Effects of monochromatic light on mucosal mechanical and immunological barriers in the small intestine of broilers

Our previous studies demonstrated that green and blue monochromatic lights were effective to stimulate immune response of the spleen in broilers. This study was designed to investigate the effects of monochromatic light on both gut mucosal mechanical and immunological barriers. A total of 120 Arbor Acre male broilers on post-hatching day (P) 0 were exposed to red light, green light (GL), blue light (BL), and white light (WL) for 49 d, respectively. As compared with broilers exposed to WL, the broilers exposed to GL showed that the villus height of small intestine was increased by 19.5% (P = 0.0205) and 38.8% (P = 0.0149), the crypt depth of small intestine was decreased by 15.1% (P = 0.0049) and 10.1% (P = 0.0005), and the ratios of villus height to crypt depth were increased by 39.3% (P < 0.0001) and 52.5% (P < 0.0001) at P7 and P21, respectively. Until P49, an increased villus height (33.6%, P = 0.0076), a decreased crypt depth (15.4%, P = 0.0201), and an increased villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (58.5%, P < 0.0001) were observed in the BL group as compared with the WL group. On the other hand, the numbers of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (27.9%, P < 0.0001 and 37.0%, P < 0.0001), goblet cells (GC, 22.1%, P < 0.0001 and 18.1%, P < 0.0001), and IgA(+) cells (14.8%, P = 0.0543 and 47.9%, P = 0.0377) in the small intestine were significantly increased in the GL group as compared with the WL group at P7 and P21, respectively. The numbers of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (36.2%, P < 0.0001), GC (26.5%, P < 0.0001), and IgA(+) cells (68.0%, P = 0.0177) in the BL group were also higher than those in the WL group at P49. These results suggest that both mucosal mechanical and immunological barriers of the small intestine may be improved by rearing broilers under GL at an early age and under BL at an older age.

Directional limits on persistent gravitational waves using LIGO S5 science data

The gravitational-wave (GW) sky may include nearby pointlike sources as well as stochastic backgrounds. We perform two directional searches for persistent GWs using data from the LIGO S5 science run: one optimized for pointlike sources and one for arbitrary extended sources. Finding no evidence to support the detection of GWs, we present 90% confidence level (C.L.) upper-limit maps of GW strain power with typical values between 2-20×10(-50)  strain(2) Hz(-1) and 5-35×10(-49)  strain(2) Hz(-1) sr(-1) for pointlike and extended sources, respectively. The latter result is the first of its kind. We also set 90% C.L. limits on the narrow-band root-mean-square GW strain from interesting targets including Sco X-1, SN 1987A and the Galactic center as low as ≈7×10(-25) in the most sensitive frequency range near 160 Hz.

Apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide L-4F prevents myocardial and coronary dysfunction in diabetic mice

Diabetes is a major health problem associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide L-4F is a putative anti-diabetic drug, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proprieties and improves endothelial function. In obese mice L-4F increases adiponectin levels, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing visceral adiposity. We hypothesized that the pleiotropic actions of L-4F can prevent heart and coronary dysfunction in a mouse model of genetically induced Type II diabetes. We treated db/db mice with either L-4F or vehicle for 8 weeks. Trans-thoracic echocardiography was performed; thereafter, isolated hearts were subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1) were measured in plasma and HO-1, pAMPK, peNOS, iNOS, adiponectin, and superoxide in cardiac tissue. In db/db mice L-4F decreased accumulation of subcutaneous and total fat, and increased insulin sensitivity and adiponectin levels while lowering inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05). L-4F normalized in vivo left ventricular (LV) function of db/db mice, increasing (P < 0.05) fractional shortening and decreasing (P < 0.05) LV dimensions. In I/R experiments, L-4F prevented coronary microvascular resistance from increasing and LV function from deteriorating in the db/db mice. These changes were associated with increased cardiac expression of HO-1, pAMPK, peNOS, and adiponectin and decreased levels of superoxide and iNOS (P < 0.01). In the present study we showed that L-4F prevented myocardial and coronary functional abnormalities in db/db mice. These effects were associated with stimulation of HO-1 resulting in increased levels of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and vasodilatatory action through a mechanism involving increased levels of adiponectin, pAMPK, and peNOS.

Dosimetric variations of target volumes and organs at risk in nasopharyngeal carcinoma intensity-modulated radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the actual dose variability to the targets and organs at risk (OARs) during nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and to investigate the significance of replanning.

METHODS

11 NPC patients were included in this study. Each patient had both a planning CT and weekly repeated CT. Simulated plans that were generated by using the same beam configurations mapped to the repeated CT represented the actual delivered doses to the target volumes and OARs. An IMRT replanning was performed with the fifth week CT scan. Doses among the initial plan, the simulated plans and replanning were compared.

RESULTS

There were no significant dosimetric differences in the gross tumour volume, clinical target volume (CTV) 1 or CTV2 for either the simulated plans or the replanning compared with the initial plan. Dosimetric variability of both parotid glands and the brain stem were unique to each individual, and doses to the spinal cord were always maintained within the limit. Replanning in the fifth week had significantly decreased the doses delivered to both parotids (p-values of the mean dose were 0.015 and 0.026 for the left and right parotid, respectively), whereas it did not reduce the doses to the brain stem and spinal cord. There was no relationship between dose variability and weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

There are no significant dose changes for target volumes and spinal cord, and doses to the brain stem and both parotid glands changed individually during NPC IMRT. Replanning helps to spare bilateral parotids.

Influence of flavonoid extracts from celery on oxidative stress induced by dichlorvos in rats

The present work was to investigate the effects of flavonoid extracts from celery on oxidative stress induced by dichlorvos (DIC) in male Wistar rats maintained on a normal diet. The rats were given DIC through intragastric administration by the dose of 7.2 mg/kg·body weight (bw)/day and additionally added 5% flavonoid extracts to the diet for 4 weeks continuously. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in livers of rats were measured at the end of the experiment. Under the influence of DIC, there were significant decrease in the activities of SOD, CAT and GST and significant increase in GPx activity and MDA content. The results also showed that the activities of SOD, GST and CAT in the DIC-treated group declined significantly when compared with the flavonoid extracts group and the DIC + flavonoid extracts group, respectively. With regard to GPx activity and MDA content, significant increase were showed in the DIC-treated group in comparison to those in the flavonoid extracts group and the DIC + flavonoid extracts group, respectively. The observations presented lead us to conclude the harmful effects of DIC during the exposure and the protective role of flavonoids in minimizing these effects.

Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided local injections of etanercept into entheses of ankylosing spondylitis patients with refractory Achilles enthesitis

OBJECTIVES

Enthesitis is one of the most common and specific manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the treatment of enthesitis is still a challenge for rheumatologist so far, especially to those AS patients with serious enthesitis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided local injection of etanercept into entheses of AS patients with refractory Achilles enthesitis.

METHODS

Twelve AS patients with severe unilateral refractory Achilles enthesitis were enrolled. Among them, 5 patients received US-guided local injection of etanercept and the other 7 received betamethasone. BASDAI, BASFI, VAS of the affected heel, the percentage of ASAS20 responders, CRP, ESR and any adverse events were recorded at baseline, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the treatment. US was also used to evaluate the corresponding entheses at baseline and every follow-up visit.

RESULTS

The BASDAI, BASFI, VAS of the affected heel, CRP, ESR, the percentage of ASAS20 responders and the regional blood flow signals detected by colour Doppler were all improved in both the etanercept group and the betamethasone group, at each follow-up visit compared to the baseline data (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the improvements of any of the above parameters between the two groups (p>0.05). In addition, there were no adverse events from the etanercept group, except for the mild acid bilges feeling during the injection procedure, while 1 patient from the betamethasone group developed mild local atrophoderma since the week 4 follow-up visit and the atrophoderma kept stable at the 2 subsequent visits.

CONCLUSIONS

US-guided local injection of etanercept might be a highly effective, safe and well tolerated treatment for Achilles enthesitis in patients with AS.

Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 inhibits transforming growth factor-b1-induced collagen type I expression in keloid

BACKGROUND

Keloids are benign skin tumours occurring during wound healing in genetically predisposed patients. There is evidence that transforming growth factor (TGF)-b is involved in keloid formation. Collagen triple helix repeat containing- 1 (Cthrc1) was identified as a novel gene expressed in the adventitia and neointima on arterial injury. It is indicated to be a cell type-specific inhibitor of TGF-b, which functionally increases cell migration while reducing collagen type I and III deposition. However, to our knowledge expression and regulatory mechanisms of Cthrc1 and TGF-b1 in keloid and normal skin have not been studied before.

OBJECTIVES

Cthrc1 gene regulation and potential role in keloid formation were determined, and its correlation with TGF-b1 involved in keloid pathogenesis was examined in human fibroblasts of keloids and normal skin.

METHODS

The expression of Cthrc1 and TGF-b1 was investigated in fibroblasts of keloid and normal skin. Collagen type I expression and collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblasts induced by TGF-b1 were examined. Then, recombinant Cthrc1 was applied to assess its correlation with TGF-b1.

RESULTS

Increased TGF-b1 and Cthrc1 expression was examined in keloid compared with normal skin. Cthrc1 expression increased in a concentration-dependent manner induced by TGF-b1 in keloid fibroblasts. TGF-b1 stimulated collagen type I expression and collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblasts, which can be reversed by recombinant Cthrc1.

CONCLUSIONS

TGF-b1 was upregulated in keloid fibroblasts and recombinant Cthrc1 inhibited TGF-b1-stimulated collagen type I synthesis, which suggests that Cthrc1 may be a potential therapeutic option for keloids.

Expression of aberrant beta-catenin and impaired p63 in craniopharyngiomas

Craniopharyngiomas are rare, histologically benign, non-neuroepithelial epithelial tumors arising from the sellar region, the molecular pathogenesis of CPs is yet not understood. The aim of the present study was to assess expression of aberrant beta-catenin and impaired p63 in 66 craniopharyngiomas included 51 adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas and 15 squamous papillary craniopharyngiomas. On immunohistochemistry, 47 out of 51 adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas, but not squamous papillary craniopharyngiomas, showed strong nuclear/cytoplasmic expression for beta-catenin predominantly in compactly cohesive epithelial cells within the whorl-like arrays where ki-67 was almost absent and rarely in palisaded cells where ki-67 was mainly present. P63 overexpression was observed in 45 out of 51 adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas and 14 out of 15 squamous papillary craniopharyngiomas. P63 stained not only in the nuclei of basal layer cells but also within the whorl-like arrays in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas and uniformly in squamous papillary craniopharyngiomas. Using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction techniques to correlate p63 protein expression with p63 mRNA levels, TAp63 isoforms mRNA was reduced, whereas DeltaNp63 mRNA elevated at levels in 5 snap frozen tissue samples with multiple large p63 positive cell clusters compared with normal tissues. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that the two variants of CPs have genetically not only distinctive but also common feature. It demonstrated that cytoplasm/nuclear beta-catenin accumulation is an exclusively characteristic morphology of adaCPs. P63 immunohistochemical overexpression were found in both adaCPs and spCPs variant when analyzed in the same study. Taken together, the impaired p63 expression may be attributed to elevated DeltaNp63 mRNA and reduced TAp63mRNA in CPs.

Rapid detection of Vibrio metschnikovii in aquatic products by real-time PCR

PCR and SYBR Green I real-time PCR techniques were applied to the rapid detection of Vibrio metschnikovii by designing primers based on infC (initiation factor 3) gene sequence. The specificity, sensitivity, and practical applications of the methods have been also analyzed. The methods showed high detecting specificity with no cross amplifications of other closely related and nonrelated species; they provide a simple and rapid tool for V. metschnikovii detection with high sensitivity and specificity.

IGFBP7, a novel immunohistochemical marker in differentiating dermatofibroma from dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

BACKGROUND

Loss of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) has been found to be a critical step in the development of melanoma and colon cancer. To our knowledge, immunostaining of IGFBP7 in various dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and dermatofibroma (DF) has not been studied before.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the immunostaining of IGFBP7 in DFSPs and DFs and to ascertain whether IGFBP7 is superior to antibodies traditionally used in differentiating DFs from DFSPs.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 28 cases of DFSP and 30 cases of DF, using antibodies to IGFBP7, CD34, factor XIIIa (FXIIIa), CD10 and stromelysin-3 (ST-3).

RESULTS

Six of 28 (21.4%) DFSP samples were positive for IGFBP7, whereas 28 of 30 (93.3%) DF samples were positive. CD34 was positive in 26 of 28 (92.9%) cases of DFSP and 4 of 30 (13.3%) cases of DF. FXIIIa staining was positive in 4 of 28 (14.3%) cases of DFSP and 28 of 30 (93.3%) cases of DF. CD10 staining was positive in 12 of 28 (42.9%) cases of DFSP and ST-3 staining was positive in 7 of 28 (25.0%) cases of DFSP. The preferential IGFP7 staining of DFSPs in comparison with DFs was statistically significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed that IGFBP7 is a negative immunohistochemical marker for DFSPs and the combination with CD34, FXIIIa and ST-3 immunostaining could make the distinction more reliable.

Effect of mobile phone intervention for diabetes on glycaemic control: a meta-analysis

AIMS

  To assess the effect of mobile phone intervention on glycaemic control in diabetes self-management.

METHODS

We searched three electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library) using the following terms: diabetes or diabetes mellitus and mobile phone or cellular phone, or text message. We also manually searched reference lists of relevant papers to identify additional studies. Clinical studies that used mobile phone intervention and reported changes in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c) ) values in patients with diabetes were reviewed. The study design, intervention methods, sample size and clinical outcomes were extracted from each trial. The results of the HbA(1c) change in the trials were pooled using meta-analysis methods.

RESULTS

  A total of 22 trials were selected for the review. Meta-analysis among 1657 participants showed that mobile phone interventions for diabetes self-management reduced HbA(1c) values by a mean of 0.5% [6 mmol/mol; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.7% (4-8 mmol/mol)] over a median of 6 months follow-up duration. In subgroup analysis, 11 studies among Type 2 diabetes patients reported significantly greater reduction in HbA(1c) than studies among Type 1 diabetes patients [0.8 (9 mmol/mol) vs. 0.3% (3 mmol/mol); P=0.02]. The effect of mobile phone intervention did not significantly differ by other participant characteristics or intervention strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

  Results pooled from the included trials provided strong evidence that mobile phone intervention led to statistically significant improvement in glycaemic control and self-management in diabetes care, especially for Type 2 diabetes patients.

Robust estimation for ordinary differential equation models

Applied scientists often like to use ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to model complex dynamic processes that arise in biology, engineering, medicine, and many other areas. It is interesting but challenging to estimate ODE parameters from noisy data, especially when the data have some outliers. We propose a robust method to address this problem. The dynamic process is represented with a nonparametric function, which is a linear combination of basis functions. The nonparametric function is estimated by a robust penalized smoothing method. The penalty term is defined with the parametric ODE model, which controls the roughness of the nonparametric function and maintains the fidelity of the nonparametric function to the ODE model. The basis coefficients and ODE parameters are estimated in two nested levels of optimization. The coefficient estimates are treated as an implicit function of ODE parameters, which enables one to derive the analytic gradients for optimization using the implicit function theorem. Simulation studies show that the robust method gives satisfactory estimates for the ODE parameters from noisy data with outliers. The robust method is demonstrated by estimating a predator-prey ODE model from real ecological data.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is associated with low plasma concentrations of human neutrophil peptides 1-3

SETTING

Human neutrophil peptides 1, 2 and 3 (HNP1-3) are involved in innate host defence and acquired immune response, which is possibly associated with the genesis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between HNP1-3 and MDR-TB.

DESIGN

We divided 42 patients with post-primary pulmonary TB into two groups according to their drug susceptibility test results: the drug-susceptible group (n = 21) and the MDR-TB group (n = 21). The concentration of HNP1-3 in the plasma of all specimens was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before treatment and 6, 18 and 24 months after. Duration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum and peripheral blood neutrophil counts were measured at the same time.

RESULTS

Before treatment, the plasma HNP1-3 concentration in the MDR-TB group was lower than that of healthy controls and the drug-susceptible group. After treatment, plasma HNP1-3 concentrations were higher than pre-treatment levels in the MDR-TB group, but were still lower than in healthy controls or the drug-susceptible group. The concentration of HNP1-3 was negatively correlated with the duration of M. tuberculosis in sputum, while it was positively correlated with neutrophils.

CONCLUSION

MDR-TB is associated with low plasma concentrations of HNP1-3.

Intrinsic optical properties of vanadium dioxide near the insulator-metal transition

We studied the insulator-metal transition (IMT) in single-domain, single crystalline vanadium dioxide (VO(2)) microbeams with infrared microspectroscopy. The unique nature of such samples allowed us to probe the intrinsic behavior of both insulating and metallic phases in the close vicinity of IMT, and investigate the IMT driven by either strain or temperature independently. We found that the VO(2) insulating band gap narrows rapidly upon heating, and the infrared response undergoes an abrupt transition at both strain- and temperature-induced IMT. The results are consistent with recent studies attributing the opening of VO(2) insulating band gap to a correlation-assisted Peierls transition.

hSSB1 binds and protects p21 from ubiquitin-mediated degradation and positively correlates with p21 in human hepatocellular carcinomas

Downregulation of hSSB1, a single-stranded DNA-binding protein, causes increased radiosensitivity, defective checkpoint activation and genomic instability. However, the mechanisms of hSSB1 function in these responses remain to be uncovered. Here, we present evidence that hSSB1 directly binds p21 and this interaction may prevent p21 from ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Furthermore, both promotion of the G1/S transition and abrogation of the G2/M checkpoints induced by hSSB1 knockdown are partially dependent on p21. Most importantly, hSSB1 and p21 levels are positively correlated in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), as determined by immunostaining. Therefore, hSSB1 may positively modulate p21 to regulate cell cycle progression and DNA damage response, implicating hSSB1 as a novel, promising therapeutic target for cancers such as HCC.