Prognostic impact and immunotherapeutic implications of NETosis-related gene signature in gastric cancer patients.

The role of NETosis and its related molecules remains unclear in gastric cancer. The data used in this study was directly downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. All analysis and plots are completed in R software using diverse R packages. In our study, we collected the list of NETosis-related genes from previous publications. Based on the list and expression profile of gastric cancer patients from the TCGA database, we identified the NETosis-related genes significantly correlated with patients survival. Then, CLEC6A, BST1 and TLR7 were identified through LASSO regression and multivariate Cox regression analysis for prognosis model construction. This prognosis model showed great predictive efficiency in both training and validation cohorts. We noticed that the high-risk patients might have a worse survival performance. Next, we explored the biological enrichment difference between high- and low-risk patients and found that many carcinogenic pathways were upregulated in the high-risk patients. Meanwhile, we investigated the genomic instability, mutation burden and immune microenvironment difference between high- and low-risk patients. Moreover, we noticed that low-risk patients were more sensitive to immunotherapy (85.95% vs. 56.22%). High-risk patients were more sensitive to some small molecules compounds like camptothecin_1003, cisplatin_1005, cytarabine_1006, nutlin-3a (-)_1047, gemcitabine_1190, WZ4003_1614, selumetinib_1736 and mitoxantrone_1810. In summary, our study comprehensively explored the role of NETosis-related genes in gastric cancer, which can provide direction for relevant studies.

Fluviispira vulneris sp. nov., isolated from human wound secretions.

Human infections by environmental bacteria is becoming an increasing problem and has become a matter of great concern due to the adverse effects worldwide. In this study, we reported a new environmental pathogen. Isolate GX5518T was a novel Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, pleomorphic and red-pigmented bacterium, was isolated from human wound secretions (GuangXi, People's Republic of China). Growth occurred at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 10-37 °C (optimum, 28-32 °C) with 0-1.5% (w/v) NaCl in R2A agar. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that isolate GX5518T was closely related to Fluviispira sanaruensis JCM 31447T (99.73%) and Fluviispira multicolorata 33A1-SZDPT (98.49%). However, the estimated ANI values of the isolate GX5518T compared to the F. sanaruensis JCM 31447T and F. multicolorata 33A1-SZDPT were 88.67% and 77.35%, respectively. The estimated dDDH, ANI and AAI values between isolate GX5518T and its closely related strains were below the threshold values generally considered for recognizing a new species. The genome size was 3.6 Mbp and the DNA G + C content was 33.1%. The predominant fatty acids (> 5%) in GX5518T cells were iso-C15:0, C16:0, C17:0, C17:1 ω8c and C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c. The major menaquinone was MK-8 (86.9%). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and three unknown lipids (L1-3). The chemical composition was different from that of the F. sanaruensis JCM 31447T. Comparative genomics analysis between isolate GX5518T and its related strains revealed that there were a number of genes involved in resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds in isolate GX5518T, which were responsible for the copper homeostasis, cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistance, resistance to fluoroquinolones, and zinc resistance. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic analyses, isolate GX5518T (= CGMCC 1.18685T = KCTC 82149T) represents a novel species of the genus Fluviispira, for which the name Fluviispira vulneris sp. nov. is proposed.

Biochar and alternate wetting-drying cycles improving rhizosphere soil nutrients availability and tobacco growth by altering root growth strategy in Ferralsol and Anthrosol.

Biochar has been advocated as a sustainable and eco-friendly practice to improve soil fertility and crop productivity which could aid in the mitigation of climate change. Nonetheless, the combined effects of biochar and irrigation on tobacco growth and soil nutrients in diverse soil types have been incompletely explored. We applied a split-root experiment to investigate the impacts of amendment with 2% softwood- (WBC) and wheat-straw biochar (SBC) on growth responses and rhizosphere soil nutrients availability of tobacco plants grown in a Ferralsol and an Anthrosol. All plants within same soil type received same amount of water daily by either conventional deficit irrigation (CDI) or alternate wetting-drying cycles irrigation (AWD). Compared to the un-amended controls, SBC addition enhanced biomass, carbon (C)-, phosphorus (P)- and potassium (K)-pool in the aboveground organs especially in Anthrosol, despite a negative effect on aboveground nitrogen (N)-pool. Regardless of soil type, biochar combined with AWD lowered root diameter while increased root tissue mass density to engage the plant in an acquisitive strategy for resources, therefore altered leaves stoichiometry as exemplified by lowered N/K, C/P and N/P and increased C/N. The addition of SBC induced a liming effect by increasing Anthrosol soil pH which was further amplified by AWD, but was unaffected on Ferralsol. Moreover, compared to the controls, SBC and AWD increased available P and K, and total C, total N and C/N ratio in the rhizosphere soil which coincided with the lowered soil C and N isotope composition (δ13C and δ15N), though a slight reduction in C and N stocks under AWD. However, such effects were not evident with WBC might be associated with its natures. Thus, combined SBC/AWD application might be an effective strategy to synergistically overcome nutrients restriction and improve tobacco productivity by intensifying nutrients cycling and optimizing plant growth strategies.

[Bispecific antibodies in clinical tumor therapy].

Bispecific antibody (BsAb) has two different antigen-binding sites, divided into the "IgG-like" format and the "non-IgG-like" format. Different formats have different characteristics and applications. BsAb has higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional antibodies, with special functions such as recruitment of immune cells and blocking of dual signaling pathways, playing an important role in immune-diagnosis and therapy. With the deterioration of the global environment and the irregular living habits of people, the incidence of tumor is becoming higher and higher. Tumor becomes the most serious fatal disease threatening human health after cardiovascular disease. There are 12 million estimated new tumor cases each year worldwide. The major clinical treatments of tumor are surgical resection, chemoradiotherapy, target therapy. Tumor immunotherapy is a novel approach for tumor treatment in recent years, and activates human immune system to control and kill tumor cells. Although the traditional monoclonal antibodies have already acquired some therapeutic effects in tumor targeted therapy and immunotherapy, they induce drug resistance resulted from the heterogeneity and plasticity of tumors. Binding to two target antigens at the same time, BsAb has been used in the clinical treatment of tumors and obtained promising outcomes. This review elaborates the research progress and applications of bispecific antibody in clinical tumor therapy.

Effects of biochar amendment and reduced irrigation on growth, physiology, water-use efficiency and nutrients uptake of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) on two different soil types.

Biochar has shown beneficial effects in agricultural production, yet the combined effects of biochar and reduced irrigation on crop growth and water-use efficiency (WUE) in diverse soil types have not been fully explored. A split-root pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of addition of 2% softwood (SWB) and wheat straw biochar (WSB) on growth, physiology, WUE and nutrients uptake of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants grown in a Ferrosol and an Anthrosol, respectively, under three irrigation treatments. The plants were either irrigated daily to 90% of water-holding capacity (FI), or irrigated with 70% volume of water used for FI to the whole root-zone (DI) or alternately to half root-zone (PRD). The results showed that plants grown in Anthrosol possessed greater leaf gas exchange rates, dry biomass and WUE while lower nutrients content compared to those grown in Ferrosol. Despite a negative effect on plant N content and WUE, WSB addition increased water-holding capacity, consequently improved leaf gas exchange, water uptake, biomass and K content resulting in an improved in the leaf quality of tobacco as exemplified by an increased leaf K content and a more appropriate N to K stoichiometric ratio. However, these effects were not evident upon SWB addition. Moreover, these responses to biochar addition were stronger in Ferrosol than in Anthrosol might be associated with its lower pH. Compared to FI, PRD slightly reduced photosynthetic rate but significantly decreased stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and leaf area, leading to a significant increase in intrinsic, instantaneous and plant WUE. Additionally, PRD was superior over DI in improving yield, WUE, N uptake under a same irrigation volume. It was concluded that WSB combined with PRD could be a promising practice to synergistically improve tobacco yield, quality and WUE by improving soil hydro-physical properties and nutrients bioavailability.

Silencing of ABCG2 by MicroRNA-3163 Inhibits Multidrug Resistance in Retinoblastoma Cancer Stem Cells.

To investigate the function and regulation mechanism of ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G, member 2 (ABCG2) in retinoblastoma cancer stem cells (RCSCs), a long-term culture of RCSCs from WERI-Rb1 cell line was successfully established based on the high expression level of ABCG2 on the surface of RCSCs. To further explore the molecular mechanism of ABCG2 on RCSCs, a microRNA that specifically targets ABCG2 was predicted. Subsequently, miR-3163 was selected and confirmed as the ABCG2-regulating microRNA. Overexpression of miR-3163 led to a significant decrease in ABCG2 expression. Additionally, ABCG2 loss-of-function induced anti-proliferation and apoptosis-promoting functions in RCSCs, and multidrug resistance to cisplatin, carboplatin, vincristine, doxorubicin, and etoposide was greatly improved in these cells. Our data suggest that miR-3163 has a significant impact on ABCG2 expression and can influence proliferation, apoptosis, and drug resistance in RCSCs. This work may provide new therapeutic targets for retinoblastoma.