Systematic review and meta-analysis of multiparametric MRI clear cell likelihood scores for classification of small renal masses.

Purpose: To systematically assess the multiparametric MRI clear cell likelihood score (ccLS) algorithm for the classification of small renal masses (SRM). Methods: We conducted an electronic literature search on Web of Science, MEDLINE (Ovid and PubMed), Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar to identify relevant articles from 2017 up to June 30, 2022. We included studies reporting the diagnostic performance of the ccLS for characterization of solid SRM. The bivariate model and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model were used to pool sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). The quality evaluation was performed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Results: A total of 6 studies with 825 renal masses (785 patients) were included in the current meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for cT1a renal masses were 0.80 (95% CI 0.75-0.85) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.65-0.81) at the threshold of ccLS ≥4, the pooled LR+, LR-, and DOR were 3.04 (95% CI 2.34-3.95), 0.27 (95% CI 0.22-0.33), and 11.4 (95% CI 8.2-15.9), respectively. The area under the HSROC curve was 0.84 (95% CI 0.81-0.87). For all cT1 renal masses, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.80 (95% CI 0.74-0.85) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.67-0.83). Conclusions: The ccLS had moderate to high accuracy for identifying ccRCC from other RCC subtypes and with a moderate inter-reader agreement. However, its diagnostic performance remain needs multi-center, large cohort studies to validate in the future.

TRIP13 modulates protein deubiquitination and accelerates tumor development and progression of B cell malignancies.

Multiple myeloma (MM), a terminally differentiated B cell malignancy, remains difficult to cure. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of MM may identify therapeutic targets and lead to a fundamental shift in treatment of the disease. Deubiquitination, like ubiquitination, is a highly regulated process, implicated in almost every cellular process. Multiple deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have been identified, but their regulation is poorly defined. Here, we determined that TRIP13 increases cellular deubiquitination. Overexpression of TRIP13 in mice and cultured cells resulted in excess cellular deubiquitination by enhancing the association of the DUB USP7 with its substrates. We show that TRIP13 is an oncogenic protein because it accelerates B cell tumor development in transgenic mice. TRIP13-induced resistance to proteasome inhibition can be overcome by a USP7 inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that TRIP13 expression plays a critical role in B cell lymphoma and MM by regulating deubiquitination of critical oncogenic (NEK2) and tumor suppressor (PTEN, p53) proteins. High TRIP13 identifies a high-risk patient group amenable to adjuvant anti-USP7 therapy.

Homology modeling and epitope prediction of Der f 33

Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f), one of the main species of house dust mites, produces more than 30 allergens. A recently identified allergen belonging to the alpha-tubulin protein family, Der f 33, has not been characterized in detail. In this study, we used bioinformatics tools to construct the secondary and tertiary structures and predict the B and T cell epitopes of Der f 33. First, protein attribution, protein patterns, and physicochemical properties were predicted. Then, a reasonable tertiary structure was constructed by homology modeling. In addition, six B cell epitopes (amino acid positions 34-45, 63-67, 103-108, 224-230, 308-316, and 365-377) and four T cell epitopes (positions 178-186, 241-249, 335-343, and 402-410) were predicted. These results established a theoretical basis for further studies and eventual epitope-based vaccine design against Der f 33.

[Screening of specific IgE-binding epitopes of dust mite allergens using short peptide array].

Objective To screen the possible linear epitopes of major and mid-potency allergens in Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f1, Der f2, Der f4, Der f5 and Der f7). Methods Short peptides were synthesized on the basis of the amino acid sequences in active fraction of Der f1, Der f2, Der f4, Der f5 and Der f7. Each peptide had eight amino acids in length and seven of them were overlapped with each other. Put these peptides to the chip to build microarrays that would have immunoreaction with human serum IgE. Then the chips were scanned to analyze the data. Results A total of 1128 short peptides from the above five groups of allergens were synthesized, and the microarray chips were constructed. Six serum samples from children who were allergic to Dermatophagoides farinae were mixed and added to the microarray chips. The chips were scanned and analyzed, and the results showed that Der f1 had four epitopes (46-53aa, 71-78aa, 99-110aa and 179-186aa), that Der f2 had three epitopes (15-22aa, 80-89aa and 106-113aa), that Der f 4 had six epitopes (69-82aa, 107-116aa, 225-232aa, 261-268aa, 355-365aa and 483-496aa), that Der f5 had one epitope (102-109aa), and Der f7 had three epitopes (32-39aa, 52-64aa and 100-107aa). Conclusion We identified the linear epitopes of Der f1, Der f2, Der f4, Der f5 and Der f7.

Cystathionine ß-synthase-derived hydrogen sulfide regulates lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis of the BRL rat hepatic cell line in vitro.

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), is a member of the novel family of endogenous gaseous transmitters, termed "gasotransmitters exhibiting diverse physiological activities, and is generated in mammalian tissues mainly by cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) in conjunction with cysteine (aspartate) aminotranferase (CAT). The distributions of these enzymes are species- and tissue-specific. The liver, as the main organ that generates H(2)S in vivo, functions in biotransformation and metabolism. However, the liver is vulnerable to damage from internal and external factors, including inflammatory mediators, drugs and poisons. The present study evaluated the endogenous CBS-H(2)S synthesis regulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis of hepatic cells. The rat hepatic cell line, BRL, was incubated with LPS for various time periods to establish a cell-damage model. Incubation with LPS resulted in a significant increase in CBS expression and H(2)S production. It also stimulated apoptosis and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. Pretreatment with the CBS inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) or CBS small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased LPS-enhanced H(2)S production. Notably, apoptosis increased for a short period and then decreased gradually, while the mitochondrial membrane potential demonstrated the opposite trend. These results showed that endogenous CBS-H(2)S synthesis demonstrated early anti-apoptotic activity and subsequent pro-apoptotic activity in LPS-induced apoptosis. These results suggest a new approach for developing novel drugs for this condition.