Delivery of mitochondria confers cardioprotection through mitochondria replenishment and metabolic compliance.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of heart failure. Mitochondrial transplantation has been demonstrated to be able to restore heart function, but its mechanism of action remains unresolved. Using an in-house optimized mitochondrial isolation method, we tested efficacy of mitochondria transplantation in two different heart failure models. First, using a doxorubicin-induced heart failure model, we demonstrate that mitochondrial transplantation before doxorubicin challenge protects cardiac function in vivo and prevents myocardial apoptosis, but contraction improvement relies on the metabolic compatibility between transplanted mitochondria and treated cardiomyocytes. Second, using a mutation-driven dilated cardiomyopathic human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte model, we demonstrate that mitochondrial transplantation preferentially boosts contraction in the ventricular myocytes. Last, using single-cell RNA-seq, we show that mitochondria transplantation boosts contractility in dystrophic cardiomyocytes with few transcriptomic alterations. Together, we provide evidence that mitochondria transplantation confers myocardial protection and may serve as a potential therapeutic option for heart failure.

Observation of robust edge mode and in-gap corner mode in Kagome surface-wave photonic crystals.

Recent theory has demonstrated that Kagome photonic crystals (PCs) support first-order and second-order topological phenomena. Here, we extend the topological physics of the Kagome lattice to surface electromagnetic waves and experimentally show a Kagome surface-wave PC. Under the protection of first-order and second-order topologies, both robust edge modes and in-gap corner modes are observed. The robust transport of edge modes is demonstrated by high transmission through the waveguide with a sharp bend. The localized corner mode is found at the corner with one isolated rod when a triangle-shaped sample is constructed. Our work not only shows a platform to mimic the topological physics in classical wave systems, but also offers a potential application in designing high-performance photonic devices.

High-fat diet-induced increases in glucocorticoids contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice.

This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between chronic ingestion of a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced secretion of glucocorticoids (GCs) and the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We have produced a strain of transgenic mice (termed L/L mice) that have normal levels of circulating corticosterone (CORT), the major type of GCs in rodents, but unlike wild-type (WT) mice, their circulating CORT was not affected by HFD. Compared to WT mice, 12-week HFD-induced fatty liver was less pronounced with higher plasma levels of triglycerides in L/L mice. These changes were reversed by CORT supplement to L/L mice. By analyzing a sort of lipid metabolism-related proteins, we found that expressions of the hepatic cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) were upregulated by HFD-induced CORT and involved in CORT-mediated fatty liver. Dexamethasone, an agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), upregulated expressions of CD36 in HepG2 hepatocytes and facilitated lipid accumulation in the cells. In conclusion, the fat ingestion-induced release of CORT contributes to NAFLD. This study highlights the pathogenic role of CORT-mediated upregulation of hepatic CD 36 in diet-induced NAFLD.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of total laparoscopic hysterectomy without and with uterine manipulator combined with pelvic lymphadenectomy for early cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Some studies have reported that the prognosis of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) for early-stage cervical cancer (CC) is worse than that of open surgery. And this was associated with the use of uterine manipulator or not. Therefore, this study retrospectively analyzes the efficacy and safety of TLH without uterine manipulator combined with pelvic lymphadenectomy for early-stage CC. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with CC (stage IB1-IIA1) who received radical hysterectomy from September 2019 to January 2020 were divided into no uterine manipulator (n = 26) and uterine manipulator group (n = 32). Then, clinical characteristics were collected and intraoperative/postoperative related indicators were compared. RESULTS: Patients in the no uterine manipulator group had significantly higher operation time and blood loss than in the uterine manipulator group. Notably, there was no significant difference in hemoglobin change, blood transfusion rate, number of pelvic nodules, anal exhaust time, complications and recurrence rate between the two groups. Additionally, patients in the uterine manipulator group were prone to urinary retention (15.6%) and lymphocyst (12.5%), while the no uterine manipulator group exhibited high probability of bladder dysfunction (23.1%) and urinary retention (15.4%). Furthermore, the 1-year disease-free survival rate and the 1-year overall survival rate were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the efficacy and safety of TLH with or without uterine manipulator combined with pelvic lymphadenectomy in the treatment of patients with early-stage CC. However, the latter requires consideration of the negative effects of high operation time and blood loss.

Hypoxic preconditioning improves the survival and pro-angiogenic capacity of transplanted human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells via HIF-1α signaling in a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a serious chronic respiratory disease that predominates in the neonatal period. Currently, efficacious and effective specific treatments are lacking. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has emerged as a promising option for treating BPD. However, the lower cell survival rate limits its therapeutic efficacy. Hypoxic preconditioning is a direct and effective strategy for promoting MSCs survival, proliferation, and paracrine secretion in the recipient after transplantation, which is greatly important to tissue engineering. We investigated whether hypoxia-pretreated MSCs (HPMSCs) confer superior benefit in an experimental BPD rat model. Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 80-85% O2 for 14 days. Before tracheal transplantation, the MSCs were pretreated for 48 h with deferoxamine, a chemical hypoxia-mimicking agent. In vitro, the HPMSCs reduced the apoptosis rare, caspase-3 expression, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and promoted proliferation, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression, VEGF secretion, and human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation (p < 0.05). In vivo, the HPMSCs restored alveolar structure and lung function, ameliorated pulmonary hypertension, increased vessel density in the BPD rat model (p < 0.05). This work demonstrates for the first time that HPMSCs could have a markedly improved therapeutic effect in BPD, presenting a new potential strategy for the clinical implementation of stem cell biotechnology.

Research progress of the correlation between genotype and phenotype in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy with prevalence of 1/500-1/200. Up to now, 1500 mutations in more than 30 genes have been found to be related to the disease. Pathogenic gene mutations together with polymorphisms of modifying genes and environmental factors play various roles in the disease processes, resulting in phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease, ranging from no symptoms to sudden cardiac death. The pathological phenotypes of HCM mainly include cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, disordered array, fibrosis, myocardial ischemia, and others. In recent years, many research efforts have been devoted to exploring the influence of HCM genotype on phenotype, and development of treatment methods based on genetics. This article focuses on the correction between HCM genotype and phenotype and summarizes the research progresses on HCM in terms of pathogenic genes, pathogenesis, associated modification factors and treatment methods, thereby providing insights on the future research and development on the genetics of HCM.

Men's perception and understanding of male-factor infertility in the UK.

Male-factor infertility is a common but stigmatised issue, and men often do not receive the emotional support and the information they need. This study sought to understand awareness of male fertility issues compared to female fertility among the UK general male public, and also what were perceived as being the optimum methods for providing support for affected men, emotionally and through information. Men feel that male infertility is not discussed by the public as much as female infertility. Lifestyle issues that affect male fertility are not well understood, and men affected by infertility desire more support, including online, from health professionals and through peer support. Health professionals, including those in public health, could offer evidence-based programmes to reduce stigma and increase public knowledge about infertility, as well as offer emotional support to men with infertility problems.

Esophageal Histological Precursor Lesions and Subsequent 8.5-Year Cancer Risk in a Population-Based Prospective Study in China.

INTRODUCTION: Data on the associations between esophageal histological lesions and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in general populations are limited. We aimed to investigate these associations in a large Chinese general population to inform future Chinese ESCC screening guidelines. METHODS: We performed endoscopic screening of 21,111 participants aged 40-69 years from 3 high-risk areas of China in 2005-2009, and followed the cohort through 2016. Cumulative incidence and mortality rates of ESCC were calculated by baseline histological diagnosis, and hazard ratios of ESCC, overall and by age and sex, were assessed using the Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: We identified 143 new ESCC cases (0.68%) and 62 ESCC deaths (0.29%) during a median follow-up of 8.5 years. Increasing grades of squamous dysplasia were associated with the increasing risk of ESCC incidence and mortality. The cumulative ESCC incidence rates for severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ, moderate dysplasia (MD), and mild dysplasia were 15.5%, 4.5%, and 1.4%, respectively. Older individuals (50-69 years) had 3.1 times higher ESCC incidence than younger individuals (40-49 years), and men had 2.4 times higher ESCC incidence than women. DISCUSSION: This study confirmed that increasing grades of squamous dysplasia are associated with increasing risk of ESCC and that severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ require clinical treatment. This study suggests that in high-risk areas of China, patients with endoscopically worrisome MD should also receive therapy, the first screening can be postponed to 50 years, and endoscopic surveillance intervals for unremarkable MD and mild dysplasia can be lengthened to 3 and 5 years, respectively.

[The role of DNA hydroxymethylation in the regulation of atherosclerosis].

As an epigenetic modification, DNA hydroxymethylation plays a significant role in regulating gene expression. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that suggests abnormal changes of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and ten-eleven translocation (TET) family proteins in cardiovascular diseases, indicating cardiovascular diseases are closely connected with DNA hydroxymethylation. The level of DNA hydroxymethylation is affected by some common risk factors of atherosclerosis, such as aging, gender, hypertension and smoking. It is also related to the immune and inflammatory reaction involved in the process of atherosclerosis as well as the function of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. In this review, we summarize the mechanism and research status of DNA hydroxymethylation and TET family proteins towards atherosclerosis, aiming to provide a reference for the development, diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Highly regio- and enantioselective synthesis of chiral intermediate for pregabalin using one-pot bienzymatic cascade of nitrilase and amidase.

Nitrilase-mediated hydrolysis of isobutylsuccinonitrile (IBSN) is a highly attractive approach for (S)-3-cyano-5-methylhexanoic acid ((S)-CMHA), the critical chiral intermediate of pregabalin. In this study, a robust nitrilase from Arabis alpina (AaNIT) was screened and engineered. The N258D mutant was obtained with high catalytic activity and excellent enantioselectivity (E > 300) towards IBSN at a high substrate concentration of 100 g L-1. Byproduct (S)-3-cyano-5-methyl hexanoic amide ((S)-CMHM) was detected and identified for the first time during the catalytic process. By employing a feasible one-pot bienzymatic cascade of mutant N258D and amidase from Pantoea sp. (Pa-Ami) expressed separately in recombinant Escherichia coli cells, the byproduct (S)-CMHM was eliminated and (S)-CMHA was obtained with a conversion of 45.0% and eep of 99.3%. These results provided the novel plant-derived nitrilase as a promising biocatalyst for (S)-CMHA biosynthesis and demonstrated the feasibility of one-pot bienzymatic cascade reaction for large-scale production of the pregabalin precursor.

Endoscopy screening effect on stage distributions of esophageal cancer: A cluster randomized cohort study in China.

Efficacy of endoscopic screening for esophageal cancer is not sufficiently definitive and lacks randomized controlled trial evidence. The present study proved short-term screening efficacy through describing and comparing disease stage distributions of intervention and control populations. Villages from Linzhou and Cixian were cluster randomly allocated to the intervention or to the control group and the target population of 52 729 and 43 068 individuals was 40-69 years old, respectively, and the actual enrolled numbers were 18 316 and 21 178, respectively. TNM stage information and study-defined stage information of esophageal cases from 2012 to 2016 were collected. Stage distributions were compared between the intervention and control groups in the total target population, as well as in the subgroup populations in terms of enrolment and before or after intervention. There were a total of 199 and 141 esophageal cancer cases in the intervention and control groups, respectively. For the target population, distributions of TNM stage were borderline significant between the two groups after intervention (P = .093). However, subgroup analysis of the enrolled population during the after-intervention period had statistical significance for both TNM and study-defined stage. Natural TNM stage distributions were approximately 32%, 41%, 24% and 3% for stages I to IV vs 71%, 19%, 7% and 3% in the intervention population. The natural study-defined stage distributions from early, middle to advanced stages were approximately 18%, 49% and 33% vs 59%, 33% and 8%. Early-stage esophageal cancer cases accounted for a higher proportion after endoscopy screening, and the efficacy in the target population depends on the intervention compliance.

The Role of Fibrocyte in the Pathogenesis of Silicosis.

Exposure to free silica induces silicosis and myofibroblasts are regarded as primary effector cells. Fibrocytes can differentiate into myofibroblast. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate whether fibrocytes participate in silicosis. The rat model of silicosis was established. Hematoxylin-eosin stainings and Masson stainings were used to evaluate the histopathology and collagen deposition. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the number of fibrocytes and their contribution to myofibroblasts. Results showed that fibrocytes participate in silicosis. Trend analysis of different sources of myofibroblasts during silicosis indicated that fibrocytes and lung type II epithelial cell-derived myofibroblasts play an important role in the early stage of silicosis, while resident lung fibroblast-derived myofibroblasts play a predominant role during the fibrosis formative period.

Crystalline Silica Promotes Rat Fibrocyte Differentiation in Vitro, and Fibrocytes Participate in Silicosis in Vivo.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SiO2 on fibrocytes and whether fibrocytes participate in silicosis in vivo. METHODS: A macrophagocyte (AM)/fibrocyte coculture system was established, and AMs were treated with 100 µg/mL SiO2. Flow cytometry was used to detect the number of fibrocytes. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the expression of collagen I, collagen III, and α-SMA mRNA. The levels of collagen I, collagen III, and TGF-ß1 protein were determined by ELISA. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to measure α-SMA protein expression. A rat silicosis model was induced by intratracheal instillation of SiO2. Lung histopathological evaluation was conducted using HE and Masson's trichrome staining after 1 and 9 weeks. The number of fibrocytes in peripheral blood or lung tissue of rat was detected by flow cytometry. Double-color immunofluorescence was applied to identify fibrocytes in the lung tissue. RESULTS: Peripheral blood monocytes were found to differentiate into fibrocytes in vitro in a time-dependent manner, and exposure to crystalline silica might potentiate fibrocyte differentiation. In addition, fibrocytes were able to migrate from peripheral blood to the lung tissue, and the number of fibrocytes was increased after SiO2 exposure. CONCLUSION: Silica exposure potentiates fibrocyte differentiation, and fibrocytes may participate in silicosis in vivo.

A novel hepatokine, HFREP1, plays a crucial role in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Type 2 diabetes is highly correlated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepatocyte-derived fibrinogen-related protein 1 (HFREP1) is a hepatokine that mediates NAFLD development; however, the role of HFREP1 in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes remains obscure. METHODS: A total of 193 age- and sex-matched participants with normal glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and newly diagnosed diabetes (NDD) were recruited for a cross-sectional study. Plasma HFREP1 levels were measured and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between HFREP1, IFG, IGT and NDD. The causal relationship between HFREP1 and insulin resistance was then investigated in animal and cell models. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp, were used to evaluate insulin sensitivity in animals with Hfrep1 overexpression or knockdown in liver by lentiviral vectors. HepG2 cells were used to clarify the possible mechanism of HFREP1-induced insulin resistance. RESULTS: Plasma HFREP1 concentrations were significantly increased in participants with IFG, IGT and NDD. HFREP1 concentrations were independently associated with fasting plasma glucose levels, insulin resistance, IFG, IGT and NDD. Injection of recombinant HFREP1 or Hfrep1 overexpression induced insulin resistance in mice, and HFREP1 disrupted insulin signalling to induce insulin resistance through an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2-dependent pathway. Moreover, hepatic knockdown of HFREP1 improved insulin resistance in both mice fed a high-fat diet and ob/ob mice. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These findings highlight the crucial role of HFREP1 in insulin resistance and diabetes, and provide a potential strategy and biomarker for developing therapeutic approaches to combat these diseases.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and intraductal radiofrequency ablation combined with biliary stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and feasibility of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and intraductal radiofrequency (RF) ablation combined with biliary stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction who underwent PTC, intraductal RF ablation, and biliary stent placement (n = 12) or PTC and biliary stent placement only (control group; n = 14) were reviewed. Postoperative complications, jaundice remission, and stent patency were assessed. RESULTS: All procedures were successful. No severe complications (eg, biliary bleeding, perforation) occurred. Two experimental group patients developed cholangitis, which resolved with conservative treatment. The 1-week jaundice remission and 3-month stent patency rates were similar in both groups, but the 6-month stent patency rate was higher in the experimental group (P < .05). In the experimental group, one death occurred as a result of gastrointestinal hemorrhage (unrelated to stent placement) by 3 months, and there were two cases of recurrent jaundice by 6 months. The latter two patients underwent repeat PTC, ablation, and stent placement. In the control group, one death occurred as a result of hepatic failure caused by progressive jaundice at 3 months, and another death resulted from disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by jaundice recurrence at 138 days after stent placement. In addition, seven patients developed jaundice recurrence (50-151 d after stent placement). PTC and repeat stent placement were performed in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and intraductal RF ablation combined with biliary stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction is safe and feasible and effectively prolongs stent patency time.

Liberal versus restricted fluid resuscitation strategies in trauma patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies*.

OBJECTIVE: Hemorrhage is responsible for most deaths that occur during the first few hours after trauma. Animal models of trauma have shown that restricting fluid administration can reduce the risk of death; however, studies in patients are difficult to conduct due to logistical and ethical problems. To maximize the value of the existing evidence, we performed a meta-analysis to compare liberal versus restricted fluid resuscitation strategies in trauma patients. DATA SOURCES: Medline and Embase were systemically searched from inception to February 2013. STUDY SELECTION: We selected randomized controlled trials and observational studies that compared different fluid administration strategies in trauma patients. There were no restrictions for language, population, or publication year. DATA EXTRACTION: Four randomized controlled trials and seven observational studies were identified from 1,106 references. One of the randomized controlled trials suffered from a high protocol violation rate and was excluded from the final analysis. DATA SYNTHESIS: The quantitative synthesis indicated that liberal fluid resuscitation strategies might be associated with higher mortality than restricted fluid strategies, both in randomized controlled trials (risk ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.55; three trials; I(2), 0) and observational studies (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.28; seven studies; I(2), 21.4%). When only adjusted odds ratios were pooled for observational studies, odds for mortality with liberal fluid resuscitation strategies increased (odds ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02-1.38; six studies; I(2), 26.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence indicates that initial liberal fluid resuscitation strategies may be associated with higher mortality in injured patients. However, available studies are subject to a high risk of selection bias and clinical heterogeneity. This result should be interpreted with great caution.

Dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in representative broiler feedlots environments: identification of indicator ARGs and correlations with environmental variables.

Livestock operations are known to harbor elevated levels of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) that may pose a threat to public health. Broiler feedlots may represent an important source of ARGs in the environment. However, the prevalence and dissemination mechanisms of various types of ARGs in the environment of broiler feedlots have not previously been identified. We examined the occurrence, abundance and variation of ARGs conferring resistance to chloramphenicols, sulfonamides and tetracyclines in the environments of two representative types of broiler feedlots (free range and indoor) by quantitative PCR, and assessed their dissemination mechanisms. The results showed the prevalence of various types of ARGs in the environmental samples of the broiler feedlots including manure/litter, soil, sediment, and water samples, with the first report of five chloramphenicol resistance genes (cmlA, floR, fexA, cfr, and fexB) in broiler feedlots. Overall, chloramphenicol resistance genes and sulfonamides sul genes were more abundant than tetracyclines tet genes. The ARG abundances in the samples from indoor boiler feedlots were generally different to the free range feedlots, suggesting the importance of feeding operations in ARG dissemination. Pearson correlation analysis showed significant correlations between ARGs and mobile genetic element genes (int1 and int2), and between the different classes of ARGs themselves, revealing the roles of horizontal gene transfer and coselection for ARG dissemination in the environment. Further regression analysis revealed that fexA, sul1 and tetW could be reliable indicator genes to surrogate anthropogenic sources of ARGs in boiler feedlots (correlations of fexA, sul1 and tetW to all ARGs: R = 0.95, 0.96 and 0.86, p < 0.01). Meanwhile, significant correlations were also identified between indicator ARGs and their corresponding antibiotics. In addition, some ARGs were significantly correlated with typical metals (e.g., Cu, Zn, and As with fexA, fexB, cfr, sul1, tetW, tetO, tetS: R = 0.52-0.71) and some environmental parameters (e.g., TOC, TN, TP, NH3-N with fexA, fexB, cfr, sul1, tetW, tetO, tetQ, tetS: R = 0.53-0.87) (p < 0.01). Further redundancy analysis demonstrated that the distribution and transportation of ARGs from the boiler feedlots to the receiving environments were correlated with environmental variables. The findings highlight the contribution of some chemicals such as antibiotics and metals to the development of ARGs in broiler feedlots environments; and the observed ARG dissemination mechanism in the broiler feedlots facilitates the development of effective mitigation measures.

Long-term outcome of patients with acute cholecystitis receiving antibiotic treatment: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have followed patients who received antibiotic treatment for acute cholecystitis (AC). The present retrospective study investigated recurrence rates of AC and analyzed factors associated with recurrence after antibiotic treatment in adult AC patients. METHODS: We analyzed patients treated with antibiotics for AC between October 1, 2004, and November 30, 2010. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with early recurrence. Generalized additive models were applied to detect the nonlinear effects of continuous covariates. RESULTS: The study included 226 patients (mean age: 62.2 years; 144 men [63.7 %]). The average duration of parenteral antibiotics was 8.0 days. Second-generation cephalosporins were administered to 199 patients (88.1 %). The Kaplan-Meier plot indicated that recurrences were more frequent within 100 days of AC; these were defined as early recurrences. The recurrence rate was 13.7 % (31/226) at a median follow-up of 308.5 days (early recurrences: 19/226 [8.4 %]). The duration of parenteral antibiotic use significantly correlated with early recurrence (hazard ratio: 0.83; 95 % confidence interval, 0.73-0.95; p = 0.005). Generalized additive models revealed that patients using parenteral antibiotics longer than 8 days were less likely to suffer from early recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of recurrence of AC in patients who received antibiotics alone was low. The recurrence rate was higher within 100 days of AC. Because of the inherent limitations of a retrospective study, further research is needed to identify factors associated with early recurrence.

In vivo and in vitro anti-tumor effects of fungal extracts.

Fungal extracts are extensively used as nutritional supplements in Far-Eastern Asia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer activities of some different fungal species against different cancer cell lines. The water or ethanol extracts of Fomitopsis pinicola (F. pinicola), Ganoderma sinense, Fomitopsis officinalis, Polyporus melanopus, and Taiwanofungus camphorates were used to evaluate the anti-cancer activities in various cancer cells. We found that all of the fungi ethanol extracts used in this study exert anti-cancer activities in vitro, whereas water extracts show lower inhibitory activities as determined by 3-(4,5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Among the tested fungi species, F. pinicola ethanol extract exerts the most significant anti-cancer activity (growth inhibitory ratio 82.8%, p < 0.001) by increasing cell apoptosis. Moreover, F. pinicola ethanol extract significantly decreased tumor size (tumor growth inhibitory ratio 54%, p < 0.05) and increased the lifespan in mice bearing sarcoma-180 tumors. Taken together, this is the first study indicating the anti-tumor effect of F. pinicola in vivo and in vitro. F. pinicola ethanol extract induces cell apoptosis to exert a significant anti-tumor activity, with potential to be a new alternative anti-tumor medicine.

[The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor antibody in serum of coal workers with pneumoconiosis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of serum VEGF-Ab in pneumoconiosis of coal workers. METHODS: Four groups of participants were recruited for this study, including 230 with early stage (less serious than stage one) changes in relation to pneumoconiosis, 328 with confirmed coal worker pneumoconiosis, 309 workers exposed to coal dust, and 393 healthy people. All participants completed a questionnaire, and have their peripheral venous blood sample taken. Serum VEGF-Ab was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls and those with early stage changes, the participants with pneumoconiosis and those exposed to coal dust had higher levels of serum VEGF-Ab (P < 0.05). The level of serum VEGF-Ab increased with the progression of stages of pneumoconiosis but without statistical significance (P > 0.05). In those with early stage pneumoconiosis, higher levels of serum VEGF-Ab were found in their 20 yr. - and 40 yr. - compared with those in their 60 yr. - (P < 0.05). By contrast, in those with confirmed pneumoconiosis and the healthy controls, lower levels of serum VEGF-Ab were found in their 20 yr. - and 40 yr. - compared with those in their 60 yr. - (P < 0.05). In those with early stage or first-stage pneumoconiosis, longer than 25 years work experience was associated with higher levels of serum VEGF-Ahb (P < 0.05). In those with confirmed pneumoconiosis, coal mining workers had a higher level of serum VEGF-Ab than their colleagues involving in assistance tasks (P < 0.05). In those exposed to coal dust, tunnelling workers had a higher level of serum VEGF-Ab than their coal mining colleagues (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum VEGF-Ab is associated with the occurrence and development of coal worker pneumoconiosis. The level of serum VEGF-Ab increases with age and length of exposure to dust.