Rewiring carbon flow in Synechocystis PCC 6803 for a high rate of CO2-to-ethanol under an atmospheric environment.

Cyanobacteria are an excellent microbial photosynthetic platform for sustainable carbon dioxide fixation. One bottleneck to limit its application is that the natural carbon flow pathway almost transfers CO2 to glycogen/biomass other than designed biofuels such as ethanol. Here, we used engineered Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to explore CO2-to-ethanol potential under atmospheric environment. First, we investigated the effects of two heterologous genes (pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase) on ethanol biosynthesis and optimized their promoter. Furthermore, the main carbon flow of the ethanol pathway was strengthened by blocking glycogen storage and pyruvate-to-phosphoenolpyruvate backflow. To recycle carbon atoms that escaped from the tricarboxylic acid cycle, malate was artificially guided back into pyruvate, which also created NADPH balance and promoted acetaldehyde conversion into ethanol. Impressively, we achieved high-rate ethanol production (248 mg/L/day at early 4 days) by fixing atmospheric CO2. Thus, this study exhibits the proof-of-concept that rewiring carbon flow strategies could provide an efficient cyanobacterial platform for sustainable biofuel production from atmospheric CO2.

Image findings of tendon sheaths affected by diffuse tenosynovial giant cell tumors of the skull base.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated radiographic images and the differential diagnosis of intracranial diffuse tenosynovial giant cell tumor (D-TGCT) in order to better understand the disease and improve the rate of preoperative diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Images and clinical data of patients with D-TGCT were retrospectively analyzed. Routine Computer Tomography (CT), routine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and contrast-enhanced MRI were performed for nine cases. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) was also performed for one case. RESULTS: We reviewed nine patients (6 males and 3 females) aged between 24 and 64 years, with a mean age of 47.33 ± 14.92 years. The most frequent complaints were hearing loss (5/9, 55.6%), pain (4/9, 44%), masticatory symptoms (2/9, 22.2%), and mass (4/9, 44.4%), with a mean duration of 22 ± 21.43 months. All cases were centered on the base of the skull, and showed hyper-density soft-tissue mass with osteolytic bone destruction on CT. The tumor signal mainly showed iso-intensity or hypo-intensity on T1WI compared with that in the brain parenchyma in all patients. On T2WI, nine lesions mainly showed hypo-intensity. Among these nine lesions, three displayed cystic region showing hyper-intensity on T2WI and hypo-intensity on T1WI (Figure 2A, 2B) in the lesion. Nine lesions showed hypo-intensity on DWI sequences. SWI images presented low signal in two cases, showing the "flowering effect". Nine patients showed heterogeneous enhancement, and two patients had meningeal thickening. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial D-TGCT is extremely rare, but must be differentiated from other tumors. Osteolytic bone destruction in the area of the skull base with hyper-density soft-tissue mass and hypo-intensity on T2WI images are indicative of D-TGCT.

Corrigendum to: IDH knockdown alters foraging behavior in the termite Odontotermes formosanus in different social contexts.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab032.].

[Research progress of circumferential tracheal reconstruction via tissue-engineered trachea].

Tissue engineering, as a new technology, provides a new avenue for the reconstruction of circumferential tracheal defects, which has always been a tremendous challenge for surgeons around the world. Recently, technologies such as decellularization, 3-dimensional printing, electrospinning and cell sheet have significantly enhanced the chondrification. Implantation of epithelial cells or transplantation of epithelial cell sheets also has accelerated the process of epithelialization. And pedicle muscle flap proved to be a reliable strategy for vascularization of tissue-engineered trachea. But it is still a huge challenge to achieve circumferential tracheal functional reconstruction. The key difficulty lies in how to simultaneously realize the functional regeneration of cartilage, blood vessels and epithelial tissues of tissue-engineered trachea. Therefore, how to integrate the above schemes and finally realize segmental tracheal reconstruction needs further research. This article reviews the research progress of repairing circumferential tracheal defects based on tissue engineering technology.

IDH knockdown alters foraging behavior in the termite Odontotermes formosanus in different social contexts.

Foraging, as an energy-consuming behavior, is very important for colony survival in termites. How energy metabolism related to glucose decomposition and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production influences foraging behavior in termites is still unclear. Here, we analyzed the change in energy metabolism in the whole organism and brain after silencing the key metabolic gene isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and then investigated its impact on foraging behavior in the subterranean termite Odontotermes formosanus in different social contexts. The IDH gene exhibited higher expression in the abdomen and head of O. formosanus. The knockdown of IDH resulted in metabolic disorders in the whole organism. The dsIDH-injected workers showed significantly reduced walking activity but increased foraging success. Interestingly, IDH knockdown altered brain energy metabolism, resulting in a decline in ATP levels and an increase in IDH activity. Additionally, the social context affected brain energy metabolism and, thus, altered foraging behavior in O. formosanus. We found that the presence of predator ants increased the negative influence on the foraging behavior of dsIDH-injected workers, including a decrease in foraging success. However, an increase in the number of nestmate soldiers could provide social buffering to relieve the adverse effect of predator ants on worker foraging behavior. Our orthogonal experiments further verified that the role of the IDH gene as an inherent factor was dominant in manipulating termite foraging behavior compared with external social contexts, suggesting that energy metabolism, especially brain energy metabolism, plays a crucial role in regulating termite foraging behavior.

PD-L1 (Programmed Death Ligand 1) Regulates T-Cell Differentiation to Control Adaptive Venous Remodeling.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with end-stage renal disease depend on hemodialysis for survival. Although arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis, the primary success rate of AVF is only 30% to 50% within 6 months, showing an urgent need for improvement. PD-L1 (programmed death ligand 1) is a ligand that regulates T-cell activity. Since T cells have an important role during AVF maturation, we hypothesized that PD-L1 regulates T cells to control venous remodeling that occurs during AVF maturation. Approach and results: In the mouse aortocaval fistula model, anti-PD-L1 antibody (200 mg, 3×/wk intraperitoneal) was given to inhibit PD-L1 activity during AVF maturation. Inhibition of PD-L1 increased T-helper type 1 cells and T-helper type 2 cells but reduced regulatory T cells to increase M1-type macrophages and reduce M2-type macrophages; these changes were associated with reduced vascular wall thickening and reduced AVF patency. Inhibition of PD-L1 also inhibited smooth muscle cell proliferation and increased endothelial dysfunction. The effects of anti-PD-L1 antibody on adaptive venous remodeling were diminished in nude mice; however, they were restored after T-cell transfer into nude mice, indicating the effects of anti-PD-L1 antibody on venous remodeling were dependent on T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Regulation of PD-L1 activity may be a potential therapeutic target for clinical translation to improve AVF maturation.

Inhibition of T-Cells by Cyclosporine A Reduces Macrophage Accumulation to Regulate Venous Adaptive Remodeling and Increase Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation.

OBJECTIVE: Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis, but the primary success rate of AVF remains poor. Successful AVF maturation requires vascular wall thickening and outward remodeling. A key factor determining successful AVF maturation is inflammation that is characterized by accumulation of both T-cells and macrophages. We have previously shown that anti-inflammatory (M2) macrophages are critically important for vascular wall thickening during venous remodeling; therefore, regulation of macrophage accumulation may be an important mechanism promoting AVF maturation. Since CD4+ T-cells such as T-helper type 1 cells, T-helper type 2 cells, and regulatory T-cells can induce macrophage migration, proliferation, and polarization, we hypothesized that CD4+ T-cells regulate macrophage accumulation to promote AVF maturation. Approach and Results: In a mouse aortocaval fistula model, T-cells temporally precede macrophages in the remodeling AVF wall. CsA (cyclosporine A; 5 mg/kg, sq, daily) or vehicle (5% dimethyl sulfoxide) was administered to inhibit T-cell function during venous remodeling. CsA reduced the numbers of T-helper type 1 cells, T-helper type 2, and regulatory T-cells, as well as M1- and M2-macrophage accumulation in the wall of the remodeling fistula; these effects were associated with reduced vascular wall thickening and increased outward remodeling in wild-type mice. However, these effects were eliminated in nude mice, showing that the effects of CsA on macrophage accumulation and adaptive venous remodeling are T-cell-dependent. CONCLUSIONS: T-cells regulate macrophage accumulation in the maturing venous wall to control adaptive remodeling. Regulation of T-cells during AVF maturation may be a strategy that can improve AVF maturation. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.

Low-Carbohydrate Diet Score and Coronary Artery Calcium Progression: Results From the CARDIA Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) were associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression. Approach and Results: We included the participants who completed computed tomography assessment of baseline CAC in 2000 to 2001 (year 15) and follow-up (year 20 or 25) and food frequency questionnaire (years 0, 7, and 20) in the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults). CAC progression was defined as CAC >0 at follow-up among participants with baseline CAC of 0 and an annualized change of 10 or percent change of ≥10% for those with 0

lncRNA SNHG3 accelerates the proliferation and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer by downregulating miR-340-5p.

Small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) as a subset of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act critical roles in tumor progression. The present study aimed to elucidate the role and mechanisms of SNHG3 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The correlation of SNHG3/miR-340-5p/HOXA10 with the clinicopathological features and outcomes in NSCLC was analyzed by TCGA cohort. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments were conducted to assess the role of SNHG3 in NSCLC cells. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase gene reporter were used to estimate the interaction between miR-340-5p and SNHG3/HOXA10 3'UTR. The effects of SNHG3 and (or) miR-340-5p on HOXA10 expression were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. As a consequence, the elevated expression of SNHG3 and HOXA10 or lowered expression of miR-340-5p was related to the lymph node infiltration, distant metastases and unfavorable prognosis in NSCLC. Ectopic expression of SNHG3 boosted the proliferation and invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo, whereas downregulation of SNHG3 reversed these effects. Moreover, SNHG3 could bind with miR-340-5p and reduce its expression levels, and miR-340-5p attenuated SNHG3-induced tumor proliferation and HOXA10 expression in NSCLC cells. Our findings unveiled that SNHG3 might be an oncogenic factor in NSCLC by downregulating miR-340-5p.

Home quarantine compliance is low in children with fever during COVID-19 epidemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak began in China at the end of 2019. The disease is highly infectious. In order to prevent and control the epidemic situation, the state has issued a series of measures to guide the prevention and control of the epidemic. At the same time, it also introduced the measure of home isolation for children with fever. However, due to the nature of children, the implementation of the home isolation turned out to be quite difficult, and questions regarding the home isolation were brought out by parents when seeing doctors. For this reason, we decided to conduct this study. AIM: To study factors that influence home quarantine compliance in children with fever during the COVID-19 epidemic. METHODS: A total of 495 paediatric patients with respiratory tract infection and fever were selected from the general fever clinic at Xiamen Children's Hospital from February 6-27, 2020. On day 8 after the hospital visit, follow-up was conducted by telephone to evaluate the compliance of home quarantine. RESULTS: Among the ten quarantine measures, the proportion of families adhering to keeping 1.5 m distance, proper hand hygiene, wearing masks at home, and proper cough etiquette was very low (< 30% for each measure). Our analysis showed that compliance was related to gender and age of children, gender and age of primary caregiver, number of children in the family, and intensity of information on quarantine measures. We observed that compliance increased with the age of children. Compared with children whose caregivers were young adults, children with elderly caregivers were 2.461 times more likely to show poor compliance. Furthermore, children who received intensive information on quarantine measures had significantly better compliance. CONCLUSION: Compliance of children with fever to quarantine measures at home is low during the COVID-19 epidemic. Strengthening education on the quarantine measures is critical to improve compliance, in particular in young children with elderly caregivers.

Multiple target-site mutations occurring in lepidopterans confer resistance to diamide insecticides.

Diamide resistant phenotypes have evolved in the field and the resistance has been attributed to target-site mutations in some lepidopteran pests. In this study, we documented the resistance status of Chilo suppressalis to chlorantraniliprole during 2016-2018 in seven provinces of China. To investigate the possible role of target-site mutations as known from lepidopterans, we sequenced respective domains of the RyR gene of C. suppressalis with different levels of diamide resistance. The results revealed that I4758M (corresponding to I4790M in P. xylostella), Y4667D/C (numbered according to C. suppressalis), G4915E (corresponding to G4946E in P. xylostella), and one novel Y4891F (numbered according to C. suppressalis) RyR target-site mutations were present. The contribution of these mutations was further investigated by diamide toxicity bioassays with eight genome modified Drosophila melanogaster lines. The study showed that genome modified flies bearing the Y4667D mutation (corresponding to the Y4667D and I4758M simultaneous mutation in C. suppressalis) exhibited high resistance ratios to chlorantraniliprole (1542.8-fold), cyantraniliprole (487.9-fold) and tetrachlorantraniliprole (290.1-fold). The M4758I and G4915E simultaneous mutations (corresponding to single G4915E mutation in C. suppressalis) showed high resistance ratios to chlorantraniliprole (153.1-fold) and cyantraniliprole (323.5-fold), and relatively low resistance to flubendiamide (28.9-fold) and tetrachlorantraniliprole (25.2-fold). These findings suggest that multiple point mutations in RyR confer diamide resistance of C. suppressalis. The results contribute to a better understanding of insect diamide resistance mechanisms and provide insights on the impact of RyR target-site mutations in insects.

Z-Score transformation of ADC values: A way to universal cut off between malignant and benign lymph nodes.

PURPOSE: To determine the possibility of a universal cut off value between benign and malignant lymph nodes in patients with tumour by Z-Score transformation method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion weighted imaging, ADC measurements of malignant and benign lymph nodes of 6 studies (4 body parts), conducted for 5 times, in two institutions with variable technical details were analyzed in their original value as well as the standardized Z-Score value. The standardized Z-Score value was obtained by subtracting the population mean of the control group from an individual raw score and then dividing the difference by the population standard deviation of the control group. General cut off values were obtained by both Mega-analysis by receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, when data from the 6 studies were combined and Meta-analysis with weighting coefficients and cut off values of the six individual studies. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy with cut offs from individual studies, meta-analysis and mega-analysis were calculated. Kappa test was performed to assess the consistency of diagnostic test accuracy, between optimized cut offs of individual studies and the proposed universal cut offs obtained from meta-analysis and mega-analysis. RESULTS: The ADC values of benign and malignant lymph nodes are significantly different, but with large overlap across the studies. The overlap can be minimized by Z-Score transformation. The result of ROC analysis of the collective Z-Score transformed ADC values of 6 studies was superior to that of the collective original ADC values (sensitivity: 87.4% versus 67.2%, specificity: 90.5% versus 87.9%, accuracy: 89.6% versus 81.4%). The universal Z-Score cut off from Meta-analysis is also better than the original ADC cut off (sensitivity: 82.8% versus 76.3%, specificity 92.6% versus 62.9%, accuracy 89.6% versus 67.1%). Applied to the individual studies, the universal transformed Z-Score cut offs produced superior consistency with the individual optimal cut offs (individual and meta Z-Score: 0.7228-0.9793; individual and mega Z-Score: 0.7111-0.9169) compared with the universal original ADC cut offs (individual and meta ADC: 0.3030-1.0000; individual and mega ADC 0.3268-0.9618). CONCLUSION: Z-Score transformation could minimize inter-study variations due to heterogeneity of MR systems and sequence parameters, and provide a more consistent universal cut off value between benign and malignant nodes across studies.

LPA kringle IV type 2 is associated with type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population with very high cardiovascular risk.

The connection between lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels and the risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes remains poorly understood. Lp(a) is encoded by the LPA gene, and evidence suggests that the kringle IV type 2 (KIV-2) variant is particularly important to Lp(a) isoform size. A large isoform size, represented as a high number of KIV-2 repeats in LPA, is associated with low serum Lp(a) concentrations and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. We investigated the associations among Lp(a) concentrations, LPA KIV-2 repeats, and type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population of 1,863 consecutive patients with very high cardiovascular risk, as identified by coronary angiography. Individuals with Lp(a) levels in the top tertile [67.86 (35.34-318.50) mg/dl] had a lower risk of diabetes compared with those in the bottom tertile [7.38 (0.60-12.91) mg/dl]. There was an inverse association between the number of KIV-2 repeats and serum Lp(a) concentrations. This study demonstrated that a high number of LPA KIV-2 repeats are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population with very high cardiovascular risk, which suggests that large Lp(a) isoform size, associated with low Lp(a) concentration, has a causal effect on type 2 diabetes.

Micropterus salmoides rhabdovirus (MSRV) infection induced apoptosis and activated interferon signaling pathway in largemouth bass skin cells.

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) rhabdovirus (MSRV) was isolated from infected juveniles of largemouth bass, and the infected fish exhibited corkscrew, irregular swimming, and crooked body. To our knowledge, the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of MSRV infection remain largely unknown. In the current study, we found that MSRV infection in largemouth bass skin (LBS) cells induced typical apoptosis, evidenced by the presence of apoptotic bodies and caspase-3 activation. To further analyze the host factors involved in MSRV infection in LBS cells, the transcriptomic profiles during MSRV infection were uncovered using deep RNA sequencing technique, and several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated by quantitative PCR. Our results showed that a total of 124483 unigenes were assembled. Among them, 34465 and 27273 had significant hits to those in the NR and SwissProt databases. After MSRV infection, a total of 2432 and 2480 genes which involved in multiples pathways including TNF signaling, NF-κB signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling and RIG-I signaling pathway were differentially expressed in MSRV infected LBS cells compared to mock-infected cells at 12 h, respectively. Furthermore, quantitative PCR showed that the expression levels of 9 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to apoptosis and interferon signaling pathway was consistent with that from transcriptomic profiles. Together, our results not only demonstrated that interferon signaling pathway and apoptosis pathway might exerted crucial roles during MSRV infection, but also provided a useful resource for subsequent investigation of other immune-related genes related to virus infection.

A Toxin-Antitoxin System VapBC15 from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Shows Distinct Regulatory Features.

Type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems play important roles in bacterial stress survival by regulating cell growth or death. They are highly abundant in cyanobacteria yet remain poorly characterized. Here, we report the identification and regulation of a putative type II TA system from Synechocystis PCC6803, VapBC15. The VapBC15 system is encoded by the chromosomal operon vapBC15. Exogenous expression of VapC15 dramatically arrested cell growth of Escherichia coli and reduced the numbers of colony-forming units (CFU). The VapC15 toxicity could be which was counteracted neutralized by simultaneous or delayed production of VapB15. Biochemical analysis demonstrated the formation of VapB15-VapC15 complexes by the physical interaction between VapB15 and VapC15. Notably, the VapB15 antitoxin up-regulated the transcription of the vapBC15 operon by directly binding to the promoter region, and the VapC15 toxin abolished the up-regulatory effect by destabilizing the binding. Moreover, VapB15 can be degraded by the proteases Lons and ClpXP2s from Synechocystis PCC6803, thus activating the latent toxicity of VapBC15. These findings suggest that VapBC15 represents a genuine TA system that utilizes a distinct mechanism to regulate toxin activity.

Investigation on the regulatory effect of PGE2 on ESCC cells through the trans-activation of EGFR by EP2 and the relevant mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the combination of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and EP2, the subtype receptor of PGE2, could trans-activate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this experiment, we selected epithelial cells from normal esophageal mucosa as the negative control group, and the ESCC EC109 and TE-1 cell strain as the observation group. Real-time PCR and Western-blotting were used to detect the expression of EP2, EGFR and phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR). The pre-treatment of ESCC cell strains was carried out using Butaprost (special agonist of PGE2 and EP2) and RNAi of EP2, and we observed the expression of EP2, EGFR, and p-EGFR. WST-8 (CCK-8) was applied for the detection of the cell proliferation rate. The transwell invasion experiment was conducted for the detection of the invasion capability of cells. The expression of MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) in the cell supernatant were detected using ELISA. RESULTS: The high mRNA and protein expression of EP2, EGFR, and p-EGFR were found in the EC109 and TE-1 cell strains in the observation group, which were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). After the intervention of PGE2, EP2 expression was decreased and the p-EGFR expression was increased (p < 0.05). There was no variation found in the expression of EGFR (p > 0.05). After cells were intervened using Butaprost, the expressions of EP2 and p-EGFR were increased (p < 0.05), and there were no changes identified in the expression of EGFR (p > 0.05). After the intervention of RNAi, the expression of EP2 and p-EGFR was decreased (p < .05), and no changes were identified in the expression of EGFR (p > 0.05). After the intervention of PGE2 and Butaprost, great increases were seen in the cell proliferation rate, invasion capability, and the expression of MMP-9, VEGF, IL-6, and TNF-α in EC109 and TE-1 cell strains (p < 0.05), however, the intervention of RNAi could reduce above indexes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Through cell experiments, we verified that the combination of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and EP2, the subtype receptor of PGE2, could trans-activate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to regulate the proliferation and invasion capability of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells, and secrete and express multiple cytokines, thus discovering the pathological mechanism of inflammation to carcinoma transition in the occurrence of ESCC, and providing the experimental evidence for the search of new target in the treatment of ESCC. ESCC cells can highly express the receptor subtype EP2 of PGE2 that can transactivate the EGFR, through which PGE2 is involved in the transition mechanism from inflammation to cancer.

Metabolic Genes within Cyanophage Genomes: Implications for Diversity and Evolution.

Cyanophages, a group of viruses specifically infecting cyanobacteria, are genetically diverse and extensively abundant in water environments. As a result of selective pressure, cyanophages often acquire a range of metabolic genes from host genomes. The host-derived genes make a significant contribution to the ecological success of cyanophages. In this review, we summarize the host-derived metabolic genes, as well as their origin and roles in cyanophage evolution and important host metabolic pathways, such as the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, nutrient acquisition and nucleotide biosynthesis. We also discuss the suitability of the host-derived metabolic genes as potential diagnostic markers for the detection of genetic diversity of cyanophages in natural environments.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation during myocardial ischemia reperfusion is cardioprotective.

BACKGROUND: The innate immune receptor NLRP3 recognizes tissue damage and initiates inflammatory processes through formation multiprotein complexes with the adaptor protein ASC and caspase-1, i.e. NLRP3 inflammasomes, which through cleavage of pro-IL-1ß mediates release of bioactive IL-1ß. We hypothesized that NLRP3 mediates tissue damage during acute myocardial infarction (MI) and sought to investigate the mechanisms herein in an experimental MI model in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: The left coronary artery (LCA) of WT, NLRP3(-/-) and ASC(-/-) mice of both genders was ligated for 30 min followed by 3 or 24 h reperfusion. For pre-conditioning studies, the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4 or PBS was injected intraperitoneally 60 min prior to LCA ligation. For mechanistic investigations, blood plasmas and left ventricle tissues were collected, and a hypothesis-driven selection of protein or mRNA targets was investigated. Surprisingly, hearts from NLRP3-deficient mice featured larger infarct size than WT mice (p = 0.0048). In general, there were only modest changes with no significant pattern in myocardial infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages and systemic and myocardial cytokine expression between the three genotypes. Preconditioning with the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4 induced Akt phosphorylation and reduced infarct size in WT but not NLRP3 -or ASC -deficient hearts. CONCLUSION: Absence of NLRP3 results in increased myocardial infarct size after in vivo ischemia reperfusion, seemingly due to dysfunction of the cardioprotective RISK pathway. Our data imply that NLRP3 contributes to cardio-protection during I/R and do not support a role for NLRP3 or ASC inhibition in the management of acute MI including revascularization therapy.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy plus high-frequency diathermic therapy followed by intravenous chemotherapy versus intravenous chemotherapy alone for postoperative adjuvant treatment of gastrointestinal cancer: a comparative research study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) plus high-frequency diathermic therapy (HFDT) followed by intravenous chemotherapy vs intravenous chemotherapy alone for adjuvant treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal neoplasms. METHODS: Fifty-two gastrointestinal carcinoma patients who were radically operated were enrolled and divided into the treatment group and the control group. In the treatment group, 25 patients were treated with combination of HIPEC+HFDT and subsequent intravenous chemotherapy, while in the control group 27 patients received intravenous chemotherapy alone. Post-therapeutic complications and adverse reactions, time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Difference in toxic reactions between the two groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Postoperative progression- free survival (PFS) rate at 12 and 40 months after radical surgery was 72.0 and 54.0% respectively in the treatment group, and 65.8 and 11.5% respectively in the control group (p=0.108). TTP was statistically significantly longer in the treatment group than in the control group (median TTP 40.1 vs 18.5 months, p=0.027). Postoperative OS at 12 and 20 months after radical surgery was 88.0 and 78.0% respectively in the treatment group and 92.6 and 72.7% in the control group, without significant difference. CONCLUSION: After radical surgery, combination of HIPEC+HFDT and subsequent intravenous chemotherapy brings about superior PFS compared with intravenous adjuvant chemotherapy alone, while having no more complications and adverse reactions.