Reduction of absolute monocyte counts is associated with the severity of preterm necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract Objective: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is characterized by a rich infiltration of macrophages in the intestines, which is derived from monocytes in the blood. The authors aimed to explore the changing trend of absolute monocyte counts (AMC) over time in NEC infants and to verify whether the reduction of AMC correlates with the severity of NEC and whether it can be used to identify infants who need surgery. Method: The authors collected the clinical data of 66 control and 222 NEC infants. The NEC infants were divided into medical NEC (M-NEC) and surgical NEC (S-NEC). The counting of mono-cyte and their percentage change were compared at the time of birth, before NEC (baseline), the onset of NEC and after NEC (recovery). In addition, the same comparison was made among stages 1, 2 and 3 of Bell's staging, respectively. Results: The authors found that the AMC in NEC infants decreased sharply at the onset. Further comparison was made between 172 cases of M-NEC and 50 cases of S-NEC. It was discovered that the AMC reduced more in S-NEC infants at onset, but it increased more at recovery. In addition, the authors found that among stage 1,2 and 3, stage 3 had the lowest AMC and the largest percentage decrease at the onset. Conclusion: The AMC decreases sharply in NEC infants at onset, and the degree of decline is associated with the severity of NEC. AMC is expected to be a marker of NEC and provide a reference for clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of NEC.

Transcriptome profiling reveals differential expression of genes potentially involved in muscle and adipose tissue development of cattle

BACKGROUND: To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between muscle and adipose in cattle, we analyzed the data from the RNA sequencing of three Angus×Qinchuan crossbred cattle. RESULTS: Searched the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) for a microarray dataset of Yan yellow cattle, GSE49992. After the DEGs were identified, we used STRING and Cytoscape to construct a protein­protein interaction (PPI) network, subsequently analyzing the major modules of key genes. In total, 340 DEGs were discovered, including 21 hub genes, which were mainly enriched in muscle contraction, skeletal muscle contraction, troponin complex, lipid particle, Z disc, tropomyosin binding, and actin filament binding. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, these genes can be regarded as candidate biomarkers for the regulation of muscle and adipose development.

Clinical analysis of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 26 adult patients after cardiac surgical procedures / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To summarize the clinical experience of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adult patients with cardiac surgery, analyze the risk factors associated with the mortality and other severe complications and to discuss prevention methods of complications during ECMO treatment. Methods    The clinical data of 26 patients with cardiac surgery, who underwent ECMO because of cardiopulmonary insufficiency ect in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2012 to September 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 males and 7 females aged 24–80 (58.0±13.9) years. Results    Twelve (42.3%) patients successfully weaned from ECMO and six (23.1%) were discharged from hospital. Among 26 patients, 24 received VA ECMO (veno-arterial ECMO), including 5 after heart transplantation, 9 after heart valve surgery, and 3 were successfully weaned from ECMO. Seven patients with valvular surgery underwent ECMO within 48 hours due to refractory low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Eight patients  underwent major angioplasty, 3 of whom were successfully weaned from ECMO. Four patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and other cardiac surgeries. Patients with VA ECMO were treated with femoral vein-femoral artery cannulation except for 2 patients undergoing femoral vein-radial artery cannulation after major angioplasty. Patients with VV ECMO (veno-venous ECMO) underwent femoral vein-jugular vein cannulation. After ECMO support, 10 patients with bleeding occurred, and 5 patients were successfully weaned from ECMO. All patients had transfusion therapy during the assist period, 7 patients had infection after ECMO support, 4 patients suffered severe distal limb ischemia. There was no significant difference in the lactic acid between the survival and the dead patients before and after ECMO support. However, the decline of serum lactic acid in the survivors was faster than that of the dead patients. The trend was the most significant within 6 h after the operation. Conclusion    ECMO is one of the significant treatments for LCOS and refractory hypoxemia after cardiac surgery. The type of cardiac surgery and the timing of catheter placement are key factors for the success of ECMO. The different ways of ECMO intubation, prevention and control of bleeding during ECMO, monitoring and management of internal environment and the strategies of anti-infection are all important for success of ECMO.

IRF2-INPP4B-mediated autophagy suppresses apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia cells

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the underlying role of interferon-regulatory factor 2 (IRF2)-inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase, type-II (INPP4B) axis in the regulation of autophagy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. METHODS: Quantitative real time PCR (QRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to determine the expression levels of IRF2, INPP4B and autophagy-related markers in AML cell lines. Autophagy was assessed by elevated Beclin-1 expression, the conversion of light chain 3 (LC3)-I to LC3-II, downregulated p62 expression and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3 puncta formation. The colony formation and apoptosis assays were performed to determine the effects of IRF2 and INPP4B on the growth of AML cells. RESULTS: IRF2 and INPP4B were highly expressed in AML cell lines, and were positively correlated with autophagy-related proteins. Overexpression of IRF2 or INPP4B stimulated autophagy of AML cells, whereas inhibition of IRF2 or INPP4B resulted in the attenuation of autophagy. More importantly, IRF2 or INPP4B overexpression reversed autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA)-induced proliferation-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects, while IRF2 or INPP4B silencing overturned the proliferation-promoting and anti-apoptotic effects of autophagy activator rapamycin. CONCLUSION: IRF2-INPP4B signaling axis attenuated apoptosis through induction of autophagy in AML cells.