DNA damage represents one of the cell intrinsic causes of stem cell aging, which leads to differentiation-induced removal of damaged stem cells in skin and blood. Dietary restriction (DR) retards aging across various species, including several strains of laboratory mice. Whether, DR has the potential to ameliorate DNA damage-driven stem cell exhaustion remains incompletely understood. In this study, we show that DR strongly extends the time to hair graying in response to γ-irradiation (ionizing radiation [IR])-induced DNA damage of C57BL/6 J mice. The study shows that DR prolongs resting phase of hair follicles. DR-mediated prolongation of hair follicle stem cell (HFSC) quiescence blocks hair growth and prevents the depletion of HFSCs and ckit+ melanoblasts in response to IR. However, prolongation of HFSC quiescence also correlates with a suppression of DNA repair and cannot prevent melanoblast loss and hair graying in the long run, when hair cycling is reinitiated even after extended periods of time. Altogether, these results support a model indicating that nutrient deprivation can delay but not heal DNA damage-driven extinction of melanoblasts by stalling HFSCs in a prolonged state of quiescence coupled with inhibition of DNA repair. Disconnecting these two types of responses to DR could have the potential to delay stem cell aging.
Studies have investigated the effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use on the incidence and clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the results have been inconsistent. We searched the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception to March 2022; 13 studies covering 84 003 prostate cancer (PCa) patients with or without ADT met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. We calculated the pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to explore the association between ADT use and the infection risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and severity of COVID-19. After synthesizing the evidence, the pooled RR in the SARS-CoV-2 positive group was equal to 1.17, and the SARS-CoV-2 positive risk in PCa patients using ADT was not significantly different from that in those not using ADT ( P = 0.544). Moreover, no significant results concerning the beneficial effect of ADT on the rate of intensive care unit admission (RR = 1.04, P = 0.872) or death risk (RR = 1.23, P = 0.53) were found. However, PCa patients with a history of ADT use had a markedly higher COVID-19 hospitalization rate (RR = 1.31, P = 0.015) than those with no history of ADT use. These findings indicate that ADT use by PCa patients is associated with a high risk of hospitalization during infection with SARS-CoV-2. A large number of high quality studies are needed to confirm these results.
Low-grade B cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas involving the kidney were extremely rare, genetic alteration or molecular features was not yet explored, which may lead to limited choices for postoperative adjuvant or targeted. Whole-exome sequencing based tumor mutation profiling was performed on the tumor sample from a 77-year-old female presenting with discomfort at the waist was pathologically diagnosed as MALT lymphomas in the right kidney. We identified 101 somatic SNVs, and the majority of the identified SNVs were located in CDS and intronic regions. A total of 190 gain counts of CNVs with a total size of 488,744,073 was also investigated. After filtering with the CGC database, seven predisposing genes (ARID4A, COL2A1, FANCL, ABL2, HSP90AB1, FANCA, and DIS3) were found in renal MALT specimen. Furthermore, we compared somatic variation with known driver genes and validated three mutational driver genes including ACSL3, PHOX2B, and ADCY1. Sanger sequencing of germline DNA revealed the presence of a mutant base T of PHOX2B and a mutant base C of ADCY1 in the sequence, which were discovered for the first time in MALT lymphomas involving the kidney. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that tumor cells were positive for CD20, CD79a, PAX5, CD21, and CD23, and expression of CD3, CD5, and CD8 were observed in reactive T lymphocytes surrounding tumor cells. These findings illustrated that concurrent aberrant PHOX2B and ADCY1 signaling may be a catastrophic event resulting in disease progression and inhibition of the putative driver mutations may be alternative adjuvant therapy for MALT lymphoma in the kidney which warrants further clinical investigation.
Background Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC) is a rare and severe urinary malignancy. Several studies have explored the relationship between preoperative urine cytology and intravesical recurrence (IVR) in patients with UUT-UC. However, the results of these studies are controversial or even contradictory, and investigations with UUT-UC patients in northeast China are rare. Methods We first estimated the prognostic significance of preoperative urine cytology in the outcomes of intravesical recurrence in 231 UUT-UC patients (training cohort = 142, validation cohort = 89) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) by the nomogram model. Subsequently, we quantitatively combined our results with the published data after searching several databases to assess whether preoperative positive urine cytology was associated with poor intravesical recurrence-free survival and a high risk of tumor malignant biological behavior. Results Firstly, the multicenter retrospective cohort study demonstrated that preoperative positive urine cytology correlated with poor intravesical recurrence-free survival and can serve as significant independent predictors of IVR by Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. The construction of the nomogram demonstrated that predictive efficacy and accuracy were significantly improved when preoperative urine cytology was combined. Meanwhile, meta-analysis showed that preoperative positive urine cytology was associated with a 49% increased risk of IVR. In the subgroup analysis by region, study type, and sample size, the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) were statistically significant for the Japan subgroup (HR 1.32), China subgroup (HR 1.88), cohort study subgroup (HR 1.45), and the single-arm study subgroup (HR 1.63). Conclusions Preoperative urine cytology was validated as a potential predictor of intravesical recurrence in patients with UUT-UC after RNU, although these results need to be generalized with caution. Large, prospective trials are required to further confirm its significance in prognosis and tumor malignant biological behavior.
Aspirin, widely used to prevent cardiovascular disease, had been linked to the incidence of bladder cancer (BCa). Existing studies focusing on Chinese populations are relatively rare, especially for Northeast China. Meanwhile, relevant studies on the effects of aspirin on the occurrence or prognosis of BCa are inconsistent or even controversial. First, in the case control study, logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between aspirin intake and risk of BCa including 1121 patients with BCa and the 2242 controls. Subsequently, Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression analyses were applied to explore the association between aspirin intake and clinicopathological factors which may predict overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of BCa patients. Finally, we quantificationally combined the results with those from the published literature evaluating aspirin intake and its effects on the occurrence, outcome of surgery and prognosis of BCa by meta-analysis up to May 1, 2021.Our case-control study demonstrated that the regular use of aspirin was not associated with a reduced incidence of BCa ( P =0.175). Stratified analyses of sex showed that aspirin intake did not lead to a lower risk of BCa in female patients ( P =0.063). However, the male population who regularly took aspirin had a lower incidence of BCa (OR=0.748, 95% CI= 0.584-0.958, P =0.021). Subgroup analyses stratified by smoking found a significant reduction in the risk of BCa in current smokers with aspirin intake (OR=0.522, 95% CI=0.342-0.797, P =0.002). In terms of prognosis of BCa, patients with a history of aspirin intake did not had a markedly longer OS or RFS than those with no history of aspirin intake by Kaplan-Meier curves. Stratified analysis by sex showed no correlation between aspirin intake and the recurrence or survival of BCa for either male or female patients. However, in people younger than 68, aspirin intake seemed to have prolonged effects for overall survival (HR=3.876; 95% CI=1.326-11.325, P =0.019). Then, we performed a meta-analysis and the combined results from 19 articles and our study involving more than 39524 BCa cases indicated that aspirin intake was not associated with the occurrence of BCa ( P =0.671). Subgroup analysis by whether regular use of aspirin, by the mean duration of use of aspirin, by sex, by smoking exposure, by research region and by study type also supported the above results. In terms of the impact of aspirin intake on the prognosis of patients with BCa, 11 articles and our study involving 8825 BCa cases were eligible. The combined results showed that patients with aspirin intake did not have significantly influence on survival, recurrence, progression and metastasis than those without aspirin intake. On the whole, both our retrospective study and literature meta-analysis suggested a lack of a strong relevant association between the use of aspirin and the incidence or prognosis of BCa. Thus, additional long-term follow-up prospective research is warranted to clarify the association of aspirin with BCa incidence and prognosis.
Estrogen deficiency results in loss of bone mass. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived non-steroidal compounds with estrogen-like activity that bind to estrogen receptors. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the phytoestrogen puerarin on adult mouse osteoblasts. Osteoblast cells were harvested from 8-month old female imprinting control region (ICR) mice. The effects of puerarin stimulation on the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of osteoblasts were examined. The production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), SMAD4, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), core binding factor α1/ runt-related transcription factor 2 (Cbfa1/Runx2), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) genes were analyzed. The activation of signal pathways was further confirmed by specific pathway inhibitors. The osteoblast viability reached its maximum at 10(-8) mol/L puerarin. At this concentration, puerarin increases the proliferation and matrix mineralization of osteoblasts and promotes NO synthesis. With 10(-8) mol/L puerarin treatment, BMP-2, SMAD4, Cbfa1/Runx2, and OPG gene expression were up-regulated, while the RANKL gene expression is down-regulated. Concurrent treatment involving the (bone morphogenetic protein) BMP antagonist Noggin or the NOS inhibitor L-NAME diminishes puerarin induced cell proliferation, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, NO production, as well as the BMP-2, SMAD4, Cbfa1/Runx2, OPG, and RANKL gene expression. In this in vitro study, we demonstrate that puerarin is a bone anabolic agent that exerts its osteogenic effects through the induction of BMP-2 and NO synthesis, subsequently regulating Cbfa1/Runx2, OPG, and RANKL gene expression. This effect may contribute to its induction of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, resulting in bone formation.
Contrast media are widely used in diagnostic and interventional angiographic procedures. While
they are generally regarded as safe and effective, some risks are associated with contrast media.
Contrast-induced encephalopathy is a rare adverse reaction to contrast media, and a number
of cases have been reported in various countries. The condition may manifest with psychiatric
symptoms, cortical blindness, epilepsy or focal neurological deficits, and can be difficult to
distinguish from other cerebrovascular complications. Therefore, better understanding of the
condition would be valuable for determining the most appropriate treatment. A range of evidence
suggests that blood-brain barrier damage is involved in the pathogenesis of the disorder. Here
we briefly review the properties of iodinated contrast media and corresponding changes of the
blood-brain barrier.
Abstract Background: Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC) is a rare and severe urinary malignancy. Urine cytology is a common clinical method for the early diagnosis of urologic neoplasms. Several studies have explored the relationship between preoperative urine cytology and intravesical recurrence in patients with UUT-UC. However, the results of these studies are controversial or even contradictory, and investigations with UUT-UC patients in Northeast China are rare. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, we first estimated the prognostic significance of preoperative urine cytology in the outcomes of intravesical recurrence in 142 patients with UUT-UC after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). A nomogram model was established and we evaluated its effectiveness. Subsequently, after searching several databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Ovid, we quantitatively combined our results with the published data in a meta-analysis. Results: Our case-control study demonstrated that patients with muscle-invasive tumors (T2-T4) were more prone to preoperative positive urine cytology than those with non-muscle-invasive tumors (Tis-T1), suggesting that preoperative positive urine cytology may be associated with the aggressive form of UUT-UC. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that the patients with positive urine cytology had significantly poorer intravesical recurrence-free survival (IV-RFS). Additionally, preoperative urine cytology (hazard ratio, HR=3.24) and lymph node status (HR=2.67) were validated as significant independent predictors of intravesical recurrence by multivariate analysis. Nomogram, calibration plots, AUC values and the C-index demonstrated that the predictive accuracy was significantly improved when preoperative urine cytology was combined. Subsequently, adding to our study, 11 eligible articles from 2010 to 2016 containing 2942 patients were sifted out for our meta-analysis. Overall analysis showed that preoperative positive urine cytology was associated with a 56% increased risk of intravesical recurrence (HR=1.56). In the subgroup analysis by region, study type, and sample size, the pooled HR was statistically significant for the Japan subgroup (HR=1.45), China subgroup (HR=1.66), cohort study subgroup (HR=1.44), and case-control study subgroup (HR=1.77), the subgroup with sample size greater than or equal to 100 (HR=1.42), and the subgroup with sample size less than 100 (HR=2.95). Conclusions: Preoperative urine cytology significantly correlated with intravesical recurrence in patients with UUT-UC after RNU, although these results need to be interpreted with caution. Large, prospective trials are required to further confirm its prognostic significance.
Objective
To investigate the role of interleukin-22 (IL-22)-regulated autophagy in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced hepatocarcinoma cell damage.
Methods
HepG2 cells were transfected with pEGFP-LC3 and then cultured in RPMI 1640 medium free of fetal bovine serum (FBS) or containing 1% or 10% FBS. These cells were pretreated with rapamycin or an autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) and then stimulated with recombinat human IL-22 (rhIL-22). GFP-LC3 puncta formation and autophagy signaling activation were measured. MTT assay was performed to detect cell viability.
Results
rhIL-22 significantly promoted GFP-LC3 puncta formation and LC3-Ⅱ expression in HepG2 cells treated with different stimulation protocols. The autophagy pathway inhibitor, 3-MA, dramatically suppressed the rhIL-22-activated autophagy signals. rhIL-22 attenuated H2O2-mediated HepG2 cell death and that could be inhibited by 3-MA.
Conclusion
IL-22 promoted the activation of autophagy signaling pathways and alleviated H2O2-mediated HepG2 cell damage.
Key words:
Interleukin-22; Autophagy; Hepatocarcinoma cell; Cell death; Hydrogen peroxide
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