Differential expression of serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP), a 39 kDa protein localized predominantly in cytoplasm, is an important inhibitor of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling and a regulator of cell proliferation. To investigate the application of STRAP as a novel biomarker in evaluating the pathological condition of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to determine the possible involvement of STRAP in SLE pathogenesis, the expression levels of STRAP in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of SLE patients were analyzed. PBMC were collected from six patients with active SLE, six with stable SLE and six healthy controls; after protein extraction and concentration determination, the samples were labeled with reagents for isobaric tagging for relative and absolute protein quantification (iTRAQ) and detected by tandem mass spectrometry. The initial proteomic analysis identified and quantified hundreds of proteins. Of these, STRAP was found to decrease more than three-fold in active SLE patients compared with healthy controls (the relative ratio was 0.291). The under-expression of STRAP in active SLE was further verified by western blot in larger independent sample sets. Clinical data analyses revealed that the levels of STRAP in SLE inversely correlated to the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) (r = -0.607, p < 0.05). These results indicate that the under-expression of STRAP may be a negative factor in the pathogenic process of SLE; as a result, this may also be of clinical significance as a potential condition-specific indicator of active SLE.

Prediction of favored and optimized compositions for Cu-Zr-Ni metallic glasses by interatomic potential

For the Cu-Zr-Ni system, an interatomic potential was constructed under the newly proposed formulism named smoothed and long-range second-moment approximation of tight-binding. Applying the constructed potential, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to compare the relative stability of crystalline solid solution versus its disordered counterpart. Simulations not only reveal that the origin of metallic glass formation is the crystalline lattice collapsing while the solute concentrations exceed critical values, but also determine a quadrilateral region, within which the metallic glass formation is energetically favored. Moreover, the energy differences between the crystalline solid solutions and the disordered states were considered as the driving force for amorphization and were computed by molecular static calculations. The calculation results located an optimized composition area with the driving force much greater than those outside. In addition, the alloys around the composition of Cu(16)Zr(60)Ni(24) were identified to have maximum driving force, and the atomic configurations were also analyzed by the Voronoi tessellation method.

Accelerated hyperfractionation field-involved re-irradiation combined with concurrent capecitabine chemotherapy for locally recurrent and irresectable rectal cancer

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and treatment-related toxicity of accelerated hyperfractionation field-involved re-irradiation combined with concurrent capecitabine chemotherapy for locally recurrent and irresectable rectal cancer (LRIRC).

METHODS

72 patients with LRIRC who underwent the treatment were studied. Three-dimensional conformal accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy (3D-CAHRT) was performed and the dose was delivered with a schedule of 1.2 Gy twice daily, with an interval of at least 6 h between fractions, 5 days a week. Concurrent capecitabine chemotherapy was administered twice daily. After 36 Gy in 30 fractions over 3 weeks, patients were evaluated to define the resectability of the disease. If resection was not feasible irradiation was resumed until the total dose administered to the tumour reached 51.6-56.4 Gy.

RESULTS

Two patients temporarily interrupted concurrent chemoradiation because of Grade IV diarrhoea. The remaining 70 patients completed the planned concurrent chemoradiation. In all patients, the complete response rate was 8.3% and the partial response rate was 51.4%. The overall response rate was 59.7% and clinical benefit rate was 93.1%. Symptomatic responses proved to be obvious and tumour resection was performed in 18 patients. The overall median survival time and median progression-free survival time were 32 and 17 months, respectively. 3 year overall survival and progression-free survival were 45.12% and 31.19%, respectively. Severely acute toxicities included Grade III-IV diarrhoea and granulocytopenia with 9.7% and 8.3% incidence respectively. Small bowel obstruction was severely late toxicity, and the incidence was 1.4%.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional conformal accelerated hyperfractionation field-involved re-irradiation combined with concurrent capecitabine chemotherapy might be an effective and well-tolerated regimen for patients with LRIRC.

A Comparison of the microstructure and tensile behaviour of irradiated fcc and bcc metals

As part of an on-going research program, findings are presented from a comparison of the microstructures and associated tensile properties of fcc and bcc materials after high energy proton irradiation, to fluences between 10−4 and 1 dpa, at 300-320 K. Results for this comparison between Cu, Pd, 304 and 316 stainless steel on one side and Fe and the F82H ferritic-martensitic low activation steel on the other are discussed, showing a strong difference in defect accumulation behaviour between the differing crystal structures. The overall deformation behaviour is similar, with an initial localised deformation taking place in all cases, even though the actual deformation mode itself might be different. Furthermore, a comparison is made with some of the materials that have also been irradiated with fission neutrons, showing no influence of the PKA spectra for these irradiation conditions.

Plasticity and Microstructure of Irradiated Pd

Single crystalline specimens of pure Pd have been irradiated at ambient temperature with 590 MeV protons to doses ranging between 10−4 and 10−1 dpa. Tensile deformation experiments revealed that irradiation induces hardening and embrittlement, while scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations showed that plastic deformation of specimens irradiated to a dose ≥ 10−2 dpa is strongly localized and yields the creation of slip bands at the macroscopic scale and of defect-free channels at the microscopic level.

Management of esophageal anastomotic leaks, perforations, and fistulae with self-expanding plastic stents

OBJECTIVE

Esophageal anastomotic leaks, perforations, and fistulae are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of self-expanding plastic stents in the treatment of esophageal leaks.

METHODS

From 2001 to 2009, 41 patients with postoperative anastomotic leaks (n = 30), esophageal perforations (n = 6), or fistulae (n = 5) were treated by endoscopic insertion of self-expanding plastic stents. The clinical outcome of the patients was analyzed, including leak healing, morbidity, and mortality.

RESULTS

Self-expanding plastic stents were successfully inserted in all 41 patients without procedure-related complications. Non-ventilated patients received oral feeding an average of 3.9 days after stent placement. Complete leak healing was obtained in 27 of 30 patients (90%) with anastomotic leaks and 5 patients (83%) with perforation. Sealing of fistulae by the stents was achieved in all 5 patients, and closure of the fistula was observed in 2 patients (40%). The mean healing time was 30 days for anastomotic leaks, 15 days for esophageal perforations, and 16 days for fistulae. Stent migration occurred in 14 cases, but endoscopic reintervention and new stent placement were successful in all cases. In-hospital mortality after treatment of esophageal leaks with stents was 10%.

CONCLUSIONS

In combination with effective interventional or surgical drainage, stenting is a viable option for the treatment of esophageal anastomotic leaks and perforations, but the success in tracheoesophageal fistula is limited.

Treatment of benign colorectal strictures by temporary stenting with self-expanding stents

BACKGROUND

The application of stents in benign colorectal strictures is considered controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess effectiveness and complications associated with colorectal stent placement in benign colorectal disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fourteen patients with benign colorectal strictures who had undergone previous surgery (colorectal anastomotic stenosis, 13; neosphincter scar stenosis, one) were treated with covered self-expanding metal stent or plastic stent. Placement of the stent was performed with combined endoscopy and contrast enhanced fluoroscopy.

RESULTS

Self-expanding stents were successful implanted in all 14 patients without acute procedure-related complications. All patients experienced immediate decompression after stent placement with expansion and patency of the stent. Relief of bowel obstruction for at least 12 months was achieved in seven of 14 patients (50%). Anastomotic fistula healed in four of six patients (67%). Despite the initial success of stenting, re-operations had to be performed in two of seven patients because of late recurrence of the stricture after a mean follow-up of 37 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Temporary insertion of self-expanding stents is a safe procedure that may be effective in selected cases of benign colorectal stricture. However, repeat surgery will be necessary in a considerable number of patients due to primary or secondary failure of stenting.

Room-temperature ferromagnetism of Cu-doped ZnO films probed by soft X-ray magnetic circular dichroism

We report direct evidence of room-temperature ferromagnetic ordering in O-deficient ZnO:Cu films by using soft x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and x-ray absorption. Our measurements have revealed unambiguously two distinct features of Cu atoms associated with (i) magnetically ordered Cu ions present only in the oxygen-deficient samples and (ii) magnetically disordered regular Cu2+ ions present in all the samples. We find that a sufficient amount of both oxygen vacancies (V(O)) and Cu impurities is essential to the observed ferromagnetism, and a non-negligible portion of Cu impurities is uninvolved in the magnetic order. Based on first-principles calculations, we propose a microscopic "indirect double-exchange" model, in which alignments of localized large moments of Cu in the vicinity of the V(O) are mediated by the large-sized vacancy orbitals.

Generation of antibody- and B cell-deficient pigs by targeted disruption of the J-region gene segment of the heavy chain locus

A poly(A)-trap gene targeting strategy was used to disrupt the single functional heavy chain (HC) joining region (J_H) of swine in primary fibroblasts. Genetically modified piglets were then generated via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and bred to yield litters comprising J_H wild-type littermate (+/+), J_H heterozygous knockout (±) and J_H homozygous knockout (−/−) piglets in the expected Mendelian ratio of 1:2:1. There are only two other targeted loci previously published in swine, and this is the first successful poly(A)-trap strategy ever published in a livestock species. In either blood or secondary lymphoid tissues, flow cytometry, RT-PCR and ELISA detected no circulating IgM⁺ B cells, and no transcription or secretion of immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes, respectively in J_H −/− pigs. Histochemical and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies failed to detect lymph node (LN) follicles or CD79α⁺ B cells, respectively in J_H −/− pigs. T cell receptor (TCR)_β transcription and T cells were detected in J_H −/− pigs. When reared conventionally, J_H −/− pigs succumbed to bacterial infections after weaning. These antibody (Ab)- and B cell-deficient pigs have significant value as models for both veterinary and human research to discriminate cellular and humoral protective immunity to infectious agents. Thus, these pigs may aid in vaccine development for infectious agents such as the pandemic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and H1N1 swine flu. These pigs are also a first significant step towards generating a pig that expresses fully human, antigen-specific polyclonal Ab to target numerous incurable infectious diseases with high unmet clinical need.

Targeted disruption of the porcine immunoglobulin kappa light chain locus

Inactivation of the endogenous pig immunoglobulin (Ig) loci, and replacement with their human counterparts, would produce animals that could alleviate both the supply and specificity issues of therapeutic human polyclonal antibodies (PAbs). Platform genetics are being developed in pigs that have all endogenous Ig loci inactivated and replaced by human counterparts, in order to address this unmet clinical need. This report describes the deletion of the porcine kappa (κ) light chain constant (Cκ) region in pig primary fetal fibroblasts (PPFFs) using gene targeting technology, and the generation of live animals from these cells via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning. There are only two other targeted loci previously published in swine, and this is the first report of a targeted disruption of an Ig light chain locus in a livestock species. Pigs with one targeted Cκ allele (heterozygous knockout or ±) were bred together to generate Cκ homozygous knockout (-/-) animals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) from Cκ -/- pigs were devoid of κ-containing Igs. Furthermore, there was an increase in lambda (λ) light chain expression when compared to that of wild-type littermates (Cκ +/+). Targeted inactivation of the Ig heavy chain locus has also been achieved and work is underway to inactivate the pig lambda light chain locus.

Therapeutic effect of norisoboldine, an alkaloid isolated from Radix Linderae, on collagen-induced arthritis in mice

The alkaloid fraction of Radix Linderae, the main active component of this herb drug, has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial activities. The present study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic potential of norisoboldine, the major isoquinoline alkaloid present in Radix Linderae, in collagen II -induced arthritis (CIA) of mice as well as the possible mechanisms. CIA was induced in mice by immunization with chicken type II collagen (II). After boosted on day 21, mice were treated with norisoboldine (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) for twenty consecutive days. The clinical scores, body weight changes and joint histopathology were evaluated. Norisoboldine treatment significantly alleviated the severity of the disease, based on the reduced clinical scores and elevated the lowered body weights of model mice. Meanwhile, this alkaloid dose-dependently reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells, synovial hyperplasia and protected joint from destruction. Additionally, the serum level of anti-CII IgG and the CII-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation were remarkably decreased in the groups administered with norisoboldine. An assessment of Th1 function using the delayed-type hypersensitivity model confirmed that norisoboldine also significantly suppressed the enhanced T cell responses in vivo. These findings suggest that norisoboldine might be a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis, and it functions through protecting joint destruction as well as regulating the abnormal immune responses.

MDM-2 protein expression in nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Comparative study with p53 protein expression

Aims-To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of MDM-2 protein in comparison with that of p53 protein in nasopharyngeal carcinomas.Methods-Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue from 59 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was stained by immunohistochemistry for MDM-2 and p53 proteins.Results-The tumours were divided histologically into seven cases of keratinising nasopharyngeal carcinoma (KNPC), 14 cases of non-keratinising nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NKNPC), and 38 cases of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (UNPC). MDM-2 nuclear expression was observed in 0/7 KNPC, 1/14 NKNPC, and 11/38 UNPC. p53 nuclear expression was observed in 1/7 KNPC, 2/14 NKNPC, and 15/38 UNPC. Parallel MDM-2 and p53 expression was found in 12 cases (11 UNPC and one NKNPC). Discordant MDM-2-/p53 + expression was found in six cases (four UNPC, one NKNPC, and one KNPC), and absence of expression of both proteins in the remaining 41 cases.Conclusions-Expression of MDM-2 and p53 proteins may be associated with the level of tumour cell differentiation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Simultaneous expression of MDM-2/p53 in a proportion of UNPC suggests that MDM-2 protein may be responsible for stabilisation of p53 protein in these cases, in view of the previous demonstration of the p53 gene in germ line configuration. This could be important in the pathogenesis of these cases, since MDM-2 may deregulate the p53 dependent growth suppressive pathway. Discordant MDM-2-/p53 + expression in a few cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma may reflect stabilisation of p53 protein by other proteins, or p53 mutations unable to activate MDM-2.

Serum peptidome patterns of human systemic lupus erythematosus based on magnetic bead separation and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis

OBJECTIVES

Currently few studies have been reported to utilize matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in rheumatic disease, especially in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our aim was to find differentially expressed disease-related and condition-specific peptides in sera from patients with SLE, as well as to develop and validate the peptide classification model for the diagnosis of SLE.

METHODS

Based on the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) 2000, 50 SLE patients were divided into two subgroups: 25 were defined as stable SLE (SLEDAI < or = 8) and 25 as active SLE (SLEDAI > 8). Twenty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 24 healthy donors were also included and underwent analysis. We performed magnetic beads-based weak cation exchange chromatography (MB-WCX) for sample processing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) for peptide profiling. ClinProt software 2.1 was used for data analysis and a genetic algorithm was modelled for class prediction.

RESULTS

A series of significant short peptides was detected. Classification models were developed to classify samples across normal controls, active SLE patients, and stable SLE patients, and achieved high capability of prediction and cross-validation. Blinded verification of the classification model showed 91.7% sensitivity in active SLE, 83.3% sensitivity in stable SLE, and 86.7% specificity in normal controls.

CONCLUSION

We have completed a preliminary study to describe the serum peptide profile of SLE and improve the diagnosis of SLE from an integrated perspective of peptide mass patterns.