Background

Tumor-derived exosomes were considered to be potential candidates for tumor vaccines because they are abundant in immune-regulating proteins, whereas tumor exosomal miRNAs may induce immune tolerance, thereby having an opposite immune function.

Objective

This study was designed to separate exosomal protein and depleted exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs), increasing the immune activity of exosomes for activating dendritic cell/cytokine-induced killer cells (DC/CIKs) against pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods

PC-derived exosomes (PEs) were extracted from cultured PANC-1 cell supernatants and then ruptured; this was followed by ultrafiltered exosome lysates (UELs). DCs were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), PE, and UEL, followed by co-culture with CIKs. The anti-tumor effects of DC/CIKs against PC were evaluated by proliferation and killing rates, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and perforin secretion. Exosomal miRNAs were depleted after lysis and ultrafiltration, while 128 proteins were retained, including several immune-activating proteins.

Results

UEL-stimulated DC/CIKs showed a higher killing rate than LPS- and PE-stimulated DC/CIKs.

Conclusions

miRNA-depleted exosome proteins may be promising agonists for specifically activating DC/CIKs against PC.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of Ureaplasma urealyticum-derived lipidassociated membrane proteins (LAMPs) in the host innate immune system, specifically their effect on Toll-like receptors (TLRs).

Methods

LAMPs were derived from U. urealyticum strains, and human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) were isolated from healthy full-term placentas. Cytokine concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and TLR2 mRNA by real-time PCR. Expression of TLR2 was confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

Results

LAMPs induced HAECs to produce inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Cytokine production was reduced after blocking TLR2 using TLR2 inhibitor (anti-hTLR2-IgA).

Conclusions

LAMPs isolated from U. urealyticum induced TLR2-dependent up-regulation of inflammatory genes and cytokines in HAECs.

Objectives

The aim of the study is to evaluate the cognitive-enhancing effects of hydrolysate of polygalasaponin (HPS) on senescence accelerate mouse P8 (SAMP8) mice, an effective Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model, and to research the relevant mechanisms.

Methods

The cognitive-enhancing effects of HPS on SAMP8 mice were assessed using Morris water maze (MWM) and step-through passive avoidance tests. Then N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit expression for both the cortex and hippocampus of mice was observed using Western blotting.

Results

HPS (25 and 50 mg/kg) improved the escape rate and decreased the escape latency and time spent in the target quadrant for the SAMP8 mice in the MWM after oral administration of HPS for 10 d. Moreover, it decreased error times in the passive avoidance tests. Western blotting showed that HPS was able to reverse the levels of NMDAR1 and NMDAR2B expression in the cortex or hippocampus of model mice.

Conclusions

The present study suggested that HPS can improve cognitive deficits in SAMP8 mice, and this mechanism might be associated with NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-related pathways.

Objective

Keloids are exuberant cutaneous scars that form due to abnormal growth of fibrous tissue following an injury. The primary aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to reduce the keloid recurrence rate after surgical excision and radiotherapy.

Methods

(1) A total of 240 patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the HBOT group (O group) received HBOT after surgical excision and radiotherapy. Patients in the other group were treated with only surgical excision and radiotherapy (K group). (2) Scar tissue from recurrent patients was collected after a second operation. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe keloid morphology. Certain inflammatory factors (interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) were measured using immunohistochemical staining.

Results

(1) The recurrence rate of the O group (5.97%) was significantly lower than that of the K group (14.15%), P<0.05. Moreover, patients in the O group reported greater satisfaction than those in the K group (P<0.05). (2) Compared with the recurrent scar tissue of the K group, the expression levels of the inflammatory factors were lower in the recurrent scar tissue of the O group.

Conclusions

Adjunctive HBOT effectively reduces the keloid recurrence rate after surgical excision and radiotherapy by improving the oxygen level of the tissue and alleviating the inflammatory process.

Purpose

Metalloproteinases are a key component of the pathogenesis of abdominal hernias. Obesity is considered a risk factor in herniogenesis and hernia recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentrations of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, MMP-13, and adiponectin in morbidly obese and nonoverweight controls.

Materials and methods

The participants were recruited from among patients undergoing bariatric and non-bariatric surgery and divided into two groups: I (body mass index (BMI)≥35 kg/m², n=40) and II (BMI<25 kg/m², n=30). Serum concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, and adiponectin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

A statistically significant difference between groups was observed for MMP-2 concentration. The median MMP-9 concentration was higher in the obese group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Median MMP-13 concentrations did not differ between groups. Serum adiponectin concentration was insignificantly higher in the non-obese group.

Conclusions

The elevated serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations in obese individuals may be related to the higher incidence of incisional hernias in this population.

Objective

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization of dental titanium implants with exposure to the oral cavity on osseointegration in an animal model.

Methods

Forty-eight titanium implants (Camlog® Conelog® 4.3 mmx9.0 mm) were placed epicrestally into the edentulous jaws of three minipigs and implant stability was assessed by measuring the implant stability quotient (ISQ). Prior to implantation half of the implants were photofunctionalized with intense UV-light. After three months, the implants were exposed and ISQ was measured again. After six months of implant exposure, the minipigs were sacrificed and the harvested specimens were analyzed using histomorphometric, light, and fluorescence microscopy.

Main results

Forty-two of 48 implants osseointegrated. The overall mean bone-implant contact area (BIC) was (64±22)%. No significant differences were found in BIC or ISQ value (multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), P&gt;0.05) between implants with and without exposure to UV photofunctionalization.

Conclusions

No significant effects were observed on osseointegration of dental titanium implants nine months after exposure of UV photofunctionalization.

Objective

This study investigated complementary feeding practices among four ethnic groups (Han, Uygur, Tibetan, and Zhuang) based on a cross-sectional survey in rural western China.

Methods

In 2005, a stratified multistage cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 9712 children (7411 Han, 1032 Uygur, 678 Tibetan, and 591 Zhuang) between 6 and 35 months of age and their mothers from 45 counties in 10 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in western China.

Results

The rates of early introduction (before 6 months) of complementary foods in four ethnic groups (Han, Uygur, Tibetan, and Zhuang) were 71.30%, 95.95%, 82.40%, and 72.30%, respectively. The Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) for Uygur and Tibetan children was lower than that for Han children at all age groups. Uygur children were more likely to have unqualified ICFI compared with Han children in a multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio (OR)=5.138, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.340–6.084). A higher level of maternal education, greater family wealth, and the availability of complementary feeding educational materials decreased the likelihood of an unqualified ICFI. The nutritional status of children (Han, Tibetan, and Zhuang) with qualified ICFI was better than that for children with unqualified ICFI.

Conclusions

Appropriate interventions are required to improve complementary feeding practices in rural western China.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficiency of enucleation (EU) for proximal pancreatic non-invasive neoplasms.

Methods

Patients with solitary non-invasive neoplasms in the proximal pancreas from January 1998 to April 2014 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China were included. Different operations and outcomes were analyzed.

Results

A total of 123 patients were enrolled. Forty patients (32.5%) underwent EU including 18 patients who had tumors close to the main pancreatic duct (MPD). Sixty-one patients (49.6%) had pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) performed and 22 (17.9%) underwent central pancreatectomy (CP). Pathological outcomes included neuroendocrine tumors, cystic lesions, and solid pseudopapillary tumors. Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, and duration of hospital stay were significantly reduced in the EU group. PD was associated with the greatest complication rate (55.7%), followed by EU (50%) and CP (40.9%), though the pancreatic fistula rate after EU was the highest (50%), especially in patients with tumors larger than 3 cm and tumors close to the MPD. EU had advantages in the preservation of pancreatic parenchyma and endocrine and exocrine function.

Conclusions

EU can be carried out safely and effectively for tumors in the proximal pancreas with improved outcomes compared with standard resections, even if the tumor is larger than 3 cm and close to the MPD.

Objective

Salmonella enterica remains a major cause of food-borne disease in humans, and Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) contamination of poultry products is a worldwide problem. Since macrophages play an essential role in controlling Salmonella infection, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) on immune function of chicken HD11 macrophages.

Methods

Chicken HD11 macrophages were treated with GA (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 μg/ml) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 500 ng/ml) for 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. Evaluated responses included phagocytosis, bacteria-killing, gene expression of cell surface molecules (cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), CD80, CD83, and CD197) and antimicrobial effectors (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX-1), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α factor (LITAF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-10), and production of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).

Results

GA increased the internalization of both fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran and ST by HD11 cells and markedly decreased the intracellular survival of ST. We found that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of cell surface molecules (CD40, CD80, CD83, and CD197) and cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10) of HD11 cells was up-regulated following GA exposure. The expression of iNOS and NOX-1 was induced by GA and thereby the productions of NO and H₂O₂ in HD11 cells were enhanced. Notably, it was verified that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways were responsible for GA-induced synthesis of NO and IFN-γ gene expression.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results suggested that GA exhibits a potent immune regulatory effect to activate chicken macrophages and enhances Salmonella-killing capacity.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the association of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) polymorphism and alleviation of obesity in children and adolescents after 8-year follow-up.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included obese children and adolescents with a follow-up period of 8 years. Baseline clinical characteristics and DRD2 polymorphisms (including rs1076562, rs2075654, and rs4586205) were extracted from medical records. A follow-up visit was performed in May 2017 to collect related data including height, weight, diet compliance, and exercise compliance.

Results

One hundred and nine obese children and adolescents were included in the current study. Among three DRD2 single nucleotide polymorphisms, only rs2075654 had a statistically significant association with alleviation of obesity, as the alleviation rate for minor allele carriers (68.6% for TC+TT) was higher compared to the major allele homozygote (43.3% for CC). After adjusting for all related factors, the hazard ratio of rs2075654 minor allele carriers for the alleviation of obesity was 3.34 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30?8.58).

Conclusions

The rs2075654 polymorphism of DRD2 is related to long-term obesity alleviation in obese Chinese children and adolescents.

Objective

The present study aims at determining the stability of a popular type 2 diabetes rat model induced by a high-fat diet combined with a low-dose streptozotocin injection.

Methods

Wistar rats were fed with a high-fat diet for 8 weeks followed by a one-time injection of 25 or 35 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce type 2 diabetes. Then the diabetic rats were fed with regular diet/high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Changes in biochemical parameters were monitored during the 4 weeks.

Results

All the rats developed more severe dyslipidemia and hepatic dysfunction after streptozotocin injection. The features of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin rats more resembled type 1 diabetes with decreased body weight and blood insulin. Rats with 25 mg/kg streptozotocin followed by normal diet feeding showed normalized blood glucose level and pancreatic structure, indicating that normal diet might help recovery from certain symptoms of type 2 diabetes. In comparison, diabetic rats fed with high-fat diet presented decreased but relatively stable blood glucose level, and this was significantly higher than that of the control group (P&gt;0.05).

Conclusions

This model easily recovers with normal diet feeding. A high-fat diet is suggested as the background diet in future pharmacological studies using this model.

Objective

In previous studies, Lactobacillus plantarum ZJ316 showed probiotic properties, such as antimicrobial activity against various pathogens and the capacity to significantly improve pig growth and pork quality. The purpose of this study was to reveal the genes potentially related to its genetic adaptation and probiotic profiles based on comparative genomic analysis.

Methods

The genome sequence of L. plantarum ZJ316 was compared with those of eight L. plantarum strains deposited in GenBank. BLASTN, Mauve, and MUMmer programs were used for genome alignment and comparison. CRISPRFinder was applied for searching the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs).

Results

We identified genes that encode proteins related to genetic adaptation and probiotic profiles, including carbohydrate transport and metabolism, proteolytic enzyme systems and amino acid biosynthesis, CRISPR adaptive immunity, stress responses, bile salt resistance, ability to adhere to the host intestinal wall, exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis, and bacteriocin biosynthesis.

Conclusions

Comparative characterization of the L. plantarum ZJ316 genome provided the genetic basis for further elucidating the functional mechanisms of its probiotic properties. ZJ316 could be considered a potential probiotic candidate.

Objective

To provide guidance for future randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on a review concerning acupuncture for treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in October 2015 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCISEARCH, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group trials register, Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the Wanfang databases. RCTs comparing either acupuncture with no/sham/pharmacological intervention or a combination of acupuncture and conventional therapy with conventional therapy in the treatment of PCOS were included in this review. A quality evaluation was performed for each of the included studies.

Results

Thirty-one RCTs were included in the review and were divided into four categories according to the type of intervention used in the comparator or control group. Menstrual frequency, hormones, anthropometrics, insulin sensitivity, blood lipids, and fertility were used as the main measurements to assess the effects of acupuncture on the patients with PCOS. Thirty trials, except for one, showed an improvement in at least one of the indicators of PCOS after acupuncture treatment. However, normalizing the methodological and reporting format remains an issue.

Conclusions

Based upon this review of current clinical trials concerning acupuncture for treating PCOS, we provide guidelines for better clinical trial design in the future.

Objective

To report surgical management and favorable outcome in a case with delayed repair of traumatic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap dislocation with shrinkage and folds.

Methods

A 30-year-old man with a five-year history of bilateral LASIK experienced blunt trauma to his right eye followed by decreased vision for 5 weeks. The surgical management included initially softening the flap by irrigation with balanced salt solution (BSS). The shrinkage folds were carefully and gently stretched by scraping with a 26-gauge cannula accompanied by BSS irrigation. All of the epithelial ingrowth on the flap inner surface and on the bed was thoroughly debrided by scraping and irrigation. After the flap was repositioned to match its original margin, a soft bandage contact lens was placed.

Results

At his initial visit, slit-lamp microscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed shrinkage of the LASIK flap with an elevated margin approximately 3 mm above the original position. The flap covered half of the pupil and had multiple horizontal folds. Two months after surgery, the flap remained well positioned with only faint streaks in the anterior stroma. The uncorrected visual acuity of the right eye was 20/20 with a manifest refraction of Plano.

Conclusions

For delayed repair of traumatically dislocated LASIK flaps, sufficient softening by BSS, stretching the shrinkage folds, and thorough debridement of ingrowth epithelium enable resetting the flap and provide satisfactory results.