Construction of A Nomogram Prediction Model for PD-L1 Expression in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Based on 18F-FDG PET/CT Metabolic Parameters / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#In recent years, immunotherapy represented by programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunosuppressants has greatly changed the status of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. PD-L1 has become an important biomarker for screening NSCLC immunotherapy beneficiaries, but how to easily and accurately detect whether PD-L1 is expressed in NSCLC patients is a difficult problem for clinicians. The aim of this study was to construct a Nomogram prediction model of PD-L1 expression in NSCLC patients based on 18F-fluorodeoxy glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/conputed tomography (PET/CT) metabolic parameters and to evaluate its predictive value.@*METHODS@#Retrospective collection of 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters, clinicopathological information and PD-L1 test results of 155 NSCLC patients from Inner Mongolia People's Hospital between September 2016 and July 2021. The patients were divided into the training group (n=117) and the internal validation group (n=38), and another 51 cases of NSCLC patients in our hospital between August 2021 and July 2022 were collected as the external validation group according to the same criteria. Then all of them were categorized according to the results of PD-L1 assay into PD-L1+ group and PD-L1- group. The metabolic parameters and clinicopathological information of patients in the training group were analyzed by univariate and binary Logistic regression, and a Nomogram prediction model was constructed based on the screened independent influencing factors. The effect of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) in both the training group and the internal and external validation groups.@*RESULTS@#Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that metabolic tumor volume (MTV), gender and tumor diameter were independent influences on PD-L1 expression. Then a Nomogram prediction model was constructed based on the above independent influences. The ROC curve for the model in the training group shows an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.769 (95%CI: 0.683-0.856) with an optimal cutoff value of 0.538. The AUC was 0.775 (95%CI: 0.614-0.936) in the internal validation group and 0.752 (95%CI: 0.612-0.893) in the external validation group. The calibration curves were tested by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and showed that the training group (χ2=0.040, P=0.979), the internal validation group (χ2=2.605, P=0.271), and the external validation group (χ2=0.396, P=0.820) were well calibrated. The DCA curves show that the model provides clinical benefit to patients over a wide range of thresholds (training group: 0.00-0.72, internal validation group: 0.00-0.87, external validation group: 0.00-0.66).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The Nomogram prediction model constructed on the basis of 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters has greater application value in predicting PD-L1 expression in NSCLC patients.

Aspirin inhibits the growth of hypertrophic scar in rabbit ears via regulating Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have certain side effects in the treatment of hypertrophic scar, and the scar recurrence is easy after withdrawal of steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. Finding reliable alternative drugs is an effective means to improve this defect. Aspirin, a traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is safe for topical use and has anti-inflammatory effects similar to those of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which may have similar effects on the treatment of hypertrophic scar. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of aspirin on the proliferation of hypertrophic scar in rabbit ears and the underlying mechanism.@*METHODS@#The rabbit ear hypertrophic scar models were prepared. The rabbits were randomly divided into a normal skin group (group A), a blank control group (group B), a 0.9% NaCl group (group C), a 0.2% aspirin group (group D), a 0.5% aspirin group (group E), a 2% aspirin group (group F), and a triamcinolone acetonide group (group G). Macroscopic observation of hyperplasia was performed 8 weeks after local injection of the scar, followed by collecting the scar tissue samples for HE staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry, respectively to assess the proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen fibers, and calculate the hypertrophic index, microvessel density, and immunohistochemical score.@*RESULTS@#All rabbit ear hypertrophic scar models were successfully constructed. In groups B and C, the hypertrophic scar edge was irregular, with reddish protruding epidermis, significant contracture and hard touch. In group D, E, and F, with the increase of aspirin administration concentration, the scar became thinner and gradually flat, the proliferation of fibrocytes and collagen fibers was weakened, and the hypertrophic index was gradually decreased (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of β-catenin was decreased in the group D, E and F in turn, and the immunohistochemical score was gradually decreased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in hypertrophic index, microvessel density, and immunohistochemical score (all P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Local injection of aspirin can reduce the generation of hypertrophic scar in a dose-dependent manner within a certain concentration range; aspirin inhibits the growth of hypertrophic scar in rabbit ears by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway; 2% aspirin and 40 mg/mL triamcinolone acetonide have similar curative efficacy on hypertrophic scar.

The effect and mechanism of epigallocatechol gallate combined with trastuzumab on the proliferation of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells / 药学实践杂志

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of epigallocatechol gallate (EGCG) combined with trastuzu-mab on the proliferation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressing breast cancer cells. Methods Trastuzumab was expressed and purified. The cell proliferation of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells BT474 and SK-BR-3 treated with trastuzumab, EGCG, or trastuzumab plus EGCG was evaluated by CCK8 assay. The effects of EGCG and trastuzumab on the expression of HER2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase B (Akt), and their phosphorylated proteins in BT474 breast cancer cells were detected by Western blot. Results The results of cell proliferation assay indicated that EGCG and trastuzumab, alone or in combination, effectively inhibited the proliferation of BT-474 and SK-BR-3 cells. And within a certain concentration range, EGCG and trastuzumab showed a synergistic proliferation inhibitory effect on HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells. Consistent with these results, Western blot results showed that trastuzumab and EGCG, alone or in combination significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of Akt, MAPK, EGFR, and HER2 in BT474 cells. Moreover, the inhibition effect of EGCG plus trastuzumab was significantly more potent than either EGCG or trastuzumab. Conclusion EGCG and trastuzumab could synergistically inhibit the proliferation of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells, which may be related to the regulation of Akt and MAPK signaling pathways.

Clinical analysis of nine cases of neuroimmune disease with antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical features, auxiliary examinations, therapies and prognoses of patients with antibodies targeting glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65).Methods:The nine patients with anti-GAD65 neuroimmune disease, admitted to Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2018 to October 2020, were analyzed, retrospectively.Results:The onset age of nine cases was 17-68 (43.6±20.5) years old, and six cases were female. Two cases had preceding infection. The data of initial symptoms were collected and analyzed, including epileptic onset in four cases, memory impairment in two cases, dizziness in two cases and limb stiffness in one case. As the disease continued to advance, one case developed cerebellar ataxia, one case presented with isolated epilepsy, five cases suffered from limbic encephalitis, one case had stiffman syndrome, one case had brainstem encephalitis. Five cases had antibodies against thyroid peroxidase. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scan showed abnormal signals of T 2/fluid attenuated inversion recovery sequences in four cases, mainly involved bilateral temporal lobes or hippocampus. Epileptiform discharges of frontal or temporal regions of electroencephalography were observed in six cases. All cases received immunotherapy and long-term follow-up was performed in seven cases. Four cases benefited from the immunotherapy. Among the four patients, one fully recovered and returned to work, the other three cases developed neurologic sequelae, including seizures (two cases), and short-term memory loss (one case). The remaining three patients were unresponsive to treatment. Conclusions:GAD65 antibody-mediated neuroimmune disease is a rare neurological disorder, presenting with various syndromes including limbic encephalitis or stiffman syndrome, which is more susceptible to young female. The clinical manifestations included epileptic onset, limb stiffness, cognitive impairment and cerebellar ataxia, etc. Detection of GAD65 antibody in serum or cerebrospinal fluid was gold standard. Early immunotherapy contributed to improving the prognosis of patients, especially for those patients with epileptic onset as the main symptom.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell targeting EGFRvIII for metastatic lung cancer therapy / 医学前沿

Lung cancer is the most common incident cancer and the leading cause of cancer death. In recent years, the development of tumor immunotherapy especially chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell has shown a promising future. Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is a tumor-specific mutation expressed in various types of tumors and has been detected in non-small cell lung cancer with a mutation rate of 10%. Thus, EGFRvIII is a potential antigen for targeted lung cancer therapy. In this study, CAR vectors were constructed and transfected into virus-packaging cells. Then, activated T cells were infected with retrovirus harvested from stable virus-producing single clone cell lines. CAR expression on the surfaces of the T cells was detected by flow cytometry and Western blot. The function of CAR-T targeting EGFRvIII was then evaluated. The EGFRvIII-CAR vector was successfully constructed and confirmed by DNA sequencing. A stable virus-producing cell line was produced from a single clone by limited dilution. The culture conditions for the cell line, including cell density, temperature, and culture medium were optimized. After infection with retrovirus, CAR was expressed on more than 90% of the T cells. The proliferation of CAR-T cells were induced by cytokine and specific antigen in vitro. More importantly, EGFRvIII-CART specifically and efficiently recognized and killed A549-EGFRvIII cells with an effector/target ratio of 10:1 by expressing and releasing cytokines, including perforin, granzyme B, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. The in vivo study indicated that the metastasis of A549-EGFRvIII cells in mice were inhibited by EGFRvIII-CART cells, and the survival of the mice was significantly prolonged with no serious side effects. EGFRvIII-CART showed significantly efficient antitumor activity against lung cancer cells expressing EGFRvIII in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, CAR-T targeting EGFRvIII is a potential therapeutic strategy in preventing recurrence and metastasis of lung cancer after surgery.

Size-controlled preparation of monodisperse gold nanoparticles for detection of cardiac troponin Ⅰ by immunochromatography assay / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To prepare the monodisperse,colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with controllable sizes (50 nm,65 nm,79 nm and 102 nm) for the qualitative detection of cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTnⅠ) by immunochromatography assay,and to evaluate the effectiveness of the detection.Methods Four kinds of monodisperse citrate-stabilized AuNPs were prepared using small AuNPs as growth centers (seeds) by a seeded growth thermal aging protocol.As controls,two conventional AuNPs (20 nm,40 nm) were prepared by the traditional citrate-reduction method.The mouse monoclonal antibody against cTnⅠ labeled AuNPs were dropped on polyester mat to make AuNPs conjugate pad.The detection line and quality control line of immunochromatography assay kits for detection of cTnⅠ were coated by mouse anti human cTnⅠ monoclonal antibody paired with antibody in AuNPs and goat anti mouse polyclonal antiboy respectively.The six kinds of AuNPs were employed as color-labels in immunochromatography assay kits for detecting cTnⅠ,and the corresponding detection effects were evaluated in signal intensity,sensitivity,specificity and stability.The assay kit with the best performance was chosen and compared with the commercialized kits for the detection of cTnⅠ in clinical samples.Results Four kinds of monodisperse AuNPs with large sizes of 50 nm,65 nm,79 nm,102 nm respectively were successfully synthesized by the seeded growth thermal aging method.The signal strength of four kinds of kits produced by the four large-sized AuNPs was superior to the kits produced by 20 nm AuNPs in detecting cTnⅠ(all P＜0.01).The signal strength of the kits produced by 65nm AuNPs showed the best performance among the six kinds of AuNPs(all P＜0.01).The lowest detectable limit was 0.50 ng/ml.To compare the agreement of results from chemiluminescent immunoassay versus the results from kits produced by 65nm AuNPs,100 serum samples have been used for detecting cTnⅠ.Their positive coincidence rate was 97.30％ and negative coincidence rate was 100％,the sensitivity and signal strength of the kits produced by 65nm AuNPs was superior to similar products which produced by ABON and Bottests company(all P＜0.01).Conclusions Monodisperse,largesized,citrate-stabilized AuNPs are controllably prepared by a seeded growth-thermal aging method.The development of large-size AuNPs-based immunochromatography assay kits is feasible.65 nm AuNPs can be a suitable candidate for cTnⅠ immunochromatography assay kit.Our findings provides a new idea for the current immunochromatography assay kits which still adopt small-sized AuNPs as color labels.

The effects of electromagnetic pulse on the protein levels of tight junction associated-proteins in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, heart, lung, and testis of rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate changes in the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, heart, lung, and testes of rats after exposure to electromagnetic pulse (EMP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham and exposure groups. The exposure groups received EMP at 200 kV/m for 200 pulses with a repetition rate of 1 Hz. The expression of TJ proteins (ZO-1, occludin, actin) in the several organs was examined by western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ZO-1 levels in the cerebral cortex decreased 1 h and 3 h after EMP exposure compared with sham group (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed for occludin and actin. ZO-1 levels in the hippocampus increased 1 h and 3 h post-exposure (P<0.05), and occludin decreased after 3 h (P<0.05); however, actin was unaffected. ZO-1 levels in the heart increased 3 h post-exposure (P<0.05), occludin decreased 3 h post-exposure (P<0.05), and actin increased 1 h and 3 h post-exposure (P<0.05). ZO-1, occludin and actin levels in the lung decreased compared with those in the sham group (P<0.05). ZO-1 and occludin levels in the testes decreased 1 h and 3 h post-exposure (P<0.05), but actin showed no significant change.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exposure to EMP altered the expression levels of TJ proteins, particularly ZO-1, in the organs of adult male rats, which may induce changes in barrier structure and function.</p>