Effects of short-term continuous and pulse cadmium exposure on gut histology and microbiota of adult male frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) during pre-hibernation

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental endocrine-disrupting pollutant which mainly occurs in pulsed manner in natural waters, while traditional toxicology experiments have less examined the effects of pulsed exposure. Here, we studied the effects of short-term (7 days) continuous and pulse exposure to 100 μg/L Cd on gut morphology and microbiota of frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) during pre-hibernation. Compared to continuous exposure, Cd pulse exposure significantly increased individual mortality and decreased the villi height and the ratio of villi height to crypt depth of the gut. Cd continuous and pulse exposure both changed the community structure and relative abundance of intestinal microbiota. Compared to continuous exposure, Cd pulse exposure significantly decreased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Cetobacterium and Aeromonas genus), and significantly increased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria (e.g., Parabacteroides, Odoribacter, and Acinetobacter genus). This study shows that the gut histology and microbiota of amphibians during pre-hibernation are more susceptible to Cd pulse exposure than continuous exposure.     

S100蛋白水平联合Rotterdam-CT评分、GCS评分在TBI病情和预后不良评估中的价值

目的 探讨S100蛋白(S100 protein,S100)水平联合Rotterdam计算机X线断层扫描(Computed tomography,CT)评分、格拉斯哥昏迷评分(Glasgow coma scale,GCS)在创伤性颅脑损伤(Traumatic brain injury,TBI)病情和预后不良评估中的价值。方法 回顾性分析106例TBI患者的临床资料,比较不同病情TBI患者血清S100水平、Rotterdam-CT评分,分析血清S100水平与Rotterdam-CT评分、GCS评分的相关性; 根据患者预后情况分为预后良好组和预后不良组,比较2组性别、年龄、血清S100水平、Rotterdam-CT评分、GCS评分等临床资料,多因素logistic回归分析TBI患者预后不良的相关因素; 分析S100蛋白水平、GCS评分、Rotterdam-CT评分及三者联合应用对TBI患者预后不良的预测价值。结果 轻度组、中度组、重度组血清S100水平、Rotterdam-CT评分逐渐增高(P<0.01),TBI患者血清S100水平与GCS评分(r=0.396,P=0.001)、Rotterdam-CT评分(r=0.289,P=0.002)均呈正相关; 2组血氧饱和度、GCS评分、呼吸频率、Rotterdam-CT评分、S100蛋白水平、入院时昏迷占比等指标有明显差异(P<0.05或P<0.01); 多因素logistic回归分析显示呼吸频率、血氧饱和度、入院时昏迷占比、GCS评分、Rotterdam-CT评分、S100蛋白水平均为TBI患者预后不良的相关危险因素; 受试者工作特征曲线(Receiver operator characteristic curve,ROC)显示S100蛋白水平、GCS评分、Rotterdam-CT评分对TBI患者预后不良均有一定的预测价值,三项指标联合应用曲线下面积(Area of the under curve,AUC)值大于各单项指标预测。结论 S100蛋白水平、GCS评分、Rotterdam-CT评分是TBI患者预后不良的相关危险因素,S100蛋白水平联合GCS评分、Rotterdam-CT评分在TBI患者预后不良评估中具有较高的临床价值。     

Silencing KLF16 inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis

Krüppel-like factor 16 (KLF16), a member of the Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family, has been extensively investigated in multiple cancer types. However, the role of KLF16 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. Thus, we conducted this study to investigate its related mechanism. KLF16 expression in OSCC cell lines was quantified by western blotting. Then, OECM1 and OC3 cells were divided into Blank, siCtrl, siKLF16#1 and siKLF16#2 groups. Subsequently, cell proliferation was detected using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, cell migration and invasion were detected with wound healing and Transwell assays, and cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were detected via flow cytometry. KLF16, p21, CDK4, Cyclin D1 and p-Rb expression was detected by western blotting. Finally, xenograft models were established in nude mice to observe the in vivo effects of KLF16 on OSCC. KLF16 protein expression was upregulated in OSCC cells. Compared to the cells in the Blank group, the OECM1 and OC3 cells in the siKLF16#1 group and siKLF16#2 group exhibited a sharp decrease in proliferation but a remarkable increase in apoptosis. Moreover, the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase notably increased and that in the S phase decreased, with evident decreases in cell invasion and migration. Moreover, KLF16, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), Cyclin D1 and p-Rb protein expression was upregulated, but p21 expression was downregulated. The mice in the siKLF16#1 and siKLF16#2 xenograft model groups exhibited slower tumour growth and smaller tumours with evident downregulation of Ki67 expression compared to the mice in the Blank group. KLF16 expression was upregulated in OSCC cells, and interfering with KLF16 led to cell cycle arrest, inhibited OSCC cell growth and promoted cell apoptosis.     

心源性脑卒中患者血栓弹力图检测与抗凝因子蛋白S、蛋白C的相关性研究

目的:探讨心源性脑卒中(CES)患者血栓弹力图检测与抗凝因子蛋白S、蛋白C的相关性。方法:选取2018年9月~2020年6月入院治疗的CES患者86例纳入CES组,同时选取同期健康体检者40例纳入健康组。检测两组TEG及抗凝因子蛋白S、蛋白C水平,对不同神经功能损伤严重程度及不同预后患者上述参数进行比较,分析TEG与蛋白S、蛋白C的相关性。结果:与健康组相比,CES组R值、K值、蛋白S、蛋白C水平明显降低,α值、MA值明显增高(P<0.05);随着病情严重程度升高,患者R值、K值、蛋白S、蛋白C水平明显降低,α值、MA值明显升高(P<0.05)。预后良好组R值、K值、蛋白S、蛋白C水平明显高于预后不良组,α值、MA值明显低于预后不良组(P<0.05);CES患者蛋白S及蛋白C水平与R值、K值呈正相关,与MA值呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论:CES患者TEG部分参数与抗凝因子蛋白S、蛋白C存在相关性,临床可以两种指标相互补充,增强患者凝血功能功能监测效果。     

清热化瘀汤对急性脑出血患者血清hs-CRP、血浆S100β蛋白和NSE的影响

目的:探究清热化瘀汤联合依达拉奉对急性脑出血患者血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、血浆S100β蛋白和神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)的影响。方法:选择2017年5月—2019年5月在我院神经内科就诊符合纳入标准的80例急性脑出血患者,随机分为联合组(40例)和依达拉奉组(40例),两组均给予基础治疗和依达拉奉静脉滴注治疗,联合组则在此基础上加用清热化瘀汤。观察并比较两组的临床疗效、神经功能缺损程度评分(NIHSS)、格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS)、hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及脑血肿量。结果:联合组的总有效率为95%(38/40),显著高于依达拉奉组的总有效率75%(30/40)(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组NIHSS评分降低,GCS评分升高,且联合组NIHSS评分明显低于依达拉奉组(P<0.05),GCS评分高于依达拉奉组(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及均脑血肿量均低于治疗前,且联合组hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及脑血肿量明显低于依达拉奉组(P<0.05)。结论:清热化瘀汤联合依达拉奉对急性脑出血患者具有良好的疗效,可显著改善其神经缺损,降低hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及脑血肿量。     

Expression of Salivary S100A7 Levels in Stage I Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Clinical and Laboratory Study

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic debilitating condition characterized by juxta-epithelial fibrosis. The main etiological agent associated with the high-risk precancerous condition is areca nut use. S100A7 is a member of the largest calcium-binding proteins exclusively found in vertebrates and are associated with the regulation of numerous intracellular and extracellular functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of protein S100A7 in salivary samples of individuals with stage I OSF and healthy controls. Methods: This study included 63 participants, 30 of whom had OSF stage I and 33 healthy controls. Nonprobability quota sampling technique was utilized for recruitment of the study participants. A structured baseline questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. Saliva samples were collected by passive droll technique in a sterile container. Salivary levels of S100A7 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For the normality of the data Shapiro Wilk test was performed. Student t-test was commuted to evaluate the expression of S100A7 protein expression between both the study groups. Results: The mean salivary S100A7 value for stage I OSF group was 0.334 ng/ml, compared to 0.172 ng/ml for healthy controls. Student t-test reported a statistically significant difference, indicating higher levels of S100A7 in stage I OSF group than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). In the individual group analysis, a significant negative correlation was found between salivary S100A7 and duration of areca nut use (r = –0.45, p = 0.009) and gutka chewing (r = –0.20, p = 0.03), while a significant positive correlation was found between salivary S100A7 and mouth opening (r = 0.03, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Higher levels of S100A7 protein level was seen in stage I OSF group in comparison to the healthy individuals. Results of our study suggest that S100A7 could be used as a surrogate assessment to identify patients at risk of OSF development.     

Evaluating the Cost-Effectiveness of Hydrogel Rectal Spacer in Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy

Purpose

A hydrogel rectal spacer (HRS) is a medical device that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to increase the separation between the prostate and rectum. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of HRS use for reduction in radiation therapy (RT) toxicities in patients with prostate cancer (PC) undergoing external beam RT (EBRT).

The microbiome in pediatric oncology

The human microbiome comprises a diverse set of microorganisms, which play a mostly cooperative role in processes such as metabolism and host defense. Next-generation genomic sequencing of bacterial nucleic acids now can contribute a much broader understanding of the diverse organisms composing the microbiome. Emerging evidence has suggested several roles of the microbiome in pediatric hematology/oncology, including susceptibility to infectious diseases, immune response to neoplasia, and contributions to the tumor microenvironment as well as changes to the microbiome from chemotherapy and antibiotics with unclear consequences. In this review, the authors have examined the evidence of the role of the microbiome in pediatric hematology/oncology, discussed how the microbiome may be modulated, and suggested key questions in need of further exploration.