Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

This study examines the effects of zearalenone(ZEA)on the survival and function of lu-teinized granulosa cells,and studies the role of activating transcription factor 6(ATF6)in regula-ting apoptosis and functional abnormalities of luteinized granulosa cells induced by ZEA.An in vitro model of luteinized granulosa cells was utilized to examine the effects of ZEA treatment on apoptosis,hormone secretion,and the expression of relevant proteins.Furthermore,the expression of ATF6 was manipulated using siRNA to elucidate its regulatory function in the ZEA-induced damage of luteinized granulosa cells in mice.Our findings revealed that ZEA inhibited the activity of luteinized granulosa cells and reduced the secretion of estradiol(E2)and progesterone(P4)in a dose-dependent manner.The expression levels of p-IRE1,ATF6 and StAR in both low(20 pmol/L)and high(40 μmol/L)ZEA groups were significantly increased after 24 h(P＜0.05).GRP78 had no significant change at low concentration treatment(P＞0.05),but significantly increased at high concentration treatment(P＜0.05).Similarly,ATF4 and p-EIF2α had no significant change at low concentration treatment(P＞0.05),but significantly decreased at high concentration treat-ment(P＜0.05).HSD3B2 and CYP19A1 were significantly decreased in both low and high concentration treatments(P＜0.05).After 48 h of treatment,ATF6 and GRP78 were significantly increased in both low and high concentration treatments(P＜0.05).p-IRE1 was significantly de-creased at low concentration treatment(P＜0.05),but remained unchanged at high concentration treatment(P＞0.05).ATF4,p-EIF2α,HSD3B2 and CYP19A1 were significantly decreased in both low and high concentration treatments(P＜0.05).St AR was significantly increased in both low and high concentration treatments(P＜0.05).Interference with the expression of ATF6 could sig-nificantly reduce the apoptosis induced by low concentration group(P＜0.05),and enhanced the hormone secretion in both high and low concentration groups(P＜0.05).In conclusion,ZEA can cause damage to luteinized granulosa cells and activate ATF6 signaling pathway.Interference with ATF6 can alleviate apoptosis and hormone secretion disturbance induced by low concentration ZEA,but has limited effect on damage caused by high concentration ZEA.

This study examines the effects of zearalenone(ZEA)on the survival and function of lu-teinized granulosa cells,and studies the role of activating transcription factor 6(ATF6)in regula-ting apoptosis and functional abnormalities of luteinized granulosa cells induced by ZEA.An in vitro model of luteinized granulosa cells was utilized to examine the effects of ZEA treatment on apoptosis,hormone secretion,and the expression of relevant proteins.Furthermore,the expression of ATF6 was manipulated using siRNA to elucidate its regulatory function in the ZEA-induced damage of luteinized granulosa cells in mice.Our findings revealed that ZEA inhibited the activity of luteinized granulosa cells and reduced the secretion of estradiol(E2)and progesterone(P4)in a dose-dependent manner.The expression levels of p-IRE1,ATF6 and StAR in both low(20 pmol/L)and high(40 μmol/L)ZEA groups were significantly increased after 24 h(P＜0.05).GRP78 had no significant change at low concentration treatment(P＞0.05),but significantly increased at high concentration treatment(P＜0.05).Similarly,ATF4 and p-EIF2α had no significant change at low concentration treatment(P＞0.05),but significantly decreased at high concentration treat-ment(P＜0.05).HSD3B2 and CYP19A1 were significantly decreased in both low and high concentration treatments(P＜0.05).After 48 h of treatment,ATF6 and GRP78 were significantly increased in both low and high concentration treatments(P＜0.05).p-IRE1 was significantly de-creased at low concentration treatment(P＜0.05),but remained unchanged at high concentration treatment(P＞0.05).ATF4,p-EIF2α,HSD3B2 and CYP19A1 were significantly decreased in both low and high concentration treatments(P＜0.05).St AR was significantly increased in both low and high concentration treatments(P＜0.05).Interference with the expression of ATF6 could sig-nificantly reduce the apoptosis induced by low concentration group(P＜0.05),and enhanced the hormone secretion in both high and low concentration groups(P＜0.05).In conclusion,ZEA can cause damage to luteinized granulosa cells and activate ATF6 signaling pathway.Interference with ATF6 can alleviate apoptosis and hormone secretion disturbance induced by low concentration ZEA,but has limited effect on damage caused by high concentration ZEA.

Objective: To understand the relationship between eye strain and eye health behavior in college students learning at home during the period of COVID-19 epidemic, and to provide a scientific reference for improving the hygiene of using eyes among the college students. Methods: A cross sectional study and stratified cluster sampling was used to select 2 671 college students from 8 colleges in Anhui Province during the March 1st to July 1st in 2020, and an online questionnaire was survey included general information,eye strain,and daily eye health behavior. Results: The prevalence of eye strain in college students was 69.64%. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that eye strain was correlated with gender, myopia, siesta habit, staying up until 2:00 am, and the use of eye liquid, with OR values(95% CI ) were 0.64(0.53-0.76), 1.77(1.42- 2.20 ),0.71(0.59-0.86), 1.39(1.17-1.65), and 2.18(1.71-2.79), respectively. There was no correlation among daily outdoor activity time, daytime reading time and the occurrence of eye strain( P >0.05). Conclusion During the period of COVID-19 epidemic, eye strain among college students is common. The daily eye health behavior is related to the occurrence of eye strain. Under the special learning context, eye care measures should be encouraged specifically.

Liver transplantation has become the most effective treatment of end-stage liver disease. Nursing care for enhanced recovery is safe and effective in the management after liver transplantation, which is conducive to the early recovery of body function of the recipients. In this article, relevant literature review was conducted to summarize the standard operation procedure (SOP) of nursing care for enhanced recovery after liver transplantation from the postoperative vital signs and fluid temperature management, gastrointestinal function and nutrition management, early grading activities, sedation, analgesia and sleep management, infection prevention and control, etc.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of ascorbic acid (VC), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on in vitro culture of sheep ovarian cortical tissue. Using 2 x 2 x 2 factor experimental design, we cultured sheep ovarian cortex fragments in 8 media with MEM (control), MEM+VC (50 microg/mL), MEM +EGF (100 ng/mL), MEM+FSH (50 ng/mL), MEM+VC+EGF, MEM+VC+FSH, MEM+EGF+FSH, MEM+VC+EGF+FSH. After 0 (non-cultured control), 2, 6, 12 days of culture, the pieces of ovarian cortex were proceed to histological and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) examination, or observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The percentages of developing follicles were increased (P < 0.05) and the percentages of healthy follicles were reduced (P < 0.05). When compared to the MEM group, the addition of FSH with VC or EGF promoted a significant increase of follicles diameter and follicles survival rate (P < 0.05), and stimulated the proliferation of granulosa cells. After 12 days of culture, medium supplemented with MEM+VC+EGF resulted the lowest proportion of developing follicles (49.3% +/- 3.2%), follicles diameter((32.3 +/- 2.3) microm), follicles survival rate (41.6% +/- 3.1%) and the proportion of PCNA stained follicles (26.4% +/- 1.2%, P < 0.05). In contrast, MEM+VC+EGF+FSH resulted the highest follicles diameter ((42.5 +/- 5.1) microm), follicles survival rate (59.7% +/- 6.1%) and proportion of PCNA stained follicles (43.5% +/- 4.1%, P < 0.05). Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the integrity of follicles cultured in VC+EGF+FSH group, while follicles cultured in MEM+VC+EGF groups showed more degeneration characters. In conclusion, the addition of VC and EGF to culture medium inhibited follicular development, VC+EGF+FSH was the most effective treatment to maintain follicular integrity and promote sheep primordial follicular activation and growth during in vitro culture.
Animals ; Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; Culture Techniques ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; pharmacology ; Ovarian Follicle ; growth & development ; Ovary ; growth & development ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Sheep

Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) combined with low dose corticosteroid in the treatment of adults with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and concomitant HBsAg positive (MCNS-HBsAg). Methods Thirty adults with MCNS-HBsAg were enrolled in this prospective study and were assigned to two groups. The MMF group (n=14) received low dose of prednisone combined with MMF (MMF 1.0 to 2.0 g/d patients of Pred group versus 35.7% patients of MMF group. 43.8% patients of Pred group versus 21.4% patients of MMF group received lamivudine therapy. Elevation of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) ocurred in 50% patients of Pred group and 28.6% patients of MMF group. The complete remission (CR) rate after 24 weeks treatment was 11/14 in Pred group versus 10/12 in MMF group. 6/11 patients of the Pred group and 4/10 patients of the MMF group who achieved CR experienced relapses during follow-up. Conclusions Use of MMF combined with low dose prednisone is as effective as conventional prednisone regimen in treating adults with MCNS-HBsAg. The MMF protocol seems to be superior in HBV reactivation to conventional prednisone protocol.