Evaluation of the tumor-targeting specific imaging and killing effect of a CEA-targeting nanoparticle in colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent digestive malignancy with significant global mortality and morbidity rates. Improving diagnostic capabilities for CRC and investigating novel therapeutic approaches are pressing clinical imperatives. Additionally, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has emerged as a highly promising candidate for both colorectal tumor imaging and treatment. METHODS: A novel active CEA-targeting nanoparticle, CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt, was designed and synthesized, which served as a tumor-specific fluorescence agent to help in CRC near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging. In cell studies, CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt exhibited specific targeting to RKO cells through specific antibody-antigen binding of CEA, resulting in distribution both within and around these cells. The tumor-targeting-specific imaging capabilities of the nanoparticle were determined through in vivo fluorescence imaging experiments. Furthermore, the efficacy of the nanoparticle in delivering chemotherapeutics and its killing effect were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: The CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt nanoparticle, designed as a novel targeting agent for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), exhibited dual functionality as a targeting fluorescent agent. This CEA-targeting nanoparticle showed exceptional efficacy in eradicating CRC cells in comparison to individual treatment modalities. Furthermore, it exhibits exceptional biosafety and biocompatibility properties. CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt exhibits significant promise due to its ability to selectively target tumors through NIR fluorescence imaging and effectively eradicate CRC cells with minimal adverse effects in both laboratory and in vivo environments. CONCLUSION: The favorable characteristics of CEA(Ab)-MSNs-ICG-Pt offer opportunities for its application in chemotherapeutic interventions, tumor-specific NIR fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence-guided surgical procedures.

Transcriptome sequencing and screening of genes related to the MADS-box gene family in Clematis courtoisii.

The MADS-box gene family controls plant flowering and floral organ development; therefore, it is particularly important in ornamental plants. To investigate the genes associated with the MADS-box family in Clematis courtoisii, we performed full-length transcriptome sequencing on C. courtoisii using the PacBio Sequel third-generation sequencing platform, as no reference genome data was available. A total of 12.38 Gb of data, containing 9,476,585 subreads and 50,439 Unigenes were obtained. According to functional annotation, a total of 37,923 Unigenes (75.18% of the total) were assigned with functional annotations, and 50 Unigenes were identified as MADS-box related genes. Subsequently, we employed hmmerscan to perform protein sequence similarity search for the translated Unigene sequences and successfully identified 19 Unigenes associated with the MADS-box gene family, including MIKC*(1) and MIKCC (18) genes. Furthermore, within the MIKCC group, six subclasses can be further distinguished.

A semi-quantitative upconversion nanoparticle-based immunochromatographic assay for SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection.

The unprecedented public health and economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been met with an equally unprecedented scientific response. Sensitive point-of-care methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 antigens in clinical specimens are urgently required for the rapid screening of individuals with viral infection. Here, we developed an upconversion nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (UCNP-LFIA) for the high-sensitivity detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein. A pair of rabbit SARS-CoV-2 N-specific monoclonal antibodies was conjugated to UCNPs, and the prepared UCNPs were then deposited into the LFIA test strips for detecting and capturing the N protein. Under the test conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) of UCNP-LFIA for the N protein was 3.59 pg/mL, with a linear range of 0.01-100 ng/mL. Compared with that of the current colloidal gold-based LFIA strips, the LOD of the UCNP-LFIA-based method was increased by 100-fold. The antigen recovery rate of the developed method in the simulated pharyngeal swab samples ranged from 91.1 to 117.3%. Furthermore, compared with the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, the developed UCNP-LFIA method showed a sensitivity of 94.73% for 19 patients with COVID-19. Thus, the newly established platform could serve as a promising and convenient fluorescent immunological sensing approach for the efficient screening and diagnosis of COVID-19.

Comparison of diagnosis-related group based reimbursement and case-mix index within hospitalized patients before and after modified malnutrition diagnosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lack of professional and accurate diagnosis of malnutrition led to a reduction in Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) payment and a decrease in Case-Mix Index (CMI). The aim of this study was to explore the effects of adding a proper nutritional diagnosis and modifying complication groups on DRG payment and CMI. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients ad-mitted to the hospital from January to June 2022 who had received a nutritional assessment. Patients were diagnosed as well-nourished, mild malnutrition, moderate malnutrition or severe malnutrition according to patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) scores within 24 hours of admission. CMI and DRG hospital internal control standards were recalculated and compared with the original values. RESULTS: A total of 254 patients were enrolled, including 40 patients with mild malnutrition, 74 patients with moderate malnutrition and 122 patients with severe malnutrition. Of all subjects, 111 changed complication groups. The median of the DRG hospital internal control standard (12006.09 vs. 13797.19, p=0.01) and the median of CMI (0.91 vs. 1.04, p=0.026) were significantly higher than those before the diagnostic change. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the CMI value, hospital control standard of DRG, and the classification of DRG were significantly different from those before diagnosis revision (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fully identification and correct coding of malnutrition cases are conducive for hospitals to receive appropriate DRG compensation, and further contribute to the improvement of medical quality and the economic sustain-ability of hospitals.

Nasogastric tube feeding improves nutritional status and physical state in esophageal cancer patients during chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the complication rates, nutritional status, and physical state between esophageal cancer (EC) patients managed by nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding versus those managed by oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) during chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: EC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy managed by nonintravenous nutritional support in our institute were retrospectively recruited and divided into an NGT group and an ONS group based on the nutritional support method. The main outcomes, including complications, nutritional status, and physical state, were compared between groups. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of EC patients were comparable. There were no significant differences in the incidence of treatment interruption (13.04% vs. 14.71%, P = 0.82), death (2.17% vs. 0.00%, P = 0.84), or esophageal fistula (2.17% vs. 1.47%, P = 1.00) between the NGT group and ONS group. Body weight loss and decrease in albumin level were significantly lower in the NGT group than in the ONS group (both P < 0.05). EC patients in the NGT group had significantly lower Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) scores and significantly higher Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores than patients in the ONS group (all P < 0.05). The rates of grade > 2 esophagitis (10.00% vs. 27.59%, P = 0.03) and grade > 2 bone marrow suppression (10.00% vs. 32.76%, P = 0.01) were significantly lower in the NGT group than in the ONS group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of infection and upper gastrointestinal disorders or therapeutic efficacy between groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EN through NGT feeding leads to significantly better nutritional status and physical state in EC patients during chemoradiotherapy than EN via ONS. NGT may also prevent myelosuppression and esophagitis..

Multidisciplinary nutritional management improves nutritional and hospitalized outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy: A randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of multidisciplinary whole-course nutrition management on the nutritional status and complications during the course of treatment in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) undergoing chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 36 EC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy were divided into a control group (n = 18) and an intervention group (n = 18). Participants in the control group were given routine nutritional support, whereas those in the intervention group were provided whole-course nutrition management from the nutrition support team. Nutrition-related indicators, that is, serum albumin level (ALB), hemoglobin (Hb), and C reactive protein were assessed before, during, and after treatment in both groups. The incidence of complications (e.g., lymphocytopenia, radiation esophagitis, and myelosuppression), clinical outcomes, length of hospital stay, and hospital costs were also recorded. Differences between the 2 groups were tested using the Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests. RESULTS: The ALB and Hb levels of the patients in the control group decreased significantly [ALB: -2.6 (-5.6, 0), P = .01; Hb: -12.0 (-27.0, -2.0), P = .04] and C reactive protein increased [8.9 (2.9, 14.9), P = .02] compared to those before treatment, while the indicators of participants in the intervention group did not change (P > .05). The incidence of grade ≥ II lymphocytopenia was higher in the control group than that in the intervention group (33.3% vs 61.1%, P = .03). Moreover, compared with the control group, the average length of hospital stay decreased by 12 days [47 (40, 50) vs 35 (23, 40), P = .001], and in-patient expenses decreased by 20,504 CNY in the intervention group (P = .004). CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary whole-course nutrition management can maintain the nutritional status of patients with EC undergoing chemoradiotherapy. This may lower the incidence of complications, shorten hospital stays, and reduce in-patient expenses.

The associations between lipid profiles and visceral obesity among gastrointestinal cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Visceral obesity is associated with cancer incidence and prognosis. Altered lipid profiles are frequently seen in visceral obese patients. The blood test of lipid profiles is more convenient and has no radical side effects than computed tomography (CT), which is presently the most accurate way to measure visceral fat area. This article aims to investigate the associations between lipid profiles and visceral obesity in gastrointestinal cancer patients. METHODS: In total, 399 patients newly diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer were enrolled in this observational study. Lipid profiles were obtained from blood samples, and visceral fat mass area (VFA) was measured by CT. VFA ≥ 100 cm2 was considered visceral obesity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was utilized to evaluate the prognostic powers of lipid parameters for viscerally obese gastrointestinal cancer patients. RESULTS: Patients who had visceral obesity had higher triglyceride (TG) levels (1.20 ± 0.60 vs. 0.87 ± 0.57 mmo/L, P < 0.001), total cholesterol (TC) levels (3.57 ± 0.84 vs. 3.40 ± 0.82, P = 0.044), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels (2.08 ± 0.66 vs. 1.94 ± 0.66, P = 0.047) and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels (0.88 ± 0.24 vs. 1.00 ± 0.26, P < 0.001) than those in the normal group. TG was positively correlated with VFA (r = 0.299, P < 0.001), while HDL-C was inversely correlated with VFA (r = -0.237, P < 0.001). TG and HDL-C had predictive capacity for visceral obesity at cutoff levels of 0.92 mmol/L (AUROC 0.700, 95% CI, 0.653-0.745, P < 0.001) and 0.98 mmol/L (AUROC 0.700, 95% CI, 0.585-0.682, P < 0.001), respectively. TG > 0.92 mmol/L with HDL-C < 0.98 mmol/L was linked with an increased risk of visceral obesity (OR = 4.068, 95% CI, 2.338-7.079, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lipid profiles were significantly correlated with VFA. Gastrointestinal cancer patients with TG > 0.92 mmol/L and HDL-C < 0.98 mmol/L were at elevated risk of visceral obesity in the Chinese population. Identifying visceral obesity and taking proper actions in gastrointestinal cancers are helpful for overall tumor prognosis.

Impact of Nutrition Counseling in Head and Neck Cancer Sufferers Undergoing Antineoplastic Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) sufferers usually encounter arduous nutritional problems when they are receiving antineoplastic therapy. Consequently, the presence of anxiety and depression is commonly observed in this population. This study aimed to explore the physical and psychological influence of nutritional counseling in patients with HNC. Patients receiving concurrent chemo-radiotherapy were randomly assigned to the nutritional counseling group (n = 32, 52.45%) and the control group (n = 29, 47.54%) according to their treatment patterns. In the nutritional counseling group, registered dietitians provided face-to-face counseling during the antineoplastic treatment course at least every two weeks. Nutrient intake amount, relevant nutritional indexes, quality of life, and the degree of anxiety and depression were compared between the two groups. We observed a decrease in the calorie and protein intake amount in both groups, while the decrease in the control group is even worse. The weight loss is more obvious in the control group. The HADS scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The level of serum total protein, serum albumin, transferrin, and the thickness of the triceps skin fold decreased less in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that nutrition counseling is essential for the maintenance of calorie and protein intake in HNC suffers, which contributes to an improvement in the physical and psychological states. The impacts observed in this pilot study warrant further exploration in a larger prospective trial.

Electrochemical Voltammogram Recording for Identifying Varieties of Ornamental Plants.

An electrochemical voltammogram recording method for plant variety identification is proposed. Electrochemical voltammograms of Vistula, Andromeda, Danuta, Armandii 'Apple Blossom,' Proteus, Hagley Hybrid, Violet Elizabeth, Kiri Te Kanawa, Regina, and Veronica's Choice were recorded using leaf extracts with two solvents under buffer solutions. The voltametric data recorded under different conditions were derived as scatter plots, 2D density patterns, and hot maps for variety identification. In addition, the voltametric data were further used for genetic relationship studies. The dendrogram deduced from the voltammograms was used as evidence for relationship study. The dendrogram deduced from voltametric data suggested the Andromeda, Danuta, Proteus, Regina, and Hagley Hybrid were closely related, while Violet Elizabeth and Veronica's Choice were closely related. In addition, Vistula and Armandii 'Apple Blossom' could be considered outliers among the varieties.

Identification and Analysis of a Candidate WRKY Transcription Factor Gene Affecting Adventitious Root Formation Using Association Mapping in Catalpa Scop.

The capacity to develop adventitious roots (AR) from cuttings is a key factor for the mass deployment of superior genotypes in the woody plant, including Catalpa Scop. Catalpa Scop. was characterized as having excellent woody qualities in China. However, the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of AR formation is limited in Catalpa Scop. In this study, for the first time, association mapping for AR formation was performed on a selected sample of 108 Catalpa accessions. Genetic diversity and population structure was estimated on the basis of 54 gene-derived simple sequence repeat markers. Genetic diversity analysis revealed that four accessions belonging to Catalpa duclouxii and eight belonging to Catalpa fargesii formed one clade, providing molecular evidence for C. duclouxii belonging to C. fargesii. Marker-trait association analysis revealed four genes associated with three rooting traits, namely AR rating, adventitious root numbers (ARN), and maximal AR length, with phenotypic variation explained for these traits of 10.77-18.49% in experiments in 2 years. Among the four genes, a WRKY transcription factor gene CbNN1 was the only gene that showed association with the ARN in both years, and expression of this gene (determined by analysis by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction) increased with increasing rooting ability. These results indicated that the gene CbNN1 might play a positive role in AR formation. The findings from this study will not only be beneficial to the research of AR formation, but also contribute to the phylogeny of interspecies in Catalpa Scop.

Transcriptome Profiling of Clematis apiifolia: Insights into Heat-Stress Responses.

Clematis apiifolia, belonging to the Clematis L., is a woody vine native to China. It is characterized as heat resistant and fast growing. To better understand potential mechanisms involved in heat-stress responses in Clematis, we characterized the digital gene expression signatures of C. apiifolia under heat-stress conditions. Using RNA sequencing technology, we sequenced six libraries, three biological replicates of control samples and three of heat-stressed samples. In total, 61,708 unigenes were obtained, 36,447 (59.06%) of which were annotated. There were 1941 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under heat stress, including 867 upregulated and 1074 downregulated genes. Gene ontology enrichment of DEGs revealed that "metabolic process," "cellular process," and "single organism" were the top three functional terms under heat stress. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis led to the identification of "protein processing in metabolic pathways," "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis," and "biosynthesis of secondary metabolites" as significantly enriched pathways. Among the upregulated genes, heat-shock factors and heat-shock proteins, especially small heat-shock proteins, were particularly abundant under heat stress. The data will aid in elucidating the molecular events underlying heat-stress responses in Clematis L.

Characterization and Complementation of a Chlorophyll-Less Dominant Mutant GL1 in Lagerstroemia indica.

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a woody ornamental plant popularly grown because of its long-lasting, midsummer blooms and beautiful colors. The GL1 dominant mutant is the first chlorophyll-less mutant identified in crape myrtle. It was obtained from a natural yellow leaf bud mutation. We previously revealed that leaf color of the GL1 mutant is affected by light intensity. However, the mechanism of the GL1 mutant on light response remained unclear. The acclimation response of mutant and wild-type (WT) plants was assessed in a time series after transferring from low light (LL) to high light (HL) by analyzing chlorophyll synthesis precursor content, photosynthetic performance, and gene expression. In LL conditions, coproporphyrinogen III (Coprogen III) content had the greatest amount of accumulation in the mutant compared with WT, increasing by 100%. This suggested that the yellow leaf phenotype of the GL1 dominant mutant might be caused by disruption of coproporphyrinogen III oxidase (CPO) biosynthesis. Furthermore, the candidate gene, oxygen-independent CPO (HEMN), might only affect expression of upstream genes involved in chlorophyll metabolism in the mutant. Moreover, two genes, photosystem II (PSII) 10 kDa protein (psbR) and chlorophyll a/b binding protein gene (CAB1), had decreased mRNA levels in the GL1 mutant within the first 96 h following LL/HL transfer compared with the WT. Hierarchical clustering revealed that these two genes shared a similar expression trend as the oxygen-dependent CPO (HEMF). These findings provide evidence that GL1 is highly coordinated with PSII stability and chloroplast biogenesis.

Development and characterization of EST-SSR markers for Catalpa bungei (Bignoniaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Catalpa bungei (Bignoniaceae) is a deciduous tree native to China. We developed microsatellite markers for C. bungei to investigate its population genetics. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred seventy-seven expressed sequence tag (EST)-simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs were isolated and characterized using next-generation sequencing. Thirty of these primer pairs were polymorphic loci in 52 individuals of C. bungei. The number of alleles ranged from two to 18 with observed and expected heterozygosity values of 0.05-1.00 and 0.18-0.95, respectively. The fixation index ranged from -1.00 to 1.00 with an average of 0.32. No linkage disequilibrium was detected in any pair of loci. All markers showed good amplification results in four species (C. bungei, C. fargesii, C. duclouxii, and C. ovata) except three loci. CONCLUSIONS: These polymorphic markers are expected to be helpful in further studies on the systematics and phylogeography of C. bungei and related species.

Global transcriptome analysis and identification of the flowering regulatory genes expressed in leaves of Lagerstroemia indica.

Flowering time is an important trait for ornamental plants, and flowering regulation has thus been both a focus of and challenge to researchers. Lagerstroemia indica is an important summer flowering tree in China and has been introduced abroad as a key parent of new cultivars; no previous reports have addressed the regulation of flowering time in this species. In this study, 28,567,778×2 reads were obtained from leaves of L. indica. A total of 37,325 unigenes were assembled with an average length of 849.56 bp, and 17,506 (46.90%) unigenes were significantly matched to known genes in the nr database of GenBank. The annotated sequences were clustered into putative functional categories using the Gene Ontology framework. Potential genes and their functions were predicted by the Cluster of Orthologous Groups analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway mapping. A total of 115 unigenes related to flowering time control were discovered. Ten homologous genes of the CONSTANS-like (COL) gene family were identified based on transcript data. Phylogenetic analysis of the CONSTANS and COL genes from L. indica and other species grouped them into three clades. The transcriptome dataset and outcome of the analysis provide a valuable new resource for research on the functional genomics and molecular mechanisms of flowering control in L. indica.

[Analysis on Cistanche tubulosa that parasites on different Tamarixs by RAPD].

OBJECTIVE: To study genetic difference of Cistanche tubulosa that parasites on different Tamarixs and give a reference to select host of C. tubulosa. METHOD: Sixteen selected primers by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to analyze genetic distance of C. tubulosa that parasites on eight different hosts. RESULT: Sixty-six point seven percent of the total bands were polymorphic, that proved the genetic diversity level in different C. tubulosa types was relatively high, especially the two that parasites on Tamarix hispida and T. chinensis. Cultural areas had more remarkable influence on genetic distance of Cistanche tubulosa than the hosts, and introduction was helpful to maintain the more genetic diversity in different C. tubulosa types. Genetic difference in different C. tubulosa types was far less than that between different species in Cistanche. CONCLUSION: C. tubulosa types which parasite on different Tamarixs have high genetic diversity.

[Studied of dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content of Cistanche tubulosa in Huabei plain].

OBJECTIVE: To give some theory support of Cistanche tubulosa cultivation by searching dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content of C. tubulosa. METHOD: Dry matter accumulation content of C. tubulosa culturing in Huabei plain was analysed in different growth season of C. tubulosa. Echinacoside content was determined by HPLC. RESULT: Dry matter accumulation of C. tubulosa showed "S" variation. Dry matter accumulation increased fastest in September among growing seasons. Dry matter amount was 138.58 g after C. tubulosa grew a year. Dry matter amount decreased significantly along with inoculation time retarded. Echinacoside content was 30.59% when C. tubulosa grew in 5 months, decreased guadully after that, and 9.76% in annual. CONCLUSION: Variation rule of dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content was found in C. tubulosa that grew one year in Huabei plain.

[Study on inoculation technology of Cistanche tubulosa in the field].

OBJECTIVE: To increase inoculation rate of Cistanche tubulosa in the field by studying inoculation technologies. METHOD: Root-tube inoculation methed was used on field experiments. Inoculation rate of C. tubulosa was compared to different size seeds and inoculation mediums and inoculation time. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: May is suitable inoculation time. The inoculation rate of C. tubulosa is 92.5% while the seed width is more than 0.7 mm and coarse sand is selected during inoculation period.