Development of an Immune Prognostic Model for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Based on Tumor Microenvironment.

Immune infiltration remains at a high level in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). It has been confirmed that immune cell infiltration in tumor microenvironment (TME) is intimately bound up with the progression and the clinical outcome of ccRCC. The prognostic model, developed based on different immune subtypes of ccRCC, has a predictive value in patients' prognosis. RNA sequencing data, somatic mutation data of ccRCC and clinical information were acquired from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database. The key immune-related genes (IRGs) were selected and by univariate Cox, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Then the ccRCC prognostic model was developed. The applicability of this model was verified in the independent dataset GSE29609. Thirteen IRGs including CCL7, ATP6V1C2, ATP2B3, ELAVL2, SLC22A8, DPP6, EREG, SERPINA7, PAGE2B, ADCYAP1, ZNF560, MUC20, and ANKRD30A were finally selected and a 13-IRGs prognostic model was developed. Survival analysis demonstrated that when compared with the low-risk group, patients in the high-risk group had a lower overall survival (p<0.05). AUC values based on the 13-IRGs prognostic model used to predict 3- and 5-year survival of ccRCC patients were greater than 0.70. And risk score was an independent prognostic factor (p<0.001). In addition, nomogram could accurately predict ccRCC patient's prognosis. This 13-IRGs model can effectively evaluate the prognosis of ccRCC patients, and also provide guidance for the treatment and prognosis of ccRCC patients.

Tug1 Acts on ERK12 Signaling Pathway to Aggravate Neuronal Damage after Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Approximately 85% of stroke patients suffer from ischemic stroke, which has a high incidence and difficult prognosis. It has become one of the leading causes of death in middle-aged and elderly people and seriously threatens human health. This study mainly considers the role of lncRNA tug 1 on the ERK 12 signaling pathway to enhance neuronal damage after acute ischemic stroke. In the experiment, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was constructed using the thread embolization method. The real-time quantitative RT-CR method was used to detect the relative transcriptional activity of TG1, GAS5 and SM22a genes in tissues. The relative expression level of SM22a protein in tissues was detected by the immune-histochemical method. Twenty-four hours after cerebral infarction, the nerve function, cerebral infarction area and ERK1/2 protein expression level of cerebral cortex on the side of cerebral infarction were detected in each group. The experimental results showed that the successful animal behavior scores of the MCAO model in the normal saline control group and Pepstatin A interference group were 1 point 25, 2 points 17 and 3 points 18. The results show that lncRNA tug1 can enhance the neuronal damage of the ERK12 signaling pathway after acute ischemic stroke. lncRNATUGl plays an important role after OGD/RX and can accelerate cell apoptosis. If the expression of lncRNATUGl is inhibited, the number of apoptosis is significantly reduced.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial and Nocardia infections mimicking pulmonary tuberculosis: a retrospective study of a general hospital patient population in China.

Purpose. In this study, we differentiated between tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) or Nocardia in a tertiary general hospital in China. Differences in clinical manifestations and factors between respiratory infections associated with these organisms were also investigated.Methodology. A retrospective analysis was conducted for suspected pulmonary TB patients with positive bacterial culture results under treatment at Wangjing Hospital, a tertiary general hospital, between January 2014 and June 2017. Sputum samples were submitted for liquid culture and species identification by mass spectrometry.Results. Between January 2014 and June 2017, a total of 3981 suspected TB cases were analysed, of which 151 (3.8 %) exhibited positive mycobacterial culture results. Using mass spectrometry, the 151 isolates were classified into three groups: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) (n=112; 74.2 %), NTM (n=21 13.9 %) and Nocardia (n=18; 11.9 %). The NTM and Nocardia prevalence rates were significantly higher amongst elderly patients [aged ≥65 years; odds ratio (95 % confidence interval): 3.89 (1.05-14.38) for NTM; odds ratio (95 % confidence interval): 5.10 (1.09-23.91) for Nocardia]. In addition, treatment with immunosuppressive therapy [odds ratio (95 % confidence interval): 3.92 (1.16-13.27)] was identified as a risk factor for Nocardia infection in these patients.Conclusion. Our results demonstrated that a quarter of culture-positive 'suspected TB patients' harboured NTM or Nocardia infections. Notably, nearly all patients with non-TB infections presented with clinical syndromes mimicking pulmonary TB. Individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy were at greater risk of acquiring Nocardia infections.