NLRP3 Inflammasome Promotes the Progression of Acute Myeloid Leukemia via IL-1β Pathway

NLRP3 inflammasome has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of multiple solid tumors. However, the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. We showed that NLRP3 inflammasome is over-expressed and highly activated in AML bone marrow leukemia cells, which is correlated with poor prognosis. The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in AML cells promotes leukemia cells proliferation, inhibits apoptosis and increases resistance to chemotherapy, while inactivation of NLRP3 by caspase-1 or NF-κB inhibitor shows leukemia-suppressing effects. Bayesian networks analysis and cell co-culture tests further suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome acts through IL-1β but not IL-18 in AML. Knocking down endogenous IL-1β or anti-IL-1β antibody inhibits leukemia cells whereas IL-1β cytokine enhances leukemia proliferation. In AML murine model, up-regulation of NLRP3 increases the leukemia burden in bone marrow, spleen and liver, and shortens the survival time; furthermore, knocking out NLRP3 inhibits leukemia progression. Collectively, all these evidences demonstrate that NLRP3 inflammasome promotes AML progression in an IL-1β dependent manner, and targeting NLRP3 inflammasome may provide a novel therapeutic option for AML

Production status and research advancement on root rot disease of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in China

China is the largest producer of faba bean with a total harvested area of 8.11×105 ha and a total production of 1.69 ×106 tons (dry beans) in 2020, accounting for 30% of the world production. Faba bean is grown in China for both fresh pods and dry seed. East China cultivates large seed cultivars for food processing and fresh vegetables, while northwestern and southwestern China grow cultivars for dry seeds, with an increased production of fresh green pods. Most of the faba bean is consumed domestically, with limited exports. The absence of unified quality control measures and simple traditional cultivation practices contributes to the lower competitiveness of the faba bean industry in international markets. Recently, new cultivation methods have emerged with improved weed control, as well as better water and drainage management, resulting in higher quality and income for producers. Root rot disease in faba bean is caused by multiple pathogens, including Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., and Pythium spp. Fusarium spp. is the most prevalent species causing root rot in faba bean crops and is responsible for severe yield loss, with different species causing the disease in different regions in China. The yield loss ranges from 5% to 30%, up to 100% in severely infected fields. The management of faba bean root rot disease in China involves a combination of physical, chemical, and bio-control methods, including intercropping with non-host crops, applying rational nitrogen, and treating seeds with chemical or bio-seed treatments. However, the effectiveness of these methods is limited due to the high cost, the broad host range of the pathogens, and potential negative impacts on the environment and non-targeted soil organisms. Intercropping is the most widely utilized and economically friendly control method to date. This review provides an overview of the current status of faba bean production in China, the challenges faced by the industry due to root rot disease, and the progress in identifying and managing this disease. This information is critical for developing integrated management strategies to effectively control root rot in faba bean cultivation and facilitating the high-quality development of the faba bean industry

Link-Blockage Model and AP-Placement Scheme for No-Blockage Link between AGV and AP in Logistics–Warehousing VLC Network

In this paper, the blockage problem of the optical link between AGV (autonomous ground vehicles) and AP (access point) in the logistics–warehousing VLC (visible light communication) network is analyzed. First, based on the random geometric model, a link-blockage model is proposed. Given the position of AGV, AP and obstacle, the blockage state of the VLC link between AGV and AP can be obtained through this model. Then, an AP-placement scheme based on the link-blockage model is proposed. Under this AP placement, AGVs in any position have a reliable link that is not affected by obstacles. During the movement of AGV, the VLC link of AGV will not be interrupted by a random blockage. Finally, the effectiveness of the link-blockage model is demonstrated by the shadow method. In this paper, the link outage probability and the data rate under different AP heights, AP spacings and the number of obstacles are simulated. Simulation results show that the VLC link can keep uninterrupted under the AP placement proposed in this paper

Research Advances in Functional Constituents of Chickpea

Based on the generalization and summary of the research on the functional constituents of chickpea at home and abroad in recent years, the research advances in some rich functional constituents including isoflavones, proteins and peptides, carbohydrates, saponins and trace elements in chickpeas was reviewed in this paper. It provides a basis for the research, development and utilization of the functional constituents of chickpea in the future

SETD7, H3K4me2, ZBTB20, and CDKN2D level in HCC was determined by TMA IHC.

<p>The two rows on the left indicate HE staining for HCC tumor tissues and paired ANLTs, whereas the two rows on the right indicate IHC staining for SETD7, H3K4me2, ZBTB20, and CDKN2D protein in HCC tumor tissues and paired ANLTs (<i>n</i> = 225). (Original magnified 100×; Inserted figures magnified 400×).</p

The β-Lactamase Gene Profile and a Plasmid-Carrying Multiple Heavy Metal Resistance Genes of Enterobacter cloacae

In this work, by high-throughput sequencing, antibiotic resistance genes, including class A (blaCTX-M, blaZ, blaTEM, blaVEB, blaKLUC, and blaSFO), class C (blaSHV, blaDHA, blaMIR, blaAZECL-29, and blaACT), and class D (blaOXA) β-lactamase genes, were identified among the pooled genomic DNA from 212 clinical Enterobacter cloacae isolates. Six blaMIR-positive E. cloacae strains were identified, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) showed that these strains were not clonally related. The complete genome of the blaMIR-positive strain (Y546) consisted of both a chromosome (4.78 Mb) and a large plasmid pY546 (208.74 kb). The extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) (blaSHV-12 and blaCTX-M-9a) and AmpC (blaMIR) were encoded on the chromosome, and the pY546 plasmid contained several clusters of genes conferring resistance to metals, such as copper (pco), arsenic (ars), tellurite (ter), and tetrathionate (ttr), and genes encoding many divalent cation transporter proteins. The comparative genomic analyses of the whole plasmid sequence and of the heavy metal resistance gene-encoding regions revealed that the plasmid sequences of Klebsiella pneumoniae (such as pKPN-332, pKPN-3967, and pKPN-262) shared the highest similarity with those of pY546. It may be concluded that a variety of β-lactamase genes present in E. cloacae which confer resistance to β-lactam antibiotics and the emergence of plasmids carrying heavy metal resistance genes in clinical isolates are alarming and need further surveillance

Increased Expression of <i>SETD7</i> Promotes Cell Proliferation by Regulating Cell Cycle and Indicates Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>To investigate the role of SET domain containing 7 (SETD7) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and determine whether SETD7 can be used as a predictor of overall survival in HCC patients.</p><p>Methods</p><p>mRNAs and proteins of <i>SETD7</i> and related genes in HCC tumor samples and paired adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues (ANLTs) (n = 20) or culture cells were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Cell proliferation and apoptosis with SETD7 knockdown SMMC-7721 cells or SETD7 overexpressed HepG2 cells were analyzed by CCK8 assay or flow cytometry. Gene expression alterations in SETD7 knockdown of SMMC-7721 cells were determined by digital gene expression (DGE) profiling. Defined data on patients (n = 225) with HCC were retrieved for the further study. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were performed using paraffin tissues with tumor and ANLTs. SETD7 and related proteins were determined by TMAs immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were conducted to associate SETD7 expression with tumor features and patient outcomes, as well as related proteins expression.</p><p>Results</p><p>SETD7 expression was significantly higher in HCC tumor tissues than in ANLTs. SETD7 overexpression in vitro can promote HepG2 cell proliferation, whereas SETD7 knockdown can inhibit SMMC-7721 cell proliferation by regulating the cell cycle. SETD7 expression was significantly correlated with five genes expression. Increased SETD7 is associated with metastasis, recurrence, large tumor size, and poor tumor differentiation, and indicates poor prognosis in HCC patients.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>SETD7 plays a critical role in HCC, and its immunohistochemistry signature provides potential clinical significance for personalized prediction of HCC prognosis.</p></div

Correlation between the SETD7 and clinicopatologic variables in HCC.

<p>Correlation between the SETD7 and clinicopatologic variables in HCC.</p

Expression of <i>SETD7</i> in HCC tumor tissues, paired ANLTs and cell lines.

<p>(A) qRT-PCR analysis was performed to analyze <i>SETD7</i> expression in 20 pairs of HCC tumor tissues and ANLTs, the data shown are the mean of –ΔCT, and the expression of <i>SETD7</i> in HCC is significantly higher than that in ANLTs (P<0.05); (B) Western blot assay was performed to detect <i>SETD7</i> expression in 20 pairs of HCC tumor tissues and ANLTs; (C) Gray value of Western blot result (P<0.05); (D) Western blot assay was performed to analyze <i>SETD7</i> expression in normal hepatocyte cell line (HL-7702) and liver cancer cell lines (HepG2, SMMC-7721, QGY-7703, HCC-0010, and Bel-7404); (E). Typical IHC staining of SETD7 in HCC tumor tissues and ANLTs (with figures on the left magnified 100× and figures on the right magnified 400×); (F) Box plots indicate the IHC scores of SETD7 in HCC tumor tissues and ANLTs [mean, 3.204 (SD, 0.092) vs 1.427 (SD, 0.083), P<0.01].</p

<i>SETD7</i> expression changes liver cancer cell proliferation by regulating the cell cycle.

<p>(A) Western blot analysis was performed to detect the interference efficiency of siRNA after transfected with si-<i>SETD7</i>-1, si-<i>SETD7</i>-2, si-<i>SETD7</i>-3, or scramble RNA (NC) in SMMC-7721. (B) Western blot analysis was performed to detect <i>SETD7</i> expression in HepG2 transfected with pGV141-<i>SETD7</i> (OV-<i>SETD7</i>) or pGV141 plasmid (Control). (C, D) CCK8 array was used to assess proliferation in <i>SETD7</i> knockdown in SMMC-7721 cells or <i>SETD7</i> overexpression in HepG2 cells. *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01 by student’s t test. (E, F) Cell cycle was assessed in <i>SETD7</i> knockdown in SMMC-7721 cells or <i>SETD7</i> overexpression in HepG2 cells by flow cytometry assay.</p