapy including genetic manipulation to maintain both antigen specificity and expansion capacity.

Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein/activity-regulated gene 3.1 (Arc/Arg3.1) enhances dendritic cell vaccination in experimental melanoma.

Dendritic cell (DC) vaccination has proven to be an effective and safe adjuvant for cancer immunotherapies. As the presence of DCs within the tumor microenvironment promotes adaptive antitumor immunity, enhancement of DC migration toward the tumor microenvironment following DC vaccination might represent one possible approach to increase its therapeutic efficacy. While recent findings suggest the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein/activity-regulated gene 3.1 (Arc/Arg3.1) as critical regulator of DC migration in the context of autoimmune diseases, we aimed to investigate the impact of Arc/Arg3.1 expression for DC-based cancer vaccines. To this end, DC migration capacity as well as the induction of T cell-mediated antitumor immunity was assessed in an experimental B16 melanoma model with Arc/Arg3.1-/- and Arc/Arg3.1-expressing BMDCs applied as a subcutaneous vaccine. While antigen presentation on DCs was critical for unleashing effective T cell mediated antitumor immune responses, Arc/Arg3.1 expression enhanced DC migration toward the tumor and secondary lymphoid organs. Moreover, Arc/Arg3.1-expressing BMDCs shape the tumor immune microenvironment by facilitating tumor recruitment of antigen-specific effector T cells. Thus, Arc/Arg3.1 may represent a novel therapeutic target in DCs in order to increase the therapeutic efficacy of DC vaccination.

Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor mediates cell proliferation on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cultured human decidual stromal cells.

The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) cytokine receptor system modulates apoptosis in many cell types, so we have investigated the role of sTNFR1 in bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell death in cultured human decidual stromal cells, hypothesizing that sTNFR1 might play a central role in this action. In this work we characterized in vitro decidual stromal cell viability with LPS treatment and LPS and sTNFR1 co-treatment. We found that LPS treatment induced decidual stromal cell death in a dose-dependent manner and that sTNFR1 blocked the effect of the LPS treatment. There was a significant proliferation among cells co-incubated with LPS at 10 microg/mL and sTNFR1 at 0.1 microg/mL compared with LPS and sTNFR1 at 0.01, 0.05, 0.2 and 0.5 microg/mL (p < 0.01). This study demonstrated that LPS led to decidual stromal cell death in vitro but sTNFR1 down-regulates the cell death due to LPS under the same conditions. Taken together, these results suggested that sTNFR1 could participate in a protective mechanism against endotoxin.