Cancer-associated fibroblasts contribute to the immunosuppressive landscape and influence the efficacy of the combination therapy of PD-1 inhibitors and antiangiogenic agents in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Chronic inflammation is considered the most critical predisposing factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with inflammatory cell heterogeneity, hepatic fibrosis accumulation, and abnormal vascular proliferation as prominent features of the HCC tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in HCC TME remodeling. Therefore, the level of abundance of CAFs may significantly affect the prognosis and outcome in HCC patients.

Development of a Self-Restricting CRISPR-Cas9 System to Reduce Off-Target Effects.

Development of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system has given rise to a new era of gene editing with wide applications in biology, medicine, agriculture, and other fields. However, the overexpression of Cas9 nuclease causes off-target effects and may trigger an immune response . Therefore, we constructed a self-restricting CRISPR-Cas9 system, where the target gene sequence corresponding to the guide RNA (gRNA) is inserted on either end of the promoter.

Interactive effects of pH and aluminum on the secretion of organic acid anions by roots and related metabolic factors in Citrus sinensis roots and leaves.

Low pH and aluminum (Al)-toxicity often coexist in acidic soils. Citrus sinensis seedlings were treated with nutrient solution at a pH of 2.5, 3.

Excess Copper-Induced Alterations of Protein Profiles and Related Physiological Parameters in Citrus Leaves.

This present study examined excess copper (Cu) effects on seedling growth, leaf Cu concentration, gas exchange, and protein profiles identified by a two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) based mass spectrometry (MS) approach after and seedlings were treated for six months with 0.5 (control), 200, 300, or 400 μM CuCl. Forty-one and 37 differentially abundant protein (DAP) spots were identified in Cu-treated and leaves, respectively, including some novel DAPs that were not reported in leaves and/or roots.

[Evaluation of renal tissue ischemia-reperfusion injury with ultrasound radiation force and targeted microbubbles].

Objective: To study the sensitivity and feasibility of detecting microvascular inflammation in renal ischemia- reperfusion injury using microbubbles (MB) targeted to the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 and ultrasound radiation force (USRF).

Methods: Mouse models of kidney ischemia-reperfusion were randomized into 5 groups with reperfusion time of 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h (IRlh, IR3h, IR6h, IR12h, and IR24h group, respectively). Each group was subdivided into targeted MB group (MB group) and targeted MB +USRF group (MB group).

Influence of cell physiological state on gene delivery to T lymphocytes by chimeric adenovirus Ad5F35.

Adoptive transfer of genetically-modified T cells is a promising approach for treatment of both human malignancies and viral infections. Due to its ability to efficiently infect lymphocytes, the chimeric adenovirus Ad5F35 is potentially useful as an immunotherapeutic for the genetic modification of T cells. In previous studies, it was found that the infection efficiency of Ad5F35 was significantly increased without enhanced expression of the viral receptor after T cell stimulation; however, little is known about the underlying mechanism.

Chimeric adenoviral vector Ad5F35L containing the Ad5 natural long-shaft exhibits efficient gene transfer into human T lymphocytes.

Adoptive therapy using T cells modified with tumour antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) genes has become a popular area of research in tumour biotherapy research. However, the efficiency of this treatment is low. To increase the efficiency of this therapy, the antigen specific TCR expression in the T cells needs to be improved.

Akt promotes irradiation-induced regulatory T-cell survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Radiotherapy is an efficient remedy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (Hca); however, some cancer cells can still survive from the radiation and the therapeutic effect is to be improved. Regulatory T cell (Tregs)-induced tumor tolerance and Akt expression play important roles in the tumor survival. This study aims to elucidate the role of radiation induces Akt expression in Tregs.

Identification of a novel HLA-A2-restricted mutated Survivin epitope and induction of specific anti-HCC CTLs that could effectively cross-recognize wild-type Survivin antigen.

Peptide vaccine based on tumor-associated antigen (TAA), which usually belongs to self-antigen with poor immunogenicity, has been considered as an attractive option for treatment of malignant tumors. The ideal TAA epitopes should have stable affinity to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and elicit strong anti-tumor immune response. Although point-mutation technology of TAA peptide may increase the binding capability to MHC molecules, some previous studies have revealed that part of the variant peptides results in lymphocyte not to effectively cross-recognize and kill the target tumor expressed wild-type TAA.

[Left versus right ventricular Tei index for evaluating third-trimester fetal cardiac function in pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the value of Tei index and the sensitivity of left versus right ventricular Tei index in evaluating the fetal cardiac function in pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome in the third trimester.

Methods: Fetal echocardiograms were performed in 30 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) syndrome and 55 with normal pregnancy of the third trimester. Tei index was obtained by calculating the ratio of the isovolumic time (isovolumic contraction and relaxation time) to the ejection time of the left and right ventricle.

[Preliminary study of an intracavitary convex array probe for detecting distal extracranial internal carotid artery by transoral carotid ultrasonography].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of using an intracavitary convex array probe for detecting the distal extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) by transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU).

Methods: Forty patients underwent examinations with bilateral ICA inspected with an intracavitary convex array probe by TOCU to observe the internal diameter, visible length, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI).

Results: Eight of the 40 patients were excluded from the observation for the presence of carotid plaques.

[Value of ultrasonographic grading with high-frequency probes in distinguishing breast tumors].

Objective: To investigate the value of ultrasonographic grading with high-frequency probes in differentiating benign and malignant breast tumors.

Methods: Sixty-four women (mean age 44.5-/+13.

[An intracavitary convex array probe for detecting internal carotid artery disease].

Objective: To assess the value of an intracavitary convex array probe in detecting internal carotid artery (ICA) disease.

Methods: Eighty-six carotid arteries in 43 cases were examined with intracavitary convex array probe, low-frequency convex array probe and high-frequency linear probe to collect the data including the ICA visible length, peak systolic velocity (PSV), internal diameter, blood vessel shape; common carotid artery (CCA) intimae-medial thickness (IMT), PSV, and internal diameter.

Results: Significant differences were noted in the visible length, PSV of ICA, and internal diameter detected by different frequency ultrasound probes.

[Preliminary study of the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with high-frequency linear-array transducer in the diagnosis of carotid stenosis].

Objective: To study the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with high-frequency linear-array transducer in the diagnosis of carotid stenosis.

Methods: The carotid arteries of 31 patients was examined with color Doppler ultrasound (CDU), harmonic contrast ultrasound (HCU) and digital subtractive angiography (DSA), respectively. The result of DSA was used as the golden standard for evaluating the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of CDU and HCU in the diagnosis of carotid stenosis.

Intraperitoneal administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-PE40 induces castration in male rats.

Aim: To evaluate the long-term effects of gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH)-based vaccine on levels of GnRH antibody and testosterone, and vaccine-induced immunocastration on sexual behavior of male rats.

Methods: The rats were treated with GnRH-PE40 intraperitoneally every other day for 12 wk. GnRH antibody and testosterone level in rat blood were determined by ELISA and radioimmunoassay, respectively.

[Tumor-specific T cell recptor gene transfection promotes memory T cell differentiation in vitro].

Objective: To investigate effect of tumor-specific T cell receptor gene transfection on memory T cell differentiation in vitro.

Methods: TCRVbeta7.1 gene was transferred into peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from healthy adults, and the expression of Vbeta7.

[Glycodelin in IVF-ET cycles: its association with endometrial receptivity and impact on the outcome of pregnancy].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between glycodelin and endometrial receptivity and the value of serum glycodelin detection in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles for evaluation of the outcome of pregnancy.

Methods: Serum glycodelin level in women receiving IVF-ET on the day of oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer was measured by ELISA, and the condition of the endometrium was examined by transvaginal ultrasonography.

Results: There was no difference in serum glycodelin level on the day of oocyte retrieval or embryo transfer between the pregnant group and nonpregnant group, but the ratio and difference of serum glycodelin levels on the days of embryo transfer and retrieval were both higher in pregnant group than in the nonpregnant group (2.

[Magnetic resonance imaging enhanced by superparamagnetic iron oxide particles in detecting lymph node metastasis of tumors: an experimental study].

Objective: To investigate the value of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIO) in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for detecting lymph node metastasis of tumors.

Methods: Twelve New Zealand rabbits were used in this study, 6 of which received unilateral intra-muscular inoculation of VX2 carcinoma cells to induce lymph node metastasis of the tumor, and the other 6 served as normal control group. MR images of the lymph nodes of the rabbits were obtained before and 12 h after subcutaneous injection of SPIO, followed by image analysis in correlation with pathological examinations.