SAA1 identified as a potential prediction biomarker for metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma via multi-omics approaches

BackgroundMetastasis is the major cause of high recurrence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, there are few reports on effective biomarkers of HCC metastasis. Previous studies have reported that SAA1 may be a predictor and prognostic biomarker for multiple malignant tumors. However, the role of SAA1 in HCC has not yet been investigated.MethodsWe applied RNA sequencing and proteomics analysis to investigate the expression landscape of HCC cell lines and patient serum, respectively. SAA1 is a common key gene and listed as a candidate biomarker of HCC metastasis. It was validated in two cell lines, 107 participants serum, and 63 matched HCC and adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues. Human Protein Atlas (HPA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets were integrated to explore SAA1 expression among various cell types and organs. The diagnostic and prognostic value of SAA1 in HCC were determined through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan–Meier curves. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed for SAA1, as well as for its co−expressed genes. We further analyzed the correlation between SAA1 and co-expression genes.ResultsWe found 7 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 14 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were related to HCC metastasis. SAA1, a key candidate biomarker, was highly enriched in hepatocytes and liver organ, and it was also highly expressed in HCC cells and the serum and tissues of HCC patients. The results of ROC curve analysis indicated that SAA1 had better predictive values for distinguishing HCC metastasis from non-metastasis. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that HCC patients with higher SAA1 expression had worse overall survival.ConclusionsOur findings provide new insights into HCC metastasis by identifying candidate gene prediction biomarkers for HCC metastasis

Research advances in non-invasive diagnosis models for liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B

It is vital for reducing the occurrence of complications, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma, to early diagnose liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and intervene in time with antiviral therapy. Although liver biopsy is the "golden standard" for the diagnosis of fibrosis, it has certain disadvantages, such as complicated operation, invasion, and occurrence of complications. Therefore, non-invasive diagnosis models have gained more and more attention clinically. In this review, we summarizes the non-invasive diagnosis models for chronic hepatitis B that have been established throughout the world. It is noticed that there are a number of models being studied and each model has a diagnostic value, to some degree, but a lack of consensus exists. The development of more efficient models that can replace liver biopsy still needs further research to assess liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and guide antiviral therapy

Thermal Catalytic Decomposition of Dimethyl Methyl Phosphonate Using CuO-CeO2/γ-Al2O3

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are highly toxic and fast-acting and are easy to cause large-scale poisoning to humans and livestock after being released. The activated carbon used for CWAs adsorption has disadvantages of limited adsorption capacity, easy aging and deactivation. Metal oxides have environmental stability, and they are characterized by long lasting and broad spectrum when used for thermal catalytic decomposition. Therefore, in this study, the supported copper–cerium catalyst CuO-CeO2/γ-Al2O3 was prepared using an equal volume impregnation method. The thermal catalytic decomposition performance was studied using sarin CWAs simulant dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP) as the target compound. The results show that the CuO-CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalyst with a CeO2 loading of 5% exhibited better thermal catalytic decomposition performance of DMMP. The catalyst provided protection against DMMP for 237 min at 350 °C; CuO was highly dispersed on CuO-5% CeO2/γ-Al2O3, and there was a strong interaction between Cu and Ce on CuO-5% CeO2/γ-Al2O3, which promoted the generation of surface-adsorbed oxygen, leading to a better thermal catalytic decomposition performance of DMMP. This study is expected to provide a reference for the study of catalysts for the thermal catalytic decomposition of CWAs

Thermal Catalytic Decomposition of Dimethyl Methyl Phosphonate Using CuO-CeO₂/<i>γ</i>-Al₂O₃

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are highly toxic and fast-acting and are easy to cause large-scale poisoning to humans and livestock after being released. The activated carbon used for CWAs adsorption has disadvantages of limited adsorption capacity, easy aging and deactivation. Metal oxides have environmental stability, and they are characterized by long lasting and broad spectrum when used for thermal catalytic decomposition. Therefore, in this study, the supported copper–cerium catalyst CuO-CeO2/γ-Al2O3 was prepared using an equal volume impregnation method. The thermal catalytic decomposition performance was studied using sarin CWAs simulant dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP) as the target compound. The results show that the CuO-CeO2/γ-Al2O3 catalyst with a CeO2 loading of 5% exhibited better thermal catalytic decomposition performance of DMMP. The catalyst provided protection against DMMP for 237 min at 350 °C; CuO was highly dispersed on CuO-5% CeO2/γ-Al2O3, and there was a strong interaction between Cu and Ce on CuO-5% CeO2/γ-Al2O3, which promoted the generation of surface-adsorbed oxygen, leading to a better thermal catalytic decomposition performance of DMMP. This study is expected to provide a reference for the study of catalysts for the thermal catalytic decomposition of CWAs

Catalytic Oxidative Decomposition of Dimethyl Methyl Phosphonate over CuO/CeO₂ Catalysts Prepared Using a Secondary Alkaline Hydrothermal Method

Bimetallic synergism plays an important role in lattice-doped catalysts. Therefore, lattice-doped bimetallic CuO/CeO2 catalysts were prepared by secondary alkaline hydrothermal reaction. During this process, the CeO2 nanomaterials were partially dissolved and recrystallized; thus, Cu ions were doped into the CeO2 lattice. The physical and chemical properties of CeO2, CuO/CeO2, and CuO were investigated. H2 temperature-programmed reduction characterization showed that the oxidation activity of CuO/CeO2 was significantly improved. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that electron transfer occurred between Ce and Cu in the CuO/CeO2 catalyst. Additionally, Raman characterization confirmed the strong interaction between Cu and Ce. After CuO was loaded, the thermal catalytic decomposition performance of the catalyst was significantly improved with respect to the sarin simulant dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP); with an increase in the Cu/Ce ratio, the performance first strengthened and then weakened. Additionally, the reaction tail gas and catalyst surface products were analyzed using mass spectrometry and ion chromatography, and the changes in the surface products during the thermal catalytic decomposition of DMMP were characterized at different temperatures using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. Finally, the catalytic reaction pathways of DMMP on CeO2, CuO/CeO2, and CuO were inferred. The study results not only demonstrate an effective catalyst for the removal of nerve agent but also a feasible preparation method for lattice-doped bimetallic catalysts in the field of environmental protection

Association of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with periodontitis: the mediating role of sex hormones

Abstract Objectives To investigate the association between serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and periodontitis, and further explore the possible mediating role of sex hormones in this association. Methods We extracted data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2014. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to investigate the association between serum levels of seven PFASs and periodontitis. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was conducted to assess the joint effect of PFASs in mixtures. Mediation analyses were used to explore the potential mediating role of sex hormones. Results Participants with periodontitis had higher concentrations of serum perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) than those without periodontitis (both P < 0.05). In fully adjusted models, high serum concentrations of PFOS and PFNA were positively associated with periodontitis (tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.19 for PFOS, 95% CI: 1.01–1.39; PR = 1.17 for PFNA, 95% CI: 1.02–1.34). The results from the BKMR models consistently showed a positive association between PFAS mixtures and periodontitis. Of note, testosterone and the ratio of testosterone to estradiol significantly mediated the relationship between high level of PFOS and periodontitis, accounting for 16.5% and 31.7% of the total effect, respectively. Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results when using periodontal clinical indices (mean loss of attachment, mean periodontal probing depth, and the number of teeth) as dependent variables. Conclusions These findings provide evidence to support a positive association between certain PFASs and periodontitis, which might be partially mediated by sex hormones

Exploring the link between cognitive deficit, self‐esteem, alexithymia, and depressive symptom of schizophrenia

Abstract Objective To the best of our knowledge, studies have been rarely conducted to assess the correlation between cognitive deficit, self‐esteem, and alexithymia in the depressive symptoms of schizophrenia (SCZ). Therefore, this study aims to explore the risk factors associated with impairment of cognitive function, alexithymia, and self‐esteem among a representative sample of first‐episode schizophrenic patients. Method We recruited 107 first‐episode schizophrenic patients (48.6% male, 51.4% female, 36.94 ± 10.73 years) into the research group, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). A total of 45 healthy people (51.1% male, 48.9% female, 32.47 ± 10.94 years) were enlisted in the healthy control group. Psychotic symptoms were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Cognitive functions were estimated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). The feelings of respect and self‐acceptance were tested using the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (RSES). Emotion of identifying and describing were measured by self‐report scale of Toronto Alexithymia Scale‐20 (TAS‐20). Results Overall cognitive impairment and alexithymia were found more serious in the patients of SCZ than the healthy group (p < .001, respectively). The patients of SCZ have higher self‐esteem than the healthy group (p = .013). Total score of MoCA, ability of visual space and executive function, and delayed recall were explored had negatively correlation with alexithymia (r = −.319, p = .001; r = −.248, p = .010; r = −0.263, p = .006). Total score of RSES and depressive symptoms of PANSS had a positive correlation with alexithymia (r = .394, p = .001; r = .208, p = .032). Stepwise regression analyses have shown a positive relationship between difficulty describing feelings and depression subscale of PANSS (β = .188, t = −2.007, p = .047) while a negative relationship between externally oriented thinking and depression subscale of PANSS (β = −.244, t = −2.603, p = .011). A positive link correlation also was found between the total scores of TAS and RSES (β = .372, t = 4.144, p = .001). A negative relevance was found between the total scores of TAS and scores of MoCA (β = −.305, t = −3.348, p = .001). Conclusion Overall impairment of cognitive function and alexithymia are commonly encountered in SCZ patients. Poor cognitive function, alexithymia, and high level self‐esteem may be specific detective risk factors for the depressive symptoms of SCZ