Three decades of inequality in neonatal and early childhood mortality in singleton births in Scotland

Background

Socioeconomic inequality in child mortality highlights opportunities for policies to reduce child deaths.

Methods

We used singleton birth, death and maternity records from Scotland, 1981-2011, to examine mortality rate differences by age across deprivation quintiles over time. We measured the difference between the most and least deprived quintiles (Q5-Q1) and the slope index of inequality (SII) across all quintiles-measures of the absolute deprivation gap, providing an indication of the public health impact.

Results

Q5-Q1 remained relatively constant from 1990 onwards for early neonates, widened in the mid-2000s for late neonates, increased in the 1990 s then decreased in the 2000 s in the post-neonates and declined over time in early childhood. The trend over time in SII showed no significant change for early neonates (P = 0.440), significant decrease for post-neonates (P = 0.010) and early childhood (P = 0.043), and significant increase for late neonates (P = 0.011).

Conclusions

Over three decades, the absolute deprivation gap in mortality widened in late neonates but stabilized or declined at other ages. This may reflect improved survival beyond the early neonatal period of babies with conditions related to socioeconomic inequality such as prematurity. Monitoring birth cohort data could enhance understanding of this vulnerable group.

Efficiency Enhancement of Solid-State CuInS2 Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells by Improving the Charge Recombination

Copper indium sulfide quantum dots (CuInS₂ QDs) were incorporated into a nanocrystalline TiO₂ film by using spin coating-assisted successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction process to fabricate CuInS₂ QD-sensitized TiO₂ photoelectrodes for the solid-state quantum dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSSC) applications. The result shows that the photovoltaic performance of solar cell is extremely dependent on the number of cycles, which has an appreciable impact on the coverage ratio of CuInS₂ on the surface of TiO₂ and the density of surface defect states. In the following high-temperature annealing process, it is found that annealing TiO₂/CuInS₂ photoelectrode at a suitable temperature would be beneficial for decreasing the charge recombination and accelerating the charge transport. After annealing at 400 °C, a significantly enhanced photovoltaic properties of solid-state CuInS₂ QDSSCs are obtained, achieving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.13%, along with an open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.68 V, a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_SC) of 11.33 mA cm^-2, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.41. The enhancement in the performance of solar cells is mainly ascribed to the suppression of charge recombination and the promotion of the electron transfer after annealing.

MiR-103 inhibiting cardiac hypertrophy through inactivation of myocardial cell autophagy via targeting TRPV3 channel in rat hearts

Cardiac hypertrophy is a common pathological change frequently accompanied by chronic hypertension and myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, the pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy have never been elucidated. Recent studies indicated that miR-103 expression was significantly decreased in heart failure patients. However, less is known about the role of miR-103 in cardiac hypertrophy. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between miR-103 and the mechanism of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. TRPV3 protein, cardiac hypertrophy marker proteins (BNP and β-MHC) and autophagy associated proteins (Beclin-1 and LC3-II) were up-regulated, as well as, miR-103 expression and autophagy associated proteins (p62) were down-regulated in cardiac hypertrophy models in vivo and in vitro respectively. Further results indicated that silencing TRPV3 or forcing overexpression of miR-103 could dramatically inhibit cell surface area, relative fluorescence intensity of Ca2+ signal and the expressions of BNP, β-MHC, Beclin-1 and LC3-II, but promote p62 expression. Moreover, TRPV3 protein was decreased in neonatal rat ventricular myocyte transfected with miR-103, but increased by AMO-103. Co-transfection of the miR-103 with the luciferase reporter vector into HEK293 cells caused a sharp decrease in luciferase activity compared with transfection of the luciferase vector alone. The miR-103-induced depression of luciferase activity was rescued by an AMO-103. These findings suggested that TRPV3 was a direct target of miR-103. In conclusion, miR-103 could attenuate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy partly by reducing cardiac autophagy activity through the targeted inhibition of TRPV3 signalling in the pressure-overloaded rat hearts.

Serum Stem Cell Factor Level Predicts Decline in Kidney Function in Healthy Aging Adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Stem cell factor (SCF), the ligand of the c-kit receptor, actively participates in the organ reconstruction and fibrosis associated with various diseases, including kidney disease. However, it remains unclear whether SCF plays a role in kidney aging.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS

In the present study, we measured the serum SCF level, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and other biological parameters in a Chinese Han group of 892 subjects, and explored the relationship between SCF level and renal function during aging; we sought to define novel biomarkers of kidney aging.

RESULTS

Multiple linear regression was used to select potential indicators of decline in renal function. Only age, SCF level, and 25% maximum expiratory flow (25% MEF) were significant predictors after redundancy analysis (|r| > 0.70 and P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that the relationship among eGFR, SCF level, and age could be described as follows: eGFR = 154.486 - (0.846 × age) - (0.011 × SCF level).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no between-gender difference in the effect of SCF on kidney aging. In conclusion, the SCF level is an ideal biomarker of renal aging and may help to predict changes in eGFR during aging.

Allicin improves the function of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells by increasing PECAM-1 in rats with cardiac hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac microvascular damage is significantly associated with the development of cardiac hypertrophy (CH). Researchers found that allicin could inhibit CH, but the relationship between cardiac microvessel and the inhibition of allicin on CH has not been reported. We aimed to investigate the effect of allicin on the function of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) in CH rat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The hemodynamic parameters were measured by BL-420F biological function experimental system and the indicators of the ventricular structure and function were measured by echocardiographic system. MTT assay was performed to assess the cell viability. Nitrite detection was performed to detect nitric oxide content. The morphology and molecular characteristics were detected by electron micrographs, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot. Wound healing experiment, analysis of tube formation and shear adaptation were performed to assess CMECs migration ability, angiogenesis and shear-responsiveness respectively.

RESULT

Our findings have identified that microvascular density was decreased by observing the expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in CH rats. Interestingly, allicin improved the distribution and expression of PECAM-1. Meanwhile, allicin enhanced the migration and angiogenesis ability of CMECs, activated PECAM-1-PI3K-AKT-eNOS signaling pathway, however, the role of allicin was disappear after PECAM-1 was silenced. Allicin decreased the expression of caspase-3 and receptor interacting protein 3 (RIP3), inhibited necroptosis, and increased the levels of Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β). Under 10 dyn/cm² condition, allicin advanced the modification ability of CMECs's shear-adaptation by activating PECAM-1.

CONCLUSION

Allicin provided cardioprotection for CH rats by improving the function of CMECs through increasing the expression of PECAM-1.

Multi-Component Herbal Products in the Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Associated Toxicity and Side Effects: A Review on Experimental and Clinical Evidences

Chemotherapy is nowadays the main treatment of human cancers. Chemotherapeutic agents target rapidly dividing cancer cells to suppress tumor progression, however, their non-specific cytotoxicity often leads to significant side effects that might be intolerable to cancer patients. Multi-component herbal products have been used for thousands of years for the treatment of multiple human diseases. This study aims to systematically summarize and evaluate the experimental and clinical evidences of the efficacy of multi-component herbal products in improving chemotherapy-induced side effect. Literature was retrieved from PubMed database and evaluated based on the side effects described. Multi-component herbal products were found to be effective in ameliorating the neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, hematological toxicity, cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Both experimental and clinical evidences were found, indicating the potential of applying multicomponent herbal products in the clinical treatment of chemotherapy-induced side effects. However, the lack of mechanistic and pharmacokinetic studies, inconsistency in product quality, as well as insufficient clinical evidence suggested that more investigations are urgently necessary. In all, our review shed light on the potential of using multi-component herbal products in the clinical management of chemotherapy-induced toxicity and side effects. We also discussed the potential threats of natural products for cancer treatment and compared the advantages of using herbs to conventional chemical drugs.

Identification of circular RNAs hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood as novel biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of RNAs that can be used as biomarkers in clinical blood samples. However, little is known about circRNAs' diagnostic values for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, the hsa_circ_0054189, hsa_circ_0008675, hsa_circ_0082689, hsa_circ_0082688, hsa_circ_0010932, hsa_circ_0002473 and hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood were determined by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR). For hsa_circ_0044235, only one abnormal expression circRNAs in peripheral blood was selected as a targeted circRNA to explore the diagnostic value for RA. Our work demonstrated that the hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood was decreased significantly in RA patients. The hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood from RA patients did not correlate with C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti‐citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) or disease activity score 28 (DAS28). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that the hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood has significant value in the diagnosis of RA. The risk score based on hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood also distinguished significantly the patients with RA from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study suggests that the hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood may be a potential biomarker of patients with RA.

Efficacy and safety results of patients with HCV genotype 2 or 3 infection treated with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin (QUARTZ II-III)

The efficacy and safety of an investigational combination of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OBV/PTV/r) plus sofosbuvir (SOF) ± ribavirin (RBV) in patients with HCV genotype 2 or 3 infection with or without cirrhosis was evaluated. Patients with HCV genotype 3 infection without cirrhosis were randomized to receive OBV/PTV/r + SOF ± RBV for 12 weeks; OBV/PTV/r + SOF + RBV was administered to genotype 3-infected patients with cirrhosis for 12 weeks and to genotype 2-infected patients without cirrhosis for either 6 or 8 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by sustained virologic response [HCV RNA <25 IU/mL] 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12). Safety was assessed in all treated patients. In patients with genotype 3 infection with or without cirrhosis treated with 12 weeks of OBV/PTV/r + SOF ± RBV, the overall SVR12 rate was 98% (50/51), with no virologic failures. Patients with genotype 2 infection treated with OBV/PTV/r + SOF + RBV had SVR12 rates of 90% (9/10) and 44% (4/9) following 8- and 6-week treatment durations, respectively; failure to achieve SVR12 for these patients was due to relapse without baseline or treatment-emergent resistance-associated substitutions. Thus, the investigational combination of OBV/PTV/r with SOF ± RBV was well tolerated and achieved high SVR rates with no virologic failures in patients with genotype 3 infection. Combining direct-acting antivirals with complementary mechanisms of action and different viral targets may be an effective treatment strategy that may allow for shorter durations of therapy.

The transient receptor potential vanilloid-3 regulates hypoxia-mediated pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

OBJECTVES

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is a member of the TRP channels family of Ca²⁺ -permeant cation channels. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of TRPV3 in pulmonary vascular remodeling and PASMCs proliferation under hypoxia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of TRPV3 was evaluated in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and hypoxic rats, using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, MTT assay, flow cytometry, Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to investigate the effects of TRPV3 on proliferation of PASMCs.

RESULTS

We found that, in vivo, the expression of TRPV3 was increased in patients with PAH and hypoxic rats. Right ventricular hypertrophy measurements and pulmonary pathomorphology data show that the ratio of the heart weight/tibia length (HW/TL), the right ventricle/left ventricle plus septum (RV/LV+S) and the medial width of the pulmonary artery were increased in chronic hypoxic rats. Moreover, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cyclin D, Cyclin E and Cyclin A, phospho-CaMKII (p-CaMKII) were induced by hypoxia. In vitro, we revealed that hypoxia promoted PASMCs viability, increased the expression of PCNA, Cyclin D, Cyclin E, Cyclin A p-CaMKII, made more cells from G₀ /G₁ phase to G₂ /M + S phase, enhanced the microtubule formation, and increased [Ca²⁺ ]_i , which could be suppressed by Ruthenium Red, an inhibitor of TRPV3, and TRPV3 silencing has similar effects. Furthermore, the up-regulated expression of PCNA, Cyclin D, Cyclin E and Cyclin A, the increased number of cells in G₂ /M and S phase, and the enhanced activation and expression of PI3K and AKT proteins induced by hypoxia and in presence of carvacrol (an agonist of TRPV3), was significantly attenuated by incubation of LY 294002, a specific inhibitor for PI3K/AKT.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that TRPV3 is involved in hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and promotes proliferation of PASMCs and the effect is, at least in part, mediated via the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Peripheral Blood Leukocyte Telomere Length Is Associated with Age but Not Renal Function: A Cross-Sectional Follow-Up Study

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between baseline renal function and changes in telomere length in Han Chinese.

METHODS

The telomere restriction fragment (TRF) length of leukocytes in the peripheral blood was measured in healthy volunteers recruited in 2014. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated based on serum creatinine (Scr) and serum cystatin C (CysC)-eGFRcys and eGFRScr-cys through the Cockcroft-Gault formula (eGFRC-G) or the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI / eGFRCKD-EPI) equation. The correlation between telomere length changes over time and renal function was analyzed.

RESULTS

Leukocyte TRF lengths were negatively correlated to age (r = -0.393, p < 0.001) and serum CysC (r = -0.180, p < 0.01), while positively associated with eGFRCKD-EPI, eGFRC-G, eGFRcys, and eGFRScr-cys (r = 0.182, 0.122, 0.290, and 0.254 respectively, p < 0.01). The 3-year change of telomere length was 46 bp/years. When adjusted for age, the associations between telomere length changes and baseline, subsequent TRF lengths, and serum CysC were no longer present. No association was observed between TRF length changes and renal function.

CONCLUSION

The rate of telomere length changes was affected by age and baseline telomere length. The telomere length changes might be important markers for aging.

Molecular epidemiological characterization of Brucella isolates from sheep and yaks in northwest China

Animal brucellosis is a re-emerging disease in China with high prevalence in the northwest region. A total of 66 isolates of Brucella were recovered from sheep and yaks in the Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Qinghai and Gansu provinces of northwest China in 2015 and 2016. Using classical biotyping and the Brucella AMOS PCR assay, all isolates were identified as Brucella melitensis biovar 3 (n = 58), B. melitensis biovar 1 (n = 1), Brucella abortus (n = 5), or Brucella suis biovar 3 (n = 2), and B. melitensis biovar 3 was found to be mainly responsible for sheep brucellosis in northwest China. Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) was used to identify the epidemiological relationships among the isolates and to assess their genetic diversity. Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis-16 identified 46 genotypes in these populations, including 37 unique and nine shared genotypes. Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis-11 showed that 71% of the isolates (47 of 66) were genotype 116 (1-5-3-13-2-2-3-2-4-41-8), a characteristic subgroup of the East Mediterranean group, showing that isolates from different geographical areas exhibit similar epidemiological characteristics in different regions and may be epidemiologically linked. Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis-11 also revealed that an isolate from Inner Mongolia had a novel genotype, 369 (1-5-3-13-2-2-3-2-7-41-8). Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis-16 genotyping of northwest China Brucella isolates allows a better understanding of the epidemiology of animal brucellosis in this region. This study is the first analysis of B. melitensis in Gansu province, and the results confirmed that in this province, isolates of this species are disorderly and unsystematic.

Expression profile of eukaryotic translation initiation factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in endometrial cancer tissue

The aim of the present study was to provide a novel method for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of endometrial cancer by the determination of the characteristic expression of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in endometrial cancer tissue. Three types of endometrial tissue specimens were selected (including 20 cases of normal endometrial tissue specimens, 15 cases of hyperplastic endometrial tissue specimens and 45 cases of endometrial cancer tissue specimens). The expression of eIF4E and MMP9 in the specimens was examined by immunohistochemistry and their corresponding levels were statistically analyzed. The positive expression rates of eIF4E and MMP9 in endometrial cancer specimens were 64.44% and 66.67% respectively, which were higher than those noted in hyperplastic endometrial tissue specimens and normal endometrial tissue specimens (p less than 0.05). The comparisons between the groups indicated that the expression levels of eIF4E and MMP9 in the endometrial cancer specimens were increased compared with those noted in the normal endometrial tissue specimens (p less than 0.0167). In endometrial cancer specimens, the positive expression rates of eIF4E and MMP9 were related to the endometrial cancer stages as determined by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), tumor cell differentiation degree and lymphatic metastasis (p less than 0.05) classifications. eIF4E expression was positively related to MMP9 expression in endometrial cancer specimens. High expression levels of eIF4E and MMP9 proteins were noted in endometrial cancer specimens, which were correlated with FIGO stages, histological grade and degree of lymphatic metastasis. Thus, endometrial cancer and malignant biological behavior may be connected to the high expression of eIF4E and MMP9. The positive correlation between eIF4E and MMP9 expression in endometrial cancer specimens suggests their potential up-regulation during carcinogenesis.

[The multicenter study on the registration and follow-up of low anticoagulation therapy for the heart valve operation in China]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the optimal anticoagulation methods and monitoring strategy for Chinese patients undergoing heart valve replacement, which is potentially quite different from western populations.

METHODS

In this multicenter prospective cohort study, the anticoagulation and monitoring strategy data was acquired from 25 773 in-hospital patients in 35 medical centers and 20 519 patients in outpatient clinic in 11 medical centers from January 1st, 2011 to December 31th, 2015.

RESULTS

As for in-hospital patients, mean age of study population was (48.6±11.2) years old; main etiology of valve pathology was rheumatic (87.5%) origin among study cohort; 94.8% of study population received mechanical valve implantation; international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring (in all the study centers) and low-intensity anticoagulation strategy (31 hospitals chose target INR range of 1.5-2.5, and actual values of INR among 89.2% of 100 069 in-hospital monitoring samples were 1.5-2.5), with mean actual INR values of 1.84±0.53, and warfarin dosage of (2.82±0.93) mg/d were widely adopted among the study centers; strategies of in-hospital warfarin administration were similar in all the study centers; complication rates of low-intensity anticoagulation strategy were low in severe hemorrhage (0.02%), thrombosis (0.05%), and thromboembolism (0.05%) events, without anticoagulation-related death.As for 18 974 outpatient clinic patients, the follow-up rate was 92.47%, with a total of 30 012 patient-years (Pty). Anticoagulation-related morbidity and mortality rates were 0.67% and 0.15% Pty; major hemorrhage morbidity and mortality rates were 0.25% and 0.13% Pty; thromboembolism morbidity and mortality rates were 0.45% and 0.03% Pty.The mean dosage of warfarin daily dosage was (2.85±1.23) mg/d and INR value was 1.82±0.57.No significant regional difference in the intensity of anticoagulation therapy was noted during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

INR can be used as a normalized indicator for intensity of anticoagulation therapy in China.The optimal anticoagulation intensity with INR range from 1.5 to 2.5 is safe and effective for Chinese patients with heart valve replacement, and there is no significant regional difference in the intensity of anticoagulation therapy.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism gene and coronary artery disease risk: a meta-analysis

We studied the association between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD) and clarified the mechanisms underlying this association. We searched the ISI, Medline (Ovid), PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and Weipu Databases. Statistical analysis was performed using Revman 5.0 and Stata12.0 softwares. A total of 3305 cases and 5016 controls in 12 case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. Variant A allele carriers showed a 48% increased risk of CAD compared with homozygote A allele [odds ratio (OR) = 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18-1.87 for AA + AG vs GG]. In subgroup analysis by gender, significantly elevated risks were found in the mixed group (OR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.42-2.22) but not in males (OR = 1.12, 95%CI = 0.79-1.57). In subgroup analysis by disease type, significant elevated risks were associated with A allele carriers in myocardial infarction [OR = 1.69, 95%CI = (1.05-2.71)], in coronary heart disease (OR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.00-1.86), but not in coronary heart disease plus diabetes mellitus subjects (OR = 1.57, 95%CI = 0.58-4.29). Moreover, those with the GG genotype consumed significantly more alcohol than those with the AA/AG genotypes (standard mean deviation: 6.32 g, 95%CI = 2.09-10.55, P = 0.000). ALDH2 polymorphisms may be risk factors for CAD. Moreover, CAD patients with ALDH2 genotypes AG and AA consumed significantly less alcohol than those with GG. To further evaluate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions between ALDH2 polymorphisms and the risk of CAD, more studies with larger groups of patients are required.

Paucity of Nanolayering in Resin-Dentin Interfaces of MDP-based Adhesives

Self-assembled nanolayering structures have been reported in resin-dentin interfaces created by adhesives that contain 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (10-MDP). These structures have been hypothesized to contribute to bond durability. The objective of the present study was to determine the extent of nanolayering in resin-dentin interfaces after application of commercialized 10-MDP-containing self-etch and universal adhesives to human dentin. Seven commercialized adhesives were examined: Adhese Universal (Ivoclar-Vivadent), All-Bond Universal (Bisco, Inc.), Clearfil SE Bond 2, Clearfil S3 Bond Plus, Clearfil Universal Bond (all from Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.), G-Premio Bond (GC Corp.), and Scotchbond Universal (3M ESPE). Each adhesive was applied in the self-etch mode on midcoronal dentin according to the respective manufacturer's instructions. Bonded specimens (n = 6) were covered with flowable resin composite, processed for transmission electron microscopy, and examined at 30 random sites without staining. Thin-film glancing angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to detect the characteristic peaks exhibited by nanolayering (n = 4). The control consisted of 15%wt, 10%wt, and 5%wt 10-MDP (DM Healthcare Products, Inc.) dissolved in a mixed solvent (ethanol and water weight ratio 9:8, with photoinitiators). Experimental primers were applied to dentin for 20 s, covered with hydrophobic resin layer, and examined in the same manner. Profuse nanolayering with highly ordered periodicity (~3.7 nm wide) was observed adjacent to partially dissolved apatite crystallites in dentin treated with the 15% 10-MDP primer. Three peaks in the 2θ range of 2.40° (3.68 nm), 4.78° (1.85 nm), and 7.18° (1.23 nm) were identified from thin-film XRD. Reduction in the extent of nanolayering was observed in the 10% and 5% 10-MDP experimental primer-dentin interface along with lower intensity XRD peaks. Nanolayering and characteristic XRD peaks were rarely observed in specimens prepared from the commercialized adhesives. The sparsity of nanolayering in resin-dentin interfaces created by commercialized adhesives challenges its clinical effectiveness as a mechanism for improving bond longevity in dentin bonding.

Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To investigate biological impact of the downregulation of yes-associated protein (YAP) through RNA interference in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MHCC97H and MHCC97L.

METHODS

MHCC97H and MHCC97L cells were transiently transfected by YAP-siRNA. Furthermore, protein expressions and mRNA levels of characteristic markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (E-cadherin, N-cadherin) were examined by Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction, and transwell invasion assay was used to detect changes of invasiveness of MHCC97H and MHCC97L cells.

RESULTS

The transfected group with YAP-siRNA in MHCC97H after 72 h by Western blotting showed obviously higher expression of E-cadherin compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and lower expression of N-cadherin (P < 0.05). In MHCC97L cells, the expression of E-cadherin was also significantly increased (P < 0.05); however, N-cadherin expression did not significantly change (P > 0.05). Moreover, compared with the control group, Transwell invasion assay showed that the number of the transfected groups was significantly decreased in MHCC97H and MHCC97L cell lines (both P < 0.05). The result of real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated that mRNA levels of E-cadherin increased (P < 0.05), but the mRNA levels of N-cadherin did not significantly change (P > 0.05) in these two cell lines, indicating some effects of post-transcriptional regulation mechanism after silencing YAP.

CONCLUSIONS

YAP expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines MHCC97H and MHCC97L is closely related with the characteristic markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, N-cadherin and E-cadherin expression.

Determinants of suicidal ideation in gynecological cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

Gynecological cancer survivors are at increased risk of psychological problems including suicide risk. Suicidal ideation, which was thought to be precursor to suicide attempts, has not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, and determinants of suicidal ideation for women with gynecological cancer, and then to assess the effect of coping style and social support on suicidal ideation.

METHODS

Patients with cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancers seen at Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital from September 2012 to June 2013 were consecutively recruited and were asked to complete the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Suicidal Ideation of Self-rating Scale, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire and Social Support Rating Scale. Path analysis was used to examine the relationship among coping style, social support, depression symptoms and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

A total of 579 (579/623, 93.0%) gynecological cancer patients were enrolled in this study and completed all investigations between September 2012 and June 2013. Among them, 105 (18.1%) patients reported suicidal ideation, with the highest rate in patients with ovarian cancer (30.16%). Suicidal ideation was associated with depression symptoms, care providers, chemotherapy history and acceptance-resignation. Path analysis showed that the acceptance-resignation affected suicidal ideation directly as well as mediated by social support and depression symptoms, while confrontation and avoidance affected suicidal ideation entirely through social support and depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicidal ideation is high among patients with gynecological cancer, especially among ovarian cancer patients. Coping strategies such as confrontation and avoidance, and social support may be helpful for preventing suicidal ideation among them.

Large-scale discovery of novel genetic causes of developmental disorders

Despite three decades of successful, predominantly phenotype-driven discovery of the genetic causes of monogenic disorders, up to half of children with severe developmental disorders of probable genetic origin remain without a genetic diagnosis. Particularly challenging are those disorders rare enough to have eluded recognition as a discrete clinical entity, those with highly variable clinical manifestations, and those that are difficult to distinguish from other, very similar, disorders. Here we demonstrate the power of using an unbiased genotype-driven approach to identify subsets of patients with similar disorders. By studying 1,133 children with severe, undiagnosed developmental disorders, and their parents, using a combination of exome sequencing and array-based detection of chromosomal rearrangements, we discovered 12 novel genes associated with developmental disorders. These newly implicated genes increase by 10% (from 28% to 31%) the proportion of children that could be diagnosed. Clustering of missense mutations in six of these newly implicated genes suggests that normal development is being perturbed by an activating or dominant-negative mechanism. Our findings demonstrate the value of adopting a comprehensive strategy, both genome-wide and nationwide, to elucidate the underlying causes of rare genetic disorders.

A second-generation genetic linkage map for bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) based on microsatellite markers

Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) is an important aquaculture fish worldwide. Genetic linkage maps for the species were previously reported, but map resolution remained to be improved. In this study, a second-generation genetic linkage map was constructed for bighead carp through a pseudo-testcross strategy using interspecific hybrids between bighead carp and silver carp. Of the 754 microsatellites genotyped in two interspecific mapping families (with 77 progenies for each family), 659 markers were assigned to 24 linkage groups, which were equal to the chromosome numbers of the haploid genome. The consensus map spanned 1917.3 cM covering 92.8% of the estimated bighead carp genome with an average marker interval of 2.9 cM. The length of linkage groups ranged from 52.2 to 133.5 cM with an average of 79.9 cM. The number of markers per linkage group varied from 11 to 55 with an average of 27.5 per linkage group. Normality tests on interval distances of the map showed a non-normal marker distribution; however, significant correlation was found between the length of linkage group and the number of markers below the 0.01 significance level (two-tailed). The length of the female map was 1.12 times that of the male map, and the average recombination ratio of female to male was 1.10:1. Visual inspection showed that distorted markers gathered in some linkage groups and in certain regions of the male and female maps. This well-defined genetic linkage map will provide a basic framework for further genome mapping of quantitative traits, comparative mapping and marker-assisted breeding in bighead carp.

Value of ecosystem hydropower service and its impact on the payment for ecosystem services

Hydropower is an important service provided by ecosystems. We surveyed all the hydropower plants in the Zagunao River Basin, Southwest China. Then, we assessed the hydropower service by using the InVEST (The Integrated Value and Tradeoff of Ecosystem Service Tools) model. Finally, we discussed the impact on ecological compensation. The results showed that: 1) hydropower service value of ecosystems in the Zagunao River Basin is 216.29 Euro/hm(2) on the average, of which the high-value area with more than 475.65 Euro/hm(2) is about 750.37 km(2), accounting for 16.12% of the whole watershed, but it provides 53.47% of the whole watershed service value; 2) ecosystem is an ecological reservoir with a great regulation capacity. Dams cannot completely replace the reservoir water conservation function of ecosystems, and has high economic and environmental costs that must be paid as well. Compensation for water conservation services should become an important basis for ecological compensation of hydropower development. 3) In the current PES cases, the standard of compensation is generally low. Cascade development makes the value of upstream ecosystem services become more prominent, reflecting the differential rent value, and the value of ecosystem services should be based on the distribution of differentiated ecological compensation.

A weight-of-evidence approach to integrate suspended sediment source information

Sediment monitoring, tracing and modelling are widely used to identify suspended sediment sources. Although each method has inherent limitations and uncertainties, their integration provides opportunities to form collective knowledge and encourages robust management strategies. This paper presents a Weight-of-Evidence approach to integrate multiple Lines-of-Evidence for identifying suspended sediment sources. Three sources of evidence were used: i) stream flow and suspended sediment monitoring at river gauges; ii) geochemical sediment tracing at river junctions; and iii) catchment-scale suspended sediment modelling of hillslope, gully, streambank and unsealed road erosion. We applied this approach on two data-poor catchments in Australia. Some reaches were consistently identified as major sources of sediment from all Lines-of-Evidence. However, inconsistencies between the types of evidence in other areas highlighted the high uncertainty in identifying suspended sediment sources in these areas and the need for further investigation. The integration framework maximised the use of scarce information, enabled explicit consideration of uncertainties for catchment management and identified where future monitoring and research should be targeted.

Tracking chromosome evolution in southern African gerbils using flow-sorted chromosome paints

Desmodillus and Gerbilliscus (formerly Tatera) comprise a monophyletic group of gerbils (subfamily Gerbillinae) which last shared an ancestor approximately 8 million years ago; diploid chromosome number variation among the species ranges from 2n = 36 to 2n = 50. In an attempt to shed more light on chromosome evolution and speciation in these rodents, we compared the karyotypes of 7 species, representing 3 genera, based on homology data revealed by chromosome painting with probes derived from flow-sorted chromosomes of the hairy footed gerbil, Gerbillurus paeba (2n = 36). The fluorescent in situ hybridization data revealed remarkable genome conservation: these species share a high proportion of conserved chromosomes, and differences are due to 10 Robertsonian (Rb) rearrangements (3 autapomorphies, 3 synapomorphies and 4 hemiplasies/homoplasies). Our data suggest that chromosome evolution in Desmodillus occurred at a rate of ~1.25 rearrangements per million years (Myr), and that the rate among Gerbilliscus over a time period spanning 8 Myr is also ~1.25 rearrangements/Myr. The recently diverged Gerbillurus (G. tytonis and G. paeba) share an identical karyotype, while Gerbilliscus kempi, G. afra and G. leucogaster differ by 6 Rb rearrangements (a rate of ~1 rearrangement/Myr). Thus, our data suggests a very slow rate of chromosomal evolution in Southern African gerbils.