[Retracted] SOX2 knockdown inhibits the migration and invasion of basal cell carcinoma cells by targeting the SRPK1­mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9810.].

First Identification and Pathogenicity Evaluation of an EV-G17 Strain Carrying a Torovirus Papain-like Cysteine Protease (PLCP) Gene in China.

Enterovirus G (EV-G) is prevalent in pig populations worldwide, and a total of 20 genotypes (G1 to G20) have been confirmed. Recently, recombinant EV-Gs carrying the papain-like cysteine protease (PLCP) gene of porcine torovirus have been isolated or detected, while their pathogenicity is poorly understood. In this study, an EV-G17-PLCP strain, 'EV-G/YN23/2022', was isolated from the feces of pigs with diarrhea, and the virus replicated robustly in numerous cell lines. The isolate showed the highest complete genome nucleotide (87.5%) and polyprotein amino acid (96.6%) identity in relation to the G17 strain 'IShi-Ya4' (LC549655), and a possible recombination event was detected at the 708 and 3383 positions in the EV-G/YN23/2022 genome. EV-G/YN23/2022 was nonlethal to piglets, but mild diarrhea, transient fever, typical skin lesions, and weight gain deceleration were observed. The virus replicated efficiently in multiple organs, and the pathological lesions were mainly located in the small intestine. All the challenged piglets showed seroconversion for EV-G/YN23/2022 at 6 to 9 days post-inoculation (dpi), and the neutralization antibody peaked at 15 dpi. The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, IFN-α, IFN-ß, and ISG-15 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were significantly up-regulated during viral infection. This is the first documentation of the isolation and pathogenicity evaluation of the EV-G17-PLCP strain in China. The results may advance our understanding of the evolution characteristics and pathogenesis of EV-G-PLCP.

Heterogeneity and prognosis of programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression in the circulating tumor cells of non-small cell lung cancer.

Due to tumor heterogeneity, the consistency of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and tissue is controversial. This study aimed to establish a method for detecting CTC PD-L1 expression and exploring the impact of the same on the prognosis of lung cancer. In 32 patients with non-small cell lung cancer, lung cancer cells in the blood were enriched using CD326 immunomagnetic beads. Goat anti-mouse polyclonal CD326 antibody stained the epithelial lung cancer cells and anti-PD-L1 antibody was used to detect the expression of CTC PD-L1. The DAKO Link 48 automatic staining device detected the expression in lung cancer tissue. The consistency of PD-L1 expression was analyzed in lung cancer tissue and CTCs. The effect of plasma interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-2 on PD-L1 expression and prognosis was analyzed. The number of CTCs detected in patients was 1-36, with a median of 2. There was no significant difference in PD-L1 expression fractions between CTCs and paired tumor tissue (p>0.05). The correlation coefficient was 0.20. Regardless of lung cancer tissue or CTCs, there was no statistically significant difference in the blood cytokine levels between the two groups with positive or negative PD-L1 expression (p>0.05). There was no correlation between CTCs and PD-L1 in 23 untreated patients. The expression of PD-L1 in CTCs and lung cancer tissue is heterogeneous and unaffected by the peripheral cytokines' levels. PD-L1 expression has no correlation between CTCs and tissues and is not related to prognosis.

Human Schlafen 11 exploits codon preference discrimination to attenuate viral protein synthesis of prototype foamy virus (PFV).

Recently, the Schlafen (SLFN) proteins have been identified as a novel interferon-stimulated family with antiviral properties. In this study, we reported that SLFN11 inhibited prototype foamy virus (PFV) replication. Over-expression of human SLFN11 reduced viral production, while knockdown of SLFN11 enhanced viral infectivity. In addition, SLFN11 from cattle and African green monkey also suppressed PFV production. Both the ATPase activity and helicase activity of SLFN11 were required for its inhibitory function. Dephosphorylation activated the antiviral activity of SLFN11. More importantly, SLFN11 inhibited the expression of viral protein, which was rescued by viral gene codon optimization. Together, our results demonstrated that SLFN11 impaired PFV viral protein synthesis by exploiting the distinct codon usage between the virus and the host. These findings further broaden our understanding of the antiviral properties of the SLFN family and the molecular mechanism of PFV latent infection.

Relationship between risk perception and lifestyle in ischemic stroke patients with H-type hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Patients with ischemic stroke who have H-type hypertension are at an increased risk of recurrent stroke. The relationship between risk perception and lifestyle in these patients has not been fully explored. The objective of this study is to investigate risk perceptions and lifestyles among H-type hypertensive ischemic stroke patients and explore their relationships. METHODS: A total of 314 hypertensive ischemic stroke patients were divided according to homocysteine (Hcy) level into the normal Hcy and high Hcy group using convenience sampling. The high Hcy group was further divided into the perceived or non-perceived group based on the patients' risk perceptions. The Essen Stroke Risk Score and the Health Behavior Scale were used to investigate the patients' risk perceptions and lifestyles. RESULTS: The perceived risk factors in the high Hcy group included hypertension, diabetes, alcohol consumption, hyperlipidemia, and smoking, which showed no significant difference with those in the normal Hcy group. The high Hcy group had a total lifestyle score of (2.54±0.42). The perceived group had a better lifestyle than the non-perceived group; however, only blood pressure monitoring compliance showed a significant difference between the groups (P<0.05). The lifestyles of subjects whose perceived risks included diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and alcohol consumption were not significantly different to those in the non-perceived group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with H-type hypertensive ischemic stroke who perceive hypertension as a risk factor have relatively good lifestyles. Therefore, efforts should be made to strengthen risk education for these patients to help improve their risk perception and lifestyles.

SOX2 knockdown inhibits the migration and invasion of basal cell carcinoma cells by targeting the SRPK1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of human skin cancer, which is driven by the aberrant activation of Hedgehog signaling. Previous evidence indicated that sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) is associated with the tumor metastasis. However, the expression and role of SOX2 in BCC remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to analyze the possible mechanism of SOX2 in the progression of BCC. The levels of SOX2 in BCC cells were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Transwell assays were also used to determine the migration and invasion of BCC cells. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence were used for analyzing the role of SOX2 knockdown in the serine-arginine protein kinase 1 (SRPK1)-mediated phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway in BCC cells. The results demonstrated that SOX2 is overexpressed in BCC tissues and cells. In addition, SOX2 knockdown inhibited the migration and invasion of BCC cells, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress of BCC cells. It was also observed that SOX2 knockdown decreased SRPK1 expression, which further led to the downregulation of PI3K and AKT expression levels in BCC cells. Furthermore, SRPK1 transfection or PI3K/AKT pathway activation abolished the inhibitory effects of SOX2 knockdown on the migration, invasion and EMT progress of BCC cells. In conclusion, these results indicated that SOX2 may potentially serve as a target for BCC therapy by targeting the SRPK1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

[Clinical Features and Outcomes of Paraduodenal Pancreatitis].

Objective To summarize the clinical features and outcomes of paraduodenal pancreatitis (PP). Methods Five clinically or pathologically diagnosed PP patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and 31 other PP cases reported in Chinese literature since 1988 were retrospectively analysed. Results Most PP patients were young or middle-aged males with a history of alcohol abuse. The clinical symptoms included upper abdominal pain,vomiting,weight loss,and fluctuating jaundice. Serum pancreatic enzymes were normal or elevated. Radiological features in most cases included thickening of the duodenal wall and duodenal stenosis (88.9%,32/36),cysts in the duodenal wall and groove area (47.2%,17/36),dilated bile duct (36.1%,13/36),and dilated pancreatic duct (16.7%,6/36). The main pathological finding was chronic pancreatitis,which could be accompanied by local acute inflammation,which was limited in the groove-duodenal area in most cases. The disease can be well controlled by conservative treatment,although surgery was needed in a small number of cases. Conclusion sPP typically occurs in young or middle-aged males. Radiological examination is valuable for diagnosis. Conservative treatment is the mainstream treatment in most patients.

Modified O-T advancement flap for reconstruction of skin defects.

BACKGROUND: Round or oval defects are common in skin surgery. Functional and cosmetical reconstruction of defects in reparative process is critical for patients. Various flaps have been described, however, these flaps often result in longer scar or tip necrosis. To overcome these shortcomings, we modified O-T advancement flap on the basis of conventional O-T flap and observed the validity and complications during defect closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Defect transverse diameter was marked along the direction of minimum tension at the circular center. Extended line was drawn along defect transverse diameter with the same length of circular diameter. The skin was cut apart, and the flap was separated under the skin. Then the flap tips were sutured and fixed with the opposite center. After drainage, the defects were bandaged under compression. RESULTS: This study includes a total number of 48 patients. We examined the location and size of defect and postoperative clinical courses. The follow-up period was from 3 months to 1 year. Overall, 41 of 48 patients achieved the satisfactory postoperative effect. Recurrence and limb dysfunction complication was not observed, except 2 cases of wound scar, 3 cases of wound infect and 2 cases of flap tip necrosis. CONCLUSION: Modified O-T advancement flap is practical and safety. It overcomes the shortcomings of traditional O-T flap. Reconstruction of modified O-T flap is aesthetically acceptable.

Selective recruitment of host factors by HSV-1 replication centers.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) enters productive infection after infecting epithelial cells, where it controls the host nucleus to make viral proteins, starts viral DNA synthesis and assembles infectious virions. In this process, replicating viral genomes are organized into replication centers to facilitate viral growth. HSV-1 is known to use host factors, including host chromatin and host transcription regulators, to transcribe its genes; however, the invading virus also encounters host defense and stress responses to inhibit viral growth. Recently, we found that HSV-1 replication centers recruit host factor CTCF but exclude γH2A.X. Thus, HSV-1 replication centers may selectively recruit cellular factors needed for viral growth, while excluding host factors that are deleterious for viral transcription or replication. Here we report that the viral replication centers selectively excluded modified histone H3, including heterochromatin mark H3K9me3, H3S10P and active chromatin mark H3K4me3, but not unmodified H3. We found a dynamic association between the viral replication centers and host RNA polymerase II. The centers also recruited components of the DNA damage response pathway, including 53BP1, BRCA1 and host antiviral protein SP100. Importantly, we found that ATM kinase was needed for the recruitment of CTCF to the viral centers. These results suggest that the HSV-1 replication centers took advantage of host signaling pathways to actively recruit or exclude host factors to benefit viral growth.

Excision of apocrine glands with preservation of axillary superficial fascia for the treatment of axillary bromhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Axillary bromhidrosis is a distressing problem, which has a strong negative effect on one's social life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects and complications of the surgical modality for the treatment of axillary bromhidrosis. METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients with axillary bromhidrosis were treated. Two incisions were made transversely along the marked lines on the axillary crease. Subdermal undermining of the marked area with a depth of 0.3 to 0.5 cm and transverse detachment were performed, allowing the exposure of the skin flaps. Skin flaps were carefully separated from the skin. The apocrine glands, follicles, and fats were dissected, and the axillary superficial fascia was maintained. RESULTS: All patients achieved good results in terms of malodor elimination during the follow-up period. All patients reported reduction in axillary sweating. Postoperative complications were minor, including small hematoma (3 cases), delayed wound healing (5 cases), pressure blister (5 cases), and slightly wound scar (2 cases). No infection, skin necrosis, malodor, or recurrence was observed. One hundred eleven patients (96.5%) were very satisfied and 4 (3.5%) patients satisfied with the procedure, with none regretful. CONCLUSION: The procedure has the advantage of a high success rate in radical elimination of the malodor with minor complications.