No abstract

Our previous studies suggest that antibodies against ENO1 (anti-ENO1 Ab) have a protective role in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of anti-ENO1 Ab levels in non-small cell lung carcinoma patients undergoing surgery. Circulating levels of anti-ENO1 Ab were assessed in 85 non-small cell lung carcinoma patients before and after surgery, and were correlated with clinical outcome. After surgery, patients with a higher increase of anti-ENO1 Ab had a lower hazard ratio and a better progression-free survival. Using animal models, we demonstrated that tumor cells reduce the circulating levels of anti-ENO1 Ab through physical absorption and neutralization of anti-ENO1 Ab with surface-expressed and secreted ENO1, respectively. Mice transplanted with ENO1-overexpressing tumors generated ENO1-specific regulatory T cells to suppress the production of anti-ENO1 Ab. Our results suggest that the increase of anti-ENO1 Ab may reflect anti-tumor immune responses and serve as a prognostic marker in postoperative lung cancer patients.

Fish oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, i.e., eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are widely distributed in the body such as heart and brain. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that unsaturated fatty acids may have effects of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, protecting vascular endothelial cells, thrombosis inhibition, modifying autonomic nerve function, improving left ventricular remodeling, and regulating blood lipid. Given the relevance to public health, there has been increasing interest in the research of potential cardioprotective effects of fish oil. Accumulated evidence showed that fish oil supplementation may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, and, in specific, it may have potential benefits in improving the prognosis of patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, or heart failure; however, some studies yielded inconsistent results. In this article, we performed an updated systematical review in order to provide a contemporary understanding with regard to the effects of fish oil on cardiovascular diseases.

Schwann cells (SCs) are components of the peripheral nerve myelin sheath, which supports and nourishes axons. Upon injury of the trigeminal nerve, SCs are activated and cause trigeminal neuralgia by engulfing the myelin sheath and secreting various neurotrophic factors. Further, SCs can repair the Injury nerve, and thus alleviate trigeminal neuralgia. Here, we briefly describe the development and activation of SCs after nerve damage. Moreover, we expound on the occurrence, regulation, and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia; further, we point out the current research deficiencies and future research directions.

Left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) is a surrogate of thromboembolic events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We aimed to investigate the risk factors for LAAT formation before catheter ablation and cardioversion beside the CHA2DS2-VASc score. In this case-control study, patients with NVAF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were included. Demographic data, laboratory results, and echocardiographic measurements were retrospectively collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors predicting LAAT. Of the 543 included patients, LAAT was identified in 50 patients (9.2%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis for the entire cohort showed that NT-proBNP (per 500 ng/L increase, OR (95% CI): 1.09 (1.00–1.19), p = 0.038) and LDL-C (per 1 mmol/L increase, OR (95% CI): 1.70 (1.05–2.77), p = 0.032) were independently correlated with the presence of LAAT after the adjustment for CHA2DS2-VASc score and anticoagulant therapy. The subgroup analysis of patients without anticoagulant therapy also yielded similar results. Regarding patients with CHA2DS2-VASc scores ≤ 1, a higher level of LDL-C (per 1 mmol/L increase, OR (95% CI): 6.31 (2.38–16.74), p < 0.001) independently correlated with the presence of LAAT. The present study suggests that beyond CHA2DS2-VASc score, raised NT-proBNP and LDL-C are additional predictors for LAAT in NVAF patients.