[Characterization of Metal Elements in Atmospheric PM2.5 and Health Risk Assessment in Heze in Winter from 2017 to 2018].

Atmospheric PM2.5 samples were collected in Heze, Shandong Province, from a total of three sampling sites at Heze College, Huarun Pharmacy, and a wastewater treatment plant between October 15, 2017 and January 31, 2018, to determine the concentrations of 21 metal elements in PM2.5 using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The degree of elemental enrichment was also discussed, the health risks and potential heavy metal ecological risks were assessed. The results showed that ρ (PM2.5) ranged from 26.7 to 284.1 µg·m-3 at the three sampling sites during the sampling period, and the concentration values did not differ significantly, all of which were at high pollution levels. The highest concentrations of K were found in the three sampling sites, accounting for 31.03%, 39.47%, and 38.43% of the total, respectively, mainly due to the high contribution of biomass burning in autumn and winter in Heze, a large agricultural city. The highest concentrations of Zn, 89.70, 84.21, and 67.68 ng·m-3, were found in the trace elements at the three sampling sites, respectively. The enrichment factor results showed that the enrichment factor values of Zn, Pb, Sn, Sb, Cd, and Se were higher than 100, among which the enrichment factors of Cd and Se were higher than 2 000 and 4 000, respectively, which were significantly influenced by anthropogenic activities and might have been related to industrial production, metal smelting, road sources, and coal combustion emissions. The health risk results showed that there was some potential non-carcinogenic risk (HQ>0.1 for children and adults) for As and a combined potential non-carcinogenic risk (HI>0.1) and some potential carcinogenic risk (CRT>1×10-6) for both children and adults at the three sampling sites. There was a more significant carcinogenic risk (CRT>1×10-4) for adults at the wastewater treatment plant, and the slightly higher carcinogenic risk for adults than that for children may have been related to the longer outdoor activity and higher PM2.5 exposure for adults. The elements with the highest potential ecological risk values were Cd, As, and Pb, with Cd exhibiting a very high potential ecological risk that should be taken seriously. All three sampling sites showed a very high combined potential ecological risk, with the intensity spatially expressed as Heze College>Huarun Pharmacy>wastewater treatment plant.

Pro-prion, as a membrane adaptor protein for E3 ligase c-Cbl, facilitates the ubiquitination of IGF-1R, promoting melanoma metastasis.

Aberrant activation of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is usually a result of mutation and plays important roles in tumorigenesis. How RTK without mutation affects tumorigenesis remains incompletely understood. Here we show that in human melanomas pro-prion (pro-PrP) is an adaptor protein for an E3 ligase c-Cbl, enabling it to polyubiquitinate activated insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), leading to enhanced melanoma metastasis. All human melanoma cell lines studied here express pro-PrP, retaining its glycosylphosphatidylinositol-peptide signal sequence (GPI-PSS). The sequence, PVILLISFLI in the GPI-PSS of pro-PrP, binds c-Cbl, docking c-Cbl to the inner cell membrane, forming a pro-PrP/c-Cbl/IGF-1R trimeric complex. Subsequently, IGF-1R polyubiquitination and degradation are augmented, which increases autophagy and tumor metastasis. Importantly, the synthetic peptide PVILLISFLI disrupts the pro-PrP/c-Cbl/IGF-1R complex, reducing cancer cell autophagy and mitigating tumor aggressiveness in vitro and in vivo. Targeting cancer-associated GPI-PSS may provide a therapeutic approach for treating human cancers expressing pro-PrP.

Rabies Virus Neutralizing Activity, Safety, and Immunogenicity of Recombinant Human Rabies Antibody Compared with Human Rabies Immunoglobulin in Healthy Adults.

Objective: Preliminary assessment of rabies virus neutralizing activity, safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant human rabies antibody (NM57) compared with human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) in Chinese healthy adults. Methods: Subjects were randomly (1:1:1) allocated to Groups A (20 IU/kg NM57), B (40 IU/kg NM57), or C (20 IU/kg HRIG). One injection was given on the day of enrollment. Blood samples were collected on days -7 to 0 (pre-injection), 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42. Adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs) were recorded over a period of 42 days after injection. Results: All 60 subjects developed detectable rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNAs) (> 0.05 IU/mL) on days 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42. The RVNA levels peaked on day 3 in all three groups, with a geometric mean concentration (GMC) of 0.2139 IU/mL in Group A, 0.3660 IU/mL in Group B, and 0.1994 IU/mL in Group C. At each follow-up point, the GMC in Group B was significantly higher than that in Groups A and C. The areas under the antibody concentration curve over 0-14 days and 0-42 days in Group B were significantly larger than those in Groups A and C. Fifteen AEs were reported. Except for one grade 2 myalgia in Group C, the other 14 were all grade 1. No SAEs were observed. Conclusion: The rabies virus neutralizing activity of 40 IU/kg NM57 was superior to that of 20 IU/kg NM57 and 20 IU/kg HRIG, and the rabies virus neutralizing activity of 20 IU/kg NM57 and 20 IU/kg HRIG were similar. Safety was comparable between NM57 and HRIG.

A label-free fluorescence assay for trypsin based on the electron transfer between oligonucleotide-stabilized Ag nanoclusters and cytochrome c.

A label-free fluorescent assay for the detection of trypsin by using oligonucleotide-templated silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) has been demonstrated. When negatively charged Ag NCs and positively charged Cyt c are mixed, they tend to form a hybrid complex, and then lead the fluorescence of Ag NCs to be quenched significantly due to electron transfer between Ag NCs and the heme cofactor of Cyt c. In the presence of trypsin, it catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of Cyt c to small peptide fragments, and releases the heme moiety from the Ag NCs/Cyt c complex; the quenched fluorescence restores therewith. By virtue of this specific response, the fluorescent biosensor has a linear range of from 0.7 to 4 µg mL(-1) and from 9 to 120 µg mL(-1) with a detection limit of 58.7 ng mL(-1). Aside from the easy manufacture aspect, our method also possesses a high signal-to-background ratio (~11), excellent selectivity and good biocompatibility, which makes it a promising bioanalysis for a trypsin activity assay.

[Comparison of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related markers between cancer tissue and tumor emboli].

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether cancer cells abide by the mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the process of invasion and metastasis by comparing histology and protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin among primary, metastatic carcinomas and their emboli. METHODS: A total of 68 tissue specimens in 59 cases of primary adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma and their lymphatic metastasis were collected, of which there were 13 well differentiated, 11 moderately differentiated, 30 poorly differentiated tumors and 14 lymphatic metastases. The morphology and the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin proteins were assessed by H-E stain and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The overall morphology of the primary cancers and their tumor emboli was similar. Among 54 primary cancers, 50 cases were positive for E-cadherin and 22 cases were positive for vimentin. Fifty-one cases were positive for E-cadherin and 22 cases were positive for vimentin in the tumor emboli, with no statistical difference (P = 0.804, P = 0.842). Among 14 cases of lymphatic metastasis, 12 cases were positive for E-cadherin and 6 cases were positive for vimentin, and the tumor emboli in 12 cases were positive for E-cadherin and 7 cases were positive for vimentin, with statistical difference (P = 0.084, P = 0.878). There were no significant difference of E-cadherin and vimentin protein expression between the cancer tissue and its emboli (P = 0.410, P = 0.824). A subset of tumor cells in cancer emboli expressed E-cadherin at a high level without vimentin expression, whereas other cells in tumor emboli showed an opposite expression pattern. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference of EMT characteristics among primary cancer, lymphatic metastases and their cancer emboli. Cancer thrombus contains both EMT and non-EMT cells. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of EMT in the processes of tumor invasion and metastasis.

[Observation of special staining of human colorectal carcinoma cell lines cultured on nitrocellulose membrane].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the special staining of cells cultured on nitrocellulose (NC) membrane and evaluate the application of the novel method for cell culture and pathological staining. METHODS: Human colorectal carcinoma SW1116 cell line and SW480 cell line were cultured using nitrocellulose membrane as the culture matrix, with the same cells cultured on slides serving as the control. RESULTS: The cells cultured on NC membrane appeared transparent with sharp edge and purple background by macroscopic observation, showing on obvious difference in terms of cell morphology and number from the cells cultured on glass slides. Irregular polygonal SW1116 cells and SW480 cells were found on the NC membrane, on which the cells grew in colony and showed blue nucleus and red cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: NC membrane produces no cytotoxicity and can be used for cell culture without affecting the normal cell morphology and number during cell culture, thus providing a new means for cell culture and pathological staining.

[Correlation between T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human colorectal carcinomas].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human colorectal carcinomas. METHODS: Tiam1, E-cadherin, CK, and vimentin expressions in normal colorectal epithelium, colorectal carcinomas (CRC) and CRC with lymphatic metastasis were determined by immunohistochemistry using a two-step method. RESULTS: Tiam1 expression was significantly higher in CRC than in normal colorectal epithelium (P<0.01) in close correlation to the degree of tumor differentiation (P<0.05). Higher Tiam1 expression was detected in CRC with lymphatic metastasis than in primary CRC (P<0.05). The expressions of E-cadherin and CK in CRC tissues were significantly lowered in comparison with those in normal colorectal epithelium (P<0.01), showing a correlation to tumor differentiation (P<0.01) but not to lymphatic metastasis. Vimentin was significantly overexpressed in CRC (P<0.01) and correlated to tumor differentiation (P<0.01) but not to lymphatic metastasis. Tiam1 expression was inversely correlated to E-cadherin and CK, but positively to vimentin. CONCLUSION: Tiam1 is related to the metastasis of colorectal carcinoma, and may induce EMT to promote CRC metastasis.

[Imaging features of primary bone lymphoma and its histopathology].

OBJECTIVE: To study the imaging features of primary bone of the lymphoma PLB on X-ray, CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: The data of 8 patients (6 males and 3 females, aged 9-60 years with a median age of 26.5 years) with pathologically confirmed PLB were retrospectively reviewed. Plain radiographs were obtained in all the 8 cases, CT scans performed in 5 and MRI examinations in 7. Four patients underwent X-ray, CT and MRI, two underwent CT and MRI, and one underwent X-ray and MRI. Surgical resection was performed in 7 cases and biopsy done in 2, and routine histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry were performed for all patients. RESULTS: The site of PLB focus was found in the pelvic bone in 4 cases, right frontal bone in 1 case, proximal femoral bone in 1 case, occipital clivus in 2 cases, and vertebral column in 1 case. Plain X-ray revealed in 4 cases roughly normal shape of the involved bone with stippled interior bone structure destruction; the other 4 cases presented with slight or moderate bone expansion with obvious signs of osteolysis. CT scans displayed areas of different sizes of osteolytic cortical and marrow cavity destruction with large soft tissue masses around the lesion. MRI found heterogeneous iso- to hyperintense signals in the lesions in the bone and soft-tissue masses on T2-weighted images but homogeneous isointense signals on T2-weighted images. The tumors were obviously enhanced after contrast-enhanced scans on CT and MRI. Histological examination identified B-cell lymphoma in 5 cases and T-cell lymphoma in 4 cases. CONCLUSION: PBL is characterized in imaging examinations by basically normal shape of the involved bones with possible bone expansion, obvious stippled osteolytic destruction, large soft-tissue mass around the lesion and obvious enhancement after contrast-enhanced scans.

[Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the heart: a clinicopathological study].

OBJECTIVE: To define the clinicopathological features of primary cardiac large B-cell lymphoma. METHOD: A case of primary cardiac large B-cell lymphoma was studied with conventional histopathological and immunohistochemical staining in combination with literature review. RESULTS: The lesion appeared to originate in the right atrium and involved the venae cavae and the left atrium. Microscopic examination showed diffuse proliferation of large atypical lymphocytes with abundant cytoplasm, vestiealer nuelei, thick nuclear membrane and conspicuous nucleoli. Giant tumor cells scattered in the lesion. The neoplastic cells were positive for CD20 and CD79a. CONCLUSION: Primary cardiac lymphoma is extremely rare, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. With non-specific clinical manifestations, the majority of primary cardiac lymphomas are of B-cell lineage and a bad prognosis.

[Expression and diagnostic application of C4.4A protein in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic utility of C4.4A gene expression in discriminating a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from an adenocarcinoma by immunohistochemistry. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of C4.4A protein in 157 cases of SCC and 177 cases of adenocarcinoma of various organs. RESULTS: Overall, 141 of 157 cases of SCC strongly expressed C4.4A protein. In contrast, only 8 of 177 adenocarcinomas showed partial or scattered cell expression of C4.4A protein. The statistic difference between the two groups was highly significant (chi(2) = 244.93, P = 0.000), and also when the tumors were stratified according to the degree of differentiation (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: C4.4A protein expression may serve as a valuable tumor marker in discriminating a squamous cell carcinoma from an adenocarcinoma, and therefore, may greatly facilitate the differential diagnosis of an epithelial malignancy.

[Expression of CD25+ lymphocytes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its association with EBV infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of CD25(+) lymphocytes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissue and the influence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection on CD25 expression. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD25 expression in the NPC tissues and in situ hybridization employed to detect EBV infection with chronic nasopharyngitis tissue as the control sample. RESULTS: Significant difference was noted in the expression of CD25(+) lymphocytes between NPC and chronic inflammatory tissues. The expression was higher in undifferentiated NPC than in keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma and non-keratinizing carcinomas. The NPC tissue was all EBV-positive except for one sample, which was identified as keratinizing carcinoma, but the control samples were all negative for EBV infection, which was correlated with CD25 expression. CONCLUSION: The expression of CD25(+) lymphocytes is higher in NPC tissues and correlated to EBV infection.

[Gene expression profiles in different tissues of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To screen the genes that may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Microdissection and cDNA genechip hybridization techniques were used to examine the differentially expressed genes in NPC tissue, the surrounding and adjacent tissues of NPC, and the nasopharyngeal inflammation tissue. The fluorescent signals on cDNA chip were scanned and the results of hybridization analyzed by image processing software. RESULTS: Many differentially expressed genes were identified between the three samples, including many different types of genes, such as those responsible for signal and protein transmission, oncogene and tumor suppression genes, immune-associated genes, apoptosis genes and DNA binding and transcription factor genes. CONCLUSION: The carcinogenesis of NPC involves many genes of a variety of types, suggesting its complex process.

[Hepatosplenic gammadeltaT-cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinicopathologic features and immunophenotype of hepatosplenic gammadeltaT-cell lymphoma. METHODS: A case of hepatosplenic gammadeltaT-cell lymphoma was studied with conventional histopathological and immunohistochemical staining in combination of literature review. RESULTS: Diffuse hepatic and splenic enlargement was found in this case. Microscopically, the liver and spleen showed marked sinusoidal infiltration. The cells of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma were homogeneous, medium in size with pale cytoplasm, and the nuclear chromatin was loosely condensed with small inconspicuous nucleoli. The neoplastic cells were positive for CD45RO, CD3 and TIA-1, but negative for CD57, CD20 and CD79a. CONCLUSION: Hepatosplenic gammadeltaT-cell lymphoma is a rare form of peripheral T-cell lymphoma and has usually poor prognosis, which should be differentiated from other lymphomas or leukemia.

[Unspecified peripheral T cell lymphoma with distinct lymphoid follicules].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morphological features and immunophenotype of unspecified peripheral T cell lymphoma with distinct lymphoid follicular growth pattern. METHODS: Three cases of peripheral T cell lymphoma with special pathohistological features were collected. Morphologic analysis and immunohistochemical staining for CD3, CD45RO, CD43, CD20, CD79a, cyclinD1, bcl-2, CD4, CD8 and S-100 were performed. PCR was used to study TCR gamma gene rearrangements. RESULTS: The main symptoms of all the three patients with the primary sites of cervix and lower jaw. There were intermittent fever and skin rashes in the course of the disease. Morphological study showed lymphoid follicular reactive hyperplasia, mantle zone disappear, prominent infiltration of marginal zones by medium-sized tumor cells with clear cytoplasm and significant nuclear atypia. The immunophenotypic profile confirmed that they were T cell lymphomas. TCR gamma gene rearrangements were found in all the three patients. CONCLUSION: In some unspecified peripheral T cell lymphomas, the distinct follicular growth pattern and incomplete effacement of the lymph node architecture make it necessary to differentiate them from reactive hyperplasia, marginal zone B cell lymphoma, follicular B cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.

[Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus RNA in autopsy tissues with in situ hybridization].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in SARS autopsy tissues at the molecular level. METHODS: In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression and location of SARS-CoV RNA polymerase gene in autopsy tissues from SARS-Cov-infected subjects, including the lung, spleen, lymph nodes, pituitary, pancreas, parathyroid, adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, skin, brain, liver, kidney, blood vessels, striated muscles of the limbs, bone marrow, heart, ovary, uterus and testicles. RESULT: SARS-CoV RNA was detected in the cytoplasm of the alveolar epithelia, infiltrating mononuclear phagocytes in the lungs, serous gland epithelium of the trachea/bronchus, monocytes in the spleen and lymph nodes, acinar cells in the pancreas, acidophilic cells in the parathyroid and pituitary, adrenal cortical cells, epithelia of the alimentary tracts, gastric parietal cells, sweat gland cells, brain neurons, hepatocytes near the central vein, epithelia of the distal renal tubules, bone marrow promyelocytes, and endothelia of the small veins. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV invades various organs of the body and distributes in a similar fashion to CD13, the receptor of human coronavirus 229E. The detection of SARS-CoV in the sweat glands, alimentary tracts and epithelia of the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney may help identify the transmission routes of SARS-CoV.

[Expression of the monoclonal antibody against nucleocapsid antigen of SARS-associated coronavirus in autopsy tissues from SARS patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence and distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in autopsy tissues obtained from patients died of SARS. METHODS: Immunohistochemical technique was applied in 4 fatal SARS cases to examine the autopsy tissues including the lungs, spleen, lymph nodes, brain, pituitary, heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, trachea, esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, adrenal glands, parathyroids, skin and bone marrow. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry identified positive monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV nuceeocapsid (N) protein in the alveolar epithelium and the infiltrating monocytes or macrophages in the lung, spleen and lymph nodes; the presence of the antibody was also detected in the serous gland epithelium of the trachea/bronchus, squamous epithelium of the esophagus, the gastric parietal cells, the epithelium of the intestinal tract, acidophilic cells in the parathyroids and pituitary, acinus cells in the pancreas, adrenal cortical cells, sweat gland cells, small vessel endothelium, bone marrow promyelocytes, epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney, brain neurons, and the hepatocytes near the central vein. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of organs and tissues can be infected by SARS-CoV, and the positive expression of SARS-CoV N protein in the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract, the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney and the sweat gland cells is significant for studying the transmission routes of SARS.

[Study on etiology and pathology of severe acute respiratory syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS: Three autopsy cases were studied retrospectively. Routine HE stain was used to study all the cases. Part of the lung tissue specimens were studied further with Macchiavello's stain, viral inclusion body stain, reticulin and PAS stains, immunohistochemistry, thin sections with staining, light microscopy and transmission electronic microscope investigation. RESULTS: The earliest symptom of all 3 cases was hyperpyrexia and followed by progressive dyspnea and appearance of lung field shadows in X rays findings. Pulmonary lesions included: bilateral and extensive consolidation, localized hemorrhage and necrosis, desquamative alveolitis and bronchitis, alveolar proliferation and desquamation, accumulation of protein exudates, mononuclear cells, lymphocytes, and plasma cells as well as hyaline membrane formation in alveoli and viral inclusion bodies were seen in the alveolus epithelial cells. The exudated organization tended to become glomeruloid organizing pneumonitis in a few avaoli. Lesions of the immune organs included: large patchy necrosis in the spleens and localized necrosis in the lymph nodes were seen. Bone marrow became restrained. There were lesions of systemic small vasculitis including edema of the perivascular tissue and vascular wall of the small veins with localized fibrinoid necrosis distributing in the heart, lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands and the striated muscles accompanying with mononuclear cells and lymphocytes infiltration. Thrombosis was seen in part of the small veins. In addition, there were also the systemic poisonous changes including: degeneration and necrosis of the parenchyma cells in lungs, liver, kidneys, heart and adrenals. Electronic microscopy demonstrated clusters of virus particles seen in the lung tissue. CONCLUSION: SARS is a systemic disease. Lungs, immune system and systemic small vessels are the main target organs attacked by the virus. Extensive consolidation of lungs, formation of hyaline membrane to a large extent, respiratory distress and decrease of immune function are the main causes of death.