HIV-1 Subtype Diversity and Factors Affecting Drug Resistance among Patients with Virologic Failure in Antiretroviral Therapy in Hainan Province, China, 2014-2020.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the HIV-1 subtype distribution and HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) in patients with ART failure from 2014 to 2020 in Hainan, China. Methods: A 7-year cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV/AIDS patients with ART failure in Hainan. We used online subtyping tools and the maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree to confirm the HIV subtypes with pol sequences. Drug resistance mutations (DRMs) were analyzed using the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database. Results: A total of 307 HIV-infected patients with ART failure were included, and 241 available pol sequences were obtained. Among 241 patients, CRF01_AE accounted for 68.88%, followed by CRF07_BC (17.00%) and eight other subtypes (14.12%). The overall prevalence of HIVDR was 61.41%, and the HIVDR against non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) were 59.75%, 45.64%, and 2.49%, respectively. Unemployed patients, hypoimmunity or opportunistic infections in individuals, and samples from 2017 to 2020 increased the odd ratios of HIVDR. Also, HIVDR was less likely to affect female patients. The common DRMs to NNRTIs were K103N (21.99%) and Y181C (20.33%), and M184V (28.21%) and K65R (19.09%) were the main DRMs against NRTIs. Conclusion: The present study highlights the HIV-1 subtype diversity in Hainan and the importance of HIVDR surveillance over a long period.

Magnetic resonance-guided repeat biopsy of suspicious malignant lung lesions after an initial negative computed tomography-guided Biopsy.

Objective: This study sought to establish the diagnostic utility of performing a second biopsy using an magnetic resonance (MR)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) approach in patients with suspicious malignant lung lesions that had already undergone an initial negative computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated 31 patients with suspicious lung lesions (18 males, 13 females; mean age: 62.1 ± 11.3 years) that had previously undergone CT-guided PTNB with negative pathological findings January 2015-November 2020. A final histopathological diagnosis was made based on resected lung lesion specimens or, when resection was not conducted, on clinical diagnosis following a ≥6-month follow-up. The diagnostic accuracy of MR-guided secondary lung biopsy was determined by comparing the lung biopsy results for each patient to their final diagnosis. Results: 1.0T open MR-guided secondary lung biopsy was performed for 31 lesions (20 central, 11 peripheral; mean size, 5.3 ± 2.0 cm). The pathological results revealed 20/31 (64.5%) lesions to be malignant (14 adenocarcinoma, 4 squamous cell carcinoma, and 2 small-cell lung cancer) as detected by 1.0T open MR-guided PTNB and confirmed by surgical pathology and clinical follow-up. There were three instances of biopsy-induced complications including hemorrhage in 6.5% of the patients (2/31) and pneumothorax in 3.2% of the patients (1/31). No patients experienced severe complications. Conclusion: For individuals with clinically suspicious lung lesions that initially received negative CT-guided PTNB findings, 1.0T open MR-guided secondary lung biopsy is a safe and effective secondary diagnostic approach.

Long non-coding RNA LINC00968 acts as oncogene in NSCLC by activating the Wnt signaling pathway.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have played critical roles in a variety of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (N SCLC). In our study, we focused on the biological function and clinical significance of lncRNA LINC00968 in NSCLC. It was indicated that LINC00968 was significantly increased in LUAD tissues, LUSC tissues and NSCLC cells compared to their corresponding controls. Inhibition of LINC00968 was able to repress NSCLC growth, migration, and invasion in vitro while upregulation of LINC00968 reversed this process. Additionally, downregulation of LINC00968 induced apoptosis capacity of A549 cell. Apoptosis-related proteins BCL-2 were decreased and BAX was increased by knockdown of LINC00968, respectively. Meanwhile we observed that Wnt signaling pathway was involved in the LINC00968-induced NSCLC progression. Finally, in vivo tumor xenografts were established using A549 cells to detect the function of LINC00968 in NSCLC tumorigenesis. Silencing LINC00968 greatly inhibited NSCLC tumor progression, which was consistent with the in vitro tests. In conclusion, we have uncovered that LINC00968 could be regarded as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in NSCLC diagnosis and treatment.

Mesenchymal stem cells-regulated Treg cells suppress colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have produced controversial results regarding whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) promote or inhibit tumor development. Given the dual role of MSCs in inflammation and cancer, in this study the colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) model was used to examine whether umbilical cord tissue-derived MSCs could prevent neoplasm by inhibiting chronic inflammation. METHODS: MSCs were obtained and identified using flow cytometry. Colitis-associated colorectal cancer model was induced using azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and MSCs were injected intravenously twice. Levels of immune cells in mesenteric lymph node including regulatory T (Treg) cells were detected using flow cytometry. Naïve T cells and Jurkat cells were co-cultured with MSCs and the effect of MSCs on Treg cells differentiation was evaluated. RESULTS: After injection through tail vein, MSCs could migrate to colon and suppress colitis-related neoplasm. This tumor suppressive effect was characterized by longer colon length, decreased tumor numbers and decreased expression of Ki-67. Moreover, MSCs alleviated the pathology of inflammation in the colitis stage of CAC model and inhibited inflammation cytokines both in colon and serum. Furthermore, Treg cells were accumulated in mesenteric lymph node of MSCs-treated mice while the percentage of T helper cells 2 (Th2) and Th17 were not changed. Of note, MSCs secreted transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) enhanced the induction of Treg cells from naïve T cells. The conditioned medium of MSCs also activated Smad2 signaling, which has been reported to regulate Treg cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results proved that MSCs could migrate to colon tissues and induce the differentiation of Treg cells via Smad2 as so to inhibit the colitis and suppress the development of CAC.

Serum IL-17F combined with VEGF as potential diagnostic biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Although interleukin (IL) 17A can promote angiogenesis in several tumors, there are limited clinical evidences on cancer about the correlation between serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-17F, which is the most homologous to IL-17A. In this study, serum concentration of IL-17F and VEGF from healthy (n = 28), leukoplakia (n = 15), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) groups (n = 85) were assessed and showed that IL-17F level was remarkably downregulated from healthy group (394.3 pg/ml) to OSCC group (82.96 pg/ml). Conversely, the OSCC group had a highest level of VEGF (P < 0.05) in whole groups, and there was a negative correlation between IL-17F and VEGF in serum or in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at mRNA level. Moreover, the lowest ratio of IL-17F/VEGF was found in OSCC patients (P < 0.05) and lower ratio of IL-17F/VEGF correlated to higher tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, the serum level of IL-17F and the ratio of IL-17F/VEGF were positively associated with the numbers of CD3(+) CD4(+) T cells, which indicated that serum IL-17F could originate from PBMCs during the development of OSCC, and could be used for the diagnosis by effectively distinguishing OSCC patients from healthy individuals.

[Development of the high resolution melting method for genotyping CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231)].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the high-resolution melting curve (HRM) approach for genotyping CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) and explore its value on estimation of the Warfarin initial dose in comparison with various traditional genotyping methods. METHODS: CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) genotyping was detected in 100 patients receiving Warfarin therapy by the newly developed HRM method and traditional genotyping methods including PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), TaqMan probe and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The results of the genotypes obtained from above mentioned methods to detect CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) were similar and consistent. The HRM method is simpler, more economical, and faster compared to the traditional methods. The frequencies of the VKORC1-1639 AA, AG, GG genotypes from these 100 clinical samples were 73 (73%), 23 (23%), 4 (4%), respectively; Frequencies of the CYP2C9 1075 AA, AC, CC genotypes were 94(94%), 6 cases (6%), 0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HRM approach can effectively detect CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) polymorphisms and this method is simpler, more economical, and faster compared to the traditional methods for detecting CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) polymorphisms.

Polymorphisms of genes in nitric oxide-forming pathway associated with ischemic stroke in Chinese Han population.

AIM: To investigate the association of polymorphisms in four critical genes implicated in the NO-forming pathway with ischemic stroke (IS) in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: DNA samples of 558 IS patients and 557 healthy controls from Chinese Han population were genotyped using the Taqman(TM) 7900HT Sequence Detection System. Six SNPs (rs841, rs1049255, rs2297518, rs1799983, rs2020744, rs4673) of the 4 related genes (eNOS, iNOS, GCH1, and CYBA) in the NO forming pathway were analyzed using the SPSS 13.0 software package for Windows. RESULTS: One SNP located in the intron of GCH1 (rs841) was associated with IS independent of the traditional cardiovascular risk factors in co-dominant and dominant models (P=0.003, q=0.027; P=0.00006, q=0.0108; respectively). Moreover, the combination of rs1049255 CC+CT and rs841 GA+AA genotypes was associated with significantly higher risk for IS after adjustments (OR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.27-2.35, P<0.0001, q<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that genetic variants within the NO-forming pathway alter susceptibility to IS in Chinese Han population. Replication of the present results in other independent cohorts is warranted.

[Relationship between EPHX2 gene polymorphism and essential hypertension in Kazaks and Hans in Xinjiang].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between rs751141 gene polymorphisms in EPHX2 gene and essential hypertension in Kazak and Han in Xinjiang. METHODS: A total of 267 essential hypertensive patients in Kazaks, 368 essential hypertensive patients in Hans, 284 normotensive controls in Kazaks and 348 normotensive controls in Hans were enrolled in this study. TaqMan assay was used to detect the rs751141 G/A gene polymorphisms of EPHX2 gene. RESULTS: The rs751141 G/A genotype frequencies for GA + AA genotypes was 40.2 percent in essential hypertensive subjects and 52.0 percent in control subjects in Hans, respectively. The genotype frequencies were significant difference between the two groups in Hans in Xinjiang (P < 0.01). The rs751141G/A gene polymorphism had no significant difference between essential hypertensive patients and normotensive controls in Kazaks in Xinjiang (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The essential hypertension in Kazaks in Xinjiang is not associated with rs751141G/A gene polymorphism of EPHX2 gene, but the essential hypertension in Hans in Xinjiang is associated with rs751141G/A allele gene polymorphism of EPHX2 gene. A type of rs751141 allele gene polymorphism may be the independent protective factor of essential hypertension in Hans in Xinjiang.

Exploring epistatic relationships of NO biosynthesis pathway genes in susceptibility to CHD.

AIM: To assess the epistatic relationships of nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis pathway genes in susceptibility to coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: A total of 2142 subjects enrolled in two case-control studies was genotyped for 7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within NO biosynthesis pathway genes using TaqMan assays. The association analyses were performed at both SNP and haplotype levels. Two-way SNP-SNP interactions and high-order interactions were tested using multiple unconditional logistic regression analyses and generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Two alleles (rs1049255*C and rs841*A) were identified that were significantly associated with increased risk of CHD after adjusting for all confounders (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.06-1.39, combined P=0.001, P(corr)=0.007 and OR=1.30, 95% CI 1.12-1.50, combined P<0.001, P(corr)<0.001, respectively). Significant two-way SNP-SNP interactions were found between SNP rs2297518 and these two significant polymorphisms, affecting the risk of CHD (P<0.001 for both). No significant high-order interactions were identified. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that two-way SNP-SNP interactions of polymorphisms within NO biosynthesis pathway genes contribute to CHD risk.

C-reactive protein polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility to ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke in the Chinese Han population.

AIM: The inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) has been strongly correlated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Some single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to be associated with serum CRP levels. In this study, we assessed the genetic association between SNPs within the CRP gene and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in the Han Chinese population. METHODS: This study comprises 564 ischemic stroke patients, 220 hemorrhagic stroke patients and 564 controls from the ethnic Han Chinese population in Wuhan. Four CRP SNPs, -757A>G (rs3093059), -717A>G (rs2794521), -286C>T>A (rs3091244) and +2147C>T (rs1205), were genotyped from patients using TaqMan assays. RESULTS: The A allele frequency for the -717A>G polymorphism was significant higher in controls than in ischemic stroke patients (P=0.037), after adjustment for traditional risk factors (odds ratio 0.28; 95% CI 0.12-0.65; P=0.003), suggesting a protective effect for this allele against ischemic stroke. Haplotype analysis showed that the H3 (G-C-C) haplotype conferred a significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke (odds ratio 1.052, 95% CI 1.001-1.106: P=0.047). Neither CRP genotypes nor haplotypes showed an association with hemorrhagic stroke. However, the frequency for haplotype H5 (A-T-C) was significantly higher in ischemic stroke than hemorrhagic stroke patients (P=0.0003). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the CRP gene -717A allele confers a protective effect against ischemic stroke. Furthermore, the H3 haplotype (G-C-C) is an independent risk marker for ischemic stroke, whereas the H5 haplotype (A-T-C) can be used as a prognostic marker of hemorrhagic stroke.