Correlation between circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells and Th17 cells in esophageal cancer

AIM: To perform a comprehensive investigation into the potential correlation between circulating myeloidderived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and Th17 cells in esophageal cancer (ECA). METHODS: A total of 31 patients newly diagnosed with ECA and 26 healthy subjects were included in the current study. The frequencies of MDSCs and Th17 cells in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of cytokines, arginase 1 (Arg1) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma Arg1 were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: There was an increased prevalence of MDSCs in the peripheral blood from ECA patients (15.21% ± 2.25%) when compared with healthy control (HC) (1.10% ± 0.12%, P < 0.0001). The plasma levels of Arg1 in ECA patients were significantly higher than those in HC (28.28 ± 4.10 ng/mL vs 9.57 ± 1.51 ng/ mL, P=0.0003). iNOS mRNA levels in the peripheral blood of ECA patients also showed a threefold increase compared with HC (P=0.0162). The frequencies of Th17 cells (CD4 + IL-17A + ) were significantly elevated in ECA patients versus HC (3.50% ± 0.33% vs 1.82% ± 0.19%, P=0.0001). Increased mRNA expression of IL-17 and ROR-γt was also observed in ECA patients compared with HC (P=0.0041 and P=0.0004, respectively), while the mRNA expression of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) showed significant decreases (P=0.0049 and P < 0.0001, respectively). No obvious correlations were found between the frequencies of MDSCs and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood from ECA patients(r=-0.1725, P=0.3534). Arg1 mRNA levels were positively correlated with levels of IL-6 (r=0.6404, P=0.0031) and TNF-α (r=0.7646, P=0.0001). Similarly, iNOS mRNA levels were also positively correlated with levels of IL-6 (r=0.6782, P=0.0007) and TNF-α (r=0.7633, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study reveals the relationship between circulating MDSCs and Th17 cells, which may lead to new immunotherapy approaches for ECA based on the associated metabolites and cytokines.

Mid-Infrared InAs/GaSb Superlattice Planar Photodiodes Fabricated by Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition

Mid-wavelength infrared planar photodiodes were demonstrated,in which both the epitaxy growth of InAs/GaSb superlattices and the thermal diffusion of p-type dopant were performed in production-scale metal-organic chemical vapor deposition reactors.The formation of a planar homojunction was confirmed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy and itsⅠ-Ⅴcharacteristics.A cut-off wavelength around 5μm was determined in 77 K optical characterization,and photo-current as high as 600 nA was collected from a reverse-biased planar diode of 640μm diameter.These preliminary results were obtained despite the structural degradation revealed by x-ray diffraction,and we attribute the degradation to the concert of thermal annealing and high Zn concentration behind the diffusion front.

Explore the mechanism of Yueju pill in treating depressive polycystic ovary syndrome based on internet pharmacology

Background:This study aimed to identify the main active components,targets and pathways of Yueju pill,explore its mechanism in the treatment of depressive polycystic ovary syndrome,so as to provide proofs for expanding the clinical application of Yueju pill.Methods:The active components and targets of Yueju pill were retrieved from the traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology(TCMSP)database and analysis platform.GeneCards and OMIM were used to search the disease targets of polycystic ovary syndrome and depression.The intersection genes of drug and disease were obtained via venny.R.STRING 11.0 was adopted to construct PPI network,then we obtained the hub genes with count.R.Utilized Cytoscape 3.7.2 to construct the"drug-disease-active ingredientsproteins"network.Finally,the Bioconductor tools of gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)were applied to the enrichment of biological functions and pathways.Results:There were 37 compounds in the prescription of Yueju pill,and 83 intersection genes of Yueju pill and PCOS-Depression.The significant genes were IL6,VEGFA,EGF,MAPK1,ESR1,MAPK8,EGFR and MAPK14.Through the enrichment of GO and KEGG,we found 106 biological processes and 129 signaling pathways were related to the treatment of depressive polycystic ovary syndrome with Yueju pill.Conclusions:Our study could provide sufficient data in supporting Yueju pill to treat polycystic ovary syndrome,while the purpose of anti-depression should be achieved by relieving the systemic symptoms.This study would provide fresh insights for expanding the clinical application of Yueju pill.

I_(2)-Mediated[3+2]annulation of methyl-azaarenes with alkyl_(2)-isocyanoacetates or amino acid ester hydrochlorides:selective synthesis of iodine-func-tionalized and non-iodine-functionalized fused imidazoles

An I_(2)-mediated[3+2]annulation of methyl-azaarenes with alkyl_(2)-isocyanoacetates or amino acid ester hydrochlorides has been demonstrated.This strategy involves CuN bond cleavage of isocyanides and can selectively synthesize iodine-functionalized and non-iodine-functionalized fused imidazoles.Scale-up experiments and arylation,alkynylation,alkenylation and selenization of iodine-functionalized products demonstrated the potential applications of this reaction.

Association between serotonin transporter 5-HTTLPR and STin2 VNTR polymorphisms and anejaculation： a preliminary report

Dear Editor, Anejaculation is a rare ejaculatory disorder in men （1%-4% of sexually active men） that can cause male factor infertility.1 Although these patients are generally healthy individuals that may have erections and nocturnal emissions, they cannot ejaculate. As we all know, there is evidence that the etiology of ejaculatory dysfunction is partially genetic, especially related to serotonergic genes.2 Here, we report two polymorphic regions in serotonin transporter （5-HTT） gene for the first time in three Chinese males with anejaculation.

Association between polymorphisms in the human serotonin transporter gene and lifelong premature ejaculation in the Han population

Dear Editor, Lifelong premature ejaculation （LPE） is a type of sexual dysfunction in males and has three characteristics： （1） an intravaginal ejaculatory latency time （IELT） of 〈 1 rain; （2） insufficient control over delaying ejaculation; and （3） negative personal consequences, such as distress, frustration, and/or the avoidance of sexual intimacy2 Its etiologies involve the 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） system. The use of 5-HT transporter （5-HTT） blockers （e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs） was found to prevent the reuptake of 5-HT from the synaptic cleft into the presynaptic serotonergic neurons, which leads to increased extracellular 5-HT levels, thereby delaving ejaculation.