[Complete chloroplast genome sequencing and phylogeny of wild Atractylodes lancea from Yuexi, Anhui province].

This study investigated the choroplast genome sequence of wild Atractylodes lancea from Yuexi in Anhui province by high-throughput sequencing, followed by characterization of the genome structure, which laid a foundation for the species identification, analysis of genetic diversity, and resource conservation of A. lancea. To be specific, the total genomic DNA was extracted from the leaves of A. lancea with the improved CTAB method. The chloroplast genome of A. lancea was sequenced by the high-throughput sequencing technology, followed by assembling by metaSPAdes and annotation by CPGAVAS2. Bioiformatics methods were employed for the analysis of simple sequence repeats(SSRs), inverted repeat(IR) border, codon bias, and phylogeny. The results showed that the whole chloroplast genome of A. lancea was 153 178 bp, with an 84 226 bp large single copy(LSC) and a 18 658 bp small single copy(SSC) separated by a pair of IRs(25 147 bp). The genome had the GC content of 37.7% and 124 genes: 87 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 29 tRNA genes. It had 26 287 codons and encoded 20 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Atractylodes species clustered into one clade and that A. lancea had close genetic relationship with A. koreana. This study established a method for sequencing the chloroplast genome of A. lancea and enriched the genetic resources of Compositae. The findings are expected to lay a foundation for species identification, analysis of genetic diversity, and resource conservation of A. lancea.

Hepatic Vps33b deficiency aggravates cholic acid-induced cholestatic liver injury in male mice.

Vacuolar protein sorting 33B (VPS33B) is important for intracellular vesicular trafficking process and protein interactions, which is closely associated with the arthrogryposis, renal dysfunction, and cholestasis syndrome. Our previous study has shown a crucial role of Vps33b in regulating metabolisms of bile acids and lipids in hepatic Vps33b deficiency mice with normal chow, but it remains unknown whether VPS33B could contribute to cholestatic liver injury. In this study we investigated the effects of hepatic Vps33b deficiency on bile acid metabolism and liver function in intrahepatic cholestatic mice. Cholestasis was induced in Vps33b hepatic knockout and wild-type male mice by feeding 1% CA chow diet for 5 consecutive days. We showed that compared with the wild-type mice, hepatic Vps33b deficiency greatly exacerbated CA-induced cholestatic liver injury as shown in markedly increased serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities, serum levels of total bilirubin, and total bile acid, as well as severe hepatocytes necrosis and inflammatory infiltration. Target metabolomics analysis revealed that hepatic Vps33b deficiency caused abnormal profiles of bile acids in cholestasis mice, evidenced by the upregulation of conjugated bile acids in serum, liver, and bile. We further demonstrated that the metabolomics alternation was accompanied by gene expression changes in bile acid metabolizing enzymes and transporters including Cyp3a11, Ugt1a1, Ntcp, Oatp1b1, Bsep, and Mrp2. Overall, these results suggest a crucial role of hepatic Vps33b deficiency in exacerbating cholestasis and liver injury, which is associated with the altered metabolism of bile acids.

Inhibition of pancreatic lipase by environmental xenoestrogens.

Environmental xenoestrogens are the most accessible endocrine disrupting chemicals that have been reported with harmful effects on human health. Although the influences of xenoestrogens on the endocrine system have been extensively studied, it remains unclear whether these xenoestrogens can affect the digestive system in mammals. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects and the underlying mechanism of six non-steroidal synthetic estrogens (including hexestrol, diethylstilbestrol, dienestrol, bisphenol A, bisphenol AF and bisphenol Z) on pancreatic lipase (PL), a key digestive enzyme responsible for lipid digestion and absorption in mammals. The results clearly demonstrated that hexestrol, diethylstilbestrol and dienestrol exhibited strong inhibition on PL, with the IC50 values of less than 1.0 µM. Further investigations elucidated that these three synthetic estrogens functioned as mixed inhibitors of PL, with the Ki values of less than 1 µM. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations showed that diethylstilbestrol and its analogues might block the binding of substrate on PL via occupying the portal to the active site of PL and thereby inhibit the hydrolytic activity of this key enzyme. Collectively, these results suggested that diethylstilbestrol and its analogues were potent PL inhibitors, which might play a profound role in lipid absorption and weight gain in mammals.

An investigation of changes in water quality throughout the drinking water production/distribution chain using toxicological and fluorescence analyses.

Changes in water quality from source water to finished water and tap water at two conventional drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) were monitored. Beside the routine water quality testing, Caenorhabditis elegans-based toxicity assays and the fluorescence excitation-emission matrices technique were also applied. Both DWTPs supplied drinking water that met government standards. Under current test conditions, both the investigated finished water and tap water samples exhibited stronger lethal, genotoxic and reprotoxic potential than the relative source water sample, and the tap water sample was more lethal but tended to be less genotoxic than the corresponding finished water sample. Meanwhile, the nearly complete removal of tryptophan-like substances and newly generated tyrosine-like substances were observed after the treatment of drinking water, and humic-like substances were identified in the tap water. Based on these findings, toxic pollutants, including genotoxic/reproductive toxicants, are produced in the drinking water treatment and/or distribution processes. Moreover, further studies are needed to clarify the potentially important roles of tyrosine-like and humic-like substances in mediating drinking water toxicity and to identify the potential sources of these contaminants. Additionally, tryptophan-like fluorescence may be adopted as a useful parameter to monitor the treatment performance of DWTPs. Our observations provided insights into the importance of utilizing biotoxicity assays and fluorescence spectroscopy as tools to complement the routine evaluation of drinking water.

Repeated electroacupuncture treatment attenuated hyperalgesia through suppression of spinal glial activation in chronic neuropathic pain rats.

BACKGROUND: Cumulated evidence reveals that glial cells in the spinal cord play an important role in the development of chronic neuropathic pain and are also complicated in the analgesic effect of EA intervention. But the roles of microgliacytes and astrocytes of spinal cord in the process of EA analgesia remain unknown. METHODS: A total of 120 male Wistar rats were used in the present study. The neuropathic pain model was established by chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. The rats were randomly divided into sham group, CCI group, and sham CCI + EA group, and CCI + EA group. EA was applied to bilateral Zusanli (ST36)-Yanlingquan (GB34). The mechanical (both time and force responses) and thermal pain thresholds (PTs) of the bilateral hind-paws were measured. The number of microgliacytes and activity of astrocytes in the dorsal horns (DHs) of lumbar spinal cord (L4-5) were examined by immunofluorescence staining, and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) protein was detected by western blot. RESULTS: Following CCI, both mechanical and thermal PTs of the ipsilateral hind-paw were significantly decreased beginning from the 3rd day after surgery (P < 0.05), and the mechanical PT of the contralateral hind-paw was considerably decreased from the 6th day on after surgery (P < 0.05). CCI also significantly upregulated the number of Iba-1 labeled microgliacytes and the fluorescence intensity of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) -labeled astrocyte in the superficial laminae of DHs on bilateral sides (P < 0.05). After repeated EA, the mechanical and thermal PTs at bilateral hind-paws were significantly relieved (P < 0.05). The increased of number of microgliacytes was markedly suppressed by 2 days' EA intervention, and the average fluorescence intensity was suppressed by 2 weeks' EA. The expression of GFAP protein were down-regulated by 1 and 2 weeks' EA treatment, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Repeated EA can relieve neuropathic pain and mirror-image pain in chronic neuropathic pain rats, which is probably associated with its effect in downregulating glial cell activation of the lumbar spinal cord, the microgliacyte first and astrocyte later.

Sustained activation of ADP/P2ry12 signaling induces SMC senescence contributing to thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection (TAAD) is characterized by excessive smooth muscle cell (SMC) loss, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and inflammation. However, the mechanism whereby signaling leads to SMC loss is unclear. We used senescence-associated (SA)-ß-gal staining and analysis of expression of senescence-related proteins (p53, p21, p19) to show that excessive mechanical stretch (20% elongation, 3600cycles/h, 48h) induced SMC senescence. SMC senescence was also detected in TAAD specimens from both mice and humans. High-performance liquid chromatography and luciferin-luciferase-based assay revealed that excessive mechanical stretch increased adenosine diphosphate (ADP) release from SMCs both in vivo and in vitro. Elevated ADP induced SMC senescence while genetic knockout of the ADP receptor, P2Y G protein-coupled receptor 12 (P2ry12), in mice protected against SMC senescence and inflammation. Both TAAD formation and rupture were significantly reduced in P2ry12-/- mice. SMCs from P2ry12-/- mice were resistant to senescence induced by excessive mechanical stretch or ADP treatment. Mechanistically, ADP treatment sustained Ras activation, whereas pharmacological inhibition of Ras protected against SMC senescence and reduced TAAD formation. Taken together, excessive mechanical stress may induce a sustained release of ADP and promote SMC senescence via P2ry12-dependent sustained Ras activation, thereby contributing to excessive inflammation and degeneration, which provides insights into TAAD formation and progression.

Involvement of hippocampal acetylcholinergic receptors in electroacupuncture analgesia in neuropathic pain rats.

BACKGROUND: Cumulating evidence has shown a close correlation between electroacupuncture stimulation (EAS) frequency-specific analgesic effect and central opioid peptides. However, the actions of hippocampal acetylcholinergic receptors have not been determined. This study aims to observe the effect of different frequencies of EAS on the expression of hippocampal muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholinergic receptors (mAChRs, nAChRs) in neuropathic pain rats for revealing their relationship. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into sham, CCI model, 2, 2/15 and 100 HzEA groups. The neuropathic pain model was established by ligature of the left sciatic nerve to induce chronic constriction injury (CCI). EAS was applied to bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) for 30 min, once daily for 14 days except weekends. The mechanical pain thresholds (withdrawal latencies, PWLs) of bilateral hindpaws were measured. The expression levels of hippocampal M1 and M2 mAChR, and α4 and ß2 nAChR genes and proteins were detected by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, separately. The involvement of mAChR and nAChR in the analgesic effect of EAS was confirmed by intra-hippocampal microinjection of M1mAChR antagonist (Pirenzepine) and α4ß2 nAChR antagonist (dihydro-beta-erythroidine) respectively. RESULTS: Following EAS, the CCI-induced increase of difference values of bilateral PWLs on day 6 and 14 was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), with 2/15 Hz being greater than 100 Hz EAS on day 14 (P < 0.05). After 2 weeks' EAS, the decreased expression levels of M1 mAChR mRNA of both 2 and 2/15 Hz groups and M1 mAChR protein of the three EAS groups, α4 AChR mRNA of the 2/15 Hz group and ß2 nAChR protein of the three EAS groups were considerably increased (P < 0.05), suggesting an involvement of M1 mAChR and ß2 nAChR proteins in EAS-induced pain relief. No significant changes were found in the expression of M2 mAChR mRNA and protein, α4 nAChR protein and ß2 nAChR mRNA after CCI and EAS (P > 0.05). The analgesic effect of EAS was abolished by intra-hippocampal microinjection of M1mAChR and α4ß2 nAChR antagonists respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EAS of ST36-GB34 produces a cumulative analgesic effect in neuropathic pain rats, which is frequency-dependent and probably mediated by hippocampal M1 mAChR and ß2 nAChR proteins.

Electroacupuncture Reduces the Effects of Acute Noxious Stimulation on the Electrical Activity of Pain-Related Neurons in the Hippocampus of Control and Neuropathic Pain Rats.

To study the effects of acupuncture analgesia on the hippocampus, we observed the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor on pain-excited neurons (PENs) and pain-inhibited neurons (PINs) in the hippocampal area CA1 of sham or chronic constrictive injury (CCI) rats. The animals were randomly divided into a control, a CCI, and a U0126 (MEK1/2 inhibitor) group. In all experiments, we briefly (10-second duration) stimulated the sciatic nerve electrically and recorded the firing rates of PENs and PINs. The results showed that in both sham and CCI rats brief sciatic nerve stimulation significantly increased the electrical activity of PENs and markedly decreased the electrical activity of PINs. These effects were significantly greater in CCI rats compared to sham rats. EA treatment reduced the effects of the noxious stimulus on PENs and PINs in both sham and CCI rats. The effects of EA treatment could be inhibited by U0126 in sham-operated rats. The results suggest that EA reduces effects of acute sciatic nerve stimulation on PENs and PINs in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of both sham and CCI rats and that the ERK (extracellular regulated kinase) signaling pathway is involved in the modulation of EA analgesia.

Activation of hippocampal MEK1 contributes to the cumulative antinociceptive effect of electroacupuncture in neuropathic pain rats.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) intervention can relieve a variety of pain; however, optimal EA protocols have not been clearly determined. In addition, although central mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) signaling has been shown to be involved in the antinociceptive effect of acupuncture stimulation, its characteristics at different time-points of EA intervention have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between the effects of different numbers of EA intervention sessions and the activation of MEK1 in the hippocampus and hypothalamus in a rat model of neuropathic pain. METHODS: After ligation of the left sciatic nerve, which induces chronic constriction injury (CCI), the acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) were applied. The thermal withdrawal latency of the hind paw was used to evaluate the effect of EA on pain thresholds. Intra-hippocampus microinjection of PD98059, a MEK inhibitor, was performed to validate the involvement of MEK in EA analgesia. The hippocampus and hypothalamus were harvested to examine the phosphorylation levels of MEK (pMEK) by western blotting. RESULTS: In CCI rats, the thermal pain threshold of the affected hind paw decreased significantly relative to the control. Following subsequent daily EA interventions, CCI-induced ipsilateral hyperalgesia was markedly improved from day 4 and the analgesic effect of EA lasted 3 days after cessation of EA. Four sessions of EA markedly suppressed CCI-induced decrease of hippocampal pMEK1 (normalized to the total MEK level). In contrast, successive sessions of EA intervention gradually down-regulated the CCI-induced up-regulation of hypothalamic pMEK1 along with the increase numbers of EA intervention. However, EA did not exert the same analgesic effect after microinjection of PD98059 into the contralateral hippocampus during the first 3 days of EA intervention. CONCLUSIONS: EA intervention can induce time-dependent cumulative analgesia in neuropathic pain rats after 4 successive sessions of daily EA intervention, which is at least in part related to the activation of hippocampal MEK1.

Phase I dose-escalation study of aflibercept plus docetaxel in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other solid tumors.

AIM: To confirm whether the aflibercept dose, plus docetaxel, in western study TCD6120 is appropriate for Chinese patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and other solid tumors. MATERIALS & METHODS: To assess dose-limiting toxicity of every 3-week 4 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg aflibercept plus 75 mg/m(2) docetaxel. RESULTS: Previously treated patients (16 with NPC and 4 with lung cancer) were enrolled. At 6 mg/kg aflibercept: one dose-limiting toxicity was seen (neutropenic infection); the most frequently reported all-grade adverse events were oropharyngeal pain, stomatitis and alopecia; the most frequently reported grade 3/4 adverse events were oropharyngeal pain, stomatitis and neutropenic infection. Eleven patients had partial response and 3 had stable disease. CONCLUSION: Preliminary efficacy data for docetaxel/aflibercept are encouraging in Chinese patients with NPC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry ( ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01148615).

NK cells mediate the cumulative analgesic effect of electroacupuncture in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

BACKGROUND: Cumulating evidence has revealed the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy in relieving pain via immunoregulation. However, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. The present study was designed to determine the changes of immunogenic responses at different time-points of electroacupuncture (EA) interventions in neuropathic pain rats. METHODS: The neuropathic pain model was established by ligature of the left sciatic nerve to induce chronic constriction injury (CCI). EA was applied at Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) for the EA groups. The thermal pain threshold was detected with an algesia-detector. The subgroups of plasma and splenic lymphocytes were determined via fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Specific inflammatory cytokines were assayed using an ELISA-based bead multiplex assay. The activities of splenic natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric method. For confirming the involvement of NK cell in EA-analgesia, anti-asialo-ganglio-N-tetraosylceramide (anti-asialo-GM1) antibody was given to CCI rats before EA. RESULTS: Following CCI, the thermal pain threshold of the affected hind footpad was significantly decreased, and increased from the 3rd day to the 12th day after EA interventions, presenting a time-dependent tendency from the 5th day on. From day 3 to 5 of EA interventions, the percentages and activity of splenic NK cells, concentrations of splenic interleukin-2 (IL-2) and beta-endorphin (ß-EP) were significantly increased. Meanwhile, the concentrations of plasma IL-2, IL-1ß and gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) were significantly decreased and returned to the normal level on day 12 following EA. Plasma transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) levels were considerably upregulated on day 5 and 12 following EA. The CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio was markedly downregulated compared with the control and CCI groups on day 5 and returned to the normal level on day 12 following EA. After depleting NK cells by anti-asialo-GM1 antibody, the increased thermal pain threshold following EA intervention was obviously reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated EA interventions have a time-dependent cumulative analgesic effect in neuropathic pain rats, which is closely associated with its regulatory effects on NK cells, splenic IL-2, ß-EP, and plasma IL-2, IL-1ß, IFN-γ and TGF-ß levels.

Intraplatelet miRNA-126 regulates thrombosis and its reduction contributes to platelet inhibition.

AIMS: MicroRNA-126 (miR-126), one of the most abundant microRNAs in platelets, is involved in the regulation of platelet activity and the circulating miR-126 is reduced during antiplatelet therapy. However, whether intraplatelet miR-126 plays a role in thrombosis and platelet inhibition remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, using tissue-specific knockout mice, we reported that the deficiency of miR-126 in platelets and vascular endothelial cells significantly prevented thrombosis and prolonged bleeding time. Using chimeric mice, we identified that the lack of intraplatelet miR-126 significantly prevented thrombosis. Ex vivo experiments further demonstrated that miR-126-deficient platelets displayed impaired platelet aggregation, spreading, and secretory functions. Next, miR-126 was confirmed to target phosphoinositol-3 kinase regulatory subunit 2 (PIK3R2) in platelet, which encodes a negative regulator of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway, enhancing platelet activation through activating the integrin αIIbß3-mediated outside-in signalling. After undergoing myocardial infarction (MI), chimeric mice lacking intraplatelet miR-126 displayed reduced microvascular obstruction and prevented MI expansion in vivo. In contrast, overexpression of miR-126 by the administration of miR-126 agonist (agomiR-126) in wild-type mice aggravated microvascular obstruction and promoted MI expansion, which can be almost abolished by aspirin administration. In patients with cardiovascular diseases, antiplatelet therapies, either aspirin alone or combined with clopidogrel, decreased the level of intraplatelet miR-126. The reduction of intraplatelet miR-126 level was associated with the decrease in platelet activity. CONCLUSION: Our murine and human data reveal that (i) intraplatelet miR-126 contributes to platelet activity and promotes thrombus formation, and (ii) the reduction of intraplatelet miR-126 contributes to platelet inhibition during antiplatelet therapy.

High expression level and nuclear localization of Sam68 are associated with progression and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Src-associated in mitosis (Sam68; 68 kDa) has been implicated in the oncogenesis and progression of several human cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic significance of Sam68 expression and its subcellular localization in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Sam68 expression was examined in CRC cell lines, nine matched CRC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Sam68 protein expression and localization were determined in 224 paraffin-embedded archived CRC samples using immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were applied to evaluate the clinicopathologic significance. RESULTS: Sam68 was upregulated in CRC cell lines and CRC, as compared with normal tissues; high Sam68 expression was detected in 120/224 (53.6%) of the CRC tissues. High Sam68 expression correlated significantly with poor differentiation (P = 0.033), advanced T stage (P < 0.001), N stage (P = 0.023) and distant metastasis (P = 0.033). Sam68 nuclear localization correlated significantly with poor differentiation (P = 0.002) and T stage (P =0.021). Patients with high Sam68 expression or Sam68 nuclear localization had poorer overall survival than patients with low Sam68 expression or Sam68 cytoplasmic localization. Patients with high Sam68 expression had a higher risk of recurrence than those with low Sam68 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of Sam68 correlated highly with cancer progression and poor differentiation in CRC. High Sam68 expression and Sam68 nuclear localization were associated with poorer overall survival.

Toxicological characteristics of drinking water in two large-scale municipal water supply systems of a metropolitan city in Central China.

Drinking water safety is threatened by numerous toxic organic pollutants difficult to chemically monitor. This study aimed to determine the toxicological profiles of organic extracts (OEs) of water samples from source to tap in two drinking water supply systems in a metropolitan city, Central China, during different hydrological periods. Mortality, DNA damage, growth, and development of Caenorhabditis elegans were evaluated following exposure to OEs. The median lethal doses of OEs of drinking water samples (n = 48) ranged from 266 REF (relative enrichment factor) to > 1563 REF. When tested at a dose of 100 REF, 56.25% (27/48) of OEs induced genotoxicity, 4.17% (2/48) inhibited the growth, and 45.83% (22/48) decreased the offspring number in C. elegans. No clear temporal-spatial variation patterns of the OEs toxicity indicators were observed. The correlations among the toxicity indicators were generally poor. The observed toxicities were not closely related to the level of dissolved organic carbon in drinking water. These findings support using multiple endpoint bioassays, such as C. elegans-based approaches, as complementary tools to conventional chemical analysis for drinking water quality monitoring.

Clinicopathologic features, tumor immune microenvironment and genomic landscape of EBV-related and EBV-unrelated poorly differentiated nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the thymus.

OBJECTIVES: Knowledge regarding thymic EBV-related poorly differentiated nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (PDNKSCC), also known as lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC), is extremely limited due to its rarity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multi-institutional study enrolled 85 patients with thymic PDNKSCC. DNA in situ hybridization was performed to evaluate the EBV status of all 85 cases. Immunohistochemistry and next generation sequencing were performed to compare the differences in the clinicopathological and molecular features between EBV-related and EBV-unrelated PDNKSCC. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were also analyzed by these methods. RESULTS: The 85 cases were classified into 27 EBV-related PDNKSCCs (31.8 %) and 58 EBV-unrelated PDNKSCCs (68.2 %) according to the EBV status, and 35 Lymphoepithelioma pattern (LP) (41.2 %) and 50 desmoplastic pattern (DP) (58.8 %) according to the histological characteristics. Compared to the EBV-unrelated PDNKSCC, EBV-related PDNKSCC showed a younger patient predominance and more commonly displayed a LP subtype. Additionally, LP-type cases were divided into two groups: Group 1 (EBV-related, 20/85) and Group 2 (EBV-unrelated, 15/85); the DP-type cases were divided into Group 3 (EBV-unrelated, 43/85) and Group 4 (EBV-related, 7/85). The four Groups showed a significant association with patients' OS and PFS. EBV-related PDNKSCC had significantly higher PD-L1 + tumor cells (TCs) and PD-L1 + and CD8 + immune cells (ICs) than EBV-unrelated PDNKSCC. The tumor microenvironment immune type (TMIT) I (PDL1-Tumor+/CD8-High) was more common in EBV-related PDNKSCC, especially in Group 1(LP and EBV related) with more than 90 % cases belonged to TMIT I. Molecular analysis demonstrated that EBV-related PDNKSCC had a significantly higher tumour mutational burden and frequency of somatic mutations than EBV-unrelated cases. CONCLUSIONS: EBV-related PDNKSCC, especially the Group 1, could be a candidate for immunotherapy and EBV positivity may provide an indication for the selection of targeted therapy due to their high tumour mutational burden.

Activation of Notch-1 enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gefitinib-acquired resistant lung cancer cells.

Despite an initial response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) in EGFR mutant lung cancer, most patients eventually become resistant and result in treatment failure. Recent studies have shown that epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with drug resistance and cancer cell metastasis. Strong multiple gene signature data indicate that EMT acts as a determinant of insensitivity to EGFR-TKI. However, the exact mechanism for the acquisition of the EMT phenotype in EGFR-TKI resistant lung cancer cells remains unclear. In the present study, we showed that the expression of Notch-1 was highly upregulated in gefitinib-resistant PC9/AB2 lung cancer cells. Notch-1 receptor intracellular domain (N1IC), the activated form of the Notch-1 receptor, promoted the EMT phenotype in PC9 cells. Silencing of Notch-1 using siRNA reversed the EMT phenotype and restored sensitivity to gefitinib in PC9/AB2 cells. Moreover, Notch-1 reduction was also involved in inhibition of anoikis as well as colony-formation activity of PC9/AB2 cells. Taken together, these results provide strong molecular evidence that gefitinib-acquired resistance in lung cancer cells undergoing EMT occurs through activation of Notch-1 signaling. Thus, inhibition of Notch-1 can be a novel strategy for the reversal of the EMT phenotype thereby potentially increasing therapeutic drug sensitivity to lung cancer cells.

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation protects endotoxemic rat from lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation.

Background. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) could evoke parasympathetic activities via activating the brainstem autonomic nuclei, similar to the effects that are produced after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). VNS modulates immune function through activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Methods. VNS, ta-VNS, or transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on ST36 was performed to modulate the inflammatory response. The concentration of serum proinflammatory cytokines and tissue NF-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) were detected in endotoxaemia affected anesthetized rats. Results. Similar to the effect of VNS, ta-VNS suppressed the serum proinflammatory cytokines levels, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as NF-kappa B p65 expressions of lung tissues. ST36 stimulation also decreases LPS-induced high TNF-α level and NF-κB signal, but it did not restrain proinflammatory cytokine IL-1ß and IL-6. Neither ta-VNS nor ST36 stimulation could suppress LPS-induced TNF-α and NF-κB after vagotomy or with α7nAChR antagonist injection. Conclusions. The present paper demonstrated that ta-VNS could be utilized to suppress LPS-induced inflammatory responses via α7nAChR-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.

Differential proteomics analysis of the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture intervention in the hippocampus following neuropathic pain in rats.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is building steadily on the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy in pain relief and repeated acupuncture-induced pain relief is accompanied by improvement of hippocampal neural synaptic plasticity. To further test the cellular and molecular changes underlying analgesic effect of acupuncture, the global change of acupuncture associated protein profiles in the hippocampus under neuropathic pain condition was profiled. METHODS: The chronic constrictive injury (CCI) model was established by ligature of the unilateral sciatic nerve in adult Wistar rats. Rats were randomized into normal control (NC) group, CCI group, and CCI with electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation group. EA was applied to bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) in the EA group. Differentially expressed proteins in the hippocampus in the three groups were identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. The functional clustering of the identified proteins was analyzed by Mascot software. RESULTS: After CCI, the thermal pain threshold of the affected hind footpad was decreased and was reversed gradually by 12 sessions of acupuncture treatment. Following EA, there were 19 hippocampal proteins identified with significant changes in expression (>2-fold), which are involved in metabolic, physiological, and cellular processes. The top three canonical pathways identified were "cysteine metabolism", "valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation" and "mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling". CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the analgesic effect of EA is mediated by regulation of hippocampal proteins related to amino acid metabolism and activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.