A prognostic binary classifier comprised of five critical mRNAs stratified pancreatic cancer patients following resection.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is characterized by an extremely poor prognosis, even following potentially curative resection. Classical prognostic markers such as histopathological or clinical parameters have limited predictive power. The present study aimed to establish a prognostic model combining mRNA expression data with histopathological and clinical data to better predict survival and stratify pancreatic cancer patients following resection. We pioneered three models in one study and systematically evaluated the clinical benefits of all three models. Methods: To identify differentially expressed genes in pancreatic cancer, mRNA data from normal (GTEx database) and pancreatic cancer (TCGA database) tissues were used. Survival analysis was carried out to identify prognosis-relevant genes from the identified differentially expressed genes and LASSO regression was used to filter out hub genes. The risk score of several hub genes was calculated according to gene expression and coefficients. Validation was carried out using an independent set of GEO microarray data. Multivariate COX regression was used for identifying independent clinical and pathological risk factors related to patient's survival in the TCGA database and a prognostic model combining mRNA expression data with histopathological and clinical data was established. Another prognostic model using clinicopathological factors from the SEER database was conceived based on multivariate COX regression. NRI (net reclassification improvement) and IDI (integrated discrimination index) were used to compare the predictive capabilities of the different models. Results: We identified 1589 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through the comparison of normal and pancreatic cancer tissues, of whom 317 were associated with prognosis(p < 0.05). LASSO regression identified five hub genes, MYEOV, ANXA2P2, MET, CEP55, and KRT7, that were used for the five-mRNA-classifier prognostic model. The classifier could stratify patients into a short and long survival group: 5-year overall survival in the training set (TCGA, 6 % vs 52 %, p < 0.001), test set (TCGA, 18 % vs 55 %,p < 0.01) and external validation set (GEO, 0 % vs 25 %, p < 0.05). Sensitivity analysis showed that the mRNA model (model 1) was better than the clinicopathological no-mRNA model (model 2) in predicting 5-year survival in the TCGA database (AUC: 0.877 vs 0.718, z = 3.165, p < 0.01) and better than the multi-factor prognostic model (model 3) from the SEER database (AUC: 0.754, z = 2.637, p < 0.01). On predictive performance, model 1 improved model 2 (NRI = 0.084, z = 1.288, p = 0.198; IDI = 0.055, z = 1.041,p = 0.298) and model 3 (NRI = 0.167,z = 1.961,p = 0.05; IDI = 0.086, z = 1.427, p = 0.154). Conclusion: The five-mRNA-classifier is a reliable and feasible instrument to predict the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients following resection. It might help in patiens counseling and assist clinicians in providing individualized treatment for patients in different risk groups.

Understanding of the interactions between azole-anion-based ionic liquids and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol from the experimental perspective: the cage effect.

The interactions between azole-anion-based ionic liquids (AILs) and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol (MBY) play an important role in AIL-promoted carboxylative cyclization of MBY with CO2. To better understand the interactions between AILs ([P66614][Im], [P66614][4-MeIm], and [P66614][4-BrIm]) and MBY, a detailed investigation from the experimental perspective has been carried out in this study. The results show that the derivative of viscosity (η) with the mole fraction of AIL (xAIL) of AIL + MBY mixtures appears to have the maximum value when xAIL ≈ 0.3, while 1H NMR chemical shifts of P-CH2 of [P66614]+ reach the minimum value at xAIL ≈ 0.3, indicating that [P66614]+ of AILs tend to self-aggregate. The interaction parameters (gji-gii) of the systems obtained from η by the Eyring-UNIQUAC equation are positive, and the difference between the bulk and local composition (xi-xii) is always negative, indicating that AILs can interact with MBY. Moreover, excess molar volumes and isentropic compressibility deviations are all negative deviations and become more negative as the temperature increases, reaching a minimum value at xAIL ≈ 0.30, indicating that azole-based anions can form H-bonds with MBY, and MBY molecules tend to enter the aggregates formed by AILs. Consequently, the cage effect is proposed to describe the interactions between AILs and MBY: MBY first enters the cage formed by the aggregation of [P66614]+, and then forms H-bonds with azole-based anions. Finally, the sizes of the particles of the [P66614][Im] + MBY mixture from dynamic light scattering increase first and then decrease with xAIL, with the maximum of 122 nm at xAIL ≈ 0.25, which confirms the rationality of the cage effect.

Prediction and identification of epitopes in the Echinococcus multilocularis thrombospondin 3 antigen.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar echinococcosis is an epidemic disease caused by the parasitism of Echinococcus multilocularis (Em) larvae in the intermediate or final host. OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze B-cell and T-cell (Th1, Th2, and Th17) epitopes of the Em antigen protein thrombospondin 3 (TSP3). METHODS: The amino acid sequence of TSP3 was obtained, and the secondary structural characteristics of TSP3 were predicted using bioinformatics software to further predict its potential T-cell and B-cell epitopes. The spleen lymphocytes of BALB/c mice, which were immunized with the TSP3 protein, were collected for co-culture with B-cell and T-cell antigen small peptides. The B-cell epitopes and T-cell epitope subtypes Th1, Th2, and Th17 were identified as having good immunogenicity. RESULTS: After identification, it was found that the predominant epitopes of B cells existing in TSP3 were T18-33, T45-55, and T110-122. Furthermore, the predominant epitopes of T cells existing in TSP3 were T33-42, T45-55, T80-90, and T110-122 in the T1 subtype, T45-55, T68-77, and T92-104 in the Th2 subtype, and T53-63 and T80-90 in the Th17 subtype. CONCLUSIONS: Six T-cell and eight B-cell dominant epitopes of the TSP3 antigen were revealed; these results may be applied in the development of a dominant epitope vaccine.

Changes in microstructure of two ammonium-based protic ionic liquids proved by in situ variable-temperature 1 H NMR spectroscopy: influence of anion.

In this work, changes in microstructure of two protic ionic liquids (PILs), namely n-butylammonium acetate (N4Ac) and n-butylammonium nitrate (N4NO3 ), are proved by in situ variable-temperature 1 H NMR spectroscopy at the temperature range from 25 to 115 °C, and the influence of the nature of anion is discussed accordingly. The results demonstrate that 1 H NMR chemical shifts of alkyl protons of both N4Ac and N4NO3 are almost not changed with the increasing of temperature, due to the absence of hydrogen bond interaction between alkyl protons with anions. Whereas those of + N-H of cation decrease linearly with the temperature increasing, indicating that the hydrogen bond interaction between + N-H and anion weakens gradually. In addition, the strength of hydrogen bond interaction between + N-H and NO3- is stronger than that between + N-H and Ac- , suggesting that anions have a significant influence on microstructure due to the acidity of a Brønsted acid. Consequently, the proton transfer from cation to anion is much easier in N4Ac compared to N4NO3 . Further analyses of 1 H NMR chemical shifts of + N-H in N4Ac at the temperature range from 100 to 115 °C suggest that the splitting of + N-H peak may be attributed to obvious evidence of the existence of the proton transfer from + N-H to Ac- , which leads to dissociate the contact ion-pair in N4Ac to form the neutral ion-pair 'molecule'. The results will help us to extensively understand the behavior of proton transfer and offer us some valuable information for the design of PILs. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of sublingual immunotherapy for Dermatophagoides farinae on Th17 cells and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of children with allergic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Sublingual immunotherapy is becoming a more common treatment for allergic diseases, particularly in pediatric clinics. This type of treatment is highly effective for Dermatophagoides farinae allergy, but the mechanisms resulting in immune tolerance have not been investigated. We explored the effects of sublingual immunotherapy with D. farinae drops on populations of subsets of T immune cells, specifically Th17 cells and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg cells), in peripheral blood of children with allergic asthma. METHODS: We assessed immune cell populations in 60 patients allergic to D. farinae who were randomly divided into 2 groups: a treatment group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30), treated with sublingual administration of D. farinae drops or placebo, respectively, for 48 weeks. Clinical symptoms of asthma were scored for each individual before and after treatment, and the percentages of Th17 cells and CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells in the peripheral blood were evaluated by flow cytometry at 12-week intervals beginning at baseline. RESULTS: Both the mean daily symptom scores and percentages of Th17 cells significantly declined in the treatment group throughout the study period (p < 0.05), and in the control group both declined but without significant differences between time points. In contrast, the percentages of Treg cells significantly increased in the treatment group throughout the study period (p < 0.05), but no statistical difference was observed among different sampling times. CONCLUSION: Sublingual administration of D. farinae drops alters T immune cell profiles and reduces asthma symptoms, likely resulting in enhanced immunosuppression in children with asthma.

Correlation between serum H2S and pulmonary function in children with bronchial asthma.

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has generated recent research interest because of its potential function as an inflammatory mediator. Despite its apparent functions in vascular smooth muscle, an important player in airway remodeling in asthma, little research has been done to assess the role of H2S in the pathogenesis of asthma. To determine whether serum H2S concentration is correlated with pulmonary function in children with asthma, we measured serum H2S concentration and pulmonary function indices (FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25-75, MEF50 and MEF25) in 64 children with asthma and 60 healthy children. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the relationship between serum H2S concentration and lung function parameters. Compared to healthy children, both serum H2S concentration and all lung function parameters were significantly decreased in children with asthma (P<0.05). Furthermore, serum H2S concentration was positively correlated with lung function indices (P<0.05). Thus, decreasing levels of H2S in the serum may be used to indicate decreasing lung function. Further investigation into the causality behind these findings is required.

[Isolation and identification of seven thermophilic and anaerobic bacteria from hot springs in Tengchong Rehai].

OBJECTIVE: In order to study the taxonomic characteristic and physiological, biochemical properties of anaerobic bacteria from hot springs in Tengchong Rehai, Yunnan Province, China. METHODS: Using Hungate anaerobic technique We isolated seven strains from hot springs in Tengchong Rehai, Yunnan province, and analyzed their 16S rRNA gene sequences. RESULTS: The seven isolates were rod-shaped, Gram-negative, obligate anaerobe, and spores formation was not observed. All strains could grow well at 70 degrees C. Growth of strain RH0802 occurred between 60 and 80 degrees C, optimally around 70 degrees C. The pH range for its growth was between 5.5 and 8.5, with an optimum around 7.0. Strain RH0802 grew on a wide range of carbon sources, including glucose, starch, mannitol, mannose, ribose, maltose, cellobiose, xylose, fructose, galactose, xylan and glycerol, but it could not utilize sucrose or pyruvate. 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis showed that the maximum similarity between the five strains and the strains of genus Caldanaerobacter was up to 98%, except RH0804 and RH0806, which reached to 96% and 93%, respectively. The two isolates were presumed to be potential novel species. The GenBank accession numbers of RH0802 to RH0808 were FJ748766, FJ748762, FJ748761, FJ748763, FJ748765, FJ748764 and FJ748767. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the seven thermophilic anaerobes belonged to the genus Caldanaerobacter.

Equilibrium acidities and homolytic bond dissociation enthalpies of the acidic C-H bonds in phosphonates and related phosphorus containing compounds.

The homolytic bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs) of the acidic C-H bonds in a series of phosphonates and related phosphorus-containing compounds have been determined by a combination (eq 3) of their equilibrium acidities (pK(HA)'s) and the oxidation potentials [E(ox)(A(-))'s] of their conjugate anions, which were measured in DMSO solution. The equilibrium acidity increases by 15.5, 14.9, and 10.9 pK units for the introduction of an alpha-P(O)(OEt)(2) group into toluene, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate, respectively. Comparison with the published equilibrium acidity increases by 25.6, 24.4, and 21.0 pK units for the introduction of an alpha-(+)PPh(3) group into the same series of substrates indicates that the phosphoryl carbanions (Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reagents) are about 10 pK units more reactive than the corresponding triphenylphosphonium ylides (Wittig reagents). However, both alpha-P(O)(OEt)(2) and alpha-(+)PPh(3) groups have negligible effects on the adjacent C-H BDEs, indicating that there is no resonance delocalization into the 3d vacant orbitals of phosphorus and that their acidifying effects are exclusively associated with the field/inductive (electrostatic) and polarizability effects. The acidifying effect of an alpha-CO(2)Et group is shown to be ca. 3.5 pK units stronger than that of an alpha-P(O)(OEt)(2) group in the same substrates, suggesting that the larger acidifying effect of the alpha-CO(2)Et group is predominantly associated with the resonance delocalization rather than with the field/inductive (electrostatic) and polarizability effects.

Photo-Fenton discoloration of the azo dye X-3B over pillared bentonites containing iron.

Both Fe pillared bentonite (Fe-B) and Al-Fe pillared bentonite (Al/Fe-B) were prepared and used as heterogeneous catalysts for the photo-Fenton discoloration of azo dye X-3B under UV irradiation. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET and TEM. The effects of solution pH, H(2)O(2) concentration, dye concentration and catalyst loading on the rate of discoloration were investigated in detail. The results indicate that the Fe-B and Al/Fe-B have high BET surface area (114.6 and 194.2 m(2)/g, respectively). Both the heterogeneous photo-Fenton processes employing the Fe-B or the Al/Fe-B as catalyst exhibit higher photo-catalytic activity compared to their corresponding homogeneous photo-Fenton process. The amount of Fe ions leached from the Al/Fe-B into the solution is much lower than that leached from the Fe-B during the reaction process.

[Neuro-protective effect of naomaitong to brain damage after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion (I/R) in the aged rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study neuro-protective effect of naomaitong on brain damage after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion (I/R) in the aged rats. METHOD: 11 groups of 20-22-month old SD rats were subjected to 3 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion with the intraluminal filament technique, followed by 12 hours of reperfusion. Nervous symptom, oedema of brain, infarct size, morphology and superfine structure of brain, etc were monitored thoughout cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. RESULT: Infarct size of brain in ischemia and reperfusion groups were significantly greater. Oedema of it was higher, nervous symptom of it was more serious, and morphology and superfine structure brain were more obvious than those of sham-operated group. Nervous symptom, oedema of brain, infarct size, morphology and superfine structure of brain in treated groups were ligher than those of untreated groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Naomaitong can protect brain damage after focal cerebral I/R in the aged rats.