Perioperative Hypothermia in Elderly Patients During Pelvic Floor Reconstruction Surgery: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The potential predictors of pelvic floor reconstruction surgery hypothermia remain unclear. This prospective cohort study was aimed at identifying these predictors and evaluating the outcomes associated with perioperative hypothermia. METHODS: Elderly patients undergoing pelvic floor reconstruction surgery were consecutively enrolled from April 2023 to September 2023. Perioperative temperature was measured at preoperative (T1), every 15 min after the start of anesthesia (T2), and 15 min postoperative (T3) using a temperature probe. Perioperative hypothermia was defined as a core temperature below 36°C at any point during the procedure. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with perioperative hypothermia. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients were included in the study, with 50.7% experiencing hypothermia. Multivariate analysis revealed that the surgical method involving pelvic floor combined with laparoscopy, preoperative temperature < 36.5°C, anesthesia duration ≥ 120 min, and the high levels of anxiety were significantly associated with perioperative hypothermia. The predictive value of the multivariate model was 0.767 (95% CI, 0.706 to 0.828). CONCLUSIONS: This observational prospective study identified several predictive factors for perioperative hypothermia in elderly patients during pelvic floor reconstruction surgery. Strategies aimed at preventing perioperative hypothermia should target these factors. Further studies are required to assess the effectiveness of these strategies, specifically in elderly patients undergoing pelvic floor reconstruction surgery.

Revealing the Interaction Mechanism between Mycobacterium tuberculosis GyrB and Novobiocin, SPR719 through Binding Thermodynamics and Dissociation Kinetics Analysis.

With the rapid emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), various levels of resistance against existing anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs have developed. Consequently, the identification of new anti-TB targets and drugs is critically urgent. DNA gyrase subunit B (GyrB) has been identified as a potential anti-TB target, with novobiocin and SPR719 proposed as inhibitors targeting GyrB. Therefore, elucidating the molecular interactions between GyrB and its inhibitors is crucial for the discovery and design of efficient GyrB inhibitors for combating multidrug-resistant TB. In this study, we revealed the detailed binding mechanisms and dissociation processes of the representative inhibitors, novobiocin and SPR719, with GyrB using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, tau-random acceleration molecular dynamics (τ-RAMD) simulations, and steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations. Our simulation results demonstrate that both electrostatic and van der Waals interactions contribute favorably to the inhibitors' binding to GyrB, with Asn52, Asp79, Arg82, Lys108, Tyr114, and Arg141 being key residues for the inhibitors' attachment to GyrB. The τ-RAMD simulations indicate that the inhibitors primarily dissociate from the ATP channel. The SMD simulation results reveal that both inhibitors follow a similar dissociation mechanism, requiring the overcoming of hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding interactions formed with the ATP active site. The binding and dissociation mechanisms of GyrB with inhibitors novobiocin and SPR719 obtained in our work will provide new insights for the development of promising GyrB inhibitors.

Locoregional therapy combined with systemic therapy (LRT + ST) for unresectable and metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of systemic therapy (ST) for unresectable and metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is poor. This study aims to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of locoregional therapy combined with systemic therapy (LRT + ST) compared with only ST in unresectable and metastatic iCCA by performing a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to November 3, 2022. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Ten retrospective cohort studies with 3,791 unresectable or metastatic iCCA patients were enrolled in this study, including 1,120 who received ablation, arterially directed therapy (ADT), or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) combined with ST. The meta-analysis showed that the LRT + ST group had a better OS (HR = 0.51; 95% CI =0.41-0.64; p value < 0.001), PFS (HR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.22-0.71, p value = 0.002) and ORR (RR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.17-2.42; p value = 0.005). Subgroup analysis showed that both ST combined with ADT (HR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.31-0.56, p value < 0.001) and EBRT (HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.63-0.72, p value < 0.001) could improve OS. Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, anorexia, and vomiting did not show significant differences between the groups (p value > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with only ST, LRT + ST improved survival outcomes for unresectable and metastatic iCCA patients without increasing severe AEs, which can further provide a basis for guidelines.

Development of three chalcopyrites and one copper metal as potential reference materials for copper isotopic analysis by LA-MC-ICP-MS.

RATIONALE: Laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) has become a powerful technique for in situ Cu isotopic analysis in natural geological samples. Cu isotopic compositions in natural chalcopyrites have been used to reveal aspects of the mineralization processes directly. However, internationally or commercially available matrix-matched chalcopyrite reference materials for mass fractionation correction or quality control purposes are still lacking for in situ Cu isotopic analysis using LA-MC-ICP-MS. METHODS: Three natural chalcopyrites 14ZJ12-1, JGZ-29 and JGZ-78, and one copper metal GBW02141 with different Cu isotopic compositions were investigated as potential microanalytical reference materials by LA-MC-ICP-MS. Ga element was used as an internal standard to correct the mass fractionation of Cu isotopes during LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis. RESULTS: A large number of Cu isotope ratio measurements using femtosecond LA-MC-ICP-MS were conducted and produced good intermediate precision of δ65 CuNIST976 (0.07-0.08‰, 2 standard deviations), demonstrating the homogeneous Cu isotopic distribution in the recommended samples. The mean δ65 CuNIST976 values of -0.21 ± 0.04‰, 0.46 ± 0.04‰, -0.06 ± 0.04‰ and 0.11 ± 0.05‰ (2 standard deviations) in 14ZJ12-1, JGZ-29, JGZ-78 and GBW02141, respectively, were obtained using solution-MC-ICP-MS in the four recommended samples. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we describe three natural chalcopyrites 14ZJ12-1, JGZ-29, JGZ-78, and one copper metal GBW02141 as the potential Cu isotopic reference materials for LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis. Our analyses demonstrate that these recommended materials have a high degree of elemental and isotopic homogeneity, indicating that they are suitable for microanalysis techniques for data quality assurance or interlaboratory calibration.

Safety and Efficacy of CT-Guided Iodine-125 Brachytherapy for Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) seriously reduces the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CT-guided iodine-125 (125I) brachytherapy has the advantage of a high local control rate and is minimally invasive. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 125I brachytherapy for treating PVTT in HCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients diagnosed with HCC complicated with PVTT and treated with 125I brachytherapy for PVTT were included in this retrospective study. The local tumor control rate, local tumor progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to identify predictors affecting survival. RESULTS: The local tumor control rate was 78.9% (30/38). The median local tumor progression-free survival was 11.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.7, 16.5) months, and the median overall survival was 14.5 (95% CI: 9.2, 19.7) months. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age <60 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.362; 95% CI: 0.136, 0.965; p = 0.042), type I+II PVTT (HR = 0.065; 95% CI: 0.019, 0.228; p < 0.001), and tumor diameter <5 cm (HR = 0.250; 95% CI: 0.084, 0.748; p = 0.013) were significant predictors of OS. There were no serious adverse events related to 125I seed implantation during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: CT-guided 125I brachytherapy is effective and safe for treating PVTT of HCC, with a high local control rate and no severe adverse events. Patients younger than 60 years old with type I+II PVTT and a tumor diameter less than 5 cm have a more favorable OS.

Research Progress of Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by misfolding of α-synuclein. Clinical manifestations include slowly developing resting tremor, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia and abnormal gait. The pathological mechanisms underlying PD are complex and yet to be fully elucidated. Clinical studies suggest that the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms may precede motor symptoms in PD patients. The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a bidirectional communication role between the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system. This bidirectional communication between the brain and gut is influenced by the neural, immune and endocrine systems related to the gut microbiome. A growing body of evidence indicates a strong link between dysregulation of the gut microbiota and PD. In this review, we present recent progress in understanding the relationship between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and PD. We focus on the role of the gut microbiota, the unique changes observed in the microbiome of PD patients, and the impact of these changes on the progression of PD. Finally, we evaluate the role of current treatment strategies for PD, including probiotics, fecal microbial transplants, dietary modifications, and related drug therapies.

Factors associated with secondhand smoke exposure among non-smoking employees in the workplace: A cross-sectional study in Qingdao, China.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to describe secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-smoking employees in the workplace, and identify factors related to SHS exposure in Qingdao. METHODS: The study participants covered key non-smoking places stipulated in the "Qingdao City Smoking Control Regulations," which included three categories: restaurants, bars, and office buildings. Airborne nicotine concentration in the workplace and saliva cotinine concentration of employees were measured. The questionnaire included employees' demographic factors, smoke-free measures in the workplace, employers' tobacco hazard knowledge, and attitudes towards smoke-free policy. RESULTS: A total of 222 non-smoking employees and 46 non-smoking employers were included in the study. The median concentrations of airborne nicotine and salivary cotinine were 0.389 µg/m3 and 0.575 ng/mL, respectively. Educational status, average number of workplace smokers per day, exposure time to SHS in the workplace, and whether smoking and non-smoking areas were divided significantly related to airborne nicotine concentration. Age, educational status, exposure time to SHS in the workplace, tobacco control training and publicity, and whether the employers support the "Qingdao Tobacco Control Regulation" were significantly related to salivary cotinine concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the implementation of the "Qingdao Smoking Control Regulations" in 2013, the workplace remains an important location for SHS exposure. Interventions such as raising workers' awareness of the risks associated with SHS exposure through health education and developing smoking prevention and cessation programs to reduce SHS exposure in the workplace are urgently needed.

Analysis of Microorganism Diversity in Haemaphysalis longicornis From Shaanxi, China, Based on Metagenomic Sequencing.

Ticks are dangerous ectoparasites of humans and animals, as they are important disease vectors and serve as hosts for various microorganisms (including a variety of pathogenic microorganisms). Diverse microbial populations coexist within the tick body. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has been suggested to be useful for rapidly and accurately obtaining microorganism abundance and diversity data. In this study, we performed mNGS to analyze the microbial diversity of Haemaphysalis longicornis from Baoji, Shaanxi, China, with the Illumina HiSeq platform. We identified 189 microbial genera (and 284 species) from ticks in the region; the identified taxa included Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and other important tick-borne pathogens at the genus level as well as symbiotic microorganisms such as Wolbachia spp., and Candidatus Entotheonella. The results of this study provide insights into possible tick-borne diseases and reveal new tick-borne pathogens in this region. Additionally, valuable information for the biological control of ticks is provided. In conclusion, this study provides reference data for guiding the development of prevention and control strategies targeting ticks and tick-borne diseases in the region, which can improve the effectiveness of tick and tick-borne disease control.

Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome by glibenclamide attenuated dopaminergic neurodegeneration and motor deficits in paraquat and maneb-induced mouse Parkinson's disease model.

Pesticides exposure can lead to damage of dopaminergic neurons, which are associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the etiology of PD remains poorly understood and no therapeutic strategy is available. Previous studies suggested the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in the onset of PD. This study was designed to investigate whether glibenclamide, an inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome, could offer a reliable protective strategy for PD in a mouse PD model induced by paraquat and maneb. We found that glibenclamide exerted potent neuroprotection against paraquat and maneb-induced upregulation of α-synuclein, dopaminergic neurodegeneration and motor impairment in brain of mice. Mechanistically, glibenclamide treatment blocked NLRP3 inflammasome activation evidenced by reduced expressions of NLRP3, activated caspase-1 and mature interleukin-1ß in glibenclamide co-treated mice compared with those in paraquat and maneb group mice. Furthermore, glibenclamide treatment mitigated paraquat and maneb-induced microglial M1 proinflammatory response and nuclear factor-κB activation in mice. Finally, the increased superoxide production, lipid peroxidation, protein levels of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by paraquat and maneb were all attenuated by glibenclamide. Overall, our findings demonstrated that glibenclamide protected dopaminergic neurons in a mouse PD model induced by combined exposures of paraquat and maneb through suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, microglial M1 polarization and oxidative stress.

MicroRNA-1 Expression and Function in Hyalomma Anatolicum anatolicum (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks.

MicroRNAs act as mRNA post-transcriptional regulators, playing important roles in cell differentiation, transcriptional regulation, growth, and development. In this study, microRNA expression profiles of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks at different developmental stages were detected by high-throughput sequencing and functionally assessed. In total, 2,585,169, 1,252,678, 1,558,217, and 1,155,283 unique reads were obtained from eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults, respectively, with 42, 46, 45, and 41 conserved microRNAs in these stages, respectively. Using eggs as a control, 48, 43, and 39 microRNAs were upregulated, and 3, 10, and 9 were downregulated in larvae, nymphs, and adults, respectively. MicroRNA-1 (miR-1) was expressed in high abundance throughout Ha. anatolicum development, with an average of nearly one million transcripts, and it is highly conserved among tick species. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) showed that miR-1 expression gradually increased with tick development, reaching the highest level at engorgement. Differential tissue expression was detected, with significantly higher levels in the salivary glands and epidermis than in the midgut. Inhibition assays showed no significant change in body weight or spawning time or amount between experimental and control groups, but there was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in engorgement time. With miR-1 inhibition, ticks displayed obvious deformities during later development. To more fully explain the microRNA mechanism of action, the miR-1 cluster was analyzed according to the target gene; members that jointly act on Hsp60 include miR-5, miR-994, miR-969, and miR-1011. Therefore, microRNAs are critical for normal tick development, and the primary structure of the mature sequence of miR-1 is highly conserved. Nonetheless, different developmental stages and tissues show different expression patterns, with a certain role in prolonging feeding. miR-1, together with other cluster members, regulates mRNA function and may be used as a molecular marker for species origin, evolution analysis, and internal reference gene selection.

Schisandrin B synergizes docetaxel-induced restriction of growth and invasion of cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a prevalent tumor in women. Here we investigated the synergic effects of Schisandrin B (Sch B), an active compound extracted from the Chinese herb Schisandra Chinensis, in docetaxel (DTX)-induced restriction of growth and invasion of cervical cancer. METHODS: Caski cells were treated with Sch B and DTX for 24 hours. In vitro effects were investigated with Cell counting kit-8, western blotting, colony-forming, Transwell, Annexin V-FITC enabled flow cytometry. Then, in vivo experiments were engaged with Sch B (20 mg/kg) and DTX (10 mg/kg) for 30 days, and IHC were applied to validate the effects in vivo. RESULTS: Both Sch B and DTX reduced cell viability, inhibited colony formatting, induced apoptosis, and limited cell invasion. Co-administration of Sch B and DTX more significantly enhanced these changes. The relative levels of HPV infection and tumor progression related proteins p-AKT/AKT, NF-kappaB, Cyclin D1, CDK-4, MMP-9, Notch1, ß-catenin and p-p38/p38 were markedly inactivated. The effects of Sch B in cervical cancer were further confirmed in Caski cell-xenograft BALB/c nude mice. Co-administration of Sch B enhanced the anti-tumor effects of DTX in vivo, inhibited tumor formation, increased apoptotic cells, and reduced Ki67 and N-cadherin expression. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, Sch B enhanced the anti-tumor effects of DTX in vitro and in vivo via growth, invasion, and apoptosis regulating. The results supported therapies of co-administering Sch B and DTX to be developed in cervical cancer.

Assessing vitamin D related genetic variants, status, and influence factors in pregnant women in Eastern and Central China.

Vitamin D deficiency has recently become a global public health problem. However, it is still unclear if gene polymorphisms in the vitamin D pathway influence vitamin D levels among pregnant women in Eastern and Central China. The objective of this study was to assess factors influencing vitamin D levels in pregnant women. A total of 326 participants in Shandong and Henan provinces in China were enrolled from August 2017 to April 2019. Serum 25(OH)D levels and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D pathway were measured using the blood samples collected in the first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester. Data on demographics, lifestyle, and health behavior were collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using the R software. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was significantly more severe in pregnant women. The average 25(OH)D value of all enrolled pregnant women was 14.57 ± 7.21 ng/ml (deficiency). Only 15 (4.60%) participants had a 25(OH)D concentration ≥30 ng/ml (sufficient). The prevalence of four ranks of vitamin D levels from severe 25(OH)D deficiency to 25(OH)D sufficiency (<10, 10-20, 20-30, and ≥30 ng/ml) was 29.14%, 52.45%, 13.80%, and 4.60%, respectively. Variants of GC (rs1155563) and CYP24A1 (rs6013897) were significantly associated with both 25(OH)D concentrations and vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, respectively. Our findings suggest that pregnant women in Eastern and Central China are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Genetic mutants in the vitamin D pathway (GC and CYP24A1) were significantly associated with 25(OH)D levels in pregnant women in Eastern and Central China.

A Novel miRNA-hlo-miR-2-Serves as a Regulatory Factor That Controls Molting Events by Targeting CPR1 in Haemaphysalis longicornis Nymphs.

Successful completion of the molting process requires new epidermal growth and ecdysis of the old cuticle in Haemaphysalis longicornis (H. longicornis). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the development of organisms by inhibiting the expression of their target mRNAs. In this study, a novel tick-specific miRNA was identified and denoted hlo-miR-2 that serves as a novel regulator of molting events in H. longicornis nymphs by targeting a cuticular protein. The full length of this cuticular protein was first obtained and named it CPR1. A qRT-PCR analysis showed that hlo-miR-2 and CPR1 exhibit significant tissue and temporal specificity and that their transcription levels are negatively correlated during the molting process. CPR1, as a direct target of hlo-miR-2, was identified by a luciferase reporter assay in vitro. Agomir treatment indicated that the overexpression of hlo-miR-2 significantly reduced the protein expression level of CPR1, decreased the molting rate and delayed the molting time point in H. longicornis nymphs. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments demonstrated that CPR1 was significantly associated with the molting process in H. longicornis nymphs. Phenotypic rescue experiments convincingly showed that hlo-miR-2 participated in molting events by targeting CPR1 in H. longicornis nymphs. In summary, we present evidence demonstrating that miRNAs constitute a novel important regulator of molting events in addition to hormones. The described functional evidence implicating CPR1 in molting events contributes to an improved understanding of the distinct functions of the CPR family in ticks and will aid the development of a promising application of cuticular protein RNAi in tick control.

Integrin CD11b mediates locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurodegeneration in a mouse Parkinson's disease model.

BACKGROUND: The loss of locus coeruleus noradrenergic (LC/NE) neurons in the brainstem is reported in multiple neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanisms remain unclear. Strong evidence suggested that microglia-mediated neuroinflammation contributes to neurodegeneration in PD. We recently recognized integrin CD11b, the α-chain of macrophage antigen complex-1 (Mac-1, also called CR3), as a key regulator for microglial activation. However, whether CD11b is involved in LC/NE neurodegeneration in PD remains to be investigated. METHODS: LC/NE neurodegeneration and microglial activation were compared between wild type (WT) and CD11b KO mice after treated with paraquat and maneb, two pesticides that widely used to create PD model. The role of NLRP3 inflammasome in CD11b-mediated microglial dysfunction and LC/NE neurodegeneration was further explored. LC/NE neurodegeneration, microglial phenotype, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation were determined by using Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR technologies. RESULTS: Paraquat and maneb co-exposure elevated the expressions of CD11b in the brainstem of mice, and CD11b knockout significantly reduced LC/NE neurodegeneration induced by paraquat and maneb. Mitigated microglial activation and gene expressions of proinflammatory cytokines were also observed in paraquat and maneb-treated CD11b-/- mice. Mechanistically, CD11b-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to paraquat and maneb-induced LC/NE neurodegeneration. Compared with WT controls, CD11b deficiency reduced paraquat and maneb-induced NLRP3 expression, caspase-1 activation, and interleukin-1ß production in mice. Furthermore, inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome by glybenclamide, a sulfonylurea inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome, was found to be able to suppress microglial proinflammatory activation and nuclear factor-κB activation induced by paraquat and maneb. Moreover, reduced reactive oxygen species production, NADPH oxidase, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions as well as 4-hydroxynonenal and malondialdehyde levels were detected in combined glybenclamide and paraquat and maneb-treated mice compared with paraquat and maneb alone group. Finally, we found that glybenclamide treatment ameliorated LC/NE neurodegeneration and α-synuclein aggregation in paraquat and maneb-treated mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that CD11b mediates LC/NE neurodegeneration through NLRP3 inflammation-dependent microglial proinflammatory activation in a two pesticide-induced mouse PD model, providing a novel insight into the immune pathogenesis of LC/NE neuronal damage in related disorders.

NMDA Receptor Antagonist MK801 Protects Against 1-Bromopropane-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction.

Occupational exposure to 1-bromopropane (1-BP) induces learning and memory deficits. However, no therapeutic strategies are currently available. Accumulating evidence has suggested that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and neuroinflammation are involved in the cognitive impairments in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study we aimed to investigate whether the noncompetitive NMDAR antagonist MK801 protects against 1-BP-induced cognitive dysfunction. Male Wistar rats were administered with MK801 (0.1 mg/kg) prior to 1-BP intoxication (800 mg/kg). Their cognitive performance was evaluated by the Morris water maze test. The brains of rats were dissected for biochemical, neuropathological, and immunological analyses. We found that the spatial learning and memory were significantly impaired in the 1-BP group, and this was associated with neurodegeneration in both the hippocampus (especially CA1 and CA3) and cortex. Besides, the protein levels of phosphorylated NMDARs were increased after 1-BP exposure. MK801 ameliorated the 1-BP-induced cognitive impairments and degeneration of neurons in the hippocampus and cortex. Mechanistically, MK801 abrogated the 1-BP-induced disruption of excitatory and inhibitory amino-acid balance and NMDAR abnormalities. Subsequently, MK801 inhibited the microglial activation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in 1-BP-treated rats. Our findings, for the first time, revealed that MK801 protected against 1-BP-induced cognitive dysfunction by ameliorating NMDAR function and blocking microglial activation, which might provide a potential target for the treatment of 1-BP poisoning.

IL-8 regulates the stemness properties of cancer stem cells in the small-cell lung cancer cell line H446.

PURPOSE: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small population of cancer cells located within a tumor that are highly tumorigenic, capable of tumor initiation, and resistant to cancer therapies. We identified the potential genes involved in regulating stemness properties and investigated the mechanisms in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole transcriptome sequencing technology was used to screen the potential genes involved in regulating stemness properties from SCLC-SCs (uPAR+) and differentiated cells (uPAR-) in the H446 cell line. The selected genes were validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and ELISAs. The effect of IL-8 on stemness of sphere-forming cells was determined through tumor sphere formation, wound healing migration, and in vivo tumorigenesis assays. RESULTS: In our study, uPAR+ and uPAR- cells showed different gene expression profiles. IL-8 was upregulated in SCLC sphere-forming cells. Blocking IL-8 expression with siRNA led to loss of stemness, including the self-renewal capability, migration, expression of stemness-related genes, and in vivo tumorigenicity, in sphere-forming cells. Consistently, exogenously added IL-8 enhanced stemness properties in parental cells. CONCLUSION: IL-8 was upregulated in SCLC sphere-forming cells, and critical for the acquisition and/or maintenance of the stemness features in the SCLC cell line H446. Our results suggest that blocking IL-8 signaling may provide a novel therapeutic approach for targeting SCLC-SCs and improve treatment and outcomes in SCLC.

Cancer Stem Cells in Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line H446: Higher Dependency on Oxidative Phosphorylation and Mitochondrial Substrate-Level Phosphorylation than Non-Stem Cancer Cells.

Recently, targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) metabolism is becoming a promising therapeutic approach to improve cancer treatment outcomes. However, knowledge of the metabolic state of CSCs in small cell lung cancer is still lacking. In this study, we found that CSCs had significantly lower oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate than non-stem cancer cells. Meanwhile, this subpopulation of cells consumed less glucose, produced less lactate and maintained lower ATP levels. We also revealed that CSCs could produce more ATP through mitochondrial substrate-level phosphorylation during respiratory inhibition compared with non-stem cancer cells. Furthermore, they were more sensitive to suppression of oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, oligomycin (inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation) could severely impair sphere-forming and tumor-initiating abilities of CSCs. Our work suggests that CSCs represent metabolically inactive tumor subpopulations which sustain in a state showing low metabolic activity. However, mitochondrial substrate-level phosphorylation of CSCs may be more active than that of non-stem cancer cells. Moreover, CSCs showed preferential use of oxidative phosphorylation over glycolysis to meet their energy demand. These results extend our understanding of CSCs metabolism, potentially providing novel treatment strategies targeting metabolic pathways in small cell lung cancer.

Co-expression of uPAR and CXCR4 promotes tumor growth and metastasis in small cell lung cancer.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and C-X-C-chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) are considered as key molecules in invasion and metastasis of several cancers via extracellular matrix degeneration and assist tumor metastasis to specific sites by chemotaxis. However, the combined effect of uPAR and CXCR4 on small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the most aggressive type of lung cancer, is not clear. In this study, we detected the expression of uPAR and CXCR4 in SCLC tissue samples (n = 50) by immunohistochemistry. The tumors with high expression of both uPAR and CXCR4 (12/50) had larger size, higher lymph node (LN) metastasis and worse prognosis of patients than those with low expression of uPAR and CXCR4 (38/50) (P < 0.05). We further identified and isolated the both uPAR and CXCR4 positive expression subpopulation cells (uPAR(+)CXCR4(+) cells) from the SCLC cell line H446 by flow cytometry. The uPAR(+)CXCR4(+) cancer cells showed a higher invasive and migrating capacity in the transwell and wound healing assays compared with other subpopulation cells (P < 0.05). uPAR(+)CXCR4(+) cells injected subcutaneously in nude mice markedly increased tumor growth and induced lung metastasis, while other subpopulation cells did not. In conclusion, these data suggest that uPAR and CXCR4 co-expression predicts worse prognosis of SCLC patients. uPAR(+)CXCR4(+) cells promote the tumor growth and play a potential role in metastasis of SCLC.

WT1 regulates angiogenesis in Ewing Sarcoma.

Angiogenesis is required for tumor growth. WT1, a protein that affects both mRNA transcription and splicing, has recently been shown to regulate expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the major mediators of angiogenesis. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that WT1 is a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis in Ewing sarcoma. We expressed exogenous WT1 in the WT1-null Ewing sarcoma cell line, SK-ES-1, and we suppressed WT1 expression using shRNA in the WT1-positive Ewing sarcoma cell line, MHH-ES. Suppression of WT1 in MHH-ES cells impairs angiogenesis, while expression of WT1 in SK-ES-1 cells causes increased angiogenesis. Different WT1 isoforms result in vessels with distinct morphologies, and this correlates with preferential upregulation of particular VEGF isoforms. WT1-expressing tumors show increased expression of pro-angiogenic molecules such as VEGF, MMP9, Ang-1, and Tie-2, supporting the hypothesis that WT1 is a global regulator of angiogenesis. We also demonstrate that WT1 regulates the expression of a panel of pro-angiogenic molecules in Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Finally, we found that WT1 expression is correlated with VEGF expression, MMP9 expression, and microvessel density in samples of primary Ewing sarcoma. Thus, our results demonstrate that WT1 expression directly regulates tumor angiogenesis by controlling the expression of a panel of pro-angiogenic genes.