Targeting 7-Dehydrocholesterol Reductase Integrates Cholesterol Metabolism and IRF3 Activation to Eliminate Infection.

Recent work suggests that cholesterol metabolism impacts innate immune responses against infection. However, the key enzymes or the natural products and mechanisms involved are not well elucidated. Here, we have shown that upon DNA and RNA viral infection, macrophages reduced 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) expression. DHCR7 deficiency or treatment with the natural product 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) could specifically promote phosphorylation of IRF3 (not TBK1) and enhance type I interferon (IFN-I) production in macrophages. We further elucidated that viral infection or 7-DHC treatment enhanced AKT3 expression and activation. AKT3 directly bound and phosphorylated IRF3 at Ser385, together with TBK1-induced phosphorylation of IRF3 Ser386, to achieve IRF3 dimerization. Deletion of DHCR7 and the DHCR7 inhibitors including AY9944 and the chemotherapy drug tamoxifen promoted clearance of Zika virus and multiple viruses in vitro or in vivo. Taken together, we propose that the DHCR7 inhibitors and 7-DHC are potential therapeutics against emerging or highly pathogenic viruses.

Adenylate cyclase activity of TIR1/AFB auxin receptors in plants.

The phytohormone auxin is the major coordinative signal in plant development1, mediating transcriptional reprogramming by a well-established canonical signalling pathway. TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE 1 (TIR1)/AUXIN-SIGNALING F-BOX (AFB) auxin receptors are F-box subunits of ubiquitin ligase complexes. In response to auxin, they associate with Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors and target them for degradation via ubiquitination2,3. Here we identify adenylate cyclase (AC) activity as an additional function of TIR1/AFB receptors across land plants. Auxin, together with Aux/IAAs, stimulates cAMP production. Three separate mutations in the AC motif of the TIR1 C-terminal region, all of which abolish the AC activity, each render TIR1 ineffective in mediating gravitropism and sustained auxin-induced root growth inhibition, and also affect auxin-induced transcriptional regulation. These results highlight the importance of TIR1/AFB AC activity in canonical auxin signalling. They also identify a unique phytohormone receptor cassette combining F-box and AC motifs, and the role of cAMP as a second messenger in plants.

Assessing the efficiency of eligibility criteria for low-dose computed tomography lung screening in China according to current guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from observational studies indicates that lung cancer screening (LCS) guidelines with high rates of lung cancer (LC) underdiagnosis, and although current screening guidelines have been updated and eligibility criteria for screening have been expanded, there are no studies comparing the efficiency of LCS guidelines in Chinese population. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2022, 31,394 asymptomatic individuals were screened using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) at our institution. Demographic data and relevant LC risk factors were collected. The efficiency of the LCS for each guideline criteria was expressed as the efficiency ratio (ER). The inclusion rates, eligibility rates, LC detection rates, and ER based on the different eligibility criteria of the four guidelines were comparatively analyzed. The four guidelines were as follows: China guideline for the screening and early detection of lung cancer (CGSL), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), and International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP). RESULTS: Of 31,394 participants, 298 (155 women, 143 men) were diagnosed with LC. For CGSL, NCCN, USPSTF, and I-ELCAP guidelines, the eligibility rates for guidelines were 13.92%, 6.97%, 6.81%, and 53.46%; ERe for eligibility criteria were 1.46%, 1.64%, 1.51%, and 1.13%, respectively; and for the inclusion rates, they were 19.0%, 9.5%, 9.3%, and 73.0%, respectively. LCs which met the screening criteria of CGSL, NCCN, USPSTF, and I-ELCAP guidelines were 29.2%, 16.4%, 14.8%, and 86.6%, respectively. The age and smoking criteria for CGSL were stricter, hence resulting in lower rates of LC meeting the screening criteria. The CGSL, NCCN, and USPSTF guidelines showed the highest underdiagnosis in the 45-49 age group (17.4%), while the I-ELCAP guideline displayed the highest missed diagnosis rate (3.0%) in the 35-39 age group. Males and females significantly differed in eligibility based on the criteria of the four guidelines (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The I-ELCAP guideline has the highest eligibility rate for both males and females. But its actual efficiency ratio for those deemed eligible by the guideline was the lowest. Whereas the NCCN guideline has the highest ERe value for those deemed eligible by the guideline.

ZNT1 and Zn 2+ control TLR4 and PD-L1 endocytosis in macrophages to improve chemotherapy efficacy against liver tumor.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: HCC is closely associated with inflammation and immune modulation, and combined chemotherapy with other strategies is under extensive investigation to achieve better efficacy. HCC is accompanied by zinc (Zn) deficiency. This study aims to understand how Zn could affect macrophage function and its application for HCC therapy. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Zn 2+ and the Zn transporter 1 (ZNT1, solute carrier family 30 member 1) were markedly reduced in intrahepatic macrophages from patients with HCC and from mouse liver tumors. Lower ZNT1 expression was associated with higher IL-6 production and shorter survival time in patients with HCC. Critically, ZNT1 regulated endosomal Zn 2+ levels for endocytosis of toll-like receptor 4 and programmed cell death ligand 1, thereby decreasing macrophage-induced inflammation and immunosuppression to protect from liver tumors. Myeloid-specific deletion of ZNT1 in mice increased chronic inflammation, liver fibrosis, tumor numbers, and size. Notably, Zn supplementation could reduce inflammation and surface programmed cell death ligand 1 expression in macrophages with the increased CD8 + T cell cytotoxicity, which synergized the antitumor efficacy of Sorafenib/Lenvatinib. CONCLUSIONS: Our study proposes a new concept that ZNT1 and Zn regulate endosome endocytosis to maintain surface receptors, and Zn supplements might be synergized with chemotherapy to treat inflammation-associated tumors, especially those containing programmed cell death ligand 1 + myeloid cells.

The Battle for Accuracy: Identifying the Most Effective Grading System for Lung Invasive Mucinous Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic analysis of lung invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) is deficient due to the lack of a universally recommended histological grading system, leading to unregulated treatment approaches. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the clinical trajectory of IMA and assess the viability of utilizing the existing grading system for lung invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma in the context of IMA. METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinicopathological data from 265 IMA patients. Each case re-evaluated the tumor grade using the following three classification systems: the 4th Edition of the World Health Organization classification system, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) grading system, and a two-tier grading system. We performed a comparative analysis of these grading systems and identified the most effective grading system for IMA. RESULTS: The study comprised a total of 214 patients with pure IMA and 51 patients with mixed IMA. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for pure IMA and mixed IMA were 86.7% and 57.8%, respectively. All three grading systems proved to be effective prognostic classifiers for IMA. The value of area under the curve at 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS was highest for the IASLC grading system compared with the other grade systems and the clinical stage. The IASLC classification system was an independent prognostic predictor (p = 0.009, hazard ratio 2.243, 95% confidence interval 1.219-4.127). CONCLUSION: Mixed IMA is more aggressive than pure IMA, with an OS rate on par with that of high-grade pure IMA. The IASLC grading system can better indicate prognosis and is recommended for lung IMA.

Magnetic Resonance Elastography of Anterior Mediastinal Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative differentiation of the types of mediastinal tumors is essential. Magnetic resonance (MR) elastography potentially provides a noninvasive method to assess the classification of mediastinal tumor subtypes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of MR elastography in anterior mediastinal masses and to characterize the mechanical properties of tumors of different subtypes. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. SUBJECTS: 189 patients with anterior mediastinal tumors (AMTs) confirmed by histopathology (62 thymomas, 53 thymic carcinomas, 57 lymphomas, and 17 germ cell tumors). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A gradient echo-based 2D MR elastography sequence and a diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequence at 3.0 T. ASSESSMENT: Stiffness and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were measured in AMTs using MR elastography-derived elastograms and DWI-derived ADC maps, respectively. The aim of this study is to identify whether MR elastography can differentiate between the histological subtypes of ATMs. STATISTICAL TESTS: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), two-way ANOVA, Pearson's linear correlation coefficient (r), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis; P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Lymphomas had significantly lower stiffness than other AMTs (4.0 ± 0.63 kPa vs. 4.8 ± 1.39 kPa). The mean stiffness of thymic carcinomas was significantly higher than that of other AMTs (5.6 ± 1.41 kPa vs. 4.2 ± 0.94 kPa). Using a cutoff value of 5.0 kPa, ROC analysis showed that lymphomas could be differentiated from other AMTs with an accuracy of 59%, sensitivity of 97%, and specificity of 38%. Using a cutoff value of 5.1 kPa, thymic carcinomas could be differentiated from other AMTs with an accuracy of 84%, sensitivity of 67%, and specificity of 90%. However, there was an overlap in the stiffness values of individual thymomas (4.2 ± 0.71; 3.9-4.5), thymic carcinomas (5.6 ± 1.41; 5.0-6.1), lymphomas (4.0 ± 0.63; 3.8-4.2), and germ cell tumors (4.5 ± 1.79; 3.3-5.6). DATA CONCLUSION: MR elastography-derived stiffness may be used to evaluate AMTs of various histologies. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

HIPK2 phosphorylates HDAC3 for NF-κB acetylation to ameliorate colitis-associated colorectal carcinoma and sepsis.

Although inflammation is critical for the clearance of pathogens, uncontrolled inflammation also contributes to the development of multiple diseases such as cancer and sepsis. Since NF-κB-mediated transactivation in the nucleus is pivotal downstream of various stimuli to induce inflammation, searching the nuclear-localized targets specifically regulating NF-κB activation will provide important therapeutic application. Here, we have identified that homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2), a nuclear serine/threonine kinase, increases its expression in inflammatory macrophages. Importantly, HIPK2 deficiency or overexpression could enhance or inhibit inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated macrophages, respectively. HIPK2-deficient mice were more susceptible to LPS-induced endotoxemia and CLP-induced sepsis. Adoptive transfer of Hipk2+/- bone marrow cells (BMs) also aggravated AOM/DSS-induced colorectal cancer. Mechanistically, HIPK2 bound and phosphorylated histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) at serine 374 to inhibit its enzymatic activity, thus reducing the deacetylation of p65 at lysine 218 to suppress NF-κB activation. Notably, the HDAC3 inhibitors protected wild-type or Hipk2-/- BMs-reconstituted mice from LPS-induced endotoxemia. Our findings suggest that the HIPK2-HDAC3-p65 module in macrophages restrains excessive inflammation, which may represent a new layer of therapeutic mechanism for colitis-associated colorectal cancer and sepsis.

Tale of cAMP as a second messenger in auxin signaling and beyond.

The 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a versatile second messenger in many mammalian signaling pathways. However, its role in plants remains not well-recognized. Recent discovery of adenylate cyclase (AC) activity for transport inhibitor response 1/auxin-signaling F-box proteins (TIR1/AFB) auxin receptors and the demonstration of its importance for canonical auxin signaling put plant cAMP research back into spotlight. This insight briefly summarizes the well-established cAMP signaling pathways in mammalian cells and describes the turbulent and controversial history of plant cAMP research highlighting the major progress and the unresolved points. We also briefly review the current paradigm of auxin signaling to provide a background for the discussion on the AC activity of TIR1/AFB auxin receptors and its potential role in transcriptional auxin signaling as well as impact of these discoveries on plant cAMP research in general.

PIN-mediated polar auxin transport regulations in plant tropic responses.

Tropisms, growth responses to environmental stimuli such as light or gravity, are spectacular examples of adaptive plant development. The plant hormone auxin serves as a major coordinative signal. The PIN auxin exporters, through their dynamic polar subcellular localizations, redirect auxin fluxes in response to environmental stimuli and the resulting auxin gradients across organs underlie differential cell elongation and bending. In this review, we discuss recent advances concerning regulations of PIN polarity during tropisms, focusing on PIN phosphorylation and trafficking. We also cover how environmental cues regulate PIN actions during tropisms, as well as the crucial role of auxin feedback on PIN polarity during bending termination. Finally, the interactions between different tropisms are reviewed to understand plant adaptive growth in the natural environment.

Proposing a deep learning-based method for improving the diagnostic certainty of pulmonary nodules in CT scan of chest.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of a deep learning (DL)-based method for diagnosing pulmonary nodules compared with radiologists' diagnostic approach in computed tomography (CT) of the chest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 pathologically confirmed pulmonary nodules (60% malignant) assessed and reported by radiologists were included. CT images were processed by the proposed DL-based method to generate the probability of malignancy (0-100%), and the nodules were divided into the groups of benign (0-39.9%), indeterminate (40.0-59.9%), and malignant (60.0-100%). Taking the pathological results as the gold standard, we compared the diagnostic performance of the proposed DL-based method with the radiologists' diagnostic approach using the McNemar-Bowker test. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the diagnosis results of the proposed DL-based method and the radiologists' diagnostic approach (p < 0.001). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference in the composition of the diagnosis results between the proposed DL-based method and the radiologists' diagnostic approach (all p > 0.05). The difference in diagnostic accuracy between the proposed DL-based method (70%) and radiologists' diagnostic performance (64%) was not statistically significant (p = 0.243). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed DL-based method achieved an accuracy comparable with the radiologists' diagnostic approach in clinical practice. Furthermore, its advantage in improving diagnostic certainty may raise the radiologists' confidence in diagnosing pulmonary nodules and may help clinical management. Therefore, the proposed DL-based method showed great potential in a certain clinical application. KEY POINTS: • Deep learning-based method for diagnosing the pulmonary nodules in computed tomography provides a higher diagnostic certainty.

Natural history of pathologically confirmed pulmonary subsolid nodules with deep learning-assisted nodule segmentation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the natural history of pulmonary subsolid nodules (SSNs) with different pathological types by deep learning-assisted nodule segmentation. METHODS: Between June 2012 and June 2019, 95 resected SSNs with preoperative long-term follow-up were enrolled in this retrospective study. SSN detection and segmentation were performed on preoperative follow-up CTs using the deep learning-based Dr. Wise system. SSNs were categorized into invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC, n = 47) and non-IAC (n = 48) groups; according to the interval change during the preoperative follow-up, SSNs were divided into growth (n = 68), nongrowth (n = 22), and new emergence (n = 5) groups. We analyzed the cumulative percentages and pattern of SSN growth and identified significant factors for IAC diagnosis and SSN growth. RESULTS: The mean preoperative follow-up was 42.1 ± 17.0 months. More SSNs showed growth or new emergence in the IAC than in the non-IAC group (89.4% vs. 64.6%, p = 0.009). Volume doubling time was non-significantly shorter for IACs than for non-IACs (1436.0 ± 1188.2 vs. 2087.5 ± 1799.7 days, p = 0.077). Median mass doubling time was significantly shorter for IACs than for non-IACs (821.7 vs. 1944.1 days, p = 0.001). Lobulated sign (p = 0.002) and SSN mass (p = 0.004) were significant factors for differentiating IACs. IACs showed significantly higher cumulative growth percentages than non-IACs in the first 70 months of follow-up. The growth pattern of SSNs may conform to the exponential model. The initial volume (p = 0.042) was a predictor for SSN growth. CONCLUSIONS: IACs appearing as SSNs showed an indolent course. The mean growth rate was larger for IACs than for non-IACs. SSNs with larger initial volume are more likely to grow. KEY POINTS: • Invasive adenocarcinomas (IACs) appearing as subsolid nodules (SSNs), with a mean volume doubling time (VDT) of 1436.0 ± 1188.2 days and median mass doubling time (MDT) of 821.7 days, showed an indolent course. • The VDT was shorter for IACs than for non-IACs (1436.0 ± 1188.2 vs. 2087.5 ± 1799.7 days), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.077). The median MDT was significantly shorter for IACs than for non-IACs (821.7 vs. 1944.1 days, p = 0.001). • SSNs with lobulated sign and larger mass (> 390.5 mg) may very likely be IACs. SSNs with larger initial volume are more likely to grow.

[Comparative analysis of chemical compositions of fruits of Perilla frutescens var. arguta and P. frutescens var. frutescens by pre-column derivatization with GC-MS].

The present study compared the appearance and chemical composition of fruits of Perilla frutescens var. arguta(PFA) and P. frutescens var. frutescens(PFF). VHX-6000 3 D depth of field synthesis technology was applied for the appearance observation. The metabolites were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by pre-column derivatization combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). Finally, cluster analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were applied for exploring the differences in their chemical compositions. The results indicated that the size and color of PFA and PFF fruits were different. PFF fruits were significantly larger than PFA fruits. The surface color of PFA fruits was brown, while PFF fruits were in multiple colors, such as white, grayish-white, and brown. Amino acids, saccharides, organic acids, fatty acids, and phenolic acids were identified in PFA and PFF fruits. The results of CA, PCA, and OPLS-DA indicated significant differences in the content of components between PFA and PFF fruits. Three metabolites, including D-glucose, rosmarinic acid, and D-fructose, which were significantly higher in PFA fruits than in PFF fruits, were screened out as differential metabolites. Considering the regulation on the content of rosmarinic acid in Perillae Fructus in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), the medicinal value of PFA fruits is higher than that of PFF. In conclusion, there are differences in appearance and chemical composition between PFA fruits and PFF fruits. These results are expected to provide fundamental data for specifying plant source and quality control of Perillae Fructus.

Elongator Is Required for Root Stem Cell Maintenance by Regulating SHORTROOT Transcription.

SHORTROOT (SHR) is essential for stem cell maintenance and radial patterning in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) roots, but how its expression is regulated is unknown. Here, we report that the Elongator complex, which consists of six subunits (ELP1 to ELP6), regulates the transcription of SHR Depletion of Elongator drastically reduced SHR expression and led to defective root stem cell maintenance and radial patterning. The importance of the nuclear localization of Elongator for its functioning, together with the insensitivity of the elp1 mutant to the transcription elongation inhibitor 6-azauracil, and the direct interaction of the ELP4 subunit with the carboxyl-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, support the notion that Elongator plays important roles in transcription elongation. Indeed, we found that ELP3 associates with the premessenger RNA of SHR and that mutation of Elongator reduces the enrichment of RNA polymerase II on the SHR gene body. Moreover, Elongator interacted in vivo with SUPPRESSOR OF Ty4, a well-established transcription elongation factor that is recruited to the SHR locus. Together, these results demonstrate that Elongator acts in concert with SUPPRESSOR OF Ty4 to regulate the transcription of SHR.

Long-term follow-up of persistent pulmonary pure ground-glass nodules with deep learning-assisted nodule segmentation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the natural history of persistent pulmonary pure ground-glass nodules (pGGNs) with deep learning-assisted nodule segmentation. METHODS: Between January 2007 and October 2018, 110 pGGNs from 110 patients with 573 follow-up CT scans were included in this retrospective study. pGGN automatic segmentation was performed on initial and all follow-up CT scans using the Dr. Wise system based on convolution neural networks. Subsequently, pGGN diameter, density, volume, mass, volume doubling time (VDT), and mass doubling time (MDT) were calculated automatically. Enrolled pGGNs were categorized into growth, 52 (47.3%), and non-growth, 58 (52.7%), groups according to volume growth. Kaplan-Meier analyses with the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were conducted to analyze the cumulative percentages of pGGN growth and identify risk factors for growth. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period of the enrolled pGGNs was 48.7 ± 23.8 months. The median VDT of the 52 pGGNs having grown was 1448 (range, 339-8640) days, and their median MDT was 1332 (range, 290-38,912) days. The 12-month, 24.7-month, and 60.8-month cumulative percentages of pGGN growth were 10%, 25.5%, and 51.1%, respectively, and they significantly differed among the initial diameter, volume, and mass subgroups (all p < 0.001). The growth pattern of pGGNs may conform to the exponential model. Lobulated sign (p = 0.044), initial mean diameter (p < 0.001), volume (p = 0.003), and mass (p = 0.023) predicted pGGN growth. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent pGGNs showed an indolent course. Deep learning can assist in accurately elucidating the natural history of pGGNs. pGGNs with lobulated sign and larger initial diameter, volume, and mass are more likely to grow. KEY POINTS: • The pure ground-glass nodule (pGGN) segmentation accuracy of the Dr. Wise system based on convolution neural networks (CNNs) was 96.5% (573/594). • The median volume doubling time (VDT) of 52 pure ground-glass nodules (pGGNs) having grown was 1448 days (range, 339-8640 days), and their median mass doubling time (MDT) was 1332 days (range, 290-38,912 days). The mean time to growth in volume was 854 ± 675 days (range, 116-2856 days). • The 12-month, 24.7-month, and 60.8-month cumulative percentages of pGGN growth were 10%, 25.5%, and 51.1%, respectively, and they significantly differed among the initial diameter, volume, and mass subgroups (all p values < 0.001). The growth pattern of pure ground-glass nodules may conform to exponential model.

The immune response to a recombinant Lactococcus lactis oral vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease virus in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Development of an effective mucosal vaccine to induce specific immune responses against Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). RESULTS: For this purpose, the FMDV VP1 gene (SPVP1) was optimized and synthesized based on the codon bias of Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis), and then incorporated in the plasmid pNZ8148. L. lactis NZ9000 containing the pNZ8148-SPVP1 recombinant plasmid was used as an oral delivery vehicle to induce anti-FMDV mucosal and systemic immune responses in mice. After confirmation that the SPVP1 protein was expressed successfully in the recombinant L. latic, the mice were orally challenged with NZ9000-pNZ8148, NZ9000-pNZ8148-SPVP1, phosphate-buffered saline as a mock infection group, or with inactivated vaccine as a positive group. Mice immunized with NZ9000-pNZ8148-SPVP1 produced high levels of mucosal secretory IgA (sIgA), antigen-specific serum IgG, IgA, and neutralizing antibodies, and developed stronger cell-mediated immune reactions and significant T spleen lymphocyte proliferation. Furthermore, the recombinant group generated much higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Potent immune responses were successfully elicited in mice with FMDV VP1 delivered through L. lactis.

Identification of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in pulmonary adenocarcinoma using dual-energy spectral computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of dual-energy spectral computed tomography (DESCT) quantitative characteristics for the identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in a cohort of East Asian patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with lung adenocarcinoma who underwent both DESCT chest examination and EGFR test were retrospectively selected from our institution's database. The DESCT visual morphological features and quantitative parameters, including the CT number at 70 keV, normalized iodine concentration (NIC), normalized water concentration, and slopes of the spectral attenuation curves (slope λ HU [Hounsfield unit]), were evaluated or calculated. The patients were divided into two groups: the EGFR mutation group and EGFR wild-type group. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the DESCT quantitative parameters for diagnosis of EGFR mutation status. RESULTS: EGFR mutations were detected in 66 (55.0%) of the 120 enrolled patients. The univariate analysis revealed that sex, smoking history, CT texture, NIC, and slope λ HU were significantly associated with EGFR mutation status (p = 0.037, 0.001, 0.047, 0.010, and 0.018, respectively). The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that smoking history (odds ratio [OR] = 3.23, p = 0.005) and NIC (OR = 58.026, p = 0.049) were the two significant predictive factors associated with EGFR mutations. Based on this analysis, the smoking history and NIC were combined to determine the predictive value for EGFR mutations with the area under the curve of 0.702. CONCLUSIONS: NIC may be a potential quantitative DESCT parameter for predicting EGFR mutations in patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. KEY POINTS: • DESCT can provide multiple quantitative image parameters compared to conventional CT. • Identification of the radio-genomic relation between DESCT and EGFR status can help to define molecular subcategories of lung adenocarcinoma, which is valuable for personalized clinical targeted therapy. • NIC may be a potential DESCT quantitative parameter for predicting EGFR mutations in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Characterization of auxin transporter PIN6 plasma membrane targeting reveals a function for PIN6 in plant bolting.

Auxin gradients are sustained by series of influx and efflux carriers whose subcellular localization is sensitive to both exogenous and endogenous factors. Recently the localization of the Arabidopsis thaliana auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) 6 was reported to be tissue-specific and regulated through unknown mechanisms. Here, we used genetic, molecular and pharmacological approaches to characterize the molecular mechanism(s) controlling the subcellular localization of PIN6. PIN6 localizes to endomembrane domains in tissues with low PIN6 expression levels such as roots, but localizes at the plasma membrane (PM) in tissues with increased PIN6 expression such as the inflorescence stem and nectary glands. We provide evidence that this dual localization is controlled by PIN6 phosphorylation and demonstrate that PIN6 is phosphorylated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) MPK4 and MPK6. The analysis of transgenic plants expressing PIN6 at PM or in endomembrane domains reveals that PIN6 subcellular localization is critical for Arabidopsis inflorescence stem elongation post-flowering (bolting). In line with a role for PIN6 in plant bolting, inflorescence stems elongate faster in pin6 mutant plants than in wild-type plants. We propose that PIN6 subcellular localization is under the control of developmental signals acting on tissue-specific determinants controlling PIN6-expression levels and PIN6 phosphorylation.

PIF4 and PIF5 transcription factors link blue light and auxin to regulate the phototropic response in Arabidopsis.

Both blue light (BL) and auxin are essential for phototropism in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the mechanisms by which light is molecularly linked to auxin during phototropism remain elusive. Here, we report that phytochrome interacting factoR4 (PIF4) and PIF5 act downstream of the BL sensor phototropin1 (PHOT1) to negatively modulate phototropism in Arabidopsis. We also reveal that PIF4 and PIF5 negatively regulate auxin signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PIF4 directly activates the expression of the auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) genes IAA19 and IAA29 by binding to the G-box (CACGTG) motifs in their promoters. Our genetic assays demonstrate that IAA19 and IAA29, which physically interact with auxin response factor7 (ARF7), are sufficient for PIF4 to negatively regulate auxin signaling and phototropism. This study identifies a key step of phototropic signaling in Arabidopsis by showing that PIF4 and PIF5 link light and auxin.

The Arabidopsis mediator subunit MED25 differentially regulates jasmonate and abscisic acid signaling through interacting with the MYC2 and ABI5 transcription factors.

Transcriptional regulation plays a central role in plant hormone signaling. At the core of transcriptional regulation is the Mediator, an evolutionarily conserved, multisubunit complex that serves as a bridge between gene-specific transcription factors and the RNA polymerase machinery to regulate transcription. Here, we report the action mechanisms of the MEDIATOR25 (MED25) subunit of the Arabidopsis thaliana Mediator in regulating jasmonate- and abscisic acid (ABA)-triggered gene transcription. We show that during jasmonate signaling, MED25 physically associates with the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor MYC2 in promoter regions of MYC2 target genes and exerts a positive effect on MYC2-regulated gene transcription. We also show that MED25 physically associates with the basic Leu zipper transcription factor ABA-INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5) in promoter regions of ABI5 target genes and shows a negative effect on ABI5-regulated gene transcription. Our results reveal that underlying the distinct effects of MED25 on jasmonate and ABA signaling, the interaction mechanisms of MED25 with MYC2 and ABI5 are different. These results highlight that the MED25 subunit of the Arabidopsis Mediator regulates a wide range of signaling pathways through selectively interacting with specific transcription factors.

Microfluidic aqueous two-phase extraction of bisphenol A using ionic liquid for high-performance liquid chromatography analysis.

An aqueous two-phase microfluidics (ATPM) method suitable for selective extraction of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous samples was developed, and a functional ionic liquid of N, N, N-trioctyl ammonium propionate (TOAP) was specially employed for the formation of a parallel flow system. Based on the analytical model, we optimized the chip design into branch-connection length pattern to achieve maximum extraction efficiency (φ max) and ensure phase separation. In combining the design flexibility and ideal reaction activity of extractant (TOAP), the developed ATPM enabled a selective and effective extraction of BPA (φ max of 95% within 2 s) from phenol derivatives. Meanwhile, the total operation time and ionic liquid consumption of the microfluidic extraction were only 2.5 min and 5 µl, respectively. The ATPM can be run at normal pH and room temperature and showed no interferences from components found in tap or beach water. To be noted, this specific extraction system was applied in real water samples; the recoveries of standard addition for all water samples spiked with BPA were from 96 to 110%. Finally, successful reuse of the chip was also realized. In all cases, the developed microfluidic chip was proven to be useful as an effective and low consumption approach in extracting BPA and should be expanded as a "green" preparative method for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis.