Regulation of PPAR-γ activity in lipid-laden hepatocytes affects macrophage polarization and inflammation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUNDLipid metabolism disorder and inflammatory-immune activation are vital triggers in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Various studies have shown that PPAR-γ exerts potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. However, little is known about the regulation of PPAR-γ activity in modulating cell crosstalk in NAFLD.AIMTo investigate whether the regulation of PPAR-γ activity in lipid-laden hepatocytes affects macrophage polarization and inflammation.METHODSPrimary hepatocytes were isolated from wild-type C57BL6/J mice or hepatocyte-specific PPAR-γ knockout mice and incubated with free fatty acids (FFAs). Macrophages were incubated with conditioned medium (CM) from lipid-laden hepatocytes with or without a PPAR-γ agonist. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat (HF) diet and administered rosiglitazone.RESULTSPrimary hepatocytes exhibited significant lipid deposition and increased ROS production after incubation with FFAs. CM from lipid-laden hepatocytes promoted macrophage polarization to the M1 type and activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. A PPAR-γ agonist ameliorated oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in lipid-laden hepatocytes and subsequently prevented M1 macrophage polarization. Hepatocyte-specific PPAR-γ deficiency aggravated oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in lipid-laden hepatocytes, which further promoted M1 macrophage polarization. Rosiglitazone administration improved oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in HF diet-induced NAFLD mice in vivo.CONCLUSIONUpregulation of PPAR-γ activity in hepatocytes alleviated NAFLD by modulating the crosstalk between hepatocytes and macrophages via the reactive oxygen species-NLRP3-IL-1β pathway.     

Preparation and study of the flame retardant properties of C60/PMMA microspheres

In this paper, highly flame retardant C₆₀/PMMA composites were prepared using an in situ polymerization method by introducing fullerene (C₆₀) into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to improve its combustion characteristics. The apparent morphologies of PMMA and C₆₀/PMMA microspheres were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the structure was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The thermal stability and flame retardancy were characterized using a synchronous thermal analyzer, a cone calorimeter and an oxygen index tester. The results show that the maximum initial decomposition temperature of C₆₀/PMMA-2 (prepared using C₆₀ with a concentration of 2 mg mL⁻¹) is 234.89 °C, which is about 59.89 °C higher than that of PMMA, and the thermal stability is the best. The limiting oxygen index of the C₆₀/PMMA-2 composite is 21.8, which is 28.2% higher than that of pure PMMA. In addition, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of C₆₀/PMMA is reduced by 630.4 kW m⁻² when compared with pure PMMA, which means that the flame retardant property is improved. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of the PMMA are also improved by adding C₆₀.

In this paper, highly flame retardant C₆₀/PMMA composites were prepared using an in situ polymerization method by introducing fullerene (C₆₀) into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to improve its combustion characteristics.     

4-氨甲酰基-4′-叠氮-1,2,3-三氮唑核苷的合成研究

目的 合成4-氨甲酰基-4′-叠氮-1,2,3-三氮唑核苷,以期发现具有高抗病毒活性的核苷类药物。方法 以商业易得的二丙酮叉-D-葡萄糖为起始原料,经9步反应得到重要糖基叠氮化合物,再与炔丙酸甲酯进行[3+2]偶极环加成反应以构建三氮唑环以及自由基脱羧叠氮化反应和脱保护得到4-氨甲酰基-4′-叠氮-1,2,3-三氮唑核苷。结果　以最长线性步骤5步反应,30%的总收率合成了4-氨甲酰基-4′-叠氮-1,2,3-三氮唑,这为后期的抗病毒活性测试奠定了基础。     

IL‐27 improves adoptive CD8+ T cells’ antitumor activity via enhancing cell survival and memory T cell differentiation

IL‐27 is an anti‐inflammatory cytokine that triggers enhanced antitumor immunity, particularly cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. In the present study, we sought to develop IL‐27 into a therapeutic adjutant for adoptive T cell therapy using our well‐established models. We have found that IL‐27 directly improved the survival status and cytotoxicity of adoptive OT‐1 CD8⁺ T cells in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, IL‐27 treatment programs memory T cell differentiation in CD8⁺ T cells, characterized by upregulation of genes associated with T cell memory differentiation (T‐bet, Eomes, Blimp1, and Ly6C). Additionally, we engineered the adoptive OT‐1 CD8⁺ T cells to deliver IL‐27. In mice, the established tumors treated with OT‐1 CD8⁺ T‐IL‐27 were completely rejected, which demonstrated that IL‐27 delivered via tumor antigen–specific T cells enhances adoptive T cells’ cancer immunity. To our knowledge, this is the first application of CD8⁺ T cells as a vehicle to deliver IL‐27 to treat tumors. Thus, this study demonstrates IL‐27 is a feasible approach for enhancing CD8⁺ T cells’ antitumor immunity and can be used as a therapeutic adjutant for T cell adoptive transfer to treat cancer.     

Decreased expression of claudin-18.2 in alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer compared to conventional gastric cancer

BackgroundAlpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer (AFPGC) is a subtype of gastric cancer (GC) with more aggressive biological behavior. As a highly specific tight junction component exclusively present in gastric mucosa and gastric adenocarcinomas, claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2) has become an emerging target in GC. In this study, we aimed to provide insight into AFPGC and investigate the expression and the clinical implications of CLDN18.2 in AFPGC.MethodsWe retrospectively collected 98 cases of AFPGC and reviewed their clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical features. Another 356 patients with stage-matched conventional GC (cGC) were enrolled as a control group. We further surveyed CLDN18.2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 51 AFPGC tissues and explained its association with the clinicopathological parameters of AFPGC.ResultsOur results showed that AFPGC was a unique GC type with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which was a predictor of a worse prognosis. AFPGC showed typical morphological features and positive staining of at least 1 hepatocytic or enteroblastic marker. The expression rate of CLDN18.2 was low, with a positivity rate of 21.6%, which was much lower than that observed in cGC tissues (38.5%). A significant correlation was found between CLDN18.2 expression and the differentiation of AFPGC. CLDN18.2 expression was negatively correlated with the serum AFP level of AFPGC. We also found that AFPGC with a hepatoid type (HPT) component showed a significantly lower CLDN18.2 expression than those without.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that CLDN18.2 was significantly decreased in AFPGC and was negatively correlated with the patient’s preoperative serum AFP level. The negative correlation between AFP and CLDN18.2 could be explained by retro-differentiation of AFPGC. Special treatment strategies might be needed for this unique tumor type.     

UBE2C promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer and glycolytic activity via EGFR stabilization-mediated PI3K-Akt pathway activation

BackgroundPancreatic cancer (PC) is among the most prevalent and deadliest endocrine tumors, yet the mechanisms governing its pathogenesis remain to be fully clarified. While ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) has been identified as an important oncogene in several cancers, its importance in PC has yet to be established.MethodsUBE2C expression in PC tumor samples and cell lines was examined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), while appropriate commercial kits were used to assess lactate production, ATP generation, and the uptake of glucose.ResultsUBE2C was found to be upregulated in PC patient tumors and correlated with poorer survival outcomes. In PC cell lines, the silencing of this gene suppressed the malignant activity of cells, thus supporting its identification as an oncogene in this cancer type. Mechanistically, UBE2C was found to promote enhanced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) protein expression via activating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Moreover, it was found to bind to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), stabilizing it and driving additional PI3K-Akt pathway activation. UBE2C knockdown in PC cells impaired their uptake of glucose and their ability to produce lactate and ATP.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the results of this study support a role for UBE2C as a driver of metastatic PC progression owing to its ability to bind to EGFR and to induce signaling via the PI3K-Akt pathway.     

40例原发性胃肠道弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤临床特征、细胞来源与预后分析

背景与目的:原发性胃肠道弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(primary gastrointestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,PGI-DLBCL)的发病部位及其临床表现与胃肠道其它肿瘤性疾病难以鉴别,误诊率较高,且其标准治疗的方法仍未确定。本研究旨在分析PGI-DLBCL的临床特征、肿瘤细胞来源及预后,并探讨有效的联合治疗方法。方法:分析我院1998～2007年诊治的40例PGI-DLBCL,应用Kaplan-Meier法、log-rank检验和Cox回归模型对其临床资料和实验室检测结果进行生存分析及单因素和多因素预后分析。通过免疫组化染色分析34例患者的肿瘤细胞来源。治疗方法包括联合化疗、手术 联合化疗及放疗、单纯手术等,联合化疗方案为CHOP及CHOP样方案。结果:40例PGI-DLBCL患者中,年龄10～89岁中位年龄56.5岁,男女比例1.86∶1,胃与肠道的发病比率为1.05∶1。预后分析可追访病例38例中,死亡12例(31.6%),3年和5年生存率均为64.7%。9例多部位发病的患者中,8例(88.9%)在3年内死亡。9例(26.5%)肿瘤细胞来源于生发中心(germinal center,GC),25例(73.5%)来源于非生发中心(non-germinal center,non-GC)。单因素预后分析发现肿瘤细胞来源、国际预后指数(international prognosis index,IPI)、B症状对生存率的影响有显著性(P<0.05)。Cox多因素预后分析显示血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)升高组患者的死亡风险是LDH正常组的2.87倍。结论:PGI-DLBCL发病以中年男性为主,多部位发病是该类患者死亡的重要原因。肿瘤细胞来源、IPI、B症状对预测患者生存和指导治疗有重要作用,其中初诊时血清LDH水平升高是本组患者的独立预后因素。     

Tunable Boc modification of lignin and its impact on microbial degradation rate

A new type of modified lignin, lignin-p-Boc, was obtained through reaction with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (Boc₂O) in aqueous media catalyzed by 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). Boc modification occurred regardless of type of lignin, was tunable, and proceeded well in recovering lignin at high purity from sodium lignosulfonate (a common byproduct from pulping industry; lignin content: 60%). Lignin-p-BOC was demonstrated as a potential reactive filler in green plastic and as a potential crosslinker in design of bioresorbable composite polymeric implants. Furthermore, the effect of the modification on breakdown rate of alkali lignin by microbes was investigated, and results showed that the modification substantially decreases the breakdown rate. The tunable Boc modification process was designed via a system thinking, including availability of raw lignin, economical/green modification, potentiality of drop-in-change to current thermoplastic processing, modification impact on microbial degradability/disposed environment at the end of use life; hence the holistic consideration makes this alternative method for upgrade of technical lignins very practical for future industrial application. Via “in-situ” forming “easily breakable covalent bonds” with existing thermopolymers inside, Lignin-p-BOCs are also promising to play an important role as both excellent binders via “random match” and reductants in transforming linear plastic waste into circular plastics.     

耳蜗电图在梅尼埃病诊断中的价值

迄今尚缺乏诊断梅尼埃病的敏感且特异的客观试验，７０年代以来，若干研究探讨了耳蜗电图（Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｏｃｏｃｈｌｅｏｇｒａｍ，ＥＣｏｃｈＧ）在梅尼埃病诊断中的价值，认为典型的改变是－ＳＰ异常增大，导致－ＳＰ／ＡＰ比值增高，以及－ＳＰ－ＡＰ复合波形异常增宽。各家报告－ＳＰ／ＡＰ诊断梅尼埃病阳性率从３２％至８７％．本文报告了９７例１００耳梅尼埃病鼓室内法检测的耳蜗电图结果，４９例－ＳＰ／ＡＰ比值异常增高，阳性率４９％；波型异常增宽１７耳，总阳性率６６％．眼震电图检测的阳性率６１％．耳蜗电图和眼震电图改变一致的４３耳，二者总阳性率为８４％。对各家阳性率不一致的原因作了分析。认为耳蜗电图－ＳＰ／ＡＰ比值诊断梅尼埃病的敏感性不如文献报告的那么乐观，在目前尚无更敏感更特异的诊断手段的情况下，耳蜗电图和眼震电图在梅尼埃病的诊断中起着相互印证和相互补充的作用。