Response of mercury accumulation to anthropogenic pollution in the past 1000 years based on Lake Huguangyan sediments, Southern China.

A new 210Pb-dated record of Hg accumulation derived from a sediment core from a Hg-enriched area in Huguangyan Lake (HGY) in South China is presented. Based on synthetic analyses of multi-proxy records including chemical composition, total organic matter, and grain-size distribution in surface sediments and nearby soil samples, it is inferred that the influx of Hg into the lake is mainly a result of atmospheric deposition, with no or minor hydroclimate-induced lithogenic input from the catchment and limited adsorption effects of organic matter and clay. Significantly enhanced anthropogenic input of Hg started in the early 1900s. Since then, several anomalies of Hg accumulation have been the results of wars or intensified economic activities in China. HGY sediments provide a rare and reliable natural archive for detecting atmospheric Hg deposition, which is closely related to anthropogenic activities.

Association of TLR3 (rs3775291) and IL-10 (rs1800871) gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to Hepatitis B infection: A meta-analysis.

TLR3 and IL-10 play a crucial role in antiviral defence. However, there is a controversy between TLR3 rs3775291 and IL-10 rs1800871 polymorphisms and the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the two single nucleotide mutations and the risk of HBV infection by meta-analysis. Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, China Wanfang database were searched for the case-control studies on the relationship between TLR3 rs3775291 and IL-10 rs1800871 polymorphism and susceptibility to HBV, updated to June 2020. The data were analysed by Stata 15.0 software. A total of 22 articles were included. The results showed that in the analysis of IL10 rs1800871 polymorphism and the risk of HBV infection, the pooled OR was 1.21 (95% CI 1.06-1.37), 1.28 (95% CI 1.04-1.56) and 1.20 (95% CI 1.06-1.37) and 1.40 (95% CI 1.07-1.83) in the allele model (C vs. T), dominant model (CC+CT vs. TT), recessive model (CC vs. CT+TT) and homozygous model (CC vs. TT), respectively. There was no statistical significance in the heterozygote model. A subgroup analysis of the Asian population showed similar results. The analysis of TLR3 rs3775291 polymorphism and the risk of HBV showed that in the allele model (T vs. C), the pooled OR was 1.30 (95% CI 1.05-1.61). Except for the recessive model, no significances were found in other genetic models. In conclusion, TLR3 rs3775291 and IL-10 rs1800871 polymorphisms are associated with the risk of HBV. Allele C and genotype CC at IL10 rs1800871 loci, as well as allele T and genotype TT at TLR rs3775291 loci, may increase susceptibility to Hepatitis B infection.

Diagnostic Utility of Interferon-Gamma Release Assay in Tuberculous Lymphadenitis.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of T-SPOT.TB for tuberculous lymphadenitis. Methods Suspected tuberculous lymphadenitis patients between September 2010 and September 2018 who had both peripheral blood T-SPOT.TB test and lymph node biopsy were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The cutoff value of T-SPOT.TB test for peripheral blood was set as 24 spot forming cell (SFC)/10 6 periphreral blood monocyte cell (PBMC) according to the instruction of testing kits. The gold standard for diagnosis of TBL was the combination of microbiology results, histopathology results and patient's response to anti-TB treatment. Diagnostic efficacy of T-SPOT.TB was evaluated, including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, predictive values, and likelihood ratio. Results Among 91 patients who met the inclusion criteria, we excluded 8 cases with incomplete clinical information and 6 cases who lost to follow-up. According to the gold standard, there were 37 cases of true TBL (9 confirmed TBL and 28 probable TBL), 30 cases of non-TBL, and 10 cases of clinically indeterminate diagnosis who were excluded from the final analyses. The T-SPOT.TB tests yielded 43 cases of positive response and 24 cases of negative response. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) of peripheral blood T-SPOT.TB for diagnosing TBL were 89.2%, 66.7%, 79.1%, 76.7%, 83.3%, 2.68 and 0.16, respectively. The number of SFCs of T-SPOT.TB in TBL patients [432(134-1264)/10 6 PBMCs] was higher than that in non-TBL patients [0 (0-30) /10 6PBMCs] with a significant difference (Z=-5.306, P <0.001).Conclusion T-SPOT.TB is a rapid and simple diagnostic test for TBL with a high sensitivity and negative predictive value.

The role of IGF/IGF-1R signaling in the regulation of cancer stem cells.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a group of tumor cells with high tumorigenic ability and self-renewal potential similar to those of normal stem cells. CSCs are the key "seeds" for tumor development, metastasis, and recurrence. A better insight into the key mechanisms underlying CSC survival improves the efficiency of cancer therapy via specific targeting of CSCs. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)/IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling plays an important role in the maintenance of cancer stemness. However, the effect of IGF/IGF-1R signaling on stemness and CSCs and the underlying mechanisms are still controversial. Based on the similarity between CSCs and normal stem cells, this review discusses emerging data on the functions of IGF/IGF-1R signaling in normal stem cells and CSCs and dissects the underlying mechanisms by which IGF/IGF-1R signaling is involved in CSCs. On the other hand, this review highlighted the role of IGF/IGF-1R signaling blockade in multiple CSCs as a potential strategy to improve CSC-based therapy.

The role of liver cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis.

Metastasis accounts for the vast majority of cancer deaths; however, this complex process has yet to be fully explained. To form metastases, cancer cells must undergo a series of steps, known as the "Metastatic cascade", each of which requires a specific functional transformation. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a vital role in tumor metastasis, but their dynamic behavior and regulatory mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Based on the "Metastatic cascade" theory, this review summarizes the effect of liver CSCs on the metastatic biological programs that underlie the dissemination and metastatic growth of cancer cells. Liver CSCs have the capacity to initiate distant organ metastasis via EMT, and the microenvironment transformation that supports the ability of these cells to disseminate, evade immune surveillance, dormancy, and regenerate metastasis. Understanding the heterogeneity and traits of liver CSCs in these processes is critical for developing strategies to prevent and treat metastasis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Enzyme-esterified grape seed proanthocyanidin derivatives as novel lipid-lowering agents.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSP), as a natural antioxidant, has great potential to be developed into a lipid-lowering agent, but its low lipophilicity and stability greatly limit its application. In this study, an enzymatic esterification strategy was developed to introduce fatty acid chains into GSP, resulting in the successful synthesis of a series of new GSP derivatives. The results showed that up to 85% conversion of GSP and 35% TAG inhibition rate of GSP derivatives were achieved. The structures of GSP derivatives were identified by UPLC-MS/MS, and seven derivatives were confirmed as catechin-3'-O-laurate, epicatechin-3'-O-laurate, epicatechin gallate-3″,5″-di-O-laurate, epicatechin gallate-3',3″,5″-tri-O-laurate, procyanidin B1-3',3″-di-O-laurate, procyanidin B2-3',3″-di-O-laurate and procyanidin C1-3',3″,3‴-tri-O-laurate by NMR. GSP derivatives exhibited higher inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation, intracellular TAG and TC than parent GSP. These results indicate that GSP derivatives have potential as lipid-lowering agents for utilization in the food industry.

A case report of interstitial pneumonia induced by vedolizumab in a patient with ulcerative colitis.

RATIONALE: The interstitial pneumonia (IP) linked to vedolizumab (VDZ) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is rare. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve patient outcomes. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 39-year-old man with UC who received VDZ as sole therapy developed symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, and suffocation. DIAGNOSES: IP was confirmed through pulmonary function tests, chest computed tomography, and bronchoscopic biopsy. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was given methylprednisolone and VDZ cessation. OUTCOMES: The patient's symptoms improved and remained symptom-free after nearly 2 years. LESSONS: VDZ-induced IP should be considered when evaluating pulmonary infections in UC patients treated with VDZ.

A 15,400-year record of natural and anthropogenic input of mercury (Hg) in a sub-alpine lacustrine sediment succession from the western Nanling Mountains, South China.

A 15400-year mercury (Hg) accumulation history was reconstructed from a lake sediment core collected from Daping Swamp in western Nanling Mountains, South China. Our results show that the natural input of Hg was deeply influenced by varying climatic conditions. Under wet and warm conditions, increased surface soil organic matter induced by improved vegetation conditions favor an increased input of surface soil-bound Hg to the lake, thus leading to higher Hg accumulation rate, and on the other hand, the direct atmospheric wet deposition of Hg into the lake would also be enhanced. In contrast, under relatively cold and dry conditions, it would display an inverse picture. The signal of anthropogenic influence possibly derived from regional Hg pollution likely started at ~ 3400 cal. years BP, roughly corresponding to the early stage of the Shang Dynasty in Chinese history. Four periods of increased anthropogenic Hg inputs appeared in ~ 3358-2170, ~ 2170-1730, ~ 1369-1043, and especially ~ 600-250 cal. years BP, corresponded to the Shang and Zhou, the Qin and Han, the Sui and Tang, and the Ming and Qing dynasties in China, respectively. A clearly weakened anthropogenic input occurred between~1750 and 1400 cal. years BP, coinciding with the Three Kingdoms to the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Our results revealed the history of the natural Hg accumulation since the Last Deglacial period, and the existence of regional atmospheric Hg induced from anthropogenic activity spanning the last ~ 3400 years.

The establishment of CMV antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assay among Chinese: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cytomegalovirus in China is high and the infection could result in disastrous consequences. Cellular immunity is the main mechanism for virus controlling. We explored the performance of cytomegalovirus antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assay in patients with different infection states in endemic area. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with reliable results were included in statistical analysis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were extracted and were stimulated by cytomegalovirus phosphoprotein 65 or immediate early protein-1 antigen respectively. Spot forming cells (SFCs) were counted to evaluate the cellular immune response elicited by antigens. RESULTS: Spots could be clearly displayed, and evenly dispersed with a clean background. The numbers of SFCs were 0 [0-0], 426 [210-601] and 230 [57-513] for uninfected individuals (n = 7), latently infected patients (n = 11) and actively infected patients (n = 10) respectively, which were statistically different. The number of SFCs stimulated by phosphoprotein 65 was significantly higher than that by immediate early protein-1. CONCLUSIONS: The number of SFCs was significantly different among patients with different infection state. The stimulatory effect of phosphoprotein 65 was better than that of immediate early protein-1.

Application of IFN-γ/IL-2 FluoroSpot assay for distinguishing active tuberculosis from non-active tuberculosis: A cohort study.

Currently available Interferon-γ release assay cannot reliably differentiate active TB (ATB) from non-active TB (non-ATB). This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the IFN-γ/IL-2 FluoroSpot assay, which can simultaneously detect IFN-γ and IL-2 secretion, for differentiating ATB from non-ATB. 191 suspected ATB patients with positive T-SPOT.TB results were consecutively recruited. 64 (33.5%) participants had ATB, including 22 (34.4%) microbiologically or histologically confirmed TB and 42 (65.6%) clinically diagnosed TB. 119 (62.3%) cases were non-ATB and 8 (4.2%) were clinically indeterminate. After being stimulated with ESAT-6 and CFP-10 antigens, the median frequency and proportion of IFN-γ+IL-2- T cells were significantly higher in the ATB group than the non-ATB group (P < .001). The areas under the ROC curves of IFN-γ+IL-2- T cells were larger than those of total IFN-γ+ T cells (0.788 vs. 0.739, p = .323). With a cutoff value of 25 SFCs/250,000 PBMCs for frequency, sensitivity and specificity of this assay were 73.4% and 69.8% respectively. When combining the frequency and proportions of IFN-γ+IL-2- T cells, the sensitivity and specificity were increased to 95.3% in parallel testing and 83.2% in serial testing respectively. In conclusion, IFN-γ/IL-2 FluoroSpot assay is conducive for the diagnosis of ATB in patients with positive T-SPOT.TB results.