CD72, a new immune checkpoint molecule, is a novel prognostic biomarker for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and mortality of clear cell carcinoma of the kidney increases yearly. There are limited screening methods and advances in treating kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). It is important to find new biomarkers to screen, diagnose and predict the prognosis of KIRC. Some studies have shown that CD72 influences the development and progression of colorectal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and acute lymphoid leukemia. However, there is a lack of research on the role of CD72 in the pathogenesis of KIRC. This study aimed to determine whether CD72 is associated with the prognosis and immune infiltration of KIRC, providing an essential molecular basis for the early non-invasive diagnosis and immunotherapy of KIRC. METHODS: Using TCGA, GTE, GEO, and ImmPort databases, we obtained the differentially expressed mRNA (DEmRNA) associated with the prognosis and immunity of KIRC patients. We used the Kruskal-Wallis test to identify clinicopathological parameters associated with target gene expression. We performed univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses to determine the effect of target gene expression and clinicopathological parameters on survival. We analyzed the target genes' relevant functions and signaling pathways through enrichment analysis. Finally, the correlation of target genes with tumor immune infiltration was explored by ssGSEA and Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed that patients with KIRC with higher expression of CD72 have a poorer prognosis. CD72 was associated with the Pathologic T stage, Pathologic stage, Pathologic M stage, Pathologic N stage, Histologic grade in KIRC patients, Laterality, and OS event. It was an independent predictor of the overall survival of KIRC patients. Functional enrichment analysis showed that CD72 was significantly enriched in oncogenic and immune-related pathways. According to ssGSEA and Spearman correlation analysis, CD72 expression was significantly associated with tumor immune cells and immune checkpoints. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that CD72 is associated with tumor immunity and may be a biomarker relevant to the diagnosis and prognosis of KIRC patients.

Association between maternal rheumatoid arthritis and small for gestational age neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: According to reports, maternal rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been suggested as a possible adverse factor for developing small for gestational age (SGA) in offspring. However, some studies have also indicated a need for a more statistically significant association between the two. Understanding the relationship between maternal RA and the risk of SGA is crucial for identifying potential adverse outcomes and implementing appropriate interventions. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the association between maternal RA and the risk of offspring developing SGA. Methods: This study was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (ID: CRD42022357590). A systematic literature search was conducted to identify eligible studies up to August 2022. Quality assessment was performed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The Q test and I2 test tested and estimated heterogeneity among studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI were calculated using random or fixed effects models depending on the heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias assessments were also performed. Results: Seven studies, including 12,323,918 participants, were included in the analysis. The results showed a statistically significant association between maternal RA and SGA (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.29-2.23, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed stable results. The funnel plot of the symmetric distribution and the results of Begg's and Egger's tests showed no publication bias. Conclusion: Maternal RA is associated with an increased risk of SGA in offspring. However, more studies are still needed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying maternal RA and SGA association. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier [CRD42022357590].

Association between pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis and preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To examine the association between pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the risk of preeclampsia. METHODS: This study was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the number CRD42022361571. The primary outcome was preeclampsia. Two evaluators independently reviewed the included studies, assessed their risk of bias, and extracted the data. Unadjusted and adjusted ratios with 95% confidence intervals and 95% prediction intervals were calculated. Heterogeneity was quantified using the І2 statistic, where І2 ≥ 50% indicated the presence of significant heterogeneity. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the overall findings. RESULTS: A total of 8 studies, including 10,951,184 pregnant women, of whom 13,333 were diagnosed with RA, met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed that pregnant women with RA were significantly more likely to develop preeclampsia than those without RA (pooled odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-1.80; P < .001; І2 < .001). CONCLUSION: RA during pregnancy is associated with higher odds of preeclampsia.

Pre- and Post-Pandemic (COVID-19) Mental Health of International Students: Data from a Longitudinal Study.

Purpose: International students are highly vulnerable to the risk of mental health worsening before and during the pandemic (COVID-19). This study investigated international students' mental health pre- and post-pandemic (COVID-19). Methods: It is a longitudinal study, and data were collected online, pre-pandemic (N = 470) and during the pandemic (N = 420). Using a random sampling technique, a self-administered questionnaire was used to measure mental health, including depression and anxiety. Results: Findings show that international students' mental health was good in pre-pandemic. Meanwhile, international students were found to be more depressed and anxious during the pandemic. Findings also investigated that in the pre-pandemic phase, young students' and mainly females' mental health was worsened. Conclusion: This study concluded that students' mental problems are alarming, so the university should provide psychological services for the student's mental health. Post-pandemic is leaving long-lasting psychological effects and will require further investigation.

Effect of swallowing training combined with nutritional intervention on the nutritional status and quality of life of laryngeal cancer patients with dysphagia after operation and radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is a common complication in patients with laryngeal cancer after surgery and radiotherapy. OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of swallowing training administered in combination with nutritional intervention on the nutritional status and quality of life of laryngeal cancer patients with dysphagia after surgery and radiotherapy. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with laryngeal cancer who developed dysphagia were randomly divided into control group and intervention group (n = 33 in each group). Patients in both groups received total laryngectomy and prophylactic radiotherapy and were provided routine health counseling and swallowing training. Patients in the intervention group were additionally provided with nutritional intervention. All patients were evaluated using video fluoroscopic swallowing examination (VFSE), Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment on nutritional status (PG-SGA) score, and Quality of Life Questionnaire-core 30 (QLQ-c30) score immediately after radiotherapy and 3 months later. RESULTS: Prior to swallowing training, there was no significant between-group difference with respect to VFSE evaluation, PG-SGA score, or QLQ-c30 score. Both groups showed improvement in these measures at 3 months after radiotherapy; however, the improvement in the intervention group was significantly better than that in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Swallowing training combined with nutritional intervention can improve swallowing function, nutritional status and the quality of life of laryngeal cancer patients with dysphagia after operation and radiotherapy.

Bioinformatics analysis of gene expression profile data to screen key genes involved in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic inflammatory and granulomatous disease that occurs in almost all populations and affects multiple organs. Meanwhile, its most common manifestation is pulmonary sarcoidosis. This study aimed to identify effective biomarkers for the diagnosis and therapy of pulmonary sarcoidosis. METHODS: GSE16538 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus, including 6 pulmonary sarcoidosis samples and 6 normal lung samples. Then, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by limma package in R. After the expression values of the DEGs were extracted, hierarchical clustering analysis was performed for the DEGs using the pheatmap package in R. Subsequently, protein-protein interaction (PPI) pairs among the DEGs were searched by STRING or REACTOME databases, and then PPI networks were visualized by Cytoscape software. Using DAVID and KOBAS, functional and pathway enrichment analyses separately were performed for the DEGs involved in the PPI network. RESULTS: Total 208 DEGs were identified in pulmonary sarcoidosis samples, including 179 up-regulated genes and 29 down-regulated genes. Hierarchical clustering showed that the DEGs could clearly distinguish the pulmonary sarcoidosis samples from the normal lung samples. In the PPI network constructed by STRING database, CXCL9, STAT1, CCL5, CXCL11 and GBP1 had higher degrees and betweenness values, and could interact with each other. Functional enrichment showed that CXCL9, CXCL11 and CCL5 were enriched in immune response. Moreover, STAT1 was enriched in pathways of chemokine signaling pathway and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: CXCL9, CXCL11, STAT1, CCL5 and GBP1 might be implicated in pulmonary sarcoidosis through interacting with each other.

Structural basis for a novel interaction between TXNIP and Vav2.

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is a multifunctional protein involved in diverse cellular processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. TXNIP stability is controlled by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch directly interacts with TXNIP via PPxY motifs of TXNIP. In a previously published study, we have shown that phosphorylation of the PPxY tyrosyl residue switches TXNIP selectivity between different binding partners. Here, we describe that tyrosine-phosphorylated PPxY motifs also bind to SH2 domains of Vav2 and Src with dissociation constants around 10 µm and that phosphorylation is indispensable for these interactions as well. The crystal structure of the complex between a phosphorylated PPxY motif, and the SH2 domain of Vav2 reveals a conserved recognition mechanism.