High mobility group box-1-toll-like receptor 4-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B-mediated generation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the dorsal root ganglion promotes chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant side effect of chemotherapeutics. The mechanisms of CIPN remain substantially unidentified, although inflammation-induced peripheral sensitization has been indicated as an important factor. Here, we aimed to illustrate the role of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9-related signaling pathway in the process of CIPN. Oxaliplatin (L-OHP) was administered to mice to establish the CIPN model. Gelatin zymography was used to measure MMP-9/2 activities. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1), calcitonin gene-related peptide and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1. Mechanical withdrawal was measured by von Frey hairs testing. Raw 264.7 cells and SH-SY5Y cells were cultured to investigate cell signaling in vitro. Here, we report that L-OHP-induced mechanical pain in mice with significant MMP-9/2 activation in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. MMP-9 inhibition or knockout alleviated the occurrence of CIPN directly. MMP-9/2 were released from macrophages and neurons in the DRG via the HMGB-1-toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) axis, because MMP-9/2 activities could be reduced by macrophage scavengers or PI3Kγ knockout in CIPN mice. The in vitro data revealed that induced MMP-9 activity by recombinant HMGB-1 could be abolished by TLR4, PI3K or Akt inhibitors. Finally, it was shown that N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) could reduce MMP-9/2 activities and attenuate CIPN effectively and safely. The HMGB-1-TLR4-PI3K/Akt-MMP-9 axis is involved in the crosstalk between macrophages and neurons in the pathological process of CIPN in mice. Direct inhibition of MMP-9 by NAC may be a potential therapeutic regimen for CIPN treatment.     

The Financial Impact on Reimbursement of Moderately Hypofractionated Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer: An International Consortium Report

AimsModerately hypofractionated breast irradiation has been evaluated in several prospective studies, resulting in wide acceptance of shorter treatment protocols for postoperative breast irradiation. Reimbursement for radiation therapy varies between private and public systems and between countries, impacting variably financial considerations in the use of hypofractionation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the financial impact of moderately hypofractionated breast irradiation by reimbursement system in different countries.Materials and methodsThe study was designed by an international group of radiation oncologists. A web-questionnaire was distributed to representatives from each country. The participants were asked to involve the financial consultant at their institution.ResultsData from 13 countries from all populated continents were collected (Europe: Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, UK; North America: Canada, USA; South America: Brazil; Africa: South Africa; Oceania: Australia; Asia: Israel, Taiwan). Clinicians and/or departments in most of the countries surveyed (77%) receive remuneration based on the number of fractions delivered to the patient. The financial loss per patient estimated resulting from applying moderately hypofractionated breast irradiation instead of conventional fractionation ranged from 5–10% to 30–40%, depending on the healthcare provider.ConclusionAlthough a generalised adoption of moderately hypofractionated breast irradiation would allow for a considerable reduction in social and economic burden, the financial loss for the healthcare providers induced by fee-for-service remuneration may be a factor in the slow uptake of these regimens. Therefore, fee-for-service reimbursement may not be preferable for radiation oncology. We propose that an alternative system of remuneration, such as bundled payments based on stage and diagnosis, may provide more value for all stakeholders.     

经直接前方入路切开复位与闭合复位治疗股骨颈骨折的疗效对比

目的 比较经直接前方入路（DAA）切开复位与闭合复位经皮空心螺钉内固定治疗股骨颈骨折的临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2015年12月～2018年12月因股骨颈骨折在我院分别行切开复位（n=46）和闭合复位空心螺钉内固定（n=46）治疗的患者，统计患者基本资料，骨折Garden类型，从受伤到手术治疗时间，手术时间，术中出血量，术后Garden复位指数，术后1 d、术后3、6、12及24月患髋Harris功能评分，并统计术后骨折不愈合率及股骨头缺血坏死发生率；采用Spearman相关分析及Logistic多元回归分析，研究影响股骨颈骨折术后股骨头缺血坏死的因素。结果 切开复位组术中出血量、手术时间大于闭合复位组，但术后Garden复位指数优于闭合复位组（均P＜0.05）；术后6、12月切开复位组患髋Harris功能评分优于闭合复位组（P＜0.05）；术后24月内切开复位组患者股骨头缺血坏死率显著低于闭合复位组（P=0.01）；两组骨折不愈合率无统计学差异（P=0.06）。Spearman相关分析发现，股骨颈骨折Garden分型与股骨颈骨折术后股骨头缺血坏死发生率呈显著正相关（R=0.521，P＜0.001），但Logistic多元回归分析未能发现影响股骨颈骨折术后股骨头坏死发生率的相关因素。结论 DAA入路切开复位空心螺钉内固定治疗股骨颈骨折比闭合复位经皮空心螺钉内固定质量更佳，术后12月内患髋功能更好，术后24月内股骨头缺血坏死发生率更低。     

Myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) key genes analysis in rat anti-CD28-induced immune tolerance kidney transplantation

BackgroundIn the field of transplantation, inducing immune tolerance in recipients is of great importance. Blocking co-stimulatory molecule using anti-CD28 antibody could induce tolerance in a rat kidney transplantation model. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) reveals strong immune suppressive abilities in kidney transplantation. Here we analyzed key genes of MDSCs leading to transplant tolerance in this model.MethodsMicroarray data of rat gene expression profiles under accession number {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE28545","term_id":"28545"}}GSE28545 in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed. Running the LIMMA package in R language, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found. Enrichment analysis of the DEGs was conducted in the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database to explore gene ontology (GO) annotation and their Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Their protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were provided by STRING database and was visualized in Cytoscape. Hub genes were carried out by CytoHubba.ResultsThree hundred and thirty-eight DEGs were exported, including 27 upregulated and 311 downregulated genes. The functions and KEGG pathways of the DEGs were assessed and the PPI network was constructed based on the string interactions of the DEGs. The network was visualized in Cytoscape; the entire PPI network consisted of 192 nodes and 469 edges. Zap70, Cdc42, Stat1, Stat4, Ccl5 and Cxcr3 were among the hub genes.ConclusionsThese key genes, corresponding proteins and their functions may provide valuable background for both basic and clinical research and could be the direction of future studies in immune tolerance, especially those examining immunocyte-induced tolerance.     

医学生人格特质与共情能力的相关性研究

目的  测评医学生的共情能力现状，探讨人格特质对其共情能力的影响,为培养医学生的共情能力提供对策。方法  以上海市3所高校临床医学专业学生为研究对象，采用班级整群抽样的方式进行问卷调研。采用杰斐逊共情量表-医学生版（JSPE-S）和大五人格量表（NEO-FFI）分别评估医学生的共情和人格特质。结果  共发放问卷2 020份，回收有效问卷1 958份，有效率为96.93%。医学生的共情能力总分均值为（103.24±14.35）。共情能力总分与大五人格中的“外向性”“开放性”“宜人性”“严谨性”维度呈显著正相关（r=0.154~0.406, P<0.01），与大五人格中的“神经质”维度呈显著负相关（r=-0.175, P<0.01）。分层回归结果表明：“共情重要性”和“大五人格”量表的5个维度进入回归方程。其中，人格因素占可解释方差变异量的16.2%（P<0.01）。结论  我国医学生的共情能力低于国外医学生，重视人格特质的塑造有助于提高其共情能力。     

成人1型糖尿病患者甲状腺功能与糖脂代谢的关系研究

探讨成人1型糖尿病(T1DM)患者甲状腺功能与糖脂代谢指标的关系。回顾性分析2008年1月至2020年1月在山东大学附属省立医院内分泌科住院的230例T1DM患者资料,结果显示,成人T1DM患者的促甲状腺激素(TSH)与总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(LDL-C)水平呈正相关(r值分别为0.239、0.166、0.249,P值均<0.05)。游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT 3)与空腹血糖(FPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、TC和LDL-C呈负相关(r值分别为-0.272、-0.240、-0.197、-0.220,P值均<0.005)。游离甲状腺素(FT₄)与TC、LDL-C呈负相关(r值分别为-0.171、-0.170,P值均<0.05)。TC是TSH、FT₃、FT₄的独立预测因子,FT₃、FT₄是HbA1c的独立预测因子,TSH是TC、TG、LDL-C的独立预测因子。成人T1DM患者甲状腺功能与糖脂代谢密切相关,有必要常规检测T1DM患者的甲状腺功能。     

Systematic comparison of plasma EBV DNA,anti-EBV antibodies and miRNA levels for early detection and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is originated from the epithelial cells of nasopharynx, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated and has the highest incidence and mortality rates in Southeast Asia. Late presentation is a common issue and early detection could be the key to reduce the disease burden. Sensitivity of plasma EBV DNA, an established NPC biomarker, for Stage I NPC is controversial. Most newly reported NPC biomarkers have neither been externally validated nor compared to the established ones. This causes difficulty in planning for cost-effective early detection strategies. Our study systematically evaluated six established and four new biomarkers in NPC cases, population controls and hospital controls. We showed that BamHI-W 76 bp remains the most sensitive plasma biomarker, with 96.7% (29/30), 96.7% (58/60) and 97.4% (226/232) sensitivity to detect Stage I, early stage and all NPC, respectively. Its specificity was 94.2% (113/120) against population controls and 90.4% (113/125) against hospital controls. Diagnostic accuracy of BamHI-W 121 bp and ebv-miR-BART7-3p were validated. Hsa-miR-29a-3p and hsa-miR-103a-3p were not, possibly due to lower number of advanced stage NPC cases included in this subset. Decision tree modeling suggested that combination of BamHI-W 76 bp and VCA IgA or EA IgG may increase the specificity or sensitivity to detect NPC. EBNA1 99 bp could identify NPC patients with poor prognosis in early and advanced stage NPC. Our findings provided evidence for improvement in NPC screening strategies, covering considerations of opportunistic screening, combining biomarkers to increase sensitivity or specificity and testing biomarkers from single sampled specimen to avoid logistic problems of resampling.