Novel Diagnostic Biomarker BST2 Identified by Integrated Transcriptomics Promotes the Development of Endometriosis via the TNF-α/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Endometriosis (EMS) is a common gynecological condition with apparent heterogeneity, lack of diagnostic markers, and unclear pathogenesis. A series of bioinformatics methods were employed to explore EMS's pathological mechanisms and potential biomarkers by analyzing the combined datasets of EMS (GSE7305, GSE7307, GSE58198, E-MTAB-694), which included 34 normal, 127 eutopic, and 46 ectopic endometrium samples. Then, wet-laboratory experiments (including Western blot, qRT-PCR, and Immunohistochemistry, Immunofluorescence, CCK-8, EdU, Wound healing, Transwell, and Adhesion assays) were applied to examine the biomarkers' expression and function in primary endometrial stromal cells. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the core pathogenesis of EMS was dysregulated immune-inflammation and tissue remolding processes. Among the upregulated DEGs, BST2 was screened as a potential diagnostic biomarker in EMS, which associated with the revised American Fertility Society (r-AFS) stage and immune-inflammation processes of EMS. Moreover, BST2's overexpression was affirmed in the RNA and protein levels in EMS tissues. In vitro experiments demonstrated that TNF-α promoted the expression of BST2 in ESCs. And BST2 knockdown inhibited migration, invasion, adhesion, and inflammation except for the proliferation of ESCs, probably via the TNF-α/NF-κB pathway. Through a combination of wet and dry studies, we concluded that the core pathogenesis of endometriosis was dysregulated immune-inflammation and tissue remolding, and BST2 might be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in endometriosis.

Energetic evaluation of phenol wastewater treatment by reverse electrodialysis reactor using different anodes.

Efficient electrode materials are essential to convert salinity gradient energy into oxidative degradation energy and electrical energy by reverse electrodialysis reactor (REDR). In this context, comparative experiments of REDR using different anodes (Ti/IrO2-RuO2, Ti/PbO2 and Ti/Ti4O7) were conducted. The effects of output current and electrode rinse solution (ERS) flowrate on mineralization efficiency and energy output were discussed. Results demonstrated that the COD removal rate(ηCOD) rose almost linearly with output current and ERS flowrate when using Ti/Ti4O7 anode, but excessive operating conditions caused a slow increase or even decrease of ηCOD when using Ti/IrO2-RuO2 or Ti/PbO2 anodes. The order of electrode system potential loss (Eele) for the three anodes was Ti/Ti4O7> Ti/PbO2> Ti/IrO2-RuO2. High Eele was beneficial to ηCOD but had a negative effect on the net output power (Pnet) of REDR. Regardless of the applied anodes, increasing the current and decreasing the ERS flowrate was detrimental to Pnet due to higher Eele. Based on these findings, four energy efficiency parameters were defined to evaluate energy recovery from multiple perspectives by linking energy output with mineralization capacity. They were electrode efficiency (ηele), energy efficiency (EE), general current efficiency (GCE) and energy consumption (EC), respectively. Results showed that REDR with Ti/Ti4O7 anodes and suitable operating conditions achieved the optimal energy indicators and mineralization efficiency, which provided an efficient and economical option for wastewater treatment and energy recovery.

Menthol nanoliposomes enhanced anti-tumor immunotherapy by increasing lymph node homing of dendritic cell vaccines.

Menthol, a cyclic terpene alcohol, plays a critical role in overcoming the blood-brain barrier and stratum corneum barrier. Herein, we innovatively propose a menthol nanoliposome (Men-nanoLips) that can dramatically increase lymph node accumulation of the dendritic cell (DC)-based anti-tumor vaccines. Specifically, Men-nanoLips efficiently enhanced lymphatic endothelial cell (EC) barrier permeability by reducing the expression of tight junction proteins. And interestingly, Men-nanoLips not only up-regulated the expression of CCR7 in DCs but also increased the secretion of CCL21 in lymphatic ECs. Moreover, Men-nanoLips promoted DC vaccine maturation as evidenced by increasing the expression of costimulatory molecules and up-regulating the pseudopodia-like protein. With those complementary mechanisms provided by Men-nanoLips, the number of the B16 whole-tumor cell lysate-loaded DCs that target the draining LN enhanced remarkably and significantly boosted the treatment efficacy of DC anti-tumor vaccines. Therefore, we concluded that Men-nanoLips could be instructive for increasing LN homing of DC vaccines.

Electrochemical removal of synthetic methyl orange dyeing wastewater by reverse electrodialysis reactor: Experiment and mineralizing model.

In this paper, the synthetic methyl orange (MO) dyeing wastewater treated by a reverse electrodialysis reactor (REDR) with 40 member pairs was investigated first. The boron-doped diamond (BDD) and carbon felt were adopted as an anode and a cathode in the REDR. The influences of operation parameters on the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency were detected and explored. Then, a mathematical model of organic mineralizing was developed for the REDR to predict the variation of COD removal efficiency with treating time under the different operation conditions. Finally, the energy consumption of the wastewater treated by the REDR was analyzed. The results showed that raising the working fluid flowing velocity and electrode rinse solution flowrate improved the COD removal efficiency and instantaneous current efficiency (ICE), and reduced the total energy consumption (TEC) of the REDR. Raising the initial MO concentration could significantly reduce the TEC despite the COD removal efficiency being near. Since the main energy consumed by the REDR was salinity gradient energy (SGE) from waste heat conversion or the natural environment, the energy cost of REDR treating wastewater has been reduced significantly.

Effects of CDKN2B-AS1 on cellular proliferation, invasion and AKT3 expression are attenuated by miR-424-5p in a model of ovarian endometriosis.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Endometriosis is a common and complicated gynaecologic disease. Long non-coding RNA CDKN2B-AS1 plays a crucial role in the development and progression of several cancers. Whether CDKN2B-AS1 contributes to endometriosis, however, remains unknown. DESIGN: Cellular proliferation, invasion and DNA synthesis abilities were assessed by CCK8, transwell and 5-ethynyle-2'-deoxyuridine assays. The expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and three isoforms of AKT was detected using Western blot. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the relative expression levels of CDKN2B-AS1 and candidate miRNAs in ectopic, eutopic endometria and normal endometrial tissues. The relationship between CDKN2B-AS1 and miRNA was determined by luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: The relative expression level of CDKN2B-AS1 was up-regulated in eutopic and ectopic endometria. In endometrial stromal cells and Ishikawa cells, CDKN2B-AS1 overexpression promoted cellular proliferation and invasion, and increased the protein expression of vimentin but decreased the expression of E-cadherin. miR-424-5p was confirmed the target of CDKN2B-AS1 through bioinformatics tools and luciferase reporter assays. In addition, the enhanced effect of cellular phenotype of CDKN2B-AS1 overexpression was significantly attenuated by miR-424-5p overexpression. Furthermore, miR-424-5p was able to directly target AKT3 through luciferase reporter assay. Mechanistically, CDKN2B-AS1 acts as a ceRNA by sponging miR-424-5p and targets AKT3. CONCLUSIONS: The cellular mechanism of CDKN2B-AS1 in endometriosis was confirmed; CDKN2B-AS1 may be a potential target for ovarian endometriosis therapy.

microRNA-141 inhibits TGF-ß1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through inhibition of the TGF-ß1/SMAD2 signalling pathway in endometriosis.

PURPOSE: Recent studies have demonstrated the differential expression of micro(mi)RNAs in endometriosis. Previously, we reported the low expression of miR-141 in patients with this disease. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-ß1)-induced SMAD2 signalling pathway are central to tumour proliferation and invasion. However, the role of miR-141 in regulating the TGF-ß1/SMAD2 signalling pathway and the associated EMT to be elucidated. METHODS: The levels of TGF-ß1/SMAD2 signalling and EMT markers expression in eutopic and ectopic endometria of endometriosis were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses. MiR-141 expression was analysed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cellular invasion and proliferation were determined by transwell and CCK-8 assays, respectively. Functional assay of miR-141 was performed using plasmid and shRNA transfection methods. RESULT: The presence of miR-141, EMT, and TGF-ß1/SMAD2 signalling markers were detected in eutopic and ectopic endometria of endometriosis. TGF-ß1-induced EMT in Ishikawa (ISK) cells by activating the SMAD2 signalling pathway, whereas miR-141 inhibited the TGF-ß1-induced EMT, proliferation and invasion abilities of these cells. CONCLUSION: These data identify miR-141 as a novel driver of EMT in endometriosis, implicates the link between miR-141 and TGF-ß1/SMAD2 signalling pathway in the context of endometriosis, and underscore the role of EMT in the development of endometriosis.

Downregulated circular RNA hsa_circ_0067301 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in endometriosis via the miR-141/Notch signaling pathway.

Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disorder with enigmatic etiopathogenesis and is characterized by tumor-like biological behaviors. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been recognized as a core mechanism of endometriosis. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have attracted considerable attention because they play an important role in the progression of cancer. However, little is known about the function of circRNAs in endometriosis. This study is intended to investigate the involvement of circRNAs and microRNAs in the process of EMT in ovarian endometriosis in vitro. We found that relative RNA levels of hsa_circ_0067301 and miR-141-5p were significantly reduced in ectopic endometrium when compared to control endometrium. Hsa_circ_0067301 knockdown could promote the proliferation and migration in Ishikawa and End1/E6E7 cells, concomitant with increased the relative protein expression against Notch-1, Hes-1, N-cadherin, and vimentin but reduced expression of E-cadherin. After co-transfection with the miR-141-5p inhibitor, the miR-141-5p that competes for binding to hsa_circ_0067301 was reduced, reversed EMT and partially restored the expression of Notch-1 and Hes-1. Results demonstrate the hsa_circ_0067301/miR-141-5p/Notch-1 axis plays an important regulatory role in the process of EMT in endometriosis. The study highlighted the importance of circRNAs in ovarian endometriosis and provided unique insights into the molecular basis concerning the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

[Effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian damage in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) on ovarian damage induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX) and its mechanism.
 Methods: ADMSCs isolated from adipose tissue of female SD rats were cultured and divided into a blank group and a CTX group (n=15 in each group). CTX (75 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to establish a model of ovarian damage in rats. A total of 45 female SD rats were also divided into 3 groups: Group A (15 rats, only injected intraperitoneally with 75 mg/kg CTX diluted with 1 mL 0.9% saline), Group B [15 rats, injected intraperitoneally with 75 mg/kg CTX diluted with 1 mL 0.9% saline, after 4 estrus cycles, injected 0.6 mL ADMSCs (6×105 cells) by the tail vein], and Group C [15 rats, injected intraperitoneally with 75 mg/kg CTX diluted with 1 mL 0.9% saline, after 4 estrus cycles, injected 40 mL ADMSCs (20 mL per side, 2×104 cells) in situ ovarian]. After 4 estrus cycles, the changes of quality of life, ponderal growth were recorded, the sex hormone levels [estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)] were tested by ELISA, and the morphology of ovarian tissue and follicle count were observed by HE staining. The expression of BMP-15, Bcl-2 and Bax in ovarian tissues were tested by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR or Western blotting. The apoptosis rate of follicular cells was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.
 Results: After transplantation of ADMSCs, compared with the Group A, their quality of life of rats in the Group B and C was improved, and the ponderal growth was increased (both P<0.01). Compared with the Group A, the serum E2 levels in the Group B and the Group C were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the FSH levels in the Group B and C were decreased (both P<0.01). The granular cell layer, the number of corpus lutein and the count of various grade follicles were significantly increased, and many new follicles and mature oocytes were observed in the Group B and C. Compared with Group A, the count of primitive follicles, sinusoidal follicles, pre-ovulation follicles and total follicles, and pre-sinusoidal follicles were dramatically increased in the Group B. The follicle at all levels count was increased in the Group C than that in the Group A (all P<0.01). Comparing with the Group A, the expressions of BMP-15 and Bcl-2 were increased (all P<0.01), the expressions of Bax was decreased (both P<0.01), and the apoptosis rates of follicular cells were decreased in the Group B and C (both P<0.01). However, there was no difference between the Group B and the Group C in the above indexes (all P>0.05).
 Conclusion: ADMSCs transplantation can effectively repair ovarian damage induced by CTX in rats, which may be achieved by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis of granulosa cells.

"Rigid-Flexible" Dual-Ferrocene Chimeric Nanonetwork for Simultaneous Tumor-Targeted Tracing and Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy.

There is an urgent need to develop phototherapeutic agents with imaging capabilities to assess the treatment process and efficacy in real-time during cancer phototherapy for precision cancer therapy. The safe near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dyes have garnered significant attention and are desirable for theranostics agents. However, until now, achieving excellent photostability and fluorescence (FL) imaging capability in aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) dyes remains a big challenge. Here, for the only FDA-approved NIR dye, indocyanine green (ICG), we developed a dual-ferrocene (Fc) chimeric nanonetwork ICG@HFFC based on the rigid-flexible strategy through one-step self-assembly, which uses rigid Fc-modified hyaluronic acid (HA) copolymer (HA-Fc) and flexible octadecylamine (ODA) bonded Fc (Fc-C18) as the delivery system. HA-Fc reserved the ability of HA to target the CD44 receptor of the tumor cell surface, and the dual-Fc region provided a rigid space for securely binding ICG through metal-ligand interaction and π-π conjugation, ensuring excellent photostability. Additionally, the alkyl chain provided flexible confinement for the remaining ICG through hydrophobic forces, preserving its FL. Thereby, a balance is achieved between outstanding photostability and FL imaging capability. In vitro studies showed improved photobleaching resistance, enhanced FL stability, and increased singlet oxygen (1O2) production efficiency in ICG@HFFC. Further in vivo results display that ICG@HFFC had good tumor tracing ability and significant tumor inhibition which also exhibited good biocompatibility.. Therefore, ICG@HFFC provides an encouraging strategy to realize simultaneous enhanced tumor tracing and photothermal/photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT) and offers a novel approach to address the limitations of ACQ dyes.

A novel DNA methylation-related gene signature for the prediction of overall survival and immune characteristics of ovarian cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most life-threatening cancers affecting women worldwide. Recent studies have shown that the DNA methylation state can be used in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis prediction of diseases. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the DNA methylation state can affect the function of immune cells. However, whether DNA methylation-related genes can be used for prognosis and immune response prediction in OC remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, DNA methylation-related genes in OC were identified by an integrated analysis of DNA methylation and transcriptome data. Prognostic values of the DNA methylation-related genes were investigated through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox progression analyses. Immune characteristics were investigated by CIBERSORT, correlation analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). RESULTS: Twelve prognostic genes (CA2, CD3G, HABP2, KCTD14, PI3, SERPINB5, SLAMF7, SLC9A2, STC2, TBP, TREML2 and TRIM27) were identified and a risk score signature and a nomogram based on prognostic genes and clinicopathological features were constructed for the survival prediction of OC patients in the training and two validation cohorts. Subsequently, the differences in the immune landscape between the high- and low-risk score groups were systematically investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our study explored a novel efficient risk score signature and a nomogram for the survival prediction of OC patients. In addition, the differences of the immune characteristics between the two risk groups were clarified preliminarily, which will guide the further exploration of synergistic targets to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in OC patients.

Omentum provides a special cell microenvironment for ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer seriously threatens women's health because of its poor prognosis and high mortality. Due to the lack of efficient early detection and screening methods, when patients seek doctors' help with complaints of abdominal distension, back pain and other nonspecific signs, the clinical results always hint at the widespread metastasis of disease. When referring to the metastasis of this disease, the omentum always takes precedence. RECENT FINDINGS: The distinguishing feature of the omentum is adipose tissue, which satisfies the energy demand of cancer cells and supplies a more aggressive environment for ovarian cancer cells. In this review, we mainly focus on three important cell types: adipocytes, macrophages, and mesenchymal stem cells. Besides, several mechanisms underlying cancer-associated adipocytes (CAA)-facilitated ovarian cancer cell development have been revealed, including their capacities for storing lipids and endocrine function, and the release of hormones, growth factors, and adipokines. Blocking the reciprocity among cancer cells and various cells located on the omentum might contribute to ovarian cancer therapy. The inhibition of hormones, growth factors and adipokines produced by adipocytes will be a novel therapeutic strategy. However, a sufficient number of trials has not been performed. In spite of this, the therapeutic potential of metformin and the roles of exercise in ovarian cancer will be worth mentioning. CONCLUSION: It is almost impossible to overcome completely ovarian cancer at the moment. What we can do is trying our best to improve these patients' prognoses. In this process, adipocytes may bring promising future for the therapy of ovarian cancer.

Linc-ROR Promotes EMT by Targeting miR-204-5p/SMAD4 in Endometriosis.

Endometriosis (EMs) is a systemic and chronic disease with cancer-like feature, namely, distant implantation, which caused heavy healthy burden of nearly 200 million females. LncRNAs have been proved as new modulators in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and EMs. Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to measure the expression level of long intergenic non-protein coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (Linc-ROR), and miR-204-5p in ectopic endometrium (n = 25), eutopic endometrium (n = 20), and natural control endometrium (n = 22). Overexpression of Linc-ROR, knockdown or overexpression of miR-204-5p in End1/E6E7 and Ishikawa cells, was conducted to detect the function of Linc-ROR and miR-204-5p in EMs. Furthermore, luciferase reports were used to confirm the combination of Linc-ROR and miR-204-5p and the combination between miR-204-5p and SMAD4. Cell-Counting Kit-8, EdU assay, transwell assays, and Western blotting were used to detect the function of Linc-ROR and miR-204-5p in EMs cancer-like behaviors and EMT process. Linc-ROR was up-regulated in ectopic endometrium. Overexpressed Linc-ROR promotes cell proliferation, invasion, and EMT process. Linc-ROR regulated the EMT process, cellular proliferation, and invasion of EMs via binding to miR-204-5p. In addition, overexpression of Linc-ROR up-regulated SMAD4, a target protein of miR-204-5p, with which regulated EMT process and cancer-like behaviors in EMs together. Linc-ROR/miR-204-5p/SMAD4 axis plays a vital role in regulation EMT process in EMs, which might become a novel therapeutic targets and powerful biomarkers in EMs therapy.

Dissecting the heterogeneities of the tumor microenvironment between metastatic and nonmetastatic primary colorectal cancer patients by single-cell RNA sequencing.

AIMS: One of the main factors hampering the long-term prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is distant metastasis. However, the driving factors of CRC metastasis have not been clarified at the single-cell level, which limits the in-depth study of accurate prediction and prevention of CRC metastasis to improve the prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heterogeneities in the tumor microenvironment (TME) between metastatic and nonmetastatic CRC were investigated by single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing data. In detail, 50,462 single cells from 20 primary CRC samples, including 40,910 cells from nonmetastatic CRC (M0 group) and 9552 cells from metastatic CRC (M1 group), were systematically analyzed in this study. KEY FINDINGS: Based on the single-cell atlas, we revealed that cancer cells and fibroblasts accounted for relatively high proportions in metastatic CRC compared with nonmetastatic CRC. Moreover, two specific cancer cell subtypes (FGGY+SLC6A6+ and IGFBP3+KLK7+ cancer cells) and three specific fibroblast subtypes (ADAMTS6+CAPG+, PIM1+SGK1+ and CA9+UPP1+ fibroblasts) in metastatic CRC were identified. The functional and differentiation characteristics of these specific cell subclusters were elucidated by enrichment and trajectory analyses. SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide fundamental knowledge for future in-depth research to screen effective methods and drugs to predict and prevent CRC metastasis to improve prognosis.

Borneol-driven meningeal lymphatic drainage clears amyloid-ß peptide to attenuate Alzheimer-like phenotype in mice.

Rationale: The accumulation and clearance of amyloid-ß (Aß) peptides play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The (re)discovery of meningeal lymphatic vessels in recent years has focused attention on the lymphatic clearance of Aß and has become a promising therapeutic target for such diseases. However, there is a lack of small molecular compounds that could clearly regulate meningeal lymphatic drainage to remove Aß from the brain. Methods: We investigated the effect of borneol on meningeal lymphatic clearance of macromolecules with different molecular weights (including Aß) in the brain. To further investigate the mechanism of borneol regulating meningeal lymphatic drainage, immunofluorescence staining, western blotting, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and Nitric Oxide assay kits were used. The cognitive function of AD mice after borneol treatment was evaluated using two behavioral tests: open field (OF) and Morris water maze (MWM). Results: This study discovered that borneol could accelerate the lymphatic clearance of Aß from the brain by enhancing meningeal lymphatic drainage. Preliminary mechanism analysis revealed that borneol could improve the permeability and inner diameter of lymphatic vessels, allowing macromolecules to drain into the cervical lymph nodes (CLNS) and then be transported to the lymphatic circulation. To speed up the clearance of macromolecules, borneol also stimulated lymphatic constriction by lowering the level of nitric oxide in the meninges. In addition, borneol stimulated lymphangiogenesis by increasing the levels of FOXC2, VEGFC, and LYVE-1 in the meninges, which promoted the clearance rates of macromolecules. Borneol improved meningeal lymphatic clearance not only for Aß but also for other macromolecular polymers (molecular weight in the range of 2 KD - 45 KD. Borneol ameliorated cognitive deficits and alleviated brain Aß burden in Aß-injected mice. Conclusions: Our findings not only provide a strategy to regulate lymphatic clearance pathways of macromolecules in the brain, but also new targets and ideas for treating neurodegenerative diseases like AD. Furthermore, our findings indicate that borneol is a promising therapeutic drug for AD.

Identification of two immune-related risk score signatures through integrated analysis of multi-omics data in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Immunotherapy has become a major treatment for advanced HCC, but the therapeutic effects remain unsatisfactory. In this study, we constructed an immune cell risk score (ICS) and an immune cell-related gene risk score (ICRGS) for the prognosis prediction of HCC through integrated analysis of bulk and single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing data. These two risk score signatures both showed good predictive values in the training and validation cohorts. The potential interactions among these prognostic immune cell types were elucidated by cell-cell communication analysis. The results of enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of the prognostic genes showed that metabolic-related processes were involved in the immune response of HCC. Furthermore, the results of correlation analyses further confirmed the hub genes that were strongly correlated with immune cells. Finally, potential therapeutic drugs targeting these hub genes were screened by CellMiner based on NCI-60 cell line set. Taken together, two useful models for the prognosis prediction of HCC patients were constructed in this study. The functional differences between the two groups of HCC patients separated by ICS or ICRGS provide fundamental knowledge for finding synergistic therapeutic targets for HCC immunotherapy.

A comprehensive pan-cancer analysis on the immunological role and prognostic value of TYMP in human cancers.

Background: The TYMP gene encodes an important nucleoside metabolism enzyme which is a rate-limiting enzyme for chemotherapeutic drug metabolism. Previous studies have shown that TYMP is highly expressed in many different tumors, promoting invasiveness and progression, and that it helps to predict the response to chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the role of TYMP in tumor immunity and prognosis remains largely unclear. The purpose of this pan-cancer analysis was to acquire more data on the function of TYMP function and its clinical significance. Methods: To access the TYMP expression, we accessed datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) databases, and analyzed its differential expression between paired tumor and normal samples. We employed PrognoScan and Kaplan-Meier plotter for survival analyses. TYMP mutations were analyzed using cBioPortal. Correlations of TYMP with tumor stage, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), immune checkpoint genes (ICGs), and immune cell infiltration were estimated via bioinformatics tools and methods. The CellMiner database was used to predict drug response. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to explore the biological functions of TYMP in different tumors. Results: Our results indicated that TYMP was overexpressed and also significantly associated with a worse prognosis in several human cancers, such as kidney clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) and lower grade glioma (LGG). TYMP was also associated with TMB, MSI, and ICGs across a variety of malignancies. TYMP was most significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration in five tumors, namely, breast cancer (BRCA), cervical cancer (CESC), KIRC, skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), and stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). Moreover, TYMP expression predicted sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs and also influenced relevant biological pathways, according to enrichment analysis. Conclusions: According to the results of this comprehensive analysis, TYMP is associated with prognosis and tumor immunology, which might make it be a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

Identification of the immune subtype of ovarian cancer patients by integrated analyses of transcriptome and single-cell sequencing data.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one the most life-threatening cancers affecting women's health worldwide. Immunotherapy has become a promising treatment for a variety of cancers, but the therapeutic effects in OC remain limited. In this study, we constructed a macrophage risk score (MRS) based on M1 and M2 macrophages and a gene risk score (GRS) based on the prognostic genes associated with MRS. Next, cell-cell communication analysis was performed using single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing data. Survival status and immune characteristics were compared between the high- and low-score groups separated by MRS or GRS. Our results suggested that MRS and GRS can identify the immune subtypes of OC patients with better overall survival (OS) and inflammatory immune microenvironment. Moreover, M1 and M2 macrophages may affect the prognosis of OC patients through signal communication with CD8 T cells. Finally, functional differences between the two groups separated by GRS were elucidated. Taken together, this study constructed two useful models for the identification of immune subtypes in OC, which has a better prognosis and may have a sensitive response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The hub genes for the construction of GRS may be potential synergetic targets for immunotherapy in OC patients.

Comprehensive multiomics analysis of cuproptosis-related gene characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The mechanism of copper-induced cell death, which is called cuproptosis, has recently been clarified. However, the integrated role of cuproptosis-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relationship with immune characteristics are still completely unknown. Methods: In this study, the expression, genetic, and transcriptional regulation states of 16 cuproptosis-related genes in HCC were systematically investigated. An unsupervised clustering method was used to identify distinct expression patterns in 370 HCC patients from the TCGA-HCC cohort. Differences in functional characteristics among different expression clusters were clarified by gene set variation analysis (GSVA). The abundances of immune cells in each HCC sample were calculated by the CIBERSORT algorithm. Next, a cuproptosis-related risk score was established based on the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among different expression clusters. Results: A specific cluster of HCC patients with poor prognosis, an inhibitory immune microenvironment, and high expression levels of immune checkpoint molecules was identified based on the expression of the 16 cuproptosis-related genes. This cluster of patients could be well-identified by a cuproptosis-related risk score system. The prognostic value of this risk score was validated in the training and two validation cohorts (TCGA-HCC, China-HCC, and Japan-HCC cohorts). Moreover, the overall expression status of the cuproptosis-related genes and the genes used to establish the cuproptosis-related risk score in specific cell types of the tumor microenvironment were preliminarily clarified by single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing data. Conclusion: These results indicated that cuproptosis-related genes play an important role in HCC, and targeting these genes may ameliorate the inhibitory immune microenvironment to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

In situ gelation strategy based on ferrocene-hyaluronic acid organic copolymer biomaterial for exudate management and multi-modal wound healing.

Exudate management remains a major concern in slow or non-healing wound management. Therefore, there is a need to devise a massive exudate-absorbing, exudate-locking, and stable extracellular matrix structure-maintaining functional wound dressing. Inspired by metal-organic frameworks, we chemically introduced sandwich ferrocene (Fc) into hyaluronic acid (HA) to fabricate an innovative metal Fc-HA organic copolymer (FHoC) as the skeleton material for in situ gelation, which was then gently compressed into a pre-hydrogel patch (FHoCP). Fc promoted the rearrangement of polymer chains to form additional microcrystalline and hydrophobic regions, which improved hydrogel transition and the exudate-locking ability. Thus, the simple composition FHoCP(5) absorbed 150 times its weight of water and maintained a firm three-dimensional network, which contributed to reducing inflammation and acted as a physical barrier against hemostasis and anti-bacterial invasion. Meanwhile, multi-modal processes, including fibroblast migration, angiogenesis, and antibacterial effects, were integrated into the gelled FHoCP(5) guided by Fe to promote wound healing. This study suggested that FHoC biomaterial could accelerate the closure of chronic wounds. We believe that this unique FHoCP(5)-based in situ gelation strategy could provide a solid drug-loaded scaffold for cell or adjunctive drug therapies, which holds great potential for the development of multifunctional biomaterials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Hydrogels that absorb excessive exudates while maintaining stable ECM-like network as well as exert multimodal wound healing activities are ideal dressings for accelerating chronic wound contraction. Herein, we reported an innovative metal ferrocene-hyaluronic acid organic copolymer patch (FHoCP) and FHoCP-mediated in situ gelation strategy. Ferrocene (Fc) induced in situ gelation by promoting polymer chain rearrangement, acting as a physical barrier for hemostasis and anti-bacterial invasion, and absorbing massive exudates, resulting in reducing delayed inflammation. As the structural core, rigid Fc enhanced the stability of the hydrogel backbone, and hydrophobic Fc improved fibroblast migration. In addition, Fe2+ chemically inhibited bacteria and increased angiogenesis. These results indicated the potential of FHoCP-based hydrogel for application in clinical skin reconstruction.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in early stage cervical cancer: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the specific side detection rate of the sentinel lymph node biopsy and the accuracy in predicting lymph node metastasis in early stage cervical cancer. METHODS: A systematic search of databases was performed from the inception of the databases to 27 June 2020. Studies of cervical cancer patients with FIGO stage FIGO ⅠA~ⅡB, evaluating the sentinel lymph node biopsy with blue dye, technetium 99, combined technique (blue dye with technetium 99) or indocyanine green with a reference standard of systematic pelvis lymph node dissection or clinical follow-up were included. Stata12.0 and Meta-Disc 1.4 were used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Of 2825 articles found, 21 studies (2234 women) were eventually included. Out of 21 studies, 20 met the detection rate evaluation criteria and six were included for sensitivity meta-analysis. Due to heterogeneity, it was inappropriate to pool all studies. The pooled specific side detection rates were 85% in tumors up to 2 cm, 67% in tumors over 2 cm, 75.2% for blue dye, 74.7% for technetium 99, 84% for combined technique, and 85.5% for indocyanine green. The sentinel lymph node biopsy had a pooled specific side sensitivity of 88%. Adverse effects of sentinel lymph node biopsy appear minimal for most patients and are mainly related to the injection of blue dye. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy using a tracer with a high detection rate and ultrastaging is highly accurate and reliable when limited to seriously selected patients, with satisfactory bilateral lymph node mapping and where enough cases for learning curve optimization exist. Indocyanine green sentinel lymph node mapping seems to be a superior sentinel lymph node mapping technique compared to other methods at present.