The introduction of PD-1 blockades to chemotherapy and radiotherapy has shown promising outcomes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but anti-PD-1 therapies are only effective in a small proportion of patients,...The introduction of PD-1 blockades to chemotherapy and radiotherapy has shown promising outcomes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but anti-PD-1 therapies are only effective in a small proportion of patients, indicating the need for reliable predictive biomarkers of benefit from immunotherapy. Here, we summarized recent advances in immunotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and studies on potential predictors that correlated with treatment response or long-term survival after immunotherapy, including biomarkers in both the tumor microenvironment and the tumor macroenvironment. Some of these biomarkers have been validated as truly predictive of immunotherapy benefit using cohorts from randomized controlled trials, while others still require further validation of their predictive value. We also summarized the challenges and future directions of biomarker studies, hopefully facilitating the development of predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy that can eventually enter clinical practice.展开更多
Case reports are valuable clinical evidence in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. However, the general reporting quality is suboptimal. A working group comprising 20 members was set up to develop systematic recomme...Case reports are valuable clinical evidence in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. However, the general reporting quality is suboptimal. A working group comprising 20 members was set up to develop systematic recommendations on case report in Chinese medicine （CARC）. The working group （CARC group） developed a primary checklist based on reviewing the general reporting quality of case reports in TCM and thorough internal discussion. Two-round consensus process had been carried out among clinical experts, evidence-based medicine methodologists, medical journal editors and clinical practitioners with designated questionnaire embedded with the primary checklist. In total, 118 participants from 17 provinces of China and Korea completed the questionnaires. Their feedback was analyzed and discussed by the CARC group. The checklist was amended accordingly, and the final version, comprising 16-item, is presented here. Under the framework of CARC recommendations, the reporting quality of case reports in TCM can be improved.展开更多
AIM:To compare the differences between dideoxy sequencing/KRAS StripAssay/pyrosequencing for detection of KRAS mutation in Chinese colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.METHODS:Formalin-f ixed, paraff in-embedded (FFPE) sa...AIM:To compare the differences between dideoxy sequencing/KRAS StripAssay/pyrosequencing for detection of KRAS mutation in Chinese colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.METHODS:Formalin-f ixed, paraff in-embedded (FFPE) samples with tumor cells ≥ 50% were collected from 100 Chinese CRC patients at Beijing Cancer Hospital. After the extraction of genome DNA from FFPE samples, fragments contained codons 12 and 13 of KRAS exon 2 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by dideoxy sequencing, the KRAS Strip Assay and pyrosequencing. In addition, the sensitivities of the 3 methods were compared on serial dilutions (contents of mutant DNA: 100%,50%,20%, 5%,10%, 5%,1%,0%) of A549 cell line DNA (carrying the codon 12 Gly>Ser mutation) into wild-type DNA (human normal intestinal mucosa). The results of dideoxy sequencing,the KRAS StripAssay and pyrosequencing were analyzed by Chromas Software, Collector forKRAS Strip Assay and the pyrosequencing PyroMarkTM Q24 system, respectively.RESULTS: Among 100 patients, KRAS mutations were identif ied in 34%, 37% and 37% of patients by dideoxy sequencing, the KRAS StripAssay and pyrosequencing, respectively. The sensitivity was highest with the KRAS Strip Assay (1%), followed by pyrosequencing (5%), and dideoxy sequencing was lowest (15%). Six different mutation types were found in this study with 3 main mutations Gly12 Asp (GGT>GAT), Gly12 Val (GGT>GTT) and Gly13 Asp (GGC>GAC). Thirty-three patients were identifi ed to have KRAS mutations by the 3 methods, and a total of 8 patients had conflicting results between 3 methods: 4 mutations not detected by dideoxy sequencing and the KRAS StripAssay were identified by pyrosequencing; 3 mutations not detected by dideoxy sequencing and pyrosequencing were identif ied by the KRAS StripAssay; and 1 mutation not detected by pyrosequencing was conf irmed by dideoxy sequencing and the KRAS StripAssay. Among these discordant results, the results identif ied by dideoxy sequencing were consistent either with the KRAS StripAssay or with pyrosequencing, which indicated that the accuracy of dideoxy sequencing was high. CONCLUSION: Taking a worldwide view of reports and our results,dideoxy sequencing remains the most popular method because of its low cost and high accuracy.展开更多
Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH;EC 1.4.1.2) catalyzes the reversible amination of α-ketoglutarate to glutamate, and the polymerization of nucleoside triphosphate(s) to RNA. But the natural role of the reversible aminati...Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH;EC 1.4.1.2) catalyzes the reversible amination of α-ketoglutarate to glutamate, and the polymerization of nucleoside triphosphate(s) to RNA. But the natural role of the reversible amination reaction is the subject of an expanding conversation. The aim was to illuminate the natural role of GDH through its RNA synthetic activity. Stoichiometric combinations of mineral salts that targeted the GDH subunit compositions were applied to field-cultivated peanuts. GDH of seeds were made to synthesize RNA in the deamination and then in the amination direction. Free amino acids were analyzed by HPLC. Glutamate synthase (GOGAT) was assayed by photometry. Free amino acid yields in-creased from the control’s lowest (9.8 kg·ha–1) and amination-deamination ratio (0.05) through 12.0 - 23.0 kg·ha–1 in the K-, N+K+P+S-, Pi-, N+S-, S-treated peanuts with amination-deamination ratios between 0.6 and 10.0 until at the P+K-treated peanut which had the highest amino acid yield (52.4 kg·ha–1) and the highest amination-deamination ratio (61). The Km and Vmax values of GOGAT were within the normal range. Yields of free amino acids resulting from GDH aminating activity increased from <1.0 kg·ha–1 in the control, through 2.2 in the N+S-, 6.84 in the P+N-, 17.3 in the N-, to 42.6 kg·ha–1 in the P+K- treated peanut. These results show that the natural role of the GDH amination activity is to assimilate escalating multiples of the quantities of NH4+ ion as assimilated via the GS-GOGAT pathway. Peanut protein yields increased in parallel with GDH aminating activities and free amino acid yields such that the control peanut had the lowest protein (<26.0 kg·ha–1) and the yields increased exponentially (500 - 600 kg·ha–1) through the K-, P+S-, Pi-, N-treated to 910 kg·ha–1 in the P+K-treated peanut with the highest aminating activity of GDH. The ability of GDH aminating activity to escalate protein yields of food crops could be employed to address proteinenergy malnutrition syndrome of developing nations.展开更多
Peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) participate in lignin biosynthesis. But peroxidation is not a tool for assaying lignocellulose metabolism because the active cannot yet be separated from the inactive peroxidases. A biochemic...Peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) participate in lignin biosynthesis. But peroxidation is not a tool for assaying lignocellulose metabolism because the active cannot yet be separated from the inactive peroxidases. A biochemical tool for assaying plant cell wall responses to agronomic practices is needed in the lignocellulosic feedstock renewable energy industry. Peroxidase of biomass sorghum was purified to 9 - 13 charge isomers by free solution IEF (Rotofor) technique. Free solution IEF was more effective than chromatographic purification of active peroxidase isoenzymes. Native PAGE separated each charge isomer to three anionic and three cationic isoenzymes. Hydrogen peroxide and o-dianisidine assays showed that only 20% - 30% of the isoenzymes displayed normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Sorghum planted without nitrogen fertilization induced the hydrogen peroxide noncompetitive inhibition of peroxidase, but 280 kg·ha–1 nitrogen fertilization and 100% sorghum mineral residue return to the soil tripled the concentration of active peroxidase and relieved the inhibition with concomitant increases of 350 kg lignin and 3532 kg·cellulose·ha–1. Nitrogen fertilization without crop rotation induced hydrogen peroxide inhibition of the peroxidase, but nitrogen fertilization and 25% sorghum rotation changed the PI of the active peroxidase from neutral to mildly acidic and relieved the inhibition with concomitant enormous increases of 690 kg lignin and 7151 kg·cellulose·ha–1. Hydrogen peroxide inhibition kinetics is consistent with the known peroxidase-substrate intermediate dead-end complex formation. Lignocellulosic yield was greatest under the agronomic management that combined 280 kg·ha–1 nitrogen fertilizer with 25% sorghum residue, which resulted in a shift of pI value of the active peroxidase due to a reduction in the Km value of the peroxidase. Therefore, up to 75% of sorghum biomass rather than only 50% can be harvested for conversion to bioenergy products.展开更多
NADH-glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is active in human tissues, and is chromatographically purified, and studied because it participates in synthesizing glutamate, a neurotransmitter. But chromatography dissociates the...NADH-glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is active in human tissues, and is chromatographically purified, and studied because it participates in synthesizing glutamate, a neurotransmitter. But chromatography dissociates the GDH isoenzymes that synthesize nongenetic code-based RNA enzymes degrading superfluous mRNAs thereby aligning the cellular reactions with the environment of the organism. The aim was to electrophoretically purify human hexameric GDH isoenzymes and to characterize their RNA enzyme synthetic activity as in plants. The outcome could be innovative in chemical dependency diagnosis and management. Multi metrix electrophoresis including free solution isoelectric focusing, and through polyacrylamide and agarose gels were deployed to purify the redox cycle isoenzymes of laryngeal GDH, and to assay their RNA enzyme synthetic activities. The laryngeal GDH displayed the 28 binomial isoenzymes typical of higher organisms. Isoelectric focusing purification produced pure GDH. Redox cycle assays of the GDH isoenzymes produced RNA enzymes that degraded human stomach total RNA. In the reaction mechanism, the Schiff-base intermediate complex between α-ketoglutarate and GDH is the target of nucleophiles, resulting to the disruption of synthesis of glutamate, and RNA enzyme. The strongest nucleophiles are the psychoactive alkaloids of tobacco, cocaine, opium poppy, cannabis smoke because they are capable of reacting with GDH Schiff base intermediate to stimulate synthesis of aberrant RNA enzymes that degrade cohorts of mRNAs thereby changing the biochemical pathways and exacerbating drug overdose and chemical dependency. Electrophoretic purification, and characterization of the RNA enzyme synthetic activity set the forecourt for innovative application of GDH redox cycles in the diagnostic management of chemical dependency.展开更多
This paper describes a particularly transparent derivation of the Hawking effect for massive particles in black holes. The calculations are performed with the help of Painlevé-Gullstrand’s coordinates which are ...This paper describes a particularly transparent derivation of the Hawking effect for massive particles in black holes. The calculations are performed with the help of Painlevé-Gullstrand’s coordinates which are associated with a radially free-falling observer that starts at rest from infinity. It is shown that if the energy per unit rest mass, e, is assumed to be related to the Killing constant, k, by k2 = 2e – 1 then e, must be greater than ?. For particles that are confined below the event horizon (EH), k is negative. In the quantum creation of particle pairs at the EH with k = 1, the time component of the particle’s four velocity that lies below the EH is compatible only with the time component of an outgoing particle above the EH, i.e, the outside particle cannot fall back on the black hole. Energy conservation requires that the particles inside, and outside the EH has?the same value of e, and?is?created at equal distances from the EH,?(1?– rin = rout – 1).?Global energy conservations force then the mass of the particle below the EH to be negative, and equal to minus the mass the particle above the EH, i.e., the black hole looses energy as a consequence of pair production.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.82430085 and 82172870)。
文摘The introduction of PD-1 blockades to chemotherapy and radiotherapy has shown promising outcomes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but anti-PD-1 therapies are only effective in a small proportion of patients, indicating the need for reliable predictive biomarkers of benefit from immunotherapy. Here, we summarized recent advances in immunotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and studies on potential predictors that correlated with treatment response or long-term survival after immunotherapy, including biomarkers in both the tumor microenvironment and the tumor macroenvironment. Some of these biomarkers have been validated as truly predictive of immunotherapy benefit using cohorts from randomized controlled trials, while others still require further validation of their predictive value. We also summarized the challenges and future directions of biomarker studies, hopefully facilitating the development of predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy that can eventually enter clinical practice.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81173363)Health and Medical Research Fund(No.09101501)
文摘Case reports are valuable clinical evidence in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. However, the general reporting quality is suboptimal. A working group comprising 20 members was set up to develop systematic recommendations on case report in Chinese medicine （CARC）. The working group （CARC group） developed a primary checklist based on reviewing the general reporting quality of case reports in TCM and thorough internal discussion. Two-round consensus process had been carried out among clinical experts, evidence-based medicine methodologists, medical journal editors and clinical practitioners with designated questionnaire embedded with the primary checklist. In total, 118 participants from 17 provinces of China and Korea completed the questionnaires. Their feedback was analyzed and discussed by the CARC group. The checklist was amended accordingly, and the final version, comprising 16-item, is presented here. Under the framework of CARC recommendations, the reporting quality of case reports in TCM can be improved.
文摘AIM:To compare the differences between dideoxy sequencing/KRAS StripAssay/pyrosequencing for detection of KRAS mutation in Chinese colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.METHODS:Formalin-f ixed, paraff in-embedded (FFPE) samples with tumor cells ≥ 50% were collected from 100 Chinese CRC patients at Beijing Cancer Hospital. After the extraction of genome DNA from FFPE samples, fragments contained codons 12 and 13 of KRAS exon 2 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by dideoxy sequencing, the KRAS Strip Assay and pyrosequencing. In addition, the sensitivities of the 3 methods were compared on serial dilutions (contents of mutant DNA: 100%,50%,20%, 5%,10%, 5%,1%,0%) of A549 cell line DNA (carrying the codon 12 Gly>Ser mutation) into wild-type DNA (human normal intestinal mucosa). The results of dideoxy sequencing,the KRAS StripAssay and pyrosequencing were analyzed by Chromas Software, Collector forKRAS Strip Assay and the pyrosequencing PyroMarkTM Q24 system, respectively.RESULTS: Among 100 patients, KRAS mutations were identif ied in 34%, 37% and 37% of patients by dideoxy sequencing, the KRAS StripAssay and pyrosequencing, respectively. The sensitivity was highest with the KRAS Strip Assay (1%), followed by pyrosequencing (5%), and dideoxy sequencing was lowest (15%). Six different mutation types were found in this study with 3 main mutations Gly12 Asp (GGT>GAT), Gly12 Val (GGT>GTT) and Gly13 Asp (GGC>GAC). Thirty-three patients were identifi ed to have KRAS mutations by the 3 methods, and a total of 8 patients had conflicting results between 3 methods: 4 mutations not detected by dideoxy sequencing and the KRAS StripAssay were identified by pyrosequencing; 3 mutations not detected by dideoxy sequencing and pyrosequencing were identif ied by the KRAS StripAssay; and 1 mutation not detected by pyrosequencing was conf irmed by dideoxy sequencing and the KRAS StripAssay. Among these discordant results, the results identif ied by dideoxy sequencing were consistent either with the KRAS StripAssay or with pyrosequencing, which indicated that the accuracy of dideoxy sequencing was high. CONCLUSION: Taking a worldwide view of reports and our results,dideoxy sequencing remains the most popular method because of its low cost and high accuracy.
文摘Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH;EC 1.4.1.2) catalyzes the reversible amination of α-ketoglutarate to glutamate, and the polymerization of nucleoside triphosphate(s) to RNA. But the natural role of the reversible amination reaction is the subject of an expanding conversation. The aim was to illuminate the natural role of GDH through its RNA synthetic activity. Stoichiometric combinations of mineral salts that targeted the GDH subunit compositions were applied to field-cultivated peanuts. GDH of seeds were made to synthesize RNA in the deamination and then in the amination direction. Free amino acids were analyzed by HPLC. Glutamate synthase (GOGAT) was assayed by photometry. Free amino acid yields in-creased from the control’s lowest (9.8 kg·ha–1) and amination-deamination ratio (0.05) through 12.0 - 23.0 kg·ha–1 in the K-, N+K+P+S-, Pi-, N+S-, S-treated peanuts with amination-deamination ratios between 0.6 and 10.0 until at the P+K-treated peanut which had the highest amino acid yield (52.4 kg·ha–1) and the highest amination-deamination ratio (61). The Km and Vmax values of GOGAT were within the normal range. Yields of free amino acids resulting from GDH aminating activity increased from <1.0 kg·ha–1 in the control, through 2.2 in the N+S-, 6.84 in the P+N-, 17.3 in the N-, to 42.6 kg·ha–1 in the P+K- treated peanut. These results show that the natural role of the GDH amination activity is to assimilate escalating multiples of the quantities of NH4+ ion as assimilated via the GS-GOGAT pathway. Peanut protein yields increased in parallel with GDH aminating activities and free amino acid yields such that the control peanut had the lowest protein (<26.0 kg·ha–1) and the yields increased exponentially (500 - 600 kg·ha–1) through the K-, P+S-, Pi-, N-treated to 910 kg·ha–1 in the P+K-treated peanut with the highest aminating activity of GDH. The ability of GDH aminating activity to escalate protein yields of food crops could be employed to address proteinenergy malnutrition syndrome of developing nations.
文摘Peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) participate in lignin biosynthesis. But peroxidation is not a tool for assaying lignocellulose metabolism because the active cannot yet be separated from the inactive peroxidases. A biochemical tool for assaying plant cell wall responses to agronomic practices is needed in the lignocellulosic feedstock renewable energy industry. Peroxidase of biomass sorghum was purified to 9 - 13 charge isomers by free solution IEF (Rotofor) technique. Free solution IEF was more effective than chromatographic purification of active peroxidase isoenzymes. Native PAGE separated each charge isomer to three anionic and three cationic isoenzymes. Hydrogen peroxide and o-dianisidine assays showed that only 20% - 30% of the isoenzymes displayed normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Sorghum planted without nitrogen fertilization induced the hydrogen peroxide noncompetitive inhibition of peroxidase, but 280 kg·ha–1 nitrogen fertilization and 100% sorghum mineral residue return to the soil tripled the concentration of active peroxidase and relieved the inhibition with concomitant increases of 350 kg lignin and 3532 kg·cellulose·ha–1. Nitrogen fertilization without crop rotation induced hydrogen peroxide inhibition of the peroxidase, but nitrogen fertilization and 25% sorghum rotation changed the PI of the active peroxidase from neutral to mildly acidic and relieved the inhibition with concomitant enormous increases of 690 kg lignin and 7151 kg·cellulose·ha–1. Hydrogen peroxide inhibition kinetics is consistent with the known peroxidase-substrate intermediate dead-end complex formation. Lignocellulosic yield was greatest under the agronomic management that combined 280 kg·ha–1 nitrogen fertilizer with 25% sorghum residue, which resulted in a shift of pI value of the active peroxidase due to a reduction in the Km value of the peroxidase. Therefore, up to 75% of sorghum biomass rather than only 50% can be harvested for conversion to bioenergy products.
文摘NADH-glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is active in human tissues, and is chromatographically purified, and studied because it participates in synthesizing glutamate, a neurotransmitter. But chromatography dissociates the GDH isoenzymes that synthesize nongenetic code-based RNA enzymes degrading superfluous mRNAs thereby aligning the cellular reactions with the environment of the organism. The aim was to electrophoretically purify human hexameric GDH isoenzymes and to characterize their RNA enzyme synthetic activity as in plants. The outcome could be innovative in chemical dependency diagnosis and management. Multi metrix electrophoresis including free solution isoelectric focusing, and through polyacrylamide and agarose gels were deployed to purify the redox cycle isoenzymes of laryngeal GDH, and to assay their RNA enzyme synthetic activities. The laryngeal GDH displayed the 28 binomial isoenzymes typical of higher organisms. Isoelectric focusing purification produced pure GDH. Redox cycle assays of the GDH isoenzymes produced RNA enzymes that degraded human stomach total RNA. In the reaction mechanism, the Schiff-base intermediate complex between α-ketoglutarate and GDH is the target of nucleophiles, resulting to the disruption of synthesis of glutamate, and RNA enzyme. The strongest nucleophiles are the psychoactive alkaloids of tobacco, cocaine, opium poppy, cannabis smoke because they are capable of reacting with GDH Schiff base intermediate to stimulate synthesis of aberrant RNA enzymes that degrade cohorts of mRNAs thereby changing the biochemical pathways and exacerbating drug overdose and chemical dependency. Electrophoretic purification, and characterization of the RNA enzyme synthetic activity set the forecourt for innovative application of GDH redox cycles in the diagnostic management of chemical dependency.
文摘This paper describes a particularly transparent derivation of the Hawking effect for massive particles in black holes. The calculations are performed with the help of Painlevé-Gullstrand’s coordinates which are associated with a radially free-falling observer that starts at rest from infinity. It is shown that if the energy per unit rest mass, e, is assumed to be related to the Killing constant, k, by k2 = 2e – 1 then e, must be greater than ?. For particles that are confined below the event horizon (EH), k is negative. In the quantum creation of particle pairs at the EH with k = 1, the time component of the particle’s four velocity that lies below the EH is compatible only with the time component of an outgoing particle above the EH, i.e, the outside particle cannot fall back on the black hole. Energy conservation requires that the particles inside, and outside the EH has?the same value of e, and?is?created at equal distances from the EH,?(1?– rin = rout – 1).?Global energy conservations force then the mass of the particle below the EH to be negative, and equal to minus the mass the particle above the EH, i.e., the black hole looses energy as a consequence of pair production.
