RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Activated microglia can be polarized to the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) can attenuate pro-inflammatory responses in activated microglia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of LIPUS on M1/M2 polarization of microglial cells and the regulatory mechanisms associated with signaling pathways. METHODS: BV-2 microglial cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to an M1 phenotype or by interleukin-4 (IL-4) to an M2 phenotype. Some microglial cells were exposed to LIPUS, while others were not. M1/M2 marker mRNA and protein expression were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to determine inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-/arginase-1 (Arg-1)- and CD68-/CD206-positive cells. RESULTS: LIPUS treatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced increases in inflammatory markers (iNOS, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, and interleukin-6) as well as the expression of cell surface markers (CD86 and CD68) of M1-polarized microglia. In contrast, LIPUS treatment significantly enhanced the expression of M2-related markers (Arg-1, IL-10, and Ym1) and membrane protein (CD206). LIPUS treatment prevented M1 polarization of microglia and enhanced or sustained M2 polarization by regulating M1/M2 polarization through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1/STAT6/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that LIPUS inhibits microglial polarization and switches microglia from the M1 to the M2 phenotype.
Asunto(s)
Microglía , PPAR gamma , Humanos , Lipopolisacáridos/farmacología , Factor de Transcripción STAT1/metabolismo , Factor de Transcripción STAT1/farmacología , Transducción de Señal , Inflamación/metabolismo , Factor de Transcripción STAT6RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The role of adjuvant radiotherapy for positive lymph nodes (LN) in patients with esophageal cancer who received neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is not well established. This study is aimed at determining the impact of positive LN and the survival benefit of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) after CCRT plus surgery on esophageal cancer patients. METHODS: Seventy patients with positive LN after neoadjuvant CCRT followed by esophagectomy were enrolled in the study. Patients were grouped into surgery alone following neoadjuvant CCRT (n = 41) and surgery plus PORT following neoadjuvant CCRT (n = 29) groups. The preoperative radiation dose was 36-45 Gy (mean 40 Gy) and the postoperative radiation dose was 20 Gy in 10 fractions. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate and mean survival was 40% and 58.6 ± 53.9 months for patients with a pathologic complete response (pCR) compared with 8.3% and 22.7 ± 35.5 months, respectively, for non-pCR patients (p = 0.026). Local and distant recurrent patterns were similar for patients who did and did not receive PORT (p = 0.876). The mean survival did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (p = 0.889). Pathological complete response to CCRT was the only significant factor influencing survival (p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative RT did not improve survival in patients with positive LN after CCRT followed by curative surgery for esophageal cancer.
Asunto(s)
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/mortalidad , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/terapia , Quimioradioterapia/métodos , Neoplasias Esofágicas/mortalidad , Neoplasias Esofágicas/terapia , Ganglios Linfáticos/patología , Adulto , Anciano , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patología , Estudios de Cohortes , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Neoplasias Esofágicas/patología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Esófago , Esofagectomía/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Japón , Ganglios Linfáticos/cirugía , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Terapia Neoadyuvante/métodos , Invasividad Neoplásica/patología , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Cuidados Posoperatorios/métodos , Pronóstico , Radioterapia Adyuvante , Estudios Retrospectivos , Medición de Riesgo , Análisis de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
Three-dimensional (3-D) nanostructures have demonstrated enticing potency to boost performance of photovoltaic devices primarily owning to the improved photon capturing capability. Nevertheless, cost-effective and scalable fabrication of regular 3-D nanostructures with decent robustness and flexibility still remains as a challenging task. Meanwhile, establishing rational design guidelines for 3-D nanostructured solar cells with the balanced electrical and optical performance are of paramount importance and in urgent need. Herein, regular arrays of 3-D nanospikes (NSPs) were fabricated on flexible aluminum foil with a roll-to-roll compatible process. The NSPs have precisely controlled geometry and periodicity which allow systematic investigation on geometry dependent optical and electrical performance of the devices with experiments and modeling. Intriguingly, it has been discovered that the efficiency of an amorphous-Si (a-Si) photovoltaic device fabricated on NSPs can be improved by 43%, as compared to its planar counterpart, in an optimal case. Furthermore, large scale flexible NSP solar cell devices have been fabricated and demonstrated. These results not only have shed light on the design rules of high performance nanostructured solar cells, but also demonstrated a highly practical process to fabricate efficient solar panels with 3-D nanostructures, thus may have immediate impact on thin film photovoltaic industry.