Acromegaly presented with acne vulgaris: a retrospective study with 123 cases.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a prevalent skin condition. We have found that some acromegaly patients have acne. However, no study has examined the relationship between acromegaly and acne. OBJECTIVE: To explore prevalence and correlation of adult acne in patients with acromegaly. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, we collected questionnaires, clinical information, and laboratory test results of acromegaly patients from January 2022 to December 2022 at Huashan Hospital. Of the 133 questionnaires returned, 123 had valid responses. RESULTS: Of the 123 patients with acromegaly enrolled in this study, 54.5% had adult acne. No statistically significant difference was found in prevalence between male and female patients. 61.2% of adult acne patients reported late-onset acne. Late-onset acne patients first developed acne years before acromegaly diagnosis (mean of 5.6 years for male and 4.5 years for female patients). Some acne patients have received traditional anti-acne treatment. Moreover, 31% of the patients reported no improvement, and only 3.5% of patients claimed complete resolution of acne after treatment. Before acromegaly treatment, the prevalence of adult acne was 51.2%, with mild acne accounting for 73.0%, moderate acne accounting for 23.8%, and severe acne accounting for 3.2%. After acromegaly treatment, the prevalence of adult acne was significantly decreased to 37.4% (P = 0.007). An overall decrease in acne severity was noted, with 93.5%, 6.5%, and 0% having mild, moderate, and severe acne, respectively. A total of 83.6% of the patients had self-assessed acne remission, and 33.3% of the patients reported complete acne resolution. However, 9.0% of patients reported that their condition had worsened after acromegaly treatment. After treatment, GH, IGF-1, IGF-1 index, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR decreased significantly in all patients with acromegaly (P < 0.05). Acne remission correlated positively with IGF-1 levels, but not with GH levels. The relationship between acromegaly and acne remains to be elucidated. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide preliminary evidence of the high prevalence of adult acne in acromegaly patients, and a high rate of late-onset acne as well. Traditional anti-acne treatments are less effective. Acne could be considerably relieved by treating acromegaly. Acne remission positively correlated with IGF-1 decline as well, which revealed the correlation between acne and IGF-1.

[Research progress of tunneling nanotube in bone biology].

Tunneling nanotube (TNT) is a newly discovered communication mode between animal cells in recent years, which have important physiological and pathological significance. However, the role of TNT in bone biology is still unclear. At present, there are many reports about tunneling nanotubes in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoclast precursor cells, osteoblasts and immune cells. This review describes the research advances of TNT and its research progress in bone biology. It looks forward to the research direction of TNT in oral and maxillofacial bone development and bone biology, to provide new strategies for the maintenance of bone homeostasis and the treatment of bone diseases.

[Effects of vaccines on the viral negative conversion of children with COVID-19].

Objective: To explore the effect of vaccination on viral negative conversion of children with COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. A cohort of 189 children aged 3-14 years with COVID-19 admitted to Renji Hospital (South branch) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from April 7th to May 19th 2022 was enrolled in the study. According to the vaccination status, the infected children were divided into an unvaccinated group and a vaccinated group. Age, gender, severity, clinical manifestations, and laboratory tests, etc. were compared between groups, by rank sum test or chi-square test. The effects of vaccination on viral negative conversion were analyzed by a Cox mixed-effects regression model. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted among the parents of unvaccinated children to analyze the reasons for not being vaccinated. Results: A total of 189 children aged 3-14 years were enrolled, including 95 males (50.3%) and 94 females (49.7%), aged 5.7 (4.1,8.6) years. There were 117 cases (61.9%) in the unvaccinated group and 72 cases (38.1%) in the vaccinated group. The age of the vaccinated group was higher than that of the unvaccinated group (8.8 (6.8, 10.6) vs. 4.5 (3.6, 5.9) years, Z=9.45, P<0.001). No significant differences were found in clinical manifestations, disease severity, and laboratory results between groups (all P>0.05), except for the occurrence rate of cough symptoms, which was significantly higher in the vaccinated group than in the non-vaccinated group (68.1% (49/72) vs. 50.4% (59/117),χ2=5.67, P=0.017). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox mixed-effects regression model showed that the time to the viral negative conversion was significantly shorter in the vaccinated group compared with the unvaccinated group (8 (7, 10) vs. 11 (9, 12) d, Z=5.20, P<0.001; adjusted HR=2.19 (95%CI 1.62-2.97)). For questionnaire survey on the reasons for not receiving a vaccination, 115 questionnaires were distributed and 112 valid questionnaires (97.4%) were collected. The main reasons for not being vaccinated were that parents thought that their children were not in the range of appropriate age for vaccination (51 cases, 45.5%) and children were in special physical conditions (47 cases, 42.0%). Conclusion: Vaccination can effectively shorten the negative conversion time of children with COVID-19 and targeted programs should be developed to increase eligible children's vaccination rate for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Retraction Note: Circular RNA circ_0079593 promotes glioma development through regulating KPNA2 expression by sponging miR-499a-5p.

The article "Circular RNA circ_0079593 promotes glioma development through regulating KPNA2 expression by sponging miR-499a-5p, by Z. Yang, C. Li, X.-Y. Fan, L.-J. Liu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (3): 1288-1301-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202001_20186-PMID: 32096160" has been retracted by the authors as they cannot ensure the reliability of the results (Figure 6C could not be repeatedly verified). The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/20186.

Preparation and process optimization of microbial organic copper as a feed additive / Preparação e otimização do processo de cobre orgânico microbiano como aditivo alimentar

As an essential trace element for animals, copper significantly contributes to the growth and health of animals. Compared to inorganic trace elements, organic trace elements are better supplements; notably, they are acquired through microbial transformation. Therefore, we screened for copper-enriched microorganisms from high copper content soil to obtain organic copper. Sodium diethyldithio carbamate trihydrate was applied as a chromogenic agent for determining micro amounts of intracellular copper through spectrophotometry. In total, 50 fungi were isolated after the successful application of the screening platform for copper-rich microbes. Following morphological and molecular biology analyses, the N-2 strain, identified as Aspergillus niger sp. demonstrated showed better copper enrichment potential than others. Notably, the strain tolerance to copper was nearly thrice that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, up to 1600mg/L. The content of the organic bound copper was 22.84mg Cu/g dry cell. Using the Central Composite Design (CCD) response surface method, we optimized the fermentation condition (inoculation amount, 13%; temperature, 28(C; pH, 5.0). Compared to the original strain results under the single factor fermentation condition, we reported an increase by 24.18% under the optimized conditions. Collectively, these findings provide a reference for uncovering new and low-cost organic copper additives.(AU)

Como elemento traço essencial para os animais, o cobre contribui significativamente para o crescimento e saúde dos animais. Comparado aos oligoelementos inorgânicos, os oligoelementos orgânicos são melhores suplementos; notavelmente, eles são adquiridos através de transformação microbiana. Portanto, nós selecionamos microorganismos enriquecidos com cobre de solos com alto teor de cobre para obter cobre orgânico. O carbamato de sódio diethyldithio trihidratado foi aplicado como agente cromogênico para a determinação de micro quantidades de cobre intracelular através da espectrofotometria. No total, 50 fungos foram isolados após a aplicação bem sucedida da plataforma de triagem para micróbios ricos em cobre. Após análises morfológicas e de biologia molecular, a cepa N-2, identificada como Aspergillus niger sp. demonstrou um melhor potencial de enriquecimento de cobre do que outras. Notavelmente, a tolerância da estirpe ao cobre foi quase três vezes maior que a da Saccharomyces cerevisiae, até 1600mg/L. O conteúdo de cobre ligado orgânico era de 22,84mg Cu/g de célula seca. Usando o método de superfície de resposta Central Composite Design (CCD), nós otimizamos a condição de fermentação (quantidade de inoculação, 13%; temperatura, 28C; pH, 5,0). Em comparação com os resultados da deformação original sob a condição de fermentação de fator único, relatamos um aumento de 24,18% sob as condições otimizadas. Coletivamente, estas descobertas fornecem uma referência para descobrir novos aditivos de cobre orgânico de baixo custo.(AU)

[Clinicopathological features of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a study of 18 cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (PEHE). Methods: Eighteen cases of PEHE were collected from August 2011 to December 2018 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. All cases were retrospectively studied by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The clinicopathological features were reviewed; the status of CAMTA1 and TFE3 gene was analyzed and patients' outcome was followed up. Results: Of the 18 cases, there were 11 males and 7 females with a male to female ratio of 1.6 to 1.0. The patients' age ranged from 36 to 68 years (mean 52 years). Twelve cases (12/18) showed a single nodule and six cases (6/18) showed multiple bilateral nodules. Seven cases (7/18) involved other organs besides lung. Seventeen (17/18) patients presented with respiratory symptoms and one patient (1/18) presented with abdominal pain. Grossly, the tumors were greyish-white nodules with indistinct borders. Microscopically the tumor cells were epithelioid and arranged in strands and nests, and cytoplasmic vacuoles were commonly noted. The stroma was myxochondroid or hyaline. By IHC, the tumor cells were positive for CD31(18/18), CD34 (16/18), ERG (18/18) and Fli-1 (18/18); CKpan was focally positive in 5 cases (5/18). TFE3 was positive in 3 cases (3/18), and Ki-67 index ranged from 5% to 30%. FISH analysis showed seventeen cases (17/18) had CAMAT1 rearrangement, one case had TFE3 rearrangement displaying a split signal. Eight patients (8/18) had surgical excision, three patients (3/18) had surgery and chemotherapy, and seven patients (7/18) had chemotherapy only. Four patients (4/18) died of the disease. Conclusions: Patients with PEHE have non-specific symptoms, and correct diagnosis depends on pathologic biopsy and the exclusion of other tumors with epithelioid morphology. Some patients with PEHE have poor prognosis, particularly in those who have multiple nodules, peripheral invasion or metastasis.

Identification of potential mechanosensitive ion channels involved in texture discrimination during Drosophila suzukii egg-laying behaviour.

Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila) has become a major invasive insect pest of soft fruits in the America and Europe, causing severe yield losses every year. The female D. suzukii shows the oviposition preference for ripening or ripe fruit by cutting the hard skin with its serrated ovipositor. A recent study reported that mechanosensation is involved in the texture discrimination during egg-laying behaviour in D. suzukii. However, the underlying mechanism and molecular entity that control this behaviour are not known. The transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and degenerin/epithelial sodium channels (DEG/ENaC) are two candidate gene families of mechanically activated ion channels. Thus, we first identified TRP and DEG/ENaC genes in D. suzukii by bioinformatic analysis. Using transcriptome sequencing, we found that many TRP genes were expressed in the ovipositor in both D. suzukii and D. melanogaster, while some DEG/ENaCs showed species-specific expression patterns. Exposure to drugs targeting TRP and DEG/ENaC channels abolished the oviposition preference for harder texture in female D. suzukii. Therefore, mechanosensitive ion channels may play significant roles in the texture assessment of egg-laying behaviour in D. suzukii, which has promising implications to further research on the development of novel control measures.

[Polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages induced by recombinant Trichinella spiralis cysteine protease inhibitors in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory role of recombinant Trichinella spiralis cysteine protease inhibitors (rTs-Cys) in induction of polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in vitro. METHODS: BMDMs were captured and cultured in conditioned medium for 7 days. Then, mature BMDMs were harvested and assigned into four groups. Cells in Group A (negative control) were given 10 ng/mL IFN-γ combined with 100 ng/mL LPS, cells in Group B (positive control) were treated with IL-4 and IL-10 (at 10 ng/mL both), and cells in Group C (recombinant protein alone) were stimulated with 1 µg/mL rTs-Cys, while cells in Group D (protein co-culture) were simultaneously treated with 1 µg/mL rTs-Cys, 10 ng/mL IFN-γ and 100 ng/mL LPS. Cells and culture supernatant were collected 24 hour post-treatment, and the proportions of F4/80+, CD11b+, CD206+ and CD11c+ cells were detected by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin IL-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-10 and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) in the cell culture supernatant were measured by ELISA and the CD86+ and CD206+ phenotypes were identified by immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: Flow cytometry detected no significant difference in the proportion of F4/80+ CD11b+ CD11c+ cells among the four groups (F = 46.184, P < 0.001), and a lower proportion of F4/80+ CD11b+ CD11c+ cells was seen in groups C and D than in group A (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the proportion of F4/80+ CD11b+ CD206+ cells among the four groups (F = 11.032, P < 0.001), and a greater proportion of F4/80+ CD11b+ CD206+ cells was seen in groups C and D than in group A (all P values < 0.01). Immunofluorescent staining showed higher CD206+ expression and lower CD86+ expression in groups C and D than in Group A. There were significant differences in the IL-6 and (F = 3.950, P < 0.001) and TNF-α (F = 205.827, P < 0.001) levels in the cell culture supernatants among the four groups, and significantly lower IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured in groups C and D than in Group A (both P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the IL-10 and (F = 8.274, P < 0.001) and TGF-ß (F = 13.559, P < 0.01) levels in the cell culture supernatants among the four groups, and greater IL-10 and TGF-ß levels were measured in Group C than in Group A (both P values < 0.01). In addition, the TGF-ß level was significantly higher in Group D than in Group A (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the IL-10 level between groups D and A (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: rTs-Cys may induce the polarization of BMDMs to antiinflammatory M2 macrophages in vitro and inhibit the activation of M1 macrophages.

Circular RNA circ_0079593 promotes glioma development through regulating KPNA2 expression by sponging miR-499a-5p.

OBJECTIVE: Glioma is a common aggressive cancer and a major public health problem worldwide, with high incidence, recurrence, and mortality. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been reported to be involved in glioma, but the role of circ_0079593 in glioma is still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to quantify the expression levels of circ_0079593, miR-499a-5p, and karyopherin alpha 2 (KPNA2) in glioma tissues or cells. The protein expression level of KPNA2 was assessed by Western blot. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazol-3-ium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry, and transwell assays were conducted to evaluate proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of glioma cells, respectively. The relationship between miR-499a-5p and circ_0079593 or KPNA2 was analyzed by bioinformatics database and confirmed by Dual-Luciferase reporter analyses, respectively. The effects of circ_0079593 silencing in vivo were measured by a xenograft experiment. RESULTS: Circ_0079593 and KPNA2 were elevated in glioma tissues and cells. Loss-of functional experiments revealed that knockdown of circ_0079593 hampered the progression of glioma by repressing proliferation, motility and inducing apoptosis in vitro and declining tumor growth in vivo. Similarly, suppression of KPNA2 impeded the process of glioma by inhibiting proliferation, motility and increasing apoptosis. MiR-499a-5p, interacting with KPNA2, was a target gene of circ_0079593. In addition, overexpression of KPNA2 could reverse the effects of circ_0079593 knockdown on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of glioma cells. Mechanistically, circ_0079593 mediated proliferation, motility and apoptosis of glioma cells by regulating KPNA2 expression via sponging miR-499a-5p. CONCLUSIONS: Circ_0079593 stimulated the pathological process of glioma via acting as competing endogenous RNA to sponge miR-499a-5p.

Feather evolution from knotted barbules to hooked and unhooked barbules and its finite element analysis.

Experiments involving scanning electron microscopy of the microstructure of barbules and optical microscopy of knotted barbules were conducted: the behaviour of knotted barbules, and their evolution to form a branch of hooked barbules and unhooked barbules were analysed. A growth model for a feather plume was proposed. MATLAB™ 2-d contour microstructures of sectioned knotted feathers and three-dimensional structural models of barbules were established, moreover, these were analysed using the finite element method. The response under load of different parts of the barbules was obtained. The results showed that there were stress concentrations in feather barbules. The study laid a foundation for finding the internal and external causes of the evolutionary transition of knotted barbules.

[RNA interference targeting DNA-PKcs inhibits glioma cells malignancies and enhances temozolomide sensitivity].

Objective: To investigate the effect of DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) on glioma proliferation, invasion and temozolomide sensitivity, and also to explore the potential mechanisms. Methods: Human glioma cell lines H4 and U87 were chosen to carry out RNA interference transfection, and then divided into negative control group (blank group) and siRNA group (test group). The knockdown efficacy of DNA-PKcs siRNA was tested by quantitative PCR and Western blot. The MTS assay and Transwell assay were used to investigate the effect of DNA-PKcs knockdown on glioma cell growth and invasion, respectively. We also used MTS assay to investigate the IC(50) value of temozolomide in negative control group and siRNA groups. Result: Compared with blank group, DNA-PKcs specific siRNA significantly downregulated both mRNA and protein level of DNA-PKcs. MTS assay results demonstrated that 72-hours proliferation of test group were only 52.48%, 54.70% (H4) and 52.98%, 50.45% (U87) of the blank group's counterpart. Transwell assay results showed that the invasiveness abilities of blank and test groups were 1.00±0.03, 0.41±0.05, 0.39±0.04 (H4) and 1.00±0.02, 0.28±0.04, 0.27±0.04 (U87). Moreover, knockdown of DNA-PKcs significantly decreased the temozolomide IC(50) value (H4: 249±27, 97±39, 88±35; U87: 485±41, 86±49, 73±38). Further we applied the Western blot to reveal the mechanism of inhibitory effect of DNA-PKcs knockdown on glioma malignancies and temozolomide sensitivity. We found that downregulation of DNA-PKcs reduced the activity of AKT signal and the expression of its downstream effectors, such as c-Myc, MMP9, and Survivin. Conclusion: RNA interference targeting DNA-PKcs could inhibit glioma malignancies and enhance temozolomide sensitivity. The inhibitory effect of DNA-PKcs knockdown on those biological activities were mainly through inhibition of AKT signal and its downstream effectors.

Involvement of methylated HBHA expressed from Mycobacterium smegmatis in an IFN-γ release assay to aid discrimination between latent infection and active tuberculosis in BCG-vaccinated populations.

IFN-γ release assays (IGRAs) based on region of difference 1 (RD1) antigens have improved diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) infection. However, IGRAs with these antigens cannot discriminate between active tuberculosis (ATB) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). M. tb heparin-binding-hemagglutinin (HBHA) induces relatively high IFN-γ responses in LTBI individuals and low responses in ATB patients, but purification of the native methylated HBHA from cultures of M. tb for immunological tests is complex and time-consuming. To overcome these cumbersome procedures, we constructed a recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis strain that over-expressed HBHA under control of a strong furA promoter. The methylated activity of purified protein was verified by hybridization with anti-methylated Lys antibody, and the methylated HBHA (mHBHA) was further evaluated for antigen-specific IFN-γ responses in BCG-vaccinated Chinese population. A total of 138 individuals including 86 active TB (ATB) patients, 15 latent TB infection (LTBI) cases, and 37 healthy controls (HC) were tested by using an IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay. The results showed that T-cell responses against mHBHA were always lower in ATB patients than in LTBI individuals, regardless of the site of infection or the results of bacteriological tests. This allowed for a good discrimination between these two groups of M. tb-infected individuals, even in the BCG-vaccinated and high TB-incidence setting that is China. Additionally, combination of mHBHA and RD1 antigens in an IFN-γ release assay enhanced diagnostic efficacy for active TB cases. Taken together, inclusion of the immune response to mHBHA can discriminate healthy LTBI cases from ATB patients.

[Effect of JAZF1 over-expression on high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease].

Objective: To investigate the effects of juxtaposed with another zinc finger gene 1 (JAZF1) over-expression on the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mouse fatty liver and its associated mechanisms. Methods: Twenty male C57BL/6J (3 weeks old) and 10 male JAZF1 transgenic (JAZF1-Tg) mice were randomly divided into three groups: wide-type with normal diet (NF group,n= 10), wide-type with high-fat diet (HF group,n= 10), and JAZF1-Tg with high-fat diet (HJ group,n= 10). All mice were fed with the corresponding diet for 12 weeks, and their food consumption and body weight were measured periodically. After 12 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin (INS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the blood and liver tissue from each group were measured. TG concentration in liver tissue was determined using an enzymatic assay, and the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the liver was measured by RT-PCR. In addition, the expression of p-JNK/JNK, p-p-38 MAPK/p-38 MAPK, p-ERK/ERK, IκBα, andß-actin (reference) in the liver was determined using Western blot.. Results: (1) Body weight, FBG, INS, TC, and ALT were significantly reduced in the HJ group compared with those of the HF group (31.19±0.81 vs 36.07±1.43, 6.94±0.32 vs 8.14±0.36, 31.09±2.12 vs 45.21±3.34, 3.05±0.07 vs 3.81±0.08, 54.75±4.92 vs 68.09±5.15, respectively;P< 0.05). There were no significant differences in TG and FFA between the HJ and HF groups (0.72±0.05 vs 0.81±0.03, 0.81±0.4 vs 0.87±0.03; bothP> 0.05). (2) There was no significant difference in liver TG concentration between the HJ and HF groups (35.49±3.17 vs 38.26±3.59,P> 0.05). (3) Compared with the HF group, the HJ group had significantly reduced mRNA expression of TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-8 (2.54TNF-αvs 8.64±0.73, 1.19±0.73,vs 3.93±0.18, 5.09±0.48 vs 9.09±0.89; allP< 0.01), significantly reduced protein expression of p-JNK and p-p-38 MAPK (0.92±0.06 vs 1.51±0.01, 1.07±0.04 vs 1.45±0.04; bothP< 0.01), and significantly increased protein expression of IκBα(0.99±0.06 vs 0.79±0.05,P< 0.01) in liver tissue. However, no significant difference was observed in the p-ERK level between the HJ and HF groups (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Upregulation of JAZF1 expression can significantly inhibit the expression of TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-8 in the liver of mice on HFD. This attenuation may be closely associated with the reduced activation of the JNK, p-38 MAPK, and NF-κB pathways.

Mucosal immunization with PsaA protein, using chitosan as a delivery system, increases protection against acute otitis media and invasive infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

As infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae (mainly via the mucosal route) is a leading cause of acute otitis media, sinus and bacterial pneumonia, the mucosal immunity plays an important role in the prevention of pneumococcal diseases. Therefore, intranasal vaccination may be an effective immunization strategy, but requires appropriate mucosal vaccine delivery systems. In this work, chitosan was used as a mucosal delivery system to form chitosan-PsaA nanoparticles based on ionotropic gelation methods and used to immunize BALB/c mice intranasally. Compared to mice immunized with naked PsaA, levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A and IL-4 in spleen lymphocytes, the systemic (IgG in serum) and mucosal (IgA in mucosal lavage) specific antibodies were enhanced significantly in mice inoculated with chitosan-PsaA. Furthermore, increased protection against acute otitis media following middle ear challenge with pneumococcus serotype 14, and improved survival following intraperitoneal challenge with pneumococcus serotype 3 or serotype 14, was found in the mice immunized with chitosan-PsaA nanoparticles. Thus, intranasal immunization with chitosan-PsaA can successfully induce mucosal and systemic immune responses and increase protection against pneumococcal acute otitis media and invasive infections. Hence, intranasal immunization with PsaA protein, based on chitosan as a delivery system, is an efficient immunization strategy for preventing pneumococcal infections.

Enhanced myeloid differentiation factor 88 promotes tumor metastasis via induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection. Therefore, it is critical to understand the mechanisms underlying tumor metastasis in HCC. We have previously shown that elevated expression of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) may promote tumor growth and metastasis in HCC. In this study, we reported that enhanced expression of MyD88 promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) properties and tumor-initiating capabilities in HCC cells. MyD88 was found to be able to interact with p85, a regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K), independent of TLR/IL-1R-mediated response and caused PI3-K/v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (Akt) activation, which resulted in subsequent phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß and stabilization of Snail, a critical EMT mediator. Consistently, we observed a significant correlation between MyD88 expression and p-Akt levels in a cohort of HCC patients, and found that the combination of these two parameters have better prognostic value for HCC patients. Taken together, these results suggest that elevated MyD88 may facilitate HCC metastasis by promoting EMT properties and tumor-initiating capabilities via PI3-K/Akt pathway.

Specific and Sensitive Detection of Enterobacter mori Using Reliable RT-PCR.

Enterobacter mori, the causal agent of bacterial wilt in mulberry, is becoming a serious disease in mulberry orchards in China. Because no effective control strategy has been devised for this disease, the reliable screening of mulberry material for latent infection became necessary. Hence, a fast polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of E. mori was developed in this study. The primers were designed within regions of the RNA polymerase ß-subunit (rpoB) gene. The method is fast and simple and showed 100% sensitivity (no false negatives) and 100% specificity (no false positives), which was tested with 4 representative E. mori strains, 9 Enterobacter type strains, 2 strains of the other major mulberry bacterial pathogens (Ralstonia solanacearum and Pseudomonas syringae pv. mori) in China, 7 strains of other plant-associated pathogens, and 50 unidentified epiphytic bacterial isolates from mulberry plants. The real-time PCR assays reliably detected the DNA at at least 10 fg/µl and the bacterial cells at 102 CFU/ml from mulberry shoots and roots suspension. The strong positive reaction in testing of all symptomatic plants (with 100% positive) and parts of asymptomatic latent infected plant samples (with 36.4% positive) provided proof that this method is reliable and sensitive and suitable for screening plant material with latent infections of E. mori.