Identification of key genes and pathways in discoid lupus skin via bioinformatics analysis

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common skin manifestation of lupus; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying DLE remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in discoid lupus skin and investigate their potential pathways.To identify candidate genes involved in the occurrence and development of the disease, we downloaded the microarray datasets {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE52471","term_id":"52471"}}GSE52471 and {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE72535","term_id":"72535"}}GSE72535 from the Gene Expression Database (GEO). DEGs between discoid lupus skin and normal controls were selected using the GEO2R tool and Venn diagram software (http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/webtools/Venn/). The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), Enrichr, and Cytoscape ClueGo were used to analyze the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome pathways and gene ontology. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of these DEGs were further assessed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval Interacting Genes version 10.0.Seventy three DEGs were co-expressed in both datasets. DEGs were predominantly upregulated in receptor signaling pathways of the immune response. In the PPI network, 69 upregulated genes were selected. Furthermore, 4 genes (CXCL10, ISG15, IFIH1, and IRF7) were found to be significantly upregulated in the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, from analysis of Enrichr and Cytoscape ClueGo.The results of this study may provide new insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of DLE. However, further experimentation is required to confirm these findings.     

Inter-ictal assay of peripheral circulating inflammatory mediators in migraine patients under adjunctive cervical non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS): A proof-of-concept study

Objective

To assay peripheral inter-ictal cytokine serum levels and possible relations with non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) responsiveness in migraineurs.

Application of the adverse outcome pathway framework to genotoxic modes of action

In May 2017, the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute's Genetic Toxicology Technical Committee hosted a workshop to discuss whether mode of action (MOA) investigation is enhanced through the application of the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework. As AOPs are a relatively new approach in genetic toxicology, this report describes how AOPs could be harnessed to advance MOA analysis of genotoxicity pathways using five example case studies. Each of these genetic toxicology AOPs proposed for further development includes the relevant molecular initiating events, key events, and adverse outcomes (AOs), identification and/or further development of the appropriate assays to link an agent to these events, and discussion regarding the biological plausibility of the proposed AOP. A key difference between these proposed genetic toxicology AOPs versus traditional AOPs is that the AO is a genetic toxicology endpoint of potential significance in risk characterization, in contrast to an adverse state of an organism or a population. The first two detailed case studies describe provisional AOPs for aurora kinase inhibition and tubulin binding, leading to the common AO of aneuploidy. The remaining three case studies highlight provisional AOPs that lead to chromosome breakage or mutation via indirect DNA interaction (inhibition of topoisomerase II, production of cellular reactive oxygen species, and inhibition of DNA synthesis). These case studies serve as starting points for genotoxicity AOPs that could ultimately be published and utilized by the broader toxicology community and illustrate the practical considerations and evidence required to formalize such AOPs so that they may be applied to genetic toxicity evaluation schemes. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:114–134, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Clinicopathological features,diagnosis, and treatment of sessile serrated adenoma/polyp with dysplasia/carcinoma

Sessile serrated adenoma/polyps (SSA/Ps) are early precursor lesions in the serrated neoplasia pathway, which results in BRAF‐mutated colorectal carcinomas with not only high levels of microsatellite instability but also microsatellite stable. SSA/Ps with advanced histology, including cytological dysplasia or minimally invasive carcinomas, are important lesions because SSA/Ps are considered major contributors to “interval cancers” and these lesions can rapidly become dysplastic or invasive carcinomas. Clinicopathologically, SSA/Ps with dysplasia or invasive carcinoma were associated with advanced age, female sex, and proximal colon. Although SSA/Ps with submucosal invasive carcinoma were smaller and invaded less deeply into the submucosal layer than conventional tubular adenomas with submucosal invasive carcinoma, SSA/Ps with submucosal invasive carcinoma frequently had a mucinous component and exhibited a higher potential for lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis. In an SSA/P series, endoscopic characteristics, including (semi)pedunculated morphology, double elevation, central depression, and reddishness, may help accurately diagnose SSA/Ps with advanced histology. Removal of SSA/Ps with dysplasia or invasive carcinoma was recommended. Endoscopic treatment such as endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection is useful for those lesions. However, surgical resection with lymph node dissection might be indicated when SSA/Ps with invasive carcinoma are endoscopically suspected, because these have the high risk of lymph node metastasis. Greater awareness may promote further research into improving the detection, recognition, and complete resection rates of SSA/Ps with dysplasia or invasive carcinoma and reduce the interval cancer rates.     

临床护理路径用于ICU重症颅脑损伤患者护理中的价值

目的 探讨临床护理路径用于ICU重症颅脑损伤患者护理中的价值。方法 选择2017年11月～2018年10月进行ICU重症颅脑损伤治疗的患者100例作为对象,随机数字表法分为对照组(n=50)和观察组(n=50)。对照组给予常规护理,观察组在其基础上应用临床护理路径,15 d护理后比较患者依从性情况、对患者护理前后心理状态进行评分,对不良并发症产生情况进行比较。结果 观察组康复锻炼依从、按时用药依从及饮食依从高于对照组(P0.05)。护理前两组SDS与SAS评分比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),护理后,观察组SDS与SAS评分低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组出现压疮、泌尿感染、以及发热的发生率显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论 将临床护理路径用于ICU重症颅脑损伤患者的护理中,提高了患者的护理依从性,减少了不良情绪以及不良并发症的产生,有助于患者整体治疗,值得推广应用。     

Helicobacter pylori induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric carcinogenesis via the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a main risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in the development and progression of H. pylori-associated GC. However, the exact molecular mechanism of this process remains unclear. The AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway has been demonstrated to promote EMT in several types of cancer. The present study investigated whether H. pylori infection induced EMT, and promoted the development and metastasis of cancer in the normal gastric mucosa, and whether this process was dependent on AKT activation. The expression levels of the EMT-associated proteins, including E-cadherin and N-cadherin, were determined in 165 gastric mucosal samples of different disease stages by immunohistochemical analysis. The expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, AKT, phosphorylated (p-)AKT (Ser473), GSK3β and p-GSK3β (Ser9) were further determined in H. pylori-infected Mongolian gerbil gastric tissues and cells co-cultured with H. pylori by immunohistochemical analysis and western blotting. The results indicated that the expression levels of the epithelial marker E-cadherin were decreased, whereas the expression levels of the mesenchymal marker N-cadherin were increased during gastric carcinogenesis. Their expression levels were associated with H. pylori infection. Furthermore, H. pylori infection resulted in downregulation of E-cadherin expression and upregulation of N-cadherin expression in Mongolian gerbils and GES-1 cells. In addition, an investigation of the associated mechanism of action revealed that p-AKT (Ser473) and p-GSK3β (Ser9) were activated in GES-1 cells following co-culture with H. pylori. Furthermore, following pretreatment of the cells with the AKT inhibitor VIII, the expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, p-AKT and p-GSK3β did not show significant differences between GES-1 cells that were co-cultured with or without H. pylori. The levels of p-AKT and p-GSK3β were increased in H. pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that H. pylori infection activated AKT and resulted in the phosphorylation and inactivation of GSK3β, which in turn promoted early stage EMT. These effects were AKT-dependent. This mechanism may serve as a prerequisite for GC development.     

丹蛭降糖胶囊通过mTOR/S6K1信号通路对糖尿病肾病大鼠的干预作用研究

目的研究丹蛭降糖胶囊对糖尿病肾病大鼠的肾脏病理改变和足细胞自噬水平的影响,初步探讨其相应的作用机制。方法选取GK大鼠40只,采用醋酸脱氧皮质酮-盐皮下注射联合高脂饲料喂养诱导糖尿病肾病模型。造模成功后随机分为模型组、丹蛭降糖胶囊低剂量组[0.54 g/(kg·d)]、高剂量组[1.08 g/(kg·d)]、缬沙坦组[10 mg/(kg·d)],每组10只。另选取10只同周龄正常Wistar大鼠作为正常组。模型组和正常组给予等容积生理盐水。连续灌胃10周后检测空腹血糖(FBG)、血肌酐(SCr)、尿素氮(BUN)和尿微量蛋白(U-mAlb)。Western Blot检测肾小球p-mTOR、p-S6K1、Beclin-1、LC3和Nephrin蛋白的表达,HE染色和PAS染色后于光镜下观察肾脏病理变化,电镜下观察各组亚细胞形态结构变化。结果与正常组比较,模型组FBG、SCr、BUN、U-mAlb水平升高(P<0.01);与模型组比较,丹蛭降糖胶囊低、高剂量组和缬沙坦组U-mAlb水平降低(P<0.01)。模型组可见肾小球基底膜增厚,系膜基质沉积,足细胞损伤,各用药组均有不同程度改善,丹蛭降糖胶囊高剂量组足细胞内有较多自噬体形成。与正常组比较,模型组p-mTOR、p-S6K1的表达增高,Nephrin、Beclin-1和LC3的表达水平降低(P<0.01);与模型组比较,各用药组p-mTOR、p-S6K1的表达下降,Nephrin、Beclin-1和LC3的表达增高(P<0.01)。丹蛭降糖胶囊高剂量组和缬沙坦组Beclin1、LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ水平较丹蛭降糖胶囊低剂量组升高(P<0.05)。结论丹蛭降糖胶囊具有减轻糖尿病肾病大鼠U-mAIb、足细胞损伤及相关肾脏病理改变的作用,其机制可能与抑制mTOR/S6K1信号通路进而提高足细胞的自噬活性有关。