Phyllostachys edulis argonaute genes function in the shoot architecture.

Argonaute (AGO) proteins are the core components of the RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISC) in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and are necessary for the development of plant shoot meristem, which gives rise to the above-ground plant body. In this study, we identified 23 Phyllostachys edulis AGO genes (PhAGOs) that were distributed unequally on the 14 unmapped scaffolds. Gene collinearity and phylogeny analysis showed that the innovation of PhAGO genes was mainly due to dispersed duplication and whole-genome duplication, which resulted in the enlarged PhAGO family. PhAGO genes were expressed in a temporal-spatial expression pattern, and they encoded proteins differently localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus. Overexpression of the PhAGO2 and PhAGO4 genes increased the number of tillers or leaves in Oryza sativa and affected the shoot architecture of Arabidopsis thaliana. These results provided insight into the fact that PhAGO genes play important roles in plant development.

Clinical study of standard residual liver volume and transient elastography in predicting poor prognosis of patients after hemihepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Liver cancer resection, especially in patients with hemihepatectomy or extended hemihepatectomy, often leads to poor prognosis, such as liver insufficiency and even liver failure and death, because the standard residual liver volume (SRLV) cannot be fully compensated after surgery. AIM: To explore the risk factors of poor prognosis after hemihepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma and evaluate the application value of related prognostic approaches. METHODS: The clinical data of 35 patients with primary liver cancer in Nantong Third People's Hospital from February 2016 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve was created using medcac19.0.4 to compare the critical values of the SRLV in different stages of liver fibrosis after hemihepatectomy with those of liver dysfunction after hemihepatectomy. It was constructed by combining the Child-Pugh score to evaluate its application value in predicting liver function compensation. RESULTS: The liver stiffness measure (LSM) value and SRLV were associated with liver dysfunction after hemihepatectomy. Logistic regression analysis showed that an LSM value ≥ 25 kPa [odds ratio (OR) = 6.254, P < 0.05] and SRLV ≤ 0.290 L/m2 (OR = 5.686, P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for postoperative liver dysfunction. The accuracy of the new liver reserve evaluation model for predicting postoperative liver function was higher than that of the Child-Pugh score (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SRLV and LSM values can be used to evaluate the safety of hemihepatectomy. The new liver reserve evaluation model has good application potential in the evaluation of liver reserve function after hemihepatectomy.

Case report: Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell sarcoma: a rare case and review of the literature.

Inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (IPT-like FDCS) is a rare subtype of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) that primarily occurs in the liver and spleen. The etiology of IPT-like FDCS is unknown, and it has nonspecific clinical manifestations, imaging performance and laboratory test results. Recently, a patient with IPT-like FDCS was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal distension and anemia. Over the past 3 years, the patient has been followed up after a liver mass was found in a physical examination. The lesion gradually enlarged and caused compression symptoms. In November 2022, a tumor with a diameter of approximately 20 cm was found in the right posterior lobe of the liver after abdominal enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in our hospital. Liver tumor biopsy before the operation revealed a large number of hyperplastic plasma cells and a small number of spindle cells, and the spindle cells were atypical. After a complete examination, the patient underwent liver resection. Pathology after surgery confirmed liver IPT-like FDCS.

Rapid and Effective Lead Elimination Using Cow Manure Derived Biochar: Balance between Inherent Phosphorus Release and Pollutants Immobilization.

Cow manure derived biochar (CMBC) can serve as a promising functional material, and CMBC can be regarded as an ecofriendly approach compared to conventional ones. CM bioadsorbent can be employed for heavy metal immobilization (such as for lead) as well as an amendment to increase soil fertility (e.g., phosphorus). Few studies have examined the surface interactions between pollutants and bioadsorbents when inherent nutrient release is present. In this work, CMBC was prepared and applied for Pb(II) removal, and the vital roles of released phosphorus from CMBC were comprehensively disclosed. Furthermore, CMBC could immobilize part of the Pb(II) in soil and promote plant growth. CM400 was an effective adsorbent whose calculated Qe reached 691.34 mg·g-1, and it rapidly adsorbed 98.36 mg·g-1 of Pb(II) within 1 min. The adsorption mechanisms of Pb(II) by CMBC include ion exchange, physical adsorption, electrostatic attraction, chemical precipitation, surface complexation, and cation-π bond interaction. Based on the residual phosphorus content and adsorption effect, complexation rather than the chemical precipitation had a greater contribution toward adsorption. Besides, as the concentration of Pb(II) increased, the main adsorption mechanisms likely transformed from chemical precipitation to ion exchange and complexation. CMBC not only had a good effect on Pb(II) removal in the solution, but also immobilized the Pb(II) in soil to restrain plant uptake as well as promote plant growth. The main novelty of this work is providing more insights to the cow manure bio adsorbent on Pb immobilization and phosphorus release. This study is expected to serve as a basis and reference for analyzing the release effects of inherent nutrients and the interfacial behaviors with heavy metals when using CMBC and other nutrient-rich carbon-based fertilizers for pollution control.

The Vitrectomy Timing Individualization System for Ocular Trauma (VTISOT).

Ocular trauma is a major cause of monocular blindness worldwide. Vitrectomy at correct timing can significantly improve the efficacy and prognosis, but the timing of vitrectomy has remained highly controversial for decades. Trauma cases are different from each other, thus, a flexible timing system based on the details of each individual case is recommended. Unfortunately, no such a timing system is available for clinical application up to now. To establish the vitrectomy timing individualization system for ocular trauma (VTISOT), we first identified 6 independent tPVR risk factors (including Zone 3 Injury, Zone 3 retinal Laceration, Massive Vitreous Hemorrhage, Retinal Disorder, Timing of Vitrectomy and Type of Injury) by retrospective study. Then, the tPVR score was established by binary logistic regression analysis. Most importantly and critically, the vitrectomy timing individualization system for ocular trauma was established based on the identified tPVR risk factors and the tPVR score. The following evaluation of the VTISOT showed that the patients consistent with the VTISOT principles exhibited reduced tPVR incidence and better surgical results. In short, the VTISOT principles were established, which may provide a new approach to individualize the timing of vitrectomy and improve the prognosis after trauma.

Genome-Wide Characterization of the sHsp Gene Family in Salix suchowensis Reveals Its Functions under Different Abiotic Stresses.

Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) function mainly as molecular chaperones that play vital roles in response to diverse stresses, especially high temperature. However, little is known about the molecular characteristics and evolutionary history of the sHsp family in Salix suchowensis, an important bioenergy woody plant. In this study, 35 non-redundant sHsp genes were identified in S. suchowensis, and they were divided into four subfamilies (C, CP, PX, and MT) based on their phylogenetic relationships and predicted subcellular localization. Though the gene structure and conserved motif were relatively conserved, the sequences of the Hsp20 domain were diversified. Eight paralogous pairs were identified in the Ssu-sHsp family, in which five pairs were generated by tandem duplication events. Ka/Ks analysis indicated that Ssu-sHsps had undergone purifying selection. The expression profiles analysis showed Ssu-Hsps tissue-specific expression patterns, and they were induced by at least one abiotic stress. The expression correlation between two paralogous pairs (Ssu-sHsp22.2-CV/23.0-CV and 23.8-MT/25.6-MT) were less than 0.6, indicating that they were divergent during the evolution. Various cis-acting elements related to stress responses, hormone or development, were detected in the promoter of Ssu-sHsps. Furthermore, the co-expression network revealed the potential mechanism of Ssu-sHsps under stress tolerance and development. These results provide a foundation for further functional research on the Ssu-sHsp gene family in S. suchowensis.

Stereoacuity of Black-White and Red-Green Patterns in Individuals with and without Color Deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Chromatic contrast may affect stereopsis. Daltonism is a common color deficiency in which the colors red and green are incorrectly detected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stereoacuity of color-defective individuals presented with color symbols that they see defectively. METHODS: Ten students diagnosed with daltonism and 10 students with normal color vision were recruited. A stereopsis test system using a phoropter and two 4K smartphones was used. Contour-based graphs and random-dot graphs with black versus white and red versus green patterns were used as test symbols. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to test the difference between groups. RESULTS: No significant difference in stereoacuity was found between contour-based and random-dot graphs within both daltonism cohort and normal color vision cohort (P > 0.05). A significant difference in stereoacuity was found between the black-white (P=0.005) and red-green (P=0.007) graphs for the daltonism cohort, while no significant difference in stereoacuity was found for the normal color vision cohort (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chromatic contrast is an influential factor for stereopsis measurement in individuals with color deficiency.

A spontaneous metastatic mathematical model in mice for screening anti-metastatic agents.

PURPOSE: A computational model based on clinical data from pancreatic cancer patients has been successfully created and used for predicting tumor sizes in primary and metastasis sites and survival time from kinetics of tumor cells, such as growth rate, metastasis rate and mutation rate, etc. Whether this computational model could be fitted or necessary modification of some parameters for fitting in mice is unknown. Here, we developed a computational model in mice for spontaneous metastasis to simulate the process of tumor metastasis based on the mathematical frameworks. METHODS: The spontaneous melanoma metastasis model in mice was used for assessing the fitting accuracy between the mathematical model and the experimental data and evaluating the efficacy of anticancer agents, as well as the invasion assay. RESULTS: According to the modified model, most of parameters including growth rate, mutation rate and metastasis rate, which were used to describe the whole metastatic course in mice were calculated based on the experimental analysis. Furthermore, only measurement of the growth rate of cancer in the primary site was required to predict the survival time. Our predicted results of the overall survival (OS) extension of mice were close to the clinical outcomes after treated with four clinical intervention strategies of CVD, Paclitaxel, Dartmouth and Temozolomide. And predictive efficacy of anticancer drug using the model matches well the factual experimental data in mice. CONCLUSIONS: The mathematical model is more economical and efficient for evaluating the tumor metastasis and could be used to screen the anti-cancer and anti-metastatic medicine by shortening the periods of assessment of OS extension in preclinical trials.

Pleiotropic effects of herbs characterized with blood-activating and stasis-resolving functions on angiogenesis.

Accumulative evidences have underpinned the nature candidates from Chinese medicine (CM), particularly CM served as blood activating and stasis resolving (BASR, Huoxue Huayu in Chinese) by targeting tumor-associated angiogenesis. However, recent experiment research on the therapeutic angiogenesis by BASR-CM attracts wide attention and discussion. This opinion review focused on the underlying link between two indications and anticipated that (1) BASR-CM might emphasize on a balanced multi-cytokines network interaction; (2) BASR-CM might address on the nature of diseases prior to differently affecting physiological and pathological angiogenesis; (3) BASR-CM might mainly act on perivascular cells, either promotes arteriogenesis by increasing arteriogenic factors in ischemic diseases, or simultaneously keep a quiescent vasculature to impede angiogenesis in tumor context.

Downregulation of Integrins in Cancer Cells and Anti-Platelet Properties Are Involved in Holothurian Glycosaminoglycan-Mediated Disruption of the Interaction of Cancer Cells and Platelets in Hematogenous Metastasis.

Activated platelets have been recognized as an accessory character in the cascade of tumor hematogenous metastasis, and intervention of tumor cell attachment to the activated platelets or microemboli formation might be a leading strategy to prevent tumor cells surviving in the blood vessels and sequential metastasis. Recently, we have demonstrated that holothurian glycosaminoglycan (hGAG), a sulfated polysaccharide with potent anticoagulant activity extracted from the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota Brandt, was highly efficacious against tumor metastasis. In this study, we identified the potential effects of hGAG on the disruption of interactions of cancer cells and platelets and the underlying mechanisms, which were supported by the following evidence: hGAG (1) inhibited thrombin-induced platelet activation and aggregation, (2) reduced adhesion between platelet and breast cancer cells, and abrogated platelets/cancer cells adhering to fibrinogen, (3) attenuated platelet-cancer cell complex formation (the number and size of aggregates) and (4) suppressed both mRNA and protein levels of ß1 and ß3 integrins, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, while increasing the expression of the MMP inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. These results suggested that both the antiplatelet properties and mitigation of the levels of cellular adhesion molecules contributed to the anticancer effects of hGAG, and might thus be exploited for clinical adjuvant therapy to attenuate tumor hematogenous metastasis.

[Immunoexpression of apollon in breast cancer tissues before neoadjuvant chemotherapy and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether apollon immunoexpression in breast cancer tissues helps to predict pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: The expressions of Apollon, Her-2, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were detected immunohistochemically in biopsy tissues from 124 breast cancer patients. The clinical responses to NAC were evaluated in line with the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST). The pCR rate was analyzed for different types of breast cancer. The correlations between Apollon status with Her-2, ER, PR, lymph node status and tumor size were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to compared the changes in Apollon expression in the breast cancer tissues before and after NAC. RESULTS: The pCR rate was 18.5% (23/124) in these patients. Negative expressions of apollon, ER and PR were all associated with a higher pCR rate after NAC. Apollon was significantly correlated with Her-2, ER, PR and lymph node involvement. Chemotherapy significantly down-regulated apollon expression in the tumor cells. CONCLUSION: A negative apollon expression might be a predictor of pCR in patients with breast cancer.

Holothurian glycosaminoglycan inhibits metastasis via inhibition of P-selectin in B16F10 melanoma cells.

P-selectin-mediated tumor cell adhesion to platelets is a well-established stage in the process of tumor metastasis. Through computerized structural analysis, we found a marine-derived polysaccharide, holothurian glycosaminoglycan (hGAG), behaved as a ligand-competitive inhibitor of P-selectin, indicating its potential to disrupt the binding of P-selectin to cell surface receptor and activation of downstream regulators of tumor cell migration. Our experimental data demonstrated that hGAG significantly inhibited P-selectin-mediated adhesion of tumor cells to platelets and tumor cell migration in vitro and reduced subsequent pulmonary metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, abrogation of the P-selectin-mediated adhesion of tumor cells led to down-regulation of protein levels of integrins, FAK and MMP-2/9 in B16F10 cells, which is a crucial molecular mechanism of hGAG to inhibit tumor metastasis. In conclusion, hGAG has emerged as a novel anti-cancer agent via blocking P-selectin-mediated malignant events of tumor metastasis.

Protective effect of naringenin against lipopolysaccharide-induced injury in normal human bronchial epithelium via suppression of MAPK signaling.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of naringenin on protection in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury in normal human bronchial epithelium (NHBE) and to provide insights into the possible underlying mechanisms. NHBE were stimulated by LPS in the presence or absence of the narigenin. In vitro treatment with naringenin led to a significant attenuation in the LPS-induced NHBE secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), nitricoxide synthase (NOS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO). RT-qPCR demonstrated that naringenin significantly reduced the LPS-induced upregulation of TNF-α, IL-6, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) p65 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, Western blot analysis revealed that naringenin effectively suppressed NF-κB activation by inhibiting the degradation of IκB-α and the translocation of p65. Naringenin also attenuated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK. Taken together, these demonstrate that naringenin reduces TNF-α and IL-6 secretion and mRNA expression, possibly by blocking the activation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in LPS-treated NHBE. These results indicated that naringenin had a protective effect on LPS-induced injury in NHBE.

Tumor-associated macrophages: a novel potential target for cancer treatment.

Special emphasis about cancer metastasis was concentrated on tumor cells themselves, and we usually considered the ability of migration and invasion was the final decider. Recently, bewaring of tumor microenvironment is a fundamental determinant in metastasis has become the most outstanding breakthrough. Considerable "microbes" in the microenvironment are closely linked with tumor metastatic behaviors, and the major proportion of them is tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Actually, TAMs conserve immediate "cross-talk" with cancer cells throughout tumor development. It is generally accepted that TAMs have mostly pro-tumoral functions and play an important role in several stages of tumor progression. This progression involves a series of events that leads from the primary site to the metastatic site, including tumor cell growth, angiogenesis, migration, invasion, intravasation and finally extravasation at distant site where the process begins again (metastasis). Thereby, TAMs has attracted substantial attentions in recent years and could become a promising therapeutic strategy. In this review, we focus on the multi-functions of TAMs in cancer and certain drugs targeting TAMs for cancer treatment those are under experimental research procedures or have even been entered human clinical tests.

Inhibition of hypoxia-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition by luteolin in non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Hypoxia-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential step in cancer metastasis. Luteolin, a flavonoid that is widely distributed in plants, is a novel anticancer agent. However, the mechanism underlying its anticancer effects remains undefined. In this study, for the first time, we demonstrate that luteolin inhibits hypoxia-induced EMT in human non-small cell lung cancer cells in culture, which is demonstrated by the fact that hypoxia-induced EMT reduced the expression of E-cadherin and other epithelial markers and increased the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin and other mesenchymal markers; these effects were markedly attenuated by luteolin. In addition, luteolin also inhibited hypoxia-induced proliferation, motility and adhesion in the cells. Furthermore, we reveal that luteolin inhibits the expression of integrin ß1 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK).Since integrin ß1 and FAK signaling are closely related to EMT formation, these results suggest that luteolin inhibits hypoxia-induced EMT, at least in part, by inhibiting the expression of integrin ß1 and FAK.