Fibroblast phenotypes in different lung diseases

BACKGROUND: The “seed and soil” hypothesis emphasizes the importance of interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment. CAFs (Cancer associated fibroblasts) are important components of the tumor microenvironment. They were widely involved in cancer cells growth and metastasis. Fibroblasts may also play a role in inflammatory disease. The phenotype conversion of fibroblasts in lung diseases has not been investigated previously. We hypothesized that fibroblasts phenotypes may vary among different types of lung disease. METHODS: The study included six types of lung tissues, ranging from normal lung to lung adenocarcinoma with lymphatic metastasis. Para-carcinoma tissues which were 2-cm-away from the tumor focus were also included in the analysis. The expression of target proteins including alpha-SMA (smooth muscle actin), FAP (fibroblast activation protein), vimentin, E-cadherin, and CK-19 (cytokeratin-19) were examined by immunohistochemistry. TGF-beta(transforming growth factor) and Twist were detected simultaneously in all samples. RESULTS: A progressive increase in the levels of alpha-SMA, vimentin and CK-19 was observed in correlation to the degree of malignancy from normal lung tissue to lung adenocarcinoma with lymphatic metastasis, whereas E-cadherin expression showed the opposite trend. TGF-beta and Twist were detected in cancer tissues and inflammatory pseudotumors. None of the proteins were detected in para-carcinoma tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Fibroblast phenotypes varied according to the type and degree of lung malignancy and fibroblasts phenotypic conversion occurs as a gradual process with specific spatiotemporal characteristics. Similar fibroblast phenotypes in inflammatory diseases and cancer tissues suggested a correlation between inflammation and cancer and implied a common mechanism underlying the formation of fibroblasts in inflammatory diseases and lung cancer. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13019-014-0147-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Association between systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease in European and East Asian populations: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown a coexistence phenomenon between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the causal relationship between them is still unclear. Therefore, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using publicly available summary statistics data to evaluate whether there was a causal relationship between the two diseases.MethodsSummary statistics for SLE and IBD were downloaded from the Open Genome-Wide Association Study and the International Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium. European and East Asian populations were included in this MR work. We adopted a series of methods to select instrumental variables that are closely related to SLE and IBD. To make the conclusion more reliable, we applied a variety of different analysis methods, among which the inverse variance–weighted (IVW) method was the main method. In addition, heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and sensitivity were assessed to make the conclusions more convincing.ResultsIn the European population, a negative causal relationship was observed between SLE and overall IBD (OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.90, 0.98; P < 0.004) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.88, 0.98; P = 0.006). After removing outliers with Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO), the results remained consistent with IVW. However, there was no causal relationship between SLE and Crohn’s disease. In the East Asian population, no causal relationship was found between SLE and IBD.ConclusionOur results found that genetic susceptibility to SLE was associated with lower overall IBD risk and UC risk in European populations. In contrast, no association between SLE and IBD was found in East Asian populations. This work might enrich the previous research results, and it may provide some references for research in the future

A bilateral neoplasm in chest: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Myelolipoma is a rare neoplasm composed of yellowish adipose tissue and reddish-brown tissue corresponding to hematopoietic or hemorrhages. It typically occurs in adrenal glands as a solitary, well-circumscribed mass, and the thoracic location is extremely unusual. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case who is a 54 years old male with bilateral Myelolipoma of the posterior mediastinum. He underwent the surgery via video-assisted thoracic surgery both sides interval 3 months. Histological examination showed both tumors consisted of mature fat tissue and hematopoietic tissue, including myeloid, erythroid, and megakaryocytic elements surrounded. We discussed the etiology, histopathology, differential diagnosis and recommended management of extra-adrenal myelolipoma and analyzed the features of the thoracic myelolipoma including mediastinal and pulmonary location. CONCLUSIONS: Literature review showed 16 similar cases, with a 2/1 male/female ratio and a mean age of 58 years. Eight of sixteen cases were observed in the mediastinum and six of sixteen cases were displayed in the pulmonary and one showed on the chest wall. CT and MRI scans are able to indicate the presence of extra-adrenal myelolipoma. Pathological analysis is an effective method to clarify the diagnosis. Observation and surgery are two regular treatment methods. Small, asymptomatic tumors should be monitored, while large tumors that cause unendurable symptoms may be removed by surgery

Microbial Diversity and Metabolites Dynamic of Light-Flavor <i>Baijiu</i> with Stacking Process

Stacking is a widely used method of microbial enrichment in the field of fermentation and is traditionally used to promote flavor in Chinese sauce-flavor Baijiu; however, its precise mechanism is unknown. This study assessed the fermentation process of light-flavor Baijiu with the simplest microbial source. After comparing differences in the microbial composition of different kinds of Daqu, a high-temperature Daqu with a microbial composition that significantly differs from light-flavor Daqu was selected for stacking. The physical and chemical indicators, microbial community composition, and metabolite profiles during the fermentation process were tracked, and the total ester content in Baiju was significantly higher with stacking than Baijiu without stacking. The dominant bacteria during stacking fermentation were Bacillus and Enterococcus, while Lactobacillus was the dominant bacteria during middle and late fermentation periods. Low levels of Lactobacillus and Pichia in Daqu were screened and enriched during the stacking process, while the glucose and acetate content significantly increased. Flavor compounds such as esters and acids were positively correlated with dominant genera such as Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Pichia. Stacking provides microorganisms for environmental screening, which regulates the microbial community structure and produces various metabolites and precursors of flavor substances to fully saccharify and promote the production of flavor substances. Stacking during the production of light-flavor Baijiu can help regulate the fermentation process and improve Baijiu quality

Can Urban Sprawl Promote Enterprise Innovation? Evidence from A-Share Listed Companies in China

Urban sprawl does not invariably impede factor agglomeration; rather, it can foster polycentric urban configurations, thereby enhancing productivity and encouraging enterprise innovation. This study investigates the effect of urban sprawl on enterprise innovation using data for A-share listed Chinese companies from 2010 to 2020. The results reveal a significant inverted U-shaped relationship between urban sprawl and enterprise innovation, particularly among large enterprises, well-established entities, non-state-owned enterprises, and those operating in non-manufacturing sectors. Additionally, the effects of urban sprawl on the inverted U-shaped relationship are more pronounced in the north-eastern regions and small cities. Regional integration significantly moderates the inverted U-shaped relationship between urban sprawl and enterprise innovation. This research contributes new insights to the field of enterprise innovation, offering theoretical and empirical support for analyzing the economic implications of urban sprawl

Study on the Impact Pressure of Swirling-Round Supercritical CO2 Jet Flow and Its Influencing Factors

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) jet is capable of decreasing the threshold pressure of rock breakage and mitigating formation damage, owing to its low viscosity, high diffusivity, and extremely-low surface tension. The swirling-round jet holds the advantages of both a swirling jet and a round jet. Therefore, the comprehensive technique, swirling-round SC-CO2 (SR-SC-CO2) jet, is expected to substantially enhance rock-breaking efficiency. However, theoretical analysis of the flow field characteristics of SR-SC-CO2 has not been reported yet. This work aims to lay a theoretical foundation for employing SR-SC-CO2 in drilling and fracturing. The flow field is simulated using Naiver-Stokes equations and the RNG k-&epsilon; turbulence model. Sensitivity analysis, regarding pressure drop of the nozzle, confining pressure, fluid temperature, jetting distance, the diameter of the nozzle&rsquo;s central hole, and grooving area, are performed. We show that the combined swirling-round SC-CO2 jet flow could maintain a relatively larger axial as well as tangential velocity compared to a single approach of swirling jet or round jet, enabling one to acquire a deeper oillet and expand the perforation area effectively. The simulation results substantiate the enormous potential of SR-SC-CO2 in improving rock-breaking efficiency and clarify the influence of relevant parameters on the impact pressure of the jet flow