Cellular preconditioning and mesenchymal stem cell ferroptosis

In this editorial,we comment on the article published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Stem Cells.They focus on stem cell preconditioning to prevent ferroptosis by modulating the cystathionineγ-lyase/hydrogen sulfide(H_(2)S)pathway as a novel approach to treat vascular disorders,particularly pulmonary hypertension.Preconditioned stem cells are gaining popularity in regenerative medicine due to their unique ability to survive by resisting the harsh,unfavorable microenvironment of the injured tissue.They also secrete various paracrine factors against apoptosis,necrosis,and ferroptosis to enhance cell survival.Ferroptosis,a regulated form of cell death characterized by iron accumulation and oxidative stress,has been implicated in various pathologies encompassing dege-nerative disorders to cancer.The lipid peroxidation cascade initiates and sustains ferroptosis,generating many reactive oxygen species that attack and damage multiple cellular structures.Understanding these intertwined mechanisms provi-des significant insights into developing therapeutic modalities for ferroptosis-related diseases.This editorial primarily discusses stem cell preconditioning in modulating ferroptosis,focusing on the cystathionase gamma/H_(2)S ferroptosis pathway.Ferroptosis presents a significant challenge in mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)-based therapies;hence,the emerging role of H_(2)S/cystathionase gamma/H_(2) S signaling in abrogating ferroptosis provides a novel option for therapeutic intervention.Further research into understanding the precise mechanisms of H_(2)S-mediated cytoprotection against ferroptosis is warranted to enhance the thera-peutic potential of MSCs in clinical settings,particularly vascular disorders.

Type 2 diabetes and thyroid cancer:Synergized risk with rising air pollution

Diabetes is a complex condition,and the causes are still not fully understood.However,a growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution could be linked to an increased risk of diabetes.Specifically,exposure to certain pollutants,such as particulate Matter and Ozone,has been associated with higher rates of diabetes.At the same time,air pollution has also been linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer.While there is less evidence linking air pollution to thyroid cancer than to diabetes,it is clear that air pollution could have severe implications for thyroid health.Air pollution could increase the risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer through several mechanisms.For example,air pollution could increase inflammation in the body,which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer.Air pollution could also increase oxidative stress,which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer.Additionally,air pollution could increase the risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer by affecting the endocrine system.This review explores the link between diabetes and air pollution on thyroid cancer.We will discuss the evidence for an association between air pollution exposure and diabetes and thyroid cancer,as well as the potential implications of air pollution for thyroid health.Given the connections between diabetes,air pollution,and thyroid cancer,it is essential to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing the condition.

Biological and molecular studies on specific immune cells treated with checkpoint inhibitors for the thera-personal approach of breast cancer patients(ex-vivo study)

Immunotherapy becomes a promising line of treatment for breast cancer(BC)however,its success rate is still limited.Methods:The study was designed to optimize the condition for producing an effective dendritic cell(DCs)based immunotherapy by using DCs and T lymphocytes together with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs)and tumor-infiltrating DCs(TIDCs),treated with anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibodies.This mixture of immune cells was co-cultured with autologous breast cancer cells(BCCs)isolated from 26 BC females.Results:There was a significant upregulation of CD86 and CD83 on DCs(p=0.001 and 0.017,respectively),similarly upregulation of CD8,CD4 and CD103 on T cells(p=0.031,0.027,and 0.011,respectively).While there was a significant downregulation of FOXP3 and combined CD25.CD8 expression on regulatory T cells(p=0.014 for both).Increased CD8/Foxp3 ratio(p<0.001)was also observed.CD133,CD34 and CD44 were downregulated on BCCs(p=0.01,0.021,and 0.015,respectively).There was a significant increase in interferon-γ(IFN-γ,p<0.001),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH,p=0.02),and a significant decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF,p<0.001)protein levels.Gene expression of FOXP3 and Programmed cell death ligand 1(PDL-1)were downregulated in BCCs(p<0.001,for both),similarly cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4(CTLA4,p=0.02),Programmed cell death 1(PD-1,p<0.001)and FOXP3(p<0.001)were significantly downregulated in T cells.Conclusion:Ex-vivo activation of immune cells(DCs,T cells,TIDCs,and TILs)with immune checkpoint inhibitors could produce a potent and effective BC immunotherapy.However,these data should be validated on an experimental animal model to be transferred to the clinical setting.

Mesenchymal stem cells’“garbage bags”at work:Treating radial nerve injury with mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes

Unlike central nervous system injuries,peripheral nerve injuries(PNIs)are often characterized by more or less successful axonal regeneration.However,structural and functional recovery is a senile process involving multifaceted cellular and molecular processes.The contemporary treatment options are limited,with surgical intervention as the gold-standard method;however,each treatment option has its associated limitations,especially when the injury is severe with a large gap.Recent advancements in cell-based therapy and cell-free therapy approaches using stem cell-derived soluble and insoluble components of the cell secretome are fast-emerging therapeutic approaches to treating acute and chronic PNI.The recent pilot study is a leap forward in the field,which is expected to pave the way for more enormous,systematic,and well-designed clinical trials to assess the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a bio-drug either alone or as part of a combinatorial approach,in an attempt synergize the best of novel treatment approaches to address the complexity of the neural repair and regeneration.

Bone marrow microRNA-34a is a good indicator for response to treatment in acute myeloid leukemia

Background:microRNA 34a(miR 34a)had been reported to have a diagnostic role in acute myeloid leukemia(AML).However,its value in the bone marrow(BM)of AML patients,in addition to its role in response to therapy is still unclear.The current study was designed to assess the diagnostic,prognostic,and predictive significance of miR 34a in the BM of AML patients.Methods:The miR.34a was assed in BM aspirate of 82 AML patients in relation to 12 normal control subjects using qRT-PCR.The data were assessed for correlation with the relevant dinical critenia,response to therapy,disease-free survival(DFS),and overall survival(OS)rates.Results:miR.34a was significantly downregulated in AML patients[0.005(3.3×10^(-6)-1.32)],compared to the control subjects[0.108(3.2× 10^(-4)-1.64),p=0.021].The.median relative quantification(RQ)of miR-34a was 0.106(range;0-32.12).The specifaity,sensitivity,and area under the curve(AUC)for the diagnosis of AML were(58.3%,69.5%,0.707,respectively,p=0.021).patients with upregulated miR-34a showed decreased platelets count<34.5 × 10^(9)/L,and achieved early complete remission(CR,p=0.031,p=0.044,respectively).Similarly,patients who were refractory to therapy showed decreased miR 34a levels in comparison to those who achieved CR[0.002(0-0.01)and 0.12(0-32.12),respectively,p=0.002].Therefore,miR 34a could significantly identify patients with CR with a specificity of 75%and sensitivity of 100%at a cut-off of 0.014(AUC=0.927,p=0.005).There was no considerable association between miR-34a expression and survival rates of the induded AML patients.Condusion:miR-34a could be a beneficial diagnostic biomarker for AML patients.In addition,it serves as a good indicator for response to therapy,which could possibly identify patients who are refractory to treatment with 100%sensitivity and 75%specificity.

Circulating micro RNA, mi R-122 and mi R-221 signature in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C related hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To explore the potential usefulness of serum miR-122 and miR-221 as non-invasive diagnostic markers of hepatitis C virus(HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 90 adult patients of both sex with HCV-related chronic liver disease and chronic hepatitis C related HCC. In addition to the 10 healthy control individuals, patients were stratified into; interferon-na?ve chronic hepatitis C(CH)(n = 30), post-hepatitis C compensated cirrhosis(LC)(n = 30) and treatment-naive HCC(n = 30). All patients and controls underwent full clinical assessment and laboratory investigations in addition to the evaluation of the level of serum miR NA expression by RT-PCR.RESULTS: There was a significant fold change in serum mi RNA expression in the different patient groups when compared to normal controls; mi R-122 showed significant fold increasing in both CH and HCC and significant fold decrease in LC. On the other hand, mi R-221 showed significant fold elevation in both CH and LC groups and significant fold decrease in HCC group(P = 0.01). Comparing fold changes in miR NAs in HCC group vs non HCC group(CH and Cirrhosis), there was non-significant fold elevation in miR-122(P = 0.21) and significant fold decreasing in miR-221 in HCC vs non-HCC(P = 0.03). ROC curve analysis for miR-221 yielded 87% sensitivity and 40% specificity for the differentiation of HCC patients from non-HCC at a cutoff 1.82. CONCLUSION: Serum miR-221 has a strong potential to serve as one of the novel non-invasive biomarkers of HCC.

Role of relevant immune-modulators and cytokines in hepatocellular carcinoma and premalignant hepatic lesions

AIM To assess the levels of different immune modulators in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),in relation to other hepatic diseases.METHODS Eighty-eight patients were included in the current study and represented patients with HCC(20),liver cirrhosis(28) and chronic hepatitis(CH;25),and normal controls(NC;15).Peripheral blood was isolated for immunophenotyping of active myeloid dendritic cells(m DCs;CD1 c and CD40),mature inactive myeloid cells(CD1 c and HLA),active plasmacytoid cells(p DCs;CD303 and CD40),mature inactive p DCs(CD30 and HLA),active natural killer(NK) cells(CD56 and CD161),active NK cells(CD56 and CD314) and inactive NK cells(CD56 and CD158) was done by flow cytometry.Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-2,IL-10,IL-12,IL-1β,interferon(IFN)-α,IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αR2 were assessed by ELISA.RESULTS Active m DCs(CD1 C+/CD40+) and inactive m DCs(CD1 c+/HLA+) were significantly decreased in HCC patients in relation to NC(P < 0.001).CD40+ expression on active p DCs was decreased in HCC patients(P < 0.001),and its level was not significantly changed among other groups.Inactive p DCs(CD303+/HLA+),inactive NKs(CD56+/CD158+) and active NKs(CD56+/CD161+) were not statistically changed among the four groups studied;however,the latter was increased in CH(P < 0.05).NKG2 D was statistically decreased in HCC,CH and cirrhosis(P < 0.001),and it was not expressed in 63%(12/20) of HCC patients.There was significant decrease of IL-2,IFN-α and IFN-γ(P < 0.001),and a significant increase in IL-10,IL-1β,and TNF-αR2(P <0.01,P < 0.001 and P < 0.001;respectively) in HCC patients.There was inverted correlation between IL-12 and IL-1β in HCC(r =-0.565,P < 0.01),with a strong correlation between p DCs(CD303+/CD40+) and NKs(CD56+/CD161+;r = 0.512,P < 0.05) as well as inactive m DCs(CD1 c+/HLA+) and inactive NK cells(CD56+/CD158+;r = 0.945,P < 0.001).CONCLUSION NKG2 D,CD40,IL-2 and IL-10 are important modulators in the development and progression of HCC.

Molecular detection of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 polymorphism in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis patients

AIM: To investigate the association of the functional monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1) promoter polymorphism(A-2518G) with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP).METHODS: Fifty patients with post-hepatitis C liver cirrhosis and ascites were categorized into two groups; group Ⅰ included 25 patients with SBP and group Ⅱ included 25 patients free from SBP. In addition, a group of 20 healthy volunteers were included. We assessed the MCP-1 gene polymorphism and gene expression as well as interleukin(IL)-10 levels in both blood and ascitic fluid. RESULTS: A significant MCP-1 gene polymorphism was detected in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ(P = 0.001 and 0.02 respectively). Group Ⅰ was associated with a significantly higher frequency of AG genotype [control 8(40%) vs SBP 19(76.0%), P < 0.001], and group Ⅱ was associated with a significantly higher frequency of GG genotype when compared to healthy volunteers [control 1(5%) vs cirrhotic 16(64%), P < 0.001]. Accordingly, the frequency of G allele was significantly higher in both groups(Ⅰ and Ⅱ) [control 10(25%) vs SBP 27(54%), P < 0.001 and vs cirrhotic 37(74.0%), P < 0.001, respectively]. The total blood and ascetic fluid levels of IL-10 and MCP-1 gene expression were significantly higher in group Ⅰ than in group Ⅱ. Group Ⅰ showed significant reductions in the levels of MCP-1 gene expression and IL-10 in the whole blood and ascetic fluid after therapy. CONCLUSION: MCP-1 GG genotype and G allele may predispose HCV infected patients to a more progressive disease course, while AG genotype may increase the susceptibility to SBP. Patients carrying these genotypes should be under supervision to prevent or restrict further complications.

Exploring the role of molecular biomarkers as a potential weapon against gastric cancer: a review of the literature

Gastric cancer(GC) is a global health problem and a major cause of cancer-related death with high recurrence rates ranging from 25% to 40% for GC patients staging Ⅱ-Ⅳ. Unfortunately, while the majority of GC patients usually present with advanced tumor stage; there is still limited evidence-based therapeutic options. Current approach to GC management consists mainly of; endoscopy followed by, gastrectomy and chemotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy. Recent studies in GC have confirmed that it is a heterogeneous disease. Many molecular characterization studies have been performed in GC. Recent discoveries of the molecular pathways underlying the disease have opened the door to more personalized treatment and better predictable outcome. The identification of molecular markers is a useful tool for clinical managementin GC patients, assisting in diagnosis, evaluation of response to treatment and development of novel therapeutic modalities. While chemotherapeutic agents have certain physiological effects on the tumor cells, the prediction of the response is different from one type of tumor to the other. The specificity of molecular biomarkers is a principal feature driving their application in anticancer therapies. Here we are trying to focus on the role of molecular pathways of GC and well-established molecular markers that can guide the therapeutic management.

Safety and outcome of treatment of metastatic melanoma using 3-bromopyruvate: a concise literature review and case study

3-Bromopyruvate(3BP) is a new, promising anticancer alkylating agent with several notable functions. In addition to inhibiting key glycolysis enzymes including hexokinase II and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), 3BP also selectively inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, angiogenesis, and energy production in cancer cells. Moreover, 3BP induces hydrogen peroxide generation in cancer cells(oxidative stress effect) and competes with the LDH substrates pyruvate and lactate. There is only one published human clinical study showing that 3BP was effective in treating fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. LDH is a good measure for tumor evaluation and predicts the outcome of treatment better than the presence of a residual tumor mass. According to the Warburg effect, LDH is responsible for lactate synthesis, which facilitates cancer cell survival, progression, aggressiveness, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Lactate produced through LDH activity fuels aerobic cell populations inside tumors via metabolic symbiosis. In melanoma, the most deadly skin cancer, 3BP induced necrotic cell death in sensitive cells, whereas high glutathione(GSH) content made other melanoma cells resistant to 3BP. Concurrent use of a GSH depletor with 3BP killed resistant melanoma cells. Survival of melanoma patients was inversely associated with high serum LDH levels, which was reported to be highly predictive of melanoma treatment in randomized clinical trials. Here, we report a 28-year-old man presented with stage IV metastatic melanoma affecting the back, left pleura, and lung. The disease caused total destruction of the left lung and a high serum LDH level(4,283 U/L). After ethics committee approval and written patient consent, the patient received 3BP intravenous infusions(1-2.2 mg/kg), but the anticancer effect was minimal as indicated by a high serum LDH level. This may have been due to high tumor GSH content. On combining oral paracetamol, which depletes tumor GSH, with 3BP treatment, serum LDH level dropped maximally. Although a slow intravenous infusion of 3BP appeared to have minimal cytotoxicity, its anticancer efficacy via this delivery method was low. This was possibly due to high tumor GSH content, which was increased after concurrent use of the GSH depletor paracetamol. If the anticancer effectiveness of 3BP is less than expected, the combination with paracetamol may be needed to sensitize cancer cells to 3BP-induced effects.

Circulating microRNA 9-3p and serum endocan as potential biomarkers for hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND The high mortality rate of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in Egypt is due mainly to the increasing prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection(HCV)and late diagnosis of the carcinoma.MicroRNAs(miRNA),which regulate tumor proliferation and metastasis in HCC,may serve as a useful diagnostic approach for the early detection of HCC,thus decreasing its mortality.Meanwhile,endocan is a protein with angiogenic and inflammatory properties that are associated with tumor progression and poor outcomes.AIM To analyze the levels of miRNA 9-3p and endocan in HCV-infected HCC patients and correlate them with clinicopathological parameters.METHODS We compared levels of endocan and circulating miRNA 9-3p from 35 HCVrelated HCC patients to 33 patients with HCV-induced chronic liver disease and 32 age and gender matched healthy controls recruited from inpatient and outpatient clinics of the National Liver Institute,Menoufia University,Egypt in the period from January to March 2021 in a case-control study.Serum samples from all groups were analyzed for HCV.Endocan was measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assays,and the expression levels of circulating miRNA 9-3p were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR.RESULTS The levels of circulating miRNA 9-3p were significantly lower in the HCC group compared to the chronic liver disease(P<0.001)and control(P<0.001)groups,while levels in the chronic liver disease were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.001).The levels of serum endocan were significantly higher in the HCC group compared to the chronic liver disease(P<0.001)and control(P<0.001)groups.Moreover miRNA 9-3p and endocan performed better thanα-fetoprotein in discriminating HCC patients from cirrhosis and healthy patients.The levels of miRNA 9-3p were significantly inversely correlated to vascular invasion(P=0.002),stage of advancement of Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer(P<0.001)and the metastatic site(P<0.001)of the HCC group.CONCLUSION Circulating miRNA 9-3p and endocan can be used as novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HCV-related HCC.

Promotive action of 2-acetylaminofluorene on hepatic precancerous lesions initiated by diethylnitrosamine in rats:Molecular study

BACKGROUND Diethylnitrosamine(DEN)induces hepatic neoplastic lesions over a prolonged period.AIM To investigate the promotive action of 2-acetylaminofluorene(2-AAF)when combined with DEN in order to develop a rat model for induction of precancerous lesion and investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the activity of 2-AAF.METHODS The pre-precancerous lesions were initiated by intraperitoneal injection of DEN for three weeks consecutively,followed by one intraperitoneal injection of 2-AAF at three different doses(100,200 and 300 mg/kg).Rats were separated into naïve,DEN,DEN+100 mg 2-AAF,DEN+200 mg 2-AAF,and DEN+300 mg 2-AAF groups.Rats were sacrificed after 10 wk and 16 wk.Liver functions,level of alpha-fetoprotein,glutathione S-transferase-P and proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining of liver tissues were performed.The mRNA level of RAB11A,BAX,p53,and Cyclin E and epigenetic regulation by long-noncoding RNA(lncRNA)RP11-513I15.6,miR-1262(microRNA),and miR-1298 were assessed in the sera and liver tissues of the rats.RESULTS 2-AAF administration significantly increased the percent area of the precancerous foci and cell proliferation along with a significant decrease in RAB11A,BAX,and p53 mRNA,and the increase in Cyclin E mRNA was associated with a marked decrease in lncRNA RP11-513I15.6 expression with a significant increase in both miR-1262 and miR-1298.CONCLUSION 2-AFF promoted hepatic precancerous lesions initiated through DEN by decreasing autophagy,apoptosis,and tumor suppression genes,along with increased cell proliferation,in a time-and dose-dependent manner.These actions were mediated under the epigenetic regulation of lncRNA RP11-513I15.6/miR-1262/miR-1298.

Associations between Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Role of Vitamin D Receptor and Binding Protein

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that is characterized by β-cell dysfunction and resistance for insulin. Vitamin D is necessary for insulin secretion so it is a crucial factor in the development of T2DM. This study was done to investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D [25(OH)3D], VDR (Vitamin D receptor) and VDBP (Vitamin D binding protein) with type 2 diabetic patients compared to control subjects. Subjects and Methods: This study carried out 110 female patients who were previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 110 age, sex and weight matched as controls. All participants were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination and assessment of fasting blood glucose, HbA1c , lipid profile, 25-hydroxy Vitamin D [25(OH)3D], VDR and VDBP. Results: Results showed that the level of 25(OH)3D was significantly lower in diabetic group compared to controls and was significantly negatively correlated with glycated hemoglobin, serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in type 2 DM. Decreasing Vitamin D level was significantly associated with decreasing VDR. No significant association was found between Vit D and VDBP levels. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in diabetic patients and associated with poor control and outcome. This suggests a role of Vitamin D in the pathogenesis and control of T2DM. Serum VDBP in diabetes may be independent to the level of 25(OH)3D and needs further studies.

Association between paternal schizophrenia and low birthweight： ADAM12 may matter

Dear Editor, I am Dr Hans-Gert Bernstein from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Germany. Although it is now a well-established fact that mothers with schizophrenia are at higher risk for obstetric complications （preterm births, preeclampsia,

Updates in the pathophysiological mechanisms of Parkinson's disease: Emerging role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

AIM: To explore the approaches exerted by mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) to improve Parkinson's disease(PD) pathophysiology.METHODS: MSCs were harvested from bone marrowof femoral bones of male rats, grown and propagated in culture. Twenty four ovariectomized animals were classified into 3 groups: Group(1) was control, Groups(2) and(3) were subcutaneously administered with rotenone for 14 d after one month of ovariectomy for induction of PD. Then, Group(2) was left untreated, while Group(3) was treated with single intravenous dose of bone marrow derived MSCs(BM-MSCs). SRY gene was assessed by PCR in brain tissue of the female rats. Serum transforming growth factor beta-1(TGF-β1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) and brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) levels were assayed by ELISA. Brain dopamine DA level was assayed fluorometrically, while brain tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and nestin gene expression were detected by semi-quantitative real time PCR. Brain survivin expression was determined by immunohistochemical procedure. Histopathological investigation of brain tissues was also done.RESULTS: BM-MSCs were able to home at the injured brains and elicited significant decrease in serum TGF-β1(489.7 ± 13.0 vs 691.2 ± 8.0, P < 0.05) and MCP-1(89.6 ± 2.0 vs 112.1 ± 1.9, P < 0.05) levels associated with significant increase in serum BDNF(3663 ± 17.8 vs 2905 ± 72.9, P < 0.05) and brain DA(874 ± 15.0 vs 599 ± 9.8, P < 0.05) levels as well as brain TH(1.18 ± 0.004 vs 0.54 ± 0.009, P < 0.05) and nestin(1.29 ± 0.005 vs 0.67 ± 0.006, P < 0.05) genes expression levels. In addition to, producing insignificant increase in the number of positive cells for survivin(293.2 ± 15.9 vs 271.5 ± 15.9, P > 0.05) expression. Finally, the brain sections showed intact histological structure of the striatum as a result of treatment with BM-MSCs. CONCLUSION: The current study sheds light on the therapeutic potential of BM-MSCs against PD pathophysiology via multi-mechanistic actions.

Diagnostic non-invasive model of large risky esophageal varices in cirrhotic hepatitis C virus patients

AIM To build a diagnostic non-invasive model for screening of large varices in cirrhotic hepatitis C virus(HCV) patients. METHODS This study was conducted on 124 post-HCV cirrhotic patients presenting to the clinics of the Endemic Medicine Department at Mansoura University Hospital for evaluation before HCV antiviral therapy: 78 were Child A and 46 were Child B(score ≤ 8). Inclusion criteria for patients enrolled in this study was presence of cirrhotic HCV(diagnosed by either biopsy or fulfillment of clinical basis). Exclusion criteria consisted of patients with other etiologies of liver cirrhosis, e.g., hepatitis B virus and patients with high MELD score on transplant list. All patients were subjected to full medical record, full basic investigations, endoscopy, and computed tomography(CT), and then divided into groups with no varices, small varices, or large risky varices. In addition, values of Fibrosis-4 score(FIB-4), aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI), and platelet count/splenic diameter ratio(PC/SD) were also calculated.RESULTS Detection of large varies is a multi-factorial process, affected by many variables. Choosing binary logistic regression, dependent factors were either large or small varices while independent factors included CT variables such coronary vein diameter, portal vein(PV) diameter, lieno-renal shunt and other laboratory noninvasive variables namely FIB-4, APRI, and platelet count/splenic diameter. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was plotted to determine the accuracy of non-invasive parameters for predicting the presence of large esophageal varices and the area under the ROC curve for each one of these parameters was obtained. A model was established and the best model for prediction of large risky esophageal varices used both PC/SD and PV diameter(75% accuracy), while the logistic model equation was shown to be(PV diameter ×-0.256) plus(PC/SD ×-0.006) plus(8.155). Values nearing 2 or more denote large varices.CONCLUSION This model equation has 86.9% sensitivity and 57.1% specificity, and would be of clinical applicability with 75% accuracy.

PIK3CA gene mutations in Northwest Chinese esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM To evaluate PIK3 CA gene mutational status in Northwest Chinese esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) patients, and examine the associations of PIK3 CA gene mutations with clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcome.METHODS A total of 210 patients with ESCC who underwent curative resection were enrolled in this study. Pyrosequencing was applied to investigate mutations in exons 9 and 20 of PIK3 CA gene in 210 Northwest Chinese ESCCs. The associations of PIK3 CA gene mutations with clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcome were examined.RESULTS PIK3 CA gene mutations in exon 9 were detected in 48 cases(22.9%) of a non-biased database of 210 curatively resected Northwest Chinese ESCCs. PIK3 CA gene mutations were not associated with sex, tobacco use, alcohol use, tumor location, stage, or local recurrence. When compared with wild-type PIK3 CA gene cases, patients with PIK3 CA gene mutations in exons 9 experienced significantly better disease-free survival and overall survival rates.CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that PIK3 CA gene mutations could act as a prognostic biomarker in Northwest Chinese ESCC patients.

From identification of fluorescent flavoproteins to mitochondrial redox indicators in intact tissues

Development of the use of favin and nicotinamide-adenine nucleotide fluorescence in monitoringthe redox state of the free mitochondrial NADH/NAD+couple in cels,tissues and organs isreviewed.A break-through was the identification of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase(FpL)asthe major NAD-linked fluorescent fla voprotein of mitochondria.This mitochondrial matrix fla-voprotein is in equilibriwn with the fre NADH/NAD+pool and its mid-potential is suficientlynear to that of NADH/NAD+so that its percentage reduction follows that of the latter.Pos.sibilities of monitoring mitochondial and cytosolic NADH depend on the population density ofmitochondria and thus are tissue-dependent.Upon a shift toward reduction,fluorescenceintensitis of NADH and flavins swing to reciprocal directions,so that the NADH/favin fluo-rescence ratio can be used to increase the sensitivity of redox monitoring.This method is attainingwidening use in studies on metabolic regulation under normal and pathological conditions.

Mesenchymal stem cells transplantation attenuates experimentally induced brain injury after neonatal hypoxia by different two routes of administrations

The neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE)is an important cause of neurological morbidity and mortality in neonates.Cell therapy is considered a promising method for treating severe neurological disorders such as this one.Stem cells have the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into certain cell lineages.The present study was aimed to find out the most beneficial route of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)administration for the attenuation of experimentally induced HIE in neonatal rats.Sixty neonatal rats were divided randomly into four groups.Group 1:control group.Group 2:rats were exposed to bilateral ligation of cephalic arteries.Group 3:rats were exposed to bilateral ligation of cephalic arteries and then underwent intravenous(IV)BMSC injection.Group 4:rats were exposed to bilateral ligation of cephalic arteries and then underwent intracerebroventricular(ICV)BMSC injection.The animals were evaluated by(a)neurobehavioral tests;(b)histopathology,i.e.,histological and immuno-histochemical studies;and(3)gene expression studies.The BMSC treated groups(3 and 4)showed improvement in neurobehavioral tests,histopathological studies,and gene expression,as compared to non-injected lesioned rats(Group 2)with better improvement in Group 4(ICV injections)than in Group 3(IV injections).

Genomic Epidemiology of Imported Cases of COVID-19 in Guangdong Province,China,October 2020–May 2021

Objective The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-Co V-2) has been engendering enormous hazards to the world. We obtained the complete genome sequences of SARSCo V-2 from imported cases admitted to the Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, which was appointed by the Guangdong provincial government to treat coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19). The SARS-Co V-2 diversity was analyzed, and the mutation characteristics, time, and regional trend of variant emergence were evaluated.Methods In total, 177 throat swab samples were obtained from COVID-19 patients(from October2020 to May 2021). High-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect the viral sequences of patients infected with SARS-Co V-2. Phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analyses were used to evaluate the mutation characteristics and the time and regional trends of variants.Results We observed that the imported cases mainly occurred after January 2021, peaking in May2021, with the highest proportion observed from cases originating from the United States. The main lineages were found in Europe, Africa, and North America, and B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 were the two major sublineages. Sublineage B.1.618 was the Asian lineage(Indian) found in this study, and B.1.1.228 was not included in the lineage list of the Pangolin web. A reasonably high homology was observed among all samples. The total frequency of mutations showed that the open reading frame 1 a(ORF1 a) protein had the highest mutation density at the nucleotide level, and the D614 G mutation in the spike protein was the commonest at the amino acid level. Most importantly, we identified some amino acid mutations in positions S, ORF7 b, and ORF9 b, and they have neither been reported on the Global Initiative of Sharing All Influenza Data nor published in Pub Med among all missense mutations.Conclusion These results suggested the diversity of lineages and sublineages and the high homology at the amino acid level among imported cases infected with SARS-Co V-2 in Guangdong Province, China.