A dedicated high-quality service for the management of patients with an inherited risk of colorectal cancer

AIM

To demonstrate the quality improvement associated with the implementation of a specialist family history of bowel cancer service in secondary care.

METHOD

The following outcomes were assessed: (1) adherence to the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines for colonoscopic surveillance of individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer (CRC); (2) adherence to the revised Bethesda criteria for the identification of CRC patients with suspected Lynch syndrome; (3) identification of inherited syndromes with increased CRC risk; and (4) colonoscopic adenoma detection rate. Data were collected for a 21-month period before and after the establishment of this service for all patients who underwent colonoscopic surveillance for a family history of CRC and all patients newly diagnosed with CRC. Analyses compared the number of colonoscopies performed that were not indicated by BSG guidelines, the average number of years early that patients were screened, the adenoma detection rate and the rate of tumour testing for mismatch repair genes before and after the implementation of the service.

RESULTS

Following the establishment of the service there was a reduction in the number of colonoscopies not indicated by BSG guidelines (39.6% before and 5.8% after, P < 0.001, chi-square test) and surveillance colonoscopy took place at a more appropriate age (10.6 years too early before and 5.9 years early after, P = 0.01, t-test). There was an increased adenoma detection rate (17% before and 31.9% after, P < 0.01, chi-square test) and increased tumour MMR testing (3.4% before and 91.8% after, P < 0.01, chi-square test).

CONCLUSION

The introduction of a family history of bowel cancer service results in improved patient care through improved adherence to guidelines for colonoscopic surveillance and increased cancer detection rates.

EphrinB2/EphB4 Signaling Regulates DPSCs to Induce Sprouting Angiogenesis of Endothelial Cells

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are capable of facilitating angiogenesis resembling pericytes when located adjacent to endothelial cells (ECs). Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms orchestrating their proangiogenic functions remain unclear. Using a 3-dimensional (3-D) fibrin gel model, we aimed to investigate whether EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling in DPSCs plays a role in supporting vascular morphogenesis mediated by ECs, together with the underlying mechanism involved. The EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling was inhibited either by a pharmacological inhibitor of EphB4 receptor or by knocking down the expressions of EphrinB2 and EphB4 using lentiviral small hairpin RNA (shRNA). DPSCs were either encapsulated in fibrin gel together with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) or cultured as a monolayer on top of HUVECs to investigate both paracrine and juxtacrine interactions simultaneously. Following 10 d of direct coculture, we found that pharmacological inhibition of EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling severely impaired vessel formation and laminin deposition. When directly cocultured with HUVECs, knockdown of EphrinB2 or EphB4 in DPSCs significantly inhibited endothelial sprouting, resulting in less capillary sprouts with reduced vessel length (P < 0.05). By contrast, when DPSCs were not in direct contact with HUVECs, attenuation of EphrinB2 or EphB4 expression levels in DPSCs did not exert any significant effects on capillary morphogenesis. Noticeably, exogenous stimulation with soluble EphrinB2-Fc or EphB4-Fc (1 µg/mL) enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from DPSCs, thereby moderately promoting angiogenic cascades in the fibrin matrix. This study, for the first time, reveals a crucial role of EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling in regulating the capacity of DPSCs to induce sprouting angiogenesis. These findings advance our understanding of postnatal angiogenesis and may have future regenerative medicine applications.

[Correlation between CTL and Th1 cell proportion in peripheral blood of liver transplantation recipients and the success of hepatitis B vaccination]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the proportion of CTL and Th1 cells in peripheral blood of liver transplant recipients and the success of hepatitis B vaccination. Methods: The subjects of this study were liver transplantation recipients with chronic HBV-related liver diseases in Organ transplantation institute of the third medical center of PLA general hospital. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups for prospective study. In the rapid group, one dose of 40 μg hepatitis B vaccine was administered at 0, 1, 2and 3 months, and one dose of 20 μg hepatitis B vaccine was administered at 4, 5 and 6 months. In the rapid-enhanced group, one dose of 40 μg hepatitis B vaccine was administered at 0, 1, 2 and 3 months, and one dose of 60 μg hepatitis B vaccine was administered at 4, 5 and 6months. Compare and analyze the success rate of inoculation, the titer of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), the proportion of CTL cells in CD8(+)T cells and Th1 cells in CD4(+)T cells. Correlation analysis was performed for CTL and Th1 cells and anti-HBs, Observe the safety of vaccination. Results: The inoculation success rate, anti-HBs growth rate, CTL cell percentage increase and Th1 cell percentage increase in the rapid enhancement group were all higher than those in the rapid enhancement group, and the differences were statistically significant, they were 38.3% (23/60) vs 21.7% (13/60) (P=0.046), 91.3(72.5,124.2) vs 22.1(12.4, 31.6) (P=0.001), 1.4(0.8,1.9) vs 0.4(0.2,1.4) (P=0.001) and 7.4±2.6 vs 5.6±3.7 (P=0.001) respectively. The percentage increase of CTL cells and Th1 cells in the successful group was greater than that in the non-successful group, and the difference was statistically significant. They were 1.9(1.4,2.5) vs 0.1(0.0,1.1) (P=0.024) and 9.6±3.1 vs 2.4±2.0 (P<0.001). There was no significant correlation between anti-HBs increase (105.5±37.1) and CTL increase 1(0,3) (P=0.099), while there was significant positive correlation with Th1 increase 7(2,11) (P<0.001). No rejection reaction occurred during the study period, and there was no special abnormal change in the safety index. Conclusion: Reasonable increase of vaccine dose can up-regulate Th1 cell expression and promote the generation of anti-HBs.

Moderate intensity continuous training reverses the detrimental effects of ovariectomy on RyR1 phosphorylation in rat skeletal muscle

High 17β-Estradiol (E2) concentrations in isolated ventricular myocytes as well as a lack of ovarian hormones in cardiac muscle of ovariectomized (OVX) rodents has been shown to lead to arrhythmogenic effects by inducing post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ release channel ryanodine receptor-2 (RyR2). The effects of estrogens on the phosphorylation status of the RyR1 in skeletal muscle have not been investigated before. Furthermore, while high intensity exercise has been shown to increase RyR phosphorylation, there is no data on the effects of moderate intensity continuous training (MICT). The aims of the study were to investigate the effects of a 3-day treatment with low (1 nM, moderate (5 nM) and high (10 nM, 100 nM) E2 concentrations on RyR1 mRNA and protein expression and phosphorylation status (pRyRSer²⁸⁴⁴) in cultured C2C12 myotubes and to study the effects of OVX on RyR1 expression and phosphorylation in rat skeletal muscle in combination with 3 weeks of MICT. Treatment with low, physiological E2 concentrations reduced dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) and RyR1 mRNA content in C2C12 myotubes compared to untreated control cells, whereas RyR1 protein phosphorylation (pRyRSer²⁸⁴⁴) was significantly increased after treatment with high, non-physiological E2 concentrations (p ≤ 0.05). RyR1 protein content (p ≤ 0.05) and pRyRSer²⁸⁴⁴ (p ≤ 0.05) were significantly elevated in skeletal muscle of OVX vs. sham-operated rats. Importantly, pRyRSer²⁸⁴⁴ levels were similar to sham-operated controls in OVX rats after MICT (OVX vs. OVX + MICT, p ≤ 0.05). Our results indicate, that one of the actions of estrogens is to alter skeletal muscle Ca²⁺ homeostasis by modulating the expression and phosphorylation of the RyR1 in skeletal muscle. Notably, regular MICT was able to counteract RyR1 phosphorylation in skeletal muscle of OVX rats.

Chidamide and 5-flurouracil show a synergistic antitumor effect on human colon cancer xenografts in nude mice

Chidamide is a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that increases the acetylation of histone H3 by inhibiting the activity of HDAC1 and HDAC2. We previously found that treatment of human colon cancer cells with chidamide led to cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/1 phase in vitro. The present study extended the observations in vivo and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. In nude mice bearing human colon cancer LoVo cell xenografts, chidamide alone or in combination with 5-flurouracil (5-Fu) reduced the expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2, accompanied with increased acetylation of histone H3. Chidamide alone inhibited the tumor growth and induce cell apoptosis in tumor-bearing mice. Combined treatment of chidamide with 5-Fu enhanced the anti-tumor activity of 5-Fu. Western blotting analysis showed that chidamide alone or in combination with 5-Fu upregulated the expressions of cleaved Caspase-3 and cleaved poly-ADP (adenosine diphosphate)-ribose polymerase (PARP). In addition, chidamide alone or in combination with 5-Fu increased the p53, phosphorylated-p53 (p-p53), p21 and γH2AX levels, but suppressed cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) expression in tumor cells. Chidamide alone or in combination with 5-Fu down regulated the expressions of p-AKT, p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-p70S6K, p-Raf, and p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinase (Erk1/2), indicating the blockage of these signaling pathways. The results demonstrated that chidamide alone or in combination with 5-Fu exerted anti-tumor activity in nude mice bearing human colon cancer LoVo cell xenografts, and several signaling pathways might be involved in the chidamide-induced tumor growth inhibition and tumor cell apoptosis.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon and rectum

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) are rare cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) and pancreatobiliary tract. They are characterized by the presence of a combination of epithelial and neuroendocrine elements, where each component represents at least 30% of the tumour. Review of literature and consolidation of clinicopathological data. Sixty-one cases of colorectal MANEC have been reported in literature and one seen in this centre. The median age of the patients affected was 61.9 ± 12.4 years (20-94 years). Male to female ratio is 1.0:1.2. Presentations were similar to other colorectal malignancies. 58.0% of colorectal MANECs were found in the right colon, 8.1% cases in the transverse, 16.1% in the left colon, 16.1% in the rectum. These tumours appeared invasiveness 79.1% were T3-T4. Over 90% of cases were presented with metastatic disease. The majority of patient underwent surgical resection of the primary cancer (96.6%). Of these, 10 operations (17.9%) were emergency operations due to obstruction, perforation, or bleeding. Three patients received first line palliative care. In eight cases (13.8%), patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. The median overall survival after diagnosis was 10 ± 2.4 months (95% CI: 5.37-14.64 months). MANECs are rare but aggressive colorectal cancers. Surgical resection of localized disease with adjuvant chemotherapy appears to significantly improve survival in small case series. Further understanding through the sharing of experiences is required.

Comparison of guidelines for the management of rectal cancer

A comparison between NCCN, ESMO and JSCCR Guidelines is presented, concerning the treatment of rectal cancer, with an analysis and discussion of their discrepancies. Differences indicate areas for research.

First Search for Nontensorial Gravitational Waves from Known Pulsars

We present results from the first directed search for nontensorial gravitational waves. While general relativity allows for tensorial (plus and cross) modes only, a generic metric theory may, in principle, predict waves with up to six different polarizations. This analysis is sensitive to continuous signals of scalar, vector, or tensor polarizations, and does not rely on any specific theory of gravity. After searching data from the first observation run of the advanced LIGO detectors for signals at twice the rotational frequency of 200 known pulsars, we find no evidence of gravitational waves of any polarization. We report the first upper limits for scalar and vector strains, finding values comparable in magnitude to previously published limits for tensor strain. Our results may be translated into constraints on specific alternative theories of gravity.

Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA

We present possible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next decade, with the intention of providing information to the astronomy community to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals, and study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source. We report our findings for gravitational-wave transients, with particular focus on gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary neutron star systems, which are the most promising targets for multi-messenger astronomy. The ability to localize the sources of the detected signals depends on the geographical distribution of the detectors and their relative sensitivity, and [Formula: see text] credible regions can be as large as thousands of square degrees when only two sensitive detectors are operational. Determining the sky position of a significant fraction of detected signals to areas of 5-[Formula: see text] requires at least three detectors of sensitivity within a factor of [Formula: see text] of each other and with a broad frequency bandwidth. When all detectors, including KAGRA and the third LIGO detector in India, reach design sensitivity, a significant fraction of gravitational-wave signals will be localized to a few square degrees by gravitational-wave observations alone.

Does a missed obstetric anal sphincter injury at time of delivery affect short-term functional outcome?

Introduction This study aimed to ascertain whether missed obstetric anal sphincter injury at delivery had worse functional and quality of life outcomes than primary repair immediately following delivery. Materials and methods Two to one propensity matching was undertaken of patients presenting to a tertiary pelvic floor unit with ultrasound evidence of missed obstetric anal sphincter injury within 24 months of delivery with patients who underwent primary repair at the time of delivery by parity, grade of injury and time to assessment. Outcomes compared included Birmingham Bowel, Bladder and Urinary Symptom Questionnaire (BBUSQ), Wexner Incontinence Score, Short Form-36, Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire and anorectal physiology results. Results Thirty-two missed anal sphincter injuries were matched two to one with sixty-two patients who underwent primary repair of an anal sphincter defect. Mean time to follow-up was 9.31 ± 6.79 months. Patients with a missed anal sphincter injury had suffered more incontinence, as seen in higher the Birmingham Bowel, Bladder and Urinary Symptom Questionnaire (BBUSQ; 30.56% ± 14.41% vs. 19.75% ± 15.65%, P = 0.002) and Wexner scores (6.00 ± 3.76 vs. 3.67 ± 4.06, P = 0.009). They also had a worse BBUSQ urinary domain score (28.25% ± 14.9% vs. 17.01 ± 13.87%, P = 0.001) and worse physical functioning as measured by the Short Form-36 questionnaire (P = 0.045). There were no differences in other outcomes compared, including anorectal physiology and sexual function. Discussion In the short-term, patients with a missed obstetric anal sphincter injury had significantly worse faecal incontinence and urinary function scores, however quality of life and sexual function were largely comparable between groups. Conclusions Longer-term follow-up is needed to assess the effects of missed obstetric anal sphincter injury over time.

A systematic review of sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence following ileal pouch anal anastomosis

Faecal incontinence is a common complication of ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) and seems to worsen with time. The aim of this paper is to review the evidence of the use of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for patients with faecal incontinence after IPAA. A literature search was performed on PubMed and Cochrane databases for all relevant articles. All studies, which reported the outcome of SNS in patients with faecal incontinence after IPAA, were reviewed. Three papers were identified, including a case report, cohort study and retrospective study. The total number of patients was 12. The follow-up duration included 3 months, 6 months and 24 months. After peripheral nerve evaluation, definitive implantation was performed in 10 (83.3%) patients. All three studies reported positive outcomes, with CCF scores and incontinence episodes improving significantly. Preliminary results suggest good outcome after permanent SNS implant. Studies with larger sample sizes, well-defined patient characteristics and standardized outcome measures are required to fully investigate the effect of SNS in IPAA patients.

LncRNA MALAT1 promotes proliferation and metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer via the PI3K-AKT pathway

OBJECTIVE

The metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that plays a key role in the malignant phenotype of tumors. Although abnormal regulation of lncRNA MALAT1 impacts clinical prognostic and tumor metastasis, its function remains unclear in ovarian cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We collected 64 samples of surgical EOC tissues and 30 samples of normal ovarian tissues at the Department of Gynecology of Harbin Medical University (Harbin, China). The 30 control samples of ovarian surface epithelial tissues were obtained from patients diagnosed with uterine fibroids and scheduled hysterectomy with oophorectomy.

RESULTS

The present study discovered that MALAT1 was upregulated in tumor tissues and ovarian cancer cell lines. Further, the 5-year overall survival was higher in the lower expression of the MALAT1 group. MALAT1 inhibition impeded cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and promoted cell apoptosis in both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, silencing of MALAT1 hindered the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes and MMPS. The evidence showed that MALAT1 induce EMT via PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research suggests that MALAT1 transforms metastasis in EOC and may be a prospective therapeutic target.

GW170104: Observation of a 50-Solar-Mass Binary Black Hole Coalescence at Redshift 0.2

We describe the observation of GW170104, a gravitational-wave signal produced by the coalescence of a pair of stellar-mass black holes. The signal was measured on January 4, 2017 at 10∶11:58.6 UTC by the twin advanced detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory during their second observing run, with a network signal-to-noise ratio of 13 and a false alarm rate less than 1 in 70 000 years. The inferred component black hole masses are 31.2_{-6.0}^{+8.4}M_{⊙} and 19.4_{-5.9}^{+5.3}M_{⊙} (at the 90% credible level). The black hole spins are best constrained through measurement of the effective inspiral spin parameter, a mass-weighted combination of the spin components perpendicular to the orbital plane, χ_{eff}=-0.12_{-0.30}^{+0.21}. This result implies that spin configurations with both component spins positively aligned with the orbital angular momentum are disfavored. The source luminosity distance is 880_{-390}^{+450}  Mpc corresponding to a redshift of z=0.18_{-0.07}^{+0.08}. We constrain the magnitude of modifications to the gravitational-wave dispersion relation and perform null tests of general relativity. Assuming that gravitons are dispersed in vacuum like massive particles, we bound the graviton mass to m_{g}≤7.7×10^{-23}  eV/c^{2}. In all cases, we find that GW170104 is consistent with general relativity.

Upper Limits on the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from Advanced LIGO's First Observing Run

A wide variety of astrophysical and cosmological sources are expected to contribute to a stochastic gravitational-wave background. Following the observations of GW150914 and GW151226, the rate and mass of coalescing binary black holes appear to be greater than many previous expectations. As a result, the stochastic background from unresolved compact binary coalescences is expected to be particularly loud. We perform a search for the isotropic stochastic gravitational-wave background using data from Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory's (aLIGO) first observing run. The data display no evidence of a stochastic gravitational-wave signal. We constrain the dimensionless energy density of gravitational waves to be Ω_{0}<1.7×10^{-7} with 95% confidence, assuming a flat energy density spectrum in the most sensitive part of the LIGO band (20-86 Hz). This is a factor of ∼33 times more sensitive than previous measurements. We also constrain arbitrary power-law spectra. Finally, we investigate the implications of this search for the background of binary black holes using an astrophysical model for the background.

Directional Limits on Persistent Gravitational Waves from Advanced LIGO's First Observing Run

We employ gravitational-wave radiometry to map the stochastic gravitational wave background expected from a variety of contributing mechanisms and test the assumption of isotropy using data from the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory's (aLIGO) first observing run. We also search for persistent gravitational waves from point sources with only minimal assumptions over the 20-1726 Hz frequency band. Finding no evidence of gravitational waves from either point sources or a stochastic background, we set limits at 90% confidence. For broadband point sources, we report upper limits on the gravitational wave energy flux per unit frequency in the range F_{α,Θ}(f)<(0.1-56)×10^{-8}    erg cm^{-2} s^{-1} Hz^{-1}(f/25  Hz)^{α-1} depending on the sky location Θ and the spectral power index α. For extended sources, we report upper limits on the fractional gravitational wave energy density required to close the Universe of Ω(f,Θ)<(0.39-7.6)×10^{-8}  sr^{-1}(f/25  Hz)^{α} depending on Θ and α. Directed searches for narrowband gravitational waves from astrophysically interesting objects (Scorpius X-1, Supernova 1987 A, and the Galactic Center) yield median frequency-dependent limits on strain amplitude of h_{0}<(6.7,5.5,  and  7.0)×10^{-25}, respectively, at the most sensitive detector frequencies between 130-175 Hz. This represents a mean improvement of a factor of 2 across the band compared to previous searches of this kind for these sky locations, considering the different quantities of strain constrained in each case.

Antizyme inhibitor 1: a potential carcinogenic molecule

Polyamines are multivalent and organic cations essential for cellular growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Increased levels of polyamines are closely associated with numerous forms of cancer. An autoregulatory circuit composed of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), antizyme (AZ) and antizyme inhibitor (AZI) govern the intracellular level of polyamines. Antizyme binds with ODC to inhibit ODC activity and to promote the ubiquitin‐independent degradation of ODC. Antizyme inhibitor binds to AZ with a higher affinity than ODC. Consequently, ODC is released from the ODC–AZ complex to rescue its activity. Antizyme inhibitor increases the ODC activity to accelerate the formation of intracellular polyamines, triggering gastric and breast carcinogenesis as well as hepatocellular carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma development. Antizyme inhibitor 1 (AZIN1), a primary member of the AZI family, has aroused more attention because of its contribution to cancer. Even though its conformation is changed by adenosine‐to‐inosine (A→I) RNA editing, it plays an important role in tumorigenesis through regulating intracellular polyamines. Encouragingly, AZIN1 has been revealed to have an additional function outside the polyamine pathway so as to bypass the deficiency of targeting the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, promising to become a critical target for cancer therapy. Here, we review the latest research advances into AZIN1 and its potential contribution to carcinogenesis.

Recombination changes at the boundaries of fully and partially sex-linked regions between closely related Silene species pairs

The establishment of a region of suppressed recombination is a critical change during sex chromosome evolution, leading to such properties as Y (and W) chromosome genetic degeneration, accumulation of repetitive sequences and heteromorphism. Although chromosome inversions can cause large regions to have suppressed recombination, and inversions are sometimes involved in sex chromosome evolution, gradual expansion of the non-recombining region could potentially sometimes occur. We here test whether closer linkage has recently evolved between the sex-determining region and several genes that are partially sex-linked in Silene latifolia, using Silene dioica, a closely related dioecious plants whose XY sex chromosome system is inherited from a common ancestor. The S. latifolia pseudoautosomal region (PAR) includes several genes extremely closely linked to the fully Y-linked region. These genes were added to an ancestral PAR of the sex chromosome pair in two distinct events probably involving translocations of autosomal genome regions causing multiple genes to become partially sex-linked. Close linkage with the PAR boundary must have evolved since these additions, because some genes added in both events now show almost complete sex linkage in S. latifolia. We compared diversity patterns of five such S. latifolia PAR boundary genes with their orthologues in S. dioica, including all three regions of the PAR (one gene that was in the ancestral PAR and two from each of the added regions). The results suggest recent recombination suppression in S. latifolia, since its split from S. dioica.

The role of sex, adiposity, and gonadectomy in the regulation of irisin secretion

A sexual dimorphism has been reported for the adipo-myokine irisin at rest and in response to exercise. The effects of male and female sex, adiposity, and gonadectomy on irisin secretion have not been investigated before. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of sex, adiposity, and gonadectomy in the regulation of irisin secretion as well as PGC-1α/FNDC5 mRNA and protein expression. We hypothesized that a lack of female sex hormones by ovariectomy reduces irisin levels and inhibits skeletal muscle expression of PGC-1α and FNDC5. Circulating irisin was measured in vivo in serum samples of healthy and obese men and women at rest and in response to acute exercise. The effects of gonadectomy on serum irisin, PGC-1α and FNDC5 muscle mRNA, and protein expression were investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) and orchiectomized (ORX) Wistar rats. Serum irisin at rest was not significantly different between men and women (lean or obese). However, in response to acute aerobic exercise, irisin levels increased significantly more in lean women versus men (p ≤ 0.05). In obese individuals, resting irisin concentrations were significantly higher compared to lean subjects (p ≤ 0.001) and the irisin response to acute exercise was blunted. Only the lack of gonadal hormones in OVX but not ORX rats increased serum irisin levels (p ≤ 0.01) and resulted in significantly increased body weight (p ≤ 0.01), adipose tissue content (p ≤ 0.05), muscle FNDC5 mRNA (p ≤ 0.05), and protein (p ≤ 0.01) expression without altering PGC-1α expression. Testosterone treatment in ORX rats leads to increased PGC-1α mRNA content and reduced PGC-1α protein content without affecting FDNC5 expression or serum irisin levels. We show that a sexual dimorphism exists for the acute irisin response to exercise in normal-weight but not in obese subjects. OVX, which is associated with increased adiposity and insulin insensitivity, increases basal FNDC5 expression and serum irisin, without altering PGC-1α expression. This may be an early sign for metabolic disturbances associated with menopause, such as a developing irisin resistance or an attempt of the organism to improve glucose metabolism.

The necessity of strength evaluation in assessment of clinical outcome after shoulder surgery : follow-up data from patients with complex proximal humerus fractures treated by locking plate fixation

In order to minimize the bias of Constant score we modified the allocation of strength subscore. One hundred and two patients with 3- and 4-part proximal humerus fractures were treated using locking plate fixation and followed up for > 1 year. The clinical outcomes were assessed by DASH score abbreviated Constant score (AbbCS strength item excluded) modified Constant score (ModCS with 12-pound strength) and original Constant score (CS with 25-pound strength). The satisfaction rate was determined for each scoring instrument. Compared to CS the satisfaction rate was significantly higher in DASH score AbbCS and ModCS (all p < 0.001) but the latter 3 groups did not show significant difference. ROC analysis showed that a > 7-pound shoulder strength was present in patients with satisfied outcome assessed by DASH score. In conclusion strength evaluation is necessary for the assessment of shoulder function but the over-allocated strength should be modified in Constant score.

GW151226: Observation of Gravitational Waves from a 22-Solar-Mass Binary Black Hole Coalescence

We report the observation of a gravitational-wave signal produced by the coalescence of two stellar-mass black holes. The signal, GW151226, was observed by the twin detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) on December 26, 2015 at 03:38:53 UTC. The signal was initially identified within 70 s by an online matched-filter search targeting binary coalescences. Subsequent off-line analyses recovered GW151226 with a network signal-to-noise ratio of 13 and a significance greater than 5σ. The signal persisted in the LIGO frequency band for approximately 1 s, increasing in frequency and amplitude over about 55 cycles from 35 to 450 Hz, and reached a peak gravitational strain of 3.4_{-0.9}^{+0.7}×10^{-22}. The inferred source-frame initial black hole masses are 14.2_{-3.7}^{+8.3}M_{⊙} and 7.5_{-2.3}^{+2.3}M_{⊙}, and the final black hole mass is 20.8_{-1.7}^{+6.1}M_{⊙}. We find that at least one of the component black holes has spin greater than 0.2. This source is located at a luminosity distance of 440_{-190}^{+180}  Mpc corresponding to a redshift of 0.09_{-0.04}^{+0.03}. All uncertainties define a 90% credible interval. This second gravitational-wave observation provides improved constraints on stellar populations and on deviations from general relativity.

Coupled neutronics/thermal-hydraulics and safety characteristics of liquid-fueled Molten Salt Reactors

Molten salt reactor (MSR) as one candidate of the Generation IV advanced nuclear power systems is attracted more attention in China due to its top ranked fuel cycle and thorium utilization. The MSRs are characterized by using liquid-fuel, which offers complicated coupling problem of neutronics and thermal hydraulics. In this paper, the fundamental model and numerical method are established to calculate and analyze the safety characteristics for liquid-fuel MSRs. The theories and methodologies are applied to the MOSART concept. The liquid-fuel flow effects on neutronics, reactivity coefficients and three operation parameters' influences at steady state are obtained, which provide the basic information for safety analysis. The unprotected loss of flow transient is calculated, the results of which shows the inherent safety characteristics of MOSART due to its strong negative reactivity feedbacks.

Evaluation of gamma ray-induced gastrointestinal tract morphological and proliferative activity changes in rhesus monkeys

To provide support for future pharmacology and preclinical studies, we have established a stable nonhuman primate animal model to demonstrate the histopathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract following gamma ray irradiation. In this study, 12 healthy rhesus monkeys were divided into 2 groups (control and radiation groups). Animals in the radiation group were exposed to gamma rays (cobalt 60 source) at a dose level of 6.5 Gy total body irradiation bilaterally (i.e. 3.25 Gy on each side). Control animals were sham exposed using identical procedures. After a 5-day in-life observation period, gastrointestinal tract tissues (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and rectum) were collected and fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for subsequent hematoxylin and eosin and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry processing. The results showed that the esophagus was undergoing degeneration without obvious inflammatory changes, while the stomach and duodenum exhibited both degeneration and inflammation. From the jejunum to the rectum, late-stage inflammation with glandular regeneration, as well as a high-level BrdU labeling index, was present.

A systematic review of sacral nerve stimulation for low anterior resection syndrome

AIM

The efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) in low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is largely undocumented. A review of the literature was carried out to study this question.

METHOD

Pubmed, Medline and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant articles up to August 2014. Studies were included if they evaluated the use of SNS following rectal resection and assessed at least one of the following end-points: bowel function, quality of life and ano-neorectal physiology. No restrictions on language or study size were made.

RESULTS

Seven papers were identified including one case report and six prospective case series. These included 43 patients with a median follow-up of 15 months. After peripheral nerve evaluation definitive implantation was carried out in 34 (79.1%) patients. Overall, 32 (94.1%) of the 34 patients experienced improvement of symptoms which, based on intention to treat, was 32/43 (74.4%).

CONCLUSION

The review suggests that SNS for faecal incontinence in LARS has success rates comparable to its use for other forms of faecal incontinence.

RAD mapping reveals an evolving, polymorphic and fuzzy boundary of a plant pseudoautosomal region

How loss of genetic exchanges (recombination) evolves between sex chromosomes is a long-standing question. Suppressed recombination may evolve when a sexually antagonistic (SA) polymorphism occurs in a partially sex-linked 'pseudoautosomal' region (or 'PAR'), maintaining allele frequency differences between the two sexes, and creating selection for closer linkage with the fully sex-linked region of the Y chromosome in XY systems, or the W in ZW sex chromosome systems. Most evidence consistent with the SA polymorphism hypothesis is currently indirect, and more studies of the genetics and population genetics of PAR genes are clearly needed. The sex chromosomes of the plant Silene latifolia are suitable for such studies, as they evolved recently and the loss of recombination could still be ongoing. Here, we used RAD sequencing to genetically map sequences in this plant, which has a large genome (c. 3 gigabases) and no available whole-genome sequence. We mapped 83 genes on the sex chromosomes, and comparative mapping in the related species S. vulgaris supports previous evidence for additions to an ancestral PAR and identified at least 12 PAR genes. We describe evidence that recombination rates have been reduced in meiosis of both sexes, and differences in recombination between S. latifolia families suggest ongoing recombination suppression. Large allele frequency differences between the sexes were found at several loci closely linked to the PAR boundary, and genes in different regions of the PAR showed striking sequence diversity patterns that help illuminate the evolution of the PAR.

Influence of Resting-State Network on Lateralization of Functional Connectivity in Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although most studies on epilepsy have focused on the epileptogenic zone, epilepsy is a system-level disease characterized by aberrant neuronal synchronization among groups of neurons. Increasingly, studies have indicated that mesial temporal lobe epilepsy may be a network-level disease; however, few investigations have examined resting-state functional connectivity of the entire brain, particularly in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis. This study primarily investigated whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity abnormality in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and right hippocampal sclerosis during the interictal period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated resting-state functional connectivity of 21 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with right hippocampal sclerosis and 21 neurologically healthy controls. A multivariate pattern analysis was used to identify the functional connections that most clearly differentiated patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with right hippocampal sclerosis from controls.

RESULTS

Discriminative analysis of functional connections indicated that the patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with right hippocampal sclerosis exhibited decreased resting-state functional connectivity within the right hemisphere and increased resting-state functional connectivity within the left hemisphere. Resting-state network analysis suggested that the internetwork connections typically obey the hemispheric lateralization trend and most of the functional connections that disturb the lateralization trend are the intranetwork ones.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings suggest that weakening of the resting-state functional connectivity associated with the right hemisphere appears to strengthen resting-state functional connectivity on the contralateral side, which may be related to the seizure-induced damage and underlying compensatory mechanisms. Resting-state network-based analysis indicated that the compensatory mechanism among different resting-state networks may disturb the hemispheric lateralization.

Disrupted topological properties of brain white matter networks in left temporal lobe epilepsy: a diffusion tensor imaging study

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is the most common drug-refractory focal epilepsy in adults. Although previous functional and morphological studies have revealed abnormalities in the brain networks of mTLE, the topological organization of the brain white matter (WM) networks in mTLE patients is still ambiguous. In this study, we constructed brain WM networks for 14 left mTLE patients and 22 age- and gender-matched normal controls using diffusion tensor tractography and estimated the alterations of network properties in the mTLE brain networks using graph theoretical analysis. We found that networks for both the mTLE patients and the controls exhibited prominent small-world properties, suggesting a balanced topology of integration and segregation. However, the brain WM networks of mTLE patients showed a significant increased characteristic path length but significant decreased global efficiency, which indicate a disruption in the organization of the brain WM networks in mTLE patients. Moreover, we found significant between-group differences in the nodal properties in several brain regions, such as the left superior temporal gyrus, left hippocampus, the right occipital and right temporal cortices. The robustness analysis showed that the results were likely to be consistent for the networks constructed with different definitions of node and edge weight. Taken together, our findings may suggest an adverse effect of epileptic seizures on the organization of large-scale brain WM networks in mTLE patients.

Neuroglobin - a potential biological marker of retinal damage induced by LED light

Neuroglobin (NGB), a protein highly expressed in the retina, has been shown to be up-regulated to protect neurons from hypoxic and ischemic injuries. It exhibits neuroprotective functions and plays an important role in the survival of neurons. Recent studies show that light-emitting diode (LED) white light emitted significant amounts of blue light (short-wavelength), which may be harmful to retinal cells, but the studies about biomarkers for evaluating the damage from LED white light are still insufficient. In our study, we found that NGB levels in the retina showed a twofold increase and peaked at 1h after a 1-h exposure to blue light (453 nm) which did not cause damage to the retina. However, retinal damage was observed after 2h of blue-light irradiation, which induced an approximate sevenfold increase of NGB levels as confirmed by Western blot and RT-PCR analysis. Immunofluorescence study demonstrated that NGB was predominantly up-regulated in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), plexiform layer (PL) and photoreceptor layer (PRL). We also examined Ngb mRNA and protein expression in the damaged retina induced by light of other wavelengths given equal photon fluxes. The LED red light (625 nm), green light (527 nm) and blue light (453 nm) increased the expression of NGB and caused TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells, especially in the blue-light group. In addition, a negative correlation between NGB and rhodopsin was observed. These findings suggested that there was a correlation between NGB expression and the severity of the retinal damage, indicating NGB's potential function as a biological marker of retinal damage induced by LED light.

Production and repair of implant-induced microdamage in the cortical bone of goats after long-term estrogen deficiency

SUMMARY

By using an ovariectomized goat model, we found that estrogen depletion decreases bone quality and makes it susceptible to screw-induced mechanical microdamage. Both diffuse microdamage and linear cracks accumulated up to 3 weeks after screw implantation, and the microdamage was repaired gradually after 4-8 months.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of long-term estrogen deficiency on the creation and repair of microdamage in cortical bone adjacent to bone screw.

METHODS

Cortical bone screws were placed in the tibial diaphyses 28 months after ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation (Sham-Op) in female goats. The goats were euthanized at 0 day, 21 days, 4 months, and 8 months after screw implantation. Microdamage morphology and repair were examined in peri-screw bone using histomorphometric method, and the nanomechanical properties of peri-screw bone were examined with nanoindentation testing.

RESULTS

Tibiae from ovariectomized goats in which screws had been placed had significantly higher levels of diffuse microdamage and significantly more linear cracks than those from sham goats, and the diffuse microdamage was more obvious than linear cracks in the region adjacent to the implant. Both diffuse microdamage and linear cracks accumulated up to day 21 and then gradually repaired at 4 and 8 months after surgery. The trend for bone remodeling in each group was consistent with changes in the level of microdamage. Nanoindentation testing showed that both elastic modulus and hardness in peri-screw bone were significantly decreased in OVX group compared to Sham-Op group. The hardness and elastic modulus also showed a downward trend up to 4 months after screw implantation and then exhibited some recovery after 8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Estrogen depletion decreases bone quality and makes it vulnerable to screw-induced mechanical damage, which may compromise the initial stability of an orthopedic implant.

Effect of chemical additives on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) against Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

To examine the effect of chemical additives on Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) against Plutella xylostella (L.), inorganic salts, nitrogenous compounds, protein solubilizing agents, and organic acids were selected and tested. The chosen materials are low in cost and environmentally safe. Results show that many inorganic salts can increase the activity of B. thuringiensis in a range of 1.31- to 3.08-fold. These include calcium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium acetate, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, potassium acetate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and zinc sulfate. Nitrogenous compounds, including peptone, sodium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate, can enhance the activity of B. thuringiensis 1.62-, 1.32-, and 1.37-fold, respectively. Among the protein solubilizing agents, EDTA, urea, mercaptoethanol and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate increased the activity of B. thuringiensis 1.62- to 2.34-fold. Among the organic acids, maleic and citric acids boosted the activity 1.45- and 1.55-fold, respectively. Meanwhile, sodium benzoate and resorcinol led to 1.74- and 1.44-fold activity gains, respectively. Use of appropriate additives could provide great benefit not only in reducing the costs for field applications of biological insecticides but also by boosting the efficacy of B. thuringiensis.

Leptonic-decay-constant ratio f(K+)/f(π+) from lattice QCD with physical light quarks

A calculation of the ratio of leptonic decay constants f(K+)/f(π+) makes possible a precise determination of the ratio of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix elements |V(us)|/|V(ud)| in the standard model, and places a stringent constraint on the scale of new physics that would lead to deviations from unitarity in the first row of the CKM matrix. We compute f(K+)/f(π+) numerically in unquenched lattice QCD using gauge-field ensembles recently generated that include four flavors of dynamical quarks: up, down, strange, and charm. We analyze data at four lattice spacings a ≈ 0.06, 0.09, 0.12, and 0.15 fm with simulated pion masses down to the physical value 135 MeV. We obtain f(K+)/f(π+) = 1.1947(26)(37), where the errors are statistical and total systematic, respectively. This is our first physics result from our N(f) = 2+1+1 ensembles, and the first calculation of f(K+)/f(π+) from lattice-QCD simulations at the physical point. Our result is the most precise lattice-QCD determination of f(K+)/f(π+), with an error comparable to the current world average. When combined with experimental measurements of the leptonic branching fractions, it leads to a precise determination of |V(us)|/|V(ud)| = 0.2309(9)(4) where the errors are theoretical and experimental, respectively.

MicroRNA-181b expression in prostate cancer tissues and its influence on the biological behavior of the prostate cancer cell line PC-3

We examined microRNA-181b (miRNA) expression in prostate cancer tissues and its effect on the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. Tissues from 27 cases of prostate cancer and 30 samples of normal human prostate were collected by surgical removal. Total miRNA was extracted, and the relative expression of miR-181b was quantified using RT-PCR. miR-181b ASO was transfected into prostate cancer PC-3 cells. miR-181b expression in transfected and non-transfected cells was measured using RT-PCR. Changes in cell apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry. MTT and cell growth curve methods were used to assess the influence of miR-181b expression on cell proliferation. The changes in cell invasive ability in vitro were detected using the Transwell chamber method. miR-181b was up-regulated in the prostate cancer tissues compared with the normal prostate samples. It was down-regulated after miR-181b ASO transfection into the prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Down-regulation of miR-181b in the PC-3 cell induced apoptosis, inhibited proliferation, and depressed invasion of PC-3 cells in vitro. As miR-181b is over-expressed in prostate cancer, its down-regulation could have potential as gene therapy for prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation and depressing invasion by cancer cells.

Combined isotope and enantiomer analysis to assess the fate of phenoxy acids in a heterogeneous geologic setting at an old landfill

Phenoxy acid herbicides and their potential metabolites represent industrial or agricultural waste that impacts groundwater and surface waters through leaching from old landfills throughout the world. Fate assessment of dichlorprop and its putative metabolite 4-CPP (2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid) is frequently obstructed by inconclusive evidence from redox conditions, heterogeneous geologic settings (e.g. clay till) and ambiguous parent-daughter relationships (i.e. 4-CPP may be daughter product or impurity of dichlorprop). For the first time, a combination of four methods was tested to assess transformation of phenoxy acids at a contaminated landfill (Risby site): analysis of (i) parent and daughter compound concentrations, (ii) enantiomer ratios (iii) compound-specific isotope analysis and (iv) enantiomer-specific isotope analysis. Additionally, water isotopes and chloride were used as conservative tracers to delineate two distinct groundwater flow paths in the clay till. Metabolite concentrations and isotope ratios of chlorinated ethenes demonstrated dechlorination activity in the area with highest leachate concentrations (hotspot) indicating favorable conditions also for dechlorination of dichlorprop to 4-CPP and further to phenoxypropionic acid. Combined evidence from concentrations, enantiomer ratios and isotope ratios of dichlorprop and 4-CPP confirmed their dechlorination in the hotspot and gave evidence for further degradation of 4-CPP downgradient of the hotspot. A combination of 4-CPP enantiomer and isotope analysis indicated different enantioselectivity and isotope fractionation, i.e. different modes of 4-CPP degradation, at different locations. This combined information was beyond the reach of any of the methods applied alone demonstrating the power of the new combined approach.

Emergence of resistance to fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins in Shigella flexneri subserotype 1c isolates from China

We report here on the first identification of Shigella flexneri subserotype 1c in China. We also report the emergence of resistance to ciprofloxacin and third-generation cephalosporins in this subserotype 1c for the first time. Isolates of seven strains circulating in China yielded three new sequence types and seven pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns, thus demonstrating the existence of high genetic diversity within the isolates. Overall, the seven isolates showed reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin; one isolate was ciprofloxacin resistant, whilst another developed resistance to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone.

Effect of risedronate on osteocyte viability and bone turnover in paired iliac bone biopsies from early postmenopausal women

It is unclear whether standard clinical doses of risedronate affect osteocyte viability. This study examined osteocyte viability and bone remodeling rate in early postmenopausal women (1-5 years after menopause) who were treated with a standard clinical dose of risedronate (5 mg/day, orally) for 1 year. Paired transiliac bone biopsies were obtained from 19 postmenopausal women at baseline and after 1-year treatment with placebo (n = 8, mean age 52.9 ± 3.4 years) or risedronate 5 mg/day (n = 11, mean age 52.5 ± 3.4 years). In these samples, we measured osteocyte- and bone remodeling-related variables in trabecular bone. In both the placebo and risedronate groups, empty lacunae were significantly decreased after 1-year treatment compared to baseline. There were no significant differences in osteocyte-related variables between placebo and risedronate. Risedronate significantly reduced bone-remodeling indices including mineralizing surface (MS/BS), bone formation rate (BFR/BS), and activation frequency (Ac.f). Risedronate treatment caused significantly lower MS/BS and Ac.f than placebo administration. In conclusion, risedronate 5 mg/day effectively inhibited bone remodeling but did not significantly reduce osteocyte viability in trabecular bone.