[Value of serum matrix metalloproteinase 3 in the assessment of early rheumatoid arthritis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression level of serum matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) in early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) patients with normal C-reaction protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and the significance in disease assessment.

METHODS

In the study, 133 cases of early RA patients, 25 osteoarthritis (OA) patients and 60 healthy controls in Peking University People's Hospital from 2011 to 2015 were included. The RA patients were further divided into 4 groups according to levels of CRP and ESR: 88 patients with increased CRP and increased ESR, 15 patients with normal CRP and normal ESR, 17 patients with normal CRP but increased ESR, and 13 patients with increased CRP but normal ESR. All the clinical information of the patients was collected, and the serum MMP3 levels of both patients and healthy controls were detected by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The serum MMP3 level of RA patients with normal CRP and/or normal ESR [(72.89±6.34) μg/L] was obviously higher than that of OA patients [(42.87±4.14) μg/L] (P=0.002) and healthy controls [(31.62±2.88) μg/L] (P<0.001). The serum MMP3 levels of the patients with normal CRP and normal ESR [(47.04±9.64) μg/L] were higher than those of the healthy controls, and there was statistical significance between the two groups (P<0.05). The serum MMP3 levels of the patients with increased CRP but normal ESR [(94.18±9.11) μg/L] and the patients with normal CRP but increased ESR [(79.42±10.60) μg/L] were both higher than those of the OA patients and healthy controls, and there was obvious statistical difference (P<0.05). In the early RA patients with normal CRP and/or normal ESR, the serum MMP3 level was positively correlated with the CRP level (r=0.336, P=0.024). The positive rate of MMP3 in the patients with normal CRP and/or normal ESR was 44.44%, higher than the positive rate of CRP (28.89%) and the positive rate of ESR (37.78%). In these early RA patients, the positive rate was 52.94% in the patients with normal CRP but increased ESR and 53.85% in the patients with increased CRP but normal ESR.

CONCLUSION

The detection of the serum MMP3 level was significant in the assessment of early RA patients within 2-year duration who had normal CRP or ESR value.

Very high external quantum efficiency and wall-plug efficiency 527 nm InGaN green LEDs by MOCVD

We demonstrate very high luminous efficacy InGaN-based green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) grown on c-plane patterned sapphire substrates (PSS) using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The 527 nm green LEDs show a peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 53.3%, a peak wall-plug efficiency (WPE) of 54.1% and a peak luminous efficacy of 329 lm/W, respectively. A high EQE of 38.4%, a WPE of 32.1% and a very low forward voltage of 2.86 V were obtained at a typical working current density of 20 A/cm². By operating low cost green LEDs at a low current density, our devices (0.5 mm²) demonstrating an EQE and a WPE higher than 50% and an efficacy of 259 lm/W at 4 A/cm² with an output power of 24 mW. High crystal quality of the InGaN/GaN MQWs was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the advantage of the epitaxy design was investigated by APSYS software simulation. These results provide a simple way to achieve very high efficiency InGaN green LEDs.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen correlates with fibrosis and necroinflammation: A multicentre perspective in China

The kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been studied, but the factors affecting them remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting HBsAg titres, using data from multicentre, large-sized clinical trials in China. The baseline data of 1795 patients in 3 multicentre trials were studied, and the patients were classified into 3 groups: hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic HBV infection (n = 588), HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (n = 596), and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (n = 611). HBsAg titres in the different phases were compared, and multiple linear progression analyses were performed to investigate the implicated factors. HBsAg titres varied significantly in different phases (P = .000), with the highest (4.60 log10 IU/mL [10%-90% confidence interval: 3.52 log10 IU/mL-4.99 log10 IU/mL]) in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection. In all phases, age and HBV DNA were correlated with serum HBsAg level. In HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients, a negative correlation between HBsAg titres and fibrosis stage was observed. Alanine amonitransferase or necroinflammatory activity was also correlated with HBsAg titres in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients. In conclusion, decreased HBsAg titres may be associated with advancing fibrosis in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients or increased necroinflammation in those with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Our findings may help clinicians better understand the kinetics of HBsAg and provide useful insights into the management of this disease.

[Precision of three-dimensional printed brackets]

OBJECTIVE

This study was based on digital orthodontic diagnosis work flow for indirect bonding transfer tray model design and three-dimensional (3D) printing, and the aim of this paper was to inspect the dimensional accuracyof 3D printed brackets, which is the foundation of the follow up work and hoped that will illuminate the clinical application of the digital orthodontics work flow.

METHODS

The samples which consisted of 14 cases of patients with malocclusion from Department of Orthodontics Peking University were selected, including 8 cases with tooth extraction and 6 cases without tooth extraction. All the 14 patients were taken intra-oral scan (Trios 3Shape, Denmark) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT, NewTom 3G volumetric scanner, Aperio Service,Italy)shooting after periodontal treatment. STL data and DICOM data were obtained from intraoral scans and CBCT images.Data segmentation, registration, fusion, automatic tooth arrangement, virtual positioning of orthodontic appliance and conversion the coordinates of malocclusion model were all done with self-programming software. The data of 3D printing model with brackets on it were output finally and printed out with EDEN260V (Objet Geometries, Israel) to make indirect bonding transfer tray. Digital vernier caliper was used to measure the length and width of upper and lower left brackets and buccal tubes on those 3D models after removal of surrounding supporting material by ultrasonic vibration and water-spray. Intra-examiner reliability was assessed by using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), and one-sample T test was used to compare the measurements with the standard dimensional data of the brackets.

RESULTS

There were significant differences which range in 0.04-0.17 mm between the 13 items out of the 19 measurement items. Except for the length of the lower left premolars'brackets, mean values of the other items were greater than the test value.

CONCLUSION

Although the measurement results in the width of brackets and the width and length of the buccal tubes obtained experimentally were slightly larger than the test value,this may not reduce the accuracy of indirect bonding procedure in clinic necessarily. Whether the differences which range in 0.04-0.17 mm would actually affect the retention and positioning of brackets needs to be confirmed by further studies.

Optically pumped lasing with a Q-factor exceeding 6000 from wet-etched GaN micro-pyramids

We report the observation of room-temperature optically pumped lasing modes from a single GaN pyramid microcavity on a metallic mirror. The mode at 367.2 nm exhibits a low threshold (0.4-0.5  MW/cm²) and a narrow linewidth (0.054 nm), by which the quality factor can be estimated to be >6000. These lasing behaviors can be attributed to the specific wet-etching approach by selectively etching away defects and pyramid geometry with bottom Ag reflectors for better light confinement. Optical resonances in these pyramids are further investigated in combination with three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus: a 20-year study

The objective of this study was to investigate the manifestations, treatment and outcome of neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The charts of 185 pediatric patients with SLE diagnosed between 1985 and 2005 in a tertiary referral hospital were retrospectively reviewed. NPSLE were defined using the American College of Rheumatology NPSLE case definitions. NPSLE developed in 34.6% (64/185) of the patients. The mean onset age was 15.2 years. Fourteen patients (21.9%) had NP manifestations on initial diagnosis of SLE. The median duration from the onset of SLE to NP manifestation was 11 months. The most frequent NP manifestations were seizure disorder (84.4%), ischemic stroke (28.1%) and psychosis (21.9%). However, the prevalence of manifestations of NPSLE might be underestimated by the retrospective design of our study. Higher mean C3/C4 levels, less percentage of anti-dsDNA antibodies elevation and higher percentage of elevated anticardiolipin antibodies were observed in NPSLE events than in non-NPSLE events ( P 0.05). The mortality rate of NPSLE patients decreased from 52.2% in 1985–1994 cohort to 27.8% in 1995–2005 cohort. In the past 10 years, the leading cause of death in NPSLE patients was NPSLE itself. NPSLE is common in pediatric SLE patients. It has diverse manifestations and a high mortality.

[Inhibitory effect of imrecoxib combined with lobaplatin on tumor growth and lymph node metastasis of human lung cancer xenografts in nude mice]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the inhibitory effect of imrecoxib combined with lobaplatin on tumor growth and lymph node metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice, and to explore its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

Human lung cancer A549 cells were injected into Bal B/c nude mice subcutaneously. Twenty-eight healthy male nude mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, imrecoxib group, lobaplatin group and imrecoxib combined with lobaplatin group. Each group was treated with appropriate drugs and the tumor size was measured every five days. The expression of ezrin and E-cadherin protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Ezrin and E-cadherin mRNA were detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The tumor inhibition rates of imrecoxib group, lobaplatin group and combination group were 36.7%, 54.6% and 69.2%, respectively. The tumor volumes of imrecoxib group [(905.33±113.31) mm(3)] and combination group [(507.74±77.50) mm(3)] were significantly lower than that of the control group (1355.33±189.04) mm(3) (P<0.05), and the tumor weights were significantly reduced [(1.13±0.14) g, (0.63±0.10) g respectively] vs. (1.69±0.24) g (P<0.05). The expressions of ezrin protein and mRNA in the imrecoxib group and combined treatment group were significantly lower than that of the control group (136.53±35.52, 74.72±19.48 vs. 175.62±21.16 for protein expression level; 0.54±0.03, 0.36±0.03 vs. 1.02±0.02 for mRNA expression level, respectively, P<0.05 for both), while the expression of E-cadherin protein and mRNA in the imrecoxib group and combined treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (253.78±38.87, 308.94±24.67 vs. 213.66±30.31 for protein expression level; 2.19±0.02, 3.02±0.02 vs. 1.05±0.03 for mRNA expression level, respectively, P<0.05 for both). There was a significant negative correlation between ezrin protein and E-cadherin protein (r=-0.737, P<0.01), as well as between ezrin mRNA and E-cadherin mRNA (r=-0.977, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of imrecoxib combined with lobaphatin has inhibitory effects on the growth of non-small cell lung cancer xenografts and lymph node metastasis via down-regulated ezrin and upregulated E-cadherin. Imrecoxib and lobaplatin have a synergistic antitumor effect.

Cloning and expression analysis of cysteine protease gene (MwCP) in Agropyron mongolicum Keng

In this study, a cysteine protease gene (MwCP) from Agropyron mongolicum Keng was isolated using RACE. Sequence analysis indicated that MwCP was 1473 bp, and it contained a 1134-bp open reading frame, which encoded 377 amino acids with a 24-amino acid N-terminal signal peptide. The results indicated that the MwCP protein was a new member of the papain C1A family, and it was predicted to be an extracellular, secretory stable hydrophilic protein. The secondary structure of MwCP was mainly composed of α-helices and random coils, and the space structure primarily contained α-helices, β-sheets, and β-turns. Homology analyses showed the 98% homology between MwCP amino acids and a cysteine protease found in Triticum aestivum (GenBank accession No. AAW21813.1). Analysis of mRNA using semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicated that during a 48-h drought stress period, MwCP was expressed during the 4th hour, and the expression level peaked during the 6th hour before declining to the original level. The results revealed that MwCP was involved in drought-resistant physiological processes of A. mongolicum. Moreover, the MwCP expression levels were highest in leaves, intermediate in roots, and lowest in stems.

Astragalus polysaccharide promotes the release of mature granulocytes through the L-selectin signaling pathway

Background

This study aims to investigate the leukogenic effect of astragalus polysaccharide (APS), to compare its effect of increasing the numbers of mature granulocytes with that of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and to investigate the mechanism.

Methods

Rats were arbitrarily grouped into four groups (control, cyclophosphamide (CTX), CTX + APS, and CTX + G-CSF groups), and each group was then arbitrarily divided into five subgroups according to the time period since CTX infusion (0, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days). The expression of leukocyte selectin (L-selectin), its ligand, and shedding-related protease on granulocytes was analyzed. Leukocyte counts were obtained. Chemotactic capacity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) was assessed.

Results

Both APS and G-CSF restored the expression of L-selectin, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), CD11b/CD18, and ADAM17 to normal levels (P > 0.05 vs. control group on each time point), with APS eliciting a greater effect than G-CSF (P = 0.005 on day 7, P < 0.001 on day 10 and 14 for L-selectin; P = 0.038 on day 7, P = 0.001 on day 10, P < 0.001 on day 14 for PSGL-1; P < 0.001 on day 7, 10 and 14 for ADAM17; P < 0.001 on day 7, 10, and 14 for CD11b/CD18). The percentages of the bands and segmented bone marrow (BM) cells in myeloid neutrophils were higher in the CTX + APS group than in the CTX group on day 7 (P = 0.030) and reached normal levels on day 10 (P = 0.547) and 14 (P = 0.431) vs. control group. The ability of APS to increase numbers of PMNLs in peripheral blood after chemotherapy was significantly superior to that of G-CSF 7 days after chemotherapy (P = 0.029 on day 10, P = 0.006 on day 14). Moreover, APS more significantly improved the chemotactic ability of PMNLs among mature BM granulocytes and peripheral blood neutrophils after chemotherapy than did G-CSF (P < 0.001 on day 7, P = 0.001 on day 10 and P = 0.005 on day 14).

Conclusions

APS promoted the differentiation and chemotactic ability of BM granulocytes via the L-selectin signaling pathway.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13020-015-0043-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Influenza A plasma and serum virus antibody detection comparison in dogs using blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Background and Aim:

The influenza A virus (IAV) is an important zoonotic pathogen with infections also reported in dogs. IAV infections can be detected through the presence of antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum is the only standard sample source; however, there is no information on the availability of other sample sources for IAV antibody detection in dogs. Compared with serum, plasma is more widely employed in most animal hospitals. The object of this study is to investigate whether plasma collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes (EDTA plasma) or heparin tubes (heparin plasma) could be used in the ELISA protocol instead of serum for IAV antibody detection in dogs.

Materials and Methods:

Totally, 82 matched EDTA plasma and serum sample pairs and 79 matched heparin plasma and serum sample pairs were employed using blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA). The agreement and correlation between the plasma (EDTA or heparin plasma) and serum were assessed using the agreement index kappa (kD) calculation and Pearson correlation coefficient, respectively.

Results:

The agreement index kD of EDTA plasma and serum was 1.0, and that of heparin plasma and serum was 0.85. The Pearson correlation coefficient of EDTA plasma and serum was 0.87 (p<0.01), and that of heparin plasma and serum was 0.82 (p<0.01).

Conclusion:

The results proved that plasma, especially EDTA plasma, could be substituted for serum in the bELISA test. This might greatly expand the clinical applicability of IAV antibody detection in dogs.

Implication of polymorphisms in DNA repair genes with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma

We explored the association between 4 XRCC1 (Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln) and XPD (Asp312Asn and Lys751Gln) polymorphisms with the development and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 218 cases with HCC and 277 healthy controls were included in the study. Genotyping of the XRCC1 (Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln) and XPD (Asp312Asn and Lys751Gln) polymorphisms was performed in a 384-well plate format on the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. We found that individuals with the XRCC1 399AA genotype had a higher risk of HCC compared with the GG genotype (odds ratio, OR = 1.85, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.03-3.23). Similarly, individuals carrying the XPD 751GG genotype showed a greatly increased risk of HCC (OR = 2.97, 95%CI = 126- 7.38). Cox regression analysis showed that individuals carrying XPD 751Gln/Gln genotypes had a 0.30-fold increased risk of death from HCC. These results suggest that polymorphisms in XRCC1 and XPD may have functional significance in HCC.

Effects of clinoptilolite and modified clinoptilolite on the growth performance, intestinal microflora, and gut parameters of broilers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of natural clinoptilolite (NCLI) and modified clinoptilolite (MCLI) on broiler performance, gut morphology, and its relation to gut circumstances. A total of two hundred forty 1-d-old male chicks were randomly assigned to 3 treatments, each of which comprised 8 pens of 10 chicks per pen. Birds in the control group were fed the basal diet, whereas those in the experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with NCLI at 2% (NCLI group) or MCLI at 2% (MCLI group) for 42 d. The results showed that compared with the control, supplementation with NCLI or MCLI had no significant (P > 0.05) effects on productive parameters from d 1 to 42. Supplementation with MCLI and NCLI was associated with greater (P < 0.05) villus height in the jejunal and ileal mucosa compared with those areas in the controls from d 1 to 42. However, supplementation with NCLI and MCLI had no significant (P > 0.05) influence on the crypt depth in the jejunal and ileal mucosa compared with those in the controls. Total viable counts of Escherichia coli were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by MCLI and NCLI from d 1 to 21. The NCLI and MCLI significantly increased the total viable counts of Lactobacillus acidophilus from d 22 to 42. Small intestine and cecal pH values in the MCLI group were found to be lower (P < 0.05) than those in other groups. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in both experimental groups from d 22 to 42. This study showed that NCLI or MCLI, as feed additives for broilers, had a positive effect on gut parameters by acting on microbial populations of the digestive tract.

Quantum Brayton cycle with coupled systems as working substance

We explore the quantum version of the Brayton cycle with a composite system as the working substance. The actual Brayton cycle consists of two adiabatic and two isobaric processes. Two pressures can be defined in our isobaric process; one corresponds to the external magnetic field (characterized by F(x)) exerted on the system, while the other corresponds to the coupling constant between the subsystems (characterized by F(y)). As a consequence, we can define two types of quantum Brayton cycle for the composite system. We find that the subsystem experiences a quantum Brayton cycle in one quantum Brayton cycle (characterized by F(x)), whereas the subsystem's cycle is quantum Otto cycle in another Brayton cycle (characterized by F(y)). The efficiency for the composite system equals to that for the subsystem in both cases, but the work done by the total system is usually larger than the sum of the work done by the two subsystems. The other interesting finding is that for the cycle characterized by F(y), the subsystem can be a refrigerator, while the total system is a heat engine. The result in this paper can be generalized to a quantum Brayton cycle with a general coupled system as the working substance.

Predictive value of circulating endothelial cells for efficacy of chemotherapy with Rh-endostatin in non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

The present study was designed to elucidate the fluctuation of activated CECs (aCECs) during different therapies and to investigate their predictive value for efficacy of anti-angiogenesis and chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Seventy-two patients were randomized into three arms, treated with concomitant NP (vinorelbine and cisplatin) and Rh-endostatin, Rh-endostatin followed by NP, and single NP up to a maximum of six cycles. Response, time to progression (TTP), and aCECs levels were observed. The correlation between aCECs and efficacy was analyzed.

RESULTS

We found that TTP was 8.5 months in concomitant NP and Rh-endostatin versus 5.3 months in NP (p = 0.04) and 6.0 months in Rh-endostatin followed by NP. aCECs fluctuated during the therapeutic period, with a significantly high level from baseline on 8th day of Rh-endostatin followed by NP regimen, that is, when single Rh-endostatin was administered for 1 week, and upon completion of therapy in cases of progressive disease in each group (all p < 0.05). When TTP was longer than 10 months, aCECs count difference (∆aCECs, the difference in the aCECs by post-therapeutic amount minus pre-therapeutic amount) was reversely correlated to TTP (p = 0.003, r = -0.647).

CONCLUSIONS

An improved synergistic effect was achieved from concomitant NP and Rh-endostatin compared with Rh-endostatin followed by NP and single NP. aCECs increased when the disease was aggravated or single Rh-endostatin treatment of Rh-endostatin was administered, while they decreased when a clinical response to the combined therapy was obtained. Our results suggest ∆aCECs as an ideal marker to predict the response to Rh-endostatin combined with chemotherapy.

Comparison of the effects of recombinant human endostatin and docetaxel on human umbilical vein endothelial cells in different growth states

BACKGROUND

Recombinant human endostatin (rh-endostatin, Endostar) has been proved to be an inhibitor of angiogenesis. Docetaxel has been also considered as a common chemotherapeutic agent with inhibition of angiogenesis of malignancies. However, their function has been seldom compared and a best synergism protocol is not determined. This study aimed to compare the effects of two drugs, investigate their combined impact on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), a molecular basis and find ideal protocols to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation.

METHODS

HUVECs on confluent growth or activated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were treated by rh-endostatin or/and docetaxel at respective gradient concentration in following operations as cell proliferation determined by MTT assay, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and markers of CD146, CD62E and CD105 detected by flow cytometery, the structure of the channel formed by HUVECs measured by tube formation count.

RESULTS

Rh-endostatin exhibited time dependent inhibition of proliferation while docetaxel showed both time and dose dependent inhibition. HUVECs accumulated in G(0)-G(1) with decreased numbers of cells in G(2) after a single treatment of rh-endostatin or that followed by docetaxel treatment. Cells accumulated in G(2) after both a single docetaxel and simultaneous administration. Both the number of cells in G(0)-G(1) and apoptotic cells were increased by docetaxel followed by rh-endostatin treatment. The number of non-apoptotic cells at G(0)-G(1) was increased by first administering rh-endostatin then docetaxel. Sequential treatment of docetaxel followed by rh-endostatin resulted in the greatest increase in apoptosis (34.7%) and the second highest apoptosis was seen with simultaneous administration (18.2%). Expression of CD146 and CD105 on confluent HUVECs was reduced at certain doses of rh-endostatin and/or docetaxel. However, rh-endostatin reduced CD105 without any apparent impact on either CD146 or CD62E expression, whereas these markers were down-regulated by docetaxel after pre-activation by VEGF. Rh-endostatin treatment maintained tube-like structures for a limited time. In contrast, docetaxel swiftly reduced tube formation. Simultaneous treatment, or docetaxel followed by rh-endostatin, exhibited a stronger inhibition on tube formation than either agent alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Both rh-endostatin and docetaxel can inhibit HUVEC proliferation while the high apoptotic rate after combined administration was probably owing to different sequent administration by docetaxel followed by rh-endostatin or simultaneous treatment. Both proliferation and adhesion molecules on HUVECs of confluent growth are down-regulated by the two drugs. The rh-endostatin decreased proliferation markers, but only slightly modified adhesion molecules, while both markers were down-regulated by docetaxel on HUVECs activated by VEGF. Rh-endostatin could maintain adhesion of HUVECs at first then induce cells apoptosis to damage tube formation. We hypothesize that it could lead to vascular normalization in short time. In contrast, docetaxel can suppress HUVEC proliferation, adhesion, and reduced tube formation swiftly due to its cytotoxicity. Combined treatments can induce a synergistic inhibition of tube formation.

A bio-inspired two-layer multiple-walled carbon nanotube-polymer composite sensor array and a bio-inspired fast-adaptive readout circuit for a portable electronic nose

We report a fully integrated, portable, battery-operated electronic nose system comprising a bio-inspired two-layer multiple-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-polymer composite sensor array, a bio-inspired fast-adaptive readout circuit, and a microprocessor embedded with a pattern recognition algorithm. The two-layer MWNT-polymer composite sensor is simple to operate, and the membrane quality can be easily controlled. These two-layer membranes have improved sensitivity and stability. The fast-adaptive readout circuit responds to the sensor response, while tuning out the long-term constant background humidity, temperature, and odors. This portable electronic nose system successfully classified four complex alcohol samples 40 times for each sample; these samples were sake, sorghum liquor, medical liquor, and whisky.

Numb regulates meiotic spindle organisation in mouse oocytes

Numb is an adaptor protein that controls the fate of cells in different species through asymmetrical inheritance by sibling cells during division. It has been investigated extensively in mitosis, mostly in neural progenitor cells, but its function in meiosis remains unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the expression, subcellular localisation and functional roles of Numb during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, we found that the expression of Numb increased from the germinal vesicle (GV) to MII stages. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that Numb was mainly concentrated in the GV before meiosis resumption, aggregated in the vicinity of the chromosomes after GV breakdown and then localised to the spindle poles from prometaphase I to MII. Nocodazole treatment resulted in spindle destruction and Numb diffusion into the cytoplasm. However, Numb appeared at the spindle poles again once the spindles had formed when nocodazole-treated oocytes were washed and cultured for spindle recovery. Depletion of Numb by RNA interference resulted in chromosome misalignment, spindle deformation and even doubled spindle formation. Our results suggest that Numb is critical for spindle organisation during mouse oocytes meiosis. The present study provides evidence of a new function for Numb in addition to its action as a cell fate-determining factor.

[Analysis of cavitation of advanced NSCLC treated by rh-endostatin combined with NP chemotherapy]

OBJECTIVE

To study the significance of intra-tumoral cavitation in the patients with advanced NSCLC treated by rh-endostatin plus NP chemotherapy.

METHODS

Fifty-seven patients with advanced NSCLC were randomly assigned to receive chemotherapy with rh-endostatin plus NP or NP alone. The numbers of activated circulating endothelial cells (aCECs) were measured by flow cytometry. Chest computed tomography was performed to evaluate the efficacy after 2 cycles of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Cavitation occurred in 5 of 29 patients in the rh-endostatin plus NP group, but not in any case of the NP group. Of the 5 patients, there were 2 males and 3 females, with pathological types of 3 adenocarcinomas, 1 adenosquamous cell carcinoma and 1 sarcomatoid carcinoma. All of these 5 cases had a peripherally located tumor in the CT scan. There was only one cavity in each case and most of these were roundish. Four cavities were situated in the center of the tumor and another one was eccentric. There were 3 cavities with thin wall and 2 with thick wall. Their average diameter was 2.7 cm. No hemoptysis occurred in these 5 patients. The blood-supply of the tumors showed by perfusion CT images was inhibited in 3 cases after treatment. The average number of aCECs decreased from 323.2/10(5) to 33.0/10(5) after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Intratumoral cavitation is a peculiar imaging characteristics after anti-angiogenic therapy, which may be caused by inhibition of blood-supply to the tumor. CT perfusion imaging and measurement of activated circulating endothelial cells may be helpful to predict the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy combined with chemotherapy.

Osteoclastogenic activity during mandibular distraction osteogenesis

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis is a well-developed clinical modality for the treatment of craniofacial deformities and dental arch discrepancies, in combination with orthodontic treatment. However, in our previous study, orthodontic tooth movement into the distraction gap caused severe root resorption. The present study aimed to clarify the osteoclastogenic activity of cells in the distraction gap. We hypothesized that the gene expression of osteoclastogenic- and osteoclast-supporting molecules in osteoblasts and stromal cells would increase at distraction sites during the consolidation period. An animal model experiment involving rabbits was designed for mandibular distraction osteogenesis and subjected to in situ hybridization analysis. The number of osteoclasts was larger in the distraction gap during the early consolidation period than in normal controls, due to an increase of gene expression for osteoclastogenic cytokines in osteoblasts. It was concluded that osteoclastogenic and osteoclastic activities are stimulated at distraction sites during the early consolidation period.

Sera from children with active Henoch-Schönlein purpura can enhance the production of interleukin 8 by human umbilical venous endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the ability of sera from children with active Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) to enhance endothelial interleukin (IL) 8 production and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression.

METHODS

Nine children with active HSP and nine normal healthy children were enrolled. IL8 serum levels of patients and controls at different stages were analysed. Production of IL8 and expression of ICAM-1 by human umbilical venous endothelial cells were detected (ELISA for IL8, flow cytometry for ICAM-1) and compared under various stimuli, including sera of patients at different stages, sera of controls, and medium alone.

RESULTS

Serum levels of IL8 were increased at the acute stage. Levels of IL8 in supernatants from human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC) co-cultured with sera from children with active HSP were significantly higher than those from HUVEC without any treatment (p = 0.001), HUVEC treated with inactive sera (p = 0.004), and HUVEC treated with sera from healthy controls (p = 0.004). Sera from patients and from controls did not enhance the expression of ICAM-1 on HUVEC.

CONCLUSIONS

Some factors may be present in sera from children with active HSP that could activate endothelial cells to produce IL8. This process may account, in part, for the mechanisms of perivascular neutrophil infiltration and leucocytosis in HSP.

Berry phase in a composite system

The Berry phase in a composite system with one driven subsystem has been studied in this Letter. We choose two coupled spin-1 / 2 systems as the composite system; one of the subsystems is driven by a time-dependent magnetic field. We show how the Berry phases depend on the coupling between the two subsystems, and the relation between the Berry phases of the composite system and those of its subsystems.