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Polski Przeglad Chirurgiczny Mar 2024Esophageal cancer (EC) poses a significant challenge to the healthcare system due to its profound impact on cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. This... (Review)
Review
Esophageal cancer (EC) poses a significant challenge to the healthcare system due to its profound impact on cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. This malignancy ranks among the most arduous conditions confronting the surgeon. EC arises from a complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental factors. While the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is on the rise in the West, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains prevalent in the East. Chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of EC. Accordingly, serum inflammatory markers, growth factors, and cytokines have been shown to be clinically useful. Thus, evaluating serum cytokine levels for EC prediction is a safe and feasible screening method. Given the aggressive nature and poor prognosis of the disease, innovative approaches to diagnosis, prognosis, and management of EC are indispensable. This review discusses the major risk factors and the current landscape of EC, with a specific focus on the potential contributions of new inflammatory markers to enhance disease management and improve patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Esophageal Neoplasms; Biomarkers, Tumor; Inflammation; Adenocarcinoma; Prognosis; Male; Female; Cytokines; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38940245
DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0054.4523 -
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives Aug 2024An area-under-the-curve (AUC)-based approach is recommended to guide vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), yet trough concentrations are still commonly used...
An area-under-the-curve (AUC)-based approach is recommended to guide vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), yet trough concentrations are still commonly used despite associated risks. A definitive toxicity target is lacking, which is important for hematology patients who have a higher risk of nephrotoxicity. The aims were to (1) assess the impact of trough-based TDM on acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence, (2) establish a vancomycin nephrotoxicity threshold, and (3) evaluate the proportion of hematology patients achieving vancomycin therapeutic targets. Retrospective data was collected from 100 adult patients with a hematological malignancy or aplastic anemia who received vancomycin between April 2020 and January 2021. AKI occurrence was determined based on serum creatinine concentrations, and individual pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using a Bayesian approach. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the ability of pharmacokinetic indices to predict AKI occurrence. The proportion of patients who achieved target vancomycin exposure was evaluated based on an AUC/MIC ≥400 and the determined toxicity threshold. The incidence of AKI was 37%. ROC curve analysis indicated a maximum AUC of 644 mg.h/L over the treatment period was an important predictor of AKI. By Day 4 of treatment, 29% of treatment courses had supratherapeutic vancomycin exposure, with only 62% of courses achieving AUC targets. The identified toxicity threshold supports an AUC target range of 400-650 mg.h/L, assuming an MIC of 1 mg/L, to optimize vancomycin efficacy and minimize toxicity. This study highlights high rates of AKI in this population and emphasizes the importance of transitioning from trough-based TDM to an AUC-based approach to improve clinical outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Vancomycin; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Acute Kidney Injury; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aged; Adult; Area Under Curve; Drug Monitoring; Hematologic Neoplasms; Anemia, Aplastic; Bayes Theorem; Creatinine; Aged, 80 and over; Young Adult; Incidence; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; ROC Curve
PubMed: 38940223
DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1231 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024Persistent hyperuricemia can lead to the generation and deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. This can trigger gouty arthritis (GA), which in turn induces...
BACKGROUND
Persistent hyperuricemia can lead to the generation and deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. This can trigger gouty arthritis (GA), which in turn induces inflammation. Activation of the Nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a critical role in the onset and progression of GA. Autophagy may have a dual effect on GA with regard to the NLRP3 inflammasome. Therefore, the present study aimed to gain a deeper comprehension of the interaction between autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation is imperative for developing more efficacious treatments for GA.
METHODS
Peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) were first isolated from GA patients and healthy controls and underwent bulk RNA sequencing analysis. Overexpression and knockdown of dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) was performed in THP-1 monocytes to investigate its role in the immune response and mitochondrial damage. The luciferase assay and Western blot analysis were used to study the interaction between autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
RESULTS
Bulk RNA sequencing analysis showed significant upregulation of DUSP1 expression in PBMCs from GA patients compared to healthy controls. This result was subsequently verified by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). DUSP1 expression in human THP-1 monocytes was also shown to increase after MSU treatment. Downregulation of DUSP1 expression increased the secretion of inflammatory cytokines after MSU treatment, whereas the overexpression of DUSP1 decreased the secretion levels. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) combined with adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) led to mitochondrial damage, which was rescued by overexpressing DUSP1. DUSP1 overexpression further increased the level of autophagy following MSU treatment, whereas downregulation of DUSP1 decreased autophagy. Treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) restored inflammatory cytokine secretion levels in the DUSP1 overexpression group. MSU caused pronounced pathological ankle swelling . However, DUSP1 overexpression significantly mitigated this phenotype, accompanied by significant downregulation of inflammatory cytokine secretion levels in the joint tissues.
CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed a novel function and mechanism for DUSP1 in promoting autophagy to mitigate the MSU-induced immune response in GA. This finding suggests potential diagnostic biomarkers and anti-inflammatory targets for more effective GA therapy.
Topics: Humans; Autophagy; Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1; Arthritis, Gouty; Uric Acid; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Inflammasomes; THP-1 Cells; Male; Monocytes; Case-Control Studies; Female; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38940057
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906222 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism through which C1q/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related protein 9 (CTRP9) acts in the formation and differentiation...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism through which C1q/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related protein 9 (CTRP9) acts in the formation and differentiation of brown adipose tissue (BAT).
METHODS
Adenovirus particles encoding CTRP9 and green fluorescent protein were inoculated into the scapula of C57BL/6J mice and fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks; the body weight, lipid droplet morphology, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, and protein expression levels were analyzed. In addition, CTRP9 adenovirus was transfected into brown preadipocytes, and differentiation was induced to identify the effect of CTRP9 overexpression on adipocyte differentiation.
RESULTS
CTRP9 overexpression significantly increased the weight gain of mice. Additionally, the CTRP9 overexpression group exhibited significantly increased adipose tissue weight and glucose clearance rates and decreased insulin sensitivity and serum triglyceride levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, CTRP9 overexpression significantly upregulated the adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and perilipin 1 protein expression levels in BAT. The cell experiment results confirmed that CTRP9 overexpression significantly inhibited the adipogenesis of brown adipocytes as evidenced by the downregulation of uncoupling protein 1, beta-3 adrenergic receptor, ATGL, and hormone-sensitive lipase mRNA levels and the significant suppression of uncoupling protein 1, ATGL, and perilipin 1 protein levels in brown adipocytes.
CONCLUSIONS
The finding of this study demonstrated that CTRP9 promotes lipolysis by upregulating ATGL expression and inhibits the differentiation of brown preadipocytes .
Topics: Animals; Lipolysis; Diet, High-Fat; Adipose Tissue, Brown; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Male; Mice; Adiponectin; Insulin Resistance; Lipase; Cell Differentiation; Adipogenesis; Perilipin-1; Acyltransferases; Glycoproteins
PubMed: 38940054
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906236 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024Alzheimer's disease is characterized by extracellular beta-amyloid plaques, intraneuronal tau neurofibrillary tangles and excessive neurodegeneration. The mechanisms of...
BACKGROUND
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by extracellular beta-amyloid plaques, intraneuronal tau neurofibrillary tangles and excessive neurodegeneration. The mechanisms of neuron degeneration and the potential of these neurons to form new nerve fibers for compensation remain elusive. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of beta-amyloid and tau on new formations of nerve fibers from mouse organotypic brain slices connected to collagen-based microcontact prints.
METHODS
Organotypic brain slices of postnatal day 8-10 wild-type mice were connected to established collagen-based microcontact prints loaded with polyornithine to enhance nerve fiber outgrowth. Human beta-amyloid(42) or P301S mutated aggregated tau was co-loaded to the prints. Nerve fibers were immunohistochemically stained with neurofilament antibodies. The physiological activity of outgrown neurites was tested with neurotracer MiniRuby, voltage-sensitive dye FluoVolt, and calcium-sensitive dye Rhod-4.
RESULTS
Immunohistochemical staining revealed newly formed nerve fibers extending along the prints derived from the brain slices. While collagen-only microcontact prints stimulated nerve fiber growth, those loaded with polyornithine significantly enhanced nerve fiber outgrowth. Beta-amyloid(42) significantly increased the neurofilament-positive nerve fibers, while tau had only a weak effect. MiniRuby crystals, retrogradely transported along these newly formed nerve fibers, reached the hippocampus, while FluoVolt and Rhod-4 monitored electrical activity in newly formed nerve fibers.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data provide evidence that intact nerve fibers can form along collagen-based microcontact prints from mouse brain slices. The Alzheimer's peptide beta-amyloid(42) stimulates this growth, hinting at a neuroprotective function when physiologically active. This "brain-on-chip" model may offer a platform for screening bioactive factors or testing drug effects on nerve fiber growth.
Topics: Animals; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Mice; Nerve Fibers; Brain; tau Proteins; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Peptide Fragments; Alzheimer Disease; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38940051
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906232 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024Although umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UCMSC) infusion has been proposed as a promising strategy for the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI), the parameters of... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Although umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UCMSC) infusion has been proposed as a promising strategy for the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI), the parameters of UCMSC transplantation, such as infusion routes and doses, need to be further optimized.
METHODS
In this study, we compared the therapeutic effects of UCMSCs transplanted via intravenous injection and intratracheal instillation on lipopolysaccharide-induced ALI using a rat model. Following transplantation, levels of inflammatory factors in serum; neutrophils, total white blood cells, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); and lung damage levels were analyzed.
RESULTS
The results indicated that UCMSCs administered via both intravenous and intratracheal routes were effective in alleviating ALI, as determined by analyses of arterial blood gas, lung histopathology, BALF contents, and levels of inflammatory factors. Comparatively, the intratracheal instillation of UCMSCs was found to result in lower levels of lymphocytes and total proteins in BALF, whereas greater reductions in the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were detected in rats receiving intravenously injected stem cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings in this study provide convincing evidence to indicate the efficacy of UCMSC therapy in the treatment of ALI mediated via different delivery routes, thereby providing a reliable theoretical basis for further clinical studies. Moreover, these findings imply that the effects obtained using the two assessed delivery routes for UCMSC transplantation are mediated via different mechanisms, which could be attributable to different cellular or molecular targets.
Topics: Animals; Acute Lung Injury; Lipopolysaccharides; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Umbilical Cord; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats; Male; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Injections, Intravenous
PubMed: 38940047
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906217 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024L-Theanine, a nonproteinogenic amino acid derived from green tea, is being recognized as an anti-cancer candidate. However, it's roles in the development of cancer...
BACKGROUND
L-Theanine, a nonproteinogenic amino acid derived from green tea, is being recognized as an anti-cancer candidate. However, it's roles in the development of cancer chemoresistance is still unknown and the molecular mechanism is urgently to be explored.
METHODS
The effects of L-Theanine on lung cancer chemoresistance were validated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, transwell assay, and tumor spheroid formation assay; the expression of proteins was detected by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatics analysis were used to identify differentially expressed genes induced by L-Theanine. knockdown and overexpression were constructed by using a lentivirus-mediated transfection system.
RESULTS
L-Theanine improved the chemoresistance to -diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) and inhibited stemness of DDP-resistant lung cancer cells but not non-resistant lung cancer cells. The results from RNA-seq analysis showed that STAT3/NOTCH1 pathway was a potential dominant signaling involved in L-Theanine improving the chemoresistance in DDP-resistant lung cancer. Mechanistically, L-Theanine impeded migration and stemness activation of DDP-resistant lung cancer cells via regulating the expression of STAT3/NOTCH1/BMAL1 signaling-induced stemness markers as well as inhibiting the expression levels of drug resistance-related genes. In addition, a combination of L-Theanine and Stat3 blockade synergistically improved the chemoresistance in DDP-resistant lung cancer.
CONCLUSION
L-Theanine improves the chemoresistance by regulating STAT3/NOTCH1/BMAL1 signaling, reducing stemness, and inhibiting the migration of DDP-resistant lung cancer cells. The finding might provide some evidence for therapeutic options in overcoming the chemoresistance in cancers, including lung cancer.
Topics: Humans; Glutamates; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Lung Neoplasms; Cisplatin; STAT3 Transcription Factor; Signal Transduction; Receptor, Notch1; Cell Line, Tumor; ARNTL Transcription Factors; Antineoplastic Agents; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; A549 Cells; Cell Movement
PubMed: 38940036
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906226 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... May 2024Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, with one of the highest incidence and mortality rates of all malignant tumors. Dysregulated expression of...
BACKGROUND
Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, with one of the highest incidence and mortality rates of all malignant tumors. Dysregulated expression of DEPDC1B has been reported to occur in various tumor types. However, the functional implications of this alteration in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role and clinical significance of DEPDC1B in LUAD.
METHODS
The expression of DEPDC1B in LUAD and its relationship with prognosis were systematically evaluated in several publically available datasets. The effects of DEPDC1B knockdown on the proliferation and motility of LUAD cells were assessed using the JULI Stage Real-time Cell History Recorder, while the effect of knockdown on the cell cycle was studied by flow cytometry. Furthermore, RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis was conducted to identify the downstream target genes and pathways regulated by DEPDC1B. Correlations between the expression of DEPDC1B and immune cell infiltration, immunotherapy resistance, and chemoresistance were also examined. Additionally, molecular biological methods were used to explore the regulatory mechanism of B-Myb on DEPDC1B expression.
RESULTS
DEPDC1B was found to be upregulated in LUAD patients and this was associated with poor clinical outcomes. Knockdown of inhibited cell growth, migration and motility, as well as cell cycle progression. Knockdown also resulted in the down-regulation of several downstream genes, including , , and , as well as the inactivation of multiple critical pathways, such as the ERK and PI3K-AKT pathways. Analysis of the tumor immuno-environment in LUAD revealed that high DEPDC1B expression was associated with an abundance of activated CD4+ memory T cells, M0 macrophages, M1 macrophages, and CD8+ T cells. Moreover, these tumors responded poorly to immunotherapy. Analysis of chemo-drug sensitivity showed that LUADs with high DEPDC1B expression were more responsive to frontline chemotherapeutic drugs such as Vinorelbine, Cisplatin, and Etoposide. Additionally, mechanistic investigations revealed that DEPDC1B is a direct target gene of B-Myb, and that its knockdown attenuated the proliferation and motility effects of B-Myb.
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, our findings indicate that DEPDC1B is a critical regulator during the malignant progression of LUAD. DEPDC1B could therefore be a promising prognostic marker and therapeutic target in LUAD diagnosis and treatment.
Topics: Humans; Adenocarcinoma of Lung; GTPase-Activating Proteins; Lung Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; Cell Movement; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Cell Line, Tumor; Disease Progression; Cell Cycle Proteins; Prognosis; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Male; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Signal Transduction; Neoplasm Proteins; Trans-Activators
PubMed: 38940035
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906204 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024Existing animal models for testing therapeutics in the skin are limited. Mouse and rat models lack similarity to human skin in structure and wound healing mechanism....
BACKGROUND
Existing animal models for testing therapeutics in the skin are limited. Mouse and rat models lack similarity to human skin in structure and wound healing mechanism. Pigs are regarded as the best model with regards to similarity to human skin; however, these studies are expensive, time-consuming, and only small numbers of biologic replicates can be obtained. In addition, local-regional effects of treating wounds that are closely adjacent to one-another with different treatments make assessment of treatment effectiveness difficult in pig models. Therefore, here, a novel nude mouse model of xenografted porcine hypertrophic scar (HTS) cells was developed. This model system was developed to test if supplying hypo-pigmented cells with exogenous alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) will reverse pigment loss .
METHODS
Dyschromic HTSs were created in red Duroc pigs. Epidermal scar cells (keratinocytes and melanocytes) were derived from regions of hyper-, hypo-, or normally pigmented scar or skin and were cryopreserved. Dermal fibroblasts (DFs) were isolated separately. Excisional wounds were created on nude mice and a grafting dome was placed. DFs were seeded on day 0 and formed a dermis. On day 3, epidermal cells were seeded onto the dermis. The grafting dome was removed on day 7 and hypo-pigmented xenografts were treated with synthetic α-MSH delivered with microneedling. On day 10, the xenografts were excised and saved. Sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to assess xenograft structure. RNA was isolated and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed for melanogenesis-related genes , , and .
RESULTS
The seeding of HTSDFs formed a dermis that is similar in structure and cellularity to HTS dermis from the porcine model. When hyper-, hypo-, and normally-pigmented epidermal cells were seeded, a fully stratified epithelium was formed by day 14. H&E staining and measurement of the epidermis showed the average thickness to be 0.11 ± 0.07 µm 0.06 ± 0.03 µm in normal pig skin. Hypo-pigmented xenografts that were treated with synthetic α-MSH showed increases in pigmentation and had increased gene expression of , , and compared to untreated controls (TYR: 2.7 ± 1.1 0.3 ± 1.1; TYRP1: 2.6 ± 0.6 0.3 ± 0.7; DCT 0.7 ± 0.9 0.3 ± 1-fold change from control; n = 3).
CONCLUSIONS
The developed nude mouse skin xenograft model can be used to study treatments for the skin. The cells that can be xenografted can be derived from patient samples or from pig samples and form a robust dual-skin layer containing epidermis and dermis that is responsive to treatment. Specifically, we found that hypo-pigmented regions of scar can be stimulated to make melanin by synthetic α-MSH .
Topics: Animals; Mice, Nude; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic; Mice; Disease Models, Animal; Swine; alpha-MSH; Humans; Skin; Fibroblasts; Melanocytes; Keratinocytes; Transplantation, Heterologous; Wound Healing; Skin Pigmentation
PubMed: 38940034
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906230 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... May 2024Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disease that affects 5-18% of women worldwide, with a rising incidence.... (Review)
Review
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disease that affects 5-18% of women worldwide, with a rising incidence. Hyperandrogenemia and insulin resistance are two key pathophysiological factors that contribute to PCOS, both of which contribute to a variety of health issues such as menstrual irregularities, obesity, dysfunctional glucose and lipid homeostasis, infertility, mental disorders, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Despite ongoing studies, the origin and pathogenesis of PCOS remain elusive; there is also a clinical need for simpler, more effective, longer lasting, and more comprehensive treatments for women with PCOS. The gut-fat axis, a critical regulatory route for metabolism, endocrine function, and immune response, has received considerable interest in recent years in the research of the etiology and treatment of metabolic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The latest research in PCOS has revealed significant alterations in the homogeneity and phylogenetic diversity of the gut microbiota. Animal research using fecal microbiota transplantation has confirmed the importance of gut microbiota in regulating insulin sensitivity and sex hormone balance in PCOS. Furthermore, studies have shown a decrease in the volume and/or activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in PCOS patients, a change that alters adipokine release, leading to insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia, aggravating PCOS progression. Given the function of BAT in increasing energy expenditure and alleviating metabolic parameters, efforts to activate BAT or induce browning of white adipose tissue have emerged as possible treatments for PCOS. Recent research has suggested that the gut microbiota can influence BAT creation and activity via metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids and bile acids, as well as the gut-brain axis. Cold exposure, healthy dieting, metformin, bariatric surgery, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and melatonin have all been shown in basic and clinical studies to modulate BAT activity by influencing the gut microbiota, demonstrating significant clinical potential. However, more studies into the regulation mechanisms of the gut-BAT axis are required to produce more effective, comfortable, and safe tailored therapeutics for PCOS.
Topics: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Humans; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Adipose Tissue, Brown; Animals; Insulin Resistance; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; Obesity
PubMed: 38940030
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906208