Spatial analysis of stromal signatures identifies invasive front carcinoma-associated fibroblasts as suppressors of anti-tumor immune response in esophageal cancer.

Background: Increasing evidence indicates that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a crucial determinant of cancer progression. However, the clinical and pathobiological significance of stromal signatures in the TME, as a complex dynamic entity, is still unclear in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: Herein, we used single-cell transcriptome sequencing data, imaging mass cytometry (IMC) and multiplex immunofluorescence staining to characterize the stromal signatures in ESCC and evaluate their prognostic values in this aggressive disease.

Interhemispheric functional reorganization after cross nerve transfer: via cortical or subcortical connectivity?

It has been demonstrated that there could be long range interhemispheric reorganization between bilateral hemispheres after peripheral cross nerve transfer. Our previous studies found a striking dynamic process of interhemispheric functional reorganization in adult rats with cross seventh cervical nerve transfer. But it remains a question whether the extensive interhemispheric functional reorganization after cross nerve transfer depends on connectivities at the cortical or subcortical level.

Sensory restoration in cortical level after a contralateral C7 nerve transfer to an injured arm in rats.

Background: The restoration of sensory and motor function in brachial plexus root avulsion patients is a difficult challenge. The central nervous system plays an important role in sensory recovery after peripheral nerve injury and repair.

Objective: To investigate the sensory restoration process after surgery at the cortical level in rodent models with a contralateral C7 nerve transfer.

Reorganization in motor cortex after brachial plexus avulsion injury and repair with the contralateral C7 root transfer in rats.

The purpose of our study was to establish the profile of cortical reorganization in whole BPAI on rats and evaluate changes of cortical reorganization after repair of the median nerve with the contralateral C7 root transfer. Forty adult SD rats underwent whole roots avulsion of left brachial plexus, among them 20 received contralateral C7 root transfer to the injured median nerve. Intracortical microstimulation was performed in primary motor cortex (M1) at intervals of 3, 5, 7, and 10 months, postoperatively.

[Phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of serine 722 and serine 910 of focal adhesion kinase in hypertrophic cardiac myocytes of left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats].

Objective: To investigate the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in cardiac hypertrophy induced by hypertension.

Methods: Using immunofluorescent labeling, confocal microscopy and Western blot, the expression and subcellular location of FAK-pSer722 and FAK-pSer910 were determined in cardiac myocytes of the left ventricles from 2, 6, 12, and 18 month-old spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rats and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats, respectively.

Results: There was no obvious difference in FAK-pSer722 and FAK-pSer910 expression between 2 month-old SHHF and WKY rats.

[Expression of focal adhesion kinase in cardiac myocytes of hypertrophic ventricle].

Objectives: To investigate the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy induced by hypertension.

Methods: Using immunofluorescent labeling, confocal microscopy and Western blotting, the expression and subcellular localization of FAK in the cardiac myocytes of left ventricle were determined in 2, 6, 12, and 18 month-old rats with spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) along with age-matched control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats.

Results: There was no significant difference of FAK expression between 2 month-old SHHF and WKY rats (50.