CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Bsr-d1 enhances the blast resistance of rice in Northeast China.

KEY MESSAGE: The blast resistance allele of OsBsr-d1 does not exist in most japonica rice varieties of Jilin Province in China. The development of Bsr-d1 knockout mutants via CRISPR/Cas9 enhances broad-spectrum resistance to rice blast in Northeast China. Rice blast is a global disease that has a significant negative impact on rice yield and quality. Due to the complexity and variability of the physiological races of rice blast, controlling rice blast is challenging in agricultural production. Bsr-d1, a negative transcription factor that confers broad-spectrum resistance to rice blast, was identified in the indica rice cultivar Digu; however, its biological function in japonica rice varieties is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the blast resistance allele of Bsr-d1 in a total of 256 japonica rice varieties from Jilin Province in Northeast China and found that this allele was not present in these varieties. Therefore, we generated Bsr-d1 knockout mutants via the CRISPR/Cas9 system using the japonica rice variety Jigeng88 (JG88) as a recipient variety. Compared with those of the wild-type JG88, the homozygous Bsr-d1 mutant lines KO#1 and KO#2 showed enhanced leaf blast resistance at the seedling stage to several Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) races collected from Jilin Province in Northeast China. Physiological and biochemical indices revealed that the homozygous mutant lines produced more hydrogen peroxide than did JG88 plants when infected with M. oryzae. Comparative RNA-seq revealed that the DEGs were mainly involved in the synthesis of amide compounds, zinc finger proteins, transmembrane transporters, etc. In summary, our results indicate that the development of Bsr-d1 knockout mutants through CRISPR/Cas9 can enhance the broad-spectrum resistance of rice in Northeast China to rice blast. This study not only provides a theoretical basis for disease resistance breeding involving the Bsr-d1 gene in Northeast China, but also provides new germplasm resources for disease-resistance rice breeding.

Promoting physical activity among cancer survivors: an umbrella review of systematic reviews.

PURPOSE: Exercise is the core element of rehabilitation for cancer patients. However, most of the patients' exercise levels failed to meet the indicators recommended by the guidelines or even decreased. Therefore, this umbrella review aims to provide an overview of review articles addressing the evidence of interventions to promote physical activity behavior change and increase physical activity among cancer patients. METHODS: We searched nine databases from inception to 12 May 2022 to obtain systematic reviews and meta-analyses of interventions to promote physical activity among cancer patients. The AMSTAR-2 was used for the quality assessment. RESULTS: Twenty-six individual systematic reviews including 13 studies performed meta-analyses. A total of 16 studies' designs were all in randomized controlled trial. Most reviews included studies that were mainly delivered in home settings. The most frequent and mean duration of the interventions was 12 weeks. Interventions mainly included electronic, wearable health technology-based, behavior change techniques (BCTs), and theory-based strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic, wearable health technology-based, BCTs, and theory-based interventions were effective and feasible in promoting physical activity in cancer survivors. Clinical practitioners should take corresponding intervention measures according to the characteristics of patients in different groups. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Future research may benefit cancer survivors by more comprehensively applying electronic, wearable health technology-based, BCTs, and theory-based interventions.

Clinical Evaluation of Comfort Nursing in Gynecological Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery is a standard procedure for gynecological patients but can be associated with discomfort and anxiety. Comfort nursing interventions have been proposed as a potential approach to improve the well-being and outcomes of patients undergoing such surgeries. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of comfort nursing on patient comfort, anxiety, and depression levels during the postoperative period of laparoscopic surgery. Methods: A total of 90 gynecological patients with ovarian cysts were randomly assigned to either the control group (n = 45), receiving conventional nursing, or the experimental group (n = 45), receiving comfort nursing. The General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale were utilized to measure patient comfort and psychological well-being. Data analysis was performed using t tests, Fisher's exact test, and chi-square tests. Results: The results demonstrated that the experimental group receiving comfort nursing had significantly higher scores in the environment domain and total GCQ score than the control group (P < .05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the physiology, psychology, and society domains of the GCQ. Moreover, the experimental group had better HAD scores compared to the control group (P < .05). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that comfort nursing is an effective approach to improving patient comfort and reducing anxiety in gynecological patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for ovarian cysts. Implementing comfort nursing interventions can enhance the overall care experience for these patients and potentially contribute to better surgical outcomes.

CACNA1B facilitates breast cancer cell growth and migration by regulating cyclin D1 and EMT: the implication of CACNA1B in breast cancer.

PURPOSE: This study mainly aimed to explore the influences of Calcium Voltage-Gated Channel Subunit Alpha1 B (CACNA1B) on the development of breast cancer and the related mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information of patients with breast cancer from TCGA database was used for analyses of CACNA1B expression and its prognostic value. Loss- and gain- of functions of CACNA1B were conducted in MCF7 and Bcap-37 cells, respectively. CCK-8, colony formation and transwell assays were applied for evaluating the cell viability and motility. Western blot was used for protein expression detection. RESULTS: We revealed that highly expressed CACNA1B in breast cancer tissues was related to poor prognosis according to the data gained from TCGA database. The outcomes of functional assays showed that depletion of CACNA1B restrained MCF7 cell growth, invasion and migration and high-expression of CACNA1B fortified the growth, invasion and migration in Bcap-37 cells. Finally, we manifested that silencing CACNA1B obviously raised the protein expression level of E-cadherin and reduced the protein levels of Cyclin D1, N-cadherin and Snail in MCF7 cells, whilst, over-expression of CACNA1B reduced the level of E-cadherin and increased the expression of Cyclin D1, N-cadherin and Snail in Bcap-37 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results identified CACNA1B as a forwarder of the growth, invasion and migration in breast cancer cells.

Effects of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function and cancer-related symptoms in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Cognitive decline is one of the main side effects of breast cancer patients after relevant treatment, but there is a lack of clear measures for prevention and management without definite mechanism. Moreover, postoperative patients also have a need for limb rehabilitation. Whether the cognitive benefits of Baduanjin exercise can improve the overall well-being of breast cancer patients remains unknown. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy who were randomly assigned and allocated to (1:1) a supervised Baduanjin intervention group (5 times/week, 30 min each time) or a control group for 3 months. The effects of Baduanjin exercise intervention were evaluated by outcome measures including subjective cognitive function, symptoms (fatigue, depression, and anxiety), and health-related quality of life at pre-intervention (T0), 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2), and 12 weeks (T3). The collected data were analyzed by using an intention-to-treat principle and linear mixed-effects modeling. RESULTS: Participants in the Baduanjin intervention group had a significantly greater improvement in terms of FACT-Cog (F = 14.511; p < 0.001), PCI (F = 15.789; p < 0.001), PCA (F = 6.261; p = 0.015), and FACT-B scores (F = 8.900; p = 0.004) compared with the control group over the time. The exercise-cognition relationship was significantly mediated through the reduction of fatigue (indirect effect: ß = 0.132; 95% CI 0.046 to 0.237) and the improvement of anxiety (indirect effect: ß = - 0.075; 95% CI - 0.165 to -0.004). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study revealed the benefits of Baduanjin exercise for subjective cognition and health-related quality of life of Chinese breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and outlined the underlying mediating mechanism of exercise-cognition. The findings provided insights into the development of public health initiatives to promote brain health and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR 2,000,033,152.

Measuring the uptake of continuous care among people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy and social determinants of the uptake of continuous care in the southwest of China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Continuous care is essential for people living with HIV. This study aimed to measure continuous care uptake and investigate the association between higher uptake of continuous care and behavioral and social factors, including HIV-acquisition risk and socioeconomic characteristics. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2019 in an HIV treatment center of a specialized hospital in Kunming city, China. Fourteen service indicators were used to calculate composite care scores, which were classified into three levels (low, middle, and high), using principal component analysis. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations was employed to examine predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with composite care scores among people living with HIV. RESULTS: A total of 702 participants living with HIV aged ≥ 18 years (median age: 41.0 years, 69.4% male) who had been on ART for 1-5 years were recruited. Based on ordinal logistic regression modeling, predisposing factors: being employed (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-2.11), heterosexuals (AOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11-2.25) and men who have sex with men (AOR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.39-3.02) and enabling factors: Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (AOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.03-3.54), middle socioeconomic status (SES) (AOR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01-2.01), were positively associated with the higher level of continuous care uptake, compared to the unemployed, people who inject drugs, those with no medical insurance and low SES, respectively. CONCLUSION: There were large differences in continuous care uptake among people living with HIV. HIV-acquisition risk categories and socioeconomic factors were significant determinants of uptake of continuous care. Our findings could inform the development of evidence-based strategies that promote equitable healthcare for all people living with HIV.

Salvianolic acid B exerts a protective effect in acute liver injury by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) exerts strong antioxidant activity and eliminates the free radical effect. However, how it affects the antioxidant pathway is not very clear. The objective of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of Sal B in CCl4-induced acute liver injury, especially its effect on the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. For the in vivo experiment, an acute liver injury model was induced using CCl4 and treated with Sal B. For the in vitro experiment, an oxidative damage model was established followed by Sal B treatment. Serum biochemical indicators and reactive oxygen species activity were detected using corresponding kits. Oxidant/antioxidant status was determined based on the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. Nrf2 and HO-1 levels were analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Sal B treatment improved liver histology, decreased the aminotransferase levels, and attenuated oxidative stress in the acute liver injury model. Nrf2 and HO-1 levels were increased both in vivo and in vitro. Sal B suppresses acute liver injury and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling plays a key role in this process.

Chitinophaga lutea sp. nov., isolated from arsenic-contaminated soil.

A yellow-coloured bacterial strain, designated ZY74T, was isolated from arsenic contaminated soil (34 mg kg-1) sample collected in Longkou, Hubei Province, PR China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. Strain ZY74T produced round, yellow-pigmented, smooth and opaque colonies. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain ZY74T was found to be affiliated with members of the genus Chitinophaga. Its closest members were Chitinophagabarathri YLT18T (97.72 %) and Chitinophaganiabensis JS13-10T (97.17 %). The genome size of strain ZY74T was 6.61 Mb, containing 5351 predicted protein-coding genes, with a DNA G+C content of 55.0 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values of strain ZY74T with C. barathri YLT18T and C. niabensis DSM 24787T were 76.12 and 73.32 %, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain ZY74T with C. barathri YLT18T and C. niabensis JS13-10T were 20.60 and 19.40 %, respectively. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 and the predominant fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C15:0, C16 : 1ω5c and iso-C17 : 03-OH. On the basis of phylogenetic, genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterization, strain ZY74T represents a novel species in the genus Chitinophaga, for which the name Chitinophagalutea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZY74T (=CCTCC AB2018369T=KCTC 72039T).

Lorentz Transmission Electron Microscopy Image Simulations of Experimental Nano-Chessboard Observations in Co-Pt Alloys.

The magnetization configuration of a novel nano-chessboard structure consisting of L10 and L12 phases in a Co40Pt60 alloy is investigated using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) and micro-magnetic simulations. We show high-resolution LTEM images of nano-size magnetic features acquired through spherical aberration correction in Lorentz Fresnel mode. Phase reconstructions and LTEM image simulations are carried out to fully understand the magnetic microstructure. The experimental Fresnel images of the nano-chessboard structure show zig-zag shaped magnetic domain walls at the inter-phase boundaries between L10 and L12 phases. A circular magnetization distribution with vortex and anti-vortex type arrangement is evident in the phase reconstructed magnetic induction maps as well as simulated maps. The magnetic contrast in experimental LTEM images is interpreted with the help of magnetic induction maps simulated for various relative electron beam-sample orientations inside the TEM.

Human Blood-Circulating Basophils Capture HIV-1 and Mediate Viral trans-Infection of CD4+ T Cells.

UNLABELLED: Cell-associated HIV-1 infection has been proposed to play a pivotal role in the spread of HIV-1 infection. Granulocytes are a category of white blood cells, comprising mainly basophils, neutrophils, and eosinophils, and participate in various inflammatory reactions and defense against pathogens. Here, we investigated the role of human blood granulocytes in the dissemination of HIV-1. These cells were found to express a variety of HIV-1 attachment factors (HAFs). Basophils expressed HAFs dendritic cell (DC)-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM3)-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), DC immunoreceptor (DCIR), heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), and α4ß7 integrin and mediated the most efficient capture of HIV-1 on the cell surface. Neutrophils were found to express DCIR and demonstrated limited efficiency of viral capture. Eosinophils expressed α4ß7 integrin but exhibited little or no virus-binding capacity. Intriguingly, following direct contact with CD4+ T cells, viruses harbored on the surface of basophils were transferred to T cells. The contact between basophils and CD4+ T cells and formation of infectious synapses appeared necessary for efficient HIV-1 spread. In HIV-1-infected individuals, the frequency of basophils remained fairly stable over the course of disease, regardless of CD4+ T depletion or the emergence of AIDS-associated opportunistic infections. Collectively, our results provide novel insights into the roles of granulocytes, particularly basophils, in HIV-1 dissemination. Thus, strategies designed to prevent basophil-mediated viral capture and transfer may be developed into a new form of therapy. IMPORTANCE: Cell-associated HIV-1 infection has been proposed to play a pivotal role in the spread of HIV-1 infection. Here, we demonstrated that human blood-circulating granulocytes, particularly basophils, can capture HIV-1 and mediate viral trans-infection of CD4+ T cells. The expression of a variety of HIV-1 attachment factors, such as the C-type lectins, etc., facilitates viral capture and transfer. Intriguingly, the frequency of basophils in patients with different levels of CD4+ T counts remains fairly stable during the course of disease. Our results provide novel insights into the roles of granulocytes, particularly basophils, in HIV-1 dissemination. We suggest that strategies designed to prevent basophil-mediated viral capture and transfer may be a new direction for the development of anti-HIV therapy.

Stakeholders' experiences and perceptions of male breast cancer:A qualitative evidence synthesis.

BACKGROUND: The experiences, physical and mental health and needs of women with breast cancer have been studied in some detail, but there is a lack of discussion of the experiences of stakeholder groups such as men with breast cancer, partners and carers and healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to explore and understand the experiences and perceptions of male breast cancer stakeholders from diagnosis through to survivorship. METHODS: We conducted a thematic review of qualitative studies included in a large published scoping review on male breast cancer (reported under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews extension). To be included in a qualitative evidence review, studies had to use qualitative methods for data collection and analysis to capture the perspectives of men with breast cancer, partners or caregivers, and healthcare workers. Key characteristics and findings were extracted and a conceptual coding framework was summarized using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Out of a total of 310 studies in the research literature (published research articles and gray literature), 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies reported on the experiences of men with breast cancer, partners or caregivers, and healthcare workers, with participant numbers ranging from 2 to 31. A total of 17 descriptive themes (study outcomes) were identified. From these, four high-level analytic themes emerged: (1) Predicament; (2) Emotion; (3) Support; (4) Coping. CONCLUSIONS: The gender stigma that exists at the patient, healthcare system, and family-society levels largely influences the experiences of the male breast cancer stakeholder population. To address gender inequalities in breast cancer care, healthcare organizations and society at large should remain equally attentive to the needs of male and female breast cancer patients. These needs include reducing healthcare and social stigma, providing gender-specific information and emotional support, and access to support groups.

DNMT1-mediated epigenetic suppression of FBXO32 expression promoting cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) survival and esophageal cancer cell growth.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common and serious form of cancer, and while DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) promotes DNA methylation and carcinogenesis, the role of F-box protein 32 (FBXO32) in EC and its regulation by DNMT1-mediated methylation is still unclear. FBXO32 expression was examined in EC cells with high DNMT1 expression using GSE163735 dataset. RT-qPCR assessed FBXO32 expression in normal and EC cells, and impact of higher FBXO32 expression on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was evaluated, along with EMT-related proteins. The xenograft model established by injecting EC cells transfected with FBXO32 was used to evaluate tumor growth, apoptosis, and tumor cells proliferation and metastasis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was employed to study the interaction between DNMT1 and FBXO32. HitPredict, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pulldown assay analyzed the interaction between FBXO32 and cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9). Finally, the ubiquitination assay identified CDK9 ubiquitination, and its half-life was measured using cycloheximide and confirmed through western blotting. DNMT1 negatively correlated with FBXO32 expression in esophageal cells. High FBXO32 expression was associated with better overall survival in patients. Knockdown of DNMT1 in EC cells increased FBXO32 expression and suppressed malignant phenotypes. FBXO32 repressed EC tumor growth and metastasis in mice. Enrichment of DNMT1 in FBXO32 promoter region led to increased DNA methylation and reduced transcription. Mechanistically, FBXO32 degraded CDK9 through promoting its ubiquitination.

Measurable Residual Disease Analysis by Flow Cytometry and Correlation With Molecular Measurable Residual Disease in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Real-World Prospective Study.

CONTEXT.­: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia distinguished by its rapidly progressive and fatal clinical course. Measurable/minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring is vital for the prognosis and clinical management of acute myeloid leukemia. OBJECTIVE.­: To examine the immunophenotypes of the residual leukemic cells, evaluate the performance of multiparametric flow cytometry (FCM) measuring MRD, and compare it with molecular monitoring in patients diagnosed with APL. DESIGN.­: Two hundred seventy-seven patients with APL were enrolled. Immunophenotypes were prospectively analyzed by a 1-tube-10-color antibody panel via FCM. MRD of APL with PML::RARα was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR). The clinical value of MRD as an indicator of survival was also examined. RESULTS.­: APL showed 5 distinct patterns of residual leukemic cells, based on CD45 and side-scatter scattergram, all with CD9 positivity and a previously unrealized loss of CD117. FCM-based MRD evaluation showed a concordance rate of 87.7% with PCR. At the end of the consolidation therapy, MRD measured by both PCR and FCM could differentiate patients with longer and shorter overall survival (OS) (P = .04 and P = .03, respectively). Patients with APL variant had a shorter OS than patients with APL who harbored PML::RARα (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS.­: CD9 is a reliable marker to differentiate residual leukemic cells from normally differentiating myeloid cells. FCM demonstrated a high comparability to PCR-MRD and an excellent performance in predicting OS, and thus could potentially be used as a routine indicator in the clinical management of patients with APL.

Comparison of the effects of different functional exercise sequences on lymphedema in breast cancer: protocol for an exploratory randomised controlled cross-over trial.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a common postoperative complication of breast cancer. It develops in a chronic and vicious cycle. Once lymphedema occurs, it cannot be cured and bring serious physiological, psychological, social and economic burden to patients. Upper limb functional exercises are an effective and convenient intervention for managing lymphedema. However, the optimal exercise sequence remains unclear. Therefore, we aim to compare the effects of exercise sequences under the guidance of commonly used exercise sequences and lymphatic flow theory. METHODS: An exploratory randomised controlled cross-over trial will be conducted. 32 patients with BCRL are randomly allocated into two groups (group A and group B). Group A patients will perform functional exercise from wrist joint to shoulder joint, and the exercise direction of group B is opposite to that of group A, that is, from shoulder joint to wrist joint end. Exercise time is once a day, each 20-30 min, for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks of washout period, A and B groups of exchange exercise sequences (exercise frequency and duration unchanged). The primary outcome is upper limb circumference, and secondary outcomes are upper limb function and lymphedema symptoms. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study protocol is presented in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials guidelines. All participants will sign a written informed consent. The research ethics regional committee of Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital has approved the study. Regardless of the outcome of this study, the results will be published in open-access journals to ensure public access. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2200066463.

In-Depth Review of Loeffler Endocarditis: What Have We Learned?

Loeffler endocarditis, eosinophilic endocarditis or eosinophilic endomyocardial disease are conditions associated with hypereosinophilia and they affect the heart function. Loeffler endocarditis is a rare endomyocardial disorder thought to be caused by eosinophilic damage. The disorder is characterized by inflammatory infiltration, formation of thrombus within cardiovascular system, and ultimately fibrosis of the afflicted area. It can lead to multiple severe complications, including thromboembolic disease, thickening of fibrous tissue in the endocardium of ventricles, valve involvement, apical obliteration, and various heart disorders. Although early clinical intervention can lead to remission, the underlying mechanisms of the disorder remain unresolved. In the present article, we summarise the existing literature concerning Loeffler endocarditis based on PubMed, Web of Science, and other medical databases to conduct an in-depth review of the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, staging, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Loeffler endocarditis. Meanwhile, we provide novel patients data and clinical figures of Loeffler endocarditis to supplement the understanding of this cardiac disorder. The findings presented in this article provide a basis for further studies and can be used to improve management of the disorder.

An Evidence-Based Medical Review on Promoting Gastrointestinal Function Recovery After Colorectal Cancer Surgery.

Objective: The objective of this study was to search for, evaluate, and summarize data related to a faster postoperative recovery in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) based on literature from China as well as internationally. This will serve as an evidence-based foundation for the clinical implementation of enhanced postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with CRC. Methods: Based on the hierarchical "6S" evidence model, we conducted a systematic search of computerized decision-support systems, guideline websites, as well as domestic and international databases for evidence, guidelines, expert consensus statements, clinical decision-making, best practices, evidence summaries, and systematic reviews of interventions focusing on accelerating gastrointestinal function rehabilitation after CRC surgery. The time limit for the search was from the date of creation of the database to January 2023. Two researchers evaluated the quality of the literature that was included, and we extracted data and summarized the evidence from those publications that fulfilled the quality criteria. Results: The review included a total of 21 publications, comprising 6 guidelines, 6 systematic reviews, 3 expert consensus statements, 4 randomized controlled trials, and 2 evidence summaries. We summarized 51 best evidence findings across five areas: organizational management, preoperative risk assessment, education, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative management. Conclusion: There is a wide variety and wealth of information available on interventions to promote enhanced postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with CRC. The use of evidence is discussed, keeping in mind the practical situation in China.

gp120-derived amyloidogenic peptides form amyloid fibrils that increase HIV-1 infectivity.

Apart from mediating viral entry, the function of the free HIV-1 envelope protein (gp120) has yet to be elucidated. Our group previously showed that EP2 derived from one ß-strand in gp120 can form amyloid fibrils that increase HIV-1 infectivity. Importantly, gp120 contains ~30 ß-strands. We examined whether gp120 might serve as a precursor protein for the proteolytic release of amyloidogenic fragments that form amyloid fibrils, thereby promoting viral infection. Peptide array scanning, enzyme degradation assays, and viral infection experiments in vitro confirmed that many ß-stranded peptides derived from gp120 can indeed form amyloid fibrils that increase HIV-1 infectivity. These gp120-derived amyloidogenic peptides, or GAPs, which were confirmed to form amyloid fibrils, were termed gp120-derived enhancers of viral infection (GEVIs). GEVIs specifically capture HIV-1 virions and promote their attachment to target cells, thereby increasing HIV-1 infectivity. Different GAPs can cross-interact to form heterogeneous fibrils that retain the ability to increase HIV-1 infectivity. GEVIs even suppressed the antiviral activity of a panel of antiretroviral agents. Notably, endogenous GAPs and GEVIs were found in the lymphatic fluid, lymph nodes, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AIDS patients in vivo. Overall, gp120-derived amyloid fibrils might play a crucial role in the process of HIV-1 infectivity and thus represent novel targets for anti-HIV therapeutics.

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping is of great value to diagnosis of natural killer cell neoplasms involving bone marrow and peripheral blood.

Natural killer (NK) cell neoplasms are unusual disorders. In this study we compared results of flow cytometric immunophenotype (FCI) with cytomorphology, histopathology and clinical findings in a series of patients with NK cell neoplasms with peripheral blood and/or bone marrow involvement, and the FCI of neoplastic and normal NK cells were compared. Retrospective data and specimens (bone marrow aspiration or peripheral blood) from 71 cases of NK cell neoplasms were obtained. All patients have been demonstrated laboratory and clinical features consistent with NK cell neoplasms, and the subtypes were determined by integrated clinical estimation. Routine 4-color flow cytometry (FCM) using a NK/T cell related antibody panels was performed. NK cell neoplasms were divided into two major subtypes by FCI, namely malignant NK cell lymphoma, including extranodal nasal type NK cell lymphoma (ENKL, 11 cases) and aggressive NK cell lymphoma/leukemia (ANKL, 43 cases), and relative indolent chronic lymphoproliferative disorder of NK cell (CLPD-NK, 17 cases). The former exhibited stronger CD56-expressing, larger forward scatter (FSC) and more usually CD7- and CD16-missing. FCI of CLPD-NK was similar to normal NK cells, but CD56-expressing was abnormal, which was negative in five cases and partially or dimly expressed in eight cases. Cytomorphologic abnormal cells were found on bone marrow slides of 4 cases of ENKL and 30 cases of ANKL. Eight cases of ENKL were positive in bone marrow biopsies, and other three cases were negative. In 32 cases of ANKL which bone marrow biopsies were applied, 21 cases were positive in the first biopsies. Lymphocytosis was found only in six cases of CLPD-NK by cytomorphology, and biopsy pathology was not much useful for diagnosing CLPD-NK. These results suggest that FCM analysis of bone marrow and peripheral blood was superior to cytomorphology, bone marrow biopsy, and immunohistochemistry in sensitivity and early diagnosis for ANKL, stage III/IV ENKL and CLPD-NK. FCI could not only define abnormal NK cells but also determine the malignant classification. It is beneficial for clinical management and further study of NK cell neoplasms.

Chloroplast-targeted bacterial RecA proteins confer tolerance to chloroplast DNA damage by methyl viologen or UV-C radiation in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants.

The nature and importance of the DNA repair system in the chloroplasts of higher plants under oxidative stress or UV radiation-induced genotoxicity was investigated via gain-of-functional approaches exploiting bacterial RecAs. For this purpose, transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants and cell suspensions overexpressing Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa RecA fused to a chloroplast-targeting transit peptide were first produced. The transgenic tobacco plants maintained higher amounts of chloroplast DNA compared with wild-type (WT) upon treatments with methyl viologen (MV), a herbicide that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chloroplasts. Consistent with these results, the transgenic tobacco leaves showed less bleaching than WT following MV exposure. Similarly, the MV-treated transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing the chloroplast RecA homologue RECA1 showed weak bleaching, while the recA1 mutant showed opposite results upon MV treatment. In addition, when exposed to UV-C radiation, the dark-grown E. coli RecA-overexpressing transgenic tobacco cell suspensions, but not their WT counterparts, resumed growth and greening after the recovery period under light conditions. Measurements of UV radiation-induced chloroplast DNA damage using DraI assays (Harlow et al. 1994) with the chloroplast rbcL DNA probe and quantitative PCR analyses showed that the transgenic cell suspensions better repaired their UV-C radiation-induced chloroplast DNA lesions compared with WT. Taken all together, it was concluded that RecA-overexpressing transgenic plants are endowed with an increased chloroplast DNA maintenance capacity and enhanced repair activities, and consequently have a higher survival tolerance to genotoxic stresses. These observations are made possible by the functional compatibility of the bacterial RecAs in chloroplasts.

DCXR promotes cell proliferation by promoting the activity of aerobic glycolysis in breast cancer.

The function of human dicarbonyl/L­xylulose reductase (DCXR) in the pathophysiology of breast cancer is yet to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the function of DCXR in glycolysis and the cell cycle of breast cancer cells with respect to cell proliferation. Differential expressed DCXR was identified in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and verified in clinical breast cancer tissue. DCXR silencing and overexpression were induced by RNA interference and lentiviral vectors, respectively. Cell cycle progression, proliferation and glycolytic activity of breast cancer cells were detected by flow cytometry, Cell Counting Kit­8 assay and chemical methods, respectively. Tumorigenicity was detected using nude mice xenograft models. The expression of DCXR was increased in TCGA breast cancer database and the function of DCXR was enriched in 'glycolysis' and 'cell cycle'. Further analysis using clinical breast cancer samples confirmed upregulation of DCXR. The silencing of DCXR suppressed proliferation and cell cycle progression of breast cancer cells and significantly decreased the capacity for glycolysis, thereby demonstrating the effect of DCXR on the function of breast cancer cells. Similar conclusions were obtained in DCXR overexpressing cells; notably, DCXR overexpression promoted proliferation, cell cycle progression at S phase and glycolysis. 2­Deoxy­D­glucose inhibited the effect of DCXR on the proliferation and cell cycle progression of breast cancer cells. The present study revealed that DCXR regulated breast cancer cell cycle progression and proliferation by increasing glycolysis activity and thus may serve as an oncogene for breast cancer.